Article
Immunology
Xiangxiang Liu, Jian Qin, Junjie Nie, Rui Gao, Shangshang Hu, Huiling Sun, Shukui Wang, Yuqin Pan
Summary: By analyzing RNA sequencing data of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, this study identified four characteristic genes and determined that the ANGPTL2+CAFs and SPP1+macrophages subtypes are accelerators of CRC metastasis, providing potential therapeutic targets for metastatic CRC.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Bitian Liu, Xiaonan Chen, Yunhong Zhan, Bin Wu, Shen Pan
Summary: The study identified the infiltration level of CAFs and the association with key genes in RCC through gene signature analysis, revealing that CAFs have higher infiltration levels in kidney cancer and are associated with advanced tumors and malignant staging.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ritu Pandey, Muhan Zhou, Yuliang Chen, Dalila Darmoul, Conner C. Kisiel, Valentine N. Nfonsam, Natalia A. Ignatenko
Summary: This study identifies the role of KLK6 in colorectal cancer and reveals a set of genes co-expressed with KLK6 as potential clinical biomarkers for managing the disease. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC progression and metastasis.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fei Yao, Xiaochen Xiang, Chuanren Zhou, Qiyou Huang, Xiaoying Huang, Zhufu Xie, Qiang Wang, Qingming Wu
Summary: This study identified differentially expressed circRNAs in chemoresistant and chemosensitive colorectal cancer cell lines through RNA sequencing. Functional studies revealed that hsacirc_002482 may play important roles in chemoresistance of CRC by suppressing cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, and enhancing cell chemosensitivity.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunqing Liu, Na Lu, Changwei Bi, Tingyu Han, Guo Zhuojun, Yunchi Zhu, Yixin Li, Chunpeng He, Zuhong Lu
Summary: The study developed a functional expression matrix (FEM) algorithm to utilize information from all expressed genes and showed good performance in cell clustering and cell-type specific function annotation.
Article
Microbiology
Haruka Hikichi, Shintaro Seto, Keiko Wakabayashi, Minako Hijikata, Naoto Keicho
Summary: MAFB gene may be involved in host immune response and metabolic regulation against tuberculosis. Knockdown of MAFB expression reduced type I and type II interferon responses of macrophages to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while enhancing oxidative phosphorylation and reducing expression of inflammatory chemokines.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meike Mitsdoerffer, Lilian Aly, Melanie Barz, Thomas Engleitner, Christopher Sie, Claire Delbridge, Gildas Lepennetier, Rupert Oellinger, Monika Pfaller, Benedikt Wiestler, Roland Rad, Bernhard Meyer, Benjamin Knier, Friederike Schmidt-Graf, Jens Gempt, Thomas Korn
Summary: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) shows resistance to immune responses, specifically to checkpoint inhibition. The study reveals that the brain tumor environment in GBM may cause infiltrating T helper cells to develop into type 17 T helper cells. The potential of targeting these CD4(+) TILs in the tumor-promoting milieu needs further investigation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Shujie Chen, Lina Fan, Yifeng Lin, Yadong Qi, Chaochao Xu, Qiwei Ge, Ying Zhang, Qiwen Wang, Dingjiacheng Jia, Lan Wang, Jianmin Si, Liangjing Wang
Summary: This study elucidates the functional role of Bifidobacterium adolescentis (B.a) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its mechanism of action on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Supplementation with B.a suppresses tumor growth by promoting the generation of a subset of CD143(+) CAFs and inhibiting Th2 cell infiltration. CD143(+) CAFs express GAS1 and have a tumor suppressive effect. The level of CD143(+) CAFs correlates with B.a abundance and predicts better survival outcomes in CRC patients.
CANCER COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Kouhei Toga, Kakeru Yokoi, Hidemasa Bono
Summary: Population density can induce changes in insect morphology, physiology, and behavior, a phenomenon known as density-dependent plasticity. Aphids and locusts are classic examples of insects exhibiting density-dependent plasticity. This study conducted a meta-analysis of public transcriptomes to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon. The analysis revealed that processes such as DNA replication, DNA metabolic processes, and mitotic cell cycle were enriched in response to crowded conditions. These findings provide important understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of density-dependent plasticity and highlight the significance of oxidative stress response and neurological system modifications under isolated conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-feng Chen, Zhao-liang Yu, Min-yi Lv, Ze-rong Cai, Yi-feng Zou, Ping Lan, Xiao-jian Wu, Feng Gao
Summary: The study developed an 11-gene signature with prognostic value for CRC patients, showing utility in predicting benefit from chemotherapy. High levels of CAFs may impact the prognosis of CRC patients via inhibiting immune response.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Daiwei Wan, Sentai Wang, Zhihua Xu, Xinquan Zan, Fei Liu, Ye Han, Min Jiang, Airong Wu, Qiaoming Zhi
Summary: This study identified differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs in mouse colitis and colitis-associated cancer models through RNA-seq analysis, revealing associations of mmu_circ_0001109 with pro-inflammatory signals and mmu_circ_0001845 with the Wnt signaling pathway. Further analysis showed that human PRKAR2A-derived circRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing and predicting the prognosis of colitis-associated cancer patients.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anders B. Dohlman, Diana Arguijo Mendoza, Shengli Ding, Michael Gao, Holly Dressman, Iliyan D. Iliev, Steven M. Lipkin, Xiling Shen
Summary: The study designed a statistical model to analyze species prevalence across sample types from TCGA and introduced the Cancer Microbiome Atlas (TCMA) by removing contaminants, leading to the discovery of prognostic species and blood signatures of mucosal barrier injuries. This will help guide future studies of the microbiome's role in human health and disease.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naoya Miyashita, Akira Saito
Summary: Fibroblasts are a prevalent mesenchymal cell type that produce the ECM of connective tissue and display unique transcriptional patterns based on their organ origin. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to cancer progression by influencing cancer cell growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment. CAFs demonstrate heterogeneous features, including differential functions and origins, and recent studies have revealed a bimodal action of CAFs with some showing tumor-suppressive effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomoaki Hirashima, Hideaki Karasawa, Takashi Aizawa, Takashi Suzuki, Akihiro Yamamura, Hideyuki Suzuki, Taiki Kajiwara, Hiroaki Musha, Ryo Funayama, Matsuyuki Shirota, Shinobu Ohnuma, Keiko Nakayama, Michiaki Unno
Summary: The study reveals that cancer-associated fibroblasts with increased expression of Wnt5a play a crucial role in the progression of colorectal cancer, and may serve as a target for anti-cancer therapies.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Di Salvatore, Elena Crispino, Avisa Maleki, Giulia Nicotra, Giulia Russo, Francesco Pappalardo
Summary: This study used RNA sequencing data to evaluate the expression differences of specific human genes in COVID-19 patients with different severity, and to determine the molecular origins of different responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study identified a small group of genes that were up-regulated in the severe form of the disease, potentially serving as biomarkers for severe COVID-19.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Tatsuyuki Takadate, Takanori Morikawa, Masaharu Ishida, Shuichi Aoki, Tatsuo Hata, Masahiro Iseki, Takayuki Miura, Kyohei Ariake, Shimpei Maeda, Kei Kawaguchi, Kunihiro Masuda, Hideo Ohtsuka, Masamichi Mizuma, Hiroki Hayashi, Kei Nakagawa, Fuyuhiko Motoi, Takashi Kamei, Takeshi Naitoh, Michiaki Unno
Summary: This study evaluated the safety and usefulness of staging laparoscopy in detecting distant metastases in patients with pancreatic cancer. The results showed that staging laparoscopy can be safely performed and is useful for diagnosing radiologically negative metastases.
Article
Oncology
Hiroyuki Minemura, Kiyoshi Takagi, Ai Sato, Mio Yamaguchi, Chiaki Hayashi, Yasuhiro Miki, Narumi Harada-Shoji, Minoru Miyashita, Hironobu Sasano, Takashi Suzuki
Summary: The study revealed that abnormal expression of IDH2 in breast carcinoma is closely associated with patients' prognosis, especially in ER-positive patients, and serves as an independent prognostic factor. Unlike IDH1 and IDH3 alpha, IDH2 promotes the invasive phenotype of breast carcinoma by increasing cell proliferation.
Article
Oncology
Ken-ichi Takayama, Teruki Honma, Takashi Suzuki, Yasumitsu Kondoh, Hiroyuki Osada, Yutaka Suzuki, Minoru Yoshida, Satoshi Inoue
Summary: This study identifies small molecules that target PSF-RNA interactions and suppress hormone therapy-refractory cancer growth, offering potential in reversing epigenetically repressed gene regulation and inhibiting tumor proliferation.
Article
Surgery
Takanori Morikawa, Hideo Ohtsuka, Tatsuyuki Takadate, Masaharu Ishida, Takayuki Miura, Masamichi Mizuma, Kei Nakagawa, Takashi Kamei, Takeshi Naitoh, Michiaki Unno
Summary: This study compared the postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with open surgery (OS) in adult patients with congenital biliary dilatation (CBD). The results showed that MIS had significantly higher rates of type I CBD, significantly less blood loss, significantly lower rates of internal stents, significantly longer operation times, and significantly shorter postoperative hospital stays compared to OS. The postoperative outcomes of MIS for type I CBD were similar to those of the whole cohort. There were no significant differences in late complications between the groups. Robotic surgery had a significantly shorter operative time for hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) compared to laparoscopic surgery.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Keigo Yokoi, Toshimichi Tanaka, Ken Kojo, Hirohisa Miura, Takahiro Yamanashi, Takeo Sato, Keishi Yamashita, Yusuke Kumamoto, Naoki Hiki, Takeshi Naitoh
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of skeletal muscle changes as a prognostic factor in stage III CRC patients. Low SMI in men and low SMR in women were identified as independent poor prognostic factors for RFS.
ANNALS OF GASTROENTEROLOGICAL SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yasuhiro Watanabe, Takashi Yamaguchi, Sho Tanaka, Akira Sasaki, Takeshi Naitoh, Hisahiro Matsubara, Koutaro Yokote, Shinichi Okazumi, Satoshi Ugi, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Masayuki Ohta, Yasushi Ishigaki, Kazunori Kasama, Yosuke Seki, Motoyoshi Tsujino, Kohji Shirai, Yasuhiro Miyazaki, Takayuki Masaki, Daiji Nagayama, Atushito Saiki, Ichiro Tatsuno
Summary: This study investigates the psychosocial background and outcomes after bariatric surgery in subjects with childhood onset obesity (CO). The results suggest that CO may be associated with genetic and psychosocial factors, and CO and post-puberty onset obesity (PPO) may differ in pathogenesis and require different treatment strategies.
Article
Surgery
Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Masaji Tani, Kazunori Kasama, Takeshi Naitoh, Takashi Oshiro, Kentaro Inoue, Yosuke Seki, Hirofumi Imoto, Sachiko Kaida, Jun Matsubayashi
Summary: This study aimed to provide reference values for percentage total weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Japan. The researchers developed a predictive model and found that patients at risk for primary non-response can be identified at 3 months, allowing for earlier interventions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroki Shimada, Shuko Hata, Yuto Yamazaki, Yuri Otsubo, Ikuko Sato, Kazue Ise, Atsushi Yokoyama, Takashi Suzuki, Hironobu Sasano, Akira Sugawara, Yasuhiro Nakamura
Summary: YM750, an ACAT inhibitor, suppresses CYP11B2 gene expression and aldosterone secretion by inhibiting intracellular signaling activated by depolarization. ACAT1 is suggested to play a significant role in steroidogenesis in the zona glomerulosa (ZG). Therefore, YM750 has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for primary aldosteronism (PA).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kuniko Horie, Kiyoshi Takagi, Toshihiko Takeiwa, Yuichi Mitobe, Hidetaka Kawabata, Takashi Suzuki, Kazuhiro Ikeda, Satoshi Inoue
Summary: Recent advances in RNA studies have identified a novel estrogen-inducible antisense RNA, BNAT1, in ER-positive breast cancer. Silencing of BNAT1 inhibited the growth of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells, repressed cell cycle progression, and promoted apoptosis. BNAT1 may play a critical role in ER-positive breast cancer biology by modulating ER alpha-dependent transcription regulation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ai Sato, Kiyoshi Takagi, Ayano Yoshimura, Wakana Tsukamoto, Mio Yamaguchi-Tanaka, Yasuhiro Miki, Akiko Ebata, Minoru Miyashita, Takashi Suzuki
Summary: This study explores the clinical significance of KLK12 in breast cancer. The results show that KLK12 is strongly associated with low-grade malignancy and has favorable prognostic effects. Knockdown of KLK12 enhances proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Mio Yamaguchi-Tanaka, Kiyoshi Takagi, Yasuhiro Miki, Ai Sato, Erina Iwabuchi, Minoru Miyashita, Takashi Suzuki
Summary: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to tumor progression and chemoresistance, so it is important to clarify the altered functions of macrophages following chemotherapy. This study investigated the effects of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) secretion from breast cancer cells on macrophage function. The results showed that extracellular HSP70 levels increased following chemotherapy, enhancing the pro-tumorigenic effects of TAMs by regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta expression in breast cancer cells. HSP70 was found to be a poor prognostic factor associated with macrophage infiltration.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuki Muroyama, Masato Nagumo, Fumiyoshi Fujishima, Takashi Suzuki
QJM-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Chihiro Inoue, Yasuhiro Miki, Takashi Suzuki
Summary: The importance of sex hormones, especially estrogen, in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has attracted attention due to its high incidence among young adults and nonsmokers, especially women. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which reside in the cancer stroma, play a significant role in cancer growth, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance through interactions with cancer cells and other microenvironmental components. However, the importance of sex hormones in the cell-cell interactions of CAFs in NSCLC remains unclear.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dan-Yang Wang, Shinobu Ohnuma, Hideyuki Suzuki, Masaharu Ishida, Kentaro Ishii, Takashi Hirosawa, Tomoaki Hirashima, Megumi Murakami, Minoru Kobayashi, Katsuyoshi Kudoh, Sho Haneda, Hiroaki Musha, Takeshi Naitoh, Michiaki Unno
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the potential of anti TNF-alpha antibodies (Abs) in inducing colon cancer development and identify the genes involved in colitis-associated cancer. The results showed that TNF-a inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer cell lines, and the neutralization of TNF-a by anti TNF-a Abs was observed in vitro. In a mouse model of colitis-associated cancer, treatment with infliximab, an anti TNF-a Ab, significantly reduced the development of colon cancer. Furthermore, gene analysis revealed the role of mast cells in the development of cancer associated with colitis.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yasuhiro Watanabe, Takashi Yamaguchi, Daiji Nagayama, Sho Tanaka, Akira Sasaki, Takeshi Naitoh, Hisahiro Matsubara, Koutaro Yokote, Shinichi Okazumi, Satoshi Ugi, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Masayuki Ohta, Yasushi Ishigaki, Kazunori Kasama, Yosuke Seki, Motoyoshi Tsujino, Kohji Shirai, Yasuhiro Miyazaki, Takayuki Masaki, Atsuhito Saiki, Ichiro Tatsuno
Summary: A study on 322 Japanese subjects showed that 83.0% of the patients achieved HbA1c level <7% after LSG surgery, but 26.8% experienced diabetes relapse. Preoperative HbA1c, weight loss after surgery, and weight regain were identified as important factors contributing to diabetes relapse.
