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BACKGROUND & AIMS: The precise pathomechanisms underlying the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis [MASH]) remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the potential role of EF-hand domain family member D2 (EFHD2), a novel molecule specific to immune cells, in the pathogenesis of NASH. METHODS: Hepatic EFHD2 expression was characterized in patients with NASH and two diet-induced NASH mouse models. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and double-immunohistochemistry were employed to explore EFHD2 expression patterns in NASH livers. The effects of global and myeloid-specific EFHD2 deletion on NASH and NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma were assessed. Molecular mechanisms underlying EFHD2 function were investigated, while chemical and genetic investigations were performed to assess its potential as a therapeutic target. RESULTS: EFHD2 expression was significantly elevated in hepatic macrophages/monocytes in both patients with NASH and mice. Deletion of EFHD2, either globally or specifically in myeloid cells, improved hepatic steatosis, reduced immune cell infiltration, inhibited lipid peroxidation-induced ferroptosis, and attenuated fibrosis in NASH. Additionally, it hindered the development of NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Specifically, deletion of myeloid EFHD2 prevented the replacement of TIM4+ resident Kupffer cells by infiltrated monocytes and reversed the decreases in patrolling monocytes and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in NASH. Mechanistically, our investigation revealed that EFHD2 in myeloid cells interacts with cytosolic YWHAZ (14-3-3ζ), facilitating the translocation of IFNγR2 (interferon-γ receptor-2) onto the plasma membrane. This interaction mediates interferon-γ signaling, which triggers immune and inflammatory responses in macrophages during NASH. Finally, a novel stapled α-helical peptide targeting EFHD2 was shown to be effective in protecting against NASH pathology in mice. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals a pivotal immunomodulatory and inflammatory role of EFHD2 in NASH, underscoring EFHD2 as a promising druggable target for NASH treatment. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represents an advanced stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, not all patients with NAFLD progress to NASH. A key challenge is identifying the factors that trigger inflammation, which propels the transition from simple fatty liver to NASH. Our research pinpointed EFHD2 as a pivotal driver of NASH, orchestrating the over-activation of interferon-γ signaling within the liver during NASH progression. A stapled peptide designed to target EFHD2 exhibited therapeutic promise in NASH mice. These findings support the potential of EFHD2 as a therapeutic target in NASH.
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Objective: To evaluate the clinical correlation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with PRL-3 and MMP9 expression in the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2018, the EMT phenotype-based subsets of CTCs and the expression levels of PRL-3 and MMP9 in CTCs were identified, and their clinical values in 172 patients were evaluated. The CTCs were isolated, classified, and counted using the CanPatrol™ CTC filtration system. The CTC subsets (epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells and biphenotypic cells), as well as PRL-3 and MMP9 expression, were detected by RNA in situ hybridization. Results: CTCs were detected in 93.0% (160/172) of the included patients with CRC. Positive PRL-3 and MMP9 expression in CTC and M-CTC was found in 75.0% (102/136) and 80.8% (97/120) of the patients, respectively. The proportion of patients with positive PRL-3 and MMP9 expression in M-CTC was significantly associated with distant metastasis (p<0.05). The patients with ≥6 CTCs tended to show poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates (p=0.016, 0.02, respectively), and the patients with ≥3 M-CTC also showed poor PFS (p=0.0013). Additionally, the patients with positive PRL-3 and MMP9 expression in CTCs had significantly poorer PFS (p=0.0024) and OS (p=0.095) than the patients with negative PRL-3 and MMP9 expression. Multivariate Cox analysis uncovered that positive PRL-3 and MMP9 expression in CTCs may be an independent prognostic factor for worse PFS. Conclusion: EMT phenotypes and CTC numbers can be used as prognostic indicators for metastasis and survival in patients with CRC, and the combination of PRL-3 and MMP9 expression in CTCs is a promising clinical marker for patients with CRC.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate ultrasound and MRI features of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of soft tissue. METHODS: Ultrasound, MRI images and pathological data of 12 patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma in soft tissue confirmed by operation and pathology were analyzed from January 2012 to August 2018, inlcuding 7 males and 5 females, aged from 36 to 69 years old with an average age of 53 years old; the courses of disease ranged from 4 to 49 months with an average of 28 months. Clinical manifestations were soft tissue masses and pain in the affected limbs. Ultrasound, MRI and contrast-enhanced examination were performed before operation. The lesions, morphology, echo/signal characteristics, color flow signals and enhancement features were observed and compared with pathology. RESULTS: In 12 patients with MFH, 9 patients were primary lesions and 3 patients were recurrent lesions after operation. There were 7 cases of bilateral thighs, 2 cases of calves, 1 case of upper arm, 1 case of buttocks and 1 case of posterior peritoneum. The size ranged from 5.1 to 17.1 cm with an average of 8.7 cm. Ultrasound feature showed lobulated or agglomerate, and focused on low echo; 5 cases had capsule and with clear border; 7 cases were unclear boundary with surrounding tissues; and 6 cases with irregular echo-free. The blood flow signals were around the CDFI, and the internal blood flow signals were different. MRI feature showed lobulated, agglomerate or irregular shape, T1WI showed slightly lower signal or equal signal, T2WI showed high signal and DWI signal increased. Six patients manifested mixed signal inside, 7 patients manifested low signal separation inside, 5 patients with false envelope, and 9 patients manifested infiltration and growth with peripheral edema. T1WI showed uneven strengthening after enhancement. Immunohistochemical expression of Vim, CD68 were positive. CONCLUSIONS: The age, location and imaging features of soft tissue MFH are characteristic. The diagnosis of MFH should be considered when irregular mass occurred in soft tissues of limbs at middle-aged and old people. Echo and signal are homogeneous or mixed. Separation, necrosis and cystic degeneration could be seen in the mass. When the blood flow signals are abundant and solid components are obviously enhanced, the diagnosis of MFH should be considered.