Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: Involvement of profibrotic macrophages in vascular regeneration after graft implantation in vivo . (a) UMAP of macrophages in native aortas and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . (b) Dot plots of profibrotic macrophage marker genes (Ctsd, Spp1, Gpnmb, Lgals3, and Fabp5) expressed in different subgroups of macrophages. (c) Percentage of cluster 2 (C2) macrophages in native aortas and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . (d) UMAP of expression of Ctsd, Spp1, Gpnmb, Lgals3, and Fabp5 in macrophages in native aortas and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . (e) Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and CTSD in regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo . L indicates lumens. Arrow heads indicate double positively stained cells. (f) WB results of levels of CTSD and SPP1 in native and regenerated aortas across different time points after graft implantation in vivo and quantification of the levels of CTSD and SPP1. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each time point and each group, five different samples from five different animals were analyzed (n = 5).

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: In Vivo, Marker, Expressing, Immunofluorescence, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: APOE KO reducing profibrotic macrophage formation during vascular regeneration. (a) UMAP of macrophages in native aortas from WT and Apoe −/− rats, heatmap of C2 scores in the UMAP of macrophages in the native aortas, and percentage of C2 cells in macrophages in the native aortas. UMAP of macrophages in regenerated aortas after graft implantation in WT and Apoe −/− rats, heatmap of C2 scores in the UMAP of macrophages in the regenerated aortas, and percentage of C2 cells in macrophages in the regenerated aortas on Day 30 (b) and Day 90 (c). (d) Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and CTSD in regenerated aortas 30 and 90 days after graft implantation in WT and Apoe−/− rats. (e) Quantification of CD68 and CTSD double positive cells in regenerated aortas on Day 30 and Day 90. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each time point and each group, five different images from five different samples were analyzed (n = 5). (f) WB results of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in regenerated aortas after graft implantation in WT and Apoe −/− rats for 30 and 90 days. (g) Quantification of levels of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 in regenerated aortas on Day 30 and Day 90. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each time point and each group, five different samples from five different animals were analyzed (n = 5). (h) WB results of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in WT and APOE KO macrophages after their culture on PCL scaffolds for 48 h. (i) Quantification of levels of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 in WT and APOE KO macrophages after their culture on PCL scaffolds for 48 h ∗ indicates p < 0.05, ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, unpaired t -test. For each time point and each group, three different samples were analyzed (n = 3). (j) Immunofluorescence staining of APOE and CD68, CTSD and CD68, SPP1 and CD68, respectively, in WT and APOE KO macrophages after their culture on PCL scaffolds for 48 h.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: Immunofluorescence, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: APOE/LRP1 interaction promoting profibrotic macrophage formation during vascular regeneration after graft implantation in vivo . (a) Immunoprecipitation (IP) following mass spectrometry (MS) to screen potential receptors of APOE on surfaces of macrophages. (b) Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to confirm interaction between APOE and LRP1. (c) Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and LRP1 in regenerated aortas across different time points. (d) Immunofluorescence staining of APOE and LRP1 in WT macrophages 48 h after their culture on PCL scaffolds. (e) WB results of LRP1, APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in WT macrophages cultured on tissue culture plates (negative control, NC) or PCL scaffolds (PCL) for 48 h prior to treatment with shRNA ADV-shRNA(NC) or ADV-shRNA(Lrp1) for 24 h. Quantification of levels of LRP1 (f), APOE (g), CTSD (h) and SPP1 (i) in WT macrophages cultured on tissue culture plates or PCL scaffolds treated with shRNA ADV-shRNA(NC) or ADV-shRNA(Lrp1). ∗ indicates p < 0.05, ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, N.S. indicates non-significant. Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, three different samples were analyzed (n = 3). (j) Flow cytometry analysis of CTSD positive cells in WT macrophages cultured on tissue culture plates (negative control, NC) or PCL scaffolds (PCL) for 48 h prior to treatment with ADV-shRNA(NC) or ADV-shRNA(Lrp1) for 24 h and quantification of percentage of CTSD positive cells in WT macrophages in each group. ∗ indicates p < 0.05, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, three independent experiments were repeated, and results were analyzed (n = 3).

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: In Vivo, Immunoprecipitation, Mass Spectrometry, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Cell Culture, Negative Control, shRNA, Flow Cytometry

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Apolipoprotein E knockout attenuates vascular graft fibrosis by reducing profibrotic macrophage formation through low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.029

Figure Lengend Snippet: Downregulation of APOE by AAV ameliorating fibrosis during vascular regeneration after graft implantation in vivo . (a) Illustration of a strategy of adventitial delivery of AAV-shRNA(Apoe) to inhibit APOE levels in regenerated aortas after graft implantation in vivo . Two weeks after graft implantation in vivo , AAV-shRNA(Apoe) were injected into the adventitia of the regenerated aortas, which were then harvested for analysis three weeks later. (b) M mode images of ultrasound detection of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. Arrow heads indicate movement of vascular walls. (c) Tensile tests of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. (d) Quantification of RI, PI, and compliance of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different images from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (e) Quantification of elastic modulus of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different images from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (f) H&E, MTC and EVG staining of regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. (g) Immunofluorescence staining of COL I, COL III, elastin, αSMA, and eNOS in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. L indicates lumens. Arrow heads indicate capillaries. Quantification of adventitia thickness (h), collagen positive areas according to MTC staining (i), elastin positive areas according to EVG staining (j), COL I positive areas (k), COL III positive areas (l), and number of capillaries (m) in adventitial areas of regenerated aortas. (n) Immunofluorescence staining of CTSD and CD68 in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks. (o) CD68 and CTSD double positive cells in regenerated aortas. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different samples from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (p) WB results of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 levels in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks and quantification of levels of APOE, CTSD and SPP1 in regenerated aortas. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different samples from six different animals were analyzed (n = 6). (q) Quantification of IGF-1 concentrations in regenerated aortas treated with PBS, AAV-shRNA(NC), and AAV-shRNA(Apoe) for 3 weeks by ELISA. ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01, Tukey's post-hoc test. For each group, six different samples from six different animals were analyzed (n = 3).

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used in this study: APOE (Abcam, ab183597, 1:1000 dilution), COL I (abcam, ab270993, 1:1000 dilution), FN (abcam, ab268020, 1:1000 dilution), CTSD (CST, 74089S, 1:1000 dilution), SPP1 (NeoBiotechnologies, 6696-RBM3-P0, 1:1000 dilution), and LRP1 (Invitrogen, PA5-101013, 1:1000 dilution).

Techniques: In Vivo, shRNA, Injection, Staining, Immunofluorescence, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Journal: Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS

Article Title: Disruption of FGL2 induces TFEB-dependent lysosomal degradation of PD-L1 and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

doi: 10.1186/s12964-026-02704-7

Figure Lengend Snippet: FGL2 disruption induced lysosome-dependent degradation of PD-L1. HCC cells with FGL2 overexpression ( A ) or knockdown ( B ) were treated with CHX (25 mmol/L) for the indicated time points and then subjected to WB for quantitation of PD-L1 level. The expression of PD-L1 in MHCC97H cells after treatment with proteasome inhibitor (MG132) ( C ) or lysosomal inhibitors, NH4Cl ( D ) and chloroquine ( E ) was detected by WB. ( F ) Images and quantification of LysoTracker red staining in MHCC97H cells were displayed. Scale bar, 100 μm. ( G ) The protein levels of LAMP1 and CTSD were determined by WB. ( H ) The colocalization between PD-L1 and LAMP1 in MHCC97H cells was detected by immunofluorescence assay. The intensity profiles of PD-L1 and LAMP1 along the white line were plotted on the middle panel. The statistical result of the colocalization factor (Pearson’s R value) was shown on the right panel. Scale bar, 25 μm. Data were presented as mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001, **** P < 0.0001

Article Snippet: Next, membranes were incubated with the following antibodies: FGL2 (1:500) (sc-100276, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), PD-L1 (1:4000) (66248-1-Ig, Proteintech), DDDDK-Tag (1:5000) (AE063, Abclonal), LAMP1 (1:10000) (67300-1-Ig, Proteintech), CTSD (1:10000) (21327-1-AP, Proteintech), TFEB (1:5000) (68632-1-Ig, Proteintech), phospho-TFEB (1:1000) (37681, CST), TFE3 (1:500) (A7936, Abclonal), MITF (1:1000) (13092-1-AP, Proteintech), GAPDH (1:50000) (60004-1-Ig, Proteintech), Histone H3 (1:5000) (17168-1-AP, Proteintech), p70S6K (1:1000) (2708, CST), phospho-p70S6K (1:1000) (9234, CST), 4EBP1 (1:1000) (9644, CST), phospho-4EBP1 (1:1000) (2855, CST), AKT (1:1000) (9272, CST), phospho-AKT (1:1000) (4060, CST), GSK3β(1:1000) (12456, CST), phospho-GSK3β (1:1000) (5558, CST), PKC (1:4000) (12919-1-AP, Proteintech), phospho-PKC (1:1000) (38938, CST), ERK1/2 (1:1000) (16443-1-AP, Proteintech), phospho-p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) (1:2000) (4370, CST), ATG5 (1:2000) (10181-2-AP, Proteintech), ATG7 (1:1000) (10088-2-AP, Proteintech), HRP goat anti-rabbit IgG (1:10000) (A21020, Abbkine) and HRP goat anti-mouse IgG (1:10000) (A21010, Abbkine).

Techniques: Disruption, Over Expression, Knockdown, Quantitation Assay, Expressing, Staining, Immunofluorescence

Journal: Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS

Article Title: Disruption of FGL2 induces TFEB-dependent lysosomal degradation of PD-L1 and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

doi: 10.1186/s12964-026-02704-7

Figure Lengend Snippet: FGL2 disruption promoted the expression of nuclear TFEB. The cytosolic and nuclear distribution of TFEB ( A ) and MITF ( B ) in MHCC97H cells was detected by WB following FGL2 knockdown. Quantification of nuclear TFEB or MITF to Histone-H3 was shown. ( C ) Images and quantification of nuclear TFEB in MHCC97H cells were displayed. Scale bar, 50 μm. The expression levels of TFEB ( D ) and MITF ( E ) were determined by WB in mouse liver cancer tissues ( n = 6). The transcriptional levels of Lamp1, Atp6v0d2 , Ctns and Ctsb were detected by qPCR in mouse liver cancer tissues ( F ) and MHCC97H cells ( G ). TFEB siRNA or control siRNA was transfected to MHCC97H cells pretreated with FGL2 shRNA or control shRNA. The protein levels of LAMP1, CTSD ( H ), and PD-L1 ( I ) were determined by WB. The relative quantification of LAMP1, CTSD or PD-L1 to GAPDH was shown. ( J ) The expression of TFEB in an HCC tissue microarray was detected by mIHC. Representative images were shown. Scale bar, 20 μm. Kaplan-Meier analysis of the progression-free survival ( K ) and overall survival ( L ) of HCC patients based on nuclear TFEB expression ( n = 85). Data were presented as mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001

Article Snippet: Next, membranes were incubated with the following antibodies: FGL2 (1:500) (sc-100276, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), PD-L1 (1:4000) (66248-1-Ig, Proteintech), DDDDK-Tag (1:5000) (AE063, Abclonal), LAMP1 (1:10000) (67300-1-Ig, Proteintech), CTSD (1:10000) (21327-1-AP, Proteintech), TFEB (1:5000) (68632-1-Ig, Proteintech), phospho-TFEB (1:1000) (37681, CST), TFE3 (1:500) (A7936, Abclonal), MITF (1:1000) (13092-1-AP, Proteintech), GAPDH (1:50000) (60004-1-Ig, Proteintech), Histone H3 (1:5000) (17168-1-AP, Proteintech), p70S6K (1:1000) (2708, CST), phospho-p70S6K (1:1000) (9234, CST), 4EBP1 (1:1000) (9644, CST), phospho-4EBP1 (1:1000) (2855, CST), AKT (1:1000) (9272, CST), phospho-AKT (1:1000) (4060, CST), GSK3β(1:1000) (12456, CST), phospho-GSK3β (1:1000) (5558, CST), PKC (1:4000) (12919-1-AP, Proteintech), phospho-PKC (1:1000) (38938, CST), ERK1/2 (1:1000) (16443-1-AP, Proteintech), phospho-p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) (1:2000) (4370, CST), ATG5 (1:2000) (10181-2-AP, Proteintech), ATG7 (1:1000) (10088-2-AP, Proteintech), HRP goat anti-rabbit IgG (1:10000) (A21020, Abbkine) and HRP goat anti-mouse IgG (1:10000) (A21010, Abbkine).

Techniques: Disruption, Expressing, Knockdown, Control, Transfection, shRNA, Quantitative Proteomics, Microarray