1.Quality evaluation of Qingwen hufei granules based on fingerprints combined with multi-component content determination
Huiying ZHOU ; Yuan WANG ; Yani WANG ; Yun YANG ; Bo WANG ; Shuanzhu YANG ; Liping CAO ; Hong ZHANG ; Kaihua LONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):338-343
OBJECTIVE To provide a scientific basis for the quality evaluation and clinical application of Qingwen hufei granules. METHODS Fourteen batches of Qingwen hufei granules were used as samples to establish high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 Edition). The chromatographic peaks were identified and the similarity was evaluated. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to conduct chemical pattern recognition analysis on the 14 batches of samples. Meanwhile, the contents of neochlorogenic acid (NGA), chlorogenic acid (CHA), cryptochlorogenic acid (CGA), forsythoside A (FTA), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-O- DA), 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-O-DA), and angoroside C (AGC) in the samples were determined by HPLC. RESULTS The methodological investigation results of both the fingerprint and the content determination complied with the relevant requirements. Fourteen common peaks were indicated in the HPLC fingerprints of the 14 batches of samples, and 7 of them were identified [NGA (peak 2), CHA (peak 3), CGA (peak 5), FTA (peak 11), 3,5-O-DA (peak 12), 4,5-O-DA (peak 13), and AGC (peak 14)]; the similarity of each sample was greater than 0.94. The results of CA and PCA showed that the samples could be classified into 3 categories; the results of OPLS-DA indicated that peak 4 (unknown), peak 11 (FTA), peak 8 (unknown), peak 9 (unknown), and peak 1 (unknown) were the differential components. The content ranges of NGA, CHA, CGA, 3,5-O-DA, FTA, 4,5-O-DA and AGC in the 14 batches of samples were 0.210 4-0.458 7, 0.269 1-0.506 3, 0.228 1-0.461 1, 0.443 9-1.044 6, 0.066 7-0.155 7, 0.062 8-0.143 8, and 0.057 4-0.105 7 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination methods established in this study are efficient and reliable, and can be used for the quality evaluation of Qingwen hufei granules.
2.Development of brush ionization probe mass spectrometry for convenient on-site detection of traditional Chinese medicine
Junxian WU ; Chaofa WEI ; Ceyu MIAO ; Jiaquan XU ; Xiang LI ; Li ZHOU ; Shuanglong WANG ; Liping KANG ; Zidong QIU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):81-86
Objective: To develop a convenient, direct, and highly sensitive method for screening trace chemical additives in complex Chinese patent medicines, thereby addressing core technological bottlenecks in pharmaceutical analysis and quality control. Methods: A brush ionization probe device was independently designed and constructed, and an efficient detection method was established through systematic optimization of key parameters. Twenty-three Chinese patent medicine samples, representing 6 dosage forms (capsules, tablets, pills, granules, powders, and liquid preparations), were analyzed using 10 common chemical additives as target analytes. Results: All samples were successfully analyzed without complex pretreatment, and 5 chemical additives were detected in 7 Chinese patent medicines. The brush ionization probe device exhibited cost-effectiveness (~0.2 USD per probe), operational simplicity, rapid analysis (~10s per sample), high efficiency, and minimal reagent consumption (~10 μL per sample). Conclusion: This advancement is expected to provide an innovative scientific tool for improving the generality and convenience of on-site quality control, while promoting technological progress in disciplines such as pharmacology and traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Treatment Modalities and Long-Term Outcomes in Unruptured Vertebrobasilar Fusiform Aneurysms: A Nationwide Observational Cohort Study
Linggen DONG ; Dachao WEI ; Xiheng CHEN ; Mingtao LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Yong SUN ; Qingbin NIE ; Jun FENG ; Guomin XIAO ; Jinghua ZHOU ; Shengli HU ; Lifei FENG ; Lifeng QI ; Hongen LIU ; Geng GUO ; Yufang LI ; Renfu TIAN ; Jianghua YU ; Dianshi JIN ; Liang HAO ; Tian TIAN ; Shizhong ZHANG ; Yang WANG ; Liping LIU ; Ming LV
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(2):250-262
Background:
and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis.
Methods:
This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.
Results:
Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs.
Conclusions
Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.
4.Establishment of a method for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for injection
Rong WU ; Liping WANG ; Jinye LANG ; Yue ZHU ; Jing ZHOU ; Xun LIU ; Jing NI ; Shunbo ZHOU ; Yaling DING
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):415-420
[Objective] To establish a method for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for injection. [Methods] By adding the sample and factor Ⅶ deficient plasma to the sample cup and activating the reaction with prothrombin time assay reagent (PT reagent), the coagulation time of the sample was determined by the change in magnetic bead swing amplitude in the sample cup. The logarithm of coagulation time was inversely proportional to the logarithm of human factor Ⅶa potency. [Results] Under the experimental conditions, the specificity of the methodology was evaluated through spiked recovery, and the recovery rates ranged from 90.0% to 110.0%. Within the range from 0.125 to 1.000 IU/mL, there was a good linear response between the potency and coagulation time of the standard and sample, with correlation coefficients r>0.99. As for the accuracy and repeatability, the recovery rates of various concentrations detected in the stock solution were 101.0%, 100.0% and 112.0%, respectively, with RSD values of 2.6%, 4.0% and 0.0%, respectively. The recovery rates of various concentrations in finished product testing were 104.0%, 94.7% and 112.0%, respectively, with RSD values of 1.9%, 2.4% and 0.0%, respectively. As for the intermediate precision, the RSD were 4.5% and 3.7%, respectively. After treated with sample diluent, the sample was tested at room temperature for 6 hours and still exhibited relatively stable biological activity. [Conclusion] This detection method is accurate, stable, easy to operate and highly automated, and is suitable for detecting the potency of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶa for Injection.
5.Mechanism of Fibrinogen Overexpression in Influencing Coronary Heart Disease with Syndrome of Blood Stasis in Rats Based on Mitochondrial Quality Control System
Manli ZHOU ; Liping WANG ; Weixiong JIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):149-158
ObjectiveTo study the effect and mechanism of fibrinogen (Fib) overexpression on mitochondrial quality control system in the rat model of coronary heart disease with the syndrome of blood stasis. MethodsForty male SD rats were randomly assigned into normal, model, Fib, and empty vector (AAV) groups, with 10 rats in each group. The model, Fib, and AAV groups were fed with a high-fat diet adaptively and administrated with 3×106 U·kg-1 vitamin D3 powder by gavage after 7 days and 2×106 U·kg-1 vitamin D3 solution after 14 days. After being fed with a high-fat diet for 7 weeks, rats in each group received subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (5 mg·kg-1) for 3 days. During the modeling period, rats in the normal group were fed with ordinary feed without any special treatment. The changes in blood lipid and hemorheological indexes of rats in each group were measured. The aorta tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), and the standard lead Ⅱ electrocardiograms (ECGs) of rats in each group were recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR were employed to verify the overexpression levels of Fib in the liver and plasma. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK)/adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1, and Parkin. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of AMPK and PGC-1α in the myocardial tissue. The changes in levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in the myocardial tissue were determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the other three groups showed elevated levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.01) and no significant changes in levels of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Compared with the model group, the Fib and AAV groups showed risen levels of total cholesterol (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model and Fib groups presented increases in low shear viscosity and middle shear viscosity (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the Fib group showcased an increase in high shear viscosity (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Fib group showed increases in low shear viscosity, middle shear viscosity, and high shear viscosity (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Fib group, the AAV group demonstrated decreases in low shear viscosity, middle shear viscosity, and high shear viscosity (P<0.05, P<0.01). The normal group had an complete aortic structure with well arrangement of elastic fibers. In the model group, the vascular wall became thickened and the intima was rough with inflammatory infiltration. In the Fib group, the intima calcification formed a cavity structure and the intima was abnormally proliferated, while in the AAV group, the intima smooth muscle was slightly proliferated with local calcification. The ECG of the normal group indicated sinus rhythm, and that of the model group presented ST segment oblique elevation (>0.1 mV). The ECG of the Fib group presented characteristic ST segment arch back elevation with T-wave towering, and that of the AAV group presented ST segment oblique elevation. Compared with the normal group, the model and Fib groups showed elevations in levels of liver Fib, plasma Fib, and liver Fibα mRNA (P<0.01), and the AAV group had risen levels of Fib and Fibα mRNA (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Fib group presented risen levels of liver Fib and Fibα mRNA (P<0.01). Compared with the Fib group, the AAV group presented decreases in levels of liver Fib, plasma Fib, and liver Fibα mRNA (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the other three groups had down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Mfn2, OPA1, PINK1, Parkin, p-AMPK/AMPK, and PGC-1α (P<0.05, P<0.01) and up-regulated protein levels of Drp1 (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the mRNA and protein levels of Mfn2, OPA1, PINK1, Parkin, p-AMPK/AMPK, and PGC-1α were all down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the protein level of Drp1 was up-regulated (P<0.01) in the Fib group. Compared with the Fib group, the AAV group showed differences in protein levels of OPA1, PGC-1α, Parkin, and Drp1 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and an increasing trend in the mRNA levels of AMPK and PGC-1α with no significant difference. Compared with the normal group, the other three groups had elevated levels of ATP in the myocardial tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Fib group showed elevated levels of ATP and AMP (P<0.01). Compared with the Fib group, the AAV group exhibited lowered levels of ATP and AMP (P<0.01). ConclusionFib can achieve the overexpression effect in the rat model of coronary heart disease with the syndrome of blood stasis. At the same time, the overexpression of Fib can induce the damage of the mitochondrial quality control system in the myocardial tissue, inhibit mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial biosynthesis, and down-regulate mitochondrial autophagy, thereby aggravating myocardial injury in the rat model.
6.Platelet Metabolomics Analysis in Rats of Coronary Heart Disease with Blood Stasis Syndrome by Overexpression of Fibrinogen
Manli ZHOU ; Jiale ZHU ; Liping WANG ; Weixiong JIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):230-237
ObjectiveTo analyze the metabolomic characteristics of platelets in fibrinogen(FIB) overexpression rats of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome(CHD-BSS), explore potential biomarkers, and investigate the mechanism of FIB overexpression on CHD-BSS. MethodsSD rats were randomly divided into BSS group and BSS+FIB overexpression group(BSS+FIB group), with 10 rats in each group. Both the BSS+FIB group and the BSS group were fed a high-fat diet combined with oral administration of vitamin D3 and subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, but rats in the BSS+FIB group were overexpressed with FIB during the initial modeling stage by transfection with adeno-associated virus(AAV). The overexpression level of FIB in rat liver and plasma samples was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real time PCR), as well as the expression level of liver FIB A(FGA) mRNA. The characteristics of metabolites in rat platelet samples were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS), and the differential metabolites between groups were screened by principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and the enriched pathways were analyzed. The accuracy of potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of CHD-BSS was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve. The expression of autophagy related proteins phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate(AMP) activated protein kinase(p-AMPK)/AMPK, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin(p-mTOR)/mTOR, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3) Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 in platelets were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the BSS group, the expression levels of FIB in liver and plasma samples of the BSS+FIB group were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression level of FIB mRNA in the liver was remarkably increased(P<0.01), indicating successful overexpression of FIB. Platelet metabolomics results showed significant differences in metabolic profiles between the BSS+FIB group and the BSS group, and a total of 25 significantly enriched metabolic pathways and 8 metabolites involved in these metabolic pathways, among which uric acid, guanosine and ribose 1-phosphate levels were up-regulated, while adenosine diphosphate(ADP), AMP, guanosine diphosphate(GDP), adenylosuccinate and norepinephrine levels were down-regulated. The diagnostic ability analysis of differential metabolites showed that all 8 differential metabolites had good diagnostic ability, with an area under the curve(AUC)>0.85. Western blot results showed that compared with the BSS group, the expression levels of p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 proteins in platelets of the BSS+FIB group was significantly reduced(P<0.01), while the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ proteins were increased, but the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionOverexpression of FIB can change the metabolic characteristics of CHD-BSS rat model, involving multiple aspects such as vascular endothelial injury, platelet activation and myocardial function damage. Among them, overexpression of FIB may enhance the occurrence of platelet autophagy, thereby inducing platelet activation and promoting thrombus formation.
7.Analysis of risk factors for post-prematurity respiratory disease in very preterm infants
You YOU ; Jingwen LYU ; Lin ZHOU ; Liping WANG ; Jufeng ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Yongjun ZHANG ; Hongping XIA
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(1):50-54
Objective:To investigate the risk factors associated with post-prematurity respiratory disease (PPRD) in very preterm infants.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted, enrolling 369 very preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, within one week of birth from January 2019 to June 2023. Data on maternal and infant clinical characteristics, neonatal morbidities, and treatments during hospitalization were collected. The very preterm infants were divided into 2 groups based on whether they developed PPRD. Continuous variables were compared using Mann-Whitney U test, while categorical variables were compared using χ2 tests or continuity correction χ2 test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for PPRD in very preterm infants. Results:Among the 369 very preterm infants, 217 cases(58.8%) were male, with a gestational age of 30 (28, 31) weeks at birth and a birth weight of 1 320 (1 085, 1 590) g. Of these, 116 cases (31.4%) developed PPRD, while 253 cases (68.6%) did not. The very preterm infants in the PPRD group had a lower gestational age and lower birth weight (both, P<0.001). The PPRD group also had a higher proportion of males, lower Apgar scores at the 1 th minute after birth and the 5 th minutes after birth, a higher rate of born via cesarean delivery, and a higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, more pulmonary surfactant treatment, longer durations of mechanical ventilation, longer total oxygen therapy, and lower Z-score for weight at discharge (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age ( OR=0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99, P=0.037), born via cesarean delivery ( OR=2.23, 95% CI 1.21-4.10, P=0.010), a duration of mechanical ventilation ≥7 days ( OR=2.51, 95% CI 1.43-4.39, P=0.001), and a Z-score for weight at discharge ( OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.67-0.99, P=0.040) were all independent risk factors for PPRD in very preterm infants. Conclusion:Very preterm infants with a small gestational age, born via cesarean section, mechanical ventilation ≥7 days, and a low Z-score for weight at discharge should be closely monitored for PPRD, and provided with standardized respiratory management after discharge.
8.Pachymic acid promotes brown/beige adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in preadipocytes.
Kunling CHEN ; Xiaobing DOU ; Yiyou LIN ; Danyao BAI ; Yangzhou LUO ; Liping ZHOU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(3):333-341
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of pachymic acid on brown/beige adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in preadipocytes.
METHODS:
3T3-L1 MBX cells were induced to differentiate into beige adipocytes using a brown cocktail method. The impact of pachymic acid on the viability of 3T3-L1 MBX cells was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The formation of lipid droplets following treatment with pachymic acid was observed by oil red O staining. The mRNA expression levels of key browning genes, including uncoupling protein (Ucp) 1, the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator (Pgc)-1α, and the PR domain-containing protein 16 (Prdm16), as well as the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (Srebp) 1c, acetyl-coA carboxylase (Acc), fatty acid synthase (Fas), and hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (Hsl), adipose triglyceride lipase (Atgl), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (Cpt) 1 were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of Ucp1, Pgc-1a, and Prdm16 was detected by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
The 3T3-L1 MBX cells were induced in vitro to form beige adipocytes with high expression of key browning genes(Ucp1, Pgc-1α, and Prdm16), and beige adipose-marker genes (Cd137, Tbx1, and Tmem26). Concentrations range of 0-80 μmol/L pachymic acid were non-cytotoxic to 3T3-L1 MBX cells. Pachymic acid treatment significantly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 MBX cells, resulting in a notable decrease in lipid accumulation. There was a marked increase in the expression of key browning genes and their proteins products, such as Ucp1, Pgc-1α, and Prdm16, while the expressions of fat synthesis-related genes Srebp1c, Acc and Fas were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The expressions of lipolysis-related genes (Hsl, Atgl, and Cpt1) were significantly increased (all P<0.05). Treatment with 20 μmol/L pachymic acid showed the most pronounced effect.
CONCLUSIONS
Pachymic acid can inhibit fat synthesis and promote lipid decomposition by regulating the brown formation and lipid differentiation of preadipocytes.
Animals
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Cell Differentiation/drug effects*
;
Adipocytes, Beige/drug effects*
;
3T3-L1 Cells
;
Adipocytes, Brown/drug effects*
;
Triterpenes/pharmacology*
;
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
;
Uncoupling Protein 1
;
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1/metabolism*
9.Sinicization and psychometric validation of the German Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Women.
Liping ZHU ; Chengyu ZHOU ; Xuhong LI ; Qiao HOU ; Shuo YANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(1):72-80
OBJECTIVES:
Pelvic floor dysfunction is common among pregnant and postpartum women and significantly impacts quality of life. This study aims to translate the German Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Women into Chinese and to evaluate its reliability and validity in the Chinese population.
METHODS:
The questionnaire was translated using the Brislin model. A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant and postpartum women to assess the content validity, construct validity, Cronbach's α coefficient, test-retest reliability, and split-half reliability of the Chinese version.
RESULTS:
A total of 72 women were included, with 6.9% being pregnant and 93.1% postpartum; the age was (32.3±3.6) years. The Chinese version of the questionnaire contains 4 dimensions and 45 items. The content validity index of individual items ranged from 0.833 to 1.000, with a scale-level content validity index of 0.977 and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) exceeding 0.90. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.891, with subscale coefficients ranging from 0.732 to 0.884 (all ICCs>0.70). The test-retest reliability of the total scale was 0.833, and for the 4 dimensions, bladder, bowel, prolapse, and sexual function, the values were 0.776, 0.579, 0.732, and 0.645, respectively. The split-half reliability was 0.74.
CONCLUSIONS
The Chinese version of the questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and validity, indicating its applicability in assessing pelvic floor dysfunction and associated risk factors during pregnancy and postpartum.
Humans
;
Female
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Pregnancy
;
Adult
;
Postpartum Period
;
Psychometrics
;
Pelvic Floor Disorders/diagnosis*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Quality of Life
;
Pelvic Floor/physiopathology*
;
Reproducibility of Results
;
China
;
Translations
;
Young Adult
10.WW domain-containing ubiquitin E3 ligase 1 regulates immune infiltration in tumor microenvironment of ovarian cancer.
Xiaojuan GUO ; Ruijuan DU ; Liping CHEN ; Kelei GUO ; Biao ZHOU ; Hua BIAN ; Li HAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):1063-1073
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the association of the expression of WW domain-containing ubiquitin E3 ligase 1 (WWP1) with immune infiltration in tumor microenvironment (TME) of ovarian cancer.
METHODS:
Ovarian cancer patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to analyze the association of WWP1 expression with patient prognosis. TISCH2 was utilized to analyze the changes in immune cell subtypes in TME of metastatic tumor and after chemotherapy. The impact of WWP1 on immune cell infiltration, somatic copy number alterations of WWP1 and evolution of immune cell subtypes was evaluated using TIMER and TIGER pseudo-time analysis. A deep learning model was used to analyze TCGA pathological images to investigate the effect of WWP1 on TME of ovarian cancer. RNA-seq analysis was conducted to identify the differentially expressed genes in WWP1-overexpressing SKOV3 cells and validate immune infiltration. Multicolor immunofluorescence assay was used to analyze the immune markers in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cell xenografts in nude mice.
RESULTS:
The patients with high WWP1 expression levels had significantly lower overall survival rate (P=0.0012). High WWP1 expression levels and Stage IV disease were both associated with a poor prognosis (P<0.05). In metastatic ovarian cancer or after chemotherapy, the percentages of malignant tumor cells and tumor-associated fibroblasts increased in the TME, accompanied by elevated WWP1 levels. WWP1 expression level was positively correlated with pro-tumorigenic immunosuppressive cells (r=0.1323-0.3955, P<0.05) and negatively with tumor-inhibiting immune cells (r=-0.1949- -0.1333, P<0.05). Specific copy number alterations of WWP1 also influenced CD8+ T cell percentage and neutrophil infiltration levels in the TME. RNA-seq analysis of WWP1-overexpressing SKOV3 cells and immunofluorescence assay of the tumor-bearing mice yielded findings consistent with those of bioinformatics analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
WWP1 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and a potential target for immune regulation in the TME of ovarian cancer.
Female
;
Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism*
;
Tumor Microenvironment/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice, Nude
;
Prognosis
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

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