1.Clinicopathological and molecular mechanisms of CLDN18.2 in gastric cancer aggressiveness: a high-risk population study with multi-omics profiling
Hengquan WU ; Mei LI ; Gang WANG ; Peiqing LIAO ; Peng ZHANG ; Luxi YANG ; Yumin LI ; Tao LIU ; Wenting HE
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(1):47-57
Background:
The tight junction protein claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) has been implicated in poor prognosis and suboptimal immunotherapy response in gastric cancer (GC). This study investigates the clinicopathological relevance of CLDN18.2 expression and its association with molecular subtypes in GC patients from a high-incidence region, combining transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to explore how CLDN18.2 contributes to progression and metastasis.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort of 494 GC patients (2019–2024) underwent immunohistochemical analysis for CLDN18.2, Epstein-Barr virus (Epstein–Barr virus–encoded RNA), p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, and MSH6). CLDN18.2 positivity was defined as moderate to strong (2+/3+) membranous staining in ≥75% of tumor cells. Clinicopathological correlations, biomarker associations, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing was performed to explore molecular mechanisms.
Results:
CLDN18.2 positivity was observed in 26.9% (133/494) of gastric adenocarcinomas. CLDN18.2-positive tumors correlated with TNM stage (p = .003) and shorter overall survival (p = .018). No associations were identified with age, sex, HER2 status, microsatellite instability, or Epstein-Barr virus infection. Transcriptomic profiling revealed CLDN18.2-high tumors enriched in pathways involving cell junction disruption, signaling regulation, and immune modulation. Proteomic profiling showed that tumors with high CLDN18.2 were enriched in multiple mechanism-related pathways such as integrated metabolic reprogramming, cytoskeletal recombination, immune microenvironment dysregulation, and pro-survival signaling. These mechanisms may collectively contribute to tumor progression and metastasis.
Conclusions
CLDN18.2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in GC patients. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses demonstrate that CLDN18.2 promotes tumor progression and metastasis, underscoring its potential as an independent prognostic factor in regions with a high incidence of GC.
2.USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 axis confers chemoresistance through decreasing doxorubicin accumulation in triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Yang OU ; Kun ZHANG ; Qiuying SHUAI ; Chenyang WANG ; Huayu HU ; Lixia CAO ; Chunchun QI ; Min GUO ; Zhaoxian LI ; Jie SHI ; Yuxin LIU ; Siyu ZUO ; Xiao CHEN ; Yanjing WANG ; Mengdan FENG ; Hang WANG ; Peiqing SUN ; Yi SHI ; Guang YANG ; Shuang YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2593-2611
Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.
3.Evaluation of 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax and T/MB ratio in assessing aggressiveness and predicting therapeutic efficacy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Chuanqin ZHANG ; Qi HUANG ; Peiqing YANG ; Zelong FENG ; Fang LI ; Xiaoping LI ; Pan WANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(11):2645-2650
Objective:To investigate factors influencing 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL),to analyze their correlations with lymphoma aggressiveness and their potential advantages in predicting therapeutic efficacy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate correlations between tumor SUVmax,T/MB ratio,and Ki-67 expression with NHL aggressiveness and clinical characteristics in 99 patients;whether SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 served as independent prognostic factors influencing therapeutic efficacy was examined,and potential utility of ΔSUVmax and ΔT/MB as biomarkers for treatment response assessment were evaluated.Results:Aggressive NHL demonstrated significantly higher SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 level compared to indolent NHL and aggressive/indolent NHL(P<0.05).A pretreatment SUVmax≥9.05,T/MB≥5.115 or Ki-67≥55%could predict clinical remission in NHL patients post-treatment,while post-treatment reductions of ΔSUVmax≥22.65%or ΔT/MB≥34.85%were associated with achieved clinical remission.Conclusion:SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 are closely associated with aggressiveness of NHL,which can be predicted whether NHL will be relieved after treatment.ΔSUVmax and ΔT/MB can assess whether NHL has been relieved after treatment.
4.TIPE regulates glucometabolic reprogramming by modulating LDHA expression in triple-negative breast cancer
Wei HU ; Xiaomeng REN ; Yang WANG ; Peiqing ZHAO ; Kai CAO
China Oncology 2025;35(4):386-393
Background and purpose:Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 8(TNFAIP8),also called TIPE,plays critical regulatory roles in various malignancies,yet its molecular mechanisms in metabolic reprogramming of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)remain elusive.This study aimed to elucidate how TIPE regulates the expression of the glycolytic key enzyme lactate dehydrogenase A to influence TNBC cell proliferation and glycolytic reprogramming,thereby providing potential molecular targets for TNBC therapy.Methods:Stable TIPE-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cell lines were established using a lentiviral shRNA system and selected with puromycin.Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze TIPE's impact on TNBC glycolytic pathways.Extracellular acidification rate(ECAR)was measured using the Seahorse XF Analyzer,complemented by lactate production assays to evaluate glycolytic capacity.Co-IP/MS was carried out to identify TIPE-interacting proteins,with subsequent validation of TIPE-LDHA interaction through co-transfection of TIPE-Myc and LDHA-Flag plasmids in HEK-293T cells.Protein stability was assessed via cycloheximide(CHX)chase and ubiquitination assays.The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay and animal experiments(Approval Number for Animal Ethics:202212007)were conducted to investigate how TIPE affects the proliferation and glucometabolic reprogramming of TNBC by mediating LDHA.Results:TIPE promoted glycolytic metabolic reprogramming in TNBC.Knockdown of TIPE significantly inhibited TNBC glycolytic activity and glycolytic capacity(P<0.001).TIPE interacted with the key glycolytic enzyme LDHA and suppressed its degradation rate through a ubiquitination-dependent mechanism.Cellular experiments demonstrated that TIPE mediated LDHA to enhance TNBC cell proliferation(P<0.001)and glycolytic activity(P<0.001).Animal studies confirmed that TIPE knockdown significantly suppressed tumor volume(P<0.05)and weight(P<0.01),with a positive correlation between TIPE and LDHA expression levels in tumor tissues.Conclusion:TIPE enhances TNBC cell proliferation and glycolytic capacity by inhibiting LDHA ubiquitination-mediated degradation.
5.Effect of ultrasound treated polystyrene nanoplastics on lipid accumulation in macro-phages
Hui LIANG ; Lei WANG ; Peiqing LIU ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(6):500-506
Aim To explore the effect of ultrasound-treated polystyrene nanoplastics(PS-NP)on lipid accumu-lation in macrophage-derived foam cells.Methods The CCK-8 method was used to detect the effects of PS-NP and high-frequency ultrasound-treated PS-NP(UPS-NP)on the activity of macrophages,oil red O staining and cholesterol de-tection kit were used to detect the intracellular lipid accumulation,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the ex-pression of mRNA and protein related to cholesterol uptake and efflux,as well as mRNA levels of cell burial related recep-tors.Results UPS-NP had no significant effect on the activity of macrophages,but UPS-NP could significantly in-crease the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells and increase the lipid accumulation in foam cells.UPS-NP could significantly upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor-A1(SR-A1),but did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of cholesterol efflux related receptors ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and scavenger receptor-B1(SR-B1).UPS-NP did not affect the mRNA levels of receptors related to cell burial processes.Conclusion Ultrasound-treated PS-NP can significantly increase lipid accumulation in macrophage-derived foam cells,and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of CD36 and SR-A1 expression.
6.Effect of ultrasound treated polystyrene nanoplastics on lipid accumulation in macro-phages
Hui LIANG ; Lei WANG ; Peiqing LIU ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(6):500-506
Aim To explore the effect of ultrasound-treated polystyrene nanoplastics(PS-NP)on lipid accumu-lation in macrophage-derived foam cells.Methods The CCK-8 method was used to detect the effects of PS-NP and high-frequency ultrasound-treated PS-NP(UPS-NP)on the activity of macrophages,oil red O staining and cholesterol de-tection kit were used to detect the intracellular lipid accumulation,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the ex-pression of mRNA and protein related to cholesterol uptake and efflux,as well as mRNA levels of cell burial related recep-tors.Results UPS-NP had no significant effect on the activity of macrophages,but UPS-NP could significantly in-crease the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells and increase the lipid accumulation in foam cells.UPS-NP could significantly upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor-A1(SR-A1),but did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of cholesterol efflux related receptors ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and scavenger receptor-B1(SR-B1).UPS-NP did not affect the mRNA levels of receptors related to cell burial processes.Conclusion Ultrasound-treated PS-NP can significantly increase lipid accumulation in macrophage-derived foam cells,and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of CD36 and SR-A1 expression.
7.TIPE regulates glucometabolic reprogramming by modulating LDHA expression in triple-negative breast cancer
Wei HU ; Xiaomeng REN ; Yang WANG ; Peiqing ZHAO ; Kai CAO
China Oncology 2025;35(4):386-393
Background and purpose:Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 8(TNFAIP8),also called TIPE,plays critical regulatory roles in various malignancies,yet its molecular mechanisms in metabolic reprogramming of triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)remain elusive.This study aimed to elucidate how TIPE regulates the expression of the glycolytic key enzyme lactate dehydrogenase A to influence TNBC cell proliferation and glycolytic reprogramming,thereby providing potential molecular targets for TNBC therapy.Methods:Stable TIPE-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cell lines were established using a lentiviral shRNA system and selected with puromycin.Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze TIPE's impact on TNBC glycolytic pathways.Extracellular acidification rate(ECAR)was measured using the Seahorse XF Analyzer,complemented by lactate production assays to evaluate glycolytic capacity.Co-IP/MS was carried out to identify TIPE-interacting proteins,with subsequent validation of TIPE-LDHA interaction through co-transfection of TIPE-Myc and LDHA-Flag plasmids in HEK-293T cells.Protein stability was assessed via cycloheximide(CHX)chase and ubiquitination assays.The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay and animal experiments(Approval Number for Animal Ethics:202212007)were conducted to investigate how TIPE affects the proliferation and glucometabolic reprogramming of TNBC by mediating LDHA.Results:TIPE promoted glycolytic metabolic reprogramming in TNBC.Knockdown of TIPE significantly inhibited TNBC glycolytic activity and glycolytic capacity(P<0.001).TIPE interacted with the key glycolytic enzyme LDHA and suppressed its degradation rate through a ubiquitination-dependent mechanism.Cellular experiments demonstrated that TIPE mediated LDHA to enhance TNBC cell proliferation(P<0.001)and glycolytic activity(P<0.001).Animal studies confirmed that TIPE knockdown significantly suppressed tumor volume(P<0.05)and weight(P<0.01),with a positive correlation between TIPE and LDHA expression levels in tumor tissues.Conclusion:TIPE enhances TNBC cell proliferation and glycolytic capacity by inhibiting LDHA ubiquitination-mediated degradation.
8.Evaluation of 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax and T/MB ratio in assessing aggressiveness and predicting therapeutic efficacy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Chuanqin ZHANG ; Qi HUANG ; Peiqing YANG ; Zelong FENG ; Fang LI ; Xiaoping LI ; Pan WANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(11):2645-2650
Objective:To investigate factors influencing 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL),to analyze their correlations with lymphoma aggressiveness and their potential advantages in predicting therapeutic efficacy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate correlations between tumor SUVmax,T/MB ratio,and Ki-67 expression with NHL aggressiveness and clinical characteristics in 99 patients;whether SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 served as independent prognostic factors influencing therapeutic efficacy was examined,and potential utility of ΔSUVmax and ΔT/MB as biomarkers for treatment response assessment were evaluated.Results:Aggressive NHL demonstrated significantly higher SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 level compared to indolent NHL and aggressive/indolent NHL(P<0.05).A pretreatment SUVmax≥9.05,T/MB≥5.115 or Ki-67≥55%could predict clinical remission in NHL patients post-treatment,while post-treatment reductions of ΔSUVmax≥22.65%or ΔT/MB≥34.85%were associated with achieved clinical remission.Conclusion:SUVmax,T/MB ratio and Ki-67 are closely associated with aggressiveness of NHL,which can be predicted whether NHL will be relieved after treatment.ΔSUVmax and ΔT/MB can assess whether NHL has been relieved after treatment.
9.Exploration on Medication Law of TCM Master Zhang Qi in the Treatment of Children with Nephrotic Syndrome During Hormone Withdrawal Period Based on Data Mining
Bo HOU ; Peiqing ZHANG ; Hai WANG ; Yongzheng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(8):58-63
Objective To analyze the medication laws of children with nephrotic syndrome during hormone withdrawal period treated by TCM master Zhang Qi using data mining methods,inheriting his academic ideas.Methods The medical records of children with nephrotic syndrome during the hormone withdrawal period treated by Professor Zhang Qi at the Outpatient Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 were collected.A database was established using Excel 2019.Frequency statistics,association rules,and clustering analysis were employed among other data mining techniques to elucidate Professor Zhang Qi's medication principles based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Computing Platform 3.5.Results A total of 271 prescriptions were selected,encompassing 194 types of Chinese herbs,with a total drug frequency of 4 610 instances.High-frequency herbs included Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Astragali Radix,Nelumbinis Semen,Ophiopogonis Radix,Lycii Cortex,Poria,Pseudostellariae Radix,Bupleuri Radix,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,and others.The properties of the drugs were predominantly cold and neutral,with flavors mainly sweet,bitter and pungent,and they targeted the lung meridian,spleen meridian,and kidney meridian primarily.In terms of therapeutic efficacy,there was a higher frequency of usage for tonifying deficiencies,clearing heat,and resolving water and dampness.Through association rule analysis,a total of 184 groups of high-frequency herb combinations were identified.When the support rate was set at 60%,seven core herb combinations were included:Astragali Radix,Pseudostellariae Radix,Nelumbinis Semen,Ophiopogonis Radix,Lycii Cortex,Poria,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.Clustering analysis yielded 6 novel formula combinations.Conclusion The hormone withdrawal period for children with nephrotic syndrome is characterized by the weakness of the lung,spleen and kidney,commonly presenting as qi-yin deficiency syndrome.Professor Zhang Qi manages the condition by regulating the qi of the lung,spleen and kidney,and employs a treatment strategy that is both tonifying and supplementing.To balance yin and yang,medications are chosen to clear dampness and heat,regulate qi and the stomach,and promote the elimination of water and dampness.
10.Not Available.
Weile YE ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Peter J LITTLE ; Jiami ZOU ; Zhihua ZHENG ; Jing LU ; Yanjun YIN ; Hao LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Peiqing LIU ; Suowen XU ; Wencai YE ; Zhiping LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):1-19
Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

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