ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of overexpressed protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 （Ptpn2） on the inflammatory response of mouse alveolar macrophages （MH-S） induced by SiO₂. MethodsCells with overexpressed Ptpn2 were constructed and induced by SiO₂. The experimental groups were divided into four groups： the negative control group with an empty vector （NC）， the overexpressed Ptpn2 group （P）， the negative control group with an empty vector + SiO₂ induction （NS）， and the overexpressed Ptpn2 + SiO₂ induction group （PS）. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification （iTRAQ） combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） were used to screen differential proteins， followed by Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） database analyses. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of Tumor necrosis factor （TNF） α， Gasdermin D （GSDMD）， and Transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PTPN2， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， and proteins related to the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the cells of each group. ResultsiTRAQ results identified 144 differential proteins among the four groups. GO analysis showed that in biological processes （BP）， these differential proteins were mainly enriched in IκB kinase/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling， cell activation and signal transduction involved in immune responses， and regulation of receptor signaling pathways by signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT）， etc. KEGG analysis revealed that the differential proteins were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway， NF-κB signaling pathway， NOD-like receptor signaling pathway， TGF-β signaling pathway， and TNF signaling pathway. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the NC group， the expressions of TNF α， GSDMD， and TGF-β1 in the cells of the NS group increased （P < 0.05）； compared to the NS group， the expression of the aforementioned proteins in the PS group decreased in cellular proteins（P < 0.05）. The results of Western blot showed that compared with the NC group， the protein expression levels of PTPN2， p-NF-κB，MyD88，TLR4，NLRP3，GSDMD，Caspase-1，IL-1β， TGF-βR1， TGF-βR，p-Smad2/3 in the NS group were significantly upregulated （P < 0.05）； compared with the NS group， the expression levels of the aforementioned proteins in the PS group were significantly downregulated （P < 0.05）. ConclusionOverexpression of Ptpn2 can inhibit the protein expressions of TLR4-TNF-α signaling， NLRP3 signaling， and TGF-β1 signaling closely related to inflammatory response in SiO₂-mediated MH-S macrophages.

Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment. Methods: A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets. Results: The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals. Conclusions Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.

Atherosclerosis (AS) remains the core pathological basis underlying the high incidence and high rates of mortality and disability associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Its essence is not merely lipid deposition, but rather an immune-mediated disease of the vascular wall characterized by an interplay of lipid metabolism disorders and chronic inflammation, with damage to vascular endothelial cells serving as the initiating event. As the disease progresses, it involves complex synergistic interactions among various cellular components, including endothelial cells, macrophages, and inflammatory cells, ultimately leading to plaque formation, instability, and even fatal thrombotic events. In recent years, the central driving role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in the progression of AS has garnered increasing attention from the scientific community. Among the vast array of lipid molecules, long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) have become a primary focus of research due to their exceptional physiological functions. Traditional views have primarily emphasized the basic physiological functions of LCFAs: serving as highly efficient energy substrates through mitochondrial β-oxidation and acting as key structural components of cellular phospholipid membranes. However, emerging evidence clearly indicates that the functions of LCFAs extend far beyond those of mere metabolic fuel. They also act as potent bioactive signaling molecules, playing an indispensable multidimensional role in the pathogenesis of AS. Equally noteworthy and representing a paradigm shift in cardiovascular research is the emerging theory of the “gut-heart axis”. This theoretical framework views the human gut microbiota—comprising trillions of microorganisms—as a critical and metabolically active “bioreactor”. A wealth of clinical and multi-cohort epidemiological studies have conclusively demonstrated that imbalances in the composition and function of the gut microbiota are highly correlated with the clinical risk and severity of AS. Within this axis, the gut microbiota serves as the primary processing hub for dietary lipids. It actively participates in the digestion and biochemical remodeling of LCFAs, thereby altering their saturation and chemical structure and generating a wide variety of gut microbial metabolites. The effects of these gut-derived lipid metabolites extend far beyond the local intestinal microenvironment. Upon entering the bloodstream, these circulating microbiota metabolites act as endocrine signals. Given the extreme complexity of the underlying mechanisms, a comprehensive elucidation of the synergistic and bidirectional interactions between LCFAs and the gut microbiota in vascular pathology is particularly urgent. Therefore, this article aims to provide a systematic review of the multidimensional regulatory mechanisms of LCFAs and their associated gut microbiota metabolites in the onset, progression, and clinical manifestations of AS. By thoroughly exploring the interaction patterns within the “LCFAs-gut microbiota-AS” triad, this review seeks to fundamentally expand our understanding of the pathogenesis of CVDs. More importantly, translating these mechanistic insights into clinical practice holds tremendous promise. We hope to provide a solid theoretical foundation for the future development of novel AS prevention and treatment strategies based on non-traditional approaches. These include precision nutritional interventions (i.e., dietary lipid intake plans tailored to an individual’s unique microbiome profile) and targeted microbiome modulation therapies (such as next-generation probiotics, prebiotics, or specific metabolite supplements). Targeting the gut as a “reactor” to treat vascular wall lesions represents a promising direction for future cardiovascular medicine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanisms of Fangji Fulingtang （FFD） on mitochondrial function in the mouse model of myocardial fibrosis （MF）. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into six groups （n=10 per group）： control， model， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose （3.315， 6.63， and 13.26 g·kg^-1， respectively） FFD， and captopril （20 mg·kg^-1）. MF was induced by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol （10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） in other groups except the control group for 14 consecutive days， with simultaneous gavage of corresponding drugs. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS） were measured by echocardiography. Serum levels of creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB）， cardiac troponin I （cTnI）， N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-pro BNP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione （GSH） levels were measured by biochemical assays. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） were detected by dihydroethidium （DHE） fluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， Masson's trichrome， and wheat germ agglutinin （WGA） staining were performed to evaluate myocardial structure and fibrosis. Mitochondrial ultrastructure and function were assessed by transmission electron microscopy， adenosine triphosphate （ATP） colorimetric assay， and JC-1 fluorescence staining. The protein levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α subunit （p-AMPKα）， AMPKα， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， mitofusin 2 （MFN2）， pyruvate kinase M2 isoform （PKM2）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） were analyzed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited decreased LVEF and LVFS， increased heart weight index and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio （P<0.01）， elevated levels of myocardial injury markers （CK-MB， cTnI， and NT-pro BNP）， inflammatory cytokines （TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6）， and MDA， along with reduced SOD and GSH levels （P<0.01）. Enhanced interstitial collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were observed in the model group （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining revealed mitochondrial swelling， crista disruption， decreased ATP content， and reduced red/green fluorescence ratio in the model group （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis demonstrated downregulation of p-AMPKα， PGC-1α， and MFN2 and upregulation of PKM2， LDHA， and HIF-1α in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， treatment with FFD or captopril improved LVEF and LVFS， reduced heart weight index and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of CK-MB， cTnI， NT-pro BNP， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and MDA， increased the SOD and GSH levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， attenuated the myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy （P<0.01）， and restored the mitochondrial ultrastructure. The medium and high-dose FFD groups as well as the captopril group showed increased ATP production and red/green fluorescence ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， FFD upregulated the expression of p-AMPKα and PGC-1α while downregulating the expression of LDHA and HIF-1α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFFD activates the AMPK/PGC-1α/MFN2 signaling pathway and inhibits the PKM2/LDHA/HIF-1α axis to restore mitochondrial function and energy metabolic homeostasis， thereby attenuating isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanisms of Fangji Fulingtang （FFD） on mitochondrial function in the mouse model of myocardial fibrosis （MF）. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into six groups （n=10 per group）： control， model， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose （3.315， 6.63， and 13.26 g·kg^-1， respectively） FFD， and captopril （20 mg·kg^-1）. MF was induced by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol （10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） in other groups except the control group for 14 consecutive days， with simultaneous gavage of corresponding drugs. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS） were measured by echocardiography. Serum levels of creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB）， cardiac troponin I （cTnI）， N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-pro BNP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione （GSH） levels were measured by biochemical assays. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） were detected by dihydroethidium （DHE） fluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， Masson's trichrome， and wheat germ agglutinin （WGA） staining were performed to evaluate myocardial structure and fibrosis. Mitochondrial ultrastructure and function were assessed by transmission electron microscopy， adenosine triphosphate （ATP） colorimetric assay， and JC-1 fluorescence staining. The protein levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α subunit （p-AMPKα）， AMPKα， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， mitofusin 2 （MFN2）， pyruvate kinase M2 isoform （PKM2）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） were analyzed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited decreased LVEF and LVFS， increased heart weight index and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio （P<0.01）， elevated levels of myocardial injury markers （CK-MB， cTnI， and NT-pro BNP）， inflammatory cytokines （TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6）， and MDA， along with reduced SOD and GSH levels （P<0.01）. Enhanced interstitial collagen deposition and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy were observed in the model group （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining revealed mitochondrial swelling， crista disruption， decreased ATP content， and reduced red/green fluorescence ratio in the model group （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis demonstrated downregulation of p-AMPKα， PGC-1α， and MFN2 and upregulation of PKM2， LDHA， and HIF-1α in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， treatment with FFD or captopril improved LVEF and LVFS， reduced heart weight index and heart weight-to-tibia length ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of CK-MB， cTnI， NT-pro BNP， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and MDA， increased the SOD and GSH levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， attenuated the myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy （P<0.01）， and restored the mitochondrial ultrastructure. The medium and high-dose FFD groups as well as the captopril group showed increased ATP production and red/green fluorescence ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， FFD upregulated the expression of p-AMPKα and PGC-1α while downregulating the expression of LDHA and HIF-1α （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFFD activates the AMPK/PGC-1α/MFN2 signaling pathway and inhibits the PKM2/LDHA/HIF-1α axis to restore mitochondrial function and energy metabolic homeostasis， thereby attenuating isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation. Methods: The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation. Results: MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs. Conclusions In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.

To investigate the impact and underlying mechanism of NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 2 (NSUN2) on gastric cancer progression, TCGA database was used and revealed a significant upregulation of NSUN2 expression in gastric cancer tissues. Western blot analysis revealed that NSUN2 was upregulated in gastric cancer cells compared with gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Colony formation assays demonstrated an enhanced colony-forming capacity in NSUN2-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, Transwell assays showed a marked increase in cell migration and invasion upon high NSUN2 expression. Moreover, TCGA database analysis suggested ARMC9 as a potential downstream target of NSUN2. Subsequently, MeRIP-qPCR analysis revealed that NSUN2 overexpression could increase m5C modification of ARMC9 mRNA, and reduce its degradation rate, thus enhancing protein expression. Additionally, ARMC9 overexpression augmented cellular colony formation and migratory and invasive capabilities. These findings indicate that NSUN2 promotes gastric cancer progression by elevating m5C modification of ARMC9 mRNA, increasing its stability and enhancing its expression, therefore, NSUN2 and ARMC9 may serve as potential therapeutic targets for gastric cancer.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance(PDR)and molecular transmission networks in Yubei District,Chongqing,providing evidence for targeted interventions.Methods Using a cross-sectional design,plasma samples were collected from HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART)in Yubei District from January 2022 to December 2023.Pol gene fragments were extracted and amplified for HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance analysis.Molecular transmission networks were constructed based on genetic distance calculations.Results Among 478 HIV-1 pol sequences,eight geno-types were identified:with CRF07_BC(60.4%,289/478),CRF08_BC(15.5%,74/478),CRF01_AE(11.7%,56/478),and CRF85_BC(5.9%,28/478).The overall PDR rate was 6.3%(30/478),with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs)and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs)at 1.7%(8/478)and 5.2%(25/478),respectively.No protease inhibitor(PI)resistance was de-tected.The molecular network included 177 cases(37.0%network entry rate),forming 53 clusters with 198 connections.Cluster sizes ranged from 2 to 17 nodes,and 75.3%(149/198)of connections were associated with five subdistricts/towns:Shuanglonghu Street,Huixing Street,Luoqi Town,Gulu Town,and Baoshenghu Street.Conclusion HIV-1 genotypes in Yubei District exhibit diversity and complexity,with moderate PDR prevalence.Regional clustering of transmission networks suggests the need for enhanced molecular surveil-lance and targeted interventions based on analytical findings.