1.Application of microarray chemiluminescent protein chip assay in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and comparison with immunoblotting
Yuxuan CHEN ; Wei SHEN ; Shuai DING ; Yang HANG ; Hongxia WEI ; Yue TAO ; Yijia ZHU ; Qisi ZHENG ; Weihua PAN ; Lingyun SUN
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2025;29(10):820-829
Objective:To compare the consistency of microarray chemiluminescent protein chip and immunoblotting in the autoantibody spectrum of patients and the diagnostic efficacy of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), and to explore the correlation between the detection results of protein microarray and clinical indicators and lymphocyte subsets.Methods:Serum autoantibodies in 649 samples collected between December 2023 and December 2024 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were analyzed using the microarray chemiluminescent protein chip method, with 401 samples simultaneously tested by immunoblotting. Kappa coefficient assessed inter-method consistency. Diagnostic performance was compared via ROC curves. Spearman correlation analysis evaluated relationships between autoantibody levels and SLEDAI-2000 scores, clinical parameters, and lymphocyte subsets.Results:The two methods demonstrated good consistency across 14 antinuclear antibodies, with optimal agreement for anti-SSA/Ro ( Kappa=0.845, P<0.001), anti-SSB ( Kappa=0.825, P<0.001), and anti-CENP B ( Kappa=0.851, P<0.001). The protein chip method significantly improved SLE diagnostic efficacy, particularly for anti-dsDNA (AUC difference=0.291, P<0.001) and anti-Sm antibodies (AUC difference=0.295, P<0.001). Combined detection of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-nRNP/Sm antibodies achieved superior diagnostic performance (AUC=0.927). Anti-dsDNA, anti-histone, and anti-nucleosome antibodies positively correlated with SLEDAI-2000 ( r=0.408, 0410, 0.384, all P<0.001), complement ( P<0.001), and 24-hour urinary protein ( r=0.374, 0.387, 0.301, all P<0.001). Immunological analysis showed that the proportion of NK cells was generally negatively correlated with antinuclear antibodies such as anti-dsDNA ( r=-0.352, P<0.001) and anti-Sm ( r=-0.328, P<0.001) antibodies. Meanwhile, the proportion of CD8 + T cells was positively correlated with anti-nRNP/Sm ( r=0.229, P=0.002) and anti-Sm antibodies ( r=0.211, P=0.005). The proportion of CD4 + T cells was negatively correlated with anti-SSA/Ro ( r=-0.239, P<0.001), while the proportion of B cells was positively correlated with anti-dSDNA antibody ( r=0.300, P<0.001). Conclusion:The protein chip method showed strong consistency with immunoblotting for detecting 14 autoantibodies but demonstrated superior SLE diagnostic efficacy. The combined use of multiple detection methods can enhance the reliability of clinical diagnosis.
2.Mechanistic study of targeting melanoma with STING pathway deficiencies via PIKfyve inhibitor
Xiaoyu YANG ; Rui HUANG ; Yijia WU ; Zhe ZHANG ; Yan FANG ; Jianfeng SHEN
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(9):1126-1137
Objective·To explore the antitumor effects and potential mechanisms of combining phosphoinositide 3-kinase,FYVE-type zinc finger containing(PIKfyve)inhibitor YM201636 with the stimulator of interferon genes(STING)agonist diABZI in STING pathway-deficient melanoma.Methods·The mRNA and protein expression levels of STING in human cancer cell lines were obtained from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia(CCLE)and UniProt databases.Based on median expression values,melanoma cell lines with high STING mRNA but low protein expression were identified.Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)and Western blotting were performed to validate STING mRNA and protein expression in human melanoma cells.The murine melanoma cell line YUMM1.7,characterized by low STING protein expression,was selected through Western blotting.The ability of YM201636 to restore STING protein expression in YUMM1.7 cells was evaluated.STING agonist diABZI was then applied in combination with YM201636 to analyze the synergistic tumor cell-killing effect through CCK-8 assay.Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1)and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3),and qRT-PCR was used to evaluate type Ⅰ interferon expression.A mouse melanoma model was established and treated with YM201636,diABZI,or their combination.Tumor volume was measured,and treatment efficacy was assessed.RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence staining were performed to analyze immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.Results·Database analyses,qRT-PCR,and Western blotting confirmed that some human melanoma cell lines exhibited high STING mRNA expression but low STING protein levels.YM201636 significantly increased STING protein expression in YUMM1.7 cells(P<0.001).Combined treatment with YM201636 and diABZI significantly enhanced phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3(P<0.05),indicating effective activation of the STING signaling pathway.This combination also promoted the expression of type Ⅰ interferons(P<0.001)and enhanced tumor cell killing in vitro.In vivo,the combination therapy markedly suppressed melanoma growth compared to monotherapy.Immune profiling of the tumor microenvironment revealed significantly increased infiltration of CD4? T cells and CD8? T cells in the combination treatment group(P<0.05).Conclusion·The PIKfyve inhibitor YM201636 could restore STING protein expression in STING-deficient melanoma and enhance the antitumor efficacy of the STING agonist diABZI,offering a promising therapeutic strategy for tumors with defective STING signaling.
3.Mechanistic study of targeting melanoma with STING pathway deficiencies via PIKfyve inhibitor
Xiaoyu YANG ; Rui HUANG ; Yijia WU ; Zhe ZHANG ; Yan FANG ; Jianfeng SHEN
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(9):1126-1137
Objective·To explore the antitumor effects and potential mechanisms of combining phosphoinositide 3-kinase,FYVE-type zinc finger containing(PIKfyve)inhibitor YM201636 with the stimulator of interferon genes(STING)agonist diABZI in STING pathway-deficient melanoma.Methods·The mRNA and protein expression levels of STING in human cancer cell lines were obtained from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia(CCLE)and UniProt databases.Based on median expression values,melanoma cell lines with high STING mRNA but low protein expression were identified.Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)and Western blotting were performed to validate STING mRNA and protein expression in human melanoma cells.The murine melanoma cell line YUMM1.7,characterized by low STING protein expression,was selected through Western blotting.The ability of YM201636 to restore STING protein expression in YUMM1.7 cells was evaluated.STING agonist diABZI was then applied in combination with YM201636 to analyze the synergistic tumor cell-killing effect through CCK-8 assay.Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1)and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3),and qRT-PCR was used to evaluate type Ⅰ interferon expression.A mouse melanoma model was established and treated with YM201636,diABZI,or their combination.Tumor volume was measured,and treatment efficacy was assessed.RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence staining were performed to analyze immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.Results·Database analyses,qRT-PCR,and Western blotting confirmed that some human melanoma cell lines exhibited high STING mRNA expression but low STING protein levels.YM201636 significantly increased STING protein expression in YUMM1.7 cells(P<0.001).Combined treatment with YM201636 and diABZI significantly enhanced phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3(P<0.05),indicating effective activation of the STING signaling pathway.This combination also promoted the expression of type Ⅰ interferons(P<0.001)and enhanced tumor cell killing in vitro.In vivo,the combination therapy markedly suppressed melanoma growth compared to monotherapy.Immune profiling of the tumor microenvironment revealed significantly increased infiltration of CD4? T cells and CD8? T cells in the combination treatment group(P<0.05).Conclusion·The PIKfyve inhibitor YM201636 could restore STING protein expression in STING-deficient melanoma and enhance the antitumor efficacy of the STING agonist diABZI,offering a promising therapeutic strategy for tumors with defective STING signaling.
4.Application of microarray chemiluminescent protein chip assay in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and comparison with immunoblotting
Yuxuan CHEN ; Wei SHEN ; Shuai DING ; Yang HANG ; Hongxia WEI ; Yue TAO ; Yijia ZHU ; Qisi ZHENG ; Weihua PAN ; Lingyun SUN
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology 2025;29(10):820-829
Objective:To compare the consistency of microarray chemiluminescent protein chip and immunoblotting in the autoantibody spectrum of patients and the diagnostic efficacy of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), and to explore the correlation between the detection results of protein microarray and clinical indicators and lymphocyte subsets.Methods:Serum autoantibodies in 649 samples collected between December 2023 and December 2024 in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were analyzed using the microarray chemiluminescent protein chip method, with 401 samples simultaneously tested by immunoblotting. Kappa coefficient assessed inter-method consistency. Diagnostic performance was compared via ROC curves. Spearman correlation analysis evaluated relationships between autoantibody levels and SLEDAI-2000 scores, clinical parameters, and lymphocyte subsets.Results:The two methods demonstrated good consistency across 14 antinuclear antibodies, with optimal agreement for anti-SSA/Ro ( Kappa=0.845, P<0.001), anti-SSB ( Kappa=0.825, P<0.001), and anti-CENP B ( Kappa=0.851, P<0.001). The protein chip method significantly improved SLE diagnostic efficacy, particularly for anti-dsDNA (AUC difference=0.291, P<0.001) and anti-Sm antibodies (AUC difference=0.295, P<0.001). Combined detection of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-nRNP/Sm antibodies achieved superior diagnostic performance (AUC=0.927). Anti-dsDNA, anti-histone, and anti-nucleosome antibodies positively correlated with SLEDAI-2000 ( r=0.408, 0410, 0.384, all P<0.001), complement ( P<0.001), and 24-hour urinary protein ( r=0.374, 0.387, 0.301, all P<0.001). Immunological analysis showed that the proportion of NK cells was generally negatively correlated with antinuclear antibodies such as anti-dsDNA ( r=-0.352, P<0.001) and anti-Sm ( r=-0.328, P<0.001) antibodies. Meanwhile, the proportion of CD8 + T cells was positively correlated with anti-nRNP/Sm ( r=0.229, P=0.002) and anti-Sm antibodies ( r=0.211, P=0.005). The proportion of CD4 + T cells was negatively correlated with anti-SSA/Ro ( r=-0.239, P<0.001), while the proportion of B cells was positively correlated with anti-dSDNA antibody ( r=0.300, P<0.001). Conclusion:The protein chip method showed strong consistency with immunoblotting for detecting 14 autoantibodies but demonstrated superior SLE diagnostic efficacy. The combined use of multiple detection methods can enhance the reliability of clinical diagnosis.
5.A novel TNKS/USP25 inhibitor blocks the Wnt pathway to overcome multi-drug resistance in TNKS-overexpressing colorectal cancer.
Hongrui ZHU ; Yamin GAO ; Liyun LIU ; Mengyu TAO ; Xiao LIN ; Yijia CHENG ; Yaoyao SHEN ; Haitao XUE ; Li GUAN ; Huimin ZHAO ; Li LIU ; Shuping WANG ; Fan YANG ; Yongjun ZHOU ; Hongze LIAO ; Fan SUN ; Houwen LIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):207-222
Modulating Tankyrases (TNKS), interactions with USP25 to promote TNKS degradation, rather than inhibiting their enzymatic activities, is emerging as an alternative/specific approach to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here, we identified UAT-B, a novel neoantimycin analog isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus, as a small-molecule inhibitor of TNKS-USP25 protein-protein interaction (PPI) to overcome multi-drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The disruption of TNKS-USP25 complex formation by UAT-B led to a significant decrease in TNKS levels, triggering cell apoptosis through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Importantly, UAT-B successfully inhibited the CRC cells growth that harbored high TNKS levels, as demonstrated in various in vitro and in vivo studies utilizing cell line-based and patient-derived xenografts, as well as APCmin/+ spontaneous CRC models. Collectively, these findings suggest that targeting the TNKS-USP25 PPI using a small-molecule inhibitor represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment, and UAT-B emerges as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical investigations.
6.FBXO38 regulates ocular melanoma proliferation through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway
Yijia WU ; Yan FANG ; Feiyang SHEN ; Rui HUANG ; Jianfeng SHEN ; Xianqun FAN
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2023;43(12):1470-1479
Objective·To investigate the effect of F-box only protein 38(FBXO38)on the ocular melanoma proliferation and the potential regulatory pathway.Methods·Human skin cutaneous melanoma A375 and human uveal melanoma OMM2.3 cell lines with FBXO38 knockdown and overexpression were constructed by FBXO38 short hairpin RNA(shRNA)and FBXO38 overexpression plasmids respectively.Knockdown and overexpression efficiency of FBXO38 at transcription and protein levels were verified by using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)and Western blotting.The effects of FBXO38 on melanoma cell proliferation were detected through clonal formation assay,BrdU immunofluorescence staining and CCK8 cell proliferation assay.By using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,differentially expressed genes were analyzed in the high and low expression groups of FBXO38.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment was performed to reveal the signaling pathways associated with FBXO38.CCK8 cell proliferation assay was used to detect the inhibition rates of the signaling pathway inhibitors on cells with different FBXO38 expression levels.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect whether the signaling pathway was activated after knocking down FBXO38.Results·qRT-PCR and Western blotting verified that mRNA and protein expression levels of FBXO38 in FBXO38 knockdown A375 and OMM2.3 cell lines decreased compared with the control group,while the expression levels of FBXO38 in the overexpression cell lines increased compared with wild type group(P<0.05).Clonal formation assay,BrdU immunofluorescence staining and CCK8 cell proliferation assay showed that FBXO38 knockdown significantly enhanced the proliferation of A375 and OMM2.3 cells(P<0.05),while overexpression of FBXO38 inhibited melanoma cell proliferation(P<0.05).Enrichment analysis showed that in skin cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma,FBXO38 expression influenced the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K-Akt)pathway activation.Compared with those in the control group,the inhibition rates of P13K inhibitor LY294002 and mTOR1 inhibitor Everolimus in the FBXO38 knockdown group significantly improved(P<0.05),while their inhibition rates of the overexpression group significantly decreased compared with those of control cells(P<0.05).Western blotting results showed that after knocking down FBXO38,expression levels of PTEN,P21 and P53 proteins decreased,while expression level of MDM2 protein increased.The qRT-PCR results showed a significant decrease in P53 transcription level(P<0.05)and a significant increase in MDM2 transcription level in FBXO38 knockdown cells(P<0.05).Conclusion·FBXO38 plays a role in regulating the proliferation of ocular melanoma,and this regulatory effect is related to the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
7.Influence of Corneal Staining in Rabbits on the Evaluation of Eye Irritation Test Results
Honghua XU ; Tian JIN ; Hai WANG ; Mengying SHEN ; Rui WANG ; Yijia ZHOU ; Ying TAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2023;43(3):307-313
Objective To observe the influence of the staining phenomenon after fluorescein sodium staining on eye irritation in normal rabbits.MethodsIn the experimental rabbit eye irritation test conducted with sodium chloride eye drops, Siwei Zhenceng Bingpeng eye drops, sodium hyaluronate eye drops, sodium cromoglycate eye drops, and compound aspartate eye drops (4 in each group, half male and half female), the left eyes of rabbits were administered normal saline (self-negative control) and the right eyes were administered the experimental medicine; the eyes were stained with 1% sodium fluorescein, and eye irritation was observed and scored using slit lamp microscope for 31 days. Morphological changes of corneal epithelial staining were recorded and the incidence of staining was calculated. After the observation, the eyeballs and Hasselblad glands were examined histopathologically, and the staining rate of the left eye was compared with that of the right eye which was administered the corresponding medicine.ResultsNeither eye had any irritation symptoms; the scores were 0, and the total incidences of corneal staining were 3% (left) and 1% (right), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Corneal epithelial staining showed single-spot staining, scattered dot, localized, or large areas of fusion staining. No histopathological changes were found in the eyeballs or Hasselblad glands, and the results were evaluated as non-irritative.Conclusion The irregularity of corneal epithelial staining in rabbits did not influence the results of the ocular irritation test.
8.Association of category of dietary intake and physical activity with the risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study
Ke LIU ; Yijia CHEN ; Jian SU ; Xikang FAN ; Hao YU ; Yu QIN ; Jie YANG ; Zheng ZHU ; Haoyu GUAN ; Chong SHEN ; Enchun PAN ; Yan LU ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Ming WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2023;44(10):1591-1598
Objective:To investigate the association between dietary intake and physical activity category and their combined effects on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:Between December 2013 and December 2021, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 19 863 T2DM patients in Changshu City, Qingjiangpu District (formerly Qinghe District), and Huai'an District, included in the national basic health service management. Information on deaths and underlying causes of death was obtained from the Jiangsu Provincial CDC and Prevention Death Surveillance System. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the intensity of associations between dietary intake, physical activity, and their combined effects with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with T2DM.Results:As of December 31, 2021, the research subjects had been followed up for 150 283 person-years, with a median follow-up time of 8.15 years. During the follow-up period, 3 293 people died, including 1 124 deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 875 deaths from cancer. Cox regression analysis showed that compared with the population of 0-1 recommended food group, those having more than five recommended food groups had a 19% lower risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94] and a 33% lower risk of all-cause mortality ( HR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.52-0.87). Compared with the T2DM population in the physical activity Q1 group, the risk of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality among the physical activity Q4 group reduced by 50% ( HR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.45-0.56), 50% ( HR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.41-0.61), and 27% ( HR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.60-0.88), respectively. The combined effect showed that compared with the population in the intake of food categories 0-2 and low physical activity groups, the risk of all-cause, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality in the intake of food categories 4-9 and high physical activity groups reduced by 55% ( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.38-0.53), 56% ( HR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.32-0.59), and 40% ( HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.82), respectively. Conclusion:Type of dietary intake, physical activity, and their combined effects are associated with a reduced mortality risk in patients with T2DM.
9.Incidence of acute kidney injury following pancreaticoduodenectomy and related risk factors in elderly patients
Wenwen ZHANG ; Yue GU ; Yajun HUANG ; Mei GAO ; Yingying REN ; Yijia SHEN ; Lei YAN ; Fengmin SHAO
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2022;38(2):107-114
Objective:To investigate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following pancreaticoduodenectomy and related risk factors in elderly patients.Methods:The clinical data of elderly patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2017 to June 2020 were collected retrospectively. According to the changes of serum creatinine within 48 h or 7 days after operation, the patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group. The basic clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared, and the incidence of AKI was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of postoperative AKI.Results:A total of 322 elderly patients were enrolled, with age of (67.1±5.2) years old (60-85 years old) and 186 males (57.76%). Among 322 elderly patients, there were 41 patients (12.73%) suffering from AKI following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Compared with the non-AKI group, the level of bilirubin in AKI group was higher ( Z=-2.012, P=0.044), and the level of hemoglobin in AKI group was lower ( Z=-2.111, P=0.035). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased preoperative total bilirubin ( OR=1.003, 95% CI 1.000-1.006, P=0.027) and postoperative exploratory laparotomy ( OR=3.936, 95% CI 1.071-14.460, P=0.039) were the independent influencing factors for AKI after pancreaticoduodenectomy in elderly patients. Conclusions:The incidence of AKI after pancreaticoduodenectomy in elderly patients is 12.73%. Preoperative high bilirubin and postoperative exploratory laparotomy may be the independent risk factors for AKI after pancreaticoduodenectomy in elderly patients.
10.Association between sedentary behavior and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: A dose-response relationship analysis
Yijia CHEN ; Jian SU ; Hao YU ; Pengfei LUO ; Yu QIN ; Enchun PAN ; Yan GAO ; Ning ZHANG ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Xiaojin YU ; Chong SHEN ; Ming WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2019;35(4):296-301
Objective To estimate the dose-response relationship between sedentary behavior with mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 17786 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited as participants, who were included in National Basic Public Health Service in Changshu County of Suzhou City, Qinghe District and Huai'an District in Huai'an City of Jiangsu Province. Cox proportional hazards regression model and restricted cubic spline model were employed to estimate the dose-response relationship between sedentary behavior with all-cause and cause specific mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results Among 78114.34 person-years of the fo1low-up, the median of follow-up time was 4 years, and 1285 deaths occurred during that period. Compared to patients with sedentary behavior≤2 h/d, the multivariate adjusted hazard ratios of all-cause death associated with sedentary behavior levels of 3-4 h/d, 5-6 h/d, and≥7 h/d were 1.05(95%CI 0.92-1.20), 1.20(95%CI 1.03-1.42), and 1.39 (95%CI 1.16-1.65), respectively. Eevry increase of 1 h/d in sedentary behavior was associated with an increased hazard of death from cardiovascular disease(CVD) of 4%(HR=1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.07) and from other causes of 6%( HR=1.06, 95%CI 1.03-1.09) . However, no significant association between sedentary behavior and malignant tumor death was found. The multivariable restrictive cubic spline regression indicated that the linear dose-response relationships were found between sedentary time with the all-cause, CVD cause, and other cause of mortality ( Non-linear test, P>0.05) . Conclusion Longer sedentary behavior could increase the risk of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail