Targeting p97-Npl4 interaction inhibits tumor Treg cell development to enhance tumor immunity.

Targeting tumor-infiltrating regulatory T (TI-Treg) cells is a potential strategy for cancer therapy. The ATPase p97 in complex with cofactors (such as Npl4) has been investigated as an antitumor drug target; however, it is unclear whether p97 has a function in immune cells or immunotherapy. Here we show that thonzonium bromide is an inhibitor of the interaction of p97 and Npl4 and that this p97-Npl4 complex has a critical function in TI-Treg cells. Thonzonium bromide boosts antitumor immunity without affecting peripheral Treg cell homeostasis. The p97-Npl4 complex bridges Stat3 with E3 ligases PDLIM2 and PDLIM5, thereby promoting Stat3 degradation and enabling TI-Treg cell development. Collectively, this work shows an important role for the p97-Npl4 complex in controlling Treg-TH17 cell balance in tumors and identifies possible targets for immunotherapy.

Single-cell EpiChem jointly measures drug-chromatin binding and multimodal epigenome.

Studies of molecular and cellular functions of small-molecule inhibitors in cancer treatment, eliciting effects by targeting genome and epigenome associated proteins, requires measurement of drug-target engagement in single-cell resolution. Here we present EpiChem for in situ single-cell joint mapping of small molecules and multimodal epigenomic landscape. We demonstrate single-cell co-assays of three small molecules together with histone modifications, chromatin accessibility or target proteins in human colorectal cancer (CRC) organoids. Integrated multimodal analysis reveals diverse drug interactions in the context of chromatin states within heterogeneous CRC organoids. We further reveal drug genomic binding dynamics and adaptive epigenome across cell types after small-molecule drug treatment in CRC organoids. This method provides a unique tool to exploit the mechanisms of cell type-specific drug actions.

PHF8 facilitates transcription recovery following DNA double-strand break repair.

Transient halting of transcription activity on the damaged chromatin facilitates DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. However, the molecular mechanisms that facilitate transcription recovery following DSB repair remain largely undefined. Notably, failure to restore gene expression in a timely manner can compromise transcriptome signatures and may impose deleterious impacts on cell identity and cell fate. Here, we report PHF8 as the major demethylase that reverses transcriptionally repressive epigenetic modification laid down by the DYRK1B-EHMT2 pathway. We found that PHF8 concentrates at laser-induced DNA damage tracks in a DYRK1B-dependent manner and promotes timely resolution of local H3K9me2 to facilitate the resumption of transcription. Moreover, PHF8 also assists in the recovery of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription following the repair of nucleolar DSBs. Taken together, our findings uncover PHF8 as a key mediator that coordinates transcription activities during the recovery phase of DSB responses.

Reactivating Hippo by drug compounds to suppress gastric cancer and enhance chemotherapy sensitivity.

The Hippo signaling pathway plays an essential role in organ size control and tumorigenesis. Loss of Hippo signal and hyper-activation of the downstream oncogenic YAP signaling are commonly observed in various types of cancers. We previously identified STRN3-containing PP2A phosphatase as a negative regulator of MST1/2 kinases (i.e., Hippo) in gastric cancer (GC), opening the possibility of selectively targeting the PP2Aa-STRN3-MST1/2 axis to recover Hippo signaling against cancer. Here, we further discovered 1) disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved drug, which can similarly block the binding of STRN3 to PP2A core enzyme and 2) CX-6258 (CX), a chemical inhibitor, that can disrupt the interaction between STRN3 and MST1/2, both allowing reactivation of Hippo activity to inhibit GC. More importantly, we found these two compounds, via an MST1/2 kinase-dependent manner, inhibit DNA repair to sensitize GC towards chemotherapy. In addition, we identified thiram, a structural analog of DSF, can function similarly to inhibit cancer cell proliferation or enhance chemotherapy sensitivity. Interestingly, inclusion of copper ion enhanced such effects of DSF and thiram on GC treatment. Overall, this work demonstrated that pharmacological targeting of the PP2Aa-STRN3-MST1/2 axis by drug compounds can potently recover Hippo signal for tumor treatment.

Nrf2 prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy via antioxidant effect and normalization of glucose and lipid metabolism in the heart.

Metabolic disorders and oxidative stress are the main causes of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) exerts a powerful antioxidant effect and prevents the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the mechanism of its cardiac protection and direct action on cardiomyocytes are not well understood. Here, we investigated in a cardiomyocyte-restricted Nrf2 transgenic mice (Nrf2-TG) the direct effect of Nrf2 on cardiomyocytes in DCM and its mechanism. In this study, cardiomyocyte-restricted Nrf2 transgenic mice (Nrf2-TG) were used to directly observe whether cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Nrf2 can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy and correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in the heart. Compared to wild-type mice, Nrf2-TG mice showed resistance to diabetic cardiomyopathy in a streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mouse model. This was primarily manifested as improved echocardiography results as well as reduced myocardial fibrosis, cardiac inflammation, and oxidative stress. These results showed that Nrf2 can directly act on cardiomyocytes to exert a cardioprotective role. Mechanistically, the cardioprotective effects of Nrf2 depend on its antioxidation activity, partially through improving glucose and lipid metabolism by directly targeting lipid metabolic pathway of AMPK/Sirt1/PGC-1α activation via upstream genes of sestrin2 and LKB1, and indirectly enabling AKT/GSK-3ß/HK-Ⅱ activity via AMPK mediated p70S6K inhibition.

Ratiometric Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe Monitors Ferroptosis in HCC Cells by Imaging HClO in Mitochondria.

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is a typical endogenous ROS produced mainly in mitochondria, and it has strong oxidative properties. Abnormal HClO levels lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, strongly associated with various diseases. It has been shown that HClO shows traces of overexpression in cells of both ferroptosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, visualization of HClO levels during ferroptosis of HCC is important to explore its physiological and pathological roles. So far, there has been no report on the visualization of HClO in ferroptosis of HCC. Thus, we present a ratiometric near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe Mito-Rh-S which visualized for the first time the fluctuation of HClO in mitochondria during ferroptosis of HCC. Mito-Rh-S has an ultrafast response rate (2 s) and large emission shift (115 nm). Mito-Rh-S was constructed based on the PET sensing mechanism and thus has a high signal-to-noise ratio. The cell experiments of Mito-Rh-S demonstrated that Fe2+- and erastin-induced ferroptosis in HepG2 cells resulted in elevated levels of mitochondrial HClO and that high concentration levels of Fe2+ and erastin cause severe mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress and had the potential to kill HepG2 cells. By regulating the erastin concentration, erastin induction time, and treatment of the ferroptosis model, Mito-Rh-S can accurately detect the fluctuation of mitochondrial HClO levels during ferroptosis in HCC.

Hierarchically Assembled Nanofiber Scaffold Guides Long Bone Regeneration by Promoting Osteogenic/Chondrogenic Differentiation of Endogenous Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Critical-sized segmental long bone defects represent a challenging clinical dilemma in the management of battlefield and trauma-related injuries. The residual bone marrow cavity of damaged long bones contains many bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), which provide a substantial source of cells for bone repair. Thus, a three-dimensional (3D) vertically aligned nanofiber scaffold (VAS) is developed with long channels and large pore size. The pore of VAS toward the bone marrow cavity after transplantation, enables the scaffolds to recruit BMSCs from the bone marrow cavity to the defect area. In vivo, it is found that VAS can significantly shorten gap distance and promote new bone formation compared to the control and collagen groups after 4 and 8 weeks of implantation. The single-cell sequencing results discovered that the 3D nanotopography of VAS can promote BMSCs differentiation to chondrocytes and osteoblasts, and up-regulate related gene expression, resulting in enhancing the activities of bone regeneration, endochondral ossification, bone trabecula formation, bone mineralization, maturation, and remodeling. The Alcian blue and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) immunohistochemical staining verified significant cartilage formation and bone formation in the VAS group, corresponding to the single-cell sequencing results. The study can inspire the design of next-generation scaffolds for effective long-bone regeneration is expected by the authors.

A genetic variant of CXCR4 predicts pegylated interferon-alpha treatment response in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) plays a vital role in immunoregulation during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to screen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CXCR4 for predicting pegylated interferon-alpha (PegIFNα) therapy response in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This retrospective cohort study enrolled a total of 945 CHB patients in two cohorts (Cohort 1, n = 238; Cohort 2, n = 707), and all the patients were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and treated with PegIFNα for 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks. Twenty-two tag SNPs were selected in CXCR4 and its flanking region. A polygenic score (PGS) was utilized to evaluate the cumulative effect of multiple SNPs. The relationships between CXCR4 SNPs and PGS and PegIFNα treatment response were explored in the two cohorts. Among the 22 candidate SNPs of CXCR4, rs28367495 (T > C) was significantly linked to PegIFNα treatment response in both cohorts. In patients with more number of rs28367495 C allele, a higher rate of combined response (CR, defined as HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA level < 3.3 log10 IU/mL; P = 1.51 × 10-4), a lower mean hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level (P = 4.76 × 10-4), and a higher mean HBsAg decline (P = 3.88 × 10-4) at Week 72 were achieved. Moreover, a PGS integrating CXCR4_rs28367495 and five previously reported SNPs was strongly correlated with CR (P = 1.26 × 10-13), HBsAg level (P = 4.90 × 10-4), and HBsAg decline (P = 0.005) in all the patients of the two cohorts. CXCR4_rs28367495 is a promising indicator for predicting the responsiveness to PegIFNα treatment for HBeAg-positive CHB patients. The new PGS may further improve the prediction performance.

In-locus gene silencing in plants using genome editing.

Gene silencing is crucial in crop breeding for desired trait development. RNA interference (RNAi) has been used widely but is limited by ectopic expression of transgenes and genetic instability. Introducing an upstream start codon (uATG) into the 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) of a target gene may 'silence' the target gene by inhibiting protein translation from the primary start codon (pATG). Here, we report an efficient gene silencing method by introducing a tailor-designed uATG-containing element (ATGE) into the 5'UTR of genes in plants, occupying the original start site to act as a new pATG. Using base editing to introduce new uATGs failed to silence two of the tested three rice genes, indicating complex regulatory mechanisms. Precisely inserting an ATGE adjacent to pATG achieved significant target protein downregulation. Through extensive optimization, we demonstrated this strategy substantially and consistently downregulated target protein expression. By designing a bidirectional multifunctional ATGE4, we enabled tunable knockdown from 19% to 89% and observed expected phenotypes. Introducing ATGE into Waxy, which regulates starch synthesis, generated grains with lower amylose, revealing the value for crop breeding. Together, we have developed a programmable and robust method to knock down gene expression in plants, with potential for biological mechanism exploration and crop enhancement.

Dearomative [2 + 1] Spiroannulation of Bromophenols with Electron-Deficient Alkenes.

A base-assisted dearomative [2 + 1] spiroannulation of p/o-bromophenols with activated olefins (methylenemalonates) to construct various cyclopropyl spirocyclohexadienone skeletons is reported. Furthermore, several other halophenols (X = Cl, I) were also tolerated in this process. Control experiments reveal a dearomative Michael addition of phenols at their halogenated positions to methylenemalonates, followed by intramolecular radical-based SRN1 dehalogenative cyclopropanation. However, according to the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, an SN2 dehalogenative cyclopropanation with the same low activation energy barrier should not be excluded. The utility of this method is showcased by gram-scale syntheses and transformations of the dearomatized products.

Use of ultrasound imaging Omics in predicting molecular typing and assessing the risk of postoperative recurrence in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a multiparametric ultrasound imaging omics model in predicting the risk of postoperative recurrence and molecular typing of breast cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 534 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer through preoperative ultrasonography and pathology, from January 2018 to June 2023 at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression modeling were used to identify independent risk factors associated with clinical characteristics. The PyRadiomics package was used to delineate the region of interest in selected ultrasound images and extract radiomic features. Subsequently, radiomic scores were established through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and Support Vector Machine (SVM) methods. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy and clinical practicability was conducted through calibration curves and decision curves. RESULTS: In the training set, the AUC values for the postoperative recurrence risk prediction model were 0.9489, and for the validation set, they were 0.8491. Regarding the molecular typing prediction model, the AUC values in the training set and validation set were 0.93 and 0.92 for the HER-2 overexpression phenotype, 0.94 and 0.74 for the TNBC phenotype, 1.00 and 0.97 for the luminal A phenotype, and 1.00 and 0.89 for the luminal B phenotype, respectively. Based on a comprehensive analysis of calibration and decision curves, it was established that the model exhibits strong predictive performance and clinical practicability. CONCLUSION: The use of multiparametric ultrasound imaging omics proves to be of significant value in predicting both the risk of postoperative recurrence and molecular typing in breast cancer. This non-invasive approach offers crucial guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

Structure and functionality of whey protein, pea protein, and mixed whey and pea proteins treated by pH shift or high-intensity ultrasound.

Three modifications (pH shift, ultrasound, combined pH shift and ultrasound) induced alterations in pure whey protein isolate (WPI), pea protein isolate (PPI), and mixed whey and pea protein (WPI-PPI) were investigated. The processing effect was related to the protein type and technique used. Solubility of WPI remained unchanged by various treatments. Particle size was enlarged by pH shift while reduced by ultrasound and combined approach. All methods exposed more surface hydrophobic groups on WPI, while pH shift and joint processing was detrimental to its emulsifying activity. The PPI and mixture exhibited similar responses toward the modifications. Solubility of PPI and the blend enhanced in the sequence of pH shift and ultrasound > ultrasound > pH shift. Individual approach expanded while co-handling diminished the particle diameter. Treatments also caused more disclosure of hydrophobic regions in PPI and WPI-PPI and emulsifying activity was ameliorated in the order of pH shift and ultrasound > ultrasound > pH shift.

Complexation of bovine lactoferrin with selected phenolic acids via noncovalent interactions: Binding mechanism and altered functionality.

Noncovalent interactions of 4 selected phenolic acids, including gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CA), chlorogenic acid (CGA), and rosmarinic acid (RA) with lactoferrin (LF) were investigated. Compound combined with LF in the binding constant of CA > GA > RA > CGA, driven by van der Waals and hydrogen bonding for GA, and hydrophobic forces for others. Conformation of LF was affected at secondary and ternary structure levels. Molecular docking indicated that GA and CA located in the same site near the iron of the C-lobe, whereas RA and CGA bound to the C2 and N-lobe, respectively. Significantly enhanced antioxidant activity of complexes was found compared with pure LF, as demonstrated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(2-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) models. Caffeic acid, CGA, and RA significantly decreased the emulsifying stability index and improved foam ability of LF, and the effect of CA and RA was the most remarkable, respectively.

Clinical features and treatment of heterotopic pancreas in children: a multi-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Heterotopic pancreas, an uncommon condition in children, can present with diagnostic and treatment challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment options for this disorder in pediatric patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis, including patients diagnosed with heterotopic pancreas at four tertiary hospitals between January 2000 and June 2022. Patients were categorized into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups based on clinical presentation. Clinical parameters, including age at surgery, lesion size and site, surgical or endoscopic approach, pathological findings, and outcome, were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 88 patients with heterotopic pancreas. Among them, 22 were symptomatic, and 41 were aged one year or younger. The heterotopic pancreas was commonly located in Meckel's diverticulum (46.59%), jejunum (20.45%), umbilicus (10.23%),ileum (7.95%), and stomach (6.82%). Sixty-six patients had concomitant diseases. Thirty-three patients had heterotopic pancreas located in the Meckel's diverticulum, with 80.49% of cases accompanied by gastric mucosa heterotopia (GMH). Patients without accompanying GMH had a higher prevalence of heterotopic pancreas-related symptoms (75%). Treatment modalities included removal of the lesions by open surgery, laparoscopic or laparoscopic assisted surgery, or endoscopic surgery based on patient's age, the lesion site and size, and coexisting diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Only one-fourth of the patients with heterotopic pancreas presented with symptoms. Those located in the Meckel's diverticulum have commonly accompanying GMH. Open surgical, laparoscopic surgical or endoscopic resection of the heterotopic pancreas is recommended due to potential complications. Future prospective multicenter studies are warranted to establish rational treatment options.

Targeted G-to-T base editing for generation of novel herbicide-resistance gene alleles in rice.

A newly developed rice guanine base editor (OsGTBE) achieves targeted and efficient G-to-T editing (C-to-A in the opposite strand) in rice. Using OsGTBE to edit endogenous herbicide-resistant loci generated several novel alleles conferring herbicide resistance, highlighting its utility in creating valuable germplasm and enhancing genetic diversity..

Screening and Bioinformatics Analysis of MicroRNA Biomarkers in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate the bioinformatics of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in triple-negative breast cancer. METHODS: The MDA-MB-231 cell line with stable and low expression of c-Myc was created, and the expression patterns of messenger RNA (mRNA) and miRNA were investigated by cluster analysis. The genes regulated by c-Myc were then screened by transcriptome sequencing and miRNA sequencing. The negative binomial distribution of the DESeq software package was used to test for and determine the differential expression of genes. RESULTS: In the c-Myc deletion group, 276 differently expressed mRNAs were screened out by transcriptome sequencing, of which 152 mRNAs were considerably upregulated and 124 were significantly downregulated in comparison to the control group. One-hundred-seventeen (117) differentially expressed miRNAs were found using miRNA sequencing, of which 47 showed a substantial upregulation and 70 a significant downregulation. According to the Miranda algorithm, 1803 mRNAs could be targeted by 117 differently expressed miRNAs. Comparing the two sets of data, a total of 5 miRNAs were differentially expressed after targeted binding with 21 mRNAs, which were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The genes regulated by c-Myc were mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as extracellular matrix receptors and Hippo. CONCLUSION: Twenty-one target genes and five differential miRNAs in the mRNA-c-Myc-miRNA regulatory network are potential therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer.

Loss of NDUFS1 promotes gastric cancer progression by activating the mitochondrial ROS-HIF1α-FBLN5 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggested that NDUFS1 has an important role in human cancers; however, the effects of NDUFS1 on gastric cancer (GC) are still not fully understood. METHODS: We confirmed that NDUFS1 is downregulated in GC cells through western blot immunohistochemistry and bioinformation analysis. The effect of NDUFS1 on GC was studied by CCK-8, colony formation, transwell assay in vitro and Mouse xenograft assay in vivo. Expression and subcellular localization of NDUFS1 and the content of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) was observed by confocal reflectance microscopy. RESULTS: Reduced expression of NDUFS1 was found in GC tissues and cell lines. Also, NDUFS1 overexpression inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro as well as growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, NDUFS1 reduction led to the activation of the mROS-hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) signaling pathway. We further clarified that NDUFS1 reduction upregulated the expression of fibulin 5 (FBLN5), a transcriptional target of HIF1α, through activation of mROS-HIF1α signaling in GC cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that NDUFS1 downregulation promotes GC progression by activating an mROS-HIF1α-FBLN5 signaling pathway.

Oocytes and hypoxanthine orchestrate the G2-M switch mechanism in ovarian granulosa cells.

In mammalian growing follicles, oocytes are arrested at the diplotene stage (which resembles the G2/M boundary in mitosis), while the granulosa cells (GCs) continue to proliferate during follicular development, reflecting a cell cycle asynchrony between oocytes and GCs. Hypoxanthine (Hx), a purine present in the follicular fluid, has been shown to induce oocytes meiotic arrest, although its role in GC proliferation remains ill-defined. Here, we demonstrate that Hx indiscriminately prevents G2-to-M phase transition in porcine GCs. However, oocyte-derived paracrine factors (ODPFs), particularly GDF9 and BMP15, maintain the proliferation of GCs, partly by activating the ERK1/2 signaling and enabling the G2/M transition that is suppressed by Hx. Interestingly, GCs with lower expression of GDF9/BMP15 receptors appear to be more sensitive to Hx-induced G2/M arrest and become easily detached from the follicular wall. Importantly, Hx-mediated inhibition of G2/M progression instigates GC apoptosis, which is ameliorated in the presence of GDF9 and/or BMP15. Therefore, our data indicate that the counterbalance of intrafollicular factors, particularly Hx and oocyte-derived GDF9/BMP15, fine-tunes the development of porcine follicles by regulating the cell cycle progression of GCs.

Strong, Tough, and Anti-Swelling Supramolecular Conductive Hydrogels for Amphibious Motion Sensors.

Conductive polymer hydrogels (CPHs) are widely employed in emerging flexible electronic devices because they possess both the electrical conductivity of conductors and the mechanical properties of hydrogels. However, the poor compatibility between conductive polymers and the hydrogel matrix, as well as the swelling behavior in humid environments, greatly compromises the mechanical and electrical properties of CPHs, limiting their applications in wearable electronic devices. Herein, a supramolecular strategy to develop a strong and tough CPH with excellent anti-swelling properties by incorporating hydrogen, coordination bonds, and cation-π interactions between a rigid conducting polymer and a soft hydrogel matrix is reported. Benefiting from the effective interactions between the polymer networks, the obtained supramolecular hydrogel has homogeneous structural integrity, exhibiting remarkable tensile strength (1.63 MPa), superior elongation at break (453%), and remarkable toughness (5.5 MJ m-3 ). As a strain sensor, the hydrogel possesses high electrical conductivity (2.16 S m-1 ), a wide strain linear detection range (0-400%), and excellent sensitivity (gauge factor = 4.1), sufficient to monitor human activities with different strain windows. Furthermore, this hydrogel with high swelling resistance has been successfully applied to underwater sensors for monitoring frog swimming and underwater communication. These results reveal new possibilities for amphibious applications of wearable sensors.

Identification and validation of crucial lnc-TRIM28-14 and hub genes promoting gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) is an important cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in the regulation of GCPM, but the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. METHODS: High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on four groups of clinical specimens (non-metastatic gastric cancer primary tumor, adjacent normal gastric mucosal tissue, gastric cancer primary tumor with peritoneal metastasis and adjacent normal gastric mucosal tissue). After sequencing, many lncRNAs and mRNAs were screened for further Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). GCPM-related hub lncRNAs and genes were identified by cytoHubba and validated by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. GO, KEGG and GSEA showed GCPM-related pathways. Correlation analysis revealed the potential relationship between hub lncRNAs and genes. RESULTS: By analyzing lncRNA expression data by WGCNA, we found that blue module was highly correlated with GCPM (r = 0.44, p = 0.04) and six lncRNAs involved in this module (DNM3OS, lnc-MFAP2-53, lnc-PPIAL4C-4, lnc-RFNG-1, lnc-TRIM28-14 and lnc-YARS2-4) were identified. We then performed qRT-PCR validation of gastric cancer specimens and found that the expression of lnc-RFNG-1 and lnc-TRIM28-14 was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues with peritoneal metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed shorter overall survival time (OS) for gastric cancer patients with high expression of lnc-TRIM28-14. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that lnc-TRIM28-14 could improve the sensitivity and specificity of GCPM diagnosis. In addition, we identified three key mRNAs (CD93, COL3A1 and COL4A1) associated with gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis through WGCNA analysis and clinical specimen validation. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between lnc-TRIM28-14 and the expression of CD93 and COL4A1 in gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis, suggesting a regulatory relationship between them. Subsequent GO, KEGG and GSEA analysis suggested that ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion were the hub pathways of GCPM. CONCLUSION: In summary, lnc-RFNG-1, lnc-TRIM28-14, CD93, COL3A1 and COL4A1 could be novel tumor biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for GCPM.