BACKGROUND: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been proved to be related to the occurrence of diabetes, dilated cardiomyopathy and neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, it is closely associated with osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of ER stress on the chondrocyte viability as well as the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis in rats. METHODS: Rat chondrocytes were isolated and cultured, and the ER stress in the rat chondrocytes was by 10 mg/L tunicamycin. The expression levels of ER stress markers C/EBP-homologous protein and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein were detected by western blot assay, and the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay and AnnexinV-FITC flow cytometry, respectively. In the in vivo experiment, 15 Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscectomy to establish an animal model of osteoarthritis. Tunicamycin, tauroursodeoxycholic acid and PBS (blank control group) were respectively injected into the articular cavity, and then the progression of osteoarthritis was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining at 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After addition of tunicamycin, the expression levels of C/EBP-homologous protein and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein were significantly upregulated, the viability of chondrocytes was decreased gradually, while the apoptotic rate was increased significantly. Results from gross observation and hematoxylin-eosin staining suggested that tunicamycin promoted the progression of osteoarthritis and tauroursodeoxycholic acid delayed the deterioration of cartilage in the rats. These findings indicate that ER stress results in the decreased chondrocyte viability and increased apoptosis, which may be an important pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Additionally, tauroursodeoxycholic acid can effectively alleviate osteoarthritis induced by ER stress.

Objective:To investigate whether endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2 S)was involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA)and its underlying mechanism,to detect H2 S and its synthases ex-pression in knee cartilage in patients diagnosed with different severity of OA,and to explore the transcrip-tion and expression of gene MMP-13 in chondrocytes treated with IL-1βor H2S.Methods:Synovial fluids of the in-patients with different severity of OA hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital were collected for measurement of H2 S content using methylene blue assay.Articular cartilages of the patients who underwent knee arthroplasty were collected for the cell culture of relatively normal chondrocytes.The chondrocytes were cultured to the P3 generation and H2 S molecular probes were used for detection of endogenous H2 S generation in the chondrocytes.Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the localization of H2 S synthases including cystathionine β-synthase (CBS),cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE),and mercap-topyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST)in OA chondrocytes.Western blot was used to quantify the protein expressions of CSE,MPST,and CBS in cartilage tissues of the patients who were diagnosed with OA and underwent knee arthroplasty.The relatively normal human chondrocytes were cultured to passage 3 and then divided into 4 groups for different treatments:(1 )the normal control group,no reagent was added;(2)the IL-1βgroup,5 μg/L of IL-1βwas added;(3)the IL-1β+H2S group,200 μmol/L of NaHS was added 30 min before adding 5 μg/L of IL-1β;(4)the H2 S group,200 μmol/L of NaHS was added. The transcription and expression of gene MMP-13 in chondrocytes of each group were determined with Real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.And the total NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in chondrocytes were detected with Western blot.Results:The content of H2 S in the synovial fluid of degenerative knee was (14.3 ±3.3)μmol/L.Expressions of endogenous H2 S and its synthases including CBS,CSE and MPST were present in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes.CSE protein expression in Grade 3 (defined by outerbridge grading)cartilage tissues was significantly increased as compared with that of Grade 1 cartilage tissues (1.67 ±0.09 vs.1.26 ±0.11,P<0.05).However,no significant difference of CBS or MPST expression among the different groups was observed.The expression of MMP-13 protein in the IL-1βgroup was significantly higher than that in the normal chondrocytes (1 .87 ±0.67 vs.0.22 ± 0.10,P<0.05 ),and that in the IL-1β+H2 S group was significantly decreased than that in the IL-1βgroup (0.55 ±0.11 vs.1.87 ±0.67,P<0.05),and that in the H2S group had no significant difference compared with that in the normal control group.The transcription of MMP-13 protein in the IL-1βgroup was significantly higher than that in the normal chondrocytes (31.40 ±0.31 vs.1.00 ±0.00,P<0.05), and that in the IL-1β+H2 S group was significantly decreased than that in the IL-1βgroup (24.41 ± 1.28 vs.31.40 ±0.31,P<0.05),and that in the H2S group had no significant difference compared with that in the normal control group.The total NF-κB p65 in the IL-1βgroup was significantly higher than that in the normal chondrocytes (2.13 ±0.08 vs.0.73 ±0.08,P<0.05),and that in the IL-1β+H2S group was significantly decreased than that in the IL-1βgroup (1 .24 ±0.13 vs.2.13 ±0.08,P<0.05 ),and that in the H2 S group had no significant difference compared with that in the normal control group.The phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in IL-1βgroup was significantly higher than that in the normal chondrocytes (1.30 ±0.13 vs.0.19 ±0.04,P<0.05),and that in IL-1β+H2S group was significantly decreased than that in the IL-1βgroup (0.92 ±0.26 vs.1.30 ±0.13,P<0.05),and that in the H2S group had no significant difference compared with that in the normal control group.Conclusion:H2 S affected the cartilage degeneration by partly inhibiting the degradation of extracellular matrix.

Objective:To analyze the inflammatory mechanism and potential intervention drugs related to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibitory mutations in order to provide reference for the treatment of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:The data of lung adenocarcinoma with ACE2 mutations were screened from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. The data were analyzed by R program language edgeR package and cluster Profiler package, gene ontology (GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Using String online analysis website for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, screening out the core genes, and finally using the Epigenomic Precision Medicine Prediction Platform (EpiMed) for multi-group association analysis of key genes, and drug candidates prediction.Results:A total of 1 005 differential genes were obtained, of which 91 were up-regulated and 914 down-regulated. A total of 71 GO were enriched, including 45 items related to biological processes, 16 items related to cell components, and 10 items related to molecular function. A total of 13 KEGG pathways were enriched, mainly in inflammatory pathways, various viral infectious diseases, transcriptional regulation, drug metabolism and protein digestion and absorption pathways. The differentially expressed genes were introduced into String online analysis website for PPI network analysis, a total of 252 proteins were obtained, and 10 core genes were H2A clustered histone 16(HIST1H2AL), H3 clustered histone 2 (HIST1H3B), H3 clustered histone 7 (HIST1H3F), H3 clustered histone 11 (HIST1H3I), H3 clustered histone 3 (HIST1H3C), H2B clustered histone 3 (HIST1H2BB), H2B clustered histone 6 (HIST1H2BI), H4 clustered histone 2 (HIST1H4B), H1-4 linker histone (HIST1H1E), H2A clustered histone 4 (HIST1H2AB). Interferon-α, resveratrol, celecoxib, heartleaf houttuynia herb, weeping forsythia capsule, dexamethasone, Chinese pulsatilla root, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, liquorice root and famciclovir might be drugs for the treatment of ACE2 mutation-related inflammation.Conclusions:Inflammation associated with ACE2 inhibitory mutations is similar to the pathogenesis of COVID-19, which could lead to disease by promoting the activation of inflammatory pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), the Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Celecoxib, interferon and resveratrol may have the potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19.

The rapid growth of modern animal husbandry in China has supplied meat, eggs, and milk for Chinese residents, meanwhile the rapid transformation to intensive husbandry operations has also produced a large quantity of livestock and poultry manure. However, due to the failure of integration of animal husbandry and crop plantation, most of the livestock and poultry manure has not been treated and utilized, which may cause serious environmental pollution and public health risks. Antibiotics, heavy metals, pathogens, and other pollutants contained in livestock and poultry manure can enter farming soil, surface water, and groundwater during the transportation, storage, processing, and utilization of livestock and poultry manure, contaminate food, and pose direct and indirect risks to human health. Based on published statistics and papers, this article systematically analyzed the main pollutants discharged from livestock and poultry manure, their impacts on the environment, as well as the potential health risks by exposure to these pollutants. Recommendations on how to scientifically utilize animal manure were proposed, aiming to better protect human health.

Objective:To analyze the mechanism and potential intervention drugs of acute lung injury caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in order to provide reference for the treatment of COVID-19.Methods:Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) announcement database was used to screen coronavirus transcriptome data, and R language package was used for differential expression analysis and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was carried out by using STRING online analysis website, and the key genes were screened. Then the Epigenomic Precision Medicine Prediction Platform (EpiMed) was used to analyze the association of key genes and predict potential therapeutic drugs.Results:Based on the whole genome expression profile data of SARS-CoV, a total of 3 606 differential genes were screened, including 2 148 up-regulated and 1 458 down-regulated. GO enrichment is mainly related to viral infection, leukocyte migration and adhesion, acute inflammation and collagen secretion. KEGG enrichment is mainly related to signal transduction, acute inflammation, immune response and so on. Ten key genes related to lung injury, such as PTPRC, TIMP1, ICAM1 and IL1B, were screened by protein interaction network analysis. EpiMed platform predicted that pulsatilla chinensis, polygonum cuspidatum, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, famciclovir, fluvastatin and other drugs have potential therapeutic effects.Conclusions:SARS-CoV infection can cause lung injury by activating a series of inflammation-related molecules. Drugs that may be effective in the treatment of coronavirus infections, including pulsatilla chinensis, polygonum cuspidatum, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, famciclovir and fluvastatin.

Objective:To investigate the omics mechanism of SARS-related immune injury and predict targeted therapeutic drugs through clinical bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptome data of SARS virus in order to provide reference for clinical treatment of COVID-19.Methods:The transcriptome data of SARA virus were collected from the Gene Expression Oibus (GEO) and used to screen differential genes. Enrichment analysis and protein interaction analysis were performed to investigate the mechanism of immune damage associated with SARS. A platform of epigenetics in precision medicine (EpiMed) was established to predict potential therapeutic drugs.Results:The mechanism of SARS-related immune injury was complex, involving affecting the function of immune cells through signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptors, increasing cytokines in plasma through Th17 signaling pathway and inducing autoimmune responses after autoantibodies were generated by molecules such as IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF. Drugs such as Chuanqiong and Etanercept might have therapeutic effects on SARS-related immune damage.Conclusions:SARS virus could cause abnormal expression of many immune-related molecules and signaling pathways. Drugs such as Chuanqiong and Etanercept might have therapeutic effects on SARS-related immune damage. This study might provide reference for clinical treatment of COVID-19.

AIM:To explore the impact of Delta-like ligand 3(DLL3)on the progression of prostate cancer(Pca)and to elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Overexpression and interference plasmids of DLL3 gene were constructed,and the effects of DLL3 on the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells were as-sessed.Tumorigenesis assay was employed to determine whether DLL3 influenced the proliferation of PC-3 cells in vivo.The impact of DLL3 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling was investigated through Western blotting.RESULTS:Overexpression of DLL3 significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,invasion and EMT processes of Pca cells compared with empty vector group and blank control group(P＜0.05).Conversely,knockdown of DLL3 expression yielded opposite effects(P＜0.05).Moreover,up-regulation of DLL3 promoted tumor growth in the nude mouse xenograft model(P＜0.05).Further investigation demonstrated that DLL3 up-regulation led to increases in the levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins.Interestingly,MAPK inhibitor effec-tively reduced the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca cells caused by DLL3 overexpression(P＜0.05).CON-CLUSION:DLL3 promotes the proliferation,migration and invasion of Pca through the MAPK pathway.

【Objective】 To construct a prognostic model of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related long non-coding ribonucleotides (lncRNA),so as to explore the correlation between immune cell infiltration and prognosis of ccRCC patients,and to search for new drugs for the treatment of ccRCC. 【Methods】 The transcriptome and clinical data of cancerous and paracancerous tissues of ccRCC were obtained from the TCGA database.The ERS-associated gene set was obtained from the MSigDB database.ERS co-expressed lncRNAs were screened with Pearson correlation analysis.ERS-related lncRNA (ERSRL) with prognostic significance were screened with Lasso regression,univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses,and a prognostic model was constructed.The risk value of each sample was calculated according to the prognostic model formula.The patients were divided into high- risk and low- risk groups for survival difference analysis.The predictive performance of the prognostic model was evaluated with survival curve,receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve.The infiltration of immune cells in high-and low-risk groups was analyzed with CIBERSORT database.The relationship between ERSRL and drug sensitivity was analyzed with GDSC database to identify drugs with potential efficacy against ccRCC. 【Results】 A total of 9 lncRNAs with independent prognostic significance were screened to construct the prognostic model.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant survival differences between the high- and low-risk groups.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age,grade,stage and risk score could be used as independent prognostic factors.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates of the training set were 0.754 (95%CI:0.659-0.848),0.744 (95%CI:0.667-0.815),and 0.759 (95%CI:0.662-0.820),respectively,and the C-index was 0.777 (95%CI:0.759-0.796).Immune infiltration results showed that plasma cells,activated memory CD4⁺T cells,regulatory T cells,M0 macrophages,and activated mast cell infiltration levels were higher in the high-risk group than those in the low-risk group.Drug susceptibility analysis identified 12 drugs with potential curative effects on ccRCC,including AZD8055. 【Conclusion】 Based on 9 ERSRLs,a prognostic model for ccRCC patients was constructed,and 12 drugs with potential therapeutic effects were screened,including AZD8055.