1.Clinicopathological and molecular mechanisms of CLDN18.2 in gastric cancer aggressiveness: a high-risk population study with multi-omics profiling
Hengquan WU ; Mei LI ; Gang WANG ; Peiqing LIAO ; Peng ZHANG ; Luxi YANG ; Yumin LI ; Tao LIU ; Wenting HE
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(1):47-57
Background:
The tight junction protein claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) has been implicated in poor prognosis and suboptimal immunotherapy response in gastric cancer (GC). This study investigates the clinicopathological relevance of CLDN18.2 expression and its association with molecular subtypes in GC patients from a high-incidence region, combining transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to explore how CLDN18.2 contributes to progression and metastasis.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort of 494 GC patients (2019–2024) underwent immunohistochemical analysis for CLDN18.2, Epstein-Barr virus (Epstein–Barr virus–encoded RNA), p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, and MSH6). CLDN18.2 positivity was defined as moderate to strong (2+/3+) membranous staining in ≥75% of tumor cells. Clinicopathological correlations, biomarker associations, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing was performed to explore molecular mechanisms.
Results:
CLDN18.2 positivity was observed in 26.9% (133/494) of gastric adenocarcinomas. CLDN18.2-positive tumors correlated with TNM stage (p = .003) and shorter overall survival (p = .018). No associations were identified with age, sex, HER2 status, microsatellite instability, or Epstein-Barr virus infection. Transcriptomic profiling revealed CLDN18.2-high tumors enriched in pathways involving cell junction disruption, signaling regulation, and immune modulation. Proteomic profiling showed that tumors with high CLDN18.2 were enriched in multiple mechanism-related pathways such as integrated metabolic reprogramming, cytoskeletal recombination, immune microenvironment dysregulation, and pro-survival signaling. These mechanisms may collectively contribute to tumor progression and metastasis.
Conclusions
CLDN18.2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in GC patients. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses demonstrate that CLDN18.2 promotes tumor progression and metastasis, underscoring its potential as an independent prognostic factor in regions with a high incidence of GC.
2.Effect of ultrasound treated polystyrene nanoplastics on lipid accumulation in macro-phages
Hui LIANG ; Lei WANG ; Peiqing LIU ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(6):500-506
Aim To explore the effect of ultrasound-treated polystyrene nanoplastics(PS-NP)on lipid accumu-lation in macrophage-derived foam cells.Methods The CCK-8 method was used to detect the effects of PS-NP and high-frequency ultrasound-treated PS-NP(UPS-NP)on the activity of macrophages,oil red O staining and cholesterol de-tection kit were used to detect the intracellular lipid accumulation,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the ex-pression of mRNA and protein related to cholesterol uptake and efflux,as well as mRNA levels of cell burial related recep-tors.Results UPS-NP had no significant effect on the activity of macrophages,but UPS-NP could significantly in-crease the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells and increase the lipid accumulation in foam cells.UPS-NP could significantly upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor-A1(SR-A1),but did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of cholesterol efflux related receptors ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and scavenger receptor-B1(SR-B1).UPS-NP did not affect the mRNA levels of receptors related to cell burial processes.Conclusion Ultrasound-treated PS-NP can significantly increase lipid accumulation in macrophage-derived foam cells,and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of CD36 and SR-A1 expression.
3.Effect of ultrasound treated polystyrene nanoplastics on lipid accumulation in macro-phages
Hui LIANG ; Lei WANG ; Peiqing LIU ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(6):500-506
Aim To explore the effect of ultrasound-treated polystyrene nanoplastics(PS-NP)on lipid accumu-lation in macrophage-derived foam cells.Methods The CCK-8 method was used to detect the effects of PS-NP and high-frequency ultrasound-treated PS-NP(UPS-NP)on the activity of macrophages,oil red O staining and cholesterol de-tection kit were used to detect the intracellular lipid accumulation,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the ex-pression of mRNA and protein related to cholesterol uptake and efflux,as well as mRNA levels of cell burial related recep-tors.Results UPS-NP had no significant effect on the activity of macrophages,but UPS-NP could significantly in-crease the formation of macrophage-derived foam cells and increase the lipid accumulation in foam cells.UPS-NP could significantly upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor-A1(SR-A1),but did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of cholesterol efflux related receptors ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and scavenger receptor-B1(SR-B1).UPS-NP did not affect the mRNA levels of receptors related to cell burial processes.Conclusion Ultrasound-treated PS-NP can significantly increase lipid accumulation in macrophage-derived foam cells,and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of CD36 and SR-A1 expression.
4.USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 axis confers chemoresistance through decreasing doxorubicin accumulation in triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Yang OU ; Kun ZHANG ; Qiuying SHUAI ; Chenyang WANG ; Huayu HU ; Lixia CAO ; Chunchun QI ; Min GUO ; Zhaoxian LI ; Jie SHI ; Yuxin LIU ; Siyu ZUO ; Xiao CHEN ; Yanjing WANG ; Mengdan FENG ; Hang WANG ; Peiqing SUN ; Yi SHI ; Guang YANG ; Shuang YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2593-2611
Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.
5.Not Available.
Weile YE ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Peter J LITTLE ; Jiami ZOU ; Zhihua ZHENG ; Jing LU ; Yanjun YIN ; Hao LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Peiqing LIU ; Suowen XU ; Wencai YE ; Zhiping LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):1-19
Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.
6.Progress of bilirubin in the mechanism of atherosclerosis
Weilei GONG ; Lei WANG ; Yang YU ; Peiqing LIU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2024;32(8):712-718
Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular wall disease and the most common pathological change in cardiovas-cular disease.Its pathogenesis is closely related to inflammation,oxidative stress,and lipid deposition.Bilirubin itself has biological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects,and has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system.This article summarizes the mechanism of bilirubin in the development of atherosclerosis and its research pro-gress.
7.Pathogenesis of T2DM with cognitive impairment in Baotou area and the improvement effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists
Yan ZHU ; Mengjuan ZHANG ; Yi HE ; Peiqing LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2023;34(6):157-160
Objective To analyze the onset characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with cognitive impairment in Baotou area, and study the improvement effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Methods A total of 320 patients with T2DM admitted between September 2021 and September 2022 were selected and divided into the observation group with T2DM and cognitive dysfunction and the negative control group without cognitive dysfunction according to their cognitive function status , Among the 160 cases in each group; Patients with type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 80 cases in each group; the control group was treated with conventional treatment, and the treatment group was additionally treated with semaglutide; Logistics multiple regression model was used to analyze T2DM The related risk factors of cognitive impairment in patients were assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients. Results Multivariate regression model showed that course of disease, age, vitamin D, HbA1c, LDL-C, BMI, Hcy, Lp-PLA2, TNF-α, IL-6 and folic acid levels were also independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in T2DM patients (P<0.05); There was a significant positive correlation between GLP-1 receptor agonists and cognitive function recovery in T2DM patients with cognitive impairment (P<0.05). Conclusion The onset of T2DM with cognitive impairment in Baotou area is often accompanied by a long course of disease, older age, abnormal levels of vitamin D, HbA1c, LDL-C, BMI, Hcy, Lp-PLA2, TNF-α, IL-6 and folic acid, and GLP -1 receptor agonists have a clear role in improving the cognitive function of patients.
8.Study of the unique cellular molecular characteristics of moderately intrauterine adhesion based on single-cell RNA sequencing.
Yunhua LIU ; Zhijun WU ; Zhoudong XU ; Peiqing HE ; Yueyu LUO ; Yanhui LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2023;40(6):674-679
OBJECTIVE:
To depict the cell landscape and molecular biological characteristics of human intrauterine adhesion (IUA) so as to better understand its immune microenvironment and provide new inspirations for clinical treatment.
METHODS:
Four patients with IUA who underwent hysteroscopic treatment at Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from February 2022 to April 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Hysteroscopy was used to collect the tissues of IUA, which were graded based on the patient's medical history, menstrual history and status of IUA. Library construction, sequencing, single cell data comparison and gene expression matrix construction were carried out in strict accordance with the single cell RNA sequencing process. Thereafter, the UMAP dimension reduction analysis of cell population and genetic analysis were carried out based on the cell types.
RESULTS:
A total of 27 511 cell transcripts were obtained from four moderately graded IUA tissue samples and assigned to six cell lineages including T cells, mononuclear phagocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and erythrocytes. Compared with normal uterine tissue cells, the four samples showed different cell distribution, and the proportions of mononuclear phagocytes and T cells in sample IUA0202204 were significantly increased, suggesting a strong cellular immune response.
CONCLUSION
The cell diversity and heterogeneity of moderate IUA tissues have been described. Each cell subgroup has unique molecular characteristics, which may provide new clues for further study of the pathogenesis of IUA and heterogeneity among the patients.
Pregnancy
;
Female
;
Child
;
Humans
;
Endothelial Cells
;
Uterine Diseases/complications*
;
Hysteroscopy/methods*
;
Tissue Adhesions/etiology*
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA
9.Effect of Banxia Xiexintang-containing Intestinal Absorption Solution on Migration and Invasion of PMN-MDSCs in Gastric Cancer Microenvironment
Jingjing WEI ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Xiping LIU ; Peiqing LI ; Qiming CHEN ; Lirong DAI ; Lijuan SHI ; Haijing DUAN ; Qingmiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(10):48-57
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Banxia Xiexintang containing intestinal absorption solution (BXCIAS) on migration and invasion of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) in gastric cancer microenvironment. MethodThe complex solution (containing 0.63 g·mL-1 crude drug) was prepared. Gastric cancer cells were subjected to non-contact co-culture with PMN-MDSCs in Transwell chamber to create gastric cancer microenvironment. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to screen the optimal intervention concentration and time of BXCIAS on PMN-MDSCs for subsequent experiment. The blank group, model group, FAK inhibitor group, and BXCIAS groups (26%, 18%, and 10%) were designed. Scratch assay and Transwell assay were employed to detect the migration and invasion ability of PMN-MDSCs, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in tumor microenvironment. The expression levels of PMN-MDSCs pathway-related proteins FAK, phosphorylated (p)-FAK, protein tyrosine kinase (Src), and p-Src were detected by Western blot. ResultThe inhibition rates of PMN-MDSCs by 5%, 50%, 75%, and 100% BXCIAS at 48 h were higher than those at 24 h (P<0.05, P<0.01). The inhibition rate of PMN-MDSCs by 50% BXCIAS at 72 h was lower than that at 48 h (P<0.01), and the inhibition rates by 5% and 100% BXCIAS at 72 h were higher than those at 48 h (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the inhibition rate by other concentration levels at 48 h. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 48 h was 18.09%, indicating that 18% BXCIAS and 48 h were the optimal concentration and time, respectively. The migration distance of PMN-MDSCs was large (P<0.01), and the number of migrating and invading cells increased (P<0.01) in the mode group compared with those in the blank group. Compared with model group, FAK inhibitor and BXCIAS at different concentration decreased the migration distance of PMN-MDSCs (P<0.01), and the number of migrating and invading cells (P<0.01), especially the 26% BXCIAS (P<0.01). The expression of PMN-MDSCs pathway-related proteins FAK, p-FAK, Src and p-Src (P<0.01) and the expression of VEGF and MMP-9 (P<0.01) were higher in the model group than in the blank group. Compared with model group, FAK inhibitor and BXCIAS (26%, 18%, 10%) decreased the expression of FAK, p-FAK, and Src (P<0.01), and FAK inhibitor and 18% BXCIAS reduced the expression of p-Src (P<0.01), and the expression of VEGF and MMP-9 (P<0.01). ConclusionBXCIAS can inhibit the migration and invasion of PMN-MDSCs by down-regulating the expression of FAK, p-FAK, Src, and p-Src proteins in the FAK signaling pathway of PMN-MDSCs in gastric cancer microenvironment.
10.Effect of Banxia Xiexintang-containing Intestinal Absorption Solution on PMN-MDSCs Apoptosis in Gastric Cancer Microenvironment
Jingjing WEI ; Zhongbo ZHU ; Xiping LIU ; Peiqing LI ; Qiming CHEN ; Lirong DAI ; Lijuan SHI ; Haijing DUAN ; Qingmiao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(10):58-64
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Banxia Xiexintang (BXT)-containing intestinal absorption solution on the apoptosis of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) in gastric cancer microenvironment. MethodBXT-containing intestinal absorption solution was prepared, and gastric cancer cells and PMN-MDSCs were non-contact co-cultured in Transwell chamber to establish gastric cancer microenvironment. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to screen the optimal intervention concentration and time of 0-100% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution prepared by 0.63 g·mL-1 reconstitution solution. Cells were classified into blank group, model group, oxaliplatin group (10 mg·L-1), and BXT (26%, 18%, 10% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution) group, and the apoptosis of PMN-MDSCs was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3) in PMN-MDSCs was detected by Western blot. ResultAfter treatment for 24 h and 48 h, the PMN-MDSCs-inhibiting rate was increased by 5%, 50%, 75%, and 100% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution compared with that in the blank group (P<0.05, P<0.01). At 72 h, the PMN-MDSCs-inhibiting rate by 50% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution was lower than that at 48 h (P<0.01), and the PMN-MDSCs-inhibiting rate by 5%, 75%, and 100% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution showed no significant difference from that at 48 h. Moreover, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 48 h was 18.40%. Thus, 18% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution and 48 h were the optimal intervention concentration and time. The survival rate of PMN-MDSCs in model group was higher than that in the blank group (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate was lower than that in the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with model group, BXT containing intestinal absorption solution lowered the survival rate and raised apoptosis rate of PMN-MDSCs (P<0.05), particularly the 26% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution (P<0.05). The expression of Bax and Caspase-3 in PMN-MDSCs was lower in the model group than in the blank group (P<0.05), and the expression of Bcl-2 was higher in the model group than in the blank group (P<0.05). The expression of Caspase-3 in PMN-MDSCs increased (P<0.05) and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased (P<0.05) in oxaliplatin group and BXT group compared with those in the model group. The expression of Bax rose in oxaliplatin group and BXT group (10% BXT-containing intestinal absorption solution) (P<0.05). ConclusionBXT can induce the apoptosis of PMN-MDSCs by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2 in gastric cancer microenvironment.


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