1.The effects of S100A9 gene knockout on lupus-like phenotype in mice.
Jie ZHA ; Xusen ZHANG ; Xiaosi YANG ; Chun YE ; Genhong YAO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(4):318-323
Objective To explore the effects of S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9) gene knockout on the phenotype of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in mice and to clarify the role of S100A9 in the pathogenesis of SLE. Methods Ten female C57BL/6 wild-type and S100A9 knockout (S100A9-KO ) mice were selected, with five wild-type and five S100A9-KO B6 mice receiving imiquimod (IMQ) cream to establish SLE mouse model. The other five wild-type and five S100A9-KO B6 mice were treated as control groups by wiping the skin of the right ear with a cotton swab. After 8 weeks, the mice were sacrificed. The serum was collected from each mouse to detect the levels of anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, immunoglobulin G (IgG), B cell activating factor (BAFF), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) using ELISA. The levels of serum creatinine were determined using a sarcosine oxidase method. Urine was collected to measure urinary protein concentration. Kidneys were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for evaluating histological changes. Results After IMQ treatment, the length and weight of spleen, levels of serum creatinine, anti-dsDNA antibodies, IgG, BAFF, IL-6, and urinary protein in the IMQ B6 group and IMQ S100A9-KO B6 group were significantly higher than those of the control groups. Lupus-like changes including increased glomerular volume and tubular epithelial swelling were observed in kidneys from the IMQ and IMQ S100A9-KO groups. However, compared with the IMQ B6 group, the IMQ S100A9-KO B6 group exhibited milder levels of serum and urine indicators as well as the lupus-like symptoms. Conclusion IMQ could induce lupus-like symptoms in both wild-type B6 mice and S100A9-KO B6 mice, but the lesions in S100A9 knockout mice are milder. Theses results suggested that S100A9 is involved in and promotes the pathogenesis of SLE.
Animals
;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/chemically induced*
;
Female
;
Calgranulin B/genetics*
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Phenotype
;
Mice
;
Interleukin-6/blood*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood*
;
B-Cell Activating Factor/blood*
;
Immunoglobulin G/blood*
;
Kidney/pathology*
2.Effect and mechanism of LncRNA EFRL on homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis in macrophage efferocytosis.
Jiaqi YANG ; Zhenghao ZHANG ; Fang MA ; Tongtong XIA ; Honglin LIU ; Jiantuan XIONG ; Shengchao MA ; Yideng JIANG ; Yinju HAO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(7):577-584
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Efferocytosis Relatived LncRNA (EFRL) on homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis in macrophage efferocytosis. Methods RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro, and the Control group (0 μmol/L Hcy) and Hcy intervention group (100 μmol/L Hcy) were set up. After GapmeR transfection of macrophages with Hcy intervention, EFRL knockdown negative control group (Hcy combined with LNA-NC) and EFRL knockdown group (Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL) were set up. High-throughput sequencing was applied for different expression of LncRNA MSTRG. 88917.16 (EFRL), UCSC was used to analyze its conservation, CPC and CPAT were used to analyze its ability to encode proteins, and GO and KEGG were used to analyze related biological functions. The localization of LncRNA EFRL in macrophages was analyzed by nucleoplasmic separation and RNA-FISH. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression levels of LncRNA EFRL and its target gene SPAST in Hcy-treated macrophages. The apoptosis rate of Jurkat cells induced by UV was detected by flow cytometry. In vitro efferocytosis assay combined with immunofluorescence technique was used to analyze macrophage efferocytosis. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and IL-18. Results The new LncRNA MSTRG.88917.16 was identified and named EFRL(Efferocytosis Relatived LncRNA). UCSC, CPC and CPAT analyses showed that LncEFRL is highly conserved and does not have the ability to encode proteins. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that LncEFRL may be involved in macrophage efferocytosis. LncRNA EFRL was localized in the nucleus of macrophages as determined by nucleoplasmic separation and RNA-FISH. In comparison to the Control group, the expression levels of LncRNA EFRL and its target gene SPAST in the Hcy group were increased. In comparison to the Control group (0 min), the apoptosis rate of the experimental group (15, 30 min) Annexin V is more than 85%. Compared with Hcy combined with LNA-NC group, Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL group had enhanced macrophage efferocytosis and reduced levels of inflammatory factors. Compared with Hcy combined with LNA-NC group, the expression level of SPAST in Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL group was decreased. Conclusion Inhibition of EFRL expression can alleviate the process of Hcy inhibiting macrophage efferocytosis, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of the downstream target gene SPAST by EFRL.
RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology*
;
Animals
;
Homocysteine
;
Mice
;
Macrophages/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
RAW 264.7 Cells
;
Atherosclerosis/chemically induced*
;
Apoptosis/genetics*
;
Phagocytosis/genetics*
;
Jurkat Cells
;
Interleukin-1beta/genetics*
;
Efferocytosis
3.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
;
Perfusion/methods*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Brain Injuries/etiology*
;
Swine
;
Male
;
Hypothermia, Induced/methods*
4.Relationship between common myositis-specific antibodies and clinical features in children with juvenile dermatomyositis.
Su-Yun CHENG ; Jia-Min LU ; Feng LI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(9):1076-1081
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the distribution of myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and the relationship between MSA and clinical features of JDM.
METHODS:
Clinical data of 72 children with JDM hospitalized from January 2020 to April 2025 were reviewed retrospectively, all of whom had been tested for MSA. The relationship between common MSA subtypes and clinical features was analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among the 72 children, 45 (62%) were positive for MSA, including 27 anti-NXP2-positive cases (38%), 10 anti-MDA5-positive cases (14%), and 3 anti-cN1A-positive cases (4%). Compared with the MSA-negative group, the anti-MDA5-positive patients showed significantly higher incidence rates of fever, arthritis, and interstitial lung disease (P<0.05). The anti-NXP2-positive patients exhibited significantly higher incidence rates of calcinosis, fever, soft tissue edema, and interstitial lung disease than the MSA-negative patients (P<0.05). Compared with the anti-MDA5-positive group and MSA-negative group, the anti-NXP2-positive group had significantly higher levels of creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme (P<0.017) and a significantly lower score of the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (P<0.017).
CONCLUSIONS
The positive rate of MSA is high in children with JDM, with different subtypes correlating with specific clinical manifestations and organ involvement. Detection of MSA is crucial for diagnosis and clinical management of JDM.
Humans
;
Dermatomyositis/immunology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1/immunology*
;
Child, Preschool
;
Autoantibodies/blood*
;
Adolescent
5.Clinical characteristics of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced rash during treatment of pertussis in children.
Bing-Song WANG ; Kai-Hu YAO ; Xian-Yi ZHANG ; Jing WU ; Fei YING ; Li-Min DONG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(10):1227-1232
OBJECTIVES:
To study the clinical characteristics of rashes induced by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in children treated for pertussis and to inform safe medication practices.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 238 children diagnosed with pertussis and treated with TMP-SMZ at Wuhu First People's Hospital from January to August 2024. The incidence and clinical features of rashes were summarized.
RESULTS:
Of 238 children, 34 (14.3%) developed rashes; 19 (55.9%) were boys, and the 5 to <10-year age group accounted for the highest proportion (70.6%, 24/34). A history of allergic disease was present in 50.0% (17/34). Rashes typically appeared on or after day 7 of therapy (82%, 28/34) and were predominantly erythematous or maculopapular eruptions (97%, 33/34); 71% (24/34) were pruritic. Fever occurred in 56% (19/34); among those who were tested for respiratory viruses, 77% (10/13) were positive for viruses such as rhinovirus and adenovirus. After discontinuation of TMP-SMZ, rashes resolved within 3 days in 97% (33/34) of patients (41% within 1 day; 56% within more than 1 but within 3 days). There was no significant difference in rash incidence between photoprotection and non-photoprotection groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
TMP-SMZ for pertussis can induce rashes, particularly in children aged 5 to <10 years. The eruption is usually a pruritic erythematous or maculopapular rash, with over half of cases accompanied by fever and frequent concomitant viral infections. Most rashes resolve within 3 days after drug withdrawal. The potential association between the rash and sun exposure warrants further investigation.
Humans
;
Male
;
Child, Preschool
;
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination/therapeutic use*
;
Child
;
Female
;
Exanthema/chemically induced*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Infant
;
Whooping Cough/drug therapy*
;
Adolescent
6.Vitexin-4 ″-O-glucoside alleviates acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury.
Fan DONG ; Shanglei LAI ; Jiannan QIU ; Xiaobing DOU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(3):307-317
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the protective effect of vitexin-4 ″-O-glucoside (VOG) against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice and its underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, model control group, low-dose group of VOG (30 mg/kg), and high-dose group of VOG (60 mg/kg). Acute liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetaminophen (500 mg/kg). VOG was administrated by gavage 2 h before acetaminophen treatment in VOG groups. The protective effect of VOG against acute liver injury was evaluated by detecting alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) levels and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in liver were detected to evaluate the hepatic oxidative stress. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Il-1β, and Il-6 in liver were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression levels of phosphorylated c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/JNK, phosphorylated p38/p38, inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE-1α), X-box binding protein 1s (XBP1s), and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in liver were detected by Western blotting. An endoplasmic reticulum stress model was established in AML-12 cells using tunicamycin. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, and the degree of cell damage was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The gene expression levels of Ire-1α, Xbp1s, and Grp78 in the cells were detected using qRT-PCR.
RESULTS:
In the animal experiments, compared with the model control group, VOG significantly improved plasma ALT and AST levels, liver MDA content, as well as SOD and CAT activities. VOG also reduced the expression levels of Tnf-α, Il-1β, and Il-6 in the liver, and improved protein phosphorylation levels of JNK and p38, as well as the protein expression levels of IRE-1α, XBP1s, and GRP78. In cell experiments, VOG pretreatment enhanced cell viability, reduced LDH release and decreased the mRNA expression of Ire-1α, Xbp1s, and Grp78.
CONCLUSIONS
VOG can suppress inflammation and oxidative stress, and alleviate acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and modulating the MAPK signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP
;
Mice
;
Acetaminophen/adverse effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/prevention & control*
;
Glucosides/therapeutic use*
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Apigenin/therapeutic use*
;
Liver/drug effects*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects*
;
X-Box Binding Protein 1
;
Endoribonucleases/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/metabolism*
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
7.The Efficacy of Combination of Avatrombopag and rhIL-11 in Adult Patients of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Cancer Treatment-Induced Thrombocytopenia.
Min-Na LUO ; Hai-Tao ZHANG ; Si-Jie ZHAO ; Jing LI ; Wen-Juan WANG ; Peng-Cheng HE
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):848-852
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the safety and efficacy of avatrombopag(AVA) combined with rhIL-11 in treating thrombocytopenia induced by chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia.
METHODS:
The clinical information of 8 patients in the real world who received avatrombopag combined with rhIL-11 in cancer treatment-induced thrombocytopenia(CTIT) after AML chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed, and at the same time, 8 patients who received rhIL-11 only in CTIT after AML chemotherapy served as the control group, A preliminary observation was to summarize and compare the therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects between the two groups.
RESULTS:
D3 and D7 platelet counts were not significantly different between the observation group and the control group after treatment. The platelet counts in the observation group was significantly higher than those of the control group on the 10th day after treatment (P < 0.01). The adverse reactions, such as weakness, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea and edema after treatment were mild in the observation group and the control group. Except for one patient in the observation group who had a history of cerebral infarction before the onset of the disease and was routinely taking antiplatelet drugs, no thrombosis events occurred in the patients in the observation and control groups during the period of administration of the drug, and the total incidence rate of adverse reactions was not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The combination of AVA and rhIL-11 can enhance platelet recovery in CTIT of AML patients after chemotherapy. Compared with the rhIL-11 alone group, the platelet recovery time in AVA+rhIL-11 group was significantly shorter, the platelet count on the 10th day after drug administration was significantly higher. No statistically significant difference in the total incidence rate of adverse reactions was observed between rhIL-11 alone group and AVA+rhIL-11 group.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
;
Thrombocytopenia/chemically induced*
;
Interleukin-11/therapeutic use*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adult
;
Thiophenes/therapeutic use*
;
Platelet Count
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Thiazoles
8.Research progress on the mechanisms of male reproductive function damage by bisphenol A and traditional Chinese medicine intervention.
Nian-Wen HUANG ; Zun-Guang BAI ; Zhi-Ming HONG ; Huan-Zhou BI
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):457-461
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a kind of exogenous chemicals presenting in the human living environment widely which affects the action of endocrine hormones in the human body. Numerous studies have shown that BPA has reproductive toxicity in the spermatogenic function damage of the testes through a variety of mechanisms such as interfering with endocrine function, inducing oxidative stress, promoting spermatogonial cell apoptosis, destroying the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, and regulating epigenetic inheritance, thereby destroying male fertility. Relevant studies have shown that TCM can improve male fertility by reversing BPA-induced reproductive damage through multi-component, multi-target and multi-mechanisms. However, there is no systematic review on the mechanism of TCM to reduce the reproductive toxicity of BPA. Based on the existing studies, this article will systematically introduce the mechanisms of BPA-induced reproductive impairment in men and the progress of TCM interventions, with a view to providing reference targets and research directions for the development of new Chinese medicines.
Humans
;
Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Phenols/adverse effects*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Infertility, Male/chemically induced*
;
Testis/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Bisphenol A Compounds
9.Advances in early screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Ying-fan LI ; Hong-xin LI ; Wei-fu WANG ; Fan-chang ZENG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):462-468
Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumor, with the disease progressing from inert to aggressive tumors, and rapidly progressing to castration-resistant prostate cancer. Early-stage prostate cancer is usually asymptomatic. And by the time that symptoms appear, the disease has progressed to an incurable stage. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is especially important to control prostate cancer, which prolongs the survival period of patients. Digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen have been widely used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, there are certain limitations that lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Although prostate needle biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing prostate cancer, with the wide application of multiparametric magnetic resonance examination and PSMA-PET/CT and other technologies in recent years, as well as the emergence of new biomarkers with higher sensitivity and specificity, its status as the gold standard has been challenged. And the diagnostic mode of prostate cancer has also undergone great changes. On this basis, the radical prostatectomy without prostate needle biopsy has been attempted clinically to treat prostate cancer, which gains the good clinical results. This article provides a review of the latest research advances in early screening and diagnostic models for prostate cancer.
Humans
;
Male
;
Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Infertility, Male/chemically induced*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Phenols/adverse effects*
;
Testis/drug effects*
;
Bisphenol A Compounds
10.Association of ethylene oxide exposure and obstructive sleep apnea.
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():9-9
BACKGROUND:
Ethylene oxide (EO) is a widely utilized industrial compound known to pose health hazards. Although its carcinogenic characteristics have been thoroughly investigated, recent findings indicate possible links to respiratory disease. The correlation between EO exposure and the likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in individuals remains unclear. The study aimed to explore the association between EO exposure and OSA within the broader US population.
METHODS:
From 2015 to 2020, 4355 participants were analyzed cross-sectionally in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). As the primary indicator of EO exposure, hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO) were used in this study. The relationship between EO exposure and OSA prevalence was assessed using weighted multivariable regression analysis and smoothing curve fitting. Using subgroup analysis and interaction tests, we investigated whether this association remained consistent across populations.
RESULTS:
According to the study, higher HbEO level was positively correlated with a higher prevalence of OSA. Compared to the first HbEO quartile (Q1), participants within the highest quartile (Q4) presented a higher OSA prevalence in the fully model (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.62, P = 0.01, P for trend = 0.001). This correlation was particularly evident among females and individuals who are insufficiently physically active.
CONCLUSIONS
This research found a positive relationship between the extent of exposure to EO and OSA prevalence among a representative sample of Americans.
Humans
;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/chemically induced*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Prevalence
;
Ethylene Oxide/toxicity*
;
United States/epidemiology*
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
Aged
;
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Young Adult

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