1.Effects and neural mechanisms of light-at-night exposure on anxiety and depression behaviors in mice
Ke BAO ; Hongxiang KANG ; Shaojun HOU ; Yuyuan HU ; Chen XING ; Lun SONG ; Xin HUANG
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(6):450-457
Objective To investigate the effects of light-at-night exposure on anxiety and depression behaviors in mice and to explore the underlying neural mechanisms.Methods Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control(Ctrl)group and a light-at-night exposure(LAN)group.Mice in the LAN group were exposed to 460 nm blue light for 1 h daily during the zeitgeber time(ZT)13-14 while the Ctrl group mice were maintained under a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle.Behavioral tests were conducted at different time points following LAN exposure to evaluate anxiety and depression behaviors in the mice.Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the effect of LAN on c-fos expressions in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),basal ateral amygdala(BLA),paraventricular nucleus(PVN)and paraventricular thalamus(PVT).ELISA was performed to measure changes in serum corticosterone,adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)and corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH)levels.Golgi staining was applied to measurethe dendritic spine density and morphology from mPFC and CA1.Western blotting analysis was conducted to detect expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factors(BDNFs),phosphorylated tropomyosin receptor kinase B(p-TrkB)/TrkB,postsynaptic density protein 95(PSD95)and synaptophysin(SYP)in the mPFC.Results Mice exhibited anxiety-like behaviors after 14 days of LAN exposure,with depression-like behaviors emerging after 28 days.LAN exposure of 28 days led to a significant increase in the number of c-fos-positive neurons in the mPFC,BLA,PVN and PVT(P<0.05),resulted in elevated serum corticosterone levels(P<0.01)and reduced protein expression levels of BDNF and SYP(P<0.05).Furthermore,there was a marked decrease in synapse numbers and synaptic density in the mPFC(P<0.01).Conclusion Prolonged exposure to blue light at night enhances neuronal activity in the mPFC and BLA and suppresses the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA),thus leading to synaptic structural and functional damage and inducing anxiety and depression behaviors in mice.
2.ALKBH5 exacerbates psoriatic dermatitis in mice by promoting angiogenesis.
Chengfang ZHANG ; Fei LI ; Bao CHAI ; Jian JIANG ; Yinlian ZHANG ; Xuemei LI ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Yuqiong HUANG ; Zilin JIN ; Yixuan Wang WAN ; Suwen LIU ; Nan YU ; Hongxiang CHEN
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(4):653-664
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and its pathogenesis is largely modulated by abnormal angiogenesis. Previous research has indicated that AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), an important demethylase affecting N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, plays a role in regulating angiogenesis in cardiovascular and eye diseases. Our present study found that ALKBH5 was upregulated and co-localized with cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) in the skin of IMQ group compared with control group. ALKBH5-deficient mice decreased IMQ-induced psoriatic dermatitis and exhibited histological improvements, including decreased epidermal thickness, hyperkeratosis, numbers of dermal capillary vessels and inflammatory cell infiltration. ALKBH5-KO mice alleviated angiogenesis in psoriatic lesions by downregulating the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Additionally, the expression of ALKBH5 was significantly upregulated in IL-17A-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which further promoted the expression of angiogenesis-related cytokines and endothelial cell proliferation. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were suppressed in ALKBH5 knockdown group, whereas ALKBH5 overexpression promoted these processes. The regulation of angiogenesis in HUVECs by ALKBH5 was facilitated through the AKT-mTOR pathway. Collectively, ALKBH5 plays a pivotal role in psoriatic dermatitis and angiogenesis, which may offer a new potential targets for treating psoriasis.
Animals
;
Psoriasis/chemically induced*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics*
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
;
AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Signal Transduction
;
Male
;
Skin/blood supply*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Angiogenesis
3.Biological mechanism of WD repeat domain 1 gene in cancer progression
Hucheng WANG ; Rong LI ; Bo JIA ; Jingjing HUANG ; Hongxiang WANG ; Juxiang CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(16):106-111
WD repeat domain 1(WDR1)is a highly conserved cytoskeleton-associated protein that plays a crucial role in physiological processes such as actin cytoskeleton remodeling,dynamic regulation of intercellular junctions,cell division,and migration.WDR1 exhibits abnormal high ex-pression in various malignant tumors,including breast cancer,ovarian cancer,and thyroid cancer,and has been demonstrated to significantly promote the invasive and migratory capabilities of tumor cells,suggesting its important role in the malignant progression of tumors.Moreover,the expression level of WDR1 is closely related to the clinical prognosis of patients with multiple malignant tumors.Especially in patients with esophageal cancer and osteosarcoma,its high expression often indicates a poor overall survival rate.WDR1 can promote tumor initiation and progression by regulating the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway and the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway.Meanwhile,its expression is also subject to multi-level regulation by transcription activation factors and long non-coding RNAs(lncR-NAs),thereby influencing the proliferation,migration,and other biological behaviors of tumor cells.Additionally,WDR1 can further drive the invasive growth and metastatic potential of tumors by regu-lating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)process.This article aimed to systematically re-view the research progress in recent years regarding the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of WDR1 in tumor initiation and development,with a view to providing new theoretical foundations and research directions for the early diagnosis,prognosis assessment,and individualized treatment of clinical tumors.
4.Sema3A secreted by sensory nerve induces bone formation under mechanical loads
Mei HONGXIANG ; Li ZHENGZHENG ; Lv QINYI ; Li XINGJIAN ; Wu YUMENG ; Feng QINGCHEN ; Jiang ZHISHEN ; Zhou YIMEI ; Zheng YULE ; Gao ZIQI ; Zhou JIAWEI ; Jiang CHEN ; Huang SHISHU ; Li JUAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):62-72
Bone formation and deposition are initiated by sensory nerve infiltration in adaptive bone remodeling.Here,we focused on the role of Semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),expressed by sensory nerves,in mechanical loads-induced bone formation and nerve withdrawal using orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model.Firstly,bone formation was activated after the 3rd day of OTM,coinciding with a decrease in sensory nerves and an increase in pain threshold.Sema3A,rather than nerve growth factor(NGF),highly expressed in both trigeminal ganglion and the axons of periodontal ligament following the 3rd day of OTM.Moreover,in vitro mechanical loads upregulated Sema3A in neurons instead of in human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)within 24 hours.Furthermore,exogenous Sema3A restored the suppressed alveolar bone formation and the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs induced by mechanical overload.Mechanistically,Sema3A prevented overstretching of F-actin induced by mechanical overload through ROCK2 pathway,maintaining mitochondrial dynamics as mitochondrial fusion.Therefore,Sema3A exhibits dual therapeutic effects in mechanical loads-induced bone formation,both as a pain-sensitive analgesic and a positive regulator for bone formation.
5.Analysis of changes in serum miR-499 and miR-362 levels and their relationship with prognosis in advanced NSCLC patients
Guoying NI ; Qian HUANG ; Hongxiang LIANG ; Zhiyong YANG ; Yingli DING
Journal of International Oncology 2024;51(8):487-492
Objective:To explore the changes in serum levels of miR-499 and miR-362 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their relationship with prognosis.Methods:A total of 103 patients with advanced NSCLC at Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Chongming Hospital from January 2020 to October 2021 were selected as the NSCLC group, and 100 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations at our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine and compare the levels of serum miR-499 and miR-362 in the two groups, and the relationship between the two indexes and different clinical characteristics of NSCLC patients was analyzed. According to the clinical outcome of 2-year follow-up, the patients were divided into survival group and death group, and the levels of serum miR-499 and miR-362 were compared between the two groups. The predictive value of miR-499 and miR-362 levels on the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients were analyzed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.Results:The serum miR-499 level in the NSCLC group (0.34±0.10) was lower than that in the control group (1.25±0.21), while the miR-362 level (1.13±0.27) was higher than that in the control group (0.63±0.15) ( t=18.26, P<0.001; t=16.32, P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in serum miR-499 and miR-362 levels among patients with different degrees of differentiation ( t=11.12, P<0.001; t=16.35, P<0.001), TNM staging ( t=13.64, P=0.002; t=8.73, P=0.010) and lymph node metastasis ( t=10.02, P=0.003; t=9.65, P=0.004). The serum miR-499 level in the death group ( n=77) (0.24±0.06) was lower than that in the survival group ( n=26) (0.35±0.09), while the miR-362 level (1.54±0.32) was higher than that in the survival group (1.08±0.21), with statistically significant differences ( t=8.06, P=0.006; t=8.67, P=0.005). ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of miR-499 and miR-362 in predicting the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients was 73.46% and 75.85%, respectively, with specificity of 64.42% and 65.61%, AUC of 0.739 (95% CI: 0.662-0.805) and 0.743 (95% CI: 0.640-0.793) ; the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of serum miR-499 combined with miR-362 in predicting the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients were 87.63%, 85.34%, and 0.875 (95% CI: 0.698-0.897), respectively; the combined prediction of miR-499 and miR-362 for AUC area was higher than the individual prediction ( Z=4.83, P=0.013; Z=5.17, P=0.009) . Conclusion:Advanced NSCLC patients show significant abnormal serum level of miR-499 and miR-362, and as the severity of the disease progressed, the serum level of miR-499 is downregulated more significantly and miR-362 is upregulated more significantly. The combined detection of miR-499 and miR-362 levels has certain predictive value for the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients.
6.Sema3A secreted by sensory nerve induces bone formation under mechanical loads
Mei HONGXIANG ; Li ZHENGZHENG ; Lv QINYI ; Li XINGJIAN ; Wu YUMENG ; Feng QINGCHEN ; Jiang ZHISHEN ; Zhou YIMEI ; Zheng YULE ; Gao ZIQI ; Zhou JIAWEI ; Jiang CHEN ; Huang SHISHU ; Li JUAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):62-72
Bone formation and deposition are initiated by sensory nerve infiltration in adaptive bone remodeling.Here,we focused on the role of Semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),expressed by sensory nerves,in mechanical loads-induced bone formation and nerve withdrawal using orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model.Firstly,bone formation was activated after the 3rd day of OTM,coinciding with a decrease in sensory nerves and an increase in pain threshold.Sema3A,rather than nerve growth factor(NGF),highly expressed in both trigeminal ganglion and the axons of periodontal ligament following the 3rd day of OTM.Moreover,in vitro mechanical loads upregulated Sema3A in neurons instead of in human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)within 24 hours.Furthermore,exogenous Sema3A restored the suppressed alveolar bone formation and the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs induced by mechanical overload.Mechanistically,Sema3A prevented overstretching of F-actin induced by mechanical overload through ROCK2 pathway,maintaining mitochondrial dynamics as mitochondrial fusion.Therefore,Sema3A exhibits dual therapeutic effects in mechanical loads-induced bone formation,both as a pain-sensitive analgesic and a positive regulator for bone formation.
7.Sema3A secreted by sensory nerve induces bone formation under mechanical loads
Mei HONGXIANG ; Li ZHENGZHENG ; Lv QINYI ; Li XINGJIAN ; Wu YUMENG ; Feng QINGCHEN ; Jiang ZHISHEN ; Zhou YIMEI ; Zheng YULE ; Gao ZIQI ; Zhou JIAWEI ; Jiang CHEN ; Huang SHISHU ; Li JUAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):62-72
Bone formation and deposition are initiated by sensory nerve infiltration in adaptive bone remodeling.Here,we focused on the role of Semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),expressed by sensory nerves,in mechanical loads-induced bone formation and nerve withdrawal using orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model.Firstly,bone formation was activated after the 3rd day of OTM,coinciding with a decrease in sensory nerves and an increase in pain threshold.Sema3A,rather than nerve growth factor(NGF),highly expressed in both trigeminal ganglion and the axons of periodontal ligament following the 3rd day of OTM.Moreover,in vitro mechanical loads upregulated Sema3A in neurons instead of in human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)within 24 hours.Furthermore,exogenous Sema3A restored the suppressed alveolar bone formation and the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs induced by mechanical overload.Mechanistically,Sema3A prevented overstretching of F-actin induced by mechanical overload through ROCK2 pathway,maintaining mitochondrial dynamics as mitochondrial fusion.Therefore,Sema3A exhibits dual therapeutic effects in mechanical loads-induced bone formation,both as a pain-sensitive analgesic and a positive regulator for bone formation.
8.Sema3A secreted by sensory nerve induces bone formation under mechanical loads
Mei HONGXIANG ; Li ZHENGZHENG ; Lv QINYI ; Li XINGJIAN ; Wu YUMENG ; Feng QINGCHEN ; Jiang ZHISHEN ; Zhou YIMEI ; Zheng YULE ; Gao ZIQI ; Zhou JIAWEI ; Jiang CHEN ; Huang SHISHU ; Li JUAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):62-72
Bone formation and deposition are initiated by sensory nerve infiltration in adaptive bone remodeling.Here,we focused on the role of Semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),expressed by sensory nerves,in mechanical loads-induced bone formation and nerve withdrawal using orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model.Firstly,bone formation was activated after the 3rd day of OTM,coinciding with a decrease in sensory nerves and an increase in pain threshold.Sema3A,rather than nerve growth factor(NGF),highly expressed in both trigeminal ganglion and the axons of periodontal ligament following the 3rd day of OTM.Moreover,in vitro mechanical loads upregulated Sema3A in neurons instead of in human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)within 24 hours.Furthermore,exogenous Sema3A restored the suppressed alveolar bone formation and the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs induced by mechanical overload.Mechanistically,Sema3A prevented overstretching of F-actin induced by mechanical overload through ROCK2 pathway,maintaining mitochondrial dynamics as mitochondrial fusion.Therefore,Sema3A exhibits dual therapeutic effects in mechanical loads-induced bone formation,both as a pain-sensitive analgesic and a positive regulator for bone formation.
9.Sema3A secreted by sensory nerve induces bone formation under mechanical loads
Mei HONGXIANG ; Li ZHENGZHENG ; Lv QINYI ; Li XINGJIAN ; Wu YUMENG ; Feng QINGCHEN ; Jiang ZHISHEN ; Zhou YIMEI ; Zheng YULE ; Gao ZIQI ; Zhou JIAWEI ; Jiang CHEN ; Huang SHISHU ; Li JUAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):62-72
Bone formation and deposition are initiated by sensory nerve infiltration in adaptive bone remodeling.Here,we focused on the role of Semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),expressed by sensory nerves,in mechanical loads-induced bone formation and nerve withdrawal using orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model.Firstly,bone formation was activated after the 3rd day of OTM,coinciding with a decrease in sensory nerves and an increase in pain threshold.Sema3A,rather than nerve growth factor(NGF),highly expressed in both trigeminal ganglion and the axons of periodontal ligament following the 3rd day of OTM.Moreover,in vitro mechanical loads upregulated Sema3A in neurons instead of in human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)within 24 hours.Furthermore,exogenous Sema3A restored the suppressed alveolar bone formation and the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs induced by mechanical overload.Mechanistically,Sema3A prevented overstretching of F-actin induced by mechanical overload through ROCK2 pathway,maintaining mitochondrial dynamics as mitochondrial fusion.Therefore,Sema3A exhibits dual therapeutic effects in mechanical loads-induced bone formation,both as a pain-sensitive analgesic and a positive regulator for bone formation.
10.Sema3A secreted by sensory nerve induces bone formation under mechanical loads
Mei HONGXIANG ; Li ZHENGZHENG ; Lv QINYI ; Li XINGJIAN ; Wu YUMENG ; Feng QINGCHEN ; Jiang ZHISHEN ; Zhou YIMEI ; Zheng YULE ; Gao ZIQI ; Zhou JIAWEI ; Jiang CHEN ; Huang SHISHU ; Li JUAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):62-72
Bone formation and deposition are initiated by sensory nerve infiltration in adaptive bone remodeling.Here,we focused on the role of Semaphorin 3A(Sema3A),expressed by sensory nerves,in mechanical loads-induced bone formation and nerve withdrawal using orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model.Firstly,bone formation was activated after the 3rd day of OTM,coinciding with a decrease in sensory nerves and an increase in pain threshold.Sema3A,rather than nerve growth factor(NGF),highly expressed in both trigeminal ganglion and the axons of periodontal ligament following the 3rd day of OTM.Moreover,in vitro mechanical loads upregulated Sema3A in neurons instead of in human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)within 24 hours.Furthermore,exogenous Sema3A restored the suppressed alveolar bone formation and the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs induced by mechanical overload.Mechanistically,Sema3A prevented overstretching of F-actin induced by mechanical overload through ROCK2 pathway,maintaining mitochondrial dynamics as mitochondrial fusion.Therefore,Sema3A exhibits dual therapeutic effects in mechanical loads-induced bone formation,both as a pain-sensitive analgesic and a positive regulator for bone formation.

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