a-flow-cytometry-based-method-for-profiling-immune-cells-human-blood

A Flow Cytometry-Based Method for Profiling Immune Cells in Human Blood and Tumors

Flow cytometry enables the simultaneous characterization of multiple immune-cell populations and their phenotypic subsets in clinical specimens. However, ...

Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University

Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Multi-omics Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Diseases

Chemoresistance is a major obstacle faced by oesophageal cancer patients and is synonymous with a poor prognosis. MCL1 is a pivotal member of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein family, which has been found to play an important role in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and chemoresistance. Thus, it might be an ideal target for treating oesophageal cancer patients. Although it is known that MCL1 is degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome system, the deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) responsible for stabilizing MCL1 remains elusive to date. Herein, we demonstrate that Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 20 (USP20) is a novel regulator of the apoptotic signaling pathway. Moreover, USP20 could regulate the deubiquitination of MCL1 to, in turn, regulate its stability. Increased expression of USP20 was correlated with increased levels of MCL1 protein in human patient samples. In addition, depletion of USP20 could increase the polyubiquitination of MCL1, thereby increasing the conversion rate of MCL1 and the sensitivity of cells to chemotherapy. Overall, our findings indicate that the USP20-MCL1 axis might play a key role in the apoptotic signaling pathway.

The deubiquitinating enzyme USP20 regulates the stability of the MCL1 protein.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T cells that rapidly produce cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) upon activation. The immune response is crucial in stroke-related injury. However, few studies have investigated the role of MAIT cells in ischemic brain injury. This study assessed the predictive value of circulating MAIT cells in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and early neurological deterioration (END).

Circulating mucosal-associated invariant T cells predict early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke.

Studies in breast cancer have demonstrated that apatinib exhibits both antiangiogenic and antitumor effects, while PD-L1 inhibitors have similarly shown meaningful clinical benefit. Building upon these observations, this study evaluated the potential synergistic antitumor effects of combining apatinib with a PD-L1 inhibitor and examined the mechanistic basis for their interaction in breast cancer. Notably, we found that this regimen could significantly suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and promote cell apoptosis. In addition, the levels of p-ERK, NF-κB, and Slug were markedly reduced in vitro. Collectively, these findings support the potential clinical utility of combining apatinib and PD-L1 inhibition, as evidenced by consistent in vitro and in vivo synergy.

Article	Year
The deubiquitinating enzyme USP20 regulates the stability of the MCL1 protein. Biochemical and biophysical research communications\| PubMed ID: 35063767	2022
Circulating mucosal-associated invariant T cells predict early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke. Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association\| PubMed ID: 40157657	2025
Synergistic Anticancer Effects of Apatinib and PD-L1 Inhibition in Breast Cancer. Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia\| PubMed ID: 41619044	2026

Cairu Guo

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