👤 Heguang Huang

Chemokines and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis) are critical drivers of inflammatory responses. However, the molecular characteristics and interaction mechanisms of these processes in sarcopenia remain incompletely understood. Utilizing the mRNA expression profile dataset GSE226151 (including 19 sarcopenia, 19 pre-sarcopenia, and 20 healthy control samples), enrichment analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed NETosis-related genes (DENRGs) and chemokine-related genes (DECRGs). Two machine learning algorithms and univariate analysis were integrated to screen signature genes, which were subsequently used to construct diagnostic nomogram models for sarcopenia. Single-gene Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were used to investigate pathway associations, followed by the construction of a gene interaction network. A total of 7 DECRGs and DENRGs were identified, primarily enriched in chemokine signaling pathways, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and sarcopenia-related diseases. Machine learning and univariate analysis revealed three signature genes (CXCR1, CXCR2, and LPL). The nomogram models demonstrated high predictive accuracy in distinguishing sarcopenia from both healthy and pre-sarcopenic states, as evidenced by AUC values of 0.837 (95% CI 0.703-0.947) and 0.903 (95% CI 0.789-0.989), respectively. Single-gene GSEA highlighted significant associations between these genes and the JAK-STAT and PPAR signaling pathways. GSVA indicated that sarcopenia was closely linked to upregulated chemokine signaling, cytokine-receptor interaction activities, and leukocyte transendothelial migration. The research pinpointed three genes associated with chemokines and NETosis (CXCR1, CXCR2, LPL) and developed highly accurate diagnostic models, offering a new and preliminary approach to differentiate sarcopenia and its early stages. Show less

Acute cold stress can disrupt physiological homeostasis in marine fish and may induce pronounced metabolic and immune responses in pelagic species such as yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), which possess regional endothermic capabilities. As a key tissue interfacing with the environment, the gill plays essential roles in gas exchange, ion regulation, immune defense, and energy metabolism, making it highly susceptible to thermal fluctuations. This study investigated the physiological responses of gill tissue in juvenile yellowfin tuna under acute cold stress, using two treatment groups-LT (24 °C) and ULT (18 °C)-with a control group (CG, 30 °C). Sampling was conducted at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h to assess antioxidant and metabolic enzyme activities, histopathological alterations, and the expression of immune- and metabolism-related genes. Results showed time-dependent changes in antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD, GSH-Px), with significantly elevated MDA and LPO levels at 12 h and 24 h (p < 0.05), especially under 18 °C, indicating intensified oxidative stress. Significant alterations in AST, LDH, ACP, and AKP suggested metabolic reprogramming and membrane function changes. Variations in Na 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 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

The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), an increasingly important species in marine aquaculture, has garnered significant research interest due to its high market value. Despite extensive research on ovarian growth and development in fish, the molecular mechanisms governing lipid droplet formation and lipid deposition in P. leopardus remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted transcriptomic analyses of P. leopardus ovaries at three developmental stages: primary growth (PG), pre-vitellogenesis (PV), and mid-vitellogenesis (MV). A total of 534,847,090 raw reads were obtained from nine cDNA libraries, leading to the identification of 19,155 genes with 13,817 genes expressed at all stages. Differential analysis showed that 1012, 2609, and 4039 genes were up-regulated, while 168, 277, and 577 genes were down-regulated in the three comparisons, respectively. Functional enrichment analyses highlighting the critical roles of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lipid transport (such as fatp1, fatp4, fatp6, apoeb, lpl and fabps), fatty acid metabolism (such as elovl6, acsl1, dgat2 and gpat4) and phospholipid metabolism (such as ept1, chka and pla2g15). These findings underscore their contribution to lipid droplet formation and deposition. Furthermore, key signaling pathways, including Wnt, mTOR, PPAR and PI3K/Akt, were implicated in regulating these processes. The reliability of the RNA-seq data was confirmed through qPCR validation of 10 lipid-related genes. Based on these results, we propose a model for lipid droplet formation and lipid deposition during ovarian development in P. leopardus. This study advances our understanding of ovarian development in P. leopardus and provides a foundation for future research on marine fish reproduction, with potential applications in species conservation and aquaculture management. Show less

The imbalance between osteoblast (OB) -led bone formation and osteoclast (OC) -induced bone resorption is a recognized reason of osteoporosis. However, further gene-related pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. The microarray profile GSE225974 was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OC and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) treated with 30 ng/ml macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and 100 ng/ml receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) was to induce osteoclastic differentiation in vitro. The expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting methods. Meanwhile, the regulatory role of LPL on osteoclastic differentiation was evaluated by monitoring cathepsin K levels and TRAP staining. Proteins related to LPL were obtained by STRING, and the interaction between proteins was verified by immunoprecipitation (IP) and ubiquitination analysis. LPL was markedly up-expressed in OCs. Inhibition of LPL suppressed osteoclast differentiation of BMMs by inhibiting cathepsin K and number of TRAP-positive cells. Then the results of STRING demonstrated that proteins related to LPL including the lipid synthesis gene ACSL4. Erastin treatment prominently weakened the effects of si-LPL on cathepsin K levels and TRAP staining intensity by activating ferroptosis. Mechanically, inhibition of LPL suppressed osteoclast differentiation by promoting ubiquitination levels of ACSL4, and over-expression of USP14 reversed the effects of LPL knockdown on regulating ubiquitination of ACSL4. Suppression of LPL inhibits the osteoclast differentiation of BMMs in vitro. The mechanism may be related to the LPL knockdown induced USP14 meidated the ACSL4 ubiquitination. Taken together, down-regulation of LPL may be a promising method to suppress osteoclast differentiation to treat osteoporosis. Show less

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have an important role in lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in animals. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is an important NP, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie its activity are not completely understood. Treatment of intramuscular fat (IMF) and subcutaneous fat (SCF) adipocytes with CNP led to decreased differentiation, promoted proliferation and lipolysis, and increased the expression of natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPRB) mRNA. Silencing natriuretic peptide C (NPPC) had the opposite results in IMF and SCF adipocytes. Transcriptome analysis found 665 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IMF adipocytes and 991 in SCF adipocytes. Seven genes in IMF adipocytes (FABP4, APOA1, ACOX2, ADIPOQ, CD36, FABP5, and LPL) and eight genes in SCF adipocytes (ACOX3, ACSL1, APOA1, CPT1A, CPT2, FABP4, PDPK1 and PPARα) are related to fat metabolism. Fifteen genes were found to be enriched in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway. Integrated analysis identified 113 intersection genes in IMF and SCF adipocytes, two of which (APOA1 and FABP4) were enriched in the PPAR pathway. In conclusion, CNP may regulated lipid metabolism through the NPRB-PPAR pathway in both IMF and SCF adipocytes, FABP4 and APOA1 may be the key genes that mediated CNP regulation of fat deposition. Show less

The relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and atherosclerotic risk remains incompletely elucidated, potentially due to the inherent heterogeneity of HDL particles. Hypertriglyceridemia is associated with alterations in HDL composition. This study investigated the impact of elevated triglycerides (TG) on HDL and its association with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk using a large prospective cohort study and Mendelian randomization (MR). We found that elevated TG was associated with reduced HDL particle size, decreased concentrations of HDL components, and increased triglycerides in HDL (HDL-TG) (all P for trend < 0.001). The protective effects of HDL particle concentration and HDL cholesterol on CAD are attenuated with increasing serum TG levels. An independent and positive association between HDL-TG levels and incident CAD events (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 standard deviation increase: 1.066, 95% CI: 1.052-1.080, P < 0.001) was confirmed even after adjustment for established cardiovascular disease risk factors. MR analyses supported a causal role for HDL-TG in CAD development (inverse-variance weighted [IVW] method: odds ratios [ORs] of 1.120 (95% CI: 1.053-1.192, P < 0.001) and 1.141 (95% CI: 1.032-1.263, P = 0.010) for dataset groups 1 and 2, respectively). Drug-target MR analyses suggested a potential association between omega-3 fatty acids (OM3-FA) and lower HDL-TG levels, with LPL and DGAT2 as key pharmacological targets. Our findings suggest that elevated TG contributes to adverse alterations in HDL, elevating CAD risk. HDL-TG is an independent positive risk factor for CAD and a potential causal contributor to CAD development. OM3-FA supplementation may offer a therapeutic strategy for mitigating the CAD risk associated with elevated HDL-TG. Show less

The gut microbiota influences host immunity and metabolism, and changes in its composition and function have been implicated in several non-communicable diseases. Here, comparing germ-free (GF) and specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice using spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and targeted bile acid metabolomics across multiple organs, we systematically assessed how the gut microbiota's absence affected organ morphology, immune homeostasis, bile acid, and lipid metabolism. Through integrated analysis, we detect marked aberration in B, myeloid, and T/natural killer cells, altered mucosal zonation and nutrient uptake, and significant shifts in bile acid profiles in feces, liver, and circulation, with the alternate synthesis pathway predominant in GF mice and pronounced changes in bile acid enterohepatic circulation. Particularly, autophagy-driven lipid droplet breakdown in ileum epithelium and the liver's zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein (ZBTB20)-Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) (ZBTB20-LPL) axis are key to plasma lipid homeostasis in GF mice. Our results unveil the complexity of microbiota-host interactions in the crosstalk between commensal gut bacteria and the host. Show less

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of butyrate, butyric glycerides (BG) and their combination with sodium selenite (SeNa) or hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet) on the performance and egg quality of the laying hens in post-peak period as well as the potential mechanism. A total of 900 45-week-old Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups (n = 10 replicates/diet, 18 hens/replicate). The hens were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg selenium from SeNa (Control), Control plus 240 mg/kg butyric acid from coated butyrate (CB), Control plus 240 mg/kg butyric acid from butyric glycerides, basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg selenium from OH-SeMet plus coated butyrate (CB+OH-SeMet) or butyric glycerides (BG+OH-SeMet), respectively, for 20 weeks. Serum, liver, isthmus, uterus, and jejunum were collected at the end of the trial for biochemistry, histology, redox status, and gene expression analysis. Compared with Control, diets supplemented with BG, CB+OH-SeMet and BG+OH-SeMet increased (p < 0.05) the average egg weight (0.6-2.2 %), while only BG+OH-SeMet increased (p < 0.05) the total egg weight (7.1 %) and egg-laying rate (4.6 %) and decreased (p < 0.05) the feed/egg ratio (5.0 %) throughout the whole experiment. Furthermore, BG+OH-SeMet reduced (p < 0.05) the content of IL-6 and alanine aminotransferase (15.4-32.5 %), while elevated (p < 0.05) the content of IgA, IgY, IgM and total protein (18.7-26.8 %) in the serum in comparison to the Control. Notably, dietary supplementation of BG+OH-SeMet performed more effective antioxidant capacity in decreasing (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (16.4-27.9 %) content and increasing (p < 0.05) the activity of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase (17.6-36.3 %) in various tissues. Further experiment revealed that dietary BG+OH-SeMet regulated the lipid metabolism by increasing (p < 0.05) the expression of Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) and Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in liver. In conclusion, diets supplemented with BG and OH-SeMet could improve the laying performance via the enhancement of antioxidant capacity and regulation of lipid metabolism. Show less

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder typically involving the bone marrow with infiltration by small lymphocytes and plasma cells. Studies have identified MYD88 L265P mutation as a diagnostic marker to distinguish LPL from other small B-cell lymphomas. Detection rates for this mutation have varied depending on the analytic methodology, with previous data suggesting that routine next-generation sequencing (NGS) does not demonstrate the required sensitivity to reliably detect MYD88 L265P. NGS has become part of routine clinical testing because it allows detection of variants across multiple genes. To study the utility of NGS in the detection of MYD88 L265P, we performed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and routine NGS on a cohort of 34 cases of lymphoid neoplasms (22 LPL, 4 CLL, 1 MCL, 1 MGUS, 2 plasma cell myeloma, and 4 negative bone marrow cases). We utilized manual review and BAMtools to assess MYD88 L265P in NGS cases. Limit of detection for ddPCR was determined to be 0.4 % variant allele frequency (VAF) with 10 ng DNA input. MYD88 L265P VAF detection by NGS and ddPCR was comparable down to 0.5 % VAF (R Show less

The efficacy and mechanism of Fufang Danshen dripping pills (FFDS) in the secondary prevention of stable coronary heart disease (SCHD) is currently undetermined. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and preliminary mechanism by which FFDS may impact the progression of SCHD. Based on randomization, we administered oral FFDS to 30 patients with SCHD in addition to conventional treatment for 30 days. After treatment, three-months major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were assessed as the primary outcome. Additionally, we evaluated the patients' Seattle Angina Questionnaire score, blood pressure, circulating levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, platelets, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum creatinine, and fasting blood glucose as the secondary outcomes. Furthermore, we utilized mass spectrometry analysis, network pharmacology, and lipidomics to predict the potential mechanisms of FFDS in the treatment of SCHD. Following treatment, FFDS demonstrated significant improvements in serum triglyceride levels ( In individuals with SCHD, the administration of FFDS has been shown to effectively reduce circulating triglyceride levels and decrease the frequency of angina episodes. This therapeutic effect is likely due to the active components of FFDS targeting key proteins: LPL, CD36, FABPpm, L-FABP, LCAT, and CEPT. https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier (ChiCTR2400080149). Show less

Olanzapine (OLZ) is widely used in the treatment of schizophrenia, and its metabolic side effects have garnered significant attention in recent years. Despite this, the specific side effects of OLZ and the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. To address this gap, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to OLZ at concentrations of 35.5, 177.5, and 355.5 μg/L. The results indicated that exposure to OLZ significantly increased body weight, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG). Histological analysis revealed notable lipid accumulation in the liver. Furthermore, lipid synthesis genes, including sterol regulatory element binding protein (srebp), acetyl CoA carboxylase (acc), and fatty acid synthesis gene (fas), were up-regulated. In contrast, genes related to lipid decomposition, such as lipoprotein lipase (lpl), hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (hsl), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b (cpt1b), were down-regulated. Subsequent analysis of zebrafish behavior showed reduced motor activity, sociability, and anxiety-like behavior in OLZ-exposed zebrafish, consistent with the results of neurotransmitter related gene expression. Following OLZ treatment, the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (tph), tyrosine hydroxylase (th), dopamine transporter (dat), glutaminase (glsa), and glutamic acid decarboxylase 1b (gad1b) was upregulated. Additionally, the diversity of intestinal flora decreased after OLZ exposure, and the structure of the intestinal microbiota changed significantly compared to the control group. At the genus level, the abundance of Plesiomonas was upregulated, while the abundances of Bacillus and Cetobacterium were downregulated in the OLZ-exposed group. Furthermore, the results of the correlation analysis indicated that lipid metabolism and behavioral changes were closely associated with the microbiota. This study clarified the side effects of OLZ, and also provided a basis for the reasonable discharge concentration of OLZ in water and clinical drug use. Show less

Inflammation is a complex factor in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms (IA), but its specific cellular inflammatory factors remain uncertain. We collected two cohorts and measured the representation of vascular inflammation-related proteins using the Olink CVD II Vascular Inflammation Panel. We subsequently validated our findings using ELISA and RT-qPCR. Our proteomic analysis identified 11 vascular inflammation-related markers that were significantly differentially represented between the IA and control groups. These markers were implicated in leukocyte migration, immune response, triglyceride and lipoprotein metabolism, acute phase response, T cell regulation, and several key biological pathways, including PPAR, HIF-1, cytokine-cytokine interactions, and PI3K-AKT signaling. Further validation with ELISA and RT-qPCR confirmed the differential representation of IL6, PTX3, LPL, and OLR1 between the two groups. Notably, a combination marker incorporating these four factors demonstrated high diagnostic potential for the early detection of IA. Our study has identified a set of informative biomarkers (IL6, PTX3, LPL, and OLR1) that could be valuable for the early diagnosis of IA. Importantly, this is the first report of significantly elevated OLR1 representation in the plasma of IA patients. Further investigation into the role of OLR1 in the pathogenesis of IA is warranted. SIGNIFICANCE: This study significantly advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying intracranial aneurysm (IA) pathogenesis. By identifying a panel of novel biomarkers, including the previously unreported elevated expression of OLR1 in IA patients, we provide crucial insights into the inflammatory processes involved in aneurysm formation and development. These findings have important clinical implications, as the identified biomarkers could serve as valuable tools for early diagnosis and potentially targeted therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, the study highlights the complex interplay of inflammatory pathways in IA, suggesting that a multi-faceted approach may be necessary for effective management. Show less

This study evaluated the potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to improve growth performance and meat quality in finishing pigs. Thirty-two female Landrace×Duroc pigs, 21 weeks old with initial body weight 77.45±3.29 kg, were divided into two groups: a control group (basal diet) and a probiotic group (basal diet with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens at 1×109 CFU/kg). Body weight and average daily gain (ADG) were recorded at the start and at fortnight intervals for a 56-d feeding trial. At the end of the experiment, carcass traits, meat quality and intramuscular fat related gene expression of longissimus dorsi muscle were analyzed. The probiotic group showed significantly higher final body weight and D0-D56 ADG (p<0.05). Additionally, the probiotic group had greater carcass weight, back fat thickness and marbling score (p<0.05), while the lean meat percentage remained unchanged. Meat quality analysis revealed that the probiotic group had a higher b* value (5.47) (p<0.05), and a lower shear value (p<0.001), but there was no effect on the a* value and water holding capacity. Moreover, probiotic treatment increased the gene expression of fatty acid uptake and regulators, such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), and solute carrier family 27 member 1 (SLC27A1) (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that the supplementation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens not only enhanced growth performance and carcass weight in finishing pigs, but also improved marbling and tenderness in the longissimus dorsi muscle through the upregulation of lipogenic-genes related to fat accumulation. This indicates its potential as feed additive to enhance pork quality. Show less

Accelerated population aging and rising incidence of bone defects have intensified the need for advanced bone regeneration strategies. While tissue-engineered scaffolds fabricated via 3D printing offer promising alternatives to conventional grafts, most techniques fail to replicate the multi-scale fibrous architecture of native bone extracellular matrix, limiting their biofunctionality. To address this, we developed a hybrid manufacturing strategy integrating low-temperature thermally induced phase separation with extrusion-based 3D printing of polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds. By optimizing solvent ratios (THF: DMF = 3:1) and freezing temperatures (-196 °C-4 °C), we produced scaffolds with tunable micro-nano fibrous surfaces and macroporous structures. Key findings revealed that scaffolds processed at -196 °C (PLA-196) exhibited the highest porosity (pore size: 6.01 ± 2.06 μm), superior hydrophilicity, and enhanced compressive modulus. These scaffolds significantly promoted BMSC adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation via activation of Show less

This study aimed to investigate serum inflammatory factor levels of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female patients with bipolar disorder (BD) to explore the related inflammatory molecular mechanisms preliminarily. The study recruited 72 female drug-naïve patients with BD and 98 female healthy controls (HCs). Demographic information, menstrual cycles, sex hormone levels, and ovarian ultrasound data were collected from them. Additionally, their serum inflammatory factor levels and the proteomics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-13 were significantly higher in patients with BD than in HCs (p < 0.05), and the IL-8 level was higher in BD patients with PCOS than in those without (adjusted p = 0.07). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that downregulated genes with significant differences between the two groups were all involved in immune-inflammatory-related pathways, and the expression of downregulated genes BTN3A2, MAP2K5, JCHAIN-B, and DMAP1 showed substantial differences and consistent trends between the two groups. IL-8-related chronic inflammatory response is closely associated with PCOS in BD patients, and genes such as BTN3A2 may mediate this chronic inflammatory response by negatively regulating the abnormal differentiation of T helper 17 cells, serving as one of the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Show less

Phenotypic heterogeneity is apparent among individuals with putative monogenic disease, such as familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Genome sequencing (GS) allows interrogation of the full spectrum of inborn genetic variation in an individual and RNA profiling provides a snapshot of the cardiac-specific pathogenic effects on gene expression. Identify candidate genetic modifiers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype. We performed GS of 48 individuals with variants in GS identified the Evaluation of the whole genome, even in the case of alleged monogenic disease, leads to important new insights. The identified variants, regions, and genes are candidates to modify disease presentation in cardiomyopathy. Show less

An estimated 1 in 500 people live with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease for which genetic diagnosis can identify family members at risk, and increasingly guide therapy. Mutations in the myosin binding protein C3 ( We developed a scaled multidimensional mapping strategy to evaluate the functional impact of variants across a critical domain of MYBPC3. We incorporate saturation base editing at the native Our multidimensional mapping strategy enabled high-resolution functional analysis of This work provides a platform for extending genome engineering in iPSCs to multiplexed assays of variant effects across diverse disease-relevant cellular phenotypes, enhancing the understanding of variant pathogenicity and uncovering novel biological mechanisms that could inform therapeutic strategies. Show less

Individuals with diabetes are susceptible to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, potentially resulting in mortality. Metabolic disorders frequently occur in patients with diabetes, and diabetes usually leads to remodeling of heart structure and cardiac dysfunction. However, the contribution and underlying mechanisms of metabolic and structural coupling in diabetic cardiac dysfunction remain elusive. Two mouse models of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were used to assess alterations in glucose/lipid metabolism and cardiac structure. The potential metabolic-structural coupling molecule ACBP (acyl-coenzyme A-binding protein) was screened from 4 published datasets of T2DM-associated heart disease. In vivo loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches were used to investigate the role of ACBP in diabetic cardiac dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms of metabolic and structural coupling were investigated by stable-isotope tracing metabolomics, coimmunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. Diabetic mouse hearts exhibit enhanced lipid metabolism and impaired ultrastructure with marked cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Analysis of 4 T2DM public datasets revealed that Our findings demonstrated that ACBP mediates the bidirectional regulation of cardiomyocyte metabolic and structural associations and identified a promising therapeutic target for ameliorating cardiac dysfunction in patients with T2DM. 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 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

This study was aimed at identifying the effects of liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) on sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and clarifying its novel regulatory mechanisms using bioinformatics and experimental methods. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed genes and functional annotations were performed. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered intraperitoneally for sepsis-induced ALI in a mouse model; then, the LXR agonist T0901317 (T0) was administered to the mice along with RAW264.7 macrophages for LXRα activation. We then performed hematoxylin and eosin staining, estimated the total protein in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and detected the expressions of TNFα and IL6 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the inflammatory injury in the lung tissues. Autophagy was detected via immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting. RNA sequencing was then used to analyze the autophagy-related genes regulated by LXRα, and the cells were transfected with S100A8-siRNA to determine whether LXRα regulated inflammatory damage by regulating the autophagy-related gene S100A8. The clinical correlation between LXRα and S100A8 was determined through analysis of human transcriptome data. The bioinformatics analyses revealed that LXRα (NR1H3) was downregulated in sepsis-induced ALI models and that LXRα might regulate autophagy. The animal- and cell-based experiments further verified these findings. The LXR agonist T0 was found to alleviate lung damage and reduce the expressions of inflammatory factors in the lung tissues and cells. After inhibiting autophagy with 3-methyladenine, the protective effects of T0 on inflammatory damage were shown to be inhibited. Subsequently, RNA sequencing of the macrophages was performed, and four genes ( The findings of this study suggest that T0 attenuates sepsis-induced pulmonary injury by promoting macrophage autophagy via suppression of S100A8 expression. Show less

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality. The traditional Chinese medicine Qingre Sanjie Formula (QRSJF), composed of Prunellae Spica, Sargassum, Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, Leonuri Herba, and Forsythiae Fructus, has shown efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases, although its mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of QRSJF against atherosclerosis and the mechanisms involved. The composition of QRSJF was analyzed using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. An 8-week high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis model was established in ApoE Both low- and high-dose QRSJF effectively attenuated dyslipidemia and decreased serum inflammatory cytokine levels in HFD-fed ApoE QRSJF improves dyslipidemia and reduces atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE Show less

CKN is a self-developed LXRα agonist capable of up-regulating the expression of ABCA1, diminishing intracellular lipid deposition, and attenuating the inflammatory response. Nevertheless, the protective effect and mechanism of ischemic stroke remain indistinct. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effects and the underlying mechanisms of CKN in ischemic stroke. In this study, the tMCAO model was utilized to induce cerebral artery occlusion in mice, and cholesterol-induced BV2 and primary microglia models were adopted. Neuronal damage and the effect of CKN on ABCA1 expression, lipid deposition, and TLR4 signaling in penumbra microglia were assessed. The results demonstrated that: (1) CKN treatment markedly ameliorated the neurological deficit score of the tMCAO model, contracted the infarct size, and mitigated the damage of the cerebral cortex. (2) CKN has the capacity to up-regulate the expression of ABCA1 in microglia within the ischemic penumbra by activating the LXRα/ABCA1 signaling pathway, and minimize lipid deposition and inflammatory responses. (3) The activation of the LXRα/ABCA1 signaling pathway is profoundly implicated in the inflammatory response triggered by CKN inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway in microglia. The present study demonstrated for the first time that the activation of the LXRα/ABCA1 signaling possessed the ability to attenuate reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke by means of reducing lipid droplet formation and TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling within microglia in the ischemic penumbra. Show less

Effective therapeutic drugs for calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) are lacking, although its incidence has been increasing over the past decade and is predicted to continue rising in the future. This study aimed to explore the role and potential mechanisms of liver X receptor α (LXRα) in CAVD, which offers a promising approach for treating CAVD. Osteogenic stimulation was performed following which a substantial downregulation of LXRα was observed in human calcific aortic valves and valvular interstitial cells. Further functional investigations revealed that silencing LXRα exacerbated calcification both in vitro and in vivo. We showed that LXRα suppressed the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/eukaryotic initiation factor 2/activating transcription factor 4 pathway, which controls endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and promotes osteogenic differentiation, thereby slowing the course of CAVD. Our research offers fresh perspectives on how LXRα controls the pathophysiology of CAVD via regulating ERS. The findings suggest that targeting LXRα is a potential treatment strategy for treating aortic valve calcification. Show less

Mesenchymal cells constitute the primary structural support elements within endometriotic lesions, yet their pivotal roles in endometriotic pathogenesis remain largely uncharted. This study aimed to construct a single-cell atlas of endometriosis using samples from three ovarian tissues affected by endometriosis and three normal ovarian tissues. Through the utilization of scRNA-seq, we have unveiled six distinct mesenchymal subclusters in normal and endometriosis-afflicted ovaries, elucidating the diverse functions of mesenchymal populations in endometriosis. Our comprehensive analysis has revealed that mesenchymal cells predominantly engage in three key functions: ribosome-mediated protein synthesis and processing, cell adhesion facilitating intercellular support and communication, and a range of metabolic processes. Furthermore, our findings have identified several pivotal differentially expressed genes (e.g. C3, FN1, COL3A1, COL1A1, NRXN3), primarily associated with the complement and coagulation cascades, extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, ECM receptor interactions, and cell adhesion molecules. In essence, our study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic dataset and novel insights into adhesive molecule and integrin networks within mesenchymal subclusters in endometriosis. This, in effect, has deepened the understanding of the pathomechanisms governing this condition. Show less

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the predominant histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, demonstrates critical regulatory involvement of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in tumorigenic processes. Emerging evidence highlights the circRNA-autophagy regulatory axis as a crucial modulator of cancer progression. This study systematically investigates the functional interplay within the RBP-circRNA-autophagy network in LUAD pathogenesis. Employing RNA pull down, mass spectrometry and RNA immunoprecipitation facilitated the exploration of the circRAPGEF5 binding protein. M6A methylation RNA immunoprecipitation-PCR was utilized for m6A analysis. Immunofluorescence (IF) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays were conducted to ascertain the subcellular localization of target genes. Employing mRFP-GFP-LC3 fluorescent lentivirus labelling facilitated the monitoring of autophagy flow levels. Xenografts in mice were instrumental in affirming the role of circRAPGEF5. Through comprehensive molecular profiling, we identified elevated circRAPGEF5 expression in LUAD cells, which significantly suppressed autophagic flux while promoting malignant phenotypes including enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistic investigations revealed that circRAPGEF5 directly interacts with the KH3-4 functional domain of Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA-Binding Protein 2 (IGF2BP2), an m6A reader protein. This interaction facilitated IGF2BP2-mediated stabilization of NUP160 mRNA, a nuclear pore complex component. Genetic ablation of NUP160 through RNA interference effectively restored autophagic activity, thereby attenuating the aggressive biological behaviors of LUAD cells. In vivo validation using xenograft models demonstrated that the circRAPGEF5/IGF2BP2/NUP160 signaling axis promotes tumor growth and metastatic dissemination through autophagy suppression. Our findings reveal a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism wherein m6A-modified circRAPGEF5 orchestrates autophagy inhibition via IGF2BP2-dependent stabilization of NUP160 transcripts, ultimately driving LUAD progression and metastasis. These results establish the circRAPGEF5/IGF2BP2/NUP160 axis as a potential therapeutic target for LUAD intervention. Show less

Nucleoporins, as major components of nuclear pore complex, have been recently discovered to participate in organ development. Here, we report a young female patient with nephrotic proteinuria resistant to immune suppressant treatment and congenital ovarian insufficiency. Renal pathology confirmed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and whole-exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations in Nucleoporin 160 ( Show less

Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) is a novel enteric coronavirus that causes severe clinical diarrhea and intestinal pathological injury in pigs. Selective autophagy is an important mechanism of host defense against virus invasion. However, the mechanism through which SADS-CoV-mediated selective autophagy mediates the innate immune response remains unknown. Here, we report that the host protein PABPC4 can inhibit SADS-CoV replication through targeting and degrading its N protein. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PABPC4 recruits MARCHF8 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase), which ubiquitinates the N protein and is degraded via NDP52/CALCOCO2 (a selective autophagy cargo receptor). Taken together, these findings reveal a new mechanism by which PABPC4 inhibits virus replication, and reveal a new target for antiviral drug development. Show less