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21 pages, 688 KB  
Review
Current and Emerging Pharmacological Therapies for Hypertriglyceridemia
by Ibrahim S. Alhomoud
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(8), 3573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27083573 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 131
Abstract
Hypertriglyceridemia is a well-recognized contributor to residual atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and a predisposing factor for acute pancreatitis. Despite the availability of currently available pharmacologic agents and lifestyle interventions, patients with severe and refractory hypertriglyceridemia often fail to achieve adequate control. Recent advances [...] Read more.
Hypertriglyceridemia is a well-recognized contributor to residual atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and a predisposing factor for acute pancreatitis. Despite the availability of currently available pharmacologic agents and lifestyle interventions, patients with severe and refractory hypertriglyceridemia often fail to achieve adequate control. Recent advances in the molecular understanding of triglyceride metabolism have driven the development of targeted therapies that selectively modulate key regulatory pathways. This study sought to provide an overview of triglyceride regulation, the atherogenic role of remnant lipoproteins, and clinical evidence of emerging triglyceride-lowering therapies. Lipoprotein metabolism is regulated by a complex network of regulatory proteins that include lipoprotein lipase (LPL), apolipoproteins such as apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III), and angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs). Targeting these proteins in the metabolic cascade has shown promising results in reducing triglyceride levels. Emerging therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against ApoC-III (volanesorsen, olezarsen, and plozasiran), inhibitors of ANGPTL3 (evinacumab and zodasiran), and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) analogs (pegozafermin) have demonstrated substantial triglyceride-lowering efficacy. These agents have achieved reductions in triglyceride levels of up to 80 percent in clinical trials. Additionally, preliminary evidence suggests that these agents may also reduce the incidence of acute pancreatitis and improve cardiometabolic risk profiles, although dedicated trials are still needed to confirm these outcomes. The therapeutic landscape for hypertriglyceridemia is rapidly evolving. Integrating these novel agents into clinical practice will require individualized treatment plans, sustained lifestyle modification, and careful safety monitoring. Full article
21 pages, 7675 KB  
Article
TIMP1 and DPP4 Promote Tumor Progression by Regulating Lactate Metabolism in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
by ShiJi Mu, Jin Xue, Fada Xia, Xiwu Ouyang, Guode Fu, Ruotong Gui, Haihong Wang and Ning Bai
Cancers 2026, 18(8), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18081264 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 149
Abstract
Objectives: The mechanism of action of genes related to lactate metabolism in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is still unclear. In this study, key genes that play a role in PTC were selected from the known genes related to lactate metabolism, and their [...] Read more.
Objectives: The mechanism of action of genes related to lactate metabolism in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is still unclear. In this study, key genes that play a role in PTC were selected from the known genes related to lactate metabolism, and their roles in promoting lactate metabolism in PTC cells were investigated. Methods: Through bioinformatics analysis and cell experiments, the roles of the relevant genes in lactate metabolism and their roles in the occurrence and development of PTC were verified. Results: Through bioinformatics analysis, 12 candidate genes were obtained. Through qRT-PCR experiments, it was confirmed that the expressions of TIMP1 and DPP4 were higher in thyroid papillary carcinoma than in normal PTC cells. By inhibiting the expression of TIMP1 and DPP4 using siRNA, the invasion and proliferation abilities of PTC could be reduced. Compared with normal thyroid cells, the contents of lactic acid and LDHA in PTC cells were higher. Knocking down the expression of TIMP1 and DPP4 would reduce the lactate production ability of PTC cells, and TIMP1 and DPP4 promoted the accumulation of lactate in PTC cells.Conclusions: In this study, by screening the differentially expressed lactate metabolism genes in PTC, different prognostic subtypes were constructed based on the molecular expression patterns. Multi-group student’s t-tests were conducted on the differential signaling pathways and tumor immune regulation of the prognostic subtypes, and a PTC prognosis prediction model was constructed. It was further confirmed that the lactate metabolism genes TIMP1 and DPP4 are highly expressed in PTC and can regulate the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and lactate metabolism of PTC cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy)
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18 pages, 3427 KB  
Article
Andrographolide Suppresses Influenza A Virus-Induced Pyroptosis via PI3K/AKT-Mediated Caspase-3/GSDME Inactivation
by Wen Yang, Qi He, Zhen Sun, Xiaochang Zhang, Qingyu Li, Changdong Zhou, Yuke Cui, Zhenqiao Wei, Jingqi Shi, Chenhui Wang, Yuanyuan Jiao, Liang Guo, Yaling Xing and Shengqi Wang
Biomedicines 2026, 14(4), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14040887 - 13 Apr 2026
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Influenza A virus (IAV) infection triggers robust inflammation and acute lung injury. Andrographolide, a primary active compound from Andrographis paniculata, can mitigate IAV-induced inflammation; however, its precise mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. This study aimed to define its host-directed protective effects [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Influenza A virus (IAV) infection triggers robust inflammation and acute lung injury. Andrographolide, a primary active compound from Andrographis paniculata, can mitigate IAV-induced inflammation; however, its precise mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. This study aimed to define its host-directed protective effects and molecular mechanisms. Methods: We used a lethal IAV (H1N1, PR8) model in BALB/c mice and infected A549 cells. Survival, lung pathology, cytokines, and viral titers were measured. Lung RNA sequencing identified dysregulated signaling pathways. PI3K/AKT and pyroptosis pro-teins were analyzed by Western blot. The PI3K/AKT axis was functionally validated with the AKT inhibitor in vivo and AKT1 siRNA in vitro. Results: Andrographolide improved survival, attenuated body weight loss, and reduced lung pathology and inflammatory cytokine levels in IAV-infected mice, without exhibiting direct antiviral activity. Consistent with the in vivo findings, andrographolide enhanced cell viability and suppressed cytokine secretion in infected cells. RNA sequencing revealed marked upregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the lungs of treated mice, as confirmed by increased PI3K and AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, andrographolide downregulated the expression of key pyroptosis-executing proteins, including cleaved caspase-3 and the gasdermin E (GSDME) N-terminal fragment. These protective effects were substantially abrogated by an AKT inhibitor and AKT1 siRNA. Conclusions: These findings reveal a novel host-directed mechanism by which andrographolide alleviates IAV-induced immunopathology by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby suppressing caspase-3/GSDME-dependent pyroptosis. Thus, this axis represents a promising target for controlling excessive inflammation in severe influenza. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Natural Products and Drug Discovery—2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 6136 KB  
Article
Emodin Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis by Modulating the NF-κB/HIF-1α/VEGF Signaling Pathway
by Dehao Du, Yihang Lou, Linlan Zhou, Jiayu Tian, Tingdan Zhang, Zexuan Qiu and Xiaofeng Rong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(8), 3460; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27083460 - 12 Apr 2026
Viewed by 264
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of emodin (EMO) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to verify whether its underlying mechanism involves the blockade of pathological angiogenesis via the inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [...] Read more.
This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of emodin (EMO) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to verify whether its underlying mechanism involves the blockade of pathological angiogenesis via the inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling axis. Bovine type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse models and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated EA.hy926 endothelial cells were utilized in this study. The effects of EMO on joint pathological alterations, the expression of NF-κB/HIF-1α/VEGF axis proteins, inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)), and angiogenic capacity were assessed using histopathological analysis, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and tube formation assays. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference targeting key molecules was employed to validate the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of EMO. In the CIA model group, the ankle joints of mice exhibited pronounced inflammatory infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, and bone destruction. Compared with the model group, both the EMO and methotrexate (MTX) treatment groups demonstrated attenuated synovial hyperplasia and cartilage destruction, along with significantly downregulated expression levels of key NF-κB pathway proteins, HIF-1α, and VEGF in joint tissues (p < 0.001). In vitro experiments revealed that EMO treatment significantly reduced the LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) (p < 0.001), and decreased both the number and total length of tubular structures formed by endothelial cells compared to the control (p < 0.001). Notably, siRNA-mediated knockdown of p65 resulted in decreased intracellular protein levels of HIF-1α and VEGF, accompanied by a significant reduction in tube formation (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that EMO alleviates pathological damage in RA by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which subsequently downregulates pathological angiogenesis and inflammatory responses mediated by the HIF-1α/VEGF axis. These findings provide a robust experimental basis for the potential application of EMO as a therapeutic agent for RA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autoimmune Disorders: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies)
21 pages, 3091 KB  
Article
Polysaccharides and Glycosides from Aralia echinocaulis Modulate Succinate Levels in the Gut to Target Intestinal Dendritic Cells via the Receptor GPR91 in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Mengqiang Gao, Shanshan Ma and Yunzhi Li
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(4), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19040606 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 263
Abstract
Background: Aralia echinocaulis has therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with total polysaccharide and glycoside (TPGs) as main active components. RA pathogenesis involves gut microbiota dysbiosis and immune–metabolic crosstalk, but the role of microbiota-derived succinate in RA remains unclear. Objective: This [...] Read more.
Background: Aralia echinocaulis has therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with total polysaccharide and glycoside (TPGs) as main active components. RA pathogenesis involves gut microbiota dysbiosis and immune–metabolic crosstalk, but the role of microbiota-derived succinate in RA remains unclear. Objective: This study explored the role of succinate-GPR91 signaling in intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) in the context of RA and the therapeutic mechanism of A. echinocaulis TPGs. Methods: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were treated with TPGs or exogenous succinate. Paw edema, inflammation, gut succinate levels, the Th17/regulatory T (Treg) balance, and DC activation via succinate-GPR91 were detected, and GPR91-targeting siRNA and CD4+ T-cell coculture assays for verification. Results: TPGs alleviated symptoms in CIA mice and restored the Th17/Treg balance by reducing intestinal succinate levels. Succinate activated DCs via GPR91 to promote Th17 differentiation, while TPGs suppressed DC maturation and Th17-driven inflammation, supporting the involvement of a gut-centric immunometabolic axis in RA. Conclusions: TPGs ameliorate RA by targeting the succinate-GPR91-Th17 pathway, identifying succinate as a novel RA target and TPGs as a potential microbiota-modulating agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
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16 pages, 6105 KB  
Article
FATP4 Switches Cellular Lipid Utilization via the PI3K-AKT Pathway in Goat Preadipocytes
by Haiyang Li, Qi Li, Wenyang Zhang, Yuling Yang, Yong Wang, Yaqiu Lin, Zhanyu Du, Changhui Zhang, Lian Huang, Jiangjiang Zhu and Hua Xiang
Animals 2026, 16(8), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081129 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 252
Abstract
The role of fatty acid transporter 4 (FATP4) in regulating lipid metabolism has been well studied. However, how it affects IMF deposition, especially in goats, remains poorly understood. Here, we cloned the whole coding sequence of the goat FATP4 gene and [...] Read more.
The role of fatty acid transporter 4 (FATP4) in regulating lipid metabolism has been well studied. However, how it affects IMF deposition, especially in goats, remains poorly understood. Here, we cloned the whole coding sequence of the goat FATP4 gene and revealed its closest affinity to sheep by amino acid sequence blast analysis. In addition, we found that the FATP4 reached its highest expression level at day 6 of goat preadipocyte differentiation in vitro. Functionally, in cultured goat intramuscular preadipocytes, siRNA-induced FATP4 knockdown dramatically raised the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes and encouraged lipid deposition. At the same time, FATP4 deficiency inhibited cell proliferation and significantly decreased apoptosis. Unexpectedly, although the overexpression of FATP4 promoted cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis, it only slightly decreased cellular lipid deposition in goat intramuscular preadipocytes. For RNA-seq (performed on pooled cell samples with three technical replicates), a total of 467 differential genes (DEGs) were identified after silencing of FATP4 in goat preadipocytes, including 47 upregulated genes and 420 downregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the signaling pathways of Focal adhesion, HIF-1, and PI3K-Akt by KEGG analysis. To validate these findings, knockdown of FATP4 increased the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k) and vice versa. Convincingly, we rescued the phenotype observed in FATP4 knockout goat preadipocytes by blocking the PI3k-Akt signaling pathway with an AKT inhibitor (LY294002). In summary, in our in vitro model, FATP4 plays a crucial role in directing fatty acids toward cell proliferation (prioritized over cellular lipid deposition) via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in goat intramuscular preadipocytes. These findings provide preliminary mechanistic insights into the regulatory network of IMF formation at the cellular level, and offer theoretical clues for future research aimed at enhancing meat quality from the standpoint of IMF deposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Small Ruminants)
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17 pages, 3403 KB  
Article
MLKL Deficiency Stabilizes RIP3 and Aggravates Myocardial Injury by Promoting Apoptosis and Pyroptosis
by Ziguan Zhang, Zuheng Liu, Yilei Liu, Changqing Sun, Weihua Li and Wuyang Zheng
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(4), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48040380 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 241
Abstract
Regulated cardiomyocyte death is a central contributor to myocardial infarction (MI)-associated injury. Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), a key effector of necroptosis, has been implicated in cardiovascular disease; however, its role in MI remains incompletely defined. MLKL expression was evaluated in hypoxia-treated [...] Read more.
Regulated cardiomyocyte death is a central contributor to myocardial infarction (MI)-associated injury. Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), a key effector of necroptosis, has been implicated in cardiovascular disease; however, its role in MI remains incompletely defined. MLKL expression was evaluated in hypoxia-treated cardiomyocytes, infarcted murine hearts, and human cardiac tissue. MLKL function was investigated using siRNA-mediated knockdown in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and genetic deletion in mice subjected to left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation. Apoptosis- and pyroptosis-related signaling were assessed by immunoblotting and immunostaining. RIP3 expression and regulation were examined at both protein and mRNA levels, and the RIP3 inhibitor GSK’872 was used to assess pathway dependence. MLKL expression was increased in hypoxic cardiomyocytes, infarcted mouse hearts, and human failing cardiac tissue. Unexpectedly, MLKL deficiency was associated with aggravated myocardial injury, impaired cardiac function, and increased fibrosis following MI. Mechanistically, MLKL deficiency was associated with increased RIP3 protein abundance without a corresponding increase in RIP3 mRNA, consistent with post-transcriptional regulation. Further analyses indicated that MLKL deficiency reduced RIP3 ubiquitination and impaired proteasome-mediated degradation, resulting in RIP3 stabilization. Elevated RIP3 levels were accompanied by increased expression of apoptosis- and pyroptosis-related proteins, particularly at early time points after MI. Pharmacological inhibition of RIP3 with GSK’872 was associated with reduced apoptosis- and pyroptosis-related signaling and improved cardiac function. MLKL deficiency is associated with stabilization of RIP3 and enhanced activation of apoptosis- and pyroptosis-related signaling following MI, contributing to aggravated myocardial injury. These findings support a regulatory role for the MLKL–RIP3 axis in cardiomyocyte death and suggest that targeting RIP3 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy in myocardial infarction. Full article
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24 pages, 5998 KB  
Article
Multi-Omics and Functional Validation Identify a Quercetin-SLC15A2 Axis That Mediates the Anti-Fibrotic Effect of Shen-Kang Recipe in Diabetic Kidney Disease
by Anna Zuo, Shuyu Li, Jiarun Xie, Lishan Huang, Ziwei Li, Jingxin Lin, Xiaoshan Zhao and Ming Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3291; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073291 - 5 Apr 2026
Viewed by 447
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The Shen-Kang Recipe (SKR) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used clinically to slow DKD progression, but its bioactive constituents and molecular targets remain unclear. Solute carrier family 15 member 2 [...] Read more.
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The Shen-Kang Recipe (SKR) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used clinically to slow DKD progression, but its bioactive constituents and molecular targets remain unclear. Solute carrier family 15 member 2 (SLC15A2/PEPT2), a high-affinity peptide transporter expressed in renal proximal tubules, has been implicated in kidney pathophysiology, yet its potential role in mediating the therapeutic effects of the SKR has not been explored. Here, we evaluated the effects of the SKR in db/db mice and found that SKR treatment significantly improved renal function, attenuated glomerulosclerosis, and reduced interstitial collagen deposition. Wide-target metabolomics and quantitative proteomics revealed that the SKR broadly reversed DKD-associated metabolic and proteomic disturbances, particularly in pathways related to energy and amino acid metabolism. Proteomic analysis identified SLC15A2 as a key proximal tubule protein downregulated in DKD and selectively restored by the SKR. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology highlighted quercetin as a principal bioactive component of the SKR. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) confirmed direct, high-affinity binding between quercetin and SLC15A2 (KD = 7.5 µM). In TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cells, quercetin suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as evidenced by restored E-cadherin and reduced N-cadherin, vimentin, and α-SMA expression; this effect was abrogated by siRNA-mediated SLC15A2 knockdown, demonstrating the functional necessity of this axis. Collectively, these findings identify a quercetin-SLC15A2 axis through which the SKR inhibits EMT and alleviates renal fibrosis in DKD, providing a mechanistic basis for its clinical application and nominating SLC15A2 as a potential therapeutic target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection 30th Anniversary of IJMS: Updates and Advances in Biochemistry)
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12 pages, 1858 KB  
Article
Association Between Acupuncture’s Neuroprotective Effects and Integrin Alpha 7
by Sangeun Han, Sabina Lim and Sujung Yeo
Medicina 2026, 62(4), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040670 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 285
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) entails the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), accompanied by α-synuclein (α-syn)-enriched Lewy bodies. ITGA7 mediates cell–extracellular matrix adhesion and modulates apoptosis, though its involvement in PD pathogenesis warrants further investigation. Although [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) entails the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), accompanied by α-synuclein (α-syn)-enriched Lewy bodies. ITGA7 mediates cell–extracellular matrix adhesion and modulates apoptosis, though its involvement in PD pathogenesis warrants further investigation. Although acupuncture demonstrates neuroprotective effects in PD models, its precise molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood; therefore, in this study, we explored the relationship between ITGA7 and α-synuclein expression in an MPTP-induced PD mouse model to determine the association between LR3/GB34 acupuncture-induced changes in α-synuclein levels and ITGA7 modulation. Materials and Methods: In the in vivo model, MPTP-induced PD mice underwent immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting to assess ITGA7, α-synuclein, and TH levels in the SN and striatal tissues following LR3/GB34 acupuncture. In parallel, for the in vitro mechanistic study, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated with MPP+ and transfected with ITGA7-siRNA were utilized to examine the involvement of apoptosis-related signaling pathways. Results: In the in vivo model, MPTP administration downregulated ITGA7 and upregulated α-synuclein in SN tissues. Similarly, in vitro exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to MPP+ yielded comparable results, revealing an inverse correlation between ITGA7 and α-synuclein. LR3/GB34 acupuncture treatment in the mouse model significantly increased ITGA7 and TH expression while reducing α-synuclein accumulation. To further understand the specific role of ITGA7 observed in these animal findings, we silenced ITGA7 in the MPP+-treated cellular model. ITGA7 silencing exacerbated the neurotoxic effects, leading to further TH downregulation, α-synuclein upregulation, Bcl-2 reduction, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio elevation. Conclusions: Collectively, the histological preservation of dopaminergic neurons following LR3/GB34 acupuncture in the PD mouse model appears to be linked to ITGA7 upregulation. Furthermore, our in vitro findings implicate ITGA7 in the regulation of apoptosis-related signaling cascades, supporting its potential role in mitigating α-synuclein pathology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurology)
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23 pages, 4162 KB  
Article
RFXANK: A Novel Immune-Related Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Taimei Qu and Lv Tian
Genes 2026, 17(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040406 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 379
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents an extremely lethal malignancy on a global scale. The clinical significance and molecular mechanisms of the immune-related gene RFXANK in HCC remain unclear. This study seeks to elucidate the clinical implications and diagnostic utility of RFXANK in [...] Read more.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents an extremely lethal malignancy on a global scale. The clinical significance and molecular mechanisms of the immune-related gene RFXANK in HCC remain unclear. This study seeks to elucidate the clinical implications and diagnostic utility of RFXANK in HCC, while further exploring its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Expression differences of RFXANK in pan-cancer and HCC were analyzed using the TCGA and GEO (GSE45267) databases. Its diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier survival curves, and ROC curves. Potential functional pathways were explored through GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analyses. The correlation between RFXANK and immune cell infiltration, as well as immune checkpoint molecules, was analyzed using the ssGSEA algorithm and CIBERSORTx. In vitro, siRNA interference was employed to knock down RFXANK expression in Huh-7 and MHCC97H cells. The effects on cell proliferation and RAF1 protein levels were assessed using a CCK-8 assay and Western blot, respectively. Results: RFXANK was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues and was closely associated with aggressive clinical features, including pathological T stage, histological grade, and AFP levels. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that RFXANK was an independent risk factor for survival in HCC patients (HR = 1.871). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.939, demonstrating excellent diagnostic predictive value. Enrichment analysis revealed a significant association with the cell cycle, PPAR signaling pathway, and lipid metabolism pathways. Immune infiltration analysis further revealed that RFXANK expression was significantly positively correlated with Th2 and TFH cells, as well as key immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-1, CTLA4, and LAG3, suggesting distinct features of immune polarization and an inhibitory microenvironment. In vitro cellular experiments demonstrated that knocking down RFXANK significantly inhibited the proliferative capacity of HCC cells and reduced RAF1 protein expression. Conclusions: RFXANK may promote HCC progression by driving a multidimensional proliferation–metabolism–immunity mechanism. RFXANK holds promise as a novel biomarker for diagnostic assessment and a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bioinformatics)
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22 pages, 10781 KB  
Article
RBX1+ CAFs Drives Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression Through Tenascin C Overexpression
by Qinwen Zuo, Ziheng Wang, Chengxiao Yang, Binghang Yan, Jiaming Li, Mingkai Cui, Meng Cai, Hongze Chen and Xuewei Bai
Cancers 2026, 18(6), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18061024 - 22 Mar 2026
Viewed by 437
Abstract
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma that actively drives malignant progression. However, the specific contributions of E3 ubiquitin ligases within the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) compartment to the PDAC landscape remain largely elusive. Methods: Pancreatic tissue samples were [...] Read more.
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma that actively drives malignant progression. However, the specific contributions of E3 ubiquitin ligases within the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) compartment to the PDAC landscape remain largely elusive. Methods: Pancreatic tissue samples were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were integrated for cell subtype identification. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis assessed gene expression and survival. Pseudotime analysis and CellChat evaluated fibroblast transitions and intercellular communication. Cell lines were transfected with RBX1 siRNAs, and protein levels were measured by Western blotting. Proliferation was assessed using colony formation and EdU staining. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v4.4) and GraphPad Prism 8.0. Results: Thirteen E3 ubiquitin ligases were significantly upregulated in PDAC and correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Among these, RBX1 was identified as a candidate preferentially expressed in CAF populations and strongly associated with poor prognosis. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling and pseudotime analysis further revealed that RBX1-positive CAFs were predominantly involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and pro-tumorigenic pathways. Functional assays demonstrated that silencing RBX1 markedly inhibited PAAD cell proliferation and tumor growth both in vitro and in xenograft models. Mechanistically, RBX1 was found to upregulate Tenascin C (TNC) expression, while ectopic overexpression of TNC partially rescued the growth suppression induced by RBX1 knockdown. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that RBX1 facilitates PDAC progression through a CAF-related mechanism and TNC regulation, positioning RBX1 as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Cancer Biology)
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13 pages, 37758 KB  
Article
ARHGDIB Modulates Subcutaneous Fat Deposition in Ducks
by Mingyu Wang, Hao Zheng, Xing Chen and Ao Zhou
Animals 2026, 16(6), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16060975 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 229
Abstract
Background: Subcutaneous fat deposition critically impacts duck meat quality and feed efficiency. ARHGDIB, a Rho GTPase regulator implicated in adipogenesis, remains functionally uncharacterized in poultry. Methods: We monitored growth and fat deposition in ducks from 30 to 70 days, performed transcriptomics on [...] Read more.
Background: Subcutaneous fat deposition critically impacts duck meat quality and feed efficiency. ARHGDIB, a Rho GTPase regulator implicated in adipogenesis, remains functionally uncharacterized in poultry. Methods: We monitored growth and fat deposition in ducks from 30 to 70 days, performed transcriptomics on adipose tissue, and established an in vitro duck preadipocyte model to assess ARHGDIB function via siRNA knockdown, Oil Red O staining, and RNA-seq. Results: Fat deposition peaked at 50 days. ARHGDIB expression was lowest in fat and decreased during differentiation. Its knockdown significantly enhanced lipid accumulation, upregulated PPARγ and LPL, and altered the expression of 1681 genes enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, insulin/TLR signaling, and autophagy pathways. Conclusions: ARHGDIB acts as a novel negative regulator of duck subcutaneous adipogenesis by suppressing differentiation and modulating an integrated metabolic-inflammatory network, offering a potential target for precision breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Poultry)
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18 pages, 4211 KB  
Article
Microparticle-Enhanced Cultivation of Shiraia bambusicola GDMCC 60438 Improves HypocrellinA Production via SiO2-Induced Pellet Remodeling and Oxidative Stress
by Xiang Zhang, Qiulin Wei, Yanbo Tang, Fuqiang Yu, Zhenqiang Wu and Xiaofei Tian
Fermentation 2026, 12(3), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12030163 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 763
Abstract
Hypocrellin A (HA) represents a pharmaceutically important perylenequinone photosensitizer produced by Shiraia bambusicola. However, submerged fermentation remains constrained by filamentous morphological characteristics and inherent mass transfer limitations. Although microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) has demonstrated efficacy in filamentous fungal systems, the molecular mechanisms by [...] Read more.
Hypocrellin A (HA) represents a pharmaceutically important perylenequinone photosensitizer produced by Shiraia bambusicola. However, submerged fermentation remains constrained by filamentous morphological characteristics and inherent mass transfer limitations. Although microparticle-enhanced cultivation (MPEC) has demonstrated efficacy in filamentous fungal systems, the molecular mechanisms by which physical cues, such as microparticle-induced shear stress, reprogram fungal metabolism remain largely unexplored. This work systematically optimizes SiO2-based MPEC parameters for S. bambusicola GDMCC 60438, including particle dimensions, temporal addition protocols, and solid loading. Mechanistic investigations integrated pellet morphology analysis, membrane lipid composition, intracellular redox status, energy/precursor markers, and RNA-seq transcriptomic profiling with qRT-PCR validation. Under optimized conditions (10% w/v SiO2, 30 mesh, added at 6 h), HA yield reached 41.76 ± 5.02 mg/L, representing a 3.65-fold increase over controls. MPEC shifted morphology toward smaller, more porous pellets with denser internal structure, accompanied by increased membrane fluidity (unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio from 1.54 to 2.63), elevated ROS levels with antioxidant enzyme activation, and enhanced acetyl-CoA and ATP accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified 206 differentially expressed genes enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, carbon metabolism, and stress responses, with upregulation of PKS-related biosynthetic genes and major facilitator superfamily transporters. This work establishes an integrated mechanistic framework linking particle-induced morphological changes to metabolic reprogramming through oxidative stress and subsequent transcriptional activation of the HA biosynthetic pathway, providing rational design principles for MPEC strategies in filamentous fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research on Fungal Secondary Metabolites, 3rd Edition)
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17 pages, 6283 KB  
Article
Isaridin E Protects Against UVB-Induced Photoaging by Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway and Alleviating Mitochondrial Dysfunction
by Yaosheng Liu, Weizhen Li, Zeen Yang, Hui Long, Sufen Cai, Changjie Sun, Yu Xiong, Yunqi Zhang, Yumei Liu, Guangpu Luo, Senhua Chen and Tie Zhao
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(3), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24030112 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 567
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor to skin photoaging. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a key regulator of developmental processes, can improve mitochondrial abnormalities associated with pathology. Therefore, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway emerges as a key therapeutic target in the context of photoaging. Isaridin [...] Read more.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor to skin photoaging. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a key regulator of developmental processes, can improve mitochondrial abnormalities associated with pathology. Therefore, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway emerges as a key therapeutic target in the context of photoaging. Isaridin E (ISE), a marine-derived natural product with a novel structure, exhibits potent antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activities. We sought to examine the anti-senescence effects of ISE on fibroblasts in photoaged skin. In vitro, ISE improved UVB-induced fibroblast damage in a dose-dependent manner, restoring cell viability, reducing β-galactosidase accumulation, and suppressing SASP factor production. In a photoaging mouse model, ISE markedly decreased skin thickness, increased dermal collagen expression, and reduced SASP levels in skin tissues. ISE significantly improved fibroblast energy production deficits and mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA sequencing and Western blotting demonstrated that UVB irradiation significantly suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity, whereas ISE dose-dependently restored pathway activation. Using GSK-3β-targeted siRNA, we showed that the anti-photoaging effects of ISE are mediated via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. ISE appears to counteract photoaging by enhancing Wnt/β-catenin activity and improving mitochondrial function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Compounds as Cosmetic Ingredients)
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Article
Genome-Wide RNAi Screening Identifies Novel Host Factors Involved in Influenza A Virus Infection in A549 Cells
by Qingchao Zhang, Lifang Zhang, Xinmeng Yang, Wei Wang, Xiliang Wang, Chengyu Jiang, Fengming Huang and Yanli Zhang
Viruses 2026, 18(3), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18030374 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 616
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) remains a major global health threat, and host-directed antivirals may help overcome rapid viral mutation and drug resistance. Here, we performed a genome-wide siRNA screen in A549 cells using cell viability as an integrated endpoint to identify host determinants [...] Read more.
Influenza A virus (IAV) remains a major global health threat, and host-directed antivirals may help overcome rapid viral mutation and drug resistance. Here, we performed a genome-wide siRNA screen in A549 cells using cell viability as an integrated endpoint to identify host determinants of IAV (PR8/H1N1) infection. Using plate-normalized viability ratios, we identified 2134 genes with >40% viability change after infection (2048 UP and 86 DOWN; two-tailed t-test, n = 3; p < 0.05, FDR < 0.1). MetaCore pathway analysis showed enrichment of programs linked to host response and tissue injury control, including RAS-related signaling and multiple metabolic pathways such as estradiol, ubiquinone/mitochondrial redox, and benzo[a]pyrene/xenobiotic metabolism. DAVID Gene Ontology analysis further highlighted biological processes relevant to infection, including endocytosis, transcription, and translation, consistent with host pathways supporting viral replication. Benchmarking against meta-analyzed RNAi and CRISPR resources revealed that shared hits were enriched for translation, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and ER-Golgi trafficking, supporting external validity, whereas the large unique UP fraction was dominated by hormone metabolism, detoxification, and mitochondrial redox/CoQ pathways, consistent with viability-specific, tolerance-associated host response programs. Integrating the screen with DrugBank identified 174 druggable host genes corresponding to 345 candidate compounds. Together, these findings provide a systematic resource of host factors influencing H1N1 infection, improve understanding of influenza virus–host interactions, and offer a foundation for future development of host-directed antiviral strategies and drug repurposing efforts. Full article
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