1.Targeting ER lipid raft-associated 1 reveals a coordinated cholesterol-dependent vulnerability in hepatocellular carcinoma
Yiming ZHANG ; Yushan HOU ; Xinxin WANG ; Kaikun XU ; Pei JIANG ; Siqi WANG ; Huimin KANG ; Hu ZHANG ; Jingzhuo JIN ; Xiaofen HUANG ; Zifeng LIU ; Songpeng YANG ; Jiaqi LIU ; Lingqiang ZHANG ; Fuchu HE ; Chunyan TIAN ; Aihua SUN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):866-883
Background/Aims:
Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed.
Methods:
We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models.
Results:
ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis.
Conclusions
ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.
2.Research progress of RNA alternative splicing mechanisms and their roles in cancer therapy
Xinxin HUANG ; Mingzhu TANG ; Duowei WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(2):155-162
Alternative splicing (AS), a critical mechanism in gene expression regulation, is essential for cellular physiological processes such as proliferation, metabolism, and apoptosis via generating diverse mRNA isoforms and expanding protein diversity. In the field of oncology, AS has been significantly implicated in the regulation of various biological processes involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Specific mutations or expression changes in splicing factors, such as SF3B1, SRSF2, and U2AF1, play key roles in multiple types of cancer. This review summarizes novel therapeutic strategies for cancer targeting alternative splicing, including inhibiting spliceosome components, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy, and approaches to overcome drug resistance and immune evasion in cancer. These strategies, which modulate the activity of splicing factors and RNA-modifying enzymes, show promise in addressing chemoresistance and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of alternative splicing mechanisms, their role in cancer, and their potential as a therapeutic target, highlighting the importance of alternative splicing in cancer research and therapy.
3.Interventional Effect of Active Ingredients of Chinese Medicine and Compound Formulas on Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer: A Review
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Bozhen HUANG ; Siyi MA ; Guoyu WANG ; Wanqing WANG ; Luyao WANG ; Liang WANG ; Ruiqing BO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):336-346
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and tumor metastasis is a key factor contributing to the mortality of most lung cancer patients. Aberrant activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major driver of lung cancer progression and metastasis. EMT is characterized by the loss of apical-basal polarity and intercellular adhesion in highly differentiated, polarized, and organized epithelial cells, which acquire motility, migratory potential, and invasive properties. During this process, cells undergo cytoskeletal remodeling and transform into a mesenchymal phenotype, accompanied by associated changes in cellular markers. The EMT process is highly complex and is tightly regulated by intricate networks involving multiple transcription factors, post-translational controls, epigenetic modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Therefore, therapies targeting the mechanisms of malignant transformation and their associated pathways in lung cancer are of significant clinical importance. In recent years, EMT has attracted increasing attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. Chinese medicine, with its characteristics of multi-target action, low side effects, and good therapeutic efficacy, has demonstrated an important role in anticancer treatment. A series of studies have investigated the role of Chinese medicine in inhibiting EMT in lung cancer. Active ingredients of Chinese medicine, including flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, terpenoids, saccharides, and alkaloids, as well as Chinese medicine compound formulas, have shown significant regulatory effects on EMT. Their mechanisms mainly involve multiple pathways, targets, and links, including signaling pathways, exosomes, microRNAs (miRNAs), and the tumor-associated immune microenvironment. This article summarizes the mechanisms by which EMT promotes malignant tumor progression and reviews the current research on how Chinese medicine active ingredients, monomers, and compound formulas inhibit EMT and suppress lung cancer cell migration and invasion. This study is expected to provide comprehensive theoretical information for basic and translational research on lung cancer.
4.Screening the advantageous population for liver cancer undergoing yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy
Licong Liang ; Yuchan Liang ; Wensou Huang ; Yongjian Guo ; Jingjun Huang ; Jingwen Zhou ; Liteng Lin ; Xinxin Nie ; Mingyue Cai ; Kangshun Zhu
Liver Research 2026;10(1):61-70
Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), also known as transarterial radioembolization, has become one of the pivotal treatments for liver cancer, particularly for selected advantageous patient groups. This review summarizes the characteristics of different patients with liver cancer that could obtain maximum benefit from SIRT and discusses key factors affecting efficacy and safety, including tumor characteristics, liver function, patient performance status, and treatment intent. In evaluating appropriate candidates, mapping serves as a crucial simulation procedure to assess tumor vascular anatomy, predict lung shunting, and guide catheter positioning and dose planning. This procedure substantially enhances therapeutic precision while minimizing the risk of nontarget radiation-related adverse events, such as radiation-induced pneumonitis and gastrointestinal toxicity. Several studies have suggested that SIRT is not only suitable for patients with early or limited hepatocellular carcinoma but can also be used as a bridging therapy for liver transplantation and conversion therapy for unresectable liver cancers. In combination with systemic treatments, SIRT has demonstrated survival benefits in patients with unresectable liver cancer. This review also highlights the importance of further optimizing patient screening through personalized dosimetry and mapping to ensure the precision and safety of treatment. A thorough review of relevant literature and clinical practice offers clinicians comprehensive suggestions on patient screening and clarifies the promise of SIRT in the liver cancer population.
5.Screening bile acid-related characteristic genes in IgA nephropathy based on bioinformatics analysis
Sailaiajimu GUZAILINUER· ; Guming ZOU ; Xinxin QI ; Peiyuan NIU ; Xuan HUANG ; Zhen LIU ; Suhua LI ; Chen LU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(1):11-21
Objective:To screen bile acid-related characteristic genes in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) based on the feature gene selection algorithm in the machine learning method, aiming to exploring the molecular biological mechanisms and biomarkers of IgAN.Methods:The gene expression data and sample grouping information of GSE93798, GSE116626 and GSE35487 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Bile acid-related gene sequences were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). R language was used to identify differentially expressed genes between IgAN samples and healthy control samples. Candidate genes were obtained by intersecting differentially expressed genes and bile acid-related genes. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm in machine learning was used to screen the feature genes in the candidate genes as biomarkers, and the feature genes in the training set and validation set were analyzed by the rate of change index. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) method was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of identified bile acid related characteristic genes for IgAN. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the Spearman correlation between the characteristic genes and all other genes and their related metabolic pathways. The expression of disease-characteristic genes in the kidney tissues of IgAN rats was validated by real-time PCR.Results:Gene expression information from kidney tissue samples of 20 IgAN cases and 22 healthy controls were obtained from GEO database. A total of 204 bile acid-related genes including 24 pathways were obtained from MSigDB. The results of gene differential expression analysis showed that 333 genes in the kidney tissues of IgAN patients were differentially expressed compared with those of healthy controls, including 102 up-regulated genes and 231 down-regulated genes, among which 12 differentially expressed genes were related to bile acid genes, as follows: NR1H4,SLC23A1, ALDH8A1, FABP1, ALB, SLC27A2, DIO1, CYP8B1, BBOX1, PIPOX, AKR1C1 and SLC10A2. Five characteristic genes ( NR1H4, SLC23A1, FABP1, ALB and AKR1C1) were screened by LASSO regression algorithm.ROC analysis results showed that in GSE93798 cohort genes, the AUC of NR1H4, SLC23A1, FABP1 and ALB genes with differential expression was >0.95 respectively in diagnosing IgAN, and that of AKR1C1 genes with differential expression was >0.85 in diagnosing IgAN. The gene expression data of SLC23A1 in GSE35487 cohort was missing. ROC analysis results of other four genes showed that the AUC of differential expression of ALB gene for IgAN was >0.95 respectively, that of NR1H4 gene was >0.70, and that of both FABP1 and AKR1C1 gene was >0.60. In the GSE116626 cohort genes, the AUC of five disease characteristic genes ( NR1H4, SLC23A1, FABP1, ALB, AKR1C1) for diagnosing IgAN was >0.60, respectively. These results suggested that 5 characteristic genes have certain distinguishing ability between IgAN group and control group. GSEA results were displayed that the characteristic genes were related to butyric acid metabolism, propionic acid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, valine leucine and isoleucine degradation, fatty acid metabolism, etc. These results suggested that five characteristic genes might be related to IgAN through the above metabolic mechanisms. The verification results of five bile acid characteristic genes in the rat model of IgAN in the kidney tissue showed that the expressions of four genes, NR1H4, SLC23A1, FABP1 and ALB, were higher than those of the control group, and there was no statistical significance in the expression of AKR1C1 gene between the two groups. Conclusions:The expression of bile acid-related characteristic genes is abnormal in the kidney tissue of IgAN patients. Four bile acid-related differentially expressed genes, NR1H4, SLC23A1, FABP1 and ALB, are expected to be biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis and therapeutic targets .
6.Application of dual evaluation system"quality control plus law enforcement"in prevention and control of hospital-associated infections in regional oral healthcare institutions
Qin WEN ; Hongwei DAI ; Xin YU ; Shumei LUO ; Xinxin HUANG ; Fenfen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(18):2831-2836
OBJECTIVE To explore and establish the working mechanism for prevention and control of hospital-as-sociated infections in regional oral medical institutions so as to standardize the prevention and control of the hospi-tal-associated infections in the regional oral medical institutions.METHODS Taking an administrative division of Chongqing as example,the matrix evaluation was carried out based on the quality control mode for management of hospital-associated infections in oral medical institutions' action planning,training guidance,quality control super-vision,summary review' organically in combination with'quality control plus law enforcement',a color-co-ded management of the oral medical institutions in the region was implemented,and the effectiveness of improved work in infection control was examined.RESULTS From the perspective of the grade of medical institution,the qualified rates of hospital infection management system construction,architectural layout and process,cleaning,disinfection and sterilization of oral instruments,environmental cleaning and disinfection,isolation,safe injection,use of occupational protection supplies and disposal of medical waste of the primary and unrated medical institu-tions were respectively 26.51%,49.40%,24.10%,37.35%,31.33%,46.99%,67.47%and 51.81%before the improvement and were respectively increased to 67.47%,63.86%,45.78%,66.27%,63.86%,73.49%,84.34%and 66.27%after the improvement,and there were significant differences(P<0.05).From the perspec-tive of the property of the medical institution,the qualified rates of the above items of the private medical institu-tions were respectively 24.66%,47.95%,21.92%,34.25%,31.51%,45.21%,69.86%and 50.68%before the improvement and were respectively increased to 65.75%,61.64%,42.47%,64.38%,63.01%,71.23%,84.93%and 63.01%after the improvement,and there were significant differences(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The working mechanism on prevention and control of hospital-associated infections in regional oral medical institu-tions that is established based on'quality control plus law enforcement'with the introduction of social credit can effectively raise the qualified rates of the infection prevention and control measures,which achieves more remarka-ble improvement effectiveness in grass-roots oral medical institutions such as the private,primary and unrat-ed medical institutions.
7.Research on the characteristics and influencing factors of workplace violence in a specialized hospital and its affiliated medical consortium members
Xinxin FANG ; Min ZHANG ; Yiming HUANG ; Fuyuan WANG ; Yuting TANG ; Chuning HE
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(11):818-824
Objective:To investigate the characteristics, influencing factors, consequences, coping strategies, and preventive measures of workplace violence in medical consortiums.Methods:Medical professionals from a specialized hospital in South China and its consortium members (2 primary-level, 1 secondary-level, and 1 tertiary-level hospitals) were surveyed in December 2022 and July 2023. Quantitative research included 1013 participants, while qualitative research involved 35 participants. Workplace violence was assessed using the "National Case Study Tool for Workplace Violence in Healthcare Institutions-Survey Questionnaire", with qualitative analysis conducted through semi-structured interviews. Inter-group comparisons employed chi-square tests or Fisher's exact probability test, with logistic regression models for bivariate analysis.Results:The overall incidence rates of violence, psychological violence, and physical violence in this medical consortium were 31.7% (321/1, 013) , 30.6% (310/1, 013) , and 3.3% (33/1, 013) , respectively. Specifically, the overall violence rates in Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 hospitals were 22.7% (41/181) , 27.4% (43/157) , and 35.1% (237/675) . The physical violence rates were 1.1% (2/181) , 10.2% (16/157) , and 2.2% (15/675) , respectively. The psychological violence rates stood at 22.7% (41/181) , 24.8% (39/157) , and 34.1% (230/675) . The total violence in tertiary hospitals was significantly higher than that in tertiary hospitals ( F=10.10, P=0.002) , and the incidence of psychological violence in tertiary hospitals was significantly higher than that in tertiary hospitals ( Flevel 1 vs level 3=8.61, P=0.003; Flevel 2 vs level 3=4.96, P=0.026) , incidence of verbal insults ( Flevel 1 vs level 3=8.25, P=0.004; Flevel 2 vs level 3=6.36, P= 0.012) was significantly higher than that of level 1 and level 2 hospitals. The incidence of physical violence in secondary hospitals was significantly higher than that of other two-level hospitals ( P<0.001) . Compared with other types of violence, the incidence of verbal insults is highest in hospitals at all levels. Higher anxiety about violence was a risk factor for psychological violence in hospitals at all levels ( Flevel1 hospital=15.44, P=0.004; Flevel2 hospital=22.87, P<0.001; Flevel3 hospital=84.12, P<0.001) . Health workers in all three levels of hospitals has a high level of approval of existing workplace violence interventions. The main causes of workplace violence were poor communication between doctors and patients (13.2%) , service attitude problems (12.5%) and patient illness (16.9%) . Conclusion:Workplace violence remains prevalent within this medical consortium. Targeted measures should be implemented based on hospital size, functions, and patient demographics.
8.Comparative study of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in mice induced by bleomycin of different concentrations
Xinxin ZHANG ; Yizi XIE ; Huiting HUANG ; Yong JIANG ; Hang LI ; Gang LIAO ; Wujin WEN ; Shaofeng ZHAN ; Xiufang HUANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(5):673-683
Objective To investigate the establishment and evaluation of an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF)mouse model induced by the intratracheal infusion of bleomycin(BLM)of different concentrations.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group,Model-L group(1.5 mg/kg,BLM),Model-M group(2.5 mg/kg,BLM),and Model-H group(3.5 mg/kg,BLM).An IPF mouse model was constructed by one-time intratracheal infusion of BLM.The general status,body mass,survival rate,and lung coefficient of mice in different groups were compared.Pathological changes in lung tissue,the hydroxyproline content,fibrosis markers and inflammatory factor levels were observed.Results Compared with the control group,the survival rate decreased and body weight showed a downward trend in the low-,medium-,and high-dose model groups,with significant increases in lung coefficients.Inflammatory infiltration(P<0.01)and collagen deposition(P<0.0001)were observed in the lung tissues of all model groups.Hydroxyproline levels in lung tissue and serum were significantly elevated(P<0.05).The mRNA levels of fibrosis markers α-Sma,Fn1,and Col1a1 were upregulated(P<0.001),with significant increases in corresponding protein expression(P<0.05).The mRNA expression of the inflammatory factor Tgfb1 also increased(P<0.0001).Conclusion 1.5,2.5 and 3.5 mg/kg BLM can induce an IPF model in C57BL/6J mice.Based on the results observed for survival rate,body mass,lung coefficient changes,lung tissue gross and pathological changes,and fibrosis-related biomarkers,2.5 mg/kg BLM is the optimal concentration for inducing an IPF mouse model.
9.Phosphatidylethanolamine promotes macrophage senescence and liver injury by activating endoplasmic reticulum stress
Longchuan HAN ; Yue LI ; Zhihui ZOU ; Jing LUO ; Ruoyi LI ; Yingting ZHANG ; Xinxin TANG ; Lihong TIAN ; Yuheng LU ; Ying HUANG ; Ming HE ; Yinkun FU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(6):693-704
Objective·To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of phosphatidylethanolamine(PE)on macrophage senescence and its senescence-associated secretory phenotype(SASP),as well as its pathophysiological role in liver injury.Methods·A macrophage senescence model was established using doxorubicin(DOX),followed by PE treatment.A mouse liver injury model was generated via intraperitoneal co-administration of PE and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to investigate the effects of PE on liver injury.Senescence markers and SASP factors,including senescence-associated β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal),cell cycle inhibitor p21,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6),were evaluated using SA-β-gal staining,quantitative real-time PCR,and Western blotting.RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)was performed,followed by Gene Ontology(GO)cellular component enrichment analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis,Gene Set Variation Analysis(GSVA),and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA),to explore the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways by which PE promotes macrophage senescence.The expression of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress-related proteins,including inositol-requiring enzyme 1 α(IRE1α),spliced X-box binding protein 1(XBP1s),activating transcription factor 6(ATF6),ATF4,and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),was analyzed through in vivo and in vitro experiments.Results·PE significantly promoted the expression of senescence markers SA-β-gal,p21,p16 and SASP factors.RNA-seq analysis revealed that ER stress was involved in PE-induced promotion of SASP.Further experiments demonstrated that PE activated the ER stress signaling pathway,promoting macrophage senescence and the expression of SASP factors.In vivo experiments further confirmed that PE exacerbated LPS-induced liver injury in mice through ER stress.Conclusion·PE promotes macrophage senescence and the expression of SASP factors by activating ER stress signaling pathway,thereby aggravating LPS-induced liver injury.
10.The global burden of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer disease from 1990 to 2021 and the forecast to 2040
Shanshan SONG ; Min JIANG ; Liang WANG ; Bozhen HUANG ; Guoyu WANG ; Xinxin LIU ; Siyi MA
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(8):875-884
Objective To analyze the global burden of disease and cross-national imbalances of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer from 1990-2021 and to further predict changes up to 2040.Methods Age-standardised incidence rate(ASIR),prevalence rate(ASPR),mortality rate(ASMR),disability-adjusted life years rate(ASDR)and 95%confidence interval(95%UI)were extracted from GHDx.The official data platform of the institute for health metrics and evaluation(IHME)and the source of data were the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021(GBD 2021)for global burden of disease of trachea,bronchus and lung cancer.The estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)was calculated to describe the prevalence at global,regional and national levels,to understand the differences in diseases at different gender,age and socio-demographic index(SDI)levels,and to explore the overall situation through cluster analysis,cross-country health inequality analysis and to predict the future prevalence up to 2040 through Nordpred model.Results Globally,the ASIR for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer fluctuated slightly from 1990 to 2009,and began to decline rapidly after 2009,with an ASIR of 26.42/100 000 in 2021.ASPR showed an increasing and then decreasing trend,reaching a peak in 2011,with a peak of 37.28/100 000 in 2021,while the ASMR and the ASDR showed a general decreasing trend.Tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer diseases showed the highest disease burden in men,those aged 65-74 and in countries and regions with high SDI.ASDR burden showed significant inequalities globally,with a significant positive correlation between ASDR and SDI,mainly concentrated in countries and regions with high SDI,and the unequal burden of ASDR for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer decreases over time.Predictive analyses found that the number of new cases,current cases,deaths and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)for tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer were expected to increase through 2040,whereas ASIR,ASPR,ASMR and ASDR were projected to decrease each year.Conclusion The overall burden of tracheal,bronchial and lung cancer has declined globally from 1990 to 2021,but with demographic and regional differences.The actual number of cases will continue to climb in the future,despite the continuing decline in age-specified rates,and disease prevention and control will need to focus on growth trends and equity in resource allocation.


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