1.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
2.The role of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in alleviating radiation-induced ovarian injury
Mei ZHANG ; Chao YANG ; Bo CHENG ; Jianan WANG ; Yinghao MA ; Zheng ZHANG ; Qingxiang HOU ; Li MA
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):584-589
Objective Using female mice to investigate the reparative effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on radiation-induced ovarian injury. Methods Mice were randomly divided into three groups: a blank control group, a radiation model group, and a cell therapy group. Mice in the radiation model group and the cell therapy group received a single whole-body irradiation of 5 Gy X-rays. Within 2 hours post-irradiation, mice in the cell therapy group underwent ovarian transplantation of UC-MSCs. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, body weight was measured, ovarian index was calculated, histopathological changes in ovarian tissue were examined, serum levels of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, and estradiol) were determined, and the colonization of implanted UC-MSCs in the mice was observed. Results On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, both the cell therapy group and the radiation model group showed decreased body weight compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On day 1 post-irradiation compared to day 1 pre-irradiation within the same group, the radiation model group exhibited a greater decrease in body weight than the cell therapy group (P < 0.05). On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index decreased in both the radiation model group and the cell therapy group compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On days 7 and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index in the cell therapy group was significantly higher than that in the radiation model group (P < 0.05). Ovarian tissue in the radiation model group exhibited atrophy and a reduction in the number of follicles at all stages. In contrast, follicles in the cell therapy group were large and abundant. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the cell therapy group were lower than those in the radiation model group, while anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol levels were higher than those in the radiation model group (P < 0.01). In vivo fluorescence imaging demonstrated that UC-MSCs successfully colonized the ovarian tissue on days 1, 7, and 14 after transplantation. Conclusion UC-MSCs exert a repair effect on radiation-induced ovarian injury in mice.
3.Traumatic ectopic testis with torsion: A case report and literature review.
Qi-Chao CHEN ; Zheng-Cheng SHENG ; Hao-Wei HE ; Xiu-Juan MENG ; Ping ZHANG ; Jin-Lu SUN ; Wei ZHANG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(3):226-228
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of traumatic ectopic testis with torsion.
METHODS:
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on a case of traumatic ectopic testis with torsion and reviewed relevant literature.
RESULTS:
After diagnosed with traumatic ectopic testis with torsion, the patient underwent exploratory operation for confirmation of orchiocatabasis, followed by testicular reduction and fixation. Follow-up visit at 1 month after surgery showed good blood supply and no obvious testicular atrophy.
CONCLUSION
Traumatic ectopic testis with torsion is an extremely rare emergency condition, for which color Doppler ultrasonography is an effective means of examination. Once suspected of or confirmed with the problem, the patient should receive exploratory surgery, testicular reduction and fixation within 6 hours, and close postoperative observation.
Humans
;
Male
;
Spermatic Cord Torsion/etiology*
;
Testis/injuries*
;
Adult
;
Retrospective Studies
4.Proteomics reveals biomarkers for sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: a prospective multicenter cohort study.
Weimin ZHU ; Nanjin CHEN ; Hanzhi DAI ; Cuicui DONG ; Yubin XU ; Qi CHEN ; Fangyu YU ; Cheng ZHENG ; Chao ZHANG ; Sheng ZHANG ; Yinghe XU ; Yongpo JIANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(8):707-714
OBJECTIVE:
To identify and validate novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) and precise continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) using proteomics.
METHODS:
A prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted. Patients with sepsis admitted to five hospitals in Taizhou City of Zhejiang Province from April 2019 to December 2021 were continuously enrolled, based on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI). Sepsis patients were divided into SA-AKI group and non-SA-AKI group, and healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were used as control (NC group). Peripheral blood samples from participants were collected for protein mass spectrometry analysis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified, and functional enrichment analysis was conducted on these proteins. The levels of target proteins were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the predictive value of target protein for SA-AKI were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve). Additionally, sepsis patients and healthy individuals were selected from one hospital to externally verify the expression level of the target protein and its predictive value for SA-AKI, as well as the accuracy of CRRT treatment.
RESULTS:
A total of 37 patients with sepsis (including 19 with AKI and 18 without AKI) and 31 healthy individuals were enrolled for proteomic analysis. Seven proteins were identified with significantly differential expression between the SA-AKI group and non-SA-AKI group: namely cystatin C (CST3), β 2-microglobulin (β 2M), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4), complement factor I (CFI), complement factor D (CFD), CD59, and glycoprotein prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins were involved in immune response, complement activation, coagulation cascade, and neutrophil degranulation. ELISA results demonstrated specific expression of each target protein in the SA-AKI group. Additionally, 65 patients with sepsis (38 with AKI and 27 without AKI) and 20 healthy individuals were selected for external validation of the 7 target proteins. ELISA results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of CST3, β 2M, IGFBP4, CFD, and CD59 between the SA-AKI group and non-SA-AKI group. ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) values of CST3, β 2M, IGFBP4, CFD, and CD59 for predicting SA-AKI were 0.788, 0.723, 0.723, 0.795, and 0.836, respectively, all exceeding 0.7. Further analysis of patients who underwent CRRT or not revealed that IGFBP4 had a good predictive value, with an AUC of 0.84.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on proteomic analysis, CST3, β 2M, IGFBP4, CFD, and CD59 may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of SA-AKI, among which IGFBP4 might be a potential biomarker for predicting the need for CRRT in SA-AKI patients. However, further clinical validation is required.
Humans
;
Sepsis/complications*
;
Acute Kidney Injury/blood*
;
Proteomics
;
Prospective Studies
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Male
;
Female
;
beta 2-Microglobulin/blood*
;
Middle Aged
;
Cystatin C/blood*
;
Aged
5.Toxicokinetics of MDMA and Its Metabolite MDA in Rats
Wei-Guang YU ; Qiang HE ; Zheng-Di WANG ; Cheng-Jun TIAN ; Jin-Kai WANG ; Qian ZHENG ; Fei REN ; Chao ZHANG ; You-Mei WANG ; Peng XU ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):37-42
Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine(MDMA)and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine(MDA)in rats af-ter single and continuous administration of MDMA,providing reference data for the forensic identifica-tion of MDMA.Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group,with 6 rats in each group.The ex-perimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA,and the control group was given intraperi-toneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.In the continuous administration group,24 rats were randomly divided into the experi-mental group(18 rats)and the control group(6 rats).The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5,7,9,11,13,15,17 mg/kg per day,respectively,while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by in-traperitoneal injection.On the eighth day,the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.MDMA was injected intraperitoneally,and the con-trol group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.On the eighth day,0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels,and statistical software was employed for data analysis.Results In the single-administration group,peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 12 h.In the continuous administration group,peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h af-ter administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 10 h.Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows:T=10.362C-1.183,R2=0.974 6;T=7.397 3C-0.694,R2=0.961 5(T:injection time;C:concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma).Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats,obtained through single and continuous administration,including peak concentration,peak time,detection time limit,and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time,provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.
6.Risk factors for depression in middle-aged and elderly males with benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms.
Zheng-Cheng SHENG ; Tian-Yi SHEN ; Chao-Peng TANG ; Yu-Lin ZHOU ; Song XU ; Wen-Quan ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(12):1105-1109
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the risk factors for depression in middle-aged and elderly Chinese male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH/LUTS).
METHODS:
Based on the data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we included 8 426 male participants aged ≥ 45 years in this study, and explored the risk factors for depression in patients with BPH/LUTS by logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS:
Among the total number of participants, there were 1 447 cases of BPH/LUTS, with a prevalence rate of 17.2%, and 36.5% of the patients (529/1 447) were complicated by depression. Logistic regression analysis showed that underlying diseases were the risk factors for depression in patients with BPH/LUTS (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.62), while the protective factors against the condition included high school education or above (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.36-0.75), urban residence (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.95), eastern region (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38-0.97), and 6-9 h/d sleep (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.41-0.66).
CONCLUSION
Underlying diseases, education level, residential area, geographical region, and sleep duration are influencing factors for depression in middle-aged and elderly male patients with BPH/LUTS in China and deserve the attention of clinicians.
Humans
;
Male
;
Prostatic Hyperplasia/psychology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms/psychology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Logistic Models
;
Prevalence
;
Longitudinal Studies
7.Effect of modified direct anterior approach on gait and joint function in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty
Chao HUANG ; Chao CHENG ; Zheng ZHA
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2023;46(12):1086-1091
Objective:To explore the effect of total hip arthroplasty via modified direct anterior approach on hip function, balance function and gait parameters in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty.Methods:Eighty-nine patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty for the first time in Anqing First People′s Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects by prospective study, and they were divided into the observation group (modified direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty, 45 cases) and the control group [direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty, 44 cases] according to the random number table method. Perioperative indexes of the two groups were observed and complications were counted, and hip function, balance function, gait parameters and follow-up imaging data were compared between the two groups at 1 year after postoperative follow-up.Results:After treatment, the anal exhaust time, hospital stay, blood loss, ambulation time and postoperative feeding time in observation group were shorter or less than those in control group:(9.15 ± 1.33) h vs. (10.89 ± 1.53) h, (5.07 ± 2.21) d vs. (7.04 ± 2.23) d, (53.48 ± 12.43) ml vs. (64.44 ± 12.53) ml, (4.07 ± 0.21) d vs. (6.15 ± 1.24) d, (0.47 ± 0.13) d vs. (0.75 ± 0.24) d, P<0.05. At 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, the hip function scores in the two groups were risen compared with those before treatment ( P<0.05), and the above hip function scores in observation group were higher compared to control group: (65.47 ± 8.38) points vs. (57.91 ± 2.83) points, (76.12 ± 5.31) points vs. (72.25 ± 2.44) points, (85.27 ± 4.45) points vs. (83.24 ± 4.55) points, P<0.05. The balance function scores of the two groups at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment were enhanced compared with those before treatment ( P<0.05), and the balance function scores in observation group were higher than those in control group: (35.26 ± 1.22) points vs. (29.51 ± 1.49) points, (39.42 ± 4.36) points vs. (37.57 ± 2.21) points, (45.57 ± 2.01) points vs. (43.36 ± 2.18) points, P<0.05. The stride distance and stride length in the observation group were higher compared to the control group: (0.78 ± 0.12) m vs. (0.71 ± 0.19) m, (0.46 ± 0.04) m vs. (0.32 ± 0.08) m, while the stride frequency and gait asymmetry index were lower than those in the control group: (89.74 ± 8.05) steps/min vs. (98.68 ± 9.04) steps/min, 0.10 ± 0.02 vs. 0.16 ± 0.05, P<0.05. After treatment, the incidence rate of complications in the observation group was lower than that in the control group: 2.44%(1/41) vs. 19.51%(8/41), P<0.05. At 1-month follow-up after surgery, there were no statistical differences in acetabular cup anteversion angle, abduction angle, femoral stem peripheral zona pellucida score, and lower limb lebgth between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Modified direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty can promote postoperative recovery, improve hip function, enhance balance function, reduce risk of complications, and improve gait parameters.
8.Risk factors for neonatal asphyxia and establishment of a nomogram model for predicting neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture: a multicenter study.
Fang JIN ; Yu CHEN ; Yi-Xun LIU ; Su-Ying WU ; Chao-Ce FANG ; Yong-Fang ZHANG ; Lu ZHENG ; Li-Fang ZHANG ; Xiao-Dong SONG ; Hong XIA ; Er-Ming CHEN ; Xiao-Qin RAO ; Guang-Quan CHEN ; Qiong YI ; Yan HU ; Lang JIANG ; Jing LI ; Qing-Wei PANG ; Chong YOU ; Bi-Xia CHENG ; Zhang-Hua TAN ; Ya-Juan TAN ; Ding ZHANG ; Tie-Sheng YU ; Jian RAO ; Yi-Dan LIANG ; Shi-Wen XIA
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2023;25(7):697-704
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia.
METHODS:
A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively.
RESULTS:
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia.
CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.
Infant, Newborn
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Pregnancy
;
Female
;
Nomograms
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Cesarean Section
;
Risk Factors
;
Asphyxia Neonatorum/etiology*
9.Accurate tissue flap reconstruction method based on the quadratic surface developability for head and neck soft tissue defects.
Chao CHEN ; Yunfeng LIU ; Jiajie XU ; Xianfeng JIANG ; Chuanming ZHENG ; Minghua GE ; Kangjie CHENG
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2023;40(6):1175-1184
Soft tissue defects resulting from head and neck tumor resection seriously impact the physical appearance and psychological well-being of patients. The complex curvature of the human head and neck poses a formidable challenge for maxillofacial surgeons to achieve precise aesthetic and functional restoration after surgery. To this end, a normal head and neck volunteer was selected as the subject of investigation. Employing Gaussian curvature analysis, combined with mechanical constraints and principal curvature analysis methods of soft tissue clinical treatment, a precise developable/non-developable area partition map of the head and neck surface was obtained, and a non-developable surface was constructed. Subsequently, a digital design method was proposed for the repair of head and neck soft tissue defects, and an in vitro simulated surgery experiment was conducted. Clinical verification was performed on a patient with tonsil tumor, and the results demonstrated that digital technology-designed flaps improved the accuracy and aesthetic outcome of head and neck soft tissue defect repair surgery. This study validates the feasibility of digital precision repair technology for soft tissue defects after head and neck tumor resection, which effectively assists surgeons in achieving precise flap transplantation reconstruction and improves patients' postoperative satisfaction.
Humans
;
Plastic Surgery Procedures
;
Surgical Flaps/surgery*
;
Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery*
;
Head/surgery*
;
Neck/surgery*
10.scRNA-seq reveals that origin recognition complex subunit 6 regulates mouse spermatogonial cell proliferation and apoptosis via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Shi-Wei LIU ; Jia-Qiang LUO ; Liang-Yu ZHAO ; Ning-Jing OU ; CHAO-YANG ; Yu-Xiang ZHANG ; Hao-Wei BAI ; Hong-Fang SUN ; Jian-Xiong ZHANG ; Chen-Cheng YAO ; Peng LI ; Ru-Hui TIAN ; Zheng LI ; Zi-Jue ZHU
Asian Journal of Andrology 2023;26(1):46-56
The regulation of spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis is of great significance for maintaining spermatogenesis. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of the testis was performed to identify genes upregulated in spermatogonia. Using scRNA-seq analysis, we identified the spermatogonia upregulated gene origin recognition complex subunit 6 (Orc6), which is involved in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation; its protein expression in the human and mouse testis was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. To explore the potential function of Orc6 in spermatogonia, the C18-4 cell line was transfected with control or Orc6 siRNA. Subsequently, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays, flow cytometry, and western blot were used to evaluate its effects on proliferation and apoptosis. It was revealed that ORC6 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of C18-4 cells. Bulk RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis indicated that Orc6 was involved in the activation of wingless/integrated (Wnt)/ β-catenin signaling. Western blot revealed that the expression of β-catenin protein and its phosphorylation (Ser675) were significantly decreased when silencing the expression of ORC6. Our findings indicated that Orc6 was upregulated in spermatogonia, whereby it regulated proliferation and apoptosis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail