1.DNA Methyltransferases 1-Regulated Methylation of Protein Kinase C Zeta Influences Its Expression in Breast Cancer Cells
Xixun ZHANG ; Lianglan BAO ; Mengya SUN ; Jinbin CHEN
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):72-85
Purpose:
Breast cancer (BC) is a predominant malignancy globally, surpassing lung cancer in terms of diagnostic frequency, with an escalating incidence rate in recent decades.Recent studies have investigated the role of protein kinase C zeta (PRKCZ) in diverse cellular processes in cancer biology. In this study, we evaluated the association between PRKCZ and deleterious outcomes in BC and elucidated the mechanisms underlying its expression in breast carcinoma.
Methods:
The correlation between PRKCZ and survival rates of patients with BC was investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The methylation status of the PRKCZ promoter was analyzed using the UALCAN database. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying PRKCZ inactivation in BC by treatment with transferase inhibitors, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, western blotting, and luciferase reporter gene assays. The degree of methylation and expression levels of PRKCZ, as regulated by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), were quantified using quantitative PCR and western blotting.
Results:
Our analysis revealed that decreased expression of PRKCZ in BC was significantly correlated with poor clinical prognosis. Furthermore, we observed that hypermethylation of the PRKCZ promoter contributed to its reduced expression in BC. Notably, DNMT1 has been identified as a critical regulator of PRKCZ methylation.
Conclusion
Our findings elucidate the tumor-suppressive function of PRKCZ and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its downregulation in BC.
2.DNA Methyltransferases 1-Regulated Methylation of Protein Kinase C Zeta Influences Its Expression in Breast Cancer Cells
Xixun ZHANG ; Lianglan BAO ; Mengya SUN ; Jinbin CHEN
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):72-85
Purpose:
Breast cancer (BC) is a predominant malignancy globally, surpassing lung cancer in terms of diagnostic frequency, with an escalating incidence rate in recent decades.Recent studies have investigated the role of protein kinase C zeta (PRKCZ) in diverse cellular processes in cancer biology. In this study, we evaluated the association between PRKCZ and deleterious outcomes in BC and elucidated the mechanisms underlying its expression in breast carcinoma.
Methods:
The correlation between PRKCZ and survival rates of patients with BC was investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The methylation status of the PRKCZ promoter was analyzed using the UALCAN database. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying PRKCZ inactivation in BC by treatment with transferase inhibitors, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, western blotting, and luciferase reporter gene assays. The degree of methylation and expression levels of PRKCZ, as regulated by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), were quantified using quantitative PCR and western blotting.
Results:
Our analysis revealed that decreased expression of PRKCZ in BC was significantly correlated with poor clinical prognosis. Furthermore, we observed that hypermethylation of the PRKCZ promoter contributed to its reduced expression in BC. Notably, DNMT1 has been identified as a critical regulator of PRKCZ methylation.
Conclusion
Our findings elucidate the tumor-suppressive function of PRKCZ and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its downregulation in BC.
3.DNA Methyltransferases 1-Regulated Methylation of Protein Kinase C Zeta Influences Its Expression in Breast Cancer Cells
Xixun ZHANG ; Lianglan BAO ; Mengya SUN ; Jinbin CHEN
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):72-85
Purpose:
Breast cancer (BC) is a predominant malignancy globally, surpassing lung cancer in terms of diagnostic frequency, with an escalating incidence rate in recent decades.Recent studies have investigated the role of protein kinase C zeta (PRKCZ) in diverse cellular processes in cancer biology. In this study, we evaluated the association between PRKCZ and deleterious outcomes in BC and elucidated the mechanisms underlying its expression in breast carcinoma.
Methods:
The correlation between PRKCZ and survival rates of patients with BC was investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The methylation status of the PRKCZ promoter was analyzed using the UALCAN database. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying PRKCZ inactivation in BC by treatment with transferase inhibitors, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, western blotting, and luciferase reporter gene assays. The degree of methylation and expression levels of PRKCZ, as regulated by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), were quantified using quantitative PCR and western blotting.
Results:
Our analysis revealed that decreased expression of PRKCZ in BC was significantly correlated with poor clinical prognosis. Furthermore, we observed that hypermethylation of the PRKCZ promoter contributed to its reduced expression in BC. Notably, DNMT1 has been identified as a critical regulator of PRKCZ methylation.
Conclusion
Our findings elucidate the tumor-suppressive function of PRKCZ and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its downregulation in BC.
4.Decoding the immune microenvironment of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia due to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with CD19 CAR-T failure by single-cell RNA-sequencing.
Xudong LI ; Hong HUANG ; Fang WANG ; Mengjia LI ; Binglei ZHANG ; Jianxiang SHI ; Yuke LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Mingxia SUN ; Haixia CAO ; Danfeng ZHANG ; Na SHEN ; Weijie CAO ; Zhilei BIAN ; Haizhou XING ; Wei LI ; Linping XU ; Shiyu ZUO ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1866-1881
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have demonstrated the occurrence of secondary tumors as a rare but significant complication of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation. Given the limited variety of secondary tumor types reported to date, a comprehensive characterization of the various secondary tumors arising after CAR-T therapy is essential to understand the associated risks and to define the role of the immune microenvironment in malignant transformation. This study aims to characterize the immune microenvironment of a newly identified secondary tumor post-CAR-T therapy, to clarify its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS:
In this study, the bone marrow (BM) samples were collected by aspiration from the primary and secondary tumors before and after CD19 CAR-T treatment. The CD45 + BM cells were enriched with human CD45 microbeads. The CD45 + cells were then sent for 10× genomics single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify cell populations. The Cell Ranger pipeline and CellChat were used for detailed analysis.
RESULTS:
In this study, a rare type of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) were reported in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had previously received CD19 CAR-T therapy. The scRNA-seq analysis revealed increased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and an immunosuppressive state of monocytes/macrophages, which may impair cytotoxic activity in both T and natural killer (NK) cells in secondary CMML before treatment. In contrast, their cytotoxicity was restored in secondary CMML after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
This finding delineates a previously unrecognized type of secondary tumor, CMML, after CAR-T therapy and provide a framework for defining the immune microenvironment of secondary tumor occurrence after CAR-T therapy. In addition, the results provide a rationale for targeting macrophages to improve treatment strategies for CMML treatment.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy*
;
Tumor Microenvironment/genetics*
;
Antigens, CD19/metabolism*
;
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics*
;
Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Single-Cell Analysis/methods*
;
Female
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods*
;
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
;
Middle Aged
5.Clinical efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with severe pure native aortic regurgitation.
Jiantao CHEN ; Yi ZHANG ; Kangni FENG ; Suiqing HUANG ; Hanri XIAO ; Mengya LIANG ; Zhongkai WU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(4):529-540
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the early clinical efficacy and safety of trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with severe pure native aortic regurgitation (PNAR) who are not suitable for conventional surgical aortic valve replace-ment.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 patients with PNAR who underwent TAVR at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between March 2019 and February 2025. These included 25 cases with transfemoral approach (TF-TAVR group) and 23 cases with transapical approach (TA-TAVR group). Efficacy and safety were assessed by analyzing baseline characteristics, all-cause mortality, and procedure-related complications.
RESULTS:
Compared with the TA-TAVR group, the TF-TAVR group exhibited significantly smaller aortic annulus circumference and diameter, left ventricular outflow tract circumference and diameter, diameters of the left, right, and non-coronary sinuses, and sinotubular junction (STJ) diameter, along with a shorter distance from the STJ to the aortic annular plane ring plane, a smaller annulus angle (all P<0.05). Additionally, the TF-TAVR group showed a deeper prosthesis implantation depth relative to the aortic annular plane (P<0.01). The overall technical success rate was 91.67%, and the device success rate was 83.33%. Post-TAVR, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (both P<0.05), while only the TA-TAVR group showed significant reduction in left ventricular end-systolic diameter (P<0.05). For primary outcomes, in-hospital mortality occurred in 2 patients (4.17%). No additional deaths were reported at 60 or 90 d after surgery. During 90-180 d after surgery, one patient in the TF-TAVR group died of sudden cardiac death, and one in the TA-TAVR group died of gastroin-testinal bleeding. During 180 d-1 year after surgery, one patient in the TF-TAVR group died of low cardiac output syndrome. No statistically significant differences were observed in 1-year Kaplan-Meier survival curves between the two groups (P>0.05). No conduction block events occurred in TA-TAVR group during hospitalization or 1-year follow-up, while high-grade atrioventricular block, left bundle branch block, permanent pacemaker implantation occurred in TF-TAVR group during hospitalization (12.00%, 4.00%, and 12.00%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
TAVR demonstrates high feasibility and acceptable safety for severe PNAR patients who are not suitable for conventional SAVR. Both TF-TAVR and TA-TAVR show comparable early postoperative efficacy and safety profiles.
Humans
;
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/adverse effects*
;
Aortic Valve Insufficiency/surgery*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Aortic Valve/surgery*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Heart Valve Prosthesis
6.Orexin-A promotes motor function recovery of rats with spinal cord injury by regulating ionotropic glutamate receptors.
Guanglü HE ; Wanyu CHU ; Yan LI ; Xin SHENG ; Hao LUO ; Aiping XU ; Mingjie BIAN ; Huanhuan ZHANG ; Mengya WANG ; Chao ZHENG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):1023-1030
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of orexin-A-mediated regulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors for promoting motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).
METHODS:
Thirty-six newborn SD rats (aged 7-14 days) were randomized into 6 groups (n=6), including a normal control group, a sham-operated group, and 4 SCI groups with daily intrathecal injection of saline, DNQX, orexin-A, or orexin-A+DNQX for 3 consecutive days after PCI. Motor function of the rats were evaluated using blood-brain barrier (BBB) score and inclined plane test 1 day before and at 1, 3, and 7 days after SCI. For patch-clamp experiment, spinal cord slices from newborn rats in the control, sham-operated, SCI, and SCI+orexin groups were prepared, and ventral horn neurons were acutely isolated to determine the reversal potential and dynamic indicators of glutamate receptor-mediated currents under glutamate perfusion.
RESULTS:
At 3 and 7 days after SCI, the orexin-A-treated rats showed significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles than those with other interventions. Compared with those treated with DNQX alone, the rats receiving the combined treatment with orexin and DNQX had significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles on day 7 after PCI. In the patch-clamp experiment, the ventral horn neurons from SCI rat models exhibited obviously higher reversal potential and greater rise slope of glutamate current with shorter decay time than those from sham-operated and orexin-treated rats.
CONCLUSIONS
Orexin-A promotes motor function recovery in rats after SCI possibly by improving the function of the ionotropic glutamate receptors.
Animals
;
Spinal Cord Injuries/drug therapy*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate/metabolism*
;
Recovery of Function/drug effects*
;
Orexins/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Animals, Newborn
;
Neuropeptides/pharmacology*
;
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology*
7.The IL-33/ST2 Axis Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells by Modulating the Astrocyte Response After Optic Nerve Injury.
Zhigang QIAN ; Mengya JIAO ; Na ZHANG ; Xuhuan TANG ; Shiwang LIU ; Feng ZHANG ; Chenchen WANG ; Fang ZHENG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):61-76
IL-33 and its receptor ST2 play crucial roles in tissue repair and homeostasis. However, their involvement in optic neuropathy due to trauma and glaucoma remains unclear. Here, we report that IL-33 and ST2 were highly expressed in the mouse optic nerve and retina. Deletion of IL-33 or ST2 exacerbated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss, retinal thinning, and nerve fiber degeneration following optic nerve (ON) injury. This heightened retinal neurodegeneration correlated with increased neurotoxic astrocytes in Il33-/- mice. In vitro, rIL-33 mitigated the neurotoxic astrocyte phenotype and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, thereby alleviating the RGC death induced by neurotoxic astrocyte-conditioned medium in retinal explants. Exogenous IL-33 treatment improved RGC survival in Il33-/- and WT mice after ON injury, but not in ST2-/- mice. Our findings highlight the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in modulating reactive astrocyte function and providing neuroprotection for RGCs following ON injury.
Animals
;
Interleukin-33/genetics*
;
Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein/genetics*
;
Optic Nerve Injuries/pathology*
;
Retinal Ganglion Cells/pathology*
;
Astrocytes/pathology*
;
Mice
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Neuroprotection/physiology*
8.Exploration on the Collaborative Development of One Hospital and Multiple Districts in Tertiary Public Hospitals
Linlin LI ; Suping QU ; Chuan ZHANG ; Mengya CHEN ; Xiaoya FENG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(7):90-93
Nowadays,the one hospital with multiple districts has become a common model for the development of large public hospitals at present.Through the analysis of the common problems in the development of one hospital with multiple districts,the homogeneous management of one hospital with multiple districts has practical problems,it reflected in difficulties in space management,difficulties,difficulties in staff management,difficulties in system management,difficulties in collaborative development of medical service,difficulties in assessment,difficulties in cost management,difficulties in culture integrations.The case of the scientific management of one hospital with multiple districts in a tertiary public hospitals of provincial state-owned is analyzed,the experience are summarized in terms of organizational structure level,development orientation level,personnel level,performance pay level,cost control level,basic facilities level,culture level,to expected to provide references for promoting the construction of one hospital with multiple districts in public hospitals.
9.Association between self-rated health status and mortality riskamong the elderly
ZHANG Meng ; ZHANG Li ; LIU Mengya ; SONG Nannan ; ZHOU Jinglei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(2):105-108,114
Objective:
To investigate the association between self-rated health status and mortality risk, and to evaluate the predictive value of self-rated health status for mortality risk among the elderly.
Methods:
Based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, data of sociodemographic information, self-rated health status and mortality of the elderly aged 60 years and older were collected from 2011 to 2018. The association between self-rated health status and mortality risk among the elderly was analyzed using a multivariable Cox proportional risk regression model.
Results:
Totally 4 850 individuals were included, with an median age of 65 (interquartile range, 8) years. There were 2 485 males (51.24%) and 2 365 females (48.76%). There were 877 individuals (18.08%) rated their health as good, 2 078 individuals (42.85%) as general, 1 895 individuals (39.07%) as poor. A total of 28 955 person-years were followed up, with an average follow-up of 5.97 years per person. There were 855 deaths by the end of follow-up in 2018, and the median survival time was 7 (interquartile range, 3) years. Multivariable Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that there were interactive effects of age, sex and self-rated health status on mortality, respectively (both P<0.05). The results of gender-stratified analysis showed that there was no significant association between self-rated health status and mortality risk in old women (P>0.05). The mortality risk was higher in old men with poor self-rated health than with good self-rated health (<70 years, HR=5.382, 95%CI: 3.263-8.876; 70 to 79 years, HR=3.536, 95%CI: 1.070-11.686; ≥80 years, HR=3.043, 95%CI: 1.827-5.066).
Conclusion
There is an association between self-rated health status and mortality risk among the elderly, the old men with poor self-rated health had a higher mortality risk.
10.Treatment of Endometriosis from the Perspective of "Retention due to Deficiency Qi"
Yujuan ZHANG ; Youhua ZHU ; Jiajing ZHAO ; Yanan YANG ; Mengya BU ; Mengxin FANG ; Yuxiao HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(9):954-957
It is believed that retention due to deficient qi is an important pathogenesis of endometriosis (EMs). Deficient qi is the root of the disease, mainly manifested as spleen deficiency, while retention is the branch pathogenesis of the disease, mainly with blood stasis, complicated with constraint, phlegm, heat, toxin and other pathological factors. Therefore, it is proposed to follow the treatment principle of supplementing deficiency and unblocking stagnation, and take the methods of replenishing qi and fortifying the spleen, removing stasis and eliminating concretions. Self-made Fuzheng Huayu Formula (扶正化瘀方) is taken as the basic formula, and can be modified with the symptoms in menstrual and non-menstrual periods. Additionally, the methods of moving qi, dispelling phlegm, clearing heat, relieving toxin and others can be combined, and it is recommended to treat the root and the branch simultaneously.


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