Interlayer Potassium Single-Atom-Coordinated g-C3N4 for Significantly Boosted Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Production.

In recent years, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has attracted considerable attention because it includes earth-abundant carbon and nitrogen elements and exhibits good chemical and thermal stability owing to the strong covalent interaction in its conjugated layer structure. However, bulk g-C3N4 has some disadvantages of low specific surface area, poor light absorption, rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, and insufficient active sites, which hinder its practical applications. In this study, we design and synthesize potassium single-atom (K SAs)-doped g-C3N4 porous nanosheets (CM-KX, where X represents the mass of KHP added) via supramolecular self-assembling and chemical cross-linking copolymerization strategies. The results show that the utilization of supramolecules as precursors can produce g-C3N4 nanosheets with reduced thickness, increased surface area, and abundant mesopores. In addition, the intercalation of K atoms within the g-C3N4 nitrogen pots through the formation of K-N bonds results in the reduction of the band gap and expansion of the visible-light absorption range. The optimized K-doped CM-K12 nanosheets achieve a specific surface area of 127 m2 g-1, which is 11.4 times larger than that of the pristine g-C3N4 nanosheets. Furthermore, the optimal CM-K12 sample exhibits the maximum H2 production rate of 127.78 µmol h-1 under visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm), which is nearly 23 times higher than that of bare g-C3N4. This significant improvement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects of the mesoporous structure and K SAs doping, which effectively increase the specific surface area, improve the visible-light absorption capacity, and facilitate the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Besides, the optimal sample shows good chemical stability for 20 h in the recycling experiments. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the introduction of K SAs significantly boosts the adsorption energy for water and decreases the activation energy barrier for the reduction of water to hydrogen.

Enhanced CO Adsorption by Modulating the Electron Density Distribution of Graphite-Copper Porphyrin Sorbents with Light.

The photo-responsive adsorption has emerged as a vibrant area, but its current methodology is limited by the well-defined photochromic units and their molecular deformation driven by photo-stimuli. Herein, a methodology of nondeforming photo-responsiveness is successfully exploited. With the exploiting agent of Cu-TCPP framework assembled on the graphite and strongly interacted with it, the sorbent generates two kinds of adsorption sites, over which the electron density distribution of the graphite layer can be modulated at the c-axis direction, which can further evolve due to photo-stimulated excited states. The excited states are stable enough to meet the timescale of microscopic adsorption equilibrium. Independent of the ultra-low specific surface area of the sorbent (20 m2 g-1 ), the CO adsorption capability can be improved from 0.50 mmol g-1 at the ground state to 1.24 mmol g-1 (0 °C, 1 bar) with the visible light radiation, rather than the photothermal desorption.

Gut microbiome and cancer immunotherapy.

Gut microbiome has received significant attention for its influences on a variety of host functions, especially immune modulation. With the next-generation sequencing methodologies, more knowledge is gathered about gut microbiome and its irreplaceable role in keeping the balance between human health and diseases is figured out. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the most innovational cancer immunotherapies across cancer types and significantly expand the therapeutic options of cancer patients. However, a proportion of patients show no effective responses or develop immune-related adverse events when responses do occur. More important, it is demonstrated that the therapeutic response or treatment-limiting toxicity of cancer immunotherapy can be ameliorated or diminished by gut microbiome modulation. In this review, we first introduce the relationship between gut microbiome and cancer immunotherapy. And then, we expound the impact of gut microbiome on efficacy and toxicity of cancer immunotherapy. Further, we review approaches to manipulating gut microbiome to regulate response to ICIs. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and propose future directions to improve cancer immunotherapy via gut microbiome manipulation.

Genetic and phenotypic difference in CD8+ T cell exhaustion between chronic hepatitis B infection and hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Several recent studies published have suggested that T cell exhaustion exists both in chronic infection and cancer. However, to date, few studies have investigated their differences. Here we designed this study to explore the genetic and phenotypic difference in CD8+ T cell exhaustion between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: In this study, we assayed the phenotypes and functional states of CD8+ T cells separating from human CHB tissues and HCC tissues, and re-analyse the single-cell sequencing data (GSE98638) published previously. Clustering analysis of genes was performed using the T cell exhaustion gene modules (modules 1-4) proposed by Speiseret al. RESULTS: CD8+ T cells from liver tissues of both CHB and HCC showed high levels of exhaustion markers, DOI: programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), decreased proliferation (Ki67) and cell activity (CD69), and reduced production of effector cytokines (interferon-γ, interleukin-2 and tumour necrosis factor-α). Compared with CD8+ T cells from CHB tissues, those from HCC tissue showed higher expression levels of exhaustion markers, lower levels of proliferation, cell activity and the production of effector cytokines. Cluster analysis showed that exhaustion associated genes in CHB and HCC are inclined to distribute into modules 3 while those isolated from HCC into modules 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: CD8+ T cell exhaustion existed both in CHB and HCC, but the phenotypes, functional states and underlying mechanisms are somewhat different between the two.

Exosomes derived from exhausted CD8+ T cells impaired the anticancer function of normal CD8+ T cells.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that diverse cells in cancer microenvironment can interact with CD8+ T cells via exosomes. We designed this study to explore the potential interaction between exhausted CD8+ T cells and normal CD8+ T cells via exosome. METHODS: Fluorescence activated cell sorting was used to get PD1+TIM3+/PD1-TIM3-CD8+ T cells. Exosomes from the cell culture medium were collected by ultracentrifugation. Microarrays were performed to analyse the lncRNA expression profile in exosomes. RESULTS: Functional exhausted CD8+ T cells could secrete vast exosomes, which can be uptake by normal CD8+ T cells, and impaired their proliferation (Ki67), cell activity (CD69) and the production of cytokines such as interferon-γ and interleukin-2. Microarray detection identified 257 candidate lncRNAs differently expressed in exosomes derived from exhausted CD8+ T cells and non-exhausted CD8+ T cells. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these lncRNAs actively participated in the regulation of diverse process of CD8+ T cell activity, like metabolism, gene expression, biosynthetic process and so forth. CONCLUSIONS: The exosomes derived from exhausted CD8+ T cells could be uptake by non-exhausted CD8+ T cells and subsequently impaired the function of receipt cells. Exosomes secreted from exhausted CD8+ T cells have distinct lncRNA expression profiles which are significantly different from those in exosomes secreted by non-exhausted CD8+ T cells.

Applications and advances of CRISPR-Cas9 in cancer immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in cancer. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system, as an RNA-guided genome editing technology, is triggering a revolutionary change in cancer immunotherapy. With its versatility and ease of use, CRISPR-Cas9 can be implemented to fuel the production of therapeutic immune cells, such as construction of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells and programmed cell death protein 1 knockout. Therefore, CRISPR-Cas9 technology holds great promise in cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we will introduce the origin, development and mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9. Also, we will focus on its various applications in cancer immunotherapy, especially CAR-T cell-based immunotherapy, and discuss the potential challenges it faces.

Therapeutics for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Recent advances, current dilemma, and future directions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and is a serious threat to people's health worldwide. The prognosis of advanced HCC is dim if left untreated. In the clinic, the treatment options for advanced HCC include surgery, radiotherapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, and so forth. In recent years, molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy have also made great progress, bringing new hope to patients with advanced HCC. In this study, therapeutic advances, current dilemma, and future directions of advanced HCC are reviewed, which might serve as a summary for clinicians and may stimulate future research.

Therapeutic advances for patients with intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignant tumor and constitutes a major health threat globally. Intermediate HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging, stage B) encompasses a wide range of patients and is characterized by substantial heterogeneity with varying tumor burdens and liver functions. Therefore, it is paramount to evaluate the patient's overall conditions and to select the most appropriate therapy based on available evidence. Transarterial chemoembolization is the recommended first-line therapy for intermediate HCC patients. However, in clinical practice, other treatment options are also used as alternative therapies, such as hepatic resection, percutaneous thermal ablation, radiotherapy (RT), systemic treatment, immunotherapy, and so forth. In this review, we will introduce current treatment strategies for intermediate HCC, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and propose future directions.

Comprehensive treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is one of the most common complications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC with PVTT usually indicates poor prognosis, which has a number of characteristics including a rapidly progressive disease course, worse liver function, complications connected with portal hypertension, and poorer tolerance to treatment. The exact mechanisms of PVTT remain unknown, even though some concerned signal transduction or molecular pathways have been identified. In western countries, sorafenib is the only recommended therapeutic strategy regardless of PVTT types. However, multiple treatment options including transhepatic arterial chemoembolization, hepatectomy, radiotherapy, and sorafenib available in the clinic. In this review, we enumerate and discuss therapeutics against patients with HCC having PVTT available in the clinic and put forward directions for future research.

Identification of LINC01615 as potential metastasis-related long noncoding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most prevalent and fatal cancers. Studying the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma may lead to new therapeutic strategies. We checked whether there were correlations between The Cancer Genome Atlas expression profiles of the differentially expressed lncRNAs and their DNA methylation status or the copy number variations for hepatocellular carcinoma. We obtained 41 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed between tumor and normal samples, and their DNA methylation status was negatively correlated with the expression levels. We identified five lncRNAs that were recurrently amplified or deleted in tumor samples, but none of them were associated with the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels. To obtain the biological function of these lncRNAs, the coexpressed mRNAs in the hepatocellular carcinoma were figured out. A total of 10 lncRNAs were highly correlated with at least one gene. Six out of the ten lncRNAs were already known to be related with cancer previously. LINC01615 had 72 coexpressed genes, and we carried out the gene ontology (GO) term enrichment for these protein-coding genes. The results suggested that these lncRNAs were associated with extracellular matrix organization. To summarize, we identified 41 potentially cancer-related lncRNAs. In particular, we proposed that LINC01615 potentially affected the extracellular matrix and had further impacts on the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Identification of TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 as potential therapeutic target genes for liver fibrosis.

The molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not clear. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis induced by HCV and to identify potential therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis. We analyzed gene expression patterns between high liver fibrosis and low liver fibrosis samples, and identified genes related to liver fibrosis. We identified TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 were related to the development of liver fibrosis. HNF4A is important for hepatic fibrogenesis, and upregulation of HNF4A is an ideal choice for treating liver fibrosis. The gene expression of CALM2 is significantly lower in liver fibrosis samples than nonfibrotic samples. TAF1 may serve as a biomarker for liver fibrosis. The results were further validated by an independent data set GSE84044. In summary, our study described changes in the gene expression during the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. The TAF1, HNF4A, and CALM2 may serve as novel targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Three new tetralol analogs from soil-derived fungus Myrothecium verrucaria with anti-inflammatory activity.

Three new tetralol analogs, myrochromanols A-C (1-3), together with 11 known trichothecenes (4-14), were isolated from a soil fungus Myrothecium verrucaria HL-P-1. The structures of the three new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD calculation. All of the new compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity. Compounds 1 and 3 inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in BV2 cells with IC50 values of 26.04 and 25.80 µM, respectively.

The long noncoding RNA NEAT1 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development by sponging miR-485 and enhancing the expression of the STAT3.

Accumulating evidence has supported the significance of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis. Recently, some studies indicate the oncogenic role of lncRNA Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In our present study, we focused on the biological mechanisms through which NEAT1 can regulate HCC development. We found that NEAT1 was greatly upregulated in human HCC cell lines including Huh7, Hep3B, HepG2, Bel-7404, and SK-Hep1 cells compared to the normal human liver cell line LO2. In addition, we observed that miR-485 was significantly downregulated in HCC cells. It was implied that miR-485 was increased by sh-NEAT1 and miR-485 can modulate NEAT1 expression negatively. Meanwhile, NEAT1inhibiton can repress HCC growth, migration, and invasion capacity in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. Through performing bioinformatic analysis, dual-luciferase reporter test, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down assay, miR-485 was confirmed as a interacting target of NEAT1. Additionally, STAT3 was recognized as a direct target of miR-485 and miR-485 mimics can inhibit STAT3 expression. It was demonstrated that NEAT1 can increase STAT3 levels while miR-485 mimics can repress STAT3. Moreover, we found that sh-STAT3 was able to restrain HCC cell migration and invasion process. NEAT1 can act as a competing endogenous lncRNA (ceRNA) to regulated STAT3 by sponging miR-485 in HCC. Taken these together, NEAT1 can be used as an important biomarker in HCC diagnosis and treatment.

Four differentially methylated gene pairs to predict the prognosis for early stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the second most common malignant tumor with a poor prognostic condition. We aimed to identify novel methylation signatures to predict HCC patients at their early stages. Differentially expressed methylated genes between HCC patients and normal liver tissues retrieved from TCGA were screened out by SAM. Genes highly related to patients' survival were figured out by COX. The signatures that could identify relapse HCC patients were identified by the forwarding search algorithm. Besides, functional enrichment analysis was performed on the methylation genes in the signature. A total of 5,392 CPG sites that differentially methylated expressed were found out and 4,294 differentially expressed genes were obtained. A total of 197 genes among were associated with RFS of HCC patients at both stage I and stage II. Signature composed of 21 pairs was obtained to predict the prognostic situation by C-index forward search method. The function of these genes was figured out by functional enrichment analysis. To summary, the signature composed of 21 gene pairs that can predict the prognostic situation of HCC patients at both stage I and stage II, provided a reference standard for the adjuvant therapy of HCC patients after surgery.

T cell exhaustion in cancer: Mechanisms and clinical implications.

During chronic viral infection or cancer, the immune system usually induces a corresponding immune response against pathogens or cancer cells so as to prevent worsening disease. T cell exhaustion in which reduced and dysfunctional effector T cells lead to immune escape is one of the mechanisms that pathogens or cancer cells get rid of control from the immune system. In this review, we discuss some mechanisms associated with T cell exhaustion and enumerate current methods of reversing T cell exhaustion. We also summarize current targeted treatment strategies and put forward following aspects that required to research.

Study on the relationship between insulin growth factor 1 and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between serum protein level of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The cases are divided into four groups. Then serum levels of IFG-1, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, and HCV genotypes were detected simultaneously in patients with hepatitis C, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was measured by transient elastography, and aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio (APRI) score was determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between CHC with T2DM group and CHC group in diabetes family history (P > 0.05), but the difference between the two groups were significantly lower than that of T2DM group ( P < 0.05). The levels of fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in CHC group with T2DM group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups ( P < 0.05), while the IGF-1 RNA and the serum protein level in the two groups were significantly lower than those in the CHC group, and were lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05). The level of serum IGF-1 was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, LSM, and APRI score in CHC with T2DM group ( r = -0.71, -0.75, and -0.69; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The degree of hepatic fibrosis in patients with CHC combined with T2DM was higher than that in non-T2DM patients with CHC, which was mainly related to insulin resistance (IR) induced by 1b genotype HCV infection. IR can lead to impaired synthesis of IGF-1, and the degree of damage has a corresponding relationship with hepatic fibrosis.

Decreased levels of serum exosomal miR-638 predict poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Currently available studies have implicated that exosome-delivered microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in human cancer. However, the association of serum exosomal miR-638 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. We aim to investigate the expression of exosomal miR-638 in serum of HCC patients and its prognostic role in this deadly disease. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to determine the survival of patients histologically diagnosed with HCC. Reduced levels of exosomal miR-638 in serum samples from patients with HCC were identified by real-time PCR. Negative association of serum exosomal miR-638 with tumor size, vascular infiltration, and TNM stage was observed in HCC patients. Besides, the proliferation of Huh7 and SMCC7721 HCC cells were significantly inhibited when miR-638 was over-expressed in these cells. In addition, HCC patients with lower levels of serum exosomal miR-638 had poor overall survival than those with higher levels of exosomal miR-638 in serum. Our study strongly suggests that serum exosome-delivered miR-638 may serve as a novel circulating biomarker for HCC. Downregulation of miR-638 predicts poor prognosis for patients with HCC.

Two new steroidal saponins from the roots of Cynanchum limprichtii.

As a part of our continuing research for bioactive constituents from Cynanchum limprichtii Schltr., two new C21 steroidal glycosides limproside A (1) and limproside B (2) were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum limprichtii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data as well as HR-ESI-MS analysis. The cytotoxicity of two compounds against two selected human cancer cell lines was assayed.

Structure determination of two new C21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum komarovii.

Two new 13,14:14,15-disecopregnane-type C21 steroidal glycosides, namely komarosides R (1) and S (2), along with four known compounds (3-6), were obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of the whole herbs of Cynanchum komarovii Al.Iljinski (Asclepiadaceae). The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent inhibitory activities against human leukemia cell line (HL-60) with IC50 values being 6.2 and 17.6 µM, respectively, compared to the positive control 5-fluorouracil (6.4 µM).

One pair of new cyclopentaisochromenone enantiomer from Alternaria sp. TNXY-P-1 and their cytotoxic activity.

One pair of new cyclopentaisochromenone derivatives, (+)-(S)-6-hydroxy-1,8-dimethoxy-3a-methyl-3,3a-dihydrocyclopenta[c]isochromene-2,5-dione (1a) and (-)-(R)-6-hydroxy-1,8-dimethoxy-3a-methyl-3,3a-dihydrocyclopenta[c]isochromene-2,5-dione (1b), together with seven known analog 2‒8, were isolated from a rice solid culture of the endophytic fungus Alternaria sp. TNXY-P-1, obtained from fresh leaf of Arisaema heterophyllum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS analysis. Among them, compounds 1a and 1b were enantiomers separated from 1 by chiral HPLC. The absolute configurations of 1a and 1b were assigned by quantum chemical calculations of the electronic circular dichroic spectra. All isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities. Interestingly, enantiomers (+)-1a and (-)-1b showed distinct selective antitumor activities against HL-60 cell lines with IC50 values of >200, 75.3 µM, respectively.