1.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
2.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
3.Visual analysis of hot spots and trends in the study of ligamentum flavum ossification
Qiang XU ; Jialin QIN ; Zeshuang LIAN ; Aoting WANG ; Ding LI ; Ye WANG ; Junfang WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):628-636
BACKGROUND:Ossification of the ligamentum flavum was previously considered to be rare in the population.As research has progressed,its incidence rate is increasing gradually,which has aroused the interest of a large number of researchers. OBJECTIVE:To visualize and analyze the research results on ossification of the ligamentum flavum from the Web of Science Core Collection since 1999 using bibliometric methods,and to review the research history of ossification of the ligamentum flavum,highlighting important literature,summarizing research hotspots,and providing ideas for researchers to find research directions. METHODS:Using the Web of Science Core Collection as the data source,relevant papers on ossification of the ligamentum flavum were searched and screened.VOSviewer 1.6.19 and CiteSpace 6.2.R6 were used to conduct the visual analysis of annual publication volume,research countries,institutions,citations,journals,authors,and keywords. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 347 papers were included.Since 1999,the number of published papers has increased in a spiral pattern.China's research started later than Japan's,but the number of publications has come up later,with Peking University being the institution with the most publications,and Prof.Chen Zhongqiang from Peking University being the scholar with the most publications.(2)Five of the 10 most frequently cited publications were related to the surgical treatment of the disease.(3)Excluding keywords directly related to the research topic and synthetically analyzing frequencies and betweenness centralities of key words,terms such as"thoracic myelopathy,""dural ossification,""minimally invasive surgery,"and"ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament"occupied a central position in this field.(4)Keywords clustering analysis showed that clinical manifestations and surgical treatment of ossification of the ligamentum flavum accounted for a large proportion of study.(5)The timeline and burst analysis of keywords revealed that"minimally invasive surgery"appeared as a keyword around 2015,with the highest burst strength and the latest burst start time,and began to receive extensive attention from researchers in 2019.The burst of the keyword"dural ossification"has not yet ended.(6)Surgical treatment for ossification of the ligamentum flavum has been at the forefront of research.Development and research of minimally invasive surgery and research on dural ossification secondary to ossification of the ligamentum flavum are both current research hotspots and possible future research trends.
4.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
5.Advances in the application of immunoadsorption in autoimmune encephalitis
Jinjin QIN ; Wang MIAO ; Junfang TENG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2022;55(7):764-769
Immunoadsorption can selectively remove pathogenic antibodies and has recently achieved good results in neuroimmune diseases. The type and titer of pathogenic antibodies play an important role in the clinical symptoms and severity of patients with autoimmune encephalitis. First-line immunotherapy for autoimmune encephalitis includes steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange or immunoadsorption. Immunoadsorption selectively and rapidly eliminates autoantibodies and can be an effective therapeutic option as part of multimodal immunotherapy.
6.Design of Detection Module in Coagulometers Based on Dual-magnetic Circuit Beads Method.
Shaomin LI ; Xingwei ZHANG ; Junfang QIN ; Yongjie ZHAO ; Zhaohong XIE ; Xinjian LU ; Qihao LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Instrumentation 2021;45(2):145-152
Coagulometer, known as blood coagulation analyzer, is a product that can provide accurate test results for medical diagnosis and treatment analysis by detecting a series of items closely related to thrombosis and hemostasis in coagulation reaction. On the basis of previous traditional methods, and with our deep understanding about the principles of hemagglutination detection, we propose a hemagglutination detection method by using the dual-magnetic circuit beads method. Then, the corresponding hemagglutination detection module is designed. The coagulation time of plasma can be measured by detecting the movement of the magnetic beads when the magnetic field intensity is appropriate. The activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) of plasma is tested when the most suitable magnetic field intensity is found. The results preliminarily show that this blood coagulation test method is valid and the corresponding test module has a potential value in business.
Blood Coagulation
;
Blood Coagulation Tests
;
Magnetic Phenomena
;
Magnetics
;
Partial Thromboplastin Time
7.Research progress on postoperative application of vaginal brachytherapy in patients with early endometrial carcinoma
Xue QIN ; Junfang YAN ; Bo YANG ; Xiaorong HOU ; Lang YU ; Jie QIU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2021;30(10):1089-1093
Radiation therapy plays an important role in the adjuvant treatment of patients with early endometrial carcinoma. Vaginal stump is a common site of disease failure for early endometrial carcinoma patients with intermediate-high risk factors for recurrence. Compared with external beam radiotherapy, vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) can achieve comparable local control rate with fewer toxicities. In this article, research progresses upon the application of VBT in patients with early endometrial carcinoma after hysterectomy were investigated from multiple perspectives of the selection of patients, the selection of vaginal applicator, factors influencing dose distribution, image-guided adaptive brachytherapy, the design and implementation of radiotherapy regime. In addition, the application of intensity-modulated VBT and the usage of novel quality assurance equipment were also discussed.
8.Application of scenario-based interactive learning software to generate virtual reality scenarios in medical statistics teaching
Si QIN ; Junfang XU ; Qituo HU ; Xiaopeng GUO ; Youfeng GUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2021;20(6):659-662
Objective:To explore teaching methods to improve the teaching effect in view of many difficulties in learning medical statistics for clinical medical students.Methods:Taking the clinical medical students of the same grade as the research objects, the students were randomly divided into two groups by cluster sampling in class, i.e. control group and experimental group. The traditional teaching methods and the scenario-based interactive learning software teaching methods were used respectively. The scores of medical statistics courses examinations and the statistical errors in responding to projects of extracurricular research activities were compared between the two groups. SPSS 19.0 was performed for statistical analysis.Results:The results of subject achievements of the students in the experimental group (74.08±11.19) were higher than those in the control group (63.82±10.10) ( t=3.926, P<0.001), especially the comprehensive capabilities of the innovative analysis questions and the multiple-choice questions. The statistical errors of the students in the experimental group was less than those in the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups in the estimation of sample size ( χ2=4.189, P=0.041), statistical design ( χ2=5.558, P=0.018) and data analysis ( χ2=3.971, P=0.046). Conclusion:The results suggest that scenario-based interactive learning software is helpful to improve teaching efficiency, and enhance students' ability to analyze and solve practical problems by using medical statistics knowledge.
9.Activation of β2-Adrenergic Receptor Promotes Growth and Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer by Down-regulating PPARγ
Jing ZHOU ; Zhanzhao LIU ; Lingjing ZHANG ; Xiao HU ; Zhihua WANG ; Hong NI ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2020;52(3):830-847
Purpose:
Chronic stress and related hormones are key in cancer progression. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and its agonists was reported that inducing anti-tumor effect. However, the function of PPARγ in pro-tumorigenic effects induced by chronic stress in breast cancer remains unknown. Herein, we have characterized a novel role of PPARγ and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) signals in breast cancer promoted by chronic stress.
Materials and Methods:
We performed experiments in vivo and in vitro and used bioinformatics data to evaluate the therapeutic potential of PPARγ in breast cancer promoted by stress.
Results:
Chronic stress significantly inhibited the PPARγ expression and promoted breast cancer in vivo. VEGF/FGF2-mediated angiogenesis increased in the chronic stress group compared to the control group. PPARγ agonist pioglitazone (PioG) injection offset the pro-tumorigenic effect of chronic stress. Moreover, specific β2-adrenergic receptor (β2R) antagonist ICI11-8551 inhibited the effect of chronic stress. In vitro, norepinephrine (NE) treatment had a similar tendency to chronic stress. The effect of NE was mediated by the β2R/adenylate cyclase signaling pathway and suppressed by PioG. PPARγ suppressed VEGF/FGF2 through reactive oxygen species inhibition. Bioinformatics data confirmed that therewas a lowPPARγ expression in breast invasive carcinoma. Lower PPARγ was associated with a significantly worse survival.
Conclusion
β2R activation induced by chronic stress and related hormones promotes growth and VEGF/FGF2-mediated angiogenesis of breast cancer by down-regulating PPARγ. Our findings hint that β receptor and PPARγ as two target molecules and the novel role for their agonists or antagonists as clinical medicine in breast cancer therapy
10.Meta-analysis of prevalence of pterygium among people aged over 40 in China
Mei YANG ; Yu GUAN ; Lihua KANG ; Bai QIN ; Junfang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2019;37(3):190-196
Objective To evaluated the prevalence of pterygium among people aged ≥40 in China by using Meta analysis.Methods A literature retrieval was performed in China biology medicine disc (CBMdisc),China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI),VIP database,WanFang database,PubMed,excerpta medica database (EMBASE),Web of Science from 1990 to 2016 according to designed searching strategy.Tailored quality evaluation standard of epidemiological research was used to evaluate the study quality of each included study.Stata 13.0 software was used to estimate the prevalence of pterygium,subgroup analysis of age,sex and region was also carried out.Results Thirty-six studies were involved in this Meta analysis,including 8 English researches and 28 Chinese researches.The random effect model was used to merge 36 research data.The prevalence of pterygium among people aged over 40 in China was 13.4% [95% confidence interval (CI):10.6%-16.5%].Subgroup analysis results showed that the prevalence of pterygium increased with age.The prevalence of pterygium in rural region was 15.3% (95% CI:12.1%-18.8%),which was higher than 4.0% (95% CI:2.4%-6.1%) in urban region.The prevalence of pterygium among rural people aged ≥ 40 was 12.1% (95% CI:8.6%-16.2%),which was lower than 14.7% (95% CI:10.5%-19.5%) among rural people aged ≥50.The highest prevalence of pterygium in different age and sex subgroups was in the west region of China,followed by the east region of China and the lowest was in the central region of China.Conclusion The prevalence of pterygium among people aged ≥ 40 in China was high.Over the past decade,the prevalence of pterygium were different among different ages,and places of residence.

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