Current Molecular Medicine - Online First

Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Recently, emerging biomarkers, such as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), have garnered attention for their utility in assessing visceral obesity. Bilirubin, a potent endogenous antioxidant, has been associated with protective effects against various diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum total bilirubin (STB) levels and VAI/LAP in adults.

This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2003 and 2020. The calculation of VAI and LAP was performed computationally. Weighted multivariate regression models were used to explore the potential correlation between STB levels and VAI or LAP. RCS curves were used to identify the potential non-linear relationship. Moreover, subgroup analyses were conducted to examine heterogeneity across different populations.

The analysis included a cohort of 10,625 individuals aged 20 to 85 years. Both unadjusted and adjusted statistical models revealed a significant negative association between STB levels and VAI or LAP (all P< 0.001). RCS indicates that these relationships are linear. Subgroup analyses identified particularly strong associations in non-smokers aged 20-59 without hypertension/diabetes (P < 0.05).

Our study's strengths include the use of nationally representative data with appropriate weighting, comprehensive adjustment for confounding variables, and pioneering research on the link between serum bilirubin levels and visceral fat indices, which may indicate early metabolic risk markers. This finding highlights the significant role of bilirubin in body fat distribution and lipid metabolism.

This study revealed that STB was associated with VAI or LAP among the specific general American population aged 20-59 without hypertension/diabetes. Further prospective investigations are warranted to clarify the temporal relationship between STB and novel obesity indices.

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most malignant gastrointestinal tumors. M1 macrophage, a subtype within the Tumor Microenvironment (TME), plays a vital role in the development of cancer. Despite its anti-tumoral functions, the specific mechanisms of its action remain incompletely understood.

The effect of M1 macrophages on the proliferation ability and cell viability of PDAC cells was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) cell proliferation assay, cell clone formation assay, and flow cytometry. Western blot, qRT-PCR, confocal microscope, RNA-sequencing, and transmission electron microscope were performed to assess lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis level of PDAC cells in the context of M1 macrophage or TNF-α.

M1 macrophages inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell death of PDAC cells, in which ferroptosis played a vital role. Mechanistically, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) released by M1 macrophages binds to the TNFR1 receptor on pancreatic cancer cells, activating the p38 MAPK signaling, which upregulates Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) expression, a critical lipid metabolism enzyme linked to ferroptosis, thereby promoting ferroptosis. Knockdown of ACSL4 or TNFR1 significantly reduced TNF-α-induced ferroptosis.

TNF-α is a major inflammatory cytokine and is mainly generated by macrophages and T lymphocytes. It is involved in many pathological processes, such as inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Studies have shown that the administration of recombinant TNF-α can induce tumor regression in mice with sarcomas. In our study, systemic injection of TNF-α slowed the tumor growth in nude mice, but with no significant difference compared with the control group, which may partially be attributed to its angiogenic activity. TNF-α signals via two distinct membrane-binding receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2, which regulate various diseases. In pancreatic cancer, the role of TNF-α is complex and poorly understood. In a previous study, they found that exogenous systemic administration of human TNF-α, which interacted with murine TNFR1, significantly increased overall tumor growth in the Panc02-PDAC model. Intriguingly, the loss of TNFR1 led to an impediment of immune cell infiltration into the tumor and impaired immunosurveillance, which accelerated tumor growth. This suggests that TNFR1 exerts both pro-tumoral and anti-tumoral functions in the Panc02-PDAC model, but the overall outcome is likely dependent on the spatiotemporal availability of TNF-α. However, systemic TNF-α injection can lead to severe side effects in animals, limiting its further application. In a recent study, TNFR2 was found to promote tumorigenesis and progression in the KPC-PDAC model. Knockdown of TNFR2 or pretreatment with an anti-TNFR2 antibody could significantly slow the tumor progression and incidence. In our study, TNFR2 was found to have a low expression in pancreatic cancer cells and was barely detected with the failure of knockdown. However, the cell lines used in the former study were established from a KPC mouse model, while our experiments were conducted using human PDAC cell lines. Contrary findings are possible as cell lines originate from two different species. However, we will further investigate the mechanism of this difference.

In summary, this study revealed that M1 macrophages could induce ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through secreting TNF-α, indicating a potential therapeutic option for PDAC.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Determining the T790M resistance variants and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is crucial for personalized treatment, especially when using targeted therapies.

This review article aims to comprehensively compare some of the various diagnostic techniques associated with liquid biopsies, such as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for T790M and EGFR mutant identification. It also aims to evaluate their pertinence in clinical settings, as well as their sensitivity and specificity to determine how effectively they monitor treatment response and resistance.

A literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The keyword list included “EGFR mutations,” “T790M resistance,” “liquid biopsy,” “COLD PCR,” “NGS,” “ddPCR,” “BEAMing,” and other methods. The effect of these studies on diagnostic technologies for identifying EGFR mutations was assessed in terms of clinical practice, methodological accuracy, and significance. Sensitivity, specificity, clinical applicability, cost analysis, turnaround times, and ease of integration into clinical workflows were used as parameters for evaluation based on the literature.

There are advantages and disadvantages to cfDNA monitoring strategies for treatment response and resistance, as well as to the assessment of sensitivity, specificity, and clinical applicability for identifying EGFR mutations.

Advanced techniques such as COLD-PCR, LC-MS, qPCR, NGS sequencing, Sanger sequencing, PNA microarrays, the Allele-Specific Competitive Extension (ASCE) real-time PCR assay, and nanopore technology are necessary for personalized lung cancer management. However, depending on the objective of the work, the suitable method should be selected based on its benefits and drawbacks.

Colon cancer is a highly prevalent tumor with a high mortality rate worldwide. SLC41A2 is a member of the solute carrier family, but its role in colon cancer is still unclear.

The relationship between the expression level of SLC41A2 and clinicopathological features in colon cancer was investigated using data from the TCGA database. The differential expression genes of SLC41A2 were identified the potential role of SLC41A2 in colon cancer was analysed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. By transfecting plasmids or siRNA to overexpress or knock down SLC41A2 in colon cancer cells, the effects of SLC41A2 on colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were detected through EdU, MTT, wound-healing, Transwell, and JC-1 experiments. Western blot and ubiquitination experiments validated the regulation of GSK3β stability by SLC41A2. Rescue experiments and CCK8 assays confirmed the regulatory effect of SLC41A2 on GSK3β.

Compared to normal tissues, SLC41A2 exhibited a lower expression level in colon cancer, and the expression levels of SLC41A2 were correlated with the stage and Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) classification. GO and KEGG analyses displayed that SLC41A2 primarily affected the growth factor activity and Wnt signaling pathway. Furthermore, elevated expression of SLC41A2 notably decreased the proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells, along with increased apoptosis. The overexpression of SLC41A2 and rescue experiments confirmed that SLC41A2 enhances the protein stability of GSK3β by inhibiting its ubiquitin-proteasome degradation and causes the upregulation of GSK3β, thereby suppressing the progression of colon cancer.

SLC41A2 was lowly expressed in colon cancer tissues or cells. By inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation of GSK3β, SLC41A2 can significantly upregulate the expression of GSK3β, which ultimately suppresses the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells.

Studies have shown that abnormal stress is a significant inducer of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IVDD). Although traction force is commonly used to delay IVDD, its effects on Nucleus Pulposus Cells (NPCs) and their secreted exosomes remain unclear. In addition, this study systematically revealed the relationship between miR-8485 and IVDD for the first time.

Cellular experiments were performed using a Flexcell cell stretching platform to apply traction force to NPCs. After optimizing loading parameters, NPC-derived exosomes (NPCs-exo) were isolated and subjected to miRNA high-throughput sequencing. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, and their regulatory effects on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were investigated. Ex vivo rabbit spinal samples were used to validate the cellular experimental results under traction force loading.

NPCs-exo were found to be internalized by NPCs, and traction force promoted NPCs-exo secretion. High-throughput sequencing and differential expression analysis identified miR-8485 as a differentially expressed miRNA in NPCs-exo secreted under Cyclic Mechanical Tension (CMT) conditions. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the targeted regulatory relationship between miR-8485 and GSK-3β, as well as its involvement in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-mediated regulation of NPCs degeneration. Ex vivo experiments, including morphological and immunofluorescence analyses, revealed that the traction group exhibited better morphology than the pressure group, with a more organized AF, NP, and higher NPCs content, though some loss persisted. Both groups showed significant differences in ECM markers (Collagen II, Aggrecan, MMP3) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Additionally, the traction group had significantly higher Collagen II and Aggrecan levels than the pressure group (p < 0.05).

CMT can promote the secretion of NPCs-exo, which are internalized by the NPCs. Through the delivery of miR-8485, NPCs-exo target and regulate GSK-3β, thereby enhancing Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity. This mechanism increases NPCs viability and extracellular matrix synthesis while suppressing apoptosis, ultimately delaying IVDD progression. Immunofluorescence staining in animal experiments confirmed that traction force effectively improves extracellular matrix expression in the IVD and mitigates stress-induced morphological alterations of the IVD.

The pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is complex, and the specific biomarkers for detecting early diagnosis and monitoring kidney function deterioration are insufficient, which affects the prognosis of patients. The complement activation in glomeruli and renal interstitium contributes to the aggravation of DKD. Several key complement proteins, such as complement factor 3 (C3), CD59, and complement factor H-related protein 2 (CFHR2) were reported to be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis for DKD.

In the current study, we focus on CFHR2, to investigate its capability and sensitivity as a DKD biomarker. As a non-invasive detection sample, urine has the characteristic of convenient sampling. In the current study, the urine samples were collected from three groups: diabetic patients without albuminuria, with micro-albuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, to analyze whether CFHR2 was associated with albuminuria concentration and declined renal function. Meanwhile, the urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and C3 were also examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to compare with CFHR2 to determine whether CFHR2 had an advantage in predicting the early detection and progression of DKD. The Spearman correlation analysis was performed for the correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy.

CFHR2 had superior diagnostic power to predict the early occurrence of DKD and disease progression, compared with NGAL, microalbumin, and C3 in urine.

CFHR2 has satisfactory potential to be a biomarker for early diagnosis and risk of progression of DKD.

The antiviral effects of type I interferons [IFNs] on respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]-infected airway epithelial cells have been identified. We aim to further reveal the mechanism of stat3 and kruppel-associated box-associated protein 1 [KAP1] in RSV-infected airway epithelial cells.

Using the A549 cell line, we investigated the impact of RSV infection, KAP1 overexpression, and stat3 inhibition with Stattic. Cell counting kit 8 assay was used to determine the viability, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure the levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, IFN-α, and IFN-β. Viral replication was tested via plaque assay. Meanwhile, quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or/and western blot were applied to measure the expressions of p-stat3 and KAP1 in the cells.

RSV infection repressed the viability, upregulated p-stat3 and KAP1 expressions, elevated levels of inflammation-related factors [IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β], and type I IFN immune response-associated factors [IFN-α, IFN-β], and promoted viral replication in A549 cells. Stattic attenuated the promoting effect of RSV on inflammation-related factors and viral replication, but enhanced its impact on IFN-α and IFN-β levels in the cells. More importantly, KAP1 overexpression reversed the effects of Stattic on viability, inflammation [IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β], type I IFN immune response [IFN-α, IFN-β], and viral replication in RSV-infected A549 cells.

Our findings unveil the pivotal role of stat3 inhibition in potentiating type I IFN-mediated antiviral responses against RSV in lung epithelial cells, revealing KAP1 as a potential therapeutic target for combating respiratory viral infections.

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common malignancies and the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs and long ncRNAs, can contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of GC and therefore could be its potent diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. The aim of our work was to estimate the expression of PROX1-AS1 (Prospero Homeobox 1 Antisense RNA 1) and miR-647 (microRNA-647) in GC and investigate their potential interaction and clinical significance.

The study included tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues from 110 GC patients and plasma samples from 65 GC patients; 38 sectional normal gastric tissue samples and 49 plasma samples of healthy donors were included as controls. Expression levels of both ncRNAs were quantified in all samples by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and their possible correlations with the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients were analyzed. A potential inverse correlation between PROХ1-AS1 and miR-647 expression was addressed by in vitro experiments in a panel of cancer cell lines.

The expression of PROX1-AS1 and miR-647 was not significantly different in tissues of GC patients and sectional normal gastric tissue samples. However, they have demonstrated a negative correlation both in the tumor and the adjacent non-tumor tissue of GC patients. PROX1-AS1 expression was significantly decreased in GC tissues, whereas the miR-647 expression was increased. The expression of the ncRNAs was associated with clinical and pathological characteristics of GC patients. The overexpression of miR-647 led to a significant decrease in PROX1-AS1 expression in five cancer cell lines, including the GC cell line SNU-1.

We have demonstrated a negative correlation between PROX1-AS1 and miR-647 in both GC tissues and the cancer cell lines. In addition, expression of both ncRNAs was associated with the primary tumor size. Therefore, these ncRNAs might have potential prognostic value.

The relationship between heavy metals, particularly lead (Pb), and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains unclear, especially regarding exposure thresholds. This study investigates the association between blood Pb levels and DKD risk using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018.

A total of 1,343 participants were included, with 508 diagnosed with DKD. Baseline characteristics were compared between DKD and non-DKD groups. Multivariate generalized linear models (GLMs) and weighted logistic regression were used to assess correlations between blood Pb levels and DKD risk. A nomogram was developed to evaluate the predictive power of significant clinical characteristics.

Key clinical characteristics, including age, marital status, and serum Pb levels, differed significantly between DKD and non-DKD groups. Serum Pb was identified as a significant risk factor (ORs: 1.18–1.39, p < 0.01). The nomogram demonstrated good predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.717).

Elevated blood Pb levels are significantly associated with DKD, with a non-linear relationship and a defined threshold. These findings highlight the potential role of Pb exposure in DKD pathogenesis and suggest the utility of blood Pb monitoring in diabetic patients.

Chromobox 7 (CBX7) has been implicated in the progression of various malignant tumors, but its clinical relevance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the expression, prognostic value, biological functions, and immunological role of CBX7 in LUAD.

CBX7 expression in LUAD and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox risk regression evaluated prognostic significance. Various algorithms assessed the correlation between CBX7 and immune micro-environment. The expression of CBX7 in LUAD tissues was detected by RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The function of CBX7 in LUAD was further investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

CBX7 expression significantly downregulated LUAD, which was associated with aberrant DNA methylation. Decreased CBX7 expression correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis. Notably, CBX7 is associated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints, highlighting its potential role in guiding immunotherapy. Functional experiments demonstrated that CBX7 overexpression suppressed the malignant phenotype of LUAD cells, while CBX7 knockdown promoted tumor progression.

We conducted a systematic analysis of the diagnostic, prognostic, and immunological significance of CBX7 in LUAD, and found that it might serve as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in the future.

Alternative splicing (AS) events significantly affect melanoma progression. Therefore, understanding their effect on prognosis is important for developing new treatments.

Univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression were carried out to identify key AS events, build an AS risk model, and classify sample risk levels. Pearson correlation analysis was also performed to analyze the relationship between AS events and RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes or indicators of immune infiltration. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using gene expression data from patients with varying risk levels. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were also carried out to examine the association between immune cell infiltration and prognosis.

A total of 41446 AS events were identified; among them, 446 AS events were identified as significantly associated with melanoma prognosis. An AS risk model for prognosis was established using seven key AS events. A close correlation was found between 137 AS events and 1013 RBP genes, suggesting that these genes may participate in the regulation of AS events. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the genes involved in AS were closely associated with immune system functions, which may explain why AS events affect the prognosis of melanoma. Finally, by combining the AS risk score and clinical indicators, we developed a nomogram model that could effectively predict melanoma prognosis.

This analysis of AS events and regulation may aid in developing novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for melanoma.

Platinum-based drugs like cisplatin are key in treating ovarian cancer, but resistance frequently leads to treatment failure. The TGF-β1/β-catenin signaling pathway has been implicated in tumor resistance. This study investigates whether hyperthermiaenhances ovarian cancer cell sensitivity to platinum-based drugs by activating the TGF-β1/β-catenin pathway.

In vitro and in vivo models of ovarian cancer were treated with hyperthermia and cisplatin. Changes in TGF-β1 and β-catenin expression were measured using Western blotting, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and cell viability assays to determine the impact of hyperthermia on drug sensitivity.

Hyperthermia significantly reduced TGF-β1 and β-catenin expression in ovarian cancer cells and tumor tissues, suppressing the pathway. This led to increased cisplatin sensitivity and higher apoptosis rates in vitro, while in vivo, tumor growth was significantly suppressed, and cisplatin's antitumor effects were enhanced.

Hyperthermia boosts the effectiveness of platinum-based drugs in ovarian cancer by suppressing the TGF-β1/β-catenin pathway, presenting a potential strategy to overcome chemoresistance and improve patient outcomes.

The prognosis of patients with stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) shows significant variations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of key regulatory proteins in glycolysis and lipid metabolism for the prognostic evaluation of stage III CRC patients.

Utilizing the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we analyzed the expression of various key regulatory genes in glycolysis and lipid metabolism pathways in CRC, as well as the relationship between gene expression levels and overall survival. We selected the top two key genes exhibiting differential expression patterns in glycolysis and lipid metabolism, namely, glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), as targets for subsequent exploration. We analyzed the effects of GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, and SCD1 on the proliferation, migration, and drug sensitivity of CRC cells in vitro. These proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the clinical tissues of stage III CRC patients. Based on the intensity of IHC staining for GLUT1, PKM2, FASN and SCD1, the cumulative score from these 4 target proteins for each sample was calculated (score range from 0 to 8). The relationships between high (scores of 6-8) or low (scores of 0-5) expression of glycolysis and lipid metabolism molecules and the clinicopathological characteristics, and survival of patients were analyzed.

The expression disparities of the GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, and SCD1 genes were the most prominent between tumor and normal tissues. Overexpression of GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, or SCD1 significantly promoted CRC cell growth and migration, as evidenced by CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Exogenous introduction of GLUT1, PKM2, FASN, or SCD1 increased oxaliplatin IC50 values, enhanced cell survival, and reduced early apoptosis in CRC cells exposed to oxaliplatin. High glycolysis and lipid metabolism status were associated with poor tumor differentiation, vascular or nerve invasion, and shorter overall survival. The status of glycolysis and lipid metabolism was an independent prognostic factor for stage III CRC patients.

High glycolysis and lipid metabolism status are correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with stage III colorectal cancer.

Opium is one of the factors that may interfere with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to investigate the role of opium in certain pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in CAD patients with and without opium dependence on regular prescription medicines.

Seventy-seven patients with suspected CAD were selected as candidates for coronary angiography in this case-control study. They were categorized into three groups:1) CAD opium-addicted (CAD+OA, n=30); 2) CAD non-opium-addicted (CAD, n=30); and 3) non-opium-addicted with no CAD individuals as a control group (Ctrl, n=17). Routine medications, including aspirin, atorvastatin, bisoprolol, valsartan, losartan, clopidogrel, metoprolol, isosorbide, trinitrate glyceryl, captopril, and carvedilol, were administered to these patients. ELISA was performed to quantify plasma levels of interleukin-23 (IL-23), IL-17, IL-1β, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and IL-10.

A significantly higher level of IL-23 was found in the CAD+OA group than in the CAD and control groups. In addition, in the CAD+OA group, the mean difference in TGF-β levels was significantly lower than that in CAD patients, whereas no significant difference was found between the Ctrl group and the CAD+OA and CAD groups. No significant differences were observed in the mean levels of IL-17, IL-1β, or IL-10 among the groups.

Opium was found to contribute to the induction of inflammation by interfering with cardiovascular medications, resulting in deterioration of CAD complications. Additionally, certain medications, including aspirin, glyceryl trinitrate, atorvastatin, and clopidogrel, played a significant role in regulating the expression of cytokines.

The analysis of diabetic nephropathy (DN)-related gene dataset demonstrated that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CXCL3) is highly expressed in DN. Exploring the impact of CXCL3 in the course of DN is the core goal of this study.

The cell model used in this study was CIHP-1 cells induced by high glucose (HG). qRT-PCR and western blot analysis were carried out to determine the expression difference of CXCL3. After down-regulating the CXCL3 level, we analyzed HG-induced CIHP-1 cell viability by MTT assay, proliferation by EdU staining, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and changes in related protein expression by western blot. In order to analyze the possible regulatory relationship between endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 (ESM-1) and CXCL3 in DN, we constructed an over-expressed ESM-1 plasmid and carried out a rescue experiment.

CXCL3 and ESM-1 were highly expressed in HG-induced podocytes (p<0.05). Silenced CXCL3 (siCXCL3) increased the viability and proliferation of CIHP-1 cells induced by HG, reduced the proportion of apoptosis, and produced corresponding protein changes (p<0.01). After the overexpression of ESM-1, the effects of siCXCL3 were partially offset (p<0.05).

In this study, ESM-1 increased HG-induced podocyte damage by promoting CXCL3 expression.

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) has been described as influencing skeletal physiology. Nevertheless, no systematic appraisal of the effect of GDF15 on skeletal muscle tissues has been developed to the present day.

The aim of the present work was to review the evidence on the topic.

In this preregistered systematic review (https://osf.io/wa8xr), articles were retrieved from MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and WebOfScience. Inclusion criteria comprised studies on humans or animal models, assessment of peripheral or local tissue GDF15 concentrations, as well as the direct expression of GDF15 in skeletal muscle, and direct or indirect correlates of GDF15 with physical activity/ sarcopenia/trophism/ function.

A total of 646 studies were retrieved, and 144 finally included. Molecular inducers or inhibitors of GDF15 in skeletal muscle tissues were described. GDF15 was reported to promote skeletal muscle health, metabolic homeostasis, and overall physical conditioning. In pathology, GDF15 seems to be correlated to the degree of muscle impairment and mitochondrial stress. GDF15 has also been described as having the potential to stratify patients based on clinical prognosis and functional outcome.

A hormetic hypothesis for GDF15 on skeletal muscle was proposed. In fact, GDF15 exhibited beneficial effects when expressed at high levels facing acute stressors (i.e., “myoprotection”). Conversely, GDF15 exhibited maladaptive effects, such as chronic low-grade inflammation, when chronically expressed in pathological processes (e.g., obesity, aging). GDF15 may be a potential molecular target for disease-modifying interventions. The current review underscores the need for further research on GDF15 to elucidate its therapeutic potential across different pathological states.

The study protocol, registered before data collection and analysis, can be retrieved at https://osf.io/wa8xr. It should be noted that the study deviated from the protocol after peer review, including other electronic databases beyond MEDLINE/PubMed alone.

Liquid biopsies have great potential for precision medicine as they provide information about primary and metastatic tumors using minimally invasive techniques. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for detecting gastric cancer (GC). The aim of the study was to identify miR molecules associated with autophagy in gastric cancer (GC) cells, determine their expression levels in GC and FLOT-treated patients, and assess the efficacy of FLOT therapy in GC patients.

Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) pathways were used to analyze cellular pathways. MicroRNAs were isolated from the tissues.

The study found a connection between the expression of the let-7a-5p gene and the size of primary tumors. Bioinformatics analysis identified multiple targets and signaling pathways associated with this phenomenon. We observed an increase in the levels of miR-21-3p and hsa-miR-130b-3p with lymph node involvement. miR-21-3p is associated with the activation of molecular pathways induced by H. pylori in cases of coinfection. Patients with complete regression had higher levels of expression of hsa-mir-130b-3p.

The bioinformatics analysis allowed us to identify the most significant targets among microRNAs. Based on the presented data, it becomes clear that GC is heterogeneous and that the process of autophagy is complex. The association between hsa-miR-130b-3p and tumor response to therapy is particularly interesting.

Paired box 9 (PAX9) has been linked to several human disorders; however, its relevance in Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unknown.

The difference in PAX9 mRNA expression in pan-cancer was analyzed utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the level of PAX9 protein expression across various types of cancer was assessed utilizing the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and UALCAN databases, as well as the cellular localization of PAX9. UALCAN studied the methylation levels of PAX9 in pan-cancer. The predictive significance of PAX9 in pan-cancer was assessed utilizing the Kaplan-Meier Plotter website. Functional enrichment analysis was carried out with the “cluster Profiler” program. By employing CCK8 and colony formation methods, the influence of PAX9 on the growth of HNSCC cells was evaluated. By conducting a transwell experiment, we assessed the influence of PAX9 on the migration of HNSCC cells. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of Bax and Bcl-2, two proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis. A nude mouse model was established to study the impact of PAX9 overexpression on the growth of subcutaneous HNSCC tumors.

In HNSCC, the expression of PAX9 was found to be low, while levels of promoter methylation rose considerably. Low PAX9 expression has been linked to a decrease in overall survival (OS) rates among individuals with HNSCC. Furthermore, overexpressing the PAX9 gene decreased HNSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while boosting apoptosis rates.

The abnormal expression of PAX9 is linked to various cancers. In HNSCC, PAX9 is a potential tumor suppressor, inhibiting tumor invasion and migration. The results reveal a potentially significant new therapeutic target for HNSCC.