1.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
2.Association of serum exosomal miR-122-5p with the prognosis of hepatic confluent necrosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Quanwei HE ; Ran XU ; Wei HAN ; Sihao WANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yongping YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;42(5):888-899
Objective To investigate the association of serum exosomal microRNAs(miRNAs)with hepatic inflammatory injury and histological outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).Methods Peripheral serum samples were collected from six healthy adults and six patients with CHB,and size exclusion chromatography was used to extract exosomes.Small RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysis were used to identify the serum exosomal miRNAs associated with liver inflammatory injury and fibrosis,and quantitative real-time PCR was used for validation in a mouse model of acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine,a rat model of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride,and 84 CHB patients undergoing liver biopsy twice before and after treatment.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups;an analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the Tukey test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups;the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the Dunn test was used for further comparison between two groups.The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate influencing factors.Results Abnormal expression of serum exosomal miR-122-5p was observed in patients with CHB,and it was downregulated in patients with confluent necrosis and advanced fibrosis.In the mouse model of acute liver injury and the rat model of liver fibrosis,compared with the control group,the model group had a significant reduction in the expression level of miR-122-5p in the liver(P=0.048 and 0.014),and compared with the patients with mild liver injury,the patients with severe confluent necrosis and advanced fibrosis showed a significant reduction in the expression level of miR-122-5p in liver tissue(P<0.05).Among the 84 CHB patients,the patients with severe hepatic confluent necrosis or advanced liver fibrosis had a significantly lower expression level of serum exosomal miR-122-5p than those with mild liver injury(P<0.001 and P=0.003).The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the expression level of miR-122-5p was an independent influencing factor for confluent necrosis(odds ratio[OR]=0.001,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.000-0.037,P=0.005)and liver fibrosis degree(OR=0.568,95%CI:0.331-0.856,P=0.019).In addition,compared with the patients with low expression of miR-122-5p,the patients with high expression of miR-122-5p before treatment had a significantly higher reversal rate of liver fibrosis after 72 weeks of antiviral therapy(64.3%vs 38.1%,P=0.029).Conclusion Serum exosomal miR-122-5p in CHB patients is closely associated with the progression of hepatic confluent necrosis and fibrosis,and the reduction in the expression level of miR-122-5p may aggravate hepatic confluent necrosis,promote the progression of fibrosis,and affect the histological outcome of CHB patients after antiviral therapy.
3.Research progress of microfibril-associated protein 2 in malignant tumors
Zhijie DING ; Weiming YANG ; Yong YAN ; Miaokang XU ; Minglong HUANG ; Hao WANG ; Yongping ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(7):557-560
Microfibrino-associated protein (MFAP) 2 is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein and a member of the MFAP family. It participates in the assembly of extracellular elastic microfibers.Upregulation of MFAP2 can promote the occurrence and development of various tumors and regulate multiple cancer-related signaling pathways and is related to their prognosis, making it a potential target for tumor treatment. This article summarizes the research progress on the pathogenesis, targeted therapy and prognosis of MFAP2 in malignant tumors.
4.Establishment of PK-PD Binding Model for Multi-Components of Crossbow Medicine Microemulsion Based on a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis
Chan ZHAO ; Huan XIE ; Jian XU ; Yao LIU ; Fangfang YANG ; Yinglong CHEN ; Yongping ZHANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):804-812
OBJECTIVE To establish a combined pharmacokinetic(PK)-pharmacodynamic(PD)model for knee osteoarthritis(KOA)of crossbow drug microemulsion multi-components(benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhypacoitine,mesaconitine,periplocin,neo-chlorogenic acid,vanillic acid,chlorogenic acid),and elucidate the dynamic changes in the KOA rats and the interrelation with the e-lapsed efficacy of the drug.METHODS A KOA rat model was induced by 4%papain;the PK process of crossbow medicine microe-mulsion components in rat synovial fluid was analyzed by UPLC to establish a PK model;the contents of MMP-3,MMP-13,TNF-α and IL-1β in KOA rats at different time points after administration were determined by ELISA analysis to establish a PD model;Phoe-nix WinNonlin software was used to fit the PK and PD data to obtain a PK-PD model.RESULTS PK results showed that the multi-components of the microemulsion were slowly absorbed in the joint cavity and gradually reached the peak value within 3-5 h.The Cmax of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhypacoitine mesaconitine,periplocoside,neochlorogenic acid,vanillic acid and chlorogenic acid were 1.23,1.48,1.62,4.67,0.93,1.25 and 2.35 μg·mL-1,respectively;the area under the drug-time curve(AUC0-11)was 2.58,4.04,3.54,12.15,2.51,2.41 and 4.11 h·μg·mL-1,respectively.PD results showed that at different time points after adminis-tration,the contents of MMP-3,IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 decreased to varying degrees,among which MMP-3 decreased insig-nificantly,with significant differences only at 6 h;the contents of the remaining IL-1β,TNF-α,and MMP-13 decreased significantly(P<0.05,P<0.01),and showed the phenomenon of lagged efficacy;the PK-PD binding model showed that the drug concentration of the multi-component drug in the crossbow medicine microemulsion could be well fitted with its drug efficacy data.CONCLUSION The established PK-PD binding model can predict the drug efficacy changes after administration,and provides a corresponding refer-ence for the crossbow medicine microemulsion treatment of KOA.
5.Therapeutic effects of Ligilactobacillus salivarius Li01 on DNA damage induced by the combination of Helicobacter pylori and Benzo(a)pyrene in Mongolian gerbils
Yilun HUANG ; Zhixuan XU ; Honggang GUO ; Yangfan ZHANG ; Huimin LIU ; Wendi XIE ; Yongping CHEN ; Xiaofeng CHU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(4):530-539
Objective To investigate the protective effects of Ligilactobacillus salivarius Li01(L.salivarius Li01)against DNA damage induced by Helicobacter pylori(Hp),Benzo(a)pyrene(BaP),and Hp+BaP,and to evaluate the probiotic properties of L.salivarius Li01.Methods After 1 week of adaptive feeding,specific pathogen-free male Mongolian gerbils were randomly assigned to groups and subjected to intragastric administration of Hp,BaP,and Hp+BaP for model induction.At week 32 post model establishment,therapeutic L.salivarius Li01 was administered intragastrically.At week 36,peripheral blood samples were collected from each group for the comet assay,while liver tissues were collected and tested for Cyp1a1 gene expression levels.Results Compared with those in the control group,the comet tail length,%tail DNA,and hepatic Cyp1a1 expression levels were significantly increased in the Hp,BaP,and Hp+BaP groups(P<0.0001).Among these,the comet tail length,olive tail moment,%tail DNA,and hepatic Cyp1a1 expression levels were significantly higher in the Hp+BaP group than in the Hp and BaP groups(P<0.05).Following intervention with L.salivarius Li01,the comet tail length,olive tail moment,%tail DNA,and hepatic Cyp1a1 expression levels were significantly reduced in each group(P<0.001).Conclusions Hp infection,BaP exposure,and the Hp+BaP combination induced DNA damage in the peripheral lymphocytes of Mongolian gerbils,with the Hp+BaP combination showing synergistic damage.L.salivarius Li01 had a protective effect against DNA damage caused by Hp,BaP,and Hp+BaP.
6.USP20 as a super-enhancer-regulated gene drives T-ALL progression via HIF1A deubiquitination.
Ling XU ; Zimu ZHANG ; Juanjuan YU ; Tongting JI ; Jia CHENG ; Xiaodong FEI ; Xinran CHU ; Yanfang TAO ; Yan XU ; Pengju YANG ; Wenyuan LIU ; Gen LI ; Yongping ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Fenli ZHANG ; Ying YANG ; Bi ZHOU ; Yumeng WU ; Zhongling WEI ; Yanling CHEN ; Jianwei WANG ; Di WU ; Xiaolu LI ; Yang YANG ; Guanghui QIAN ; Hongli YIN ; Shuiyan WU ; Shuqi ZHANG ; Dan LIU ; Jun-Jie FAN ; Lei SHI ; Xiaodong WANG ; Shaoyan HU ; Jun LU ; Jian PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4751-4771
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.
7.n-butanol fraction of ethanol extract of Periploca forrestii Schltr.: its active components, targets and pathways for treating Alcheimer's disease in rats.
Niandong RAN ; Jie LIU ; Jian XU ; Yongping ZHANG ; Jiangtao GUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):785-798
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the active components and possible mechanisms of n-butanol fraction of Periploca forrestii Schltr. ethanol extract for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD).
METHODS:
The active components of n-butanol fraction of Periploca forrestii Schltr. ethanol extract were analyzed using UPLC-QE-MS technique. In a SD rat model of AD induced by treatment with AlCl3 and D-gal, the therapeutic effects of low, moderate and high doses of the n-butanol fraction, saline, and donepezil hydrochloride were evaluated using ELISA, HE and Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The therapeutic mechanisms of the n-butanol fraction were explored using network pharmacology and molecular docking.
RESULTS:
Seventeen active components were identified from the n-butanol fraction of Periploca forrestii Schltr. ethanol extract, including phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, steroids, and volatile oils. In the rat models of AD, treatment with the n-butanol fraction significantly lowed AChE content in the hippocampus, increased the contents of ACh, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, enhanced the expressions of neuronal apoptotic factors Bcl-2, PI3K, Akt, p-PI3K, and p-Akt, and reduced the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 proteins. The treatment also dose-dependently up-regulated hippocampal expressions of Nrf-2, HO-1 and BDNF and down-regulated Keap-1, Aβ and Tau expressions. Bioinformatics analysis identified 14 key intersected targets (including TNF, AKT1 and ESR1) between the n-butanol fraction and AD.
CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic effect of n-butanol fraction of Periploca forrestii Schltr. ethanol extract in AD mice is mediated by its multiple active components that regulate multiple targets and pathways.
Animals
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
1-Butanol/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
;
Periploca/chemistry*
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Ethanol/chemistry*
;
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy*
;
Male
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Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
8.A quinolinyl analog of resveratrol improves neuronal damage after ischemic stroke by promoting Parkin-mediated mitophagy.
Qingqi MENG ; Yan MI ; Libin XU ; Yeshu LIU ; Dong LIANG ; Yongping WANG ; Yan WANG ; Yueyang LIU ; Guoliang CHEN ; Yue HOU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(2):214-224
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a prevalent neurological disorder often resulting in significant disability or mortality. Resveratrol, extracted from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (commonly known as Japanese knotweed), has been recognized for its potent neuroprotective properties. However, the neuroprotective efficacy of its derivative, (E)-4-(3,5-dimethoxystyryl) quinoline (RV02), against ischemic stroke remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of RV02 on neuronal ischemia-reperfusion injury both in vitro and in vivo. The research utilized an animal model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion and SH-SY5Y cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion to simulate ischemic conditions. The findings demonstrate that RV02 attenuates neuronal mitochondrial damage and scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) through mitophagy activation. Furthermore, Parkin knockdown was found to abolish RV02's ability to activate mitophagy and neuroprotection in vitro. These results suggest that RV02 shows promise as a neuroprotective agent, with the activation of Parkin-mediated mitophagy potentially serving as the primary mechanism underlying its neuroprotective effects.
Animals
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Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics*
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Mitophagy/drug effects*
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Resveratrol/analogs & derivatives*
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Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Neurons/metabolism*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Ischemic Stroke/genetics*
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Male
;
Quinolines/pharmacology*
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Mice
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Fallopia japonica/chemistry*
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Reperfusion Injury/metabolism*
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Rats
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Disease Models, Animal
9.Decoding the immune microenvironment of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia due to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with CD19 CAR-T failure by single-cell RNA-sequencing.
Xudong LI ; Hong HUANG ; Fang WANG ; Mengjia LI ; Binglei ZHANG ; Jianxiang SHI ; Yuke LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Mingxia SUN ; Haixia CAO ; Danfeng ZHANG ; Na SHEN ; Weijie CAO ; Zhilei BIAN ; Haizhou XING ; Wei LI ; Linping XU ; Shiyu ZUO ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1866-1881
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have demonstrated the occurrence of secondary tumors as a rare but significant complication of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation. Given the limited variety of secondary tumor types reported to date, a comprehensive characterization of the various secondary tumors arising after CAR-T therapy is essential to understand the associated risks and to define the role of the immune microenvironment in malignant transformation. This study aims to characterize the immune microenvironment of a newly identified secondary tumor post-CAR-T therapy, to clarify its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS:
In this study, the bone marrow (BM) samples were collected by aspiration from the primary and secondary tumors before and after CD19 CAR-T treatment. The CD45 + BM cells were enriched with human CD45 microbeads. The CD45 + cells were then sent for 10× genomics single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify cell populations. The Cell Ranger pipeline and CellChat were used for detailed analysis.
RESULTS:
In this study, a rare type of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) were reported in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had previously received CD19 CAR-T therapy. The scRNA-seq analysis revealed increased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and an immunosuppressive state of monocytes/macrophages, which may impair cytotoxic activity in both T and natural killer (NK) cells in secondary CMML before treatment. In contrast, their cytotoxicity was restored in secondary CMML after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
This finding delineates a previously unrecognized type of secondary tumor, CMML, after CAR-T therapy and provide a framework for defining the immune microenvironment of secondary tumor occurrence after CAR-T therapy. In addition, the results provide a rationale for targeting macrophages to improve treatment strategies for CMML treatment.
Humans
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Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy*
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Tumor Microenvironment/genetics*
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Antigens, CD19/metabolism*
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Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics*
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Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects*
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Male
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Single-Cell Analysis/methods*
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Female
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Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods*
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Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
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Middle Aged
10.EIF5A1 Promotes Proliferation,Migration and Invasion of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Cells Through Wnt Signaling Pathway
Shaohua YANG ; Yongping XU ; Zhuoyu ZHAO ; Xingbao FANG ; Zhenxing RUAN
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(7):46-53
Objective To investigate the expression of EIF5A1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and human hepatobiliary duct epithelia,and its effect on the proliferation,migration and invasion ability and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway in HUCCT1 cells.Methods Western blot was used to detect the basal expression level of EIF5A1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epithelial cells.Transient transfection of siRNA was used to silence the expression of EIF5A1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell HUCCT1.The experimental groups were divided into blank control group(Con),siRNA1 group,and siRNA2 group.The most effective siRNA was screened by Western blot.The effects of EIF5A1 silencing on the proliferation,migration and invasion ability of HUCCT1 cells were detected by CCK-8,EdU cell proliferation assay and Transwell assay.The effect of EIF5A1 silencing on the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway in HUCCT1 cells was detected by Western blot.Results The results of CCK-8 and EdU cell proliferation experiments showed that the proliferation ability of HUCCT1 cells decreased after EIF5A1 silencing(P<0.05),and Transwell migration and invasion experiments showed that the migration and invasion ability of Hucct1 cells decreased after EIF5A1 silencing(P<0.05).Western blot analysis revealed decreased expression of β-Catenin,Cyclin D1,MMP-2 and Survivin in Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway after EIF5A1 silencing(P<0.05).Conclusion EIF5A1 may promote the proliferation,migration and invasion of intrahepatic bile duct cancer cells through Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway.

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