子宫浆液性癌的分子学特征及靶向治疗研究进展

子宫浆液性癌（uterine serous carcinoma,USC）是一种特殊类型的子宫内膜癌。有别于常见的子宫内膜样腺癌,USC较为少见,且恶性程度高,侵袭转移风险高,临床上预后较差。随着子宫内膜癌分子学研究的不断深入,分子学特征被应用于子宫内膜癌的病理分型诊断、治疗和预后评价中。研究发现USC中存在多种基因的突变,这些相关基因的突变对该病的诊断和预后具有重要的指导意义。同时,特异性的分子学改变为USC的靶向治疗提供了潜在的治疗靶点。目前,多种靶向治疗手段包括人表皮生长因子受体2（human epidermal growth factor receptor 2,HER2）抑制剂、免疫检查点抑制剂、抗血管生成治疗、磷脂酰肌醇3激酶（phosphoinositide 3-kinases,PI3K）通路抑制剂和多腺苷二磷酸核糖聚合酶[poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase,PARP]抑制剂等被应用于USC的临床治疗研究中,针对性的靶向治疗有望成为USC治疗的新突破。     

A prognostic signature based on immune-related genes for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) is the fourth commonest female malignancy worldwide. CESC progresses in immune-microenvironment mainly composed of infiltrating immune and stromal cells. Here, we performed an integrated analysis incorporating the expression profiles from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and scores of immune and stromal cells calculated by Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumours using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. A two-gene signature (CD1C and CD6 genes) was established to predict the prognosis of CESC. Based on this signature, patients were divided into the high- and low-risk groups, and this signature showed good prognostic performance according to the results of Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in train set and two validation sets. A nomogram was built for evaluating the clinical applicability of this signature. In addition, based on Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database, 2 hub genes showed negative correlations with tumor purity and positive correlations with infiltrating levels of immune filtrating cells. What’s more, we propose new treatment strategies for the two prognostic subtypes. Low- risk patients were found presenting with a higher level of immune checkpoint molecules and showing higher immunogenicity in immunophenoscore (IPS) analysis, which indicated a better response for immunotherapy. Meanwhile, estimated by Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database, the high-risk patients showed sensitive responses to five chemotherapy drugs. Finally, 10 candidate small-molecule drugs for CESC were defined. In summary, the CD1C-CD6 signature can accurately predict the prognosis of CESC.     

Identification of key genes and pathways in discoid lupus skin via bioinformatics analysis

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common skin manifestation of lupus; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DLE remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in discoid lupus skin and investigate their potential pathways.To identify candidate genes involved in the occurrence and development of the disease, we downloaded the microarray datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE52471","term_id":"52471"}}GSE52471 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE72535","term_id":"72535"}}GSE72535 from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). DEGs between discoid lupus skin and normal controls were selected using the GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/). The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Enrichr, and Cytoscape ClueGo were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome pathways and gene ontology. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were further assessed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes version 10.0.Seventy three DEGs were co-expressed in both datasets. DEGs were predominantly upregulated in receptor signaling pathways of the immune response. In the PPI network, 69 upregulated genes were selected. Furthermore, 4 genes (CXCL10, ISG15, IFIH1, and IRF7) were found to be significantly upregulated in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, from analysis of Enrichr and Cytoscape ClueGo.The results of this study may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of DLE. However, further experimentation is required to confirm these findings.     

葡萄糖激酶W257R突变致青少年发病的成人型糖尿病一家系分析

青少年发病的成人型糖尿病（MODY）是一类以常染色体显性模式遗传的单基因疾病，临床表现以无症状、轻度空腹血糖升高为特征，很少出现糖尿病并发症。本文报道一例中国人群中葡萄糖激酶（GCK）基因新发W257R突变所致的MODY。在先证者及父亲、弟弟中均发现GCK基因（Chr744187343）第7号外显子的杂合突变c.769T>C（p.W257R）。该家系中W257R突变在中国人群中为首发。     

Interstitial lung diseases in children

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children (chILD) is a heterogeneous group of rare respiratory disorders that are mostly chronic and associated with high morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of the various chILD is complex and the diseases share common features of inflammatory and fibrotic changes of the lung parenchyma that impair gas exchanges. The etiologies of chILD are numerous. In this review, we chose to classify them as ILD related to exposure/environment insults, ILD related to systemic and immunological diseases, ILD related to primary lung parenchyma dysfunctions and ILD specific to infancy. A growing part of the etiologic spectrum of chILD is being attributed to molecular defects. Currently, the main genetic mutations associated with chILD are identified in the surfactant genes SFTPA1, SFTPA2, SFTPB, SFTPC, ABCA3 and NKX2-1. Other genetic contributors include mutations in MARS, CSF2RA and CSF2RB in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and mutations in TMEM173 and COPA in specific auto-inflammatory forms of chILD. However, only few genotype-phenotype correlations could be identified so far. Herein, information is provided about the clinical presentation and the diagnosis approach of chILD. Despite improvements in patient management, the therapeutic strategies are still relying mostly on corticosteroids although specific therapies are emerging. Larger longitudinal cohorts of patients are being gathered through ongoing international collaborations to improve disease knowledge and targeted therapies. Thus, it is expected that children with ILD will be able to reach the adulthood transition in a better condition.     

强直性脊柱炎异位骨化机制研究进展

强直性脊柱炎是一种发病机制不明的慢性炎性脊柱关节病,主要侵犯骶髂关节、脊柱关节等,严重者可发生脊柱、关节的畸形和强直。临床表现为炎性腰背痛,夜间及休息后加重,活动后减轻。该病发病率男性高于女性,且男性主要表现为中轴关节改变,而女性大多首发于外周关节。目前生物制剂肿瘤坏死因子抑制剂通过控制炎症,从而改善病情发展,被认为是最前沿的药物,但其在阻断新骨形成方面尚未经循证医学证实有效。本文着眼于新骨形成角度,从基因及细胞因子层面探讨强直性脊柱炎的病因。目前相关研究发现LRP5、ANTXR2、PTGER4、ANKH等基因的异常表达激活骨形成信号通路,在多种细胞因子及相关蛋白(如Noggin蛋白、DKK、转化生长因子-β、骨形态发生蛋白、碳酸酐酶1等)直接或间接作用下将骨形成信号传至靶细胞表面,进而传入细胞核,改变靶细胞正常生理代谢过程,导致过度骨形成,造成异位骨化。近年的临床影像学病例分析也提示了骨赘形成的分布特点,进而推断机械应力是促进其形成的外部因素。本文对强直性脊柱炎异位骨化方面进行了文献综述,以期待能进一步加深对本病的认识,为临床治疗研究提供新的思路。     

Bioinformatic identification of key candidate genes and pathways in axon regeneration after spinal cord injury in zebrafish

Zebrafish and human genomes are highly homologous;however,despite this genomic similarity,adult zebrafish can achieve neuronal proliferation,regeneration and functional restoration within 6–8 weeks after spinal cord injury,whereas humans cannot.To analyze differentially expressed zebrafish genes between axon-regenerated neurons and axon-non-regenerated neurons after spinal cord injury,and to explore the key genes and pathways of axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury,microarray GSE56842 was analyzed using the online tool,GEO2R,in the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Gene ontology and protein-protein interaction networks were used to analyze the identified differentially expressed genes.Finally,we screened for genes and pathways that may play a role in spinal cord injury repair in zebrafish and mammals.A total of 636 differentially expressed genes were obtained,including 255 up-regulated and 381 down-regulated differentially expressed genes in axon-regenerated neurons.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment results were also obtained.A protein-protein interaction network contained 480 node genes and 1976 node connections.We also obtained the 10 hub genes with the highest correlation and the two modules with the highest score.The results showed that spectrin may promote axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Transforming growth factor beta signaling may inhibit repair after spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Focal adhesion or tight junctions may play an important role in the migration and proliferation of some cells,such as Schwann cells or neural progenitor cells,after spinal cord injury in zebrafish.Bioinformatic analysis identified key candidate genes and pathways in axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury in zebrafish,providing targets for treatment of spinal cord injury in mammals.     

纯合型家族性高胆固醇血症家系基因型与表型分析

目的对1个纯合型家族性高胆固醇血症(HoFH)家系进行遗传学分析.方法前瞻性研究.选择西安市儿童医院心内科2018年10月确诊的1个HoFH家系先证者及家系成员共20人为研究对象,收集临床资料,提取基因组DNA,对先证者进行全外显子靶向捕获二代测序,并在家系内进行Sanger测序验证.对家系成员杂合突变携带者和未携带者的基因型与表型进行分析.结果先证者为7岁10月龄男性患儿,生后尾骨处皮肤可见圆形绿豆大小黄色皮肤突起,3~4岁起双侧肘关节、膝关节及跟腱处皮肤逐渐出现直径0.5~1.5 cm的黄色瘤样结节,患儿身高、体重、智力发育与同龄儿相同.家族其他成员无类似皮肤黄瘤.患儿总胆固醇(TC)18.16~21.24 mmol/L,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)14.08~15.51 mmol/L,颈部超声提示双侧颈动脉及椎动脉弥漫性硬化斑块,心脏彩超提示主动脉瓣增厚、钙化.基因检测确定了先证者LDLR基因携带c.418G>A(p.E140K)纯合突变,分别遗传自患儿父母,二人为近亲结婚,均携带LDLR-E140K基因杂合突变.家系中携带LDLR-E140K基因杂合突变成员TC、LDL-C和载脂蛋白B分别为(8.40±0.13)、(6.79±0.01)、(1.95±0.05)mmol/L,明显高于未携带者[(4.59±0.28)、(3.35±0.39)、(0.86±0.10)mmol/L,t=7.269、4.595、6.311,P均<0.05].结论LDLR-E140K基因纯合突变致儿童HoFH,携带纯合突变的先证者临床表型最严重,携带杂合突变的家系成员均有高胆固醇血症表型,LDLR-E 140K是家族性高胆固醇血症的致病性变异.     

In silico repurposing the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 for treating PTTG1-high expressing clear cell renal carcinoma

The pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1), also known as Securin, is considered an oncogene. This study aimed to investigate the role of PTTG1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) using in silico bioinformatics approaches. A pan-cancer analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data indicated that among all cancer types copy number amplification of PTTG1 gene was most frequently found in ccRCC. However, amplification of PTTG1 gene copy number did not correlate with the increase of mRNA level in ccRCC, and did not predict the patients' overall survival. Instead, ccRCC was correlated with overexpression of PTTG1 mRNA, and its expression level was stage-dependent increased in cancer patients. An outlier analysis using the Oncomine database suggested that PTTG1 mRNA expression served as a good biomarker for ccRCC. Pathway analysis for upregulated genes enriched in PTTG1-high expressing ccRCC patients found that PTTG1 overexpression was associated with mitotic defects. Mining drug sensitivity data using the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal (CTRP) discovered that PTTG1-high expressing ccRCC cell lines were susceptible to a Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) inhibitor NSC23766. Therefore, this study provides an in silico insight into the role of PTTG1 in ccRCC, and repurposes the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 for treating PTTG1-high expressing ccRCC.