Background: NudC domain containing 1 (NudCD1) is an oncoprotein related to diverse cancers. This study aims to investigate the expression, role, and regulatory mechanism of NudCD1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expressions of NudCD1 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The correlation between NudCD1 expression and clinical features was determined by the χ 2 test. Besides, shRNA was used to construct the NudCD1 low expression model of NCI-H1299 and NCI-H460 cells, and CCK-8 and transwell assay were conducted to monitor the changes of proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and IGF1R-ERK1/2 signaling pathway proteins were detected by Western blot. Results: The expression of NudCD1 in NSCLC was higher than that in normal tissues, and the increased expression of NudCD1 was significantly correlated with increased T stage and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, patients with high expression of NudCD1 had worse prognosis. NudCD1 knockdown was proven to impede the proliferation but facilitate the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Furthermore, knockdown of NudCD1 resulted in an increase in the expression of E-cadherin and a decrease in the expression of vimentin. We also observed that NudCD1 overexpression promoted the phosphorylation of IGF1R and ERK1/2 proteins. Conclusion: NudCD1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells via activation of IGF1R-ERK1/2, which indicates that NudCD1 may be a potential therapy target of NSCLC.

Measurements of circulating DNA within body fluids presented potentially new tools for the disease management of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. We demonstrated both plasma and urinal DNA correlated well to tissue biopsies and were potentially prognostic to address patients' survival outcome.

KLF15 (Krüppel-like factor 15) was reported to be involved in a lot of cardiovascular diseases. Little is known about its role in initiation and development of aortic dissection (AD). Samples of the human aorta were collected during AD surgery and aortic valve replacement. Lentivirus was used for in vitro and in vivo KLF15 overexpression in BAPN (β-aminopropionitrile)-induced rat AD models. The survival times were recorded and compared between the two groups. Autopsy was used for confirming aorta rupture in rat models. qPCR analyses were used for detecting gene expression whereas Western blot and immunostaining were used for detecting protein expression when necessary. KLF15 expression was much lower in the aorta walls of AD group patients than the control group subjects. The survival curve showed that the survival time of AD models was prolonged after KLF15 overexpression. qPCR and Western blot showed that connective tissue growth factors (CTGFs) were significantly downregulated in the rat aortas. After KLF15 overexpression in aortic adventitial fibroblasts, the KLF15 mRNA was increased whereas CTGF and its target gene collagens I and III were downregulated. Immunofluorescence staining also showed a decrease in CTGF, collagen I, and III. Lenti-control did not induce a significant change of KLF15, CTGF, collagen I, and III expressions. KLF15 is involved in the mechanism of AD formation in human. Overexpression of KLF15 can partially rescue the aorta remodeling and AD formation in animal models. Our research highlighted a potential of KLF15 to serve as a new therapy target of AD.