PLoS Med. 2026 May 15;23(5):e1004703. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004703. eCollection 2026 May.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is closely related to the recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying cellular mechanism remains largely elusive. This study aims to elucidate the regional cellular discrepancy between MVI-positive (MVI+) and MVI-negative (MVI-) HCC by integrating Spatial transcriptomics (ST) and spatial metabolomics (SM).

METHODS AND FINDINGS: ST and SM were performed on six tissue samples from four patients (including 2 MVI+, 2 MVI-, and 2 paratumor tissues), with the integration of 79 public single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of HCC. Patient identity was used as a covariate in the linear equation for regional differentially expressed gene analysis with the ST data. Clinical validation was conducted through multiplex immunofluorescence staining in 79 patients, together with external validation in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA)-liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) cohort (n = 299) and an independent microarray dataset (n = 62). For cell-type-specific metabolic profiling, spatial transcriptomic-metabolic registration was performed. The functional roles of key metabolites were further validated in vitro using inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs) derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and primary CAFs through co-culture models and various functional assays assessing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In the tumor lesion, a malignant STMN1+HMGN2+GPC3+ cell subtype enriched in MVI+ HCC was identified, which exhibited enhanced proliferative activity and was associated with poor prognosis. This finding was further confirmed in a local cohort of 79 patients, where multiplex immunofluorescence staining for the three genes (STMN1, HMGN2, and GPC3) showed significantly higher expression in the MVI+ group than in the MVI- group (p = 0.046). Integrated SM analysis further revealed that this cell population underwent metabolic reprogramming characterized by suppressed glycerolipid metabolism. In the tumor capsule, iCAFs-related genes were downregulated in MVI+ cases, and iCAFs were located distally from the tumor boundary. Spatial metabolite mapping showed a strong correlation between taurine and iCAFs, and functional assays demonstrated that taurine promotes HCC proliferation and migration by suppressing iCAF activity. One limitation of this study is the small sample size of spatial omics data, which hinders a more complete molecular functional analysis of the STMN1+HMGN2+GPC3+ cell subtype and iCAFs in MVI+ HCC. Larger-scale ST cohorts are required to further validate and expand the findings of this study.

CONCLUSIONS: This integrative spatial atlas proposes a hypothesis that there exists a highly proliferative and metabolically reprogrammed malignant cell subtype in the tumor lesion of MVI+ HCC, and that taurine in the tumor capsule modulates iCAF activity to influence tumor progression. The exploratory results provide mechanistic insights into MVI-related HCC progression and offer potential avenues for targeted therapeutic intervention of MVI+ HCC.

PMID:42139279 | PMC:PMC13178920 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pmed.1004703

Cancer Med. 2026 Apr;15(4):e71833. doi: 10.1002/cam4.71833.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to elucidate the role of FGFR1 in activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the underlying mechanisms by which it promotes malignant progression in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). By integrating multi-omics analysis with functional experiments, the clinical heterogeneity of FGFR1 amplification, signaling crosstalk, and their regulatory networks governing tumor phenotypes were revealed.

METHODS: Using TCGA data (n = 490), we analyzed the relationship between FGFR1 copy number variation (CNV) and mRNA expression in LUSC, and validated the correlation with protein expression in a clinical cohort (n = 38). GSEA and single-gene GSEA were performed to identify signaling pathways associated with high FGFR1 expression. The interaction between FGFR1 and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was investigated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, stable cell lines, Western blot, qPCR, and functional assays.

RESULTS: FGFR1 amplification correlated with increased mRNA and protein expression. The top 25% FGFR1 high-expression group enriched Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K-Akt, and cAMP pathways. Mechanistically, FGFR1 promoted β-catenin nuclear accumulation and enhanced β-catenin signaling through PKA-associated phosphorylation and Akt/GSK3β-related regulation of β-catenin stability, and these effects were attenuated by AKT inhibition. CTNNB1 knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth of LUSC cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that FGFR1 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling through coordinated regulation of β-catenin phosphorylation, stability, and subcellular localization, thereby promoting malignant progression in LUSC. These results provide a rationale for targeting the FGFR1-Wnt/β-catenin axis as a potential therapeutic strategy.

PMID:41998829 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.71833

Cell Rep Med. 2026 Apr 10:102741. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102741. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Combined small-cell lung cancer (cSCLC) is an aggressive subtype of SCLC with mixed histologic components. Despite heterogeneity and poorer prognosis than de novo SCLC, cSCLC is managed as SCLC because molecular insight into biology, lineage plasticity, and tumor microenvironment (TME) is limited. We perform spatial whole-exome sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing across 19 treatment-naive cSCLC tumors. Different histologic components share a monoclonal origin, whereas divergence associates with distinct mutation and copy-number alteration patterns. Our results define spatially exclusive or interspersed tumor domains with distinct TME and immune landscapes; fibroblast-rich boundaries enriched for an aggressive fibroblast subtype may shape TME and treatment responses. We identify lineage plasticity, including adenocarcinoma-to-SCLC transdifferentiation and SCLC-subtype coexistence, and develop cSCLC Detector, a sensitive mutation-based assay improving cSCLC detection in tissue and liquid biopsies. These findings illuminate cSCLC evolution and heterogeneity, underscoring the need for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this aggressive subtype.

PMID:41966692 | DOI:10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102741

Cell Rep Med. 2026 Apr 10:102741. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102741. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Combined small-cell lung cancer (cSCLC) is an aggressive subtype of SCLC with mixed histologic components. Despite heterogeneity and poorer prognosis than de novo SCLC, cSCLC is managed as SCLC because molecular insight into biology, lineage plasticity, and tumor microenvironment (TME) is limited. We perform spatial whole-exome sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing across 19 treatment-naive cSCLC tumors. Different histologic components share a monoclonal origin, whereas divergence associates with distinct mutation and copy-number alteration patterns. Our results define spatially exclusive or interspersed tumor domains with distinct TME and immune landscapes; fibroblast-rich boundaries enriched for an aggressive fibroblast subtype may shape TME and treatment responses. We identify lineage plasticity, including adenocarcinoma-to-SCLC transdifferentiation and SCLC-subtype coexistence, and develop cSCLC Detector, a sensitive mutation-based assay improving cSCLC detection in tissue and liquid biopsies. These findings illuminate cSCLC evolution and heterogeneity, underscoring the need for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this aggressive subtype.

PMID:41966692 | DOI:10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102741

Phytomedicine. 2026 Mar 30;155:158128. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158128. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) continues to rise, and its pathogenesis is complex, creating an urgent need to discover novel and effective therapeutic strategies. The Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan formula (ZGJTQGF), an approved in-hospital preparation, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating diabetes over several decades. However, the mechanisms underlying its potential therapeutic effects on MASLD remain unclear PURPOSE: This study systematically investigates the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of ZGJTQGF on MASLD through the integration of network pharmacology and multi-omics strategies.

METHODS: The model of MASLD was successfully induced in db/db mice by a high-fat diet (HFD), which displayed characteristic dyslipidaemia. Serum biomarkers, histology, and hepatic multi-omics analyses were employed to assess metabolic status, steatosis, targets, and pathways. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), molecular docking analysis and in vitro verification were applied to explore the active ingredients of ZGJTQGF.

RESULTS: ZGJTQGF significantly reduced dyslipidemia in HFD-fed mice, inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restored glucose metabolic balance by lowering levels of glucose, insulin, OGTT, and HOMA-IR. Histopathology showed reduced lipid deposition and hepatocyte damage. Comprehensive multi-omics analysis suggested that regulating the AMPK/PGC-1α/PPARα and FXR-BSEP signaling pathways could be potential targets for ZGJTQGF in reprogramming glucose and lipid metabolism in MASLD treatment. Blood component analysis identified 52 ZGJTQGF-derived compounds. In molecular docking experiments, Wogonin, Naringenin, Quercetin, Tanshinone IIA and Berberine showed high-affinity binding to core targets in AMPK, PPARα, PGC-1α, FXR and FAS. Mechanistically, ZGJTQGF activated AMPK/PPARα /PGC-1α and FXR-BSEP signaling pathway, promotes fatty acid β oxidation and enhances energy consumption in AML-2 and 3T3-L1 cells, downregulates SREBP-1-dependent adipogenesis (reduces ACC1 and FAS expression), alleviates MASLD driven reprogramming of glucose and lipid metabolism, and regulates lipid metabolism and fatty acid synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS: ZGJTQGF activates the AMPK/PPARα /PGC-1α pathway and inhibits abnormal lipid accumulation in diabetic fatty liver by promoting fatty acid β-oxidation, energy consumption, and bile acid metabolism. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of ZGJTQGF in the treatment of diabetic fatty liver disease.

PMID:41962267 | DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158128

Phytomedicine. 2026 Mar 30;155:158128. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158128. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) continues to rise, and its pathogenesis is complex, creating an urgent need to discover novel and effective therapeutic strategies. The Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan formula (ZGJTQGF), an approved in-hospital preparation, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating diabetes over several decades. However, the mechanisms underlying its potential therapeutic effects on MASLD remain unclear PURPOSE: This study systematically investigates the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of ZGJTQGF on MASLD through the integration of network pharmacology and multi-omics strategies.

METHODS: The model of MASLD was successfully induced in db/db mice by a high-fat diet (HFD), which displayed characteristic dyslipidaemia. Serum biomarkers, histology, and hepatic multi-omics analyses were employed to assess metabolic status, steatosis, targets, and pathways. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), molecular docking analysis and in vitro verification were applied to explore the active ingredients of ZGJTQGF.

RESULTS: ZGJTQGF significantly reduced dyslipidemia in HFD-fed mice, inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restored glucose metabolic balance by lowering levels of glucose, insulin, OGTT, and HOMA-IR. Histopathology showed reduced lipid deposition and hepatocyte damage. Comprehensive multi-omics analysis suggested that regulating the AMPK/PGC-1α/PPARα and FXR-BSEP signaling pathways could be potential targets for ZGJTQGF in reprogramming glucose and lipid metabolism in MASLD treatment. Blood component analysis identified 52 ZGJTQGF-derived compounds. In molecular docking experiments, Wogonin, Naringenin, Quercetin, Tanshinone IIA and Berberine showed high-affinity binding to core targets in AMPK, PPARα, PGC-1α, FXR and FAS. Mechanistically, ZGJTQGF activated AMPK/PPARα /PGC-1α and FXR-BSEP signaling pathway, promotes fatty acid β oxidation and enhances energy consumption in AML-2 and 3T3-L1 cells, downregulates SREBP-1-dependent adipogenesis (reduces ACC1 and FAS expression), alleviates MASLD driven reprogramming of glucose and lipid metabolism, and regulates lipid metabolism and fatty acid synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS: ZGJTQGF activates the AMPK/PPARα /PGC-1α pathway and inhibits abnormal lipid accumulation in diabetic fatty liver by promoting fatty acid β-oxidation, energy consumption, and bile acid metabolism. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of ZGJTQGF in the treatment of diabetic fatty liver disease.

PMID:41962267 | DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158128