Age increases of brain amyloid plaques may be mediated by prior increase of soluble Aβ42. Here, we show that frontal cortex samples from brains of cognitively normal aging humans had progressively inc Show more
Age increases of brain amyloid plaques may be mediated by prior increase of soluble Aβ42. Here, we show that frontal cortex samples from brains of cognitively normal aging humans had progressively increased levels of soluble amyloid peptide Aβ40 throughout the lifespan. Aggregated amyloid fraction was subsequently obtained by formic acid, where Aβ42 showed increases only in humans over 90 years old when compared to those younger than 50. Similarly, aging wild-type mice without amyloid plaques had increases of both soluble Aβ40 and Aβ42, as previously shown in normal aging rats. Aging also alters secretase enzymes and processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Here, we isolate membrane domains known as lipid rafts, a site of APP cleavage. We found that lipid rafts isolated from mouse and human cerebral cortex showed age increases of β-secretase enzyme activity, while amyloidogenic secretase proteins levels BACE1 and PS1 decreased with age in mouse. Lipid rafts merit further study in aging and neurodegeneration. Show less
Cadmium (Cd) is a widely available metal that has been found to have a role in causing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the detailed toxicological targets and mechanisms by which Cd Show more
Cadmium (Cd) is a widely available metal that has been found to have a role in causing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the detailed toxicological targets and mechanisms by which Cd causes NAFLD are unknown. Therefore, the present work aims to reveal the main targets of action, cellular processes, and molecular pathways by which cadmium causes NAFLD. As shown in the bioinformatics analysis, there were 74 main targets of action for cadmium-induced NAFLD, hemopoietic cell kinase (HCK), EPH receptor A2 (EPHA2), MYC proto-oncogene (MYC), lysyl oxidase (LOX), dipeptidyl peptidase 7 (DPP7), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2), dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), CD2 cytoplasmic tail binding protein 2 (CD2BP2), notch receptor 3 (NOTCH3), and phospholipase A2 group IVA (PLA2G4A) were screened as core genes. Testing these core genes in other databases, three differentially expressed genes, HCK, MYC, and DUSP6 were verified and used as targets for drug prediction in DsigDB; decitabine and retinoic acid were screened as potential therapeutic drugs for NAFLD based on the p-value and the combined score. The results of molecular docking showed that the predicted drugs can bind well to the core targets. In conclusion, cadmium is associated with NAFLD; the identified cadmium-toxicity targets, HCK, MYC, and DUSP6, may serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of NAFLD and predicted drugs, decitabine and retinoic acid may have a potential role in the treatment of NAFLD. Show less
Oxidative deterioration of fish oil in aquafeeds poses a significant challenge to fish health and aquaculture sustainability, making it crucial to mitigate this issue through healthy and green nutriti Show more
Oxidative deterioration of fish oil in aquafeeds poses a significant challenge to fish health and aquaculture sustainability, making it crucial to mitigate this issue through healthy and green nutritional strategies. This study examined the potential of stevia chlorogenic acid (SCGA), a bioactive byproduct of stevia processing, to alleviate intestinal injury, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and lipid metabolism disorders induced by oxidized fish oil in turbot. Four diets with equal nitrogen and lipid contents were formulated: a control diet (PC) containing 5 % fresh fish oil, an oxidized fish oil diet (OFO) comprising 5 % oxidized fish oil, and two additional OFO diets supplemented with 200 mg/kg (OFO200) or 400 mg/kg (OFO400) of SCGA. Each dietary treatment was randomly assigned to three replicates, each containing 40 fish weighing approximately 16.99 ± 0.01 g, and administered over a 10-week period. Fish fed the OFO diet exhibited significantly compromised growth performance, as indicated by decreased WGR and SGR, along with reduced serum immune indices (IgM, C3, and C4) and lipid parameters (TC, HDL, LDL), and elevated serum D-LA levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary OFO markedly suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities (serum SOD; intestinal SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) and elevated MDA concentrations (P < 0.05). Additionally, OFO reduced intestinal expression of tight junction-associated genes (Claudin-4, Claudin-7, Occludin) while increasing expression levels of MLCK, Keap1, inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α2, NF-κB, IFN-γ), and Caspase7 (P < 0.05). Notably, the TLR signaling pathway-related genes were upregulated, accompanied by pronounced shifts in gut microbiota composition (P < 0.05). In hepatic tissue, lipogenesis-associated genes (FAS, ACC) were significantly increased, while key genes involved in lipid transport and β-oxidation (CD36, LPL, ACOX1, PPARγ) exhibited reduced expression (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 200 and 400 mg/kg SCGA effectively mitigated these detrimental impacts. SCGA restored growth performance, serum immune parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities to levels comparable to the PC group. It also normalized gene expression related to intestinal barrier function, inflammation, apoptosis, and hepatic lipid metabolism. Furthermore, SCGA supplementation modulated gut microbiota structure by increasing beneficial genera and decreasing potential pathogens. In conclusion, SCGA effectively improves growth performance, alleviates OFO-induced intestinal injury and microbial dysbiosis, and regulates lipid metabolism in turbot. These findings provide theoretical insights and technical support for the application of SCGA in aquaculture. Show less
With the development of optical anti-counterfeiting and the increasing demand for high-level information encryption, multimodal luminescence (MML) materials attract much attention. However, the discov Show more
With the development of optical anti-counterfeiting and the increasing demand for high-level information encryption, multimodal luminescence (MML) materials attract much attention. However, the discovery of these multifunctional materials is very accidental, and the versatile host suitable for developing such materials remains unclear. Here, a grossite-type fast ionic conductor CaGa Show less
Impaired decidualization is associated with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is known to play an important role in decidua formation. However, the specific impact o Show more
Impaired decidualization is associated with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is known to play an important role in decidua formation. However, the specific impact of LPA in endometrial decidualization during RIF remains unclear. Metabolomics analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in RIF patients Expression of the LPA receptor subtypes, LPAR1-6, was detected in both GEO datasets and clinical endometrial samples. An LPA was identified as a pivotal metabolite in RIF. Among the LPA receptors, LPAR1 and LPAR6 were highly expressed during LPA plays a significant role in the decidualization process of hESCs by regulating LPAR6, rather than LPAR1, providing insights into potential therapeutic target for RIF. Show less
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has become the most common pathological pattern of lung cancer in recent decades. Prediction of biological behavior of LUAD is crucial for disease management and treatment o Show more
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has become the most common pathological pattern of lung cancer in recent decades. Prediction of biological behavior of LUAD is crucial for disease management and treatment options. The objective of this study was to identify significant genes related with prognosis of LUAD, and to investigate the role and biological mechanism of caveolin-1 (CAV1) in LUAD. Bioinformatical analysis was used to identify significant genes related to the prognosis of LUAD based on GEO datasets. Then the mechanisms underlying these critical genes were explored. Enrichment analysis was implemented based on CAV1 related differentially expressed genes subsequently. The expressions of CAV1 and EGFR in LUAD tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and microarray technology. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and cox regression analysis were performed to verify the correlation between CAV1 expression level and the prognosis of LUAD. The expression of CAV1 in PC-9, H1299 and H1975 cells was inhibited by siRNA transfection. CAV1 overexpression plasmid was constructed and transfected into A549 cells. Cell proliferation was detected by cell Titer-Glo, CCK-8 and colony formation assay. Scratch test was used to compare cell migration ability. Transwell assay was used to compare cell invasion ability. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. The effect of CAV1 on EGFR degradation was verified by cycloheximide inhibition assay. Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecular markers and apoptosis-related Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathway. The GFP plasmid loaded with shRNA was transfected into PC-9 cell line by lentivirus infection. Three groups of stable PC-9 cell lines, including shNC, shCAV1-1 and shCAV1-2 were obtained. The phenotypic experiments of proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis were completed. Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of AKT and STAT3, as well as apoptosis-related Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathway markers. In vivo experiments, including subcutaneous tumor formation experiment and immunohistochemical detection of CAV1, EGFR and Ki-67 were performed. Comprehensive analysis of GSE130779, GSE32863 and GSE85841 datasets identified 3 up-regulated DEGs and 86 down-regulated DEGs, which were significantly enriched in malaria pathway and proteoglycans in cancer pathway. CAV1 and CAV2 may inhibit tumor growth by degrading EGFR. Thirteen core genes including ADH1B, ALDH1A1, CAV1, CAV2, CLDN18, CXCL2 (GRO2), EDNRB, GNG11, LPL, PDK4, SCGB1A1, SDPR and SFTPC were down-regulated in LUAD tissues, which were associated with better prognosis of lung cancer significantly. Enrichment analysis of CAV1-related DEGs identified the endocytosis pathway, suggesting that CAV1 was involved in the development of LUAD by degrading EGFR through endocytosis. CAV1 was highly expressed in paracancerous tissues, and there was a negative correlation between the tissue locations of CAV1 and EGFR. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the cohort study showed that higher Cav-1 levels were associated with longer overall survival, and the difference was significant. Both in vitro and in vivo, CAV1 knockdown increased EGFR level, while CAV1 overexpression decreased EGFR level. This effect was mediated by Cav-1 promoting EGFR degradation. Cav-1 further inhibited the phosphorylation of downstream AKT/STAT3 pathway of EGFR. Caveolin-1 positively regulated the Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathway, thereby participating in mediating apoptosis. Cav-1 can suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD, while promote cell apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate that CAV1 exerts its anti-tumor effects, at least in part, by inhibiting EGFR degradation and modulating the AKT/STAT3 pathway, as well as enhancing the Bax/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 signaling pathway in LUAD cells. These results suggest that targeting CAV1 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of LUAD 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
Qingyu Zhang, Zongliang Yu · 2025 · International journal of general medicine · added 2026-04-24
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent, yet clinical practice lacks specific biomarkers, early diagnostic tools, and reliable risk assessment methods Show more
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent, yet clinical practice lacks specific biomarkers, early diagnostic tools, and reliable risk assessment methods. Given the growing burden of HFpEF, identifying novel diagnostic markers is crucial. This study investigates the diagnostic potential of apolipoprotein C3 (ApoC3) in HFpEF and its correlation with ventricular structure. We analyzed data from HFpEF patients admitted to the Kunshan Branch of Gusu College of Nanjing Medical University and the First People's Hospital of Kunshan (March-December 2023). Controls included HFrEF+HFmrEF patients and healthy individuals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the concentration of ApoC3 in all collected cases. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ApoC3 alone and combined with the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in plasma, and the relative wall thickness (RWT) in echocardiography for HFpEF. After exclusions, 80 HFpEF patients (39 male, 41 female), 41 HFrEF+HFmrEF patients (27 male, 14 female), and 79 healthy controls (53 male, 26 female) were included. ApoC3 levels were significantly higher in HFpEF (63136.03±12,113.07 ng/mL) than in HFrEF+HFmrEF (55580.84±13,685.35 ng/mL) and controls (53090.31±5893.25 ng/mL, P<0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated that ApoC3 alone (AUC=0.836) and the combined index (ApoC3+FAR+RWT, AUC=0.891) effectively distinguished HFpEF. Both also aided in differentiating HFpEF from HFrEF+HFmrEF (AUC=0.702 vs 0.823). ApoC3 is a promising biomarker for HFpEF diagnosis, and the combined index (ApoC3+FAR+RWT) enhances diagnostic accuracy. These findings may improve early detection and clinical management of HFpEF. Show less
Hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary (HCO) is a highly uncommon and aggressive neoplasm originating from the surface epithelial cells of the ovary, characterized by hepatocyte-like differentiation. To date Show more
Hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary (HCO) is a highly uncommon and aggressive neoplasm originating from the surface epithelial cells of the ovary, characterized by hepatocyte-like differentiation. To date, most information on HCO is derived from case reports, with fewer than 50 documented cases globally. In this case report, we present a detailed account of the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a patient diagnosed as having bilateral HCO, which is even rarer. Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed somatic mutations in PIK3C3 and TP53, with no BRCA1/2 alterations, and a molecular profile consistent with microsatellite stability and low tumor mutational burden. We also review the current literature to situate our findings within the broader context of existing knowledge. Given the rarity of bilateral HCO, our objective is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive description of its clinical features, molecular characteristics, and treatment strategies. This effort may enhance understanding of this rare malignancy and offer insights to improve patient outcomes in clinical practice. Show less
The newly generated CD4 single-positive (SP) T lymphocytes are featured by enhanced IL-4 but repressed IFN-γ production. The mechanisms underlying this functional bias remain elusive. Previous studies Show more
The newly generated CD4 single-positive (SP) T lymphocytes are featured by enhanced IL-4 but repressed IFN-γ production. The mechanisms underlying this functional bias remain elusive. Previous studies have reported that CD4 Show less
Integration of human genomics and other omics across different ancestries provides novel, affordable, and systematic approach for target identification. We used Mendelian randomization approaches to u Show more
Integration of human genomics and other omics across different ancestries provides novel, affordable, and systematic approach for target identification. We used Mendelian randomization approaches to unravel causal associations between 2,940 circulating proteins and 19 CVD. We found 218 proteins that impacted risk of one or more CVDs through forward MR (106 and 182 using cis-pQTLs only and cis- + trans-pQTLs, respectively), among which 107 were previously reported as associated with CVD or CVD-related traits. There were 102 proteins replicated (FDR < 5%, 53 with cis-pQTLs only and 88 with cis- + trans-pQTLs) using the FinnGen Olink data. BTN3A2 was highlighted as a novel candidate gene for ischemic stroke, suggesting a crosstalk between immune modulation and stroke pathogenesis. Single cell integration prioritized PAM for stable angina pectoris and ventricular arrhythmia and LPL for peripheral artery disease, whose transcriptional expressions were enriched in cardiomyocytes. Forward and reverse MR found largely non-overlapping proteins (only 2 overlapped: LGALS4 and MMP12), suggesting distinct proteomic causes and consequences of CVD. Our study provides human genetics-based evidence of novel candidate genes, a foundational step towards full-scale causal human biology-based drug discovery for CVD. Show less
Fatty acids serve as a crucial energy source for tumor cells during the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The present study aims to elucidate the characteristics of fatty acid metabol Show more
Fatty acids serve as a crucial energy source for tumor cells during the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The present study aims to elucidate the characteristics of fatty acid metabolism (FAM) in CLL, construct a related prognostic score, and investigate the regulatory role and mechanisms of FAM in CLL development. Bulk RNA sequencing data from CLL patients and healthy controls were analyzed to identify differentially expressed fatty acid metabolic genes. FAM-score was constructed using Cox-LASSO regression and validated. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze the expression of key FAM genes in CLL immune cell subsets and investigate cellular communication. Functional assays, including cell viability, drug sensitivity, and oxygen consumption assays, were performed to assess the impact of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) inhibition on CLL cells. Three FAM-related genes (LPL, SOCS3, CNR1) were identified with independent prognostic significance to construct the risk score. The FAM-score demonstrated superior prognostic performance compared to the Binet stage and was associated with established clinical prognostic markers. Single-cell analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of LPL, SOCS3, and CNR1 across CLL immune cell subsets. Cellular communication analysis highlighted the regulatory role of distinct B cell and Treg subsets in the CLL microenvironment. CLL patients with high FAM-score displayed distinct immune infiltration patterns, with increased FAO pathway activity. Inhibition of FAO reduced CLL cell viability, synergistically enhanced the efficacy of the PI3K inhibitor idelalisib. The present study constructed a prognostic risk score based on FAM gene expression, revealing related immune phenotypic differences and exploring the regulatory role of FAO in CLL development. Targeting fatty acid metabolism potentially modulates the CLL immune microenvironment and synergistically enhances the efficacy of PI3K inhibitors. Show less
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by Show more
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by integrating bioinformatics analysis with cell experiments. We firstly identified 266 druggable genes that were significantly differentially expressed between LUAD tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues. Among these genes, SMR analysis with Show less
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss among the elderly individuals. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) ferroptosis is a significant pathogenetic component in AMD. T Show more
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss among the elderly individuals. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) ferroptosis is a significant pathogenetic component in AMD. This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanisms of fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) in ferroptosis as well as AMD progression. An integrated bioinformatics analysis based on the array of data from the GEO database was conducted to identify candidates involved in ferroptosis during AMD. Subsequently, cellular and mouse models of AMD were developed using sodium iodate (NaIO FADS1 expression was upregulated in AMD patients and in vitro and in vivo models of AMD. Its pharmacological inhibition had decreased mitochondrial ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptosis as well as increased RPE cell function in ARPE-19 cells and C57BL/6J mouse models of AMD. Mechanistically, Sp1 was identified as a key transcription factor of FADS1. Moreover, Sp1 inhibition downregulated FADS1 expression consequently attenuating FADS1-mediated ferroptosis as well as AMD phenotypes. For the first time, we demonstrated that Sp1 regulates FADS1-mediated ferroptosis in RPE cells. Our findings provide novel insights into the progression and treatment of AMD. Show less
By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data for esophageal cancer (ESCA), we developed and validated a seven-macrophage-gene prognostic signature (FCN1, SCARB2, ATF5, PHLDA2, GLIPR1, CHORD Show more
By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing data for esophageal cancer (ESCA), we developed and validated a seven-macrophage-gene prognostic signature (FCN1, SCARB2, ATF5, PHLDA2, GLIPR1, CHORDC1, and BCKDK). This signature effectively stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different overall survival, achieving area under the curve (AUC) values greater than 0.7 for 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival prediction. A high-risk status correlated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, characterized by lower infiltration of B cells and CD8 + T cells, and was associated with reduced sensitivity to multiple chemotherapeutic agents, including Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil. Conversely, a low-risk status was linked to greater immune cell infiltration and higher predicted chemosensitivity. At the single-cell level, pseudotime analysis revealed that macrophage maturation significantly correlated with a decreasing risk score, suggesting that mature macrophages may contribute to a favorable prognosis. Furthermore, cell communication analysis identified high-risk macrophages as dominant drivers of a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment via signaling pathways, such as SPP1 and complement. In conclusion, this seven-gene signature is a robust prognostic biomarker that offers a new strategy for personalized risk assessment and treatment selection in ESCA. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04452-w. Show less
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is involved in numerous cellular processes, including DNA repair, cell cycle and cell proliferation. However, its roles and molecular mechanism underlying the progress Show more
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is involved in numerous cellular processes, including DNA repair, cell cycle and cell proliferation. However, its roles and molecular mechanism underlying the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are yet largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrated that VRK1 expression is elevated in HCC tumor tissues, which is associated with high tumor stage and poor prognosis in HCC patients. In vitro and in vivo experiments manifested that VRK1 overexpression significantly promotes cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and tumor growth of HCC by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Mechanistically, immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry analysis determined that VRK1 interacts with CHD1L, which mediates the phosphorylation of CHD1L at serine 122 site. RNA-seq revealed that one of the key downstream target genes of VRK1 is SNAI1, by which VRK1 promotes EMT process and HCC progression. Furthermore, VRK1 upregulates SNAI1 expression through phosphorylating CHD1L. In conclusion, these findings suggested that VRK1/CHD1L/SNAI1 axis acts as a cancer-driving pathway to promote the proliferation and EMT of HCC, indicating that targeting VRK1 may be an attractive therapeutic strategy of HCC. Show less
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Related mutations contributing to hypercontractility and poor relaxation in HCM are not completely u Show more
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Related mutations contributing to hypercontractility and poor relaxation in HCM are not completely understood. This study aimed to explore and verify a novel variant of cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C, encoded by MYBPC3) in an HCM family. Clinical information and cardiac parameters were collected in the pedigree. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and second-generation sequencing technology was used to investigate the proband and his family members. Subsequent sequence analysis was performed with DNAMAN software. The cardiac expression levels of MYBPC3 mRNA and cMyBP-C protein were assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Typical interventricular septal thickening was detected in all four HCM patients without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The c.1042₁₀₄₃insCGGCA mutation in MYBPC3 was verified in the proband and family members. In silico analysis of the mutation revealed that c.1042₁₀₄₃insCGGCA led to a shift in the sequence of nucleotides, creating a premature stop codon at the new reading frame. RT-qPCR analysis of MYBPC3 mRNA revealed a marked reduction in HCM heart compared to the normal controls (P < 0.05). Consistently, Western blot analysis showed significantly reduced expression of cMyBP-C in the pedigree in comparison with the controls (P < 0.05). The novel c.1042₁₀₄₃insCGGCA MYBPC3 mutation is a genetic basis for HCM due to c-MyBP-C haploinsufficiency. Show less
The pyroptosis of retinal Müller cells is intricately linked to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1)-mediated UFMylation plays an important role in insulin a Show more
The pyroptosis of retinal Müller cells is intricately linked to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1)-mediated UFMylation plays an important role in insulin and diabetes mellitus metabolism and regulates cell death such as apoptosis and pyroptosis. UFM1-specific protease 2 (UFSP2) mediates the maturation of the UFM1 precursor and thus affects UFMylation reaction. However, its role in DR remains unknown. The aim of our study was to determine the mechanism and upstream regulation of UFSP2 on the pyroptosis of rat retinal Müller cells. Pathological changes, UFSP2 expression and succinate accumulation were determined in retinal tissues of db/db diabetic mice via Hematoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescence staining and biochemical analysis. High glucose (HG) was used to construct a DR cell model using rat retinal Müller cells (rMC-1). Ufsp2 RNA interference and overexpression plasmids were constructed to determine the effects of UFSP2. Pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed via flow cytometry. Inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and IL-18) levels and key molecular markers related to pyroptosis (NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1p20, GSDMD-N) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot, respectively. Succinate-mediated H3K3me3 enrichment in Ufsp2 promoter region was measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation. In vivo experiments revealed that the UFSP2 expression and succinate levels were increased in retinal tissues of db/db diabetic mice with thinning of retinal thickness. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that The mRNA and protein levels of Ufsp2 exhibited a time-dependent increase under HG conditions. Upon Ufsp2 knockdown, the elevated oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and pyroptosis stimulated by HG were significantly suppressed. The effect of Ufsp2 overexpression on pyroptosis and inflammatory responses was consistent with the HG stimulation, whereas the UFSP2-induced heightened levels of pyroptosis as well as the inflammatory state were significantly reversed when co-administered with NLRP3 inhibitor or ROS inhibitor. Further activating NLRP3 inflammasome using LPS + ATP stimulation revealed that the knockdown of Ufsp2 resulted in inhibited pyroptosis levels and inflammatory responses, while the Ufsp2 overexpression markedly increased pyroptosis and inflammatory responses. Lastly, succinate was demonstrated to influence Ufsp2 transcription, as well as the expression of H3K3me3 and its enrichment in the Ufsp2 promoter region, ultimately affecting pyroptosis and inflammatory responses. Succinate-mediated Ufsp2 transcription promotes pyroptosis in rMC-1 cells by activating NLRP3 inflammasome and oxidative stress. Show less
Vascular calcification (VC) significantly increases the incidence and mortality of many diseases. The causal relationships of dyslipidaemia and lipid-lowering drug use with VC severity remain unclear. Show more
Vascular calcification (VC) significantly increases the incidence and mortality of many diseases. The causal relationships of dyslipidaemia and lipid-lowering drug use with VC severity remain unclear. This study explores the genetic causal associations of different circulating lipids and lipid-lowering drug targets with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and abdominal aortic artery calcification (AAC). We obtained single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with seven circulating lipids and 13 lipid-lowering drug targets from publicly available genome-wide association studies and eQTL databases. Causal associations were investigated by univariable, multivariable, drug-target, and summary data-based Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Potential mediation effects of metabolic risk factors were evaluated. MR analysis revealed that genetic proxies for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TC) and Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were causally associated with CAC severity, and apolipoprotein B (apoB) level was causally associated with AAC severity. A significant association was detected between hepatic Lipoprotein(A) (LPA) gene expression and CAC severity. Colocalisation analysis supported the hypothesis that the association between LPA expression and CAC quantity is driven by different causal variant sites within the ±1 Mb flanking region of LPA. Serum calcium and phosphorus had causal associations with CAC severity. Inhibitors targeting LPA might represent CAC drug candidates. Moreover, T2DM, hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia are positively causally associated with CAC severity, while chronic kidney disease and estimated glomerular filtration rate are not. Show less
Cold stress poses a significant challenge to pig farming in northern China, leading to reduced productivity and, in severe cases, even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cold resistance in Show more
Cold stress poses a significant challenge to pig farming in northern China, leading to reduced productivity and, in severe cases, even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying cold resistance in pigs are not well understood. To explore the genetic mechanism of cold resistance in pigs under low-temperature conditions, the cold-tolerant Hezuo pig was selected as a model. DIA proteomics analysis was performed on liver tissues from Hezuo pigs after 24 h of exposure to low-temperature treatments. The results showed that approximately 149 differential abundance proteins (DAPs) were detected (95 up-regulated and 54 down-regulated). GO analysis showed that these DAPs were mainly associated with lipid metabolism, vesicle fusion, and membrane function. KEGG analysis showed that these DAPs were primarily enriched in lipid metabolism-related pathways such as cholesterol metabolism and vitamin digestion and absorption. Comprehensive analysis identified APOA4, APOA2, SREBF2, ATP23, STX2, USO1, ETFA, RAB11FIP1, ETNPPL, and SGMS1 as potential key proteins involved in cold resistance mechanisms. The mRNA expression of the genes for two key candidate proteins (APOA4 and SREBF2), which are involved in lipid metabolism, was analyzed using qRT-PCR, revealing a significant up-regulation after low-temperature treatment. These findings provide significant insights into the mechanisms of cold resistance in animals and may serve as candidate markers for further studies on cold tolerance. SIGNIFICANCE: Cold resistance is one of the key traits in pigs and involves multiple complex coordinated regulatory mechanisms. However, its genetic mechanisms are not completely understood. In this study, a DIA proteomics approach was used to identify proteins and pathways associated with cold resistance in the liver of low-temperature-treated Hezuo pigs. These findings offer novel candidate proteins and key pathways for investigating the molecular mechanisms of cold resistance in Hezuo pigs, providing a base for further elucidating the mechanisms of cold tolerance in pigs. Show less
To determine whether lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and cumulative Lp(a) (CumLp(a)) are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This cohort study included 2,634 ho Show more
To determine whether lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and cumulative Lp(a) (CumLp(a)) are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This cohort study included 2,634 hospitalized patients diagnosed with AMI who underwent coronary angiography at Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, from July 2013, to December 2021. The main outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or unplanned revascularization—occurring singly or in combination. We used Cox proportional hazards models, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS) modeling, and threshold-effect assessment to evaluate the relationships between Lp(a), CumLp(a), and prognosis. Across a median 55.2-month follow-up, 907 participants (34.40%) experienced a MACCE, 342 (13.00%) patients had CV death, 177 (6.70%) patients had non-fatal MI, 202 (7.70%) patients had non-fatal stroke, 399 (15.10%) patients underwent unplanned revascularization, and all-cause death occurred in 547 (20.80%) patients. Multivariable Cox regression models demonstrated a significantly increased risk of MACCE, CV death, non-fatal MI, and non-fatal stroke in both the higher Lp(a) and higher CumLp(a) groups compared with the lower groups (HRs for Lp(a): 1.652, 2.157, 3.455, and 1.930; HRs for CumLp(a): 1.697, 1.675, 3.759, and 2.032), and every one-unit rise in CumLp(a), the risk of MACCE, CV death, non-fatal MI and non-fatal stroke increased by 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.9% and 1.2%, respectively. The majority of subgroup and sensitivity checks consistently supported a stable link between Lp(a)/CumLp(a) and the risks of MACCE, CV death, non-fatal MI, and stroke. Analyses using RCS and threshold models revealed that Log Higher levels of Lp(a) and CumLp(a) are linked to a greater risk of poor outcomes among patients with AMI as the index event, highlighting their potential value for risk stratification and guiding clinical decision-making. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12944-025-02800-6. Show less
Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are well-established oncology targets, with aberrant FGFR2 and FGFR3 activation implicated in multiple tumor types, including cholangiocarcinoma and urotheli Show more
Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are well-established oncology targets, with aberrant FGFR2 and FGFR3 activation implicated in multiple tumor types, including cholangiocarcinoma and urothelial carcinoma. Currently approved FGFR2/3-targeted therapies rely on pan-FGFR small-molecule kinase inhibitors, which often lead to off-target toxicities due to unintended inhibition of FGFR1 and FGFR4, as well as acquired resistance driven by gatekeeper mutations. Herein, we report the discovery of INCB126503, a highly potent, orally bioavailable FGFR2/3 inhibitor with excellent isoform selectivity and equipotent activity against gatekeeper mutants. INCB126503 effectively suppresses FGFR signaling in vivo without inducing hyperphosphatemia and demonstrates significant antitumor efficacy in xenograft models harboring FGFR3 genetic alterations. 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
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
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascu Show more
The poor prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) patients is attributed mainly to abundant neovascularization and presence of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are preferentially localized to the perivascular niche to maintain stemness. However, the effect of abnormal communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and GSCs on GBM progression remains unknown. Here, we reveal that ECs-derived SEMA3G, which is aberrantly expressed in GBM patients, impairs GSCs by inducing c-Myc degradation. SEMA3G activates NRP2/PLXNA1 in a paracrine manner, subsequently inducing the inactivation of Cdc42 and dissociation of Cdc42 and WWP2 in GSCs. Once released, WWP2 interacts with c-Myc and mediates c-Myc degradation via ubiquitination. Genetic deletion of Sema3G in ECs accelerates GBM growth, whereas SEMA3G overexpression or recombinant SEMA3G protein prolongs the survival of GBM bearing mice. These findings illustrate that ECs play an intrinsic inhibitory role in GSCs stemness via the SMEA3G-c-Myc distal regulation paradigm. Targeting SEMA3G signaling may have promising therapeutic benefits for GBM patients. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the role of SIRT4 in retinal protection, specifically its ability to mitigate excitotoxic damage to Müller glial cells through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics Show more
This study aimed to investigate the role of SIRT4 in retinal protection, specifically its ability to mitigate excitotoxic damage to Müller glial cells through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and glutamate transporters (GLASTs). A model of retinal excitatory neurotoxicity was established in mice. Proteins related to mitochondrial dynamics, GLAST, and SIRT4 were analyzed on days 0, 1, 3, and 5 following toxic injury. The influence of SIRT4 on mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins and GLAST was examined by inducing SIRT4 overexpression through intraperitoneal injection of resveratrol or by using SIRT4 knockout (KO) mice. Additionally, the effects of upregulating and downregulating SIRT4 expression in rat Müller glial cell lines (rMC-1) were explored via lentiviral vector transfection to assess changes in mitochondrial morphology and GLAST expression. After excitotoxic injury to the mouse retina, the retinal thickness and structure were disrupted, the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) decreased, and Müller glial cells were activated by day 1. The levels of OPA1, GLAST, and SIRT4 proteins peaked on the first day after injury and then gradually decreased, indicating a synchronized dynamic trend. The upregulation of SIRT4 expression promoted OPA1 and GLAST protein expression, thereby alleviating retinal excitotoxic injury. Furthermore, the upregulation of SIRT4 expression promoted mitochondrial fusion and increased GLAST expression in rMC-1 cells, reducing cellular excitotoxic damage. Conversely, downregulation of SIRT4 had the opposite effect. SIRT4 plays a significant role in mitigating excitotoxic damage in the retina, modulating Müller glial cell injury by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and glutamate transporter expression, ultimately influencing retinal health. Show less
Tumorigenesis is typically accompanied by cellular dedifferentiation and the acquisition of stem cell-like attributes. However, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the putative relationships be Show more
Tumorigenesis is typically accompanied by cellular dedifferentiation and the acquisition of stem cell-like attributes. However, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the putative relationships between these characteristics and various cancers. Here, we integrated gene expression and DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-eQTL and cis-mQTL) data from the blood to perform multi-omics Mendelian randomization analysis. Our analyses revealed 967 stem cell-associated genes (P < 0.05) and 11,262 methylation sites (P < 0.01) significantly related to 12 cancers. SMAD7 (cg14321542) in colon cancer, IGF2 (cg13508136) in prostate cancer, and FADS1 (cg07005513) in rectal cancer were prioritized as candidate causal genes and regulatory elements. Notably, using cis-eQTL data from the corresponding tissue sites, we detected 16 stem cell-associated genes dramatically causally associated with six cancers (FDR<0.2). The gene THBS3 was particularly common in both blood and stomach tissues and exhibited prognostic significance. Furthermore, it was markedly associated with one microbial metabolic pathway and four immunophenotypes. Functional validation using the ECC12 gastric cancer cell line revealed that the inhibition of its expression could accelerate oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species production, reduce clonal proliferation ability, and promote the apoptosis of stomach tumor cells. Additionally, based on spatial transcriptomic data from gastrointestinal cancers, the results demonstrated the clusters enriched with the most stem cell-associated genes exhibited significantly enhanced tumor-promoting potency, and the THBS3-expressing cells displayed suppressed oxidative phosphorylation. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of tumorigenic mechanisms and aids in the identification of therapeutic targets. Show less
Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme controlling the bioproduction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Increasing studies suggest that FADS1 is a potential cancer t Show more
Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme controlling the bioproduction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Increasing studies suggest that FADS1 is a potential cancer target. Our previous research has demonstrated the significant role of FADS1 in cancer biology and patient survival, especially in kidney cancers. We aim to explore the underlying mechanism in this study. We found that pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of the expression of FADS1 significantly reduced the intracellular conversion of long-chain PUFAs, effectively inhibits renal cancer cell proliferation, and induces cell cycle arrest. The stable knockdown of FADS1 also significantly inhibits tumor formation in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that while FADS1 inhibition induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, FADS1 expression is augmented by ER-stress inducer, suggesting a necessary role of PUFA production in response to ER stress. FADS1-inhibition sensitized cellular response to ER stress inducers, leading to cell apoptosis. Also, FADS1 inhibition-induced ER stress leads to activation of the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/ATF3 pathway. Inhibiting PERK or knockdown of ATF3 rescued FADS1 inhibition-induced ER stress and cell growth suppression, while ATF3-overexpression aggravates the FADS1 inhibition-induced cell growth suppression and leads to cell death. Metabolomic analysis revealed that FADS1 inhibition results in decreased level of UPD-N-Acetylglucosamine, a critical mediator of the unfolded protein response, as well as impaired biosynthesis of nucleotides, possibly accounting for the cell cycle arrest. Our findings suggest that PUFA desaturation is crucial for rescuing cancer cells from persistent ER stress, supporting FADS1 as a new therapeutic target. Show less
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental pollutants associated with various health issues, including breast cancer. This study investigates potential molecular mechanisms by which PCBs may i Show more
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental pollutants associated with various health issues, including breast cancer. This study investigates potential molecular mechanisms by which PCBs may influence breast cancer progression using computational and preliminary experimental approaches. We conducted a differential expression analysis using the TCGA-BRCA dataset. PCBs-related toxicological targets were collected from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Enrichment and pathway analyses identified candidate biological processes and pathways. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to identify hub genes. Single-cell expression levels of key targets were analyzed (GSE114727 dataset). Molecular docking predicted binding affinities of PCBs congeners with key targets. Cell experiments assessed gene expression changes upon PCBs exposure. We identified 52 upregulated and 24 downregulated PCBs-related toxicological targets in breast cancer. Enrichment analysis highlighted potential associations with pathways such as PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and HIF-1, including genes like BRCA1, FGFR1, IGF1, AKT1, and EGF. PPI network analysis identified key hub genes like EZH2, EGF, BRCA1, AKT1, IL6, and TNF. Single-cell analysis suggested variable expression of key targets across immune cell types. Molecular docking predicted strong binding affinities of PCB 105 with EZH2 and EGF Our integrated analysis proposes that PCBs exposure may perturb key molecular pathways in breast cancer. Computational findings implicate targets like EZH2 and EGF, while preliminary cell experiments support further investigation. These results highlight a need for mechanistic studies to confirm PCB-induced effects and their therapeutic relevance, underscoring environmental pollutants as potential risk factors in cancer. Show less