1.Establishment of Cultural Method of Primary Rabbit Spinal Cord Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Hua-Gen MA ; Ming CHI ; Zhi-Yi LIN ; Yuan-Yu TANG ; Wei-Hong CONG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(7):1062-1067
This study aims to isolate and culture primary rabbit spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells in vitro,providing a practical source of test cells for spinal cord injury research.Spinal cord tissue was aseptically extracted from one-month-old rabbits and processed sequentially through mincing,bovine serum albumin density gradient centrifugation,mesh filtration,and type Ⅱ collagenase digestion to ob-tain purified spinal cord microvascular segments.The microvascular segments were homogeneously mixed with an apprapriate volume of M199 complete culture medium and seeded into a culture dish for primary culture.Throughout the culture period,cell growth performance were continuously observed and recor-ded.Additionally,immunocytochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expression of factor Ⅷ-re-lated antigen.The results showed that after 24 hours of inoculation,a small amount of endothelial-like cells were observed to emerge from the spinal cord microvascular segments.Within 36~60 hours,the cell colonies gradually expanded and fused.After 72 hours,the cells spread across the base of the dish,forming a"cobblestone-like"monolayer.Immunocytochemical staining showed that more than 99%of the cells showed brown-red cytoplasm and were positive for factor Ⅷ-related antigen.It is these results that suggest this study has successfully established a convenient and stable primary rabbit spinal cord micro-vascular endothelial cells culture method.
2.Survival characteristics of myelodysplastic syndrome with U2AF1-mutation and the clinical efficacy of arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription
Chaochang ZHANG ; Chi LIU ; Dexiu WANG ; Zhuo CHEN ; Yan LYU ; Haiyan XIAO ; Weiyi LIU ; Yonggang XU ; Xiupeng YANG ; Rou MA ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(9):1211-1221
Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)with U2 small nuclear RNA cofactor 1(U2AF1)mutation in different age groups,as well as the efficacy and prognosis of an arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compound prescription(Qinghuang Capsules combined with Bushen Yijing Formula).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with MDS who were hospitalized in the Hematology Department Ward of Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,and received arsenic-containing TCM compound treatment from November 30,2020,to September 30,2023.Stratified by age,the U2AF1 mutation and wild-type groups aged<65 years and≥65 years were compared in terms of sex,TCM syndrome,World Health Organization classification,MDS Revised International Prognostic Score System(IPSS-R)score,blood routine indicators,serum lactate dehydrogenase content,nephroblastoma 1(WT1)expression level,bone marrow puncture and biopsy indicators,and chromosomal prognostic grades,et al.Furthermore,the efficacy of arsenic-containing TCM compound were compared in the U2AF1 mutation and wild-type groups among different age groups,as well as the influence of age on the survival prognosis of MDS patients with U2AF1 mutation.Results A total of 201 patients with MDS were included.104 patients were under 65 years old,among whom 20 had U2AF1 mutation,and 84 had wild-type.Ninety-seven patients were aged 65 years or older,among whom 19 patients had the U2AF1 mutation and 78 had the wild-type.Among patients aged<65 years,the U2AF1 mutation group had a higher proportion of male patients and very low-risk/low-risk patients with an IPSS-R score≤3(P<0.05),a lower mean corpuscular volume(MCV)(P<0.05),and a relatively higher proportion of peripheral blood cell line 1 reduction than the wild-type group(P<0.05).Among patients aged≥65 years,the MCV in the U2AF1 mutation group was lower(P<0.05),and the expression level of the bone marrow WT1 gene and the proportion of patients with reticular fiber grade 4 were relatively higher than in the wild-type group(P<0.05).The total effective rate of the arsenic-containing TCM compound for patients with U2AF1 mutation was 61.5%(24/39),and the total response rate was 30.8%(12/39).The total effective rate for the wild-type patients was 67.9%(110/162),and the total response rate was 29.6%(48/162).No significant difference was observed in the total effective and response rates.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of 39 patients with U2AF1 mutation revealed that the median overall survival(mOS)of patients older than 65 years had not been reached.The 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates were 93.8%,84.4%,and 84.4%,respectively.The mOS of the patients aged≥65 years was 35 months(95%confidence interval[CI]:7.559-62.441),and the 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates were 66.2%,58.9%,and 29.4%,respectively.The mOS of patients in the aged≥65 years group was significantly lower than that in the aged<65 years group(P<0.05),and no significant difference was observed in median progression-free survival between the two groups.Conclusion The U2AF1 mutation is closely associated with the clinical characteristics of MDS.However,age and the presence of U2AF1 mutation have no significant effect on the total effective and response rates of arsenic-containing TCM compound.Age is a significant factor influencing the prognosis of patients with MDS with U2AF1 mutation.Patients aged 65 years or older have a shorter survival time than those younger than 65 years.
3.A multicenter clinical study on intramedullary vancomycin injection for preventing periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty
Te LIU ; Jun FU ; Shiguang LAI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Chi XU ; Lei GENG ; Yang LUO ; Peng REN ; Xin ZHI ; Quanbo JI ; Heng ZHANG ; Runkai ZHAO ; Haichao REN ; Ye TAO ; Qingyuan ZHENG ; Zeyu FENG ; Jianfeng YANG ; Yiming WANG ; Pengcheng LI ; Shuai LIU ; Wei CHAI ; Xiang LI ; Huiwu LI ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Baochao JI ; Xianzhe LIU ; Xinzhan MAO ; Jianbing MA ; Xiangxiang SUN ; Jiying CHEN ; Yonggang ZHOU ; Jinliang WANG ; Weijun WANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Ming NI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(12):803-811
Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.
4.Correlation between cerebral perfusion and cognitive function in patients with minor stroke or transient ischemic attack caused by severe intracranial arterial stenosis or occlusion
Meiling SHANG ; Yanran CHEN ; Bingbing GUO ; Xiaotong CHI ; Lu QUAN ; Gezhi YAN ; Hui WANG ; Ling MA ; Fude LIU ; Jia YU ; Jianfeng HAN ; Ming ZHANG ; Wanghuan DUN ; Yujing WANG
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(10):701-711
Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation of cerebral perfusion and cognitive function status in patients with minor stroke(MS)or transient ischemic attack(TIA)complicated by severe intracranial arterial stenosis or occlusion(hereafter referred to as ICAS-MSTIA).Methods Retrospectively enrol consecutive ICAS-MSTIA patients admitted to the Department of Neurology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from June 2023 to May 2024.In the meantime,healthy controls were openly recruited.The ICAS-MSTIA patients were divided into two groups based on the side of intracranial large artery stenosis or occlusion:the left intracranial large artery involvement group and the right intracranial large artery involvement group.All patients with intracranial large artery stenosis or occlusion underwent MR scanning within 2 weeks after the first episode of TIA or MS,while there was no specific time requirement for MR examination in the healthy control group.On the day of MR scanning,the Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)scale was used to evaluate the participants'global cognitive function and performance in various cognitive domains,including visuospatial/executive function,naming,attention,language,abstraction,delayed recall,and orientation.General information of all participants was collected,including age,sex,educational level,body mass index,and history of smoking and alcohol consumption.Clinical data were collected from both left and right intracranial large artery involvement groups,including cerebrovascular risk factors(such as,diabetes mellitus,hypertension,and hyperlipidemia),National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at admission,responsible stenotic or occluded arteries(internal carotid artery,middle cerebral artery),degree of stenosis in the responsible vessel(severe stenosis[stenosis rate 70%-99%],occlusion[stenosis rate100%])and non-responsible vessel(no stenosis[0],mild stenosis[stenosis rate>0-49%]),collateral circulation compensation(American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology[ASTIN/SIR]collateral circulation classification),and responsible events(TIA,MS).General data and MoCA scale scores were compared across the three groups,while clinical data were compared between the left and right intracranial large artery involvement groups.Statistical parametric mapping 12(SPM 12)was used to perform voxel-wise independent samples t-tests on cerebral blood flow(CBF)differences among the left ICAS-MSTIA group,right ICAS-MSTIA group,and healthy control group,with cluster-level family-wise error(FWE)correction applied for adjustment.Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between global CBF values and total MoCA scores in ICAS-MSTIA patients with left or right intracranial large artery involvement.Results A total of 33 ICAS-MSTIA patients and 33 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Among the ICAS-MSTIA patients,21 had left intracranial large artery involvement and 12 had right involvement.(1)Among the three groups,statistically significant differences were observed in the proportions of individuals with reported smoking history(P=0.024)and alcohol consumption history(P=0.011).The left intracranial large artery involvement group had a higher NIHSS score(0[0,2]vs.0[0,0],P=0.044)and a higher proportion of patients with internal carotid artery involvement(13/21 cases vs.2/12 cases,P=0.027)compared with the right side group.No statistically significant differences were observed in other general or clinical data across the three groups or between the two non-control groups(all P>0.05).(2)Statistically significant differences were found across the three groups in the MoCA scale total score and scores of visuospatial/executive function,attention,language,abstraction,delayed recall,and orientation cognitive domains(all P<0.05),while no significant difference was noted in the naming score(P=0.063).The left intracranial large artery involvement group had lower total MoCA score and lower scores in visuospatial/executive function,attention,language,abstraction,delayed recall,and orientation in comparison to the healthy control group(all P<0.016 7).The right intracranial large artery involvement group had significantly lower scores in language,abstraction,and orientation domains than the healthy control group(all P<0.016 7).Additionally,the left side group had a lower attention domain score than the right side group(P<0.016 7).No other statistically significant differences were found in pairwise comparisons(all P>0.016 7).(3)Patients in both the left and right intracranial large artery involvement groups exhibited a significant decrease in CBF in extensive regions on the affected side,including the temporal lobe,dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,and occipital lobe.Furthermore,after correction,in the left involvement group CBF was higher in the contralateral lingual gyrus,cuneus,and calcarine sulcus compared with the healthy control group(P<0.05).While in the right involvement group,no regions had increased CBF compared to the healthy control group.(4)Multiple linear regression showed positive correlation between CBF in ipsilateral precentral gyrus and superior temporal gyrus,and the total MoCA score in patients with left intracranial large artery involvement(FWE-corrected,P<0.05).In contrast,there was no correlation between CBF and total MoCA score in patients with right intracranial large artery involvement.Conclusions ICAS-MSTIA patients exhibited various degrees of impairment in cerebral perfusion and cognitive function.A significant positive correlation is observed between these two impairments in patients with left intracranial large artery involvement.
5.Characteristics of Intestinal Flora in Patients with Large Intestine Polyps were Analyzed by 16SrDNA Sequencing
Xinnian FU ; Chi MA ; Xinxin WANG
Journal of Medical Research 2025;54(5):93-98,165
Objective The changes and differences of intestinal flora in patients with non-adenomatous polyps,common adenoma-tous polyps and advanced adenomatous polyps were analyzed.Methods Stool samples of patients with large intestine polyps meeting the ataxic standard and healthy physical examination subjects were collected from September 2022 to December 2023 in the Department of Gastroenterology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dali University,and the intestinal flora sequencing data were analyzed by 16SrDNA gene sequencing method.Results The results of Alpha diversity index showed that the diversity and abundance of bacteria in non-ade-noma group,common adenoma group and advanced adenoma group were decreased compared with healthy control group(P<0.05).At the phylum level,compared with the healthy group,the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased in the non-adenoma group,the com-mon adenoma group and the advanced adenoma group,while the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased.The relative abundance of campylobacter in advanced adenoma group was significantly lower than that in non-adenoma group and common adenoma group(P=0.005).At the genus level,the relative abundances of Escherichia coli Shigella and Streptococcus in the non-adenoma group,common adenoma group and advanced adenoma group were higher than those in the healthy control group,while the relative abundances of Fecalis praecalis and Agathobacter were lower than those in the healthy group(P<0.05).The relative abundance of UBA1819 bacteria in the ad-vanced adenoma group was higher than that in the non-adenoma group and the common adenoma group(P=0.038).Conclusion In-testinal flora diversity and abundance decreased in patients with non-adenomatous polyps,common adenomatous polyps and advanced ad-enomatous polyps,while UBA1819 bacteria level increased in patients with advanced adenomatous polyps.
6.Acute phase neurovascular coupling function in patients with minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion and its correlation with quality of life
Gezhi YAN ; Meiling SHANG ; Lu QUAN ; Ling MA ; Xiaotong CHI ; Bingbing GUO ; Zepeng TIAN ; Shiliang JIANG ; Fude LIU ; Jianfeng HAN ; Wanghuan DUN ; Jia YU
Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;22(11):744-754,776
Objective To investigate the neurovascular coupling(NVC)status in the acute phase of patients with minor ischemic stroke(MIS)or transient ischemic attack(TIA)due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion using multimodal MRI techniques and to explore its correlation with quality of life(QoL).Methods This prospective,consecutive study enrolled patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion form the Department of Neurology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,between June 2022 and October 2023.Recruit healthy subjects with matched age,sex,and handedness form the community during the same period.Patients were divided into left-sided involvement and right-sided involvement groups based on the affected side of the responsible vessel,while the healthy subjects were set as the healthy control group.Post-hoc power analysis was performed using G*Power 3.1 software.General characteristics(age,gender,body mass index,education level)were collected and compared across all three groups.Clinical data and QoL assessment were collected and compared between the two patient groups.Collected clinical data including type of cerebrovascular events(TIA,MIS),the National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score at admission,the responsible vessel(internal carotid artery,middle cerebral artery)and its side location,the degree of responsibility artery stenosis(moderate-severe stenosis[50%-99%stenosis rate],occlusion[100%stenosis rate]),the intracranial collateral circulation status(American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology[ASITN/SIR]collateral circulation grading),cerebrovascular risk factors(hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,smoking history),and the laboratory test indicators at admission(glycated hemoglobin,triglycerides,total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,blood uric acid,blood homocysteine).QoL was assessed using the stroke impact scale(SIS),covering eight functional domains and a patient-reported overall recovery item.Multimodal MR data were acquired for all subjects.Whole-brain cerebral blood flow(CBF)images were generated using statistics parameter mapping 12(SPM 12)software,while regional homogeneity(ReHo)images were generated using DPABI software.The voxel-wise ratio of CBF to ReHo(CBF/ReHo)was calculated as the regional NVC parameter.Differences in regional NVC characteristics were compared between patient groups and the healthy control group.Correlations between NVC parameters and SIS scores within patient groups were explored.Results(1)A total of 38 patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion were included(26 males,12 females,aged 36-69 years,with mean age of[52±11]years),with 23 in the left-sided involvement group and 15 in the right-sided involvement group.Nineteen healthy subjects were included(10 males,9 females,aged 37-67 years,with mean age of[53±10]years).Post-hoc power analysis showed statistical power of 0.808 for comparing the left-sided involvement group with the healthy control group and 0.762 for comparing the right-sided involvement group with control group.(2)No statistically significant differences were found on gender,age,education level,or body mass index across the three groups(all P>0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed on the type of cerebrovascular event,cerebrovascular risk factors,distribution of the responsible vessel,degree of stenosis in the responsible vessel,admission NIHSS score,or laboratory test results between the two patient groups(all P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the total SIS score and the scores of subscales between the two patient groups(all P>0.05).(3)Compared with the healthy control group,the left-sided involvement group exhibited reduced CBF/ReHo values in the left superior and middle temporal gyri,supramarginal gyrus,middle and inferior frontal gyri,precentral gyrus,angular gyrus,postcentral gyrus,insula,and posterior cerebellar lobe(FDR-corrected,all P<0.05).In the right-sided involvement group,reduced CBF/ReHo values were observed in the right supramarginal gyrus,right postcentral gyrus,inferior temporal gyrus,and insula(FDR-corrected,all P<0.05).(4)Correlation analysis revealed that the SIS total score in the left-sided involvement group negatively correlated with CBF/ReHo values in the right inferior frontal gyrus(T=-5.91)and the right middle temporal gyrus(T=-6.65,FDR-corrected,both P<0.05).The SIS subscale score for activities of daily living in the left-sided involvement group showed negative correlations with CBF/ReHo values in the right angular gyrus(T=-7.36),right medial superior frontal gyrus(T=-6.97),right orbitofrontal cortex(T=-8.99),and left thalamus(T=-7.51,FDR-corrected,all P<0.05).No significant correlation was observed between the SIS total score and CBF/ReHo values in patients with right-sided involvement group.The SIS subscale for communication score in the right-sided involvement group correlated with CBF/ReHo in the left lingual gyrus(T=-12.15),left olfactory cortex(T=-7.68),and right anterior cingulate and paracingulate cortex(T=-9.46,FDR-corrected,all P<0.05).Conclusions Patients with MIS or TIA due to intracranial large artery moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion show abnormal NVC in the acute phase,especially those with left hemisphere involvement,who exhibit more extensive impairments.QoL in left-sided involvement patients is strongly linked to NVC in the right orbitofrontal cortex and right middle temporal gyrus.These findings require further validation in larger-scale studies.
7.Establishment of Cultural Method of Primary Rabbit Spinal Cord Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Hua-Gen MA ; Ming CHI ; Zhi-Yi LIN ; Yuan-Yu TANG ; Wei-Hong CONG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(7):1062-1067
This study aims to isolate and culture primary rabbit spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells in vitro,providing a practical source of test cells for spinal cord injury research.Spinal cord tissue was aseptically extracted from one-month-old rabbits and processed sequentially through mincing,bovine serum albumin density gradient centrifugation,mesh filtration,and type Ⅱ collagenase digestion to ob-tain purified spinal cord microvascular segments.The microvascular segments were homogeneously mixed with an apprapriate volume of M199 complete culture medium and seeded into a culture dish for primary culture.Throughout the culture period,cell growth performance were continuously observed and recor-ded.Additionally,immunocytochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expression of factor Ⅷ-re-lated antigen.The results showed that after 24 hours of inoculation,a small amount of endothelial-like cells were observed to emerge from the spinal cord microvascular segments.Within 36~60 hours,the cell colonies gradually expanded and fused.After 72 hours,the cells spread across the base of the dish,forming a"cobblestone-like"monolayer.Immunocytochemical staining showed that more than 99%of the cells showed brown-red cytoplasm and were positive for factor Ⅷ-related antigen.It is these results that suggest this study has successfully established a convenient and stable primary rabbit spinal cord micro-vascular endothelial cells culture method.
8.Neural interaction mechanisms between psychological and physical pain in non-suicidal self-injury and advances in clinical practice
Hong MA ; Xiangju DU ; Danni CHI ; Yubo WANG ; Xuejie YE ; Yuanyuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(8):646-651
The interplay between psychological pain and physical pain is one of the key issues in the research of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Psychological pain, driven by negative self-perception and difficulties in emotional regulation, activates specific brain regions, such as the anterior cingulate gyrus and insula, areas that overlap with neural networks involved in physical pain. Physical pain can, in turn, activate distinct neural pathways that temporarily alleviate psychological pain. However, repeated self-injury may lead to increased pain tolerance over time, contributing to a vicious cycle. This paper reviews the potential neural network connections and interactions between psychological and physical pain in the context of NSSI behavior. It also summarizes current clinical interventions and their effectiveness in treating NSSI, aiming to offer new insights for future research and clinical practice in preventing and treating NSSI.
9.Paclitaxel induces immunogenic cell death in vascular smooth muscle cells
Chenming SI ; Yanyan HE ; Tianxiao LI ; Jia LIANG ; Yao LIU ; Yang LIU ; Chenqing LI ; Chi MA ; Hui Ferdinand K ; Yingkun HE
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(2):119-130
Objective:To investigate whether paclitaxel (PTX) can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and explore the new molecular mechanism of PTX-coated balloon angioplasty in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.Methods:(1) Cell culture and identification: VSMCs were induced into synthetic vascular smooth muscle cells (sVSMCs); the mRNA and protein expressions of smooth muscle protein 22-α (SM22-α) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in VSMCsS and sVSMCs were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 was induced into dendritic cells (DCs); the CD86 and CD83 expressions in THP-1 and DCs were detected by flow cytometry. (2) Cell viability detection: cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the cell viability of sVSMCs after 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L PTX or under 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) pressures. (3) ICD marker detection: sVSMCs were collected and divided into blank-control group, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group and PTX group (cultured with 3.2 μmol/L PTX) at normal state and pressure procedure (188 mmHg), respectively; calreticulin (CRT) expression was detected by immunofluorescent staining; adenosine triphosphate (ATP) expression was detected by luciferase assay, and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) expression was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (4) ICD-related immune activation assay detection: sVSMCs and DCs were collected and divided into DCs group, PTX+DCs group (cultured with 3.2 μmol/L PTX), DCs+sVSMCs group, and PTX+DCs+sVSMCs group (cultured with 3.2 μmol/L PTX); CD86 and CD83 expressions were detected by flow cytometry; interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels were detected by ELISA. The sVSMCs, DCs and CD8 +T cells were collected and divided into sVSMCs group, sVSMCs+DCs group, sVSMCs+CD8 +T cell group, sVSMCs+DCs+CD8 +T cell group, PTX+sVSMCs group (cultured with 3.2 μmol/L PTX), and PTX+sVSMCs+DCs+CD8 +T cell group (cultured with 3.2 μmol/L PTX); proliferation of these cells was detected by cell clone formation assay. Results:(1) The SM22-α and α-SMA mRNA and protein expressions in the sVSMCs group were significantly lower than those in the VSMCs group ( P<0.05); rate of double-positive CD83 and CD86 in the DCs group was significantly higher than that in the THP-1 group ( P<0.05). (2) The sVSMCs viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner after PTX treatment at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 10, 50, and 100 μmol/L, respectively, with significant differences ( P<0.05); half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of PTX on sVSMCs was 3.2 μmol/L; no significant difference in sVSMCs viability after 3.2 μmol/L PTX treatment was noted under 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mmHg pressures ( P>0.05). (3) Under normal state and pressure procedure, CRT fluorescent intensity of sVSMCs in the PTX group (42.00±3.50, 24.19±2.41) was significantly higher than that in the blank-control group (8.60±1.8, 8.42±1.7) and DMSO group (10.23±1.47, 9.71±1.01), ATP luminescence intensity (17 399.33±2 035.58, 17 445.67±2 449.34) was significantly higher than that in the blank-control group (9 021.33±726.84, 10 271.33±2 194.22) and DMSO group (11 977.33±960.91, 11 683.33±419.50), and HMGB1 concentration ([3 258.31±502.08] pg/mL, [3 265.27±246.06] pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in the blank-control group ([1 156.48±184.96] pg/mL, [1 205.20±196.36] pg/mL) and DMSO group ([1 309.59±75.03] pg/mL, [1 265.51±14.52] pg/mL, P<0.05). (4) The PTX+DCs+sVSMCs group had significantly higher CD83, CD86, IFN-γ and IL-2 expressions and lower IL-10 expression than the DCs group, PTX+DCs group, and DCs+sVSMCs group ( P<0.05); the PTX+sVSMCs group and PTX+sVSMCs+DCs+CD8 +T cell group had significantly lower clone formation rate compared with the sVSMCs group, sVSMCs+DCs group, sVSMCs+CD8 +T cell group, and sVSMCs+DCs+CD8 +T cell group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:PTX can promote ICD in VSMCs by promoting DCs activation and enhancing CD8 +T cell toxicity.
10.Mechanism of mitochondrial DNA-ROS-Drp1 axis in regulating phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells
Chenqing LI ; Yanyan HE ; Yingkun HE ; Bing ZHANG ; Jia LIANG ; Yao LIU ; Chenming SI ; Yang LIU ; Yu WANG ; Chi MA ; Tianxiao LI
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2025;24(10):997-1012
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) axis in regulating phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods:(1) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group were transfected with 50 nmol/L Drp1 siRNA for 48 h; cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After another 24 h of culture, Drp1 expression in VSMCs, and mitochondrial Drp1 and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) expressions were detected by Western blotting, and changes in mitochondrial morphology were detected by mitochondrial fluorescent staining. (2) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a mitochondrial fission inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1)+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the Mdivi-1+synthetic VSMCs group were pretreated with 50 μmol/L Mdivi-1 for 2 h; and cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL PDGF-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After 24 hours of continued culture, expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle protein 22-α (SM22-α), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting; invasion and migration abilities of VSMCs were detected by Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. (3) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a N-acetylcysteine (NAC)+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group were pretreated with 5 mmol/L NAC for 1 h; cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL PDGF-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After 24 h of continued culture, expressions of Drp1, phosphorylated (p)-Drp1, α-SMA, SM22-α, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting; changes in mitochondrial morphology were detected by mitochondrial fluorescent staining; intracellular ROS level was detected by 2', 7' -dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe; cell invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. (4) VSMCs were divided into a control group, a synthetic VSMCs group, and a 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC)+synthetic VSMCs group; cells in the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group were pretreated with 2 μmol/L 5-Aza-dC for 1 h; and then, cells in the latter two groups were treated with 20 ng/mL PDGF-BB, while cells in the control group were treated with an equal volume of solvent. After 24 h of continued culture, agarose gel electrophoresis was used to analyze the methylation degree in the mitochondrial D-loop region; intracellular ROS level was detected using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe; expressions of mitochondrial DNMT1, α-SMA, SM22-α, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting; invasion and migration abilities were detected by Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively.Results:(1) Compared with the control group and synthetic VSMCs group, the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly decreased Drp1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased Drp1 protein expression and decreased Mfn2 protein expression in the mitochondria ( P<0.05); compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group had statistically decreased Drp1 protein expression and increased Mfn2 protein expression in the mitochondria ( P<0.05). Results of mitochondrial fluorescent staining showed that mitochondria in the control group were with filamentous structure, while mitochondrial fission in the synthetic VSMCs group was enhanced, and morphology of mitochondria in the Drp1 siRNA+synthetic VSMCs group tended to be continuous and complete. (2) Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had statistically decreased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and increased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the Mdivi-1+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Results of Transwell and scratch wound healing assays showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had larger number of migrating cells and faster cell scratch healing; compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the Mdivi-1+synthetic VSMCs group had smaller number of migrating cells and slower cell scratch healing. (3) Compared with the control group (1.10±0.02), the synthetic VSMCs group (1.53±0.02) had significantly increased p-Drp1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group (0.90±0.02) had statistically decreased p-Drp1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Results of mitochondrial fluorescent staining showed that mitochondria in cells of the control group were in a filamentous structure, while mitochondrial fission in cells of the synthetic VSMCs group was enhanced, and morphology of mitochondria in the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group tended to be continuous and complete. Results of DCFH-DA fluorescent probe showed that ROS level in the synthetic VSMCs group was higher than that in the control group, and ROS level in the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group was lower than that in the synthetic VSMCs group. Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly decreased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and increased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Results of Transwell and scratch wound healing assays showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had larger number of migrating cells and faster cell scratch healing; compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the NAC+synthetic VSMCs group had smaller number of migrating cells and slower cell scratch healing. (4) Results of agarose gel electrophoresis showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased methylation rate in the mitochondrial D-loop region ( P<0.05); compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group had statistically decreased methylation rate in the mitochondrial D-loop region ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had statistically increased mitochondrial DNMT1 protein expression (1.03±0.03 vs. 0.55±0.03, P<0.05); and compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group (0.62±0.03) had significantly decreased mitochondrial DNMT1 protein expression ( P<0.05). Results of DCFH-DA fluorescent probe showed that ROS level in the synthetic VSMCs group was higher than that in the control group; ROS level in the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group was lower than that in the synthetic VSMCs group. Compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had significantly decreased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and increased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group had significantly increased α-SMA and SM22-α protein expressions and decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 protein expressions ( P<0.05). Results of Transwell and scratch wound healing assays showed that compared with the control group, the synthetic VSMCs group had larger number of migrating cells and faster scratch healing. Compared with the synthetic VSMCs group, the 5-Aza-dC+synthetic VSMCs group had smaller number of migrating cells and slower scratch healing. Conclusion:The mtDNA-ROS-Drp1 axis may regulate the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs by modulating mitochondrial epigenetic modifications.

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