The KCNQ potassium channels play a crucial role in modulating neural excitability, and their dysfunction is closely associated with epileptic disorders. While variants in KCNQ2 have been extensively studied, KCNQ3-related disorders have rarely been reported. With advances in next-generation sequencing technologies, an increasing number of cases of KCNQ3-related disorders have been identified. However, the correlation between genotype and phenotype remains poorly understood. In this study, we established a variant library consisting of 24 missense mutations in KCNQ3 and introduced these mutations into three different template types: KCNQ3, KCNQ3-A315T (Q3*), and KCNQ3-KCNQ2 tandem (Q3-Q2). We then analyzed the effects of these mutations on the KCNQ3 channel function using patch-clamp recording. The most informative parameter across all three backgrounds was the current density of the mutant channels. The current density patterns in the Q3* and Q3-Q2 backgrounds were similar, with most mutations resulting in an almost complete loss of function (LOF), they were concentrated in the pore-forming domain of KCNQ3. In contrast, mutations in the voltage-sensing domain or C-terminus did not show significant differences from the wild-type channel. Interestingly, these LOF mutations were typically associated with self-limited familial neonatal epilepsy, while neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) were more closely associated with mutations that did not significantly differ from the wild-type. V_1/2, another important parameter of the electrophysiological properties, could not be accurately determined in the majority of KCNQ3 mutations due to its nearly complete LOF in the Q3* and Q3-Q2 backgrounds. Intriguingly, the V_1/2 of functional mutations were primarily leftward shifted, indicating a gain-of-function (GOF) effect, which was typically associated with NDD. In addition to previously reported mutations, we identified G553R as a novel GOF mutation. In the co-transfection background, parameters such as V_1/2 could be determined, but the dysfunctional effects of these mutations were mitigated by the co-expression of wild-type KCNQ3 and KCNQ2 subunits, resulting in no significant differences between most mutations and the wild-type channel. Furthermore, we applied KCNQ modulators to reverse the electrophysiological abnormalities caused by KCNQ3 variants. The LOF mutations were reversed by the application of Pynegabine (HN37), a KCNQ opener, while the GOF mutation responded well to Amitriptyline (AMI), a KCNQ inhibitor. These findings provide essential insights into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying KCNQ3-related disorders and may inform clinical decision-making.
KCNQ3 Potassium Channel/genetics* ; Humans ; Mutation, Missense/genetics* ; KCNQ2 Potassium Channel/genetics* ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; HEK293 Cells ; Animals ; Phenylenediamines/pharmacology* ; Carbamates

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of miR-483-5p on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells proliferation and stemness, as well as the attenuating effect of Pien Tze Huang (PZH). METHODS: Differentially expressed miRNA between HepG2 cells and hepatic cancer stem-like cells (HCSCs) were identified by a miRNA microarray assay. miR-483-5p mimics were transfected into HepG2 cells to explore the effects of miR-483-5p on cell proliferation and stemness. HepG2 cells and HCSCs were treated with PZH (0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg/mL) to explore the effects of PZH on the proliferation and stemness, both in non-induced state and the state induced by miR-483-5p mimics. RESULTS: miR-483-5p was significantly up-regulated in HCSCs and its overexpression increased cell proliferation and stemness in HepG2 cells (P<0.05). PZH not only significantly inhibited proliferation in HepG2 cells, but also significantly suppressed the cell proliferation and self-renewal of HCSCs (P<0.05). The effects of miR-483-5p mimics on proliferation and stemness of HepG2 cells were partially abolished by PZH. CONCLUSIONS miR-483-5p promotes proliferation and enhances stemness of HepG2 cells, which were attenuated by PZH, demonstrating that miR-483-5p is a potential molecular target for the treatment of HCC and provide experimental evidence to support clinical use of PZH for patients with HCC.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics and evolutionary origin of hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotype D3 in China in 2020.Methods:Serum samples and demographic details from patients infected with HBV D3 subgenotype were collected. HBV genomic sequences were obtained by nested PCR amplification and subsequent sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis, nucleotide homology, amino acid mutation and evolution rate of the S protein were conducted by comparing with reference sequence using bioinformatics tools.Results:The complete HBV gene sequences of 14 samples of D3 subtype HBV were obtained. Compared with 97 reference sequences, it was found that the sequences with the highest homology were from India, Mongolia, Iran and China, with the homology ranging from 96.0% to 97.9%. Mutations of 24 amino acids were found in 14 strains of D3 subtype. Among them, T131A, Y134F and T140I were associated with immune escape-related mutations. The genetic diversity of HBV D3 subtype increased slowly before 1975, remained relatively constant from 1975 to 2000, and began to decline after 2000. Evolutionary rate analysis showed that samples QGLD D3-02 and 03 originated from a common ancestor with the Iranian reference strain in 1872, and the other 12 samples QGLD D3-04-17 originated from a common ancestor with the Mongolian reference strain in 1843.Conclusions:The gene sequence of HBV D3 subtype in China had the highest homology with reference sequences from India, Iran, Mongolia and China. Evolutionary rate analysis revealed that 14 cases of HBV D3 subtype originated from a common ancestor with reference strains from Mongolia and Iran, which enriched the sequence and evolution information of HBV D3 subtype and provided a reference basis for the molecular epidemiological study of HBV.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics and evolutionary origin of hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotype D3 in China in 2020.Methods:Serum samples and demographic details from patients infected with HBV D3 subgenotype were collected. HBV genomic sequences were obtained by nested PCR amplification and subsequent sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis, nucleotide homology, amino acid mutation and evolution rate of the S protein were conducted by comparing with reference sequence using bioinformatics tools.Results:The complete HBV gene sequences of 14 samples of D3 subtype HBV were obtained. Compared with 97 reference sequences, it was found that the sequences with the highest homology were from India, Mongolia, Iran and China, with the homology ranging from 96.0% to 97.9%. Mutations of 24 amino acids were found in 14 strains of D3 subtype. Among them, T131A, Y134F and T140I were associated with immune escape-related mutations. The genetic diversity of HBV D3 subtype increased slowly before 1975, remained relatively constant from 1975 to 2000, and began to decline after 2000. Evolutionary rate analysis showed that samples QGLD D3-02 and 03 originated from a common ancestor with the Iranian reference strain in 1872, and the other 12 samples QGLD D3-04-17 originated from a common ancestor with the Mongolian reference strain in 1843.Conclusions:The gene sequence of HBV D3 subtype in China had the highest homology with reference sequences from India, Iran, Mongolia and China. Evolutionary rate analysis revealed that 14 cases of HBV D3 subtype originated from a common ancestor with reference strains from Mongolia and Iran, which enriched the sequence and evolution information of HBV D3 subtype and provided a reference basis for the molecular epidemiological study of HBV.

Objective To investigate anxious and depressive emotions in patients underwent cervical cancer surgery and to analyze its influencing factors.Methods A total of 304 patients who underwent primary cervical cancer surgery in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from Oct 2018 to Jun 2021,were recruited to evaluate the clinical effect based on cervical cancer-patient reported outcome 137 scale(CC-PRO137 scale).This study focused on dimensions of depressive and anxious emotions within this scale and explored their influencing factors.Results The average scores of their depressive and anxious emotions within half a year after surgery were 4.141±0.798 and 4.020±0.616,respectively;and the average scores of depressive and anxious emotions more than one year after surgery were 4.250±0.802 and 4.097±0.613,respectively.By using statistical methods including analysis of variance and t test,it was found that there were statistically significant differences in the scores of depression and anxiety among cervical cancer patients under different postoperative adjuvant treatments and at different postoperative time points(P<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in the scores of depression and anxiety among patients with different ages,surgical methods,and clinical stages of cervical cancer(P>0.05).Conclusion Patients underwent cervical cancer surgery may suffer varying degree of depressive and anxious emotions,and the main influencing factors are different adjuvant treatments and the length of time for postsurgical recovery.Medical practitioners should strengthen comfort and care for patients with cervical cancer,especially those who receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments and are in the primary stage after the surgery.Formulating positive intervention measures can effectively reduce the psychological pain of patients and safeguard their physical and mental health.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective:To clarify the potential correlation between biological changes of meninges in periodontitis mice and cognitive impairment by analyzing the biological changes of meninges in periodontitis mice using single-cell RNA sequencing.Methods:Thirty C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups by using random number table method (15 mice in each group). Mice in the control group were locally administered 2% carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) without Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) on both buccal sides. A mixture of Pg W83 and 2% CMC was applied on both buccal sides in the experimental group mice three times a week, lasting for 16 weeks in total. The absorption of alveolar bone, locomotor activity and cognitive function, the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the cortex were observed and assessed. The mRNA expression levels of Occludin in meninges and brain were detected in two groups. Single-cell RNA sequencing data of meninges were processed by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP). Differential genes expressions of endothelial cells were processed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. In addition, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the expressions of transcription activating factor 3 (Atf3) and apolpoprotein L domain-containing 1 (Apold 1). Results:Methylene blue staining found the distances of buccal and palatal cement-enamel junction-alveolar bone crest in experimental mice [(185.60±17.60), (206.90±13.37) μm] increased significantly compared with the control group [(135.33±9.57), (163.05±14.98) μm] ( t=5.02, P=0.002; t=4.37, P=0.005). Open field experiment showed the total distance and average speed of mice in the experimental group [(971.88±164.57) cm, (3.25±0.55) cm/s] were not statistically significant compared with the control group [(914.24±278.81) cm, (3.05±0.93) cm/s] ( t=0.65, P=0.525; t=0.65, P=0.520). The recognition index of the experimental group [(48.02±16.92) %] was lower than the control group [(66.27±17.90) %] ( t=2.40, P=0.027) by novel object recognition tests. Compared with the control group [(63.56±11.88) %], the alternation of experimental group [(50.99±14.17) %] was significantly decreased in Y maze tests ( t=2.33, P=0.030). Immunohistochemistry results showed microglia and astrocytes were activated in the cortex of experimental mice. Compared with the control group (1.02±0.25, 1.04±0.31), the relative mRNA expressions of Occludin decreased significantly in the meninges and brain of periodontitis mice, respectively (0.61±0.10, 0.64±0.20) ( t=3.47, P=0.010; t=2.66, P=0.024). By single-cell RNA sequencing, meninges cells were divided into 11 types, such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, immune cells and so on. Endothelial cells were the main cell types in meninges [the control group: 26.47% (1 589/6 004), the experimental group: 26.26% (807/3 073)]. Compared with the control group [5.56% (334/6 004)], the percentage of granulocytes increased in the periodontitis mice [11.65% (358/3 073)]. Using clustering analysis to further focus on endothelial cells, GO enrichment analysis revealed differential genes were mainly related to angiogenesis, cell adhesion, apoptosis and so on. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differential genes were related to signaling pathways of interleukin-17, relaxin and so on. The relative mRNA expressions of Atf3 and Apold1 in meninges of periodontitis mice (0.42±0.24, 0.54±0.27) were significantly lower than the control group (1.03±0.26, 1.02±0.23) ( t=3.88, P=0.005; t=3.02, P=0.017). Conclusions:The mice chronically infected with Pg W83 occurred memory impairment, neuroinflammation and changes of barrier function. In the meninges of periodontitis mice, there were infiltration of immune cells and down-regulation expressions of Atf3 and Apold1 by single-cell RNA sequencing. Meningeal immunity and changes of barrier function may play an important role in the cognitive impairment caused by periodontitis.

Objective:To analyze the whole genome sequence and key site mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with different stages of disease progression, and to understand the relationship between HBV genetic characteristics and disease progression.Methods:Serum samples and basic information of hepatitis B patients with asymptomatic HBV carrier, chronic hepatitis B patients, cirrhosis patients and primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients were collected. Nested PCR was used to amplify the samples to obtain HBV whole gene sequences. Phylogenetic trees were constructed to determine the genotype of the samples, and gene mutations of the samples were analyzed combined with reference sequences of each type.Results:A total of 256 samples were successfully amplified, including 68 asymptomatic HBV carrier patients, 118 CHB patients, 15 LC patients and 55 HCC patients, and five genotypes (B, C, D, I and C/D) were detected. The result of comparative analysis showed that the mutation rate of 56 nucleotide sites was significantly different among the four groups ( P<0.05). In addition to the discovery of C105T, A1762T/G1764A and G1899A and other previously reported key site mutations, the mutation rates of T53A, C1485T and C1628T in newly diagnosed HCC group were significantly higher than those in other groups, and the mutation rates of T2150G and T2151C in asymptomatic HBV infection group were significantly higher than those in other groups. A total of 26 sequences were deleted, mainly distributed in the pre-C and pre-S regions. The deletion mutation rate in the HCC group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. Conclusions:The data of this study indicate that some nucleotide substitution mutations and deletion mutations may be closely related to the occurrence and development of HBV-related diseases, and HCC patients are more likely to have gene mutations than non-HCC patients. These result provide a reference for understanding the relationship between viral mutation and the progression of HBV infection-related diseases.

Humans ; Consensus ; Hypersensitivity ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Allergens