Int J Med Sci
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Background: Interleukin-25 (IL-25) has been proved to play a role in the pathogenesis and metastasis of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the relationship between the level of IL-25 and the metastasis and prognosis of HCC is still not clear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of IL-25 and other potential biochemical indicators among healthy people, HBV-associated HCC patients without lung metastasis and HBV-associated HCC patients with lung metastasis. Methods: From September 2019 to November 2021, 33 HCC patients without lung metastasis, 37 HCC patients with lung metastasis and 29 healthy controls were included in the study. ⋯ Conclusion: The level of IL-25 was significantly associated with disease progression and lung metastasis of HBV-associated HCC. The high expression of IL-25 predicted high recurrence rate and death probability of HCC patients after treatment. Therefore, IL-25 may be an effective predictor of prognosis in HCC.
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Background: Frozen shoulder (FS) is characterized by the thickening and fibrosis of the joint capsule, leading to joint contracture and a reduction in joint volume. The precise etiology responsible for these pathological changes remains elusive. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to explore the potential involvement of pathogenic genes in FS and analyze their underlying roles in the disease progression. ⋯ Notably, a causal relationship between ADAMTS1 and immune cell infiltration in FS was observed. Conclusion: Our study suggested genetic predisposition to higher expression levels of ADAMTS1, NR4A2, PARD6G and SMKR1, was associated with an increased risk of FS. Further investigations elucidating the functional roles of these genes will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of FS and may facilitate the development of targeted treatment strategies.
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The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a pivotal cellular mechanism that ensures mitochondrial homeostasis and cellular survival under stress conditions. This study investigates the role of UPRmt in modulating the response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to cisplatin-induced stress. We report that the inhibition of UPRmt via AEB5F exacerbates cisplatin cytotoxicity, as evidenced by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and apoptosis, characterized by a surge in TUNEL-positive cells. ⋯ These findings suggest that UPRmt serves as a cytoprotective mechanism in cancer cells, mitigating cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. The data underscore the therapeutic potential of modulating UPRmt to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects of cisplatin chemotherapy. This study provides a foundation for future research on the exploitation of UPRmt in cancer treatment, with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes by leveraging the cellular stress response pathways.
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N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) has been reported to play a dynamic role in osteoporosis and bone metabolism. However, whether m6A is involved in the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) remains unclear. Here, we found that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) was up-regulated synchronously with m6A during the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. ⋯ Mechanistic analysis further showed that METTL3 knockdown decreased m6A methylation and reduced IGF2BP1-mediated stability of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) mRNA, which in turn inhibited osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, METTL3-based m6A modification favored osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs through IGF2BP1-mediated Runx2 mRNA stability. Our study shed light on the critical roles of m6A on regulation of osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs and served novel therapeutic approaches in vital periodontitis therapy.
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Background: The roles of Forkhead box N1 (FOXN1) in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains elusive. This study was focused on assessing the expression levels of FOXN1 in LUSC and exploring its potential clinical implications. Methods: Utilizing a range of databases, this study conducted an analysis of the FOXN1 gene's expression levels, comparing LUSC samples with those from normal lung tissues. ⋯ Additionally, the expression of FOXN1 was found to have a significant correlation with the grading of LUSC, the presence of lymph node and distant metastases, the stage of the disease, and the survival outcomes (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of FOXN1 is frequently increased in LUSC, and the patients with high FOXN1 expression have a poorer survival outcome. FOXN1 can be a novel biomarker and prognostic indicator for LUSC patients.