1.Differentially expressed proteins in interosseous muscle tissue between patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and normal individuals in a family
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(1):3-8
Objective To investigate the differential expression of related proteins in interosseous muscle tissue between patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(FALS) and normal individuals in a family using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technique, to identify the pathogenic proteins for this family, and to provide a basis for treatment. Methods Interosseous muscle tissue samples were collected from all subjects in this family, and the iTRAQ technique was used to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses for all proteins and obtain the expression profile of proteins in the disease group and the normal group. The bioinformatics methods were used to identify the proteins associated with the onset of FALS. A gene ontology(GO)analysis was performed for cell components, and a classification analysis was performed for related proteins. Results A total of 453 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. The GO analysis obtained 14 differentially expressed proteins between the disease group and the normal group (P<0.05), and compared with the normal group,the disease group had the low expression of 5 proteins (Ratio<1) and the high expression of 9 proteins (Ratio>1). Conclusion This study identifies 8 proteins that are highly associated with FALS, i.e., tripartite motif-containing protein 72, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 1, annexin A1, decorin, glutathione peroxidase 3, collagen alpha-1 (Ⅻ) chain, collagen alpha-2 (Ⅰ) chain, and collagen type I alpha 1 isoform CRA-a. There are 6 proteins that might be associated with FALS, i.e.,26 S protease regulatory subunit 8, laminin subunit alpha-2,prolargin, fibrillin-1, myosin-8, and dermatopontin.
Proteomics
2.Serological characteristics and bioinformatics analysis of 4 blood donors with RHCE*cE(281C,282T) variant allele.
Fan WU ; Naibao ZHUANG ; Liyan SUN ; Tong LIU ; Yanlian LIANG ; Shuang LIANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):137-144
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the serological characteristics and bioinformatics analysis results of 4 blood donors with RHCE*cE(281C, 282T) variant allele.
METHODS:
A total of 4 non-related blood donors with RHCE*cE (281C, 282T) variant allele (donors 1-4) were selected as the study objects. They donated blood at Shenzhen Blood Center from January 2022 to June 2023. The 4 blood donors were all Han. And 5 mL elbow venous blood was collected from these 4 blood donors. Regular serological assaying with 4 kinds of monoclonal antibody reagents was used for determination of the RhCcEe type. The nucleotide sequences of all 10 exons and adjacent flanking intron regions of RHCE gene in these 4 donors were analyzed by Sanger sequencing, and the full-length haplotype analysis of RHCE gene was performed by using the single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) third-generation technology. DeepTMHMM software was used to analyze the structure of protein transmembrane region of wild type and variant RhCcEe protein and predict the location of amino acid substitution. The effects of mutations on RhCcEe protein function were analyzed using PolyPhen-2, SIFT and Mutation Taster bioinformatics software. Robetta and Swiss-PdbViewer v4.1.0 were used for modeling the tertiary structures of RhCcEe to analyze the difference between wild type and variant RhCcEe protein. The mutation was rated according to the standards and guidelines for the classification of genetic variants of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shenzhen Blood Center (Approval No. SZBCMEC-2022-024).
RESULTS:
The RhCcEe phenotypes of the 4 blood donors were CCEweake by serological assaying. The RhE antigen were weakly expressed form 0 to 3+. The analysis of RHCE gene sequence indicated that all the 4 donors with RHCE*cE (281C, 282T) allele. The mutation caused the substitution of a single amino acid in the RhCcEe protein (p.Leu94 Pro) and the amino acid substitution was located in the transmembrane α3 chain resulted in significant changes in the 3D structure of the extracellular region of RhCcEe protein. The substitution was predicted to be "Probably damaging", "Damaging" and "Polymorphism" by PolyPhen-2, SIFT and Mutation Taster bioinformatics software. According to the guidelines of ACMG, the variant was rated to be likely pathogenic.
CONCLUSION
The RHCE*cE (281C, 282T) variant allele was first found in the Han Chinese population. The serological data of this allele were enriched. It provides an important guarantee for the safety of blood transfusion. Bioinformatics analysis provided evidences for further study of the structure and functions of RhCcEe protein.
Humans
;
Blood Donors
;
Computational Biology/methods*
;
Alleles
;
Rh-Hr Blood-Group System/genetics*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Exons
3.Key updates in the 2024 Edition of the International System for Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature (ISCN).
Hao WANG ; Yi LAI ; Juan WEN ; Na HAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(7):848-854
The International System for Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature (ISCN) is a standardized international nomenclature system established by the International Standing Committee on Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature (ISCN SC). It is designed for describing chromosomal or genomic abnormalities detected by commonly used genetic and genomic techniques including but not limited to karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization, microarray, genome mapping, various region-specific assays, and high-throughput sequencing. With a history spanning over six decades, the ISCN was revised by the ISCN SC in 2024 and officially published in September 2024. This article provides a summary for the updates introduced in the 2024 edition of the International System for Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature.
Humans
;
Terminology as Topic
;
Genomics
;
Genome, Human/genetics*
4.Effect mechanism of electroacupuncture on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in rats based on gut microbiota and metabolomics.
Shanshan AI ; Dongrui GAO ; Ziting ZHAI ; Suyong WANG ; Yawen XUE ; Zhihan LIU ; Xiao YAN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(7):945-956
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) for ameliorating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on the analysis of gut microbiota and metabolomics.
METHODS:
Thirty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and an EA group, with 10 rats in each one. Except in the normal group, the intraperitoneally injection with streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes mellitus model in the rest groups. In the EA group, acupuncture was delivered at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP6), "Pishu" (BL20) and "Shenshu" (BL23), and electric stimulation was attached to "Zusanli" (ST36)-"Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Pishu" (BL20)-"Shenshu" (BL23), on the same side, with continuous wave and a frequency of 2 Hz, for 10 min in each intervention. The intervention measure of each group was delivered once every 2 days, 3 times a week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Body weight, random blood glucose (RBG), thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) before intervention, and in 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, separately, as well as sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) of the sciatic nerve after intervention were measured. Metagenomic sequencing (MS) was used to analyze gut microbiota and screen for differential species. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to detect the differential metabolites in plasma, and the metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the differential metabolites. Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to assess the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolomics.
RESULTS:
After 4 and 8 weeks of intervention, when compared with the model group, the EA group showed the increase in body weight, TWL, MWT (P<0.01), and the decrease in RBG (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, SCV and MCV, as well as Chao1 index were dropped in the model group (P<0.01), and those were elevated in the EA group when compared with those in the model group (P<0.01). The dominant bacterial phyla of each group were Firmicutes (F) and Bacteroidota (B), the ratio of them (F/B) in the model group was lower than that of the normal group (P<0.05), and F/B in the EA group was higher when compared with that in the model group (P<0.05). In comparison with the normal group, the relative abundance increased in Prevotella, Segatella, Prevotella-hominis and Segatella-copri (P<0.05); and it decreased in Ligilactobacillus, Eubacterium, Pseudoflavonifractor, Ligilactobacillus-murinus (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the relevant abundance of the above mentioned gut bacteria was all ameliorated in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Among the three groups, 120 differential metabolites were identified and enriched in 28 key metabolic pathways, such as glycerophospholipid and linoleic acid, of which, glycerophospholipid was the most significantly affected pathway in EA intervention. Spearman correlation analysis showed that 6 phosphatidylcholine metabolites were significantly positively correlated with Pseudoflavonifractor and were negatively with Prevotella, Segatella, Prevotella-hominis, Segatella-copri; 5 phosphatidylethanolamine metabolites were significantly negatively correlated with Pseudoflavonifractor and positively correlated with Prevotella, Segatella, Prevotella-hominis, Segatella-copri.
CONCLUSION
EA may regulate metabolic pathways such as glycerophospholipid, modulate specific gut microbiota such as Pseudoflavonifractor, Prevotella, and Segatella, and the co-expressed differential metabolites like phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, thereby reducing blood glucose and protecting nerve function, so as to relieve the symptoms of DPN of rats.
Animals
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Male
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Diabetic Neuropathies/microbiology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Metabolomics
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Points
5.Integrating genomics and metabolomics to reveal the genetic basis and potential therapeutic targets of diabetic foot.
Yi ZHANG ; Cheng CHEN ; Zhen-Dong LI ; Hai-Chao ZHOU ; Bing LI ; Yun-Feng YANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(9):891-901
OBJECTIVE:
To screen out the key metabolites related to diabetic foot (DF) by integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and metabolome genome-wide association studies (mGWAS).
METHODS:
The literature databases such as PubMed and China national knowledge infrastructure(CNKI), as well as genomics databases such as PAN UKBB, FinnGen, and IEU Open GWAS were systematically retrieved from database estobilishment to November 2024 on DF-related single nucleotide polymorphisms and genome-wide association studies. DF-single nucleotide polymorphism-metabolite network was constructed by mGWAS package and mGWAS-Explorer platform. The causal relationship between key factors was evaluated by two-sample Mendelian randomization. The genetic correlation between DF and 575 metabolites (source:IEU Open GWAS) was evaluated by linkage disequilibrium score regression. In vitro experiments were conducted to induce injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with 30 mM glucose and intervene with 20 μM γ-tocopherol. Changes in cell migration, scratch healing and tube formation function were detected.
RESULTS:
Twenty-senen literatures on single nucleotide polymorphism literatures and 3 studies on GWAS were included. Genetic analysis results showed DF-related single nucleotide polymorphisms were enriched in vascular endothelial dysfunction-related pathways (such as fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis). The results of metabolic network analysis screened out 19 associated metabolites, among which 12 such as γ -tocopherol and pyruvate had significant genetic correlations with DF. Mendelian randomization suggested matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) might be a potential driver of DF (β=0.658, P=0.063 8), and the occurrence of DF could reduce the level of high-density lipoprotein (β=-0.002, P=0.015 2). The results of in vitro experiments confirmed that γ -tocopherol could improve endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose, specifically manifested as an increase in the number of cell migrations, improvement in the scratch healing rate, and recovery of tubule formation ability (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
DF has a genetic basis centered on vascular endothelial dysfunction, and its occurrence can lead to further metabolic disorders. The key single nucleotide polymorphism loci integrated provided molecular markers for the risk stratification of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. In addition, γ -tocopherol has demonstrated clinical application potential as a therapeutic drug for DF by significantly improving the function of vascular endothelial cells in a high-glucose environment.
Humans
;
Diabetic Foot/drug therapy*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Genomics
;
Metabolomics
;
Metabolome
6.Unveiling the molecular features and diagnosis and treatment prospects of immunothrombosis via integrated bioinformatics analysis.
Yafen WANG ; Xiaoshuang WU ; Zhixin LIU ; Xinlei LI ; Yaozhen CHEN ; Ning AN ; Xingbin HU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(3):228-235
Objective To investigate the common molecular features of immunothrombosis, thus enhancing the comprehension of thrombosis triggered by immune and inflammatory responses and offering crucial insights for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Methods Differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on datasets of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The intersection of differentially expressed genes in SLE and VTE with those of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) yielded cross-talk genes (CG) for SLE-NET and VTE-NET interaction. Further analysis included functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network assessments of these CG to identify hub genes. Venn diagrams and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to pinpoint the most effective shared diagnostic CG, which were validated using a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) dataset. Results Differential expression genes in SLE and VTE were associated with distinct biological processes, whereas SLE-NET-CG and VTE-NET-CG were implicated in pathways related to leukocyte migration, inflammatory response, and immune response. Through PPI network analysis, several hub genes were identified, with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (S100A12) emerging as the best shared diagnostic CG for SLE (AUC: 0.936 and 0.832) and VTE (AUC: 0.719 and 0.759). Notably, MMP9 exhibited good diagnostic performance in the GVHD dataset (AUC: 0.696). Conclusion This study unveils the common molecular features of SLE, VTE, and NET, emphasizing MMP9 and S100A12 as the optimal shared diagnostic CG, thus providing valuable evidence for the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies related to immunothrombosis. Additionally, the expression of MMP9 in GVHD highlights its critical role in the risk of VTE associated with immune system disorders.
Humans
;
Computational Biology/methods*
;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology*
;
Protein Interaction Maps/genetics*
;
Venous Thromboembolism/therapy*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Extracellular Traps/metabolism*
;
Gene Regulatory Networks
;
Thrombosis/immunology*
;
Graft vs Host Disease/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Profiling
7.Single-cell transcriptomics combined with bioinformatics for comprehensive analysis of macrophage subpopulations and hub genes in ischemic stroke.
Jingyao XU ; Xiaolu WANG ; Shuai HOU ; Meng PANG ; Gang WANG ; Yanqiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(6):505-513
Objective To explore macrophage subpopulations in ischemic stroke (IS) by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis and High-Dimensional Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA). Methods Based on single-cell sequencing data, transcriptomic information for different cell types was obtained, and macrophages were selected for subpopulation identification. hdWGCNA, cell-cell communication, and pseudotime trajectory analysis were used to explore the characteristics of macrophage subpopulations following IS. Key genes related to IS were identified using microarray data and validated for diagnostic potential through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted to investigate the potential functions of these genes. Results The scRNA-seq data analysis revealed significant changes in macrophage subpopulation composition after IS. A specific macrophage subpopulation enriched in the stroke group was identified and designated as MCAO-specific macrophages (MSM). Pseudotime trajectory analysis indicated that MSM cells were in an intermediate stage of macrophage differentiation. Cell-cell communication analysis uncovered complex interactions between MSM cells and other cells, with the CCL6-CCR1 signaling axis potentially playing a crucial role in neuroinflammation. Two gene modules associated with MSM were identified via hdWGCNA, significantly enriched in pathways related to NOD-like receptors and antigen processing. By integrating differentially expressed MSM genes with conventional transcriptomic data, three IS-related hub genes were identified: Arg1, CLEC4D, and CLEC4E. Conclusion This study reveals the characteristics and functions of macrophage subpopulations following IS and identifies three hub genes with potential diagnostic value, providing novel insights into the pathological mechanisms of IS.
Macrophages/metabolism*
;
Computational Biology/methods*
;
Single-Cell Analysis/methods*
;
Transcriptome
;
Ischemic Stroke/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Gene Regulatory Networks
;
Gene Expression Profiling
;
Humans
;
Male
8.Integration of multisource transcriptomics data to identify potential biomarkers of asthmatic epithelial cells.
Lianhua XIE ; Shuxian LU ; Fangyang GUO ; Yifeng ZHANG ; Qian LIU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(8):695-705
Objective Through integrative bioinformatics analysis of multi-source transcriptomic data, potential biomarkers to asthma epithelial cells were identified. The expression of these candidate target was subsequently validated in lung tissues and epithelial cells from asthma models. Methods The gene expression profile data of epithelial cells from three asthma patient cohorts and corresponding healthy controls were integrated from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and gene co-expression network analysis were performed to identify key genes and biological pathways associated with asthma. The key genes were validated in lung tissues and epithelial cells in asthma animal models. Results Differential gene expression analysis revealed 1121 upregulated and 1484 downregulated genes in epithelial cells from asthma patients compared with healthy controls. The biological pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated genes were mainly involved in glycosylation processes, whereas the downregulated genes were mainly associated with immune cell differentiation process. The gene co-expression network analysis revealed that module 9, enriched in glycosylation-related pathways, was significantly positively correlated with asthma, whereas module 17, associated with insulin and other signaling pathways, showed a significant negative correlation with asthma. We identified the genes of polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 5 (GALNT5), pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1), and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5) as key genes within module 9, all of which were significantly upregulated in asthma. Finally, we validated that the expression levels of GALNT5, PYCR1, and CEACAM5 were significantly upregulated in epithelial cells from asthmatic lung tissue. Additionally, using a rat asthma model, we further confirmed that the protein levels of these three genes were significantly upregulated in lung tissues of the model group. Conclusion Through data integration and experimental validation, this study identified key genes and biological pathways closely associated with asthma pathogenesis. These findings provide a novel theoretical basis and potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
Asthma/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Epithelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Profiling
;
Transcriptome
;
Gene Regulatory Networks
;
Rats
;
Computational Biology
9.Research progress on multi-omics biomarkers in Sjogren's syndrome.
Xueqin ZHOU ; Huan LI ; Zhina ZHAO ; Qin LI ; Bingsen WANG ; Songwei LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(10):921-928
Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a common autoimmune disorder that primarily targets exocrine glands, leading to hallmark manifestations of xerostomia and xerophthalmia, with potential progression to multisystem involvement. The rapid advances in omics technologies-including metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics-have yielded substantial insights into SS pathophysiology. This review consolidates current evidence on omics-derived biomarkers in SS. Studies consistently implicate aberrant glucose metabolism, neutrophil-derived enzyme activity, mitochondrial bioenergetic impairment, ferroptosis, and apoptotic pathways as central to SS development. These findings refine our understanding of disease mechanisms and the heterogeneity of therapeutic responses. Hydroxyproline has emerged as a candidate marker for distinguishing SS from IgG4-related disease, whereas distinct cytokine and chemokine signatures may enable earlier diagnosis. Genomic analyses demonstrate a robust association between expression of the rs11797 locus and SS-related lymphomagenesis, and several genes controlling DNA methylation represent promising therapeutic targets. Collectively, these findings lay the groundwork for personalized risk stratification and intervention in SS. The review concludes by summarizing existing progress and outlining priorities for future omics-based investigations.
Humans
;
Sjogren's Syndrome/diagnosis*
;
Biomarkers/analysis*
;
Metabolomics/methods*
;
Proteomics/methods*
;
Genomics
;
Multiomics
10.Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome induces metabolomic changes in expressed prostatic secretions and plasma.
Fang-Xing ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; De-Cao NIU ; Lang CHENG ; Cai-Sheng HUANG ; Ming LIAO ; Yu XUE ; Xiao-Lei SHI ; Zeng-Nan MO
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):101-112
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex disease that is often accompanied by mental health disorders. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous clinical presentation of CP/CPPS remain uncertain. This study analyzed widely targeted metabolomic data of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and plasma to reveal the underlying pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS. A total of 24 CP/CPPS patients from The Second Nanning People's Hospital (Nanning, China), and 35 asymptomatic control individuals from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Nanning, China) were enrolled. The indicators related to CP/CPPS and psychiatric symptoms were recorded. Differential analysis, coexpression network analysis, and correlation analysis were performed to identify metabolites that were specifically altered in patients and associated with various phenotypes of CP/CPPS. The crucial links between EPS and plasma were further investigated. The metabolomic data of EPS from CP/CPPS patients were significantly different from those from control individuals. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the citrate cycle in EPS. The tryptophan metabolic pathway was found to be the most significantly altered pathway associated with distinct CP/CPPS phenotypes. Moreover, the dysregulation of tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism and elevation of oxidative stress-related metabolites in plasma were found to effectively elucidate the development of depression in CP/CPPS. Overall, metabolomic alterations in the EPS and plasma of patients were primarily associated with oxidative damage, energy metabolism abnormalities, neurological impairment, and immune dysregulation. These alterations may be associated with chronic pain, voiding symptoms, reduced fertility, and depression in CP/CPPS. This study provides a local-global perspective for understanding the pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS and offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Humans
;
Male
;
Prostatitis/blood*
;
Adult
;
Pelvic Pain/blood*
;
Metabolomics
;
Prostate/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
;
Chronic Pain/blood*
;
Metabolome
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Tryptophan/blood*
;
Depression/blood*
;
Oxidative Stress/physiology*
;
Chronic Disease
;
Lipid Metabolism/physiology*

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