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Zheng F, Li S, Wang Z, Xiong S, Liu J, Yang L, Yuan Y, Zeng J, Liu X, Xu S, Chen R, Fu B. The enigmatic interplay of immune cells and abnormal spermatozoa through Mendelian randomization. Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 91:e13846. [PMID: 38650368 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Abnormal spermatozoa significantly impact reproductive health, affecting fertility rates, potentially prolonging conception time, and increasing the risk of miscarriages. This study employs Mendelian randomization to explore their potential link with immune cells, aiming to reveal their potential causal association and wider implications for reproductive health. METHODS We conducted forward and reverse Mendelian randomization analyses to explore the potential causal connection between 731 immune cell signatures and abnormal spermatozoa. Using publicly available genetic data, we investigated various immune signatures such as median fluorescence intensities (MFI), relative cell (RC), absolute cell (AC), and morphological parameters (MP). Robustness was ensured through comprehensive sensitivity analyses assessing consistency, heterogeneity, and potential horizontal pleiotropy. The MR study produced a statistically significant p-value of .0000684, Bonferroni-corrected for the 731 exposures. RESULTS The Mendelian randomization analysis revealed strong indications of a reciprocal relationship between immune cell pathways and sperm integrity. When examining immune cell exposure, a potential causal link with abnormal sperm was observed in 35 different types of immune cells. Conversely, the reverse Mendelian randomization results indicated that abnormal sperm might causally affect 39 types of immune cells. These outcomes suggest a potential mutual influence between alterations in immune cell functionality and the quality of spermatozoa. CONCLUSION This study highlights the close link between immune responses and sperm development, suggesting implications for reproductive health and immune therapies. Further research may offer crucial insights into male fertility and immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuchun Zheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhipeng Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Situ Xiong
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuyang Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Jin Zeng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Songhui Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
| | - Ru Chen
- Department of Urology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang, China
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Yuan P, Li S, Xiong S, Zheng F, Yang L, Jiang M, Liu J, Liu X, Deng J, Zeng J, Fu B. Development of a butyrate metabolism-related gene-based molecular subtypes and scoring system for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in bladder cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:12489-12505. [PMID: 37450031 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05067-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In recent times, multiple molecular subtypes with varying prognoses have been identified in bladder cancer (BLCA). However, the attributes of butyrate metabolism-related (BMR) molecular subtypes and their correlation with immunotherapy response remain inadequately explored in BLCA. METHODS We utilized 594 samples of BLCA to investigate the molecular subtypes mediated by BMR genes and their correlation with the immunotherapy response. To quantify the BMR features of individual tumors, we developed a BMR score through the COX and LASSO regression methods. Clinical-related, tumor microenvironment, drug-sensitive and immunotherapy analyses were used to comprehensively analyze BMR scores. RESULTS Two distinct molecular subtypes related to butyrate metabolism were identified in BLCA, each with unique prognostic implications and immune microenvironments. BMR score was constructed based on 7 BMR genes and was used to classify the patients into two score groups. Clinical analysis revealed that the BMR score was an independent prognostic factor. The higher the score, the worse the prognosis. The BMR score can also predict tumor immunity. The results demonstrated that a low BMR score was associated with higher efficacy of immunotherapy, which was also validated by an external dataset. CONCLUSION Our study proposes both molecular subtypes and a BMR-based score as promising prognostic classifications in BLCA. These findings may offer new insights for the development of precise targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Situ Xiong
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fucun Zheng
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jin Zeng
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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Yang L, Liu J, Li S, Liu X, Zheng F, Xu S, Fu B, Xiong J. Based on disulfidptosis, revealing the prognostic and immunological characteristics of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus of vena cava and identifying potential therapeutic target AJAP1. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:9787-9804. [PMID: 37247081 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04877-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with venous tumor thrombus have a poor prognosis, high surgical risk, and lack of targeted therapeutic agents. METHODS Genes with consistent differential expression trends in tumor tissues and VTT groups were first screened, and then differential genes associated with disulfidptosis were found by correlation analysis. Subsequently, identifying ccRCC subtypes and constructing risk models to compare the differences in prognosis and the tumor microenvironment in different subgroups. Finally, constructing a nomogram to predict the prognosis of ccRCC and validate key gene expression levels in cells and tissues. RESULTS We screened 35 differential genes related to disulfidptosis and identified 4 ccRCC subtypes. Risk models were constructed based on the 13 genes, and the high-risk group had a higher abundance of immune cell infiltration, tumor mutational load, and microsatellite instability scores, predicting high sensitivity to immunotherapy. The 1-year AUC = 0.869 for predicting OS by nomogram has a high application value. The expression level of the key gene AJAP1 was low in both tumor cell lines and cancer tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our study not only constructed an accurate prognostic nomogram for ccRCC patients but also identified an AJAP1 biomarker as a potential biomarker for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Fuchun Zheng
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Songhui Xu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China.
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China.
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Hu B, Chen R, Jiang M, Xiong S, Xie A, Liu X, Fu B. MTX-211 Inhibits GSH Synthesis through Keap1/NRF2/GCLM Axis and Exerts Antitumor Effects in Bladder Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087608. [PMID: 37108769 PMCID: PMC10142351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, bladder cancer (BLCA) is still the leading cause of death in patients with tumors. The function and underlying mechanism of MTX-211, an EFGR and PI3K kinase inhibitor, have not been elucidated. This study examined the function of MTX-211 in BLCA cells using in vitro and in vivo assays. RNA sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Our observations revealed that MTX-211 has a time- and concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on bladder cancer cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis showed that cell apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest were significantly induced by MTX-211. MTX-211 inhibited intracellular glutathione (GSH) metabolism, leading to a decrease in GSH levels and an increase in reactive oxygen species. GSH supplementation partly reversed the inhibitory effects of MTX-211. Further experiments verified that MTX-211 promoted NFR2 protein ubiquitinated degradation via facilitating the binding of Keap1 and NRF2, subsequently resulting in the downregulated expression of GCLM, which plays a vital role in GSH synthesis. This study provided evidence that MTX-211 effectively inhibited BLCA cell proliferation via depleting GSH levels through Keap1/NRF2/GCLM signaling pathway. Thus, MTX-211 could be a promising therapeutic agent for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Hu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
| | - Ru Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
| | - Situ Xiong
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
| | - An Xie
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Urology, Nanchang 430032, China
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