{"title":"MiR-29a/b Suppresses CD8+ T Cell Effector Function and Intestinal Inflammation","authors":"Yingying Lin, Yuqi Wang, Yuning Zhang, Yao Lu, Juan Chen, Yongting Luo, Jian He, Qingfeng Luo, Heng Quan, Weiru Yu, Yujia Luo, Peng Xue, Yi Xue, Xiaoya Lin, Rui Ding, Lining Chen, Yiran Wang, Zenghui Xia, Liang Zhao, Hao Zhang, Ran Wang, Qingyu Wang, Xifan Wang, Jiaqi Su, Fazheng Ren, Cong Lv, Yixuan Li, Huiyuan Guo","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240363","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240363","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The role of CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. Similarly, the posttranscriptional regulation of the highly heterogenic CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell populations and their effector function in IBD also remains poorly understood. Here, we find that <i>miR-29a</i> and <i>-29b (miR-29a/b</i>) regulate T cell fate, and their expression is higher near damaged colon tissue in patients with IBD compared to controls. In mice, we find that <i>miR-29a/b</i> suppresses the differentiation of CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells and the secretion of pro-inflammatory and chemotactic factors during severe colitis by inhibiting transcriptional pathways, including those involving the T cell receptor and JAK-STAT signaling. Furthermore, we identify <i>Ifng</i>, an inflammatory factor that drives immune response and the reshaping of CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell fate, as a potential target of the miRNAs. Finally, we show that delivery of miR-29 mimics to the colon of mice is sufficient to alleviate DSS-induced inflammation. Together, these data show that <i>miR-29</i> plays an important role in suppressing T cell overactivation during inflammatory diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240363","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tao Zhong, Ning Liu, Juan Wang, Songbo Xie, Lisheng Liu, Minglei Wang, Fei Wu, Xiaozheng Chen, Changyan Xiao, Xiaoxiao Gongye, Meng Wu, Liewei Wen, Jinming Yu, Dawei Chen
{"title":"ASPM Induces Radiotherapy Resistance by Disrupting Microtubule Stability Leading to Chromosome Malsegregation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer","authors":"Tao Zhong, Ning Liu, Juan Wang, Songbo Xie, Lisheng Liu, Minglei Wang, Fei Wu, Xiaozheng Chen, Changyan Xiao, Xiaoxiao Gongye, Meng Wu, Liewei Wen, Jinming Yu, Dawei Chen","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20230024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20230024","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Radiotherapy (RT) resistance remains a substantial challenge in cancer therapy. Although physical factors are optimizing, the biological mechanisms for RT resistance are still elusive. Herein, we explored potential reasons for this difficult problem by generating RT-resistant models for in vitro and in vivo experiments. We found that abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM) was highly expressed in RT-resistant samples and significantly correlated with disease advance in lung adenocarcinoma. Mechanistically, ASPM helps RT-resistant cells to evade spindle checkpoint surveillance and complete cell division after irradiation through destruction of microtubule stability, with subsequent increases in chromosome mis-segregation and deteriorating chromosomal stability during mitosis. Depletion of ASPM stabilized microtubules and significantly decreased chromosome mis-segregation, restoring the sensitivity of RT-resistant cells to radiation. We further found, with bioinformatics analysis, amino acid sequence 963–1263 of ASPM as a potential new drug target for overcoming RT resistance and identified 9 drug pockets within this domain for clinical translation. Our findings suggest that ASPM is a key regulator with an important role in promoting RT resistance in non-small cell lung cancer, and that suppressing or blocking its expression could be worth exploring as therapy for a variety of RT-resistant cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20230024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Innovative PDK1-Degrading PROTACs Transform Cancer Aerobic Glycolysis and Induce Immunogenic Cell Death in Breast Cancer","authors":"Aohua Deng, Renming Fan, Jiakui Gou, Ruoxi Sang, Ruizhuo Lin, Ting Zhao, Junyan Zhuang, Yongrui Hai, Jialin Sun, Gaofei Wei","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240031","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cancer cells are characterized by the Warburg effect, which hijacks glycolysis and hinders OXPHOS. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) is a key modulator in the Warburg effect and is highly expressed in tumor cells. We utilize PROTAC technology to design compounds that could achieve long-lasting degradation on PDK1. After screening anti-tumor activity in vitro, we selected a top compound <b>A04</b>, among 22 chemical candidates in various structures. Compared to a conventional PDK1 inhibitor, <b>A04</b> dramatically improves over 1000-fold proliferation inhibition efficacy. Besides, <b>A04</b> reverses Warburg effect and causes tumor apoptosis. In vivo, <b>A04</b> achieves potent therapeutic efficacy in tumor-bearing mice and dramatically prolongs their lifetime after surgery resection. For the mechanism, <b>A04</b> induces immunogenic cell death and reverses immunosuppression in the TME to enhance antitumor immunoreactivity. Further, transcriptome analysis verifies the mechanisms and uncovers fluctuation in cancer related pathways. Combination with αPD-L1 improves therapeutic efficacy and promotes multiple immunocytes infiltration. In conclusion, we first utilize PROTAC technology on modulating aberrant expressed metabolic enzyme PDK1 in cancer cells and achieve a great pharmacological effect, rendering it promising for energy-aberrant cancer therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integrated Strategies Toward the Capture and Electrochemical Conversion of Low-Concentration Carbon Dioxide","authors":"Zhenyi Yang, Xingqiu Li, Xianglong Cui, Zhen Zheng, Penglun Zheng, Yu Zhang","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240006","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) has been considered a promising route to reduce net carbon emissions and thus mitigate global warming issues. In practice, it mainly involves two processes including the CO<sub>2</sub> capture and subsequent electrochemical conversion. From the perfective of feasible and economic benefits, it is of practical significance to develop integrated CO<sub>2</sub> capture and conversion systems in an efficient way. However, a majority of studies have been currently focusing on the independent process, and the development of integrated strategies is still in the initial stage. This review mainly covers the recent progress on the integrated technologies of CO<sub>2</sub> capture and electrochemical conversion, including the integration strategies, mechanisms, and corresponding issues. The advantages and disadvantages of those strategies are particularly discussed, aiming to identify the viable routes for future applications. To conclude, the challenges and prospects in terms of the research direction in this field are provided, with the hope of promoting practical CO<sub>2</sub> utilization from the fundamental aspects.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sputum Microbiota Compositions Correlate With Metabolome and Clinical Outcomes of COPD-Bronchiectasis Association: A Prospective Cohort Study","authors":"Zhen-feng He, Xiao-xian Zhang, Cui-xia Pan, Xin-zhu Yi, Yan Huang, Chun-lan Chen, Shan-shan Zha, Lai-jian Cen, Han-qin Cai, Lei Yang, Jia-qi Gao, Hui-min Li, Zhen-hong Lin, Sheng-zhu Lin, Zhang Wang, Nan-shan Zhong, Wei-jie Guan","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240149","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bronchiectasis frequently co-exists with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD-bronchiectasis association [CBA]). We compared the microbiota and metabolome of bronchiectasis with (BO) and without airflow obstruction (BNO), COPD, and CBA. We determined how microbiota compositions correlated with clinical characteristics and exacerbations of CBA. We prospectively recruited outpatients with BNO (<i>n</i> = 104), BO (<i>n</i> = 51), COPD (<i>n</i> = 33), and CBA (<i>n</i> = 70). We sampled at stead-state and exacerbation, and profiled sputum microbiota via 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolome via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sputum microbiota and metabolome profiles of CBA separated from COPD (<i>P</i> < 0.05) but not bronchiectasis, partly driven by Proteobacteria enrichment in CBA. An increasing microbial interaction but not microbiota compositions were identified at exacerbation. Pseudomonadaceae-dominant CBA yielded lower Shannon–Wiener diversity index (<i>P</i> < 0.001), greater bronchiectasis severity (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and higher future exacerbation risk (HR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.34–4.52, <i>P</i> < 0.001) than other genera-dominant CBA. We found a clear metabolite discrimination between CBA and COPD. Most of up-regulated metabolites identified in CBA, were amino acids metabolites, which indicated that the accumulation of amino acids metabolites was related to the alteration of airway microbiota. To conclude, airway structural changes, but not airflow limitation, correlate more profoundly with microbiota and metabolome profiles (e.g. partly via Pseudomonadaceae-amino acids metabolism links), shaping clinical outcomes of CBA.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240149","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lei Wang, Lianqing Wang, Chunbo Dong, Jialong Liu, Guoxin Cui, Shan Gao, Zhida Liu
{"title":"Exploring the Potential and Advancements of Circular RNA Therapeutics","authors":"Lei Wang, Lianqing Wang, Chunbo Dong, Jialong Liu, Guoxin Cui, Shan Gao, Zhida Liu","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240044","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry owing to its superior safety profile, manufacturing capabilities, and potential applications in previously undruggable therapeutic targets. In addition to linear mRNA, such as conventional mRNA, self-amplifying mRNA, and trans-amplifying mRNA, circular mRNA has emerged as a promising candidate. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a class of single-stranded RNA with a covalently closed loop structure that offers enhanced stability compared to linear RNA by resisting degradation from RNases. Recent studies have revolutionized our understanding of their biological functions, surpassing the notion that they are merely byproducts of aberrant splicing events. Given the remarkable success achieved in cancer and SARS-CoV-2/monkeypox virus (MPXV) vaccines, circRNA is being intensively investigated for gene and cell therapies. In this review, we provide an overview of circRNA biogenesis mechanisms in vivo, along with synthesis strategies in vitro, while discussing translation regulation mechanisms and quality control processes involved in circRNA production. Furthermore, we explore the potential application scenarios for circRNAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240044","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Changwu Wu, Fushu Luo, Yongye Zhu, Chunbo Liu, Zheng Chen, Xiangyu Wang, Jun Tan, Qing Liu
{"title":"Deciphering the Potential Causal and Prognostic Relationships Between Gut Microbiota and Brain Tumors: Insights from Genetics Analysis and Machine Learning","authors":"Changwu Wu, Fushu Luo, Yongye Zhu, Chunbo Liu, Zheng Chen, Xiangyu Wang, Jun Tan, Qing Liu","doi":"10.1002/EXP.20240087","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.20240087","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The concept of the microbiota-gut-brain axis has witnessed significant advancements, and observational studies revealed dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of patients with brain tumors. The causal relationship between gut microbiota and brain tumors and the potential prognostic value of microbiota are still unclear. Based on multiple Mendelian randomization analyses, this study confirms the causal effects of four gut microbes on meningioma, seven gut microbes on pituitary tumor, and eight gut microbes on glioma. Based on the Sherlock framework, this study identifies 103 meningioma-related microbe-related genes (MRGs), 40 pituitary tumor-related MRGs, and 63 glioma-related MRGs expressed in brain tissues. Almost all glioma-related MRGs are associated with tumor grade and prognosis. Lastly, the prognostic model based on machine learning and microbiota established in this study, namely microbe-related signature (MRS), could robustly predict the prognosis of glioma and provide insights for immunotherapy benefits. This study presents evidence of the causal effects of gut microbes on brain tumors, which contributes to our understanding of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The relationship between glioma-related MRGs and glioma prognosis, along with the prognostic prediction capacity of MRS and its association with immunotherapy, provides support for the use of gut microbiota as biomarkers to evaluate the prognosis and treatment response of glioma.</p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":22.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.20240087","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144897259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Back Cover: Engineered brain-targeting exosome for reprogramming immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioblastoma (EXP2 2/2025)","authors":"Jun Yang, Yong Li, Shaoping Jiang, Yuxin Tian, Mengjie Zhang, Shuai Guo, Pengfei Wu, Jianan Li, Lin Xu, Wenpei Li, Yushu Wang, Huile Gao, Yuanyu Huang, Yuhua Weng, Shaobo Ruan","doi":"10.1002/EXP.70037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Through metabolic glycoengineering and bioorthogonal reactions, engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been developed to preserve their high biocompatibility, natural drug storage capacity, and low immunogenicity. These properties, combined with an enhanced ability to target brain disease tissues, make them a highly versatile and promising platform for therapeutic applications. By loading various types of drugs into the EVs using electroporation, both efficient drug encapsulation and precise targeting of diseased tissues are achieved. With their intrinsic biocompatibility and specialized physiological properties, engineered EVs offer a novel approach to treating brain diseases, presenting new opportunities for drug delivery and therapeutic solution development.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.70037","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jingdong Rao, Di Suo, Qing Ma, Yongyi Mo, Ho-Pan Bei, Li Wang, Chuyang Y. Tang, Kai-Hang Yiu, Shuqi Wang, Zhilu Yang, Xin Zhao
{"title":"Front Cover: Riding a Vascular Time Train to Spatiotemporally Attenuate Thrombosis and Restenosis by Double Presentation of Therapeutic Gas and Biomacromolecules (EXP2 2/2025)","authors":"Jingdong Rao, Di Suo, Qing Ma, Yongyi Mo, Ho-Pan Bei, Li Wang, Chuyang Y. Tang, Kai-Hang Yiu, Shuqi Wang, Zhilu Yang, Xin Zhao","doi":"10.1002/EXP.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/EXP.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A multi-functional stent coating that combines a dopamine-copper base with therapeutic biomolecule modification, including nitric oxide (NO) precursor L-arginine, endothelial glycocalyx heparin, and endothelial cell catcher vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has been developed. This coating enables procedural vascular repair, suppresses inflammation, promotes rapid re-endothelialization, effectively prevents thrombosis and restenosis.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":72997,"journal":{"name":"Exploration (Beijing, China)","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/EXP.70038","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}