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PubMed2024

Proteomics analysis of deep fascia in acute compartment syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a syndrome in which local circulation is affected due to increased pressure within the compartment. We previously found in patients with calf fractures, the pressure of fascial compartment could be sharply reduced upon the appearance of tension blisters. Deep fascia, as the important structure for compartment, might play key role in this process. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the differences in gene profile in deep fascia tissue in fracture patients of the calf with or without tension blisters, and to explore the role of fascia in pressure improvement in ACS. Patients with lower leg fracture were enrolled and divided into control group (CON group, n = 10) without tension blister, and tension blister group (TB group, n = 10). Deep fascia tissues were collected and LC-MS/MS label-free quantitative proteomics were performed. Genes involved in fascia structure and fibroblast function were further validated by Western blot. The differentially expressed proteins were found to be mainly enriched in pathways related to protein synthesis and processing, stress fiber assembly, cell-substrate adhesion, leukocyte mediated cytotoxicity, and cellular response to stress. Compared with the CON group, the expression of Peroxidasin homolog (PXDN), which promotes the function of fibroblasts, and Leukocyte differentiation antigen 74 (CD74), which enhances the proliferation of fibroblasts, were significantly upregulated (p all <0.05), while the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), which is involved in collagen hydrolysis, and Neutrophil elastase (ELANE), which is involved in elastin hydrolysis, were significantly reduced in the TB group (p all <0.05), indicating fascia tissue underwent microenvironment reconstruction during ACS. In summary, the ACS accompanied by blisters is associated with the enhanced function and proliferation of fibroblasts and reduced hydrolysis of collagen and elastin. The adaptive alterations in the stiffness and elasticity of the deep fascia might be crucial for pressure release of ACS.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Network pharmacology combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method to explore the mechanism of Shizhi Fang in treating uric acid nephropathy mice.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the potential mechanisms of Shizhi Fang (SZF, ) in the treatment of uric acid nephropathy (UAN). METHODS: SZF-containing serum was prepared from six male rats and analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Network pharmacology was employed was integrated with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS to predict SZF targets for the treatment of UAN, which were subsequently validated through in vivo experiments. Sixty male Bagg Albino Laboratory-Bred Mouse, substrain c mice were randomly allocated into six groups: Normal, Model, Febuxostat, and three SZF dosage groups. Except for the Normal group, all mice were administered potassium oxonate (250 mg/kg) and adenine (50 mg/kg) via gavage to induce UAN. Four hours post-administration, the Febuxostat group received Febuxostat (6 mg/kg), while the SZF groups received low (0.234 g/kg), medium (0.468 g/kg), or high (0.936 g/kg) doses of SZF. The Normal and Model groups were given an equivalent volume of saline. All treatments were conducted over a period of four weeks. Urine and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and kidney tissues were subjected to histopathological examination and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Nine prototype compounds and 30 metabolites were identified in SZF serum. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 195 drug targets and 1608 disease targets, with 76 common drug-disease targets, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), Caspase 3, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) as key targets. Gene Ontology analysis identified 325 biological processes, 48 cellular components, and 72 molecular functions, while Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis identified 113 pathways. Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinities between active compounds and their targets. In the animal study, SZF treatment alleviated pathological damage and improved serum and urine biochemical markers compared to the Model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed a significant reduction in phosphorylated-STAT3, phosphorylated-SRC, MMP9, TLR4, and Caspase3 expression in renal tissues of SZF-treated mice (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SZF may exert therapeutic effects on UAN through multiple targets and pathways.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Candidate biomarker identification for blood stasis syndrome among coronary artery disease patients using the Olink proteomics platform.

OBJECTIVE: To identify candidate biomarkers of blood stasis syndrome (BSS) associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and explore the underlying inflammatory mechanisms. METHODS: Using the Olink Target 96 Inflammation panel, we identified plasma proteins in a group of 88 patients comprised of healthy controls (HCs), those with CAD and BSS (CAD-BSS), those with CAD without BSS (CAD-non-BSS), and those with BSS without CAD (non-CAD-BSS) (n = 22 in each group). Protein molecules that were specifically expressed in CAD or BSS were identified by differential expression analyses. Subsequently, potential protein biomarkers were identified using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to enable CAD and BSS differentiation. The potential functional mechanisms of identified proteins were then determined by Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. RESULTS: Patients with CAD had 31/92 upregulated and 4/92 downregulated proteins compared with those without. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11), CUB domain-containing protein 1, hepatocyte growth factor, sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), CCL25, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) showed the strongest upregulation (all P <0.0001). Patients with BSS had 8/92 downregulated proteins, specifically CCL28, CCL11, cystatin D, STAM-binding protein, 4E-BP1, matrix metalloproteinase-10, SIRT2, and monocyte chemotactic protein 4, compared with those without (all P < 0.05). The CAD-BSS group had one interleukin-17 (IL-17) upregulated and 10/92 downregulated proteins compared with the CAD-non-BSS group. When compared with the non-CAD-BSS group, the CAD-BSS group had 8 upregulated proteins but only 2 downregulated proteins, namely interleukin-10 receptor subunit alpha (IL-10RA) and TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (both P < 0.05). Totally 10 proteins were identified as potential candidate biomarkers of BSS in CAD patients. After least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis, two proteins that distinguished between BSS and non-BSS individuals among CAD patients were identified (SIRT2 and 4E-BP1). These proteins are primarily associated with the mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway, which regulates inflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the inflammatory response and mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway participate in CAD and BSS development, and that SIRT2 and 4E-BP1 are prospective protein biomarkers for patients with CAD and BSS.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Mechanism of action of curculigoside ameliorating osteoporosis: an analysis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to predict and verify the mechanism of curculigoside in treating osteoporosis using network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and micro-CT technology. METHODS: Herb databases were searched to identify and screen potential targets of curculigoside. The GeneCards platform was utilized to mine osteoporosis-related targets. Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was employed to construct a compound-target-disease network. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for curculigoside in osteoporosis treatment was established, and core targets were screened. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and GO biological process analyses were performed using the Metascape database. Finally, molecular docking and micro-CT were used to validate core targets relevant to osteoporosis. RESULTS: A total of 166 potential curculigoside targets and 4,313 osteoporosis-related targets were identified, with 91 common targets. Ten key targets, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)3, MMP9, interleukin (IL)-6, and caspase-3, were screened. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated involvement in 10 pathways, such as the Rap1 signaling pathway and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway. Molecular docking results demonstrated strong binding affinity between curculigoside and the core targets. Micro-CT analysis revealed that curculigoside not only improved BMD, BV/TV, BS/BV, and Tb.Th but also reduced Tb.Sp in osteoporotic bone. CONCLUSIONS: Curculigoside is likely to treat osteoporosis through targets such as MMP3, MMP9, IL-6, and caspase-3, acting on signaling pathways including Rap1 and TNF. These results indicate that curculigoside exhibits multitarget and multipathway characteristics in osteoporosis treatment, providing a theoretical basis for further clinical investigation.

Osteoporosis↗

PubMed2025

Identifying potential novel biomarkers for varicocele: A bioinformatics approach to genomics analysis.

Introduction: Varicocele, characterized by the enlargement of scrotal veins, is a common contributor to male infertility, but its genetic underpinnings remain largely unknown. Aim: The goal of this study is to identify potential biomarkers associated with varicocele in order to better understand its molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods: Using the three primary databases, NCBI, DisGeNET, and OpenTarget, we analyzed gene variants and found 79 pertinent genes associated with varicocele. Protein-protein interaction analysis was performed using STRING and visualized with Cytoscape. Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) and CytoHubba tools helped identify significant protein clusters. Results: The gene ontology analysis shows that there are 79 proteins involved in the inflammatory process, the regulation of gene expression, and cellular components that play a role in oxidative stress and angiogenesis. Our results revealed three key biomarkers: Interleukin-1 beta (IL1B), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). These proteins are involved in critical processes, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and vascular damage, that are central to the pathophysiology of varicocele. Conclusion: The identification of IL1B, BCL2, and MMP-9 offers new insights into varicocele’s molecular mechanisms and suggests potential targets for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, advancing personalized treatment approaches for fertility restoration.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Experimental study on the role and biomarker potential of CX3CR1 in osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disorder marked by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and the formation of secondary osteophytes. Despite extensive research, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify OA-associated genes and elucidate the molecular pathways implicated, with the goal of discovering reliable diagnostic biomarkers. METHODS: The microarray dataset was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed using R software to identify the signature gene, CX3CR1. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) correlated with CX3CR1 were subsequently subjected to Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and immune infiltration analyses. A ceRNA regulatory network was also constructed. Vali-dation of CX3CR1 expression was conducted through qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CX3CR1 emerged as a candidate gene significantly associated with OA, exhibiting regulatory roles primarily in lipid metabolism-related and extra-cellular matrix-related biological processes and signaling cascades. The infiltration levels of immune cells, particularly activated mast cells, appeared to modulate OA progression. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated elevated CX3CR1 expression in OA tissues relative to controls, with a robust positive correlation observed between CX3CR1 and MMP13 levels. CONCLUSION: CX3CR1 represents a potential biomarker for OA diagnosis and therapeutic targeting, exerting its effects by modulating lipid metabolism, extracellular matrix dynamics, and immune cell infiltration.

CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1↗

PubMed2026

Exploring the Mechanism of Zhigancao Decoction in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure via Modulation of Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND: Zhigancao decoction has shown therapeutic potential in the management of chronic heart failure (CHF); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its pharmacological effects remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate its potential mechanisms, with a particular focus on oxidative stress-related pathways. METHODS: The chemical profile of Zhigancao decoction was characterized by LC-MS/MS, and putative targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using the STRING database and Cytoscape software, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Differentially expressed genes from two GEO datasets (GSE9128 and GSE84796) were integrated with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes to identify candidate targets. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were subsequently performed to investigate compound-target interactions. RESULTS: A total of 66 chemical constituents and 818 putative targets were characterized and collected, respectively. Among these targets, MMP9 emerged as a central candidate associated with the therapeutic effects of Zhigancao decoction. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses demonstrated that the core targets were significantly enriched in oxidative stress-related pathways, inflammatory signaling cascades, and cell fate regulatory pathways. Computational deconvolution of bulk transcriptomic data suggested marked alterations in the estimated immune cell composition of the CHF microenvironment. Network pharmacology analysis further indicated that multiple chemical constituents of Zhigancao decoction converge on MMP9 and its associated pathways. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated favorable binding affinities between 10 representative compounds and MMP9, with binding energies below -7.0 kcal/mol. CONCLUSIONS: In silico predictions suggest that Zhigancao decoction may exert potential therapeutic effects against CHF through computationally predicted targeting of MMP9 and associated oxidative stress- and immune-related pathways. These computational findings provide a theoretical foundation for future experimental investigations into the mechanisms of Zhigancao decoction in CHF, though clinical application would require confirmation through rigorous in vivo and clinical studies.

Oxidative Stress↗

PubMed2026

A spatially coordinated keratinocyte-fibroblast circuit recruits MMP9+ myeloid cells to drive type I interferon-driven inflammation in photosensitive autoimmunity.

Photosensitivity is central to cutaneous lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis (DM), but the mechanisms linking UVB exposure to tissue-specific autoimmunity are poorly defined. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, UVB provocation and in vitro modeling, we identify MMP9+CD14+ myeloid cells as critical mediators of photosensitivity. These cells expand significantly in lesional skin, produce interferon-β (IFNβ) and colocalize with cytotoxic CD4+ T cells at the dermal-epidermal junction. Keratinocytes activate fibroblasts in the superficial dermis, prompting them to release chemokines (CCL2, CCL19, CCL7, CCL8) that recruit MMP9+CD14+ cells. In vitro, type I interferon-primed keratinocytes exposed to UVB release cytokines activating dendritic cells, mirroring in vivo responses. UVB irradiation of non-lesional skin of patients with DM rapidly recruits these myeloid cells. In a clinical proof-of-concept study, anti-type I interferon treatment with anifrolumab prevented UVB-induced myeloid infiltration and reduced photosensitivity. Therefore, targeting MMP9+CD14+ cells may offer therapeutic potential for managing photosensitive autoimmune skin conditions.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Genome-wide DNA methylation regulation analysis provides novel insights on post-radiation breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy with a poor prognosis. Radiotherapy is one of the leading traditional treatments for BC. However, radiotherapy-associated secondary diseases are severe issues for the treatment of BC. The present study integrated multi-omics data to investigate the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms involved in post-radiation BC. The differences in the expression of radiation-associated genes between post-radiation and pre-radiation BC samples were determined. Enrichment analysis revealed that these radiation-associated genes involved diverse biological functions and pathways in BC. Combining epigenetic data, we identified radiation-associated genes whose transcriptional changes might be associated with aberrant methylation. Then, we identified potential therapeutic targets and chemical drugs for post-radiation BC patient treatment by constructing a drug-target association network. Specifically, four radiation-associated genes (CD248, CCDC80, GADD45B, and MMP2) whose increased expression might be regulated by hypomethylation of the corresponding enhancer region were found to have excellent diagnostic effects and clinical prognostic value. Finally, we further used independent samples to verify CD248 expression and established a simple epigenetic regulatory model. In summary, this study provides novel insights for understanding the regulation of target genes mediated by DNA methylation and developing potential biomarkers for radiation-associated secondary diseases in BC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with oral submucous fibrosis risk.

BACKGROUND: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic and insidious oral disease characterized by hyalinization of the subepithelial connective tissue and progressive fibrosis of the oral submucosa. It is a precancerous condition of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are closely associated with susceptibility to OSF. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the association between SNPs and OSF risk and to rank the strength of the association between different genetic models and OSF susceptibility. METHODS: Literature related to OSF was comprehensively searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wangfang databases up to July 2025. Full-text case-control studies with patients diagnosed with OSF were included. Quality assessment was performed to evaluate the risk of bias. RevMan 5.4, GeMTC 0.14.3, and STATA 17.0 were used for the pairwise and Bayesian network meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies with 2545 cases and 3772 controls, covering 13 SNPs in 11 genes, were included in our meta-analysis. We found that CYP1A1 rs4646903:T>C, CYP1A1 rs1048943:A>G, GSTT1 null genotype, GSTM1 null genotype, and XRCC3 rs861539:C>T were associated with an increased risk of OSF, while MMP2 rs243865:C>T and MMP3 rs3025058: 5A>6A were associated with a decreased risk of OSF. Further Bayesian network meta-analysis indicated the top 5 genetic models with the highest association with OSF risk in network group 1 were the dominant model, homozygous model, allelic model, and recessive model of CYP1A1 rs1048943:A>G (ranked 1-4), and the heterozygous/dominant model of CYP1A1 rs4646903:T>C (both ranked 5). While the allelic models of XRCC3 rs861539:C>T and MMP3 rs3025058: 5A>6A ranked first for predicting OSF in group 2 and group 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Some specific SNPs are significantly related to the risk of OSF. Among them, the dominant model of CYP1A1 rs1048943:A>G may be the most strongly associated genetic model with OSF risk. Future large-sample, well-designed studies with detailed genotype data are needed to validate the roles of these SNPs in OSF risk.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Intra-amniotic infection: diagnosis, nomenclature, clinical significance, management, and microbiologic tools used for the diagnosis.

SUMMARYIntra-amniotic infection is the main cause of spontaneous preterm birth and adverse maternal-fetal outcomes; therefore, rapid, robust, and accurate diagnosis remains a clinical priority. Conventional microbiological techniques, especially culture-based methods, are limited by long turnaround times and the inability to detect fastidious or unculturable organisms. This review summarizes the diagnosis, nomenclature, clinical significance, management, and laboratory approaches for diagnosing intra-amniotic infection. Targeted nucleic acid amplification methods, including species-specific polymerase chain reaction and broad-range 16S rRNA gene sequencing, have improved the detection of bacterial DNA and enabled the identification of organisms that evade routine culture in intra-amniotic infection. More recently, whole-genome sequencing and metagenomic next-generation sequencing have provided culture-independent strategies for comprehensive pathogen profiling, allowing simultaneous detection of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as characterization of antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence-associated genes. However, challenges remain, particularly in low-biomass samples such as amniotic fluid, where contamination, host DNA background, and data interpretation can compromise specificity. This review critically evaluates the advantages and limitations of each molecular modality and discusses pre-analytical, analytical, and bioinformatic considerations essential for reliable implementation. Integration of molecular diagnostics into clinical workflows holds promise for improving etiological diagnosis and guiding targeted therapy in intra-amniotic infection, thereby improving maternal and fetal outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Matrix Metalloprotease 1 (Mmp1) promotes cell fate change for epithelial-to-epithelial transition during regeneration after radiation damage in Drosophila.

Ionizing radiation (IR) is used to treat cancer, but therapeutic failure occurs when surviving cancer cells change fate and regenerate tumors through acquired stem cell-like properties. While transcriptional mechanisms underlying cell fate plasticity have been characterized, the cellular processes enabling cell movement during tissue regeneration remain unclear. We reported previously that hinge cells of the Drosophila larval wing disc convert to pouch fate and translocate to help regenerate the pouch that suffers from more IR-induced apoptosis. We report here that IR increases the expression of extracellular proteins in the hinge, including secreted proteases and cell adhesion modulators. Functional validation using RNA interference revealed that secreted Matrix Metalloprotease 1 (Mmp1) and the related secreted protease homolog Scarface (Scaf) are required in hinge cells for IR-induced cell fate conversion and translocation. IR, we found, induces Mmp1 and scaf transcripts in hinge cells via cell-autonomous JNK signaling. Overexpression of Mmp1 specifically in the hinge was sufficient to elevate Mmp1 protein levels throughout the disc and induced cell fate change of both hinge and non-hinge cells but only in the context of irradiation. Confocal imaging in a time course demonstrated that cells undergoing fate conversion remain within the epithelial layer with little evidence for delamination or epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We propose that remodeling of the extracellular environment is a critical mechanism that enables cellular reorganization during tissue regeneration. Mmp enzymes are important for cancer biology because of their role in ECM remodeling, extracellular signaling, and EMT. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that Mmp1 is necessary and sufficient for one epithelial cell type to switch to another epithelial cell type after radiation damage. These results provide a mechanistic basis for radiation therapy-induced cell fate plasticity.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Potential Involvement of the IL-6/STAT3/MMP12 Signaling Axis in DMSO-Mediated Anti-Fibrotic Effects in Experimental Silicosis.

This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in a mouse model of silicosis, thereby exploring its potential therapeutic value. A mouse model of silicosis was established by intranasal instillation, and DMSO treatment was administered via intraperitoneal injection. The experiment was conducted over a period of 1 month. Lung tissues were collected from all mice; a subset was subjected to transcriptomic analysis, and differentially expressed genes were identified using the limma package. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted using ClusterProfiler to investigate gene functions and associated pathways. The remaining samples were subjected to histopathological assessment by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining, while Western blot analysis was performed to validate transcriptomic results. This study suggests that DMSO may alleviate the fibrotic process in silicosis by modulating the IL-6/STAT3-MMP12 signaling axis. In the silica-induced silicosis mouse model, DMSO attenuated disease-associated weight loss and reduced collagen deposition. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that DMSO suppressed the activity of multiple fibrosis-related pathways and identified 51 key genes, including MMP12, which was significantly downregulated. Western blot analysis further confirmed reduced MMP12 expression, accompanied by markedly decreased levels of IL-6 and p-STAT3, suggesting the IL-6/STAT3 pathway may play a crucial role in regulating MMP12 expression. DMSO may attenuate inflammatory responses and pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis by inhibiting activation of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby reducing MMP12 expression.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Hypoxia reprograms VEGF signaling to differentially control ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS3 expression in endothelial cells.

ADAMTS2/-3, key metalloproteinases involved in collagen processing and extracellular matrix dynamics, remain insufficiently characterized in terms of their transcriptional regulation under hypoxic and pro-angiogenic conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that VEGF₁₆₅ robustly enhances ADAMTS2/-3 expression in endothelial cells, with hypoxia providing a striking amplification of this response. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that hypoxia and VEGF induced HIF-mediated and time-varying expression responses in ADAMTS2/-3. Using HUVECs exposed to CoCl₂-induced hypoxia, VEGF stimulation led to substantial increases in ADAMTS2 (approximately 19-fold at 3 h) and ADAMTS3 (approximately 46-fold at 3 h) mRNA levels, accompanied by concordant protein upregulation. Promoter-reporter assays revealed strong VEGF responsiveness in defined ADAMTS2 (-658/+112) and ADAMTS3 (-131/+40; -1340/+40) promoter fragments, particularly under hypoxic conditions. Pharmacological inhibition showed that JNK, MAPK/ERK, p38, and PI3K pathways each contributed partially to VEGF-mediated transcription, indicating multi-pathway convergence rather than single-pathway dependency. This finding is consistent with RNA-seq analyses showing that VEGF-related signaling is extensively re-regulated under hypoxic conditions. Extension of these analyses to MG-63 and SAOS-2 cell lines revealed modest but consistent VEGF-induced upregulation, supporting a tissue-independent regulatory axis. Collectively, these findings position ADAMTS2/-3 as potent hypoxia- and VEGF-responsive genes, uncovering their integration into HIF-1α-dependent transcriptional networks and VEGF-activated signaling cascades. This work highlights the relevance of ADAMTS2/-3 in angiogenesis-associated extracellular matrix remodeling and identifies them as promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in hypoxia-driven vascular pathology.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Mapping articular cartilage maturation across postnatal development by proteomics.

OBJECTIVE: Articular cartilage has a specialised extracellular matrix that provides tensile strength and resistance to compression, but repair capacity is limited. Matrix remodelling during growth is essential for long-term tissue function, yet the underlying protein-level adaptations remain poorly characterised in large-animal models relevant to human joint biology. DESIGN: Using non-targeted, label-free mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we profiled full-thickness articular cartilage from goats across seven postnatal ages from neonatal to adult (n = 3 per age). Cartilage proteins were extracted using guanidine-based solubilisation and analysed by mass spectrometry. Selected proteins were further examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We identified 799 proteins across the seven ages, of which 157 matrisome components grouped into six categories. Development was associated with increased abundance of proteins involved in matrix organisation and stabilisation, including COL6A1, LOX, TIMP3 and CILP. Enrichment analysis revealed a shift from collagen biosynthesis and fibrillogenesis in early postnatal cartilage to elastic fibre organisation, integrin-matrix interactions and glycosaminoglycan metabolism in mature tissue, consistent with transition from matrix assembly to maintenance. Lysozyme increased with age, suggesting a structural role that warrants further study. Several proteins enriched in mature cartilage, including CILP, HTRA1, FN1 and SPP1, have also been implicated in osteoarthritis, suggesting that some molecular features of mature ECM maintenance are shared with diseased tissue. Immunohistochemistry confirmed stable COL2 localisation, loss of deep-zone COL10 staining with maturation and emergence of superficial PRG4 expression in adult cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings define the proteomic trajectory of cartilage maturation and provide a molecular reference for joint development and matrix ageing.

Animals↗