Cholesterol plays a crucial role in regulating synaptic membrane fluidity and ion channels. Due to the blood-brain barrier, cholesterol in the brain is primarily self-synthesized by astrocytes. Howeve Show more
Cholesterol plays a crucial role in regulating synaptic membrane fluidity and ion channels. Due to the blood-brain barrier, cholesterol in the brain is primarily self-synthesized by astrocytes. However, limited research has been conducted on the effects of polystyrene nanoplastic (PS-NPs) on intracranial cholesterol metabolic pathways. In this study, we exposed whole-brain organoids (WBOs) to PS-NPs and identified significant changes in endoplasmic reticulum stress and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways through whole-transcriptome sequencing. To investigate potential mechanisms of altered cholesterol pathways, we constructed a Transwell neuronal-astrocyte co-culture model. Results demonstrated that PS-NPs induced significant endoplasmic reticulum stress in astrocytes, specifically manifested by elevated levels of ATF4 and CHOP, along with increased autophagy indicated by the elevated LC3-II/I ratio. PS-NPs significantly inhibited the AKT/ACLY pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis, leading to marked reductions in acetyl-CoA and cholesterol within astrocytes (P < 0.05). In addition, PS-NPs led to a significant reduction of apolipoprotein APOE, which hindered cholesterol transport and ultimately inhibited synaptin (SYN) formation. In summary, PS-NPs induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in astrocytes, impair cholesterol de novo synthesis and apolipoprotein-mediated transport, ultimately inhibiting neuronal synaptogenesis. Furthermore, specific inhibition of ERs restored cholesterol synthesis in astrocytes and neuronal synapses. This study demonstrates that PS-NPs produce neurotoxic effects by affecting cholesterol homeostasis in the brain. Show less
Coelonin is a dihydrophenanthrene compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f., which exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity and effectively inhi Show more
Coelonin is a dihydrophenanthrene compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb.f., which exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity and effectively inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells. Although previous studies have demonstrated the protective effect of Bletilla striata against LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), the potential protective role and underlying molecular mechanisms of its major active component, Coelonin, in ALI remain unclear. In this study, an LPS-induced mouse ALI model was established to systematically evaluate the protective effects of Coelonin on ALI. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis was utilized to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms mediated by Coelonin through the regulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-associated inflammatory pathways. The results indicated that Coelonin significantly ameliorated LPS-induced pathological damage in lung tissues and markedly reduced the levels of inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In vitro experiments using the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cell line further confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of Coelonin. Transcriptome analysis revealed that Coelonin markedly upregulates the expression of the ncRNA Gm27505, which was previously found to be downregulated in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. To date, there have been no reports on the biological functions of Gm27505. Bioinformatics analysis and real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR (qPCR) confirmed that this ncRNA is primarily localized within the nucleus. Overexpression of Gm27505 in MH-S cells significantly downregulated the expression of inflammation-related genes such as Il6, Tnfα, Il27, and Ccl3 induced by LPS stimulation. Moreover, overexpression of Gm27505 promoted macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype while suppressing M1 polarization. These findings suggest that the ncRNA Gm27505 plays an important biological role and is critically involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Coelonin may alleviate LPS-induced ALI in mice by up-regulating Gm27505 expression and modulating macrophage polarization. Therefore, Gm27505 may represent a potential target for the prevention and treatment of ALI, providing new research directions for future therapeutic strategies against related diseases. Show less
Despite the increasing approval and ongoing clinical trials of FGFR-targeted therapies, accurately detecting FGFR fusions remains a challenge due to limited research, low incidence rates, complex fusi Show more
Despite the increasing approval and ongoing clinical trials of FGFR-targeted therapies, accurately detecting FGFR fusions remains a challenge due to limited research, low incidence rates, complex fusion partner distribution, and unique kinase domain distribution. We conducted a multicenter study to comprehensively profile FGFR fusions in the largest Chinese pan-cancer cohort to date, comprising 118 FGFR fusions from 114 individuals. Both DNA- and RNA-based sequencing approaches were utilized to reveal novel and fundamental features of FGFR fusion. Our research reveals an incidence rate of 0.96% for FGFR rearrangements within this Chinese cohort, including a high incidence rate of FGFR fusions (40%) in parotid gland carcinoma. However, this is based on a small sample size of 5 tumors and should be interpreted cautiously pending validation in larger cohorts. We also uncovered distinct breakpoint distribution patterns across various FGFR rearrangements. For example, a primary breakpoint in intron17 of FGFR2 was predominant (21/22), while FGFR1/3 breakpoints displayed substantial diversity. For the first time, we identified "hot" breakpoints in FGFR1 intron17, exon18, and FGFR3's 3' untranslated region. These findings underline the importance of incorporating these regions in targeted sequencing to ensure comprehensive detection of FGFR1/3 fusions. Notably, we observed a predilection for intrachromosomal distribution in common FGFR1/2/3 fusions. In contrast, most novel fusions (12/15) exhibited an interchromosomal distribution pattern, indicating variations in the fusion formation mechanism. Importantly, our study demonstrates the substantial incremental value of RNA-NGS or other orthogonal methods in confirming the functionality of FGFR rearrangements initially identified by DNA sequencing. In our cohort, 46% (6/13) of rare FGFR1/2/3 fusions lacked detectable RNA transcripts; however, this does not definitively indicate non-functionality as factors such as low RNA quality, expression below detection limits, or nonsense-mediated decay may contribute. Therefore, RNA-based validation is critical for accurately identifying potentially targetable FGFR fusions and guiding therapy. Our findings offer critical novel insights into functional FGFR fusions and bear considerable clinical implications for identifying individuals whose tumors are most likely to respond favorably to FGFR-targeted therapies. Show less
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a significant contributor to cardiac mortality in Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. Inflammatory processes and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in the advancemen Show more
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a significant contributor to cardiac mortality in Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. Inflammatory processes and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in the advancement of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). The Monocyte-to-High-- Density-Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio (MHR), a newly identified biomarker indicative of inflammatory and oxidative stress, has not been extensively researched in the context of pulmonary hypertension, especially within the scope of dilated cardiomyopathy. Given the reason mentioned above, our research explores the correlation between the MHR and the severity of PH in patients suffering from DCM. In this study, we conducted a retrospective review of medical data from 107 individuals diagnosed with non-ischemic DCM, evaluating their clinical profiles, biochemical indicators, MHR, and echocardiographic parameters. We analyzed the relationships between Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure (PASP) and the Ejection Fraction of the Left Ventricle (LVEF). Utilizing logistic regression analysis, we determined the predictors of PH. Findings indicated that the DCM-PH group exhibited a significantly larger male population and elevated New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification scores (both with p-values <0.001 and 0.01, respectively) compared to the DCM-only group. A positive association was observed between the PASP and parameters, such as the Dimensions of the Left Atrium (LAD) and Left Ventricle in Systole (LVDs), Monocyte (M) levels, Direct Bilirubin (DB), and MHR. Conversely, an inverse relationship was noted with serum lipid profiles, including Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL Cholesterol (HDL-c), and apolipoprotein A1. LVEF demonstrated positive linkage with the same lipid profiles and the Left Ventricular Posterior Wall Thickness (LVPWT) yet showed negative correlations with the NYHA classification, Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Standard Deviation (RDW-SD), Total Bilirubin (TB), Direct Bilirubin (DB), and dimensions of the left ventricle in diastole and systole, as well as MHR. Through logistic regression analysis, several factors were recognized as significant predictors for the severity of PH within the DCM cohort, with weight (OR1.20, CI 1.022-1.409, p=0.026), RDW-SD (OR1.988, CI 1.015-3.895, p=0.045), LVPW (OR3.577, CI 1.307-9.792, p=0.013), LVDd (OR1.333, CI 1.058-1.680, p=0.015), MHR (OR3.575, CI 1.502-8.506, p=0.032), and TB (OR1.416, CI 1.014-1.979, p=0.041) showing positive associations, while apoB (OR0.001 CI0.001-0.824, p=0.045) exhibiting negative associations, all with p-values <0.05. Higher MHR and LVD correlate with increased PASP and reduced LVEF in DCMPH patients. MHR and LVPW are independent predictors of PH severity, indicating their potential as novel severity markers in DCM-related PH. Show less
As one of the most common malignant tumors in men, prostate cancer (PCa) still lacks convenient, non-invasive and highly specific diagnostic markers. The advantages of Extracellular vesicle (EV) DNA i Show more
As one of the most common malignant tumors in men, prostate cancer (PCa) still lacks convenient, non-invasive and highly specific diagnostic markers. The advantages of Extracellular vesicle (EV) DNA in tumor diagnosis have gradually attracted the attention of researchers. However, methylation detection, which is more advantageous than mutation detection in tumor diagnosis, has not been widely practiced in EV DNA, and its value in PCa diagnosis also remains underexplored. This study aims to establish and optimize an EV DNA methylation detection system and evaluate its diagnostic and classification potential for PCa. We characterized EV DNA biological properties, optimized pretreatment strategies, validated its correlation with genomic DNA methylation, and explored urine EV DNA methylation targets in 86 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 109 PCa patients across three cohorts (screening: 30 BPH/33 PCa; training: 27 BPH/30 PCa; validation: 29 BPH/46 PCa). Heterogeneous biological characteristics were observed among DNA from different subtypes of EV, but methylation profiles remained consistent across subtypes and post-DNase I treatment. EV DNA accurately reflected the methylation state of source cell genomic DNA. By combining our screening results with data from the TCGA database and previously reported, we developed a panel consisting of 667 PCa-specific methylation targets for detection. Among these, six methylation sites (MACF1、LINC01359-1、LINC01359-2、ADCY4、GAPLINC、C19orf25) demonstrated high diagnostic value for PCa, enabling construction of PCa and aggressive PCa differential diagnosis model with AUCs up to 0.74 and 0.91 respectively. The diagnostic value of these six markers was further confirmed using methylight PCR in the validation cohort which also displayed promising performance as a tool for diagnosing PCa. This study highlights the potential of urine EV DNA methylation as a novel diagnostic marker for PCa and lays a foundation for future EV DNA research. Show less
Dual-specificity protein phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), also known as mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP-3), was considered as a functional candidate gene for white fat accumulation in mice. H Show more
Dual-specificity protein phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), also known as mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP-3), was considered as a functional candidate gene for white fat accumulation in mice. However, the physiological function of the DUSP6 gene on white adipocyte adipogenesis in farm animals remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effect of DUSP6 on porcine subcutaneous preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. We first make clear that the patterns of DUSP6 expression is associated with fat contents in porcine fat deposition related tissues. Porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes were isolated and induced to differentiation. Small interfering RNAs were applied to deplete DUSP6. MTT assay, CCK-8 analysis, Oil Red O staining, triglyceride determination and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were applied to study the regulatory role of DUSP6 during adipocyte adipogenesis in pigs. We found that the expression levels of DUSP6 were significantly higher in backfat and longissimus dorsi tissues from fat-type pigs than in those from lean-type pigs. Consistently, the significantly induced expression of DUSP6 was also observed in differentiated adipocytes. In addition, knockdown of DUSP6 greatly inhibited preadipocytes proliferation, through the decreased cell viability and downregulated mRNA expressions of cell proliferation-associated genes, including PCNA, CDK1, CDK2. Furthermore, knockdown of DUSP6 significantly inhibited preadipocytes differentiation, as evidenced by markedly reduced lipid droplet formation, attenuated triglyceride accumulation and downregulated expression levels of adipogenic transcription masters (PPARγ, C/EBPβ, FASN and FABP4) in DUSP6 knockdown cells. Our results demonstrate that DUSP6 is required for white adipocyte adipogenesis in pigs. Show less
No studies have explored the genetic differences between the Chinese and other ethnic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) populations. This cross-sectional study included Chinese patients ( Chinese HCM Show more
No studies have explored the genetic differences between the Chinese and other ethnic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) populations. This cross-sectional study included Chinese patients ( Chinese HCM patients have a higher proportion of rare variants (52.8% vs 13.6%, Our findings suggested that patients of Chinese ancestry with HCM have a higher proportion of rare variants but are less likely to be classified as P/LP variants in HCM genes than those of European origin. The variants of c.3624del in Show less
Obesity is a heritable disease, but its genetic basis is incompletely understood. Canine population history facilitates trait mapping. We performed a canine genome-wide association study for body cond Show more
Obesity is a heritable disease, but its genetic basis is incompletely understood. Canine population history facilitates trait mapping. We performed a canine genome-wide association study for body condition score-a measure of obesity-in 241 Labrador retrievers. Using a cross-species approach, we showed that canine obesity genes are also associated with rare and common forms of obesity in humans. The lead canine association was within the gene DENN domain containing 1B ( Show less
Individual differences in immune responses to African swine fever virus (ASFV), whether induced by vaccination or natural infection, may be linked to genetic variation in the genes involved in antigen Show more
Individual differences in immune responses to African swine fever virus (ASFV), whether induced by vaccination or natural infection, may be linked to genetic variation in the genes involved in antigen presentation. A total of nine pigs from the 112-population were selected for RNA-seq analysis. To pinpoint key transcription factors (TFs) regulating gene expression in the lymph nodes, weighted Kendall's Tau rank correlation analysis was performed to link the TF binding potential with the extent of differential expression of target genes. CD8 These mutations may disrupt TFs binding to the ELK4 promoter, potentially reducing ELK4 expression and impairing antigen processing and presentation. Show less
Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, with post-stroke depression and post-stroke anxiety being common and significant complications that hinder recovery and adversely affect Show more
Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, with post-stroke depression and post-stroke anxiety being common and significant complications that hinder recovery and adversely affect quality of life. Although these conditions frequently co-occur, their heterogeneity remains poorly understood. This study integrates the Health Ecology Model (HEM) and employs Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct psychological profiles of depression and anxiety among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as well as to investigate their multilevel determinants. Patients with AIS from a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China, from January to November 2024 were included. Within one week of stroke onset, the data of sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, swallowing function, stroke severity, activities of daily living, resilience and social support were collected according to the HEM guidelines. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 were used to assess the depression and anxiety symptoms of the patients three months after stroke onset. LPA was employed to identify distinct psychological profiles, and variables with a A total of 551 patients with AIS were included in the study, 49 were lost to follow-up or withdrew, resulting in a final analytic sample of 502 participants (91.11%). Three distinct psychological profiles were identified: no depression-anxiety (67.93%), high-risk depression-anxiety (21.12%) and major depression-anxiety (10.95%). In the multivariate analysis, the results indicated that occupation (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.40-0.93]), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.06-2.42]), Barthel Index (BI, OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.27-2.19]) and hypertension (OR = 2.37, 95% CI [1.29-4.35]) were independent predictors of the high-risk depression-anxiety profile, while NIHSS (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.42-3.85]), BI (OR = 2.65, 95% CI [1.62-4.35]) and resilience (OR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.87-0.98]) were significantly associated with the major depression-anxiety profile. This study reveals significant heterogeneity in psychological distress among AIS survivors. Key predictors of post-stroke emotional comorbidity include occupation, hypertension, stroke severity, activities of daily living and low resilience. Early identification of high-risk individuals can significantly enhance screening and intervention strategies, particularly by focusing on symptoms such as anhedonia and nervousness. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs and objective biomarkers to better understand the mechanisms behind post-stroke emotional comorbidity. 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
Current evidence suggests that apolipoprotein E (APOE) is associated with lipid metabolism, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the physiological pathways of APOE-mediat Show more
Current evidence suggests that apolipoprotein E (APOE) is associated with lipid metabolism, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the physiological pathways of APOE-mediated inflammation remain incompletely elucidated, and a specific inflammatory marker that captures the pro-inflammatory activity of the APOE ε4 allele remains elusive. As a composite peripheral blood biomarker, Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel marker of inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the association between APOE alleles and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index. A total of 13,926 participants (9,098 males and 4,828 females) were recruited from The People’s Liberation Army General Hospital (November 2017 to July 2019). APOE alleles (ε2, ε3, and ε4) were determined by genotyping rs429358 and rs7412 SNPs. SII was calculated as (platelet count × neutrophil count)/lymphocyte count. Multivariable linear regression models (adjusted for demographics, lifestyle, and clinical covariates) and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the APOE-SII associations, with ε3 as the reference. The frequencies of APOE alleles ɛ3, ɛ2, and ɛ4 were70.7%, 13.8%, and 15.5% respectively in 13,926 Chinese patients. The mean SII was lower in ɛ2 carriers than in ɛ3 (373.74*10⁹/L vs. 403.53*10⁹/L, APOE contributes to elevated disease risk by inducing a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, resulting from modulation of both adaptive and innate immune responses. Show less
To establish a short-term high-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet-induced Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) mouse model, and evaluate the effects of rapamycin (RaPa) and c Show more
To establish a short-term high-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet-induced Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) mouse model, and evaluate the effects of rapamycin (RaPa) and chloroquine (CQ) on this model to explore their therapeutic potential and side effects. An early MASLD mouse model was constructed via short-term HFHC diet feeding. Model mice were intraperitoneally injected with RaPa or CQ. Drug effects were analyzed on body weight, liver weight, lipid metabolism-related genes (APOB, FASN, PLIN2), inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10), and fibrosis markers (LOX, Col-1α-1, CCL2, TGFβ1, PDGFRβ, α-SMA) at mRNA and protein levels. RaPa ameliorated body weight and liver weight in early MASLD mice, downregulated FASN and PLIN2 expression, upregulated IL-10 mRNA levels, and alleviated hepatic steatosis, but induced metabolic disorders such as Insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. In contrast, CQ promoted FASN and PLIN2 expression, exacerbated hepatic steatosis, reduced IL-10 mRNA levels, and upregulated fibrosis-related markers (LOX, TGFβ1, PDGFRβ, α-SMA) at both mRNA and protein levels, thereby driving MASLD progression to liver fibrosis. Notably, CQ improved metabolic abnormalities in model mice, including obesity, hyperlipidemia, and Insulin resistance. RaPa and CQ exhibit dual effects on early MASLD: RaPa alleviates hepatic steatosis but exacerbates metabolic disorders, whereas CQ improves metabolic abnormalities but accelerates liver fibrosis. This paradox highlights the need to balance metabolic regulation and liver injury prevention in MASLD treatment, providing critical experimental insights for targeted drug development. Show less
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe clinical condition characterized by widespread inflammation and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Endothelial cell (EC) metabolic changes in acute Show more
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe clinical condition characterized by widespread inflammation and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Endothelial cell (EC) metabolic changes in acute lung injury (ALI) and their relationship to injury remain unclear. Transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses revealed downregulation of PUFA synthesis pathways, particularly omega-3 PUFAs, in pulmonary ECs during LPS-induced ALI. Activation of the PUFA metabolic pathway, through FADS1/2 overexpression or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, protected ECs from ferroptosis and restored barrier function. In vivo, pulmonary EC-specific overexpression of FADS1/2 contributed to the alleviation of ALI. Overexpression of whole lung FADS1/2, combined with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation, also significantly mitigated ALI. PARK7 is identified as an endogenous regulator of FADS1/2, acting through the BMP-BMPR-SMAD1/5/9 signaling. Driven by histone H3K14 lactylation, which is also promoted by the downregulation of FADS1/2, PARK7 upregulation restored FADS1/2 expression and counteracted ferroptosis, thereby forming a protective feedback loop. This study elucidates a novel regulatory axis involving the two major metabolic changes-downregulation of PUFA synthesis and upregulation of histone lactylation-in ALI pathogenesis, which are interconnected through the PARK7-BMP signaling pathway. Targeting this axis offers potential therapeutic strategies for mitigating endothelial dysfunction and ferroptosis in ARDS/ALI. Show less
Heart failure is a complex trait, influenced by environmental and genetic factors, affecting over 30 million individuals worldwide. Here we report common-variant and rare-variant association studies o Show more
Heart failure is a complex trait, influenced by environmental and genetic factors, affecting over 30 million individuals worldwide. Here we report common-variant and rare-variant association studies of all-cause heart failure and examine how different classes of genetic variation impact its heritability. We identify 176 common-variant risk loci at genome-wide significance in 2,358,556 individuals and cluster these signals into five broad modules based on pleiotropic associations with anthropomorphic traits/obesity, blood pressure/renal function, atherosclerosis/lipids, immune activity and arrhythmias. In parallel, we uncover exome-wide significant associations for heart failure and rare predicted loss-of-function variants in TTN, MYBPC3, FLNC and BAG3 using exome sequencing of 376,334 individuals. We find that total burden heritability of rare coding variants is highly concentrated in a small set of Mendelian cardiomyopathy genes, while common-variant heritability is diffusely spread throughout the genome. Finally, we show that common-variant background modifies heart failure risk among carriers of rare pathogenic truncating variants in TTN. Together, these findings discern genetic links between dysregulated metabolism and heart failure and highlight a polygenic component to heart failure not captured by current clinical genetic testing. Show less
William Stewart, Bin Hu, Fengqiao Li+6 more · 2025 · Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society · Elsevier · added 2026-04-24
Obesity, a widespread global health issue affecting millions, is characterized by excess fat deposition and metabolic dysfunction, significantly elevating the risk of comorbidities like type 2 diabete Show more
Obesity, a widespread global health issue affecting millions, is characterized by excess fat deposition and metabolic dysfunction, significantly elevating the risk of comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, all of which contribute to rising rates of preventable morbidity and mortality. Current approaches to obesity, including lifestyle modifications, and pharmacotherapy, often face limitations such as poor long-term adherence, side effects, and insufficient targeting of the complex, multifactorial pathways underlying the disease. Herein we report a dual, RNA-mediated combinatorial approach using targeting lipid nanoparticles (LNP) for the treatment of obesity. LNPs were co-encapsulated with mRNA encoding Interleukin-27 (mIL-27) to coactivate PGC-1α, PPARα, and UCP-1, thereby promoting adipocyte differentiation and enhancing adaptive thermogenesis within adipocytes, and siRNA targeting Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (siDPP-4) to silence the primary inhibitory enzyme of GLP-1, and GIP within the incretin system, effectively restoring glucose homeostasis. Following post translational silencing of DPP-4 and upregulation of IL-27 in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice model, increased expression of thermogenic biomarkers PGC-1α, PPARα, and UCP-1 was observed at the molecular, protein, and tissue level, and insulin sensitivity was restored. Importantly, this gene modulation led to a 21.1 % reduction of bodyweight after treatment in the DIO model. These findings demonstrate for the first time a dual RNA-mediated combinatorial approach, leveraging liver targeting LNP delivery with synergistic effects from incretin system regulation and induction of adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis after codelivery of siDPP-4 and mIL-27. This innovative strategy provides a promising alternate framework for addressing obesity and its associated metabolic dysfunction. Show less
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a poor prognosis and limited responsiveness to conventional therapies, presenting a substantial therapeutic challenge. Although chemotherapy remains the cornersto Show more
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a poor prognosis and limited responsiveness to conventional therapies, presenting a substantial therapeutic challenge. Although chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of systemic treatment, options become scarce once frontline therapies fail. While targeted therapies and immunotherapies have emerged as potential alternatives, their efficacy in pancreatic cancer is not well established. As research advances, exploring the tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) of pancreatic cancer is crucial and holds significant potential for developing novel treatment strategies.We report a case of a pancreatic cancer patient who, after the failure of frontline and second-line treatments, was treated with a pioneering combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy to modulate the unique TiME. The targeted agent, surufatinib, is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1-3, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), and colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R). The immunotherapy agent, toripalimab, is an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Remarkably, the patient benefitted from this regimen, exhibiting stable disease, improved clinical symptoms, and prolonged progression-free survival. This case highlights the potential of personalized therapy in treating pancreatic cancer, particularly in patients with distinctive features of the TiME that may predict favorable responses to immunotherapy. Personalized strategies that consider the spatial structure and composition of the TiME may offer a promising avenue for achieving long-term progression-free survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Show less
To develop and evaluate a predictive model for myocardial injury in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with fluorouracil plus platinum-based chemotherapy, incorporating baseline characteris Show more
To develop and evaluate a predictive model for myocardial injury in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with fluorouracil plus platinum-based chemotherapy, incorporating baseline characteristics and inflammatory, nutritional, and atherosclerotic factors. A total of 268 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received this treatment between April 2020 and September 2024 were selected and divided into a training set ( In the training set, 56 patients (29.79%) developed myocardial injury, while 23 patients (28.75%) in the validation set developed myocardial injury, with no statistically significant difference in the incidence or clinical characteristics between the two sets ( This predictive model aids in the early identification of myocardial injury, guiding clinical decision-making and improving prognosis. Show less
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is marked by cognitive deterioration and heightened neuroinflammation. The influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R Show more
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is marked by cognitive deterioration and heightened neuroinflammation. The influence of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) and its post-translational modifications, especially sumoylation, is crucial in understanding the progression of AD and exploring novel therapeutic avenues. This study investigates the impact of exercise on the sumoylation of IGF1R and its role in ameliorating AD symptoms in APP/PS1 mice, with a specific focus on neuroinflammation and innovative therapeutic strategies. APP/PS1 mice were subjected to a regimen of moderate-intensity exercise. The investigation encompassed assessments of cognitive functions, alterations in hippocampal protein expressions, neuroinflammatory markers, and the effects of exercise on IGF1R and SUMO1 nuclear translocation. Additionally, the study evaluated the efficacy of KPT-330, a nuclear export inhibitor, as an alternative to exercise. Exercise notably enhanced cognitive functions in AD mice, possibly through modulations in hippocampal proteins, including Bcl-2 and BACE1. A decrease in neuroinflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was observed, indicative of reduced neuroinflammation. Exercise modulated the nuclear translocation of SUMO1 and IGF1R in the hippocampus, thereby facilitating neuronal regeneration. Mutant IGF1R (MT IGF1R), lacking SUMO1 modification sites, showed reduced SUMOylation, leading to diminished expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. KPT-330 impeded the formation of the IGF1R/RanBP2/SUMO1 complex, thereby limiting IGF1R nuclear translocation, inflammation, and neuronal apoptosis, while enhancing cognitive functions and neuron proliferation. Moderate-intensity exercise effectively mitigates AD symptoms in mice, primarily by diminishing neuroinflammation, through the reduction of IGF1R Sumoylation. KPT-330, as a potential alternative to physical exercise, enhances the neuroprotective role of IGF1R by inhibiting SUMOylation through targeting XPO1, presenting a promising therapeutic strategy for AD. Show less
Physical fitness in preschoolers, encompassing muscular strength, speed-agility, balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness, serves as a key health indicator. While preschools are ideal settings for promo Show more
Physical fitness in preschoolers, encompassing muscular strength, speed-agility, balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness, serves as a key health indicator. While preschools are ideal settings for promoting physical fitness, the association between preschool-based movement behaviors and physical fitness remains unclear. This cross-sectional study included 1144 Chinese preschoolers aged 3-6 years. Preschool-based movement behaviors including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), and sedentary behavior (SB), were measured using ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers. Physical fitness was assessed via the PREFIT battery, which includes handgrip strength, standing long jump, 4 × 10 m shuttle run, one-leg stance, and 20 m shuttle run. Compositional linear regression and isotemporal substitution modeling were employed to examine associations and time-reallocation effects, respectively. Greater amounts of MVPA during preschool hours were positively associated with better performance in muscular strength, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Reallocating time from SB or LPA to MVPA enhanced physical fitness, whereas substituting MVPA with SB or LPA reduced fitness levels, demonstrating an asymmetric effect. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during preschool hours significantly enhances physical fitness. Prioritizing the implementation of physical activity programs to increase MVPA in preschool settings is crucial for improving physical fitness and addressing insufficient MVPA in this age group. First large-scale study (N = 1144) demonstrating preschool-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is essential for developing preschoolers' muscular strength, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness, complementing existing 24-h movement behavior research. Reveals critical asymmetry: Reducing MVPA time significantly harms fitness, with losses exceeding the benefits from equivalent MVPA increases. Provides objective evidence to guide policymakers in optimizing preschool schedules to prioritize MVPA for enhancing children's physical fitness. Show less
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy with increasing evidence implicating the oral microbiome and tumor microenvironment in its progression. However, the mechan Show more
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy with increasing evidence implicating the oral microbiome and tumor microenvironment in its progression. However, the mechanistic impact of OSCC patient-derived saliva on tumor development remains poorly understood. We established an orthotopic OSCC mouse model and topically applied saliva collected from OSCC patients to assess its effects on tumor progression. Multi-omics analyses, including 16 S rRNA sequencing, tumor transcriptomics (RNA-seq), and metabolomics (LC-MS), were performed to explore changes in the oral microbiota, gene expression profiles, and metabolic pathways. Treatment with OSCC patient saliva significantly accelerated tumor growth compared to controls. Saliva application altered the oral microbiota, most notably causing a significant enrichment of the genus Staphylococcus. Tumor transcriptomics revealed upregulation of genes associated with chronic neutrophilic inflammation (Mpo), cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling (Angptl4, Col2a1). Metabolomic analysis demonstrated profound metabolic reprogramming within the tumors, including enhanced amino acid metabolism (tryptophan, glutamate), fatty acid oxidation, and accumulation of the oncometabolite succinate. Integrated analysis showed that Staphylococcus abundance was strongly correlated with these inflammatory and metabolic signatures. This study demonstrates that saliva from OSCC patients promotes tumor progression in vivo through a multifactorial mechanism involving inflammation, stromal remodeling, and metabolic rewiring. These findings highlight the tumor-promoting potential of salivary and microbial components, suggesting new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting the oral microenvironment in OSCC. Show less
Jinyu Bai, Xueli Qiu, Huajian Shan+10 more · 2025 · Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · Oxford University Press · added 2026-04-24
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a classical pathway that regulates bone metabolism. The G protein inhibitory α subunits 1 and 3 (Gαi1/3) can couple with multiple growth factor/cytokine receptor Show more
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a classical pathway that regulates bone metabolism. The G protein inhibitory α subunits 1 and 3 (Gαi1/3) can couple with multiple growth factor/cytokine receptors and act as universal adaptor proteins to mediate the activation of key downstream signaling pathways. However, it remains unclear whether and how Gαi1/3 proteins mediate Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction. In this study, we utilized single-cell sequencing analysis and employed viral transfection and gene editing techniques to alter the expression of Gαi1/3 in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells. We examined the relationship between Gαi1/3 expression and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Immunoprecipitation and confocal experiments were conducted to further explore the mechanisms by which Gαi1/3 exerts its functions. Osteogenic-related protein levels were detected by Western blotting, and the effects of Gαi1/3 proteins on osteogenic function were examined through alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin red staining. Additionally, micro-CT was used to compare bone mass in mice with different levels of Gαi1/3 expression, showing the relationship between Gαi1/3 and bone formation. Our findings indicate that Gαi1/3 proteins are significantly inversely correlated with age. Gαi1/3, rather than Gαi2, mediates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promotes osteogenesis. Mechanistically, Gαi1/3 interacts with Axin1 and recruits it to the cell membrane, leading to inactivation of the β-catenin degradation complex. This results in β-catenin accumulation and nuclear translocation, where it activates the transcription of osteogenic genes. In vivo experiments further confirm that knockdown of Gαi1/3 significantly inhibits bone formation in mice. Our study identified Gαi1/3 as key regulatory proteins in Wnt/β-catenin signaling-mediated osteogenesis, and further elucidated its molecular mechanism in bone formation, which may provide a new therapeutic target for osteoporosis. Show less
The feeding rhythm is a major temporal regulator of metabolic physiology, yet its impact on microbiome-derived functional traits relevant to cardiometabolic disease remains insufficiently understood. Show more
The feeding rhythm is a major temporal regulator of metabolic physiology, yet its impact on microbiome-derived functional traits relevant to cardiometabolic disease remains insufficiently understood. Our previous work demonstrated that ad libitum, daytime-restricted, and nighttime-restricted feeding produce markedly different atherosclerotic outcomes in Apoe 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
While previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified multiple risk loci for suicide ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA), there is still a limited understanding of the genetic predisposi Show more
While previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified multiple risk loci for suicide ideation (SI) and suicide attempt (SA), there is still a limited understanding of the genetic predisposition underlying suicidal behaviors in diverse populations. This study aimed to conduct a large-scale investigation of the suicidality spectrum (SP) to generate new insights into its biology and epidemiology. Leveraging ancestrally diverse participants (SI N This study provides convergent genetic evidence for both shared and phenotype-specific components of suicidal behaviors and delineates their associated factors spanning from proximal clinical and behavioral traits to more distal social determinants. These findings refine our understanding of the etiology of suicidal behaviors and may inform targeted strategies for suicide prevention in both clinical and public health settings. Show less
Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is an epigenetic modifying enzyme closely linked to the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial inflammation is a critical factor in atherosclerosis. However, the rol Show more
Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is an epigenetic modifying enzyme closely linked to the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial inflammation is a critical factor in atherosclerosis. However, the role of HDAC3 in mediating epigenetic modifications and regulating endothelial inflammation in atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of HDAC3 on endothelial inflammation and its contribution to atherosclerosis. Firstly, single-cell transcriptomic analysis identified elevated expression of HDAC3 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in inflammatory endothelial cells of atherosclerotic plaques in symptomatic patients. Endothelial-specific knockout HDAC3 in an apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE Show less
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202512000-00030/figure1/v/2025-01-31T122243Z/r/image-tiff Studies have shown that vascular dysfunction is closely related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The mi Show more
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202512000-00030/figure1/v/2025-01-31T122243Z/r/image-tiff Studies have shown that vascular dysfunction is closely related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The middle temporal gyrus region of the brain is susceptible to pronounced impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Identification of the molecules involved in vascular aberrance of the middle temporal gyrus would support elucidation of the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and discovery of novel targets for intervention. We carried out single-cell transcriptomic analysis of the middle temporal gyrus in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls, revealing obvious changes in vascular function. CellChat analysis of intercellular communication in the middle temporal gyrus showed that the number of cell interactions in this region was decreased in Alzheimer's disease patients, with altered intercellular communication of endothelial cells and pericytes being the most prominent. Differentially expressed genes were also identified. Using the CellChat results, AUCell evaluation of the pathway activity of specific cells showed that the obvious changes in vascular function in the middle temporal gyrus in Alzheimer's disease were directly related to changes in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)A-VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 2 pathway. AUCell analysis identified subtypes of endothelial cells and pericytes directly related to VEGFA-VEGFR2 pathway activity. Two subtypes of middle temporal gyrus cells showed significant alteration in AD: endothelial cells with high expression of Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4 high ) and pericytes with high expression of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4 high ). Finally, combining bulk RNA sequencing data and two machine learning algorithms (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and random forest), four characteristic Alzheimer's disease feature genes were identified: somatostatin ( SST ), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 3 ( PTPN3 ), glutinase ( GL3 ), and tropomyosin 3 ( PTM3 ). These genes were downregulated in the middle temporal gyrus of patients with Alzheimer's disease and may be used to target the VEGF pathway. Alzheimer's disease mouse models demonstrated consistent altered expression of these genes in the middle temporal gyrus. In conclusion, this study detected changes in intercellular communication between endothelial cells and pericytes in the middle temporal gyrus and identified four novel feature genes related to middle temporal gyrus and vascular functioning in patients with Alzheimer's disease. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and present novel treatment targets. 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