1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
3.Potential of prostaglandin D2 and its metabolites in tumor immunotherapy:mechanisms and applications based on animal models
Hongping LUO ; Dengxu TAN ; Qingling AN ; Bing BAI ; Yanying ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):449-456
Prostaglandin D2(PGD2)is a biologically active substance with important roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.PGD2 exerts its biological functions mainly through prostaglandin D2 synthase(PGDS),which is closely related to inflammation and immune regulation.Recent studies have found that PGD2 and its synthase,PGDS,are able to directly inhibit tumor cell proliferation,induce apoptosis,suppress migration and invasion,and further regulate the tumor immune microenvironment to affect the immunotherapy of tumors,demonstrating good tumor therapeutic potential.In this paper,we review the biological properties of PGD2 and its synthase,focusing on its role in the immunotherapy of tumor models.We explore the immunotherapeutic efficacy of PGD2 and its synthase,and their roles in promoting immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment,and discuss their potential as new targets for tumor therapy.
4.Risk factors for PICC central line-associated bloodstream infection in cancer patients
Yuanyuan NIU ; Weiwei YANG ; Dina ZHANG ; Bing LUO
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(20):3147-3150
OBJECTIVE To analyze the risk factors for peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)central line-as-sociated bloodstream infection in cancer patients and explore corresponding management strategies.METHODS The data of 52 chemotherapy patients with PICC central line-associated bloodstream infection(PICC-CLABSI)ad-mitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University be-tween May 2021 and May 2023 were collected retrospectively,and the patients were classified as the infection group.Additionally,183 chemotherapy patients without PICC-CLABSI during the same period were included as the non-infection group.Clinical data from both groups were collected.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for PICC-CLABSI in cancer patients,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were employed to assess the accuracy of predictive variables.RESULTS A total of 57 pathogens were isolated from 52 patients with PICC-CLABSI,including 15 strains of Escherichia coli,12 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae,9 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 9 strains of Staphylococcus aureus.Diabetes(OR=2.694),catheter in-dwelling time≥30 d(OR=7.146),number of chemotherapy(OR=6.617),maintenance frequency of once per week(OR=2.803)and maintenance method(OR=6.289)were identified as risk factors for PICC-CLABSI(P<0.05).The area under the curve for the combined prediction of PICC-CLABSI was 0.904,with a sensitivity of 0.750 and a specificity of 0.907.CONCLUSIONS Diabetes,catheter indwelling time and number of chemotherapy are risk factors for PICC-CLABSI,while a maintenance frequency of once per week and the maintenance method are protective factors.Close attention should be paid to the assessment of risk factors after catheter placement,and targeted anti-infection strategies should be implemented.
5.Padi2 knockout exacerbates depressive-like behaviors in socially isolated mice
Ya ZHAO ; Chonghao LYU ; Shifan LUO ; Ke LIU ; Zemin ZHENG ; Bing BAI ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):190-203
Objective To explore the impact of peptidylarginine deiminase 2(Padi2)-knockout on depressive-like behaviors in socially isolated mice.Methods Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology,a Padi2-knockout(Padi2-/-)mouse model with a C57BL/6J background was established,and the effect of Padi2 knockout was identified by genotyping and RT-qPCR detection.Six-week-old male Padi2-/- mice and wild-type C57BL/6J mice were selected and divided into normal rearing and social isolation groups,with 15 mice per group.The normal rearing group mice were housed with 5 mice per cage,and the social isolation group was housed with 1 mouse per cage,and weighed once a week.After 4 weeks,forced swimming and open field tests were conducted.After the behavioral experiments,brain tissues were taken from mice in each group,and changes in microglia in the brains were detected by immunofluorescence.Results We successfully established Padi2-/- mice.There was no difference in behavior between Padi2-/- mice and C57BL/6J mice in the normal rearing group.After social isolation,compared with C57BL/6J mice,Padi2-/- mice showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms,obvious weight gain,and a significant increase in the number of microglia in brain tissue.Conclusions Padi2 knockout exacerbated depressive-like behaviors and obesity in socially isolated mice,indicating that Padi2 is involved in the progression of depression and may be an effective target for the prevention and treatment of depression.
6.Research progress on the effect of tumor spread through air spaces in sublobar resec-tion for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
Peng LAN ; Tang DONGXIN ; Yang ZHU ; Wu JIAO ; Li GAO ; Yang BING ; Luo ZHUMIN ; Xia ZIHAN ; Xu JIADONG ; Wu WENYU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(1):34-39
Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)is one of the most common and deadly malignant tumors worldwide,with surgical resection being the primary treatment for early-stage NSCLC.Tumor spread through air spaces(STAS)is a novel pattern of tumor dissemination into the air spaces in the lung.Its occurrence after sublobar resection is closely associated with recurrence and distant metastasis,making its con-sideration a vital factor in surgical strategy selection and prognostic evaluation.Patients with STAS-positive status exhibit significantly higher postoperative recurrence rates than do STAS-negative patients,with molecular mechanisms involving tumor microenvironment remodeling,specific genetic mutations,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Imaging techniques including computed tomography(CT)and positron emission tomography/CT have shown potential for preoperative STAS prediction,although their accuracy and practicality require improvement.This paper reviews the definition,pathological characteristics,and related mechanisms of STAS,with a focus on surgical ap-proach selection for STAS-positive patients and its role in cancer recurrence after sublobar resection of early-stage NSCLC.Future research directions include optimization of preoperative diagnostic methods for STAS,exploration of molecular targeted therapies,and development of imaging-based precision prediction models.
7.Chinese experts' consensus on principles of preoperative hair removal
Yiping MAO ; Jun ZHENG ; Lei LI ; Deyan YANG ; Bing ZHANG ; Lei YANG ; Wang JIA ; Peng KANG ; Hui JIAO ; Yun YANG ; Qi QI ; Shiqing FENG ; Xiao LONG ; Yuewei ZHANG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Lize WANG ; Yuan WEI ; Jichao ZHOU ; Minghui MAO ; Pengju XIN ; Hongyu TAN ; Dahong ZHANG ; Lianxin LIU ; Lei TAO ; Xietong WANG ; Xiaoning YUAN ; Mang CAI ; Li MU ; Fang DU ; Rongzhu CHEN ; Fengmao ZHAO ; Jiuzuo HUANG ; Mingzi ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Baoguo WANG ; Kun WANG ; Fang LUO ; Jinhua ZHANG ; Nong HE ; Ling LYU ; Zhiyong ZONG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(10):1441-1449
To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.
8.Application effect of hospital-associated infection risk assessment model optimized based on analytic hierarchy process-risk matric method
Yao YAO ; Min CHENG ; Guangying LUO ; Xi YANG ; Bing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(10):1536-1541
OBJECTIVE To optimize the risk matrix assessment model for management of hospital-associated infec-tion based on analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and evaluate the application effect of the model after optimization.METHODS By means of AHP,the model was optimized by constructing the quantitative evaluation indexes weight system for consequence severity induced by hospital-associated infection from Feb.2023 to Jul.2023.Taken The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University as an example,the risk for occurrence of hospital-associated in-fection in 20 internal medicine departments was evaluated,the risk grades were determined,and the application effect of the risk assessment model was evaluated after the optimization.RESULTS The weight system indexes for severity of consequences due to hospital-associated infection included surgical site infection(18.03%),treatment outcomes(49.50%),increased length of hospital stay(11.52%),increased hospitalization cost(6.43%)and variable coefficient of monthly morbidity(14.53%).Ward 2 of emergency internal medicine department,neurolo-gy department,Ward 1 of emergency internal medicine department and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation de-partment were the extremely high risk departments acquired by the risk assessment model.The risk assessment was carried out for the extremely high risk departments,and the Ward 1 of emergency internal medicine depart-ment was determined as the department that the risk coping strategies were taken in priority after the risk value was adjusted.CONCLUSION The risk matrix assessment model can be optimized by establishing the weight sys-tem of quantitative indexes for risk assessment based on AHP,the model achieves remarkable application effect,and the result of risk assessment is reliable and has significance for clinical guidance.
9.Innovation in the design and technique use of drug clinical trial
Hai-yan XIONG ; Jian-feng LUO ; Wei-bing WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):153-158
Drug clinical trial is a method of experimental epidemiology to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medicines.This article introduced the types and design thought of innovation in drug clinical trial design,and provided methodological reference for related researches.Adaptive design is a complex and innovative clinical trial design,which can be divided into group sequential design,sample size re-estimation,seamless trial,enrichment design and master protocol design(basket trial,umbrella trial,platform trial,etc.)according to the purpose of adaptability.The adaptive design has greater adjustment flexibility,which overcomes the shortcomings of conventional clinical trials to a certain extent,then improves the validity of the trial results and the strength of the evidence.The design innovation and remodeling of drug clinical trials will provide more powerful evidence-based evidence for the realization of precision medicine.
10.Analysis of the levels and food source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly populations in cadmium-contaminated areas of China
Xiaochen WANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Xiaojie DONG ; Ruiting HAO ; Xiu YE ; Wenli ZHANG ; Ying ZHU ; Ailing LIU ; Yuan WEI ; Bing WU ; Yufei LUO ; Changzi WU ; Yanning MA ; Zhengxiong YANG ; Yuebin LYU ; Gangqiang DING ; Dongqun XU ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(5):597-603
Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

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