1.COLEC12high tumor-associated macrophages orchestrate lenvatinib resistance and cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma via paracrine NRG1-HER2/HER3 signaling
Jianxing ZHANG ; Liang QIAO ; Zongfeng WU ; Dinglan ZUO ; Shanshan HUANG ; Shaoru LIU ; Zhenkun HUANG ; Yi ZENG ; Yu LI ; Yichuan YUAN ; Chenwei WANG ; Wei HE ; Jiliang QIU ; Yunfei YUAN ; Yi NIU ; Binkui LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):772-786
Background/Aims:
Lenvatinib resistance remains a critical barrier in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms and strategies for reversing resistance remain incompletely understood.
Methods:
Integrated transcriptomics of lenvatinib-resistant patient tumors and an acquired-resistance murine model identified a novel macrophage subpopulation. Functional validation employed CRISPR-SAM screening, conditioned medium (CM) assays, subcutaneous/orthotopic xenografts, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Mechanistic studies included ChIP-qPCR, co-immunoprecipitation, and pharmacologic targeting. Clinical relevance was assessed in a retrospective cohort.
Results:
Resistant HCC exhibited significant enrichment of a COLEC12high TAM subset , which correlated with poor survival and treatment response. These TAMs secreted neuregulin-1 (NRG1) , activating HER2/HER3-AKT signaling in tumor cells to drive cancer stemness and lenvatinib resistance. Mechanistically, in TAMs COLEC12 sequestered STAT1 in the cytoplasm, preventing its phosphorylation, and thereby derepressing STAT3-mediated NRG1 transcription. Depletion of NRG1 reversed the stemness phenotypes and resensitized tumors to lenvatinib both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, high NRG1 expression predicted an inferior lenvatinib response and shorter survival. Crucially, the bispecific anti-HER2/HER3 antibody zenocutuzumab restored lenvatinib efficacy in PDOs, PDXs, and murine models.
Conclusions
Our work establishes the COLEC12high TAM/NRG1 axis as a master regulator of therapeutic resistance and identifies NRG1 as a predictive biomarker, providing a clinically actionable strategy to overcome lenvatinib resistance in HCC.
2.Effect and Mechanism of Xiao Qinglongtang Against Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Rats with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Monocrotaline
Lei QI ; Huifei ZHANG ; Ling GONG ; Jifu HE ; Wenjing CHEN ; Weipin NIU ; Xiao LI ; Yuehua JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):11-19
ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rat model to systematically evaluate the protective effect of Xiao Qinglongtang (XQLT) on right cardiac function in model rats and further elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal group, model group, XQLT low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (XQLT-L/M/H), and the beraprost sodium tablet group (BST). Except for the normal group, rats in all other groups were given a single subcutaneous injection of MCT (60 mg·kg-1) to induce PAH. Three weeks after injection, rats in the XQLT-L/M/H groups were administered XQLT intragastrically at 3.07, 6.14, 12.28 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively. Rats in the BST group received beraprost sodium at 12.6 μg·kg-1·d-1, and rats in the model group received an equal volume of saline. All treatments lasted for 3 weeks. Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured by right ventricular catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The right ventricle was weighed to calculate the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial morphology. Serum metabolomic changes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed (DE) proteins in the right ventricle, and Western blot was used to measure the expression of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α (PIK3CA), L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), and quinone oxidoreductase (CRYZ). UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of XQLT. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased RVSP and RVHI (P<0.05), along with pathological changes in myocardial morphology. Compared with the model group, all XQLT-treated groups exhibited reductions in RVSP and RVHI as well as significant improvements in cardiac function and myocardial morphology. Among the XQLT groups, XQLT-M showed the most pronounced effects (P<0.05), comparable to the BST group. Serum metabolomics revealed 105 differential metabolites in the XQLT groups versus the model group [variable importance in projection (VIP) >1, P<0.05], including 58 upregulated and 47 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that XQLT intervention downregulated phenylalanine metabolism (P<0.01) and upregulated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (P<0.05). Proteomics analysis showed that 982 DE proteins were identified in the MCT groups versus the normal group, including 455 upregulated and 527 downregulated proteins (|fold change (FC)| >1.3, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, 237 DE proteins were identified in the XQLT groups, including 124 upregulated and 113 downregulated proteins (|FC| >1.3, P<0.05), with 57 overlapping DE proteins. KEGG enrichment suggested that XQLT mainly modulated pathways related to mineral absorption, ribosomal biogenesis, peroxisomes, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, spliceosomes, and thyroid hormone signaling. Western blot analysis showed that, compared with the model group, XQLT increased the expression of UCP3, PIK3CA, and L1CAM, while decreasing the expression of CRYZ (P<0.05). ConclusionXQLT exerts a protective effect on right heart function in MCT-induced PAH rats, and its mechanism is associated with maintaining myocardial homeostasis and alleviating right ventricular remodeling.
3.Peyton's Four-Step Teaching Method for Intestinal Ultrasound Training: Efficacy and Practical Implications
Zihan NIU ; Xiaoyan ZHANG ; Zhaojue WANG ; Qingli ZHU ; Mengsu XIAO ; Li MA ; Yudi HE ; Wenbo LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):591-596
To evaluate the application value of the Peyton four-step teaching method in the standardized training of intestinal ultrasound and compare it with traditional teaching methods, so as to provide an optimized approach for clinical ultrasound training. Participants from the Department of Ultrasound at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between September 2024 and March 2025 were randomly assigned to either the traditional group or Peyton group. The traditional group followed the conventional "lecture- demonstration-practice" model, while the Peyton group implemented the standardized "demonstration-deconstruction-comprehension-execution" four-step approach. All training focused on standard intestinal ultrasound scanning techniques. After the training, the operational skills were independently evaluated by the instructors. To verify the reproducibility of the teaching method, the participants in traditional teaching group received additional Peyton method training after the initial assessment and underwent a second evaluation. A total of 18 participants were included in this study, with 9 in the traditional teaching group and 9 in the Peyton teaching group. Participants in the Peyton group demonstrated significantly higher scores than those in the traditional group at every anatomical site assessed (all The Peyton four-step method is significantly more effective than traditional teaching in improving residents' intestinal ultrasound skills, demonstrating its suitability as the preferred approach for standardized training programs.
4.Analyses of physical fitness in preschool children aged 3 to 6 years in Tongzhou District of Beijing
Yueyun HOU ; He NIU ; Yue HU ; Ling LI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):478-481
ObjectiveTo investigate the physical fitness status and associated factors among preschool children aged 3 to 6 years in Tongzhou District of Beijing, and to provide evidence for promoting physical development in this population. MethodsBased on the 2020 National Physical Fitness Surveillance data for Tongzhou District of Beijing, a total of 416 children were included for standardized physical tests, including morphological, physiological, and fitness indicators, and questionnaire surveys. Independent sample t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare differences in physical indicators across groups, while multivariate linear regression models were applied to analyze influencing factors. ResultsThe comprehensive fitness score of children aged 3 to 6 years old in Tongzhou District of Beijing was (79.98±6.97) points, with an overall physical fitness pass rate of 99.52%. The proportions of excellent, good, and pass grades were 37.50%, 39.90%, and 22.12%, respectively. The average heights for the 3-years-old, 4-years-old, 5-years-old, and 6-years-old groups in Tongzhou District were (102.13±4.24) cm, (107.92±4.66) cm, (115.43±4.70) cm, and (119.16±4.33) cm, respectively. The corresponding average body weights were (16.63±2.46) kg, (18.66±2.54) kg, (21.60±4.02) kg, and (23.46±4.64) kg, respectively. Among children aged 3 to 6 years, the average BMI was (15.95±1.79) kg‧m-2, body fat percentage was (21.92±4.77)%, resting pulse rate was (95.24±9.70) beats per minute, grip strength was (5.74±2.07) kg, standing long jump distance was (78.12±19.95) cm, sit-and-reach flexibility was (12.25±4.65) cm, continuous two-foot jump time was (6.29±2.55) seconds, 15-meter obstacle shuttle run time was (7.94±1.30) seconds, and balance beam walking time was (5.11±2.25) seconds. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that higher composite fitness scores were significantly positively associated with female gender (b=1.72, 95%CI: 0.42-3.01), aged 4 years old and above (b=2.97, 95%CI: 1.35-4.59), mixed feeding (b=4.16, 95%CI: 1.60-6.72) or breastfeeding (b=3.23, 95%CI: 0.36-6.10) during infancy, taller paternal (b=0.16, 95%CI: 0.02-0.30) and maternal (b=0.25, 95%CI: 0.11-0.39) height (all P<0.05). ConclusionThe physical fitness of children aged 3 to 6 years in Tongzhou District of Beijing is generally favorable, with gender, age, feeding patterns, and genetic factors identified as key correlating factors. Comprehensive strategies are recommended to improve early childhood physical health.
5.Application of shockwave balloon in the treatment of TASCⅡ C/D femoropopliteal atherosclerosis obliterans
Yi HE ; Hongyu WU ; Shanshan DING ; Yanqing QI ; Fei WU ; Xiaoyang NIU ; Yanling WANG ; Weilong LU ; Bing WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(5):572-576
Objective:To evaluate the short-and medium-term therapeutic efficacy of shockwave balloon therapy for TASCⅡ C/D femoropopliteal artery atherosclerosis obliteration.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 25 patients who received shockwave balloon therapy in five vascular centers from August 2022 to June 2023. All patients were diagnosed with TASC Ⅱ C/D femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliterans (13 cases of type C and 12 cases of type D), and underwent intravascular shock wave lithotripsy (IVL) to treat calcified lesions. The immediate effectiveness (residual stenosis<30% and no flow-limiting dissection), safety (whether there were adverse vascular events during the operation) and the rate of salvage stent implantation were recorded. The observation indexes of patients before operation, early postoperative period (immediately after operation or before discharge) and postoperative follow-up period (3, 6, 12 months after operation) were collected. The observation indexes included ankle-brachial index (ABI), Rutherford classification, and minimum lumen diameter (MLD). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the changes of observation indexes in the early postoperative and follow-up stages compared with those before operation; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the one-stage patency rate at follow-up and the target lesion revascularization rate free from clinical drive.Results:The immediate effectiveness of surgery was 100% in all patients, with no vascular related adverse events occurred, and no remedial stent implantation was performed. The ABI, Rutherford grade and MLD of the patients in the early postoperative period and each follow-up stage were improved compared with those before operation, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the primary patency rate at 12 months after surgery was 0.78 (95% CI 0.64-0.84), and the revascularization rate of target lesions free from clinical drive was 0.87 (95% CI 0.85-0.95). Conclusion:Shockwave balloon therapy for complex calcified femoropopliteal artery lesions is safe and reliable, with satisfactory short-and medium-term efficacy.
6.Effects of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation on Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures
Yun NIU ; Hualin HU ; Haibin YAN ; Shouzheng LIU ; Bangjian HE
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2025;32(11):1656-1661
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation in the treatment of Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures.Methods:This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial involving 102 patients with Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yuhang District from November 2020 to October 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 48) and a study group ( n = 54) using the random number table method. The study group received treatment with minimally invasive plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation, while the control group underwent double bone plate fixation through medial and lateral knee incisions. Surgical outcomes and bone healing were compared between the two groups. All participants were followed up for 1 year after surgery, during which knee joint function was assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score and balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale. The incidence of postoperative complications was also compared between the two groups. Results:The study group had significantly shorter surgical time [(69.38 ± 12.64) minutes], intraoperative blood loss [(165.20 ± 17.58) mL], and fracture healing time [(14.51 ± 3.02) weeks] compared with the control group [(91.24 ± 15.18) minutes, (222.19 ± 20.47) mL, (17.04 ± 4.11) weeks, t = 7.93, 15.13, 3.51, all P < 0.05]. At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the Berg Balance Scale scores in the study group were (44.55 ± 4.01), (49.31 ± 3.67), and (53.11 ± 3.18), respectively. These scores were significantly higher than those in the control group [(40.27 ± 3.98), (45.65 ± 3.16), (48.26 ± 3.20), t = -5.40, -5.36, -7.65, all P < 0.05]. At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, the Hospital for Special Surgery knee scores in the study group were (68.29 ± 4.25), (76.37 ± 5.25), (83.31 ± 5.01) respectively. These scores were significantly higher than those in the control group [(63.57 ± 4.14), (72.08 ± 4.50), (80.05 ± 4.57), t = -5.67, -4.40, -3.42, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant incidence in the incidence of complications between the study and control groups [12.96% (7/54) vs. 18.75% (9/48), P > 0.05]. Conclusions:The use of minimally invasive bone plate technology combined with interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for the treatment of Schatzker type V-VI tibial plateau fractures has demonstrated significant short-term clinical results, including reduced intraoperative blood loss, shorter fracture healing time, and improved recovery of joint function after surgery.
7.Mechanism of Lizhong decoction in treating cold-damp diarrhea through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments
Hao ZHANG ; Wen-wen MI ; Rong-xia GUO ; Chun NIU ; Bao-xia CHEN ; Peng JI ; Yan-ming WEI ; Fang YANG ; Zhen-he LI ; Yong-li HUA
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1552-1561
Aim To explore the key components and mechanisms of Lizhong decoction in treating rats with cold-damp diarrhea based on network pharmacology,molecular docking technology and animal experiments.Methods By literature review and database collec-tion,the components of Lizhong decoction,therapeutic targets,and the mapping with diarrhea disease targets were conducted to construct an intersection target pro-tein-protein interaction network for screening core tar-gets,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to build an"active component-target-pathway"network,followed by molecular docking vali-dation.Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into the normal control group(K),model group(DG),Lizhong decoction group(LZDG),and Pulsatilla decoction group(BTDG).Subsequently,a rat cold-damp diar-rhea model was established using Senna combined with low-temperature high-humidity environment,and the rats were intervened with Lizhong decoction and Pul-satilla decoction.HE staining was used to detect path-ological changes in intestinal tissue,ELISA was em-ployed to measure the levels of peripheral blood IL-6,IL-10,IL-1 β,and TNF-α,and western blot was used to determine the expression of colon tight junction pro-teins.Results Network pharmacology initially identi-fied 125 compounds in Lizhong decoction,5 186 drug target components,438 disease targets,and 60"drug-disease"shared targets.GO and KEGG enrichment a-nalysis showed that signaling pathways such as IL-17 and TNF were highly enriched.Molecular docking in-dicated that the core components of the drug had good binding activity with corresponding key targets.Liz-hong decoction could effectively improve the clinical symptoms of rats with cold-damp diarrhea,and com-pared with the DG group,the diarrhea rate,diarrhea in-dex,and other related indicators also gradually de-creased to normal levels.Compared with the DG group,the LZDG group showed reduced inflammation levels and a recovery in energy metabolism levels.Conclusion It can regulate targets such as MMP9 and IL-17 signaling pathways through multi-components like Calycosin and formononetin to exert its therapeutic effect on cold-damp diarrhea.
8.The mechanism and application prospects of mitochondrial quality control in osteoarthritis
Liang WANG ; Yinshuan DENG ; Tao QU ; Chaoming DA ; Yunfei HE ; Rui LIU ; Weimin NIU ; Weishun YAN ; Zhen CHEN ; Shuo LI ; Zhiyun YANG ; Binbin GUO ; Xueqian LAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(2):282-288
Osteoarthritis(OA)is a common joint disease in clinical practice,and cartilage damage is a typical pathological change.The pathogenesis of OA is complex,and various adverse factors can lead to the occurrence of OA.Mitochondria are im-portant organelles within cells and play important roles in cellular physiological and pathological activ-ities.Mitochondrial quality control is an important regulatory mechanism in the body to maintain nor-mal mitochondrial structure and function,mainly including mitochondrial biogenesis,mitochondrial dynamics,mitochondrial autophagy,mitochondrial oxidative stress,and other forms.The imbalance of mitochondrial quality control in chondrocytes is closely related to the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis,and regulating the balance of mi-tochondrial quality control is a potential therapeu-tic point for osteoarthritis.The author reviewed rel-evant research literature in recent years to provide a review of the relationship between mitochondrial quality control and the occurrence and develop-ment of osteoarthritis,in order to provide new ideas and directions for the research and diagnosis and treatment strategies of osteoarthritis.
9.A randomized controlled study of deproteinized calf blood extract in the treatment of diabetic cataract with dry eye after phacoemulsification
Fengjie LI ; Can ZHAO ; Li PEI ; Jijun SUN ; Xiaofeng LI ; Mengdi NIU ; Yabin TIAN ; Xiaozhen HE ; Jincong WANG ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(4):343-349
Objective:To compare the clinical effect of deproteinized calf blood extract (DCBE) eye drops and 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of diabetic cataract patients with dry eye after phacoemulsification.Methods:A randomized controlled study was performed.A total of 112 patients (116 eyes) with type Ⅱ diabetes combined with cataract and dry eye who underwent phacoemulsification in the Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2022 to September 2022 were selected.Patients were divided into DCBE group (49 cases, 51 eyes) and sodium hyaluronate group (63 cases, 65 eyes) by the random number table method.Patients received DCBE eye drops and 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eye drops after surgery according to grouping.Preoperative and postoperative 1 week, 1 month subjective symptoms of dry eye, corneal edema grade, tear film breakup time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) and Schirmer Ⅰ test (SⅠt) results were recorded and compared.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (No.SDSYKYY202112-1).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:There were significant differences in dry eye symptom score, TBUT and SⅠt at different time points between before and after surgery ( Ftime=323.202, 102.771, 151.876; all P<0.001).Dry eye symptom score decreased and SⅠt increased in the two groups at 1 week and 1 month after surgery compared with before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.017).TBUT was longer at 1 week and 1 month after surgery compared with before surgery in the DCBE group, and TBUT at 1 month after surgery was longer than that before surgery in the sodium hyaluronate group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.017).There were statistically significant differences in CFS scores between the two groups at different time points before and after surgery ( Fgroup=5.391, P=0.022; Ftime=142.402, P<0.001).The CFS scores of both groups at 1 week and 1 month after surgery were lower than those before surgery, and CFS scores in the DCBE group were lower than those in the sodium hyaluronate group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.017).One week after surgery, the proportion of patients with corneal edema in the DCBE group was 5.9%(3/51), which was significantly lower than 20.0%(13/65) in the sodium hyaluronate group ( χ2=4.790, P=0.029). Conclusions:DCBE eye drops can promote corneal repair, stabilize tear film and improve dry eye discomfort in early postoperative period in diabetic cataract, and its overall effect is better than 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eye drops.
10.Study on the effect and mechanism of long non-coding RNA FGD5-AS1 on pituitary adenoma
Xiao-zheng HAN ; Hong-bo REN ; Long HE ; Zhi-yuan SONG ; Guo-dong NIU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(11):938-943
Objective To investigate the effects of long non-coding RNA FGD5-AS1 on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of pituitary adenoma(PA)cells,and to analyze its potential mechanism of action.Methods Human PA cell lines HPAs,RC-4BC,HP75,and human astrocyte cell line NHA were cultured in vitro.The expression levels of FGD5-AS1 and miR-15a in the above cell lines were detected by RT-PCR.HP75 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into the silencing group and the negative control group.The silencing group was transfected with shRNA-FGD5-AS1,while the negative control group was transfected with shRNA-NC.The expression levels of FGD5-AS1 and miR-15a in the two groups of cells were detected by RT-PCR.The proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of the two groups of cells were determined by CCK-8 assay,wound healing assay,and Transwell assay.The expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the two groups of cells was detected by Western blot.The targeting relationship between FGD5-AS1 and miR-15a was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.Results Compared with the NHA cell,the expression level of FGD5-AS1 was significantly increased in the HPAs,RC-4BC,and HP75 cells((P<0.05),whereas the expression level of miR-15a was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the negative control group,the expression level of FGD5-AS1 was decreased(P<0.05),the expression level of miR-15a was increased(P<0.05),the OD value was decreased(P<0.05),the migration and invasion abilities of cells were reduced(P<0.05),and the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin proteins was decreased in the silencing group of HP75 cells(P<0.05).FGD5-AS1 could specifically bind to miR-15a,leading to a decrease in cell luciferase activity(P<0.05).Conclusion FGD5-AS1 is overexpressed in PA cells,and silencing FGD5-AS1 can inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of PA cells,and the mechanism is related to its targeted regulation of miR-15a.

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