1.Effect and mechanism of Erastin on ferroptosis of acute myeloid leukemia cells
Xiandong Jiang ; Yingying Huang ; Xiaoying Hong ; Xindi Lin ; Donghong Lin ; Liping Lin
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):15-21
Objective :
To explore the role of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3(LPCAT3) in Erastin-induced ferroptosis of acute myeloid leukemia(AML) cells and its related molecular regulatory mechanisms.
Methods :
Tetrazolium salt(MTS) method was used to detect the sensitivity of different AML cells to the classic ferroptosis inducer Erastin, real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to detect the basal expression level ofLPCAT3mRNA, and the correlation between them was analyzed. Lentivirus-mediatedLPCAT3overexpression AML cell lines(OE group) and negative control lines(NC group) were constructed. After Erastin intervention, MTS, flow cytometry, and micromethods were used to detect cell viability, lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS), and Malondialdehyde(MDA), respectively. qPCR and Western blot were used to detect unfolded protein response(UPR) classic pathway signaling molecules(PERK, ATF4, GRP78, etc.) expression levels. The above ferroptosis-related indicators were detected after combined intervention with the UPR inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA), and the regulatory relationship was analyzed.
Results :
Four different types of AML cells had different sensitivities to ferroptosis, among which K562 cells were relatively insensitive. The IC50of the four types of AML cells to Erastin was negatively correlated with the expression level ofLPCAT3(r=-0.919,P<0.001). After Erastin intervention, the cell viability of K562 cells in the OE group was significantly inhibited by Erastin compared with the NC group(P<0.001), and the levels of lipid ROS and MDA increased(P<0.001). The results of qPCR and Western blot showed that, compared with the NC group, the mRNA and protein expression of UPR classic pathway moleculesPERK,ATF4, andGRP78mRNA and protein increased in the OE group(P<0.01). After inhibiting the UPR pathway by 4-PBA, the viability of K562 cells decreased(P<0.01), and lipid ROS and MDA levels increased(P<0.01) compared with the uninhibited state.
Conclusion
Overexpression ofLPCAT3can promote ferroptosis in K562 cells, and this process is negatively regulated by the classical UPR pathway PERK/ATF.
2.Effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on EMT and Expression of CSC Properties in 4T1 Cells by Regulating Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells
Lixiang ZHENG ; Ling HUANG ; Huiwen GUO ; Biyao GONG ; Xiaoying REN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):1-10
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum (LDP) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) properties in 4T1 cells from triple-negative breast cancer by intervening myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MethodsSPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, which were given 0.39, 1.94, 3.89 g·kg-1·d-1 suspension of Liuwei Dihuangwan for 7 days, respectively, to prepare low-, medium-, and high-dose LDPs. 4T1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the mammary glands of SPF-grade female Balb/c mice to construct a transplantation tumor model. Bone marrow cells were extracted from the tibia and femur and induced into MDSCs in vitro. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the viability of 4T1 cells and MDSCs. The number of MDSCs and the expressions of CSC surface markers CD44 and CD24 in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FC). The migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells were detected by cell scratch assay, Transwell invasion assay, and plate colony-forming assay, respectively. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. The expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsCompared with the normal group, LDP showed no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of 4T1 cells, but it significantly reduced the viability and number of MDSCs and reduced the number of MDSCs, as well as the expression of TGF-β (P<0.05, P<0.01). The migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells were increased after co-culture with MDSCs (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expressions of NF-κB, CXCL2, and N-cadherin and the proportion of CSC (CD44+CD24-) were elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of E-cadherin was decreased (P<0.05). After the intervention of MDSCs with LDP, followed by co-culture with 4T1 cells, the migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells were obviously reduced (P<0.01). The expressions of NF-κB, CXCL2, and N-cadherin were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of E-cadherin was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CSC (CD44+CD24-) in 4T1 cells. However, the proportion of CSC (CD44+CD24-) was decreased in the co-culture system of 4T1 cells and MDSCs with LDP intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionLDP can reduce the viability and number of MDSCs and the expression of TGF-β, NF-κB, and CXCL2, reverse EMT, and reduce the characteristic expression of CSC to inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells.
3.Effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on EMT and Expression of CSC Properties in 4T1 Cells by Regulating Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells
Lixiang ZHENG ; Ling HUANG ; Huiwen GUO ; Biyao GONG ; Xiaoying REN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):1-10
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan drug-containing serum (LDP) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) properties in 4T1 cells from triple-negative breast cancer by intervening myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MethodsSPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, which were given 0.39, 1.94, 3.89 g·kg-1·d-1 suspension of Liuwei Dihuangwan for 7 days, respectively, to prepare low-, medium-, and high-dose LDPs. 4T1 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the mammary glands of SPF-grade female Balb/c mice to construct a transplantation tumor model. Bone marrow cells were extracted from the tibia and femur and induced into MDSCs in vitro. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the viability of 4T1 cells and MDSCs. The number of MDSCs and the expressions of CSC surface markers CD44 and CD24 in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FC). The migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells were detected by cell scratch assay, Transwell invasion assay, and plate colony-forming assay, respectively. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. The expression of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence (IF). ResultsCompared with the normal group, LDP showed no significant inhibitory effect on the cell viability of 4T1 cells, but it significantly reduced the viability and number of MDSCs and reduced the number of MDSCs, as well as the expression of TGF-β (P<0.05, P<0.01). The migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells were increased after co-culture with MDSCs (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expressions of NF-κB, CXCL2, and N-cadherin and the proportion of CSC (CD44+CD24-) were elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of E-cadherin was decreased (P<0.05). After the intervention of MDSCs with LDP, followed by co-culture with 4T1 cells, the migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells were obviously reduced (P<0.01). The expressions of NF-κB, CXCL2, and N-cadherin were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of E-cadherin was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in the proportion of CSC (CD44+CD24-) in 4T1 cells. However, the proportion of CSC (CD44+CD24-) was decreased in the co-culture system of 4T1 cells and MDSCs with LDP intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionLDP can reduce the viability and number of MDSCs and the expression of TGF-β, NF-κB, and CXCL2, reverse EMT, and reduce the characteristic expression of CSC to inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of 4T1 cells.
4.Plasma miRNA testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter real-world study
Jie HU ; Ying XU ; Ao HUANG ; Lei YU ; Zheng WANG ; Xiaoying WANG ; Xinrong YANG ; Zhenbin DING ; Qinghai YE ; Yinghong SHI ; Shuangjian QIU ; Huichuan SUN ; Qiang GAO ; Jia FAN ; Jian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):350-354
Objective To explore the application of plasma 7 microRNA (miR7) testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This study is a multicenter real-world study. Patients with single hepatic lesion (maximum diameter≤2 cm) who underwent plasma miR7 testing at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, and Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2019 and December 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into very early-stage HCC group and non-HCC group, and the clinical pathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. The value of plasma miR7 levels, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage HCC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). In patients with both negative AFP and DCP (AFP<20 ng/mL, DCP<40 mAU/mL), the diagnostic value of plasma miR7 for very early-stage HCC was analyzed. Results A total of 64 528 patients from 4 hospitals underwent miR7 testing, and 1 682 were finally included, of which 1 073 were diagnosed with very early-stage HCC and 609 were diagnosed with non-HCC. The positive rate of miR7 in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in non-HCC patients (67.9% vs 24.3%, P<0.001). ROC curves showed that the AUCs for miR7, AFP, and DCP in distinguishing HCC patients from the non-HCC individuals were 0.718, 0.682, and 0.642, respectively. The sensitivities were 67.85%, 43.71%, and 44.45%, and the specificities were 75.70%, 92.78%, and 83.91%, respectively. The pairwise comparison of AUCs showed that the diagnostic efficacy of plasma miR7 detection was significantly better than that of AFP or DCP (P<0.05). Although its specificity was slightly lower than AFP and DCP, the sensitivity was significantly higher. Among patients negative for both AFP and DCP, miR7 maintained an AUC of 0.728 for diagnosing very early-stage HCC, with 67.82% sensitivity and 77.73% specificity. Conclusions Plasma miR7 testing is a potential molecular marker with high sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis of small hepatic nodules. In patients with very early-stage HCC lacking effective molecular markers (negative for both AFP and DCP), miR7 can serve as a novel and effective molecular marker to assist diagnosis.
5.Seroprevalence and influencing factors of low-level neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in community residents
Shiying YUAN ; Jingyi ZHANG ; Huanyu WU ; Weibing WANG ; Genming ZHAO ; Xiao YU ; Xiaoying MA ; Min CHEN ; Xiaodong SUN ; Zhuoying HUANG ; Zhonghui MA ; Yaxu ZHENG ; Jian CHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):403-409
ObjectiveTo understand the seropositivity of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and low-level NAb against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community residents, and to explore the impact of COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the levels of NAb in human serum. MethodsOn the ground of surveillance cohort for acute infectious diseases in community populations in Shanghai, a proportional stratified sampling method was used to enroll the subjects at a 20% proportion for each age group (0‒14, 15‒24, 25‒59, and ≥60 years old). Blood samples collection and serum SARS-CoV-2 NAb concentration testing were conducted from March to April 2023. Low-level NAb were defined as below the 25th percentile of NAb. ResultsA total of 2 230 participants were included, the positive rate of NAb was 97.58%, and the proportion of low-level NAb was 25.02% (558/2 230). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, infection history and vaccination status were correlated with low-level NAb (all P<0.05). Individuals aged 60 years and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. There was a statistically significant interaction between booster vaccination and one single infection (aOR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.19‒0.77). Compared to individuals without vaccination, among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once, both primary immunization (aOR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.16‒0.35) and booster immunization (aOR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.08‒0.17) significantly reduced the risk of low-level NAb; among individuals without infections, only booster immunization (aOR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.14‒0.52) showed a negative correlation with the risk of low-level NAb. ConclusionsThe population aged 60 and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. Regardless of infection history, a booster immunization could reduce the risk of low-level NAb. It is recommended that eligible individuals , especially the elderly, should get vaccinated in a timely manner to exert the protective role of NAb.
7.Construction and effect evaluation of training program for newly appointed nurse managers based on learning pyramid theory
Jie SUN ; Yi YE ; Xuren WANG ; Shuting HUANG ; Xiaoying LU
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(10):1058-1064
Objective To construct and assess a training program for newly appointed nurse managers.Methods According to the evaluation index system of nurse manager's post competency,a training team was set up,training experts were selected,and a training program for newly appointed nurse managers was constructed,which was based on the learning pyramid theory,and implemented in 20 newly appointed nurse managers.The scores of post competency scale,core competence scale,team assistance ability scale,and emergency management scale,and the result of practical examination were used as evaluation indexes.Results After half-year training,the mean and four dimension scores of post competency,the mean and six dimension scores of core competence,the mean and four dimension scores of team assistance ability,and the mean and four dimensions scores of emergency management in the 20 newly appointed nurses were significantly higher than those before training(all P<0.05).The mean total score of practical assessment was 92.45±1.81.Conclusion The training program for newly appointed nurse mangers on the basis of the learning pyramid theory can effectively improves the post competence,core competence and practical ability.It can provide theoretical reference for cultivating newly appointed nurse mangers.
8.Comparative study on nomogram and machine learning algorithms for predicting dental caries in middle-aged and elderly people
Lichong LAI ; Faye WEI ; Dongmei HUANG ; Xiaoying CAO ; Jie PENG ; Xiaoling FENG ; Huiqiao HUANG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(14):2130-2137
Objective To compare the efficiency of nomogram and different machine learning algo-rithms for constructing the dental caries predictive models for middle-aged and elderly people.Methods The multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select 510 middle-aged and elderly people from Nanning City,Guigang City and Chongzuo City as the research subjects for conducting the questionnaire sur-vey and oral cavity examination.The univariate analysis and Lasso regression were used to screen the related variables,and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the final independent influen-cing factors.Based on the salient features,the nomogram predictive model was established,and the seven ma-chine learning algorithms,including linear discriminant analysis (LDA),partial least squares (PLS),range Doppler algorithm (RDA),generalized linear models (GLM),random forest (RF),support vector machine (SVM) kernel function (SVM-Radial),and SVM linear kernel function (SVM-Linear),were used to construct the seven kinds of dental caries risk predictive models.The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was adopted to evaluate the predictive performance of various models and the predictive performance of models constructed using different variable screening methods.Results The detection rate of dental caries in middle-aged and elderly people was 71.18%.After feature screening,the five predictive factors were ultimately retained,which were the age (OR=0.945,95%CI:0.917-0.973),brushing frequency (OR=0.688,95%CI:0.475-0.997),whether having teeth cleaning in the past one year (OR=0.303,95%CI:0.103-0.890),number of remaining teeth (OR=1.062,95%CI:1.038-1.087) and oral health assess-ment tool (OHAT) score (OR=1.363,95%CI:1.234-1.505).The results of comparison of various models showed that the predictive model constructed by the RF algorithm performed the best,the median of AUC was 0.747,followed by the nomogram,and the median of AUC was 0.733.The median of AUCs in the predic-tion model constructed by single factor+Lasso+multivariate logistic (Lasso+logistic) screening independent variables were higher than those constructed by RF algorithm screening independent variables.ConclusionBased on Lasso+logistic screening variables,RF provide more reliable predictive efficiency in predicting dental caries in middle-aged and elderly people than nomogram and the other machine learning algorithms.
9.Magnetic resonance imaging based on a granzyme B promoter-driven reporter gene expression monitors CAR-T cell activation
Xiaoying NI ; Yong QIN ; Xiaoya HE ; Jie HUANG ; Xiangmin ZHANG ; Huiru ZHU ; Qian HU ; Jinhua CAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(17):1959-1968
Objective To investigate the feasibility of granzyme B(GB)promoter-controlled ferritin heavy chain(FTH1)reporter gene expression for monitoring the activation status of chimeric antigen receptor T cells(CAR-T)by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Methods Cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs)were screened by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and flow sorting.The GB promoter and FTH1 gene were ligated together with disialoganglioside 2(GD2)CAR,and lentiviral vectors were transfected into CTLs to construct GD2-CAR-T/pGB-FTH1 cells.GD2-CAR-T/pCMV-FTH1,GD2-CAR-T,and T cells served as control cells.CytoTox96@non-radioactive cytotoxicity was used to detect the killing effect of each group of cells after co-culture with human neuroblastoma cells(SK-N-SH).ELISA was employed to detect the coincubation factor as well as the amount of GB secretion.Western blotting,Prussian blue staining and cellular MRI were applied to detect the expression of the FTH1 gene after co-culture.Results CTLs were successfully obtained,and then GD2-CAR-T/pGB-FTH1,GD2-CAR-T/pCMV-FTH1 and GD2-CAR-T cells were constructed.The killing effect,co-incubation factor and GB secretion of the above 3 groups of cells were significantly higher than those of the T cells,and the level of GB expression was highest at day 1,and then decreased in order at day 3 and day 7 after co-culturing with SK-N-SH cells.The relative expression of FTH1 and iron content of the GD2-CAR-T/pGB-FTH1 cells showed the same trend as GB expression,and the MRI signals were gradually increased.There were no significant differences in the relative expression of FTH1,iron content and MRI signals in the GD2-CAR-T/pCMV-FTH1 cells at all time points.No FTH1 expression or iron aggregation was observed in the GD2-CAR-T and T cells groups.Conclusion MRI based on the FTH1 reporter gene driven by the granzyme B promoter can reflect the GB expression level and tumor killing effect of CAR-T cells,which provides a potential real-time visual means to monitor the cell activation status for CAR-T therapy.
10.RBMX overexpression inhibits proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis of human bladder cancer cells by downregulating PKM2
Qiuxia YAN ; Peng ZENG ; Shuqiang HUANG ; Cuiyu TAN ; Xiuqin ZHOU ; Jing QIAO ; Xiaoying ZHAO ; Ling FENG ; Zhenjie ZHU ; Guozhi ZHANG ; Hong HU ; Cairong CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(1):9-16
Objective To investigate the role of RNA-binding motif protein X-linked(RBMX)in regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and glycolysis in human bladder cancer cells.Methods A lentivirus vectors system and RNA interference technique were used to construct bladder cancer 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown,respectively,and successful cell modeling was verified using RT-qPCR and Western blotting.Proliferation and colony forming ability of the cells were evaluated using EdU assay and colony-forming assay,and cell migration and invasion abilities were determined using Transwell experiment.The expressions of glycolysis-related proteins M1 pyruvate kinase(PKM1)and M2 pyruvate kinase(PKM2)were detected using Western blotting.The effects of RBMX overexpression and knockdown on glycolysis in the bladder cancer cells were assessed using glucose and lactic acid detection kits.Results RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed successful construction of 1376 and UC-3 cell models with RBMX overexpression and knockdown.RBMX overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation,clone formation,migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Western blotting results showed that RBMX overexpression increased the expression of PKM1 and decreased the expression of PKM2,while RBMX knockdown produced the opposite effects.Glucose consumption and lactate production levels were significantly lowered in the cells with RBMX overexpression(P<0.05)but increased significantly following RBMX knockdown(P<0.05).Conclusion RBMX overexpression inhibits bladder cancer progression and lowers glycolysis level in bladder cancer cells by downregulating PKM2 expression,suggesting the potential of RBMX as a molecular target for diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.


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