OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect of electroacupuncture (EA) based on Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture (acupuncture for regaining consciousness and opening orifices) on cognitive impairment in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to explore its regulatory mechanisms on the kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A)/mitochondrial Rho GTPase 1 (Miro1) pathway and mitophagy in prefrontal cortical neurons. METHODS: A total of 70 male C57BL/6J mice of clean grade were randomly divided into a normal group (12 mice), a sham operation group (12 mice), and a model pre-screening group (46 mice). Unilateral stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle was adopted to establish the PD model in the model pre-screening group. Twenty-four mice after successful modeling were randomly selected and divided into a model group and an EA group, 12 mice in each one. In the EA group, acupuncture was applied at "Shuigou" (GV26) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Neiguan" (PC6), ipsilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Neiguan" (PC6) were connected to EA respectively, with disperse-dense wave, 5 Hz/20 Hz in frequency, 0.5 mA in current intensity, 20 min a time, 6 times a week for 30 days. Cognitive function was assessed by Y-maze and Morris water maze tests; morphology of prefrontal cortex was observed by H.E. staining; reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in prefrontal cortex was detected by fluorescence probe method; mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy; the mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR; the protein expression of TH, KIF5A, Miro1, p62, Parkin and PTEN induced kinase 1 (PINK1) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, both the model group and the EA group exhibited increased rotation number of per minute (P<0.001). Compared with the sham operation group, in the model group, the novel arm exploration time of Y-maze test was shortened (P<0.001), the escape latency of Morris water maze test was prolonged (P<0.05) and the platform crossing number of Morris water maze test was reduced (P<0.01); in the prefrontal cortex, the number of cellular vacuole and neurons with karyopyknosis was increased (P<0.001), and mitochondrial autophagosomes could be observed; in the prefrontal cortex, the relative expression of ROS was increased (P<0.001), the protein and mRNA expression of TH was decreased (P<0.001), the protein expression of Miro1, PINK1, Parkin was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), the protein expression of KIF5A and p62 was decreased (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, the novel arm exploration time of Y-maze test was prolonged (P<0.01), the escape latency of Morris water maze test was shortened (P<0.05) and the platform crossing number of Morris water maze test was increased (P<0.05); in the prefrontal cortex, the number of cellular vacuole and neurons with karyopyknosis was decreased (P<0.001), and the number of mitochondrial autophagosomes reduced and the mitochondrial morphology was improved; in the prefrontal cortex, the relative expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of TH was increased (P<0.001, P<0.01), the protein expression of Miro1, PINK1, Parkin was decreased (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05), the protein expression of KIF5A and p62 was increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao electroacupuncture effectively alleviates cognitive impairment and damage of neuronal function in PD mice, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of KIF5A/Miro1 pathway, hence reducing the mitophagy in prefrontal cortical neurons.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Mice ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Kinesins/genetics* ; Humans ; Mitophagy ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Mitochondria/genetics* ; Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism*

Silent mutations within the RAS  gene have garnered increasing attention for their potential roles in tumorigenesis and therapeutic strategies. Kirsten-RAS ( KRAS ) mutations, predominantly oncogenic, are pivotal drivers in various cancers. While extensive research has elucidated the molecular mechanisms and biological consequences of active KRAS  mutations, the functional significance of silent mutations remains relatively understudied. This review synthesizes current knowledge on KRAS  silent mutations, highlighting their impact on cancer development. Silent mutations, which do not alter protein sequences but can affect RNA stability and translational efficiency, pose intriguing questions regarding their contribution to tumor biology. Understanding these mutations is crucial for comprehensively unraveling KRAS -driven oncogenesis and exploring novel therapeutic avenues. Moreover, investigations into the clinical implications of silent mutations in KRAS -mutant tumors suggest potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Despite being in early stages, research on KRAS  silent mutations holds promise for uncovering novel insights that could inform personalized cancer treatments. In conclusion, this review underscores the evolving landscape of KRAS  silent mutations, advocating for further exploration to bridge fundamental biology with clinical applications in oncology.
Humans ; Mutation/genetics* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Animals

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) mutation is one of the most prevalent activating alterations in cancer. It indicates a poor overall prognosis due to its highly invasive nature. Although several KRAS inhibitors have been developed in recent years, a significant clinical challenge has emerged as a substantial proportion of patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies. Therefore, identifying determinants of drug resistance is critical for guiding treatment strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mutation landscape and molecular mechanisms of KRAS activity in various cancers. Meanwhile, it summaries the progress and prospects of small molecule KRAS inhibitors undergoing clinical trials. Furthemore, this review explores potential strategies to overcome drug resistance, with the ultimate goal of steering toward patient-centric precision oncology in the foreseeable future.
Humans ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism* ; Mutation/genetics* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality, posing a significant threat to human health due to the high incidence rate. Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, serves as the primary pathological basis for most such conditions. The incidence of atherosclerosis continues to rise, but its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. As an important member of the small GTPase superfamily, Ras-association proximate 1 (Rap1) is an important molecular switch involved in the regulation of multiple physiological functions including cell differentiation, proliferation, and adhesion. Rap1 achieves the utility of the molecular switch by cycling between Rap1-GTP and Rap1-GDP. Rap1 may influence the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis in a cell-specific manner. This article summarizes the potential role and mechanism of Rap1 in the progression of atherosclerosis in different cells, aiming to provide new therapeutic targets and strategies for clinical intervention.
Humans ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology* ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Proliferation

Objective This study aims to investigate the expression, phenotypic changes, and mechanisms of action of guanylate-binding protein 2 (GBP2) in the process of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The expression and localization of GBP2 in silicotic lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence. An in vitro cell model was constructed, and methods such as Western blot and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerasechain reaction were utilized to investigate the function of GBP2 in different cell lines following silica stimulation. The mechanism of action of GBP2 in various cell lines was elucidated using Western blot analysis. Results GBP2 was highly expressed in the lung tissue of patients with silicosis. Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence have revealed that GBP2 was localized in macrophages and epithelial cells. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that silicon dioxide stimulated THP-1 cells to activate the c-Jun pathway through GBP2, promoting the secretion of inflammatory factors and facilitating the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization. In epithelial cells, GBP2 promoted the occurrence of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating Krueppel-like factor 8 (KLF8). Conclusion GBP2 not only activates c-Jun in macrophages to promote the production of inflammatory factors and the occurrence of M2 macrophage polarization, but also activates the transcription factor KLF8 in epithelial cells to induce EMT, collectively promoting the progression of silicosis.
Humans ; Silicosis/genetics* ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Epithelial Cells/pathology* ; GTP-Binding Proteins/physiology* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Disease Progression ; Cell Line ; Male

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of baicalin on blood lipid metabolism and immune function in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Female rats fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet and male rats fed with ordinary diet were caged together to prepare pregnant rats, and the GDM rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). GDM rats were randomly divided into a model group, a fasudil (FA) (RhoA/RocK inhibitor) group (10 mg/kg), low-dose (100 mg/kg) and high-dose (200 mg/kg) baicalin groups, and a high-dose baicalin combined with LPA (RhoA/RocK activator) group (200 mg/kg baicalin+1 mg/kg LPA ), with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 pregnant rats fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet were selected as the control group. After 2 weeks of corresponding drug intervention in each group, the level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was detected by blood glucose meter. The level of fasting insulin (FINS) in serum was detected by ELISA, and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum, and the levels of immunomodulator tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10 in peripheral blood were detected by the kit. The histopathological changes of liver were observed by HE staining. The proportion of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expressions of Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA), Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), and ROCK2 in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, ALT, AST, TG, TC, and LDL-C in serum, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, the percentage of CD8⁺T cell in peripheral blood, and the mRNA and protein expression of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in liver tissue in the model group were higher; the level of HDL-C in serum, the percentage of IL-10 levels, CD3⁺T cells, CD4⁺T cell, and CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T ratio in peripheral blood were lower. Compared with the model group, the levels of FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, ALT, AST, TG, TC, and LDL-C in serum, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, the percentage of CD8⁺T cell in peripheral blood, and the mRNA and protein expression of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in liver tissue in the the FA group and low-dose and high-dose baicalin groups were lower; the level of HDL-C in serum, IL-10 level, the percentage of CD3⁺T cells, CD4⁺T cell, and CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T ratio in peripheral blood were higher. LPA could obviously weaken the improvement effects of baicalin on blood lipid metabolism and immune function in GDM rats. Conclusion Baicalin may improve blood lipid metabolism and immune function in GDM rats by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway.
Animals ; Female ; Diabetes, Gestational/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; rho-Associated Kinases/genetics* ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Rats ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Lipids/blood* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022. RESULTS: A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy* ; Mutation ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Infant ; GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Prognosis

RAS-associated autoimmune lymphoproliferative disorder (RALD) is a rare congenital immunodeficiency disorder caused by somatic mutations in NRAS or KRAS. Its main pathological feature is immune dysregulation-induced hematologic destruction, presenting with symptoms resembling autoimmune diseases. RALD exhibits significant clinical heterogeneity, with manifestations including autoimmune phenomena, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, monocytosis, and increased susceptibility to infections. Owing to its rarity and its unclear nature, a standardized therapeutic regimen for RALD is currently lacking. This review summarizes the latest advances in the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatment of RALD, aiming to provide new insights and reference for the understanding and management of this disorder.
Humans ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders/etiology* ; Autoimmune Diseases/etiology* ; Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome/genetics* ; GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics* ; Mutation ; Membrane Proteins

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular genetic spectrum of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and explore its correlation with clinical characteristics and prognosis. METHODS: The clinical and molecular genetic data of 116 children with newly diagnosed AML in Wuhan Children's Hospital from September 2015 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the correlation of gene mutations with clinical features, and Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the influences of gene mutations on the prognosis. RESULTS: NRAS (22%), KRAS (14.9%), and KIT (14.7%) mutations were the most common genetic abnormalities in 116 children with AML. Children with KIT, CEBPA and GATA2 mutations showed a higher median onset-age than those without mutations (all P < 0.05). Children with FLT3-ITD mutation exhibited a higher white blood cell count at initial diagnosis compared to those without mutations (P < 0.05). Children with ASXL2 mutation had lower platelet count and hemoglobin at initial diagnosis than those without mutations (both P < 0.05). KIT mutations were often co-occurred with t(8;21)(q22;q22). There was no significant relationship between gene mutation and minimal residual disease (MRD) remission rate after the first and second induction therapy (P >0.05). KIT and NRAS mutations were not associated with prognosis significantly (P >0.05). The overall survival (OS) rates of children with CEBPA and FLT3-ITD mutations were superior to those without mutations, but the differences were not statistically significant (P >0.05). The 3-year OS rate of 61 children treated by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 89.8%, which was significantly higher than 55.2% of those only treated by chemotherapy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Gene mutations are common in children with AML, and next-generation sequencing can significantly improve the detection rate of gene mutations, which can guide the risk stratification therapy. In addition, FLT3-ITD and KIT mutations may no longer be poor prognostic factors.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics* ; Child ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics* ; Male ; Female ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; GATA2 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical significance of 26 circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) associated with multiple myeloma (MM) in peripheral blood of new diagnosed patients. METHODS: We conducted a study to detect 26 ctDNA mutations in the peripheral blood of 31 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. RESULTS: Among the 31 NDMM patients, the ctDNA detection rate was 93.55%, significantly higher than that of FISH and chromosome screening methods. The most frequently mutated genes in NDMM were ACTG1 and GNAS. Notably, ACTG1 mutations were exclusive to NDMM patients, furthermore, resulted from the missense mutation of the exon 4. ACTG1 was the gene most frequently co-mutated with others. All patients with ACTG1 mutations were surviving, and there was a positive correlation between ACTG1 mutation and the survival of patients. GNAS mutations were confined to exon 1. CONCLUSION The detection rate of ctDNA sequencing in peripheral blood of NDMM patients was higher than that in bone marrow. ACTG1 and GNAS genes have a guiding role in the prognosis of newly diagnosed patients.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/blood* ; Circulating Tumor DNA/genetics* ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs/genetics* ; Chromogranins ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged