Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

OBJECTIVES: Wild-caught Microtus fortis (M. fortis) at the age of 9-15 months can develop epithelial ovarian cancers similar to human epithelial ovarian cancers under natural conditions during experimental animal breeding, but its pathological types and biological characteristics remain unclear. This study aims to analyze the biological characteristics of spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis, intending to develop M. fortis as an animal model for human epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: The female M. fortis (9-15 months old) with spontaneous ovarian cancer were selected as the experimental group, and healthy M. fortis from the same litter were selected as the control group. The ovarian pathological changes of the two groups were observed by dissection. Blood routine and biochemical indicators were measured by biochemical analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the ovarian cancer tissue of M. fortis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of common ovarian cancer markers, and real-time RT-PCR was used to analyze the transcription levels of ovarian cancer-related genes. RESULTS: Spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis mainly affects both ovaries, with tumors appearing solid or cystic. HE staining and histopathological analysis confirmed that the ovarian tumors originated from ovarian surface epithelium. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly decreased hemoglobin (P<0.01), hematocrit (P<0.05), albumin (P<0.05), and blood glucose levels (P<0.01), while lymphocyte percentage (P<0.05), monocyte percentage (P<0.05), cholesterol (P<0.01), and progesterone (P<0.01) levels were significantly increased. Expression of ovarian cancer-related genes, including ID3, CDC42, RHOA, RB1CC1, NF1, PIN1, MIB1, PDS5A, MCM7, and MLH1, was significantly downregulated (all P<0.05), while PAX8 gene expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) protein was mainly distributed throughout the cell, with significantly higher expression in ovarian cancer M. fortis. Tumor protein 53 (TP53) was expressed in both healthy and ovarian cancer M. fortis and was distributed throughout the cell. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 beta (HNF1B) and progesterone receptor (PR) protein were highly expressed in the ovarian tissue of healthy M. fortis but were significantly reduced in the ovarian cancer M. fortis, though both were located in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis is serous ovarian cancer. Compared to healthy M. fortis, significant differences were observed in ovarian tissue morphology, biochemical indicators, ovarian cancer-related gene expression, and protein expression, which show similarity to the biological characteristics of human serous ovarian cancer. This suggests that M. fortis could be an ideal animal model for studying human serous ovarian cancer.
Female ; Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism* ; Ovary/pathology*

BACKGROUND:The research of dental stem cells in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering has been deepening,bringing hope for the repair of tooth-related tissues and the treatment of systemic diseases.However,there is a lack of systematic research and analysis on the biological characteristics of dental stem cells in different age groups. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological characteristics of the human deciduous tooth and permanent tooth pulp stem cells cultured in umbilical cord blood platelet lysate to provide a reliable basis for human platelet lysates to replace fetal bovine serum. METHODS:The pulp tissues of deciduous teeth,juvenile permanent teeth and adult permanent teeth were taken out and cultured in DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum or different concentrations(5%,10%and 15%)of human platelet lysates.Cell proliferation in the four groups was detected by cytometry.The optimal concentration of human platelet lysates was selected for subsequent experiments.Under the optimal concentration of human platelet lysates,human deciduous tooth and juvenile and adult permanent tooth pulp stem cells were cultured in vitro.The cell growth status was observed under the microscope.The specific antigen on the cell surface was detected by flow cytometry.The cell proliferation ability was tested by the cell counting method and CCK-8 assay.The cell differentiation ability in vitro was observed by a three-line differentiation assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The cell proliferation rate of the 10%human platelet lysate group was the highest.(2)In all three groups,fusiform fibrous cells grew and expanded from around the tissue block.There was no significant difference between deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent tooth cells,but the adult permanent tooth cells were larger than the deciduous and juvenile permanent tooth cells of the same generation.(3)The results of flow cytometry showed that deciduous teeth,juvenile permanent teeth and adult permanent teeth conformed to the phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells.(4)The proliferative capacity of adult permanent dental pulp stem cells was significantly lower than those of deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent dental pulp stem cells(P<0.01).(5)mRNA expressions of osteoblast-related genes alkaline phosphatase and bone morphogenetic protein 2,lipoprotein lipase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2,mRNA expressions of chondroblast related gene type II collagen α1 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in adult pulp stem cells of permanent teeth were significantly lower than those of deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent teeth pulp stem cells(P<0.01).(6)Compared with adult dental pulp stem cells,human deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent teeth dental pulp stem cells have the stronger proliferative capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential,and are more suitable for clinical research and disease treatment.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common cardiovascular symptom,divided into neurogenic and non-neurogenic categories according to pathophysiology,both of which are associated with impaired quality of life and potential adverse outcomes.Due to the complex influential factors,diagnosis and treatment often require multidisciplinary cooperation and individualization.But domestic doctors pay little attention to the diagnosis and treatment of OH.This consensus,co-authored by experts from relevant professional fields including cardiology,neurology and psychology,systematically describes the concept,pathophysiology,classification and clinical characteristics of OH.The recommendations on the diagnosis,evaluation and treatment of OH were put forward to improve the attention of clinicians to OH and their ability of diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:We genetically modified our non-replicating vaccinia virus NTV to improve its immunogenicity.Methods:We constructed NTV-modified strain NTV-ΔF1L-C7L by homologous recombination of vaccinia virus based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology by inserting the C7L gene while deleting the F1L gene. The recombinant virus NTV-ΔF1L-C7L was then immunized with 10 7 PFU in BALB/c mice, and the levels of humoral and cellular immunity induced by NTV-ΔF1L-C7L were detected by ELISA and ELISpot method, respectively, and the levels of neutralizing antibodies were determined by the phage-reduced neutralization assay. Results:The PCR and western- blot identification proved that the F1L gene of the constructed NTV-modified strain NTV-ΔF1L-C7L was missing, while the C7L gene was inserted back in the region, and the C7L gene could be expressed normally, indicating that the recombinant virus was constructed correctly. After immunization of mice with NTV-ΔF1L-C7L, ELISA result showed that the recombinant virus NTV-ΔF1L-C7L induced a higher level of IgG antibody than NTV; ELISpot result also showed that the recombinant virus was able to induce a higher level of IFN-γ; and the result of plaque reduction neutralization test showed that the recombinant virus was able to induce a higher level of IFN-γ antibody than that of NTV.Conclusions:We correctly constructed the NTV gene-modified strain NTV-ΔF1L-C7L, which induced stronger humoral and cellular immunity compared with NTV, and provided reference data for the research and development of replacement products for smallpox or monkeypox vaccines.

Objective:Age-related cataract is the most common type of adult cataract and a leading cause of blindness.Currently,there are few reports on the establishment of animal models for age-related cataract.During the experimental breeding of Microtus fortis(M.fortis),we first observed that M.fortis aged 12 to 15 months could naturally develop cataracts.This study aims to explore the possibility of developing them as an animal model for age-related cataract via identifing and analyzing spontaneous cataract in M.fortis. Methods:The 12-month-old healthy M.fortis were served as a control group and 12-month-old cataractous M.fortis were served as an experimental group.The lens transparency was observed using the slit-lamp biomicroscope.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to detect pathological changes in the lens.Biochemical detection methods were applied to detect blood routine,blood glucose levels,the serum activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in both groups.Finally,real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the transcription levels of cataract-related genes in the lens of 2 groups. Results:Compared with the control group,the lens of cataract M.fortis showed severely visible opacity,the structure of lens was destroyed seriously,and some pathological damage,such as swelling,degeneration/necrosis,calcification,hyperplasia,and fiber liquefaction were found in lens epithelial cells(LECs).The fibrous structure was disorganized and irregularly distributed with morgagnian globules(MGs)aggregated in the degenerated lens fibers.There was no statistically significant difference in blood glucose levels between the experimental and control groups(P＞0.05).However,white blood cell(WBC)count(P＜0.05),lymphocyte count(P＜0.01),and lymphocyte ratio(P＜0.05)were significantly decreased,while neutrophil percentage(P＜0.05)and monocyte ratio(P＜0.01)were significantly increased.The serum activities of SOD and GSH-Px(both P＜0.05)were both reduced.The mRNAs of cataract-related genes,including CRYAA,CRYBA1,CRYBB3,Bsfp1,GJA3,CRYBA2,MIP,HspB1,DNase2B,and GJA8,were significantly downregultaed in the lenses of the experimental group(all P＜0.05). Conclusion:There are significant differences in lens pathological changes,peroxidase levels,and cataract-related gene expression between cataract and healthy M.fortis.The developed cataract spontaneously in M.fortis is closely related to age,the cataract M.fortis might be an ideal animal model for the research of age-related cataract.

Objective:To investigate the impacts of ionizing radiation on protein expression profiles in esophageal tissues of rats using quantitative proteomics, in order to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the onset and development of radiation-induced esophagitis (RIE).Methods:A total of twenty-four male SD rats were divided by simple randomization into three groups: the control, 25 Gy irradiation, and 35 Gy irradiation groups, and their esophageal tissues were collected at 7 d post-irradiation to extract total protein. Then, changes in the protein expression profiles of the esophageal tissues in irradiated rats were investigated using tandem mass tag (TMT)-labeled quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, the expressions of two key proteins, Hp and Ndufs4, were validated using immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results:A comparison with the control group revealed a total of 847 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs; 483 up-regulated and 364 down-regulated) following 25 Gy irradiation and 699 DEPs (443 up-regulated and 256 down-regulated) following 35 Gy irradiation. Different radiation doses led to common 326 up-regulated proteins, which were mainly involved in biological processes and signaling pathways related to immune and inflammatory responses, and 210 down-regulated proteins, which were primarily involved in biological processes and signaling pathways related to energy production and metabolism. Furthermore, a total of 155 proteins were screened using a constructed protein protein interaction(PPI) network. Of these proteins, the up-regulated ones were most associated with three functional pathways, namely innate immune responses, complement and coagulation cascades, and innate immune system, while the down-regulated ones were most associated with energy acquisition via oxidizing organic compounds, oxidative phosphorylation, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and respiratory electron transfer. These functions were enriched with nine complement-related up-regulated and five mitochondria-related down-regulated proteins, respectively. Ionizing radiation significantly up-regulated Hp ( t = 27.94, 10.96, P<0.001) and down-regulated Ndufs4 ( t = 59.27, 54.07, P<0.001), consistent with the protein sequencing result. Conclusions:Ionizing radiation can change the protein expression profiles in the esophageal tissues of rats, and these DEPs are involved in multiple radiobiology-related functional pathways such as immune processes, inflammatory responses, and abnormal energy metabolism. Screening and validation of key proteins are helpful for identifying potential biomarkers of radiation-induced esophagitis.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic resection and laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with a maximum diameter of 2 to 5 cm, and to analyze the influence of factors such as tumor surface, growth pattern and lesion origin on the choice of resection method, so as to provide a safer and more effective treatment for patients with gastric GIST.Methods:From January 2012 to November 2019, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, the clinical data of 301 patients with gastric GIST who underwent endoscopic resection (137 cases in the endoscopic resection group) or laparoscopic surgery (164 cases in the laparoscopic surgery group) were retrospectively analyzed, including age, gender, whether there was depression on the tumor surface (the local subsidence depth of the mucosa on the tumor surface was >5 mm), whether the tumor surface was irregular (non-hemispherical or non-elliptical tumor surface), whether there was combined ulcer, location, shape, origin of the lesion, growth pattern (intralumina growth or combined intraluminal and extraluminal growth), risk classification (very low risk, low risk, medium risk, high risk), whether the tumor was en bloc resection, operation time, whether bleeding or not, fasting time, indwelling time of gastric tube, time of hospitalization, time of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications and follow-up. Independent sample t test, chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 137 patients with gastric GIST in the endoscopic resection group, 85 cases (62.0%) underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection, 9 cases (6.6%) underwent endoscopic submucosal excavation, 42 cases (30.7%) underwent endoscopic full-thickness resection, and 1 case (0.7%) underwent submucosal tunnel endoscopic resection. There were no significant differences in gender, age, lesion location, tumor size, and risk classification between the endoscopic resection group and the laparoscopic surgery group (all P>0.05). The tumor surface was depressed, with ulcer or irregular in 1, 49, 26, and 2 cases of patients with gastric GIST of very low risk, low risk, medium risk and high risk, respectively. There was statistically significant difference in the proportion of depression, irregularity and ulcer on the tumor surface at different risk levels ( Z=-2.55, P=0.011). The complete tumor resection rate of the endoscopic resection group was lower than that of the laparoscopic surgery group (86.1%, 118/137 vs. 100.0%, 164/164), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=24.28, P<0.001). However the operation time, fasting time, the indwelling time of gastric tube, time of hospitalization, and the time of postoperative hospital stay of the endoscopic resection group were shorter than those of the laparoscopic surgery group, and the total hospitalization cost was lower than that of the laparoscopic surgery group (90.0 min (62.5 min, 150.0 min) vs. 119.5 min, (80.0 min, 154.2 min); 3 d (3 d, 4 d) vs. 5 d (4 d, 7 d); 3 d (2 d, 4 d) vs. 4 d (2 d, 6 d); 11 d (10 d, 14 d) vs. 16 d (12 d, 20 d); 7 d (6 d, 9 d) vs. 9 d (7 d, 11 d); (38 211.6±10 221.0) yuan vs. (59 926.1±17 786.1) yuan), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.46, -7.12, -4.44, -6.89 and -5.92, t=-13.24; all P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative abdominal pain and other severe postoperative complications (including shock, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, gastroparesis, etc.) of the endoscopic resection group were all lower than those of the laparoscopic surgery group (16.8%, 23/137 vs. 27.4%, 45/164; 0.7%, 1/137 vs. 4.9%, 8/164), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.84, Fisher′s exact test, P=0.028 and 0.043). There were no significant differences in the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative bleeding, fever and perforation between the two groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of operation-related complications of lesions with intraluminal growth and originating from muscularis propria in the endoscopic resection group were lower than those of the laparoscopic surgery group (19.5%, 25/128 vs. 32.6%, 45/138; 12.6%, 12/95 vs. 31.4%, 37/118), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.86 and 10.42, P=0.016 and 0.001). There was no significant difference in the postoperative tumor recurrent rate between the endoscopic resection group and the laparoscopic surgery group (0, 0/137 vs. 2.4%, 4/164; Fisher’s exact test, P=0.129). Conclusions:Endoscopic treatment is safe and effective for gastric GIST with a maximum diameter of 2 to 5 cm, which is superior to laparoscopic surgery. However, laparoscopic surgery is recommended for tumor with depressed, ulcerative, or irregular surface and combined intraluminal and extraluminal growth.