Gastrointestinal tract involvement by neurofibromatous lesions is rare and occurs most frequently as one of the systemic manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis type 1 （NF1）. In this setting, the lesions may...Gastrointestinal tract involvement by neurofibromatous lesions is rare and occurs most frequently as one of the systemic manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis type 1 （NF1）. In this setting, the lesions may manifest as focal scattered neurofibromas or as an extensive diffuse neural hyperplasia designated ganglioneuromatosis. Occasionally, such lesions may be the initial sign of NF1 in patients without any other clinical manifestations of the disease. Rarely, cases of isolated neurofibromatosis of the large bowel with no prior or subsequent evidence of generalized neurofibromatosis have been documented. We present the case of a 52 year-old female with abdominal pain and alternating bowel habits. Colonoscopic evaluation revealed multiple small polyps in the cecum and the presence of nodular mucosa in the colon and rectum. Pathologic evaluation of the biopsies from the cecum, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum revealed tangled fascicles of spindle cells expanding the lamina propia leading to separation of the intestinal crypts. Immunohistochemical stains helped confirm the diagnosis of diffuse intestinal neurofibromatosis. A thorough clinical evaluation failed to reveal any stigmata of generalized neurofibromatosis. This case represents a rare presentation of isolated intestinal neurofibromatosis in a patient without classic systemic manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis and highlights the need in such cases for close clinical follow-up to exclude neurofibromatosis type I or multiple endocrine neoplasia type Ⅱ.展开更多
Breast cancer(BRCA)is characterized by high heterogeneity,with aggressive subtypes frequently showing poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies,making the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strateg...Breast cancer(BRCA)is characterized by high heterogeneity,with aggressive subtypes frequently showing poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies,making the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strategies imperative.Although elevated expression of discs large homolog 3(DLG3)has been reported in BRCA,its functional role in disease progression remains unclear.We performed bioinformatic analyses of clinical datasets to evaluate the prognostic significance of DLG3 expression in BRCA patients.In vitro gain-and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to assess the impact of DLG3 on BRCA cell proliferation,migration,and colony formation.Transcriptomic profiling,coupled with pharmacological inhibition,was employed to identify and validate downstream signaling pathways.Additionally,we extended our validation to an in vivo model to assess the role of DLG3 in tumor progression.We found that elevated DLG3 levels correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.Functionally,DLG3 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells,whereas its knockdown suppressed these effects.Transcriptomic analyses revealed that DLG3 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,a finding further corroborated by Western blot.Critically,treatment with the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated DLG3-driven proliferation and migration,supporting a DLG3-STAT3 oncogenic axis.Furthermore,in vivo studies validated the role of DLG3 in promoting tumor growth and its correlation with elevated STAT3 signaling,consistent with our in vitro findings.Our findings establish DLG3 as a novel driver of breast cancer progression that directly activates STAT3 signaling.DLG3 thus represents both a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer subtypes,including triple-negative breast cancer.展开更多
The published article titled“MicroRNA-133b Inhibits Proliferation,Cellular Migration,and Invasion via Targeting LASP1 in Hepatocarcinoma Cells”has been retracted from Oncology Research,Vol.25,No.8,2017,pp.1269–1282.
Adult neurogenesis continuously produces new neurons critical for cognitive plasticity in adult rodents.While it is known transforming growth factor-βsignaling is important in embryonic neurogenesis,its role in postn...Adult neurogenesis continuously produces new neurons critical for cognitive plasticity in adult rodents.While it is known transforming growth factor-βsignaling is important in embryonic neurogenesis,its role in postnatal neurogenesis remains unclear.In this study,to define the precise role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in postnatal neurogenesis at distinct stages of the neurogenic cascade both in vitro and in vivo,we developed two novel inducible and cell type-specific mouse models to specifically silence transforming growth factor-βsignaling in neural stem cells in(mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9)or immature neuroblasts in(DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9).Our data showed that exogenous transforming growth factor-βtreatment led to inhibition of the proliferation of primary neural stem cells while stimulating their migration.These effects were abolished in activin-like kinase 5(ALK5)knockout primary neural stem cells.Consistent with this,inhibition of transforming growth factor-βsignaling with SB-431542 in wild-type neural stem cells stimulated proliferation while inhibited the migration of neural stem cells.Interestingly,deletion of transforming growth factor-βreceptor in neural stem cells in vivo inhibited the migration of postnatal born neurons in mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice,while abolishment of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in immature neuroblasts in DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice did not affect the migration of these cells in the hippocampus.In summary,our data supports a dual role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells in vitro.Moreover,our data provides novel insights on cell type-specific-dependent requirements of transforming growth factor-βsignaling on neural stem cell proliferation and migration in vivo.展开更多
The visual system of teleost fish grows continuously,which is a useful model for studying regeneration of the central nervous system.Glial cells are key for this process,but their contribution is still not well define...The visual system of teleost fish grows continuously,which is a useful model for studying regeneration of the central nervous system.Glial cells are key for this process,but their contribution is still not well defined.We followed oligodendrocytes in the visual system of adult zebrafish during regeneration of the optic nerve at 6,24,and 72 hours post-lesion and at 7 and 14 days post-lesion via the sox10:tagRFP transgenic line and confocal microscopy.To understand the changes that these oligodendrocytes undergo during regeneration,we used Sox2 immunohistochemistry,a stem cell marker involved in oligodendrocyte differentiation.We also used the Click-iT™ Plus TUNEL assay to study cell death and a BrdU assay to determine cell proliferation.Before optic nerve crush,sox10:tagRFP oligodendrocytes are located in the retina,in the optic nerve head,and through all the entire optic nerve.Sox2-positive cells are present in the peripheral germinal zone,the mature retina,and the optic nerve.After optic nerve crush,sox10:tagRFP cells disappeared from the optic nerve crush zone,suggesting that they died,although they were not TUNEL positive.Concomitantly,the number of Sox2-positive cells increased around the crushed area,the optic nerve head,and the retina.Then,between 24 hours post-lesion and 14 days post-lesion,double sox10:tagRFP/Sox2-positive cells were detected in the retina,optic nerve head,and whole optic nerve,together with a proliferation response at 72 hours post-lesion.Our results confirm that a degenerating process may occur prior to regeneration.First,sox10:tagRFP oligodendrocytes that surround the degenerated axons stop wrapping them,change their“myelinating oligodendrocyte”morphology to a“nonmyelinating oligodendrocyte”morphology,and die.Then,residual oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the optic nerve and retina proliferate and differentiate for the purpose of remyelination.As new axons arise from the surviving retinal ganglion cells,new sox10:tagRFP oligodendrocytes arise from residual oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to guide,nourish and myelinate them.Thus,oligodendrocytes play an active role in zebrafish axon regeneration and remyelination.展开更多
Background Inflammatory bowel disease causes intestinal structural damage,impairs gut function,hinders animal growth and development,and reduces farming efficiency.Previous studies demonstrated that lactate alleviates...Background Inflammatory bowel disease causes intestinal structural damage,impairs gut function,hinders animal growth and development,and reduces farming efficiency.Previous studies demonstrated that lactate alleviates dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced inflammation and mitigates weight loss by enhancing intestinal barrier functions.However,the mechanisms underlying lactate-mediated protection of the intestinal epithelial barrier remain unclear.This study aimed to explore the protective effect of lactate on intestinal barrier damage in colitis piglets and the possible underlying mechanisms through in vivo and in vitro experiments.Methods A total of 6021-day-old weaned female piglets were randomly assigned into three groups based on weight:the control group(basal diet with physiological saline gavage),the DSS group(basal diet with 5%DSS gavage),and the DSS+LA group(2%lactate diet with 5%DSS gavage).There were 10 replicates per treatment,with 2 piglets per replicate.Jejunal morphology was assessed via hematoxylin and eosin staining,while Western blotting quantified the protein levels of proliferation markers,including cluster of differentiation 24(CD24),cyclin D1,and wingless/integrated(Wnt)/β-catenin signaling components.In vitro,0.08%DSS and 2–32 mmol/L sodium lactate-treated intestinal porcine epithelial cell line-J2(IPEC-J2)cells(n=4)were assessed for viability(Cell Counting Kit-8 assay),apoptosis(flow cytometry),and proliferation parameters,including cell cycle analysis and Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5(Lgr5+)stem cell quantification.Results In vivo,DSS administration induced jejunal villus shortening(P<0.05),downregulated protein levels of CD24,cyclin D1,casein kinase 1(CK1),and dishevelled-2(DVL2)(P<0.05).In vitro,DSS promoted apoptosis,inhibited proliferation,diminished the Lgr5+cell populations(P<0.05),and reduced S-phase cell proportions(P<0.05).Conversely,lactate supplementation ameliorated DSS-induced villus atrophy(P<0.05),restored CD24,cyclin D1,CK1,and DVL2 protein levels(P<0.05).Furthermore,in vitro,sodium lactate attenuated DSS-induced apoptosis(P<0.05),enhanced IPEC-J2 proliferation(P<0.05),expanded Lgr5+cells(P<0.05),and increased S-phase progression(P<0.05).Conclusions In summary,lactate ameliorated intestinal barrier damage in DSS-induced colitis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and restoring the balance between epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis.This study provides novel mechanistic evidence supporting lactate's therapeutic potential for IBD management.展开更多
Unlike mammals,zebrafish possess a remarkable ability to regenerate their spinal cord after injury,making them an ideal vertebrate model for studying regeneration.While previous research has identified key cell types ...Unlike mammals,zebrafish possess a remarkable ability to regenerate their spinal cord after injury,making them an ideal vertebrate model for studying regeneration.While previous research has identified key cell types involved in this process,the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain largely unexplored.In this study,we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile distinct cell populations at different stages of spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Our analysis revealed that multiple subpopulations of neurons showed persistent activation of genes associated with axonal regeneration post injury,while molecular signals promoting growth cone collapse were inhibited.Radial glial cells exhibited significant proliferation and differentiation potential post injury,indicating their intrinsic roles in promoting neurogenesis and axonal regeneration,respectively.Additionally,we found that inflammatory factors rapidly decreased in the early stages following spinal cord injury,creating a microenvironment permissive for tissue repair and regeneration.Furthermore,oligodendrocytes lost maturity markers while exhibiting increased proliferation following injury.These findings demonstrated that the rapid and orderly regulation of inflammation,as well as the efficient proliferation and redifferentiation of new neurons and glial cells,enabled zebrafish to reconstruct the spinal cord.This research provides new insights into the cellular transitions and molecular programs that drive spinal cord regeneration,offering promising avenues for future research and therapeutic strategies.展开更多
The early developmental period is a critical window during which brain cells mature and contribute to both brain development and later life functions.Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),recognized as a major neurotransmitte...The early developmental period is a critical window during which brain cells mature and contribute to both brain development and later life functions.Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),recognized as a major neurotransmitter,plays a crucial role in coordinating synapse formation,neuronal proliferation,and migration during this time.展开更多
Objectives Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need.This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid(LA)’s regulatory effects on osteobla...Objectives Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need.This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid(LA)’s regulatory effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation,investigating its viability as a bone-healing agent.Methods This study employed various cellular and molecular biology experiments to assess the effects of LA on the viability,proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,differentiation,mineralization,and migration of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,investigating the regulatory mechanisms by which LA promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.Additionally,Wnt inhibitor dickkopf-1(DKK-1)andβ-catenin-silenced cell models were used to further validate the role of LA in modulating this signaling pathway.Results LA significantly promoted osteoblast proliferation without apparent cytotoxicity.Flow cytometry showed that LA regulated the cell cycle by reducing G0/G1 phase arrest and promoting G2/M phase progression.Western blot results indicated that LA upregulated the expression of proteins associated with cell proliferation and enhanced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses further confirmed that LA markedly increased the expression of Wnt andβ-catenin,facilitatingβ-catenin nuclear translocation.Treatment with the DKK-1 inhibitor significantly diminished the proliferative and differentiation-promoting effects of LA,confirming the critical role of this pathway.β-catenin knockdown experiments further substantiated its central role in LA-mediated regulation.Conclusion This study confirms that LA promotes osteoblast proliferation,differentiation,mineralization,and migration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.展开更多
Among plant hormones,cytokinins have been extensively studied for over a century due to their central roles in regulating plant development,physiology,and environmental responses.In this study,we chemically synthesize...Among plant hormones,cytokinins have been extensively studied for over a century due to their central roles in regulating plant development,physiology,and environmental responses.In this study,we chemically synthesized several Cytokinin-Active ingreDients(CADs)and evaluated their effects on the in vitro regeneration of Sansevieria trifasciata and seedling growth of Nicotiana tabacum,comparing their activities with established cytokinins,kinetin and zeatin.Our results show that CADs promote cell division and shoot proliferation in S.trifasciata,with the highest shoot numbers per explant observed at CAD-A(0.9 mg L^(-1)),cycle-iP(0.1 mg L^(-1)),and zeatin(0.3 mg L^(-1)),all significantly different from kinetin(0.3 mg L^(-1))—the previously suggested cytokinin for in vitro shoot proliferation in this plant.CAD-A and CAD-B at 0.9 mg L^(-1)increased leaf number by approximately 4.5,significantly outperforming kinetin at 0.3 mg L^(-1).In tobacco seedlings,CAD-B at 0.3 mg L^(-1)significantly enhanced root number(7.3)comparable to kinetin(6.7)at the same concentration.Overall seedling height increased more than two-fold under both CAD-B and kinetin treatments compared to control plants.The bioactivity of CADs under in vitro conditions closely parallels that of kinetin,supporting their potential as effective cytokinin mimetics.Collectively,these results indicate that synthesized CADs can serve as potent alternatives to natural cytokinins for plant tissue culture and developmental studies,with promising applications in propagation and regeneration protocols.展开更多
Objectives:Chromobox 4(CBX4),a polycomb protein family member linked to tumor pathogenesis via dysregulation,has an incompletely defined role in gastric cancer(GC).The study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism...Objectives:Chromobox 4(CBX4),a polycomb protein family member linked to tumor pathogenesis via dysregulation,has an incompletely defined role in gastric cancer(GC).The study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of CBX4 in GC progression and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target.Methods:CBX4 expression was assessed in GC tissues vs.adjacent non-cancerous tissues and in GC cell lines vs.normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells.Clinicopathological correlations were analyzed.Functional impacts of CBX4 were determined using knockdown and overexpression models in vitro(cell proliferation,migration,invasion)and in vivo(xenograft tumorigenesis in nude mice).Mechanistic studies evaluatedβ-catenin levels(total and nuclear)and transcriptional activity following CBX4 modulation.The functional dependency on Wnt/β-catenin signaling was tested using the pharmacological inhibitor XAV939 in CBX4-overexpressing cells.Results:CBX4 expression was significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines.Elevated CBX4 levels strongly correlated with aggressive tumor characteristics,including larger tumor size,lymph node metastasis,and advanced Tumor,Node,Metastasis(TNM)stage.Functionally,CBX4 knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation,migration,invasion in vitro,and tumorigenesis in vivo.Conversely,CBX4 overexpression enhanced these malignant traits.Mechanistically,CBX4 depletion reduced total and nuclearβ-catenin levels and inhibited its transcriptional activity,while CBX4 overexpression had the opposite effect.Critically,XAV939-mediated inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling attenuated the oncogenic effects induced by CBX4 overexpression.Conclusion:CBX4 upregulation promotes GC progression viaβ-catenin signaling activation.The CBX4/β-catenin axis emerges as a promising therapeutic target,offering potential for the development of precision treatment strategies in GC management.展开更多
Background:A significant proportion of patients still cannot benefit from existing targeted therapies and immunotherapies,making the search for new treatment strategies extremely urgent.In this study,we combined integ...Background:A significant proportion of patients still cannot benefit from existing targeted therapies and immunotherapies,making the search for new treatment strategies extremely urgent.In this study,we combined integrate public data analysis with experimental validation to identify novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Methods:We analyzed RNA and protein databases to assess the expression levels of cytochrome C oxidase 5B(COX5B)in LUAD.Several computational algorithms were employed to investigate the relationship between COX5B and immune infiltration in LUAD.To further elucidate the role of COX5B in LUAD,we utilized multiple experimental approaches,including quantitative reverse transcription PCR assays,western blot,immunohistochemistry,electron microscopy,flow cytometry,and EdU proliferation assays.Results:We revealed that COX5B was significantly elevated in LUAD and positively correlated with poor prognosis of LUAD patients.Analysis of co-expression network indicated that COX5B may take part in the intracellular adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis through the oxidative phosphorylation pathway.There was a negative correlation between COX5B expression and immune infiltration in LUAD.Furthermore,we validated that COX5B levels were significantly elevated in both LUAD tissues and cell lines.Specifically,immunohistochemistry(IHC)assays revealed a 2.32-fold increase of COX5B in tumor tissues compared to that in adjacent normal tissues(p=0.0044).Additionally,COX5B knockdown disrupted the redox homeostasis,ultimately suppressed the proliferation of LUAD cells.Subsequent investigations demonstrated that berberine effectively targeted COX5B,diminishing its protein expression and consequently inhibiting cell proliferation and tumor growth in LUAD.Conclusions:This study established that upregulated COX5B was positive associated with poor patient prognosis in LUAD,elucidating the mechanisms by which berberine targets COX5B to inhibit tumor growth,thereby providing a novel therapeutic target and strategy for the clinical management of LUAD.展开更多
Objectives:B-cell lymphoma 6(BCL6)is a transcriptional repressor whose overexpression is closely linked to the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL),making it a promising therapeutic target.This study ai...Objectives:B-cell lymphoma 6(BCL6)is a transcriptional repressor whose overexpression is closely linked to the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL),making it a promising therapeutic target.This study aims to identify a novel small molecule,synthesized via proteolysis-targeting chimeras(PROTACs),capable of degrading BCL6,thereby inhibiting DLBCL growth and providing a foundation for future preclinical studies.Methods:The expression of BCL6 in DLBCL was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database and the Human Protein Atlas.Western blotting assays confirmed BCL6 expression in tumor cell lines,leading to the identification of the small molecule compound DZ-865B.To evaluate DZ-865B’s in vitro efficacy,multiple assays were performed,including protein immunoblotting,immunofluorescence,reverse transcription quantitative PCR,EDU proliferation,and soft agar cloning assays.Results:TCGA analysis revealed significant overexpression of BCL6 in DLBCL(p<0.05),corroborated by immunohistological staining and western blotting.DZ-865B induced BCL6 degradation in DLBCL cell lines(OCI-LY-1 and SU-DHL-4)in a concentration-and time-dependent manner,and induced the degradation of nuclear BCL6 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.Notably,DZ-865B did not alter BCL6 mRNA levels but modulated downstream gene expression,leading to the activation of apoptosis pathway proteins and inhibition of DNA synthesis,effectively suppressing DLBCL cell growth.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the small molecule DZ-865B targets and degrades BCL6 in DLBCL cells,promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cellular proliferation.These findings highlight DZ-865B as a potential therapeutic agent for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.展开更多
Peripheral nerve defect repair is a complex process that involves multiple cell types;perineurial cells play a pivotal role.Hair follicle neural crest stem cells promote perineurial cell proliferation and migration vi...Peripheral nerve defect repair is a complex process that involves multiple cell types;perineurial cells play a pivotal role.Hair follicle neural crest stem cells promote perineurial cell proliferation and migration via paracrine signaling;however,their clinical applications are limited by potential risks such as tumorigenesis and xenogeneic immune rejection,which are similar to the risks associated with other stem cell transplantations.The present study therefore focuses on small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells,which preserve the bioactive properties of the parent cells while avoiding the transplantation-associated risks.In vitro,small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,tube formation,and barrier function of perineurial cells,and subsequently upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins.Furthermore,in a rat model of sciatic nerve defects bridged with silicon tubes,treatment with small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells resulted in higher tight junction protein expression in perineurial cells,thus facilitating neural tissue regeneration.At 10 weeks post-surgery,rats treated with small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells exhibited improved nerve function recovery and reduced muscle atrophy.Transcriptomic and micro RNA analyses revealed that small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells deliver mi R-21-5p,which inhibits mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 expression,thereby activating the transforming growth factor-β/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog signaling pathway and upregulating hyaluronan synthase 2 expression,and further enhancing tight junction protein expression.Together,our findings indicate that small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells promote the proliferation,migration,and tight junction protein formation of perineurial cells.These results provide new insights into peripheral nerve regeneration from the perspective of perineurial cells,and present a novel approach for the clinical treatment of peripheral nerve defects.展开更多
Human brain development is a complex process,and animal models often have significant limitations.To address this,researchers have developed pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional structures,known as brain-li...Human brain development is a complex process,and animal models often have significant limitations.To address this,researchers have developed pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional structures,known as brain-like organoids,to more accurately model early human brain development and disease.To enable more consistent and intuitive reproduction of early brain development,in this study,we incorporated forebrain organoid culture technology into the traditional unguided method of brain organoid culture.This involved embedding organoids in matrigel for only 7 days during the rapid expansion phase of the neural epithelium and then removing them from the matrigel for further cultivation,resulting in a new type of human brain organoid system.This cerebral organoid system replicated the temporospatial characteristics of early human brain development,including neuroepithelium derivation,neural progenitor cell production and maintenance,neuron differentiation and migration,and cortical layer patterning and formation,providing more consistent and reproducible organoids for developmental modeling and toxicology testing.As a proof of concept,we applied the heavy metal cadmium to this newly improved organoid system to test whether it could be used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of environmental toxins.Brain organoids exposed to cadmium for 7 or 14 days manifested severe damage and abnormalities in their neurodevelopmental patterns,including bursts of cortical cell death and premature differentiation.Cadmium exposure caused progressive depletion of neural progenitor cells and loss of organoid integrity,accompanied by compensatory cell proliferation at ectopic locations.The convenience,flexibility,and controllability of this newly developed organoid platform make it a powerful and affordable alternative to animal models for use in neurodevelopmental,neurological,and neurotoxicological studies.展开更多
The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and contin...The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies.Thus,we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina.In this study,we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development,and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo.Initially,we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells.We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin,respectively.Ki-67-and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis,and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups.Additionally,we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog,glutamate-ammonia ligase(glutamine synthetase),neuronal nuclei,and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells,Müller glia,mature neurons,and microglia,respectively.The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas.Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development.The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term,systematic,and continuous observation.展开更多
The presence of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells in the adult mammalian brain suggests that the central nervous system can be repaired and regenerated after injury.However,whether it is possible to stimulate ne...The presence of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells in the adult mammalian brain suggests that the central nervous system can be repaired and regenerated after injury.However,whether it is possible to stimulate neurogenesis and reconstruct cortical layers II to VI in non-neurogenic regions,such as the cortex,remains unknown.In this study,we implanted a hyaluronic acid collagen gel loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor into the motor cortex immediately following traumatic injury.Our findings reveal that this gel effectively stimulated the proliferation and migration of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells,as well as their differentiation into mature and functionally integrated neurons.Importantly,these new neurons reconstructed the architecture of cortical layers II to VI,integrated into the existing neural circuitry,and ultimately led to improved brain function.These findings offer novel insight into potential clinical treatments for traumatic cerebral cortex injuries.展开更多
Objective:Ovarian cancer(OC)ranks among the leading causes of mortality among the female cancers worldwide.Numerous studies have explored the development and progression of OC at multiple genetic regulatory levels.How...Objective:Ovarian cancer(OC)ranks among the leading causes of mortality among the female cancers worldwide.Numerous studies have explored the development and progression of OC at multiple genetic regulatory levels.However,relatively few studies have explored the impact of post-translational modifications(PTM)on OC progression,which is essential for uncovering new therapeutic targets.This study aimed to systematically identify the key PTM types involved in OCprogression,and to explore and evaluate their translational potential as therapeutic targets.Methods:First,we utilized multiple general PTM antibodies to compare gross PTM levels between normal ovarian and OC tissues from clinical females.After identifying lactylation as the PTM with the most significant differences,we selected representative samples for label-free mass spectrometry to identify specific lactylation sites.Next,we transfected A2780(OC)cells with either wild-type(WT)or mutant(K192A[Q])poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1(PARP1)conjugated to enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)with a StrepⅡpeptide tag and assessed various cellular indexes related to cell proliferation(clonogenicity assay),migration(scratch wound healing assay),and reactive oxygen species levels.Results:Pan-lactylation was significantly upregulated in clinical OC samples,with PARP1 lactylation at K192 being one of the most common modifications.The growth and migration of A2780 cells were markedly suppressed by overexpressing PARP1-WT but not mutant PARP1.Overexpressing PARP1 significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2(ERK1/2).Conclusion:This study uncovered a novel PTM of PARP1 in OC,lactylation,and demonstrated that lactylation at K192 is crucial in regulating OC cell growth and migration via the ERK1/2 pathway.Further investigations are required to elucidate the broader functional implications of PARP1 lactylation and its therapeutic potential.展开更多
Objective:Verrucous epidermal nevus(VEN),seborrheic keratosis(SK),verruca plana(VP),verruca vulgaris(VV),and nevus sebaceous(NS)are common verrucous proliferative skin diseases with similar clinical appearances,often ...Objective:Verrucous epidermal nevus(VEN),seborrheic keratosis(SK),verruca plana(VP),verruca vulgaris(VV),and nevus sebaceous(NS)are common verrucous proliferative skin diseases with similar clinical appearances,often posing diagnostic challenges.Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy(RCM)can aid in their differentiation,yet their specific features under these tools have not been systematically described.This study aims to summarize and analyze the dermoscopic and RCM features of VEN,SK,VP,VV,and NS.Methods:A total of 121 patients with histopathologically confirmed verrucous proliferative skin diseases were enrolled.Dermoscopy and RCM imaging was used to observe and analyze the microscopic features of these conditions.Results:Under dermoscopy,the 5 diseases displayed distinct characteristics:VEN typically showed gyriform structures;SK was characterized by gyriform structures,comedo-like openings,and milia-like cysts;VP and VV featured dotted vessels and frogspawn-like structures;NS presented as brownish-yellow globules.RCM revealed shared features such as hyperkeratosis and acanthosis across all 5 diseases.Specific features included gyriform structures and elongated rete ridges in VEN;pseudocysts and gyriform structures in SK;evenly distributed ring-like structures in VP;vacuolated cells and papillomatous proliferation in VV;and frogspawn-like structures in NS.Conclusion:These 5 verrucous proliferative skin conditions exhibit distinguishable features under both dermoscopy and RCM.The combination of these 2 noninvasive imaging modalities holds significant clinical value for the differential diagnosis of verrucous proliferative skin diseases.展开更多
The integration of exercise prescriptions into cancer adjuvant therapy presents challenges stemming from the ambiguity surrounding the precise mechanism through which exercise intervention mitigates the risk of hepato...The integration of exercise prescriptions into cancer adjuvant therapy presents challenges stemming from the ambiguity surrounding the precise mechanism through which exercise intervention mitigates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)mortality and recurrence.Elucidation of this specific mechanism has substantial social and clinical implications.In this study,tumor-bearing mice engaged in voluntary wheel running exhibited a notable decrease in tumor growth,exceeding 30%.Microarray analysis revealed an upregulation of cytokinerelated pathways as a potential explanation for this effect.The inclusion of granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor(GM-CSF)was found to enhance tumor cell proliferation,while the absence of GM-CSF resulted in a marked inhibition of tumor cell growth.The findings suggest that exercise-induced serum from mice can impede the proliferation of mouse tumor cells,with the adipokine chemerin inhibiting the growth factor GM-CSF.Additionally,exercise was found to stimulate chemerin secretion by brown adipose tissue.Chemerin suppression led to a reduction in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation.The results of this study suggest that exercise may stimulate the release of adipokines from brown adipose tissue,transport them through the blood to the distant tumor microenvironment,and downregulate GM-CSF expression,alleviating tumor immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment,thereby inhibiting at HCC progression.These findings provide a theoretical basis for incorporating exercise prescription into cancer treatment.展开更多
文摘Gastrointestinal tract involvement by neurofibromatous lesions is rare and occurs most frequently as one of the systemic manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis type 1 （NF1）. In this setting, the lesions may manifest as focal scattered neurofibromas or as an extensive diffuse neural hyperplasia designated ganglioneuromatosis. Occasionally, such lesions may be the initial sign of NF1 in patients without any other clinical manifestations of the disease. Rarely, cases of isolated neurofibromatosis of the large bowel with no prior or subsequent evidence of generalized neurofibromatosis have been documented. We present the case of a 52 year-old female with abdominal pain and alternating bowel habits. Colonoscopic evaluation revealed multiple small polyps in the cecum and the presence of nodular mucosa in the colon and rectum. Pathologic evaluation of the biopsies from the cecum, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum revealed tangled fascicles of spindle cells expanding the lamina propia leading to separation of the intestinal crypts. Immunohistochemical stains helped confirm the diagnosis of diffuse intestinal neurofibromatosis. A thorough clinical evaluation failed to reveal any stigmata of generalized neurofibromatosis. This case represents a rare presentation of isolated intestinal neurofibromatosis in a patient without classic systemic manifestations of generalized neurofibromatosis and highlights the need in such cases for close clinical follow-up to exclude neurofibromatosis type I or multiple endocrine neoplasia type Ⅱ.
文摘Breast cancer(BRCA)is characterized by high heterogeneity,with aggressive subtypes frequently showing poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies,making the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strategies imperative.Although elevated expression of discs large homolog 3(DLG3)has been reported in BRCA,its functional role in disease progression remains unclear.We performed bioinformatic analyses of clinical datasets to evaluate the prognostic significance of DLG3 expression in BRCA patients.In vitro gain-and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to assess the impact of DLG3 on BRCA cell proliferation,migration,and colony formation.Transcriptomic profiling,coupled with pharmacological inhibition,was employed to identify and validate downstream signaling pathways.Additionally,we extended our validation to an in vivo model to assess the role of DLG3 in tumor progression.We found that elevated DLG3 levels correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.Functionally,DLG3 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells,whereas its knockdown suppressed these effects.Transcriptomic analyses revealed that DLG3 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,a finding further corroborated by Western blot.Critically,treatment with the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated DLG3-driven proliferation and migration,supporting a DLG3-STAT3 oncogenic axis.Furthermore,in vivo studies validated the role of DLG3 in promoting tumor growth and its correlation with elevated STAT3 signaling,consistent with our in vitro findings.Our findings establish DLG3 as a novel driver of breast cancer progression that directly activates STAT3 signaling.DLG3 thus represents both a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer subtypes,including triple-negative breast cancer.
文摘The published article titled“MicroRNA-133b Inhibits Proliferation,Cellular Migration,and Invasion via Targeting LASP1 in Hepatocarcinoma Cells”has been retracted from Oncology Research,Vol.25,No.8,2017,pp.1269–1282.
基金supported by NIH grants,Nos.R01NS125074,R01AG083164,R01NS107365,and R21NS127177(to YL),1F31NS129204-01A1(to KW)and Albert Ryan Fellowship(to KW).
文摘Adult neurogenesis continuously produces new neurons critical for cognitive plasticity in adult rodents.While it is known transforming growth factor-βsignaling is important in embryonic neurogenesis,its role in postnatal neurogenesis remains unclear.In this study,to define the precise role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in postnatal neurogenesis at distinct stages of the neurogenic cascade both in vitro and in vivo,we developed two novel inducible and cell type-specific mouse models to specifically silence transforming growth factor-βsignaling in neural stem cells in(mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9)or immature neuroblasts in(DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9).Our data showed that exogenous transforming growth factor-βtreatment led to inhibition of the proliferation of primary neural stem cells while stimulating their migration.These effects were abolished in activin-like kinase 5(ALK5)knockout primary neural stem cells.Consistent with this,inhibition of transforming growth factor-βsignaling with SB-431542 in wild-type neural stem cells stimulated proliferation while inhibited the migration of neural stem cells.Interestingly,deletion of transforming growth factor-βreceptor in neural stem cells in vivo inhibited the migration of postnatal born neurons in mGFAPcre-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice,while abolishment of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in immature neuroblasts in DCXcreERT2-ALK5fl/fl-Ai9 mice did not affect the migration of these cells in the hippocampus.In summary,our data supports a dual role of transforming growth factor-βsignaling in the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells in vitro.Moreover,our data provides novel insights on cell type-specific-dependent requirements of transforming growth factor-βsignaling on neural stem cell proliferation and migration in vivo.
基金supported by the Lanzadera TCUE and C2 program(Universidad de Salamanca)(to ASL)the Spanish National Research Council(CSIC)funded by the Junta de Castilla y León and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF“Europe drives our growth”):Internationalization Project“CL-EI-2021-08-IBFG Unit of Excellence”,Grant(PID2022-138478OA-100)funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and,by FEDER,UE(to MGM)+3 种基金Junta de Castilla y León(SA225P23)Gerencia Regional de Salud(2701/A1/2023)(to AV)the Plan Especial Grado Medicina(USAL)(to CPM)a Ramón y Cajal researcher:Grant RYC2021-033684-I funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and,by European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR.
文摘The visual system of teleost fish grows continuously,which is a useful model for studying regeneration of the central nervous system.Glial cells are key for this process,but their contribution is still not well defined.We followed oligodendrocytes in the visual system of adult zebrafish during regeneration of the optic nerve at 6,24,and 72 hours post-lesion and at 7 and 14 days post-lesion via the sox10:tagRFP transgenic line and confocal microscopy.To understand the changes that these oligodendrocytes undergo during regeneration,we used Sox2 immunohistochemistry,a stem cell marker involved in oligodendrocyte differentiation.We also used the Click-iT™ Plus TUNEL assay to study cell death and a BrdU assay to determine cell proliferation.Before optic nerve crush,sox10:tagRFP oligodendrocytes are located in the retina,in the optic nerve head,and through all the entire optic nerve.Sox2-positive cells are present in the peripheral germinal zone,the mature retina,and the optic nerve.After optic nerve crush,sox10:tagRFP cells disappeared from the optic nerve crush zone,suggesting that they died,although they were not TUNEL positive.Concomitantly,the number of Sox2-positive cells increased around the crushed area,the optic nerve head,and the retina.Then,between 24 hours post-lesion and 14 days post-lesion,double sox10:tagRFP/Sox2-positive cells were detected in the retina,optic nerve head,and whole optic nerve,together with a proliferation response at 72 hours post-lesion.Our results confirm that a degenerating process may occur prior to regeneration.First,sox10:tagRFP oligodendrocytes that surround the degenerated axons stop wrapping them,change their“myelinating oligodendrocyte”morphology to a“nonmyelinating oligodendrocyte”morphology,and die.Then,residual oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the optic nerve and retina proliferate and differentiate for the purpose of remyelination.As new axons arise from the surviving retinal ganglion cells,new sox10:tagRFP oligodendrocytes arise from residual oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to guide,nourish and myelinate them.Thus,oligodendrocytes play an active role in zebrafish axon regeneration and remyelination.
基金funded by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2021ZDZX0009)the earmarked fund from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31972577)。
文摘Background Inflammatory bowel disease causes intestinal structural damage,impairs gut function,hinders animal growth and development,and reduces farming efficiency.Previous studies demonstrated that lactate alleviates dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced inflammation and mitigates weight loss by enhancing intestinal barrier functions.However,the mechanisms underlying lactate-mediated protection of the intestinal epithelial barrier remain unclear.This study aimed to explore the protective effect of lactate on intestinal barrier damage in colitis piglets and the possible underlying mechanisms through in vivo and in vitro experiments.Methods A total of 6021-day-old weaned female piglets were randomly assigned into three groups based on weight:the control group(basal diet with physiological saline gavage),the DSS group(basal diet with 5%DSS gavage),and the DSS+LA group(2%lactate diet with 5%DSS gavage).There were 10 replicates per treatment,with 2 piglets per replicate.Jejunal morphology was assessed via hematoxylin and eosin staining,while Western blotting quantified the protein levels of proliferation markers,including cluster of differentiation 24(CD24),cyclin D1,and wingless/integrated(Wnt)/β-catenin signaling components.In vitro,0.08%DSS and 2–32 mmol/L sodium lactate-treated intestinal porcine epithelial cell line-J2(IPEC-J2)cells(n=4)were assessed for viability(Cell Counting Kit-8 assay),apoptosis(flow cytometry),and proliferation parameters,including cell cycle analysis and Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5(Lgr5+)stem cell quantification.Results In vivo,DSS administration induced jejunal villus shortening(P<0.05),downregulated protein levels of CD24,cyclin D1,casein kinase 1(CK1),and dishevelled-2(DVL2)(P<0.05).In vitro,DSS promoted apoptosis,inhibited proliferation,diminished the Lgr5+cell populations(P<0.05),and reduced S-phase cell proportions(P<0.05).Conversely,lactate supplementation ameliorated DSS-induced villus atrophy(P<0.05),restored CD24,cyclin D1,CK1,and DVL2 protein levels(P<0.05).Furthermore,in vitro,sodium lactate attenuated DSS-induced apoptosis(P<0.05),enhanced IPEC-J2 proliferation(P<0.05),expanded Lgr5+cells(P<0.05),and increased S-phase progression(P<0.05).Conclusions In summary,lactate ameliorated intestinal barrier damage in DSS-induced colitis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and restoring the balance between epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis.This study provides novel mechanistic evidence supporting lactate's therapeutic potential for IBD management.
基金supported by the Jiangsu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Development Plan Project,Nos.MS2023113(to JC),MS2022090Young and Middle-aged Academic Leaders of Jiangsu Qing-Lan Project(to GL).
文摘Unlike mammals,zebrafish possess a remarkable ability to regenerate their spinal cord after injury,making them an ideal vertebrate model for studying regeneration.While previous research has identified key cell types involved in this process,the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain largely unexplored.In this study,we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile distinct cell populations at different stages of spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Our analysis revealed that multiple subpopulations of neurons showed persistent activation of genes associated with axonal regeneration post injury,while molecular signals promoting growth cone collapse were inhibited.Radial glial cells exhibited significant proliferation and differentiation potential post injury,indicating their intrinsic roles in promoting neurogenesis and axonal regeneration,respectively.Additionally,we found that inflammatory factors rapidly decreased in the early stages following spinal cord injury,creating a microenvironment permissive for tissue repair and regeneration.Furthermore,oligodendrocytes lost maturity markers while exhibiting increased proliferation following injury.These findings demonstrated that the rapid and orderly regulation of inflammation,as well as the efficient proliferation and redifferentiation of new neurons and glial cells,enabled zebrafish to reconstruct the spinal cord.This research provides new insights into the cellular transitions and molecular programs that drive spinal cord regeneration,offering promising avenues for future research and therapeutic strategies.
基金supported by the Center for Cognition and Sociality,Institute for Basic Science(IBS)(IBS-R001-D2)(to WK).
文摘The early developmental period is a critical window during which brain cells mature and contribute to both brain development and later life functions.Gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),recognized as a major neurotransmitter,plays a crucial role in coordinating synapse formation,neuronal proliferation,and migration during this time.
基金funded by Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Plan Project(2023ZL128)Zhejiang Province Medical and Health Science and Technology Project(2022504276)Hangzhou Municipal Health and Family Planning Science and Technology Program General Project(A20210086).
文摘Objectives Therapeutic strategies for enhancing bone regeneration and combating osteoporosis remain a significant unmet medical need.This study aims to elucidate Lithospermic acid(LA)’s regulatory effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation,investigating its viability as a bone-healing agent.Methods This study employed various cellular and molecular biology experiments to assess the effects of LA on the viability,proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,differentiation,mineralization,and migration of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were conducted to detect the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,investigating the regulatory mechanisms by which LA promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.Additionally,Wnt inhibitor dickkopf-1(DKK-1)andβ-catenin-silenced cell models were used to further validate the role of LA in modulating this signaling pathway.Results LA significantly promoted osteoblast proliferation without apparent cytotoxicity.Flow cytometry showed that LA regulated the cell cycle by reducing G0/G1 phase arrest and promoting G2/M phase progression.Western blot results indicated that LA upregulated the expression of proteins associated with cell proliferation and enhanced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses further confirmed that LA markedly increased the expression of Wnt andβ-catenin,facilitatingβ-catenin nuclear translocation.Treatment with the DKK-1 inhibitor significantly diminished the proliferative and differentiation-promoting effects of LA,confirming the critical role of this pathway.β-catenin knockdown experiments further substantiated its central role in LA-mediated regulation.Conclusion This study confirms that LA promotes osteoblast proliferation,differentiation,mineralization,and migration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
文摘Among plant hormones,cytokinins have been extensively studied for over a century due to their central roles in regulating plant development,physiology,and environmental responses.In this study,we chemically synthesized several Cytokinin-Active ingreDients(CADs)and evaluated their effects on the in vitro regeneration of Sansevieria trifasciata and seedling growth of Nicotiana tabacum,comparing their activities with established cytokinins,kinetin and zeatin.Our results show that CADs promote cell division and shoot proliferation in S.trifasciata,with the highest shoot numbers per explant observed at CAD-A(0.9 mg L^(-1)),cycle-iP(0.1 mg L^(-1)),and zeatin(0.3 mg L^(-1)),all significantly different from kinetin(0.3 mg L^(-1))—the previously suggested cytokinin for in vitro shoot proliferation in this plant.CAD-A and CAD-B at 0.9 mg L^(-1)increased leaf number by approximately 4.5,significantly outperforming kinetin at 0.3 mg L^(-1).In tobacco seedlings,CAD-B at 0.3 mg L^(-1)significantly enhanced root number(7.3)comparable to kinetin(6.7)at the same concentration.Overall seedling height increased more than two-fold under both CAD-B and kinetin treatments compared to control plants.The bioactivity of CADs under in vitro conditions closely parallels that of kinetin,supporting their potential as effective cytokinin mimetics.Collectively,these results indicate that synthesized CADs can serve as potent alternatives to natural cytokinins for plant tissue culture and developmental studies,with promising applications in propagation and regeneration protocols.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.82473566)the Science and Technology Plan Project of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.BE2022728)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of the Higher Education Institutions of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.24KJB320015)the Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(Grant Nos.SJCX24_1822 and SJCX21_1354)the Soochow University Open Topic from Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials(Grant No.SDGC2312).
文摘Objectives:Chromobox 4(CBX4),a polycomb protein family member linked to tumor pathogenesis via dysregulation,has an incompletely defined role in gastric cancer(GC).The study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of CBX4 in GC progression and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target.Methods:CBX4 expression was assessed in GC tissues vs.adjacent non-cancerous tissues and in GC cell lines vs.normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells.Clinicopathological correlations were analyzed.Functional impacts of CBX4 were determined using knockdown and overexpression models in vitro(cell proliferation,migration,invasion)and in vivo(xenograft tumorigenesis in nude mice).Mechanistic studies evaluatedβ-catenin levels(total and nuclear)and transcriptional activity following CBX4 modulation.The functional dependency on Wnt/β-catenin signaling was tested using the pharmacological inhibitor XAV939 in CBX4-overexpressing cells.Results:CBX4 expression was significantly upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines.Elevated CBX4 levels strongly correlated with aggressive tumor characteristics,including larger tumor size,lymph node metastasis,and advanced Tumor,Node,Metastasis(TNM)stage.Functionally,CBX4 knockdown suppressed GC cell proliferation,migration,invasion in vitro,and tumorigenesis in vivo.Conversely,CBX4 overexpression enhanced these malignant traits.Mechanistically,CBX4 depletion reduced total and nuclearβ-catenin levels and inhibited its transcriptional activity,while CBX4 overexpression had the opposite effect.Critically,XAV939-mediated inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling attenuated the oncogenic effects induced by CBX4 overexpression.Conclusion:CBX4 upregulation promotes GC progression viaβ-catenin signaling activation.The CBX4/β-catenin axis emerges as a promising therapeutic target,offering potential for the development of precision treatment strategies in GC management.
基金supported by grants from the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(2024GXNSFAA010150)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2022A1515111167).
文摘Background:A significant proportion of patients still cannot benefit from existing targeted therapies and immunotherapies,making the search for new treatment strategies extremely urgent.In this study,we combined integrate public data analysis with experimental validation to identify novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Methods:We analyzed RNA and protein databases to assess the expression levels of cytochrome C oxidase 5B(COX5B)in LUAD.Several computational algorithms were employed to investigate the relationship between COX5B and immune infiltration in LUAD.To further elucidate the role of COX5B in LUAD,we utilized multiple experimental approaches,including quantitative reverse transcription PCR assays,western blot,immunohistochemistry,electron microscopy,flow cytometry,and EdU proliferation assays.Results:We revealed that COX5B was significantly elevated in LUAD and positively correlated with poor prognosis of LUAD patients.Analysis of co-expression network indicated that COX5B may take part in the intracellular adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis through the oxidative phosphorylation pathway.There was a negative correlation between COX5B expression and immune infiltration in LUAD.Furthermore,we validated that COX5B levels were significantly elevated in both LUAD tissues and cell lines.Specifically,immunohistochemistry(IHC)assays revealed a 2.32-fold increase of COX5B in tumor tissues compared to that in adjacent normal tissues(p=0.0044).Additionally,COX5B knockdown disrupted the redox homeostasis,ultimately suppressed the proliferation of LUAD cells.Subsequent investigations demonstrated that berberine effectively targeted COX5B,diminishing its protein expression and consequently inhibiting cell proliferation and tumor growth in LUAD.Conclusions:This study established that upregulated COX5B was positive associated with poor patient prognosis in LUAD,elucidating the mechanisms by which berberine targets COX5B to inhibit tumor growth,thereby providing a novel therapeutic target and strategy for the clinical management of LUAD.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82260716)the Key Research and Development Program of Ningxia(2023BEG02010).
文摘Objectives:B-cell lymphoma 6(BCL6)is a transcriptional repressor whose overexpression is closely linked to the progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL),making it a promising therapeutic target.This study aims to identify a novel small molecule,synthesized via proteolysis-targeting chimeras(PROTACs),capable of degrading BCL6,thereby inhibiting DLBCL growth and providing a foundation for future preclinical studies.Methods:The expression of BCL6 in DLBCL was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database and the Human Protein Atlas.Western blotting assays confirmed BCL6 expression in tumor cell lines,leading to the identification of the small molecule compound DZ-865B.To evaluate DZ-865B’s in vitro efficacy,multiple assays were performed,including protein immunoblotting,immunofluorescence,reverse transcription quantitative PCR,EDU proliferation,and soft agar cloning assays.Results:TCGA analysis revealed significant overexpression of BCL6 in DLBCL(p<0.05),corroborated by immunohistological staining and western blotting.DZ-865B induced BCL6 degradation in DLBCL cell lines(OCI-LY-1 and SU-DHL-4)in a concentration-and time-dependent manner,and induced the degradation of nuclear BCL6 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.Notably,DZ-865B did not alter BCL6 mRNA levels but modulated downstream gene expression,leading to the activation of apoptosis pathway proteins and inhibition of DNA synthesis,effectively suppressing DLBCL cell growth.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that the small molecule DZ-865B targets and degrades BCL6 in DLBCL cells,promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cellular proliferation.These findings highlight DZ-865B as a potential therapeutic agent for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81571211(to FL)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai,No.22ZR1476800(to CH)。
文摘Peripheral nerve defect repair is a complex process that involves multiple cell types;perineurial cells play a pivotal role.Hair follicle neural crest stem cells promote perineurial cell proliferation and migration via paracrine signaling;however,their clinical applications are limited by potential risks such as tumorigenesis and xenogeneic immune rejection,which are similar to the risks associated with other stem cell transplantations.The present study therefore focuses on small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells,which preserve the bioactive properties of the parent cells while avoiding the transplantation-associated risks.In vitro,small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,tube formation,and barrier function of perineurial cells,and subsequently upregulated the expression of tight junction proteins.Furthermore,in a rat model of sciatic nerve defects bridged with silicon tubes,treatment with small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells resulted in higher tight junction protein expression in perineurial cells,thus facilitating neural tissue regeneration.At 10 weeks post-surgery,rats treated with small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells exhibited improved nerve function recovery and reduced muscle atrophy.Transcriptomic and micro RNA analyses revealed that small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells deliver mi R-21-5p,which inhibits mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 expression,thereby activating the transforming growth factor-β/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog signaling pathway and upregulating hyaluronan synthase 2 expression,and further enhancing tight junction protein expression.Together,our findings indicate that small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells promote the proliferation,migration,and tight junction protein formation of perineurial cells.These results provide new insights into peripheral nerve regeneration from the perspective of perineurial cells,and present a novel approach for the clinical treatment of peripheral nerve defects.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,No.2019YFA0110300(to ZG)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81773302(to YF),32070862(to ZG).
文摘Human brain development is a complex process,and animal models often have significant limitations.To address this,researchers have developed pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional structures,known as brain-like organoids,to more accurately model early human brain development and disease.To enable more consistent and intuitive reproduction of early brain development,in this study,we incorporated forebrain organoid culture technology into the traditional unguided method of brain organoid culture.This involved embedding organoids in matrigel for only 7 days during the rapid expansion phase of the neural epithelium and then removing them from the matrigel for further cultivation,resulting in a new type of human brain organoid system.This cerebral organoid system replicated the temporospatial characteristics of early human brain development,including neuroepithelium derivation,neural progenitor cell production and maintenance,neuron differentiation and migration,and cortical layer patterning and formation,providing more consistent and reproducible organoids for developmental modeling and toxicology testing.As a proof of concept,we applied the heavy metal cadmium to this newly improved organoid system to test whether it could be used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of environmental toxins.Brain organoids exposed to cadmium for 7 or 14 days manifested severe damage and abnormalities in their neurodevelopmental patterns,including bursts of cortical cell death and premature differentiation.Cadmium exposure caused progressive depletion of neural progenitor cells and loss of organoid integrity,accompanied by compensatory cell proliferation at ectopic locations.The convenience,flexibility,and controllability of this newly developed organoid platform make it a powerful and affordable alternative to animal models for use in neurodevelopmental,neurological,and neurotoxicological studies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81901156(to ZZ),82271200(to ZZ),82171308(to XC)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,No.xzy012022035(to ZZ)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province,Nos.2021JM-261(to QK),2023-YBSF-303(to ZZ)Traditional Chinese Medicine Project of Shaanxi Province,No.2019-ZZ-JC047(to QK)。
文摘The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies.Thus,we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina.In this study,we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development,and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo.Initially,we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells.We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin,respectively.Ki-67-and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis,and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups.Additionally,we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog,glutamate-ammonia ligase(glutamine synthetase),neuronal nuclei,and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells,Müller glia,mature neurons,and microglia,respectively.The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas.Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development.The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term,systematic,and continuous observation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82272171(to ZY),82271403(to XL),81941011(to XL),31971279(to ZY),31730030(to XL)the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No.7222004(to HD).
文摘The presence of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells in the adult mammalian brain suggests that the central nervous system can be repaired and regenerated after injury.However,whether it is possible to stimulate neurogenesis and reconstruct cortical layers II to VI in non-neurogenic regions,such as the cortex,remains unknown.In this study,we implanted a hyaluronic acid collagen gel loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor into the motor cortex immediately following traumatic injury.Our findings reveal that this gel effectively stimulated the proliferation and migration of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells,as well as their differentiation into mature and functionally integrated neurons.Importantly,these new neurons reconstructed the architecture of cortical layers II to VI,integrated into the existing neural circuitry,and ultimately led to improved brain function.These findings offer novel insight into potential clinical treatments for traumatic cerebral cortex injuries.
文摘Objective:Ovarian cancer(OC)ranks among the leading causes of mortality among the female cancers worldwide.Numerous studies have explored the development and progression of OC at multiple genetic regulatory levels.However,relatively few studies have explored the impact of post-translational modifications(PTM)on OC progression,which is essential for uncovering new therapeutic targets.This study aimed to systematically identify the key PTM types involved in OCprogression,and to explore and evaluate their translational potential as therapeutic targets.Methods:First,we utilized multiple general PTM antibodies to compare gross PTM levels between normal ovarian and OC tissues from clinical females.After identifying lactylation as the PTM with the most significant differences,we selected representative samples for label-free mass spectrometry to identify specific lactylation sites.Next,we transfected A2780(OC)cells with either wild-type(WT)or mutant(K192A[Q])poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1(PARP1)conjugated to enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)with a StrepⅡpeptide tag and assessed various cellular indexes related to cell proliferation(clonogenicity assay),migration(scratch wound healing assay),and reactive oxygen species levels.Results:Pan-lactylation was significantly upregulated in clinical OC samples,with PARP1 lactylation at K192 being one of the most common modifications.The growth and migration of A2780 cells were markedly suppressed by overexpressing PARP1-WT but not mutant PARP1.Overexpressing PARP1 significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2(ERK1/2).Conclusion:This study uncovered a novel PTM of PARP1 in OC,lactylation,and demonstrated that lactylation at K192 is crucial in regulating OC cell growth and migration via the ERK1/2 pathway.Further investigations are required to elucidate the broader functional implications of PARP1 lactylation and its therapeutic potential.
基金supported by the Project of Health Committee of Hunan Province(D202304128868),China.
文摘Objective:Verrucous epidermal nevus(VEN),seborrheic keratosis(SK),verruca plana(VP),verruca vulgaris(VV),and nevus sebaceous(NS)are common verrucous proliferative skin diseases with similar clinical appearances,often posing diagnostic challenges.Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy(RCM)can aid in their differentiation,yet their specific features under these tools have not been systematically described.This study aims to summarize and analyze the dermoscopic and RCM features of VEN,SK,VP,VV,and NS.Methods:A total of 121 patients with histopathologically confirmed verrucous proliferative skin diseases were enrolled.Dermoscopy and RCM imaging was used to observe and analyze the microscopic features of these conditions.Results:Under dermoscopy,the 5 diseases displayed distinct characteristics:VEN typically showed gyriform structures;SK was characterized by gyriform structures,comedo-like openings,and milia-like cysts;VP and VV featured dotted vessels and frogspawn-like structures;NS presented as brownish-yellow globules.RCM revealed shared features such as hyperkeratosis and acanthosis across all 5 diseases.Specific features included gyriform structures and elongated rete ridges in VEN;pseudocysts and gyriform structures in SK;evenly distributed ring-like structures in VP;vacuolated cells and papillomatous proliferation in VV;and frogspawn-like structures in NS.Conclusion:These 5 verrucous proliferative skin conditions exhibit distinguishable features under both dermoscopy and RCM.The combination of these 2 noninvasive imaging modalities holds significant clinical value for the differential diagnosis of verrucous proliferative skin diseases.
基金supported by Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province:2024NSFSC0644.
文摘The integration of exercise prescriptions into cancer adjuvant therapy presents challenges stemming from the ambiguity surrounding the precise mechanism through which exercise intervention mitigates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)mortality and recurrence.Elucidation of this specific mechanism has substantial social and clinical implications.In this study,tumor-bearing mice engaged in voluntary wheel running exhibited a notable decrease in tumor growth,exceeding 30%.Microarray analysis revealed an upregulation of cytokinerelated pathways as a potential explanation for this effect.The inclusion of granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor(GM-CSF)was found to enhance tumor cell proliferation,while the absence of GM-CSF resulted in a marked inhibition of tumor cell growth.The findings suggest that exercise-induced serum from mice can impede the proliferation of mouse tumor cells,with the adipokine chemerin inhibiting the growth factor GM-CSF.Additionally,exercise was found to stimulate chemerin secretion by brown adipose tissue.Chemerin suppression led to a reduction in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation.The results of this study suggest that exercise may stimulate the release of adipokines from brown adipose tissue,transport them through the blood to the distant tumor microenvironment,and downregulate GM-CSF expression,alleviating tumor immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment,thereby inhibiting at HCC progression.These findings provide a theoretical basis for incorporating exercise prescription into cancer treatment.
