1.Analysis of serological and molecular genetic characteristics of a Chinese pedigree with a B(A)06 subtype.
Dongdong TIAN ; Ding ZHAO ; Wei LI ; Zhihao LI ; Jiali YANG ; Yongfang ZHANG ; Liuchuang ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(3):220-227
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the serological and molecular genetic characteristics of a family with subtype B(A)06.
METHODS:
A neonatal hyperbilirubinemia patient who was treated at Henan Children's Hospital on June 15, 2023 due to "yellowing of the skin and gradual aggravation", and was found to have inconsistent ABO forward and reverse typing through blood type testing, was selected as the research subject. Six milliliters of peripheral blood were collected from the newborn and her family members (grandfather, grandmother, father, mother and aunt) respectively. ABO blood group identification was performed by the blood group serological method. Human genomic DNA was extracted using the nucleic acid extraction or purification reagent BT-01. ABO gene exons 2 to 7 were amplified by PCR. The PCR-specific products that were successfully amplified were sequenced by Sanger method. Taking ABO*A1.01 as the reference sequence, the ABO gene sequences of the newborn and her family members were analyzed to determine the ABO genotype. The procedures followed in this study were approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Children's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2022-K-L036).
RESULTS:
The serological results of ABO blood group showed that the newborn, her grandfather, father and aunt were all incompatible with the forward and reverse typing. The blood group phenotype of the newborn was AwB or B(A), the blood group phenotype of the grandfather was A2B or B(A), the blood group phenotype of the father and aunt were A2B, and the blood group phenotype of the grandmother and mother were both O. The screening test results of hemolytic disease of the newborn showed that the free test detected IgG anti-A1 antibody, while the elution test, direct antiglobulin test and antibody screening results were all negative. The Sanger sequencing results showed that the newborn had variations of c.261delG, c.297A>G, c.526C>G, c.657C>T, c.703G>A, c.796C>A and c.930G>A. Her grandfather had variations of c.297A>G, C.526C>G, c.657C>T, c.703G>A, c.796C>A, c.803G>C and c.930G>A. Her grandmother had variations of c.106G>T, c.188G>A, c.189C>T, c.220C>T, c.261delG, c.297A>G, c.646T>A, c.681G>A, c.771C>T and c.829G>A. Her father and aunt had variations of c.106G>T, c.188G>A, c.189C>T, c.220C>T, c.261delG, c.297A>G, c.526C>G, c.646T>A, c.657C>T, c.681G>A, c.703G>A, c.771C>T, c.796C>A, c.829G>A and c.930G>A. Her mother had variations of c.106G>T, c.188G>A, c.189C>T, c.220C>T, c.261delG, c.297A>G, c.646T>A, c.681G>A, c.771C>T, and c.829G>A.The genotype of the newborn was ABO*BA.06/ABO*O.01.01, her grandfather was ABO*BA.06/ABO*B.01, her grandmother was ABO*O.01.02/ABO*O.01.02, her father and aunt were ABO*BA.06/ABO*O.01.02, and her mother was ABO*O.01.01/ABO*O.01.02. The ABO*BA.06 allele of the newborn, grandfather, father and aunt was caused by the c.803C>G variation in exon 7 based on the ABO*B.01 allele. The ABO*BA.06 allele can be stably inherited in this family.
CONCLUSION
The blood type of neonatal patients with B(A)06 subtype can be accurately determined by gene sequencing technology. If the forward typing is ≤ 3+ agglutination intensity in newborn ABO blood group identification, the reason should be carefully analyzed, and the molecular biology technology and family gene sequencing results should be used to jointly determine if necessary.
Humans
;
ABO Blood-Group System/genetics*
;
Female
;
Pedigree
;
Male
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Asian People/genetics*
;
Genotype
;
China
;
Blood Grouping and Crossmatching
;
Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal/blood*
;
East Asian People
2.Two cases of Non-classic adrenal hyperplasia: Diagnostic strategies and genetic variant analysis.
Qigang ZHANG ; Xia ZHAN ; Qing SHENG ; Mi YU ; Yinbao LU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):273-280
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical characteristics, steroid hormone profiles, and genetic variants in two female patients with Non-classic adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH).
METHODS:
Clinical data and samples were collected from two patients who had visited Huaian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Yangzhou University on September 27, 2022 and June 25, 2023, respectively, with an initial diagnosis of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and suspected NCAH. Seven steroid hormones in dried blood spots were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Single base variants and repeat/deletions in the CYP21A2 gene were analyzed by using a classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) gene assay, and 10 related genes were analyzed by third-generation sequencing (TGS) should the variants be unclear. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2025003).
RESULTS:
Patient 1 was a 14-year-old girl, and patient 2 was a 23-year-old woman with insulin resistance. Both patients had hirsutism, acne, bilateral polycystic ovarian morphology, in addition with significantly elevated serum testosterone by chemiluminescence. The steroid hormone profiles of both patients suggested a significant increase in 17-hydroxyproesterone, normal cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol. Patient 2 additionally showed a significant rise in 21-deoxycortisol. The presentation of both patients was indicative of NCAH, which was also evidenced by their respective medical histories. Sanger sequencing of long fragment PCR amplification combined with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) revealed that patient 1 harbored a mild c.92C>T (p.P31L) variant and a severe variant with a large segmental deletion in CYP21A2. Patient 2 was finally confirmed by TGS to carry mild CYP21A2 variants in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) promotor region (c.-126C>T, c.-113G>A, c.-110T>C) and a severe c.293-13C/A>G variant. The promotor region variants had resulted in decompression of the long fragment P1X/P2 amplification, leading to homozygous result of Sanger sequencing for c.293-13C/A>G, which in turn halved the amplification signal for the wt-113 SNP probe. In addition, the wtI2G-A probe was enhanced by interference in the MLPA assay.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that NCAH should be excluded when PCOS is accompanied by a significant increase in serum testosterone, that mass spectrometry of steroid hormone profiles containing 17-hydroxyprogesterone is useful for the detection of NCAH, and that TGS is advantageous in confirming the diagnosis of NCAH when compared with conventional genetic testing methods.
Humans
;
Female
;
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/blood*
;
Adolescent
;
Steroid 21-Hydroxylase/genetics*
;
Young Adult
;
Genetic Variation
;
Adult
3.Incidental findings from cell-free fetal DNA-based non-invasive prenatal testing: Research progress on maternal tumors.
Zhuangping ZHANG ; Xinni SHU ; Yaping HOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):301-306
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) based on fetal free DNA is a non-invasive technique to screen for common fetal aneuploidies by analyzing cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in the peripheral blood of pregnant women. This technique has opened a new era of prenatal screening for its high safety and reliability. In recent years, it has been shown that NIPT can not only screen for fetal aneuploidies, but may also reveal maternal genomic abnormalities. The incidental detection of maternal tumors has aroused widespread concern in the clinical settings. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the research progress of NIPT technique in incidental detection of maternal tumors, and to discuss its clinical significance, technical challenges, and future development direction. It has been found that multiple chromosome aneuploidies (MCAs) in NIPT detection is one of the important biomarkers suggesting occult maternal malignant tumors. In this paper, the relevant progress of NIPT technique in the incidental discovery of maternal tumors were reviewed in order to provide a reference for individualized and standardized application of NIPT technique in maternal health monitoring.
Humans
;
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/blood*
;
Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*
;
Incidental Findings
;
Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Noninvasive Prenatal Testing/methods*
;
Aneuploidy
;
Fetus/metabolism*
4.Associations of Exposure to Typical Environmental Organic Pollutants with Cardiopulmonary Health and the Mediating Role of Oxidative Stress: A Randomized Crossover Study.
Ning GAO ; Bin WANG ; Ran ZHAO ; Han ZHANG ; Xiao Qian JIA ; Tian Xiang WU ; Meng Yuan REN ; Lu ZHAO ; Jia Zhang SHI ; Jing HUANG ; Shao Wei WU ; Guo Feng SHEN ; Bo PAN ; Ming Liang FANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(11):1388-1403
OBJECTIVE:
The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress.
METHODS:
A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators.
RESULTS:
Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Cross-Over Studies
;
Female
;
Young Adult
;
Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*
;
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Adult
;
Blood Pressure/drug effects*
;
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine*
;
Beijing
5.Air Pollution and Cardiac Biomarkers in Heart Failure: A Scoping Review.
Gang LI ; Yan Hui JIA ; Yun Shang CUI ; Shao Wei WU ; Tong Yu MA ; Yun Xing JIANG ; Hong Bing XU ; Yu Hui ZHANG ; Mary A FOX
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(11):1430-1443
Ambient air pollution is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for heart failure; however, its effects on cardiac biomarkers remain unclear. This scoping review assessed the existing evidence on the association between air pollution and cardiac biomarkers in heart failure, described the key concepts, synthesized data, and identified research gaps. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were searched for studies on air pollution, heart failure, and biomarkers. A total of 765 records were screened, and 81 full texts were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 15 studies. The results showed that the exposure to particulate matter was associated with elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin levels. Several studies have linked particulate matter exposure to a higher cardiovascular risk and heart failure biomarkers. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were consistently elevated across studies, supporting the biological relevance of these associations. However, few studies have focused specifically on populations with heart failure or clinically relevant biomarkers, and the evidence for gaseous pollutants remains inconclusive. These findings highlight the need to integrate environmental risk assessment into heart failure care and inform policy efforts to reduce the pollution-related cardiovascular burden. Further research should address these gaps through improved exposure assessments and the integration of mechanistic evidence.
Heart Failure/epidemiology*
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Air Pollution/adverse effects*
;
Air Pollutants/adverse effects*
;
Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
;
Environmental Exposure
;
Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Troponin/blood*
6.Effects of initial periodontal therapy on the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with severe periodontitis.
Lanqing FU ; Xinyu HAO ; Wenbo QIAN ; Ying SUN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(1):46-52
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to observe the effects of initial periodontal therapy on the level of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with severe periodontitis and to analyze the factors related to the formation of NETs.
METHODS:
Thirty-one patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ periodontitis were recruited. Clinical periodontal parameters, including plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical atta-chment loss (CAL), were recorded before and 6-8 weeks after initial periodontal therapy. Levels of NETs in GCF were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Quantities of total bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actionomycetemcomitans) and Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia)in unattached subgingival plaque were determined by real-time quantitative PCR, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in GCF were explored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the correlations between the level of NETs and the above indicators were analyzed.
RESULTS:
After initial periodontal therapy, the level of NETs in GCF, PLI, GI, PD, and CAL; quantities of total bacteria, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. itermedia; and levels of IL-8 and TNF-α significantly decreased (P<0.05). We observed strong positive correlations between the level of NETs and PLI, GI, PD, CAL, the amount of total bacteria, P. gingivalis, TNF-α, and IL-8 (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Initial periodontal therapy might decrease the level of NETs in GCF from patients with severe periodontitis, which might be positively correlated with the quantities of P. gingivalis andthe levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in GCF.
Humans
;
Gingival Crevicular Fluid
;
Extracellular Traps/metabolism*
;
Porphyromonas gingivalis/isolation & purification*
;
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/isolation & purification*
;
Periodontitis/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/analysis*
;
Prevotella intermedia/isolation & purification*
;
Interleukin-8/analysis*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Periodontal Index
;
Adult
7.Effect of trapezoidal and modified triangular flaps on mucosal blood supply and osteogenesis after guided bone regeneration.
Shuangzhen CHEN ; Xianyue ZHANG ; Xiaofeng JIA ; Rong XIA ; Fan JIANG
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(5):679-688
OBJECTIVES:
Color doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were utilized to evaluate changes in mucosal vascular parameters and the osteogenic effects following guided bone regeneration (GBR) in the maxillary anterior region using trapezoidal or modified triangular flaps.
METHODS:
Patients undergoing single maxillary anterior dental implant surgery with GBR were randomly allocated into two groups: a trapezoidal flap group and a modified triangular flap group. After GBR surgery, the mucosal vascular parameters at the surgical site were assessed at various time intervals (preoperative, 2 h, 1 and 3 days, and 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperative) using CDFI. In addition, the effects of bone augmentation were evaluated through the analysis of CBCT images obtained preoperatively, 2 h, and 6 months postoperative.
RESULTS:
The buccal mucosa in the edentulous area had a lower blood flow rate than the corresponding tooth in the same jaw, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The mucosal blood flow rate in the surgical area increased compared with that in the preoperative period. The peak flow rate was recorded at 2 weeks postoperatively and then decreased to levels comparable to those of the reference tooth. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (P<0.05). The buccal alveolar ridge width of the implant platform was reduced by (1.3±0.9) mm in the trapezoidal flap group and (0.9±0.7) mm in the modified triangular flap group, respectively, at 6 months postoperatively, compared with 2 h postoperative. The buccal alveolar ridge width of the 5 mm from the implant platform was reduced by (0.9±0.6) mm and (0.3±0.6) mm, respectively. The buccal alveolar ridge width of the 10 mm from the implant platform was reduced by (0.6±0.8) mm and (0.2±0.6) mm, respectively. The height of the alveolar ridge was reduced by (1.9±1.4 ) mm and (1.4±1.3) mm. The change in graft volume was (136±78 ) mm3 and (114±85) mm3. However, the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
When a tooth is missing, blood flow to the buccal mucosa on the side of the missing tooth is reduced. The modified triangular flap group demonstrated superior microcirculation of blood flow in the operative area after GBR of the maxillary anterior teeth. Trapezoidal and modified triangular flaps achieved the anticipated bone augmentation during bone augmentation surgery in the maxillary anterior region, with no considerable effect on the changes in alveolar bone size parameters.
Humans
;
Surgical Flaps/blood supply*
;
Bone Regeneration
;
Mouth Mucosa/blood supply*
;
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
;
Osteogenesis
;
Maxilla/surgery*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal/methods*
8.Effect of ginsenoside Rb3 on experimental periodontitis in rats.
Hua LI ; Kang ZHANG ; Huijuan QU ; Honghai JI ; Minmin SUN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(5):711-721
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rb3 on experimental periodontitis and bone resorption in rats.
METHODS:
Male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a ligation group, an Rb3 group, and a doxycycline (Dox) group for in vivo experiments. A periodontitis model was established by ligating the maxillary second molar, and samples were collected after 3 weeks of drug treatment. Micro-CT assessment of alveolar bone resorption was performed, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in periodontal and visceral tissues. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was applied to detect the formation of osteoclasts in periodontal tissues, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to detect the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, immunoglobulin (Ig)M, and IgG. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to detect the expression of factors related to gingival inflammation and osteoclast formation. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) expression. In vitro experiments were conducted by pretreating RAW264.7 cells with drugs and adding lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression was detected by qPCR, and Western blot was used to detect the effect of Rb3 on the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, the ligation group showed significant periodontitis and bone resorption. Compared with the ligation group, the Rb3 group showed a decrease in alveolar bone resorption and osteoclast formation; p-ERK/ERK ratio, IL-1β, IL-6, and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc1) mRNA levels and downstream gene expression in periodontal tissues; serum IL-6, IL-8, IgG, and IgM levels. Rb3 reduced IL-8 and IL-1β mRNA expression levels and p-ERK/ERK and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratios in RAW264.7 cells induced by P. gingivalis LPS stimulation.
CONCLUSIONS
Rb3 inhibits inflammation and bone resorption in experimental periodontitis in rats. Compared with Dox, Rb3 has better effects in inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors and osteoclast gene expression and may exert anti-inflammatory effects by activating the MAPK signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Ginsenosides/therapeutic use*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Male
;
Periodontitis/pathology*
;
Rats
;
Osteoclasts/drug effects*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Mice
;
Alveolar Bone Loss
;
Interleukin-8/blood*
;
Immunoglobulin G/blood*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Transcription Factors
9.Mediation analysis of plasma phosphorylated tau217 in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment.
Yanbiao ZHANG ; Meirong WEI ; Xuejuan ZHAO ; Xiaolei QI ; Shanshan ZUO ; Shumei MAO ; Jun WANG ; Gang DING
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(6):845-859
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of plasma phosphorylated tau217 (p-tau217) in the association between periodontitis and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
METHODS:
In this case-control study, patients diagnosed with MCI in the Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from November 2023 to May 2024 were selected as the case group (MCI group). Cognitively normal (CN) volunteers, matched for age and education level and recruited from the physical examination center during the same period, served as the control group (CN group). The general demographic data of the study participants were collected. The Beijing versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), clinical dementia rating (CDR), and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to assess neuropsychological functions. Clinical periodontal examinations were conducted, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated, and the periodontitis stage was determined in accordance with the 2018 classification. Fasting elbow venous blood samples were collected in the morning, and blood biochemical indicators were measured. Plasma p-tau217 levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, partial correlation analysis, multivariate Logistic regression analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis, and mediation effect analysis.
RESULTS:
Among the 192 participants, 96 belong to the MCI group and 96 to the CN group. The prevalence of periodontitis was 63.5% in the MCI group and 43.8% in the CN group, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=7.561, P=0.006). The plasma p-tau217 levels in the MCI group were significantly higher than those in the CN group [7.00 (4.27-9.65) ng/mL versus 2.02 (0.80-3.81) ng/mL, Z=-8.108, P<0.001]. Partial correlation analysis revealed that plasma p-tau217 levels were positively correlated with all the clinical periodontal indices (all P<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multivariate Logistic regression indicated that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for MCI. Patients with periodontitis had a 1.977-fold higher MCI risk than those without periodontitis (OR=1.977, 95%CI: 1.088-3.594, P=0.025). Moreover, the MCI risk for stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis was 1.878 times (OR=1.878, 95%CI: 1.029-3.425, P=0.040) and 2.625 times (OR=2.625, 95%CI: 1.073-6.246, P=0.035) higher than that for patients without periodontitis, respectively. Trend test showed that the MCI risk increased with periodontitis severity (Ptrend=0.016). After adjustments for baseline covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for increased plasma p-tau217 levels (β=3.309, 95%CI: 2.363-4.254, P<0.001). Compared with patients without periodontitis, those with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ periodontitis (β=1.838, 95%CI: 0.869-2.806, P<0.001) and stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ periodontitis (β=5.539, 95%CI: 4.442-6.636, P<0.001) had significantly higher plasma p-tau217 levels. In addition, trend test indicated that plasma p-tau217 levels increased with periodontitis severity (Ptrend<0.001). After adjustments for baseline covariates, RCS regression analysis further revealed that PISA had a positive linear dose-response relationship with MCI risk (Poverall=0.002, Pnonlinear=0.344) and plasma p-tau217 levels (Poverall<0.001, Pnonlinear=0.140). After adjustments for baseline covariates, mediation analysis showed that plasma p-tau217 mediated the association between periodontitis and MCI, with a mediation proportion of 13.99% (95% Bootstrap CI: 0.38%-49.39%, P=0.038).
CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis was independently positively associated with MCI risk, and plasma p-tau217 plays a mediating role in this association.
Humans
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/complications*
;
tau Proteins/blood*
;
Periodontitis/complications*
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Phosphorylation
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Activities of Daily Living
10.Preparation and efficacy of a circRNA vaccine with herpes simplex virus type Ⅱ gD as immunogen.
Suixin ZHANG ; Xiaodi ZHENG ; Peng NI ; Zhong WANG ; Biao LIU ; Yang WANG ; Han HU ; Binlei LIU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1354-1371
This study investigated the specific immune response of BALB/c mice that was induced by a circular RNA (circRNA) vaccine expressing the herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD). The aim was to evaluate the immunological potential of this vaccine and lay a foundation for developing an mRNA vaccine against HSV-2. PCR and homologous recombination were employed to integrate the gD gene obtained from the pT7AMP-gD ectodomain plasmid into pUC57 to generate the recombinant plasmid pUC57-circ-gD, which was then sequenced and characterized. In vitro transcription and cyclization were performed on the template DNA to generate pUC57-circ-gD mRNA. To validate the formation of circular RNA, we cleaved the pUC57-circ-gD mRNA with RNase R and employed RT-PCR to validate the cyclization. The pUC57-circ-gD mRNA was then transfected into 293T cells. After 72 h, the cell supernatant was collected, and Western blotting was employed to measure the protein level of gD. Subsequently, the mRNA was encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) by microfluidic encapsulation. BALB/c mice were administrated with the encapsulated mRNA, and blood was collected from the fundus venous plexus after 21 and 35 days, and from the enucleated eyeballs after 49 days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the titers of antibodies, including virus-neutralizing antibodies. After 49 days, spleens were harvested and assessed for secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunospot. The results showed successful construction and sequencing of the recombinant plasmid. RNase R digestion confirmed the presence of circular RNAs. Western blotting of the 293T cells transfected with the mRNA showed clear specific bands. The quality of the vaccine was tested by size exclusion chromatography-high performance liquid chromatography, which showed that the purity of the vaccine was about 90%. The mRNA-LNP showcased the particle size of 82.76 nm and an encapsulation rate of approximately 98%. Following three-dose vaccination, all immunized mice exhibited steady weight gain with 100% survival rate throughout the 28-day observation period, indicating no significant acute toxicity associated with the vaccine formulation. The immunized mice showed dose-dependent increases in serum IgG antibody titer and IFN-γ secretion by splenocytes and they were resistant to virus attacks. These findings indicate good immunogenicity and persistence of the pUC57-circ-gD mRNA vaccine, providing a reference for further studies on circRNA vaccines.
Animals
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
RNA, Circular
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Herpesvirus 2, Human/genetics*
;
Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics*
;
Antibodies, Viral/blood*
;
HEK293 Cells
;
Female
;
Nanoparticles
;
Plasmids

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