1.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
2.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
3.Synergistic Activation of LEPR and ADRB2 Induced by Leptin Enhances Reactive Oxygen Specie Generation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Chang LIU ; Jing YU ; Yongjun DU ; Yu XIE ; Xiaofei SONG ; Chang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Yue WANG ; Junfang QIN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2025;57(2):457-477
Purpose:
Leptin interacts not only with leptin receptor (LEPR) but also engages with other receptors. While the pro-oncogenic effects of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) are well-established, the role of leptin in activating ADRB2 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.
Materials and Methods:
The pro-carcinogenic effects of LEPR were investigated using murine TNBC cell lines, 4T1 and EMT6, and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Expression levels of LEPR, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and ADRB2 in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were analyzed via western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry and MitoSox staining, while immunofluorescence double-staining confirmed the co-localization of LEPR and ADRB2.
Results:
LEPR activation promoted NOX4-derived ROS and mitochondrial ROS production, facilitating TNBC cell proliferation and migration, effects which were mitigated by the LEPR inhibitor Allo-aca. Co-expression of LEPR and ADRB2 was observed on cell membranes, and bioinformatics data revealed a positive correlation between the two receptors. Leptin activated both LEPR and ADRB2, enhancing intracellular ROS generation and promoting tumor progression, which was effectively countered by a specific ADRB2 inhibitor ICI118551. In vivo, leptin injection accelerated tumor growth and lung metastases without affecting appetite, while treatments with Allo-aca or ICI118551 mitigated these effects.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that leptin stimulates the growth and metastasis of TNBC through the activation of both LEPR and ADRB2, resulting in increased ROS production. These findings highlight LEPR and ADRB2 as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in TNBC.
4.Regulation of chondrocyte autophagy by acupotomy to promote chondrocyte homeostasis in osteoarthritis
Xiaofei JIA ; Li RAN ; Xiaoshuang MA ; Xiaoyan HEI ; Jiani LIU ; Nan YANG ; Haibin MA ; Jingpeng CHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(34):5452-5457
BACKGROUND:Acupotomy is an effective method for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis,with affirmed clinical outcomes,but the specific mechanisms remain unclear OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of acupotomy in modulating chondrocyte autophagy to promote chondrocyte homeostasis in osteoarthritis. METHODS:Twenty-eight New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group,osteoarthritis group,acupotomy group,and hyaluronic acid group,with seven rabbits in each group.The knee osteoarthritis rabbit model was prepared using the Videman method in the latter three groups.After modeling,the control group and osteoarthritis group received no interventions.The acupotomy group received acupotomy treatment 15 minutes per time,once a week,while the hyaluronic acid group received intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid once a week,with a continuous treatment duration of 5 weeks.The day after the final intervention,knee joint macrostructure was observed using DR imaging,chondrocyte ultrastructure was examined through transmission electron microscopy,apoptosis of chondrocytes was assessed using Tunel staining,and western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The DR imaging results revealed that the osteoarthritis group exhibited narrowed knee joint spaces and the formation of periarticular osteophytes,while the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group showed widened knee joint spaces with a reduction in periarticular osteophytes.Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated a decreased number of autophagosomes in chondrocytes in the osteoarthritis group,along with nuclear shrinkage,nuclear membrane rupture,incomplete organelle morphology,and a clear tendency towards cell death.In contrast,both the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group exhibited a significant increase in autophagosomes,intact nuclear membranes,and a well-preserved cellular state.Tunel staining results indicated a considerable decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group compared with the osteoarthritis group.Western blot results revealed that,compared with the control group,the expression levels of Beclin1,Cath D,and LC3II/LC3I were significantly decreased in the osteoarthritis group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with the osteoarthritis group,the expression levels of Beclin1,Cath D,and LC3II/LC3I were significantly increased in both the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,acupotomy intervention can modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance the autophagic level in chondrocytes,thereby maintaining chondrocyte homeostasis.This ultimately leads to a slowdown in cartilage degeneration.
5.Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 140 children with acute brucellosis
Chang SHU ; Shan LIAO ; Jianfei SHI ; Xiaofei WANG ; Xiaoguai LIU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(10):835-839
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with acute brucellosis, providing reference for early diagnosis and standardized treatment of brucellosis in children.Methods:The data of 140 children with acute brucellosis at Xi'an Children's Hospital from April 2012 to October 2021 were collected. Their general information, epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging examinations, treatment and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among 140 children with acute brucellosis, there were 78 males and 62 females, with a median age of onset and interquartile range of 3.4 (1.8, 5.8) years; 88.6% (124/140) of these children came from rural areas. The peak season for the onset of brucellosis was summer (47.1%, 66/140); 92.9% (130/140) had a confirmed epidemiological history; 7.9% (11/140) of the affected children were latent carriers. Among the 129 children with obvious clinical manifestations, fever accounted for 99.2% (128/129), hyperhidrosis accounted for 52.7% (68/129), and involvement of the reticuloendothelial system, joints, and nervous system accounted for 46.5% (60/129), 44.2% (57/129), and 6.2% (8/129), respectively, joint effusion accounted for 64.9% (37/57). All patients tested positive for tiger red plate agglutination test; 97.9% (137/140) of the patients had a serum tube agglutination test titer ≥1 ∶ 100. Positive blood culture accounted for 85.7% (120/140). The positive detection rate of serum tube agglutination test was higher than that of blood culture (χ 2 = 13.69, P < 0.001). Brucella was cultured from the cerebrospinal fluid of 8 children with concomitant encephalitis. The initial treatment plan for all children was oral compound sulfamethoxazole/doxycycline + rifampicin. In cases of arthritis, osteomyelitis or encephalitis, third-generation cephalosporins or meropenem were used intravenously at the same time. Dexamethasone was used for patients suffered from bilateral abductor nerve damage. All patients were cured without recurrence. Two cases had sequelae, namely introverted vision in the right eye and knee joint movement disorders. Conclusions:Most children with acute brucellosis have a confirmed epidemiological history and are mainly distributed in rural areas. The main clinical manifestation is fever, and joint involvement is also common. Standardized treatment can cure them.
6.Initial clinical application of domestic endoscopic surgical robot system for partial nephrectomy
Xuesong LI ; Shubo FAN ; Shengwei XIONG ; Xiaofei DAI ; Kunlin YANG ; Zhihua LI ; Chang MENG ; Jie WANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Lin CAI ; Cuijian ZHANG ; Zhongyuan ZHANG ; Wei YU ; Cheng SHEN ; Gang WANG ; Liqun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2021;42(5):375-380
Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Kangduo endoscopic surgical robot system for partial nephrectomy.Methods:Consecutive patients with stage T 1 renal tumor meeting the inclusion criteria from the Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital from December 2020 to February 2021 were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent partial nephrectomy with the Kangduo endoscopic surgical robot system after signing the informed consent. Clinical data including preoperative, perioperative and postoperative pathology and follow-up were collected. Results:Among the 26 patients, there were 16 males and 10 females, with a median age of 53(33-74) years, and a median body mass index of 25.99(20.90-32.91) kg/m 2. There were 12 cases of left kidney tumor and 14 cases of right kidney tumor. The median tumor diameter was 2.2(1.0-3.5) cm. The median time of warm ischemia was 17.7(7.1-29.2) minutes, and all of them were less than 30 minutes. The median docking time was 4.7(2.3-9.9) minutes, and the median time of robotic arm operation was 65.0 (37.0-155.0) minutes. The median National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) score was 5.3 (2.0-28.0), and no instrument-related adverse events occurred intraoperatively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 4 (4-5) days. All tumor margins were negative on pathologic reports. No Clavien Ⅱ stage operative complications occurred in all patients during perioperative period and 1 month after the surgery. Conclusions:The partial nephrectomy using the kangduo endoscopic surgical robot system were completed successfully, and no instrument-related adverse events and complications occurred, showing that this surgical system used for partial nephrectomy is safe and effective.
7.Review and analysis of policies for private hospitals during the 13th Five-Year Plan period in China
Chang WANG ; Xiaofei YUE ; Zheng WANG ; Lei XUE
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2021;37(10):800-805
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China issued a series of policies for private hospitals, which made an important impact on the running of medical institutions by social forces. One hundred and sixty-one policy documents for private hospitals were sorted out from January 2016 to January 2020, national policies and measures in terms of access approval, comprehensive supervision, fiscal and taxation support, supporting policies, talent development, open innovation, and resource sharing were being reviewed. It found that the characteristics of China′s policies were consistent in content, comprehensive in coverage, and supported the development of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.From 2016 to 2020, the total number of private medical institutions in China maintained growth, however, there were some practical problems, such as insufficient professional and technical capacity, low coordination development with public healthcare, and incomplete supervision and evaluation system. Therefore, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we should realize the transformation from private hospital management to modern governance, integrate private hospital development policies, optimize the system of approval and access, standardize the supervision and evaluation system, enhance the sharing of development resources, strengthen the construction of professionals, adhere to the concept of fairness, openness, and innovation, so as to promote the sustainable development of private hospitals.
8.Relationship of miRNA-181b and prognostic factors of myelodysplastic syndrome and the prediction of target genes
Xin QIU ; Xiaofei AI ; Naibai CHANG ; Zefeng XU ; Liang SUN ; Shangyong NING ; Qi ZHOU ; Tiejun QIN ; Yun FAN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2020;29(4):213-218
Objective:To investigate the correlation of miRNA-181b (miR-181b) and prognostic factors of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), to predict target gene and main biological functions of miR-181b, and to evaluate the risk prediction ability of miR-181b in MDS.Methods:The samples of 131 bone marrow in MDS patients who followed the criteria of World Health Organization (WHO) classification (2016) from the Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2019 and September 2019 were collected, and the clinical data including routine blood test results, related gene test results of blood diseases were retrospectively analyzed. The expression levels of miR-181b in all bone marrow samples were detected by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). According to the international prognostic scoring system (IPSS), WHO classification-based prognostic scoring system (WPSS) and revised IPSS (IPSS-R), the patients were divided into different groups by the risk grade, and the expression differences of miR-181b in different risk groups were compared, and the correlation between the expressions of miR-181b and partial prognostic factors, including white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), absolute neutrophil count(ANC), myeloblast and gene mutations was analyzed. Bioinformatics online tool TargetScan was used to make target gene prediction and the potential function of miR-181b.Results:The expression levels of miR-181b was increased with the increasing risk of IPSS, WPSS and IPSS-R, and there were statistically significant differences in miR-181b expression levels of different risk groups in different scoring systems (all P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the expression level of miR-181b and the scores of the three prognostic scoring systems (r was 0.437, 0.368, 0.327; all P = 0.001); miR-181b expression was positively correlated with the proportion of bone marrow myeloblasts ( r = 0.450, P < 0.01) and was negatively correlated with Plt ( r = -0.199, P = 0.024). And miR-18b was not associated with WBC, Hb, ANC, and related gene mutations of blood diseases (all P > 0.05). A total of 1 363 potential target genes of miR-181b were predicted by using bioinformatics, and biological processes of these target genes were mainly enriched in transcription regulation, RNA metabolism regulation. Among them, 22 target genes were related to the hematological malignancies, including RUNX1, ASXL2, NRAS, ATM and KRAS, which have been previously confirmed to be related to MDS. The relative expression level [the median ( P25, P75)] of miR-181b in patients who had those hematological malignancies related to miR-181b target gene mutation (32 cases) was 1.33(0.63, 1.60), which was higher than that in patients without mutation (99 cases) [0.85 (0.49, 1.38)], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 2.285, P = 0.022). Conclusions:miR-181b has a correlation with the risk grade of prognostic scoring systems in MDS, and it may be involved in the molecular biology pathogenesis of MDS.
9.Diagnostic significance of serum PCT, CRP and IL-6 for detection of incision infection after breast cancer operation
Jiequan YANG ; Mengsheng CUI ; Junheng BAI ; Xiaofei CHANG ; Jianjun SHI
China Modern Doctor 2019;57(10):5-8
Objective To analyze the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the detection of incision infection after breast cancer surgery. Methods A total of 152 breast cancer patients admitted to our hospital from June 2016 to April 2018 were enrolled. All patients were given surgery.According to whether the wound infection occurred after operation, the patients were divided into control group (not infected, n=114) and observation group (infected, n=38). The serum levels of PCT, CRP and IL-6 were measured in the two groups on the 2 nd postoperative day. Results The average operation time and hospital stay in the observation group were longer than those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum levels of PCT, CRP and IL-6 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The positive rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion In patients with breast cancer surgery, serum PCT, CRP and IL-6 detection can provide a good reference for the prediction of postoperative incision infection.
10.Impact of the establishment of follow-up center on perceived vulnerability and anxiety in the parents of children with congenital heart disease undergoing interventional therapy
Xiaofei DU ; Hongyu QIU ; Chang LIU ; Hongwei LIANG ; Lin LIU ; Zhenjuan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2019;25(3):354-356
Objective? To investigate the impact of establishing a follow-up center on the perception of vulnerability and anxiety in the parents of children of congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing interventional therapy. Methods? A total of 80 parents of children with CHD undergoing interventional therapy in the Cardiology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from September 2017 to December 2017 were selected as study subjects by purposive sampling method. The parents of the children admitted to hospital from September to October in 2017 were the control group, while the parents of children in the period from November to December in 2017 were the experimental group. The control group were given general discharge guidance, and the intervention group was included in the Follow-up Center for intervention. Parent Perception of Vulnerability Scale and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were applied to evaluate the intervention effects. Results? There was no statistical significance in the difference in scores of Parent Perception of Vulnerability Scale between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05). The scores of Parent Perception of Vulnerability Scale at the time of discharge and 3 months after intervention of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P< 0.01). There was no statistical significance in the difference in the scores of SAS between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05). At the time of discharge and 3 months after intervention, the score of SAS was lower in the experimental group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions? Setting up the Follow-up Center for parents of children can effectively reduce the perceived vulnerability and anxiety of them, and it is suggested that they should be further popularized and applied clinically.

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