Landscapes and mechanisms of CD8 T cell exhaustion in gastrointestinal cancer.

CD8 T cells, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte, are a key component of the tumor immune system, but they enter a hyporeactive T cell state in long-term chronic inflammation, and how to rescue this depleted state is a key direction of research. Current studies on CD8 T cell exhaustion have found that the mechanisms responsible for their heterogeneity and differential kinetics may be closely related to transcription factors and epigenetic regulation, which may serve as biomarkers and potential immunotherapeutic targets to guide treatment. Although the importance of T cell exhaustion in tumor immunotherapy cannot be overstated, studies have pointed out that gastric cancer tissues have a better anti-tumor T cell composition compared to other cancer tissues, which may indicate that gastrointestinal cancers have more promising prospects for the development of precision-targeted immunotherapy.

TGF-β Pathways Stratify Colorectal Cancer into Two Subtypes with Distinct Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) Expression-Related Characteristics.

Background: Colorectal cancers (CRCs) continue to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The exact landscape of the molecular features of TGF-β pathway-inducing CRCs remains uncharacterized.

Methods: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was performed to stratify samples into two clusters based on the differences in TGF-β pathways.

The TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway is involved in Musashi2-induced invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer.

To identify Musashi2 as an effective biomarker regulated by the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway for the precise diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) through bioinformatic tools and experimental verification. The Cancer Genome Atlas, Timer, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to clarify the expression of Musashi2 and its influence on the prognosis of CRC. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) was used to activate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to identify whether it could regulate the expression and function of Musashi2.

Microarray analysis of altered long non-coding RNA expression profile in liver cancer cells treated by ginsenoside Rh2.

Microarray expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs were investigated in HepG2 cells treated with 20 μg/ml ginsenoside Rh2 as well as in ginsenoside Rh2-untreated cells. Microarray analysis showed 618 upregulated lncRNAs and 161 downregulated lncRNAs in HepG2 cells treated with ginsenoside Rh2 compared with the control group. Moreover, three differentially expressed lncRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Up-regulation of the tumor promoter Glyoxalase-1 indicates poor prognosis in breast cancer.

Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) is an enzyme that plays a role to metabolize and inactivate methylglyoxal. Previous studies also have confirmed that Glo1 is closely related with tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug-resistant, but its prognostic value in breast cancer has never been explored. In this study, we investigated the expression of Glo1 in breast cancer cell lines and tissues using real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical analysis.

[Full sequence analysis for a null allele of MICA gene (MICA*063N)].

Objective: To analyze the full nucleotide sequence of a null allele of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene (MICA).

Methods: A sequence-based typing method was used to determine the nucleotide sequence of the MICA gene. Potential alleles were identified with a computer program.

[Preparation of doxorubicin encapsulated in amphiphilic polysaccharide nanoparticles and anti-hepatocarcinoma effect thereof].

Objective: To investigate the sustained release rule of doxorubicin/polylactide-grafted dextran copolymer (DOX/DEX-PLA) nanoparticles and the effect thereof in killing hepatocarcinoma cells.

Methods: DOX/DEX-PLA nanoparticles were prepared by method of emulsification & evaporation of organic solvent. Its morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy and the encapsulating efficiency of DOX was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

Genetic recombinant expression and characterization of human augmenter of liver regeneration.

Aims: To establish a highly effective prokaryotic recombinant expression system for human augmenter of liver regeneration (hALR) and to characterize the recombinant hALR both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: ALR cDNA was synthesized and inserted into expression vector pET28a+, the recombinant plasmid was transformed into BL21, and expression of hALR was induced by IPTG. Recombinant hALR (rhALR) was purified by sequential detergent wash, enterokinase (EK) digestion, gel-filtration, and chelating chromatography.