Zanthoxylum bungeanum is an economically important crop worldwide due to its high content of aroma-producing monoterpenoids,and development of varieties with enhanced flavor and overall quality is a crucial research a...Zanthoxylum bungeanum is an economically important crop worldwide due to its high content of aroma-producing monoterpenoids,and development of varieties with enhanced flavor and overall quality is a crucial research area.However,the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying monoterpenoid synthesis in Z.bungeanum remain unclear,hindering these breeding efforts.In this study,RNA sequencing,gas chromatography–mass spectrometry,and other molecular biology techniques were used to identify the underlying transcriptional regulation mechanisms.Two transcription factors,ZbbHLH2 and ZbERF6,were identified as key regulators of monoterpenoid synthesis in Z.bungeanum that upregulate various monoterpenoid synthesis-associated genes and are novel transcriptional activators of ZbIDI,which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in plant monoterpenoid synthesis.Functional analysis revealed that the expression of three genes[1]modulates monoterpenoid accumulation in Z.bungeanum peel.These findings provide novel insights into the metabolic regulatory network of monoterpenoid synthesis in Z.bungeanum peel,offer potential strategies for the biofortification of specific monoterpenoids,and will promote the development of Z.bungeanum germplasm for targeted breeding and quality improvement.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colony-stimulating factor 3(CSF3)and its receptor(CSF3R)are known to promote gastric cancer(GC)growth and metastasis.However,their effects on the immune microenvironment remain unclear.Our analysis indicate...BACKGROUND Colony-stimulating factor 3(CSF3)and its receptor(CSF3R)are known to promote gastric cancer(GC)growth and metastasis.However,their effects on the immune microenvironment remain unclear.Our analysis indicated a potential link between CSF3R expression and the immunosuppressive receptor leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)in GC.We hypothesized that CSF3/CSF3R may regulate LILRB2 and its ligands,angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)and human leukocyte antigen-G(HLA-G),contributing to immunosuppression.AIM To investigate the relationship between CSF3/CSF3R and LILRB2,as well as its ligands ANGPTL2 and HLA-G,in GC.METHODS Transcriptome sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed,stratifying patients by CSF3R expression.Differentially expressed genes and immune checkpoints were evaluated.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was performed on GC tissues.Correlation analyses of CSF3R,LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G were conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and IHC results.GC cells were treated with CSF3,and expression levels of LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS Among 122 upregulated genes in high CSF3R expression groups,LILRB2 showed the most significant increase.IHC results indicated high expression of LILRB2(63.0%),ANGPTL2(56.5%),and HLA-G(73.9%)in GC tissues.Strong positive correlations existed between CSF3R and LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G mRNA levels(P<0.001).IHC confirmed positive correlations between CSF3R and LILRB2(P<0.001),and HLA-G(P=0.010),but not ANGPTL2(P>0.05).CSF3 increased LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G expression in GC cells.Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 modulation significantly altered their expression,impacting CSF3’s regulatory effects.CONCLUSION The CSF3/CSF3R pathway may contribute to immunosuppression in GC by upregulating LILRB2 and its ligands,with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 playing a regulatory role.展开更多
Flavonoids,abundant in the fruits,are pivotal to their growth,development,and storage.In addition,they have significant beneficial effects on human health.Consequently,research is increasingly concentrating on the reg...Flavonoids,abundant in the fruits,are pivotal to their growth,development,and storage.In addition,they have significant beneficial effects on human health.Consequently,research is increasingly concentrating on the regulatory mechanisms governing flavonoid biosynthesis in fruits.Phytohormones are involved in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis.The abscisic acid,ethylene,jasmonic acid,cytokinins,and brassinosteroids promote flavonoid biosynthesis,while auxin negatively regulates flavonoid biosynthesis.Subsequently,transcription factors from the MYB,bHLH,WRKY,NAC,and bZIP families are pivotal in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis.In addition,non-coding RNAs(microRNA and lncRNA)also participate in the regulation of flavonoids biosynthesis.MicroRNAs are generally believed to negatively regulate flavonoid metabolism in fruits,while lncRNAs have the opposite effect.Furthermore,the interactions between plant hormones,transcription factors,and non-coding RNAs in fruit flavonoid biosynthesis were analyzed.Ultimately,a foundational regulatory network for fruit flavonoid biosynthesis was hereby established.展开更多
Flower color is an essential trait in ornamental plant breeding. Lycoris longituba is a popular ornamental plant native to central eastern China. The decrease in anthocyanin accumulation causes L. longituba petal colo...Flower color is an essential trait in ornamental plant breeding. Lycoris longituba is a popular ornamental plant native to central eastern China. The decrease in anthocyanin accumulation causes L. longituba petal color fading during flower development, which considerably affects the ornamental value of L. longituba. However, mechanisms underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis inhibition during L. longituba petal development remain unclear. In this study, three LlDFR genes were confirmed to be involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and LlDFRc exerted the strongest promoting effect on anthocyanin accumulation. According to the correlation analysis results, LlbHLH12 exhibited the strongest negative correlation with LlDFRc. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that LlbHLH12 was highly expressed during the medium bud and full bloom stages of flower development. LlbHLH12 was identified as a member of subgroup XII of bHLH transcription factor family. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activation ability assay revealed that LlbHLH12 was located in the nucleus without transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of LlbHLH12 in Nicotiana tabacum and L. longituba inhibited anthocyanin accumulation by suppressing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid, dual-luciferase, and β-glucuronidase activity assays showed that LlbHLH12 directly bound to the promoters of LlPAL and LlDFRc and suppressed their expression to inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis. Overall, our study identified a novel bHLH repressor negatively regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis and provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying color fading in L. longituba petals.展开更多
Moving from the most recent results on Foxg1 biology,we first summarize the available information on some special pleiotropic effectors of neurodevelopmental interest,involved in controlling both transcription and pos...Moving from the most recent results on Foxg1 biology,we first summarize the available information on some special pleiotropic effectors of neurodevelopmental interest,involved in controlling both transcription and post-transcriptional steps of gene expression.Then,after further analysis of the literature,we report evidence that,not strictly limited to neurodevelopmental effectors,such pleiotropy also applies to other transcription factors,involved in physiology and homeostasis.Furthermore,through the systematic analysis of a major public protein-protein interaction database,we gather strong evidence that the involvement of“canonical”transcription factors in post-transcriptional control of gene expression could be a pervasive phenomenon,characterizing hundreds of effectors.Finally,we discuss the biological significance of these findings and propose three evolutionary mechanisms that may have contributed to such an unexpected scenario.展开更多
Background:The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)remain largely undefined.This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanism...Background:The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)remain largely undefined.This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying VM in OSCC.Methods:Bioinformatics analysis was performed utilizing single-cell RNA-seq,bulk RNA-seq,and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation(H3K27ac)Chromatin Immunoprecipitation(ChIP)-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.ChIP-qPCR was used to validate the binding of ETS transcription factor ELK4(ELK4)to the dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)enhancer.In vitro VM formation and invasion of OSCC cells were assessed using Matrigel-based tube formation and Transwell assays,respectively.Results:Elevated expression of VM-related genes predicts unfavorable prognosis in OSCC patients.High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis(hdWGCNA)identified epithelial subcluster C4 as most strongly associated with VM and metastasis.Three co-expression modules within this subcluster exhibited significant positive correlations with both phenotypic traits.Among the 30 eigengenes from the three modules,DHFR emerged as a key regulator of VM and metastasis.Knockdown or inhibition of DHFR significantly suppressed VM formation and invasion in OSCC cells.Mechanistically,ELK4 activated DHFR transcription through direct binding to its enhancer.DHFR overexpression rescued VM and invasion impairment induced by ELK4 knockdown.Conclusion:DHFR was a pivotal enhancer-regulated gene driving VM and metastasis in OSCC.ELK4 directly binds to DHFR enhancer regions to activate its transcription,thereby promoting these malignant phenotypes.These findings identified the ELK4/DHFR axis as a promising therapeutic target for anti-angiogenic intervention in OSCC.展开更多
Heat stress reduces theanine content in tea plants,but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.In this study,a temperature gradient treatment(20℃,25℃,30℃,and 35℃)was performed to unveil the effect of he...Heat stress reduces theanine content in tea plants,but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.In this study,a temperature gradient treatment(20℃,25℃,30℃,and 35℃)was performed to unveil the effect of heat stress on biosynthesis and accumulation of theanine.We found that heat stress induced metabolic changes,characterized by decreased theanine content and increased catechin levels.In addition,heat stress up-regulated the expression of the class B heat shock transcription factor gene CsHSFB2c,while significantly suppressing the transcription of key theanine biosynthetic genes CsTS1 and CsGS1.Functional studies showed that silencing CsHSFB2c increased theanine content,while its overexpression significantly decreased theanine levels.Consistent with these changes,silencing CsHSFB2c upregulated the expression of CsTS1 and CsGS1,while overexpression of CsHSFB2c downregulated their expression.Yeast one-hybrid(Y1H)and dual-luciferase reporter gene(Dual-LUC)assays showed that CsHSFB2c directly binds to the promoters of CsTS1 and CsGS1 and inhibits their expression.These results demonstrate that CsHSFB2c mediates heat-induced suppression of theanine biosynthesis by directly inhibiting the expression of CsTS1 and CsGS1.This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the heat resistance and quality of tea plants via molecular breeding.展开更多
Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1(NR2F1,also called COUP-TF1)is a transcription factor and part of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily(Gay et al.,2002).NR2F1 is an orphan receptor that dimeriz...Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1(NR2F1,also called COUP-TF1)is a transcription factor and part of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily(Gay et al.,2002).NR2F1 is an orphan receptor that dimerizes to bind DNA and acts as a repressor as well as an activator of the target genes(Gay et al.,2002;Bertacchi et al.,2019;Bonzano et al.,2023).展开更多
AIM:To investigate whether vaccinia-related kinase 1(VRK1)mediates transforming growth factor-beta2(TGF-β2)-caused epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and inflammatory responses in retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)ce...AIM:To investigate whether vaccinia-related kinase 1(VRK1)mediates transforming growth factor-beta2(TGF-β2)-caused epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and inflammatory responses in retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells through regulating snail family transcriptional repressor 1(SNAI1),and to validate its role in a proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)mouse model.METHODS:Human RPE cell line ARPE-19 cells were treated with TGF-β2 to construct an EMT model.Western blot detected VRK1 level.The effects of VRK1 on SNAI1 expression and biological behavior of ARPE-19 cells were detected by immunofluorescence,ELISA,Transwell,and scratch assay,and the interaction between VRK1 and SNAI1 was confirmed through immunoprecipitation.A PVR mouse model was constructed,and the effects of VRK1 or/and SNAI1 on retinal damage were assessed by pathologic staining.Inflammatory factors and EMT-related proteins were assessed with ELISA and Western blot.RESULTS:VRK1 was upregulated in ARPE-19 cells after TGF-β2 treatment.Overexpression of VRK1 increased cell viability,promoted cell migration and EMT,and the levels of inflammatory factors.Silencing of VRK1 reversed the above indexes.There was a direct interaction between VRK1 and SNAI1,and overexpresssion SNAI1 weakened the impacts of silencing of VRK1.In PVR mice,silencing of VRK1 ameliorated retinal structural damage,decreased proinflammatory factor levels,and suppressed SNAI1 and mesenchymal marker expression.SNAI1 overexpression antagonized the protective effects of silencing VRK1 and exacerbated EMT and inflammatory responses.CONCLUSION:VRK1 plays a key role in retinal structural and inflammatory damage in PVR mice by regulating SNAI1 and mediating TGF-β2-caused EMT and inflammatory responses in RPE cells.展开更多
Tooth morphogenesis is orchestrated by a complex interplay of signaling pathways and transcription factors that control cell proliferation,apoptosis,and differentiation,with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway playin...Tooth morphogenesis is orchestrated by a complex interplay of signaling pathways and transcription factors that control cell proliferation,apoptosis,and differentiation,with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway playing a pivotal role.However,the comprehensive regulatory mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling remain largely unclear.Smad7,a key antagonist of the TGF-βsuperfamily,is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and ensuring proper cellular function.Our previous study has demonstrated that Smad7 knockout in mice leads to impaired proliferative property of tooth germ cells,resulting in small molars.Here,we identified SMAD7 expression in human dental papilla and dental pulp,colocalized with β-CATENIN and cell proliferationrelated proteins.RNA sequencing analysis revealed a significant reduction in Wnt signaling activity in Smad7-deficient mouse tooth germs.Using lentivirus transfection,we established SMAD7-knockdown human dental papilla stem cells,which manifested remarkably blunt proliferation rate,along with diminished Wnt signaling activity.In vivo transplantation investigations further revealed the indispensable role of SMAD7 in dentin formation.Mechanistically,we revealed that β-CATENIN interacts with P-SMAD2/3 and SMAD7 through co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid assays.Inhibition of TGF-β pathway or disruption of SMAD7/β-CATENIN transcription factor complex formation potently impacted Wnt/β-catenin activities,indicating both direct and indirect regulatory mechanisms.These findings highlight the critical role of SMAD7 in the proliferation and diffe rentiation of human dental stem cells,which could contribute to dental tissue regeneration and engineering.展开更多
Objective:Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein 1(Lrg1)could regulate diverse cells in cerebral ischemiareperfusion.Our study seeks to uncover Lrg1’s impact on endothelial cell heterogeneity via differentiation pathways ...Objective:Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein 1(Lrg1)could regulate diverse cells in cerebral ischemiareperfusion.Our study seeks to uncover Lrg1’s impact on endothelial cell heterogeneity via differentiation pathways and transcription factors.Method:The CSOmap model measured cell-to-brain-center distances using single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data in middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion(MCAO/R).Monocle2 mapped endothelial differentiation paths.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)analyzed endothelial subcluster variations.Database searches revealed a zinc finger MIZ-type containing 1 protein-frizzled 3(Zmiz1-Fzd3)promoter interaction.Endothelial cells were transfected with a Fzd3 promoter-luciferase plasmid.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and western blotting assessed MCAO/R or Zmiz1 overexpression effects on Fzd3-related mRNA and proteins.A retroviral vector carrying Zmiz1 was injected into the brains of mice to study its effect on Fzd3.Result:Lrg1−/−mice exhibited elevated cell adhesion proteins and decreased microvascular leakage after MCAO/R.CSOmap showed widened astrocyte spacing in thesemice.RSS revealed Zmiz1 overexpression inMCAO/R+Lrg1−/−mice.MCAO/R and pcDNA3-Zmiz1 transfection both enhanced luciferase activity with Fzd3,indicating Zmiz1 binding to Fzd3.Retroviral Zmiz1 injection or knockdown disrupted ischemic brain tight junctions,highlighting Zmiz1’s key role in blood-brain barrier protection,likely through Fzd3 pathway modulation.Conclusion:The findings indicate Lrg1 knockout induces endothelial differentiation by activating Zmiz1,which is crucial for maintaining blood-brain barrier function,possibly via modulating the Fzd3 pathway.展开更多
Aberrant RNA modification has been linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases;however,its specific molecular mechanisms in spinal cord injury remain poorly understood.The objective of this study was to explore RNA...Aberrant RNA modification has been linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases;however,its specific molecular mechanisms in spinal cord injury remain poorly understood.The objective of this study was to explore RNA modification-related biomarkers of spinal cord injury.The mRNA expression profiles of mice with spinal cord injury were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database(GSE18179).We identified 185 differentially expressed genes using bioinformatics approaches.Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated aberrant activation or inhibition of common metabolism-related pathways,including sulfur metabolism and steroid biosynthesis,in mice with spinal cord injury.An integrated strategy comprising weighted gene co-expression network analysis,a random forest model,a support vector machine model,and a generalized linear model was employed to identify four genes whose aberrant RNA modification was linked to spinal cord injury:Elovl6,Idi1,Sqle,and Stbd1.We verified the expression levels and diagnostic performance of these four genes in the original training dataset and mouse samples via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated variations in the mRNA levels of the four genes between the Sham and spinal cord injury groups at different time points following injury.We also constructed microRNA-mRNA and transcription factor-mRNA interaction networks using Cytoscape.Additionally,we evaluated the proportions of 22 types of immune cells in the spinal cords of mice using the CIBERSORT tool,revealing significant alterations in the numbers of memory B cells,resting dendritic cells,M0 macrophages,activated mast cells,resting mast cells,and CD8+T cells in spinal cord injury mice compared with Sham controls.Microglia and T cells were identified as key cell types by single-cell sequencing analysis.These findings provide new directions for the development of RNA modification-related therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury and suggest that Elovl6,Idi1,Sqle,and Stbd1 are potential biomarkers of spinal cord injury.展开更多
Objectives:The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),an aggressive subtype of breast cancer(BrCA),are limited.This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and trans...Objectives:The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),an aggressive subtype of breast cancer(BrCA),are limited.This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and transcriptional regulatory networks(TRN)inherent in TNBC samples.Methods:We analyzed pan-cancer BrCA datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)to compare triple-positive breast cancer(TPBC)with TNBC.TRN algorithms and virtual inference of protein-enriched regulon(VIPER)were used to identify master regulators and their target genes.Utilizing TNBC cells(MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468),we validated the relationship of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 3(NFE2L3)and basic helix-loop-helix family member E 40(BHLHE40)by performing a luciferase assay.The expression levels of these targets were measured after transfections with plasmid and siRNA via qRT-PCR and western blots.The effect of these genes on cell proliferation and migration was studied using phenotypic assays.Results:Using computational approaches,we identified NFE2L3 as a master regulator with BHLHE40 as its target gene.NFE2L3 protein binds to the promoter region of BHLHE40 and regulates its transcriptional activity.Additionally,silencing and overexpressing NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 showed that NFE2L3 directly regulates BHLHE40 at both transcriptional and translational levels.We found that BHLHE40 requires NFE2L3 for cell proliferation and migration in TNBC.Conclusion:These findings underscore the significance of NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC,highlighting NFE2L3’s role in regulating the oncogenic activity of BHLHE40 in TNBC cells.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)has become the second most deadly malignancy in the world,and the exploration of screening markers and precise therapeutic targets is urgent.Our previous research identified leukocyte ...BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)has become the second most deadly malignancy in the world,and the exploration of screening markers and precise therapeutic targets is urgent.Our previous research identified leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)protein as a characteristic protein of CRC,but the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features,the internal mechanism related to CRC progression,and screening diagnostic efficacy are not clear.Therefore,we hypothesized that LILRB2 is significantly highly expressed in CRC tissues,correlated with advanced stage and a poor prognosis,and could be used as a therapeutic target and potential screening biomarker for CRC.AIM To explore whether LILRB2 can be used as a potential therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC.METHODS Patients who underwent radical surgery for CRC at China-Japan Friendship Hospital between February 2021 and October 2022 were included.Cancer and paracancerous tissues were collected to verify LILRB2 expression,and the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features was analysed.Serum was collected from CRC patients,adenoma patients and healthy controls during the same period to assess the diagnostic value of LILRB2 as a noninvasive screening biomarker,and its diagnostic value was further compared with that of the traditional markers carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9).RESULTS A total of 58 CRC patients were included,and LILRB2 protein was significantly overexpressed in cancer tissues compared with paracancerous tissues(P<0.001).Angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)protein,as the ligand of LILRB2,was synergistically overexpressed in CRC tissues(P<0.001),and overexpression of LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 protein was significantly correlated with poor to moderate differentiation,vascular involvement,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage and a poor prognosis(P<0.05),which suggested that LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 are closely associated with CRC progression.In addition,serum LILRB2 concentrations increased stepwise in healthy individuals,adenoma patients and CRC patients with statistically significant differences.The sensitivity of serum LILRB2 for the diagnosis of CRC was 89.74%,the specificity was 88.89%,the area under the curve was 0.95,and the diagnostic efficacy was better than that of conventional CEA and CA19-9.CONCLUSION LILRB2 protein can be used as a potential novel therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC,which is beneficial for early screening and precise treatment.展开更多
Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors （KIRs） which are mainly expressed on natural killer （NK） cells are implicated in many virus infections. However, it is unclear whether or not KIRs are associated with susc...Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors （KIRs） which are mainly expressed on natural killer （NK） cells are implicated in many virus infections. However, it is unclear whether or not KIRs are associated with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） infection related diseases. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate possible correlation between polymorphisms of KIR genes and infectious mononucleosis （IM）/EBV-associated hemophagocytic Iymphohistiocytosis （EBV-HLH）. The polymorphisms of KIR genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers （PCR-SSP）. The results would contribute to clarify the association of KIRs with EBV induced diseases, and provide new insights into the role of NK cells and innate immune response against viral infections and/or subsequent progression.展开更多
Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the hypothetical state of hepatic tolerance,which is described by eventual imbalances or deregulation in the balance of cytokines,mediators,effectors,and regulatory cells ...Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the hypothetical state of hepatic tolerance,which is described by eventual imbalances or deregulation in the balance of cytokines,mediators,effectors,and regulatory cells in the complex milieu of the liver.In this section,we will comment on the importance of donorspecific anti-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)antibodies(DSA)as well as the compatibility and pairings of HLA and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor(KIR)genotypes in the evolution of liver transplantation.Thus,HLA compatibility,viral infections,and HLA-C/KIR combinations have all been linked to liver transplant rejection and survival.There have been reports of increased risk of acute and chronic rejection with ductopenia,faster graft fibrosis,biliary problems,poorer survival,and even de novo autoimmune hepatitis when DSAs are present in the recipient.Higher mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)values of the DSAs and smaller graft size were associated with poorer patient outcomes,implying that high-risk patients with preformed DSAs should be considered for selecting the graft placed and desensitization methods,according to the investigators.Similarly,in a combined kidney-liver transplant,a pretransplant with a visible expression of several DSAs revealed that these antibodies were resistant to treatment.The renal graft was lost owing to antibody-mediated rejection(AMR).The HLA antigens expressed by the transplanted liver graft influenced antibody elimination.Pathologists are increasingly diagnosing AMR in liver transplants,and desensitization therapy has even been employed in situations of AMR,particularly in patients with DSAs in kidney-hepatic transplants and high-class II MFI due to Luminex.In conclusion,after revealing the negative impacts of DSAs with high MFI,pretransplant virtual crossmatch techniques may be appropriate to improve evolution;however,they may extend cold ischemia periods by requiring the donor to be typed.展开更多
According to the latest global cancer statistics,colorectal cancer(CRC)has emerged as the third most prevalent malignant tumor across the globe.In recent decades,the medical field has implemented several levels of CRC...According to the latest global cancer statistics,colorectal cancer(CRC)has emerged as the third most prevalent malignant tumor across the globe.In recent decades,the medical field has implemented several levels of CRC screening tests,encompassing fecal tests,endoscopic examinations,radiological examinations and blood tests.Previous studies have shown that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)is involved in inhibiting immune cell function,immune evasion,and promoting tumor progression in acute myeloid leukemia and nonsmall cell lung cancer.However,its interaction with CRC has not been reported yet.Recently,a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that LILRB2 and its ligand,angiopoietin-like protein 2,are markedly overexpressed in CRC.This overexpression is closely linked to tumor progression and is indicative of a poor prognosis.The study highlights the potential of utilizing the concentration of LILRB2 in serum as a promising biomarker for tumors.However,there is still room for discussion regarding the data processing and analysis in this research.展开更多
Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to t...Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to the Nogo receptor（Ng R）, the paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a recently discovered coreceptor of Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Concurrent blocking of Ng R and Pir B almost completely eliminates the inhibitory effect of myelin-associated inhibitory molecules on axonal regeneration. Pir B participates in a key pathological process of the nervous system, specifically axonal regeneration inhibition. Pir B is an inhibitory receptor similar to Ng R, but their effects are not identical. This study summarizes the structure, distribution, relationship with common nervous system diseases, and known mechanisms of Pir B, and concludes that Pir B is also distributed in cells of the immune and hematopoietic systems. Further investigations are needed to determine if immunomodulation and blood cell migration involve inhibition of axonal regeneration.展开更多
Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regenera...Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regeneration. The regulatory effect of Pir B on injured nerves has received a lot of attention. To better understand nerve regeneration inability after spinal cord injury, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of Pir B（via immunofluorescence） in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system 10 days after injury. Immunoreactivity for Pir B increased in the dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerves, and spinal cord segments. In the dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerves, Pir B was mainly distributed along neuronal and axonal membranes. Pir B was found to exhibit a diffuse, intricate distribution in the dorsal and ventral regions. Immunoreactivity for Pir B was enhanced in some cortical neurons located in the bilateral precentral gyri. Overall, the findings suggest a pattern of Pir B immunoreactivity in the nervous system after unilateral spinal transection injury, and also indicate that Pir B may suppress repair after injury.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31872706)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2019 YFD1000603).
文摘Zanthoxylum bungeanum is an economically important crop worldwide due to its high content of aroma-producing monoterpenoids,and development of varieties with enhanced flavor and overall quality is a crucial research area.However,the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying monoterpenoid synthesis in Z.bungeanum remain unclear,hindering these breeding efforts.In this study,RNA sequencing,gas chromatography–mass spectrometry,and other molecular biology techniques were used to identify the underlying transcriptional regulation mechanisms.Two transcription factors,ZbbHLH2 and ZbERF6,were identified as key regulators of monoterpenoid synthesis in Z.bungeanum that upregulate various monoterpenoid synthesis-associated genes and are novel transcriptional activators of ZbIDI,which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in plant monoterpenoid synthesis.Functional analysis revealed that the expression of three genes[1]modulates monoterpenoid accumulation in Z.bungeanum peel.These findings provide novel insights into the metabolic regulatory network of monoterpenoid synthesis in Z.bungeanum peel,offer potential strategies for the biofortification of specific monoterpenoids,and will promote the development of Z.bungeanum germplasm for targeted breeding and quality improvement.
基金Supported by Hebei Province Medical Science Research Project Plan,No.20230755.
文摘BACKGROUND Colony-stimulating factor 3(CSF3)and its receptor(CSF3R)are known to promote gastric cancer(GC)growth and metastasis.However,their effects on the immune microenvironment remain unclear.Our analysis indicated a potential link between CSF3R expression and the immunosuppressive receptor leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)in GC.We hypothesized that CSF3/CSF3R may regulate LILRB2 and its ligands,angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)and human leukocyte antigen-G(HLA-G),contributing to immunosuppression.AIM To investigate the relationship between CSF3/CSF3R and LILRB2,as well as its ligands ANGPTL2 and HLA-G,in GC.METHODS Transcriptome sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed,stratifying patients by CSF3R expression.Differentially expressed genes and immune checkpoints were evaluated.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was performed on GC tissues.Correlation analyses of CSF3R,LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G were conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and IHC results.GC cells were treated with CSF3,and expression levels of LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.RESULTS Among 122 upregulated genes in high CSF3R expression groups,LILRB2 showed the most significant increase.IHC results indicated high expression of LILRB2(63.0%),ANGPTL2(56.5%),and HLA-G(73.9%)in GC tissues.Strong positive correlations existed between CSF3R and LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G mRNA levels(P<0.001).IHC confirmed positive correlations between CSF3R and LILRB2(P<0.001),and HLA-G(P=0.010),but not ANGPTL2(P>0.05).CSF3 increased LILRB2,ANGPTL2,and HLA-G expression in GC cells.Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 modulation significantly altered their expression,impacting CSF3’s regulatory effects.CONCLUSION The CSF3/CSF3R pathway may contribute to immunosuppression in GC by upregulating LILRB2 and its ligands,with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 playing a regulatory role.
基金supported by the China Agricultural Research System(Grant No.CARS-09)the Central Government Guiding Local Science and Technology Development Project(Grant No.YDZX2023029)the Gansu Planning Projects on Science and Technology(Grant No.23CXNJ0013).
文摘Flavonoids,abundant in the fruits,are pivotal to their growth,development,and storage.In addition,they have significant beneficial effects on human health.Consequently,research is increasingly concentrating on the regulatory mechanisms governing flavonoid biosynthesis in fruits.Phytohormones are involved in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis.The abscisic acid,ethylene,jasmonic acid,cytokinins,and brassinosteroids promote flavonoid biosynthesis,while auxin negatively regulates flavonoid biosynthesis.Subsequently,transcription factors from the MYB,bHLH,WRKY,NAC,and bZIP families are pivotal in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis.In addition,non-coding RNAs(microRNA and lncRNA)also participate in the regulation of flavonoids biosynthesis.MicroRNAs are generally believed to negatively regulate flavonoid metabolism in fruits,while lncRNAs have the opposite effect.Furthermore,the interactions between plant hormones,transcription factors,and non-coding RNAs in fruit flavonoid biosynthesis were analyzed.Ultimately,a foundational regulatory network for fruit flavonoid biosynthesis was hereby established.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.31870695,32071828)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD).
文摘Flower color is an essential trait in ornamental plant breeding. Lycoris longituba is a popular ornamental plant native to central eastern China. The decrease in anthocyanin accumulation causes L. longituba petal color fading during flower development, which considerably affects the ornamental value of L. longituba. However, mechanisms underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis inhibition during L. longituba petal development remain unclear. In this study, three LlDFR genes were confirmed to be involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and LlDFRc exerted the strongest promoting effect on anthocyanin accumulation. According to the correlation analysis results, LlbHLH12 exhibited the strongest negative correlation with LlDFRc. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that LlbHLH12 was highly expressed during the medium bud and full bloom stages of flower development. LlbHLH12 was identified as a member of subgroup XII of bHLH transcription factor family. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activation ability assay revealed that LlbHLH12 was located in the nucleus without transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of LlbHLH12 in Nicotiana tabacum and L. longituba inhibited anthocyanin accumulation by suppressing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway genes. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid, dual-luciferase, and β-glucuronidase activity assays showed that LlbHLH12 directly bound to the promoters of LlPAL and LlDFRc and suppressed their expression to inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis. Overall, our study identified a novel bHLH repressor negatively regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis and provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying color fading in L. longituba petals.
基金supported by SISSA(intramural funding to AM)International FOXG1 Research Foundation(Grant to AM)+1 种基金Italian Ministery of University and Research(Grant PRIN222022M95RC7 to AM)Fondazione Telethon(Grant GMR22T2018 to AM).
文摘Moving from the most recent results on Foxg1 biology,we first summarize the available information on some special pleiotropic effectors of neurodevelopmental interest,involved in controlling both transcription and post-transcriptional steps of gene expression.Then,after further analysis of the literature,we report evidence that,not strictly limited to neurodevelopmental effectors,such pleiotropy also applies to other transcription factors,involved in physiology and homeostasis.Furthermore,through the systematic analysis of a major public protein-protein interaction database,we gather strong evidence that the involvement of“canonical”transcription factors in post-transcriptional control of gene expression could be a pervasive phenomenon,characterizing hundreds of effectors.Finally,we discuss the biological significance of these findings and propose three evolutionary mechanisms that may have contributed to such an unexpected scenario.
基金supported by Hebei Natural Science Foundation(H2024206476)Medical Science Research Project of Hebei(20240101).
文摘Background:The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)remain largely undefined.This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying VM in OSCC.Methods:Bioinformatics analysis was performed utilizing single-cell RNA-seq,bulk RNA-seq,and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation(H3K27ac)Chromatin Immunoprecipitation(ChIP)-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.ChIP-qPCR was used to validate the binding of ETS transcription factor ELK4(ELK4)to the dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)enhancer.In vitro VM formation and invasion of OSCC cells were assessed using Matrigel-based tube formation and Transwell assays,respectively.Results:Elevated expression of VM-related genes predicts unfavorable prognosis in OSCC patients.High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis(hdWGCNA)identified epithelial subcluster C4 as most strongly associated with VM and metastasis.Three co-expression modules within this subcluster exhibited significant positive correlations with both phenotypic traits.Among the 30 eigengenes from the three modules,DHFR emerged as a key regulator of VM and metastasis.Knockdown or inhibition of DHFR significantly suppressed VM formation and invasion in OSCC cells.Mechanistically,ELK4 activated DHFR transcription through direct binding to its enhancer.DHFR overexpression rescued VM and invasion impairment induced by ELK4 knockdown.Conclusion:DHFR was a pivotal enhancer-regulated gene driving VM and metastasis in OSCC.ELK4 directly binds to DHFR enhancer regions to activate its transcription,thereby promoting these malignant phenotypes.These findings identified the ELK4/DHFR axis as a promising therapeutic target for anti-angiogenic intervention in OSCC.
基金supported by the Major Project of Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Program,China([2024]027)the High-Level Innovative Talents Project of Guizhou Province,China(GCC[2023]014)+1 种基金the Guizhou Provincial Tea Industry Technology System,China(GZCYCYJSTX-03)the Science and Technology Project of China Huaneng Group(HNKJ2022-H135)。
文摘Heat stress reduces theanine content in tea plants,but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.In this study,a temperature gradient treatment(20℃,25℃,30℃,and 35℃)was performed to unveil the effect of heat stress on biosynthesis and accumulation of theanine.We found that heat stress induced metabolic changes,characterized by decreased theanine content and increased catechin levels.In addition,heat stress up-regulated the expression of the class B heat shock transcription factor gene CsHSFB2c,while significantly suppressing the transcription of key theanine biosynthetic genes CsTS1 and CsGS1.Functional studies showed that silencing CsHSFB2c increased theanine content,while its overexpression significantly decreased theanine levels.Consistent with these changes,silencing CsHSFB2c upregulated the expression of CsTS1 and CsGS1,while overexpression of CsHSFB2c downregulated their expression.Yeast one-hybrid(Y1H)and dual-luciferase reporter gene(Dual-LUC)assays showed that CsHSFB2c directly binds to the promoters of CsTS1 and CsGS1 and inhibits their expression.These results demonstrate that CsHSFB2c mediates heat-induced suppression of theanine biosynthesis by directly inhibiting the expression of CsTS1 and CsGS1.This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the heat resistance and quality of tea plants via molecular breeding.
文摘Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1(NR2F1,also called COUP-TF1)is a transcription factor and part of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily(Gay et al.,2002).NR2F1 is an orphan receptor that dimerizes to bind DNA and acts as a repressor as well as an activator of the target genes(Gay et al.,2002;Bertacchi et al.,2019;Bonzano et al.,2023).
文摘AIM:To investigate whether vaccinia-related kinase 1(VRK1)mediates transforming growth factor-beta2(TGF-β2)-caused epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and inflammatory responses in retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells through regulating snail family transcriptional repressor 1(SNAI1),and to validate its role in a proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)mouse model.METHODS:Human RPE cell line ARPE-19 cells were treated with TGF-β2 to construct an EMT model.Western blot detected VRK1 level.The effects of VRK1 on SNAI1 expression and biological behavior of ARPE-19 cells were detected by immunofluorescence,ELISA,Transwell,and scratch assay,and the interaction between VRK1 and SNAI1 was confirmed through immunoprecipitation.A PVR mouse model was constructed,and the effects of VRK1 or/and SNAI1 on retinal damage were assessed by pathologic staining.Inflammatory factors and EMT-related proteins were assessed with ELISA and Western blot.RESULTS:VRK1 was upregulated in ARPE-19 cells after TGF-β2 treatment.Overexpression of VRK1 increased cell viability,promoted cell migration and EMT,and the levels of inflammatory factors.Silencing of VRK1 reversed the above indexes.There was a direct interaction between VRK1 and SNAI1,and overexpresssion SNAI1 weakened the impacts of silencing of VRK1.In PVR mice,silencing of VRK1 ameliorated retinal structural damage,decreased proinflammatory factor levels,and suppressed SNAI1 and mesenchymal marker expression.SNAI1 overexpression antagonized the protective effects of silencing VRK1 and exacerbated EMT and inflammatory responses.CONCLUSION:VRK1 plays a key role in retinal structural and inflammatory damage in PVR mice by regulating SNAI1 and mediating TGF-β2-caused EMT and inflammatory responses in RPE cells.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China to W.Tian (2022YFA1104400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China to T.Chen (82100959)a grant from the Sichuan Science and Technology Program to Z.Liu (2024YFFK0068)。
文摘Tooth morphogenesis is orchestrated by a complex interplay of signaling pathways and transcription factors that control cell proliferation,apoptosis,and differentiation,with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway playing a pivotal role.However,the comprehensive regulatory mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling remain largely unclear.Smad7,a key antagonist of the TGF-βsuperfamily,is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and ensuring proper cellular function.Our previous study has demonstrated that Smad7 knockout in mice leads to impaired proliferative property of tooth germ cells,resulting in small molars.Here,we identified SMAD7 expression in human dental papilla and dental pulp,colocalized with β-CATENIN and cell proliferationrelated proteins.RNA sequencing analysis revealed a significant reduction in Wnt signaling activity in Smad7-deficient mouse tooth germs.Using lentivirus transfection,we established SMAD7-knockdown human dental papilla stem cells,which manifested remarkably blunt proliferation rate,along with diminished Wnt signaling activity.In vivo transplantation investigations further revealed the indispensable role of SMAD7 in dentin formation.Mechanistically,we revealed that β-CATENIN interacts with P-SMAD2/3 and SMAD7 through co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid assays.Inhibition of TGF-β pathway or disruption of SMAD7/β-CATENIN transcription factor complex formation potently impacted Wnt/β-catenin activities,indicating both direct and indirect regulatory mechanisms.These findings highlight the critical role of SMAD7 in the proliferation and diffe rentiation of human dental stem cells,which could contribute to dental tissue regeneration and engineering.
基金supported by the Foundation Project:National Natural Science.Foundation of China(Nos.:82460249,82100417,81760094)The Foundation of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology Outstanding Youth Fund Project(20212BAB206022,20242BAB23080).
文摘Objective:Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein 1(Lrg1)could regulate diverse cells in cerebral ischemiareperfusion.Our study seeks to uncover Lrg1’s impact on endothelial cell heterogeneity via differentiation pathways and transcription factors.Method:The CSOmap model measured cell-to-brain-center distances using single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data in middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion(MCAO/R).Monocle2 mapped endothelial differentiation paths.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)analyzed endothelial subcluster variations.Database searches revealed a zinc finger MIZ-type containing 1 protein-frizzled 3(Zmiz1-Fzd3)promoter interaction.Endothelial cells were transfected with a Fzd3 promoter-luciferase plasmid.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and western blotting assessed MCAO/R or Zmiz1 overexpression effects on Fzd3-related mRNA and proteins.A retroviral vector carrying Zmiz1 was injected into the brains of mice to study its effect on Fzd3.Result:Lrg1−/−mice exhibited elevated cell adhesion proteins and decreased microvascular leakage after MCAO/R.CSOmap showed widened astrocyte spacing in thesemice.RSS revealed Zmiz1 overexpression inMCAO/R+Lrg1−/−mice.MCAO/R and pcDNA3-Zmiz1 transfection both enhanced luciferase activity with Fzd3,indicating Zmiz1 binding to Fzd3.Retroviral Zmiz1 injection or knockdown disrupted ischemic brain tight junctions,highlighting Zmiz1’s key role in blood-brain barrier protection,likely through Fzd3 pathway modulation.Conclusion:The findings indicate Lrg1 knockout induces endothelial differentiation by activating Zmiz1,which is crucial for maintaining blood-brain barrier function,possibly via modulating the Fzd3 pathway.
文摘Aberrant RNA modification has been linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases;however,its specific molecular mechanisms in spinal cord injury remain poorly understood.The objective of this study was to explore RNA modification-related biomarkers of spinal cord injury.The mRNA expression profiles of mice with spinal cord injury were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database(GSE18179).We identified 185 differentially expressed genes using bioinformatics approaches.Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated aberrant activation or inhibition of common metabolism-related pathways,including sulfur metabolism and steroid biosynthesis,in mice with spinal cord injury.An integrated strategy comprising weighted gene co-expression network analysis,a random forest model,a support vector machine model,and a generalized linear model was employed to identify four genes whose aberrant RNA modification was linked to spinal cord injury:Elovl6,Idi1,Sqle,and Stbd1.We verified the expression levels and diagnostic performance of these four genes in the original training dataset and mouse samples via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated variations in the mRNA levels of the four genes between the Sham and spinal cord injury groups at different time points following injury.We also constructed microRNA-mRNA and transcription factor-mRNA interaction networks using Cytoscape.Additionally,we evaluated the proportions of 22 types of immune cells in the spinal cords of mice using the CIBERSORT tool,revealing significant alterations in the numbers of memory B cells,resting dendritic cells,M0 macrophages,activated mast cells,resting mast cells,and CD8+T cells in spinal cord injury mice compared with Sham controls.Microglia and T cells were identified as key cell types by single-cell sequencing analysis.These findings provide new directions for the development of RNA modification-related therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury and suggest that Elovl6,Idi1,Sqle,and Stbd1 are potential biomarkers of spinal cord injury.
文摘Objectives:The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),an aggressive subtype of breast cancer(BrCA),are limited.This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and transcriptional regulatory networks(TRN)inherent in TNBC samples.Methods:We analyzed pan-cancer BrCA datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)to compare triple-positive breast cancer(TPBC)with TNBC.TRN algorithms and virtual inference of protein-enriched regulon(VIPER)were used to identify master regulators and their target genes.Utilizing TNBC cells(MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468),we validated the relationship of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 3(NFE2L3)and basic helix-loop-helix family member E 40(BHLHE40)by performing a luciferase assay.The expression levels of these targets were measured after transfections with plasmid and siRNA via qRT-PCR and western blots.The effect of these genes on cell proliferation and migration was studied using phenotypic assays.Results:Using computational approaches,we identified NFE2L3 as a master regulator with BHLHE40 as its target gene.NFE2L3 protein binds to the promoter region of BHLHE40 and regulates its transcriptional activity.Additionally,silencing and overexpressing NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 showed that NFE2L3 directly regulates BHLHE40 at both transcriptional and translational levels.We found that BHLHE40 requires NFE2L3 for cell proliferation and migration in TNBC.Conclusion:These findings underscore the significance of NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC,highlighting NFE2L3’s role in regulating the oncogenic activity of BHLHE40 in TNBC cells.
基金the National Key Development Plan for Precision Medicine Research,No.2017YFC0910002.
文摘BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)has become the second most deadly malignancy in the world,and the exploration of screening markers and precise therapeutic targets is urgent.Our previous research identified leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)protein as a characteristic protein of CRC,but the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features,the internal mechanism related to CRC progression,and screening diagnostic efficacy are not clear.Therefore,we hypothesized that LILRB2 is significantly highly expressed in CRC tissues,correlated with advanced stage and a poor prognosis,and could be used as a therapeutic target and potential screening biomarker for CRC.AIM To explore whether LILRB2 can be used as a potential therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC.METHODS Patients who underwent radical surgery for CRC at China-Japan Friendship Hospital between February 2021 and October 2022 were included.Cancer and paracancerous tissues were collected to verify LILRB2 expression,and the association between LILRB2 expression and clinicopathological features was analysed.Serum was collected from CRC patients,adenoma patients and healthy controls during the same period to assess the diagnostic value of LILRB2 as a noninvasive screening biomarker,and its diagnostic value was further compared with that of the traditional markers carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9).RESULTS A total of 58 CRC patients were included,and LILRB2 protein was significantly overexpressed in cancer tissues compared with paracancerous tissues(P<0.001).Angiopoietin-like protein 2(ANGPTL2)protein,as the ligand of LILRB2,was synergistically overexpressed in CRC tissues(P<0.001),and overexpression of LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 protein was significantly correlated with poor to moderate differentiation,vascular involvement,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage and a poor prognosis(P<0.05),which suggested that LILRB2 and ANGPTL2 are closely associated with CRC progression.In addition,serum LILRB2 concentrations increased stepwise in healthy individuals,adenoma patients and CRC patients with statistically significant differences.The sensitivity of serum LILRB2 for the diagnosis of CRC was 89.74%,the specificity was 88.89%,the area under the curve was 0.95,and the diagnostic efficacy was better than that of conventional CEA and CA19-9.CONCLUSION LILRB2 protein can be used as a potential novel therapeutic target and noninvasive screening biomarker for CRC,which is beneficial for early screening and precise treatment.
基金supported by grants from Chengdu Scientific and Technologic Bureau(No.11DXYB086JH-027)the research funds from the University Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative-Research Team(No.IRT0935)
文摘Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors （KIRs） which are mainly expressed on natural killer （NK） cells are implicated in many virus infections. However, it is unclear whether or not KIRs are associated with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus （EBV） infection related diseases. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate possible correlation between polymorphisms of KIR genes and infectious mononucleosis （IM）/EBV-associated hemophagocytic Iymphohistiocytosis （EBV-HLH）. The polymorphisms of KIR genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers （PCR-SSP）. The results would contribute to clarify the association of KIRs with EBV induced diseases, and provide new insights into the role of NK cells and innate immune response against viral infections and/or subsequent progression.
基金Instituto de Salud Carlos III,Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness,No.PI15/01370 and P19/01194and the European Union with the European Fund of Regional Development with the principle of“A manner to build Europe”.
文摘Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the hypothetical state of hepatic tolerance,which is described by eventual imbalances or deregulation in the balance of cytokines,mediators,effectors,and regulatory cells in the complex milieu of the liver.In this section,we will comment on the importance of donorspecific anti-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)antibodies(DSA)as well as the compatibility and pairings of HLA and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor(KIR)genotypes in the evolution of liver transplantation.Thus,HLA compatibility,viral infections,and HLA-C/KIR combinations have all been linked to liver transplant rejection and survival.There have been reports of increased risk of acute and chronic rejection with ductopenia,faster graft fibrosis,biliary problems,poorer survival,and even de novo autoimmune hepatitis when DSAs are present in the recipient.Higher mean fluorescence intensity(MFI)values of the DSAs and smaller graft size were associated with poorer patient outcomes,implying that high-risk patients with preformed DSAs should be considered for selecting the graft placed and desensitization methods,according to the investigators.Similarly,in a combined kidney-liver transplant,a pretransplant with a visible expression of several DSAs revealed that these antibodies were resistant to treatment.The renal graft was lost owing to antibody-mediated rejection(AMR).The HLA antigens expressed by the transplanted liver graft influenced antibody elimination.Pathologists are increasingly diagnosing AMR in liver transplants,and desensitization therapy has even been employed in situations of AMR,particularly in patients with DSAs in kidney-hepatic transplants and high-class II MFI due to Luminex.In conclusion,after revealing the negative impacts of DSAs with high MFI,pretransplant virtual crossmatch techniques may be appropriate to improve evolution;however,they may extend cold ischemia periods by requiring the donor to be typed.
文摘According to the latest global cancer statistics,colorectal cancer(CRC)has emerged as the third most prevalent malignant tumor across the globe.In recent decades,the medical field has implemented several levels of CRC screening tests,encompassing fecal tests,endoscopic examinations,radiological examinations and blood tests.Previous studies have shown that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2(LILRB2)is involved in inhibiting immune cell function,immune evasion,and promoting tumor progression in acute myeloid leukemia and nonsmall cell lung cancer.However,its interaction with CRC has not been reported yet.Recently,a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that LILRB2 and its ligand,angiopoietin-like protein 2,are markedly overexpressed in CRC.This overexpression is closely linked to tumor progression and is indicative of a poor prognosis.The study highlights the potential of utilizing the concentration of LILRB2 in serum as a promising biomarker for tumors.However,there is still room for discussion regarding the data processing and analysis in this research.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81170577
文摘Regenerative capacity is weak after central nervous system injury because of the absence of an enhancing microenvironment and presence of an inhibitory microenvironment for neuronal and axonal repair. In addition to the Nogo receptor（Ng R）, the paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a recently discovered coreceptor of Nogo, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Concurrent blocking of Ng R and Pir B almost completely eliminates the inhibitory effect of myelin-associated inhibitory molecules on axonal regeneration. Pir B participates in a key pathological process of the nervous system, specifically axonal regeneration inhibition. Pir B is an inhibitory receptor similar to Ng R, but their effects are not identical. This study summarizes the structure, distribution, relationship with common nervous system diseases, and known mechanisms of Pir B, and concludes that Pir B is also distributed in cells of the immune and hematopoietic systems. Further investigations are needed to determine if immunomodulation and blood cell migration involve inhibition of axonal regeneration.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81171178the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province in China,No.2012011036-3the Research Project of Shanxi Scholarship Council of China,No.2012-047
文摘Paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B（Pir B） is a functional receptor of myelin-associated inhibitors for axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system, and thus suppresses nerve regeneration. The regulatory effect of Pir B on injured nerves has received a lot of attention. To better understand nerve regeneration inability after spinal cord injury, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of Pir B（via immunofluorescence） in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system 10 days after injury. Immunoreactivity for Pir B increased in the dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerves, and spinal cord segments. In the dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerves, Pir B was mainly distributed along neuronal and axonal membranes. Pir B was found to exhibit a diffuse, intricate distribution in the dorsal and ventral regions. Immunoreactivity for Pir B was enhanced in some cortical neurons located in the bilateral precentral gyri. Overall, the findings suggest a pattern of Pir B immunoreactivity in the nervous system after unilateral spinal transection injury, and also indicate that Pir B may suppress repair after injury.
