1.ADAR1 Regulates the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 Pathway to Drive the Proliferation and Migration of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.
Li ZHANG ; Xue PAN ; Wenqing YAN ; Shuilian ZHANG ; Chiyu MA ; Chenpeng LI ; Kexin ZHU ; Nijia LI ; Zizhong YOU ; Xueying ZHONG ; Zhi XIE ; Zhiyi LV ; Weibang GUO ; Yu CHEN ; Danxia LU ; Xuchao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(9):647-657
BACKGROUND:
Double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase 1 (ADAR1) binds to double-stranded RNA and catalyzes the deamination of adenosine (A) to inosine (I). The functional mechanism of ADAR1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of ADAR1 in NSCLC and to elucidate its potential role in regulating tumor cell proliferation and migration.
METHODS:
Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and cBioPortal were analyzed to assess the correlation between high ADAR1 expression and clinicopathological features as well as prognosis in lung cancer. We performed Western blot (WB), cell proliferation assays, Transwell invasion/migration assays, and nude mouse xenograft modeling to examine the phenotypic changes and molecular mechanisms induced by ADAR1 knockdown. Furthermore, the ADAR1 p150 overexpression model was utilized to validate the proposed mechanism.
RESULTS:
ADAR1 expression was significantly elevated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (LUAD: P=3.70×10-15, LUSC: P=0.016). High ADAR1 expression was associated with poor prognosis (LUAD: P=2.03×10-2, LUSC: P=2.81×10-2) and distant metastasis (P=0.003). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated that elevated ADAR1 was associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway activation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, and cell adhesion. ADAR1 and MMP-9 levels showed a strongly positive correlation (P=6.45×10-34) in 10 lung cancer cell lines, highest in H1581. Knockdown of ADAR1 in H1581 cells induced a rounded cellular morphology with reduced pseudopodia. Concomitantly, it suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and in vivo tumorigenesis. It also suppressed ERK phosphorylation and downregulated cellular Finkel-Biskis-Jinkins murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (c-FOS), MMP-9, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Conversely, ADAR1 p150 overexpression in PC9 cells enhanced ERK phosphorylation and increased c-FOS and MMP-9 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
High ADAR1 expression is closely associated with poor prognosis and distant metastasis in NSCLC patients. Mechanistically, ADAR1 may promote proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis in lung cancer cells via the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 axis.
Humans
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Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/physiopathology*
;
Cell Movement
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Animals
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Mice
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RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
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Female
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Male
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics*
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Middle Aged
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MAP Kinase Signaling System
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Mice, Nude
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Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics*
2.Discovery of a novel thiophene carboxamide analogue as a highly potent and selective sphingomyelin synthase 2 inhibitor for dry eye disease therapy.
Jintong YANG ; Yiteng LU ; Kexin HU ; Xinchen ZHANG ; Wei WANG ; Deyong YE ; Mingguang MO ; Xin XIAO ; Xichen WAN ; Yuqing WU ; Shuxian ZHANG ; He HUANG ; Zhibei QU ; Yimin HU ; Yu CAO ; Jiaxu HONG ; Lu ZHOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):392-408
Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent and intractable ocular disease induced by a variety of causes. Elevated sphingomyelin (SM) levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected on the ocular surface of DED patients, particularly in the meibomian glands. Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), one of the proteins involved in SM synthesis, would light a novel way of developing a DED therapy strategy. Herein, we report the design and optimization of a series of novel thiophene carboxamide derivatives to afford 14l with an improved highly potent inhibitory activity on SM synthesis (IC50, SMS2 = 28 nmol/L). Moreover, 14l exhibited a notable protective effect of anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) under TNF-α-hyperosmotic stress conditions in vitro, with an acceptable ocular specific distribution (corneas and meibomian glands) and pharmacokinetics (PK) profiles (t 1/2, cornea = 1.11 h; t 1/2, meibomian glands = 4.32 h) in rats. Furthermore, 14l alleviated the dry eye symptoms including corneal fluorescein staining scores and tear secretion in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Mechanically, 14l reduced the mRNA expression of Tnf-α, Il-1β and Mmp-9 in corneas, as well as the proportion of very long chain SM in meibomian glands. Our findings provide a new strategy for DED therapy based on selective SMS2 inhibitors.
3.Relationship between fluid shear stress in alveolar bone under orthodontic forces and bone remodeling rate.
Bin WU ; Kexin HU ; Fan YANG ; Yi LU ; Di JIANG ; Yang YI ; Bin YAN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(2):190-196
OBJECTIVES:
This study explores the differences in fluid flow within alveolar cancellous bone at various sites under orthodontic forces and elucidates the relationship between fluid shear stress and bone remodeling. These fin-dings lay the groundwork for understanding the biomechanical mechanisms of orthodontic tooth movement.
METHODS:
Stress relaxation tests were performed on human alveolar bone samples to determine material parameters by using the Prony series. An inverse model of alveolar bone was then developed for numerical simulations of fluid-structure interactions to calculate fluid flow within cancellous bone. Meanwhile, a rat model of tooth movement was established to investigate variations in bone remodeling speeds across different regions.
RESULTS:
The microstructural distribution of cancellous alveolar bone was similar in humans and rats. The bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness gradually decreased from root cervical region to root apical region, while the trabecular space gradually increased. Under the influence of orthodontic forces, fluid shear stress within cancellous bone showed spatial variability across different levels, with the highest shear stress occurring at the root apical region, ranging from 0 to 0.936 6 Pa. Additionally, the rat model of tooth movement indicated that bone remodeling occurred more rapidly at the root apical region.
CONCLUSIONS
Fluid stimulation has a remarkable effect on al-veolar bone remodeling, causing changes in the structure of alveolar bone and ultimately regulating the speed of structu-ral remodeling.
Bone Remodeling
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Animals
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Tooth Movement Techniques
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Rats
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Alveolar Process/physiology*
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Stress, Mechanical
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Humans
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Biomechanical Phenomena
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Cancellous Bone/physiology*
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Shear Strength
4.Research progress on influencing factors of bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents
WANG Kexin, LU Yining, ZHANG Zhiyun, LIU Rongze, CHEN Xuan, CHEN Shuang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(12):1809-1814
Abstract
To explore the influence of the occurrence and development of bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents, the paper reviews the factors influencing bystander behavior from the perspective of social ecosystem theory at the individual level, microsystem (family and school factors), peripheral system (contextual factors), macrosystem (cultural factors) and digital environment (media factors). It is pointed out that the future research needs to further explore the internal interaction of micro system, the influence of time system and technological development on bystanders, and the complex interaction between social ecosystems, and design feasible intervention strategies to transform passive bystanders into active interveners.
5.Factors affecting differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells
Jingwei LU ; Kexin LYU ; Li JIANG ; Yixuan CHEN ; Houyin SHI ; Sen LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(13):2098-2104
BACKGROUND:Tendinopathy is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and decreased mobility,with pathological changes of disturbed collagen and hyperplasia of the vasculature.Tendinopathy tends to occur in athletes,physical workers,and the elderly.One of the mechanisms of tendinopathy is the"failed healing response",and part of what causes the failed healing response is the erroneous differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells. OBJECTIVE:By reviewing the relevant literature,we introduce the characteristics of tendon stem/progenitor cells,summarize the factors that affect the differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells to tendon cells and those that lead to mis-differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells(differentiation to adipocytes,osteocytes and chondrocytes),and also describe the limitations of tendon stem/progenitor cells in clinical applications. METHODS:PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for the terms"tendon stem/progenitor cells,tendinopathy,tendon injury,differentiation".The relevant literature was screened by reading and 109 articles were included for the analysis of the results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Tendon stem/progenitor cells are a type of stem cells that can spontaneously differentiate into tendons and have the ability to self-renew,clone,and multi-differentiate.Various external conditions acting on tendon stem/progenitor cells can lead them to differentiate in diverse directions.The specific factors that regulate the fate of tendon stem/progenitor cells are not known with certainty.When stem cell renewal and differentiation in tendons becomes abnormal,it can lead to failure of tendon healing and consequently to tendinopathy.(2)Aging,changes in extracellular matrix composition,excessive mechanical stimulation,prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-6 as well as interleukin-10 and some systemic diseases may be important in regulating the mis-differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells.(3)Possible favorable factors that promote the differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells to tenocytes are:some growth factors and cytokines,moderate mechanical stimulation and topography of the extracellular matrix,low oxygen tension,drugs,and several transcriptional genes and proteins.(4)The most desirable therapeutic tools are the regulation of endogenous tendon stem/progenitor cells or the stimulation of endogenous tendon stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation by exogenous tendon stem/progenitor cells.(5)Understanding the factors that regulate mis-differentiation of tendon stem/progenitor cells may provide insight into the pathogenesis of tendinopathy and identify therapeutic targets.Elaborating on the induction of tendon stem/progenitor cell differentiation into tendons could facilitate their use in tissue engineering.
6.Oral microbiota: a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Journal of International Oncology 2024;51(8):515-519
The oral microbiota has been dynamically changing in the process of formation, development and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the two promote and complement each other inseparably. Oral microbiota is different in healthy people, patients with precancerous lesions of OSCC, and patients with OSCC, which means it can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of precancerous lesions of OSCC or OSCC. In addition, there are differences in the levels of oral microbiota both at baseline and after treatment among different OSCC patients, which can be used as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Furthermore, the modulation of oral microbiota can be used as a microbial therapy to improve the prognosis of OSCC patients by being added to the existing standard therapies.
7.Liver Injury Induced by Cantharidin Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Autophagy, and Apoptosis in Rat
Tianmu HE ; Kuan CHEN ; Lijuan XIONG ; Kexin LIN ; Dingyang LU ; Xiaofei LI ; Jianyong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(2):156-165
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the toxicological mechanism of drug-induced liver injury(DILI) in rats induced by cantharidin(CTD).
METHODS:
SD rats were exposed to different doses of CTD(0.061 4, 0.092 1, 0.184 1 mg·kg−1) by oral gavage for 28 d. Liver index and serum liver function indictors were detected. HE staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes of liver. Then the proteins in endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), autophagy, and apoptosis-pathway were detected by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
The liver index was increased in CTD groups. The ALT, AST, LDH, ALP and T-Bil were increased by CTD with a dose-dependent manner. Disrupted hepatic architecture and dilatation of central vein were observed after CTD intervention. The protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, ATF4, Beclin-1, LC3, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Bax/Bcl-2 were increased after CTD intervention. Molecular docking results revealed that GRP78, ATF4, and Beclin-1 could directly interconnect with CTD.
CONCLUSION
CTD can activate ERS, autophagy and synergistically inducing downstream apoptosis in rat, providing a novel insight into the mechanism of CTD-induced DILI.
8.Expression of Nectin-4 in invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma and its clinical significance
Huiru SONG ; Dan LUO ; Junxiu WEN ; Lu NI ; Kexin ZHANG ; Qi WANG ; Liu YANG ; Xudong SONG ; Liru DONG
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(10):903-908
[Objective] To explore the expression of Nectin-4 in invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) tissue and its clinical significance, so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of BUC. [Methods] Nectin-4 expression in 60 cases of invasive BUC and 40 cases of chronic inflammation of bladder mucosa was detected with immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and RNAscope.The results of the two methods were analyzed and compared, and the relationship between the two methods and the clinicopathological characteristics of invasive BUC was discussed.The correlation between the protein expression of Nectin-4 in BUC tissues, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) and programmed death factor ligand 1 (PD-L1) was analyzed. [Results] The positive protein expression rates of Nectin-4 detected by IHC were 78.33%(47/60) and 17.50% (7/40) in the invasive BUC group and inflammatory group, respectively, while the positive mRNA expression rates of Nectin-4 detected by RNAscope were 83.33% (50/60) and 12.50% (5/40), respectively.The Kappa values of Nectin-4 in the invasive BUC group and inflammatory group were 0.732 and 0.610, respectively, with general consistency.The protein expression of Nectin-4 in invasive BUC was correlated with muscular invasion, histological grade, vascular thrombus, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Nectin-4 in invasive BUC was correlated with max tumor diameter, muscular invasion, histological grade, vascular thrombus, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage (P<0.05). The high expression of Nectin-4 in invasive BUC was positively correlated with the expression of Her-2 (P=0.002), but not with the expression of PD-L1 (P>0.05). [Conclusion] Nectin-4 is highly expressed in invasive BUC, and is usually associated with the pathological parameters of poor prognosis.Detection of Nectin-4 expression will help to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment.
9.Status quo and influencing factors of self-regulating fatigue in aged patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis
Jie SUN ; Xiaohan LU ; Jie SONG ; Kaili LYU ; Kexin PU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(6):758-763
Objective:To understand the status quo of self-regulating fatigue (SRF) in aged patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional study. From January to June 2022, 310 aged patients undergoing MHD from the blood purification centers of three ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Jinan, Shandong Province, were selected by convenience sampling. Various questionnaires, including the general information questionnaire, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale (SRF-S), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and 5-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5), were used to investigate and analyze the factors influencing self-regulation of fatigue in aged patients undergoing MHD through univariate and multiple stepwise regression analysis.Results:The SRF-S score for the aged patients undergoing MHD was (42.26±7.86). The results of the multiple factor analysis showed that family average monthly income, depression, coping style, and self-efficacy were factors influencing SRF in these patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:It is urgent to pay attention to the current status of self-regulation of fatigue in aged patients undergoing MHD and take effective measures to improve their self-efficacy, promote positive coping strategies, alleviate depression, and reduce their level of SRF.
10.Clinical characteristics and prognosis analysis of adult critically ill patients with autoimmune encephalitis
Kexin CHEN ; Hainan ZHANG ; Yiwen ZHOU ; Bohan LUO ; Wei WANG ; Wei LU ; Lixia QIN
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(7):974-979
Objective:To explore the predictive factors for adverse clinical outcomes in critically ill adult patients with autoimmune encephalitis by analyzing their clinical characteristics and prognosis.Methods:Clinical data of patients diagnosed with " confirmed" or " possible" autoimmune encephalitis who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Department of Neurology at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2015 to December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The neurological function of patients at 3, 6, and 12 months of onset was followed up, and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 12 months was used as an evaluation index for clinical prognosis; Further analysis was conducted on the relationship between clinical features, auxiliary examinations, and prognosis.Results:The 12-month survival rate of critically ill adult patients with autoimmune encephalitis in our center was 90.7%(117/129), and the 6-month poor prognosis rate was 28.7%(37/129). Univariate logistic regression analysis found that age of onset ( P<0.01), presence of tumors ( P<0.01), mechanical ventilation ( P<0.01), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at ICU admission ( P<0.01), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score ( P<0.01), cerebrospinal fluid glucose ( P<0.01), cerebrospinal fluid protein level ( P=0.02), epileptic waves in electroencephalography (EEG) ( P=0.03), use of glucocorticoids ( P=0.04), and time interval between initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and onset ( P=0.04) were associated with prognosis. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that mechanical ventilation [ P=0.01, area under the curve (AUC)=0.72)], APACHE Ⅱ score ( P=0.04, AUC=0.68), cerebrospinal fluid protein content ( P=0.04, AUC=0.65), and the time interval between initiation of IVIG and onset ( P=0.02, AUC=0.64) were independent predictive factors for the prognosis of adult critical autoimmune encephalitis. The prognostic prediction model for adult critical autoimmune encephalitis established by combining these four indicators has a higher AUC (0.85). Conclusions:Mechanical ventilation, APACHE Ⅱ score, cerebrospinal fluid protein level, and the time interval between initiation of IVIG and onset are predictive factors for poor clinical outcomes in critically ill autoimmune encephalitis in adults; The prognostic prediction model for adult critical autoimmune encephalitis established by combining these four indicators can identify patients with poor prognosis early, which is beneficial for early comprehensive management and intervention treatment to improve patient prognosis.


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