The hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer(OH-SAM),as a surface resistant to protein adsorption,exhibits substantial potential in applications such as ship navigation and medical implants,and the appropriate str...The hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer(OH-SAM),as a surface resistant to protein adsorption,exhibits substantial potential in applications such as ship navigation and medical implants,and the appropriate strategies for designing anti-fouling surfaces are crucial.Here,we employ molecular dynamics simulations and alchemical free energy calculations to systematically analyze the factors influencing resistance to protein adsorption on the SAMs terminated with single or double OH groups at three packing densities(∑=2.0 nm^(-2),4.5 nm^(-2),and 6.5 nm^(-2)),respectively.For the first time,we observed that the compactness and order of interfacial water enhance its physical barrier effect,subsequently enhancing the resistance of SAM to protein adsorption.Notably,the spatial hindrance effect of SAM leads to the embedding of protein into SAM,resulting in a lack of resistance of SAM towards protein.Furthermore,the number of hydroxyl groups per unit area of double OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) is approximately 2 to 3 times that of single OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) and 4.5 nm^(-2),consequently yielding a weaker resistance of double OH-terminated SAM towards protein.Meanwhile,due to the structure of SAM itself,i.e.,the formation of a nearly perfect ice-like hydrogen bond structure,the SAM exhibits the weakest resistance towards protein.This study will complement and improve the mechanism of OH-SAM resistance to protein adsorption,especially the traditional barrier effect of interfacial water.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a serious condition,and the development of hepatic fibrosis can lead to a series of complications.However,the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remains unclear,and effective therapy optio...BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a serious condition,and the development of hepatic fibrosis can lead to a series of complications.However,the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remains unclear,and effective therapy options are still lacking.Our group identified hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3-transactivated protein 1(NS3TP1) by suppressive subtractive hybridization and bioinformatics analysis,but its role in diseases including hepatic fibrosis remains undefined.Therefore,additional studies on the function of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed to provide new targets for treatment.AIM To elucidate the mechanism of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis and the regulatory effects of calcitriol on NS3TP1.METHODS Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized and separated into three groups,comprising the normal,fibrosis,and calcitriol treatment groups,and liver fibrosis was modeled by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4).To evaluate the level of hepatic fibrosis in every group,serological and pathological examinations of the liver were conducted.TGF-β1 was administered to boost the in vitro cultivation of LX-2 cells.NS3TP1,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen I,and collagen Ⅲ in every group were examined using a Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The activity of the transforming growth factor beta 1(TGFβ1)/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in each group of cells transfected with pcDNA-NS3TP1 or siRNA-NS3TP1 was detected.The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Student’s t test.RESULTS NS3TP1 promoted the activation,proliferation,and differentiation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and enhanced hepatic fibrosis via the TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways,as evidenced by the presence of α-SMA,collagen I,collagen Ⅲ,p-smad3,and p-p65 in LX-2 cells,which were upregulated after NS3TP1 overexpression and downregulated after NS3TP1 interference.The proliferation of HSCs was lowered after NS3TP1 interference and elevated after NS3TP1 overexpression,as shown by the luciferase assay.NS3TP1 inhibited the apoptosis of HSCs.Moreover,both Smad3 and p65 could bind to NS3TP1,and p65 increased the promoter activity of NS3TP1,while NS3TP1 increased the promoter activity of TGFβ1 receptor I,as indicated by coimmunoprecipitation and luciferase assay results.Both in vivo and in vitro,treatment with calcitriol dramatically reduced the expression of NS3TP1.Calcitriol therapy-controlled HSCs activation,proliferation,and differentiation and substantially suppressed CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.Furthermore,calcitriol modulated the activities of the above signaling pathways via downregulation of NS3TP1.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that calcitriol may be employed as an adjuvant therapy for hepatic fibrosis and that NS3TP1 is a unique,prospective therapeutic target in hepatic fibrosis.展开更多
Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignancies.Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment of CRC.Since microRNAs(miRNAs)can be used as biomarkers of CRC,the objective of this work was t...Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignancies.Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment of CRC.Since microRNAs(miRNAs)can be used as biomarkers of CRC,the objective of this work was to examine the effect of miR-520f-3p,which targets YAP1(Yes-associated protein 1),on the ability of CRC cells to proliferate,invade,migrate,and undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Methods:A miR-520f-3p mimic was used to overexpress miR-520f-3p in HT29 cells.To establish the tumor-bearing mouse model,transfected HT29 cells were subcutaneously implanted into BALB/c-nu nude mice,and YAP1 and miR-520f-3p levels were determined using qRT‒PCR.The viability,invasion ability,and migration ability of cells were evaluated by CCK-8,Transwell,and wound healing assays.Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assays.The regulatory link between miR-520f-3p and the YAP1 gene was examined by dual-luciferase reporter assay.Tumor tissues with positive Ki-67 expression were identified by immunohistochemistry.Vimentin,E-cadherin,and YAP1 expression were evaluated by western blotting.Results:MiR-520f-3p overexpression could inhibit proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT and induce apoptosis in HT29 cells.YAP1 was found as a target of miR-520f-3p.The inhibitory effects of miR-520f-3p on proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT may be reversed by overexpressing YAP1.In tumor-bearing mice,miR-520f-3p overexpression reduced the Ki-67 level,increased apoptosis,and prevented tumor development and spread.Conclusion:By targeting YAP1,miR-520f-3p may be capable of suppressing CRC cell proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT,providing a novel therapeutic target for the disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major health burden with an increasing global incidence.Unfortunately,the unavailability of knowledge underlying NAFLD pathogenesis inhibits effective preventive...BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major health burden with an increasing global incidence.Unfortunately,the unavailability of knowledge underlying NAFLD pathogenesis inhibits effective preventive and therapeutic measures.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of NAFLD.METHODS Whole genome sequencing(WGS)analysis was performed on liver tissues from patients with NAFLD(n=6)and patients with normal metabolic conditions(n=6)to identify the target genes.A NAFLD C57BL6/J mouse model induced by 16 wk of high-fat diet feeding and a hepatocyte-specific F-box only protein 2(FBXO2)overexpression mouse model were used for in vivo studies.Plasmid transfection,co-immunoprecipitation-based mass spectrometry assays,and ubiquitination in HepG2 cells and HEK293T cells were used for in vitro studies.RESULTS A total of 30982 genes were detected in WGS analysis,with 649 up-regulated and 178 down-regulated.Expression of FBXO2,an E3 ligase,was upregulated in the liver tissues of patients with NAFLD.Hepatocyte-specific FBXO2 overexpression facilitated NAFLD-associated phenotypes in mice.Overexpression of FBXO2 aggravated odium oleate(OA)-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells,resulting in an abnormal expression of genes related to lipid metabolism,such as fatty acid synthase,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha,and so on.In contrast,knocking down FBXO2 in HepG2 cells significantly alleviated the OA-induced lipid accumulation and aberrant expression of lipid metabolism genes.The hydroxyl CoA dehydrogenase alpha subunit(HADHA),a protein involved in oxidative stress,was a target of FBXO2-mediated ubiquitination.FBXO2 directly bound to HADHA and facilitated its proteasomal degradation in HepG2 and HEK293T cells.Supplementation with HADHA alleviated lipid accumulation caused by FBXO2 overexpression in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION FBXO2 exacerbates lipid accumulation by targeting HADHA and is a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD。展开更多
目的探讨血清低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)及相关临床特征与新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病(HIE)发生风险的关系。方法选取2020年1月—2023年1月苏州大学附属儿童医院收治的85例HIE患儿作为HIE...目的探讨血清低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)及相关临床特征与新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病(HIE)发生风险的关系。方法选取2020年1月—2023年1月苏州大学附属儿童医院收治的85例HIE患儿作为HIE组,另选取同期在该院出生的120例健康新生儿作为对照组,分析两组的临床资料并检测新生儿出生后3 d血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平预测新生儿HIE发病的价值;多因素逐步Logistic回归模型分析新生儿HIE发病的影响因素。结果与对照组相比,HIE组宫内窘迫、脐带异常、羊水污染、1 min Apgar评分≤7分的患儿比例较高(P<0.05),并且血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平较高(P<0.05);两组孕妇年龄、孕妇文化程度、胎龄、新生儿性别、出生体重、产次、剖宫产、胎膜早破比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP及三者联合预测新生儿HIE发病的敏感性分别为82.7%(95%CI:0.795,0.862)、78.7%(95%CI:0.705,0.849)、84.0%(95%CI:0.803,0.891)、85.3%(95%CI:0.788,0.922),特异性分别为85.3%(95%CI:0.816,0.907)、74.7%(95%CI:0.715,0.796)、72.0%(95%CI:0.692,0.771)、90.5%(95%CI:0.825,0.956),AUC分别为0.907(95%CI:0.884,0.930)、0.850(95%CI:0.816,0.884)、0.893(95%CI:0.827,0.959)、0.936(95%CI:0.905,0.967);多因素逐步Logistic回归分析显示,宫内窘迫[O^R=3.592(95%CI:2.017,6.397)]、脐带异常[O^R=4.905(95%CI:2.862,8.406)]、羊水污染[O^R=7.262(95%CI:3.603,14.637)]、1 min Apgar评分≤7分[O^R=3.139(95%CI:1.954,5.043)]、HIF-1α≥0.463 ng/mL[O^R=2.916(95%CI:1.422,5.980)]、NSE≥12.395μg/L[O^R=3.714(95%CI:1.955,7.056)]、GFAP≥3.962 ng/mL[O^R=3.556(95%CI:2.039,6.202)]均是新生儿HIE发病的危险因素(P<0.05)。结论宫内窘迫、脐带异常、羊水污染、出生后1 min Apgar评分低及血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平高是新生儿HIE发病的危险因素,临床通过检测血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平可为临床筛查HIE提供帮助,3项指标联合检测可进一步提高诊断价值。展开更多
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 12075201)the Science and Technology Planning Project of Jiangsu Province, China (Grant No. BK20201428)+1 种基金the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province, China (Grant No. KYCX21 3193)the Special Program for Applied Research on Supercomputation of the NSFC–Guangdong Joint Fund (the second phase)。
文摘The hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer(OH-SAM),as a surface resistant to protein adsorption,exhibits substantial potential in applications such as ship navigation and medical implants,and the appropriate strategies for designing anti-fouling surfaces are crucial.Here,we employ molecular dynamics simulations and alchemical free energy calculations to systematically analyze the factors influencing resistance to protein adsorption on the SAMs terminated with single or double OH groups at three packing densities(∑=2.0 nm^(-2),4.5 nm^(-2),and 6.5 nm^(-2)),respectively.For the first time,we observed that the compactness and order of interfacial water enhance its physical barrier effect,subsequently enhancing the resistance of SAM to protein adsorption.Notably,the spatial hindrance effect of SAM leads to the embedding of protein into SAM,resulting in a lack of resistance of SAM towards protein.Furthermore,the number of hydroxyl groups per unit area of double OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) is approximately 2 to 3 times that of single OH-terminated SAM at ∑=6.5 nm^(-2) and 4.5 nm^(-2),consequently yielding a weaker resistance of double OH-terminated SAM towards protein.Meanwhile,due to the structure of SAM itself,i.e.,the formation of a nearly perfect ice-like hydrogen bond structure,the SAM exhibits the weakest resistance towards protein.This study will complement and improve the mechanism of OH-SAM resistance to protein adsorption,especially the traditional barrier effect of interfacial water.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2017YFC0908104National Science and Technology Projects,No.2017ZX10203201,No.2017ZX10201201,and No.2017ZX10202202.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a serious condition,and the development of hepatic fibrosis can lead to a series of complications.However,the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remains unclear,and effective therapy options are still lacking.Our group identified hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3-transactivated protein 1(NS3TP1) by suppressive subtractive hybridization and bioinformatics analysis,but its role in diseases including hepatic fibrosis remains undefined.Therefore,additional studies on the function of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed to provide new targets for treatment.AIM To elucidate the mechanism of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis and the regulatory effects of calcitriol on NS3TP1.METHODS Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized and separated into three groups,comprising the normal,fibrosis,and calcitriol treatment groups,and liver fibrosis was modeled by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4).To evaluate the level of hepatic fibrosis in every group,serological and pathological examinations of the liver were conducted.TGF-β1 was administered to boost the in vitro cultivation of LX-2 cells.NS3TP1,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen I,and collagen Ⅲ in every group were examined using a Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The activity of the transforming growth factor beta 1(TGFβ1)/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in each group of cells transfected with pcDNA-NS3TP1 or siRNA-NS3TP1 was detected.The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Student’s t test.RESULTS NS3TP1 promoted the activation,proliferation,and differentiation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and enhanced hepatic fibrosis via the TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways,as evidenced by the presence of α-SMA,collagen I,collagen Ⅲ,p-smad3,and p-p65 in LX-2 cells,which were upregulated after NS3TP1 overexpression and downregulated after NS3TP1 interference.The proliferation of HSCs was lowered after NS3TP1 interference and elevated after NS3TP1 overexpression,as shown by the luciferase assay.NS3TP1 inhibited the apoptosis of HSCs.Moreover,both Smad3 and p65 could bind to NS3TP1,and p65 increased the promoter activity of NS3TP1,while NS3TP1 increased the promoter activity of TGFβ1 receptor I,as indicated by coimmunoprecipitation and luciferase assay results.Both in vivo and in vitro,treatment with calcitriol dramatically reduced the expression of NS3TP1.Calcitriol therapy-controlled HSCs activation,proliferation,and differentiation and substantially suppressed CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.Furthermore,calcitriol modulated the activities of the above signaling pathways via downregulation of NS3TP1.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that calcitriol may be employed as an adjuvant therapy for hepatic fibrosis and that NS3TP1 is a unique,prospective therapeutic target in hepatic fibrosis.
文摘Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignancies.Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment of CRC.Since microRNAs(miRNAs)can be used as biomarkers of CRC,the objective of this work was to examine the effect of miR-520f-3p,which targets YAP1(Yes-associated protein 1),on the ability of CRC cells to proliferate,invade,migrate,and undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Methods:A miR-520f-3p mimic was used to overexpress miR-520f-3p in HT29 cells.To establish the tumor-bearing mouse model,transfected HT29 cells were subcutaneously implanted into BALB/c-nu nude mice,and YAP1 and miR-520f-3p levels were determined using qRT‒PCR.The viability,invasion ability,and migration ability of cells were evaluated by CCK-8,Transwell,and wound healing assays.Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assays.The regulatory link between miR-520f-3p and the YAP1 gene was examined by dual-luciferase reporter assay.Tumor tissues with positive Ki-67 expression were identified by immunohistochemistry.Vimentin,E-cadherin,and YAP1 expression were evaluated by western blotting.Results:MiR-520f-3p overexpression could inhibit proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT and induce apoptosis in HT29 cells.YAP1 was found as a target of miR-520f-3p.The inhibitory effects of miR-520f-3p on proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT may be reversed by overexpressing YAP1.In tumor-bearing mice,miR-520f-3p overexpression reduced the Ki-67 level,increased apoptosis,and prevented tumor development and spread.Conclusion:By targeting YAP1,miR-520f-3p may be capable of suppressing CRC cell proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT,providing a novel therapeutic target for the disease.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82070869 and 82270914.
文摘BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major health burden with an increasing global incidence.Unfortunately,the unavailability of knowledge underlying NAFLD pathogenesis inhibits effective preventive and therapeutic measures.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of NAFLD.METHODS Whole genome sequencing(WGS)analysis was performed on liver tissues from patients with NAFLD(n=6)and patients with normal metabolic conditions(n=6)to identify the target genes.A NAFLD C57BL6/J mouse model induced by 16 wk of high-fat diet feeding and a hepatocyte-specific F-box only protein 2(FBXO2)overexpression mouse model were used for in vivo studies.Plasmid transfection,co-immunoprecipitation-based mass spectrometry assays,and ubiquitination in HepG2 cells and HEK293T cells were used for in vitro studies.RESULTS A total of 30982 genes were detected in WGS analysis,with 649 up-regulated and 178 down-regulated.Expression of FBXO2,an E3 ligase,was upregulated in the liver tissues of patients with NAFLD.Hepatocyte-specific FBXO2 overexpression facilitated NAFLD-associated phenotypes in mice.Overexpression of FBXO2 aggravated odium oleate(OA)-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells,resulting in an abnormal expression of genes related to lipid metabolism,such as fatty acid synthase,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha,and so on.In contrast,knocking down FBXO2 in HepG2 cells significantly alleviated the OA-induced lipid accumulation and aberrant expression of lipid metabolism genes.The hydroxyl CoA dehydrogenase alpha subunit(HADHA),a protein involved in oxidative stress,was a target of FBXO2-mediated ubiquitination.FBXO2 directly bound to HADHA and facilitated its proteasomal degradation in HepG2 and HEK293T cells.Supplementation with HADHA alleviated lipid accumulation caused by FBXO2 overexpression in HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION FBXO2 exacerbates lipid accumulation by targeting HADHA and is a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD。
文摘目的探讨血清低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)及相关临床特征与新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病(HIE)发生风险的关系。方法选取2020年1月—2023年1月苏州大学附属儿童医院收治的85例HIE患儿作为HIE组,另选取同期在该院出生的120例健康新生儿作为对照组,分析两组的临床资料并检测新生儿出生后3 d血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平预测新生儿HIE发病的价值;多因素逐步Logistic回归模型分析新生儿HIE发病的影响因素。结果与对照组相比,HIE组宫内窘迫、脐带异常、羊水污染、1 min Apgar评分≤7分的患儿比例较高(P<0.05),并且血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平较高(P<0.05);两组孕妇年龄、孕妇文化程度、胎龄、新生儿性别、出生体重、产次、剖宫产、胎膜早破比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP及三者联合预测新生儿HIE发病的敏感性分别为82.7%(95%CI:0.795,0.862)、78.7%(95%CI:0.705,0.849)、84.0%(95%CI:0.803,0.891)、85.3%(95%CI:0.788,0.922),特异性分别为85.3%(95%CI:0.816,0.907)、74.7%(95%CI:0.715,0.796)、72.0%(95%CI:0.692,0.771)、90.5%(95%CI:0.825,0.956),AUC分别为0.907(95%CI:0.884,0.930)、0.850(95%CI:0.816,0.884)、0.893(95%CI:0.827,0.959)、0.936(95%CI:0.905,0.967);多因素逐步Logistic回归分析显示,宫内窘迫[O^R=3.592(95%CI:2.017,6.397)]、脐带异常[O^R=4.905(95%CI:2.862,8.406)]、羊水污染[O^R=7.262(95%CI:3.603,14.637)]、1 min Apgar评分≤7分[O^R=3.139(95%CI:1.954,5.043)]、HIF-1α≥0.463 ng/mL[O^R=2.916(95%CI:1.422,5.980)]、NSE≥12.395μg/L[O^R=3.714(95%CI:1.955,7.056)]、GFAP≥3.962 ng/mL[O^R=3.556(95%CI:2.039,6.202)]均是新生儿HIE发病的危险因素(P<0.05)。结论宫内窘迫、脐带异常、羊水污染、出生后1 min Apgar评分低及血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平高是新生儿HIE发病的危险因素,临床通过检测血清HIF-1α、NSE、GFAP水平可为临床筛查HIE提供帮助,3项指标联合检测可进一步提高诊断价值。
