Biology subjects

Liu, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Liu, Y..

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Characterization of the SKC mouse strain as a potential model for keratoconus

BackgroundKeratoconus (KC) is a multifactorial disorder with unclear etiology, characterized by localized thinning and a cone-like protrusion of the cornea. The complex etiology of KC exacerbates the lack of an animal model. Previous studies by Tachibana et al. (2002) described an inbred mouse strain (SKC) with a spontaneous, androgen-dependent, cone-like corneal morphology. This study aimed to investigate the corneal phenotypes of SKC mice through an in-depth ophthalmic examination. MethodsMice (n=53) were examined via slit lamp biomicroscopy with fluorescein staining. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) enabled central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement in selected mice (n=26 eyes), and OCT-based pachymetry mapping (n=16 eyes). In vivo corneal confocal microscopy was conducted on eyes to assess cellular morphology (n= 9 eyes). Eyes were collected for histology analysis (n=22). ResultsLesions and epithelial breaks were present in [~]95% of eyes (n=101). Neovascularization, perforation, scarring, and hydrops were seen primarily in males. An opaque, unilateral cone-like morphology was exclusive to males (n=11). Male and female corneas showed no significant difference in CCT, though pachymetry mapping revealed regional thinning patterns in both sexes. Loosened epithelial tight junctions, stromal fibrosis, vascularization, and inflammation of variable severity were identified in both sexes. ConclusionThis study identified previously unreported corneal phenotypes in SKC mice through ophthalmic examination. Unlike previous studies, gross and histological abnormalities were observed in female SKC mice. Our findings suggest a lower penetrance of the cone-like phenotype ([~]20%) than previously reported ([~]33%) and support that the conical phenotype in male mice may be secondary to keratitis.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2026

Coordinated phase separation and phase transition underlie synaptic ribbon condensate formation and plasticity

Mesoscale molecular apparatuses with diverse functions are widespread in cells. How mesoscale cellular apparatuses are formed and regulated is poorly understood. The synaptic ribbon in sensory neurons, which can dynamically adjust its size and shape in response to light or sound, is a mesoscale molecular assembly. In this study, we demonstrate that RIBEYE, the backbone protein of synaptic ribbons, via combined ordered and disordered interactions, forms micron-sized dynamic molecular assemblies. Integrated cryo-electron microscopy and tomography studies revealed that the N-terminal SAM domain and the C-terminal B domain of RIBEYE form distinct nanoscale filaments and further assemble into ribbon-like architectures via phase transition. Unexpectedly, the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of RIBEYE softens the solid mesoscale ribbon structures via phase separation. The mesoscale size and shape of the RIBEYE condensate are bidirectionally tuned by physiological modulators such as Piccolino and CtBP1, linking synaptic ribbon structural plasticity to functional adaptability. Thus, our study demonstrates that combined phase transition and phase separation of nanoscale protein oligomers can build mesoscale functional cellular apparatuses.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2026

Evaluation of potential serum analytes for individuals at-risk of multiple sclerosis

Circulating proteins have been widely investigated as potential biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet findings across studies are often inconsistent, likely reflecting differences in disease stage, treatment exposure, and cohort composition. Studying individuals at elevated risk of MS prior to disease onset offers a unique opportunity to identify immune alterations that precede clinical disease while minimizing confounders. Here, we investigated whether alterations in six previously MS-associated biomarkers are detectable and associate to underlying genetic susceptibility in two independent sample collections comprising people with MS (pwMS), healthy controls, and asymptomatic first-degree relatives of pwMS from the Genes & Environment in MS (GEMS) study cohort. The panel, representing complementary axes of MS immunopathology, included granzyme A (GZMA), MER tyrosine kinase (MERTK), interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL2RA), osteopontin (SPP1), CD30 (TNFRSF8), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1). None of the proteins demonstrated associations with MS. A composite score constructed from externally derived effect estimates was not associated with MS status in either collection or in meta-analysis. Among asymptomatic first-degree relatives, the composite score was not significantly associated with group status. In contrast, an inverse correlation between SPP1 and the MS genetic risk score among GEMS participants was found ({beta} = -0.246, p = 0.001). Together, these findings suggest that several circulating proteins recently proposed as MS biomarkers are not robust tools to distinguish MS from healthy individuals. However, SPP1 levels are highlighted for further evaluation among at-risk individuals, and further work is needed to determine whether circulating immune signatures can capture the earliest stages of MS in at-risk individuals.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2026

Advancing ab initio genome annotation with OrionGeno

The rapid expansion of eukaryotic genome sequencing has created an urgent demand for accurate and scalable genome annotation. Existing ab initio methods often struggle to reconstruct complex gene architectures and generalize across distant lineages, limiting their use for large-scale annotation. Here we present OrionGeno, a phylogeny-aware deep learning model for end-to-end eukaryotic genome annotation. OrionGeno integrates phylogenetic context, long-range sequence modeling and joint prediction of gene structures and repetitive elements to annotate exons, introns, untranslated regions and repeats directly from genomic sequences. Applied to chromosome-level eukaryotic genomes from NCBI that lack annotations, OrionGeno generates annotations for more than 5,300 genomes, substantially expanding public annotation resources. Across diverse eukaryotic lineages, OrionGeno outperforms state-of-the-art methods at the exon, gene, protein-sequence, and protein-structural levels. It also identifies candidate protein-coding loci absent from reference protein-coding annotations in well-curated genomes. Together with a web platform and integrated annotation database, OrionGeno provides a scalable and accessible framework for translating genome assemblies into functional biological resources and supporting large-scale biodiversity initiatives such as the Earth BioGenome Project.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2026

Engineered 3D hydrogel model reveals divergence of adhesion-migration balance in Glioblastoma under simulated microgravity

Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer whose cells can switch between different modes of invasion in response to their surroundings, making the disease difficult to predict and treat. How physical forces influence this adaptability remains poorly understood. Here, we used simulated microgravity together with engineered hydrogels that independently control adhesion, degradability, and mechanical properties to test how gravity affects glioblastoma invasion. Microgravity strongly reduced invasion and shifted cells from elongated, protrusive behavior to a more cohesive state. Proteomic analysis showed reduced invasive signaling together with increased cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, consistent with a redistribution of contractile forces toward the cell edge. Under normal gravity, blocking CD44, integrin {beta}1, or N-cadherin reduced matrix-dependent invasion. In contrast, under microgravity, inhibiting these same adhesion pathways restored invasion, indicating that microgravity traps cells in an overly adhesive, cohesive state that limits movement rather than motility itself. These findings show that gravity is an important regulator of cancer cell plasticity and reveal a mechanically induced vulnerability in glioblastoma invasion. More broadly, combining defined biomaterials with gravitational modulation provides a new way to study how physical forces shape tumor behavior.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Rewiring Oncogenic Transcriptional Complexes with Domain-ALTeration Chimeras (DALTACs) in Prostate Cancer

Transcriptional addiction to the androgen receptor (AR) underlies metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), where AR maintains oncogenic programs through domain-specific interactions with the acetyltransferases p300/CBP. Here, we describe a distinct therapeutic modality, Domain-ALTerAtion Chimeras (DALTACs), that rewire endogenous protein complexes by enforcing non-native domain-domain interactions. Our first-in-class AR-p300/CBP DALTAC-1 induces synthetic proximity between the AR ligand-binding domain and p300/CBP-bromodomain, misconfiguring their native interface and locking the complex in a non-productive state. DALTAC-1 triggers a super-inhibitory effect, suppressing AR-driven transcription and proliferation more potently than combined AR and p300/CBP inhibition. Mechanistically, DALTAC-1 reprograms p300/CBP substrate engagement, abolishing the histone mark H2B N-terminal acetylation (H2BNTac) while inducing neomorphic acetylation of AR and coactivators, ultimately collapsing the AR neo-enhanceosome. Chromatin profiling revealed redistribution of AR and p300/CBP toward palindromic AREs, accompanied by disruption of cofactor and transcriptional machinery recruitment at oncogenic AR/ERG neo-enhancers. DALTAC-1 exhibits exquisite lineage selectivity, displaying potent activity in AR-p300/CBP dual-dependent cells while sparing AR-negative cells. In multiple in vivo models, DALTAC-1 induces deep and durable tumor regressions. Together, these findings establish DALTACs as a broadly applicable strategy to rewire disease-defining complexes through domain-topology alteration, expanding induced-proximity therapeutics, while DALTAC-1's precise lineage-selectivity supports its translational potential in AR-driven prostate cancer.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Integration of spatial single-cell proteomics and spatial metabolomics reveals tumor microenvironment predictive of immunotherapy response in mucosal melanoma

Mucosal melanoma (MuM) is a rare but aggressive malignancy with limited benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition and few predictive biomarkers. We integrated single-cell spatial proteomics (COMET) and spatial metabolomics (MALDI-IMS) to profile 97 tissue cores from 26 patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 and/or CTLA-4 inhibitors. We profiled 695,444 cells and resolved 25 cell states across eight major cell types. Cellular neighborhood (CN) analysis revealed distinct tumor- and stromal-associated spatial architectures. Responders were enriched for tumor-associated CNs (invasive tumor and tumor boundary) with close spatial proximity among Ki67 tumor cells, CD163 macrophages, and CD11c dendritic cells (DCs), and increased proliferating/cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell subsets. Non-responders showed stromal CN dominance with reduced immune infiltration. Spatial metabolomics identified lower abundance of indole-derived metabolites and reduced indole/tryptophan pathway activity in responders within tumor and TME regions that tracked with DC/macrophage-enriched spatial contexts. This study advances MuM spatial biology and provides a framework for biomarker-driven immunotherapy strategies. Statement of significanceMucosal melanoma (MuM) responds poorly to immune checkpoint blockade, and predictive biomarkers are limited. Integrated spatial proteomics and metabolomics reveal response-associated tumor-immune neighborhood architecture, stromal contexts linked to immune exclusion, and altered indole/tryptophan metabolism in the microenvironment. These spatial features nominate biomarkers and therapeutic hypotheses to improve immunotherapy for MuM.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

A fast-to-faithful transition shapes the DNA repair landscape during embryogenesis

Accurate and timely repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is essential for genome maintenance in all cells. Embryos are particularly vulnerable to DSBs. During zebrafish development, a single fertilized cell undergoes rapid divisions to form an embryo of 50,000 cells in the first 24 hours, subjecting its genome to intense replication stress and the inevitable formation of genomic DSBs. While we know that failure to repair these breaks can result in embryonic lethality, the kinetics, fidelity, and pathway choice of DSB repair during embryogenesis are not well understood. Here, we used light-activated CRISPR to generate targeted genomic DSBs across zebrafish embryo development. Importantly, DSB induction occurs within seconds after light stimulation, enabling precise measurements of repair kinetics within a single cell cycle. We found that DSBs were repaired within 15 minutes during the early, rapid-division stages. At later stages, the pace of DNA repair declines as the cell cycle slows. By leveraging mathematical modeling and mutants that disrupt DNA repair pathways, we uncovered a developmental transition from error-prone microhomology-mediated end joining to more faithful non-homologous end joining that correlates with the gradual shift in repair kinetics. To our knowledge, this is the first study to resolve DSB repair dynamics with high temporal resolution during embryo development. Our study establishes a framework for systematically interrogating the cellular responses to DNA damage in living model organisms. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study reveals how developing embryos rapidly repair dangerous DNA breaks while balancing speed and accuracy. Using a light-activated CRISPR system, the authors precisely control when DNA damage occurs and measure repair in real time in living zebrafish embryos. They show that early embryos prioritize extremely fast but error-prone repair, then transition to slower, more accurate mechanisms as development progresses. This "fast-to-faithful" shift explains how embryos protect their genomes during rapid cell division. The work provides a new framework for studying DNA repair in vivo and has implications for understanding developmental disorders, genome editing outcomes, and how cells manage DNA damage under changing biological conditions.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2026

A new species of Rana from Anhui, China (Anura, Ranidae)

The diversity of the brown frog genus Rana may be underestimated as the high similarity of morphological characters. A new species belonging to the genus Rana is delineated based on eight specimens obtained from the Tianma National Nature Reserve, Jinzhai County, Luan City, Anhui Province, China. The phylogenetic analysis based on three mitochondrial genes (12S, ND2, and Cyt b) and one nuclear gene (BDNF) showed that the new species formed an independent clade closely related to R. culainensis and received strong support. In addition, morphological differentiation confirmed the phylogenetic results, and both supported the validity of a new species (Rana tianmaensis sp. nov.) in the R. japonica species group. The discovery of this new species enhances peoples understanding of the biodiversity of Rana and can provide important foundational data for scientific decision-making on protected area construction, ecological conservation, and species diversity. With the inclusion of newly described species in this study, the distribution of Rana genus in China now includes 31 recognized species.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2026

Profiling and Targeting of Regulatory RNAs to Upregulate Gene Expression

Transcription of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), including enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) and promoter-associated RNAs (paRNAs), collectively termed regulatory RNAs (regRNAs), is a hallmark of active gene expression, yet it remains unknown whether regRNAs can be targeted to selectively enhance transcription in cis. We developed regRNA Capture-seq, a high-throughput method to profile regRNAs, and applied it to primary human hepatocytes, annotating thousands of regRNAs at [~]2,000 enhancers and promoters. Using this approach, we interrogated a genetically validated enhancer of the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) gene, mutations of which cause OTC deficiency (OTCD), the most common urea cycle disorder. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting enhancer-derived regRNAs led to dose-dependent upregulation of OTC in hepatocytes. Mechanistically, ASOs altered regRNA structure, elevated regRNA levels, displaced transcriptional repressors, and increased H3K27 acetylation at the targeted enhancer. This work establishes a potential therapeutic strategy for addressing haploinsufficiency and highlights regRNAs as actionable targets for ASO-mediated upregulation of gene expression.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2026

SPaCeD: Spatial Point Process Distances for Pairing the Heavy and Light Chains of B Cell Receptors from Spatial BCR-seq

B cells mediate anti-tumor immunity through B cell receptors (BCRs) composed of paired heavy and light chains. Leveraging spatial transcriptomics, we introduce SPaCeD, a framework that infers heavy-light chain pairs by integrating expression matrices with spatial distances between point patterns derived via optimal transport. Applied to ovarian and breast cancer datasets and simulation scenarios, SPaCeD improves pairing accuracy and stability compared with existing methodology (Repair), particularly for pairs with lower spatial expression.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2026

MCT1 governs a metabolic checkpoint at pachytene during spermatogenesis

ABSTRACT/SUMMARYThe transition from mitosis to meiosis represents a fundamental cell-fate decision that requires coordinated remodeling of transcriptional and metabolic programs. While key transcriptional regulators of meiotic entry have been defined, how metabolic flux directly governs this process remains unclear. Here, we identify a monocarboxylate transporter1 (MCT1)-dependent metabolic checkpoint that controls meiotic progression in mammalian spermatogenesis. Through integrative single-cell transcriptomics, metabolic profiling, and computational perturbation modeling, we show that Stra8-driven meiotic initiation is coupled to a metabolic switch favoring monocarboxylic acid metabolism, prominently involving MCT1 (encoded by Slc16a1). Germ cell-specific deletion of Slc16a1 results in a complete arrest at the pachytene stage, characterized by defective homologous recombination, persistent DNA damage, and failure to activate the meiotic transcriptional program. Multi-omic analyses reveal that loss of MCT1 induces a metabolic stress-like state, suppresses expression of key meiotic regulators, and disrupts progression through the pachytene checkpoint. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that MCT1-mediated lactate influx drives histone H4 lysine 12 lactylation (H4K12la) at promoters of meiotic genes, thereby epigenetically licensing their expression. In the absence of MCT1, H4K12la deposition is lost at meiotic loci and redistributed toward stress-response pathways. Together, our findings suggest MCT1-mediated metabolism as an instructive signal that integrates metabolic state with epigenetic regulation to govern meiotic cell-fate progression, defining a previously unrecognized metabolic checkpoint at pachytene.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Cell-type specific allelic dampening of sex-linked genes in sex chromosome aneuploidy

Common sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) often present with cognitive and cardiovascular dysfunction in humans. To address SCA effects on gene expression and DNA methylation in relevant cell types, we differentiated neural precursor cells (NPCs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with different numbers of sex chromosomes, including isogenic and independent lines. As expected, the expression of genes that escape X inactivation (escapees) mostly increases with the number of inactive X chromosomes (Xi). However, allelic analysis shows dampening of escapees specifically on the Xi in XXY compared to XX in both NPCs and CMs, revealing a novel type of dosage compensation in SCA. In contrast, Y-linked gene expression is higher in XXY versus XY NPCs, but the opposite is observed in CMs. This may explain the greater number of differentially expressed autosomal genes in NPCs versus CMs with an added Y chromosome, while effects of added X chromosomes are similar between cell types. Concordantly, changes in autosomal DNA methylation are mainly driven by the presence of a Y chromosome. These findings highlight the cell-type specificity of sex-linked and autosomal gene regulation in SCA conditions. HighlightsO_LISex chromosome aneuploidy induces cell-type specific changes in gene expression C_LIO_LIDampening of the inactive X chromosome in XXY alleviate X overexpression C_LIO_LIHigh Y-linked gene expression in XXY neuronal precursor cells but not cardiomyocytes C_LIO_LISex chromosome aneuploidy disrupts sex biases in autosomal gene expression C_LI

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Phosphoinositide Variant Fuels 53BP1 Oligomerization and Higher-Order Assembly in the DNA Damage Response

53BP1 nuclear bodies are dynamic structures with properties resembling biomolecular condensates, but the molecular determinants that govern 53BP1 higher-order assembly at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) remain to be established. Here, we show that 53BP1 condensation is stimulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) in vitro through a highly specific interaction with its C-terminal tandem BRCT domain (tBRCT). Consequently, mutational inactivation of the 53BP1 tBRCT domain compromised PI(3)P binding and suppressed 53BP1 optodroplet formation in vivo. We further show that rapid 53BP1 clustering following DNA damage precedes its stable assembly on DSB-flanking chromatin, requires its tBRCT, and is suppressed by sequestration of nuclear PI(3)P. Taken together, our findings identify PI(3)P binding as a mechanism that promotes the formation and maturation of 53BP1 condensate-like assemblies on damaged chromatin.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Evaluation of deep and dynamic proteomic screening strategies at sub-50Hz scan rate and without automation.

Advances in ultra-fast mass analyzer technology and procedural automation have enabled proteomics screening at the throughput of hundreds of proteomes per day. However, these approaches often require expensive instrumentation upgrades and robotic automation that remain inaccessible to many research laboratories and core facilities. In this study we address the feasibility of scaling up proteomic screening capabilities with minimal upgrade cost by focusing on (a) strategies for non-automated high-throughput sample preparation from 96-well cell culture, (b) data acquisition on sub-50Hz scan speed hybrid and tribrid Orbitrap instruments and (c) data analysis strategies for label-free and labeled proteomic screening. We find that the 96-well format STrap, in combination with C18 plates, provides the most robust throughput for a non-automated sample preparation workflow. Furthermore, we show that for static proteomes, an isobaric tandem mass tag-based (TMT) multiplexing approach provides deeper and more precise proteome coverage whereas label-free data-independent acquisition (DIA) is more accurate, albeit with a reduced dynamic range and more missing values. Finally, we extend the optimized workflow to proteome turnover studies using pulsed stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (pSILAC), highlighting the key advantages and trade-offs of DIA and TMT data-dependent acquisition strategies for capturing protein translation. Together, these results provide a practical framework for designing high-throughput proteomics experiments that balance throughput, depth, and quantitative accuracy using existing instrumentation, without requiring major hardware upgrades or automation.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

LagCI Enables Inference of Temporal Causal Relationships from Dense Multi-Omic Time Series

Inferring causal relationships from time-series data is critical for uncovering the dynamics of biological regulation. However, in multi-omics studies, this task is often hampered by sparse temporal sampling and the limitations of existing methods. To address this, we developed Lagged-Correlation Based Causal Inference (lagCI), a computational framework designed to identify time-lagged associations by combining comprehensive lag-correlation profiling with a robust statistical filtering scheme. Rather than relying on simple cross-correlation, lagCI analyzes the entire correlation profile and applies a quality-scoring system to filter out spurious associations that often plague high-dimensional datasets. We first tested lagCI on wearable physiological data, where it successfully captured the well-known causal link between physical activity and heart rate, even accounting for variations in lag times between individuals. Moving to high-frequency human multi-omics, we used lagCI to build a directed network of 1,624 molecules connected by over 157,000 predicted interactions. This network didnt just mirror established biology (such as cytokine-hormone crosstalk); it also pointed to specific molecular hubs that seem to orchestrate the timing of metabolic and immune responses. Overall, lagCI provides a data-driven way to extract temporal insights from dense longitudinal omics. Weve made the tool available as an R package with multiple interfaces to ensure its accessible for both bioinformaticians and clinicians.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2026

Bacteria-mimetic bioadhesives with multivalent mucoadhesion and drug-compatible delivery

The ability to adhere to mucus-lined tissues underpins a range of biomedical devices and therapies. However, many existing strategies rely on covalent bonding chemistries and can be unstable, cytotoxic, or incompatible with therapeutics. Here, we present a bacteria-mimetic bioadhesion strategy inspired by Vibrio cholerae. A short Bap1-derived adhesion peptide is grafted onto chitosan to strengthen mucus interactions through multivalent, cooperative secondary bonding, while preserving pH-triggered interfacial bridging behavior. Bacterial peptide grafting significantly increases adhesion energy on porcine intestine, and when paired with a tough hydrogel matrix achieves adhesion energies >400 J/m2 without forming covalent bonds to tissue. Confocal imaging reveals deep tissue penetration ([~]80 m) with markedly enhanced mucin binding and no loss of cytocompatibility. Ex vivo intestinal delivery and in vitro drug release tests demonstrate improved drug transport and tissue exposure compared to carbodiimide-mediated covalent bonding strategy. These findings establish a bacteria-mimetic bioadhesion strategy for tissue repair and drug delivery. Novelty StatementBioadhesive designs have drawn inspiration from nature such as mussel-inspired catechol chemistry and gecko-inspired dry adhesion. In contrast, bacterial adhesion mechanisms, despite enabling robust colonization of mucus-lined tissues under demanding conditions, remain largely overlooked. This work introduces a bacteria-mimetic bioadhesion strategy that selectively repurposes a short, non-pathogenic peptide derived from a Vibrio cholerae adhesin to enhance bioadhesion through multivalent, cooperative physical interactions rather than covalent bonding. This strategy significantly toughens adhesion even on chitosan, a polymer already rich in adhesive functional groups. By decoupling bacterial adhesion function from pathogenic risk, this study establishes bacterial adhesion peptides as a safe, modular, and mechanistically distinct foundation for next generation bioadhesives with improved drug compatibility.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2026

N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ameliorate Post-infarction Cardiac Dysfunction Through Modulation Of Adiponectin-Ceramide Metabolism

BackgroundIt has been shown that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) of marine origin exert significant beneficial effects on myocardial infarction (MI); however, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. Ceramides play a vital role in the regulation of energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis. Through the integration of clincial studies and animal experiments, this study aimed to determine whether n-3 PUFA improved myocardial function by modulating ceramide metabolism. MethodsIn a case-control study, 100 patients with AMI and 100 healthy pariticipants were enrolled to measure serum ceramide concentrations. Meanwhile, mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups and administrated to a 3-week intervention with n-3 PUFA in triglyceride and phospholipid forms. A mouse model of MI was then established, followed by an additional 4 weeks of continuous intervention. Subsequent comprehensive assessments of cardiac function were performed in the mice. Finally, the mice were euthanized to conduct targeted ceramide lipidomic analysis and other relevant assays. ResultsThe levels of serum C16:0-, C18:0-, C20:0-, C24:1-ceramides and total ceramides in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were significantly higher compared with the healthy controls. In the murine model of myocardial infarction, pathological analysis via TTC staining demonstrated that interventions with fish oil (triglyceride form) and krill oil (phospholipid form) both significantly reduced myocardial infarct size. Concomitant echocardiographic assessment confirmed that both treatments markedly elevated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), with the magnitude of improvement being significantly superior to that of the model control group. Concurrently, compared with the model group, the concentrations of ceramides in cardiac tissue and serum were significantly lower in the groups with fish oil and krill oil intervention. Western blot analysis further confirmed that n-3 PUFA intervention upregulated adiponectin expression, reduced ceramide accumulation in myocardial tissue, and inhibited mitochondria-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis, thereby improving cardiac function and prognosis following myocardial infarction. ConclusionsThis work demonstrates that n-3 PUFA exert cardioprotective effects following MI mediated by adiponectin-ceramide axis. However, there is no significant difference regarding therapeutic efficacy of n-3 PUFA in triglyceride or phospholipid forms.

pharmacology and toxicology↗