Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

The shortage of donor organs is the primary factor limiting the availability of liver transplantation (LT) and is a leading cause of death among patients on the waiting list. The reuse of liver allografts, while rare, represents a significant and unconventional donor resource, offering a promising strategy to expand the donor pool. This approach has been documented in international literature, demonstrating favorable surgical outcomes and long-term follow-up results. Here, we report the first case of liver allograft reuse in the Liver Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. In this case, the first recipient underwent orthotopic LT for acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy. However, their condition deteriorated on the seventh postoperative day, culminating in brain death. Following evaluation and maintenance, the liver allograft was successfully re-transplanted into a second recipient, who had undergone LT six days earlier but experienced acute hepatic artery embolism leading to rapid liver function deterioration. The second recipient's liver function recovered smoothly after surgery, and they were discharged on the 28th postoperative day. This case highlights the significant value of liver allograft reuse in expanding the donor pool and providing life-saving options for critically ill patients requiring urgent LT.

The shortage of donor organs is the primary factor limiting the availability of liver transplantation (LT) and is a leading cause of death among patients on the waiting list. The reuse of liver allografts, while rare, represents a significant and unconventional donor resource, offering a promising strategy to expand the donor pool. This approach has been documented in international literature, demonstrating favorable surgical outcomes and long-term follow-up results. Here, we report the first case of liver allograft reuse in the Liver Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. In this case, the first recipient underwent orthotopic LT for acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy. However, their condition deteriorated on the seventh postoperative day, culminating in brain death. Following evaluation and maintenance, the liver allograft was successfully re-transplanted into a second recipient, who had undergone LT six days earlier but experienced acute hepatic artery embolism leading to rapid liver function deterioration. The second recipient's liver function recovered smoothly after surgery, and they were discharged on the 28th postoperative day. This case highlights the significant value of liver allograft reuse in expanding the donor pool and providing life-saving options for critically ill patients requiring urgent LT.