1.BANCR/miR-145-5p-Reg3A/DMBT1 Axis Facilitates AKT-GLUT1/HK2-Mediated Warburg Effect in Gastric Cancer
Liang WANG ; Yufei LIANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Shan LIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(2):112-120
Objective To elucidate the mechanism by which the BANCR/miR-145-5p axis regulates the AKT-GLUT1/HK2 pathway through downstream targets Reg3A/DMBT1 to facilitate the Warburg effect in gastric cancer. Methods Expression levels of BANCR, miR-145-5p, Reg3A, and DMBT1 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed targeted relationships. Glycolytic capacity was assessed via glucose uptake. Immunohistochemistry analyzed molecular expression in 60 paired clinical samples. The prognostic values of key molecules in the BANCR/miR-145-5p-Reg3A/DMBT1 axis were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results BANCR was significantly upregulated, whereas miR-145-5p was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues, correlating with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor differentiation. Reg3A and DMBT1 were identified as direct targets of miR-145-5p. Knockdown of BANCR or overexpression of miR-145-5p significantly suppressed Reg3A/DMBT1 expression, reduced AKT phosphorylation and GLUT1/HK2 levels, and inhibited glycolysis. Clinical analysis revealed positive correlations between Reg3A/DMBT1 expression and glycolytic markers, with both serving as independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Conclusion The BANCR/miR-145-5p axis activates the AKT pathway by targeting Reg3A/DMBT1, thereby promoting GLUT1/HK2/LDHA-mediated glycolysis and facilitating the Warburg effect in gastric cancer. This regulatory axis represents a potential therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker.
2.Mechanism of ductular reaction and related treatment strategies
Jiayan SHAN ; Huaqian XU ; Chengzhi BAI ; Liang ZHANG ; Chao DU ; Yong ZHANG ; Shanhong TANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):733-738
Ductular reaction (DR) refers to the adaptive pathological changes that occur after hepatobiliary injury, and it is essentially a repair response involving the proliferation, fibrosis, and inflammation of biliary epithelial cell (BEC). With the understanding of the biological function of BEC, the potential value of DR in disease prognosis and treatment has gradually become a research hotspot. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanism of DR, its potential as a therapeutic target, and future development directions, as well as novel therapies suggested by targeting these molecular mechanisms, in order to provide a new direction for overcoming current bottlenecks in the treatment of bile duct diseases.
3.Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase 2-mediated acetyl-coenzyme A accumulation promotes mitophagy and tumor growth via increased H3K27ac in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Shan LI ; Jie HU ; Yihan YAN ; Xinrui LIU ; Xiao DONG ; Huijun LIANG ; Xin TANG ; Junji TAO ; Rong ZHANG ; Yuan HU ; Ailong HUANG ; Kai WANG ; Ni TANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):661-682
Background/Aims:
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial.
Methods:
A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining.
Results:
Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth.
Conclusions
These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.
4.PAGE5 in Promoting Breast Cancer Invasion and Hepatic Metastasis via Regulation of the PI3K/AKT/MMP1 Axis
Zenghui LIU ; Ying LU ; Xiaoli LIANG ; Wanna CHEN ; Xiangdong XU ; Hongbiao XU ; Zhen SHAN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):833-842
ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the specific molecular mechanism by which PAGE5 promotes breast cancer cell invasion and hepatic metastasis through regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and its downstream effector, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1). MethodsBioinformatics analysis using the TCGA database was performed to evaluate PAGE5 expression in metastatic breast cancer tissues. The effects of PAGE5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of breast cancer cells were analyzed using CCK-8, EdU, Transwell, and wound healing assays. A splenic injection hepatic metastasis model in NOD-SCID mice was employed to validate the impact of PAGE5 on breast cancer liver metastasis. Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis were conducted to identify potential signaling pathways regulated by PAGE5. Western blot was used to detect AKT phosphorylation levels. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was applied to screen and validate downstream target molecules of PAGE5. ResultsBioinformatic analysis revealed that PAGE5 expression was significantly upregulated in distant metastasis of breast cancer. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that PAGE5 overexpression markedly enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells and promoted the formation of liver metastatic lesions, whereas PAGE5 knockdown suppressed breast cancer liver metastasis (P<0.000 1). Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that PAGE5 significantly activated the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway (P=0.028 5). Western blot confirmed that PAGE5 upregulated p-AKT levels, which could be reversed by MK2206. The qPCR results confirmed that MMP1 is a key downstream effector of PAGE5, and its expression can be inhibited by MK2206 (P<0.000 1). ConclusionsThis study preliminarily demonstrates that PAGE5 can activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and mediate the invasion and liver metastasis of breast cancer through MMP1.
5.PAGE5 in Promoting Breast Cancer Invasion and Hepatic Metastasis via Regulation of the PI3K/AKT/MMP1 Axis
Zenghui LIU ; Ying LU ; Xiaoli LIANG ; Wanna CHEN ; Xiangdong XU ; Hongbiao XU ; Zhen SHAN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):833-842
ObjectiveThis study aimed to elucidate the specific molecular mechanism by which PAGE5 promotes breast cancer cell invasion and hepatic metastasis through regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and its downstream effector, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1). MethodsBioinformatics analysis using the TCGA database was performed to evaluate PAGE5 expression in metastatic breast cancer tissues. The effects of PAGE5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of breast cancer cells were analyzed using CCK-8, EdU, Transwell, and wound healing assays. A splenic injection hepatic metastasis model in NOD-SCID mice was employed to validate the impact of PAGE5 on breast cancer liver metastasis. Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis were conducted to identify potential signaling pathways regulated by PAGE5. Western blot was used to detect AKT phosphorylation levels. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was applied to screen and validate downstream target molecules of PAGE5. ResultsBioinformatic analysis revealed that PAGE5 expression was significantly upregulated in distant metastasis of breast cancer. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that PAGE5 overexpression markedly enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells and promoted the formation of liver metastatic lesions, whereas PAGE5 knockdown suppressed breast cancer liver metastasis (P<0.000 1). Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that PAGE5 significantly activated the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway (P=0.028 5). Western blot confirmed that PAGE5 upregulated p-AKT levels, which could be reversed by MK2206. The qPCR results confirmed that MMP1 is a key downstream effector of PAGE5, and its expression can be inhibited by MK2206 (P<0.000 1). ConclusionsThis study preliminarily demonstrates that PAGE5 can activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and mediate the invasion and liver metastasis of breast cancer through MMP1.
6.Chinese Materia Medica by Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Prevention and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Review
Yasheng DENG ; Lanhua XI ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Tianwei LIANG ; Hui HUANG ; Shan LI ; Xian HUANG ; Chun YAO ; Guochu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):321-330
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colonic mucosa and submucosa, and its complex pathogenesis involves immune abnormality, oxidative stress and other factors. The nuclear transcription factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), encoded by the Nfe212 gene, plays a central role in antioxidant responses. It not only activates various antioxidant response elements such as heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), but also enhances the activity of glutathione-S-transferase(GST) and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1), effectively eliminating reactive oxygen species(ROS) accumulated in the body, and mitigating oxidative stress-induced damage to intestinal mucosa. In addition, Nrf2 can reduce the release of inflammatory factors and infiltration of immune cells by regulating immune response, cell apoptosis and autophagy pathways, thereby alleviating intestinal inflammation and promoting the repair and regeneration of damaged mucosa. Based on this, this paper reviews the research progress of Chinese materia medica in the prevention and treatment of UC by modulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It deeply explores the physiological role of Nrf2, the molecular mechanism of activation, the protective effect in the pathological process of UC, and how active ingredients in Chinese materia medica regulate the Nrf2 signaling pathway through multiple pathways to exert their potential mechanisms. These studies have revealed in depth that Chinese materia medica can effectively combat oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It can also play a role in anti-inflammatory, promoting autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis, protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier, and promoting intestinal mucosal repair, providing new ideas and methods for the multi-faceted treatment of UC.
7.Huoxue Jiedu Formulas (活血解毒方药) as an Adjunctive Therapy for Patients with Binding of Stasis and Toxin Syndrome during the Vulnerable Period after Myocardial Infarction:A Prospective Real-World Study
Xiaofei GENG ; Yingxi YANG ; Zhipeng YAN ; Xinbiao FAN ; Xitong SUN ; Boyu ZHU ; Zheng ZHANG ; Yongchun LIANG ; Xiaoyu SHAN ; Junping ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2467-2474
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of Huoxue Jiedu Formulas (活血解毒方药, HJF) as an adjunctive treatement for patients with binding of stasis and toxin syndrome during the vulnerable period after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) surgery, and to explore its potential mechanism from the perspective of serum neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). MethodsA total of 129 patients with binding of stasis and toxin syndrome within 6 months after PCI for AMI were enrolled and divided into a treatment group (65 cases) and a control group (64 cases) based on patients' willingness to take Chinese herbal medicine. The control group received standard western medical therapy alone, while the treatment group additionally received HJF, one dose daily. Both groups were treated for four weeks. Before and after treatment, TCM syndrome scores were assessed. Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) was used to record angina stability and frequency scores, while the short form-36 health survey (SF-36) was employed to assess quality of life across eight dimensions, including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and the patient health questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) was used to assess psychosomatic symptoms; Duke activity status index (DASI) was used to measure daily physical activity. Serum levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) markers including myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA), neutrophil elastase-DNA (NE-DNA), and citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) were measured in 20 patients from the treatment group. ResultsAfter treatment, TCM syndrome score, PSQI score and PHQ-15 score in both groups significantly decreased, while DASI score, angina stability and frequency scores, and all eight dimensions of the SF-36 scale significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly lower TCM syndrome scores and significantly higher DASI, angina stability and frequency scores (P<0.05), as well as higher scores in the SF-36 dimensions of physical functioning, role-physical, social functioning, bodily pain, and vitality (P<0.05). After treatment, serum levels of MPO-DNA, CitH3, and NE-DNA in the treatment group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). ConclusionHJF combined with conventional therapy can significantly improve angina symptoms, TCM syndrome scores, and psychosomatic conditions in patients with binding of stasis and toxin syndrome during the vulnerable period after AMI. It also enhances quality of life, sleep quality, and daily physical activity. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of serum NETs level.
8.Determination of 238Pu,239Pu,240Pu and 241Pu in Soil by Tandem Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasmon-Mass Spectrometry
Yi-Chao GUO ; Chen-Yang PENG ; Xin-Yu DU ; Feng ZHANG ; Hao-Lin ZHOU ; Ke-Liang SHI ; Shan XING ; Xiao-Lin HOU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):397-406
Plutonium isotopes(238Pu,239Pu,240Pu and 241Pu)in the environment are important"fingerprint"nuclides in the study of nuclear activity traceability.The content of plutonium isotopes in the environmental metrics is usually very low,and the measurement of these isotopes,especially 238Pu,using mass spectrometry is seriously interfered with by the coexisting 238U.The analysis of several plutonium isotopes in soil usually requires combination of multiple measurement techniques,which leads to a long analysis time and large uncertainty in the isotope ratio.In this work,the hydrous titanium oxide(HTiO)precipitated by the hydrolysis of titanium oxydichloride(TiOCl2)under near-neutral condition was used to preconcentrate plutonium from the soil digestion solution,and the highly efficient decontamination of 238U in the sample was achieved by TK200 resin column chromatography with a decontamination factor of 108.Simulation resuts of density functional theory(DFT)showed that NH3 was considered as a promising reaction gas to eliminate the interference of 238U from 238Pu measurement using mass spectrometry due to the significant discrepancy of the chemical reactivity of U+and Pu+with the reactive gas NH3.Experiments confirmed that by optimizing the flow rates of collision gas(He)and reaction gas(NH3),the interference of 238U could be effectively suppressed,and the decontamination factor of 238U was 104.Combined with chemical separation,the overall decontamination factor of 238U could reach 1012 by using the developed method.By combining chemical separation and tandem quadrupole inductively coupled plasmon-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS/MS)measurement,the simultaneous determination of four ultra-trace plutonium isotopes in soil was realized,and the detection limit of plutonium isotopes was at the femtogram level.Analysis of the international standard reference materials(NIST-SRM-4357 and IAEA-384)showed that the established method could be successfully used for the accurate analysis of ultra-trace four plutonium isotopes(238Pu,239Pu,240Pu and 241Pu)in soil samples.
9.Study on Improvement of Quantitative Capacity of Digital Droplet PCR by Double-Volume Droplets
Shan-Shan LI ; Yun-Liang CAO ; Xue-Yi ZHAO ; Jun-Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1138-1145
Digital polymerase chain reaction(dPCR)enables absolute quantitative detection of nucleic acid samples.Since the quantitative upper and lower limits of detectable samples mainly depend on the volume and number of single droplets,the abundance of the sample to be tested,the volume of single droplets,and the number of droplets need to be adapted.For samples with unknown abundance,repeated adjustment of droplet size is not allowed.In this study,a one-step double-volume droplet generation method was proposed,and a double-volume droplet microfluidic chip was developed to verify the quantitative detection capability of the chip using a duck-derived kit.The results showed that the droplets with different volumes had different quantitative capabilities.Large-volume droplets had higher reliability for low-abundance sample concentrations,while small-volume droplets had advantages in detecting high-abundance sample concentrations.The double-volume droplets produced by the double-volume droplet microfluidic chip proposed in this study greatly improved the reliability of quantitative capabilities,and had broad application prospects in detection of precious nucleic acid samples with unknown abundance in the field of microfluidic PCR.
10.An Electronic Microbial Growth Analyzer-based Method for Rapidly Screening Viable Salmonella in Food
Ruo-Han LIANG ; Xiao-Dan PU ; Feng LU ; Xue-Ting ZHU ; Yuan-Yuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Yang WANG ; Qian-Qian YANG ; Hao LI ; Xu-Zhi ZHANG ; Chen-Zhong LI ; Shan LIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1694-1704
Foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella pose significant threats to worldwide public health safety.In this study,a rapid method for screening viable Salmonella in oyster sauce and milk was developed by utilizing an electronic microbial growth analyzer(EMGA).Target food samples were diluted 10-fold with RVS broth and loaded into test tubes.Test tubes were positioned in the EMGA to determine the bacterial growth curves and the time required to reach the maximum growth rate(Tmgr).Using Salmonella typhimurium(S.typhimurium)asan model species,there was linear relationship between the logarithmic value of viable bacterial concentration(lgC)and Tmgr over the range of 5×101-5×106 CFU/mL,with a detection limit of 10 CFU/mL.For oyster sauce,the regression equation was Tmgr(min)=-80.775lg[C/(CFU/mL)]+754.96(R2=0.9907),and the recovery rates of S.typhimurium ranged from 95.2%to 119.8%,with relative standard deviations(RSD)ranging from 3.5%to 16.3%.For milk,the regression equation was Tmgr(min)=-71.922 lg[C/(CFU/mL)]+618.65(R2=0.9985),with recovery rates ranging from 98.4%to 110.6%and RSD ranging from 6.4%to 12.8%.The EMGA method required only one portable instrument,and involving only three manual steps,i.e.,dilution,transfer,and insertion.When S.typhimurium contamination reached 106 CFU/mL,the total time consumption,from the unwrapping of samples to the readout of bacterial concentration,was no more than 7 h.When applied to detection of actual oyster sauce and milk samples,the new method demonstrated strong consistency with plate counting results in positive detection rates.This method was superior to the plate counting method,which was generally considered as a gold standard,in terms of accuracy,precision,simplicity and efficiency,representing a promising alternative for the on-site screening and quantification of viable Salmonella in oyster sauce and milk products.

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