BACKGROUND:Bladder cancer (BLCA) represents one of the most prevalent urological malignancies worldwide. Bridging integrator 1 (BIN1), a well-characterized tumor suppressor that interacts with and inhibits oncogenic Myc transcription factors, has demonstrated crucial roles in various cancer types. However, its specific functions and underlying molecular mechanisms in BLCA development and progression remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the role of BIN1 in regulating BLCA cell proliferation, metastasis, and cancer stem cell properties. METHODS:Using urinary proteomics analysis, we identified BIN1 as a significantly dysregulated protein in BLCA. The clinical significance of BIN1 was further validated through comprehensive analyses of public databases. BIN1 expression levels defined distinct molecular and immunological subtypes of BLCA. Through proteomic profiling of BIN1-overexpressing UMUC3 cells and corresponding controls, we identified ALDH1 as a key downstream effector in the BIN1-regulated ALDH1/NOTCH signaling axis. We employed multiple experimental approaches, including Western blot analysis, quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence staining, wound healing assays, transwell migration assays, colony formation assays, tumor sphere formation assays, flow cytometry, CCK8 proliferation assays, and cell transfection experiments. RESULTS:We observed significant downregulation of BIN1 in both BLCA tissues and cell lines compared to normal adjacent tissues and SV-HUC-1 cells, respectively. BIN1 overexpression inhibited cancer cell proliferation by promoting apoptosis and suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thereby reducing local invasion and distant metastasis. Additionally, BIN1 regulated cancer stem cell properties through modulation of ALDH1 expression, with NOTCH2 acting as a crucial downstream mediator of ALDH1 signaling. CONCLUSION:Our findings demonstrate that BIN1 functions as a tumor suppressor in BLCA and suggest its potential utility as both a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for BLCA treatment.
This study evaluates and compares the results of single-port (SP-RAP) versus multi-port robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (MP-RAP) for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies comparing SP-RAP and MP-RAP for UPJO treatment were identified from PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Key outcomes included operative time, hospital stay, and complication rates. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and risk ratios (RR) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models based on heterogeneity. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Both SP-RAP and MP-RAP demonstrated comparable surgical success rates (SP-RAP: 98.85
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent urinary system disorder. Despite evidence of a significant genetic component from previous studies, the specific pathogenic genes and biological mechanisms are still largely unknown. The study utilized the FinnGen R10 dataset, encompassing 177,901 individuals (36,601 cases and 141,300 controls), and the GTEx v8 EQTLs files to conduct single-tissue and cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS). FUSION method was utilized to validate the findings in specific tissues. Gene Analysis and Multi-marker Analysis of Genomic Annotation (MAGMA) were used to identify potential susceptibility genes. The intersection genes of the above results were analyzed by Mendelian randomization (MR), summary data-based MR (SMR) and colocalization studies. Fine-mapping of causal gene sets (FOCUS) software was employed to accurately locate risk genes. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) analysis explores the differential expression of genes. Finally, The GeneMANIA tool was utilized to further understand the functional roles of these susceptibility genes. The cross-tissue TWAS analysis revealed 28 genes associated with BPH susceptibility. Single-tissue TWAS and MAGMA further refined eight genes, and subsequent MR, SMR, FOCUS and colocalization analysis pinpointed INO80B as the key gene. The differential expression of this result was verified by GEO. INO80B may help prevent excessive prostatic cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle-related gene expression. Our research identified the INO80B gene, whose predicted expression is associated with BPH risk and hence provided a new insight into the genetic basis of this disease. However, further functional studies are necessary to elucidate the potential biological activity of these significant signals.
The relationship between vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear, with observational studies reporting inconsistent results. To clarify this ambiguity, we embarked on a comprehensive investigation comprising both a meta-analysis and a Mendelian randomization (MR) study. This dual approach aimed to thoroughly examine not only the association but also the causality between undergoing a vasectomy and the subsequent risk of PCa. Our systematic review meticulously examined cohort studies published until January 2024, employing a random effects model for the computation of relative risks (RR) and their 95
BACKGROUND:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 5A1 (EIF5A1) is a translation factor, and its pro-tumorigenic role has been extensively documented across various cancer types. However, its specific function in bladder cancer (BLCA) remains unclear. METHODS:We integrated proteomics and transcriptomics data with clinical data from BLCA patients to investigate the correlation between EIF5A1 expression and BLCA, as well as its potential clinical applications. Transcriptomic data were employed to explore the downstream signaling pathways regulated by EIF5A1. Furthermore, ChIP analysis and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to identify the upstream transcription factors regulating EIF5A1. RESULTS:EIF5A1 expression is significantly upregulated in cancer tissues and cells and is strongly associated with poor prognosis. Silencing EIF5A1 in BLCA cells significantly reduced invasiveness, and proliferative capacity. Mechanistic studies identified YAP/TEAD4 as a transcription factor that regulates EIF5A1, influencing mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting BLCA progression. CONCLUSION:Our research demonstrates that EIF5A1 is upregulated in BLCA and associated with poor prognosis. We identified TEAD4 as a potential transcriptional regulator of EIF5A1 and showed that EIF5A1 expression is associated with changes in JAK2/STAT3 signaling and mitochondrial apoptosis in BLCA.
BACKGROUND:Bladder cancer (BCa) is a prevalent malignancy characterized by a poor prognosis. Numerous studies have increasingly recognized the role of M2 macrophages in cancer progression. Consequently, our objective is to investigate hub genes in BCa associated with M2 macrophages, assessing their prognostic significance and exploring potential regulatory mechanisms. METHODS:We performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis using data from urine proteomics, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, in conjunction with machine learning methods such as LASSO and SVM to identify intersections of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, the role of hub genes in BCa was validated in vitro and in vivo using CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, immunofluorescence assay, transwell assay, immunohistochemistry, and xenograft tumor model. Finally, we investigated the correlation between hub genes and M2 macrophage immune infiltration using the TIMER database. RESULTS:Chitinase 3 like 1 (CHI3L1) emerged as a pivotal gene linked to M2 macrophages in BCa. Notably, CHI3L1 was associated with a poor prognosis for BCa, with elevated expression correlating to more advanced histologic and pathologic stages in BCa patients. The findings suggest that inhibiting CHI3L1 can effectively impede the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BCa cells and synergistically increase the inhibitory effect of gemcitabine (GEM) on cell activity. Meanwhile, the downregulation of CHI3L1 was accompanied by inhibition of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Additionally, CHI3L1 demonstrated a significant association with M2 macrophage infiltration in the BCa tumor microenvironment (TME). CONCLUSIONS:The present study suggests that CHI3L1 may promote bladder cancer progression through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and is associated with M2 macrophage infiltration.
Background The mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communicate via contact sites known as mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs). Many important cellular functions such as bioenergetics, mitophagy, apoptosis, and calcium signaling are regulated by MAMs, which are thought to be closely related to ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI). However, there exists a gap in systematic proteomic research addressing the relationship between these cellular processes. Methods A 4D label free mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) from the human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2 cells) was conducted under both normal (N) and hypoxia/reperfusion (HR) conditions. Subsequent differential proteins analysis aimed to characterize disease-relevant signaling molecules. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was applied to total proteins and differentially expressed proteins, encompassing Biological Process (BP), Cell Component (CC), Molecular Function (MF), and KEGG pathways. Further, Protein–Protein Interaction Network (PPI) exploration was carried out, leading to the identification of hub genes from differentially expressed proteins. Notably, Mitofusion 2 (MFN2) and BCL2/Adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein 3(BNIP3) were identified and subsequently validated both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the impact of MFN2 on MAMs during hypoxia/reoxygenation was explored through regulation of gene expression. Subsequently, a comparative proteomics analysis was conducted between OE-MFN2 and normal HK-2 cells, providing further insights into the underlying mechanisms. Results A total of 4489 proteins were identified, with 3531 successfully quantified. GO/KEGG analysis revealed that MAM proteins were primarily associated with mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Differential analysis between the two groups showed that 688 proteins in HR HK-2 cells exhibited significant changes in expression level with P-value < 0.05 and HR/N > 1.5 or HR/N < 0.66 set as the threshold criteria. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed proteins unveiled biological processes such as mRNA splicing, apoptosis regulation, and cell division, while molecular functions were predominantly associated with energy metabolic activity. These proteins play key roles in the cellular responses during HR, offering insights into the IRI mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The validation of hub genes MFN2 and BNIP3 both in vitro and vivo was consistent with the proteomic findings. MFN2 demonstrated a protective role in maintaining the integrity of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) and mitigating mitochondrial damage following hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, this protective effect may be associated with the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Conclusions The proteins located in mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) are implicated in crucial roles during renal ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI), with MFN2 playing a pivotal regulatory role in this context.
A comparison was conducted between robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed using the Hugo RAS System and the Da Vinci System. We conducted an extensive search of online databases through September 2024. The data from eligible studies were pooled and analyzed with Review Manager 5.4, employing a random effects model. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratios (OR) with 95
Robotic pyelolithotomy continues to gain attention as an alternative to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for managing complex renal stones. We performed a single-arm meta-analysis and systematically searched the English-language literature published in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to June 2024. The risk of non-randomized bias was assessed using ROBINS-I, and the quality of the literature was assessed using MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies). Merger parameters were calculated using Stata16/SE under a random-effects model. Five non-comparative single-arm studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that the operative time for robotic pyelolithotomy was 168.10 min (95
This investigation sought to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the comparative effectiveness and safety of percutaneous ablation (PCA) versus robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) among individuals diagnosed with cT1 renal tumors. This study rigorously followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, focusing on studies published in English through February 2024. We focused on evaluating primary outcomes, specifically perioperative outcomes, functional outcomes, and oncological outcomes. In this analysis, data from 1534 patients across 13 studies were evaluated. PCA was found to have advantageous outcomes in comparison to RAPN regarding hospital stay durations, with a Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) of − 2.03 days (95
The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive pooled analysis aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ablation (PCA) versus minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MIPN), including robotic and laparoscopic approaches, in patients diagnosed with cT1 renal tumors. We conducted a comprehensive search across four major electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, targeting studies published in English up to April 2024. The primary outcomes evaluated in this analysis included perioperative outcomes, functional outcomes, and oncological outcomes. A total of 2449 patients across 17 studies were included in the analysis. PCA demonstrated superior outcomes compared to MIPN in terms of shorter hospital stays (WMD: − 2.13 days; 95
Background Changes in gut microbiota abundance have been linked to prostate cancer development. However, the causality of the gut-prostate axis remains unclear. Methods The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for gut microbiota sourced from MiBioGen (n = 14,306), alongside prostate cancer summary data from PRACTICAL (n = 140,254) and FinnGen Consortium (n = 133,164). Inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) was mainly used to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (Cl), after diligently scrutinizing potential sources of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy via the rigorous utilization of Cochran's Q test, the MR-PRESSO method, and MR-Egger. We used meta-analysis methods in random effects to combine the Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates from the two sources. Results The pooled analyses of MR results show that genus Eubacterium fissicatena (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.13, P = 0.011) and genus Odoribacter (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.27, P = 0.025) were positively associated with prostate cancer. However, genus Adlercreutzia (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.96, P = 0.002), Roseburia (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99, P = 0.03), Holdemania (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97, P = 0.005), Flavonifractor (OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.98, P = 0.024) and Allisonella (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.98, P = 0.011) seems to be a protective factor for prostate cancer. Sensitivity analysis found no significant heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, or reverse causal links in all causal associations. Conclusion This MR study lends support to a causal relationship between genetically predicted gut microbiota and prostate cancer. Research on the gut-prostate axis, along with further multi-omics analyses, holds significant implications for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
Kidney Stone Disease (KSD) constitutes a multifaceted disorder, emerging from a confluence of environmental and genetic determinants, and is characterized by a high frequency of occurrence and recurrence. Our objective is to elucidate potential causative proteins and identify prospective pharmacological targets within the context of KSD. This investigation harnessed the unparalleled breadth of plasma protein and KSD pooled genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, sourced from the United Kingdom Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKBPPP) and the FinnGen database version R10. Through Mendelian randomization analysis, proteins exhibiting a causal influence on KSD were pinpointed. Subsequent co-localization analyses affirmed the stability of these findings, while enrichment analyses evaluated their potential for pharmacological intervention. Culminating the study, a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) was executed, encompassing all phenotypes (2408 phenotypes) catalogued in the FinnGen database version R10. Our MR analysis identified a significant association between elevated plasma levels of proteins FKBPL, ITIH3, and SERPINC1 and increased risk of KSD based on genetic predictors. Conversely, proteins CACYBP, DAG1, ITIH1, and SEMA6C showed a protective effect against KSD, documented with statistical significance (PFDR<0.05). Co-localization analysis confirmed these seven proteins share genetic variants with KSD, signaling a shared genetic basis (PPH3 + PPH4 > 0.8). Enrichment analysis revealed key pathways including hyaluronan metabolism, collagen-rich extracellular matrix, and serine-type endopeptidase inhibition. Additionally, our PheWAS connected the associated proteins with 356 distinct diseases (PFDR<0.05), highlighting intricate disease interrelations. In conclusion, our research elucidated a causal nexus between seven plasma proteins and KSD, enriching our grasp of prospective therapeutic targets.
Background: The collagen type X alpha 1 (COL10A1) has recently been found to play an important role in the development and progression of cancer. However, the link between COL10A1 and the tumor immune microenvironment remains understood scantily. Methods: In the current study, the pan-cancer data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used to investigate the expression mode, the clinical prognostic and diagnostic value of COL10A1 in different tumors. We used TCGA data to assess the correlations between COL10A1 and clinical symptoms of prostate cancer. The R packages "edgR" and "clusterProfiler" were used for differential expression gene and enrichment analysis of COL10A1. Immunohistochemistry was further employed to corroborate the expression of COL10A1 gene in prostate cancer. After that, we used TIMER to evaluate the pertinence of COL10A1 expression to immune infiltration level in prostate cancer. Results: On the whole, COL10A1 was expressed at significantly higher levels in a variety of tumor tissues than in the corresponding normal tissues. Besides, significant correlations with tumor prognosis and relative exactitude in predicting tumors show that COL10A1 may be a probable prognostic and diagnostic biomarker of prostate cancer. In addition, the evidence indicates a significant correlation between COL10A1 and clinical symptoms of prostate cancer. Furthermore, the main molecular functions of COL10A1 included humoral immune response, complement activation, immunoglobulin, regulation of complement activation, and regulation of humoral immune response. Finally, we found that COL10A1 expression is positively correlated with enhanced macrophage and M2 macrophage infiltration in prostate cancer. Conclusion: The study indicates that COL10A1 might participate in M2 macrophage polarization in prostate cancer. COL10A1 might be an innovative biomarker to evaluate tumor microenvironment immune cell infiltration and prognosis in prostate cancer.
To evaluate the outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for solid and cystic renal tumors. We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases up to March 2023. Review Manager 5.4 performed a pooled analysis of the data for random effects. Besides, sensitivity and subgroup analyses to explore heterogeneity, Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and GRADE to evaluate study quality and level of evidence. Five observational studies comprising 1353 patients (Cystic tumor: 183; Solid tumor: 1083) were included in this study. Compared to solid masses, cystic masses were associated with fewer major complications (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.17 to 4.13; p = 0.01). Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of operative time, warm ischemia time, blood loss, hospital stay, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, transfusion rate, postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), eGFR preservation, positive surgical margin (PSM), recurrence, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and trifecta achievement. RAPN can be performed in cystic renal tumors with perioperative, functional, and oncologic outcomes like those achievable in solid tumors. However, our findings need further validation in a large-sample prospective randomized study.
Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system. While current approaches involving adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy have shown significant progress in BC treatment, challenges, such as recurrence and drug resistance, persist, especially in the case of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). It is mainly due to the lack of pre-existing immune response cells in the tumor immune microenvironment. Micro-environmental changes (such as hypoxia and under-nutrition) can cause the aggregation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the lumen, which induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress and its downstream signaling pathways are closely related to immunogenicity and tumor drug resistance. ER stress plays a pivotal role in a spectrum of processes within immune cells and the progression of BC cells, encompassing cell proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis, and resistance to therapies. Recent studies have increasingly recognized the potential of natural compounds to exhibit anti-BC properties through ER stress induction. Still, the efficacy of these natural compounds remains less than that of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Currently, the ER stress-mediated immunogenic cell death (ICD) pathway is more encouraging, which can enhance ICI responses by mediating immune stemness. This article provides an overview of the recent developments in understanding how ER stress influences tumor immunity and its implications for BC. Targeting this pathway may soon emerge as a compelling therapeutic strategy for BC.
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) often stems from an imbalance between mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy. Melatonin mitigates IRI by regulating mitochondrial dynamics. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying the role of melatonin in reducing IRI through modulating mitochondrial dynamics remains elusive. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pretreatment with melatonin before IRI confers protective effects by modulating mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy. Melatonin pretreatment was administered to HK-2 cells and live rats before subjecting them to hypoxia-reoxygenation or IRI, respectively. Cells and rat kidney models were evaluated for markers of oxidative stress, autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and the expression of adenosine 5 '-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phospho-AMPK alpha (P-AMPK). After renal IRI, increased mitochondrial fission and autophagy were observed, accompanied by exacerbated cellular oxidative stress injury and aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction. Nevertheless, melatonin pretreatment inhibited mitochondrial fission, promoted mitochondrial fusion, and attenuated autophagy levels. This intervention was correlated with a notable reduction in oxidative stress injury and remarkable restoration of mitochondrial functionality. Ischemia-reperfusion injury led to a decline in P-AMPK levels, whereas melatonin pretreatment increased the level of P-AMPK levels. Silencing AMPK with small interfering RNA exacerbated mitochondrial damage, and in this context, melatonin pretreatment did not alleviate mitochondrial fission or autophagy levels but resulted in sustained oxidative stress damage. Collectively, these findings indicate that melatonin pretreatment shields the kidneys from IRI by mitigating excessive mitochondrial fission, moderating autophagy levels, and preserving appropriate mitochondrial fission, all in an AMPK-dependent manner.
To compare perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) using a single-port (SP) or multi-port (MP) robotic platform. We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases until June 2024. For a combined analysis of the data using random effects, Review Manager 5.4 was employed. To compare continuous and categorical variables, the weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) were employed, respectively. Three original studies were included, comprising a total of 170 patients (SP-RARC: 73 versus MP-RARC: 93).Recovery of bowel function was faster in SP-RARC (WMD -1.02 days, 95
Background: This study aimed to conduct a pooled analysis to compare the outcomes of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received presurgical systemic therapy [(ST); including immunotherapy and/or targeted therapy] followed by cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) [(deferred CN; (dCN)] with those who underwent upfront CN (uCN) followed by ST.Methods: The present study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library database to identify eligible comparative studies up to April 2023. To evaluate their relevance, pooled hazard ratio with 95% CIs were calculated.Results: A total of 3157 patients were included in nine studies. The dCN group was observed to be correlated with superior overall survival (OS) compared to the uCN group (hazard ratio =0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.89, P=0.003). Moreover, the authors conducted subgroup analyses according to the type of ST, sample size, sex, age, and risk score, and observed similar outcomes for OS across most subgroups.Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that dCN may be associated with improved OS compared to uCN in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving ST. However, no significant differences were found between the uCN and dCN groups in the immunotherapy-based combinations subgroup. Further research is needed to confirm these results.