Ruolun Wei

All Publications

• VCAN in the extracellular matrix drives glioma recurrence by enhancing cell proliferation and migration. Frontiers in neuroscience Wei, R., Xie, H., Zhou, Y., Chen, X., Zhang, L., Bui, B., Liu, X. 2024; 18: 1501906

  Abstract

  Gliomas are the most prevalent primary malignant intracranial tumors, characterized by high rates of therapy resistance, recurrence, and mortality. A major factor contributing to the poor prognosis of gliomas is their ability to diffusely infiltrate surrounding and even distant brain tissues, rendering complete total resection almost impossible and leading to frequent recurrences. The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role in the tumor microenvironment and may significantly influence glioma progression, recurrence, and therapeutic response.In this study, we first identified the ECM and the Versican (VCAN), a key ECM protein, as critical contributors to glioma recurrence through a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic data comparing recurrent and primary gliomas. Using single-cell sequencing, we revealed heterogeneous distribution patterns and extensive intercellular communication among ECM components. External sequencing and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining further validated that VCAN is significantly upregulated in recurrent gliomas and is associated with poor patient outcomes.Functional assays conducted in glioma cell lines overexpressing VCAN demonstrated that VCAN promotes cell proliferation and migration via the PI3K/Akt/AP-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway effectively blocked VCAN-mediated glioma progression.These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying glioma recurrence and suggest that targeting both VCAN and the PI3K/Akt pathway could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for managing recurrent gliomas.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fnins.2024.1501906

  View details for PubMedID 39554845

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11565936

• Glioma actively orchestrate a self-advantageous extracellular matrix to promote recurrence and progression BMC CANCER Wei, R., Zhou, J., Bui, B., Liu, X. 2024; 24 (1): 974

  Abstract

  The intricate interplay between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment has emerged as a critical factor driving the aggressive progression of various malignancies, including gliomas. Among the various components of this dynamic microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) holds particular significance. Gliomas, intrinsic brain tumors that originate from neuroglial progenitor cells, have the remarkable ability to actively reform the ECM, reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape to their advantage. This phenomenon underscores the adaptability and aggressiveness of gliomas, and highlights the intricate crosstalk between tumor cells and their surrounding matrix.In this review, we delve into how glioma actively regulates glioma ECM to organize a favorable microenvironment for its survival, invasion, progression and therapy resistance. By unraveling the intricacies of glioma-induced ECM remodeling, we gain valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting this symbiotic relationship and curbing the relentless advance of gliomas within the brain.

  View details for DOI 10.1186/s12885-024-12751-3

  View details for Web of Science ID 001287535300009

  View details for PubMedID 39118096

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11308147

• Evaluation of Oil-Absorbing Film for Imprint Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (IDESI-MSI) on Biological Samples. Metabolites Li, J., Wei, R., Meng, Y., Zare, R. N. 2024; 14 (3)

  Abstract

  Imprint Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (IDESI-MSI) has proven to be a robust and reliable tool for chemically imaging biological samples such as fungi, animal tissues, and plants, but the choice of the imprint substrate is crucial. It must effectively transfer maximum amounts of species from the sample while preserving the original spatial distribution of detected molecules. In this study, we explored the potential of utilizing an oil-absorbing film, known for its soft nature and excellent lipophilicity, as an imprint substrate for IDESI-MSI on biological samples. To assess the transfer efficiency of the amounts of molecules and molecular patterns, we conducted experiments using mouse brain tissue. The result shows that more than 90% of the analytes can be transferred to the oil-absorbing film from the original tissue. A comparison of IDESI-MSI results between the oil-absorbing film and the original tissue demonstrates the material's capability to transfer most molecules from the original tissue and retain images of different analytes with high spatial fidelity. We extended our investigation to plant imaging, where we applied IDESI-MSI to a cross-section of okra. The oil-absorbing film exhibited promise in this context as well. These findings suggest that IDESI-MSI utilizing the oil-absorbing film holds potential across various research fields, including biological metabolism, chemistry, and clinical research, making this technique widely applicable.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/metabo14030160

  View details for PubMedID 38535320

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10972117