Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40108688›Full record

ArticleJournal of translational medicine2025

CHI3L1: a key driver in gastritis-to-cancer transformation.

Tao Li, Huizhong Jiang, Yucheng Gong, Mengting Liao, Yuanping Jia, Jiena Chen, Ming Dai, Yinan Yan, Xinyu Lu, Runhua Chen and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of translational medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Tao Li *School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Huizhong Jiang *Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
Yucheng Gong *Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
Mengting LiaoDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
Yuanping JiaDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
Jiena ChenDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
Ming DaiMOE Key Laboratory of Membraneless Organelle and Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
Yinan YanSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Xinyu LuDongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China.
Runhua ChenDongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, China.
Yuan LiNational Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Preventive Treatment of Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Yan ChenSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Jie LinNational Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Preventive Treatment of Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Yicong LiDongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, China. liyicong330@163.com.
Xia DingSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. dingx@bucm.edu.cn.ORCID 0000-0002-7346-942X

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2022M720520National Natural Science Foundation of China 82305179National Natural Science Foundation of China 82374292
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGastric cancer, recognized as one of the most lethal malignancies globally, progresses through a complex, multi-stage development. Elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms behind gastric carcinogenesis and identifying early diagnostic biomarkers are pivotal for decreasing the prevalence of gastric cancer.

methodsUsing datasets on gastric cancer and its transformation from gastritis, we employed machine learning to create an early diagnostic model, identifying key genes and evaluating accuracy. We prioritized genes in the gastritis-to-cancer progression, identifying a central driver gene. Pathway analysis revealed its transformation role. Tissue microarrays and rat models validated the driver genes and networks, confirmed in cell and organoid models. We also identified cell types secreting CHI3L1 using single-cell RNA sequencing and multiplex immunohistochemistry, exploring their prognostic significance.

resultsWe identified 12 driver genes potentially involved in the gastritis-to-cancer transformation, with CHI3L1, MMP12, CXCL6, IDO1, and CCL20 emerging as the top five genes via a early gastric cancer diagnostic model. CHI3L1 was pinpointed as the central driver across the gastritis-to-cancer spectrum, with its upregulation, along with CD44, β-catenin, and c-Myc, noted in gastric precancerous lesions. In vitro and organoid studies revealed CHI3L1's role in activating the CD44-β-catenin pathway to induce malignancy. Furthermore, our findings indicate that fibroblasts and dendritic cells are the principal sources of CHI3L1 secretion, a factor that is associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer.

conclusionsThis study highlights CHI3L1 as a key gene driving the progression from gastritis to gastric cancer, primarily by activating the CD44-β-catenin pathway, which enhances malignant cell traits. CHI3L1 is mainly secreted by fibroblasts and dendritic cells, and its high levels are linked to poor gastric cancer prognosis.

Indexed as

Cell Transformation, NeoplasticChitinase-3-Like Protein 1GastritisStomach NeoplasmsAnimalsGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansOrganoidsPrognosisRatsCHI3L1 protein, humanChitinase-3-Like Protein 1BioinformaticsBiomarkersCD44-β-catenin pathwayCHI3L1DiagnosticsGastric precancerous lesionsGastritis-to-cancer transformation

Identifiers

PMID40108688
PMCPMC11921547

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.