1.Targeting TM4SF1 promotes tumor senescence enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Weifeng ZENG ; Furong LIU ; Yachong LIU ; Ze ZHANG ; Haofan HU ; Shangwu NING ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Zhibin LIAO ; Zhanguo ZHANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):489-508
Background/Aims:
Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.
Results:
TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.
2.LncRNA GUSBP11 regulates malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells through the miR-339-5p/MDM2 axis
HUANG Xinghua1 ; LYU Weifeng 1 ; LIN Wei2, ; CHEN Jiayang1 ; HE Xian1
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(5):476-483
[摘 要] 目的:探究长链非编码RNA葡萄糖醛酸酶β假基因11(GUSBP11)调节miR-339-5p/小鼠双分钟同源物2(MDM2)轴对胃癌细胞AGS增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法:收集2023年12月至2024年6月期间在广州中医药大学附属佛山中医院手术治疗的25例胃癌患者的癌旁组织及癌组织。常规培养胃癌细胞AGS和正常胃黏膜上皮细胞GES-1,用转染试剂将对照质粒和敲减质粒转染AGS细胞,分为Ctrl组、sh-NC、sh-GUSBP11、sh-GUSBP11 + anti-NC、sh-GUSBP11 + anti-miR-339-5p。qPCR法检测胃癌组织及各组细胞中GUSBP11、miR-339-5p和MDM2 mRNA的表达;双萤光素酶报告基因实验检测GUSBP11或MDM2与miR-339-5p间的靶向关系;EdU法检、Transwell小室实验、划痕愈合实验和WB法分别检测各组AGS的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力和细胞中CDK1、MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白的表达;AGS细胞移植瘤实验检测敲减GUSBP11对移植瘤生长的影响。结果:胃癌组织和细胞中GUSBP11、MDM2 mRNA均呈高表达(均P < 0.05),miR-339-5p呈低表达(P < 0.05)。GUSBP11与miR-339-5p和MDM2与miR-339-5p间存在靶向关系。在AGS细胞中敲减GUSBP11可明显抑制MDM2蛋白、促进miR-339-5p的表达而抑制miR-339-5p则可促进MDM2蛋白表达。敲减GUSBP11可抑制AGS细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力而抑制miR-339-5p则可逆转此作用。敲减GUSBP11可明显抑制CDK1、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白的表达而抑制miR-339-5p则可逆转此作用。敲减GUSBP11可明显抑制AGS细胞移植瘤的生长。结论:GUSBP11在胃癌组织和细胞中呈高表达,敲减GUSBP11表达可能通过调控miR-339-5p/MDM2轴抑制胃癌细胞的恶性生物学行为。
3.Targeting TM4SF1 promotes tumor senescence enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Weifeng ZENG ; Furong LIU ; Yachong LIU ; Ze ZHANG ; Haofan HU ; Shangwu NING ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Zhibin LIAO ; Zhanguo ZHANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):489-508
Background/Aims:
Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.
Results:
TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.
4.Targeting TM4SF1 promotes tumor senescence enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Weifeng ZENG ; Furong LIU ; Yachong LIU ; Ze ZHANG ; Haofan HU ; Shangwu NING ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Zhibin LIAO ; Zhanguo ZHANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):489-508
Background/Aims:
Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.
Results:
TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.
5.Short-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection for early carcinoma in the remnant stomach
Ying ZHOU ; Qi JIANG ; Baisheng CHEN ; Xia WU ; Qiuli JIANG ; Nashan LI ; Xingyu WU ; Pinghong ZHOU ; Weifeng CHEN ; Jianwei HU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(4):620-626
Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the treatment of early carcinoma in the remnant stomach. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 45 patients with early residual gastric cancer underwent ESD at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from December 2014 to April 2024, with a total of 45 lesions. The patients were divided into an anastomotic group (n=15) and a non-anastomotic group (n=30) based on the location of tumor occurrence, and their clinical data, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, and histopathological conditions were compared between the two groups. Results All 45 patients had lesions with redness and erosion. There were 9 cases of poor lifting of submucosal injection in the anastomotic group and 2 cases in the non-anastomotic group, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ESD surgery was performed on 13 lesions in the anastomotic group and 28 lesions in the non-anastomotic group, with surgery times of 80.00 (50.00, 100.00) min and 55.00 (43.75, 80.00) min, respectively. The difference in surgery time between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.03). Among the 45 patients, ESD surgery achieved curative resection in 35 cases, including 11 cases in the anastomotic group and 24 cases in the non-anastomotic group, with no statistically significant difference. Conclusions Careful preoperative evaluation of early carcinoma in the remnant stomach is essential to prevent oversight. Lesions at anastomotic sites and suture lines present higher technical challenges for complete resection. ESD is safe and effective, with auxiliary traction technique available when necessary.
6.Gut microbiota: A novel target for sepsis treatment.
Weifeng SHANG ; Sheng ZHANG ; Lechen YANG ; Jiao LIU ; Dechang CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(13):1513-1515
7.Sub-committee of Anesthesiology of Guangzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Society.
Yi LU ; Cunzhi LIU ; Wujun GENG ; Xiaozhen ZHENG ; Jingdun XIE ; Guangfang ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Yun LI ; Yan QU ; Lei CHEN ; Xizhao HUANG ; Hang TIAN ; Yuhui LI ; Hongxin LI ; Heying ZHONG ; Ronggui TAO ; Jie ZHONG ; Yue ZHUANG ; Junyang MA ; Yan HU ; Jian FANG ; Gaofeng ZHAO ; Jianbin XIAO ; Weifeng TU ; Jiaze SUN ; Yuting DUAN ; Bao WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1800-1808
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and.
RESULTS:
Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications.
CONCLUSIONS
The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Cancer Pain/therapy*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Drug Delivery Systems
;
Pain Management/methods*
;
China
8.Lichong Xiaozheng Granules enhances cisplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer xenografts in rats by regulating adenine nucleotide translocator 3-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.
Yiliu CHEN ; Min MA ; Ran SU ; Yinbin ZHU ; Qing FENG ; Jiali LUO ; Weifeng FENG ; Xianxin YAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2309-2319
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the molecular mechanism by which Lichong Xiaozheng Granules (LCXZ) sensitize ovarian cancer to cisplatin (DDP) treatment.
METHODS:
LC-MS analysis was used to identify the blood components of LCXZ after its administration in mice via gavage. In a BALB/c mouse model bearing subcutaneous ovarian cancer xenografts, the effects of daily gavage of distilled water (control group), intraperitoneal injection of DDP (5 mg/kg) once a week, or both DDP injection and daily LCXZK gavage (15 g/kg) on tumor growth were evaluated. Histopathological changes in the xenografts and kidneys were assessed with HE staining. RNA-seq was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes followed by KEGG pathway analysis. The changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure and expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis-related were examined with transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
A total of 218 blood-borne components of LCXZ were detected by LC-MS. In the tumor-bearing mice, treatments with DDP and DDP combined with LCXZ redcued the tumor volume by 60.3% and 72.6% compared with that in the control group, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly upregulated ANT3 expression in both the two treatment groups. Molecular docking indicated that the main active components of LCXZ were capable of binding to adenine nucleotide translocator 3 (ANT3) with binding energies below -6 kcal/mol. Transmission electron microscopy showed obvious mitochondrial swelling and outer-membrane damage in the tumor cells in DDP-treated mice, and these changes were more pronounced in the combined treatment group. The expression levels of BAX, ANT3, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were increased, whereas BCL-2 expression was decreased significantly in the tumor cells in both the DDP and DDP+LCXZ groups.
CONCLUSIONS
LCXZ enhances the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin against ovarian cancer xenografts in mice by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and activating apoptotic signaling pathways via upregulating ANT3.
Animals
;
Female
;
Cisplatin/pharmacology*
;
Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Mice
;
Rats
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Humans
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*
9.Development and application on a full process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on generative artificial intelligence.
Wanjie YANG ; Hao FU ; Xiangfei MENG ; Changsong LI ; Ce YU ; Xinting ZHAO ; Weifeng LI ; Wei ZHAO ; Qi WU ; Zheng CHEN ; Chao CUI ; Song GAO ; Zhen WAN ; Jing HAN ; Weikang ZHAO ; Dong HAN ; Zhongzhuo JIANG ; Weirong XING ; Mou YANG ; Xuan MIAO ; Haibai SUN ; Zhiheng XING ; Junquan ZHANG ; Lixia SHI ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(5):477-483
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI (GenAI), has already brought, and will continue to bring, revolutionary changes to our daily production and life, as well as create new opportunities and challenges for diagnostic and therapeutic practices in the medical field. Haihe Hospital of Tianjin University collaborates with the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, Tianjin University, and other institutions to carry out research in areas such as smart healthcare, smart services, and smart management. We have conducted research and development of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system based on GenAI in the field of smart healthcare. The development of this project is of great significance. The first goal is to upgrade and transform the hospital's information center, organically integrate it with existing information systems, and provide the necessary computing power storage support for intelligent services within the hospital. We have implemented the localized deployment of three models: Tianhe "Tianyuan", WiNGPT, and DeepSeek. The second is to create a digital avatar of the chief physician/chief physician's voice and image by integrating multimodal intelligent interaction technology. With generative intelligence as the core, this solution provides patients with a visual medical interaction solution. The third is to achieve deep adaptation between generative intelligence and the entire process of patient medical treatment. In this project, we have developed assistant tools such as intelligent inquiry, intelligent diagnosis and recognition, intelligent treatment plan generation, and intelligent assisted medical record generation to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of the diagnosis and treatment process. This study introduces the content of a full-process disease diagnosis and treatment assistance system, aiming to provide references and insights for the digital transformation of the healthcare industry.
Artificial Intelligence
;
Humans
;
Delivery of Health Care
;
Generative Artificial Intelligence
10.Research on the diagnostic value of pulmonary artery diameter characteristics and combined TNF-α in patients with HIV associated pulmonary hypertension
Qingyuan XU ; Weifeng YUAN ; Mu CHEN ; Xia-Oneng MO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(13):1869-1873
Objective To investigate the characteristics of pulmonary artery diameter in patients with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection-associated pulmonary hypertension(PAH),and to explore the clinical significance of pulmonary artery diameter correlation indices combined with tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)for early screening and diagnosis of HIV-associated pulmonary hypertension,aiming to provide valuable clinical insights.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 65 HIV-infected patients admitted to the Eighth Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University between May 2017 and December 2023.Based on echocardiog-raphy findings,the patients were categorized into an observation group(23 cases with PAH)and a control group(42 cases without PAH).Measurements of pulmonary artery diameter(PA),distal pulmonary artery diameter(dPA),and aortic diameter were obtained in both groups,and the ratio of dPA to aortic diameter(rPA)was cal-culated.Additionally,serum TNF-α levels were recorded.The clinical significance of each index in early screening and diagnosis of HIV-related pulmonary hypertension was analyzed.Results The PA,dPA,rPA,and TNF-α levels in the observation group were significantly higher compared to those in the control group.Pearson linear correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TNF-α and both dPA and rPA.Two-column correlation analysis demonstrated a significant association between HIV-PAH and PA,dPA,rPA,as well as TNF-α(P<0.05).The combined measurement of serum TNF-α with dPA and rPA exhibited an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.891 for diagnosing HIV-APAH,with a sensitivity of 0.870 and specificity of 0.881.Conclusion The combination of pulmonary artery diameter and TNF-α provides a more accurate indication of the presence of HIV-PAH,enabling early screening,follow-up,or intervention in high-risk patients.This finding holds significant implications for enhancing patient prognosis.

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