1.Research progress in diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors.
Guangyan YU ; Xin PENG ; Min GAO ; Peng YE ; Na GE ; Mengqi JIA ; Bingyu LI ; Zunan TANG ; Leihao HU ; Wenbo ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(1):1-6
Salivary gland tumor is one of the most common tumors in oral and maxillofacial regions. The diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors had been a clinical characteristic project in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology since long time ago. Here we introduced the research progress in diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland tumors during the past 10 years. Among 7 190 cases of salivary gland tumors treated in this institution, 4 654 cases (64.7%) were benign, and 2 536 (35.3%) were malignant, with benign ∶ malignant ratio of 1.84 ∶ 1. Parotid was the most common location, followed by minor salivary gland and submandibular gland, while sublingular gland tumor was seldom seen. The proportion of minor salivary gland tumor was relatively high. Among 1 874 cases with primary malignant tumors, the cases with T3 and stage Ⅲ accounted for only 9.6% and 10.3%, respectively, which indicated that there was shortcoming in the T classification and clinical stage formulated by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and further revision was required. The 5, 10, and 15 year survival rates of 1 637 cases with postoperative follow-up were 93.1%, 87.2% and 79.3%, respectively, which were much higher than those we reported 30 years ago. The improvement of treatment results was related to more widely used combined treatment with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, and the increase in patients with early stage. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the malignant tumor with high rate of distant metastasis. The 5 and 10 year survival rates of the patients with pulmonary metastasis were 76.2% and 51.8%, respectively, which indicated that the pulmonary metastatic carcinomas developed slowly. Recurrent rate of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma was 46.7% after single treatment of sur-gery, while it decreased to 27.5% after combined theraphy with surgery and radiotherapy, indicating that postoperative radiotheraphy could reduce the recurrent rate effectively. The normal myoepithelial cells had the inhibiting role in the invasion and metastasis of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. The evaluation of integrity of myoepithelial cells surrounding the tumor mass is helpful to understand the invasiveness of the tumors. The new surgical modalities such as extracapsular resection and partial sialoadenectomy were used in treatment of benign tumors of parotid gland and submandibular gland with advantages of decreased tissue damage and preservation of glandular function. Application of digital surgical techniques such as mixed reality combined with surgical navigation and real-time three-dimensional holograms in the surgical treatment of parotid gland tumors showed the benifits of more safety and precision, and less tissue da-mage.
Humans
;
Salivary Gland Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic/therapy*
;
Adenoma, Pleomorphic/therapy*
;
Neoplasm Staging
2.Expression and regulatory mechanism of miR-34a in neonatal rat model of bron-chopulmonary dysplasia induced by hyperoxia.
Mengyue HUO ; Hua MEI ; Yuheng ZHANG ; Yanbo ZHANG ; Chunli LIU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):237-244
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the expression and possible regulatory mechanism of miR-34a in the lung tissue of neonatal rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by hyperoxia.
METHODS:
In the study, 80 newborn SD rats were randomly divided into hyperoxia group (FiO2=60%) and air group (FiO2=21%) within 2 hours after birth, 40 rats per group. Lung tissue samples of the SD rats in each group were extracted on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days after birth, and the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope after HE staining. The number of radial alveolar counts (RAC) and the mean alveolar diameter (MAD) and the thickness of alveolar septal thickness (AST) were measured to evaluate the development of alveoli. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-34a, angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and tyrosine kinase receptor-2 (Tie-2) in lung tissue of rats in hyperoxia group and air group at different time points. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the proteins expression of Ang-1 and Tie-2 in the lung tissues of the two groups at different time points.
RESULTS:
The weight of rats in the hyperoxia group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after birth was significantly lower than that in the air group (P all < 0.05). With the prolongation of oxygen exposure, the number of alveoli decreased, the volume increased, the structure simplified, the alveolar cavity enlarged obviously and the alveolar septum thickened in the hyperoxia group. On the 7th, 14th and 21st days after birth, the RAC in the hyperoxia group was significantly lower than that in the air group (P all < 0.05). Compared with the air group, MAD and AST increased significantly on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after birth in the hyperoxia group, and the difference was statistically significant (P all < 0.05). The expression level of miR-34a in lung tissue of hyperoxia group was significantly higher than that of air group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after birth, and the difference was statistically significant (P all < 0.05). Compared with the air group at the same time point, the expression levels of Ang-1 and Tie-2 mRNA and protein in the hyperoxia group were lower than those in the air group on the 14th and 21st days after birth (P all < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The new BPD model of newborn SD rats can be successfully established by continuous exposure to 60% hyperoxia. The expression of miR-34a was up-regulated in the lung tissue of the new BPD model of neonatal rats. MiR-34a may play an important role in the occurrence and development of BPD by regulating Ang-1/Tie-2 signal pathway.
Animals
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/genetics*
;
Hyperoxia/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Animals, Newborn
;
Rats
;
Angiopoietin-1/genetics*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Receptor, TIE-2/genetics*
;
Lung/pathology*
;
Male
3.Optical coherence tomography angiography and microvessel density quantification in penumbra after traumatic brain injury in rats.
Peng ZHONG ; Xiaodan HU ; Zhenzhou WANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):262-266
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the dynamic changes of microvascular injury and repair in the penumbra of traumatic brain injury (TBI) rats with effective cerebral perfusion microvascular imaging using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
METHODS:
Transparent closed cranial windows were placed in craniotomy rats after TBI caused by weight drop. All the rats in TBI group and control group underwent head MRI examination on the first postoperative day, and the changes of cerebral cortical microvessel density were measured by OCTA through cranial windows on d0, d2, d4, d6, and d8. On the second day after the operation, the same number of rats in the two groups were selected to complete the immunohistochemical staining of brain tissue with pimonidazole, an indicator of hypoxia.
RESULTS:
MRI T2W1 and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that edema and hypoxia in the traumatic brain tissue extended deeply throughout the entire cortex. OCTA showed that the cortical surface veins of the rats in both groups were significantly dilated and tortuous after operation, and recovered to the postoperative day level on d8. The effective perfusion microvessel density of the rats in both groups gradually recovered after a temporary decrease, and the TBI group decreased from 39.38%±4.48% on d0 to 27.84%±6.01% on d2, which was significantly lower than that on d0, d6, and d8 (P < 0.05). The highest value was 61.71%±7.69% on d8, which was significantly higher than that on d0, d2, and d4 (P < 0.05). The control group decreased from 44.59%±7.78% on d0 to 36.69%±5.49% on d2, which was significantly lower than that on d0, d6, and d8 (P < 0.05). The highest value was 51.92%±5.96% on d8, which was significantly higher than that on d2, and d4 (P < 0.05). Comparing the two groups, the effective perfusion microvessel density in the TBI group was significantly lower than that in the control group on d2 (P=0.021), and significantly higher than that in the control group on d8 (P=0.030).
CONCLUSION
OCTA can be used as a method of imaging and measurement of effective perfusion microvessels in the injured cerebral cortex of TBI rats. After TBI, the effective perfusion microvessel density in the wound penumbra gradually recovered after decreasing, and increased significantly on d8.
Animals
;
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/physiopathology*
;
Rats
;
Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods*
;
Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Microvessels/pathology*
;
Microvascular Density
;
Cerebral Cortex/blood supply*
;
Cerebrovascular Circulation
4.Effect of intraoperative blood salvage autotransfusion on the prognosis of patients after carotid body tumor resection.
Weihao LI ; Jing LI ; Xuemin ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Qingle LI ; Xiaoming ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):272-276
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of intraoperative blood salvage autotransfusion on local recurrence and long-term metastasis of patients after carotid body tumor resection.
METHODS:
We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 61 patients undergoing elective carotid body tumor resection from August 2009 to December 2020. Among them, 14 received intraoperative blood salvage autotransfusion (autotrasfusion group) and 47 did not (non-autotransfusion). Data of general information, surgical status and postoperative follow-up results were collected.
RESULTS:
The proportion of Shamblin Ⅲ in the autotransfusion group was 85.7%, which was significantly higher than 31.9% in the non-autotransfusion group (P=0.003). The average operation time of the 14 patients in the autotransfusion group was (264±84) min, intraoperative blood loss was 1 200 (700, 2 700) mL, and autologous blood transfusion was 500 (250, 700) mL. Of these, 8 patients (57%) required concomitant allogeneic blood with 400 (260, 400) mL of allogeneic blood. The average operation time of the 47 patients in the non-autotransfusion group was (153±75) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 300 (100, 400) mL. Of these, 6 (13%) required allogeneic blood transfusion, and 520 (400, 520) mL of allogeneic blood was used. Compared with the non-autotransfusion group, the average operation time in the autologous blood transfusion group was significantly longer (P < 0.001), and the intraoperative blood transfusion volume was larger (P=0.007). Of the 14 patients undergoing autotransfusion, 8 (57%) needed allogeneic blood at the same time; while in the 47 non-autologous transfusion patients, 6 (13%) needed allogeneic blood transfusion. The proportion of autotransfusion group using allogeneic blood at the same time was even higher (P=0.002). The incidence of nerve injury within 30 days after surgery was 29.5%, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. No early deaths occurred. The average follow-up was (76±37) months. One case of local recurrence occurred in the non-autotransfusion group. There was no distant metastasis. There were no tumor-related deaths. The estimated 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 96.4% and 83.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups (P=0.506).
CONCLUSION
The use of intraoperative blood salvage autotransfusion increased no risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis in patients with carotid body tumor, which is safe and effective in carotid body tumor resection.
Humans
;
Blood Transfusion, Autologous/methods*
;
Operative Blood Salvage/methods*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Carotid Body Tumor/pathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Prognosis
;
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
;
Blood Loss, Surgical
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Operative Time
5.Correlation between streptococcal infection and renal damage in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.
Ziwei WANG ; Min LI ; Hui GAO ; Fang DENG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):284-290
OBJECTIVE:
To explore whether streptococcal infection may aggravate renal damage in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis and its possible mechanism.
METHODS:
In the study, 485 children diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis from July 2015 to December 2019 were selected to analyze their clinical data retrospectively. According to the diagnosis of discharge, whether it was combined with streptococcal infection, the children were divided into two groups. The experimental group contained 91 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis combined with streptococcal infection, and there were 394 children who were not infected with Streptococcus in the control group. Suitable test items were preliminarily selected through artificial neural network, and then data analysis was performed through SPSS 23.0.
RESULTS:
The children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis infected with streptococcus had statistically significant differences compared with the uninfected children in the test items of urine protein, liver and kidney function, immunoglobulin and complement. Anti-streptolysin O had mild correlation with IgG (Spearman r=-0.328), fibrin degradation products (Spearman r=-0.207), total protein (Spearman r=-0.202) and globulin (Spearman r=-0.223). Compared with the children who were not infected with streptococcus, the differences of the average levels of age (P=0.001), IgG (P < 0.001), fibrin degradation products (P=0.019), total protein (P < 0.001), globulin (P < 0.001), IgA (P < 0.001), IgM (P=0.003), complement 3 (P=0.016), complement 4 (P=0.002), albumin/globulin ratio (P=0.007), alkaline phosphatase (P=0.036), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=0.039) in the infected children were statistically significant. In order to explore the risk factors of kidney damage in the children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, Logistic regression was performed using anti-streptolysin O, age, immunoglobulin and complement as independent variables, urine protein detection parameters, liver and kidney functions as dependent variables. Age ≤10 years old and hypocomplementemia might be risk factors for aggravating renal damage in the children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.
CONCLUSION
Streptococcal infections may aggravate renal damage in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, in which hypocomplementemia, inflammation, fibrinolysis and disorders of coagulation perhaps play an important role. Children with streptococcal infection should be treated with anti-infective treatment in time and necessarily, and followed up after discharge regularly.
Humans
;
IgA Vasculitis/complications*
;
Streptococcal Infections/complications*
;
Child
;
Male
;
Female
;
Nephritis/microbiology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child, Preschool
;
Kidney/pathology*
;
Adolescent
6.Impact of concurrent use of goserelin on the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in young breast cancer patients.
Miaoyu LIU ; Siyuan WANG ; Lin PEI ; Shu WANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):291-297
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect of concurrent administration of goserelin for ovarian function protection on the pathological complete response (pCR) rate and objective response rate (ORR) of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in young breast cancer patients.
METHODS:
The study enrolled breast cancer patients aged 18-45 with clinical stages ⅡA~ⅢC from January 2016 to May 2020. According to patients' willingness, they were divided into two groups: Those who chose to receive goserelin to protect ovarian function during NAC (goserelin group) and those who did not (chemotherapy group). The pCR rate and ORR were compared between the two groups, and subgroup analysis was conducted for patients with different molecular subtypes.
RESULTS:
A total of 93 patients were included in this study (31 in the goserelin group and 62 in the chemotherapy group). After propensity score weighting (PSW) adjustment, baseline data such as age, preoperative clinical stage, postoperative pathological stage, pa-thological type, hormone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and Ki-67 expression, molecular subtypes, and chemotherapy regimens were well-matched between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the pCR rate between the goserelin group and the chemotherapy group, with rates of 29.0% and 25.8%, respectively (P=0.741). Similarly, there was no significant difference in ORR between the two groups (90.3% vs. 87.1%, P=0.746). Subgroup analysis revealed that among the patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors, there were no significant differences in pCR rate (6.3% vs. 7.7%, P=0.852) or ORR (87.5% vs. 82.1%, P=0.839) between the goserelin and chemotherapy groups. Among the patients with hormone receptor-negative tumors, there were also no significant differences in pCR rate (53.3% vs. 56.5%, P=0.847) or ORR (93.3% vs. 95.7%, P=0.975) between the two groups. One year after the completion of chemotherapy, the incidence of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) was significantly lower in the goserelin group compared with the chemotherapy group (9.5% vs. 33.3%, P=0.036).
CONCLUSION
For young breast cancer patients with clinical stages of ⅡA~ⅢC, there was no statistical difference in pCR rate and ORR whether or not using goserelin during NAC. However, it is still necessary to expand the sample size and carry out a longer follow-up to evaluate the effect of goserelin on the long-term survival of young patients.
Humans
;
Goserelin/administration & dosage*
;
Female
;
Breast Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Receptor, ErbB-2
7.Clinical outcomes of partial sialoadenectomy for the treatment of benign tumors in the submandibular gland.
Yuanyuan YANG ; Shanshan ZHANG ; Guangyan YU ; Huijun YANG ; Hongyu YANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):334-339
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the clinical outcomes and explore the application of partial sialoadenectomy for the treatment of benign tumors in the submandibular gland (SMG).
METHODS:
Patients with pleomorphic adenoma of the SMG who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, from October 2017 to February 2021, were enrolled and assessed in the follow-up. Fifteen patients underwent partial sialoadenectomy (PS group), and 18 patients underwent total sialoadenectomy (TS group). Postoperative salivary secretion, degree of dry mouth, appearance changes of the face and neck, nerve damage, and tumor recurrence were compared between the groups. The volume of the glands on the operated and contralateral sides of the patients in the PS group, the saliva flow rate, and their correlations, were also analyzed.
RESULTS:
There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. The whole saliva flow rate at rest in the PS group was higher than that in the TS group [(2.15±1.10) g/5 min vs. (1.35±0.97) g/5 min, t=2.208, P=0.035)], while the stimulated saliva flow rate was not significantly different. The objective feeling of dry mouth, evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, was more obvious in the TS group than in the PS group (Z=-2.244, P=0.025). In the PS group, the resting saliva flow rate of the SMG on the operated side was lower than that on the contralateral side of the same patient [(0.92±0.40) g/5 min vs. (1.18±0.40) g/5 min, t=-2.821, P=0.014], however, in the cases whose remaining SMG was more than 80% of the contralateral side, the saliva flow rate of both sides was not significantly different (t=-0.027, P=0.980). There was no significant difference in the saliva flow rate per unit volume of the gland on either side (t=-0.015, P=0.989), and the saliva flow rate of the operated SMG was positively correlated with the volume of the remaining gland (r=0.750, P=0.012). The VAS scores for neck deformity were not significantly different between the two groups (t=-0.997, P=0.319). No symptoms of nerve injury occurred in either group.
CONCLUSION
Partial sialoadenectomy in the SMG can safely remove benign tumors while preserving glandular secretory function, with fewer complications and improved quality of life.
Humans
;
Submandibular Gland/pathology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adenoma, Pleomorphic/surgery*
;
Adult
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Submandibular Gland Neoplasms/surgery*
;
Saliva/metabolism*
;
Aged
8.Construction and application of oral squamous cell carcinoma organoid bank.
Shang XIE ; Luming WANG ; Xinyuan ZHANG ; Qiushi FENG ; Yangyang XIA ; Ziwei DAI ; Xiaofeng SHAN ; Zhigang CAI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(5):847-851
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for over 90% of oral malignancies, with more than 370 000 new cases and approximately 188 000 deaths annually worldwide. In China, there are roughly 65 000 new cases and 35 000 deaths each year, showing a significant upward trend compared with 2015 statistics. Despite continuous advancements in treatment modalities, the 5-year survival rate remains stagnant at 50%-60%, where tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance persist as fundamental barriers to precision oncology. To address these critical challenges, this study established a standardized bioban-king protocol for OSCC patient-derived organoids (PDOs) (Patent: Method for constructing an oral squamous cell carcinoma organoid bank, ZL202311378598.3). Through groundbreaking optimization of culture media, enzymatic digestion kinetics, and stepwise cryopreservation, we achieved a biobanking success rate exceeding 95% and pioneered synchronous cultivation of matched primary tumors, lymph node metastases, and adjacent normal mucosa from individual patients, preserving spatial heterogeneity and stromal interactions. Leveraging this platform, we developed high-throughput drug screening: Quantified heterogeneity-driven differential chemoresponse using adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based viability assays; We discovered resistance mechanisms: Identified sialylated cancer IgG (SIA-cIgG)-mediated cis-platin resistance (primary/secondary) through PTPN13 suppression, with anti-SIA-cIgG combination therapy demonstrating synergistic efficacy. Besides, we elucidated metastatic drivers: CRISPR-Cas9-edited organoids revealed WDR54 promoted metastasis via H3K4me3/H4K16ac epigenetic reprogramming, activating epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and inducing partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT). This "holographic patient-mirroring" platform provided unprecedented resolution for OSCC precision therapy and had been formally incorporated into the Chinese Stomatological Association Technical Guidelines (Technical guideline for establishing patient-derived oral squamous cell carcinoma organoid banks, CHSA 2024-08). Future integration of immune-competent organoids, 3D-bioprinted vasculature, and multi-omics-AI systems will accelerate personalized oncology. These innovations will accelerate clinical translation of personalized therapeutic regimens, ultimately bridging the gap between bench research and bedside application.
Humans
;
Organoids/pathology*
;
Mouth Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology*
;
Tissue Banks
;
Biological Specimen Banks
9.Pathogenesis and mechanism of serine protease 23 in skin fibrosis of systemic sclerosis.
Xiandun YUAN ; Zhaohua LI ; Dan XU ; Ting LI ; Dan FANG ; Rong MU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(5):903-910
OBJECTIVE:
It has been reported that the mRNA expression of serine protease 23 (PRSS23) was increased in skin fibroblasts from systemic sclerosis patients (SSc). The purpose of this study is to explore the pathogenetic effect and mechanism of PRSS23 in skin fibrosis of SSc.
METHODS:
The expression of PRSS23 in skin tissues from the SSc patients and healthy controls was detected by immunohisto-chemistry. Fibroblasts isolated from fresh skin tissue were used to detect the expression of PRSS23 by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Overexprssion of PRSS23 in BJ, the fibroblasts cell line of skin, was constructed by lentivirus. After stimulation with 400 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide for 12 h, Annexin V/7-AAD staining was used to detect apoptosis of fibroblasts; flow cytometry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related protein cleaved Caspase-3. The expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in fibroblasts was detected by RT-qPCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS:
Compared with the healthy controls, the expression of PRSS23 in skin tissues of the SSc patients was significantly increased [4.952 (3.806-5.439) vs. 0.806 (0.395-1.173), P < 0.001], and fibroblast was the main cell that expressed PRSS23. The mRNA [27.59 (25.02-30.00) vs. 1.00, P < 0.001] and protein [0.675 (0.587-0.837) vs. 0.451 (0.342-0.502), P=0.029] of PRSS23 in skin fibroblasts isolated from the SSc patients were significantly up-regulated. Compared with the control group, the anti-apoptotic ability of skin fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 was enhanced, and the proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced after hydrogen peroxide induction [(5.043±1.097)% vs. (17.480±3.212)%, P=0.022], the expression of apoptosis-related protein cleaved Caspase-3 was also markedly reduced [(0.718±0.022) vs. (1.422±0.105), P=0.003]. In addition, the mRNA [(99.780±1.796) vs. (1.000±0.004), P < 0.001] and protein [(211.600±2.431) ng/L vs. (65.930±1.768) ng/L, P < 0.001] of IL-6 in the fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 were significantly up-regulated; the mRNA[(3.555±0.555) vs. (1.000±0.004), P < 0.001] and protein levels [(41.190±0.949) ng/L vs. (31.150±0.360) ng/L, P < 0.001] of TNF-α in the fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 were also significantly up-regulated.
CONCLUSION
The expression of PRSS23 is increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients. PRSS23 can inhibit cell apoptosis, promote the secretion of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and regulate the process that skin fibroblasts transform into pro-inflammatory type. So, PRSS23 is associated with the development of skin fibrosis.
Humans
;
Scleroderma, Systemic/enzymology*
;
Fibroblasts/pathology*
;
Apoptosis
;
Skin/metabolism*
;
Fibrosis
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Caspase 3/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Cells, Cultured
;
RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Serine Endopeptidases/genetics*
10.Role and mechanism of ubiquitin-specific protease 35 in ferroptosis of rheumatoid arthritis-fibroblast like synoviocytes.
Lianghua FENG ; Lirong HONG ; Yujia CHEN ; Xueming CAI
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(5):919-925
OBJECTIVE:
To elucidate the role and underlying mechanism of ubiquitin-specific protease 35 (USP35) in ferroptosis of rheumatoid arthritis-fibroblast like synoviocytes (RA-FLS), thereby enhancing our comprehension of the pathogenesis of RA and identifying potential therapeutic targets for its treatment.
METHODS:
(1) RA-FLS were cultured in vitro and transduced with lentiviral vectors to establish stable cell lines: A USP35-knockdown line (short hairpin ribonucleic acid of USP35, shUSP35) and its control (negtive control of short hairpin ribonucleic acid, shNC), as well as a overexpression of USP35 line (USP35 OE) and its control (Vector). To investigate the role of USP35 in ferroptosis regulation, a ferroptosis model was induced in RA-FLS by treatment with 1 μmol/L Erastin. The cells were divided into six groups: shNC, shNC + Erastin, shUSP35 + Erastin, Vector, Vector + Erastin, and USP35 OE + Erastin. (2) Cell viability was detected using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). (3) Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratios, and Ferrous ion (Fe2+) levels were measured using specific assay kits to evaluate oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione redox status in the cells. (4) Protein expression levels of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) were detected using Western blotting to investigate their potential involvement in USP35-mediated ferroptosis regulation.
RESULTS:
(1) Compared with the shNC +Erastin group, the cell viability of the shUSP35+Erastin group was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), while it was notably increased in the USP35 OE+Erastin group compared with the Vector+Erastin group (P < 0.001). These findings indicated that USP35 could alleviate the inhibitory effect of Erastin on RA-FLS cell viability. (2) In comparison to the shNC+Erastin group, the levels of ROS (P < 0.001), MDA (P < 0.05), and Fe2+ (P < 0.001) were significantly elevated, and the GSH/GSSG ratio was increased (P < 0.05) in the shUSP35+Erastin group. Conversely, the levels of ROS (P < 0.001), MDA (P < 0.05), and Fe2+ (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased, and the GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased (P < 0.05) in the USP35 OE+Erastin group compared with the Vector+Erastin group. These results suggested that USP35 could inhibit Erastin-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in RA-FLS. (3) In Erastin-induced RA-FLS, the expression of USP35 was positively correlated with the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4, indicating a potential mechanism by which USP35 regulated ferroptosis in these cells.
CONCLUSION
USP35 inhibits ferroptosis in RA-FLS, potentially through the increased expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4.
Ferroptosis
;
Humans
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism*
;
Synoviocytes/pathology*
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases/metabolism*
;
Fibroblasts/pathology*
;
Cell Survival
;
Piperazines/pharmacology*
;
Endopeptidases/metabolism*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Cell Line
;
Amino Acid Transport System y+
Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail