1.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
2.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
3.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
4.Interpretation of 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension
Yu CHENG ; Yiheng ZHOU ; Yao LÜ ; ; Dongze LI ; Lidi LIU ; Peng ZHANG ; Rong YANG ; Yu JIA ; Rui ZENG ; Zhi WAN ; Xiaoyang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):31-40
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the "2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension" on August 30, 2024. This guideline updates the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." One notable update is the introduction of the concept of "elevated blood pressure" (120-139/70-89 mm Hg). Additionally, a new systolic blood pressure target range of 120-129 mm Hg has been proposed for most patients receiving antihypertensive treatment. The guideline also includes numerous additions or revisions in areas such as non-pharmacological interventions and device-based treatments for hypertension. This article interprets the guideline's recommendations on definition and classification of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, diagnosing hypertension and investigating underlying causes, preventing and treating elevated blood pressure and hypertension. We provide a comparison interpretation with the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" and the "2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults."
5.Mechanism of action of bile-gut axis in the development and progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Xue YU ; Tianhao SHEN ; Cheng ZHOU ; Yu LIU ; Wei LI ; Tinghui JIANG ; Yongqiang ZHU ; Yan LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):588-593
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor with an extremely poor prognosis, and its pathogenesis is complex and remains unclear. In recent years, more and more studies have focused on the role of bile-gut axis in the development and progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Bile-gut axis refers to the complex interaction between bile and gut microbiota, including bile salt metabolism, dynamic changes of microbiota, inflammatory response, and immune system regulation. This article elaborates on the potential mechanisms of bile-gut axis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, especially gut microbiota dysbiosis, abnormal bile salt metabolism, chronic inflammatory response, and immune system interaction, this article aims to provide new perspectives and possible therapeutic targets for future research and promote the early diagnosis and effective treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
6.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
7.Hyperoside Alleviates LPS-induced Inflammation in Zebrafish Model via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Qing LAN ; Anna WANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Keqian LIU ; Zhao LI ; Wenjing YU ; Shuyao TANG ; Ping LI ; Shaowu CHENG ; Sisi DENG ; Zhenyan SONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):63-72
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects and mechanisms of the flavonoid hyperoside (Hyp) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in the zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish larvae were either microinjected with 0.5 g·L-1 LPS or immersed in 1 g·L-1 LPS for the modeling of inflammation. The larvae were then treated with Hyp at 25, 50, and 100 mg·L-1 through immersion for four consecutive days. The inflammatory phenotypes were assessed by analyzing the mortality rate, malformation rate, body length, and yolk sac area ratio. Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory stress responses, and macrophage migration was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine C-X3-C motif receptor 1 (CX3CR1), chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 (CCR2), and genes associated with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, were measured by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the pure water injection group, the model group exhibited increased mortality, malformation rates and yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced body length (P0.01), increased total swimming distance and high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.01). Hyp at low, medium and high doses, as well as aspirin, reduced the mortality and malformation rates (P0.05,P0.01), increased the body length (P0.05,P0.01), decreased the yolk sac area ratio (P0.01), reduced the high-speed swimming duration (P0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CX3CR1, and CCR2 (P0.05,P0.01) compared with the model group. ConclusionHyp may modulate the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway to ameliorate inflammatory phenotypes and alleviate stress conditions in zebrafish, thereby exerting the anti-inflammatory effect.
8.Reference values of carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults based on ultrasound radio frequency signal: A nationwide, multicenter study
Changyang XING ; Xiujing XIE ; Yu WU ; Lei XU ; Xiangping GUAN ; Fan LI ; Xiaojun ZHAN ; Hengli YANG ; Jinsong LI ; Qi ZHOU ; Yuming MU ; Qing ZHOU ; Yunchuan DING ; Yingli WANG ; Xiangzhu WANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Xiaofeng SUN ; Hua LI ; Chaoxue ZHANG ; Cheng ZHAO ; Shaodong QIU ; Guozhen YAN ; Hong YANG ; Yinjuan MAO ; Weiwei ZHAN ; Chunyan MA ; Ying GU ; Wu CHEN ; Mingxing XIE ; Tianan JIANG ; Lijun YUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(15):1802-1810
Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.
9.Application of low-dose ticagrelor after stent-assisted embolization of intracranial aneurysm
Yang-Fang XIANG ; Yu LIU ; Zhi-Ling ZHOU ; Guang-Sen CHENG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(12):1073-1076
Objective To investigate the application effect of low-dose ticagrelor combined with aspirin in patients with intracranial aneurysm after stent-assisted embolization.Methods The clinical data of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm who underwent stent-assisted embolization in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the ticagrelor group[aspirin(100 mg,once a day)+low-dose ticagrelor(60 mg,twice a day)]and the clopidogrel group[aspirin(100 mg,once a day)+clopidogrel(75 mg,once a day)]according to the preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy regimen.A total of 158 patients who underwent stent-assisted embolization were included,including 84 patients in the ticagrelor group and 74 patients in the clopidogrel group.The patients were followed up for 3 months after surgery,and the occurrence of ischemic events and hemorrhagic events in the two groups were observed and compared.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of hemorrhagic events 3 months after surgery(11.9%vs.12.2%)between the ticagrelor group and the clopidogrel group(P>0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of ischemic events 3 months after surgery(11.9%vs.25.7%)between the ticagrelor group and theclopidogrel group(P<0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low-dose ticagrelor(HR=0.44,95%CI:0.21 to 0.93,P=0.035)was a protective factor for ischemic events after stent-assisted embolization.Conclusion Compared with clopidogrel,the application of low-dose ticagrelor(60 mg,twice a day)after stent-assisted embolization of intracranial aneurysm can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative ischemic stroke events,and low-dose ticagrelor combined with aspirin can be used as a dual antiplatelet therapy regimen after stent-assisted embolization of intracranial aneurysm.
10.Retrospective analysis on adverse drug reactions of four PD-1 inhibi-tors reported in literature
Xiao YU ; Yan ZHOU ; Qin LI ; Xuefang CHENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(8):887-898
AIM:To analyze the occurrence and clinical characteristics of adverse drug reactions(ADR)induced by four programmed cell death pro-tein 1(PD-1)inhibitors according to literature re-ports,and to provide reference for clinical safe medication.METHODS:PubMed,CNKI,and Wan-fang,and other databases were searched to collect case reports of adverse reactions caused by four PD-1 inhibitors,including camrelizumab,sintilimab,toripalimab,and tislelizumab.RESULTS:A total of 105 eligible literature reports were retrieved from the databases at home and abroad(as of June 1,2022),including 42 reports on camrelizumab with 47 patients,29 reports on sintilimab with 30 pa-tients,21 reports on toripalimab with 24 patients and 13 reports on tislelizumab with 15 patients.Among them,there were 76 males(65.5%)and 40 females(34.5%),with a gender ratio of 1.9:1.0.The age range was between 29 to 84 years old,and the onset of ADR mainly occurred within 4 months af-ter the first use of PD-1 inhibitors.Immune-related adverse reactions were mainly manifested as skin and its attachment(41 cases,34.5%),endocrine sys-tem(25 cases,21.0%),and cardiovascular system(22 cases,18.5%).Most patients improved after symptomatic and supportive treatment.CONCLU-SION:Immune-related adverse effects(irAEs)may occur at any time during treatment with the four PD-1 inhibitors,among these the skin system is most frequently affected,followed by the cardiovas-cular and endocrine systems.This suggests the im-portance of individualized drug administration and stringent control over indications in clinical prac-tice.Close monitoring throughout immunotherapy is essential to minimize or prevent irAEs,thus en-suring patient safety in medication usage.

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