OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism by which transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) regulates major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and its role in immune evasion of HCC. METHODS: HCC cells treated with TGF‑β alone or in combination with SB-431542 (a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor) were examined for changes in MHC-I expression using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. A RNA interference experiment was used to explore the role of miR-23a-3p/IRF1 signaling in TGF‑β‑mediated regulation of MHC-I. HCC cells with different treatments were co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and the changes in HCC cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. T-cell cytotoxicity in the co-culture systems was assessed with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assays, and T-cell activation was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis of CD69 cells and ELISA for TNF-α secretion. RESULTS: TGF‑β treatment significantly suppressed MHC-I expression in HCC cells and reduced T-cell activation, leading to increased tumor cell proliferation and decreased HCC cell death in the co-culture systems. Mechanistically, TGF-β upregulated miR-23a-3p, which directly targeted IRF1 to inhibit MHC-I transcription. Overexpression of miR-23a-3p phenocopied TGF‑β‑induced suppression of IRF1 and MHC-I. CONCLUSIONS We reveal a novel immune escape mechanism of HCC, in which TGF‑β attenuates T cell-mediated antitumor immunity by suppressing MHC-I expression through the miR-23a-3p/IRF1 signaling axis.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-1/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Tumor Escape ; Coculture Techniques

Background and purpose:For patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer,trastuzumab treatment can prolong the overall survival and significantly improve the prognosis of patients.However,the reference original research trastuzumab(Herceptin?)is more expensive.Biosimilars have comparable efficacy and safety profiles while increasing patient access to treatment.This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy,pharmacokinetics,safety and immunogenicity of the trastuzumab biosimilar AK-HER2 compared to trastuzumab(Herceptin?)in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.Methods:This multi-center,randomised,double-blind phase Ⅲ clinical trial was conducted in 43 subcenters in China.This study complied with the research protocol,the ethical principles stated in the Declaration of Helsinki and the quality management standards for drug clinical trials.It was approved by the hospital's medical ethics committee.The clinical trial registration agency is the State Food and Drug Administration(clinical trial approval number:2015L04224;clinical trial registration number:CTR20170516).Written informed consent was obtained from subjects before enrollment.Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the AK-HER2 group and the control group,respectively receiving AK-HER2 or trastuzumab(initial loading dose 8 mg/kg,maintenance dose 6 mg/kg,every 3 weeks as a treatment cycle,total treatment time is 16 cycles)in combination with docetaxel(75 mg/m2,treatment duration is at least 9 cycles).The primary endpoint of this clinical trial was the objective response rate(ORR9)between the AK-HER2 group and the control group in the 9th cycle.Secondary efficacy endpoints included ORR16,disease control rate(DCR),clinical benefit rate(CBR),progression-free survival(PFS)and 1-year survival rate.In this study,100 subjects(AK-HER2 group to control group=1:1)were randomly selected for blood sample collection after the 6th cycle of medication,The collection time points were 45 minutes after infusion(the end of administration),4,8,24,72,120,168,336,and 504 hours after the end of administration.After collection,blood samples were analyzed by PK parameter set(PKPS).Other evaluation parameters included safety and immunogenicity assessment.Results:A total of 550 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were enrolled in this clinical trial between Sep.2017 and Mar.2021.In the AK-HER2 group(n=237),129 subjects in the experimental group achieved complete response(CR)or partial response(PR),and the ORR9 was 54.4%.There were 134 subjects in the control group(n=241)who achieved CR or PR,and the ORR9 was 55.6%.The ORR9 ratio between the AK-HER2 group and the control group was 97.9%[90%confidence interval(CI):85.4%-112.2%,P=0.784],which was not statistically significant.In all secondary efficacy endpoints,no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups.We conducted a mean ratio analysis of pharmacokinetics(PK)parameters between the AK-HER2 group and the control group,and the results suggested that the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the two drugs are similar.The incidence of treatment emergent adverse event(TEAE)leading to drug reduction or suspension during trastuzumab treatment was 3.6%(10 cases)in the AK-HER2 group and 8.1%(22 cases)in the control group.There was statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.027).The incidence rate was significantly lower in the AK-HER2 group than in the control group,and there was no statistically significant difference among the other groups.The differences in the positive rates of anti-drug antibodies(ADA)and neutralizing antibodies(NAB)between groups were of no statistical significance(P=0.385 and P=0.752).Conclusion:In patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer,AK-HER2 was comparable to the trastuzumab(Herceptin?)in terms of drug efficacy,pharmacokinetics,safety and immunogenicity.

Objective To study the population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships by combining Y-STR haplotype genetic information from the Han population in Dalian with 32 domestic and foreign groups.Methods Blood samples of 958 Han male volunteers from Dalian were collected.Genetic typing of 42 genetic loci was completed using Y-STR fluorescent reagent kits and capillary electrophoresis.Related forensic parameters were calculated.Nei's standard genetic distances among 33 populations based on 17 Y-STR loci were computed,in order to create a principal coordinate analysis as well as construct a phylogenetic tree.Results The analysis of genetic polymorphisms at 42 Y-STR loci revealed 30 unconventional alleles at 10 loci.Genetic analysis of the population based on 17 Y-STR loci confirmed that Dalian's Han population had the closest genetic distance to the Anshan's Han population,followed by populations from Henan,Heilongjiang,Jilin,Shandong,and Chongqing.Furthermore,the genetic distances between the Han population in Dalian and the Qiang population in Beichuan or the Miao population in Guizhou were relatively closer than that to the Manchu population living in Liaoning.Conclusion The genetic distance between the Han population in Dalian and other groups is not entirely proportional to ethnicities and geographical proximity.Both population migration and ethnic assimilation or isolation may have influence on it.

Objective To analyze the atrioventricular synchronization rate after implantation of Micra AV leadless pacemaker,and the impact of postoperative programming optimization on atrioventricular synchronization rate.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to select patients with complete atrioventricular block who underwent Micra AV leadless pacemaker implantation at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from August 2022 to June 2023.Programming optimization were performed at 1 week,1 month,and 3 months postoperatively,and atrioventricular synchronization rate,electrical parameters,and echocardiography were recorded.Results A total of 68 patients with complete atrioventricular block implanted with Micra AV were selected,with an average age of(68.2±9.7)years,including 47 males(69.1％).All patients were successfully implanted with Micra AV,and there were no serious postoperative complications;The average threshold,sense,and impedance parameters were stable during 1 week,1 month,and 3 months after the procedure;There was no significant difference in the EF value of postoperative echocardiography(P=0.162);The average atrioventricular synchronization rates at 1 week,1 month,and 3 months postoperatively were(75.2％vs.83.8％vs.91.6％,P=0.001).Conclusions As an mechanical atrial sensing,Micra AV requires personalized adjustment of relevant parameters;Postoperative follow-up programming optimization plays an important role in the atrioventricular synchronization and comfort level in patients with complete atrioventricular block after implantation of Micra AV leadless pacemaker.

Objective:To study the longitudinal trends and spatial clustering characteristics of healthcare service efficiency in China and in North,Northeast,East,Central,South,Southwest,and Northwest China.Methods:The Malmquist index model is used to measure China's healthcare service efficiency from 2012 to 2021,the Dagum Gini coefficient as well as the decomposition method are used to measure the magnitude and source of regional gaps in healthcare service efficiency,and the Kernel density estimation is used to study the longitudinal trend of change and spatial agglomeration characteristics of China's healthcare service efficiency.Results:China's overall healthcare service efficiency is growing,and the inter-regional gap is gradually narrowing,characterized by a concentration trend;the gap in the level of healthcare service efficiency between regions did not widen during the period under examination,but it was found that the gap within some regions was still significant.Conclusion:The national health service efficiency is growing slightly,and the regional gap is generally decreasing,but the Gini coefficient shows that the inter-regional contribution is still the main source of the gap.National health service efficiency is generally concentrated,but some regions are less efficient,with significant internal disparities.

Objective:To study the longitudinal trends and spatial clustering characteristics of healthcare service efficiency in China and in North,Northeast,East,Central,South,Southwest,and Northwest China.Methods:The Malmquist index model is used to measure China's healthcare service efficiency from 2012 to 2021,the Dagum Gini coefficient as well as the decomposition method are used to measure the magnitude and source of regional gaps in healthcare service efficiency,and the Kernel density estimation is used to study the longitudinal trend of change and spatial agglomeration characteristics of China's healthcare service efficiency.Results:China's overall healthcare service efficiency is growing,and the inter-regional gap is gradually narrowing,characterized by a concentration trend;the gap in the level of healthcare service efficiency between regions did not widen during the period under examination,but it was found that the gap within some regions was still significant.Conclusion:The national health service efficiency is growing slightly,and the regional gap is generally decreasing,but the Gini coefficient shows that the inter-regional contribution is still the main source of the gap.National health service efficiency is generally concentrated,but some regions are less efficient,with significant internal disparities.

Objective:To study the longitudinal trends and spatial clustering characteristics of healthcare service efficiency in China and in North,Northeast,East,Central,South,Southwest,and Northwest China.Methods:The Malmquist index model is used to measure China's healthcare service efficiency from 2012 to 2021,the Dagum Gini coefficient as well as the decomposition method are used to measure the magnitude and source of regional gaps in healthcare service efficiency,and the Kernel density estimation is used to study the longitudinal trend of change and spatial agglomeration characteristics of China's healthcare service efficiency.Results:China's overall healthcare service efficiency is growing,and the inter-regional gap is gradually narrowing,characterized by a concentration trend;the gap in the level of healthcare service efficiency between regions did not widen during the period under examination,but it was found that the gap within some regions was still significant.Conclusion:The national health service efficiency is growing slightly,and the regional gap is generally decreasing,but the Gini coefficient shows that the inter-regional contribution is still the main source of the gap.National health service efficiency is generally concentrated,but some regions are less efficient,with significant internal disparities.

Objective:To study the longitudinal trends and spatial clustering characteristics of healthcare service efficiency in China and in North,Northeast,East,Central,South,Southwest,and Northwest China.Methods:The Malmquist index model is used to measure China's healthcare service efficiency from 2012 to 2021,the Dagum Gini coefficient as well as the decomposition method are used to measure the magnitude and source of regional gaps in healthcare service efficiency,and the Kernel density estimation is used to study the longitudinal trend of change and spatial agglomeration characteristics of China's healthcare service efficiency.Results:China's overall healthcare service efficiency is growing,and the inter-regional gap is gradually narrowing,characterized by a concentration trend;the gap in the level of healthcare service efficiency between regions did not widen during the period under examination,but it was found that the gap within some regions was still significant.Conclusion:The national health service efficiency is growing slightly,and the regional gap is generally decreasing,but the Gini coefficient shows that the inter-regional contribution is still the main source of the gap.National health service efficiency is generally concentrated,but some regions are less efficient,with significant internal disparities.

Objective:To study the longitudinal trends and spatial clustering characteristics of healthcare service efficiency in China and in North,Northeast,East,Central,South,Southwest,and Northwest China.Methods:The Malmquist index model is used to measure China's healthcare service efficiency from 2012 to 2021,the Dagum Gini coefficient as well as the decomposition method are used to measure the magnitude and source of regional gaps in healthcare service efficiency,and the Kernel density estimation is used to study the longitudinal trend of change and spatial agglomeration characteristics of China's healthcare service efficiency.Results:China's overall healthcare service efficiency is growing,and the inter-regional gap is gradually narrowing,characterized by a concentration trend;the gap in the level of healthcare service efficiency between regions did not widen during the period under examination,but it was found that the gap within some regions was still significant.Conclusion:The national health service efficiency is growing slightly,and the regional gap is generally decreasing,but the Gini coefficient shows that the inter-regional contribution is still the main source of the gap.National health service efficiency is generally concentrated,but some regions are less efficient,with significant internal disparities.