1.Microanatomical study of the scapholunate interosseous ligament with micro-CT
Yujian XU ; Yongqing XU ; Haotian LUO ; Xiaoqing HE ; Xulin ZHANG ; Wanqiu ZHAO ; Huan WU ; Libo YUAN
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2020;43(1):56-60
Objective:To explore the morphology and vessel distribution of the scapholunate interosseous ligament and anatomical basis for the clinical reconstruction of scapholunate interosseous ligament.Methods:From October, 2018 to December, 2018, 12 fresh wrist joint specimens were perfused with gelatin-lead oxide solution from ulnar or radial artery and scanned under micro-CT. The morphology of scapholunate interosseous ligament in neutral position and the distribution of nutrient vessels in the ligament were observed on reconstructed 3D images by Mimics. The width, length and thickness of palmar, dorsal and proximal ligaments were measured. The anatomical parameters at the entrance of nutrient vessels in the scapholunate interosseous ligament were taken and their relationship with the blood supply to the scapholunate was analyzed.Results:①For scapholunate interosseous ligament, it was found that the average length of the proximal sub-region was the longest, the length of palmar and dorsal sides was similar to each other and the widest and thinnest was in palmar side, while the thickness and width of dorsal and proximal were similar. ②There was no nutrient vessel in the proximal part of the scapholunate interosseous ligament. But there were abundant nutrient vessels in the palmar and dorsal scapholunate interosseous ligament, and there was no significant difference in blood supply to palmar and dorsal scapholunate interosseous ligament ( P>0.05). ③The palmar and dorsal medial nutrient vessels that supply to the scapholunate interosseous ligament enter the scapholunate from the attachment of ligament of scapholunate interosseous joint. Conclusion:The palmar side of the scapholunate interosseous ligament is wider and thinner than that of the other subareas, which makes it more vulnerable to injury from an anatomical point of view. There is abundant blood supply to the palmar and dorsal subareas of the scapholunate interosseous ligament and the supplying vessels anastomose inside the scapholunate bone. There is no distribution of blood vessel at the proximal part of scapholunate interosseous ligament, hence is difficult to heal. An injury of palmar and dorsal ligaments may affect the blood supply of scapholunate.
2.Advances in Hippo signaling pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Wanqiu XU ; Xiaohang XU ; Chang LIU ; Lihong YAO ; Xiumei WANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2021;56(2):221-225
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer that develops from oral epithelial cells, it has a high incidence, mortality and teratogenic rate, which poses a serious threat to people′s life and health.The Hippo signaling pathway plays a key role in tumorigenesis, regulation of stem cell homeostasis, tissue regeneration, and organ size control. In OSCC, activation of Hippo signaling pathway can inhibit malignant biological behavior, epithelial mesenchymal transformation and distant metastasis of tumors, and improve the survival rate of patients. Considering the importance of the Hippo signaling pathway in the development of cancer, this paper summarized the composition and regulatory mechanism of Hippo pathway, elaborated the role of Hippo signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of OSCC.At the same time, make a simple generalization about the potential therapeutic approaches and strategies to reduce the risk of drug resistance for OSCC patients targeting this pathway.
3.Research progress on dental pulp stem cells in the repair of peripheral nerve injury
XU Xiaohang ; XU Wanqiu ; YAO Lihong ; WANG Xiumei
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2021;29(7):500-504
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common disease in the oral cavity that can easily lead to loss of function and abnormal appearance. The application of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) combined with tissue engineering in the repair of PNI is a research hotspot. DPSCs have the advantages of abundant sources, simple extraction, low immunogenicity and a high proliferation rate in vitro. They can differentiate into Schwann cells (SCs). SCs can induce autophagy and secrete key neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor. SCs are beneficial for the repair of nerve injury. DPSCs in different periods have differences in immune regulation, anti-inflammatory effects, expression of neural markers, angiogenesis and so on, which provide more diversified choices for nerve repair. At present, the introduction of tissue engineering provides a more controllable and improved microenvironment for DPSCs, which is conducive to the application and development of DPSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, there are still many problems to be solved, such as the selection of stem cells, functional link recovery, uncontrollable direction of axon regeneration, regulation of the peripheral nervous system and mechanism of repair.
4.Effect of NEP1-40/PLGA on facial nerve repair in rats
XUE Bing ; XI Hualei ; YAO Lihong ; XU Wanqiu ; XU Xiaohang ; LIN Song ; PIAO Guiyan ; WANG Xiumei
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(2):110-119
Objective:
To investigate the effect of neurite outgrowth inhibitor extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) combined with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and gelatin electrospun fiber membrane on facial nerve repair in rats.
Methods:
According to the principle of random grouping, 108 male SD rats were divided into four groups (n = 27 in each group, approved by the ethics committee), namely, the sham group, control group, PLGA group, and NEP1-40 + PLGA group. A facial nerve fracture model was established for all of the groups except for the sham group. The control group received no further treatment, the PLGA group and the NEP1-40+PLGA group were supported by PLGA membrane, and the NEP1-40+PLGA group received one immediate local injection of NEP1-40 (5 μg/μL) at a dose of 10 μL. Facial nerve function analysis, electrophysiological examination, transmission electron microscope observation, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining of myelin marker S100β and axonal marker β3-tubulin were used to evaluate the recovery of injured facial nerves of rats at 2, 4 and 8 weeks.
Results :
At 8 weeks, the facial nerve function score of the NEP1-40+PLGA group was better than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), and facial nerve function was significantly restored. Electrophysiological examination of nerve action potentials at the injured facial nerve showed that the amplitude in the NEP1-40+PLGA group was higher than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in latency and conduction velocity results between the groups (P > 0.05). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of myelinated nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness in the cross-section of the injured facial nerve in the NEP1-40+PLGA group were greater than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks, HE staining showed that the facial nerves in the control group had partially recovered, but the overall cell distribution was uneven and the boundary with surrounding tissues was slightly blurred. In contrast, the NEP1-40+PLGA group had a relatively uniform cell distribution and a clearer boundary with surrounding tissues. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the immunohistochemical results showed that in the cross-section of the injuried facial nerve, NEP1-40 increased the expression of neural markers S100 β and β3-tubulin, especially β3-tubulin, which was close to normal levels (P > 0.05)
Conclusion
NEP1-40 is beneficial for the generation of new myelin sheaths and axons at the site of injury, and it can promote the repair and regeneration of injured facial nerves to a certain extent, thus accelerating the recovery of injured nerve function.
5.Transcriptomic analysis of chondroprogenitors in response to flow fluid shear stress
Lingfeng XU ; Yuejiao ZHANG ; Jianchang ZHANG ; Jia YU ; Wanqiu HUO ; Jiali XU ; Meiqing WANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(1):36-42
Objective:To investigate the response of mandibular condylar chondroprogenitors to flow fluid shear stress(FFSS).Methods:Chondroprogenitors were in vitro cultured and stimulated with FFSS that can cause cell degeneration,and treated with sec-ond-generation high-throughput RNA sequencing.Differential gene expression was screened using DESeq2 software for gene ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis,kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis.qRT-PCR was performed to validate the core genes screened by PPI.Results:A total of 1996 differentially expressed genes were obtained,mainly including inflammatory response and cell cycle related molecules.Among them,Actal,Atf3,Ccl2,116,Nfkbia,Ret and Vcaml were identified as the core genes.Conclusion:FFSS stimulation affects chondroprogenitor function by acting on inflammatory responses and cell cycle-related signaling pathways in chondroprogenitors.