RAD21: A Key Transcriptional Regulator in the Development of Residual Liver Cancer.

Objective: Thermal ablation is a commonly used therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, inadequate ablation can lead to the survival of residual HCC, potentially causing rapid progression. The underlying mechanisms for this remain unclear. This study explores the molecular mechanism responsible for the rapid progression of residual HCC. Methods: We established an animal model of inadequate ablation in BALB/c nude mice and identified a key transcriptional regulator through high-throughput sequencing. Subsequently, we conducted further investigations on RAD21. We evaluated the expression and clinical significance of RAD21 in HCC and studied its impact on HCC cell function through various assays, including CCK-8, wound healing, Transwell migration and invasion. In vitro experiments established an incomplete ablation model verifying RAD21 expression and function. Using ChIP-seq, we determined potential molecules regulated by RAD21 and investigated how RAD21 influences residual tumor development. Results: High RAD21 expression in HCC was confirmed and correlated with low tumor cell differentiation, tumor growth, and portal vein thrombosis. Silencing RAD21 inhibited the migration, invasion, and proliferation significantly in liver cancer cells. Patients with high RAD21 levels showed elevated multiple inhibitory immune checkpoint levels and a lower response rate to immune drugs. Heat treatment intensified the malignant behavior of liver cancer cells, resulting in increased migration, invasion, and proliferation. After subjecting it to heat treatment, the results indicated elevated RAD21 levels in HCC. Differentially expressed molecules regulated by RAD21 following incomplete ablation were primarily associated with the VEGF signaling pathway, focal adhesion, angiogenesis, and hepatocyte growth factor receptor signaling pathway etc. Conclusion: The upregulation of RAD21 expression after incomplete ablation may play a crucial role in the rapid development of residual tumors and could serve as a novel therapeutic target.

Silencing of KIF2C enhances the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatin through regulating the PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling pathway.

In the treatment of unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cisplatin is administered transhepatic arterially for local treatment, but the clinical application of cisplatin drugs is frequently hindered by the emergence of drug resistance. Kinesin family member 2C( KIF2C ) has been shown as oncogene in a variety of tumors. Nevertheless, its effect on cisplatin sensitivity has yet to be ascertained. Herein, we aim to investigate the impact of the KIF2C gene on cisplatin sensitivity within HCC and the plausible underlying molecular mechanism. We examined the expression level of the KIF2C gene in HCC cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot analysis, and analyzed bioinformatically by The Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The KIF2C gene was silenced using the small interfering RNA technology, and its effect on cisplatin drug sensitivity in HCC cells was evaluated by flow cytometry, cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion assays. Our results indicated that KIF2C was highly expressed in HCC cells. KIF2C silencing inhibits HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, promotes apoptosis, and keeps the cell cycle in G2 phase. In addition, KIF2C silencing enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin. KIF2C silencing down-regulates the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) proteins. In conclusion, KIF2C silencing amplifies the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin by regulating the PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling pathway. Consequently, targeting KIF2C shows great application potential as a strategy for enhancing the effectiveness of HCC treatment.

Tumor Targeting with Apatinib-loaded Nanoparticles and Sonodynamic Combined Therapy

INTRODUCTION: This study implies the enhancement of apatinib killing effect in 4T1 tumor cells through constructing drug-loaded nanoparticles apatinib/Ce6@ZIF-8@Membranes (aCZM) to enhance tumor therapeutic targeting and reduce toxic side following sonodynamic therapy (SDT). METHODS: apatinib/Ce6@ZIF-8 (aCZ) were synthesized by in situ encapsulation, and aCZM were constructed by encapsulating the nanoparticles with extracted breast cancer 4T1 cell membranes. aCZM were characterized and tested for the stability by electron microscopy, and the membrane proteins on the nanoparticles' surface were assessed using SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis. The cell viability of 4T1 cells following treatment with aCZM was tested using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The uptake of nanoparticles was detected by laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, and the SDT-mediated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was verified by singlet oxygen sensor green (SOSG), electron spin resonance (ESR), and DCFH-DA fluorescent probes. The CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry using Calcein/PI were used to assess the antitumoral effect of aCZM nanoparticles under SDT. The biosafety of aCZM was further verified in vitro and in vivo using the hemolysis assay, routine blood test and H&E staining of vital organs in Balb/c mice. RESULTS: aCZM with an average particle size of about 210.26 nm were successfully synthesized. The results of the SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis experiment showed that aCZM have a band similar to that of pure cell membrane proteins. The CCK-8 assay demonstrated the absence of effects on cell viability at a low concentration range, and the relative cell survival rate reached more than 95%. Laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis showed that aCZM treated group has the strongest fluorescence and the highest cellular uptake of nanoparticles. SOSG, ESR, and DCFH-DA fluorescent probes all indicated that the aCZM + SDT treated group has the highest ROS production. The CCK-8 assay also showed that when the ultrasound intensity was fixed at 0.5 W/cm2, the relative cell survival rates in the medium concentration group (10 µg/ml) (5.54 ± 1.26%) and the high concentration group (20 µg/ml) (2.14 ± 1.63%) were significantly lower than those in the low concentration group (5 µg/ml) (53.40 ± 4.25%). Moreover, there was a concentration and intensity dependence associated with the cell-killing effect. The mortality rate of the aCZM in the ultrasound group (44.95±3.03%) was significantly higher than that of the non-ultrasound (17.00±2.26%) group and aCZ + SDT group (24.85 ± 3.08%) (P<0.0001). The live and dead cells' staining (Calcein/PI) also supported this result. Finally, in vitro hemolysis test at 4 and 24 hours showed that the hemolysis rate of the highest concentration group was less than 1%. The blood routine, biochemistry, and H&E staining results of major organs in Balb/c mice undergoing nano-treatments showed no obvious functional abnormalities and tissue damage in 30 days. CONCLUSION: In this study, a multifunctional bionic drug delivery nanoparticles (aCZM) system with good biosafety and compatibility in response to acoustic dynamics was successfully constructed and characterized. This system enhanced apatinib killing effect on tumor cells and reduced toxic side effects under SDT.

Effects of polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics on photosynthesis, antioxidant defense systems, and arsenic accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings grown in arsenic-contaminated soils.

Arsenic (As) and microplastic (MP) co-exposure is a major environmental problem in terrestrial ecosystems. Polyethylene and biodegradable plastics decompose into MP particles under microbial-mediated and weathering conditions. However, the effects of MP particles on physiological responses and As accumulation in maize have not been thoroughly explored. In this study, the effects of polyethylene microplastic particles (PEMPs) and biodegradable microplastic particles (BPMPs) on As accumulation, growth and physio-biochemical performance of maize seedlings (Zea mays L.) in As-contaminated soil were investigated. Our study showed that 10 % PE reduced As content in maize seedlings leaves (roots) by 41.19(34.53) µg kg-1, compared to the control. The 10 % BP reduced As content in maize seedlings leaves (roots) by 64.24 (57.27) µg kg-1. 10 % PE (10 % BP) reduced maize seedlings leaf area, total chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate by 5.05 % (21.68 %), 44.98 % (57.12 %) and 65.29 % (77.89 %) and increased H2O2 content by 38.04 % (179.6 %), respectively. The antioxidant defense system of maize seedlings leaves was damaged by PEMPs and As co-exposure. Maize seedlings has adapted to stress by regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and the AsA-GSH cycle under BPMPs and As co-exposure. This study provides new insights into the effects of PEMPs and BPMPs on phytotoxicity and As accumulation in As-contaminated soils. Preliminarily data suggests that BPMPs may exhibit greater toxic effects on maize seedlings than PEMPs, which warrants further exploration.

Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills for Cardiovascular Diseases: Effects and Mechanisms.

Qishen Yiqi Dripping Pills (QSYQ) is a compound of Chinese medicine, which has been used to treat coronary heart disease and cardiac dysfunction. Its natural components include astragaloside IV, flavonoids, danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, ginsenosides Rg1, ginsenosides Rb1, and essential oils, etc. It exerts effects of nourishing qi and promoting blood circulation to relieve pain. In this review, the bioactive components of QSYQ and its effects for treating cardiovascular diseases and possible mechanism were summarized, providing references for further study and clinical application of QSYQ.

QiShenYiQi pill for myocardial collagen metabolism and apoptosis in rats of autoimmune cardiomyopathy.

CONTEXT: QiShenYiQi pill (QSYQ) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a myocardial protective effect. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of QSYQ on myocardial collagen metabolism in rats with autoimmune cardiomyopathy and explore the underlying mechanism from the aspect of apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established an autoimmune cardiomyopathy model using Lewis rats. The rats were then randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control, model, 3-methyladenine (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), QSYQ low-dose (135 mg/kg, gavage), QSYQ medium dose (270 mg/kg, gavage), and QSYQ high-dose (540 mg/kg, gavage) for four weeks. Van Gieson staining was applied for myocardial pathological characteristics, TUNEL fluorescence for myocardial cell apoptosis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum PICP, PIIINP, and CTX-I levels, and western blot analysis for type I/III myocardial collagen, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins. RESULTS: Results showed that QSYQ (135, 270, or 540 mg/kg) significantly reduced the expression of myocardial type I/III collagen, and concentrations of serum PICP, PIIINP, and CTX-I in rats. Moreover, QSYQ could alleviate myocardial fibrosis more effectively at a higher dose. QSYQ could also inhibit myocardial apoptosis via downregulating Bcl-2 expression, and upregulating Bax and caspase-3 expression levels. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The QSYQ can improve myocardial collagen metabolism by inhibiting apoptosis, which provides a potential therapeutic approach for autoimmune cardiomyopathy.

Atractylodin may induce ferroptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that atractylodin has a potential antitumor effect. This study aimed to investigate the effects of atractylodin on Huh7 and Hccm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: Huh7 and Hccm cells were cultured in vitro, and their viability was detected by CCK-8 assay and the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. The cells were treated with different concentrations of atractylodin, and the migration and invasion ability of cells was detected by scratch assay and Transwell assay. The cell cycle change and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry. IlluminaHiSeq4000 platform was used for transcriptome sequencing, and the results were analyzed for gene differential expression, gene function, and signal pathway enrichment. Morphological changes of cells were detected by transmission electron microscopy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by DCFH-DA probe, and the expressions of ferroptosis related proteins GPX4, ACSL4, FTL, and TFR1 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The results showed that atractylodin could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Huh7 and Hccm cells, regulate the cell cycle, and induce cell apoptosis and G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In addition, it could significantly induce the increase of intracellular ROS levels, decrease the expression of GPX4 and FTL proteins, and up-regulate the expression of ACSL4 and TFR1 proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Atractylodin can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Huh7 and Hccm liver cancer cells, and induce cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In addition, our results suggest that atractylodin may induce ferroptosis in HCC cells by inhibiting the expression of GPX4 and FTL proteins, and up-regulating the expression of ACSL4 and TFR1 proteins.

The emerging role of circular RNAs in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the vital causes of morbidity and mortality, and the number of deaths from CVD has increased worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) is a novel type of endogenous noncoding RNA, which can form covalent closed continuous rings and are highly expressed in the eukaryotic transcriptome. In recent years, research on circRNAs have been increasing and the researchers have also become cumulatively aware of the association between circRNAs and CVD. This review highlights the biogenesis and functions of circRNAs and the role in cardiovascular diseases.

QiShenYiQi pill activates autophagy to attenuate reactive myocardial fibrosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

QiShenYiQi pill (QSYQ), a traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, the dose-effect relationship of its intervention in the reactive myocardial fibrosis is elusive. In this work, rat models of reactive myocardial fibrosis induced by partial abdominal aortic coarctation were constructed and randomly classified into the model group, 3-methyladenine group, rapamycin group, QSYQ low-dose group, QSYQ medium-dose group, QSYQ high-dose group, and sham-operated rats (control group). We revealed that QSYQ lowered the heart mass index (HMI), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF) levels in a dose-dependent mechanism. Additionally, QSYQ increased the number of autophagosomes, and the expression of myocardial Beclin-1 and LC3B. In contrast, it reduced the expression of myocardial p62 and decreased the ratios of myocardial p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR. In conclusion, our results have revealed that QSYQ impacts anti-reactive myocardial fibrosis in a dose-dependent mechanism which is mediated by the activation of myocardial autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

QiShenYiQi pill improves the reparative myocardial fibrosis by regulating autophagy.

QiShenYiQi pill (QSYQ), a traditional Chinese medicine, is well known for improving the myocardial remodelling, but the dose-effect relationship of its intervention in the reparative myocardial fibrosis is still unclear. We investigated the effect of QSYQ on the reparative myocardial fibrosis in cardiac myosin-induced rats and explored its mechanism of action by regulating autophagy. The results indicated that QSYQ increased LVEF and LVFS, and decreased the LVEDD, LVESD, HMI, LVMI, myocardial inflammation histology score, and collagen volume fraction in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, QSYQ declined the number of autophagosomes, down-regulated the expression of myocardial Beclin-1 and LC3B, up-regulated the expression of myocardial p62 and increased the ratios of myocardial p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR. We provided evidence for that QSYQ could inhibit excessive myocardial autophagy by regulating the PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway and can be a potential therapeutic approach in treating the cardiovascular diseases such as myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Endocrine organs of cardiovascular diseases: Gut microbiota.

Gut microbiota (GM) is a collection of bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses and protozoa, etc. They inhabit human intestines and play an essential role in human health and disease. Close information exchange between the intestinal microbes and the host performs a vital role in digestion, immune defence, nervous system regulation, especially metabolism, maintaining a delicate balance between itself and the human host. Studies have shown that the composition of GM and its metabolites are firmly related to the occurrence of various diseases. More and more researchers have demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota is a virtual 'organ' with endocrine function and the bioactive metabolites produced by it can affect the physiological role of the host. With deepening researches in recent years, clinical data indicated that the GM has a significant effect on the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This article systematically elaborated the relationship between metabolites of GM and its effects, the relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and cardiovascular risk factors, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure and hypertension and the possible pathogenic mechanisms. Regulating the GM is supposed to be a potential new therapeutic target for CVD.

An Intervention Target for Myocardial Fibrosis: Autophagy.

Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is the result of metabolic imbalance of collagen synthesis and metabolism, which is widespread in various cardiovascular diseases. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway which is highly conserved. In recent years, research on autophagy has been increasing and the researchers have also become cumulatively aware of the specified association between autophagy and MF. This review highlights the role of autophagy in MF and the potential effects through the administration of medicine.