1.Effects of acupuncture on podocyte autophagy and the LncRNA SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway in rats with diabetic kidney disease.
Xu WANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Hongwei LI ; Handong LIU ; Jie LI ; Ying FAN ; Zhilong ZHANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(10):1450-1458
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of acupuncture on podocyte autophagy and long non-coding RNA SOX2 overlapping transcript (LncRNA SOX2OT)/mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1)/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to explore the mechanism by which acupuncture reduces urinary protein.
METHODS:
A total of 40 SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=30). The DKD model was established by feeding a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in the modeling group. Twenty rats with successful DKD model were randomly divided into a model group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=10). The acupuncture group received "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Fenglong" (ST40), "Yinlingquan" (SP9), and "Zhongwan" (CV12), 30 min per session, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The general condition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urinary protein quantification, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were compared before and after the intervention. After intervention, urinary podocyte injury marker SPON2 was measured by ELISA. Podocyte autophagosomes and glomerular basement membrane ultrastructure in renal tissue were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Podocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3-Ⅱ), mTORC1, ULK1, Beclin-1, and p62 in renal tissue was detected by Western blot. LncRNA SOX2OT expression in renal tissue was measured by real-time PCR.
RESULTS:
After the intervention, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased food and water intake, increased urine output, weight loss, and loose stools; compared with the model group, the food and water intake, urine volume, and loose stools were improved in the acupuncture group. Compared with the control group, FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed reduced podocyte autophagosomes and thickened glomerular basement membrane; compared with the model group, the acupuncture group had increased podocyte autophagosomes and less thickened basement membrane. Compared with the control group, the podocyte apoptosis index (AI) was higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the AI was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was lower, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was higher in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was higher, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the LncRNA SOX2OT expression was lower in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, LncRNA SOX2OT expression was higher in the acupuncture group (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
The "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture method could improve renal function in DKD rats, reduce blood glucose and urinary protein excretion, alleviate podocyte injury, and enhance podocyte autophagy. The mechanism may be related to modulation of the renal LncRNA SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway.
Animals
;
Podocytes/cytology*
;
Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics*
;
Autophagy
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/genetics*
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction
2.Effects of moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) on myocardial circPAN3, FOXO3, BNIP3 levels and myocardial fibrosis in rats with chronic heart failure.
Lan LI ; Bing GAO ; Jing HU ; Pan LIU ; Liya LI ; Ruihua LI ; Jing WANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1600-1608
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) on the circular RNA of exon 2-5 of the Pan3 gene (circPAN3), forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), and Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B19kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), and explore the potential mechanisms of moxibustion in alleviating myocardial fibrosis.
METHODS:
Ten rats of 60 male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group. The remaining rats underwent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation to establish the CHF model. Forty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, a rapamycin (RAPA) group, and a moxibustion+RAPA group, with 10 rats in each group. The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15), 30 min per session. The RAPA group received intraperitoneal injection of the autophagy activator RAPA (1 mg/kg). The moxibustion+RAPA group first received RAPA injection, followed by mild moxibustion at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15). All interventions were administered once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. After the intervention, cardiac ultrasound was used to measure ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS). Serum placental growth factor (PLGF) level was determined by ELISA. Myocardial tissue morphology and collagen volume were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression levels of circPAN3, FOXO3, and BNIP3 mRNA in myocardial tissue were detected by real-time PCR, while FOXO3 and BNIP3 protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited myocardial cell disorder, severe fibrosis, and increased collagen volume (P<0.01), along with significantly decreased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and the serum PLGF level, as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed reduced myocardial fibrosis, decreased collagen volume (P<0.01), increased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and decreased serum PLGF level as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the RAPA group showed further deterioration in these parameters (P<0.01). Compared with the RAPA group, the moxibustion+RAPA group exhibited alleviation of myocardial fibrosis, reduced collagen volume (P<0.01), increased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and decreased serum PLGF level as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion could alleviate myocardial fibrosis in CHF rats, possibly through upregulation of myocardial circPAN3 expression, downregulation of FOXO3 and BNIP3 expression, and inhibition of excessive myocardial autophagy.
Animals
;
Moxibustion
;
Heart Failure/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
RNA, Circular/metabolism*
;
Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Forkhead Box Protein O3/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Humans
;
Fibrosis/genetics*
;
Chronic Disease/therapy*
;
Mitochondrial Proteins
3.C/EBPβ-Lin28a positive feedback loop triggered by C/EBPβ hypomethylation enhances the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells in restenosis.
Xiaojun ZHOU ; Shan JIANG ; Siyi GUO ; Shuai YAO ; Qiqi SHENG ; Qian ZHANG ; Jianjun DONG ; Lin LIAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):419-429
BACKGROUND:
The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis.
METHODS:
Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n = 20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation/genetics*
;
Cell Movement/genetics*
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
DNA Methylation/physiology*
;
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics*
;
Male
;
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*
4.Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) facilitates gemcitabine chemosensitivity in gallbladder cancer by regulating the miR-23b-3p/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) pathway.
Hui WANG ; Yixiang GU ; Miaomiao GUO ; Ming ZHAN ; Min HE ; Yang ZHANG ; Linhua YANG ; Yingbin LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2783-2792
BACKGROUND:
Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert pivotal roles in fostering chemoresistance across diverse tumors. Nevertheless, the precise involvement of lncRNAs in modulating chemoresistance within the context of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains obscure. This study aimed to uncover how lncRNAs regulate chemoresistance in gallbladder cancer, offering potential targets to overcome drug resistance.
METHODS:
To elucidate the relationship between gemcitabine sensitivity and small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 ( SNHG1 ) expression, we utilized publicly available GBC databases, GBC tissues from Renji Hospital collected between January 2017 and December 2019, as well as GBC cell lines. The assessment of SNHG1, miR-23b-3p, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression was performed using in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to quantify the cell viability. Furthermore, a GBC xenograft model was employed to evaluate the impact of SNHG1 on the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were executed to assess the specificity and sensitivity of SNHG1.
RESULTS:
Our analyses revealed an inverse correlation between the lncRNA SNHG1 and gemcitabine resistance across genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, GBC cell lines, and patients. Gain-of-function investigations underscored that SNHG1 heightened the gemcitabine sensitivity of GBC cells in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Mechanistic explorations illuminated that SNHG1 could activate PTEN -a commonly suppressed tumor suppressor gene in cancers-thereby curbing the development of gemcitabine resistance in GBC cells. Notably, microRNA (miRNA) target prediction algorithms unveiled the presence of miR-23b-3p binding sites within SNHG1 and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PTEN . Moreover, SNHG1 acted as a sponge for miR-23b-3p, competitively binding to the 3'-UTR of PTEN , thereby amplifying PTEN expression and heightening the susceptibility of GBC cells to gemcitabine.
CONCLUSION
The SNHG1/miR-23b-3p/PTEN axis emerges as a pivotal regulator of gemcitabine sensitivity in GBC cells, holding potential as a promising therapeutic target for managing GBC patients.
Humans
;
Deoxycytidine/pharmacology*
;
PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics*
;
Gemcitabine
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
5.Role of noncoding RNA and protein interaction in pancreatic cancer.
Zhang LI ; Tingting ZHANG ; Xiaojuan YANG ; Yong PENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1019-1036
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules with little or no protein-coding potential. Emerging evidence indicates that ncRNAs are frequently dysregulated and play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. Their aberrant expression can arise from chromosomal abnormalities, dysregulated transcriptional control, and epigenetic modifications. ncRNAs function as protein scaffolds or molecular decoys to modulate interactions between proteins and other biomolecules, thereby regulating gene expression and contributing to pancreatic cancer progression. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying ncRNA dysregulation in pancreatic cancer, emphasize the biological significance of ncRNA-protein interactions, and highlight their clinical relevance. A deeper understanding of ncRNA-protein interactions is essential to elucidate molecular mechanisms and advance translational research in pancreatic cancer.
Humans
;
Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
RNA, Untranslated/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics*
6.Decoding the immune microenvironment of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia due to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with CD19 CAR-T failure by single-cell RNA-sequencing.
Xudong LI ; Hong HUANG ; Fang WANG ; Mengjia LI ; Binglei ZHANG ; Jianxiang SHI ; Yuke LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Mingxia SUN ; Haixia CAO ; Danfeng ZHANG ; Na SHEN ; Weijie CAO ; Zhilei BIAN ; Haizhou XING ; Wei LI ; Linping XU ; Shiyu ZUO ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1866-1881
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have demonstrated the occurrence of secondary tumors as a rare but significant complication of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation. Given the limited variety of secondary tumor types reported to date, a comprehensive characterization of the various secondary tumors arising after CAR-T therapy is essential to understand the associated risks and to define the role of the immune microenvironment in malignant transformation. This study aims to characterize the immune microenvironment of a newly identified secondary tumor post-CAR-T therapy, to clarify its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS:
In this study, the bone marrow (BM) samples were collected by aspiration from the primary and secondary tumors before and after CD19 CAR-T treatment. The CD45 + BM cells were enriched with human CD45 microbeads. The CD45 + cells were then sent for 10× genomics single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify cell populations. The Cell Ranger pipeline and CellChat were used for detailed analysis.
RESULTS:
In this study, a rare type of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) were reported in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had previously received CD19 CAR-T therapy. The scRNA-seq analysis revealed increased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and an immunosuppressive state of monocytes/macrophages, which may impair cytotoxic activity in both T and natural killer (NK) cells in secondary CMML before treatment. In contrast, their cytotoxicity was restored in secondary CMML after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
This finding delineates a previously unrecognized type of secondary tumor, CMML, after CAR-T therapy and provide a framework for defining the immune microenvironment of secondary tumor occurrence after CAR-T therapy. In addition, the results provide a rationale for targeting macrophages to improve treatment strategies for CMML treatment.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy*
;
Tumor Microenvironment/genetics*
;
Antigens, CD19/metabolism*
;
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics*
;
Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Single-Cell Analysis/methods*
;
Female
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods*
;
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
;
Middle Aged
7.Long non-coding RNA PVT1 mediates bile acid-induced gastric intestinal metaplasia via a miR-34b-5p/HNF4α positive feedback loop.
Kexin LIN ; Nuo YAO ; Xingyu ZHAO ; Xiaodong QU ; Xuezhi LI ; Songbo LI ; Shiyue LUO ; Min CHEN ; Na WANG ; Yongquan SHI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(18):2324-2335
BACKGROUND:
Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the progression of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation was observed along with the initiation of gastric cancer. However, how lncRNAs function in GIM remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of lncRNA PVT1 in GIM, and provide a potential therapeutic target for GIM treatment.
METHODS:
We employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen dysregulated lncRNAs in gastric epithelial cells after BA treatment. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to reveal the regulatory mechanism. PVT1 expression was detected in 21 paired biopsies obtained under endoscopy. Overexpressed and knockdown cell models were established to explore gene functions in GIM. Molecular interactions were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP). The levels of relative molecular expression were detected in GIM tissues.
RESULTS:
We confirmed that lncRNA PVT1 was upregulated in BA-induced GIM model. PVT1 promoted the expression of intestinal markers such as CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α . Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-34b-5p was a putative target of PVT1 . miR-34b-5p mimics increased CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α levels. Restoration of miR-34b-5p decreased the pro-metaplastic effect of PVT1 . The interactions between PVT1 , miR-34b-5p, and the downstream target HNF4α were validated. Moreover, HNF4α could transcriptionally activated PVT1 , sustaining the GIM phenotype. Finally, the activation of the PVT1 /miR-34b-5p/ HNF4α loop was detected in GIM tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
BAs facilitate GIM partially via a PVT1/miR-34b-5p/HNF4α positive feedback loop. PVT1 may become a novel target for blocking the continuous development of GIM and preventing the initiation of gastric cancer in patients with bile reflux.
Humans
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4/genetics*
;
Bile Acids and Salts
;
Kruppel-Like Factor 4
;
Metaplasia/metabolism*
8.Effects of hyperoxia on the expression of hippocampal N-methyl D-aspartate receptor 1 and its synapse-associated molecules in neonatal rats.
Yi XIONG ; Lin CHENG ; Na JIANG ; Tuan-Mei WANG ; Tao BO
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(8):1002-1010
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effects of hyperoxia on the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 (NMDAR1) and its synapse-associated molecules, including cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), and synapsin (SYN), in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.
METHODS:
One-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into a hyperoxia group and a control group (n=8 per group). The hyperoxia group was exposed to 80% ± 5% oxygen continuously, while the control group was exposed to room air, for 7 days. At 1, 3, and 7 days after hyperoxia exposure, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the brain. The expression levels of NMDAR1, CB1R, PSD95, and SYN proteins and mRNAs in the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR.
RESULTS:
After 7 days of hyperoxia exposure, the hyperoxia group showed decreased neuronal density and disordered arrangement in brain tissue. Compared with the control group, after 1 day of hyperoxia exposure, CB1R mRNA and both NMDAR1 and CB1R protein expression in the hyperoxia group were significantly downregulated, while SYN protein expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). After 3 days, mRNA expression of NMDAR1, CB1R, and SYN was significantly decreased (P<0.05); NMDAR1 and CB1R protein expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.05), while PSD95 and SYN protein expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). After 7 days of hyperoxia, the protein expression of NMDAR1 and CB1R was significantly upregulated (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Continuous hyperoxia exposure induces time-dependent changes in the expression levels of NMDAR1 and its synapse-associated molecules in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.
Animals
;
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Hippocampus/pathology*
;
Rats
;
Animals, Newborn
;
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics*
;
Hyperoxia/metabolism*
;
Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein/genetics*
;
Synapsins/genetics*
;
Synapses
;
Male
;
Female
;
RNA, Messenger/analysis*
9.NIP7 upregulates the expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C to promote tumor growth in anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Yingying GONG ; Ziwen FANG ; Yixuan WANG ; Minghua GE ; Zongfu PAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(3):372-381
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of nucleolar pre-rRNA processing protein NIP7 (NIP7) in maintaining the malignant phenotype of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and its molecular mechanisms.
METHODS:
NIP7 expression in ATC tissues and its gene knock-out effects in ATC cells were analyzed using gene expression microarray (GSE33630), proteome database (IPX0008941000) and the Dependency Map database, respectively. Expression and localization of NIP7 in normal thyroid cells, papillary thyroid cancer cells, and ATC cells were detected by Western blotting. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into ATC cells, and the knockdown efficiency of NIP7 was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay, colony formation was evaluated by colony formation assay, and tumor growth was assessed by xenograft tumor model in nude mice. SUnSET (surface sensing of translation) assay combined with co-immunoprecipitation were employed to evaluate the effect of NIP7 silencing on ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) translation. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis was used to identify shared pathways of NIP7 and UBE2C, which were validated by qRT-PCR.
RESULTS:
Compared with normal tissues and papillary thyroid cancer, NIP7 was significantly upregulated in ATC tissues, and had a gene knock-out fitness effect on different ATC cell lines. The relative protein levels of NIP7 in ATC cells were significantly higher than those in normal thyroid follicular cells, and the protein was mainly expressed in the nucleus. NIP7 silencing significantly inhibited cell proliferation and reduced colony formation. Xenograft tumor model showed that NIP7 knockdown significantly slowed down the growth of ATC xenograft, and the tumor volume and weight were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). NIP7 silencing downregulated the protein level of UBE2C, but did not affect the expression of UBE2C mRNA. Compared to the control group, UBE2C silencing significantly inhibited ATC cells proliferation (P<0.01) and colony formation (P<0.05). UBE2C overexpression reversed the proliferation-inhibitory effect induced by NIP7 silencing (P<0.01). Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that NIP7 and UBE2C were both involved in DNA replication. NIP7 or UBE2C silencing could significantly downregulate the expression levels of DNA polymerase epsilon, catalytic subunit 2 and replication factor C4 in DNA replication pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
NIP7 promotes ATC tumor growth by upregulating UBE2C to mediate DNA replication.
Humans
;
Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes/genetics*
;
Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Mice, Nude
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Up-Regulation
;
RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*
;
Nuclear Proteins/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
10.Expression and Biological Function of SPOP in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Xue-Ying WAN ; Jing XU ; Xiao-Li LIU ; Hong-Wei WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(1):32-38
OBJECTIVE:
To study the expression of SPOP in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its effect on proliferation, apoptosis and cycle of AML cells.
METHODS:
RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of SPOP mRNA in bone marrow samples of patients with newly diagnosed AML and normal controls. The stable overexpression of SPOP in AML cell lines THP-1 and U937 were constructed by liposome transfection. The effect of SPOP on cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8, and the effect of SPOP on apoptosis and cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and apoptotic protein Bax, Caspase3 were detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
The median expression level of SPOP mRNA in normal control group was 0.993 1(0.6303, 1.433), while that in AML group was 0.522 1(0.242 2, 0.723 7). The expression level of SPOP in AML group was significantly lower than that in normal control group ( P < 0.001). After the overexpression of SPOP, the proportion of apoptotic cells in the U937 overexpression group and THP-1 overexpression group was 10.9%±0.3% and 4.6%±015%, which were higher than 8.9%±0.3% and 3.0%±0.30% in the Empty Vector group, respectively (both P < 0.05). The expression of Caspase3 in U937 overexpression group and THP-1 overexpression group was 1.154±0.086 and 1.2±0.077, which were higher than 1 in Empty Vector group, respectively (both P < 0.05). The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in U937 overexpression group and THP-1 overexpression group was 1.328±0.057 and 1.669±0.15, which were higher than 1 in Empty Vector group, respectively (both P < 0.05). In the cell proliferation experiment, the number of cells in the U937 overexpression group and THP-1 overexpression group were both slightly lower than those in the Empty Vector group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P >0.05). In the cell cycle experiment, the proportion of G1 cells in the U937 overexpression group and THP-1 overexpression group were both slightly higher than those in the Empty Vector group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P >0.05).
CONCLUSION
SPOP can promote the apoptosis of leukemic cells, and its mechanism may be related to down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of Bax and Caspase3 expression.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology*
;
Apoptosis
;
Repressor Proteins/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Nuclear Proteins/genetics*
;
Cell Cycle
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
;
Caspase 3/metabolism*
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*
;
U937 Cells
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
RNA, Messenger/genetics*

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