Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024111
This study investigates the role of lactate in the genesis and progression of ovarian cancer (OV) and explores the underlying mechanisms. Serum lactate levels show a positive correlation with tumor grade and poor prognosis in patients with OV. Bioinformatics analysis identifies CCL18 as a lactate-related gene in OV. CCL18 is up-regulated in cancerous tissues and positively related to serum lactate levels in OV patients. THP-1 cells are exposed to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate for M0 macrophage induction. The results of RT-qPCR and ELISA for M1/M2 macrophage-related markers and inflammatory cytokines show that the exposure of lactate to macrophages induces M2 polarization. Based on the coculture of OV cells with macrophages, lactate-treated macrophages induces a significant increase in the proliferation and migration of OV cells. However, these effects can be reversed by silencing of Gpr132 in macrophages or treatment with anti-CCL18 antibody. Experiments using the xenograft model verify that the oncogenic role of lactate in tumor growth and metastasis relies on Gpr132 and CCL18. ChIP-qPCR and luciferase reporter assays reveal that lactate regulates CCL18 expression via H3K18 lactylation. In conclusion, lactate is a potential therapeutic target for OV. It is involved in tumorigenesis by activating CCL18 expression via H3K18 lactylation in macrophages.
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs•2026•DOI: 10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2026.16.20261608
Gambogic acid (GA) exhibits potent anticancer activity but suffers from poor aqueous solubility, rapid systemic clearance, and lack of tumor selectivity. This study designed a folic acid-modified gambogic acid nanocrystals-phospholipid composite drug delivery system (GA-NCs@PL-FA) to enhance targeted delivery. GA-NCs were prepared via CO2-assisted precipitation, followed by thin-film hydration to construct GA-NCs@PL-FA. Central composite design-response surface methodology optimized the formulation. The optimized system displayed spherical morphology with a particle size of 183.07 ± 0.55 nm, zeta potential of −17.70 ± 0.17 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 84.64 ± 0.57%, and drug loading of 4.33 ± 0.07%. Stability tests showed no significant changes after 7 days at 4°C and 25°C. In vitro release in pH 7.4 and 6.5 PBS (0.5% Tween 80) demonstrated sustained release. CCK-8 and scratch assays on HepG2 cells revealed that GA-NCs@PL-FA exhibited stronger inhibition of proliferation and migration compared to free GA, GA-NCs, and GA-NCs@PL, with an IC50 of 0.50 μg/mL. UPLC-MS/MS tissue distribution in tumor-bearing nude mice confirmed prolonged systemic retention and enhanced tumor accumulation. The findings indicate that GA-NCs@PL-FA integrates sustained release, active targeting, and improved antitumor efficacy, offering a viable strategy for the targeted delivery of poorly soluble gambogic acid.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21410
BACKGROUND: The anatomical morphology of the distal femur and proximal tibia has an important influence on the movement of the tibiofemoral joint, and its role in anterior cruciate ligament injury has been well described. However, the research on the anatomical risk factors of posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture is still limited, and no unified consensus has been formed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical risk factors for posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture. METHODS: The medical records of 53 patients who underwent surgical treatment for posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture from March 2021 to September 2024 were retrospectively collected as the posterior cruciate ligament avulsion group (32 males and 21 females), and the data of 53 subjects without posterior cruciate ligament injury in the same period were included as the posterior cruciate ligament normal group (24 males and 29 females). The intercondylar notch width, femoral condyle width, intercondylar notch width index, intercondylar notch height, intercondylar notch shape index, intercondylar notch angle, Blumensaat's line inclination angle, medial tibial posterior slope, and lateral tibial posterior slope were measured and calculated in Magnetic Resonance Imaging to analyze the differences in the anatomical data of the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors and to establish a risk factor model by receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The intercondylar notch width index, intercondylar notch shape index, intercondylar notch angle, and medial tibial posterior slope in the posterior cruciate ligament avulsion group were significantly smaller than those in the posterior cruciate ligament normal group (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in intercondylar notch width, femoral condyle width, intercondylar notch height, Blumensaat's line inclination angle, and lateral tibial posterior slope between the two groups (P > 0.05). (2) Binary logistic regression found that intercondylar notch width index was associated with posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture. (3) It is suggested that compared with those with normal posterior cruciate ligament, patients with posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture have smaller intercondylar notch width index, intercondylar notch shape index, intercondylar notch angle, and medial tibial posterior slope; intercondylar notch width index is an independent risk factor for posterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21597
BACKGROUND: The key consumable item in stirred-tank bioreactors is non-porous microcarriers, which are suitable for adherent cell culture and play a significant role in the fabrication of viruses, recombinant proteins, and stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the material selection and manufacturing methods of non-porous microcarriers based on the favorable conditions for cell-microcarrier adhesion. METHODS: A computerized search of CNKI, PubMed, and Web of Science databases was performed with the search terms “cell cultivation, adherent cells, microcarrier, fibronectin, bioreactor, microsphere preparation” in Chinese and “cell adhesion, microcarrier, bioreactor, dextran, cell-matrix interaction, suspension culture” in English. The search time limit was from 1967 to 2025. After screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 articles were finally included for summary analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Non-porous microcarriers are suitable for adherent cell culture at a density of 109-1010 cells/L. Due to the requirements for cell adhesion, non-porous microcarriers need to provide appropriate surface positive charge or integrin binding sites. Dextran, polystyrene, and collagen-based non-porous microcarriers have been commercialized and can widely support large-scale culture of various cells. Chitosan and cellulose-based non-porous microcarriers have been reported for large-scale cell culture, but these new materials have not been commercialized. Dextran and polystyrene microcarriers have been commercialized for a long time, with preparation methods of crosslinking and polymerization, respectively, and mature preparation technology. Collagen and cellulose microcarriers are mostly prepared by crosslinking, while chitosan microcarriers can be prepared by crosslinking and phase inversion.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026127
Monocyte-derived macrophages (mo-macs) are central regulators of innate immunity and are essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis and host defense. Their functional efficacy relies on precisely coordinated transendothelial migration (TEM) and phenotypic polarization into classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. This review delineates how cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), including integrins, selectins, the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF), and cadherins, act as pivotal sensors that orchestrate these spatiotemporal dynamics. CAMs facilitate the multi-step TEM of mo-macs and trigger intracellular signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), to dictate macrophage plasticity in response to inflammation and the tumor microenvironment (TME). We highlight the dual role of CAMs in driving the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cancer while also exploring their potential in bioengineering for regenerative medicine. Elucidating these CAM-dependent regulatory networks not only helps to explain the intrinsic mechanisms underlying immune regulation but also provides a theoretical framework for designing next-generation targeted immunotherapies and personalized clinical interventions for inflammatory diseases and malignancies.