Extended-Synaptotagmin 1 Enhances Liver Cancer Progression Mediated by the Unconventional Secretion of Cytosolic Proteins

Human ovarian extracellular vesicles proteome from polycystic ovary syndrome patients associate with follicular development alterations

The development of the ovarian follicle requires the presence of several factors that come from the blood and follicular cells. Among these factors, extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an original communication pathway inside the ovarian follicle. Recently, EVs have been shown to play potential roles in follicular development and reproduction-related disorders, including the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The proteomic analysis of sEVs isolated from FF in comparison to sEVs purified from plasma has shown a specific pattern of proteins secreted by ovarian steroidogenic cells such as granulosa cells. Thus, a human granulosa cell line exposed to sEVs from FF of normal patients increased their progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone secretion. However, if the sEVs were derived from FF of PCOS patients, the activity of stimulating progesterone production was lost. Stimulation of steroidogenesis by sEVs was associated with an increase in the expression of the StAR gene. In addition, sEVs from FF increased cell proliferation and migration of granulosa cells, and this phenomenon was amplified if sEVs were derived from PCOS patients. Interestingly, STAT3 is a protein overexpressed in sEVs from PCOS patients interacting with most of the cluster of proteins involved in the phenotype observed (cell proliferation, migration, and steroid production) in granulosa cells. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that sEVs derived from FF could regulate directly the granulosa cell activity. The protein content in sEVs from FF is different in the case of PCOS syndrome and could perturb the granulosa cell functions, including inflammation, steroidogenesis, and cytoskeleton architecture.

Clinical Efficacy of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined With Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

The aim of the study was to explore the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Eighty-three advanced HCC patients were divided into the experimental group (TACE + PMCT, 57 cases) and the control group (TACE alone, 26 cases). They received TACE treatment first, and computed tomography (CT) or hepatic artery angiography was performed 3 - 4 weeks after each treatment. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of iodine oil deficiency, fistula recanalization, residual lesions, and lesion progression, TACE or PMCT treatment was selectively performed, and three consecutive treatments were considered as one treatment cycle.

Results

The experimental group had a response rate (RR) of 49.1%, and the control group had a RR of 38.4%. The reduction rate of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The cumulative survival rates in the experimental at 1-, 1.5-, and 2-year post-treatment were higher than the control group. The cumulative recurrence and metastasis rates in the experimental at 1.5-, and 2-year post-treatment were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences in treatment-related complications in the two groups.

Conclusions

The combined treatment of TACE and PMCT for advanced HCC is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment method, prolonging the survival time, and reducing the recurrence and metastasis rate, without increased toxic and side effects.

Identification and validation of biomarkers related to lipid metabolism in osteoarthritis based on machine learning algorithms

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis and lipid metabolism are strongly associated, although the precise targets and regulatory mechanisms are unknown.

METHODS

Osteoarthritis gene expression profiles were acquired from the GEO database, while lipid metabolism-related genes (LMRGs) were sourced from the MigSB database. An intersection was conducted between these datasets to extract gene expression for subsequent differential analysis. Following this, functional analyses were performed on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, machine learning was applied to identify hub genes associated with lipid metabolism in osteoarthritis. Immune-infiltration analysis was performed using CIBERSORT, and external datasets were employed to validate the expression of these hub genes.

RESULTS

Nine DEGs associated with lipid metabolism in osteoarthritis were identified. UGCG and ESYT1, which are hub genes involved in lipid metabolism in osteoarthritis, were identified through the utilization of three machine learning algorithms. Analysis of the validation dataset revealed downregulation of UGCG in the experimental group compared to the normal group and upregulation of ESYT1 in the experimental group compared to the normal group.

CONCLUSIONS

UGCG and ESYT1 were considered as hub LMRGs in the development of osteoarthritis, which were regarded as candidate diagnostic markers. The effects are worth expected in the early diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.

Liver cancer wars: plant-derived polyphenols strike back

Liver cancer currently represents the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The majority of liver cancer arises in the context of chronic inflammation and cirrhosis. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have been the guideline-recommended treatment options for decades. Despite enormous advances in the field of liver cancer therapy, an effective cure is yet to be found. Plant-derived polyphenols constitute a large family of phytochemicals, with pleiotropic effects and little toxicity. They can drive cellular events and modify multiple signaling pathways which involves initiation, progression and metastasis of liver cancer and play an important role in contributing to anti-liver cancer drug development. The potential of plant-derived polyphenols for treating liver cancer has gained attention from research clinicians and pharmaceutical scientists worldwide in the last decades. This review overviews hepatic carcinogenesis and briefly discusses anti-liver cancer mechanisms associated with plant-derived polyphenols, specifically involving cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metastasis. We focus on plant-derived polyphenols with experiment-based chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties against liver cancer and generalize their basic molecular mechanisms of action. We also discuss potential opportunities and challenges in translating plant-derived polyphenols from preclinical success into clinical applications.