Journal: Journal of Sport and Health Science

Article Title: Exercise training-induced extracellular miR-136-3p modulates glucose uptake and myogenesis through targeting of NRDC in human skeletal muscle

doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101091

Figure Lengend Snippet: NRDC is a direct target of miR-136-3p in human myotubes. Skeletal muscle NRDC mRNA is responsive to training and inactivity. (A) Tissue mRNA expression of NRDC from the Human Protein Atlas database showing enriched expression of NRDC in human skeletal muscle. (B) The miR-136-3p target site in the NRDC gene is highly conserved in mammals. (C) Luciferase activity in HEK293 cells co-transfected the NRDC 3’UTR and miR-136-3p with or without anti-miR136-3p inhibitors. miR-136-3p transfection downregulates NRDC (D) mRNA and (E) representative image of protein abundance in human myotubes. (F) Publicly available data ( GSE14413 ) showing NRDC mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle of healthy young participants after 6 weeks of endurance training ( n = 8). (G) Publicly available data ( GSE120862 ) showing NRDC mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle of healthy young participants after 2 months of aerobic training ( n = 10). (H) Publicly available data ( GSE14901 ) showing NRDC mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle of healthy young participants after 14 days of immobilization ( n = 24). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.005. GSE = gene set enrichment; HEK293 = human embryonic kidney; miR = microRNA; NC = negative control; NRDC = nardilysin convertase; nTPM = normalized transcripts per million; si NRDC = small interfering RNA of NRDC ; UTR = untranslated region.

Article Snippet: MiR-136-3p was labeled with Cy3 using Silencer small interfering RNA (siRNA) Labeling Kit with Cy3 Dye (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and loaded into exosome-enriched EVs with Exo-Fect siRNA/miRNA Transfection Reagent (System Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA, USA).

Techniques: Expressing, Luciferase, Activity Assay, Transfection, Quantitative Proteomics, Negative Control, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Journal of Sport and Health Science

Article Title: Exercise training-induced extracellular miR-136-3p modulates glucose uptake and myogenesis through targeting of NRDC in human skeletal muscle

doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2025.101091

Figure Lengend Snippet: Cellular metabolism in human myotubes after miR-136-3p transfection or NRDC silencing. Mitochondrial respiration in miR-136-3p-transfected or NRDC- silenced human myotubes was monitored using the Mitochondrial Stress Test. (A) OCR and (B) ECAR were measured using the Seahorse XFe24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. The trace shows representative data. (C) Quantification of the mitochondrial respiration data for basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production, and spare respiratory capacity obtained from 3 independent experiments. Human myotubes were transfected with miR-136-3p or siRNA against NRDC before determination of (D) uptake of radiolabeled glucose, (E) rates of radiolabeled glucose oxidation, (F) conversion of radiolabeled glucose into glycogen, (G) rate of radiolabeled palmitic acid oxidation, (H) protein synthesis as assessed by incorporation of puromycin, and (I) lactate release into the media. Results are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.005 vs. control cells. ECAR = extracellular acidification rate; FCCP = carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone; miR = microRNA; NC = negative control; NRDC = nardilysin convertase; ns = no significance; OCR = oxygen consumption rate; OigoA = oligomycin A; Rot/AA = rotenone and antimycin A; si NRDC = small interfering RNA of NRDC; siRNA = small interfering RNA; scr = negative control for small interfering RNA.

Article Snippet: MiR-136-3p was labeled with Cy3 using Silencer small interfering RNA (siRNA) Labeling Kit with Cy3 Dye (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and loaded into exosome-enriched EVs with Exo-Fect siRNA/miRNA Transfection Reagent (System Biosciences, Palo Alto, CA, USA).

Techniques: Transfection, Control, Negative Control, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Article Title: CDX2-UPK1B-PIK3IP1-PI3K/AKT signaling axis regulates gastric cancer cell invasion and migration and influences patient prognosis

doi: 10.3892/etm.2026.13179

Figure Lengend Snippet: UPK1B activates PI3K/AKT signaling by antagonizing the inhibitory regulator PIK3IP1 in gastric cancer cells. (A) Venn diagram showing that PIK3IP1 was identified as a putative UPK1B-interacting partner based on BioGRID and HIPPIE protein-protein interaction databases. (B) UPK1B and PIK3IP1 co-localized in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of MKN45 cells. (C) Interaction between UPK1B and PIK3IP1 in MKN45 cells. (D) Knockdown of PIK3IP1 in MKN45 cells. (E) Silencing PIK3IP1 in UPK1B-knockdown MKN45 cells restored PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Knockdown of PIK3IP1 reversed the decrease in (F) migration/invasion and (G) wound-healing capacity in UPK1B-silenced MKN45 cells. UPK1B, uroplakin 1B; p-, phosphorylated; si, small interfering RNA; sh, short hairpin RNA; NC, negative control; PIK3IP1, PI3K inhibitor interacting protein 1; HIPPIE, Human Integrated Protein-Protein Interaction Reference; IP, immunoprecipitation.

Article Snippet: Cells were also transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting CDX2 or PIK3IP1 , with a universal non-targeting scrambled siRNA (si-NC) as the negative control , obtained from GeneChem, Inc. For UPK1B and CDX2 overexpression, the p-TSB-CMV-UPK1B and p-TSB-CMV-CDX2 expression vectors [Shanghai Genomeditech Co., Ltd.] and the corresponding empty p-TSB-CMV vector (negative control) were used.

Techniques: Clinical Proteomics, Membrane, Knockdown, Activation Assay, Migration, Small Interfering RNA, shRNA, Negative Control, Immunoprecipitation

Journal: Oncology Letters

Article Title: LINC00184 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter and PI3K/AKT pathway activation

doi: 10.3892/ol.2026.15628

Figure Lengend Snippet: LINC00184 regulates NDRG2 expression through DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter. (A) Expression level of LINC00184 in KYSE-150 cells following treatment with siRNA targeting LINC00184 (n=3). (B) Expression level of LINC00184 in TE-1 cells following treatment with siRNA targeting LINC00184 (n=3). (C) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in KYSE-150 cells detected via MSP assay after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184. (D) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in TE-1 cells detected via MSP assay after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184. (E) Enrichment of DNMT1 at the NDRG2 promoter region detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and quantified using RT-qPCR in KYSE-150 cells with overexpression or silencing of LINC00184 (n=3). (F) Enrichment of LINC00184 bound to DNMT1 detected by RNA immunoprecipitation assay and quantified using RT-qPCR in KYSE-150 cells after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184 (n=3). (G) Enrichment of LINC00184 bound to DNMT1 detected by RNA immunoprecipitation assay and quantified using RT-qPCR in TE-1 cells after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184 (n=3). (H) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in KYSE-150 cells measured by MSP assay following LINC00184 overexpression combined with 5-AZA treatment. (I) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in TE-1 cells measured by MSP assay following LINC00184 overexpression combined with 5-AZA treatment. (J) Western blotting analysis of NDRG2 protein expression in KYSE-150 cells after LINC00184 overexpression and 5-AZA intervention. (K) Quantitative analysis of NDRG2 protein grayscale values obtained from the western blotting results in (J) (n=3). (L) Western blotting analysis of NDRG2 protein expression in TE-150 cells after LINC00184 overexpression and 5-AZA intervention. (M) Quantitative analysis of NDRG2 protein grayscale values obtained from the western blotting results in (L) (n=3). (N) Western blotting detection of NDRG2 protein levels under control conditions, single overexpression of LINC00184, and combined treatment with OE-LINC00184 + si-DNMT1. (O) RT-qPCR detection of relative DNMT1 mRNA levels in control cells and LINC00184-overexpressing cells (n=6). (P) Western blotting analysis of total DNMT1 protein levels in control cells and LINC00184-overexpressing cells; GAPDH was used as the loading control (n=3). Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=3). Comparisons between two groups were performed using the unpaired Student's t-test. Comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance is indicated as *P<0.05 and ***P<0.001. OE, overexpression; NC, negative control; NDRG2, N-Myc downstream regulated gene; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; si/siRNA, small interfering RNA; lnc/lncRNA, long non-coding RNA; 5-AZA, 5-azacytidine; MSP, methylation-specific PCR. M, methylation; U, unmethylation.

Article Snippet: The detection of knockdown efficiency by RT-qPCR adopted the identical reagent system, thermal cycling parameters and calculation method as aforementioned in the RT-qPCR section. siRNA #2, which produced the highest knock-down (>70% reduction) was selected for all subsequent loss-of-function assays. siRNA duplexes specifically targeting mouse DNMT1 transcript: Sense (S), 5′-GCUGGGAGAUGGCGUCAUA-3′; antisense (AS), 5′-CAGGGAGAUACCGCAGUAU-3′; or a random non-coding mRNA sequence: S, 5′-UUCUCCGAACGUGUCACGUTT-3′; AS, 5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′ were synthesized and reconstituted in 1X siRNA buffer (Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd.).

Techniques: Expressing, Methylation, MSP Assay, Over Expression, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, Quantitative RT-PCR, RNA Immunoprecipitation, Western Blot, Control, Negative Control, Reverse Transcription, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Oncology Letters

Article Title: LINC00184 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter and PI3K/AKT pathway activation

doi: 10.3892/ol.2026.15628

Figure Lengend Snippet: Inhibition of DNMT1 abrogates LINC00184-induced PI3K/AKT pathway activation and functional phenotypes. (A) Western blotting analysis showing the protein expression level of pAKT, AKT, pPI3K and PI3K in KYSE-150 cells following overexpression of LINC00184 and treatment with 5-AZA. (B) Quantitative analysis of the pAKT/AKT protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (A). (C) Quantitative analysis of the pPI3K/PI3K protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (A). (D) Western blotting analysis showing the protein expression level of pAKT, AKT, pPI3K and PI3K in TE-1 cells following overexpression of LINC00184 and treatment with 5-AZA. (E) Quantitative analysis of the pAKT/AKT protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (D). (F) Quantitative analysis of the pPI3K/PI3K protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (D). (G) Western blotting analysis of p-AKT and total AKT levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells under the following conditions: Control, OE-LINC00184 and OE-LINC00184 + si-DNMT1. (H) Quantitative analysis of the pAKT/AKT protein expression level corresponding to the immunoblots presented in (G). Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=3). Comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance is indicated as *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001. OE, overexpression; NC, negative control; NDRG2, N-Myc downstream regulated gene; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; si/siRNA, small interfering RNA; 5-AZA, 5-azacytidine.

Article Snippet: The detection of knockdown efficiency by RT-qPCR adopted the identical reagent system, thermal cycling parameters and calculation method as aforementioned in the RT-qPCR section. siRNA #2, which produced the highest knock-down (>70% reduction) was selected for all subsequent loss-of-function assays. siRNA duplexes specifically targeting mouse DNMT1 transcript: Sense (S), 5′-GCUGGGAGAUGGCGUCAUA-3′; antisense (AS), 5′-CAGGGAGAUACCGCAGUAU-3′; or a random non-coding mRNA sequence: S, 5′-UUCUCCGAACGUGUCACGUTT-3′; AS, 5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′ were synthesized and reconstituted in 1X siRNA buffer (Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd.).

Techniques: Inhibition, Activation Assay, Functional Assay, Western Blot, Expressing, Over Expression, Derivative Assay, Control, Negative Control, Quantitative RT-PCR, Reverse Transcription, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Oncology Letters

Article Title: LINC00184 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter and PI3K/AKT pathway activation

doi: 10.3892/ol.2026.15628

Figure Lengend Snippet: DNMT1 inhibition reverses LINC00184-induced malignant phenotypes in ESCC cells. (A) Cell viability of KYSE-150 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA (n=3). (B) Representative images of migrated KYSE-150 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (C) Representative flow cytometry dot plots showing the apoptosis rate of KYSE-150 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (D) Statistical counting of migrated KYSE-150 cells corresponding to (B) (n=3). (E) Quantitative analysis of the apoptosis rate of KYSE-150 cells corresponding to (C) (n=3). (F) Cell viability of TE-1 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA (n=3). (G) Representative images of migrated TE-1 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (H) Representative flow cytometry dot plots showing the apoptosis rate of TE-1 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (I) Statistical counting of migrated TE-1 cells corresponding to (G) (n=3). (J) Quantitative analysis of the apoptosis rate of TE-1 cells corresponding to (H) (n=3). (K) Cell viability detected via Cell Counting Kit-8 assay in ESCC cells under the conditions of control, OE-LINC00184 and OE-LINC00184 + si-DNMT1. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=3), Comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance is indicated as *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001. OE, overexpression; NC, negative control; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; si/siRNA, small interfering RNA; 5-AZA, 5-azacytidine; ESCC, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Article Snippet: The detection of knockdown efficiency by RT-qPCR adopted the identical reagent system, thermal cycling parameters and calculation method as aforementioned in the RT-qPCR section. siRNA #2, which produced the highest knock-down (>70% reduction) was selected for all subsequent loss-of-function assays. siRNA duplexes specifically targeting mouse DNMT1 transcript: Sense (S), 5′-GCUGGGAGAUGGCGUCAUA-3′; antisense (AS), 5′-CAGGGAGAUACCGCAGUAU-3′; or a random non-coding mRNA sequence: S, 5′-UUCUCCGAACGUGUCACGUTT-3′; AS, 5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′ were synthesized and reconstituted in 1X siRNA buffer (Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd.).

Techniques: Inhibition, Over Expression, Flow Cytometry, Cell Counting, Control, Negative Control, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Oncology Letters

Article Title: LINC00184 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter and PI3K/AKT pathway activation

doi: 10.3892/ol.2026.15628

Figure Lengend Snippet: LINC00184 regulates NDRG2 expression through DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter. (A) Expression level of LINC00184 in KYSE-150 cells following treatment with siRNA targeting LINC00184 (n=3). (B) Expression level of LINC00184 in TE-1 cells following treatment with siRNA targeting LINC00184 (n=3). (C) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in KYSE-150 cells detected via MSP assay after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184. (D) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in TE-1 cells detected via MSP assay after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184. (E) Enrichment of DNMT1 at the NDRG2 promoter region detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and quantified using RT-qPCR in KYSE-150 cells with overexpression or silencing of LINC00184 (n=3). (F) Enrichment of LINC00184 bound to DNMT1 detected by RNA immunoprecipitation assay and quantified using RT-qPCR in KYSE-150 cells after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184 (n=3). (G) Enrichment of LINC00184 bound to DNMT1 detected by RNA immunoprecipitation assay and quantified using RT-qPCR in TE-1 cells after overexpression or silencing of LINC00184 (n=3). (H) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in KYSE-150 cells measured by MSP assay following LINC00184 overexpression combined with 5-AZA treatment. (I) Methylation level of the NDRG2 promoter in TE-1 cells measured by MSP assay following LINC00184 overexpression combined with 5-AZA treatment. (J) Western blotting analysis of NDRG2 protein expression in KYSE-150 cells after LINC00184 overexpression and 5-AZA intervention. (K) Quantitative analysis of NDRG2 protein grayscale values obtained from the western blotting results in (J) (n=3). (L) Western blotting analysis of NDRG2 protein expression in TE-150 cells after LINC00184 overexpression and 5-AZA intervention. (M) Quantitative analysis of NDRG2 protein grayscale values obtained from the western blotting results in (L) (n=3). (N) Western blotting detection of NDRG2 protein levels under control conditions, single overexpression of LINC00184, and combined treatment with OE-LINC00184 + si-DNMT1. (O) RT-qPCR detection of relative DNMT1 mRNA levels in control cells and LINC00184-overexpressing cells (n=6). (P) Western blotting analysis of total DNMT1 protein levels in control cells and LINC00184-overexpressing cells; GAPDH was used as the loading control (n=3). Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=3). Comparisons between two groups were performed using the unpaired Student's t-test. Comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance is indicated as *P<0.05 and ***P<0.001. OE, overexpression; NC, negative control; NDRG2, N-Myc downstream regulated gene; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; si/siRNA, small interfering RNA; lnc/lncRNA, long non-coding RNA; 5-AZA, 5-azacytidine; MSP, methylation-specific PCR. M, methylation; U, unmethylation.

Article Snippet: In total, three siRNA duplexes targeting distinct regions of LINC00184 (sequences listed in ) were chemically synthesized by Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd. KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells were transfected in 6-well plates using Lipofectamine ® RNAiMAX (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.).

Techniques: Expressing, Methylation, MSP Assay, Over Expression, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, Quantitative RT-PCR, RNA Immunoprecipitation, Western Blot, Control, Negative Control, Reverse Transcription, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Oncology Letters

Article Title: LINC00184 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter and PI3K/AKT pathway activation

doi: 10.3892/ol.2026.15628

Figure Lengend Snippet: Inhibition of DNMT1 abrogates LINC00184-induced PI3K/AKT pathway activation and functional phenotypes. (A) Western blotting analysis showing the protein expression level of pAKT, AKT, pPI3K and PI3K in KYSE-150 cells following overexpression of LINC00184 and treatment with 5-AZA. (B) Quantitative analysis of the pAKT/AKT protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (A). (C) Quantitative analysis of the pPI3K/PI3K protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (A). (D) Western blotting analysis showing the protein expression level of pAKT, AKT, pPI3K and PI3K in TE-1 cells following overexpression of LINC00184 and treatment with 5-AZA. (E) Quantitative analysis of the pAKT/AKT protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (D). (F) Quantitative analysis of the pPI3K/PI3K protein expression level derived from the immunoblots in (D). (G) Western blotting analysis of p-AKT and total AKT levels in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells under the following conditions: Control, OE-LINC00184 and OE-LINC00184 + si-DNMT1. (H) Quantitative analysis of the pAKT/AKT protein expression level corresponding to the immunoblots presented in (G). Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=3). Comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance is indicated as *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001. OE, overexpression; NC, negative control; NDRG2, N-Myc downstream regulated gene; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; si/siRNA, small interfering RNA; 5-AZA, 5-azacytidine.

Article Snippet: In total, three siRNA duplexes targeting distinct regions of LINC00184 (sequences listed in ) were chemically synthesized by Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd. KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells were transfected in 6-well plates using Lipofectamine ® RNAiMAX (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.).

Techniques: Inhibition, Activation Assay, Functional Assay, Western Blot, Expressing, Over Expression, Derivative Assay, Control, Negative Control, Quantitative RT-PCR, Reverse Transcription, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Oncology Letters

Article Title: LINC00184 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via DNMT1-mediated methylation of the NDRG2 promoter and PI3K/AKT pathway activation

doi: 10.3892/ol.2026.15628

Figure Lengend Snippet: DNMT1 inhibition reverses LINC00184-induced malignant phenotypes in ESCC cells. (A) Cell viability of KYSE-150 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA (n=3). (B) Representative images of migrated KYSE-150 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (C) Representative flow cytometry dot plots showing the apoptosis rate of KYSE-150 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (D) Statistical counting of migrated KYSE-150 cells corresponding to (B) (n=3). (E) Quantitative analysis of the apoptosis rate of KYSE-150 cells corresponding to (C) (n=3). (F) Cell viability of TE-1 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA (n=3). (G) Representative images of migrated TE-1 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (H) Representative flow cytometry dot plots showing the apoptosis rate of TE-1 cells following LINC00184 overexpression and treatment with 5-AZA. (I) Statistical counting of migrated TE-1 cells corresponding to (G) (n=3). (J) Quantitative analysis of the apoptosis rate of TE-1 cells corresponding to (H) (n=3). (K) Cell viability detected via Cell Counting Kit-8 assay in ESCC cells under the conditions of control, OE-LINC00184 and OE-LINC00184 + si-DNMT1. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=3), Comparisons among multiple groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Statistical significance is indicated as *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001. OE, overexpression; NC, negative control; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; si/siRNA, small interfering RNA; 5-AZA, 5-azacytidine; ESCC, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Article Snippet: In total, three siRNA duplexes targeting distinct regions of LINC00184 (sequences listed in ) were chemically synthesized by Sangon Biotech Co., Ltd. KYSE-150 and TE-1 cells were transfected in 6-well plates using Lipofectamine ® RNAiMAX (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.).

Techniques: Inhibition, Over Expression, Flow Cytometry, Cell Counting, Control, Negative Control, Small Interfering RNA

Journal: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Article Title: CDX2-UPK1B-PIK3IP1-PI3K/AKT signaling axis regulates gastric cancer cell invasion and migration and influences patient prognosis

doi: 10.3892/etm.2026.13179

Figure Lengend Snippet: UPK1B drives GC cell invasion and migration in a PI3K/AKT-dependent manner. (A) Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that genes upregulated in the UPK1B-high group were enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. (B) Protein levels of UPK1B in GC cell lines. (C) Knockdown of UPK1B reduced PI3K/AKT activation in MKN45 cells. Silencing UPK1B suppressed the (D) migration/invasion capacity and (E) wound closure rate of MKN45 cells. (F) Overexpression of UPK1B enhanced PI3K/AKT pathway activation in AGS cells, which was attenuated by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling reversed UPK1B-induced (G) migration/invasion capacity and (H) wound closure rate of AGS cells. UPK1B, uroplakin 1B; GC, gastric cancer; p-, phosphorylated; sh, short hairpin RNA; NC, negative control; OE, overexpression.

Article Snippet: Cells were also transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting CDX2 or PIK3IP1 , with a universal non-targeting scrambled siRNA (si-NC) as the negative control , obtained from GeneChem, Inc. For UPK1B and CDX2 overexpression, the p-TSB-CMV-UPK1B and p-TSB-CMV-CDX2 expression vectors [Shanghai Genomeditech Co., Ltd.] and the corresponding empty p-TSB-CMV vector (negative control) were used.

Techniques: Migration, Knockdown, Activation Assay, Over Expression, Inhibition, shRNA, Negative Control

Journal: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Article Title: CDX2-UPK1B-PIK3IP1-PI3K/AKT signaling axis regulates gastric cancer cell invasion and migration and influences patient prognosis

doi: 10.3892/etm.2026.13179

Figure Lengend Snippet: CDX2 acts as a transcriptional repressor of UPK1B and its high expression is associated with favorable prognosis of patients with GC. (A) Venn diagram showing overlapping predicted transcriptional regulators of UPK1B from ChEA and ChEA3 databases. (B) Knockdown of CDX2 in AGS cells resulted in increased UPK1B (C) mRNA and (D) protein expression. (E) Overexpression of CDX2 in MKN45 cells reduced UPK1B protein levels. Data from (F) The Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma cohort and (G) the Kaplan-Meier plotter database indicated that high CDX2 expression was associated with improved prognosis of patients with GC. UPK1B, uroplakin 1B; GC, gastric cancer; si, small interfering RNA; NC, negative control; OE, overexpression; HR, hazard ratio; CDX2, caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2; ChEA, ChIP-X Enrichment Analysis.

Article Snippet: Cells were also transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting CDX2 or PIK3IP1 , with a universal non-targeting scrambled siRNA (si-NC) as the negative control , obtained from GeneChem, Inc. For UPK1B and CDX2 overexpression, the p-TSB-CMV-UPK1B and p-TSB-CMV-CDX2 expression vectors [Shanghai Genomeditech Co., Ltd.] and the corresponding empty p-TSB-CMV vector (negative control) were used.

Techniques: Expressing, Knockdown, Over Expression, Small Interfering RNA, Negative Control

Journal: Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Article Title: CDX2-UPK1B-PIK3IP1-PI3K/AKT signaling axis regulates gastric cancer cell invasion and migration and influences patient prognosis

doi: 10.3892/etm.2026.13179

Figure Lengend Snippet: UPK1B activates PI3K/AKT signaling by antagonizing the inhibitory regulator PIK3IP1 in gastric cancer cells. (A) Venn diagram showing that PIK3IP1 was identified as a putative UPK1B-interacting partner based on BioGRID and HIPPIE protein-protein interaction databases. (B) UPK1B and PIK3IP1 co-localized in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of MKN45 cells. (C) Interaction between UPK1B and PIK3IP1 in MKN45 cells. (D) Knockdown of PIK3IP1 in MKN45 cells. (E) Silencing PIK3IP1 in UPK1B-knockdown MKN45 cells restored PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Knockdown of PIK3IP1 reversed the decrease in (F) migration/invasion and (G) wound-healing capacity in UPK1B-silenced MKN45 cells. UPK1B, uroplakin 1B; p-, phosphorylated; si, small interfering RNA; sh, short hairpin RNA; NC, negative control; PIK3IP1, PI3K inhibitor interacting protein 1; HIPPIE, Human Integrated Protein-Protein Interaction Reference; IP, immunoprecipitation.

Article Snippet: Cells were also transfected with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting CDX2 or PIK3IP1 , with a universal non-targeting scrambled siRNA (si-NC) as the negative control , obtained from GeneChem, Inc. For UPK1B and CDX2 overexpression, the p-TSB-CMV-UPK1B and p-TSB-CMV-CDX2 expression vectors [Shanghai Genomeditech Co., Ltd.] and the corresponding empty p-TSB-CMV vector (negative control) were used.

Techniques: Clinical Proteomics, Membrane, Knockdown, Activation Assay, Migration, Small Interfering RNA, shRNA, Negative Control, Immunoprecipitation

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Spatiotemporal reprogramming of cardiac lipid metabolism by platelet-engineered RNA therapy epigenetically modulate heart repair and regeneration

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.009

Figure Lengend Snippet: Preparation, physicochemical characterization, and in vitro bioactivity of siCD36@MSNs. (A) Representative TEM images showing uniform spherical MSNs and an increase in particle size following siCD36 loading. Scale bar = 200 nm. (B-C) Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis of hydrodynamic size distributions of MSNs and siCD36@MSNs, confirming size increase upon siRNA incorporation. n = 3. (D-E) Zeta potential measurements showing a surface charge shift from −17.0 ± 0.1 mV (MSNs) to +25.8 ± 0.1 mV (siCD36@MSNs), consistent with Ca 2+ -mediated electrostatic complexation of siRNA. n = 3. (F) In vitro siRNA release profile of siCD36@MSNs at 37 °C in PBS, demonstrating a burst-dominated release during early time points followed by residual release phase extending to 24 h n = 3. (G-H) Western blot analysis and quantification showing efficient and specific knockdown of CD36 in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs) treated with siCD36@MSNs, whereas scrambled siRNA@MSNs exhibited no significant effect. n = 3. (I-J) Immunofluorescence staining confirming reduced CD36 expression in NMCMs following siCD36@MSNs treatment. Scale bar = 20 μm. n = 3. (K-L) BODIPY probing and quantitative analysis showing reduced fatty acid uptake and lower intracellular lipid content in CMs treated with siCD36@MSNs, compared with control and scrambled-siRNA@MSNs which show no significant differences. Scale bar = 20 μm. n = 3. (M − N) Western blot analysis and quantification demonstrating upregulation of Cyclin E1 following CD36 knockdown, indicating reactivation of cell-cycle–associated signaling. n = 3. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ns = non-significant.

Article Snippet: Three siRNA duplexes targeting different regions of the murine CD36 gene were synthesized (Synthace),And the sequences were provided in the supply.

Techniques: In Vitro, Zeta Potential Analyzer, Western Blot, Knockdown, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Expressing, Control

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Spatiotemporal reprogramming of cardiac lipid metabolism by platelet-engineered RNA therapy epigenetically modulate heart repair and regeneration

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.009

Figure Lengend Snippet: CD36 silencing induces comprehensive reprogramming of the cardiomyocyte lipidome and associated metabolic pathways. Untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed on neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs) treated with siCD36 or control siRNA. n = 3. (A) Chemical classification of 1793 detected metabolites, with lipids and lipid-like molecules representing 34.46% of the total metabolome. (B) Principal component analysis (PCA) showing clear separation between control and siCD36-treated samples along PC1 (31.6% variance), indicating distinct global metabolic profiles. (C) Volcano plot identifying 272 significantly altered metabolites (VIP >0.5, P < 0.05) in siCD36-treated cardiomyocytes, with 175 upregulated (pink) and 97 downregulated (green) species relative to control. (D) Chemical class distribution of the 272 differential metabolites, demonstrating that lipids and lipid-like molecules constitute the largest category of altered species (37.93%). (E) Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis (pathway impact vs. statistical significance) highlighting primary bile acid biosynthesis, steroid biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism as the most significantly perturbed pathways. (F) Subclass distribution of differential lipid metabolites, showing glycerophospholipids (42.42%) as the predominant altered lipid category, followed by prenol lipids, fatty acyls, sphingolipids, and steroid derivatives. (G) Volcano plot of lipid-specific differential metabolites between control and siCD36 groups (VIP >0.5). (H) Hierarchical clustering heatmap of differentially abundant lipid species across individual replicates, revealing coordinated reprogramming of glycerophospholipid, prenol lipid, sphingolipid, and steroid metabolic networks. (I) Normalized abundance scores across lipid subclasses, demonstrating widespread remodeling with enrichment in prenol lipids and glycerophospholipids, and depletion in sphingolipids following CD36 knockdown.

Article Snippet: Three siRNA duplexes targeting different regions of the murine CD36 gene were synthesized (Synthace),And the sequences were provided in the supply.

Techniques: Control, Knockdown

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Spatiotemporal reprogramming of cardiac lipid metabolism by platelet-engineered RNA therapy epigenetically modulate heart repair and regeneration

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.009

Figure Lengend Snippet: Platelet-mediated encapsulation enables thrombin-responsive siRNA release and preserves CD36 silencing activity in CMs. (A) Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showing uptake of siCD36@MSNs into platelet OCS invaginations without disruption of platelet ultrastructure. Scale bar = 400 nm (B) Confocal microscopy showing co-localization of DiO-labeled platelets (green) and Cy5-labeled siCD36@MSNs (magenta), confirming stable platelet encapsulation. Scale bar = 0.5 μm. (C) In vitro release profile of Cy5-siCD36 from platelet-encapsulated siCD36@MSNs (siCD36@MSNs@Plt) in the presence of thrombin (100 U mL −1 ) at 37 °C, showing a burst-dominated early release followed by a slower residual release phase. Platelets without siRNA loading served as controls. n = 3. (D) Dose-dependent siRNA release from siCD36@MSNs@Plt following 12 h thrombin stimulation (0–200 U mL −1 ). n = 3. (E) Schematic illustration of the Transwell system used to evaluate thrombin-triggered release and downstream delivery of siCD36@MSNs@Plt to neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs). (F) Confocal imaging demonstrating enhanced cellular uptake of siCD36@MSNs released from platelets upon thrombin stimulation (100 U mL −1 ) compared with unstimulated conditions. Scale bar = 5 μm. (G-H) Western blot analysis and quantification showing enhanced CD36 knockdown in NMCMs treated with thrombin-activated siCD36@MSNs@Plt. n = 3. (I-J) Immunofluorescence analysis confirming reduced CD36 expression under the same conditions. Scale bar = 20 μm. n = 3. (K-L) BODIPY staining and quantification showing reduced fatty acid uptake and intracellular lipid loading following CD36 silencing mediated by thrombin-activated platelet delivery. Scale bar = 20 μm. n = 3. (M − N) Western blot analysis and quantification showing increased Cyclin E1 expression following platelet-mediated siCD36 delivery. n = 3. (O-P) Western blot analysis and quantification showing reduced global H3K4me3 levels following CD36 silencing, consistent with altered chromatin state associated with metabolic reprogramming. n = 3. (Q-V) Immunostaining and quantification of cell cycle-associated markers Ki67, phosphorylated histone H3 (pH3), and Aurora B kinase following thrombin-activated delivery. Scale bar = 20 μm. n = 3. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ns = non-significant.

Article Snippet: Three siRNA duplexes targeting different regions of the murine CD36 gene were synthesized (Synthace),And the sequences were provided in the supply.

Techniques: Encapsulation, Activity Assay, Transmission Assay, Electron Microscopy, Disruption, Confocal Microscopy, Labeling, In Vitro, Imaging, Western Blot, Knockdown, Immunofluorescence, Expressing, Staining, Immunostaining