Objective To investigate the role of autophagy in podocyte damage,and the intracellular mechanism of autophagy activation through passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) animal model.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were studied on day 0,2,4,7,and 21 after induction of PHN by injection of anti-Fx1A.Podocyte morphology and autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Podocyte numerical density was estimated by Weibel-Gomez =method.Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining.Expressions of autophagy markers and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-associated proteins were analyzed by Western blotting.Results (1) In PHN rats,immunohistochemical staining showed that C5b-9 deposited along glomerular basement membrane on day 4 to day 21.Small subepithelial electron -dense deposits and a part of foot process fusion were detected in the glomerulus of PHN rats on day 4 by transmission electron microscope,and podocyte damage was aggravated on day 21.Furthermore,compared with control,the urinary protein levels of PHN rats began to increase on day 3,and reached the top on day 21 [(50.6±6.0) mg/24 h].(2) The number of podocytes significantly decreased in PHN rats compared with control group on day 21(P ＜ 0.05).(3) In PHN rats,apoptotic podocytes were found by caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL assay on day 21.(4) The expression of autophagy marker LC3 Ⅱ was markedly increased on day 7 and 21,but down-regulated on day 21 compared with day 7.Moreover,accumulated autophagosomes in podocytes were detected on day 7 and 21 by transmission electron microscope.(5) The level of GRP78 was significantly increased on day 2 and 7 but reduced to baseline on day 21.At the same time,the downstream pathways (ATF6α,p-PERK and p-JNK) of unfolded protein response were also up-regulated in the early process of PHN and down-regulated later.Conclusions Autophagy is an important way to protect against immunemediated podocyte injury in membranous nephropathy.Autophagy activation is mainly related to endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by complement attack.This provides an important basis for a thorough understanding of the role of autophagy in the process of podocyte damage and the pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy.

Objective To determine the effect of rapamycin on sublytic C5b-9-induced podocyte adhesion damage,and whether autophagy is involved in this progression.Methods Sublytic complement C5b-9 stimulation was used in vitro.Autophagosomes were viewed using electron microscopy.Western blotting was used to measure the change of autophagy-related markers.Attachment assay was used to assess the adhesion of podocyte.Confocal microscopy was used to explore the expression patterns of cytoskeletal protein F-actin.Flow cytometry was used to measure the level of adhesion-associated protein integrin α3.Results (1) For ensuring sublytic complement injury,the maximal amounts of anti-podocyte antiserum and 160×-diluted normal human serum were used without inducing cell lysis (defined as ＞ 5％ LDH release).(2) Sublytic C5b-9 promoted autophagy in podocyte in vitro.The proautophagic effect of sublytic C5b-9 manifested in the form of accumulated autophagosomes and enhanced expression of LC3-lⅡ.(3) Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyadenine enhanced the effect of sublytic C5b-9-induced podocyte injury,including serious cytoskeleton damage and markedly reduced adhesion of podocyte.(4) Rapamycin treatment significantly improved the above lesions.(5) Rapamycin enhanced autophagy induced by sublytic C5b-9 in podocyte.Conclusions In summary,rapamycin can improve sublytic CSb-9-induced podocyte adhesion damage by appropriate autophagy activation.These findings provide important information for the development of appropriate protocols for the application of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors in podocytopathy.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of matrine in conjunction with vincristine(VCR),adriamycin(ADM)and diamminedichloroplatinum(DDP),respectively on the cell cycle of the KBV200drug-resistant cell line.METHODS:The cultured KBV drug-resistant cells were divided into control group,antitumor drug groups and the combination therapy groups(marine+antitumor drugs,respectively),FCM assay was used to detect and analyze the expression of cell cycle and apoptosis of each group.RESULTS:As compared with single antitumor drugs groups,no significant change was found in the proportion of cells and cell apoptosis in the combination therapy groups(matrine+VCR or matrine+ADM).But marine+DDD resulted in a reduction of the G 0 ～G 1 stage cell population but an increase of G 2 ～M stage cell population.CONCLUSIONS:It was assumed that matrine-induced reversal of KBV200cells'drug-resistant to VCR and ADM may not relate to cell cycle and cell apoptosis.Matrine can slightly enhance the cytotoxic effect of DDP.

Objective To explore the mechanism by which total flavones of rhododendron(TFR)protect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury by inhibiting the TNF-α/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling pathway.Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)method was used to establish the rat I/R model.Rats were randomly divided into Sham surgery,MCAO,and post-I/R intervention with TFR 200 mg/kg(TFR 200 mg/kg)groups.After establishing the MCAO rat model,rats in the TFR 200 mg/kg group were administered TFR(200 mg/kg)solution for 14 consecutive days following I/R injury surgery.Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was used to observe neurological function scoring,cerebral blood flow assessment,histological examination of brain tis-sue,assay kits were used to detect lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and neuron-specific enolase(NSE)activities in rat serum.ELISA assay kits was used to measure interleukin-1(IL-1)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels,and West-ern blot and immunohistochemistry were conducted to detect the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3,caspase-8,and TNF-α proteins in rat brain tissue 14 days post-surgery.Results After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion treat-ment,MCAO resulted in abnormal neurological function in rats,significantly increased neurological function sco-ring index,obvious changes in cerebral tissue histomorphology and cerebral blood flow,significant upregulation of cleaved caspase-3,caspase-8,and TNF-α protein expression levels in brain tissue,and significant elevation of LDH,NSE,IL-1,and IL-6 levels in serum.Rats in the TFR 200 mg/kg group showed significantly reduced neu-rological function scoring,significant improvement in cerebral tissue pathological damage,decreased expression levels of cleaved caspase-3,caspase-8,and TNF-α proteins in brain tissue,as well as decreased levels of LDH,NSE,IL-1,and IL-6 in serum.Conclusion TFR may alleviate cerebral ischemic hypoxic injury by inhibiting the TNF-α/caspase-8/caspase-3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveToinvestigate the prevalence, awareness and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among community adult population in Shanghai, China, in order to provide early diagnosis and treatment of CKD, and informations for national health policy makers.MethodsTwo thousand five hundred and ninety six residents (≥ 18 years old) were randomly selected from community population in Changning district of Shanghai, China. They were interviewed and tested for albuminuria -morning spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio [ACR, abnormal: ≥ 17 mg/g (male), ≥25 mg/g (female)], reduced renal function-estimated GFR by abbreviated MDRD equation [abnormal: <60 ml ·rain-1 (1.73 m2)-1] and hematuria-morning spot urine dipstick confirmed by urine microscopy. The associations among demographic characteristics, healthy characteristics (e.g. diabetes and hypertension) and indicators of kidney damage were examined. The investigators and neighborhood committee were well trained. Those who had semiquantitative positive were detected again by albuminuria-morniag spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio after three months. ResultsTwo thousand five hundred and fifty four residents with complete data were enrolled in the study. Albuminuria was detected in 6.3% of subjects, reduced renal function in 5.8%, hematuria in 1.2%. Approximately 11.8% of these subjects had at least one indicator of kidney damage. The awareness rate of CKD was 8.2%. The Logistic regression model showed that hyperuricemia, nephrolithiasis, anemia, diabetes, central obesity, hypertension and age contributed to the development of CKD. ConclusionsThe prevalence of CKD in community adult population in Shanghai is 11.8%, And the awareness rate of CKD is 8.2%. Hyperuricemia, nephrolithiasis, anemia, diabetes, central obesity, hypertension and age are risk factors of CKD.

OBJECTIVE: To define genetic profiling of homologous recombination (HR) deficiency in Chinese ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: we have applied next-generation sequencing to detect deleterious mutations through all exons in 31 core HR genes. Paired whole blood and frozen tumor samples from 50 Chinese women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian carcinomas were tested to identify both germline and somatic variants. RESULTS: Deleterious germline HR-mutations were identified in 36% of the ovarian cancer patients. Another 5 patients had only somatic mutations. BRCA2 was most frequently mutated. Three out of the 5 somatic mutations were in RAD genes and a wider distribution of other HR genes was involved in non-serous carcinomas. BRCA1/2-mutation carriers had favorable platinum sensitivity (relative risk, 1.57, p<0.05), resulting in a 100% remission probability and survival rate. In contrast, mutations in other HR genes predicted poor prognosis. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that platinum sensitivity and optimal cytoreduction were the independent impact factors influencing survival (hazards ratio, 0.053) and relapse (hazards ratio, 0.247), respectively. CONCLUSION: our results suggest that a more comprehensive profiling of HR defect than merely BRCA1/2 could help elucidate tumor heterogeneity and lead to better stratification of ovarian cancer patients for individualized clinical management.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Exons ; Female ; Homologous Recombination* ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Platinum ; Population Characteristics ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate

Objective This study aims to explore the formation of the dilemma of"giving care"for disabled elderly people in nursing homes from the perspective of active health.Methods Purposive sampling was used to select caregivers and disabled elderly people from a nursing home in Chongqing as research subjects from July 2022 to December 2022.One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted and Colaizzi's 7-step thematic analysis method was employed to collect and analyze the interview data.Results 4 themes were identified:①the dominance of the"giving"care concept,including the cultural thoughts of filial piety,passive acceptance of care characteristics and consumer psychology regarding paid services;②insufficient"participation"care ability,including lack of knowledge regarding active health and a weakening of skills to promote participation;③the hindrance to"transformation"of care models,including objective limitations in terms of human resources and delays in adapting aging environments;and ④the decline in"utilization"of internal abilities,including excessive avoidance of potential risks,a heavy workload of care and poor quality of individual care.Conclusion The formation of the dilemma of"giving care"for disabled elderly people in nursing homes is affected by multiple factors such as social background,service system,supply resources,and management mode.Transforming disabled elderly individuals from a state of"passive giving care"to"active participation in their health"is an important measure to realize the concept of positive aging and healthy aging.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for four patients suspected for Marfan syndrome (MFS). METHODS: Four male patients with suspected MFS and their family members who were treated at West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University from September 12, 2019 to March 27, 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the patients and their parents or other pedigree members for the extraction of genomic DNA. Whole exome sequencing was carried out, and candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the variants was determined based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). RESULTS: Genetic testing revealed that all four patients have harbored variants of the FBN1 gene, including c.430_433del (p.His144fs) deletional variant in exon 5, c.493C>T (p.Arg165*) nonsense variant in exon 6, c.5304_5306del (p.Asp1768del) deletional variant in exon 44 and c.5165C>G (p.Ser1722Cys) missense variant in exon 42. According to the ACMG guidelines, the c.430_433del and c.493C>T were classified as pathogenic variants (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PP4; PVS1+PS1+PS2+PM2_Supporting+PP4). c.5304_5306del and c.5165C>G were classified as likely pathogenic variants (PS2+PM2_Supporting+PM4+PP4; PS2_Moderate+PS1+PM1+PM2_Supporting). CONCLUSION The c.430_433del and c.5304_5306del variants of the FBN1 gene identified in this study were unreported previously. Above results have enriched the variation spectrum of the FBN1 gene and provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of patients with MFS and acromicric dysplasia.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Male ; Exons ; China ; Family ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Testing ; Marfan Syndrome/genetics* ; Mutation ; Fibrillin-1/genetics*

Objective To explore the effect of glioma stem cells with high expression of protein tyrosin phosphatase receptor type Z1 (PTPRZ1 )on the phenotypic polarization and phagocytosis of tumor-associated macrophages and its regulatory mechanism.Methods GSCs and non-stem tumor cells (NSTCs) were screened out from human glioblastoma (GBM) specimens using flow cytometry,and the PTPRZ1 expression in paired GSCs and NSTCs were detected.Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-derived CD14+monocytes were exposed to the conditioned medium from glioma cells or recombinant chemokine C-C motif ligand 20 (CCL20)for TAM polarization.Stable PTPRZ1 knockout GSCs (PTPRZ1-KO GSCs) were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9. TAM phagocytosis to GSCs,NSTCs,PTPRZ1-Control GSCs (PTPRZ1-Ctrl GSCs)and PTPRZ1-KO GSCs and the expression of immunosuppressive phenotype (M2) polarization marker CD163 were examined using flow cytometry.Differentially expressed genes (DEGs ) between paired GSCs and NSTCs were determined using a bulk RNA-sequencing dataset (GSE54791 )from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).A gene set informing worse outcome of patients with GBM was generated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-GBM cohort.By intersecting the aforementioned gene set with the gene set that encodes for human membrance proteins,the PTPRZ1 gene is obtained.Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA)was used for pathway enrichment analysis to compare the differentially regulated pathways between GBMs with high or low PTPRZ1 expression.Bulk RNA sequencing,qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to identify the DEGs between PTPRZ1-KO GSCs and PTPRZ1-Ctrl GSCs.Results GSCs were more capable of escaping from TAM phagocytosis than NSTCs (P<0.05 )and had specifically up-regulated PTPRZ1 expression.PTPRZ1-KO significantly suppressed GSCs escaping from TAM phagocytosis (P<0.01 ). GBMs with high PTPRZ1 expression showed significant inhibition of pathways mediating phagocytosis (P<0.05).The expression of CCL20 as a M2 TAM polarization chemokine was significantly down-regulated in PTPRZ1-KO GSCs (P<0.05 ).Treatment with recombinant CCL20 up-regulated the expression of CD163 as a M2 TAM marker in TAM.Conclusion PTPRZ1+GSCs mediate M2 TAM polarization and inhibit TAM phagocytosis,which may be related to the up-regulation of CCL20 in PTPRZ1+GSCs.