BACKGROUND: The primary limitation to kidney transplantation is organ shortage. Recent progress in gene editing and immunosuppressive regimens has made xenotransplantation with porcine organs a possibility. However, evidence in pig-to-human xenotransplantation remains scarce, and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major obstacle to clinical applications of xenotransplantation. METHODS: We conducted a kidney xenotransplantation in a brain-dead human recipient using a porcine kidney with five gene edits (5GE) on March 25, 2024 at Xijing Hospital, China. Clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were employed, and the observation period lasted 22 days. We collected and analyzed the xenograft function, ultrasound findings, sequential protocol biopsies, and immune surveillance of the recipient during the observation. RESULTS: The combination of 5GE in the porcine kidney and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens prevented hyperacute rejection. The xenograft kidney underwent delayed graft function in the first week, but urine output increased later and the single xenograft kidney maintained electrolyte and pH homeostasis from postoperative day (POD) 12 to 19. We observed AMR at 24 h post-transplantation, due to the presence of pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies and cytotoxicity before transplantation; this AMR persisted throughout the observation period. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment mitigated the AMR. We observed activation of latent porcine cytomegalovirus toward the end of the study, which might have contributed to coagulation disorder in the recipient. CONCLUSIONS 5GE and clinical-grade immunosuppressive regimens were sufficient to prevent hyperacute rejection during pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. Pre-existing anti-porcine antibodies predisposed the xenograft to AMR. Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin were safe and effective in the treatment of AMR after kidney xenotransplantation.
Transplantation, Heterologous/methods* ; Kidney Transplantation/methods* ; Heterografts/pathology* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/administration & dosage* ; Graft Survival/immunology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Sus scrofa ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Kidney/pathology* ; Gene Editing ; Species Specificity ; Immunosuppression Therapy/methods* ; Plasma Exchange ; Brain Death ; Biopsy ; Male ; Aged

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a complex etiology, characterized by intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharides (PGP), the primary component of Platycodon grandiflorus, and hesperidin (Hesp), a prominent active component in Citrus aurantium L. (CAL), have both demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the synergistic effect of PGP combined with Hesp on UC, focusing on the coordinated interaction between the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways. A mouse model of UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and a cell model using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7/IEC6 cells were employed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of PGP combined with Hesp on UC and its potential mechanism of action. The results indicated that compared to the effects of either drug alone, the combination of PGP and Hesp significantly modulated inflammatory factor levels, inhibited oxidative stress, regulated colonic mucosal immunity, suppressed apoptosis, and restored intestinal barrier function in vitro and in vivo. Further in vitro studies revealed that PGP significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, while Hesp significantly inhibited the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The use of inhibitors and activators targeting both pathways validated the synergistic effects of PGP combined with Hesp on the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. These findings suggest that PGP combined with Hesp exhibits a synergistic effect on DSS-induced colitis, potentially mediated through the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/PI3K/AKT and interleukin-6 (IL-6)/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways.
Animals ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Janus Kinase 2/genetics* ; Polysaccharides/administration & dosage* ; Colitis, Ulcerative/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Drug Synergism ; Male ; Hesperidin/administration & dosage* ; Platycodon/chemistry* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To discuss the perioperative care and wound protection of xenotransplantation from genetically edited pigs to monkeys, with the goal of improving the success rate of such experimental procedures. Methods From October 2022 to October 2023, perioperative care and wound protection were performed on 7 recipient rhesus monkeys undergoing xenotransplantation of genetically edited pig tissues and organs. Customized wound protective garments were designed based on monkeys' size and surgical area to protect the wounds, alongside meticulous perioperative care. This included preoperative preparation and medication, intraoperative monitoring of physiological indicators and anesthesia management, and postoperative care comprising wound protection, observation and monitoring, and nutritional support. Results All seven monkeys successfully underwent xenotransplantation. With the aid of protective garments and detailed care, all surgical wounds healed by first intention, and postoperative recovery was satisfactory. Conclusion Proper care and wound protection during xenotransplantation from genetically edited pigs to monkeys not only promote wound healing, but also alleviate pain and harm to animals. This has significant implications for advancing experimental research in pig-monkey xenotransplantation and enhancing animal welfare.

Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injury is caused by strong violence,which can destabilize the knee joint,cause joint cartilage degeneration,meniscus injury,and in severe cases,develop osteoarthropathy.The gold standard for the treatment of ACLR injuries at this stage is arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament recon-struction(ACLR).In clinical practice,the LARS(Ligament advanced reinforcement system)artificial ligament made of polyethylene terephthalate(PET)as the material has a good effect in the short and medium term,but the long-term biological healing between the graft and the host bone is poor,and the real"ligamentization"requirement of the postoperative graft cannot be met.Coating-modified modification of artificial ligaments can improve their hydrophilicity and biocompatibility,which in turn can promote the healing of graft-bone tunnels.Tendon bone healing is a bone-derived progressive process from indirect insertion to direct insertion,which takes a relatively long time and is closely related to the prognosis and early rehabilitation effect of patients.This article reviews the progress of superficial modification of artificial ligaments to promote ACLR tendon bone healing.

L-homophenylalanine (L-HPA) is an important non-natural amino acid that has been used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of Puli drugs for the treatment of hypertension. At present, L-HPA is synthesized using chemical methods, which has the disadvantages of expensive raw materials, tedious steps and serious pollution. Therefore, researchers have conducted in-depth research on the enzymatic production of L-HPA. This review summarizes the research progress on the enzymatic synthesis of L-HPA, including the dehydrogenase process, the transaminase process, the hydantoinase process, and the decarboxylase process, with the hope to facilitate the industrial production of L-HPA.
Amino Acids ; Environmental Pollution ; Industry ; Protein Biosynthesis

Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharide (PGP) is one of the main components of P. grandiflorus, but the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of PGP on mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) and explore the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that PGP treatment inhibited the weight loss of DSS-induced UC mice, increased colon length, and reduced DAI, spleen index, and pathological damage within the colon. PGP also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the enhancement of oxidative stress and MPO activity. Meanwhile, PGP restored the levels of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cell-related cytokines and transcription factors in the colon to regulate colonic immunity. Further studies revealed that PGP regulated the balance of colonic immune cells through mesenteric lymphatic circulation. Taken together, PGP exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect and regulates colonic immunity to attenuate DSS-induced UC through mesenteric lymphatic circulation.
Animals ; Mice ; Colitis, Ulcerative/drug therapy* ; Platycodon ; Colon/pathology* ; Cytokines ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Dextran Sulfate ; Disease Models, Animal ; Colitis/chemically induced* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Insulin Resistance ; Metformin/therapeutic use* ; Phosphatidate Phosphatase ; Pioglitazone/therapeutic use* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/genetics*

Objective: To explore and clarify the correlation between short-term aggressive intrasegmental recurrence (AIR) and functional magnetic resonance imaging after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1 262 patients with HCC who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in our hospital from January 2012 to June 2018, all patients were confirmed by pathology as HCC, of which 30 patients were found to have AIR during radiographic follow-up within 3 months after surgery, another 35 patients with disease progression who were controlled in a short period of time were randomly selected as the control group. All the enrolled patients underwent dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) scanning before surgery, and the differences in clinical data, lesion location, and functional magnetic resonance parameters between the two groups were compared, and their correlation with AIR after RFA was analyzed. Chi-square test, t test and Pearson test were used. Results: The lesions in the AIR group were significantly more in the Ⅰand Ⅳsegments than that in the control group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in other liver segments (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the lesion morphology between the two groups (P>0.05), and there was a significant difference in the early enhancement pattern of the lesions (P<0.05), and the early arterial enhancement rate and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the AIR group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Further correlation analysis found that early enhancement of the arterial artery, early arterial enhancement rate, ADC value and lesion location were associated with AIR and were positively correlated, r values were 0.455, 0.633, 0.518, 0.375 and 0.287 (P<0.05). Conclusion The short-term AIR and functional imaging parameters (arterial early enhancement, early arterial enhancement rate, ADC value) and the liver segment (Ⅰ and Ⅳ) were highly correlated with radiofrequency ablation.

Objective To explore the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phenotypes of photo-aging fibroblasts.Methods A photoaging cell model by repeating UVB irradiation was treated using appropriate concentration of PRP;Cell morphology and the rate of aging dying were observed under inverted microscope 24 hours later after establishment of the cell model;The expression of ROS between experimental and control group was detected using fluorescence microscope after single UVB irradiation.The relative intensity of fluorescence was analyzed using flow cytometry.Results PRP could ameliorate the large and sprawl appearance of photoaging fibroblasts obviously,reduce the generation of ROS as well as decrease the relative intensity of ROS.Conclusions PRP can decrease the level of intracellular oxidative stress caused by UVB irradiation,reduce the generation of ROS and ameliorate the senescence-like phenotypes of pho toaging fibroblasts.