1.Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy interaction in pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Ru-na CHEN ; Li-wei WEI ; Shuang CHAI ; Hong ZHANG ; Na QIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):626-631
The endoplasmic reticulum is an important organelle responsible for the synthesis,folding and processing of proteins.When the endoplasmic reticulum protein folding ability is affect-ed,internal unfolded proteins or misfolded proteins accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum accumulation,leading to endoplasmic reticulum structural dysfunction resulting in endoplasmic reticu-lum stress.Autophagy is the process by which cells selectively remove stress endoplasmic reticulum and error proteins.Under stress,the endoplasmic reticulum can maintain normal physiolog-ical functions through unfolded protein responses and autophagy.Postmenopausal osteoporosis is mainly due to an imbalance be-tween bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by oste-oblasts.Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy both modu-late bone cells status with consequences for bone homeostasis.This article provides a review of the progress of research on en-doplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy interaction in the path-ogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
2.Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy interaction in pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis
Ru-na CHEN ; Li-wei WEI ; Shuang CHAI ; Hong ZHANG ; Na QIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):626-631
The endoplasmic reticulum is an important organelle responsible for the synthesis,folding and processing of proteins.When the endoplasmic reticulum protein folding ability is affect-ed,internal unfolded proteins or misfolded proteins accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum accumulation,leading to endoplasmic reticulum structural dysfunction resulting in endoplasmic reticu-lum stress.Autophagy is the process by which cells selectively remove stress endoplasmic reticulum and error proteins.Under stress,the endoplasmic reticulum can maintain normal physiolog-ical functions through unfolded protein responses and autophagy.Postmenopausal osteoporosis is mainly due to an imbalance be-tween bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by oste-oblasts.Endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy both modu-late bone cells status with consequences for bone homeostasis.This article provides a review of the progress of research on en-doplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy interaction in the path-ogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
3.Prospective analysis of autophagy in prostate cancer cells based on gene expression databases and investigation of the C-Met regulatory mechanism
Ru ZHANG ; Yongqiang XIE ; Qiang ZHAO ; Keqiang CHAI ; Yulin LIU
Immunological Journal 2025;41(10):750-761
Objective To investigate the prognostic value of mitochondrial autophagy-related genes(MRGs)in prostate cancer(PCa),and to reveal their regulatory relationship with interstitial epidermal transforming factor(C-Met)based on the Gene Expression Database(GEO).Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data of three PCa samples were obtained from the GSE153892 dataset of GEO,and MRGs were collected from the Genecards database and previous literature.The scRNA-seq data were processed and analyzed using the Seurat software package,including quality control,gene expression screening,cell type annotation,differentially expressed genes(DEGs)identification,and intersection analysis with MRGs.The transcriptome data of PCa and control samples were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas Database(TCGA)-PRAD cohort,and differential expression analysis and copy number variation analysis were conducted.The non-negative matrix factorization algorithm is adopted to conduct cluster analysis on PCa samples to identify different PCa subtypes.A prognostic risk model based on intersection genes was constructed,and the predictive ability of the model was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Conduct independent prognostic analysis,construct a nomogram model based on risk scores and clinical characteristics,and evaluate its ability to predict patient survival rates.The possibility of immune infiltration and tumor immune escape in PCa samples was evaluated by using the single-sample Gene Set Enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)algorithm and the TIDE database.The relationship between intersection genes and C-Met expression was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results scRNA-seq data analysis identified five cell types including B lymphocytes,epithelial cells,monocytes,natural killer cells and T lymphocytes,and discovered the intersection genes that were highly expressed in different cell types.Through differential expression analysis,genes significantly related to the prognosis of PCa patients were screened out,and a prognostic risk model was constructed.Six genes such as ADH5 and CAT were retained through LASSO analysis.A diagnostic model was constructed and grouped.There was a significant difference in survival time between the two groups in the internal test set(P<0.05).ROC curve evaluation showed that the model had a good predictive ability for 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates.The external test set verified that there was a statistically significant difference in the expression of intersection genes(P<0.05).Independent prognostic analysis identified T stage and risk score as independent prognostic factors.A nomogram model was constructed.Calibration curve and ROC curve analyses showed that the predictive ability of this model was superior to that of the simple risk model.ssGSEA analysis revealed differences in the abundance of immune cell inflammation and immune function scores between the two groups.Most immune cells,immune function,and risk scores were related to the modeling genes.There were significant differences in TIDE scores and multiple immune checkpoints between the high-risk and low-risk groups(P<0.05).BCAT2,DCXR,OGT and FUS were positively correlated with the expression of C-Met,while ADH5 and CAT were negatively correlated with the expression of C-Met(P<0.05).Conclusion The prognostic risk model based on intersection genes can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with PCa,and the risk score and T stage are independent prognostic factors for PCa.The correlation analysis of intersection genes and C-Met expression provides a new idea for the targeted therapy of PCa.
4.Prospective analysis of autophagy in prostate cancer cells based on gene expression databases and investigation of the C-Met regulatory mechanism
Ru ZHANG ; Yongqiang XIE ; Qiang ZHAO ; Keqiang CHAI ; Yulin LIU
Immunological Journal 2025;41(10):750-761
Objective To investigate the prognostic value of mitochondrial autophagy-related genes(MRGs)in prostate cancer(PCa),and to reveal their regulatory relationship with interstitial epidermal transforming factor(C-Met)based on the Gene Expression Database(GEO).Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data of three PCa samples were obtained from the GSE153892 dataset of GEO,and MRGs were collected from the Genecards database and previous literature.The scRNA-seq data were processed and analyzed using the Seurat software package,including quality control,gene expression screening,cell type annotation,differentially expressed genes(DEGs)identification,and intersection analysis with MRGs.The transcriptome data of PCa and control samples were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas Database(TCGA)-PRAD cohort,and differential expression analysis and copy number variation analysis were conducted.The non-negative matrix factorization algorithm is adopted to conduct cluster analysis on PCa samples to identify different PCa subtypes.A prognostic risk model based on intersection genes was constructed,and the predictive ability of the model was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Conduct independent prognostic analysis,construct a nomogram model based on risk scores and clinical characteristics,and evaluate its ability to predict patient survival rates.The possibility of immune infiltration and tumor immune escape in PCa samples was evaluated by using the single-sample Gene Set Enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)algorithm and the TIDE database.The relationship between intersection genes and C-Met expression was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results scRNA-seq data analysis identified five cell types including B lymphocytes,epithelial cells,monocytes,natural killer cells and T lymphocytes,and discovered the intersection genes that were highly expressed in different cell types.Through differential expression analysis,genes significantly related to the prognosis of PCa patients were screened out,and a prognostic risk model was constructed.Six genes such as ADH5 and CAT were retained through LASSO analysis.A diagnostic model was constructed and grouped.There was a significant difference in survival time between the two groups in the internal test set(P<0.05).ROC curve evaluation showed that the model had a good predictive ability for 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates.The external test set verified that there was a statistically significant difference in the expression of intersection genes(P<0.05).Independent prognostic analysis identified T stage and risk score as independent prognostic factors.A nomogram model was constructed.Calibration curve and ROC curve analyses showed that the predictive ability of this model was superior to that of the simple risk model.ssGSEA analysis revealed differences in the abundance of immune cell inflammation and immune function scores between the two groups.Most immune cells,immune function,and risk scores were related to the modeling genes.There were significant differences in TIDE scores and multiple immune checkpoints between the high-risk and low-risk groups(P<0.05).BCAT2,DCXR,OGT and FUS were positively correlated with the expression of C-Met,while ADH5 and CAT were negatively correlated with the expression of C-Met(P<0.05).Conclusion The prognostic risk model based on intersection genes can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with PCa,and the risk score and T stage are independent prognostic factors for PCa.The correlation analysis of intersection genes and C-Met expression provides a new idea for the targeted therapy of PCa.
5.Association of Genetically Predicted Obesity and Stool Frequency: Evidence From an Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study
Ke HAN ; Xiangyao WANG ; Shimin CHEN ; Xiaotong NIU ; Yan WANG ; Jingyuan XIANG ; Nan RU ; Miao LIU ; Ningli CHAI ; Enqiang LINGHU
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2025;31(2):267-275
Background/Aims:
Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency.
Methods:
Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations.
Results:
For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association.
Conclusions
Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.
6.Association of Genetically Predicted Obesity and Stool Frequency: Evidence From an Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study
Ke HAN ; Xiangyao WANG ; Shimin CHEN ; Xiaotong NIU ; Yan WANG ; Jingyuan XIANG ; Nan RU ; Miao LIU ; Ningli CHAI ; Enqiang LINGHU
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2025;31(2):267-275
Background/Aims:
Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency.
Methods:
Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations.
Results:
For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association.
Conclusions
Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.
7.Analysis of impact of host plants on quality of Taxilli Herba based on widely targeted metabolomics.
Dong-Lan ZHOU ; Zi-Shu CHAI ; Mei RU ; Fei-Ying HUANG ; Xie-Jun ZHANG ; Min GUO ; Yong-Hua LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3281-3290
This study aims to explore the impact of host plants on the quality of Taxilli Herba and provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of Taxilli Herba. The components of Taxilli Herba from three different host plants(Morus alba, Salix babylonica, and Cinnamomum cassia) and its 3 hosts(mulberry branch, willow branch, and cinnamon branch) were detected by widely targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS). Principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and Venn diagram were employed for analysis. A total of 717 metabolites were detected in Taxilli Herba from the three host plants and the branches of these host plants by UPLC-MS/MS. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA of Taxilli Herba from the three different host plants showed an obvious separation trend due to the different effects of host plants. The Venn diagram showed that there were 32, 8, and 26 characteristic metabolites in samples of Taxilli Herba from M. alba host, S. babylonica host, and C. cassia host, respectively. It was found by comparing the characteristic metabolites of Taxilli Herba and its hosts that each host transmits its characteristic components to Taxilli Herba, so that the Taxilli Herba contains the characteristic components of the host. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were mainly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Furthermore, the differential metabolites enriching pathways of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were different depending on the host. In a word, host plants have a significant impact on the metabolites of Taxilli Herba, and it may be an important factor for the quality of Taxilli Herba.
Metabolomics/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
;
Quality Control
;
Salix/chemistry*
;
Cinnamomum aromaticum/metabolism*
;
Principal Component Analysis
8.Association of Genetically Predicted Obesity and Stool Frequency: Evidence From an Observational and Mendelian Randomization Study
Ke HAN ; Xiangyao WANG ; Shimin CHEN ; Xiaotong NIU ; Yan WANG ; Jingyuan XIANG ; Nan RU ; Miao LIU ; Ningli CHAI ; Enqiang LINGHU
Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2025;31(2):267-275
Background/Aims:
Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency.
Methods:
Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations.
Results:
For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association.
Conclusions
Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.
9.Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor with rare fusion subtypes: a clinicopathological analysis
Mengyu CHAI ; Xiaona YIN ; Guoqing RU ; Fang PENG ; Ming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(12):1317-1323
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT) with rare fusion subtypes.Methods:Three cases of OFMT with rare fusion subtypes, diagnosed and consulted in the Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital, Hangzhou, China and Ningbo Clinical Pathology Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China from January 2016 to December 2024 were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and targeted RNA sequencing were performed to analyze the immunohistochemical and molecular genetic characteristics of these OFMT. Literature review was also conducted.Results:All three patients were male, with ages of 50, 74, and 58 years, respectively. The tumors were located in the left foot, left thigh, and left lumbar region, respectively, and all presented as slowly growing, painless masses in the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Grossly, the tumors measured 3.5 cm, 6.3 cm, and 5.0 cm in maximum diameter, respectively, with a grayish-white to grayish-yellow, solid, lobulated cut surface. One case exhibited a noticeable myxoid texture. Microscopically, one tumor was located in the superficial dermis, while the other two were in the subcutaneous tissue. The tumors were well-demarcated and showed a lobulated or multinodular growth pattern. None of the cases had a complete surrounding bony shell (only one case had very focal ossification). The tumor cells were monomorphic, short spindle-shaped, oval to epithelioid, and arranged in solid sheets, trabeculae, and small nests within a variably fibromyxoid stroma. Case 1 exhibited abundant pseudorosette-like structures formed by short spindle cells surrounding acellular fibrous stroma. Case 2 showed focal transition of epithelioid tumor cells into fasciculately arranged spindle cells, with extensive stromal hyalinization. Case 3 had a predominantly myxoid stroma with a rich network of thin-walled blood vessels. The tumor cells exhibited mild nuclear atypia with 1-3 mitotic figures per 50 high-power fields. All three cases showed diffuse and strong expression of CD10. Two of the three cases showed nuclear expression of TFE3, while one case showed diffuse and strong expression of desmin and S-100. Targeted RNA sequencing revealed PHF1 (ex12)::TFE3 (ex7) fusion in two cases and MEAF6 (ex5)::PHF1 (5′UTR) fusion in one case, which were further confirmed by FISH study. All three patients underwent tumor resection. Two showed no recurrence during follow-up periods of 98 months and 15 months, respectively, while one experienced local recurrence at 12 months postoperatively.Conclusions:OFMT with rare fusion subtypes often exhibits atypical histological and immunophenotypic features, and lacks a characteristic bony shell. Incorporating TFE3 into the diagnostic IHC panel greatly aids in screening for the cases with rare PHF1::TFE3 fusions. Familiarity with the histological and immunophenotypic characteristics, and differential diagnostic points of these rare OFMT subtypes, is essential for judicious use of molecular genetic tools in achieving a definitive diagnosis.
10.Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor with rare fusion subtypes: a clinicopathological analysis
Mengyu CHAI ; Xiaona YIN ; Guoqing RU ; Fang PENG ; Ming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(12):1317-1323
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT) with rare fusion subtypes.Methods:Three cases of OFMT with rare fusion subtypes, diagnosed and consulted in the Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital, Hangzhou, China and Ningbo Clinical Pathology Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China from January 2016 to December 2024 were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and targeted RNA sequencing were performed to analyze the immunohistochemical and molecular genetic characteristics of these OFMT. Literature review was also conducted.Results:All three patients were male, with ages of 50, 74, and 58 years, respectively. The tumors were located in the left foot, left thigh, and left lumbar region, respectively, and all presented as slowly growing, painless masses in the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Grossly, the tumors measured 3.5 cm, 6.3 cm, and 5.0 cm in maximum diameter, respectively, with a grayish-white to grayish-yellow, solid, lobulated cut surface. One case exhibited a noticeable myxoid texture. Microscopically, one tumor was located in the superficial dermis, while the other two were in the subcutaneous tissue. The tumors were well-demarcated and showed a lobulated or multinodular growth pattern. None of the cases had a complete surrounding bony shell (only one case had very focal ossification). The tumor cells were monomorphic, short spindle-shaped, oval to epithelioid, and arranged in solid sheets, trabeculae, and small nests within a variably fibromyxoid stroma. Case 1 exhibited abundant pseudorosette-like structures formed by short spindle cells surrounding acellular fibrous stroma. Case 2 showed focal transition of epithelioid tumor cells into fasciculately arranged spindle cells, with extensive stromal hyalinization. Case 3 had a predominantly myxoid stroma with a rich network of thin-walled blood vessels. The tumor cells exhibited mild nuclear atypia with 1-3 mitotic figures per 50 high-power fields. All three cases showed diffuse and strong expression of CD10. Two of the three cases showed nuclear expression of TFE3, while one case showed diffuse and strong expression of desmin and S-100. Targeted RNA sequencing revealed PHF1 (ex12)::TFE3 (ex7) fusion in two cases and MEAF6 (ex5)::PHF1 (5′UTR) fusion in one case, which were further confirmed by FISH study. All three patients underwent tumor resection. Two showed no recurrence during follow-up periods of 98 months and 15 months, respectively, while one experienced local recurrence at 12 months postoperatively.Conclusions:OFMT with rare fusion subtypes often exhibits atypical histological and immunophenotypic features, and lacks a characteristic bony shell. Incorporating TFE3 into the diagnostic IHC panel greatly aids in screening for the cases with rare PHF1::TFE3 fusions. Familiarity with the histological and immunophenotypic characteristics, and differential diagnostic points of these rare OFMT subtypes, is essential for judicious use of molecular genetic tools in achieving a definitive diagnosis.

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