Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esraa Ali, Andriy Trailin, Filip Ambrozkiewicz, Vaclav Liska, Kari Hemminki
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a major global healthcare challenge, with over 815,000 new cases every year. Activated hepatic stellate cells are the main cells driving HCC onset and growth. These cells suppress the anti-tumor immune response and increase extracellular matrix protein deposits, contributing to HCC growth and metastasis. Current HCC treatments that activate hepatic stellate cells may explain the low efficacy. However, recent studies have shown that deactivating hepatic stellate cells can inhibit HCC growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yuan Zhou, Li Zhang, Yue Ma, Li Xie, Yong-Yu Yang, Cheng Jin, Hui Chen, Ying Zhou, Guang-Qi Song, Jia Ding, Jian Wu
Summary: This study found that senescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Senescent HSCs secrete proteins that activate morphogenic hedgehog or oncogenic Wnt signaling pathways, promoting the malignant transformation of steatotic or dysplastic hepatocytes.
Review
Oncology
Adriana G. Quiroz Reyes, Sonia A. Lozano Sepulveda, Natalia Martinez-Acuna, Jose F. Islas, Paulina Delgado Gonzalez, Tania Guadalupe Heredia Torres, Jorge Roacho Perez, Elsa N. Garza Trevino
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal and recurrent liver cancer, with death mainly caused by tumor progression, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor promote invasion, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play important roles in fibrogenesis, tumor infiltration, and HCC development. Interactions between HSC and CSC, as well as their microenvironment, contribute to carcinogenesis through various mechanisms. This review summarizes the roles of CSCs and HSCs in establishing the TME in primary liver tumors and their involvement in HCC chemoresistance.
TECHNOLOGY IN CANCER RESEARCH & TREATMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Shen, Han Yu, Qian-yu Li, Ya-ting Wei, Jing Fu, Hui Dong, Dan Cao, Lin-na Guo, Lei Chen, Yuan Yang, Ying Xu, Meng-chao Wu, Hong-yang Wang, Yao Chen
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The progression from NAFLD to HCC involves paracrine communication among hepatic cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) plays a crucial role in NAFLD and HCC, but its cellular communication in the transition from NAFLD to HCC is still unclear.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiangyu Zhang, Feiyu Chen, Peiran Huang, Xinyu Wang, Kaiqian Zhou, Cheng Zhou, Lei Yu, Yuanfei Peng, Jia Fan, Jian Zhou, Zuohua Lu, Jie Hu, Zheng Wang
Summary: MiR-148a-3p derived from activated HSCs accelerates HCC progression through ITGA5/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vanessa Kersten, Tatjana Seitz, Judith Sommer, Wolfgang E. E. Thasler, Anja Bosserhoff, Claus Hellerbrand
Summary: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are involved in hepatic fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis. This study shows that BMP13, expressed by HSCs, promotes the progression and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). BMP13 acts through BMP type I receptors on HCC cells and targeting this growth factor could be a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pei-Wen Wang, Tung-Yi Lin, Pei-Ming Yang, Chau-Ting Yeh, Tai-Long Pan
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development is closely associated with interactions between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and various hepatic cells. HSCs play a critical role in modulating extracellular remodeling, cell invasion, and macrophage polarization, thereby enhancing HCC development. This study identifies that the tumor microenvironment created by activated HSCs triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and affects the tumor-associated immune microenvironment, driving hepatoma cells towards a more malignant phenotype. These findings provide new insights into the role of HSCs in hepatocarcinogenesis and suggest HSCs as a potential therapeutic target for advanced HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xiu-Qin Li, Wen-Ting Peng, Shan Shan, Jing-Jing Wu, Nan Li, Jia-Jia Du, Jia-Chang Sun, Ting-Ting Chen, Wei Wei, Wu-Yi Sun
Summary: The study revealed that the activation of beta 2-AR in HSCs induces proliferation and migration of HCC cells through Akt signaling, with this effect being regulated by beta-arrestin2. The expression of beta 2-AR was increased while beta-arrestin2 was decreased in HSCs of HCC tissues. Knockout of beta-arrestin2 exacerbated DEN-induced HCC.
Article
Cell Biology
Michal Safran, Rula Masoud, Maya Sultan, Irena Tachlytski, Chofit Chai Gadot, Ron Pery, Nora Balint-Lahat, Orit Pappo, Nahum Buzaglo, Ziv Ben-Ari
Summary: Liver fibrosis (LF) is a major global health issue, and this study investigated the role of hepatocyte-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) in liver fibrosis. The study found that EVs regulate the differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and that miR-423-5p, carried by EVs, is involved in HSCs differentiation and fibrosis development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Meng, Qiudong Zhao, Yan Sang, Jianping Liao, Fei Ye, Shuping Qu, Pingping Nie, Liwei An, Weihong Zhang, Shi Jiao, Aimin Huang, Zhaocai Zhou, Lixin Wei
Summary: This study revealed the dynamic landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and identified GPNMB(+)Gal-3(+) parenchymal cells as a major subset contributing to the immunosuppressive microenvironment and malignance in HCC.
Article
Cell Biology
Goutham Venkata Naga Davuluri, Chien-Chin Chen, Yen-Cheng Chiu, Hung-Wen Tsai, Hung-Chih Chiu, Yuh-Ling Chen, Pei-Jane Tsai, Wan-Ting Kuo, Nina Tsao, Yee-Shin Lin, Chih-Peng Chang
Summary: Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a secretory lectin associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), can be actively secreted by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in response to stimuli of HCC cells, leading to increased systemic levels of Gal-1 and HCC tumor growth in mice. Autophagy-regulated Gal-1 secretion from TAMs correlates with poor overall survival and progression-free survival rates of HCC patients, highlighting the pathological role of TAM-produced Gal-1 in HCC progression.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrei Sorop, Diana Constantinescu, Florentina Cojocaru, Anca Dinischiotu, Dana Cucu, Simona Olimpia Dima
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer globally and is often detected late due to its high clinical and biological heterogeneity. Small nanoparticles with an endosomal origin are valuable biomarkers or carriers for novel treatments in HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanyu Deng, Fu Chen, Ziyu Zhou, Yipei Huang, Junlong Lin, Fapeng Zhang, Gang Xiao, Chaoqun Liu, Chao Liu, Leibo Xu
Summary: This study showed that ENPP2 expression is correlated with poor prognosis in HCC, and HBV infection can enhance HCC malignancy by upregulating ENPP2 expression. Additionally, aHSCs synergistically promote HCC progression with HBV, with ENPP2 playing a critical role in this process.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Tung-Wei Hsu, Yen-Hao Su, Hsin-An Chen, Po-Hsiang Liao, Shih Chiang Shen, Kuei-Yen Tsai, Tzu-Hsuan Wang, Alvin Chen, Chih-Yang Huang, Marthandam Asokan Shibu, Wan-Yu Wang, Shing-Chuan Shen
Summary: The expression of Galectin-1 is associated with sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Galectin-1 regulates sorafenib resistance through AXL and MET signaling pathways, and overexpression of Galectin-1 increases resistance. These findings suggest that Galectin-1 could be a promising therapeutic target for reducing resistance and sorafenib-mediated ferroptosis.
Article
Immunology
Fangming Yang, Heng Li, Yanmin Li, Yaokun Hao, Chenxiao Wang, Pan Jia, Xinju Chen, Suping Ma, Zhun Xiao
Summary: Hepatic fibrosis is a dynamic pathological process characterized by the accumulation of extra cellular matrix in chronic liver diseases, with activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) playing a central role. Communication between hepatocytes and surrounding cells influences the activation of HSCs and the progression of fibrosis, highlighting the complexity and plasticity of HSC activation.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Wenbin Yu, Fei Chen, Zeyu Xu, Yifan Zhang, Alex X. Liu, Chengjun Zhang
Summary: In this paper, a novel multi-user access method in wireless optical communication based on quantum detection of coherent state is proposed. Theoretical derivation and numerical results show that both minimum error discrimination (MED) and unambiguous state discrimination (USD) can efficiently distinguish signals from different users when the average photon number is large enough. MED achieves higher channel capacity than USD at the same average photon number, while USD has error-free detection capability. Increasing the average photon number can maintain USD's advantage even in the presence of thermal noise.
Article
Geology
Shoukat Husain Khan, Ying-Ming Sheng, Muhammad Saleem Mughal, Birendra Pratap Singh, Muhammad Rustam Khan, Chengjun Zhang
Summary: This study describes the sedimentological aspects of the Lower Cambrian Khewra Sandstone and its lithostratigraphic correlation with globally distributed coeval red sandstones, providing insights into the Pan-African Orogeny. The study suggests that the Khewra Sandstone was deposited in a fluvio-deltaic environment as tempestites, and its provenance can be traced back to the craton interior and recycled orogen. The diagenesis of the sandstone varies in different parts, with the upper part being a potential hydrocarbon reservoir rock.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Yating Shi, Wei Chen, Jun Wang, Chi Zhang, Chengjun Zhang, Hongjun LI
Summary: The pollution caused by chemical cleaning of polymer coatings during the recycling of printing screens can be reduced through laser cleaning. The study analyzes the interaction mechanism between laser beams and polymer coatings, constructs a laser ablation threshold model for cross-linked polymers, and discusses the principles of laser bonding and photoionization. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for further studies and serve as a reference for experiments and industrial applications.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Chengjun Zhang, Yi Lei, Xinyu Shen, Qi Li, Hui Yao, Di Cheng, Yifan Xie, Wenbin Yu
Summary: The higher-order structure of networks is closely related to network functionalities such as transportation and propagation. Destruction of higher-order connectivity can significantly damage network functionalities. In this study, we built a network model of interdependent low-order and higher-order networks (ILH) to investigate their relationship. Our experiments demonstrated a first-order phase transition feature in network percolation, and showed that ILH is more fragile than the low-order network alone, particularly in the event of random node failures.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Chengjun Zhang, Ming Qian, Xinyu Shen, Qi Li, Yi Lei, Wenbin Yu
Summary: Link prediction is crucial for information filtering and has received considerable research attention. However, existing link prediction algorithms have mainly focused on overall accuracy, disregarding the heterogeneous prediction accuracy of different links. This study analyzes the prediction accuracy of individual links in networks and identifies a severe polarization in accuracy. Specifically, edges with low betweenness consistently exhibit high accuracy, while edges with high betweenness consistently show low accuracy. By proposing an improved algorithm called RA_LP that leverages second-order and third-order paths, the accuracy of edges with high betweenness is enhanced, resulting in improved overall accuracy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODERN PHYSICS C
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Wanyi Zhang, Steffen Mischke, Dominic Hosner, Chengjun Zhang, Birgit Plessen, Huwei Li, Xiaojing Zhang
Summary: The late glacial and Holocene sediment record from Lake Heihai in the Kunlun-Pass region reveals cold and dry conditions between approximately 12.9 and 12.3 cal ka BP, followed by higher temperatures. Warmer and wetter conditions with increased lake levels and decreased lake-water salinity occurred from approximately 10.8 to 7.0 cal ka BP, attributed to the strengthening of the summer monsoon. From approximately 7.0 to 1.2 cal ka BP, a decline in lake level and an increase in lake-water salinity suggested cold and dry conditions, with glacier advances in the catchment.
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Junpeng Yu, Yibu Wu, Chunhui Zhang, Haojia Si, Dongze Si, Chengjun Zhang
Summary: A large Nb-Ta ore deposit was found in the Yushishan leptynite in the west Qilian Orogenic Belt. Eight Nb minerals were identified, accounting for 69% of Nb. The Nb minerals were formed in two metallogenesis stages: magmatic genesis and hydrothermal genesis.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mingxian Xie, Feng Ma, Guangpo Chen, Chang Liu, Rong Xiao, Yuping Su, Chengjun Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the hydrocarbon generation kinetics and phase behaviors of samples from the Jurassic Tamulangou Fm. and compared them with samples from the Cretaceous Fm. using the confined gold tube system. The results showed that the heating rates affected the reaction rates, paths, and levels of organic matter evolution. The activation energy for liquid hydrocarbon was lower than that for gaseous, and igneous intrusion positively influenced the development and preservation of organic matter. The thermal simulation analysis indicated a favorable potential for hydrocarbon exploration, with oil generation being slow initially and then rapidly increasing until a burial depth of 1500 m was reached.
ACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA-ENGLISH EDITION
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Chengjun Zhang, Qi Li, Yi Lei, Ming Qian, Xinyu Shen, Di Cheng, Wenbin Yu
Summary: Link prediction is a hot issue in information filtering, and existing link prediction algorithms based on local similarity indices are widely used. However, there are few studies on weighted networks. Our study found that weak-ties theory works in predicting edges with small weights, but not for edges with large weights. This discovery has implications for link predictions in weighted networks.
Article
Geography, Physical
Xue Zhao, Xiaolin Hou, Zhao Huang, Chengjun Zhang, Peng Cheng
Summary: Understanding hydrological changes in the past 2 kyr is crucial for determining the impact and causes of climate change, especially in arid areas. Sediment analysis provides valuable information for reconstructing past hydrology, but there are challenges in selecting appropriate proxies and interpreting their implications in specific lake environments. This study analyzes iodine and uranium concentrations in a sediment core from Keluke Lake, China, and finds a significant correlation between the two elements, suggesting their potential as hydrological proxies for studying dry-wet changes over the past 2200 years.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Mingxian Xie, Feng Ma, Guangpo Chen, Xi Zheng, Rong Xiao, Chengjun Zhang
Summary: The first member of the Lower Cretaceous Nantun Formation contains multiple siderite beds, which are mainly stratiform or massive in nature. These beds are composed of siderite, clay, quartz, calcite, and feldspar, and contain various micromorphological features such as dense micronized crystals and paragenesis with quartz and calcite. The trace element composition suggests a weakly reducing, freshwater depositional environment. The carbon in siderite is derived mainly from carbonate dissolution, and the formation of siderite is attributed to the combination of Fe2+ and CO32- in water bodies.
Article
Oncology
Jian Zhou, Huichuan Sun, Zheng Wang, Wenming Cong, Mengsu Zeng, Weiping Zhou, Ping Bie, Lianxin Liu, Tianfu Wen, Ming Kuang, Guohong Han, ZhiPing Yan, Maoqiang Wang, Ruibao Liu, Ligong Lu, Zhenggang Ren, ZhaoChong Zeng, Ping Liang, Changhong Liang, Min Chen, Fuhua Yan, Wenping Wang, Jinlin Hou, Yuan Ji, Jingping Yun, Xueli Bai, Dingfang Cai, Weixia Chen, Yongjun Chen, Wenwu Cheng, Shuqun Cheng, Chaoliu Dai, Wenzhi Guo, Yabing Guo, Baojin Hua, Xiaowu Huang, Weidong Jia, Qiu Li, Tao Li, Xun Li, Yaming Li, Yexiong Li, Jun Liang, Changquan Ling, Tianshu Liu, Xiufeng Liu, Shichun Lu, Guoyue Lv, Yilei Mao, Zhiqiang Meng, Tao Peng, Weixin Ren, Hongcheng Shi, Guoming Shi, Ming Shi, Tianqiang Song, Kaishan Tao, Jianhua Wang, Kui Wang, Lu Wang, Wentao Wang, Xiaoying Wang, Zhiming Wang, Bangde Xiang, Baocai Xing, Jianming Xu, Jiamei Yang, Jianyong Yang, Yefa Yang, Yunke Yang, Shenglong Ye, Zhenyu Yin, Yong Zeng, Bixiang Zhang, Boheng Zhang, Leida Zhang, Shuijun Zhang, Ti Zhang, Yanqiao Zhang, Ming Zhao, Yongfu Zhao, Honggang Zheng, Ledu Zhou, Jiye Zhu, Kangshun Zhu, Rong Liu, Yinghong Shi, Yongsheng Xiao, Lan Zhang, Chun Yang, Zhifeng Wu, Zhi Dai, Minshan Chen, Jianqiang Cai, Weilin Wang, Xiujun Cai, Qiang Li, Feng Shen, Shukui Qin, Gaojun Teng, Jiahong Dong, Jia Fan
Summary: With the emergence of additional high-quality evidence worldwide, the Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer need to be updated again. The new edition, written by over 100 experts in the field, aims to encourage evidence-based practice and improve the national average five-year survival rate for liver cancer patients, in line with the Health China 2030 Blueprint.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenbin Yu, Suxun Wang, Chengjun Zhang, Yadang Chen, Xinyu Sheng, Yu Yao, Jie Liu, Gaoping Liu
Summary: Nowcasting is crucial for services like heavy rain alerts and transportation management. Existing models have limitations in predicting low-intensity rainfall and low temporal resolution, leading to suboptimal performance during rare heavy rain events. To address these challenges, we propose a spatio-temporal sequence and generative adversarial network model for short-term precipitation forecasting with enhanced feature resolution. Experimental results demonstrate that our ConvLSTM-TransGAN model effectively captures weather system evolution and outperforms traditional models.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Hong-Qiang Yu, Feng Li, HaoJun Xiong, Lei Fang, Jie Zhang, Ping Bie, Chuan-Ming Xie
Summary: The study found that FBXL18 is highly expressed in HCC tissues and is associated with poor overall survival of HCC patients. FBXL18 promotes the K63-linked ubiquitination of RPS15A, enhancing its stability and increasing SMAD3 levels and translocation to the nucleus, promoting HCC cell proliferation.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lei Zeng, Kexiang Zhou, Hong Yang, Peng Guo, Yumin Zhu, Jun Ding, Ping Bie, Zhiqing Zhang
Summary: The overexpression of TRIM28 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) promotes cell proliferation, migration, and aerobic glycolysis through its interaction with PFKFB3. The study provides preclinical evidence for TRIM28 as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL REGULATORS AND HOMEOSTATIC AGENTS
(2023)
