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Dr. Wei-Lun Tsai
physician

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0 Hepatocellular carcinoma
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Journal article
Published: 12 February 2021 in Diagnostics
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Purpose: To investigate the association of autophagy-related gene expression with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Patients with AMD were recruited for analysis by conjunctival impression cytology. mRNA was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluate whether the expression of 26 autophagy-related genes (ATGs) was correlated with AMD. Further studies on cell viability and autophagic flux in response to oxidative stress by H2O2 were performed in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell lines based on the results of impression cytology. Results: Both the neovascular AMD (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) groups had significantly higher mRNA levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein-like 1 (GABARAPL1) and microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B) than the control group, but there was no significant difference between these two groups. Age difference existed only in the AMD group. GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B mRNA expression increased significantly after acute oxidative stress in adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. Cell viability significantly increased and decreased in the cells harboring GABARAPL1 expression vector and silenced with siRNA against GABARAPL1, respectively, during short-term oxidative stress, whereas viability increased in the GABARAPL1-silenced cells after long-term oxidative stress. Silencing GABARAPL1 itself caused a reduction in autophagic flux under both short and long-term oxidative stress. Conclusion: Our study showed the possibility of assessing autophagy-related gene expression by conjunctival impression cytology. GABARAPL1 was significantly higher in AMD. Although an in vitro study showed an initial protective effect of autophagy, a cell viability study revealed the possibility of a harmful effect after long-term oxidative injury. The underlying mechanism or critical factors require further investigation.

ACS Style

Chih-Wen Shu; Youn-Shen Bee; Jiunn-Liang Chen; Chui-Lien Tsen; Wei-Lun Tsai; Shwu-Jiuan Sheu. Detection of Autophagy-Related Gene Expression by Conjunctival Impression Cytology in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Diagnostics 2021, 11, 296 .

AMA Style

Chih-Wen Shu, Youn-Shen Bee, Jiunn-Liang Chen, Chui-Lien Tsen, Wei-Lun Tsai, Shwu-Jiuan Sheu. Detection of Autophagy-Related Gene Expression by Conjunctival Impression Cytology in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Diagnostics. 2021; 11 (2):296.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chih-Wen Shu; Youn-Shen Bee; Jiunn-Liang Chen; Chui-Lien Tsen; Wei-Lun Tsai; Shwu-Jiuan Sheu. 2021. "Detection of Autophagy-Related Gene Expression by Conjunctival Impression Cytology in Age-Related Macular Degeneration." Diagnostics 11, no. 2: 296.

Journal article
Published: 02 June 2019 in Toxins
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Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved pathway to degrade damaged proteins and organelles for subsequent recycling in cells during times of nutrient deprivation. This process plays an important role in tumor development and progression, allowing cancer cells to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The plant kingdom provides a powerful source for new drug development to treat cancer. Several plant extracts induce autophagy in cancer cells. However, little is known about the role of plant extracts in autophagy inhibition, particularly autophagy-related (ATG) proteins. In this study, we employed S-tagged gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor associated protein like 2 (GABARAPL2) as a reporter to screen 48 plant extracts for their effects on the activity of autophagy protease ATG4B. Xanthium strumarium and Tribulus terrestris fruit extracts were validated as potential ATG4B inhibitors by another reporter substrate MAP1LC3B-PLA2. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on cellular ATG4B and autophagic flux were further confirmed. Moreover, the plant extracts significantly reduced colorectal cancer cell viability and sensitized cancer cells to starvation conditions. The fruit extract of X. strumarium consistently diminished cancer cell migration and invasion. Taken together, the results showed that the fruit of X. strumarium may have an active ingredient to inhibit ATG4B and suppress the proliferation and metastatic characteristics of colorectal cancer cells.

ACS Style

Hsueh-Wei Chang; Pei-Feng Liu; Wei-Lun Tsai; Wan-Hsiang Hu; Yu-Chang Hu; Hsiu-Chen Yang; Wei-Yu Lin; Jing-Ru Weng; Chih-Wen Shu. Xanthium strumarium Fruit Extract Inhibits ATG4B and Diminishes the Proliferation and Metastatic Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer Cells. Toxins 2019, 11, 313 .

AMA Style

Hsueh-Wei Chang, Pei-Feng Liu, Wei-Lun Tsai, Wan-Hsiang Hu, Yu-Chang Hu, Hsiu-Chen Yang, Wei-Yu Lin, Jing-Ru Weng, Chih-Wen Shu. Xanthium strumarium Fruit Extract Inhibits ATG4B and Diminishes the Proliferation and Metastatic Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer Cells. Toxins. 2019; 11 (6):313.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hsueh-Wei Chang; Pei-Feng Liu; Wei-Lun Tsai; Wan-Hsiang Hu; Yu-Chang Hu; Hsiu-Chen Yang; Wei-Yu Lin; Jing-Ru Weng; Chih-Wen Shu. 2019. "Xanthium strumarium Fruit Extract Inhibits ATG4B and Diminishes the Proliferation and Metastatic Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer Cells." Toxins 11, no. 6: 313.

Journal article
Published: 24 November 2018 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and can be divided into three major subsites: buccal mucosal SCC (BMSCC), tongue SCC (TSCC), and lip SCC (LSCC). The autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B) and adaptor sequestosome 1(SQSTM1) are widely used proteins to evaluate autophagy in tumor tissues. However, the role of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 in OSCC is not fully understood, particularly in certain subsites. With a tissue microarray comprised of 498 OSCC patients, including 181 BMSCC, 244 TSCC, and 73 LSCC patients, we found that the expression levels of MAP1LC3B and cytoplasmic SQSTM1 were elevated in the tumor tissues of three subsites compared with those in adjacent normal tissues. MAP1LC3B was associated with a poor prognosis only in TSCC. SQSTM1 was associated with poor differentiation in three subsites, while the association with lymph node invasion was only observed in BMSCC. Interestingly, MAP1LC3B was positively correlated with SQSTM1 in the tumor tissues of BMSCC, whereas it showed no correlation with SQSTM1 in adjacent normal tissue. The coexpression of higher MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 demonstrated a significantly worse disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with BMSCC and LSCC, but not TSCC. The knockdown of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 reduced autophagy, cell proliferation, invasion and tumorspheres of BMSCC cells. Additionally, silencing both MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 enhanced the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel in the tumorspheres of BMSCC cells. Taken together, MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 might modulate autophagy to facilitate tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in OSCC, particularly in BMSCC.

ACS Style

Pei-Feng Liu; Hsueh-Wei Chang; Jin-Shiung Cheng; Huai-Pao Lee; Ching-Yu Yen; Wei-Lun Tsai; Jiin-Tsuey Cheng; Yi-Jing Li; Wei-Chieh Huang; Cheng-Hsin Lee; Luo-Pin Ger; Chih-Wen Shu. Map1lc3b and Sqstm1 Modulated Autophagy for Tumorigenesis and Prognosis in Certain Subsites of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2018, 7, 478 .

AMA Style

Pei-Feng Liu, Hsueh-Wei Chang, Jin-Shiung Cheng, Huai-Pao Lee, Ching-Yu Yen, Wei-Lun Tsai, Jiin-Tsuey Cheng, Yi-Jing Li, Wei-Chieh Huang, Cheng-Hsin Lee, Luo-Pin Ger, Chih-Wen Shu. Map1lc3b and Sqstm1 Modulated Autophagy for Tumorigenesis and Prognosis in Certain Subsites of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2018; 7 (12):478.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pei-Feng Liu; Hsueh-Wei Chang; Jin-Shiung Cheng; Huai-Pao Lee; Ching-Yu Yen; Wei-Lun Tsai; Jiin-Tsuey Cheng; Yi-Jing Li; Wei-Chieh Huang; Cheng-Hsin Lee; Luo-Pin Ger; Chih-Wen Shu. 2018. "Map1lc3b and Sqstm1 Modulated Autophagy for Tumorigenesis and Prognosis in Certain Subsites of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma." Journal of Clinical Medicine 7, no. 12: 478.

Original research article
Published: 20 April 2017 in Frontiers in Microbiology
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Type I Interferon-mediated innate immunity against Flaviviridae, such as Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Dengue virus (DENV), involves TLR3, RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) and JAK-STAT signal pathways. Asunaprevir is a newly developed HCV protease inhibitor for HCV treatment. Whether asunaprevir activates innate immunity to restrict viral infection is unclear. Thus, this study investigates the effect of asunaprevir on innate immunity and its influence on HCV and DENV infection. Huh 7.5.1, Hep-G2 cells, JFH-1 infection model, and DENV-2 infection were used for the analysis. The activity of asunaprevir-regulated innate immunity signal pathway was assessed with IFN- promoter or IFN-stimulated responsive element (ISRE) reporter assays and immunoblotting of key signal proteins. siRNA-mediated MAVS and TRIF knockdown of cells was performed to assess the effect of asunaprevir-regulated innate immunity against HCV and DENV. Asunaprevir treatment activated ISRE and IFN- promoter-luciferase activities and signaling proteins in the JAK-STAT, MAVS and TRIF pathways in Huh 7.5.1 cells. Asunaprevir-mediated signaling activation was decreased in MAVS-knockdown cells. Importantly, both RNA and protein levels of DENV-2 NS3 were decreased in asunaprevir-treated Huh 7.5.1 and HepG2 cells. In MAVS-knockdown cells, the restrictive effect of asunaprevir on HCV and DENV was attenuated. Our findings reveal an unexpected activity of asunaprevir, the activation of MAVS dependent innate immunity to restrict HCV and DENV infection.

ACS Style

Wei-Lun Tsai; Jin-Shiung Cheng; Chih-Wen Shu; Kwok-Hung Lai; Hoi-Hung Chan; Chun-Ching Wu; Jing-Mei Wu; Ping-I Hsu; Raymond T. Chung; Tsung-Hsien Chang. Asunaprevir Evokes Hepatocytes Innate Immunity to Restrict the Replication of Hepatitis C and Dengue Virus. Frontiers in Microbiology 2017, 8, 668 .

AMA Style

Wei-Lun Tsai, Jin-Shiung Cheng, Chih-Wen Shu, Kwok-Hung Lai, Hoi-Hung Chan, Chun-Ching Wu, Jing-Mei Wu, Ping-I Hsu, Raymond T. Chung, Tsung-Hsien Chang. Asunaprevir Evokes Hepatocytes Innate Immunity to Restrict the Replication of Hepatitis C and Dengue Virus. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2017; 8 ():668.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wei-Lun Tsai; Jin-Shiung Cheng; Chih-Wen Shu; Kwok-Hung Lai; Hoi-Hung Chan; Chun-Ching Wu; Jing-Mei Wu; Ping-I Hsu; Raymond T. Chung; Tsung-Hsien Chang. 2017. "Asunaprevir Evokes Hepatocytes Innate Immunity to Restrict the Replication of Hepatitis C and Dengue Virus." Frontiers in Microbiology 8, no. : 668.

Review
Published: 26 November 2015 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem with an estimated 400 million HBV carriers worldwide. In the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), spontaneous acute exacerbation (AE) is not uncommon, with a cumulative incidence of 10%–30% every year. While exacerbations can be mild, some patients may develop hepatic decompensation and even die. The underlying pathogenesis is possibly related to the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated immune response against HBV. An upsurge of serum HBV DNA usually precedes the rise of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin. Whether antiviral treatment can benefit CHB with severe AE remains controversial, but early nucleos(t)ide analogues treatment seemed to be associated with an improved outcome. There has been no randomized study that compared the effects of different nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) in the setting of CHB with severe AE. However, potent NAs with good resistance profiles are recommended. In this review, we summarized current knowledge regarding the natural history, pathogenetic mechanisms, and therapeutic options of CHB with severe AE.

ACS Style

Wei-Lun Tsai; Wei-Chi Sun; Jin-Shiung Cheng. Chronic Hepatitis B with Spontaneous Severe Acute Exacerbation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2015, 16, 28126 -28145.

AMA Style

Wei-Lun Tsai, Wei-Chi Sun, Jin-Shiung Cheng. Chronic Hepatitis B with Spontaneous Severe Acute Exacerbation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2015; 16 (12):28126-28145.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wei-Lun Tsai; Wei-Chi Sun; Jin-Shiung Cheng. 2015. "Chronic Hepatitis B with Spontaneous Severe Acute Exacerbation." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 16, no. 12: 28126-28145.