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Simvastatin,a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor,was used in cardiovascular diseases and could decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and may have a repurposed role in cancer therapy. However,the effects of simvastatin on endometrial cancer remain controversial. We aimed to elucidate the role and mechanisms of simvastatin in regulating previously identified endometrial cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells (EmCaMSCs)-mediated immunosuppressive effects and anti-tumor progression. Coculture of EmCaMSCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was used to assay the population of CD8 + T cells,natural killer (NK) cells,and cytotoxicity of NK cells. The mechanisms were elucidated by applying recombinant proteins and inhibitors of candidate proteins,transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2). Finally,the humanized mouse model was generated to study the effects of simvastatin-mediated immunotherapy in treating endometrial cancer. The protein expressions of TGF-β2,CD56,CD8,and PD-L1 in xenograft tumors were analyzed by Western blot or immunohistochemistry assay. In this study,simvastatin inhibited the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells (HEC-1 A and RL95-2) and EmCaMSCs,and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of EmCaMSCs were much higher. Simvastatin rescued the proliferation and the population of CD8 + T cells and natural killer (NK) cells from PBMC coculturing with EmCaMSC. Simvastatin treatment reduced the expression of TGF-β2 in EmCaMSCs at both the gene and protein levels. TGF-β2 activated the downstream SMAD2/3 signaling,and their inhibition by simvastatin could enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells against endometrial cancer cells in vitro. Additionally,a combination of simvastatin and NK cell therapy inhibited xenograft growth,potentially by reducing TGF-β2 expression. In conclusion,simvastatin could rescue the population of CD8 + T cells and NK cells from PBMC cocultured with EmCaMSCs. Furthermore,simvastatin could enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells in vitro and inhibit tumor growth in vivo in a humanized mouse model. These results suggested that simvastatin may be considered as a repurposed and combination drug for treating endometrial cancer. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-08686-9. View Publication

p18 INK4 C (CDKN2C,encoded by p18 INK4c or Cdkn2c ) is an early G1-phase cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor protein. Previous studies demonstrated enhanced self-renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in p18 −/− mice compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Given the critical role of bone marrow niche cells-particularly mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)-in hematopoiesis,this study investigated the functional alterations of p18 −/− MSCs and their impact on hematopoietic support. Bone marrow derived MSCs were isolated from p18 −/− and WT mice. Their proliferation and differentiation capacities were assessed,followed by evaluation of hematopoietic support using cobblestone area-forming cell assay and long-term culture-initiating cell assay. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the transcriptional profile of p18 −/− MSCs,with a focus on differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Key pathways associated with hematopoietic support were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. A candidate protein was quantified by ELISA,and its functional role in hematopoietic support was validated via a modified coculture system. p18 −/− MSCs displayed an increased proliferation rate,preferential differentiation toward osteogenesis over adipogenesis,and enhanced hematopoietic support. RNA sequencing analysis identified 137 DEGs,with secreted phosphoprotein 1 ( Spp1,encoding osteopontin,Opn) being significantly upregulated in p18 −/− MSCs. Elevated Opn levels were confirmed in both bone marrow and MSC-conditioned media from p18 −/− mice. Functional validation further demonstrated that Opn enhanced the hematopoietic supportive capacity of MSCs in vitro. p18 deficiency promotes osteogenic differentiation and enhances the hematopoietic supportive function of MSCs,likely mediated by Opn upregulation. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for improving bone regeneration and HSC expansion. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04402-6. View Publication

Duplication 15q (dup15q) syndrome is a leading genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder,offering a key model for studying autism-related mechanisms. Using single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing of cortical organoids from dup15q patient-derived iPSCs and post-mortem brain samples,we identify increased glycolysis,disrupted layer-specific marker expression,and aberrant morphology in deep-layer neurons during fetal-stage organoid development. In adolescent-adult postmortem brains,upper-layer neurons exhibit heightened transcriptional burden related to synaptic signaling,a pattern shared with idiopathic autism. Using spatial transcriptomics,we confirm these cell-type-specific disruptions in brain tissue. By gene co-expression network analysis,we reveal disease-associated modules that are well preserved between postmortem and organoid samples,suggesting metabolic dysregulation that may lead to altered neuron projection,synaptic dysfunction,and neuron hyperexcitability in dup15q syndrome. Subject terms: Autism spectrum disorders,Autism spectrum disorders,Disease model View Publication

Schwann cells (SCs) play a crucial role in peripheral nerve repair by supporting axonal regeneration and remyelination. While extensive research has been conducted using rodent SCs,increasing attention is being directed toward human SCs due to species-specific differences in phenotypical and functional properties,and accessibility of human SCs derived from diverse sources. A major challenge in translating SC-based therapies for nerve repair lies in the inability to replicate human SC myelination in vitro,posing a significant obstacle to drug discovery and preclinical research. In this study,we compared the myelination capacity of human,rodent,and porcine SCs in various co-culture conditions,including species-matched and cross-species neuronal environments in a serum-free medium. Our results confirmed that rodent and porcine SCs readily myelinate neurites under standard culture conditions after treatment with ascorbic acid for two weeks,whereas human SCs,at least within the four-week observation period,failed to show myelin staining in all co-cultures. Furthermore,we investigated whether cell culture manipulation impairs human SC myelination by transplanting freshly harvested and predegenerated human nerve segments into NOD-SCID mice for four weeks. Despite supporting host axonal regeneration into the grafts,human SCs exhibited very limited myelination,suggesting an intrinsic species-specific restriction rather than a cell culture-induced defect. These observations suggest fundamental differences between human and rodent SCs and highlight the need for human-specific models and protocols to advance our understanding of SC myelination. View Publication

We have developed the HybriSeq method for single-cell RNA profiling,which utilizes in situ hybridization of multiple probes for targeted transcripts,followed by split-pool barcoding and sequencing analysis of the probes. We have shown that HybriSeq can achieve high sensitivity for RNA detection with multiple probes and profile entire transcripts without an end bias. The utility of HybriSeq is demonstrated in characterizing cell-to-cell heterogeneities of a panel of 196 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the detection of missed annotations of transcripts. Subject terms: Gene expression profiling,RNA sequencing View Publication

Synucleinopathies are characterized by the accumulation and propagation of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates throughout the brain,leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. In this study,we used an unbiased FACS-based genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screening to identify genes that regulate the entry and accumulation of α-syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) in cells. We identified key genes and pathways specifically implicated in α-syn PFFs intracellular accumulation,including heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) biosynthesis and Golgi trafficking. All confirmed hits affected heparan sulfate (HS),a post-translational modification known to act as a receptor for proteinaceous aggregates including α-syn and tau. Intriguingly,deletion of SLC39A9 and C3orf58 genes,encoding respectively a Golgi-localized exporter of Zn 2+,and the Golgi-localized putative kinase DIPK2A,specifically impaired the uptake of α-syn PFFs,by preventing the binding of PFFs to the cell surface. Mass spectrometry-based analysis of HS chains in SLC39A9 -/- and C3orf58 -/- cells indicated major defects in HS homeostasis. Additionally,Golgi accumulation of NDST1,a prime HSPG biosynthetic enzyme,was detected in C3orf58 -/- cells. Interestingly,C3orf58 -/- human iPSC-derived microglia and dopaminergic neurons exhibited a strong reduction in their ability to internalize α-syn PFFs. Altogether,our data identifies new modulators of HSPGs that regulate α-syn PFFs cell surface binding and uptake. Subject terms: Cellular neuroscience,Glycobiology View Publication

Circulating tumour cell (CTC) enumeration and profiling has been established as a valuable clinical tool in many solid malignancies. A key challenge in CTC research is the limited number of cells available for study. Ex vivo CTC culture permits expansion of these rare cell populations for detailed characterisation,functional assays including drug sensitivity testing,and investigation of the pathobiology of metastases. We report for the first time the establishment and characterisation of two continuous CTC lines from patients with gastroesophageal cancer. The two cell lines (designated UWG01CTC and UWG02CTC) demonstrated rapid tumorigenic growth in immunodeficient mice and exhibit distinct genotypic and phenotypic profiles which are consistent with the tumours of origin. UWG02CTC exhibits an EpCAM+,cytokeratin+,CD44+ phenotype,while UWG01CTC,which was derived from a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer,displays an EpCAM-,weak cytokeratin phenotype,with strong expression of neuroendocrine markers. Further,the two cell lines show distinct differences in drug and radiation sensitivity which match differential cancer-associated gene expression pathways. This is strong evidence implicating EpCAM negative CTCs in metastasis. These novel,well characterised,long-term CTC cell lines from gastroesophageal cancer will facilitate ongoing research into metastasis and the discovery of therapeutic targets. View Publication

Scleroderma (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by immune dysregulation,vasculopathy,and fibrosis. We have previously demonstrated that low Fli1 expression in SSc fibroblasts and endothelial cells plays an important role in SSc pathogenesis. Cells of myeloid and lymphoid origin also express Fli1 and are dysregulated in patients with SSc,playing key roles in disease pathogenesis. However,the role for immune Fli1 in SSc is not yet clear. Our aim was to elucidate whether Fli1 contributes to the immune dysregulation seen in SSc. Comparison of the expression of Fli1 in monocytes,B- and T-cell fractions of PBMCs isolated from SSc patients and healthy controls (HC),showed an increase in Fli1 levels in monocytes. We used siRNA transfected human myeloid cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages obtained from Fli1 flox/flox LysMCre+/+ mice,and found that markers of alternative macrophage activation were increased with Fli1 deletion. Coculture of Fli1-deficient myeloid cells and primary human or mouse fibroblasts resulted in a potent induction of collagen type I,independent of TGF$\beta$ upregulation. We next analyzed global gene expression profile in response to Fli1 downregulation,to gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms of this process and to identify differentially expressed genes in myeloid cells. Of relevance to SSc,the top most upregulated pathways were hallmark IFN-$\gamma$ and IFN-$\alpha$ response. Additionally,several genes previously linked to SSc pathogenesis and fibrosis in general were also induced,including CCL2,CCL7,MMP12,and CXCL10. ANKRD1,a profibrotic transcription co-regulator was the top upregulated gene in our array. Our results show that Fli1-deficient myeloid cells share key features with cells from SSc patients,with higher expression of profibrotic markers and activation of interferon responsive genes,thus suggesting that dysregulation of Fli1 in myeloid cells may contribute to SSc pathogenesis. View Publication

Preclinical in vitro models provide an essential tool to study cancer cell biology as well as aid in translational research,including drug target identification and drug discovery efforts. For any model to be clinically relevant,it needs to recapitulate the biology and cell heterogeneity of the primary tumor. We recently developed and described a conditional reprogramming (CR) cell technology that addresses many of these needs and avoids the deficiencies of most current cancer cell lines,which are usually clonal in origin. Here,we used the CR cell method to generate a collection of patient-derived cell cultures from non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Whole exome sequencing and copy number variations are used for the first time to address the capability of CR cells to keep their tumor-derived heterogeneity. Our results indicated that these primary cultures largely maintained the molecular characteristics of the original tumors. Using a mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH) score,we showed that CR cells are able to keep and maintain most of the intra-tumoral heterogeneity,suggesting oligoclonality of these cultures. CR cultures therefore represent a pre-clinical lung cancer model for future basic and translational studies. View Publication

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant tumor in adult brain. Even with the current standard therapy including surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide (Temo),GBM patients still have a poor median survival. Reprogramming of tumor cells into non-malignant cells might be a promising therapeutic strategy for malignant tumors,including GBM. Based on previous studies using small molecules to reprogram astrocytes into neuronal cells,here we further identified a FTT cocktail of three commonly used drugs (Fasudil,Tranilast,and Temo) to reprogram patient-derived GBM cells,either cultured in serum containing or serum-free medium,into neuronal like cells. FTT-treated GBM cells displayed a neuronal like morphology,expressed neuronal genes,exhibited neuronal electrophysiological properties,and showed attenuated malignancy. More importantly,FTT cocktail more significantly suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in GBM patient derived xenograft than Temo alone. Our study provided preclinical evidence that the neuronal reprogramming drug cocktail might be a promising strategy to improve the existing treatment for GBM. View Publication

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) provide an attractive tool to study disease mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia. A pertinent problem is the development of hiPSC-based assays to discriminate schizophrenia (SZ) from autism spectrum disorder (ASD) models. Healthy control individuals as well as patients with SZ and ASD were examined by a panel of diagnostic tests. Subsequently,skin biopsies were taken for the generation,differentiation,and testing of hiPSC-derived neurons from all individuals. SZ and ASD neurons share a reduced capacity for cortical differentiation as shown by quantitative analysis of the synaptic marker PSD95 and neurite outgrowth. By contrast,pattern analysis of calcium signals turned out to discriminate among healthy control,schizophrenia,and autism samples. Schizophrenia neurons displayed decreased peak frequency accompanied by increased peak areas,while autism neurons showed a slight decrease in peak amplitudes. For further analysis of the schizophrenia phenotype,transcriptome analyses revealed a clear discrimination among schizophrenia,autism,and healthy controls based on differentially expressed genes. However,considerable differences were still evident among schizophrenia patients under inspection. For one individual with schizophrenia,expression analysis revealed deregulation of genes associated with the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) presentation pathway. Interestingly,antipsychotic treatment of healthy control neurons also increased MHC class II expression. In conclusion,transcriptome analysis combined with pattern analysis of calcium signals appeared as a tool to discriminate between SZ and ASD phenotypes in vitro. View Publication