1.Effects of MAGED4 overexpression on proliferation, migration, and adhesion of hepatocellular carcinoma
Sheng ZHANG ; Zhibi ZHANG ; Xiaoqing YU ; Xiaoqiong ZOU ; Yuhang LIU ; Hao LÜ ; Feng LI ; Yanjing WANG ; Bin LUO ; Xiaoxun XIE ; Qingmei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(9):1558-1567
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of melanoma-associated antigen D4 (MAGED4) on the malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), providing experimental evidence for its evaluation as a potential therapeutic target in HCC. MethodsGenes positively correlated with MAGED4 expression in HCC were screened using the LinkedOmics database, followed by GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Endogenously low-expressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells were selected, with normal hepatic LO2 cells serving as controls. Stable overexpression cell lines were established via lentiviral infection (MAGED4 overexpression group), with RT-PCR and Western blot validating overexpression efficiency. The effects of MAGED4 overexpression on cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, migration, and adhesion were systematically analyzed using CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry, scratch healing assays, Transwell migration assays, and cell adhesion assays. ResultsBioinformatics analysis indicated that MAGED4 co-expressed genes were significantly enriched in biological processes closely associated with tumor proliferation and metastasis, including cell-cell adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. A stable MAGED4 overexpression cell model was successfully established. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that MAGED4-overexpressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells exhibited a mesenchymal-like morphology, whereas LO2 cells maintained an epithelial-like morphology. Compared with the empty-virus control groups, the MAGED4-overexpressing groups showed significantly increased proliferative activity (48 h: t=3.887, 22.070, 8.866, all P<0.05; 72 h: t=3.231, 23.840, 9.848, all P<0.05; 96 h: t=5.123, 49.800, 5.909, P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.05), wound healing rates (12 h: F=40.90, 44.00, 200.50, all P<0.001; 24 h: F=112.00, 34.89, 249.20, all P<0.001), and numbers of migrated cells (F=239.20, 59.79, 132.80, all P<0.001), along with significantly decreased numbers of adherent cells (F=73.65, 85.91, 138.00, all P<0.001), while no significant differences were observed in cell cycle phase distribution in all three cell lines. ConclusionMAGED4 enhances proliferation and migration while suppressing adhesion in both HCC and normal hepatocytes, however, induces mesenchymal-like morphological changes exclusively in HCC cells, suggesting that MAGED4 is capable of driving HCC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
2.Factors influencing home-based rehabilitation exercise and digital intervention needs among patients with spinal muscular atrophy: a qualitative study
Jiayin ZHENG ; Zihan XU ; Qingyu LI ; Yuhang ZHANG ; Siwen HUANG ; Xiaohu FU ; Guangyu ZHANG ; Wenzhu LI ; Qiao CHEN ; Qiqi WANG ; Sitong LUO
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(10):1194-1203
ObjectiveTo explore the factors influencing home-based rehabilitation exercise and the needs for digital interventions among patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), based on the behavior change wheel (BCW), and to provide evidence for the development of digital home-based rehabilitation interventions. MethodsA two-phase qualitative study was conducted from December, 2024 to March, 2025. Using convenience sampling, 14 participants were recruited, including patients with SMA, primary caregivers, rehabilitation professionals, clinicians, a patient organization representative and a health policy expert. In phase 1, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with seven participants, including patients, caregivers and a patient organization representative, to identify factors influencing home-based rehabilitation exercise and unmet needs. In phase 2, a focus group involving 12 stakeholders was conducted, including five participants who had participated in phase 1, to explore requirements for the functions, knowledge content and interface design of a digital intervention, five of them had participated in phase 1. Overall, the two phases involved 14 individual participants, accounting for 19 participant-instances. Thematic analysis was performed using both deductive and inductive approaches, guided by the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior (COM-B) model. ResultsSix themes were identified. phase 1 showed that patients with SMA experienced inadequate continuity of rehabilitation services and limited access to professional rehabilitation resources, with interruptions in institution-based rehabilitation coexisting with declining adherence to home-based exercise. Home-based rehabilitation exercise was jointly influenced by capability-, opportunity- and motivation-related factors, including limited capabilities of patients and caregivers, constraints in time and supportive conditions and insufficient goals, feedback, and incentives. Individualized rehabilitation plans and professional guidance were the major unmet needs. phase 2 showed that the core functions of a digital intervention should include individualized exercise plans, professional guidance and feedback, reminders and incentives, safety monitoring, remote assessment, and privacy and permission management. Core knowledge content should include stratified exercise guidance, caregiving skills, recognition of abnormal conditions, and information on when and how to seek help. The interface should be simple, impose a low user burden and accommodate different types of users. ConclusionHome-based rehabilitation exercise among patients with SMA is jointly influenced by multiple capability-, opportunity- and motivation-related factors. Digital interventions should prioritize individualized rehabilitation plans, professional guidance and sustained behavioral support. These findings may inform the development of a digital home-based rehabilitation intervention prototype for patients with SMA; its feasibility, safety, clinical effectiveness and economic value require further evaluation.
3.Trend in incidence of diabetes mellitus in Wenzhou City from 2016 to 2023
JIN Xi ; YE Zhenmiao ; JIANG Xuexia ; FAN Lihui ; ZHANG Mohan ; XIE Yimin ; LUO Yongyuan ; ZHENG Yuhang
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(4):372-376
Objective:
To analyze the trend in incidence of diabetes mellitus in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide the evidence for optimizing diabetes prevention and control strategies.
Methods:
Data on diabetes mellitus incidence in Wenzhou City from 2016 to 2023 were collected through the diabetes surveillance platform of the Wenzhou City Chronic Disease Monitoring Information Management System. The crude incidence of diabetes mellitus was calculated and standardized using the data from the Sixth National Population Census in 2010. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was used to analyze the trend in diabetes mellitus incidence.
Results:
From 2016 to 2023, a total of 331 561 new cases of diabetes mellitus were reported in Wenzhou City. The crude incidence and standardized incidence were 514.55/105 and 434.94/105, respectively, showing increasing trends (AAPC=5.801% and 3.602%, both P<0.05). The crude incidence and standardized incidence for males were 511.89/105 and 439.73/105, respectively, with increasing trends (AAPC=7.129% and 4.825%, both P<0.05); for females, the crude incidence and standardized incidence were 517.40/105 and 434.31/105, respectively, also showing increasing trends (AAPC=4.402% and 2.502%, both P<0.05). The incidence was relatively high in the age group of 70-<80 years, reaching 1 418.90/105. Except for the 50-<60 and ≥80 years age groups, the crude incidence in groups aged 0-<10 years, 10-<20 years, 20-<30 years, 30-<40 years, 40-<50 years, 60-<70 years, and 70-<80 years all showed increasing trends (AAPC=17.742%, 14.082%, 8.204%, 8.748%, 4.866%, 6.475%, and 9.853%, all P<0.05). The crude incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus were 423.98/105 and 93.39/105, respectively, showing increasing trends (AAPC=7.858% and 15.359%, both P<0.05). The crude incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus was 5.20/105, with no statistically significant trend (P>0.05).
Conclusions
The overall incidence of diabetes mellitus in Wenzhou City from 2016 to 2023 showed an increasing trend, with a relatively rapid increase among males and children and adolescents. The incidence was higher among the elderly, and the cases were predominantly type 2 diabetes.
4.Inhibition effect of secondary metabolites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Candida albicans and machanisms explore in vitro
Peng WANG ; Yuhang LUO ; Ping QIU ; Qi LI ; Jiawei LIU ; Linjuan CHEN ; Xuan CHEN ; Weihong WEN ; Lingqing XU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(17):2097-2104
Objective To study the inhibitory effect of secondary metabolites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA)on Candida albicans(CA)and to explore some of the mechanisms.Methods PA and CA strains were i-solated from clinical specimens from the hospital.Then,PA strains with inhibitory effects on CA were screened through cross-line test and co-incubation test,and crude extracts of PA secondary metabolites were prepared,and were tested together with pyocyanin,phenazine-1-carboxylic acid,1-hydroxyphenazine,and 3-ox-ododecyl-l-homoserine lactone(3-oxo-HSL).The inhibitory effects of various PA secondary metabolites on CA were determined through minimum inhibitory concentration test,minimum bactericidal concentration test,time-sterilization curve measurement,and XTT method activity measurement test,and some mechanisms by which PA secondary metabolites inhibited CA were explored.Results The strongest inhibitory effect on CA was 1-hydroxyphenazine,and at a concentration of 6.250 μg/mL,the relative activity of CA decreased to 0.00%.Next were pyocyanin and PA crude extract,and the relative fungal activity of CA decreased to 0.00%at concentrations of 200 and 100 μg/mL.1-hydroxyphenazine,pyocyanin,3-oxo-HSL and PA crude extract all had inhibitory effects on the formation of CA hyphae.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)were generated in CA cells treated with 1-hydroxyphenazine,phenazine 1-carboxylic acid,pyocyanin,and PA crude extract,and the highest levels of ROS were induced by pyocyanin and 1-hydroxyphenazine.Conclusion Phenazine secondary metabolites 1-hydroxyphenazine and pyocyanin have significant inhibitory effects on the growth and activity of CA,and both induce the highest amount of ROS.The quorum-sensing signal molecule 3-oxo-HSL have no in-hibitory effect on CA growth,but have a significant inhibitory effect on the formation of fungal hyphae.
5.Aerobic exercise relieves glucose and lipid metabolism disorder after immune stimulation in IR mice by inducing tolerance of trained immunity
Wei LUO ; Wenyue GAO ; Yuhang WANG ; Yansong LIU ; Yue ZHOU ; Lei AI
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(5):394-404
Objective To explore the regulatory effect of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on glu-cose and lipid metabolism disordersafter immune stimulation in high-fat diet induced insulin resistance(IR)mice by inducing tolerance of trained immunity.Methods Eighteen of 70 male C57BL/6 male mice were randomly selected as the control group(CON group),while the remaining mice were subjected to high-fat diet intervention(HFD group)for 8 weeks.After modeling,six of the CON group and HFD group were measured their glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation levels.The remaining mice in the HFD group were randomly divided into HFD sedentary group(HS group)and HFD exer-cise group(HE group),each of 16.The HE groups underwent a daily 60-minute running on a hori-zontal treadmill at 12 m/min,5 days a week for 8 weeks.After that,the CON,HS and HE groups were randomly divided into an immune stimulation group(lipopolysaccharides,LPS group)and a con-trol group(phosphate buffered saline,PBS group),with 6 in CON-PBS and CON-LPS groups,and 8 in HS-PBS,HS-LPS,HE-PBS and HE-LPS groups.The LPS group received intraperitoneal injec-tion of LPS as an immune stimulus,and were taken samples 24 hours after intervention.During the intervention period,the body weight,food intake,fasting blood glucose(FBG),glucose tolerance,and insulin tolerance were tested for all groups.Then,the serum blood lipid level was tested.More-over,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β)and interleukin-10(IL-10)in serum were detected by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,while the protein expression of IL-1β,IL-10,induciblenitricoxidesynthase(iNOS)andarginase-1(Arg-1)were measured by using Western Blot.Results(1)After 8 weeks of high-fat diet intervention,compared with the CON group,there was a significant increase in the body weight,food intake,and FBG,the level of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and expressions of IL-1β and iNOS in liver,skeletal muscle and adipose tissue,but a significant decrease in glucose and insulin tolerance,the level of anti-in-flammatory factor IL-10,as well as IL-10 and Arg-1 in liver and Arg-1 in adipose tissues in group HFD(P<0.01,P<0.05).(2)After 8 weeks of diet intervention,the body weight of group HS-PBS was still significantly higher than group CON-PBS(P<0.01).However,no significant differences were found between group CON-PBS and HS-PBS in other indicators(P>0.05).After LPS intervention,the food intake of both CON-LPS and HS-LPS groups was significantly lower than the corresponding PBS group(P<0.05).However,the levels of FBG,TG,TC,LDL-C,TNF-α and IL-1β in serum,IL-1β and iNOS in liver and adipose tissues,and iNOS in skeletal muscles of group HS-LPS were signif-icantly higher compared with group HS-PBS and CON-LPS(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the levels of IL-10 in serum,skeletal muscles and adipose tissues,and Arg-1 in skeletal muscles and adipose tissues of group HS-LPS decreased significantly compared with group HS-PBS and CON-LPS(P<0.05).(3)Af-ter simultaneous aerobic exercise intervention,there were no significant differences between group HE-LPS and HE-PBS in FBG,TC,LDL-C,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10 in serum,as well as IL-1β,iN-OS and IL-10 in the liver,skeletal muscles and adipose tissues(P>0.05).Moreover,thelevels of FBG,TG,TC,TNF-α,IL-1β in serum,and IL-1β and iNOS in the liver,skeletal muscle and adi-pose tissue decreased significantly in group HE-LPS compared with group HS-LPS(P<0.05).Howev-er,the levels of IL-10 in the serum and liver,and IL-10 and Arg-1 in skeletal muscles and adi-pose tissues increased significantly in group HE-LPS compared with group HS-LPS(P<0.05).Conclu-sion Eight-week aerobic exercise can effectively relieve the glucose and lipid metabolism disorder after immune stimulation in IR mice,which may be related to the stimulation of immunologic tolerance in innate immune cells,thereby reducing the excessive inflammatory response caused by secondary im-mune stimulation.
6.Trends in death and life lost due to falls among the elderly in Wenzhou City from 2015 to 2023
LI Huijun ; YE Zhenmiao ; FAN Lihui ; ZHENG Yuhang ; XIE Yimin ; JIANG Xuexia ; GAO Haojun ; ZHANG Mohan ; LUO Yongyuan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):460-464
Objective:
To investigate the trends in mortality and life loss due to falls among the elderly in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures for falls among the elderly.
Methods:
The data on fall-related deaths among the elderly aged 60 and above in Wenzhou City were collected through the Wenzhou Chronic Disease Monitoring and Management Information System from 2015 to 2023. The crude mortality was calculated and standardized using the data from the Sixth National Population Census in 2010. The life loss were measured using potential years of life lost (PYLL), average years of life lost (AYLL), and potential years of life lost rate (PYLLR). The trends in mortality and life loss among the elderly were analyzed using the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC).
Results:
There were 11 378 deaths due to falls among the elderly in Wenzhou City from 2015 to 2023, with a crude mortality of 82.67/100 000 and a standardized mortality of 65.32/105, which appeared no significant changing trend (AAPC=3.401%、2.995%,both P>0.05). There was a tendency towards a rise from 2019 to 2023 (APC=12.592%、11.507%, both P<0.05). The majority of falls occurred at home, with 6 312 cases accounting for 55.48%. The primary types of fall-related deaths were slips, trips, and falls on the same level, with 8 541 cases representing 75.07%. The crude mortality and standardized mortality of falls in males were 76.63/105 and 60.86/105, which were lower than that in females at 88.72/100 000 and 70.33/100 000 (both P<0.05), and the trends were consistent with the overall population. The crude mortality of falls among the elderly increased with age (P<0.05). From 2015 to 2023, the crude mortality of falls among the elderly aged 60 to <65 years showed an upward trend (AAPC=4.860%, P<0.05), while no significant trend was observed in other age groups (all P>0.05). The PYLL was 5 123 person-years, the AYLL was 0.45 years per person, and the PYLLR was 0.37‰. From 2015 to 2023, PYLL showed an upward trend (AAPC=5.477%, P<0.05). The PYLL, AYLL, and PYLLR for males were 3.08 times, 3.48 times, and 2.67 times those of females, respectively.
Conclusions
From 2015 to 2023, the mortality of falls among the elderly in Wenzhou City had remained relatively stable. However, PYLL showed an upward trend. Males and older seniors were key groups for falls prevention. It is recommended to enhance health education and promote age-friendly home modifications to prevent falls among the elderly.
7.Relationship between psychological abuse and neglect and suicidal ideation in left-behind adolescents: the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of different stages of adolescence
Lu PAN ; Yuhang WU ; Yuqin SONG ; Cen LIN ; Yu CEN ; Jiarui SHAO ; Cailin XIE ; Mengqin DAI ; Qiuyue FAN ; Lei TANG ; Jiaming LUO
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):374-380
BackgroundPrevious studies have identified a close relationship among psychological neglect and abuse, negative affect, different stages of adolescence, and suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying the impact of psychological abuse and neglect on suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents remain unclear, and this field of research is still in its relative infancy. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between psychological neglect/abuse and suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents, as well as the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating effect of different stages of adolescence, so as to provide insights for preventing and intervening suicidal ideation in this population. MethodsFrom November 2021 to May 2022, a cluster random sampling technique was utilized to select 2 309 left-behind adolescents in western China. Assessments were conducted using the Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale (CPANS), the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS-C). Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated across all samples, and Process 4.1 was employed to test the mediating role of negative affect and the moderating role of different stages of adolescence in the pathway linking psychological abuse/neglect to suicidal ideation. ResultsA total of 2 119 left-behind adolescents (mean age: 14.94±1.20 years) completed the study, with males comprising 51.34% (1 088/2 119) and females 48.66% (1 031/2 119).Among left-behind adolescents, scores on CPANS psychological neglect subscale showed positive correlations with both psychological abuse subscale scores and PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores (r=0.446, 0.496, P<0.01). Additionally, CPANS psychological neglect and psychological abuse subscale scores were also positively correlated with PANSI scores (r=0.487, 0.508, P<0.01). Furthermore, PANAS-C negative affect subscale scores demonstrated a positive correlation with PANSI scores (r=0.499, P<0.01). Negative affect partially mediated the relationship between psychological abuse/psychological neglect and suicidal ideation, with effect sizes of 0.166 (95% CI: 0.141~0.191) and 0.131 (95% CI: 0.112~0.152). Different stages of adolescence moderated the latter part (negative emotion → suicidal ideation) of the indirect mediation path from psychological neglect to suicidal ideation through negative affect (β=-0.066, P<0.01). ConclusionBoth psychological neglect and psychological abuse may influence suicidal ideation among left-behind adolescents via negative affect. Moreover, different stages of adolescence may moderate the indirect path from psychological neglect to suicide ideation through negative affect.
8.Physiological responses and transcriptional regulation of Prunus mume 'Meiren' under drought stress.
Zixu WANG ; Chunyan LUO ; Yuhang TONG ; Weijun ZHENG ; Qingwei LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(2):618-638
Prunus mume is an ecologically and economically valuable plant with both medicinal and edible values. However, drought severely limits the promotion and cultivation of P. mume in the arid and semi-arid areas in northern China. In this study, we treated P. mume 'Meiren' with natural drought and then assessed photosynthetic and physiological indexes such as osmoregulatory substances, photosynthetic parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, we employed transcriptome sequencing to explore the internal regulatory mechanism of P. mume under drought stress. As the drought stress aggravated, the levels of chlorophyll a (Chla), chlorophyll b (Chlb), chlorophyll (a+b)[Chl(a+b)], and soluble protein (SP) in P. mume first elevated and then declined. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), effective photochemical quantum yield [Y(Ⅱ)], photochemical quenching (qP), and relative electron transport rate (ETR) all kept decreasing, while the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and osmoregulatory substances rose. Transcriptome sequencing revealed a total of 24 853 high-quality genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were the most under severe drought. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs during the four drought periods were mainly involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Furthermore, we identified 16 key genes associated with the drought tolerance of P. mume 'Meiren'. This study discovered that P. mume might up-regulate or down-regulate the expression of drought tolerance-related genes such as SUS, P5CS, LEA, SOD, POD, SOD1, TPPD, and TPPA via transcription factors like MYB, ERF, bHLH, NAC, and WRKY to promote the accumulation of osmoregulatory substances like sucrose and enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and POD, thus reducing the harm of reactive oxygen species and protecting the structure and function of the membrane system under drought stress. The findings provide theoretical references for further exploration of candidate genes of P. mume in response to drought stress and breeding of drought-tolerant varieties.
Droughts
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Photosynthesis/physiology*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Stress, Physiological/genetics*
;
Prunus/genetics*
;
Chlorophyll/metabolism*
;
Plant Proteins/genetics*
9.High glucose induces pro-inflammatory polarization of macrophages by inhibiting immune-responsive gene 1 expression.
Wei LUO ; Yuhang WANG ; Yansong LIU ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Lei AI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):1-9
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of high glucose on macrophage polarization and the role of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) in mediating its effect.
METHODS:
RAW264.7 cells were transfected with IRG1-overexpressing plasmid or IRG1 siRNA via electroporation and cultured in either normal or high glucose for 72 h to observe the changes in cell viability and morphology using CCK-8 assay and phase contrast microscopy. The protein levels of IRG1, iNOS, Arg-1, IL-1β and IL-10 in the treated cells were detected with Western blotting, and the fluorescence intensities of iNOS and Arg-1 were detected using immunofluorescence assay. The protein levels of IL-1β and IL-10 in the culture medium were determined with ELISA.
RESULTS:
High glucose exposure significantly reduced IRG1 and Arg-1 expressions, increased iNOS and IL-1β expressions and IL-1β secretion, and decreased IL-10 level in RAW264.7 cells. Transfection with the IRG1-overexpressing plasmid provided the cells with obvious resistance to high glucose-induced changes in iNOS, Arg-1, IL-1β and IL-10, whereas IRG1 knockdown further enhanced the effects of high glucose exposure on Arg-1 expression and the expression and secretion of IL-10.
CONCLUSIONS
High glucose promotes M1 polarization of the macrophages possibly through a mechanism to inhibit the expression of IRG1 protein, thus leading to chronic inflammatory response.
Animals
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/drug effects*
;
Glucose/pharmacology*
;
Interleukin-10/metabolism*
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism*
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Arginase/metabolism*
;
RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*
;
Transfection
;
Inflammation
10.The Medial Prefrontal Cortex-Basolateral Amygdala Circuit Mediates Anxiety in Shank3 InsG3680 Knock-in Mice.
Jiabin FENG ; Xiaojun WANG ; Meidie PAN ; Chen-Xi LI ; Zhe ZHANG ; Meng SUN ; Tailin LIAO ; Ziyi WANG ; Jianhong LUO ; Lei SHI ; Yu-Jing CHEN ; Hai-Feng LI ; Junyu XU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):77-92
Anxiety disorder is a major symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a comorbidity rate of ~40%. However, the neural mechanisms of the emergence of anxiety in ASD remain unclear. In our study, we found that hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neurons (PNs) in Shank3 InsG3680 knock-in (InsG3680+/+) mice is involved in the development of anxiety. Electrophysiological results also showed increased excitatory input and decreased inhibitory input in BLA PNs. Chemogenetic inhibition of the excitability of PNs in the BLA rescued the anxiety phenotype of InsG3680+/+ mice. Further study found that the diminished control of the BLA by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and optogenetic activation of the mPFC-BLA pathway also had a rescue effect, which increased the feedforward inhibition of the BLA. Taken together, our results suggest that hyperactivity of the BLA and alteration of the mPFC-BLA circuitry are involved in anxiety in InsG3680+/+ mice.
Animals
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Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism*
;
Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism*
;
Mice
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Anxiety/metabolism*
;
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*
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Male
;
Gene Knock-In Techniques
;
Pyramidal Cells/physiology*
;
Mice, Transgenic
;
Neural Pathways/physiopathology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Microfilament Proteins


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