Current molecular medicine最新文献

Background: Chromobox 7 (CBX7) has been implicated in the progression of various malignant tumors, but its clinical relevance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression, prognostic value, biological functions, and immunological role of CBX7 in LUAD.

Methods: CBX7 expression in LUAD and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox risk regression evaluated prognostic significance. Various algorithms assessed the correlation between CBX7 and immune microenvironment. The expression of CBX7 in LUAD tissues was detected by RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The function of CBX7 in LUAD was further investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results: CBX7 expression significantly downregulated LUAD, which was associated with aberrant DNA methylation. Decreased CBX7 expression correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis. Notably, CBX7 is associated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints, highlighting its potential role in guiding immunotherapy. Functional experiments demonstrated that CBX7 overexpression suppressed the malignant phenotype of LUAD cells, while CBX7 knockdown promoted tumor progression.

Conclusion: We conducted a systematic analysis of the diagnostic, prognostic, and immunological significance of CBX7 in LUAD, and found that it might serve as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in the future.

Background: Muscle atrophy, a debilitating condition prevalent in diabetes and extended periods of immobilization, lacks robust therapeutic strategies. This investigation examines ginsenoside Rg1's therapeutic potential in counteracting muscle atrophy under hyperglycemic conditions and in experimental models of immobilization and dietary protein restriction.

Methods: C2C12 murine myoblasts were cultured under variable glucose concentrations and treated with or without Rg1. Multiple cellular parameters were evaluated, including cell viability, apoptotic indices, cell cycle distribution, and protein synthesis rates. The activation status of the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade and expression of atrophy-related markers were quantified using qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. In parallel animal studies, rats were subjected to either immobilization or protein restriction protocols, with or without Rg1 administration. Muscle function, mass, and relevant biomarkers were evaluated.

Results: Hyperglycemic conditions significantly compromised C2C12 myoblast viability, triggered apoptotic pathways, and disrupted normal cell cycle progression. Rg1 administration effectively attenuated these detrimental effects through enhanced AKT/mTOR pathway activation, upregulation of Myogenin (MyoG) expression, and suppression of atrophy-associated markers. In the rat models, Rg1 supplementation significantly ameliorated muscle deterioration, maintaining muscle mass, contractile force, and exercise tolerance, while simultaneously modulating atrophy signaling pathways and attenuating inflammatory responses. The protective effects of Rg1 were abrogated after the co-treatment with an AKT inhibitor.

Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 exhibits significant protective properties against muscle atrophy under hyperglycemic conditions and in experimental models of immobilization and protein restriction, primarily mediated through activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings establish Rg1 as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of muscle atrophy.

Introduction: Ferroptosis is increasingly acknowledged as a pivotal contributor to myocardial cell injury in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). As a central enzyme in the pyrimidine synthesis pathway, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is implicated in maintaining redox homeostasis and is thought to act as a protective agent against ferroptosis. Despite this association, the specific contributions of DHODH to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and its cardioprotective potential remain inadequately elucidated.

Aim: This study aimed to delineate the role of DHODH in MIRI and assess its capacity to modulate ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes.

Methods: We utilized AC16 cardiomyocytes to establish an in vitro MIRI model to investigate the role of DHODH in ferroptosis. We quantitatively analyzed DHODH expression during I/R injury, along with its distribution in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments. Cells pretreated with dihydroorotate (DHO) and orotate (OA)-the substrate and product of DHODH, respectively-provided a basis for assessing their susceptibility to ferroptosis. By employing siRNA to suppress DHODH expression, we delved into the underlying mechanisms of DHODH's protective role against I/Rinduced ferroptosis, focusing on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Results: Our findings reveal a significant induction of DHODH expression during ferroptosis in the AC16 I/R model. DHO pretreatment conferred resistance to ferroptosis, while OA pretreatment rendered cells more susceptible. Notably, DHODH silencing aggravated ferroptosis indicators, mainly through increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusion: DHODH emerges as a key modulator of ferroptosis in the context of MIRI, offering protection predominantly through its antioxidative functions and maintenance of mitochondrial integrity.

Background: The calcium-binding protein S100A12 plays a pivotal role in the progression of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of S100A12 in LPS-induced injury of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) and its molecular regulatory mechanism.

Methods: An in vitro model of ALI/ARDS was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HPMECs. CCK-8, flow cytometry assay, and ELISA were used to detect the cell viability, apoptosis, and inflammation. The integrity of the endothelial barrier was assessed by tube formation assay and VE-cadherin and occludin protein levels. The molecular mechanism of S100A12 was analyzed by transcriptomics and validated using qRT-PCR and western blotting analyses.

Results: S100A12 expression was significantly elevated in LPS-stimulated HPMECs, and S100A12 knockdown alleviated LPS-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and endothelial barrier dysfunction in HPMECs. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the potential gene network mapping regulated by LPS stimulation and S100A12 knockdown. Differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway as verified by western blotting analysis.

Conclusion: Our results suggested S100A12 to be significantly upregulated in LPSinduced HPMECs; inhibiting S100A12 can alleviate endothelial cell barrier dysfunction through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and thereby improve LPS-induced HPMECs injury.

Background: Platinum-based drugs like cisplatin are key in treating ovarian cancer, but resistance frequently leads to treatment failure. The TGF-β1/β- catenin signaling pathway has been implicated in tumor resistance. This study investigates whether hyperthermiaenhances ovarian cancer cell sensitivity to platinum-based drugs by activating the TGF-β1/β-catenin pathway.

Methods: In vitro and in vivo models of ovarian cancer were treated with hyperthermia and cisplatin. Changes in TGF-β1 and β-catenin expression were measured using Western blotting, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and cell viability assays to determine the impact of hyperthermia on drug sensitivity.

Results: Hyperthermia significantly reduced TGF-β1 and β-catenin expression in ovarian cancer cells and tumor tissues, suppressing the pathway. This led to increased cisplatin sensitivity and higher apoptosis rates in vitro, while in vivo, tumor growth was significantly suppressed, and cisplatin's antitumor effects were enhanced.

Conclusion: Hyperthermia boosts the effectiveness of platinum-based drugs in ovarian cancer by suppressing the TGF-β1/β-catenin pathway, presenting a potential strategy to overcome chemoresistance and improve patient outcomes.

Background: Tissue metabolomics is a promising technology for evaluating in situ changes in disease pathogenesis. It addresses a significant knowledge gap in the study of both degenerated and non-degenerated supraspinatus (SSp) tendons. This study analyzed the metabolomic profiles associated with rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Purpose: RCTs cause loss of function and shoulder pain, with the SSp muscle being the most frequently affected. Inflammation and complex metabolic changes may play roles in its etiology. Evaluation of the metabolomic differences between the degenerated and non-degenerated SSp tissues of RCT patients was aimed.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 14 patients with RCTs, diagnosed through physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging, was conducted. Degenerate and non-degenerate SSp tissue debris were collected during arthroscopy. Untargeted metabolomic analysis of these samples was performed using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-ToF-MS). Metabolic peaks were identified, matched, and normalized before further analysis. Partial least squaresdiscriminant analysis (PLS-DA), heatmap generation, unsupervised volcano plots, and fold-change analyses were conducted. A putative metabolite list was subsequently compiled to elucidate pathways of degeneration. These metabolites were matched with metabolic pathways using the RaMP-DB metabolite set library.

Results: The tyrosine metabolism (p=4.93 x10-4), ferroptosis (p=1.25 x10-3), steroidogenesis (p=9.89 x10-4), and cholesterol biosynthesis (p=3.05 x10-3) were altered in the degenerated RCTs.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that metabolomic alterations may be associated with the development of RCTs, with changes in tyrosine metabolism, ferroptosis, and lipid metabolism potentially contributing to muscle degeneration and inflammation. Identified disruptions in steroidogenesis provide new insights into the role of hormonal factors in RCT development. Understanding these metabolic pathways is clinically relevant in sports medicine, as it enables targeted therapies and personalized treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing recovery and improving outcomes for athletes.

Introduction: Alternative splicing (AS) events significantly affect melanoma progression. Therefore, understanding their effect on prognosis is important for developing new treatments.

Methods: Univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression were carried out to identify key AS events, build an AS risk model, and classify sample risk levels. Pearson correlation analysis was also performed to analyze the relationship between AS events and RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes or indicators of immune infiltration. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using gene expression data from patients with varying risk levels. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were also carried out to examine the association between immune cell infiltration and prognosis.

Results: A total of 41446 AS events were identified; among them, 446 AS events were identified as significantly associated with melanoma prognosis. An AS risk model for prognosis was established using seven key AS events. A close correlation was found between 137 AS events and 1037 RBP genes, suggesting that these genes may participate in the regulation of AS events. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the genes involved in AS were closely associated with immune system functions, which may explain why AS events affect the prognosis of melanoma. Finally, by combining the AS risk score and clinical indicators, we developed a nomogram model that could effectively predict melanoma prognosis.

Conclusion: This analysis of AS events and regulation may aid in developing novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for melanoma.

Osteoporosis, a significant age-related disease, is marked by diminished bone density and an elevated risk of fractures, representing a considerable global health challenge. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are essential in maintaining bone integrity through their differentiation into osteoblasts, which are crucial for bone formation. Nevertheless, the aging of BMSCs diminishes their regenerative abilities and intensifies inflammation, thereby playing a critical role in osteoporosis pathogenesis. This review explores the intricate mechanisms of BMSC senescence and its influence on osteoporosis, detailing cellular and molecular markers, such as oxidative stress, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and pivotal signaling pathways, including P53, PI3K/mTOR, and autophagy. We assess current interventions aimed at reducing BMSC senescence, with an emphasis on pharmacological methods like melatonin and antioxidants, alongside nonpharmacological strategies, such as exercise and dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, the challenges and limitations of translating these strategies into clinical applications are addressed, highlighting the necessity for personalized medicine to accommodate treatment outcome variability. Future research directions should focus on emerging therapeutic targets and novel interventions, such as gene editing technologies and advanced tissue engineering techniques. By integrating these strategies, this review endeavors to enhance the understanding and treatment of osteoporosis, emphasizing the critical need to target BMSC senescence to develop effective therapies.

Background: The prognosis of patients with stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) shows significant variations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of key regulatory proteins in glycolysis and lipid metabolism for the prognostic evaluation of stage III CRC patients.

Methods: Utilizing the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we analyzed the expression of various key regulatory genes in glycolysis and lipid metabolism pathways in CRC, as well as the relationship between gene expression levels and overall survival. We selected the top two key genes exhibiting differential expression patterns in glycolysis and lipid metabolism, namely, glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), as targets for subsequent exploration. We analyzed the effects of GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, and SCD1 on the proliferation, migration, and drug sensitivity of CRC cells in vitro. These proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the clinical tissues of stage III CRC patients. Based on the intensity of IHC staining for GLUT1, PKM2, FASN and SCD1, the cumulative score from these 4 target proteins for each sample was calculated (score range from 0 to 8). The relationships between high (scores of 6-8) or low (scores of 0-5) expression of glycolysis and lipid metabolism molecules and the clinicopathological characteristics, and survival of patients were analyzed.

Results: The expression disparities of the GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, and SCD1 genes were the most prominent between tumor and normal tissues. Overexpression of GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, or SCD1 significantly promoted CRC cell growth and migration, as evidenced by CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Exogenous introduction of GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, or SCD1 increased oxaliplatin IC50 values, enhanced cell survival, and reduced early apoptosis in CRC cells exposed to oxaliplatin. High glycolysis and lipid metabolism status were associated with poor tumor differentiation, vascular or nerve invasion, and shorter overall survival. The status of glycolysis and lipid metabolism was an independent prognostic factor for stage III CRC patients.

Conclusion: High glycolysis and lipid metabolism status are correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

Background: Opium is one of the factors that may interfere with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate the role of opium in certain pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in CAD patients with and without opium dependence on regular prescription medicines.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients with suspected CAD were selected as candidates for coronary angiography in this case-control study. They were categorized into three groups:1) CAD opiumaddicted (CAD+OA, n=30); 2) CAD non-opium-addicted (CAD, n=30); and 3) non-opium-addicted with no CAD individuals as a control group (Ctrl, n=17). Routine medications, including aspirin, atorvastatin, bisoprolol, valsartan, losartan, clopidogrel, metoprolol, isosorbide, trinitrate glyceryl, captopril, and carvedilol, were administered to these patients. ELISA was performed to quantify plasma levels of interleukin-23 (IL-23), IL-17, IL-1β, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and IL-10.

Results: A significantly higher level of IL-23 was found in the CAD+OA group than in the CAD and control groups. In addition, in the CAD+OA group, the mean difference in TGF-β levels was significantly lower than that in CAD patients, whereas no significant difference was found between the Ctrl group and the CAD+OA and CAD groups. No significant differences were observed in the mean levels of IL-17, IL-1β, or IL-10 among the groups.

Conclusion: Opium was found to contribute to the induction of inflammation by interfering with cardiovascular medications, resulting in deterioration of CAD complications. Additionally, certain medications, including aspirin, glyceryl trinitrate, atorvastatin, and clopidogrel, played a significant role in regulating the expression of cytokines.