1.Effects of SEC14L1P1 on proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Wentian ZHENG ; Hui GONG ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Jiayi HAO ; Yajie WANG ; Yingying JIANG
China Oncology 2025;35(3):309-319
Background and purpose:SEC14L1P1,a pseudogene of the SEC14 family,is closely associated with the development of various tumors,but its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)has not been clarified.This study aimed to gain insights into the expression characteristics and subcellular localization of SEC14L1P1 in OSCC cells,as well as its effects on OSCC cell proliferation and migration.Methods:The expression of SEC14L1P1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)tissues was analyzed by the ENCORI database;The expression of SEC14L1P1 and its relationship with patient prognosis in HNSCC was further analyzed using the GDC and UCSC Xena databases.The expression of SEC14L1P1 in OSCC cell lines was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTFQ-PCR);RNA nucleoplasmic separation assay was performed to determine the localization of SEC14L1P1 in OSCC cells.SEC14L1P1 knockdown(SS-SEC14L1P1)group and knockdown control(SS-NC)group were established for CAL-27 cells,and SEC14L1P1 overexpression(SEC14L1P1)group and overexpression control(Vector)group were established for HN30 cells.The effects of SEC14L1P1 expression on the proliferation and migration abilities of cells in each group were assessed by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and transwell migration assays.RTFQ-PCR and Western blot experiments were used to detect the effects of altered SEC14L1P1 expression on the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related genes.To investigate the effects of SEC14L1P1 on the proliferation of OSCC cells in vivo using a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in nude mice,12 four-week-old BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into two groups:the antisense oligonucleotide(ASO)-NC group and the ASO-SEC14L1P1 group,with 6 mice in each group.All mice were individually labeled.Further mechanistic studies were performed by analyzing molecules interacting with SEC14L1P1 through the RNAInter database,and the ENCORI database was queried for expression correlation between SEC14L1P1 and DHX9.The effect of altered SEC14L1P1 expression on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway was detected by Western blot assay.Results:Database analysis showed that the expression of SEC14L1P1 was higher in HNSCC tissues than in normal tissues,and was strongly associated with poor patient prognosis.The RTFQ-PCR results showed that SEC14L1P1 was highly expressed in all six OSCC cell lines;RNA nucleoplasmic separation showed that SEC14L1P1 was mainly localized in the nucleus in CAL-27 and HN30 cells.Compared with SS-NC,the relative expression of SEC14L1P1 in the SS-SEC14L1P1 group was significantly lower and significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration,while the relative expression of SEC14L1P1 in the SEC14L1P1 group was significantly higher compared with the Vector group,which also significantly increased cell proliferation and migration.The down-regulation of SEC14L1P1 was accompanied by increased mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin,and decreased mRNA and protein levels of N-cadherin and vimentin,with the opposite result after SEC14L1P1 overexpression.In vivo experiments showed that the xenograft tumor weight and volume of the ASO-SEC14L1P1 group were significantly reduced.Further mechanistic studies revealed a positive correlation between SEC14L1P1 and DHX9 expressions,and DHX9 has been shown to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Knockdown of SEC14L1P1 resulted in decreased protein expressions of phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated-AKT(p-AKT),and overexpression of SEC14L1P1 increased protein expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT.Conclusion:SEC14L1P1 showed high expression levels in OSCC cells and tissues and promoted the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells,a phenomenon that may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by SEC14L1P1,which in turn promotes EMT.
2.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
3.Analysis on the Essence-Marrow Differentiation and Treatment of Wei-Qi-Ying-Blood Syndrome Differentiation
Yingying SONG ; Jin YANG ; Hai GUO ; Yanliang ZHANG ; Jiening GONG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(1):38-45
This paper explores the possibility of improving syndrome differentiation system of weifen,qifen,yingfen and xuefen.Clinical manifestations of xuefen syndrome in warm diseases are diverse with complex pathogenesis.Based on the previous re-search of the research group and the theories of essence and marrow,combined with characteristics of bleeding,organ failure,abnormal consciousness,and spasms in the extreme and late stages of warm diseases,it is suggested that the traditional xuefen syndrome should be further subdivided into xuefen syndrome mainly characterized by disorders in blood generation,circulation,and function,jingfen syndrome mainly characterized by organ failure,and suifen syndrome mainly characterized by symptoms of consciousness and nervous system abnormalities.Adopting six stage differentiation and treatment of weifen,qifen,yingfen,xuefen,jingfen and suifen not only ex-pands the progressive pattern of warm disease pathogenesis,deepens the understanding of the pathogenesis essence of each stage in warm diseases,especially the extreme and late stages,promotes the precision of treatment guides and prescriptions,but also helps us understand the common transformation and evolution laws of external and internal diseases,and thus improves the diagnosis and treat-ment effectiveness.
4.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
5.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
6.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
7.Expression and clinical significance of serum tumor-associated antigens in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Ying XIA ; Yu TANG ; Xinyi ZHA ; Yanru WANG ; Wei SHI ; Xun GONG ; Yingying QIU ; Xiaoming FEI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(9):1-6
Objective To investigate the expression of serum tumor-associated antigens(TAAs)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and analyze their clinical significance for RA.Methods A total of 214 RA patients were enrolled in the RA group,while 198 age-and gender-matched healthy individuals were included in the HC group.Rheumatoid factor(RF),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(Anti-CCP),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),interleu-kin-6(IL-6),ferritin levels,as well as gender,age,disease duration,disease activity score(DAS28)and clinical manifestations were collected from the RA group.The expression of TAAs in RA patients and the clinical characteristics of TAA-positive patients were analyzed.Spearman correla-tion analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between TAAs and clinical indicators in RA pa-tients.Results The positive rate of carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125)in the RA group was 8.88%,which was significantly higher than 1.01% in the HC group(P<0.001).Serum CA125 and cytok-eratin fragment 19(CYFRA21-1)levels in the RA group were significantly higher than those in the HC group,whereas alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate anti-gen 199(CA199)and neuron-specific enolase(NSE)levels were significantly lower(P<0.001).TAA-positive patients had significantly older age and higher rates of pulmonary interstitial lesions compared to TAA-negative patients(P<0.05).Patients with DAS28 scores>5.1 had significantly higher CA125 levels than those with DAS28 scores ≤5.1(P<0.05).CA125 levelswere positively corre-lated with DAS28 scores,ESR,RF,and anti-CCP antibodies(r=0.142,0.140,0.268,0.183;P<0.05).Conclusion In RA patients,the positivity rate and levels of some serum TAAs are ele-vated,and TAA-positive patients tend to be older and have higher incidence of pulmonary interstitial lesions.CA125 levels are positively correlated with RA disease activity.
8.Molecular Mechanism Mediated by HIF-1α/HO-1 Signaling Pathway of Guizhi Fulingwan in Suppressing Ferroptosis in Endometriosis
Li TANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Lulu WU ; Yingying LIANG ; Wenying GONG ; Quanning TAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):1-11
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which Guizhi Fulingwan (GFW) inhibits ferroptosis in endometriosis (EMT) through the regulation of the hypoxia inducible factor-1α/heme oxygenase 1 (HIF-1α/HO-1) signaling pathway. MethodsMachine learning was employed to identify ferroptosis-related biomarkers associated with EMT. Network pharmacology was utilized to identify the active components of GFW and its potential therapeutic targets against EMT, including core targets. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, and signaling pathways associated with the potential targets. An EMT rat model was established via autologous transplantation. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated, model, positive control (dienogest at 0.2 mg·kg-1), low-dose GFW (2.5 g·kg-1), and high-dose GFW (5 g·kg-1). After modeling, the rats received their respective treatment by oral gavage for 28 consecutive days, while the sham and model groups received equal volumes of distilled water. Serum and ectopic endometrial tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was employed to evaluate morphological alterations in ectopic lesions. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were conducted to assess mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α, HO-1, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). Tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) were quantified using commercial assay kits. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsFive ferroptosis-related biomarkers in EMT were identified: ALOX12, CHAC1, SAT1, AST1, and HO-1. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 42 active components of GFW and 192 potential therapeutic target genes related to EMT treatment, with FOS, JUN, HO-1 identified as core targets. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the potential targets were primarily involved in oxidative stress response and reactive oxygen species metabolism and were enriched in the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Compared to the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited significant increases in both mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α, HO-1, and PTGS2, as well as elevated tissue levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA. Conversely, GSH levels and the expression of GPX4 and SAT1 were markedly reduced, and serum levels of IL-6 and TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all GFW-treated groups showed significant downregulation of HIF-1α and HO-1, reduced Fe²⁺ levels, and downregulated expression of MDA, PTGS2, IL-6, and TGF-β1. Meanwhile, GSH, GPX4, and SAT1 expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), effectively ameliorating iron overload and oxidative stress, thereby demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in EMT, with the high-dose GFW demonstrating the most pronounced therapeutic effects. ConclusionGFW exerts therapeutic effects on endometriosis by regulating the HIF-1α/HO-1 signaling pathway to rectify iron metabolism disorders and attenuate free iron-induced oxidative damage. It upregulates the antioxidative defense system to inhibit lipid peroxidation cascades and modulates inflammatory cytokine networks. These effects collectively disrupt the pathological interaction between ferroptosis and chronic inflammation, providing a novel theoretical foundation for the clinical application of GFW in EMT treatment.
9.Effects of SEC14L1P1 on proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Wentian ZHENG ; Hui GONG ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Jiayi HAO ; Yajie WANG ; Yingying JIANG
China Oncology 2025;35(3):309-319
Background and purpose:SEC14L1P1,a pseudogene of the SEC14 family,is closely associated with the development of various tumors,but its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)has not been clarified.This study aimed to gain insights into the expression characteristics and subcellular localization of SEC14L1P1 in OSCC cells,as well as its effects on OSCC cell proliferation and migration.Methods:The expression of SEC14L1P1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)tissues was analyzed by the ENCORI database;The expression of SEC14L1P1 and its relationship with patient prognosis in HNSCC was further analyzed using the GDC and UCSC Xena databases.The expression of SEC14L1P1 in OSCC cell lines was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTFQ-PCR);RNA nucleoplasmic separation assay was performed to determine the localization of SEC14L1P1 in OSCC cells.SEC14L1P1 knockdown(SS-SEC14L1P1)group and knockdown control(SS-NC)group were established for CAL-27 cells,and SEC14L1P1 overexpression(SEC14L1P1)group and overexpression control(Vector)group were established for HN30 cells.The effects of SEC14L1P1 expression on the proliferation and migration abilities of cells in each group were assessed by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and transwell migration assays.RTFQ-PCR and Western blot experiments were used to detect the effects of altered SEC14L1P1 expression on the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related genes.To investigate the effects of SEC14L1P1 on the proliferation of OSCC cells in vivo using a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in nude mice,12 four-week-old BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into two groups:the antisense oligonucleotide(ASO)-NC group and the ASO-SEC14L1P1 group,with 6 mice in each group.All mice were individually labeled.Further mechanistic studies were performed by analyzing molecules interacting with SEC14L1P1 through the RNAInter database,and the ENCORI database was queried for expression correlation between SEC14L1P1 and DHX9.The effect of altered SEC14L1P1 expression on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway was detected by Western blot assay.Results:Database analysis showed that the expression of SEC14L1P1 was higher in HNSCC tissues than in normal tissues,and was strongly associated with poor patient prognosis.The RTFQ-PCR results showed that SEC14L1P1 was highly expressed in all six OSCC cell lines;RNA nucleoplasmic separation showed that SEC14L1P1 was mainly localized in the nucleus in CAL-27 and HN30 cells.Compared with SS-NC,the relative expression of SEC14L1P1 in the SS-SEC14L1P1 group was significantly lower and significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration,while the relative expression of SEC14L1P1 in the SEC14L1P1 group was significantly higher compared with the Vector group,which also significantly increased cell proliferation and migration.The down-regulation of SEC14L1P1 was accompanied by increased mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin,and decreased mRNA and protein levels of N-cadherin and vimentin,with the opposite result after SEC14L1P1 overexpression.In vivo experiments showed that the xenograft tumor weight and volume of the ASO-SEC14L1P1 group were significantly reduced.Further mechanistic studies revealed a positive correlation between SEC14L1P1 and DHX9 expressions,and DHX9 has been shown to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Knockdown of SEC14L1P1 resulted in decreased protein expressions of phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated-AKT(p-AKT),and overexpression of SEC14L1P1 increased protein expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT.Conclusion:SEC14L1P1 showed high expression levels in OSCC cells and tissues and promoted the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells,a phenomenon that may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by SEC14L1P1,which in turn promotes EMT.
10.Establishment and clinical applications of a prognostic model based on disease progression within 24 months in patients with multiple myeloma
Gong YINGYING ; Cao YONGQIN ; Xia JUN ; Wang QINGQING ; Sun CHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology 2025;52(3):144-148
Objective:To establish a prognostic model and explore its clinical application based on disease progression within 24 months(POD24)in patients with multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:A total of 289 patients newly diagnosed with MM at Wuxi People's Hospital from January 2007 to June 2022 were selected as the training group for retrospective analysis.A prognostic model based on POD24 was constructed using Cox univariate and multivariate analyses of overall survival(OS).A total of 184 patients from The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from August 2015 to December 2019 were included in the validation group to verify the predictive efficacy of the model.Results:Age,β2-microglobulin,Calcium,and POD24 were independent prognostic factors for MM.Patients in the high-risk group(≥2 points)had shorter OS(25.0 months vs.60.0 months)and progression-free survival(PFS)(14.0 months vs.56.0 months)than those in the low-risk group(<2 points).In addition,OS and PFS differed between the high-and low-risk groups in the entire validation group,as well as in each patient subgroup(P<0.05).Conclusions:The prognostic model based on POD24,age,β2 microglobulin,and Calcium holds prognostic value for patients newly diagnosed with MM in clinical practice.

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