1.Heterogeneity of Adipose Tissue From a Single-cell Transcriptomics Perspective
Yong-Lang WANG ; Si-Si CHEN ; Qi-Long LI ; Yu GONG ; Xin-Yue DUAN ; Ye-Hui DUAN ; Qiu-Ping GUO ; Feng-Na LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):820-835
Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.
2.A method for quality control of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix derived from different plants based on UPLC characteristic fingerprints, chemometrics, and QAMS.
Tian-Hua DUAN ; Rong-Rong XU ; Rui LI ; Chu-Han ZHANG ; Xin-Guo WANG ; Wei FENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1051-1062
The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography( UPLC) characteristic fingerprints of Angelica dahurica and A. dahurica var. formosana were established. The compounds corresponding to common peaks were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry( UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The results were combined with chemometrics and quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single-marker method(QAMS) to study the quality control of A. dahurica and A. dahurica var. formosana. The separation was performed on a Titank C_(18) column(2. 1 mm × 150 mm, 1. 8 μm)with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0. 2% formic acid at a flow rate of 0. 3 m L·min~(-1). The column temperature was 35 ℃ and the injection volume was 1. 2 μL. Seven batches of A. dahurica and 11 batches of A. dahurica var. formosana were injected and analyzed. The UPLC characteristic fingerprints of A. dahurica and A. dahurica var. formosana were established according to the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine( version 2012), and 19 and 20 characteristic peaks were matched respectively. The common peaks were identified by reference substance comparison and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Cluster analysis(CA), principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)were performed to analyze the chemical pattern recognition of A. dahurica and A. dahurica var. formosana. The results of CA and PCA could distinguish Angelicae Dahuricae Radix from different producing areas, and the differential quality markers of A. dahurica and A. dahurica var. formosana were obtained by OPLS-DA. With imperatorin as the internal reference, the relative correction factors of oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicin, bergapten, isopimpinellin, oxypeucedanin, and isoimperatorin were 1. 310, 1. 069, 0. 729, 0. 633, 0. 753, and 1. 010, respectively. There was no significant difference between the QAMS and external standard method(ESM)results of each component, indicating that the QAMS established with imperatorin as the internal reference was accurate and reliable. The characteristic fingerprints, chemometrics, and QAMS established in this study can quickly and efficiently control the quality of A. dahurica and A. dahurica var. formosana.
Quality Control
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Angelica/chemistry*
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Chemometrics/methods*
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
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Principal Component Analysis
3.Impact of human papillomavirus and coinfection with other sexually transmitted pathogens on male infertility.
Xin FAN ; Ya XU ; Li-Feng XIANG ; Lu-Ping LIU ; Jin-Xiu WAN ; Qiu-Ting DUAN ; Zi-Qin DIAN ; Yi SUN ; Ze WU ; Yun-Hua DONG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(1):84-89
This study primarily aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and other common pathogens of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in spermatozoa of infertile men and their effects on semen parameters. These pathogens included Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium , herpes simplex virus 2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus . A total of 1951 men of infertile couples were recruited between 23 March 2023, and 17 May 2023, at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province (Kunming, China). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis were used for HPV genotyping. Polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis were also used to detect the presence of other STIs. The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.4%. The top five prevalent HPV subtypes were types 56, 52, 43, 16, and 53 among those tested positive for HPV. Other common infections with high prevalence rates were Ureaplasma urealyticum (28.3%), Ureaplasma parvum (20.4%), and Enterococcus faecalis (9.5%). The prevalence rates of HPV coinfection with Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium , herpes simplex virus 2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae , and Staphylococcus aureus were 24.8%, 25.4%, 10.6%, 6.4%, 2.4%, 7.9%, 5.9%, 0.9%, and 1.3%, respectively. The semen volume and total sperm count were greatly decreased by HPV infection alone. Coinfection with HPV and Ureaplasma urealyticum significantly reduced sperm motility and viability. Our study shows that coinfection with STIs is highly prevalent in the semen of infertile men and that coinfection with pathogens can seriously affect semen parameters, emphasizing the necessity of semen screening for STIs.
Humans
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Male
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Infertility, Male/epidemiology*
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Coinfection/microbiology*
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Papillomavirus Infections/virology*
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Adult
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases/complications*
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China/epidemiology*
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Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification*
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Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification*
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Prevalence
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Mycoplasma genitalium/isolation & purification*
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Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification*
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Neisseria gonorrhoeae/isolation & purification*
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Enterococcus faecalis/isolation & purification*
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Streptococcus agalactiae/isolation & purification*
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Herpesvirus 2, Human/genetics*
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purification*
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Semen/virology*
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Sperm Motility
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Spermatozoa/microbiology*
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Human Papillomavirus Viruses
4.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
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Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
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Mortality
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Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
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Overweight/mortality*
5.Diverse Subtypes of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Evaluated by Novel PREVENT Associated with Different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites.
Ye XIN ; Yu Cheng SUN ; Lin CHEN ; Feng Tao CUI ; Ying Ge DUAN ; Han Yun WANG ; Li CHEN ; Tian CHEN ; Pi Ye NIU ; Jun Xiang MA
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1217-1229
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the association of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites with diverse subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
METHODS:
A novel predicting risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs PREVENT equation was used to estimate the 10-year diverse subtypes of CVD risk, and their associations with PAH metabolites were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, the weighted quantile sum (WQS) model, the quantile g-computation (qgcomp) model, and a stratified analysis of subgroups.
RESULTS:
For this study, six thousand seven hundred and forty-five participants were selected, and significant positive associations were observed between PAHs, naphthalene (NAP), and fluorene (FLU), and the risks of total CVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure (HF). NAP and FLU were the primary contributors to the effects of PAH mixtures, and their associations with total CVD, ASCVD, and HF risk were significant in younger participants (30 ≤ age < 50 years); however, the associations of phenanthrene (PHEN) with ASCVD, HF, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke were dominant in aging participants (age ≥ 50 years). Notably, pyrene (PYR) was negatively associated with the risk of ASCVD, HF, CHD, and stroke. Similarly, negative associations of PYR with the four CVD subtypes were noticeable in aging participants.
CONCLUSION
Different PAHs metabolites had different impacts on each CVD subtype among different age groups. Notably, the protective effects of PYR on ASCVD, HF, CHD, and stroke were noticeable in aging individuals.
Humans
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Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced*
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Middle Aged
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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/metabolism*
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Aged
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Risk Factors
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China/epidemiology*
6.Recent advance in endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia
Runze GE ; Xin FENG ; Xifeng LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Shixing SU ; Chi HUANG ; Jiwan HUANG ; Chuanzhi DUAN
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(2):197-201
Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a rare and challenging disorder. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is closely related to enzyme action and hemodynamic changes, and is characterized by ischemic stroke, neurological compression symptoms, hydrocephalus, and other clinical symptoms. With development of interventional techniques and materials in recent years, endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia has become the focus. This article summarizes the current endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, aiming to provide references for clinicians.
7.Summary of the best evidence for pelvic floor muscle training in the prevention and treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence
Jiayu ZHANG ; Xin YAN ; Haoran DUAN ; Yao FENG ; Zekun YAO ; Zemin ZHANG ; Xue BAI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(12):1604-1611
Objective:To summarize the evidence of pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention and treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence, providing guidance and reference for clinical practice.Methods:According to the "6S" pyramid model, clinical decision-making, guidelines, and systematic reviews on pelvic floor muscle training for the prevention and treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence were searched in UpToDate, British Medical Journal (BMJ) Best Practice, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, New Zealand Guideline Group, Guidelines International Network, Medlive, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, Cochrane Library, professional association website, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, WanFang Data, and VIP. The search period was from March 2013 to March 2023. Two trained researchers evaluated the quality of literature and integrated and extracted evidence.Results:A total of 22 articles were included, including 8 clinical decision-making, 6 guidelines, 7 systematic reviews, and 1 expert consensus. Twenty-one best pieces of evidence were summarized from 5 aspects, consisting of risk factors, prevention, evaluation, treatment and health guidance for postpartum urinary incontinence.Conclusions:The best evidence for the prevention and treatment of postpartum urinary incontinence through pelvic floor muscle training summarized is convenient for medical and nursing staff to conduct scientific urinary incontinence assessment, pelvic floor muscle training education and guidance for pregnant and postpartum women.
8.Research progress of PPAR-γ regulating brain cholesterol metabolism to clear β-amyloid protein to improve Alzheimer's disease
Xue-Qing DUAN ; Shao-Feng WANG ; Xian-Yu CHEN ; Yan-Wei HAO ; Jia-Xin LI ; Li LI ; Shi-Jun XU ; Bin LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2005-2009
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-γ)is a member of the ligand-activated nuclear tran-scription factor superfamily.Activated PPAR-γ is involved in the regulation of many central nervous system(CNS)events,and is involved in cholesterol metabolism by inducing or inhibi-ting a series of gene pathways,thereby inhibiting the deposition of β-amyloid protein(Aβ).It plays an important neuroprotec-tive role in Alzheimer's disease(AD),improves memory and cognition in AD,and is a potential target for AD.Drug develop-ment aimed at restoring cholesterol homeostasis may be a poten-tial strategy to counteract AD.By analyzing the distribution and structure of PPAR-γ,focusing on the biological correlation be-tween PPAR-γ-mediated cholesterol metabolism and AD,this paper describes the mechanism regulation of PPAR-γ on key proteins,genes and their corresponding molecules,providing a new reference for the treatment of AD.
9.Ionizing radiation-induced damage(IRD)to and repair mechanisms of the male reproductive system:Report of testicular function changes in a case of IRD
Neng-Liang DUAN ; Hua-Pei WANG ; Yuan-Shuai RAN ; Zhi-Xiang GAO ; Feng-Mei CUI ; Qiu CHEN ; Yu-Long LIU ; You-You WANG ; Bo-Xin XUE ; Xiao-Long LIU
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(8):687-695
Objective:To investigate the impact of ionizing radiation(IR)on the structure and function of the testis and pro-vide some strategies for the prevention and treatment of IR-induced damage(IRD).Methods:Using radiation dose simulation,se-men analysis,hormone testing,electron microscopy and single-cell transcriptome sequencing,we assessed and analyzed a case of IRD.We established a mouse model of IRD to validate the results of single-cell sequencing,and investigated the specific biological mecha-nisms of IRD and potential strategies for its intervention.Results:IR at 1-2 Gy significantly reduced sperm concentration and mo-tility,which gradually recovered after 12 months but the percentage of morphologically normal sperm remained low.It also caused im-balanced levels of various steroid hormones,decreased testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,increased progesterone,prolac-tin,luteinizing hormone,and follicle-stimulating hormone.Electron microscopy revealed damages to the testis structure,including loss of germ cells,atrophy of the seminiferous tubules,nuclear membrane depression of the spermatocytes,mitochondrial atrophy and de-formation,and reduction of mitochondrial cristae.Single-cell sequencing indicated significant changes in the function of the Leydig cells and macrophages and disrupted lipid-related metabolic pathways after IRD.Administration of L-carnitine to the mouse model im-proved lipid metabolism disorders and partially alleviated IRD to the germ cells.Conclusion:Ionizing radiation can cause disorders of testicular spermatogenesis and sexual hormones and inhibit lipid metabolism pathways in Leydig cells and macrophages.Improving lipid metabolism can alleviate IRD to germ cells.
10.Expression levels of complement regulatory proteins CD55 and CD59 in the peripheral blood of patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis
Ruixuan CHENG ; Chunlan ZHANG ; Dawei DUAN ; Dandan ZANG ; Xin DU ; Feng WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(8):715-720
Objective:To detect expression levels of complement regulatory proteins CD55 and CD59 in the peripheral blood of patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) /toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and to preliminarily analyze their potential roles in the occurrence of SJS/TEN.Methods:Hospitalized patients with SJS/TEN (SJS/TEN group) were collected from the Department of Dermatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from December 2017 to December 2022. Meanwhile, patients with maculopapular exanthema (MPE) and healthy physical examinees were also collected and served as the mild group and healthy control group, respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the proportions of CD4 + T lymphocytes and CD8 + T lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, interleukin (IL) -6, IL-17, IL-10, interferon (IFN) -γ, IL-2, and IL-4 were detected using flow cytometric bead array technology. The mRNA expression levels of CD55 and CD59 in PBMCs were detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry was also performed to determine the protein expression of CD55 and CD59 on the surface of CD8 + T lymphocytes. Statistical analyses were carried out using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Results:Totally, 13 patients with SJS/TEN, 27 patients with MPE, and 40 healthy controls were collected. Among the SJS/TEN patients, there were 8 males and 5 females, with their age being 18 to 84 (47.15 ± 19.99) years, and disease duration being 7.74 ± 2.63 days. No significant differences were observed in the gender distribution or age among the 3 groups (both P > 0.05). The proportions of CD4 + T lymphocytes did not differ among the 3 groups ( F = 3.84, P = 0.051). The proportions of CD8 + T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were significantly higher in the SJS/TEN group (25.60% ± 4.57%) than in the healthy control group (16.20% ± 6.28%; q = 4.59, P = 0.018). The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the SJS/TEN group than in the healthy control group and mild group (all P < 0.001). In addition, the mRNA expression of CD55 ( F = 9.46, P < 0.001) and CD59 in PBMCs ( F = 15.14, P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the SJS/TEN group than in the mild group and healthy control group. The protein expression levels of CD55 ( F = 51.51, P < 0.001) and CD59 ( F = 31.59, P < 0.001) on the surface of CD8 + T lymphocytes were also significantly lower in the SJS/TEN group than in the other two groups and the healthy control group, respectively. Conclusion:Complement regulatory proteins CD55 and CD59 were downregulated in SJS/TEN patients, which may be associated with the activation of CD8 + T lymphocytes and excessive inflammatory responses.

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