1.Development and application of albumin-binding indocyanine green for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of lung cancer
Hongliang WU ; Ze TAO ; Hao YANG ; Hong ZHU ; LU Xiaofeng LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1101-1110
Objective To develop albumin-binding indocyanine green (ICG) and assess its potential for near-infrared fluorescence imaging and intraoperative navigation in lung cancer. Methods ABD-tri was recombinantly expressed by genetic engineering. Its albumin-binding capability was determined using size-exclusion chromatography, and its albumin-dependent binding to lung cancer cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. ICG was conjugated to ABD-tri to generate the fluorescent probe ABD-tri-ICG. The potential of ABD-tri-ICG for near-infrared fluorescence imaging and imaging-guided tumor resection was evaluated in mice bearing subcutaneous tumor grafts of lung cancer. Results ABD-tri was highly expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and was purified to homogeneity via a simple affinity chromatography. ABD-tri bound both human and murine serum albumin, contributing to its binding to lung cancer cells. ICG was effectively conjugated to ABD-tri to produce the fluorescence probe ABD-tri-ICG after mixing and incubation at room temperature for 1 h. In mice bearing lung cancer tumor grafts, intravenously injected ABD-tri-ICG enabled clear visualization of tumors with diameters ranging from 5 to 7 mm within 0.5-24 h post-injection. The tumor grafts were resected under the guidance of ABD-tri-ICG-mediated near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Conclusion Intravenous injection of ABD-tri-ICG allows rapid and sustained visualization of lung cancer tumor grafts and enables intraoperative navigation in mice, warranting further evaluation on the clinical translation of ABD-tri-ICG.
2.The Effect of Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction (枳壳甘草汤) on Intervertebral Disc Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis and the Hippo-YAP/TAZ Signaling Pathway in Tail Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rats
Zaishi ZHU ; Zeling HUANG ; Junming CHEN ; Bo XU ; Binjie LU ; Hua CHEN ; Xingxing DUAN ; Yuwei LI ; Xiaofeng SHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):509-517
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism by which Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction (枳壳甘草汤, ZGD) delays intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) based on the Hippo-yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group, model group, low-dose ZGD group, high-dose ZGD group, and high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group, with 10 rats in each group. In the sham surgery group, the rats were pierced in the skin and muscle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail with a 21G needle (depth approximately 2 mm) without damaging the intervertebral disc. In the other groups, rats were injected with a 21G needle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail to establish an IDD model by piercing the tail intervertebral disc 5 mm. One week after modeling, rats in the low-dose and high-dose ZGD groups were given 6.24 and 12.24 g/(kg·d) of the decoction via gastric gavage, respectively. The high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group was given 12.24 g/(kg·d) of the decoction and an intraperitoneal injection of YAP/TAZ inhibitor Verteporfin 10 mg/kg. The sham surgery and model groups were given 5 ml/(kg·d) of normal saline via gavage. The gavage was given once a day, and the intraperitoneal injection was given every other day. After 4 weeks of continuous intervention, the pathological changes of the tail intervertebral discs were observed using HE staining, Oil Red O-Green staining, and Toluidine Blue staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of aggrecan and MMP3 in the nucleus pulposus. TUNEL fluorescence staining was performed to detect apoptosis in the nucleus pulposus, and the apoptosis rate was calculated. Western blot was used to detect the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, including YAP, phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP), phosphorylated MST1/2 (p-MST1/2), phosphorylated TAZ (p-TAZ) and apoptosis-related proteins, such as Cleaved Caspase 3, P53, Bcl-2 and Bax. ResultsCompared with sham surgery group, the rats in the model group showed significant degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. The levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins in the nucleus pulposus decreased, while the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and the apoptosis rate increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups showed partial recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration. The levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins increased, while the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and the apoptosis rate decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The high-dose ZGD group showed more significant recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration compared to the low-dose ZGD group, with a decrease in the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and apoptosis rate, and an increase in the levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the high-dose ZGD group, the high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group showed a reduced recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration, with an increase in the levels of p-MST1/2, p-YAP, p-TAZ, P53, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, MMP3 proteins, and apoptosis rate, and a decrease in the levels of aggrecan, Bcl-2, and YAP proteins (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionZGD may delay intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the phosphorylation of YAP in the nucleus pulposus, maintaining the function of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, and reducing apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells.
3.Preparation of doxorubicin-loaded polyphyllin H liposomes and synergistic anti-tumor activity against non-small cell lung cancer in vitro
Yining LIU ; Dawei ZHOU ; Shouchang GAI ; Lu SUI ; Xue SUN ; Zhenhua TONG ; Yuhang WANG ; Jing ZHAO ; Xiaofeng YUAN ; Yong XIANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(17):2134-2144,封3
Objective To prepare glucose transporter 1(Glut1)-targeted doxorubicin(DOX)-loaded liposomes(doxorubicin/polyphyllin H-liposomes,DOX/ppH-LPs)using polyphyllin H(ppH)instead of cholesterol as the liposomal membrane material,and to investigate their in vitro synergistic anti-tumor activity against non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods DOX/ppH-LPs were prepared using thin-film hydration,and the formulation was optimized by single-factor investigation.The optimized DOX/ppH-LPs were characterized for morphology,particle size,polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta potential with transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and dynamic light scattering(DLS).Drug loading DL%was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The storage stability was evaluated by observing in PBS at 4℃for 7 d,and the serum stability was observed in DMEM containing 10%fetal bovine serum(FBS)at 37℃for 48 h.In vitro drug release was studied in PBS at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 values,respectively.Human NSCLC A549 cells were subjected as the model,MTT assay was performed to detect the proliferation inhibition by DOX/ppH-LPs at different concentrations(0.5,5.0,15.0 μg/mL)and the control group(ppH+DOX/LPs,a physical mixture of free ppH and DOX-loaded liposomes).Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cellular uptake of DOX/ppH-LPs and DOX/LPs(containing 5 μg/mL DOX)at 15 min and 2 h.Live/dead cell staining was applied to assess apoptosis/necrosis induced by formulations(15 μg/mL DOX)after 48 h incubation.Transwell assay was conducted to evaluate inhibitory effect on cell migration and invasion,and the targeting property and in vitro synergistic anti-NSCLC activity of DOX/ppH-LPs were then comprehensively evaluated.Results The optimal formulation of DOX/ppH-LPs was determined as hydration temperature at 50℃,6 mg DOX,2 mg ppH,and 24 mg lecithin.The prepared DOX/ppH-LPs were in spherical shape,uniform distribution,and at an average particle size of 145.13±22.14 nm,a PDI of 0.15±0.05,a zeta potential of-23.92±1.73 mV,and a DL of 10.13±0.71%for DOX and(1.22±0.21)%for ppH.DOX/ppH-LPs maintained stable particle size,PDI,and exhibited significantly unchanged zeta potential after storage in PBS at 4℃for 7 d or incubation in DMEM containing 10%FBS at 37℃for 48 h,demonstrating excellent physical and serum stability.Both liposomes showed slow release at pH 7.4 value,while drug release was significantly accelerated at pH 5.0 value(P<0.05),indicating pH-sensitive release characteristics.MTT assay revealed that DOX/ppH-LPs exerted significantly stronger cytotoxicity against A549 cells than the ppH+DOX/LPs control group(P<0.05).Compared with ppH+DOX/LPs,DOX/ppH-LPs showed remarkably enhanced cellular uptake in A549 cells(P<0.05),with more DOX localized in the nucleus.Live/dead cell staining showed that at the same DOX concentration(15 μg/mL),the proportion of apoptotic/necrotic cells induced by DOX/ppH-LPs was significantly higher than that of the DOX/LPs control group.Transwell assay demonstrated that there were significantly less cells migrating and invading through the membrane in the DOX/ppH-LPs group than the ppH+DOX/LPs group.Conclusion Glut1-targeted doxorubicin-loaded liposomes(DOX/ppH-LPs)constructed by substituting cholesterol with ppH can target NSCLC cells,significantly enhance the in vitro synergistic anti-NSCLC activity of DOX and ppH.
4.Timosaponin BⅡ Combined with Icariin Maintains Osteoclast-osteoblast Coupling by Restoring Yin-Yang Balance
Zaishi ZHU ; Zeling HUANG ; Weiye CAI ; Hua CHEN ; Boen SONG ; Yue LU ; Qing LU ; Xiaofeng SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):48-57
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of timosaponin BⅡ (TBⅡ) combined with icariin (ICA) on osteoclast (OC)-osteoblast (OB) coupling and decipher the mechanism from the cellular level. MethodsThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to assess the effects of different concentrations of TBⅡ and different concentrations of TBⅡ+ICA on the growth of RAW264.7 cells. Soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) was used to induce the differentiation of RAW264.7 pre-osteoclasts into osteoclasts. The cells were allocated into sRANKL, TBⅡ (1, 5, 10 μmol·L-1), and TBⅡ+ICA groups. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was performed to assess the effects of TBⅡ and TBⅡ+ICA on osteoclast differentiation. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was conducted to examine the effects of TBⅡ+ICA on the expression of key genes involved in osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast-derived coupling factors. The osteogenic differentiation conditioned medium mixed with osteoclast supernatant was used to induce osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red S staining were employed to determine the effect of TBⅡ+ICA on osteogenic differentiation. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the effects of conditioned medium on key genes involved in osteogenic differentiation. ResultsTBⅡ at 1, 5, 10 μmol·L-1 had no significant effect on the cell survival rate. Compared with the sRANKL group, TBⅡ inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and achieved the best effect at 10 μmol·L-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the sRANKL group, different concentrations of TBⅡ down-regulated the mRNA levels of osteoclast differentiation-related genes c-Fos, RANK, and RANKL (P<0.05). None of 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ, 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ+10-4 μmol·L-1 ICA, or 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ+10-3 μmol·L-1 ICA affected the viability of RAW264.7 cells. TBⅡ and/or ICA inhibited osteoclast differentiation (P<0.01), and TBⅡ + ICA had the best effect (P<0.01). Compared with the sRANKL group, TBⅡ and/or ICA down-regulated the mRNA levels of c-Fos, RANK, and RANKL (P<0.05). The single application of TBⅡ and ICA had no significant effect on the mRNA levels of Wnt10b, Cthrc1, and C3a, while TBⅡ+ICA exerted up-regulating effects (P<0.05). Compared with those in the blank group, the bone differentiation and mineralization abilities of the normal osteogenic induction group and each osteogenic induction + osteoclast supernatant group were improved (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the normal osteogenic induction group and the osteogenic induction + osteoclast supernatant group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of Runx2 and OCN (P<0.01). ConclusionTBⅡ+ICA can inhibit osteoclast differentiation, maintain the normal osteoclast-osteoblast coupling, and promote osteogenic differentiation.
5.Application and teaching practice of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors
Xu LI ; Chengjun SUI ; Lihua LU ; Yong XIA ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Yizhou WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1009-1015
This paper aims to discuss the application value and progress of artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors and teaching practice of gastrointestinal oncology. Through a comprehensive analysis of the current clinical research status and literature, this paper summarizes the application practice and exploratory thinking of AI and deep learning technologies in gastrointestinal oncology. In diagnosis, AI technologies have improved the early detection and diagnosis efficiency for gastrointestinal tumors by optimizing medical image analysis, especially in the recognition of liver metastases. Applications of AI in pathological diagnosis include automatic recognition of tumor cells and tissue structure, as well as improving diagnostic sensitivity and specificity through feature extraction and pattern recognition. In treatment, the application scenarios of AI include rapid diagnosis, accurate staging, personalized treatment plan formulation, drug development, and surgical assistance. In surgical assistance, AI technology improves the safety and effectiveness of surgery through preoperative evaluation, surgical navigation, and postoperative evaluation. In teaching, AI technology facilitates knowledge acquisition and clinical skill enhancement of medical students by providing a multidisciplinary learning platform, simulating clinical environment and case details, and establishing a remote learning platform. The application of AI technology in teaching also includes deep learning and assessment feedback, providing personalized teaching and real-time assessment for students. This paper discusses the application prospects for AI technology in the teaching practice of gastrointestinal oncology. Although AI technology shows great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors and teaching gastrointestinal oncology, it also has limitations and needs to be combined with traditional teaching methods to achieve the best teaching results.
6.Ultra-long-distance single-port robotic-assisted laparoscopic renal cyst decortication using a domestic robotic system:a case report
Xiaofeng WU ; Liru CHEN ; Yu FENG ; Wei ZHANG ; Linhui WANG ; Xiaoying LU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(11):1510-1513
Objective To summarize the operation experience of 1 case of ultra-long-distance single-port robotic-assisted laparoscopic renal cyst decortication using a domestic robotic system,and provide references for the development of long-distance telesurgery.Methods The procedure was performed using a domestically produced single-port robotic system.The distance between the main control end and the patient end was 2 400 km.The operation was conducted remotely via a 5G network and a 100 Mbps dedicated line provided by China Telecom.The surgeon controlled the robotic arm remotely.Results The surgery was completed smoothly within a duration of 32 min.The real-time latency was(90±20)ms.Blood loss during the operation was 10 mL,and no drainage tube was placed.The patient recovered smoothly and returned to the ward without any complications.Conclusion It is safe and feasible for the domestically produced single-port robotic system to implement ultra-long-distance telesurgery.This approach facilitates the decentralization of advanced medical resources and helps mitigate disparities in healthcare access.
7.Evaluation of prognosis of patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy by early CT score of Alberta stroke program with plain CT
Zehua LU ; Yujie JIN ; Xiaofeng JIN ; Chengjun GENG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(5):505-510
Objective:To explore the value of Alberta stroke program early CT Score (ASPECTS) regional net water intake (NWU) based on plain CT in evaluating the neurological outcome of patients with acute large vessel occlusive stroke (ALVOS) after mechanical thrombectomy.Methods:The study was a prospective cross-sectional study. The clinical and imaging data of patients with ALVOS who underwent mechanical thrombectomy in the 904 Hospital of the PLA Joint Service Support Force from June 2022 to June 2024 were prospectively collected. Clinical data analysis included age, gender distribution, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission. All patients underwent plain CT and CT angiography (CTA). Automated processing software quantified ischemic brain edema by calculating ASPECTS and measuring the ASPECTS regional NWU rate (CT-ASPECTS-NWU) based on plain CT. Cerebral collateral circulation was assessed using CTA images. According to the modified Rankin Scale score of patients with mechanical thrombectomy 90 days after the telephone follow-up, 0-2 points were defined as good neurological outcome, and 3-6 points were defined as poor neurological outcome. Independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to analyze the differences of clinical and imaging indicators between patients with good and poor neurological outcome, indicators with statistically significant differences were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to screen out the independent influencing factors that predicted the neurological outcome of patients with ALVOS after mechanical thrombectomys. The efficacy of related indicators to predict neurological outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy in patients with ALVOS was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with the area under the curve (AUC) calculated. Results:A total of 122 patients with ALVOS were included, including 101 patients with good neurological outcome and 21 patients with poor neurological outcome after mechanical thrombectomy. There were statistically significant differences in preoperative GCS score, collateral circulation status, NIHSS score at admission, preoperative ASPECTS and CT-ASPECTS-NWU between patients with good neurological outcome and patients with poor neurological outcome ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the status of collateral circulation ( OR=3.450, 95% CI 1.158-10.277, P=0.026), preoperative ASPECTS ( OR=0.510, 95% CI 0.274-0.952, P=0.034) and CT-ASPECTS-NWU ( OR=2.131, 95% CI 1.301-3.493, P=0.003) were independent predictors of neurological outcome in patients with ALVOS after mechanical thrombectomy. ROC curve analysis showed that CT-ASPECTS-NWU had the highest predictive value, with an AUC of 0.881, a sensitivity of 85.7%, a specificity of 85.1%, and an optimal cutoff value of 7.55. Conclusion:CT-ASPECTS-NWU demonstrates high diagnostic value in evaluating the neurological outcome of patients with ALVOS after mechanical thrombectomy, and can provide an objective imaging biomarker to guide clinical decision-making.
8.Review for the research advances of noninvasive monitoring technique for blood glucose
Lirui CHENG ; Zhigang ZHU ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Shuhan LI ; Heqing LU
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(5):160-165
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia,which long-term loss of control can lead to complications of blood vessels of heart,renal and other multi-system,and even threaten the patient's life.Monitoring for blood glucose is crucial for adjusting treatment and preventing complications.Traditional invasive glucose monitoring technology requires frequent blood collection,which not only leads to significant pain in patients,but also poses the risk of infection at the puncture site,coupled with the reduced compliance brought about by cumbersome operation,which seriously restricts the effectiveness and continuity of blood glucose management.The non-invasive monitoring technique for blood glucose can enhance frequency of monitoring,and comfort level through optical method,biosensing method,etc.,which has key values in optimizing glycemic control,reducing risk of complications,and decreasing medical cost.It is becoming a hot point of research.This review summarized a noninvasive monitoring technique system included sample analysis method,optical method and physiological process-based method,which analyzed principles,advantages,and limitations of its development of each detection method.The review also concluded the challenges of noninvasive monitoring technique for blood glucose in some aspects included overcoming individual differences,enhancing precision of measurement,and improving accuracy and stability.In addition,it proposed some developing directions of noninvasive monitoring technique in future,such as continuous monitoring equipment with low cost,establishment of standardized database,and individual validation,so as to promote implementation of noninvasive monitoring technique for blood glucose,and realize accurate management for diabetes mellitus.
9.18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters for prediction of treatment response to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer
Peng LI ; Shuang LU ; Weiwei ZHAO ; Yanmei LI ; Xianhua HAN ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Jianwei YANG
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(11):648-653
Objective:To investigate the value of midtreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters for predicting the pathological response in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT). Methods:Twenty-five LAGC patients (19 males, 6 females, age: (64.8±8.6) years) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT after NICT in Henan Cancer Hospital from August 2019 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The lesion′s ROI was delineated, then the SUV max and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) were measured, and the SUV max was divided by SUV mean of the descending aorta to obtain the tumor-to-background ratio (TBR). Patients underwent surgery after PET/CT imaging. Based on the tumor regression grade (TRG) system by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria on surgical specimen, patients were divided into responders (TRG0+ 1) and non-responders (TRG2+ 3). Independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test were used to compare the differences of data. The predictive efficacy of PET/CT metabolic parameters was assessed by the ROC curve analysis. Results:Postsurgical pathology showed that 9 patients were responders and 16 were non-responders. The SUV max (3.10±1.95) and TBR (2.44±1.54) of primary lesions in responders were lower than those in non-responders (7.40±4.68, 5.85±3.74; t values: -2.61, -2.59, both P<0.05), while the MTV of primary tumors and short diameter and metabolic parameters of positive lymph nodes were not significantly different between those 2 groups ( t=-1.50, Z values: -1.09 to -0.75, all P>0.05). No significant relation was found between PET/CT parameters and pathological differentiation or Lauren classification, or other pathological features ( t values: -1.55 to 1.38, Z values: -1.84 to 0, F values: 0.12-2.43, H values: 0.13-0.98, all P>0.05). ROC curve showed that the cut-off value of SUV max for predicting postoperative TRG was 5.40, and the AUC reached 0.77 (95% CI: 0.56-0.91), with the sensitivity and specificity of 9/16, 9/9, respectively. With TBR=3.54 as the cut-off value, its AUC reached 0.77 (95% CI: 0.56-0.91), and the sensitivity and specificity were 11/16, 8/9, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT for predicting lymph node positivity of patients were 8/12 and 13/13, respectively. Conclusion:Interim 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters can accurately predict the pathological response of LAGC patients after NICT.
10.Effects of Vibrio vulnificus LuxS on the homeostasis of murine pulmonary innate immune cells during acute lung injury
Haonan LIN ; Yelin JIANG ; Xiaofeng SHI ; Lu TANG ; Zhu CHEN ; Xianhui HUANG ; Yongliang LOU ; Danli XIE
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(3):214-222
Objective:To investigate the effects of Vibrio vulnificus ( Vv) quorum-sensing protein LuxS on the homeostasis of pulmonary innate immune cells in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Methods:This study constructed luxS knockout and complemented Vv strains. The time required for wild type, luxS knockout, and complemented Vv strains to grow to an absorbance of 600 nm in liquid medium was measured using a spectrophotometer. Iron-overloaded mice were intraperitoneally infected with 1×10 5 CFU of the above three kinds of Vv strains, respectively. Clinical scoring for sepsis-induced dyspnea was used to evaluate the respiratory quality in mice. At 7 h after infection, the pathological changes in lung tissues were observed by HE staining; the bacterial loads in lung tissues were measured; the single-cell suspension of lung tissues was analyzed by flow cytometry. Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) was used to reduce the dimension of the distribution of CD45 + immune cells in lung tissues of mice in the PBS control group and infection groups with different strains. The frequency and absolute number of innate immune cells in lung tissues were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry. One-way analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There was no significant difference in the growth rate of wild type, luxS knockout, and complemented Vv strains in liquid medium. Compared with the mice infected with the wild type or complemented strain, the mice infected with the luxS knockout strain exhibited overall alleviated respiratory difficulty, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues, and reduced bacterial load in lung tissues ( P<0.05). Besides, there was no significant difference in clinical respiratory scores, inflammatory cell infiltration, or bacterial loads between the mice infected with the complemented strain and wild type strain. UMAP analysis showed that compared with the mice infected with the luxS knockout strain, the mice infected with the wild type or complemented strain showed increased proportions of neutrophils and eosinophils in lung tissues. Results of multicolor flow cytometry analysis further verified that the proportions of neutrophils and eosinophils were significantly lower in the mice infected with the luxS knockout strain than in the mice infected with wild type or complemented strain ( P<0.01, P<0.000 1), while the proportion of alveolar macrophages was significantly higher as compared with that in the mice infected with wild type or complemented strain ( P<0.01). Conclusion:During Vv infection, LuxS may promote acute lung injury by affecting the homeostasis of neutrophils, eosinophils and resident macrophages in lung tissues.

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