OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 5 (LAMP5) and microRNA (miR)-302a-3p in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their functional mechanism on the invasion and metastasis of OSCC. METHODS: The expression of LAMP5 in OSCC and its sensitivity as a prognostic indicator were analyzed on the basis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and cell immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of LAMP5 in OSCC tissues and cells. The effect of LAMP5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells was evaluated through cell counting kit-8, immunocytochemistry, migration, and invasion assays, respectively. The miRNA targeting prediction websites were used to predict the miR that regulates LAMP5 and verify the targeted regulatory effect of miR-302a-3p on LAMP5. The effect of LAMP5 knockdown on OSCC tumor growth was evaluated in a nude mouse tumorigenesis model. RESULTS: LAMP5 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. It showed high sensitivity in the early diagnosis of OSCC. LAMP5 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells, whereas LAMP5 overexpression increased these cell activities. The expression of LAMP5 was regulated by miR-302a-3p. In vivo, LAMP5 knockdown significantly inhibited the growth of OSCC tumor. CONCLUSIONS LAMP5 promotes the malignant progression of OSCC by enhancing the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. The expression of LAMP5 is negatively regulated by miR-302a-3p.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Movement ; Lysosomal Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.

Good endometrial receptivity is an essential factor for embryo implantation,and gene expression in endometrial tissue during the window of implantation(WOI)is closely related to receptivity.Transcriptome sequencing technology enables the identification of gene expression profiles of endometrium during different menstrual phases,as well as microRNAs and long-chain non-coding RNA sequences involved in regulating gene expression.Combining this technology with bioinformatics analysis provides a better understanding of specific gene expression during the receptive period and offers technical support for studying its regulatory mechanism.Moreover,gene expression profiles of the endometrium during different menstrual phases hold significant clinical application value for accurately assessing endometrium receptivity in infertility patients and those with repeated implantation failure,thereby guiding individualized embryo transfer strategies.This review summarizes the progress of transcriptome sequencing in evaluating human endometrial receptivity and discusses future research directions.This review aims to understand the complex molecular mechanisms of endometrial receptivity formation and regulation from the transcriptional level,in order to improve the implantation rate of embryos in assisted reproductive technology and reduce the abortion rate.

AKT,also known as Protein Kinase B(PKB),plays a critical role in cell proliferation and metabolism.There are three isoforms of AKT:AKT1,AKT2,and AKT3.The effects of these isoforms on the pluripotency and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs)remain unclear.This study aims to explore the impact of three AKT isoform-specific knockouts on the self-renewal and differen-tiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,AKT isoform-spe-cific knockout cell lines were established.The phenotypic and molecular changes were analyzed through Western blotting,flow cytometry,qRT-PCR,CCK-8 assays,Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)staining,and RNA-seq.The construction of AKT isoform-specific knockout cell lines was successful.The loss of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited the proliferation of mESCs.The knockout of any single AKT isoform did not affect the expression of pluripotency genes at both mRNA or protein levels.However,during embryoid body forma-tion,the deletion of any of the three AKT isoforms affected the mRNA expression levels of genes in all three germ layers.Transcriptome analysis showed that compared to wild-type mESCs,995,547,and 429 differentially expressed genes(|log2FC|≧1,P＜0.05)were identified inAKT1,AKT2,and AKT3 isoform-specific knockout cells,respectively.There was some overlap in the differentially expressed genes regulated by these three isoforms.In conclusion,the independent knockout of AKT isoforms does not af-fect the maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells,but they are crucial for differentia-tion.The three AKT isoforms can collectively regulate gene expression while retaining their own regulato-ry specificity.This study provides a foundation for understanding the unique and overlapping roles of AKT isoforms in stem cell biology,highlighting their importance in maintaining stem cell function and differen-tiation.

Aim To investigate the effect of eplerenone(EPL)on the alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on voltage-gated potassium channel 1.3(Kv1.3)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)to inhibit macrophage M1 polarization in mice.Methods Bioinformatics technology was used to screen disease pathways and targets,and the binding affinity and stability of EPL-Kv1.3 complex system were calculated.A mouse model of RA was established and treated with EPL by intragastric administration for 42 days.The indicators reflecting drug remission of RA were recorded and detected.RAW264.7 cells were treated with EPL to detect the indicators reflecting the effect of drugs on macrophage M1 polarization,and to verify the upstream and downstream key targets of re-lated signaling pathways mediated by drugs.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the disease targets were mainly involved in inflammatory response and NF-κB signaling pathway,and EPL-Kv1.3 had high affinity and stable binding.In animal experiments,the detec-tion of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(CCP-Ab)and joint score indicated the successful establish-ment of the model.Compared with the model group,EPL could reduce the toe redness and swelling score,alleviate the plantar redness and swelling,synovial swelling,and reduce fibrosis and inflammatory cell in-filtration in mice.The medium-dose and high-dose EPL groups reduced the HE staining score(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the high-dose EPL group reduced the serum RF in mice(P＜0.01).CCK-8 results showed that low,medium and high doses of EPL had no effect on the activity of RAW264.7 macrophages(P＞0.05).Compared with the model group,EPL treatment significantly reduced the contents of IL-6,TNF-α and NO in supernatant of the cells(P＜0.01),reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-KB-p65 in the high-dose EPL group,reduced the M1 polarization and increased the proportion of M2 polarization in the medium and high-dose EPL groups(P＜0.01).The mRNA levels of MyD88,IκB-α,NF-κB-p65,NF-KB-p50,IL-1 β and iNOS were significantly reduced in each dose group of EPL(P＜0.01).EPL significantly increased the pro-tein expression of Bcl-2(P＜0.01)and decreased the protein expression of Kv1.3,MyD88,p-IκB-α/IκB-α,p-p65/p65,IL-1 β and iNOS(P＜0.05).Conclusion EPL may play an immunomodulatory role in relieving RA in mice by regulating Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB path-way,reducing macrophage M1 polarization and amelio-rating macrophage-associated inflammatory response.

AKT,also known as Protein Kinase B(PKB),plays a critical role in cell proliferation and metabolism.There are three isoforms of AKT:AKT1,AKT2,and AKT3.The effects of these isoforms on the pluripotency and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells(mESCs)remain unclear.This study aims to explore the impact of three AKT isoform-specific knockouts on the self-renewal and differen-tiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,AKT isoform-spe-cific knockout cell lines were established.The phenotypic and molecular changes were analyzed through Western blotting,flow cytometry,qRT-PCR,CCK-8 assays,Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)staining,and RNA-seq.The construction of AKT isoform-specific knockout cell lines was successful.The loss of AKT1 and AKT2 inhibited the proliferation of mESCs.The knockout of any single AKT isoform did not affect the expression of pluripotency genes at both mRNA or protein levels.However,during embryoid body forma-tion,the deletion of any of the three AKT isoforms affected the mRNA expression levels of genes in all three germ layers.Transcriptome analysis showed that compared to wild-type mESCs,995,547,and 429 differentially expressed genes(|log2FC|≧1,P＜0.05)were identified inAKT1,AKT2,and AKT3 isoform-specific knockout cells,respectively.There was some overlap in the differentially expressed genes regulated by these three isoforms.In conclusion,the independent knockout of AKT isoforms does not af-fect the maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells,but they are crucial for differentia-tion.The three AKT isoforms can collectively regulate gene expression while retaining their own regulato-ry specificity.This study provides a foundation for understanding the unique and overlapping roles of AKT isoforms in stem cell biology,highlighting their importance in maintaining stem cell function and differen-tiation.

Aim To investigate the effect of eplerenone(EPL)on the alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on voltage-gated potassium channel 1.3(Kv1.3)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)to inhibit macrophage M1 polarization in mice.Methods Bioinformatics technology was used to screen disease pathways and targets,and the binding affinity and stability of EPL-Kv1.3 complex system were calculated.A mouse model of RA was established and treated with EPL by intragastric administration for 42 days.The indicators reflecting drug remission of RA were recorded and detected.RAW264.7 cells were treated with EPL to detect the indicators reflecting the effect of drugs on macrophage M1 polarization,and to verify the upstream and downstream key targets of re-lated signaling pathways mediated by drugs.Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the disease targets were mainly involved in inflammatory response and NF-κB signaling pathway,and EPL-Kv1.3 had high affinity and stable binding.In animal experiments,the detec-tion of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody(CCP-Ab)and joint score indicated the successful establish-ment of the model.Compared with the model group,EPL could reduce the toe redness and swelling score,alleviate the plantar redness and swelling,synovial swelling,and reduce fibrosis and inflammatory cell in-filtration in mice.The medium-dose and high-dose EPL groups reduced the HE staining score(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the high-dose EPL group reduced the serum RF in mice(P＜0.01).CCK-8 results showed that low,medium and high doses of EPL had no effect on the activity of RAW264.7 macrophages(P＞0.05).Compared with the model group,EPL treatment significantly reduced the contents of IL-6,TNF-α and NO in supernatant of the cells(P＜0.01),reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-KB-p65 in the high-dose EPL group,reduced the M1 polarization and increased the proportion of M2 polarization in the medium and high-dose EPL groups(P＜0.01).The mRNA levels of MyD88,IκB-α,NF-κB-p65,NF-KB-p50,IL-1 β and iNOS were significantly reduced in each dose group of EPL(P＜0.01).EPL significantly increased the pro-tein expression of Bcl-2(P＜0.01)and decreased the protein expression of Kv1.3,MyD88,p-IκB-α/IκB-α,p-p65/p65,IL-1 β and iNOS(P＜0.05).Conclusion EPL may play an immunomodulatory role in relieving RA in mice by regulating Kv1.3/Bcl-2/NF-κB path-way,reducing macrophage M1 polarization and amelio-rating macrophage-associated inflammatory response.

Objective To make an epidemiological investigation on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dampness syndrome manifestations in the population at risk of cerebrovascular diseases in Guangdong area.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the clinical data related to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in 330 Guangdong permanent residents.The diagnosis of dampness syndrome,quantitative scoring of dampness syndrome and rating of the risk of stroke were performed for the investigation of the distribution pattern of dampness syndrome and its influencing factors.Results(1)A total of 306(92.73%)study subjects were diagnosed as dampness syndrome.The percentage of dampness syndrome in the risk group was 93.82%(258/275),which was slightly higher than that of the healthy group(48/55,87.27%),but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 2.91,P = 0.112).The quantitative score of dampness syndrome in the risk group was higher than that of the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significance(Z =-2.24,P = 0.025).(2)Among the study subjects at risk of cerebrovascular disease,evaluation time(χ2 = 26.11,P = 0.001),stroke risk grading(χ2= 8.85,P = 0.031),and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA)(χ2 = 9.28,P = 0.015)were the factors influencing the grading of dampness syndrome in the population at risk of cerebrovascular disease.Conclusion Dampness syndrome is the common TCM syndrome in the population of Guangdong area.The manifestations of dampness syndrome are more obvious in the population with risk factors of cerebrovascular disease,especially in the population at high risk of stroke,and in the population with a history of stroke or TIA.The assessment and intervention of dampness syndrome should be taken into account for future project of stroke prevention in Guangdong.

This study was aimed at comparing performance differences among three metagenomic sequencing platforms,MGISEQ-2000,Illumina NextSeq 2000,and Ion GeneStudio S5 Plus,to optimize the sequencing process for trace samples.The three sequencing platforms were used to perform high-throughput sequencing on DNA standards and simulated samples.Through analysis of the quality of raw data and microbial detection capabilities,systematic differences among platforms were compared.The sequencing results were optimized for trace samples by incorporation of exogenous nucleic acids during the li-brary preparation process.In terms of data output per batch and base quality,MGISEQ-2000 surpassed the other two plat-forms.Illumina NextSeq 2000 had the lowest proportion of duplicate reads,whereas Ion GeneStudio S5 Plus had the highest proportion,and significant differences were observed across platforms(P＜0.001).In sequencing uniformity,MGISEQ-2000 and Illumina NextSeq 2000 were superior to Ion GeneStudio S5 Plus.MGISEQ-2000 provided a substantial advantage in microbial detection capability(P＜0.001),but the advantage diminished with decreasing bacterial fluid concentration.Ion GeneStudio S5 Plus had the shortest duration for single-batch sequencing.Moreo-ver,for trace samples with DNA content ≤0.05 ng,the experi-mental group(with added exogenous nucleic acids)achieved a higher number of reads than the control group(without exogenous nucleic acids),with a 11.09±8.03 fold increase.In conclu-sion,the different sequencing platforms each had advantages and disadvantages,thus allowing researchers to choose the appro-priate platform according to specific needs.Furthermore,the addition of exogenous nucleic acids improved the microorganism detection efficiency,and provided better support for subsequent diagnosis and evaluation of results.

Objective To propose a cell phone fingertip video-based heart rate extraction algorithm to relieve the influences of environmental factors.Methods Firstly,the fingertip video was captured and extracted at a frame rate of 30 frames/s,and the images were separated into three channels:R,G,and B.The brightness changes of the three channels were compared,the G channel,which was the most sensitive to the fingertip blood flow signal,was selected as the signal source,and the brightness change information was extracted to generate a volumetric pulse waveform with a duration of 10 s.Secondly,the waveform underwent signal processing such as digital filtering,removal of baseline drift and Fourier transform,then the heart rate was predicted based on the position information of the maximum spectral peak.Finally,the heart rate prediction efficacy by the proposed algorithm was validated on Brno University of Technology Smartphone PPG Database(BUT PPG dataset).Results The predicted heart rate by the algorithm and the actual value had the mean square deviation,root mean square deviation and mean absolute error being 3.71,1.92 and 1.2 beats/min,respectively.Condusion The algorithm proposed has high accuracy for heart rate prediction,and can be invovled in cell phones for daily heart rate monitoring.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):16-20]