1.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
2.Effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of the Numb gene in treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis
Shihao ZHANG ; Changqing ZHAO ; Mingyan YANG ; Feifei XING ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF). MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC (hUC-MSCNumb-OE), and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector (hUC-MSCOE-EV) was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation (BDL) was performed to establish a rat model of CLF, and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group, hUC-MSC group, hUC-MSCOE-EV group, and hUC-MSCNumb-OE group, while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL, and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured, including serum biochemistry, liver histopathology, the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the liver, hepatic stellate cell activation, ductular reaction, liver regeneration, and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group, the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSCOE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bile acid, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin), liver fibrosis markers (the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-beta 1), and ductular reaction markers (the expression levels of CK7 and CK19) (all P <0.05), and compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators (all P <0.05). In addition, compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers (albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α) and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis (Numb, pNumb, Mdm2, and p53) (all P <0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF, possibly by activating the Numb-PTBL-p53-HNF4α axis, promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.
3.Regulatory effect of astragaloside Ⅰ and calycosin on a mouse model of cholestatic liver fibrosis
Xiaoyu JIANG ; Wei LIU ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Chunhui LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1083-1092
ObjectiveTo identify and validate the optimal compatibility dosage of astragaloside Ⅰ (ASⅠ) and calycosin (CY) in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis. MethodsA 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) diet was used to establish a mouse model of liver fibrosis, and the uniform design method was used to identify the optimal combination ratio of the saponin component ASⅠ and the flavonoid component CY in Astragalus membranaceus. In the uniform design experiment, 80 male C57/BL6J mice were divided into normal group, model group, total astragalosides (TAS) group, groups A — F with a uniform design, and obeticholic acid (OCA) group using a random number table, with 8 mice in each group. The multiple regression analysis was used to establish the optimal regression equation and obtain the potential optimal combination ratio. The in vivo efficacy of the empirically optimal combination identified in the uniform design and the optimal dose combination predicted by the regression equation were compared for validation. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups; the Levene test was used to determine the homogeneity of variance, and the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of data with homogeneity of variance between two groups, while the Dunnett T3 test was used for comparison of data with heterogeneity of variance. ResultsIn the uniform design regimen, the JYB combination (3.125 mg/kg ASI+50 mg/kg CY) significantly reduced the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBil), and indirect bilirubin (IBil) in mice with DDC-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis (all P<0.05), and it also reduced hepatic Hyp content (P<0.01), semi-quantified collagen deposition area (P<0.001), and the mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Col1a1, Ck7, Ck19, Adgre1, TLR4, TNF-α, and CCL5 in liver tissue (all P<0.05). The regression equation showed that 50 mg/kg ASⅠ+50 mg/kg CY was the potential optimal combination, which was named as P1 combination. However, subsequent validation experiments showed that P1 combination only significantly improved the serum levels of AST and IBil and hepatic Hyp content in DDC mice (all P<0.05), with no significant impact on hepatic collagen deposition and the mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Ck7, Ck19, Adgre1, and CCL5 (all P>0.05). In contrast, the JYB combination significantly improved the serum levels of ALP, ALT, AST, TBA, TBil, and IBil, hepatic collagen deposition, hepatic Hyp content, and the mRNA expression levels of Acta2, Col1a1, Ck7, Ck19, Adgre1, TLR4, TNF-α, and CCL5 (all P<0.05). ConclusionThis study shows that the JYB combination (3.125 mg/kg ASⅠ+50 mg/kg CY) can significantly alleviate DDC-induced liver fibrosis, with comparable efficacy to total saponins from Astragalus membranaceus, and compared with ASⅠ or CY administered alone, the JYB combination has a significantly better regulatory effect on the serum levels of ALP and TBA.
4.The value of elastic modulus of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor C and vascular endothelial growth factor D
Kaibei CHEN ; Lingyu LIU ; Jing YANG ; Jiamei TANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(2):109-115
OBJECTIVE To analyze the value of elastic modulus of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer and its correlation with VEGF-C and VEGF-D.METHODS A total of 120 patients with thyroid cancer admitted to our hospital were divided into metastatic group(n=37)and non-metastatic group(n=83)according to whether the cervical lymph node metastasis.The clinical data and SWE elastic modulus values of the two groups were compared,and the effects of clinical characteristics on SWE elastic modulus values were analyzed by hierarchical regression.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the independent correlation between SWE elastic modulus and the risk of lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer.The dose-response relationship between the elastic modulus of SWE and the risk of lymph node metastasis in thyroid cancer was analyzed with restricted cubic strips.The correlation between SWE elastic modulus and VEGF-C and D levels was analyzed after adjusting factors by Logistic regression.RESULTS The results of general data analysis showed that male proportion,BMI,clinical stage,lesion diameter,TSH,FT4,TgAb positive rate,TPOAb positive rate,VEGF-C and VEGF-D in metastatic group were higher than those in non-metastatic group.Under different clinical characteristics,SWE parameters Emax,Emean and Eratio in metastatic group were higher than those in non-metastatic group.In hierarchical regression analysis,gender,clinical stage,lesion diameter,biochemical indices(TSH,FT4,TgAb,TPOAb)had significant positive effects on SWE parameters.SWE parameters were independently associated with the risk of lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer.Subgroup analysis showed that the association between SWE parameters and the risk of lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer in all subgroups was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no nonlinear dose-response relationship between SWE parameters and thyroid cancer risk(P>0.05).After adjusting for confounding factors,there was a significant linear correlation between Emax,Emean,Eratio and VEGF-C and VEGF-D(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The elastic modulus of SWE has a certain diagnostic value for lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer,and SWE parameters have a certain correlation with VEGF-C and VEGF-D.
5.Comparison and clinical application value of radial versus brachial artery approach in interventional treatment of acute myocardial infarction
Jian SONG ; Xibing WANG ; Haiyan YU ; Jiamei LIU ; Ying ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(9):1199-1202
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of PCI with radial artery approach and bra-chial artery approach in acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 173 AMI patients undergoing PCI in Department of Cardiology of Affiliated Hospi-tal of Chengde Medical College from September 2022 to September 2024.According to surgical ap-proach,they were divided into the radial artery group(97 cases)and the brachial artery group(76 cases).The X-ray exposure rate,puncture time,operation time and total hospital stay were observed in the two groups,and the puncture success rate,postoperative complication rate and incidence of 30-day cardiovascular adverse events were compared between the two groups.Results There were statistical differences in puncture time,operation duration and length of hospital stay between the two groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).The brachial artery group had a higher puncture success rate than the radial artery group(94.7%vs 90.7%,P=0.390),while the radial artery group had a higher incidence of postoperative complications,adverse vascular events due to coro-nary heart disease(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Both radial artery approach and brachial artery approach for PCI can effectively treat AMI patients.Compared with transradial approach,transbrachial approach can effectively improve the success rate of surgery,reduce postoperative complications and the occurrence of cardiovascular adverse events within 30 d of follow-up.
6.Research progress in treatment and nursing of chronic wounds with antibacterial agent containing polyhexanide
Yuhao ZHAO ; Enshe JIANG ; Mengyao LIU ; Hao LI ; Jiamei JING ; Xiaojing WEI
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(21):3355-3360
Under the background of increasingly severe drug-resistant bacteria infections,protracted course of chronic wounds has become clinical difficulties disturbing both patients and doctors.With the unique advantages of broad antibacterial spectrum,low drug resistance rate and high safety,polyhexanide antibacterial agent has gradu-ally become a major approach for treatment and nursing of chronic wounds.The application of polyhexamethylene biguanide(PHMB)antimicrobial agents in treatment and nursing of chronic wounds was reviewed in the article,including the antibacterial properties,comparisons with other antimicrobial agents,actual clinical practice and potential side effects,aiming to guide the further application of PHMB antimicrobial agents in treatment of chronic wounds.
7.Targeting PDE4B with Ditan Decoction Inhibits Neutrophil Infiltration to Mitigate Neurovascular Unit Injury
Shuhong YU ; Sijie LIU ; Jiayi ZHU ; Ling FAN ; Jiamei GU ; Hao HUANG ; Yi LUO
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(3):306-312
OBJECTIVE To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Ditan Decoction(DTD)on ischemic stroke.METHODS A mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model was used to induce cerebral ischemia and assess the role of DTD in post-stroke NVU injury.DTD was gavaged once a day for 3 days after MCAO.Transwell neutrophil chemotaxis assay was used to explore the role of DTD in the neutrophil chemotaxis.RESULTS In the MCAO model,DTD treatment significantly reduced infarct volume(P<0.01)and attenuated blood-brain barrier disruption,as evidenced by decreased IgG leakage and preserved laminin expression(P<0.05).Furthermore,DTD suppressed neutrophil infiltration into ischemic brain tissue,as demonstrated by reduced neutrophil elastase(P<0.01)and myeloperoxidase(P<0.05)levels.Mechanistically,DTD inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis in a dose-dependent manner and downregulated phosphodiesterase 4B(PDE4B),a key regulator of neutrophil migration(P<0.05).Molecular docking analysis i-dentified four active DTD components-apigenin,vitexin,chlorogenic acid,and orientin-with strong binding affinities to PDE4B(bind-ing energies<-5 kcal·mol-1),suggesting their potential role in mediating DTD's therapeutic effects.CONCLUSION These find-ings highlight DTD as a promising intervention for ischemic stroke,targeting NVU preservation and PDE4B-dependent neutrophil mod-ulation.
8.Implementing AI-constructed knowledge graphs in teaching for histology of immune system
Jiamei LIU ; Ying LIU ; Shulei LI ; Jia ZHAO ; Huinan QU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1320-1323
Under the new educational development trends,numerous universities are actively exploring the deep integration of digital information technology and artificial intelligence(AI)technology with teaching.Through a three-phase process involving stu-dents'pre-class AI-assisted online self-learning via knowledge graphs,interactive classroom teaching between teachers and students,and post-class collaborative enhancement,we explored intelligent visualization-assisted teaching,personalized learning,and multi-di-mensional,fine-grained formative assessment to help teachers offer differentiated attention and personalized guidance,encourage stu-dents'autonomous and personalized learning,enhance students'self-study capabilities.This teaching practice has achieved remark-able results in stimulating students'learning enthusiasm,broadening their knowledge base,and enhancing their self-directed learning capabilities.
9.The important role of the nervous system in regulating wound repair and scar healing
Jiamei SONG ; Tingting LIU ; Bin YAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(18):3877-3884
BACKGROUND:Skin wound repair is an extremely complex process.The nervous system plays an important role in regulating wound repair and scar healing.OBJECTIVE:To review the role of the nervous system in the process of skin wound repair,including the roles of related factors and various cells in the repair of skin injury.METHODS:The PubMed and CNKI databases were searched with the key words of"skin wound healing,nervous system,nerve regeneration,growth factor"in English and"skin wound healing,skin innervation,neuropeptide,growth factor,cell synergy"in Chinese.The time range of literature search was from 2003 to 2024,and 83 documents were finally included and analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The skin is densely innervated by autonomic and sensory nerves,and there is growing evidence that the cutaneous nervous system is not only responsible for transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system,but also plays an important role in a variety of skin functions,including wound healing.(2)The nervous system acts on different stages of skin wound healing,which can regulate revascularization,promote the release of related growth factors and neurotransmitters,and cooperate with different types of cells to promote skin wound healing.Therefore,research on the underlying mechanisms of the nervous system has become a powerful target to promote skin wound healing.
10.Study on the mechanistic role of the Fuzheng Huayu formula against cholestatic liver fibrosis in mice
Zheng ZHANG ; Yue LIANG ; Enqi TANG ; Xiaoxi ZHOU ; Yonghong HU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Wei LIU ; Yongping MU ; Ping LIU ; Jiamei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2025;33(9):889-897
Objective:To investigate the interventional effects of the Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) formula and its partial mechanistic role on cholestatic liver fibrosis in mice.Methods:Mdr2 gene knockout (Mdr2-/ -) mice were randomly divided into a model group, FZHY group, and Obeticholic acid group. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice of the same age served as the control group. Mdr2-/ -mice were given the corresponding drugs starting from the first day of 9 weeks of age by oral gavage in each group. The control and model groups were administered 0.3% sodium carboxymethylcellulose by oral gavage and were sacrificed at 12 weeks of age for specimen collection. High-speed biochemistry analyzer was used to detect serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activity in mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Sirius red staining were used to observe pathological changes in liver tissues. Hydroxyproline content was measured to assess collagen in liver tissues. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect the expression of fibrosis markers Col-I and alpha-smooth muscle actin in liver tissues. The expressional condition of cholangiocyte response markers Epcam, CK7, CK19, as well as Pcna, Mki67, and Ccnd1, inflammatory related factors Ccl2, Ccl5, Tnf-α, Il10, and Cxcl4, phosphorylated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) were determined. Comparative analysis among multiple groups was performed using one-way ANOVA. The LSD method was used for comparisons between groups. Two-tailed statistical tests were used.Results:Compared with wild-type mice, Mdr2 -/ - mice had a significant increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity ( P<0.001). The percentage of Sirius red-positive staining areas and hydroxyproline content in liver tissues was significantly increased ( P<0.01). The expression of Col-I, α-smooth muscle actin, Epcam, CK7, CK19, Pcna, Mki67, and Ccnd1, and the expression of Ccl2, Ccl5, Tnf-α, Il10, and Cxcl4 were significantly increased ( P<0.01); however, both FZHY and Obeticholic acid significantly reversed the increases in these indicators ( P<0.05; P<0.01). Further results showed that compared to wild-type mice, the expression of PPARα was significantly reduced in liver tissues of Mdr2 -/ - mice, while NF-κB was significantly enhanced ( P<0.01). In contrast, compared to Mdr2-/- mice, the expression of PPARα in the liver tissues of FZHY group mice was significantly increased ( P<0.05), while NF-κB was significantly inhibited ( P<0.05). Conclusion:FZHY can significantly improve liver fibrosis, cholangiocyte response, and inflammation in Mdr2 -/ - mice with spontaneously occurring cholestatic liver fibrosis, and its mechanistic role is related to the regulation of the PPARα/NF-κB pathway.

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