1.Enhanced BBB penetration and microglia-targeting nanomodulator for the two-pronged modulation of chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
Ya WEI ; Xue XIA ; Xiaorong WANG ; Wenqin YANG ; Siqin HE ; Lulu WANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Yang ZHOU ; Feng CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Fu PENG ; Guobo LI ; Zheng XU ; Jintao FU ; Huile GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1098-1111
Intervention in chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a novel approach to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low permeability of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and non-selective distribution in the brain severely restrict AD drugs' disease-modifying efficacy. Here, an immunosuppressant TREM2-lowing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and resveratrol co-loaded cationic liposome is developed as an immune reprogramming nanomodulator modified by acid-cleavable BBB-targeting peptide and microglia-targeting peptide (Res@TcMNP/ASO) for AD management. Res@TcMNP/ASO can enter brain endothelial cells via D-T7 peptides. Then D-T7 undergoes an acid-responsive cleavage, facilitating the escape of Res@MNP/ASO from endo/lysosomes to cross the BBB. The detached Res@MNP/ASO specifically targets M1-phenotype microglia via exposed MG1 peptides to prompt the simultaneous delivery of two drugs into activated microglia. This nanomodulator can not only restore the immune function of microglia through TREM2-lowing ASO but also mitigate the immune stimulation to microglia caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through resveratrol, thereby synergistically inhibiting the chronic activation of microglia to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD. Our results indicate that this combination treatment can achieve significant behavioral and cognitive improvements in late APP/PS1 mice.
2.Nose-to-brain delivery of targeted lipid nanoparticles as two-pronged β-amyloid nanoscavenger for Alzheimer's disease therapy.
Yanyan XU ; Xiangtong YE ; Yanfeng DU ; Wenqin YANG ; Fan TONG ; Wei LI ; Qianqian HUANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Huile GAO ; Weiwei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2884-2899
Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and neuroinflammation, remains a formidable clinical challenge. Herein, we present an innovative nose-to-brain delivery platform utilizing lactoferrin (Lf)-functionalized lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) co-encapsulating α-mangostin (α-M) and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) siRNA (siB). This dual-modal therapeutic system synergistically combines the neuroprotective and microglia-reprogramming capabilities of α-M with the transcriptional silencing of BACE1 via siB, thereby simultaneously inhibiting Aβ production and enhancing its clearance. Fabricated via a microfluidic approach, the LNPs exhibited uniform particle size distribution, great encapsulation efficiency, and robust colloidal stability. Upon intranasal administration, Lf-functionalization enabled superior brain-targeting efficacy through receptor-mediated transcytosis. In vitro studies demonstrated that α-M reversed Aβ-induced low-density lipoprotein receptor downregulation, promoting microglial phagocytosis and autophagic degradation of Aβ, while siB effectively suppressed BACE1 expression, abrogating Aβ synthesis. In vivo investigations in APP/PS1 transgenic mice revealed remarkable cognitive recovery, substantial Aβ plaque reduction, and alleviation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This intricately designed LNP system, exploiting a non-invasive and efficient nose-to-brain delivery route, provides a biocompatible, synergistic, and transformative therapeutic strategy for the multifaceted management of AD.
3.Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment through sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway.
Wenqin YANG ; Wen WEN ; Hao CHEN ; Haijun ZHANG ; Yun LU ; Ping WANG ; Shijun XU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(1):77-89
The activation of the sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway has been shown to mitigate oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial damage by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Zhongfeng Xingnao Liquid (ZFXN) ameliorates post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, the underlying mechanism, particularly whether it involves protecting mitochondria and inhibiting apoptosis through the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, remains unclear. This study employed an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cell model using SH-SY5Y cells and induced PSCI in rats through modified bilateral carotid artery ligation (2VO). The effects of ZFXN on learning and memory, neuroprotective activity, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Results indicated that ZFXN significantly increased the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)/Bcl2-associated X (Bax) ratio, reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)+ cells, and markedly improved cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal function in the hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, ZFXN exhibited potent antioxidant activity, evidenced by decreased ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. ZFXN also demonstrated considerable enhancement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Tom20 fluorescence intensity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy charge (EC) levels, and mitochondrial complex I and III activity, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial damage. Additionally, ZFXN significantly increased SIRT1 activity and elevated SIRT1, nuclear Nrf2, and HO-1 levels. Notably, these effects were substantially counteracted when SIRT1 was suppressed by the inhibitor EX-527 in vitro. In conclusion, ZFXN alleviates PSCI by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and preventing mitochondrial damage.
Sirtuin 1/genetics*
;
Animals
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Humans
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics*
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Stroke/complications*
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Neuroprotective Agents
4.Knockdown of interferon-γ inducible protein 30 (IFI30) inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of human glioma U251 cells by activating STAT1 and promotes their apoptosis.
Jingjing YE ; Wenqin XU ; Tianbing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2024;40(1):33-42
Objective To establish U251 cells with inhibited expression of interferon-γ inducible protein 30 (IFI30), and to investigate the effect of IFI30 on cell biological function as well as its underlying mechanism. Methods Three knockdown sequences which target IFI30 were designed online and 3 small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were synthesized. After transfection, the inhibition efficiency was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The siRNA sequence with the highest inhibition efficiency was selected to create short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmids. The recombinant plasmids and packaging plasmids were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to prepare lentivirus. The glioma U251 cells were transfected with lentivirus, and the positive cells were screened by puromycin. CCK-8 assay, 5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and colony formation assays were used to analyze cell proliferation; the flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle and apoptosis; the TranswellTM assay was used to detect cell invasion; the wound-healing assay was employed to detect cell migration, and western blot analysis to detect the protein expresison of cyclin D1, B-cell lymphoma factor 2 (Bcl2), epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), neural cadherin (N-cadherin), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Results The sequence which effectively target IFI30 was screened and U251 cell line capable of inhibiting the IFI30 expression was successfully established. When IFI30 expression was knocked down, the proliferation of U251 cells was inhibited, along with increased ratio of cells in the phase G0/G1, the decreased phase S, the increased rate of cell apoptosis. The cell invasion and migration capabilities was also reduced. The decreased expression of cyclin D1, Bcl2 and N-cadherin were observed in U251 cells, and the expression of E-cadherin and the phosphorylation of STAT1 were found increased. Conclusion Knockdown of IFI30 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of human glioma cell U251 and promotes its apoptosis by activating STAT1.
Humans
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Cyclin D1/genetics*
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HEK293 Cells
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Interferon-gamma
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RNA, Small Interfering
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Apoptosis/genetics*
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Cadherins
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Cell Proliferation/genetics*
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Glioma/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors
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STAT1 Transcription Factor/genetics*
5.Strategies for enhancing the influence of major themed publicity in hospital Party building
Weiyin LIN ; Rui HUANG ; Wenqin LIU ; Yang ZHANG ; Yangxia OU ; Jianping LI ; Haiyan CHEN
Modern Hospital 2024;24(8):1168-1170,1174
This research aimed to explore strategies to enhance the influence of major themed publicity in hospital party building within several prominent tertiary public hospitals in China,including one in Beijing,one in Zhejiang and four in Guang-dong.An analysis of themed publicity initiatives over the past five years,particularly during pivotal party events and key thematic activities,was undertaken.This assessment included both offline events and the online media coverage through various integrated media platforms.The study aimed to offer development suggestions for hospitals to amplify the influence of their major themed publicity strategies for Party building.Currently,hospitals are placing increased emphasis on the strategic planning of major themed publicity for Party building.Innovation in content and promotional tactics,along with strengthened integration with main-stream media,is essential.Effective dissemination that elicits empathy and presents high-quality publicity materials is crucial for achieving optimal dissemination outcomes and further elevating the hospital's Party building influence.
6.Establishment of a real-time quality control method for identifying random error in serum sodium ion based on artificial intel-ligence voting algorithm
Yuan LIU ; Hexiang ZHENG ; Zhiye XU ; Wenqin CHEN ; Hongyan SONG ; Yuxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science 2024;42(10):772-777
Objective To establish a novel real-time quality control method for rapidly identifying the random error of sodium ion con-centration in serum using an artificial intelligence voting algorithm,and evaluate the relevant effectiveness of the model established on this basis.Methods A total of 144 754 test results of serum sodium ion rom the inpatients measured by Beckman AU5400 biochemis-try analyzer from January to May 2021 were obtained retrospectively from laboratory information system of the Department of Clinical La-boratory,Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,and all the data were used as unbiased data for the current study.The random errors were arti-ficially introduced to generate the corresponding biased data set.Subsequently,the voting algorithm-based internal quality control model(ViQC)was established using the principles of the voting algorithm.The ViQC model and five classical PBRTQC(patient-based real-time quality control)algorithms were performed direct to each biased data.The analytical performance of the ViQC model was evaluated by using classification model criteria.The trimmed average number of patient samples until error detection(tANPed)was used to com-pare the clinical detection efficacy of the ViQC model with those of the five classical algorithms,and the error detection curves were plotted.Results Compare with all the classical algorithms,the ViQC model showed a false positive rate below 0.002 and achieved ac-curacy above 0.951 in detecting all the deviations.When the error factors were 1.5,2.5,and 3.0,the false positive rate of the ViQC model was zero.When the error factor was 2.5,its accuracy reached 0.979.Compared to the five classical PBRTQC algorithms,the ViQC model reduced the overall average tANPed by up to 34%and showed higher sensitivity for error detection.In addition,the ViQC model demonstrated the area under the ROC curve was as high as 0.989 at TEa on the test set,but the value of tANPed wasonly five.Conclusion We successfully established a real-time quality control model for the data of patients based on artificial intelligence algo-rithms,and its efficacy of clinical detection was superior to the traditional PBRTQC algorithms.
7.Effect of preoperative oral midazolam solution on negative postoperative behavioral changes after high ligation of hernia sac in preschool children
Yuanzhao ZHUANG ; Wenqin XIE ; Jixuan HUANG ; Weize HU ; Yuqing GUO ; Yingle CHEN
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(11):1174-1177
Objective To investigate the influence of oral midazolam on postoperative behavioral changes(NPOBCs)in preschool children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia sac ligation.Methods A total of 197 preschool children,118 males and 79 females,aged 1-6 years,BMI 14.0-24.5 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,who undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia sac ligation from July 2022 to A-pril 2023 were selected.The children were divided into two groups by random number table method:the oral midazolam group(group M,n=100)and the oral saline group(group C,n=97).In the observation room,group M received an oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg midazolam while group C received an oral dose of 5%sa-line 0.25 ml/kg before being accompanied by a clown doctor to the operating room after 30 minutes.Modi-fied Yale preoperative anxiety scale(m-YPAS)scores before entering the observation room and before ente-ring the operating room,as well as induction compliance checklist(ICC)scores before anesthesia induction were recorded.Postoperatively,FLACC and PAED scores were recorded at immediately,6,and 24 hours after surgery along with occurrences of postoperative nausea and vomiting and hypoxemia.Family members of the children were followed up at 1 day,7,14,and 30 days after discharge using PHBQ to record NPOBCs occurrence in children.Results Compared with group C,m-YPAS score,ICC score before anesthesia in-duction,PAED score immediately after surgery,and the incidence of NPOBCs 1 day,7,14,and 30 days after surgery were significantly reduced in group M(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in YPAS scores before entering the observation room,6 and 24 hours PAED scores,incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting,hypoxemia between the two groups.Conclusion Preoperative oral administration of midazolam to children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia sac ligation can effectively alleviate periopera-tive anxiety and reduce the incidence of NPOBCs.It does not increase the risk of delayed awakening or post-operative adverse reactions in children.
8.Sacubitril/valsartan inhibit viral replication and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in mice with CVB3-induced viral myocarditis via PI3K/AKT pathway
Wenqin LIU ; Jing XU ; Weike LIU ; Yilian CHEN ; Yixuan QIU ; Yuannan LIN ; Yuechun LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2023;43(7):547-554
Objective:To observe the effects of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) on viral replication and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in mice with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis (VMC) and to analyze the underlying mechanisms.Methods:Forty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups with 10 in each group: Sham, Sham+ LCZ696, VMC, and VMC+ LCZ696 groups. VMC model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 ml of CVB3 with a concentration of 10 6 TCID 50/ml into BALB/c mice, while the sham intervention was an equal volume of saline. The day of virus injection was defined as day 0. LCZ696 was administered by gavage at a dose of 60 mg/kg every day for seven consecutive days starting from day 1. Mouse survival rates were calculated. Echocardiography was used to evaluate the cardiac function of mice. The level of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) was detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2), CVB3 surface protein (VP-1) and p-AKT/AKT in the hearts of mice. CVB3 mRNA in mouse hearts was measured by PCR. Inflammatory cell infiltration and cell apoptosis in mouse hearts were observed by HE staining and TUNEL staining, respectively. Results:Compared with the Sham group, the mice in the VMC group had a decreased survival rate and impaired cardiac function ( P<0.05). The levels of CK-MB, IL-6, TNF-α, cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2, VP-1, and CVB3 mRNA in the hearts of VMC mice increased significantly ( P<0.05), accompanied by increased expression of AKT, decreased phosphorylation of AKT ( P<0.05) and increased cell apoptosis. LCZ696 reversed the above changes. It could increase the survival rate, improve the cardiac function ( P<0.05), decrease cardiac inflammation, cell apoptosis and viral replication ( P<0.05), and increase the phosphorylation of AKT ( P<0.05). LCZ696 had no significant effects on the survival rate, cardiac function, myocardial injury, cardiac inflammation, cell apoptosis, viral replication or the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins in normal mice. Conclusions:LCZ696 could significantly inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reduce CVB3 replication in the hearts of VMC mice by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby improving mouse cardiac function and survival rate.
9.Piroctone olamine disrupts mitochondrial dynamics in glioma cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway.
Wenqin XU ; Jingjing YE ; Fei WANG ; Tianbing CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(5):764-771
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of piroctone olamine (PO) on glioma cells and explore the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
Human glioma cell lines U251 and U373 were treated with PO and the changes in cell proliferation were detected using CCK-8 assay and EdU assay. Clone formation assay and flow cytometry were used to examine the changes in clone formation ability and apoptosis of the treated cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells and morphological changes of the mitochondria were detected using JC-1 staining and a fluorescence probe, respectively. The expressions of mitochondrial fission protein DRP1 and the fusion protein OPA1 were determined with Western blotting. Transcriptome sequencing and differential gene enrichment analysis was performed, and the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p-AKT in the treated cells were verified using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
CCK-8 assay showed that PO significantly inhibited the proliferation of U251 and U373 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). EdU test showed that the proliferative activity of PO-treated cells was significantly decreased, and the number of cell colonies also decreased significantly (P < 0.01). PO treatment significantly increased apoptotic rates (P < 0.01), decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and caused obvious changes in mitochondrial morphology of the cells. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the down-regulated genes were significantly enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway, which was verified by Western blotting showing significantly down-regulated expression levels of PI3K, AKT and p-AKT in PO-treated cells (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
PO interferes with mitochondrial fusion and fission function through the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and increasing apoptosis of glioma cells.
Humans
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Glioma
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Mitochondrial Dynamics
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Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
10.Lactate-induced up-regulation of PLEKHA4 promotes proliferation and apoptosis of human glioma cells.
Jingjing YE ; Wenqin XU ; Bangsheng XI ; Nengqian WANG ; Tianbing CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(7):1071-1080
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of lactic acid-induced upregulation of PLEKHA4 expression on biological behaviors of glioma cells and the possible molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
GEO database and GEPIA2 website were used to analyze the relationship between PLEKHA4 expression level and the pathological grade of glioma. A specific PLEKHA4 siRNA was transfected in glioma U251 and T98G cells, and the changes in cell proliferation ability were assessed by real-time cell analysis technology and Edu experiment. The colony-forming ability of the cells was evaluated using plate cloning assay, and cell cycle changes and cell apoptosis were analyzed with flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of PLEKHA4 was detected by PCR in glioma samples and controls and in glioma cells treated with lactic acid and glucose. Xenograft mice in vivo was used to detect tumor formation in nude mice; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of cyclinD1, CDK2, Bcl2, β-catenin and phosphorylation of the key proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway.
RESULTS:
The results of GEO database and online website analysis showed that PLEKHA4 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and was associated with poor prognosis; PLEKHA4 knockdown obviously inhibited the proliferation and attenuated the clone-forming ability of the glioma cells (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry showed that PLEKHA4 knockdown caused cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and promoted apoptosis of the cells (P < 0.01). PLEKHA4 gene mRNA expression was increased in glioma samples and glioma cells after lactate and glucose treatment (P < 0.01). PLEKHA4 knockdown, tumor formation ability of nude mice decreased; PLEKHA4 knockdown obviously lowered the expression of cyclinD1, CDK2, Bcl2 and other functional proteins, inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and reduced the expression of β-catenin protein (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
PLEKHA4 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells and promoted apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and expression of β-catenin. Lactic acid produced by glycolysis upregulates the expression of PLEKHA4 in glioma cells.
Humans
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Animals
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Mice
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Up-Regulation
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beta Catenin/metabolism*
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Mice, Nude
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Brain Neoplasms/pathology*
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Lactic Acid
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Glioma/pathology*
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Cell Proliferation
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Apoptosis
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger/genetics*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

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