Exploring the biological behavior and underlying mechanism of KITLG in triple-negative breast cancer.

The tyrosine-kinase receptor that is specified by the KIT locus is demarcated by KITLG. This multifaceted factor is instrumental during in-utero germ and neural cell maturation and hematopoiesis, ostensibly reflecting its role in facilitating cell migration. Concurrently, KITLG is prone to a mutation in germ cell tumors, entailing a presumed connection to tumorigenesis. Despite this, the intricacies of its function in breast cancer and the relevant mechanisms remain elusive. Multiple independent databases depict a consistently low expression of KITLG within tissues affected by triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), a trend strongly coupled with reduced survival rates. Interestingly, non-triple-negative breast cancers exhibit a markedly high expression of KITLG compared to the norm. An initial analysis of the GEO database speculates that KITLG may serve as an oncogene suppressor in TNBC, hinting at varied roles for KITLG isoforms within this disease context. In conclusion, our preliminary analysis offers valuable insights into the role and expression pattern of KITLG in TNBC. We provide evidence supporting its consideration as a promising new prognostic marker, thereby potentially enriching therapeutic strategies for TNBC. Indeed, given the limited advances in molecularly targeted therapy for TNBC, a significant need exists for a more precise therapeutic approach and a comprehensive understanding of its inherent mechanisms of action.

Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging of liver regeneration in a standardized partial hepatectomy rat model.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the pathological changes and multi-parameter MRI characteristics of liver regeneration (LR) in a standard partial hepatectomy (PH) rat model. METHODS: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: MR scan group (n = 14) and pathologic analysis (PA) group (n = 56). All 14 rats in the MR group underwent liver T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and diffusion kurtosis imaging before and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after 70% hepatectomy. Seven rats in the PA group were euthanized at each time point to determine Ki-67 indices, hepatocyte size (HTS), steatosis grade, and inflammation score. RESULTS: Liver T1 and T2 values increased to maximum on day 2 (P < 0.001 vs. baseline), D and K values decreased to minimum on day 3 and 2, respectively (P < 0.001 vs. baseline), then all parameters returned to baseline gradually. Hepatocyte Ki-67, hepatocyte size, steatosis grade, and inflammation score initially increased after surgery (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), followed by a gradual decline over time. Both T2 and K values correlated well with Ki-67 indices (r = 0.765 and - 0.807, respectively; both P < 0.001), inflammation (r = 0.809 and - 0.724, respectively; both P < 0.001), steatosis grade (r = 0.814 and - 0.725, respectively; both P < 0.001), and HTS (r = 0.830 and - 0.615, respectively; both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PH induced liver changes that can be observed on MRI. The MRI parameters correlate with the LR activity and allow monitoring of LR process.

Perfusion Analysis of Kidney Injury in Rats With Cirrhosis Induced by Common Bile Duct Ligation Using Arterial Spin Labeling MRI.

BACKGROUND: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) has been proven to be effective in ischemia-induced acute kidney injury (AKI); however, validation of ASL magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited in AKI in the presence of cirrhosis. PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of ASL in revealing renal blood flow (RBF) changes in kidney injury in the presence of cirrhosis and to assess its value in the early diagnosis of disease. STUDY TYPE: Longitudinal. ANIMAL MODEL: Rats were randomized into baseline group (N = 3), sham surgery group (N = 18), and common bile duct ligation (BDL) group (N = 48). All groups were divided into six subgroups based on different sacrificed time points. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T scanner, prototypic pulsed ASL sequence using flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery preparation, half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo sequence. ASSESSMENT: RBF measurement was performed by ASL. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) score, Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) score, peritubular capillar (PTC) density, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum total bilirubin, total bile acids, serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were harvested. STATISTICAL TESTS: Analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: RBF, HE score, HIF-1α score, and PTC density after BDL were significantly different from baseline. RBF was highly correlated with HE score, HIF-1α score, and PTC density (r = -0.7598, r = -0.7434, r = 0.6406, respectively). RBF and Scr began to differ significantly from baseline at day 3 and 7 after intervention, respectively. The areas under the curves of RBF, Scr, and BUN for distinguishing non-AKI from AKI in cirrhosis were 1.00, 0.888, and 0.911, while those for distinguishing mild from severe kidney injury were 0.961, 0.830, and 0.857, respectively. DATA CONCLUSION: ASL allows the longitudinal assessment of the degree of AKI induced by cholestatic cirrhosis in rats and can serve as a noninvasive marker for the early and accurate diagnosis of AKI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.