1.The Role and Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Enhancing Insulin Sensitivity by Reducing Circulating Glutamate
Xiao-Rui XING ; Qin SUN ; Huan-Yu WANG ; Ruo-Bing FAN ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1373-1385
ObjectiveTo explore the role and potential mechanism of circulating glutamate in enhancing insulin sensitivity by aerobic exercise. This research may provide a novel strategy for preventing metabolic diseases through precise exercise interventions. MethodsTo investigate the effects of elevated circulating glutamate on insulin sensitivity and its potential mechanisms, 18 male C57BL/6 mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group (C), a group receiving 500 mg/kg glutamate supplementation (M), and a group receiving 1 000 mg/kg glutamate supplementation (H). The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, with treatments administered 6 d per week. Following the intervention, an insulin tolerance test (ITT) and a glucose tolerance test (GTT) were conducted. Circulating glutamate levels were measured using a commercial kit, and the activity of the skeletal muscle InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was analyzed via Western blot. To further investigate the role of circulating glutamate in enhancing insulin sensitivity through aerobic exercise, 30 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a control group (CS), an exercise intervention group (ES), and an exercise combined with glutamate supplementation group (EG). The ES group underwent treadmill-based aerobic exercise, while the EG group received glutamate supplementation at a dosage of 1 000 mg/kg in addition to aerobic exercise. The intervention lasted for 10 weeks, with sessions occurring 6 d per week, and the same procedures were followed afterward. To further elucidate the mechanism by which glutamate modulates the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, C2C12 myotubes were initially subjected to graded glutamate treatment (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10 mmol/L) to determine the optimal concentration for cellular intervention. Subsequently, the cells were divided into 3 groups: a control group (C), a glutamate intervention group (G), and a glutamate combined with MK801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist) intervention group (GK). The G group was treated with 5 mmol/L glutamate, while the GK group received 50 μmol/L MK801 in addition to 5 mmol/L glutamate. After 24 h of intervention, the activity of the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was analyzed using Western blot. ResultsCompared to the mice in group C, the circulating glutamate levels, the area under curve (AUC) of ITT, and the AUC of GTT in the mice of group H were significantly increased. Additionally, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins in skeletal muscle were significantly downregulated. Compared to the mice in group CS, the circulating glutamate levels, the AUC of ITT, and the AUC of GTT in the mice of group ES were significantly reduced. Additionally, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins in skeletal muscle of group ES mice were significantly upregulated. There were no significant changes observed in the mice of group EG. Compared to the cells in group 0 mmol/L, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT proteins in cells of group 5 mmol/L were significantly downregulated. Compared to the cells in group C, the expression levels of p-InsRβ, p-IRS1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT proteins in the cells of group G were significantly downregulated. No significant changes were observed in the cells of group GK. ConclusionLong-term aerobic exercise can improve insulin sensitivity by lowering circulating levels of glutamate. This effect may be associated with the upregulation of the InsR/IRS1/AKT signaling pathway activity in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, glutamate can weaken the activity of the InsR/IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, potentially by binding to NMDAR expressed in skeletal muscle.
2.Analysis of the association between the use of oral progesterone drugs in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus
Yan QIN ; Jinhua GU ; Jing ZHU ; Lin LUO ; Peng PING ; Lingqi GU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(6):721-726
OBJECTIVE To explore the association between the use of oral progesterone drugs in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS Through real-world retrospective cohort research method, pregnant women who underwent the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at the Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Nantong University between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Based on whether oral progesterone drugs were used in early pregnancy, they were divided into treatment group and control group; propensity score matching (PSM) with a 1∶1 ratio was employed to control for confounding factors; Logistic regression and linear regression were employed to analyze the association between drug factors (whether use of oral progesterone drug, duration of medication, dosage, and drug type) and outcome indicators (occurrence of GDM, fasting blood glucose levels, and OGTT 1 and 2 h blood glucose levels in late pregnancy). RESULTS A total of 709 pregnant women were enrolled in the two groups before PSM; after PSM, 256 cases were included in both the treatment group and the control group. The results of association analysis indicated that there was no significant association between the use of oral progesterone drugs and GDM (P>0.05); but a significant correlation was found with OGTT 1 h blood glucose levels [β=0.965, 95%CI (0.007,1.922), P<0.05], specifically with Dydrogesterone tablets [β=0.977, 95%CI (0.009, 1.944), P<0.05] and Progesterone soft capsules [β =1.089, 95%CI (0.077, 2.102), P<0.05]. There was no significant correlation between other drug factors and outcome indicators (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of oral progestogen drugs in early pregnancy is not significantly associated with GDM. The blood glucose levels in late pregnancy, especially OGTT 1 h blood glucose levels, have a certain correlation with Progesterone soft capsules and Dydrogesterone tablets.
3.Surveillance for Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023
Jinhua ZHOU ; Shiyu HE ; Tong LIU ; Zhifei CHENG ; Xiaoning LI ; Yimin JIANG ; Xueying LIANG ; Zongqiu CHEN ; Pengzhe QIN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(1):76-80
Objective To investigate the population density and seasonal fluctuations of Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, from 2021 to 2023, so as to provide insights into A. albopictus control and management of dengue fever. Methods The surveillance of A. albopictus density was performed in all surveillance sites assigned across all streets (townships) in Guangzhou City during the period from January to December from 2021 to 2023. The surveillance frequency was twice every half month from May to September, and once every month for the rest of a year. In each surveillance period, A. albopictus mosquito larvae were captured from indoor and outdoor small water containers in residential areas, parks, medical facilities, schools, other government sectors and social organizations, construction sites, special industries and others for mosquito species identification. Adult mosquitoes were captured using electric mosquito suction apparatus for species identification and gender classification. Adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs were collected with mosquito and egg traps at the breeding and dwelling places of Aedes mosquitoes for identification. The mosquito oviposition index (MOI), Breteau index (BI), adult mosquito density index (ADI) and standard space index (SSI) were calculated. The A. albopictus density was classified into grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 in each surveillance site, with Grade 0 density defined eligible, and the eligible rate of A. albopictus density was calculated at all surveillance sites each year from 2021 to 2023. In addition, the changing trends in MOI, SSI, BI and ADI of A. albopictus were analyzed in Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023. Results The eligible rates of A. albopictus density were 61.69%, 68.75% and 55.15% in surveillance sites of Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023 (χ2 = 297.712, P < 0.001), and appeared a tendency towards a reduction followed by a rise each year, which gradually reduced since January, maintained at a low level during the period between May and October, and gradually increased from November to December. The MOI, SSI, BI and ADI of A. albopictus all appeared a tendency towards a rise followed by a reduction in Guangzhou City during the period between January and December from 2021 to 2023. The BI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of June in 2021 (4.03), the first half of July in 2022 (3.89) and the last half of August in 2023 (5.02), and the SSI of A. albopictus peaked in the last half of June in 2021 (0.93), the last half of May in 2022 (0.59), and the last half of June (0.94) and the first half of September in 2023 (1.12). In addition, the MOI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of May in 2021 (8.64), the first half of June in 2022 (8.96), and the last half of May (10.21) and the last half of June in 2023 (10.89), and the ADI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of June in 2021 (3.41), the last half of June in 2022 (4.06), and the first half of July in 2023 (3.61). Conclusions The density of A. albopictus is high in Guangzhou City during the period from May to October, and the risk of local outbreak caused by imported dengue fever is high. Persistent intensified surveillance of the density and seasonal fluctuation of A. albopictus is recommended and timely mosquito prevention and control is required according to the fluctuation in the A. albopictus density.
4.Microparticles from human embryonic stem cell-derived megakaryocytes promote angiogenesis
Xuan TANG ; Xuming WU ; Keyi CHEN ; Liang HU ; Jisheng LI ; Chuanli LIU ; Jinhua QIN ; Bowen ZHANG ; Yanhua LI
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(7):500-510
OBJECTIVE To establish a preparation system for megakaryocytes(MKs)derived from human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)and MK microparticles(MKMPs),and to assess the pro-angio-genic efficiency of these microparticles.METHODS ①hESCs were induced to mesodermal progenitor cells via monolayer culture with the first-stage induction medium for 2 days before the cells were induced to hemogenic endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor cells by culturing with the second-stage induction medium for another 3 days.Then,the cells were dissociated into single cells,seeded into the third-stage induction medium,and cultured using the suspension method for 8 days to obtain MKs.The specific characters of differentiated cells were identified through morphological observation and flow cytometry before stage-specific marker proteins in different periods were analyzed[hESCs:TRA-1-60,sialyl glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen4(SSEA4)];mesodermal progenitor cells:brachyury;hemogenic endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor cells:CD34,CD43;MKs:CD41a,CD42b),and immu-nofluorescence staining[β1-tubulin,von Willebrand factor(VWF)],[friend leukemia integration 1(FLI1),CD42].② MKMP collection and verification:MKMPs were collected via differential centrifugation.The concentration and size of these MKMPs were determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and both the morphology and ultrastructure were examined by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Besides,the MKMPs-specific proteins[CD41,tumor susceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and CD9]were detected by Western blotting analysis.③ Biological function of MKMPs:MKMPs were stained with CD41a-PE antibodies and co-cultured with human umbilical veinvascular endothelial cells(HUVECs)labeled by CD34-APC for 3 h.Live-cell immunofluorescence was employed to find out whether HUVECs could absorb MKMPs.To find out whether MKMPs could affect the role of HUVECs in angio-genesis and cell migration,platelet microvesicles(PMPs)were used as positive controls.The experi-mental groups were added with different concentrations of microparticles(1,5,10 and 20 mg·L-1)while the control group was given no microparticles(0 mg·L-1).The number of nodes that formed the lumen after 5 h of incubation in Matrigel was counted,and the size of healing of the scratch area was analyzed after 6 h.To elucidate the mechanism through which MKMPs impacted angiogenesis,ELISA was used out to quantitatively detect the concentration of proteins in microparticles.RESULTS ① A three-stage differentiation cultural system was established to develop hESCs into MKs.Flow cytometry revealed progressive loss of pluripotency markers SSEA4 and TRA-1-60,while the mesodermal progenitor marker brachyury peaked at d 2.Subsequently,hemogenic endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor markers CD34 and CD43 emerged at d 5,followed by megakaryocytic markers CD41a and CD42b at d 13.Immunofluorescent images further demonstrated that MKs expressed specific proteins CD42,β1-tubulin,von VWF and FLI1 at d 13.②Microparticles were collected via differential centrifuga-tion.Transmission electron microscopy revealed that their substructure exhibited a typical double-layered membrane.Nanoparticle tracking analysis indicated that the size was(164.3±14.0)nm.The result of WB demonstrated that the microparticles expressed specific markers,including TSG101,CD9 and CD41.③ MKMPs were absorbed after being co-cultured with HUVECs for 3 h and enhanced the ability of HUVECs to form tubes and migrate.Notably,the treatment of 5 mg·L-1 MKMPs was more effective than 5 mg·L-1 PMPs treatment.The results of ELISA showed that the content of VEGF from MKMPs was higher than from PMPs,which may be the key factor in regulating endothelial biological function.CONCLUSION MKs derived from hESCs can generate functional microparticles which can promote angiogenesis.
5.Application effect of multilevel nursing featured case bank in clinical teaching of professional postgraduate nursing students
Shengwei ZOU ; Caiju LU ; Yan LIU ; Xiaoyu LI ; Yang YANG ; Qin GAN ; Jinhua TANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1136-1141
Objective:To construct a multilevel nursing featured case bank, and to explore the effect of the case bank in clinical teaching of professional postgraduate nursing students, and to provide new ideas for teaching reform.Methods:Sixty professional postgraduate nursing students who interned in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May to September 2022 and from May to September 2023 were selected. The 30 professional postgraduate nursing students who interned from May to September 2022 were included in the control group, and the 30 professional postgraduate nursing students who interned from May to September 2023 were included in the intervention group. The control group was taught by the teaching teacher using the traditional teaching courseware of the internship department and instructed by the teaching teacher for taking care of the real patients and writing nursing records. The intervention group employed the multilevel nursing featured case bank for teaching on this basis. The autonomous learning ability and critical thinking ability were compared between the two groups before and after 2 months of intervention, respectively, and the satisfaction to the case bank was evaluated. The SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for t-test and chi-square test. Results:After 2 months of teaching, the autonomous learning ability and critical thinking ability scores were (104.50±7.20) points and (283.73±19.42) points in the control group and (113.27±4.90) points and (304.60±13.40) points in the intervention group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Twenty-seven (90.00%) students were satisfied with the multilevel nursing featured case bank. Conclusions:Application of the multilevel nursing featured case bank to clinical teaching can effectively improve the autonomous learning ability and critical thinking ability of professional postgraduate nursing students. It is an effective way to cultivate professional postgraduate nursing students.
6.Epidemiological characteristics and prediction model of bacillary dysentery in Qinghai Province,2014-2023
Yuqi JIANG ; Jinhua ZHAO ; Jiang LONG ; Yang ZHANG ; Ping DENG ; Sheng-lin QIN ; Huayi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(10):1389-1394
Objective To compare five time series models and predict the monthly incidence of bacillary dysentery in Qinghai Province in 2024,and provide reference for the prevention and control.Methods The epidemic charac-teristics of bacterial dysentery in Qinghai Province from 2014 to 2023 were analyzed.R4.3.1 software was used for establishing seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average(SARIMA)model,Holt-Winters triple exponential smoothing(Holt Winters)model,exponential smoothing(ETS)model,neural network autoregression(NNAR)model,and trigonometric seasonality,Box-Cox transformation,ARMA errors,trend and seasonal components(TBATS)model.Fitting effect of the models was analyzed and accuracy was compared.Results From 2014 to 2023,a total of 5 833 cases of bacterial dysentery were reported in Qinghai Province,without deaths,male to fe-male ratio being 1.23∶1.The highest incidence was reported in 2016(15.45 per 100 000 people),and the lowest in-cidence was reported in 2023(3.68 per 100 000 people).Incidence increased from 2014 to 2016,then decreased,showing an obvious overall downward trend.Case number in<5 years age group was the highest,accounting for 29.76%of the total cases(n=1 736).Regarding population distribution,the top three were children in childcare institutions and scattered children(35.56%),farmers(24.65%),and students(12.62%).Except the additive Holt-Winters model,the predicted trends of the other four models were consistent with actuality.The ETS model had the best fitting effect,with a relatively balanced overall performance(training set:MAE=0.13,RMSE=0.21,MAPE=19.55%;testing set:MAE=0.11,RMSE=0.16,MAPE=28.66%).It is recommended to pre-dict the incidence of bacillary dysentery in Qinghai Province based on ETS model.Conclusion From 2014 to 2023,bacterial dysentery in Qinghai Province showed a downward trend,with the peak of the epidemic from June to Au-gust.Preschool and scattered children were high-risk groups.Among the five prediction models,ETS model has the best fitting effect,and can be used to predict the incidence of bacillary dysentery.
7.Microparticles from human embryonic stem cell-derived megakaryocytes promote angiogenesis
Xuan TANG ; Xuming WU ; Keyi CHEN ; Liang HU ; Jisheng LI ; Chuanli LIU ; Jinhua QIN ; Bowen ZHANG ; Yanhua LI
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(7):500-510
OBJECTIVE To establish a preparation system for megakaryocytes(MKs)derived from human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)and MK microparticles(MKMPs),and to assess the pro-angio-genic efficiency of these microparticles.METHODS ①hESCs were induced to mesodermal progenitor cells via monolayer culture with the first-stage induction medium for 2 days before the cells were induced to hemogenic endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor cells by culturing with the second-stage induction medium for another 3 days.Then,the cells were dissociated into single cells,seeded into the third-stage induction medium,and cultured using the suspension method for 8 days to obtain MKs.The specific characters of differentiated cells were identified through morphological observation and flow cytometry before stage-specific marker proteins in different periods were analyzed[hESCs:TRA-1-60,sialyl glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen4(SSEA4)];mesodermal progenitor cells:brachyury;hemogenic endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor cells:CD34,CD43;MKs:CD41a,CD42b),and immu-nofluorescence staining[β1-tubulin,von Willebrand factor(VWF)],[friend leukemia integration 1(FLI1),CD42].② MKMP collection and verification:MKMPs were collected via differential centrifugation.The concentration and size of these MKMPs were determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and both the morphology and ultrastructure were examined by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Besides,the MKMPs-specific proteins[CD41,tumor susceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and CD9]were detected by Western blotting analysis.③ Biological function of MKMPs:MKMPs were stained with CD41a-PE antibodies and co-cultured with human umbilical veinvascular endothelial cells(HUVECs)labeled by CD34-APC for 3 h.Live-cell immunofluorescence was employed to find out whether HUVECs could absorb MKMPs.To find out whether MKMPs could affect the role of HUVECs in angio-genesis and cell migration,platelet microvesicles(PMPs)were used as positive controls.The experi-mental groups were added with different concentrations of microparticles(1,5,10 and 20 mg·L-1)while the control group was given no microparticles(0 mg·L-1).The number of nodes that formed the lumen after 5 h of incubation in Matrigel was counted,and the size of healing of the scratch area was analyzed after 6 h.To elucidate the mechanism through which MKMPs impacted angiogenesis,ELISA was used out to quantitatively detect the concentration of proteins in microparticles.RESULTS ① A three-stage differentiation cultural system was established to develop hESCs into MKs.Flow cytometry revealed progressive loss of pluripotency markers SSEA4 and TRA-1-60,while the mesodermal progenitor marker brachyury peaked at d 2.Subsequently,hemogenic endothelial/hematopoietic progenitor markers CD34 and CD43 emerged at d 5,followed by megakaryocytic markers CD41a and CD42b at d 13.Immunofluorescent images further demonstrated that MKs expressed specific proteins CD42,β1-tubulin,von VWF and FLI1 at d 13.②Microparticles were collected via differential centrifuga-tion.Transmission electron microscopy revealed that their substructure exhibited a typical double-layered membrane.Nanoparticle tracking analysis indicated that the size was(164.3±14.0)nm.The result of WB demonstrated that the microparticles expressed specific markers,including TSG101,CD9 and CD41.③ MKMPs were absorbed after being co-cultured with HUVECs for 3 h and enhanced the ability of HUVECs to form tubes and migrate.Notably,the treatment of 5 mg·L-1 MKMPs was more effective than 5 mg·L-1 PMPs treatment.The results of ELISA showed that the content of VEGF from MKMPs was higher than from PMPs,which may be the key factor in regulating endothelial biological function.CONCLUSION MKs derived from hESCs can generate functional microparticles which can promote angiogenesis.
8.Epidemiological characteristics and prediction model of bacillary dysentery in Qinghai Province,2014-2023
Yuqi JIANG ; Jinhua ZHAO ; Jiang LONG ; Yang ZHANG ; Ping DENG ; Sheng-lin QIN ; Huayi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(10):1389-1394
Objective To compare five time series models and predict the monthly incidence of bacillary dysentery in Qinghai Province in 2024,and provide reference for the prevention and control.Methods The epidemic charac-teristics of bacterial dysentery in Qinghai Province from 2014 to 2023 were analyzed.R4.3.1 software was used for establishing seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average(SARIMA)model,Holt-Winters triple exponential smoothing(Holt Winters)model,exponential smoothing(ETS)model,neural network autoregression(NNAR)model,and trigonometric seasonality,Box-Cox transformation,ARMA errors,trend and seasonal components(TBATS)model.Fitting effect of the models was analyzed and accuracy was compared.Results From 2014 to 2023,a total of 5 833 cases of bacterial dysentery were reported in Qinghai Province,without deaths,male to fe-male ratio being 1.23∶1.The highest incidence was reported in 2016(15.45 per 100 000 people),and the lowest in-cidence was reported in 2023(3.68 per 100 000 people).Incidence increased from 2014 to 2016,then decreased,showing an obvious overall downward trend.Case number in<5 years age group was the highest,accounting for 29.76%of the total cases(n=1 736).Regarding population distribution,the top three were children in childcare institutions and scattered children(35.56%),farmers(24.65%),and students(12.62%).Except the additive Holt-Winters model,the predicted trends of the other four models were consistent with actuality.The ETS model had the best fitting effect,with a relatively balanced overall performance(training set:MAE=0.13,RMSE=0.21,MAPE=19.55%;testing set:MAE=0.11,RMSE=0.16,MAPE=28.66%).It is recommended to pre-dict the incidence of bacillary dysentery in Qinghai Province based on ETS model.Conclusion From 2014 to 2023,bacterial dysentery in Qinghai Province showed a downward trend,with the peak of the epidemic from June to Au-gust.Preschool and scattered children were high-risk groups.Among the five prediction models,ETS model has the best fitting effect,and can be used to predict the incidence of bacillary dysentery.
9.Application effect of multilevel nursing featured case bank in clinical teaching of professional postgraduate nursing students
Shengwei ZOU ; Caiju LU ; Yan LIU ; Xiaoyu LI ; Yang YANG ; Qin GAN ; Jinhua TANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1136-1141
Objective:To construct a multilevel nursing featured case bank, and to explore the effect of the case bank in clinical teaching of professional postgraduate nursing students, and to provide new ideas for teaching reform.Methods:Sixty professional postgraduate nursing students who interned in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May to September 2022 and from May to September 2023 were selected. The 30 professional postgraduate nursing students who interned from May to September 2022 were included in the control group, and the 30 professional postgraduate nursing students who interned from May to September 2023 were included in the intervention group. The control group was taught by the teaching teacher using the traditional teaching courseware of the internship department and instructed by the teaching teacher for taking care of the real patients and writing nursing records. The intervention group employed the multilevel nursing featured case bank for teaching on this basis. The autonomous learning ability and critical thinking ability were compared between the two groups before and after 2 months of intervention, respectively, and the satisfaction to the case bank was evaluated. The SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used for t-test and chi-square test. Results:After 2 months of teaching, the autonomous learning ability and critical thinking ability scores were (104.50±7.20) points and (283.73±19.42) points in the control group and (113.27±4.90) points and (304.60±13.40) points in the intervention group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Twenty-seven (90.00%) students were satisfied with the multilevel nursing featured case bank. Conclusions:Application of the multilevel nursing featured case bank to clinical teaching can effectively improve the autonomous learning ability and critical thinking ability of professional postgraduate nursing students. It is an effective way to cultivate professional postgraduate nursing students.
10.Magnetic resonance imaging based on a granzyme B promoter-driven reporter gene expression monitors CAR-T cell activation
Xiaoying NI ; Yong QIN ; Xiaoya HE ; Jie HUANG ; Xiangmin ZHANG ; Huiru ZHU ; Qian HU ; Jinhua CAI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(17):1959-1968
Objective To investigate the feasibility of granzyme B(GB)promoter-controlled ferritin heavy chain(FTH1)reporter gene expression for monitoring the activation status of chimeric antigen receptor T cells(CAR-T)by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Methods Cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs)were screened by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and flow sorting.The GB promoter and FTH1 gene were ligated together with disialoganglioside 2(GD2)CAR,and lentiviral vectors were transfected into CTLs to construct GD2-CAR-T/pGB-FTH1 cells.GD2-CAR-T/pCMV-FTH1,GD2-CAR-T,and T cells served as control cells.CytoTox96@non-radioactive cytotoxicity was used to detect the killing effect of each group of cells after co-culture with human neuroblastoma cells(SK-N-SH).ELISA was employed to detect the coincubation factor as well as the amount of GB secretion.Western blotting,Prussian blue staining and cellular MRI were applied to detect the expression of the FTH1 gene after co-culture.Results CTLs were successfully obtained,and then GD2-CAR-T/pGB-FTH1,GD2-CAR-T/pCMV-FTH1 and GD2-CAR-T cells were constructed.The killing effect,co-incubation factor and GB secretion of the above 3 groups of cells were significantly higher than those of the T cells,and the level of GB expression was highest at day 1,and then decreased in order at day 3 and day 7 after co-culturing with SK-N-SH cells.The relative expression of FTH1 and iron content of the GD2-CAR-T/pGB-FTH1 cells showed the same trend as GB expression,and the MRI signals were gradually increased.There were no significant differences in the relative expression of FTH1,iron content and MRI signals in the GD2-CAR-T/pCMV-FTH1 cells at all time points.No FTH1 expression or iron aggregation was observed in the GD2-CAR-T and T cells groups.Conclusion MRI based on the FTH1 reporter gene driven by the granzyme B promoter can reflect the GB expression level and tumor killing effect of CAR-T cells,which provides a potential real-time visual means to monitor the cell activation status for CAR-T therapy.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail