PRDM16 from hepatic stellate cells-derived extracellular vesicles promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a lethal cancer, and most HCC cases occur in the fibrotic or cirrhotic livers. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main effector cells of liver fibrosis, could secret biological contents to maintain liver inflammation. Herein, we aimed to identify the key transcription factor secreted by extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from HSCs and explored its oncogenic mechanism.

A novel 4-1BB/HER2 bispecific antibody shows potent antitumor activities by increasing and activating tumor-infiltrating T cells.

Resistance to HER2-targeted therapy narrows the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Although 4-1BB/CD137 is a promising drug target as a costimulatory molecule of immune cells, no therapeutic drug has been approved in the clinic because of systemic toxicity or limited efficacy. Previously, we developed a humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) HuA21 and anti-4-1BB mAb HuB6 with distinct antigen epitopes for cancer therapy.

STAT3 signaling mediates peritoneal fibrosis by activating hyperglycolysis.

Background: Long term peritoneal dialysis leads to peritoneal epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), angiogenesis, and ultrafiltration failure. Although recent evidence suggests that inhibiting STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) can prevent kidney fibrosis, and that STAT3 can enhance glucose metabolism, the effect of STAT3 in peritoneal fibrosis (PF) has not been clarified.

Methods: Our study determined the effects of STAT3 on EMT and key glycolysis enzymes in mesothelial HMrSV5 cells by knockdown and overexpression of STAT3.

Knockout of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in macrophages attenuates diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced mice.

As a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase in the Tec family, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) participates in various biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Although recent studies have indicated that Btk is involved in pro-inflammatory cytokine production, the underlying impact of Btk on the development and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether Btk knockout (KO) could reduce inflammation and kidney injury in DN.

TFEB promotes BCL-2 expression by upregulating its promoter activity in the t(6;11) translocation renal cell carcinomas.

t(6;11) translocation renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is classified as a subset of the MiT family translocation RCCs and characterized by harboring the Alpha-TFEB fusion gene. However, the development mechanism of this tumor and its effective treatment have not been fully identified yet. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between TFEB and BCL-2 in Alpha-TFEB stably transfected cell lines and in t(6;11) RCC tumor tissue.

[Risk factors of dental caries among young children in Pudong New District, Shanghai].

Porpose: To establish a prospective cohort of kindergarten children and longitudinally study the causes of early childhood caries.

Methods: Cluster random sampling was used to select a kindergarten in the urban and suburban areas of Pudong New District of Shanghai, a total of 240 small-class children joined the study. Chi-square test, analysis of variance, binomial logistic regression model and general linear regression model was used to analyze caries of the cohort children at baseline and 1 year after follow-up with SPSS 21.

miR-205/RunX2 axis negatively regulates CD44/CD24 breast cancer stem cell activity.

Breast Cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have been extensively studied and have been used directly as a therapeutic target, but how the BCSCs themselves are regulated remain unclear. Here we reported identification of miR-205 that may act as a tumor suppressor and negatively-regulate BCSCs stemness and tumor malignance. By qRT-PCR analysis, we have shown that miR-205 was decreased in CD44/CD24 BCSCs compared with non-BCSCs.

Runx2 is required for activity of CD44/CD24 breast cancer stem cell in breast cancer development.

Runx2, a master regulator of osteogenesis, is abnormally expressed in advanced breast cancer. Here we addressed Runx2 contribution to breast cancer cell growth and metastasis. We found that CD44 and Runx2 were both elevated in breast cancer tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues in breast cancer patients.

Changes in the phosphorylation of claudins during the course of experimental colitis.

The phosphorylation of the tight-junction protein claudin causes allosterism, endocytosis and changes in the polarity of the epithelium, thus affecting the barrier function. The phosphorylation status of claudin during the course of colitis has not been demonstrated. In the present study, we found that the phosphorylated claudin-4 and claudin-7 contents were increased in experimental colitis at days 6 and 8, and colonic phosphorylated claudin-6 was found to be increased at day 4 and day 8.

Complications after selective embolization in the bilateral internal iliac arteries and the median sacral artery with gelfoam particles in dogs.

Objective: The study aimed to observe the complications after the bilateral internal iliac arteries and the median sacral artery embolization by different severity and combinations of gelfoam particles.

Methods: Sixteen healthy adult dogs were randomly divided into five groups. Under the monitoring of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), gelfoam particles with diameter of 50-150 μm were applied.