Oxymatrine is an alkaloid with the property of immunomodulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxymatrine inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple Show more
Oxymatrine is an alkaloid with the property of immunomodulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxymatrine inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), by promoting the production of interferon-β (IFN-β). However, the mechanism through which oxymatrine regulates the production of IFN-β remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects and related molecular mechanisms of oxymatrine in the treatment of EAE through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Oxymatrine alleviated neurological dysfunction, demyelination, and inflammation in EAE mice. It reduced microglia/macrophage infiltration and polarization, lowered pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (iNOS, TNF-α), and enhanced the expression of IL-10 and IL-27. Additionally, oxymatrine upregulated the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway in EAE mice, promoting IFN-β production by microglia. Similarly, in LPS-induced BV2 cells, oxymatrine suppressed inflammatory factors and activated the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway to enhance IFN-β production. Notably, treatment with the STING inhibitor, C176, reversed these effects in both EAE mice and LPS-induced BV2 cells, confirming the pathway's critical role in the mechanism of oxymatrine therapy. Oxymatrine promotes IFN-β production in microglia by upregulating the STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating the neurological dysfunction of EAE and reducing pathological and inflammatory events. This study identifies a novel anti-EAE mechanism of oxymatrine: promoting IFN-β production in microglia by activating the STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway. However, it lacks clinical sample verification. If validated later, oxymatrine may provide a more economical, convenient endogenous IFN-β induction regimen for MS patients. Show less
Tumor fibrosis is recognized as a malignant hallmark in various solid tumors; however, the clinical importance and associated molecular characteristics of tumor fibrosis in liver metastases (LM) from Show more
Tumor fibrosis is recognized as a malignant hallmark in various solid tumors; however, the clinical importance and associated molecular characteristics of tumor fibrosis in liver metastases (LM) from colorectal cancer (CRLM) remain poorly understood. Here we show that patients with CRLM whose liver metastases (LM) exhibited tumor fibrosis (Fibrosis+ LM) had significantly worse progression-free survival (P = 0.025) and overall survival (P = 0.008). Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that the tumor microenvironment of the Fibrosis+ LM was characterized by T cells with an exhausted phenotype, macrophages displaying a profibrotic and suppressive phenotype and fibrosis-promoting fibroblasts. Further investigation highlighted the pivotal role of VCAN_eCAF in remodeling the tumor fibrosis in the tumor microenvironment of Fibrosis+ LM, emphasizing potential targetable interactions such as FGF23 or FGF3-FGFR1. Validation through multiplex immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomics supported these findings. Here we present a comprehensive single-cell atlas of tumor fibrosis in LM, revealing the intricate multicellular environment and molecular features associated with it. These insights deepen our understanding of tumor fibrosis mechanisms and inform improved clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies. Show less
Obesity is a global health challenge marked by substantial inter-individual differences in responses to dietary and lifestyle interventions. Traditional weight loss strategies often overlook critical Show more
Obesity is a global health challenge marked by substantial inter-individual differences in responses to dietary and lifestyle interventions. Traditional weight loss strategies often overlook critical biological variations in genetics, metabolic profiles, and gut microbiota composition, contributing to poor adherence and variable outcomes. Our primary aim is to identify key biological and behavioral effectors relevant to precision medicine for weight control, with a particular focus on nutrition, while also discussing their current and potential integration into digital health platforms. Thus, this review aligns more closely with the identification of influential factors within precision medicine (e.g., genetic, metabolic, and microbiome factors) but also explores how these factors are currently integrated into digital health tools. We synthesize recent advances in nutrigenomics, nutritional metabolomics, and microbiome-informed nutrition, highlighting how tailored dietary strategies-such as high-protein, low-glycemic, polyphenol-enriched, and fiber-based diets-can be aligned with specific genetic variants (e.g., FTO and MC4R), metabolic phenotypes (e.g., insulin resistance), and gut microbiota profiles (e.g., Show less
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
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
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor in children, characterized by high recurrence rates, drug resistance, and significant mortality. In this study, we analyzed the proteomic profiles of Show more
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor in children, characterized by high recurrence rates, drug resistance, and significant mortality. In this study, we analyzed the proteomic profiles of NB tissue samples alongside other pathological categories, including ganglioneuroma (GN) and ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB). Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), the core prognostic gene models associated with histopathology of NB were identified. Furthermore, by mapping our core prognostic gene models onto drug-perturbed transcriptome profiles from the L1000FWD and CMap databases, repurposing drug candidates were screened and validated for NB. Our proteomic analysis reveals that pathways associated with the cell cycle and DNA replication are significantly upregulated in NB, while oxidative phosphorylation, pyruvate metabolism, and the TCA cycle are notably downregulated compared to GNB and GN. By applying WGCNA, we identified a core prognostic gene model strongly associated with the unfavorable subtype and high MKI of NB and primarily related to chromatin binding and mRNA metabolic process. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified 15 hub genes in this core prognostic module: SMARCA4, SMARCA5, SMARCC2, SMARCC1, PBRM1, BRD3, ARID1A, BRD2, ARID1B, KDM1A, TP53BP1, ALYREF, CBX1, SF3B1, and ADNP, which mainly related to chromatin remodeling. Notably, SMARCA4 and ALYREF are also high-risk genes of mortality and validated as potential prognostic biomarkers for NB. Through repurposing drugs screening, mocetinostat and clofarabine were validated as effective treatments in two NB cell lines. Mocetinostat and clofarabine offer valuable insights for the development of novel targeted therapies in neuroblastoma. Show less
Inhibition of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK or BCKDK), a negative regulator of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, is hypothesized to treat cardio-metabolic diseases. From Show more
Inhibition of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK or BCKDK), a negative regulator of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, is hypothesized to treat cardio-metabolic diseases. From a starting point with potential idiosyncratic toxicity risk, modification to a benzothiophene core and discovery of a cryptic pocket allowed for improved potency with 3-aryl substitution to arrive at PF-07328948, which was largely devoid of protein covalent binding liability. This BDK inhibitor was shown also to be a BDK degrader in cells and in vivo rodent studies. Plasma biomarkers, including BCAAs and branched-chain ketoacids (BCKAs), were lowered in vivo with enhanced pharmacodynamic effect upon chronic dosing due to BDK degradation. This molecule improves metabolic and heart failure end points in rodent models. PF-07328948 is the first known selective BDK inhibitor candidate to be examined in clinical studies, with Phase 1 single ascending dose data showing good tolerability and a pharmacokinetic profile commensurate with once-daily dosing. Show less
This study explored latent mental health profiles among adolescents in southwestern China and the association with emotional regulation using the dual-factor model framework. 1,682 junior middle schoo Show more
This study explored latent mental health profiles among adolescents in southwestern China and the association with emotional regulation using the dual-factor model framework. 1,682 junior middle school students completed the LPA revealed three profiles: Troubled (31.51%, high negative symptoms/low well-being), complete mental health (61.30%, low negative symptoms/high well-being), and more troubled (7.19%, severe negative symptoms/extremely low well-being). Cognitive reappraisal positively predicted complete mental health (vs. Troubled; Three distinct profiles emerged, differing from the traditional dual-factor model. Cognitive reappraisal protects mental health, while expressive suppression correlates with poorer outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions promoting cognitive reappraisal. Show less
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed Show more
The beak bean, found only in waterfowl and Galliformes, aids in foraging, self-defense and pecking hard objects. Its rich coloration results from prolonged evolutionary adaptation. This study analyzed beak bean phenotypes of duck at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of age, revealing that the most common type is the black beak bean, characterized by melanin deposition on the beak surface. This study performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate the genetic basis of beak bean color, identifying signals on chromosome 1. The copy number variation region-based GWAS revealed a consistent candidate region overlapping with the SNP-based GWAS signals, further supporting the importance of this genomic region. Locus zoom analysis further refined the candidate regions to 48.5-50.5 and 50.8-52.8 Mb. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted six candidate genes within these regions: KITLG, DUSP6, GALNT4, MGAT4C, ATP2B1 and NTS. Notably, KITLG and DUSP6, which are linked to melanin production, were identified as key candidate genes for beak bean color. Our finding revealed the genetic basis of the bean color traits for the first time in ducks, providing a theoretical foundation and technological framework for enhancing duck beak coloration. Show less
Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a neurological disease that primarily affects premature infants and involves infiltration of blood into the brain's ventricles followed by excessive accumulatio Show more
Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a neurological disease that primarily affects premature infants and involves infiltration of blood into the brain's ventricles followed by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to ventricular enlargement and increased intracranial pressure. The precise mechanisms driving PHH development and persistence are incompletely understood and lack disease-modifying treatments. Using a mouse model of PHH, we have identified transcriptomic, proteomic, and cellular features of PHH involving neuroimmune and neurovascular alterations recapitulating those reported in human disease. Improvement upon a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced PHH mouse model was combined with unbiased proteomic and single-nucleus transcriptomics that identified microglial molecular pathways propagating PHH. Pharmacological depletion of microglia in vivo significantly reduced PHH-associated ventriculomegaly. These data identify microglial and neurovascular elements in the development of PHH, implicating them as other potentially tractable therapeutic targets beyond LPA receptors, towards developing medical treatments for PHH. 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
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, and most CRCs arise from colorectal adenomas. Early detection and removal of precancerous lesions during the adenoma-carci Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, and most CRCs arise from colorectal adenomas. Early detection and removal of precancerous lesions during the adenoma-carcinoma sequence can significantly reduce CRC risk. However, current clinical practice lacks rapid, noninvasive screening tools for reliable adenoma detection. Proteomic analysis was performed on serum samples from patients with inflammatory polyps (non-neoplastic), patients with adenomas, and healthy controls to identify key differentially expressed proteins capable of distinguishing adenoma patients. The alterations in these candidate proteins were further validated by ELISA to evaluate their potential as diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal adenoma. In two independent cohorts, we identified two candidate biomarkers, apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) and filamin A (FLNA), through a multi-step selection process involving ANOVA p-value screening, sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA), and LASSO regression analysis. These candidates were subsequently validated in a third cohort using ELISA. The ELISA results for APOA4 were discordant with the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) findings. In contrast, FLNA levels measured by ELISA showed a progressive decrease from healthy controls to patients with inflammatory polyps and further to those with adenomas. We propose FLNA as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of colorectal adenomas. The areas under the ROC curves exceeded 0.7 for both key clinical comparisons: 0.810 for adenomas versus healthy controls, and 0.734 for adenomas versus inflammatory polyps. Overall, this study not only enhances our understanding of the serum proteome in colorectal adenoma but also identifies FLNA as a promising biomarker for its clinical diagnosis. Show less
Obesity-induced metabolic inflammation is a key driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with immune dysregulation, particularly among lymphocytes, contributing to early disease pathology. To explore t Show more
Obesity-induced metabolic inflammation is a key driver of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with immune dysregulation, particularly among lymphocytes, contributing to early disease pathology. To explore the role of apolipoprotein A4 (Apoa4) in regulating immune cell metabolism and function, we establish high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) models using wild-type and 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
Altered levels of human plasma metabolites have been implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the causality between metabolites and the disease was not well described. We performe Show more
Altered levels of human plasma metabolites have been implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the causality between metabolites and the disease was not well described. We performed a bidirectional metabolome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the potential causal relationships between 871 plasma metabolites and BD. We used DrugBank and ChEMBL to evaluate whether related metabolites are potential therapeutic targets. Finally, Bayesian colocalization analysis was performed to identify shared genomic loci BD and identified metabolites. Our MR results showed that six metabolites were significantly associated with a reduced risk of BD, including arachidonate (20:4n6) (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.95) and sphingomyelin (d18:2/24:1, d18:1/24:2) (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.96), while five metabolites were significantly associated with an increased risk of BD, including 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPE (16:0/18:2) (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.13). However, our reverse MR analysis showed that BD was not associated with the levels of any metabolite. Additionally, the leave-one-out analysis revealed SNPs within chromosome 11 loci harboring MYRF, FADS1, and FADS2 as ones with the potential to influence partial causal effects. Druggability evaluation showed that 10 of the BD-related metabolites, such as sphingomyelin and cytidine, have been targeted by pharmacologic intervention. Colocalization analysis highlighted one colocalized region (chromosome 11q12) shared by 11 metabolites and BD and pointed to some genes as possible players, including FADS1, FADS2, FADS3, and SYT7. Our study supported a causal role of plasma metabolites in the susceptibility to BD, and the identified metabolites may provide a new avenue for the prevention and treatment of BD. Show less
Cardiac hypertrophy as one of the major predisposing factors for chronic heart failure lacks effective interventions. It has been shown that protein ubiquitination plays an important role in cardiac h Show more
Cardiac hypertrophy as one of the major predisposing factors for chronic heart failure lacks effective interventions. It has been shown that protein ubiquitination plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. SMURF2 (SMAD-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase 2) is an important member of NEDD4 (neuronal precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4) family of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases. In this study we investigated the regulatory role of SMURF2 in cardiac hypertrophy. Experiment models were established in mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in vivo, as well as in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) by treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 μM) in vitro. We showed that the expression levels of SMURF2 were significantly elevated in cardiac tissues from patients with cardiac hypertrophy and the two experiment models. In NRCMs, SMURF2 knockdown or treatment with a specific SMURF2 inhibitor heclin (8 μM) significantly inhibited Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, evidenced by reduced mRNA levels of Anp, Bnp and β-Mhc as well as cell surface. Prophylactic or therapeutic administration of heclin (10 mg·kg Show less
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor in infants, often requiring intervention due to potential functional impairment and cosmetic concerns. Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrener Show more
Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a common benign vascular tumor in infants, often requiring intervention due to potential functional impairment and cosmetic concerns. Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor blocker, is the first-line therapy for IH, yet its mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This prospective study investigated the systemic angiogenic protein profile changes in response to propranolol in 14 treatment-naïve IH infants compared to 14 healthy controls using antibody array analysis. We identified twenty-six angiogenic proteins significantly downregulated in pretreatment IH patients compared to healthy controls. After 3 months of propranolol treatment, six proteins including HB-EGF, TGFα, ANGPTL4, Follistatin, Tie-1 and PLGF were significantly upregulated. Bioinformatic enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins are involved in key biological processes and signaling pathways, including epithelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis regulation, VEGF signaling, ERBB-EGFR axis, Ras-MAPK, and PI3K-Akt pathways. These results suggest that propranolol treatment is associated with a rebalancing of dysregulated angiogenic proteins in IH, through modulating both pro- and anti-angiogenic factors to rebalance vascular homeostasis. Our study provides novel insights into the systems-level pharmacological actions of propranolol and proposes potential biomarkers for treatment response evaluation. Show less
Women diagnosed with PCOS exhibit a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aims to assess risk factors of OSA among patients with PCOS. This retrospective study included 126 pati Show more
Women diagnosed with PCOS exhibit a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aims to assess risk factors of OSA among patients with PCOS. This retrospective study included 126 patients with PCOS who were categorized into an OSA group (n = 30) and a non-OSA group (n = 96) according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). A control group comprised 72 patients without PCOS who presented during the same period for infertility due to fallopian tube, pelvic, or male factors. Patients with PCOS A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors for OSA in the PCOS group. Patients with PCOS had significantly higher AHI values and elevated values for various physical indicators, including body mass index (BMI) and neck, waist, and hip circumferences; prolactin (PRL); fasting plasma glucose (FPG); insulin (FINS); triglycerides (TG); homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); 2-hour postprandial glucose (2-hPG) and insulin (2-hINS); AHI; and oxygen desaturation index (ODI). Conversely, levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO OSA in PCOS patients is linked to metabolic indicators. High neck circumference and BMI levels were independent risk factors, highlighting the need for OSA in routine PCOS screening, particularly in the context of metabolic dysregulation. Show less
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) exhibit the highest degree of heritability among all human tumors, yet the genetics of urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGLs) remains poorly understood. T Show more
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) exhibit the highest degree of heritability among all human tumors, yet the genetics of urinary bladder paragangliomas (UBPGLs) remains poorly understood. The present study aims to examine the characteristics of a cohort of Chinese patients with UBPGLs, focusing particularly on genetics. The study included 70 Chinese patients with UBPGLs from 15 centers in China, 240 patients with non-head and neck PGLs (non-HNPGLs) outside the urine bladder, and 16 Caucasian patients with UBPGLs. Tumor DNA samples were sequenced by next generation sequencing. All identified pathogenic variants (PVs) were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Among the 70 Chinese patients, PVs were identified in 38 cases: 23 in cluster 1 A (13 SDHB, 1 SDHD, 1 SDHA, 4 IDH1, 2 SLC25A11, and 2 FH), 4 in cluster 1B (3 EPAS1 and 1 EGLN1), and 11 in cluster 2 genes (7 HRAS, 1 FGFR1, 2 NF1, and 1 H3F3A). Compared with other non-HNPGLs, UBPGLs had more PVs in cluster 1 A genes (32.9% vs. 14.2%, p < 0.001), but fewer in cluster 1B (5.7% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.002) and cluster 2 genes (15.7% vs. 42.5%, p < 0.001). PVs in SDHB (18.6%) was the most common in Chinese patients with UBPGLs, followed by HRAS (10.0%). No PVs was found in 45.7% of all UBPGLs. PVs in HRAS, SLC25A11, EPAS1, and FH were also identified in Caucasians with UBPGLs. Chinese patients with UBPGLs have a diverse genetic profile. PVs in cluster 1 A genes underlie nearly 1/3 of patients, highlighting the importance of genetic testing. Diverse germline and somatic PVs are also present in Caucasian patients with UBPGLs. Show less
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently accompanied with metabolic dysfunctions, yet the causal relationships between metabolic factors and PCOS remain to be conclusively established and etiolo Show more
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently accompanied with metabolic dysfunctions, yet the causal relationships between metabolic factors and PCOS remain to be conclusively established and etiology-based therapies are lacking. To comprehensively identify the metabolic causal factors and potential drug targets for PCOS. This genetic association study was conducted using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR), multivariable MR (MVMR) and drug-target MR. Considering metabolic sexual dimorphism, female-specific genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for metabolic factors were obtained. To ensure the robustness of the findings, an additional independent PCOS GWAS dataset was utilized for replication. The PCOS cohort included 10,074 PCOS cases (mean age 28 to 45 years) and 103,164 controls (mean age 27 to 60 years) of European ancestry. All participants were female. Employing two-sample MR analysis, we found that genetically proxied body mass index (BMI) (OR = 3.40 [95 % CI, 2.65-4.36]), triglyceride (TG) (OR = 1.54 [95 % CI, 1.17-2.04]), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (OR = 1.37 [95 % CI, 1.07-1.76]), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) (OR = 1.24 [95 % CI, 1.09-1.41]) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PCOS, whereas genetically predicted high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (OR = 0.61 [95 % CI, 0.47-0.80]) decreased the odds of PCOS. Stepwise MVMR established a hierarchy of interactions among these metabolic factors, identifying BMI and HDL-c as the most prominent causal factors. Notably, drug-target MR analysis identified incretin-based therapeutics, PCSK9 inhibitors, LPL gene therapy, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones as potential therapeutics for PCOS. All these findings were validated in an independent dataset. This study offered insights into the roles of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in PCOS etiology and therapeutics, underscoring the necessity for managing metabolic health in women and paving the way for tailored therapeutic strategies for PCOS based on its metabolic underpinnings. Show less
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a particularly aggressive form of cancer, characterized by its rapid progression and a complex interplay with the surrounding immune cellular environment. The Show more
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a particularly aggressive form of cancer, characterized by its rapid progression and a complex interplay with the surrounding immune cellular environment. The primary objective of this study was to comprehensively investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in the context of HCC, utilizing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques to explore its impact on the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and to uncover potential mechanisms driving HCC progression. To achieve this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of HCC cell lines, alongside cells obtained after co-culturing these lines with macrophages. By comparing gene expression profiles between the experimental groups exposed to ANGPTL4 and control groups, we aimed to identify specific molecular pathways associated with ANGPTL4's function. In addition to gene expression analysis, we employed flow cytometry to assess the polarization status of TAM. Furthermore, we utilized immunohistochemistry to evaluate the distribution of macrophages within HCC tissues and to quantify the expression levels of M2 macrophage markers. The results derived from RNA-seq analysis were particularly revealing; treatment with ANGPTL4 led to a significant upregulation of genes linked to M2 polarization, notably including CD206 and Arg1. In subsequent experimental observations, it became evident that ANGPTL4 not only facilitated the M2 polarization of macrophages but also enhanced the proliferation and migratory capacity of HCC cells through the upregulation of these same cytokines. Show less
Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and adriamycin (also named doxorubicin, DOX)-induced acute myocardial injuries have a significant impact on health, causing serious economic and medical burdens. Therefore, w Show more
Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and adriamycin (also named doxorubicin, DOX)-induced acute myocardial injuries have a significant impact on health, causing serious economic and medical burdens. Therefore, we need to explore and identify drugs with potential therapeutic value for treating I/R- and DOX-induced myocardial injury. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of FGF4 for I/R and DOX-induced myocardial injury. We found that FGF4 showed good improvement in acute cardiac injury. However, due to the short half-life of FGF4, we further prepared a myocardial-targeted FGF4-sustained release nanoliposome (named FGF4-NANO-IMTP). We investigated the effect of FGF4-NANO-IMTP on myocardial injury caused by I/R and DOX. Show less
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread environmental pollutant with known neurotoxic and cardiometabolic effects, and its influence on lipid metabolism during childhood remains insufficiently understood. Mitoch Show more
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread environmental pollutant with known neurotoxic and cardiometabolic effects, and its influence on lipid metabolism during childhood remains insufficiently understood. Mitochondrial dysfunction is proposed as a potential mechanism linking Hg exposure to metabolic disruption. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is regarded as an indicator of mitochondrial biogenesis and functional capacity, where lower levels generally suggest mitochondrial damage or dysfunction. In contrast, ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and relative telomere length (RTL) reflect genomic stability and cellular aging. This study investigated the associations between blood Hg levels and serum lipid profiles in children and adolescents and assessed the mediating roles of mtDNA-CN, rDNA, and RTL. A cross-sectional study was performed among 352 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years in eastern China. Blood Hg levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and serum lipid markers, namely total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and lipoprotein(a), were assessed along with the genomic indicators such as mtDNA-CN, rDNA, and RTL. Multivariable linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted. Higher Hg levels were significantly related with increased TC (β = 0.144, Hg exposure in children and adolescents is linked to an atherogenic lipid profile, potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction. MtDNA-CN appears to be a sensitive molecular mediator of Hg-induced lipid disturbances, which highlights the relevance of mitochondrial health in early-life environmental epidemiology and cardiovascular risk prevention. The findings support early prevention strategies and environmentally focused health policies that reduce toxicant exposure and thus promote long-term cardiometabolic health in young populations. Show less
To establish the reference interval for the serum lipid index in pregnant women and to explore the relationship between lipid metabolism levels and pregnancy outcomes. Data were derived from 446 pregn Show more
To establish the reference interval for the serum lipid index in pregnant women and to explore the relationship between lipid metabolism levels and pregnancy outcomes. Data were derived from 446 pregnancy women and 317 healthy non-pregnant women. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in both groups. The mean and standard deviation of each index were calculated to establish the reference range of normal serum lipid levels in pregnant women in mid-to-late pregnancy. The associations between serum lipid levels and perinatal outcomes were assessed statistically. There were no significant differences in age, pregnancy, or parity between the adverse outcome and normal delivery groups, but the caesarean section rate was significantly higher in the adverse outcome group. The levels of hs-CRP, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and ApoA1 were significantly higher in the adverse outcome group. Elevated hs-CRP, TG, and HDL-C levels were risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal threshold of the combined diagnosis of these three indicators to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes was 0.534, and the area under the curve was 0.822. The establishment of lipid reference intervals in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can effectively evaluate lipid metabolism in pregnant women, and the measurement of lipid metabolism in pregnant women is helpful in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Show less
The precise involvement of Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein-Like 3-Like Protein (GNL3L) in lung cancer progression and invasion remains unclear. In this study, we explored the impact and underlying Show more
The precise involvement of Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein-Like 3-Like Protein (GNL3L) in lung cancer progression and invasion remains unclear. In this study, we explored the impact and underlying mechanisms of GNL3L on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting GNL3L. Inhibition of GNL3L expression led to a notable decrease in the in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Meanwhile, GNL3L silencing could significantly reduce the tumor volume of the nude mice and improve the outcomes of tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Additionally, inhibition of GNL3L expression dramatically suppressed NF-κB activation and Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 expression. Overexpression of Slug or treatment of the GNL3L-deficient cells with NF-κB activator can partially restore the growth suppressed by GNL3L deficiency, and combined treatment with Slug overexpression and NF-κB activator could totally restore the suppressed cell growth caused by GNL3L deficiency. Moreover, the overexpression of MMP2 or MMP9 could partially enhance the reduced migration and invasion caused by GNL3L deficiency, and this GNL3L-deficiency-caused suppression of migration and invasion can be totally restored by the overexpression of MMP2 and MMP9 together. These results strongly indicated that GNL3L has the capability to activate the NF-κB and increase Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 expression, which in turn could stimulate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells. NF-κB activation and Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 expression enhanced by GNL3L, leading to the promotion of proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells, indicating the therapeutic implications and potential significance of these pathways in the progression and invasion of NSCLCs that overexpress GNL3L protein. Show less
This study aims to investigate the molecular differences and commonalities between systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by analyzing RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data. By focusi Show more
This study aims to investigate the molecular differences and commonalities between systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by analyzing RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data. By focusing on differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways, the investigation seeks to identify unique biomarkers, shared pathways, and potential therapeutic targets for these autoimmune diseases. This study involved 10 patients with SSc and 24 with SLE who did not receive immunosuppressants. RNA-seq data from patients with SSc and SLE were analyzed using DESeq2 to identify differentially expressed genes. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted and comparative analyses were performed. We identified 2055 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with SSc and controls. Notably, the expression of the shared gene RGS5 was significantly downregulated in both SLE and SSc, with a more pronounced downregulation in SSc. Additionally, the expression of the key transcription factor EGR1 was upregulated in SSc, whereas that of BLK, ITGAM, and IFNG was upregulated in SLE. Network analysis identified hub genes-AP3D1, FTX, USP47, CUX1, ZC3H4, CAND1, INTS1, TRNT1, MTERF1, and SETD1B-that may play critical roles in the progression of both SLE and SSc. These findings suggest that RGS5 could serve as a shared biomarker for vascular dysfunction, while EGR1 and BLK may represent therapeutic targets in SSc and SLE. Overall, this analysis enhances understanding of distinct and overlapping gene expression signatures in SSc and SLE, providing a foundation for future targeted treatment strategies and requiring further validation in larger cohorts. Show less
Foam cells derived from macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis. While phytosterols (PS) have demonstrated cholesterol-lowering and anti-in Show more
Foam cells derived from macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis. While phytosterols (PS) have demonstrated cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties, their impact on foam cells remains elusive. Here, we investigated the effects of PS on foam cell formation, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism using both single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and functional assays. scRNA-seq of aortic tissue from Show less