Vacancy Manipulation by Ordered Mesoporous Induced Optimal Carrier Concentration and Low Lattice Thermal Conductivity in BixSb2- xTe3 Yielding Superior Thermoelectric Performance.

For BixSb2- xTe3 (BST) in thermoelectric field, the element ratio is easily influenced by the chemical environment, deviating from the stoichiometric ratio and giving rise to various intrinsic defects. In P-type polycrystalline BST, SbTe and BiTe are the primary forms of defects. Defect engineering is a crucial strategy for optimizing the electrical transport performance of Bi2Te3-based materials, but achieving synchronous improvement of thermal performance is challenging. In this study, mesoporous SiO2 is utilized to successfully mitigate the adverse impacts of vacancy defects, resulting in an enhancement of the electrical transport performance and a pronounced reduction in thermal conductivity. Crystal and the microstructure of the continuous modulation contribute to the effective phonon-electronic decoupling. Ultimately, the peak zT of Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3/0.8 wt% SiO2 (with a pore size of 4 nm) nanocomposites reaches as high as 1.5 at 348 K, and a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 6.6% is achieved at ΔT = 222.7 K. These results present exciting possibilities for the realization of defect regulation in porous materials and hold reference significance for other material systems.

Molecular characteristics of early-onset compared with late-onset colorectal cancer: a case controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is associated with a poorer prognosis relative to late-onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC), and its incidence has witnessed a gradual escalation in recent years. This necessitates a comprehensive examination of the underlying pathogenesis and the identification of therapeutic targets specific to EOCRC patients. The present study aimed to delineate the distinct molecular landscape of EOCRC by juxtaposing it with that of LOCRC. METHODS: A total of 11 344 colorectal cancer patients, diagnosed between 2003 and 2022, were enrolled in this study, comprising 578 EOCRC cases and 10 766 LOCRC cases. Next-generation sequencing technology was employed to assess the tumor-related mutation and tumor mutation burden (TMB) in these patients. PD-L1 expression was quantified using immunohistochemistry. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was determined via capillary electrophoresis (2B3D NCI Panel). RESULTS: Upon comparing LOCRC with EOCRC patients, the latter group demonstrated a tendency towards advanced TNM stage, lower tumor differentiation, and less favorable histological types. Among LOCRC patients, those with MSI-H status were found to have an earlier TNM stage compared to those with MSI-L/MSS status. Significantly, the incidence of MSI-H was notably higher in EOCRC (10.2%) compared to LOCRC (2.2%). Mutations in the 7-gene panel (ARID1A, FANCI, CASP8, DGFRA, DPYD, TSHR, and PRKCI) were more prevalent in LOCRC. Within the EOCRC cohort, patients with the MSI-H subtype displayed an earlier TNM stage but concurrently exhibited poorer tissue differentiation and a higher frequency of mucinous adenocarcinoma. Among EOCRC patients, FBXW7, FAT1, ATM, ARID1A, and KMT2B mutations were significantly enriched in the MSI-H subgroup. A comparative analysis of MSI-H patients revealed heightened mutation frequencies of FGFBR2, PBRM1, RNF43, LRP1B, FBXW7, ATM, and ARID1A in the EOCRC group. Furthermore, EOCRC patients demonstrated a higher overall TMB, particularly in the MSI-H subtype. PD-L1 expression was elevated in EOCRC and positively associated with MSI status. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a significantly higher MSI-H distribution rate in EOCRC, and EOCRC exhibits a distinct mutational signature coupled with higher PD-L1 expression. These findings hold promise in guiding personalized therapeutic strategies for improved disease management in EOCRC patients.

All-Inorganic Halide Perovskites Boost High-Ranged Figure-of-Merit in Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 for Thermoelectric Cooling and Low-Grade Heat Recovery.

The all-inorganic halide perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I) offers various advantages, such as tunable electronic structure and high carrier mobility. However, its potential application in thermoelectric materials remains underexplored. In this study, we propose a simple yet effective method to synthesize a CsPbX3/Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 (BST) nanocomposite by sintering a uniformly mixed raw powder. The intrinsic excitation of the BST system is suppressed by exploiting the rich phase structure and tunable electrical transport properties of CsPbX3, and the thermoelectric properties were synergistically optimized. Notably, for CsPbI3, its phase-transition-induced dislocation arrays together with low group velocities drastically reduce thermal conductivity. As a result, the composite achieves an ultrahigh average figure-of-merit (ZT) of 1.4 from 298 to 523 K. The two-pair TE module demonstrates a superior conversion efficiency of 7.3%. This study expands the potential applications of inorganic halide perovskites, into thermoelectrics.

Bismuth Telluride Supported Sub-1 nm Polyoxometalate Cluster for High-Efficiency Thermoelectric Energy Conversion.

Size plays a crucial role in chemistry and material science. Subnanometer polyoxometalate (POM) clusters have gained attention in various fields, but their use in thermoelectrics is still limited. To address this issue, we propose the POM clusters as an effective second phase to enhance the thermoelectric properties of Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3. Thanks to their subnanometer size, POM clusters improve electrical transport behavior through the superposition of atomic orbitals and the interfacial scattering effect. Furthermore, their ultrasmall size strongly reduces thermal conductivity. Consequently, the introduction of a mere 0.1 mol % of POM into the Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 matrix realizes a state-of-the-art zT value of 1.46 at 348 K, a 45% enhancement over Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 (1.01), along with a maximum thermoelectric-conversion efficiency of the integrated module of 6.0%. The enhancement of carrier mobility and the suppression of thermal conduction achieved by introducing the subnanometer clusters hold promise for various applications, such as electronic devices and thermal management.

A TNFα/Miz1-positive feedback loop inhibits mitophagy in hepatocytes and propagates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the key molecular mechanisms behind this process have not been clarified. METHODS: We analyzed human NASH and normal liver tissue samples by RNA-sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, identifying hepatocyte cytosolic protein Myc-interacting zinc-finger protein 1 (Miz1) as a potential target in NASH progression. We established a Western diet+fructose-induced NASH model in hepatocyte-specific Miz1 knockout and adeno-associated virus type 8-overexpressing mice. Human NASH liver organoids were used to confirm the mechanism, and immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were used to detect proteins that could interact with Miz1. RESULTS: We demonstrate that Miz1 is reduced in hepatocytes in human NASH. Miz1 is shown to bind to peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), retaining it in the cytosol, blocking its interaction with mitochondrial Parkin at Cys431, and inhibiting Parkin-mediated mitophagy. In NASH livers, loss of hepatocyte Miz1 results in PRDX6-mediated inhibition of mitophagy, increased dysfunctional mitochondria in hepatocytes, and production of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, by hepatic macrophages. Crucially, the increased production of TNFα results in a further reduction in hepatocyte Miz1 by E3-ubiquitination. This produces a positive feedback loop of TNFα-mediated hepatocyte Miz1 degradation, resulting in PRDX6-mediated inhibition of hepatocyte mitophagy, with the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in hepatocytes and increased macrophage TNFα production. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified hepatocyte Miz1 as a suppressor of NASH progression via its role in mitophagy; we also identified a positive feedback loop by which TNFα production induces degradation of cytosolic Miz1, which inhibits mitophagy and thus leads to increased macrophage TNFα production. Interruption of this positive feedback loop could be a strategy to inhibit the progression of NASH. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can further develop into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the key molecular mechanism of this process has not been fully clarified. Herein, we identified a positive feedback loop of macrophage TNFα-mediated hepatocyte Miz1 degradation, resulting in PRDX6-mediated inhibition of hepatocyte mitophagy, aggravation of mitochondrial damage and increased macrophage TNFα production. Our findings not only provide mechanistic insight into NASH progression but also provide potential therapeutic targets for patients with NASH. Our human NASH liver organoid culture is therefore a useful platform for exploring treatment strategies for NASH development.

GPR176 Promotes Cancer Progression by Interacting with G Protein GNAS to Restrain Cell Mitophagy in Colorectal Cancer.

GPR176 belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, which responds to external stimuli and regulates cancer progression, but its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In the present study, expression analyses of GPR176 are performed in patients with colorectal cancer. Genetic mouse models of CRC coupled with Gpr176-deficiency are investigated, and in vivo and in vitro treatments are conducted. A positive correlation between GPR176 upregulation and the proliferation and poor overall survival of CRC is demonstrated. GPR176 is confirmed to activate the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and modulate mitophagy, promoting CRC oncogenesis and development. Mechanistically, the G protein GNAS is recruited intracellularly to transduce and amplify extracellular signals from GPR176. A homolog model tool confirmed that GPR176 recruits GNAS intracellularly via its transmembrane helix 3-intracellular loop 2 domain. The GPR176/GNAS complex inhibits mitophagy via the cAMP/PKA/BNIP3L axis, thereby promoting the tumorigenesis and progression of CRC.

Acetyltransferase NAT10 regulates the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway to promote colorectal cancer progression via ac4C acetylation of KIF23 mRNA.

BACKGROUND: N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) as a significant RNA modification has been reported to maintain the stability of mRNA and to regulate the translation process. However, the roles of both ac4C and its 'writer' protein N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) played in the disease especially colorectal cancer (CRC) are unclear. At this point, we discover the underlying mechanism of NAT10 modulating the progression of CRC via mRNA ac4C modification. METHODS: The clinical significance of NAT10 was explored based on the TCGA and GEO data sets and the 80 CRC patients cohort of our hospital. qRT-PCR, dot blot, WB, and IHC were performed to detect the level of NAT10 and ac4C modification in CRC tissues and matched adjacent tissues. CCK-8, colony formation, transwell assay, mouse xenograft, and other in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to probe the biological functions of NAT10. The potential mechanisms of NAT10 in CRC were clarified by RNA-seq, RIP-seq, acRIP-seq, luciferase reporter assays, etc. RESULTS: The levels of NAT10 and ac4C modification were significantly upregulated. Also, the high expression of NAT10 had important clinical values like poor prognosis, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, etc. Furthermore, the in vitro experiments showed that NAT10 could inhibit apoptosis and enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells and also arrest them in the G2/M phase. The in vivo experiments discovered that NAT10 could promote tumor growth and liver/lung metastasis. In terms of mechanism, NAT10 could mediate the stability of KIF23 mRNA by binding to its mRNA 3'UTR region and up-regulating its mRNA ac4c modification. And then the protein level of KIF23 was elevated to activate the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and more ß-catenin was transported into the nucleus which led to the CRC progression. Besides, the inhibitor of NAT10, remodelin, was applied in vitro and vivo which showed an inhibitory effect on the CRC cells. CONCLUSIONS: NAT10 promotes the CRC progression through the NAT10/KIF23/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin axis and its expression is mediated by GSK-3ß which forms a feedback loop. Our findings provide a potential prognosis or therapeutic target for CRC and remodelin deserves more attention.

Realizing zT>2 in Environment-Friendly Monoclinic Cu2 S-Tetragonal Cu1.96 S Nano-Phase Junctions for Thermoelectrics.

Phase-junction nanocomposites, made of nanograins with the same composition but different phases, offer a platform to optimize the physiochemical performance of materials. Herein, we demonstrate a straightforward strategy to synthesize Cu2-x S phase-junction nanocomposites by retaining surface 1-dodecanethiol (DDT) ligands, in contrast to the traditional method that strips the ligands. As a result, phase junctions between a conventional monoclinic (m) phase and an unconventional metastable tetragonal (t) phase are obtained. The significantly improved power factor is obtained due to the doping of the t-phase. The phase-junction interfaces reduce thermal conductivity. Finally, surface regulation of phase junctions pushes the peak zT to 2.1 at 932 K, being the highest reported for environment-friendly metal sulfides. This work provides a paradigm to optimize thermoelectric performance by controlling phase junctions through surface-ligand tuning.

Erratum: PTPROt aggravates inflammation by enhancing NF-κB activation in liver macrophages during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/thno.42658.].

Mass Production of Pt Single-Atom-Decorated Bismuth Sulfide for n-Type Environmentally Friendly Thermoelectrics.

Single-atom materials are widely explored in catalysis, batteries, sensors, etc. However, limited by mass production and centimeter-scale assembly, they are rarely studied in thermoelectrics. Herein, we demonstrate a solvothermal synthesis assisted by a syringe-pump method to yield Bi2S3-supported Pt single-atom materials (Bi2S3-Pt1) at a 10 g scale. Different from Ptn clusters, Pt1 single atoms can increase carrier concentration at a high doping efficiency and provide a unique atomic environment to enhance carrier mobility, and an enlarged effective mass leads to an enhanced Seebeck coefficient. As a result, a high power factor (348 µW m-1 K-2) is achieved at 823 K. Benefiting from the scattering of phonons by Pt1 atomic sites, a minimum thermal conductivity of 0.37 W m-1 K-1 is achieved. Consequently, the Bi2S3-0.5 wt % Pt1 realizes a record-high zT of ∼0.75 at 823 K, being among the best in the state-of-the-art n-type environmentally friendly metal sulfides. The enhancement of the carrier mobility and suppression of the thermal conduction by the unique Pt1 single atoms will inspire various fields, as exemplified by electronic devices and thermal management.

Long non-coding RNA CCDC144NL-AS1 promotes cell proliferation by regulating the miR-363-3p/GALNT7 axis in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a burdensome health concern worldwide. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) have emerged as vital roles in multiple cancers, including CRC. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that lncRNA CCDC144NL-AS1 acts crucial roles in tumor developments. Nevertheless, its role in CRC remains largely unknown. The level of CCDC144NL-AS1 expression was detected in 100 CRC tissues and paired adjacent tissues. The gain- and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to investigate the biological functions of CCDC144NL-AS1 in vitro and in vivo. The potential mechanism of CCDC144NL-AS1 exerting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) was demonstrated by bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assay and in vitro experiments. CCDC144NL-AS1 was up-regulated in CRC tissues and cells. High CCDC144NL-AS1 was connected with the adverse clinicopathological features and worse prognosis of CRC. Furthermore, knockdown of CCDC144NL-AS inhibited the cell proliferation and led to the cell cycle G0-1/S arrest, whereas upregulated CCDC144NL-AS1 obtained the inverse results. Further study found that CCDC144NL-AS1 functioned as ceRNAs in regulating CRC proliferation. MiR-363-3p was the target of CCDC144NL-AS1, which sponges GALNT7 in regulating cell growth of CRC. The study demonstrated that the CCDC144NL-AS1/miR-363-3p/GALNT7 axis exerts on key roles in cell proliferation and presents an emerging target for CRC therapy and prognostic biomarker.

Total Mesorectal Excision vs. Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery Followed by Radiotherapy for T2N0M0 Distal Rectal Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is an organ-preserving treatment alternative for patients with early rectal cancer. However, TEM alone is associated with greater risk of local recurrence and inferior survival in comparison with total meso-rectal excision (TME). As an important adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy can effectively reduce the local recurrence rate of rectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether TEM followed by radiotherapy can be a valid alternative to TME in T2N0M0 distal rectal cancer treatment. METHODS: We plan to recruit 168 participants meeting established inclusion criteria. Following informed consent, participants will randomly receive treatment protocols of TEM followed by radiotherapy (a total dose of 45-50.4 Gy given in 25-28 factions) or TME. Depending on post-operative pathology, the participants will receive either long-term follow-up or further treatment. The primary endpoint of this trial is 3-year local recurrence rate. The secondary end points include 3-year disease-free survival rate, 3-year overall survival rate, 3-year mortality rate, post-operative quality of life, post-operative safety index, intraoperative evaluation index and post-operative short-term evaluation index. DISCUSSION: This trial is the first prospective randomized trial to investigate the rectum preserving treatment by using transanal local excision followed by radiotherapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04098471 on September 20, 2019.

Hsa_circ_0001666 suppresses the progression of colorectal cancer through the miR-576-5p/PCDH10 axis.

BACKGROUND: Though circular RNAs, new non-coding RNA classes have demonstrated that they have an essential role in the initiation as well as development of CRC (colorectal cancer), whereas in CRC the function and mechanism of hsa_circ_0001666 are less known. METHODS: Hsa_circ_0001666 was identified by bioinformatics analysis of a circRNA microarray from the GEO database, and its expression in both CRC cell lines and tissues was analysed. A series of in vitro along with in vivo experiments were carried out for exploring the hsa_circ_0001666 functions, including transwell, wound healing, flow cytometry, colony formation, Edu, CCK-8, soft agar colony formation, tumor xenografts and lung/liver metastasis in mice. RNA pull-down, RIP (RNA immunoprecipitation), luciferase reporter assay, FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and rescue experiments were used for determining the correlation among hsa_circ_0001666, miR-576-5p and PCDH10. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0001666 was downregulated in both CRC cell lines along with tumour tissues. A higher expression level of hsa_circ_0001666 indicated a better clinical prognosis in patients with CRC. Hsa_circ_0001666 knockdown significantly supported CRC cell proliferation along with invasion and inhibited cell apoptosis in vitro. Hsa_circ_0001666 knockdown accelerated the CRC growth and metastasis in vivo. Moreover, the mechanistic study showed that hsa_circ_0001666, acting as 'ceRNA' of miR-576-5p, prevented PCDH10 downregulation, as well as suppressed EMT and stemness of CRC cells, and the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway. Inhibiting miR-576-5p or overexpressing PCDH10 could reverse phenotypic changes caused by knocking down of hsa_circ_0001666. CONCLUSIONS: Hsa_circ_0001666 suppresses CRC progression through the miR-576-5p/PCDH10 axis and may provide a new insight for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

SOCS2 Suppresses Inflammation and Apoptosis during NASH Progression through Limiting NF-κB Activation in Macrophages.

Background: Inflammation and apoptosis play a crucial role in the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) is one of classic negative regulators of cytokine signaling, which has recently been described as anti-inflammatory mediators. However, the role of SOCS2 in macrophages during NASH progression and the relationship among SOCS2, inflammation, apoptosis and NASH is largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to study the function of SOCS2 in NASH progression. Methods: We detected SOCS2 expression in macrophages in human subjects without steatosis, with simple steatosis and with NASH to confirm the relationship between SOCS2 and NASH. Free fatty acids was used to establish stress environment in RAW 264.7 cell lines stably overexpressing or knockdown SOCS2. In vitro and vivo assays also performed to study the molecular function of SOCS2 in NASH progression. Findings: Our human samples illustrated that SOCS2 was decreased in macrophages during NASH progression and was negatively correlated to NASH level. Meanwhile, In vitro assays showed SOCS2 overexpression in macrophages suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway, while SOCS2 knock-down in macrophages caused an increased activation of NF-κB, which could be blocked by ammonium 1-pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC). In addition, SOCS2 in macrophages also suppressed inflammation via limiting the activation of inflammasomes. Consistent with these, our BMT model also confirmed the SOCS2 function in macrophages during NASH. Interpretation: Our data strongly indicate that SOCS2 plays a role in inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis via NF-κB and inflammasome signaling pathway in macrophages during NASH. Further studies are required to explore the potential preventive and therapeutic strategies of SOCS2 for this common liver disease.

RecQ-like helicase 4 (RECQL4) exacerbates resistance to oxaliplatin in colon adenocarcinoma via activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance is a great challenge for colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) chemotherapy. The promoting role of RecQ-Like Helicase 4 (RECQL4) in chemoresistance to platinum-based drugs has been identified, whereas the effect and specific mechanism of RECQL4 in regulating OXA resistance within COAD have not been explicated yet. In this work, RECQL4 mRNA expression was detected by RT-qPCR. RECQL4, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), PI3K, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), and AKT protein expression were measured by western blotting. CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays were utilized to analyze OXA resistance, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion. Herein, we found RECQL4 was upregulated in COAD, especially in OXA-resistant COAD tissues and cells. RECQL4 overexpression facilitated proliferation and metastasis of OXA-resistant COAD cells; on the contrary, RECQL4 knockdown attenuated proliferative and metastatic capabilities in OXA-resistant COAD cells. Moreover, RECQL4 promoted OXA resistance in OXA-resistant COAD cells via activating the P13 K/AKT signaling. To sum up, the results suggest that RECQL4 depletion may be a crucial mechanism to reverse OXA resistance in COAD via inhibition of the P13 K/AKT pathway in vitro, thereby providing a novel target for overcoming OXA resistance in COAD.

Circ-GALNT16 restrains colorectal cancer progression by enhancing the SUMOylation of hnRNPK.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have investigated the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) as significant regulatory factors in multiple cancer progression. Nevertheless, the biological functions of circRNAs and the underlying mechanisms by which they regulate colorectal cancer (CRC) progression remain unclear. METHODS: A novel circRNA (circ-GALNT16) was identified by microarray and qRT-PCR. A series of in vitro and in vivo phenotype experiments were performed to investigate the role of circ-GALNT16 in CRC. The FISH, RNA pulldown assay, RIP assay, RNA sequencing, coimmunoprecipitation, and ChIP were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of circ-GALNT16 in CRC progression. RESULTS: Circ-GALNT16 was downregulated in CRC and was negatively correlated with poor prognosis. Circ-GALNT16 suppressed the proliferation and metastatic ability of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circ-GALNT16 could bind to the KH3 domain of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK), which promoted the SUMOylation of hnRNPK. Additionally, circ-GALNT16 could enhance the formation of the hnRNPK-p53 complex by facilitating the SUMOylation of hnRNPK. RNA sequencing assay identified serpin family E member 1 as the target gene of circ-GALNT16 at the transcriptional level. Rescue assays revealed that circ-GALNT16 regulated the expression of Serpine1 by inhibiting the deSUMOylation of hnRNPK mediated by SUMO-specific peptidase 2 and then regulating the sequence-specific DNA binding ability of the hnRNPK-p53 transcriptional complex. CONCLUSIONS: Circ-GALNT16 suppressed CRC progression by inhibiting Serpine1 expression through regulating the sequence-specific DNA binding ability of the SENP2-mediated hnRNPK-p53 transcriptional complex and might function as a biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC.

The zinc finger protein Miz1 suppresses liver tumorigenesis by restricting hepatocyte-driven macrophage activation and inflammation.

Chronic inflammation plays a central role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the contribution of hepatocytes to tumor-associated inflammation is not clear. Here, we report that the zinc finger transcription factor Miz1 restricted hepatocyte-driven inflammation to suppress HCC, independently of its transcriptional activity. Miz1 was downregulated in HCC mouse models and a substantial fraction of HCC patients. Hepatocyte-specific Miz1 deletion in mice generated a distinct sub-group of hepatocytes that produced pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which skewed the polarization of the tumor-infiltrating macrophages toward pro-inflammatory phenotypes to promote HCC. Mechanistically, Miz1 sequestrated the oncoprotein metadherin (MTDH), preventing MTDH from promoting transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. A distinct sub-group of pro-inflammatory cytokine-producing hepatocytes was also seen in a subset of HCC patients. In addition, Miz1 expression inversely correated with disease recurrence and poor prognosis in HCC patients. Our findings identify Miz1 as a tumor suppressor that prevents hepatocytes from driving inflammation in HCC.

Long non-coding RNA Lnc-LALC facilitates colorectal cancer liver metastasis via epigenetically silencing LZTS1.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers around the world and endangers human health seriously. Liver metastasis is an important factor affecting the long-term prognosis of CRC and the specific mechanism of CRLM (colorectal cancer with liver metastasis) is not fully understood. LZTS1 has been found dysregulated in many cancers, especially in CRC. Theories suggested that hypermethylation of the promoter regions of LZTS1 was responsible for LZTS1 abnormal expression in multiple malignant tumors. Although the role of LZTS1 in CRC cell proliferation has been reported, its role in CRLM remains unclear. Numerous studies reported Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) could regulate the gene expression level by regulating gene methylation status in many tumors. However, whether there were lncRNAs could change the methylation status of LZTS1 or not in CRLM was unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there are lncRNAs can regulate the expression of LZTS1 through affecting DNA methylation in CRLM. We found that upregulated Lnc-LALC in CRC was negatively correlated with LZTS1 expression, and Lnc-LALC could regulate LZTS1 expression in both mRNA and protein level in our study. Functionally, Lnc-LALC enhanced the CRC cells metastasis ability in vitro and vivo through inhibiting the expression of LZTS1. Furthermore, the precise mechanisms exploration showed that lnc-LALC could recruit DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) to the LZTS1 promoter by combining with Enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2) and then altered the expression of LZTS1 via DNMTs-mediated DNA methylation. Collectively, our data demonstrated the important role of Lnc-LALC/ LZTS1 axis in CRLM development.

PTPROt aggravates inflammation by enhancing NF-κB activation in liver macrophages during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Rationale: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O truncated isoform (PTPROt) is an integral membrane protein that has been identified in osteoclasts, macrophages, and B lymphocytes. However, its relationship between inflammation and NASH is largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to study the function of PTPROt in NASH progression. Methods: We established a NASH mouse model in wild-type (WT), PTPRO knockout mice by western diet (WD) and methionine-choline-deficient diet (MCD). In addition, MCD-induced NASH model was established in BMT mice. Moreover, we determined the expression of PTPROt in liver macrophages in human subjects without steatosis, with simple steatosis, and with NASH to confirm the relationship between PTPROt and NASH. In vitro assays were also performed to study the molecular role of PTPROt in NASH progression. Results: Human samples and animal model results illustrated that PTPROt is increased in liver macrophages during NASH progression and is positively correlated with the degree of NASH. Our animal model also showed that PTPROt in liver macrophages can enhance the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which induces the transcription of genes involved in the inflammatory response. Moreover, PTPROt promotes the transcription of pro-oxidant genes and inhibits antioxidant and protective genes via increased activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby causing an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damaged mitochondria. This triggers the NLRP3-IL1ß axis and causes a heightened inflammatory response. Notably, PTPROt partially limits inflammation and ROS production by promoting mitophagy, which participates in a negative feedback loop in this model. Conclusions: Our data strongly indicate that PTPROt plays a dual role in inflammation via the NF-κB signaling pathway in liver macrophages during NASH. Further studies are required to explore therapeutic strategies and prevention of this common liver disease through PTPROt.

Correction: VersicanV1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through the activation of EGFR-PI3K-AKT pathway.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.