1.Gut microbiota-mediated gut-liver axis: a breakthrough point for understanding and treating liver cancer
Chenyang LI ; Chujun CAI ; Chendong WANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Bixiang ZHANG ; Zhao HUANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):350-381
The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
2.Gut microbiota-mediated gut-liver axis: a breakthrough point for understanding and treating liver cancer
Chenyang LI ; Chujun CAI ; Chendong WANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Bixiang ZHANG ; Zhao HUANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):350-381
The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
3.Gut microbiota-mediated gut-liver axis: a breakthrough point for understanding and treating liver cancer
Chenyang LI ; Chujun CAI ; Chendong WANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Bixiang ZHANG ; Zhao HUANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):350-381
The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
4.Identification of HMA gene family and response to cadmium stress in Ophiopogon japonicas.
Zhihui WANG ; Erli NIU ; Yuanliang GAO ; Qian ZHU ; Zihong YE ; Xiaoping YU ; Qian ZHAO ; Jun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):771-790
Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution is one of the major environmental problems globally. Ophiopogon japonicus, a multifunctional plant extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine, has demonstrated potential in environmental remediation. This study investigated the Cd accumulation pattern of O. japonicus under cadmium stress and identified the heavy metal ATPase (HMA) family members in this plant. Our results demonstrated that O. japonicus exhibited a Cd enrichment factor (EF) of 2.75, demonstrating strong potential for soil Cd pollution remediation. Nine heavy metal ATPase (HMA) members of P1B-ATPases were successfully identified from the transcriptome data of O. japonicus, with OjHMA1-OjHMA6 classified as the Zn/Co/Cd/Pb-ATPases and OjHMA7-OjHMA9 as the Cu/Ag-ATPases. The expression levels of OjHMA1, OjHMA2, OjHMA3, and OjHMA7 were significantly up-regulated under Cd stress, highlighting their crucial roles in cadmium ion absorption and transport. The topological analysis revealed that these proteins possessed characteristic transmembrane (TM) segments of the family, along with functional A, P, and N domains involved in regulating ion absorption and release. Metal ion-binding sites (M4, M5, and M6) existed on the TM segments. Based on the number of transmembrane domains and the residues at metal ion-binding sites, the plant HMA family members were categorized into three subgroups: P1B-1 ATPases, P1B-2 ATPases, and P1B-4 ATPases. Specifically, the P1B-1 ATPase subgroup included the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(YN[X]4P), and TM6(M[XX]SS); the P1B-2 ATPase subgroup featured the motifs TM4(CPC), TM5(K), and TM6(DKTGT); the P1B-4 ATPase subgroup contained the motifs TM4(SPC) and TM6(HE[X]GT), all of which were critical for protein functions. Molecular docking results revealed the importance of conserved sequences such as CPC/SPC, DKTGT, and HE[X]GT in metal ion coordination and stabilization. These findings provide potential molecular targets for enhancing Cd uptake and tolerance of O. japonicus by genetic engineering and lay a theoretical foundation for developing new cultivars with high Cd accumulation capacity.
Cadmium/metabolism*
;
Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism*
;
Ophiopogon/drug effects*
;
Soil Pollutants/toxicity*
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Stress, Physiological
;
Multigene Family
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
5.Screening of aldosterone-specific antibodies based on phage display technology
Sujuan WANG ; Xiaoping TIAN ; Qiaohui ZHAO ; Tianyun WANG
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(3):214-220
Objective To screen out specific aldosterone(ALD)antibodies using phage display technology and recom-binant antibody technology,providing raw materials for the research and development of ALD diagnostic kits.Methods Five healthy and clean New Zealand white rabbits were selected and immunized for the first time against the diluted ALD-keyhole limpet hemocyanin antigen(2 mg·L-1)using a multi-point injection method on the back,with a dose of 1 mg per rabbit.Immunization was administered again every 2 weeks,with a 50%reduction in dose.Starting from the third immunization,the ear vein blood of the rabbits was collected one week after each immunization.A chemiluminescent plate coated with 0.25 mg·L-1 ALD-bovine serum albumin antigen was used to measure serum titers via indirect and competitive methods.After the 5th immunization,the rabbit with high serum titers and good specificity was selected,and its spleen and bone marrow were removed.The spleen tissue was grinded,and RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent in one step to obtain gene sequences in the variable region of light chain(VL)and the variable region of heavy chain(VH).The single-chain variable fragment(ScFv)was connected through the linker and constructed into the bacteriophage vector Pcomb3xss;then,it was carried to Escherichia coli TG1 through electrotransformation,and the ALD ScFv phage display library was constructed accordingly.Three to five rounds of enrichment screening were performed against the library.Monoclonal clones,identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)competitive method,were selected for phage supernatant preparation,and a highly competitive clone sequence was obtained.The screened clone sequence was inserted into the pCMV3 expression vector,and the HEK293 cell was transfected using the transient transfection method after the plasmid was extracted.One week later,the supernatant was collected,and its purity and expression were identified by affinity chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE).Results After the 5th immunization,the serum titers of 5 rabbits were indirectly tested,and the results showed that the serum titers of 4# and 5# white rabbits were still greater than 10,000 after being diluted by 32,000 times.The test results based on the competitive method showed that the ratio of low to high values in the plasma sample of 5#white rabbit was 2∶1,superior to that of other white rabbits.The 5# white rabbit was selected for phage library construction.The VL and VH gene fragments were amplified by conventional polymerase chain reaction,and then bridged into ScFv(VL+VH).The agar gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the size of the band was about 750 bp,which was consistent with the size of the originally designed fragment.ScFv was cleaved and electroporated into Escherichia coli TG1 to construct a phage library with a storage capacity of 4.73 × 108 cfu·mL-1.After 3 rounds of washing,300 monoclonal clones were selected from the outbound petri dishes to prepare monoclonal bacteriophages.The ELISA results showed a positive rate of 100%among the 300 clones,and 42 clones were tested positive for calibration competition,with a screening rate of 14%.The 42 positive clones were further subjected to clinical sample competition testing,and 16 monoclonal strains that met the requirements were screened.The 16 strains were retested,and the results of the two tests were consistent.After sequencing,6 antibody sequences were selected for construction and expression.After purification,SDS-PAGE reduced gel electrophoresis results showed that there were bands at positions 50,000 on the heavy chain and 25,000 on the light chain.Six highly affinitive and competitive rabbit ALD monoclonal antibodies were obtained.Conclusion Six highly affinitive and competitive rabbit ALD antibodies are successfully screened using phage display technology,which provides a reference method for the discovery of small molecule antibodies.The screened AD1 85 and AD277 antibodies show a competitive advantage twice that of the positive control in the competition of calibration and clinical samples,providing a possibility for the development of raw materials for ALD detection kits.
6.Comparative analysis of small shadow morphology between chest CT and DR images of patients with occupational pneumoconiosis
Zhongxue LI ; Xiazi ZHAO ; Yongzhong TANG ; Qianchang LI ; Shiwen HUANG ; Feifei LI ; Xiaoping LI ; Kunhai QIU
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(3):303-307
Objective To compare the morphology differences in small shadows of occupational pneumoconiosis (hereinafter referred to as "pneumoconiosis") between computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography (DR) imaging. Methods A total of 1 010 pneumoconiosis patients were selected as the research subjects using a judgment sampling method. Chest DR imaging and CT imaging were performed on patients, and the differences in small shadow morphology between the two images were compared. Results In both DR and CT images of patients, circular small shadows identified as p, q, and r shapes accounted for 76.2%, 11.5%, and 1.3%, respectively, while irregular small shadows were identified in 1.8% of cases. There was medium high consistency between DR and CT in detecting these four types of small shadow morphology (Kappa=0.72, P<0.01). The detection rate of irregular small shadows (including interlobular septal thickening, ground-glass opacity, and/or centrilobular emphysema) by CT images was 54.0% (545/1 010), with 88.6% (483/545) of these cases also showing small circular shadows. Irregular small shadows in CT images were mostly identified as p small circular shadows in DR images, accounting for 88.8% (484/545). The results of DR and CT images for p/p, p/q, q/p, q/q, q/r, r/q and r/r in small circular shadows showed medium high consistency (Kappa =0.52, P<0.01). Conclusion The results of CT and DR imaging for pneumoconiosis with small shadow were of medium high consistency, with CT demonstrating advantages in detecting irregular small shadow morphology of pneumoconiosis. CT images can be used to describe the shape of circular small shadow as DR images, and irregular small shadow can be described as interlobular septal thickening, ground-glass opacity, and/or centrilobular emphysema.
7.Clinical Analysis of High-grade Cervical Lesions in Patients with High-risk HPV Infection Exhibiting Minor Cytological Abnormalities
Xiaoping XIAO ; Linghua KONG ; Shuanzheng ZHAO ; Ru WAN ; Wei WANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(11):912-917
Objective:To analyze the immediate risk and 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions in high-risk human papillomavirus(Hr-HPV)positive patients with minor cytological abnormalities and to validate the local applicability of clinical management strategies in the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Guidelines.Methods:A total of 565 patients with positive Hr-HPV,cytology result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASC-US)or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL)and also under-went colposcopy and biopsy were selected from the gynecological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2017 to November to analyze the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesions(CIN2 and above).Besides,a total of 193 patients with histological results of CIN1 or below and 5-year follow-up data available were further analyzed for the 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions.Results:①In the 565 patients,the immediate incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 32.21%and 12.39%,respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression showed that the immediate risk of CIN2+in the LSIL group(35.54%)was 1.62 times that in the ASC-US group(28.78%)(95%CI 1.12-2.36,P<0.05);the immediate risk of CIN2+in HPV 16/18+group(45.29%)was 2.89 times that in Hr-HPV other+group(23.68%)(95%CI 1.99-4.20,P<0.05).② Among 193 patients with 5-year long-term follow-up,the 5-year cumulative incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 6.2%and 2.6%,respectively.Cox regression analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in 5-year cumulative risk of CIN2+and CIN3+among different ages,Hr-HPV infection types and cytological results(P>0.05).Conclu-sions:LSIL had a higher detection rate of CIN2+than ASC-US patients only in the first colposcopy biopsy;the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesion was significantly higher in HPV16/18+patients than in Hr-HPV oth-er+patients,but no significant difference in the 5-year cumulative incidence of high-grade lesions after colposco-py was found.Age was not an independent risk factor for the development of high-grade lesions.
8.Clinical Analysis of High-grade Cervical Lesions in Patients with High-risk HPV Infection Exhibiting Minor Cytological Abnormalities
Xiaoping XIAO ; Linghua KONG ; Shuanzheng ZHAO ; Ru WAN ; Wei WANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(11):912-917
Objective:To analyze the immediate risk and 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions in high-risk human papillomavirus(Hr-HPV)positive patients with minor cytological abnormalities and to validate the local applicability of clinical management strategies in the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Guidelines.Methods:A total of 565 patients with positive Hr-HPV,cytology result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASC-US)or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL)and also under-went colposcopy and biopsy were selected from the gynecological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2017 to November to analyze the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesions(CIN2 and above).Besides,a total of 193 patients with histological results of CIN1 or below and 5-year follow-up data available were further analyzed for the 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions.Results:①In the 565 patients,the immediate incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 32.21%and 12.39%,respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression showed that the immediate risk of CIN2+in the LSIL group(35.54%)was 1.62 times that in the ASC-US group(28.78%)(95%CI 1.12-2.36,P<0.05);the immediate risk of CIN2+in HPV 16/18+group(45.29%)was 2.89 times that in Hr-HPV other+group(23.68%)(95%CI 1.99-4.20,P<0.05).② Among 193 patients with 5-year long-term follow-up,the 5-year cumulative incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 6.2%and 2.6%,respectively.Cox regression analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in 5-year cumulative risk of CIN2+and CIN3+among different ages,Hr-HPV infection types and cytological results(P>0.05).Conclu-sions:LSIL had a higher detection rate of CIN2+than ASC-US patients only in the first colposcopy biopsy;the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesion was significantly higher in HPV16/18+patients than in Hr-HPV oth-er+patients,but no significant difference in the 5-year cumulative incidence of high-grade lesions after colposco-py was found.Age was not an independent risk factor for the development of high-grade lesions.
9.Clinical Analysis of High-grade Cervical Lesions in Patients with High-risk HPV Infection Exhibiting Minor Cytological Abnormalities
Xiaoping XIAO ; Linghua KONG ; Shuanzheng ZHAO ; Ru WAN ; Wei WANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(11):912-917
Objective:To analyze the immediate risk and 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions in high-risk human papillomavirus(Hr-HPV)positive patients with minor cytological abnormalities and to validate the local applicability of clinical management strategies in the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Guidelines.Methods:A total of 565 patients with positive Hr-HPV,cytology result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASC-US)or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL)and also under-went colposcopy and biopsy were selected from the gynecological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2017 to November to analyze the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesions(CIN2 and above).Besides,a total of 193 patients with histological results of CIN1 or below and 5-year follow-up data available were further analyzed for the 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions.Results:①In the 565 patients,the immediate incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 32.21%and 12.39%,respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression showed that the immediate risk of CIN2+in the LSIL group(35.54%)was 1.62 times that in the ASC-US group(28.78%)(95%CI 1.12-2.36,P<0.05);the immediate risk of CIN2+in HPV 16/18+group(45.29%)was 2.89 times that in Hr-HPV other+group(23.68%)(95%CI 1.99-4.20,P<0.05).② Among 193 patients with 5-year long-term follow-up,the 5-year cumulative incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 6.2%and 2.6%,respectively.Cox regression analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in 5-year cumulative risk of CIN2+and CIN3+among different ages,Hr-HPV infection types and cytological results(P>0.05).Conclu-sions:LSIL had a higher detection rate of CIN2+than ASC-US patients only in the first colposcopy biopsy;the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesion was significantly higher in HPV16/18+patients than in Hr-HPV oth-er+patients,but no significant difference in the 5-year cumulative incidence of high-grade lesions after colposco-py was found.Age was not an independent risk factor for the development of high-grade lesions.
10.Clinical Analysis of High-grade Cervical Lesions in Patients with High-risk HPV Infection Exhibiting Minor Cytological Abnormalities
Xiaoping XIAO ; Linghua KONG ; Shuanzheng ZHAO ; Ru WAN ; Wei WANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(11):912-917
Objective:To analyze the immediate risk and 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions in high-risk human papillomavirus(Hr-HPV)positive patients with minor cytological abnormalities and to validate the local applicability of clinical management strategies in the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Guidelines.Methods:A total of 565 patients with positive Hr-HPV,cytology result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASC-US)or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL)and also under-went colposcopy and biopsy were selected from the gynecological clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2017 to November to analyze the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesions(CIN2 and above).Besides,a total of 193 patients with histological results of CIN1 or below and 5-year follow-up data available were further analyzed for the 5-year cumulative risk of high-grade cervical lesions.Results:①In the 565 patients,the immediate incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 32.21%and 12.39%,respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression showed that the immediate risk of CIN2+in the LSIL group(35.54%)was 1.62 times that in the ASC-US group(28.78%)(95%CI 1.12-2.36,P<0.05);the immediate risk of CIN2+in HPV 16/18+group(45.29%)was 2.89 times that in Hr-HPV other+group(23.68%)(95%CI 1.99-4.20,P<0.05).② Among 193 patients with 5-year long-term follow-up,the 5-year cumulative incidence of CIN2+and CIN3+was 6.2%and 2.6%,respectively.Cox regression analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in 5-year cumulative risk of CIN2+and CIN3+among different ages,Hr-HPV infection types and cytological results(P>0.05).Conclu-sions:LSIL had a higher detection rate of CIN2+than ASC-US patients only in the first colposcopy biopsy;the immediate risk of high-grade cervical lesion was significantly higher in HPV16/18+patients than in Hr-HPV oth-er+patients,but no significant difference in the 5-year cumulative incidence of high-grade lesions after colposco-py was found.Age was not an independent risk factor for the development of high-grade lesions.

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