Development of a lipid metabolism-related gene model to predict prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease,making prognosis prediction challenging.Altered energy metabolism to satisfy uncontrolled proliferation and metastasis has become one of the most important markers of tumors.However,the specific regulatory mechanism and its effect on prognosis have not been fully elucidated.AIM To construct a prognostic polygene signature of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)related to lipid metabolism.METHODS First,9 tissue samples from patients with pancreatic cancer were collected and divided into a cancer group and a para-cancer group.All patient samples were subjected to metabolomics analysis based on liquid tandem chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry.Then,mRNA expression profiles and corresponding clinical data of pancreatic cancer were downloaded from a public database.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis was used to construct a multigene model for The Cancer Genome Atlas.RESULTS Principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structuresdiscriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)based on lipid metabolomics analysis showed a clear distribution in different regions.A Euclidean distance matrix was used to calculate the quantitative value of differential metabolites.The permutation test of the OPLS-DA model for tumor tissue and paracancerous tissue indicated that the established model was consistent with the actual condition based on sample data.A bar plot showed significantly higher levels of the lipid metabolites phosphatidy-lcholine(PC),phosphatidyl ethanolamine(PE),phosphatidylethanol(PEtOH),phosphatidylmethanol(PMeOH),phosphatidylserine(PS)and diacylglyceryl trimethylhomoserine(DGTS)in tumor tissues than in paracancerous tissues.According to bubble plots,PC,PE,PEtOH,PMeOH,PS and DGTS were significantly higher in tumor tissues than in paracancerous tissues.In total,12.3%(25/197)of genes related to lipid metabolism were differentially expressed between tumor tissues and adjacent paracancerous tissues.Six DEGs correlated with overall survival in univariate Cox regression analysis(P<0.05),and a 4-gene signature model was developed to divide patients into two risk groups,with patients in the high-risk group having significantly lower overall survival than those in the low-risk group(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis confirmed the predictive power of the model.CONCLUSION This novel model comprising 4 lipid metabolism-related genes might assist clinicians in the prognostic evaluation of patients with pancreatic cancer.

In Silico analysis and linking of metabolism-related genes with the immune landscape in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Metabolic reprogramming and immunologic suppression are two critical characteristics promoting the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC).The integrative analysis of all the metabolismrelated genes(MRGs)in HNSCC is lacking and the interaction between the metabolism and the immune characteristics also requires more exploration to uncover the potential mechanisms.Therefore,this study was designed to establish a prognostic signature based on all the MRGs in HNSCC.Genes of HNSCC samples were available from the TCGA and GEO databases while the MRGs were retrieved from a previous study.Ultimately 4 prognostic MRGs were selected to construct a model possessing robust prognostic value and accuracy in TCGA cohorts.The favorable reproducibility of this model was confirmed in validation cohorts from GEO databases.The risk score calculated by this model was an independent prognostic factor that further classified these HNSCC patients into high-/low-risk groups.GSEA analyses and somatic mutations indicated the low-risk group could activate several anti-tumor pathways and possessed lower TP53 mutation.The results of ESTIMATE,single-sample GSEA,CIBERSORT,and some immune-related molecules analyses suggested the low-risk group exhibited lower metabolic activities and higher immune characteristics.The Spearman correlation test implied most metabolic pathways with tumor-promoting function were negatively correlated with the immune activity,indicating a plausible approach of combining the anti-metabolism and the immunotherapy drugs in the high-risk group to enhance therapeutic effects than applied separately.In conclusion,this prognostic signature linking MRGs with the immune landscape could promote the individualized treatment for HNSCC patients.

PHOSPHO1 Serves as a Key Metabolism-Related Biomarker in the Tumorigenesis of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Objective:Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Due to its genetic heterogeneity and abnormal metabolism,many DLBCL patients have a poor prognosis.This study investigated the key metabolism-related genes and potential mechanisms.Methods:Differentially expressed genes,differentially expressed transcription factors(TFs),and differentially expressed metabolism-related genes(DEMRGs)of glucose and lipid metabolic processes were identified using the edgeR package.Key DEMRGs were screened by Lasso regression,and a prediction model was constructed.The cell type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts algorithm was utilized to assess the fraction of immune cells,and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was used to determine immune-related pathways.A regulatory network was constructed with significant co-expression interactions among TFs,DEMRGs,immune cells/pathways,and hallmark pathways.Results:A total of 1551 DEMRGs were identified.A prognostic model with a high applicability(area under the curve=0.921)was constructed with 13 DEMRGs.Tumorigenesis of DLBCL was highly related to the neutrophil count.Four DEMRGs(PRXL2AB,CCN1,DECR2 and PHOSPHO1)with 32 TF-DEMRG,36 DEMRG-pathway,14 DEMRG-immune-cell,9 DEMRG-immune-gene-set,and 67 DEMRG-protein-chip interactions were used to construct the regulatory network.Conclusion:We provided a prognostic prediction model based on 13 DEMRGs for DLBCL.We found that phosphatase,orphan 1(PHOSPHO1)is positively regulated by regulatory factor X5(RFX5)and mediates MYC proto-oncogene(MYC)targeting the V2 pathway and neutrophils.

Regenerating gene 4 promotes chemoresistance of colorectal cancer by affecting lipid droplet synthesis and assembly

BACKGROUND Regenerating gene 4(REG4)has been proved to be carcinogenic in some cancers,but its manifestation and possible carcinogenic mechanisms in colorectal cancer(CRC)have not yet been elucidated.Our previous study found that the drug resistance of CRC cells may be closely linked to their fat metabolism.AIM To explore the role of REG4 in CRC and its association with lipid droplet formation and chemoresistance.METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis and bioinformatics and pathological analyses of REG4 expression in CRC.The effects of REG4 on the phenotypes and related protein expression were also investigated in CRC cells.We detected the impacts of REG4 on the chemoresistance and lipid droplet formation in CRC cells.Finally,we analyzed how REG4 regulated the transcription and proteasomal degradation of lipogenic enzymes in CRC cells.RESULTS Compared to normal mucosa,REG4 mRNA expression was high in CRC(P<0.05)but protein expression was low.An inverse correlation existed between lymph node and distant metastases,tumor-node-metastasis staging or short overall survival and REG4 mRNA overexpression(P<0.05),but vice versa for REG4 protein expression.REG4-related genes included:Chemokine activity;taste receptors;protein-DNA and DNA packing complexes;nucleosomes and chromatin;generation of second messenger molecules;programmed cell death signals;epigenetic regulation and DNA methylation;transcription repression and activation by DNA binding;insulin signaling pathway;sugar metabolism and transfer;and neurotransmitter receptors(P<0.05).REG4 exposure or overexpression promoted proliferation,antiapoptosis,migration,and invasion of DLD-1 cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor-phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-nuclear factor-κB pathway.REG4 was involved in chemoresistance not through de novo lipogenesis,but lipid droplet assembly.REG4 inhibited the transcription of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1(ACC1)and ATP-citrate lyase(ACLY)by disassociating the complex formation of anti-acetyl(AC)-acetyl-histone 3-AC-histone 4-inhibitor of growth protein-5-si histone deacetylase;-sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 in their promoters and induced proteasomal degradation of ACC1 or ACLY.CONCLUSION REG4 may be involved in chemoresistance through lipid droplet assembly.REG4 reduces expression of de novo lipid synthesis key enzymes by inhibiting transcription and promoting ubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation.

Isoflavone Regulates Lipid Metabolism via Expression of Related Genes in OVX Rats Fed on a High-fat Diet

Objective To investigate the effects of isoflavone on body weight, fat mass, and gene expression in relation to lipid metabolism. Methods Thirty-six female SD rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated and fed on a high-fat diet. Two months later, abdominal incision was made, blood was collected to separate serum, and the liver and adipose tissue were immediately collected and weighed. Some portions of these tissues were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80℃. Results Ovariectomy （OVX） with a high-fat diet could induce obesity in rats, while treatment with isoflavone significantly inhibited the increase in body weight and fat mass in abdomen. Serum total cholesterol and leptin were significantly decreased in isoflavone group, compared with the OVX group. The mRNA expression of liver fatty acid synthase （FAS） in the OVX group was significantly higher than that in sham-operated group, while this difference was not observed in the isoflavone group. The mRNA expression of liver hormone-sensitive lipase （HSL） in the OVX rats tended to be lower than that in the sham-operated rats. Furthermore, a large amount of isoflavone maintained the mRNA expression at a sham level. Conclusion Isoflavone may prevent obesity induced by ovariectomy with a high-fat diet, in part by modulating gene expression related to lipid metabolism.

The Later Effects of DHA in Diet on Regulating Transcription of Lipid Genes of Broiler

The effect of docosahexaenoic acid （DHA） on lipid metabolism in broiler were studied in order to provide test results for polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFA） regulating fatty deposition. 1-wk-old Arbor Acres （AA） broiler were fed with DHA microalgae and slaughtered after 2 wk. The tissues were stored for isolating total RNA. RT-PCR was used to analyze the expression changes of genes. DHA microalgae significantly increased average body gain and feed conversion rates, reduced the levels of total cholesterol （TC）, total glycerin （TG）, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） in serum and increased the content of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 1 wk later, the effects were still remained. In liver tissue, DHA microalgae increased the expression of PPARα and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 （CPT-1）. 1 wk later, it was observed that DHA up-regulated the expression of fatty acid synthase （FAS）, acetyl CoA carboxylase （ACC）, lipoprotein lipase （LPL） and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 （CPT-1）. 2 wk later, it still increased the expressions of FAS and CPT-1, but a converse result was observed for ACC and LPL. In adipose tissue, DHA microalgae suppressed the expression of PPARα and LPL, up-regulated the expression of ACC, FAS, and CPT-1. After withdrawal, the expression of genes in test group was significantly lower than that in control group （P0.01）. In the muscle of chest, DHA microalgae significantly inhibited the gene expression （P0.01）. 1 wk later, the expressions of FAS, LPL and CPT-1 in test group were significantly higher than that in control group （P0.05）. 2 wk later, it was shown that DHA significantly inhibited fat synthesis and decomposition. In the leg, there was not any PPARα expression being detected, probably because of the less expression in muscle tissues or the regulation of PPARα had no relation to the case. DHA microalgae promote fat synthesis in the liver and inhibit in adipose and muscle tissues. It still has effects after 1 wk of withdrawal.

Dietary threonine deficiency affects expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in adipose tissues of Pekin ducks in a genotype-dependent manner

Dietary threonine(Thr) deficiency increases hepatic triglyceride content and reduces sebum and abdominal fat percentages in lean type(LT), but not in fatty type(FT) Pekin ducks. However, the molecular changes regarding the role of Thr in lipid metabolism in LT and FT ducks induced by Thr deficiency remains unknown. This study compared differential expression gene profiles related to lipid metabolism in FT and LT Pekin ducks affected by Thr deficiency. We performed transcriptomic profiling and scanned the gene expression in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat of Pekin ducks fed either Thr-deficient or Thr-adequate diet for 21 days from 14 to 35 days of age. There were 187, 52, and 50 differentially expressed genes(DEGs) identified in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat of LT ducks affected by Thr deficiency, of which 12, 9, and 5 genes were involved in lipid metabolism, respectively. Thr deficiency altered the expression of 27, 6, and 3 genes in FT ducks’ liver, sebum, and abdominal fat, respectively. None of the DEGs had a relationship with lipid metabolism in FT ducks. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs in the LT ducks’ livers were enriched in lipid metabolism pathways(linolenic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism) and amino acid metabolism pathways(biosynthesis of amino acids, phenylalanine metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, and glycine, serine and threonine metabolisms). The DEGs in the sebum and abdominal fat of LT ducks were not enriched in lipid and amino acid metabolic pathways. Additionally, DEGs involved in lipid metabolism were found to be upregulated by Thr deficiency in LT ducks, such as malic enzyme 3(ME3), acyl-Co A synthetase short-chain family member 2(ACSS2) in liver, and lipase member M(LIPM) in sebum. In summary, dietary Thr deficiency regulated the gene expression involved in lipid metabolism in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat of Pekin ducks in a genotype-dependent manner.

Supplementation of alanine improves biomass accumulation and lipid production of Chlorella pyrenoidosa by increasing the respiratory and metabolic processes

The function of exogenous alanine(Ala)in regulating biomass accumulation,lipid production,photosynthesis,and respiration in Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied.Result shows that the supplementation of Ala increased C.pyrenoidosa biomass and lipid production in an 8-d batch culture.The concentration of 10 mmol/L of Ala was optimum and increased the microalgal cell biomass and lipid content by 39.3%and 21.4%,respectively,compared with that in the control(0-mmol/L Ala).Ala supplementation reduced photosynthetic activity while boosting respiratory activity and pyruvate levels,indicating that C.pyrenoidosa used exogenous Ala for biomass accumulation through the respiratory metabolic process.The accelerated respiratory metabolism due to Ala supplementation elevated the substrate pool and improved the lipogenic gene expression,promoting lipid production at last.This study provided a novel method for increasing biomass accumulation and lipid production and elucidated the role of Ala in regulating lipid production.

Capsaicin alleviates the hepatic clock gene disruption and gut microbiota dysbiosis in circadian rhythm disorder mouse model

As the body’s internal clock,the circadian rhythm regulates the energy expenditure,appetite,and sleep.There exists a close relationship between the host circadian rhythm and gut microbiota.In this work,a circadian disorder mouse model induced by constant darkness(CD)was constructed to investigate the regulating effects of capsaicin(CAP)on disturbances of metabolism homeostasis and gut microbiota in the respect of circadian rhythm-related mechanisms.Our results indicated that CAP reduced weight gain induced by circadian rhythm disorder in mice by inhibiting fat accumulation in liver and adipose tissue.The rhythmic expressions of circadian clock genes and lipid-metabolism related genes in liver were also recovered by CAP.Microbial study using 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that CAP modulated the gut microbiota richness,diversity and composition,and restored diurnal oscillations of gut microbes at the phylum and family level.These results indicated that CAP could alleviate CD-induced hepatic clock gene disruption and gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice,providing theoretical basis for CAP to be used as a muti-functional ingredient with great healthpromoting effects.

Analysis of an adult diabetes mellitus caused by a rare mutation of the gene:A case report

BACKGROUND This study presents the clinical and genetic mutation characteristics of an unusual case of adult-onset diabetes mellitus occurring in adolescence,featuring a unique mutation in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG)gene.Data Access Statement:Research data supporting this publication are available from the NN repository at www.NNN.org/download/.CASE SUMMARY The methodology employed entailed meticulous collection of comprehensive clinical data from the probands and their respective family members.Additionally,high-throughput sequencing was conducted to analyze the PPARG genes of the patient,her siblings,and their offspring.The results of this investigation revealed that the patient initially exhibited elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy,accompanied by insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia.Furthermore,these strains displayed increased susceptibility to diabetic kidney disease without any discernible aggregation patterns.The results from the gene detection process demonstrated a heterozygous mutation of guanine(G)at position 284 in the coding region of exon 2 of PPARG,which replaced the base adenine(A)(exon2c.284A>Gp.Tyr95Cys).This missense mutation resulted in the substitution of tyrosine with cysteine at the 95th position of the translated protein.Notably,both of her siblings harbored a nucleotide heterozygous variation at the same site,and both were diagnosed with diabetes.CONCLUSION The PPARG gene mutation,particularly the p.Tyr95Cys mutation,may represent a newly identified subtype of maturity-onset diabetes of the young.This subtype is characterized by insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorders.

Correlation between the Xba Ⅰ polymorphism of apoB gene and serum lipid profiles in Li ethnic group

Objective:To study correlation between the Xba I polymorphism of apoB gene and plasma lipid profiles in Li ethnic group.Methods:Total 1S1 cases of healthy Li people were recruited randomly by cluster sampling and 200 Han people were recruited as control;blood was drawn to analyze Xba I polymorphism distribution of apoB gene and serum lipid levels.Results:There were lower serum total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels in serum of Li people;while,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),X^-/X^-genotype and X^+allele frequencies exhibited higher levels than Han people.Interestingly,HDL-C level was reduced,while LDL-C level was enhanced in subjects carrying heterozygous(X^-/X^-)genotype compared to homozygous(X^-/X^-)genotype.Additionally,there were no difference in serum level of triglyceride,TC,apoprotein A(apo A)and apoprotein B(apo B)between Li and Han people,the same results were showed between X^-/X^+and X^-/X^-genotype carriers.Conclusions:XbaⅠpolymorphism of apoB gene is correlated to the profiles of serum lipid level,X^-/X^+genotype carriers are phenotyped with higher LDL-C level and lower level of HDL-C in Li ethnic group.

Genome-wide analysis of the barley non-specific lipid transfer protein gene family

Non-specific lipid transfer proteins(nsLTPs) are small, basic proteins that are characterized by an eight-cysteine motif. The biological functions of these proteins have been reported to involve plant reproduction and biotic or abiotic stress response. With the completion of the barley genome sequence, a genome-wide analysis of nsLTPs in barley(Hordeum vulgare L.)(HvLTPs) will be helpful for understanding the function of nsLTPs in plants. We performed a genome-wide analysis of the nsLTP gene family in barley and identified 70 nsLTP genes,which can be divided into five types(1, 2, C, D, and G). Each type of nsLTPs shares similar exon and intron gene structures. Expression analysis showed that barley nsLTPs have diverse expression patterns, revealing their various roles. Our results shed light on the phylogenetic relationships and potential functions of barley nsLTPs and will be useful for future studies of barley development and molecular breeding.

Lipid nanoparticle-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and metabolic engineering for anticancer immunotherapy

Metabolic engineering of the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a new strategy.Lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA)is a prominent target for metabolic engineering.Here,we designed a cationic lipid nanoparticle formulation for LDHA gene editing.The plasmid DNA delivery efficiency of our lipid nanoparticle formulations was screened by testing the fluorescence of lipid nanoparticles complexed to plasmid DNA encoding green fluorescence protein(GFP).The delivery efficiency was affected by the ratios of three components:a cationic lipid,cholesterol or its derivative,and a fusogenic lipid.The lipid nanoparticle designated formulation F3 was complexed to plasmid DNA co-encoding CRISPR-associated protein 9 and LDHA-specific sgRNA,yielding the lipoplex,pCas9-sgLDHA/F3.The lipoplex including GFP-encoding plasmid DNA provided gene editing in HeLa-GFP cells.Treatment of B16F10 tumor cells with pCas9-sgLDHA/F3 yielded editing of the LDHA gene and increased the pH of the culture medium.pCas9-sgLDHA/F3 treatment activated the interferon-gamma and granzyme production of T cells in culture.In vivo,combining pCas9-sgLDHA/F3 with immune checkpoint-inhibiting anti-PD-L1 antibody provided a synergistic antitumor effect and prolonged the survival of tumor model mice.This study suggests that combining metabolic engineering of the tumor microenvironment with immune checkpoint inhibition could be a valuable antitumor strategy.

Polymorphisms of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene and SexDifferential Associations with Lipid Profiles in Chinese Han Adults

Objective To explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of the vitamin D receptor gene(VDR)with circulating lipids considering gender differences.Methods Of the Han Chinese adults recruited from a health examination center for inclusion in the study,the circulating lipids,25-hydroxyvitamin D(25OHD),and other parameters were measured.The VDR SNPs of Cdx2(rs11568820),Fok1(rs2228570),Apa1(rs7975232),and Taq1(rs731236)were genotyped with a qPCR test using blood DNA samples,and their associations with lipids were analyzed using logistic regression.Results In the female participants(n=236 with dyslipidemia and 888 without dyslipidemia),multiple genotype models of Fok1 indicated a positive correlation of B(not A)alleles with LDLC level(P<0.05).In the male participants(n=299 with dyslipidemia and 564 without dyslipidemia),the recessive model of Cdx2 and the additive and recessive models of Fok1 differed(P<0.05)between the HDLC-classified subgroups,respectively,and Fok1 BB and Cdx2 TT presented interactions with 25OHD in the negative associations with HDLC(P<0.05).Conclusion In the Chinese Han adults included in the study,the Fok1 B-allele of VDR was associated with higher LDLC in females,and the Fok1 B-allele and the Cdx2 T-allele of VDR were associated with lower HDLC in males.The interaction of VD and Fok1 BB or Cdx2 TT in males synergistically decreased HDLC levels.

Interactions of the apolipoprotein A5 gene polymorphisms and alcohol consumption on serum lipid levels

Objectives Apolipoprotein(Apo) A5 gene poly-morphisms and alcohol consumption have been associated with increased serum triglyceride(TG) levels,but little is known about their interactions on serum lipid levels.The present study was undertaken polymorphismsand alcohol consumption on serum lipid levels.Methods A total of 516 unrelated nondrinkers and 514 drinkers aged 15 -89 were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples.Genotyping of the ApoA5was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism,and then confirmed by direct sequencing.Interactions of the ApoA5alcohol consumption were assessed by using a cross-product term between genotypes and the aforementioned factor.Results The levels of total cholesterol (TC),TG,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), ApoA1 and ApoB were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (P【0.05-0.001).The genotypic and allelic frequencies of the three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) were not different between the two groups.The levels of TG in non-drinkers, and TC,TG,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)and ApoB in drinkers were different among the three -1131T】C genotypes(P【0.05-0.001).The -1131C allele carriers had higher serum TC,TG,LDL-C and ApoB levels than the allele noncarriers.The levels of TG,HDL-C and ApoB in nondrinkers,and TG and HDL-C in drinkers were different between the two c.553G】T genotypes(P【0.05-0.01).The C.553T allele carriers had higher serum TG and ApoB levels,and lower HDL-C levels than the allele noncarriers.Serum lipid levels in nondrinkers were not different among the three c.457G】A genotypes(P【0.05 for all), but the levels of HDL-C,LDL-C,ApoA1 and ApoB in drinkers were different between the GG and GA/AA geno-types (P【0.05-0.001).The C.457A allele carriers had lower serum HDL-C,LDL-C,ApoAl and ApoB levels than the allele noncarriers.We also observed four haplotypes:G-G-T, G-G-C,G-A-T,and T-G-C with frequencies ranging from 0.06 to 0.87,representing 100%of all haplotypes in the both populations.The ApoA5 haplotypes were significantly(P【0.05) associated at the global level with TC,TG,HDL-C, LDL-C,Apo1,and ApoB,even after correction for multiple testing with permutation test.In particular,carriers of haplo-type G-G-C had significantly higher TC,TG,LDL-C,ApoB than noncarriers,whereas carriers of haplotype C-A-T had significantly lower TC,LDL-C,ApoAl and ApoB,and higher HDL-C than noncarriers.Serum TC levels in nondrinkers were correlated with -1131T】C genotype and allele(P【0.05 for each),whereas serum TC,TG and LDL-C levels in drinkers were associated with -1131 T】C and C.553G】T genotypes,or c.457G】A alleles(P【0.05-0.001).Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with several environmental factors in the both groups.Conclusions The differences in serum lipid profiles between the drinkers and nondrinkers might partly result from different interactions of ApoA5 gene polymor phisms and alcohol consumption.genotypes and -1131T】C, c.553G】T and c.457G】A to detect the interactions of the ApoA5

Synthetic and nature-derived lipid nanoparticles for neural regeneration

Challenges and opportunities in nerve regeneration： The central nervous system （CNS） has a limited ability to regen- erate. Subsequent to spinal injury, glial scar formation, creat- ed by fibroblasts, neuroglia, monocytes, and endothelial cells, inhibits regeneration of the injured nerve. The peripheral nervous system （PNS） has a greater regeneration potential than the CNS; however, the current gold standard of treat- ment for a large nerve defect is still autologous nerve grafts, which require multiple surgeries. For this reason, researchers have been trying to regenerate nervous tissues, including brain, spinal cord. and PeriPheral nerves, for decades.

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 geneE670G polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations

Background The association of E670G polymorphism in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene and serum lipid profiles is inconsistent in dif- ferent ethnic groups.Bai Ku Yao is a special subgroup of the Yao minority in China.The present study was undertaken association of PCSK9 E670G polymorphism and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.Methods A total of 649 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 646 participants of Han Chinese were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples.Genotyping of the PCSK9 E670G polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis,and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Results The levels of serum total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and apolipoprotein(Apo) AI were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han(P【0.01 for all).The frequency of A and G alleles was 98.00%and 2.00%in Bai Ku Yao,and 95.20%and 4.80%in Han(P【0.01);respectively. The frequency of AA,AG and GG genotypes was 95.99%,4.01%and 0%in Bai Ku Yao,and 91.02%, 8.36%and 0.62%in Han(P【0.01);respectively.There were also significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies between n and the ratio of ApoAI to ApoB in Han Chinese but not in Bai Ku Yao were different between the AA and AG/GG genotypes(P【0.05 for all).The G allele carriers had higher serum HDL-C and higher ApoAI to ApoB ratio than the G allele noncarriers.When serum lipid parameters in Han were analyzed according to sex,the G allele carriers had higher serum HDL and ApoAI levels in males (P【0.05),and lower ApoB level and higher ApoAI to ApoB ratio in females(P【0.05 for all).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum HDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in both ethnic groups(P【0.05 each).Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with sex,age,body massindex,alcohol consumption,cigarette smoking,and blood pressure in both ethnic groups(P【0.05-0.001).Conclusions These results suggest that the PCSK9 E670G polymorphism is mainly associated with some serum lipid parameters in the Han population,both gender show different relations to different serum lipid parameters.The G allele carriers might have higher serum lipid profiles than the G allele noncarriers. ormal LDL-C(≤3.20 mmol/L) and high LDL-C subgroups (】 3.20 mmol/L,P【0.01;respectively) in Bai Ku Yao, and between normal ApoB(≤1.14 g/L) and high ApoB subgroups(】 1.14 g/L,P 【 0.01;respectively) in Han.

Design and Synthesis of Lipids Bearing Nucleosides as Gene Vectors

Some novel lipids bearing nucleosides were designed and synthesized as gene vectors, and the structures of these compounds were characterized by UV, IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and elemental analysis.

Effects of Headgroups and Serum on Gene Transfection of Alkaline Amino Acid Based Cationic Lipids

Three cationic lipids with lysylated（1）, histidylated（2）, and arginylated（3） headgroups and cholesterol hydrophobic moiety were synthesized. The average sizes of liposomes and lipoplexes were around 100 and 160 nm, respectively. The gene transfection efficiency of the three lipoplexes loaded with pGL3 or pORF-LacZ was compared on 293T cells in the presence or the absence of serum. The transfection efficiency of the three lipoplexes in a serum-free medium was 2 to 3-fold higher than that of dioleoyl-trimethylammonium propane（DOTAP）. In the presence of serum, however, most of the lipoplexes showed lower transfection activities; only lipoplex 3 retained its high transfection efficiency.

Synthesis of Novel Lipids Bearing Cholesteryl Group as Gene Vectors

Some cationic and neutral lipids bearing cholesteryl group were synthesized as gene vectors, and the structures of the compounds were characterized by IR, (HNMR)-H-1, MS and elemental analysis.