1.Expression and significance of ChREBP network members and TUG1 in intrauterine adhesion
Lingjing ZHU ; Mingqing CHEN ; Zixuan YAN ; Xuelan YAN ; Ying AI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(1):7-11,17
Objective To investigate the expression and significance of carbohydrate response element-binding protein(ChREBP)network members(ChREBP,Mlx,Max,Mxd1,HDAC1)and taurine-upregulated gene 1(TUG1)in intrauterine adhesion(IUA).Methods Ten female SD rats with 8 weeks old were selected as the study objects.The mechanical curettage plus lipopolysaccharide infection were used to construct the IUA rat model as the IUA group(n=5)and the uterine cavity of the control group did not perform any oper-ation(n=5);HE and Masson staining were respectively used to assess the number of endometrial glands and the degree of fibrosis;Western blot was used to detect the expression level of ChREBP network members in the nucleus and cytoplasm;RT-qRCR was used to detect the expression level of TUG1.Results Compared with the control group,the number of endometrial glands in the IUA group was decreased(P<0.05),the percentage of the fibrotic area was increased(P<0.05),the protein expression level of ChREBP network members in the nucleus was down-regulated,the protein expression level of ChREBP network members in the cytoplasm was up-regulated and the mRNA relative expression level of TUG1 was up-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusion Blocked nuclear translocation of ChREBP and reduced the recruitment of its downstream network mem-bers may lead to attenuate the repressive effect on TUG1 transcription,thereby promoting IUA occurrence.
2.Effects of lncRNA ZFAS1 on hippocampal neuron damage andcognitive function in diabetic encephalopathy mice
Huaying GUAN ; Mingxing ZHU ; Zhijing WU ; Huan WANG ; Weiwen CHEN ; Zhenqin WU ; Yanfang ZHENG ; Mingqing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(11):2081-2090
AIM:To investigate the expression profile and biological significance of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)zinc finger antisense 1(ZFAS1)in the brains of mice with diabetic encephalopathy(DE).METHODS:Ten db/m mice served as the normal control group,while twenty 22-week-old db/db mice were used to establish the DE model and randomly divided into two subgroups:ten as the db/db model control and the remaining ten receiving ZFAS1 gene knockdown(db/db+sh-ZFAS1)via lentiviral transfection.Weekly measurements of body weight and blood glucose levels were performed.Brain tissues were collected for Nissl staining to evaluate neuronal damage,TUNEL assay to detect apop-tosis,and immunofluorescence staining to examine neural biomarker expression.Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and oxidative stress markers,including reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),were determined.Western blot was conducted to quantify the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated p38(p-p38)in brain tissues.The expression levels of ZFAS1 and caspase-3 mRNA were determined by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Knockdown of ZFAS1 in db/db mice significantly improved cognitive function,alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage,and reduced body weight and blood glucose levels(P<0.01).More-over,oxidative stress was mitigated,as evidenced by decreased MDA and ROS levels(P<0.01)and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes,GSH-Px,SOD and CAT(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Meanwhile,ZFAS1 silencing down-regulated Bax and p-p38/p38 protein expression(P<0.01 or P<0.05)while up-regulating Bcl-2(P<0.01).Consistently,RT-qPCR confirmed significant down-regulation of ZFAS1 and caspase-3 mRNA levels(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:lncRNA ZFAS1 is highly expressed in the hippocampus of DE mice.Down-regulation of ZFAS1 expression enhances cognitive func-tion,suppresses oxidative stress,and inhibits neuronal apoptosis,thereby attenuating neural damage in DE.
3.Effects of lncRNA ZFAS1 on hippocampal neuron damage andcognitive function in diabetic encephalopathy mice
Huaying GUAN ; Mingxing ZHU ; Zhijing WU ; Huan WANG ; Weiwen CHEN ; Zhenqin WU ; Yanfang ZHENG ; Mingqing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(11):2081-2090
AIM:To investigate the expression profile and biological significance of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)zinc finger antisense 1(ZFAS1)in the brains of mice with diabetic encephalopathy(DE).METHODS:Ten db/m mice served as the normal control group,while twenty 22-week-old db/db mice were used to establish the DE model and randomly divided into two subgroups:ten as the db/db model control and the remaining ten receiving ZFAS1 gene knockdown(db/db+sh-ZFAS1)via lentiviral transfection.Weekly measurements of body weight and blood glucose levels were performed.Brain tissues were collected for Nissl staining to evaluate neuronal damage,TUNEL assay to detect apop-tosis,and immunofluorescence staining to examine neural biomarker expression.Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and oxidative stress markers,including reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),were determined.Western blot was conducted to quantify the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated p38(p-p38)in brain tissues.The expression levels of ZFAS1 and caspase-3 mRNA were determined by RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Knockdown of ZFAS1 in db/db mice significantly improved cognitive function,alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage,and reduced body weight and blood glucose levels(P<0.01).More-over,oxidative stress was mitigated,as evidenced by decreased MDA and ROS levels(P<0.01)and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes,GSH-Px,SOD and CAT(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Meanwhile,ZFAS1 silencing down-regulated Bax and p-p38/p38 protein expression(P<0.01 or P<0.05)while up-regulating Bcl-2(P<0.01).Consistently,RT-qPCR confirmed significant down-regulation of ZFAS1 and caspase-3 mRNA levels(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:lncRNA ZFAS1 is highly expressed in the hippocampus of DE mice.Down-regulation of ZFAS1 expression enhances cognitive func-tion,suppresses oxidative stress,and inhibits neuronal apoptosis,thereby attenuating neural damage in DE.
4.Efficacy and safety of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 21 patients with Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Haiping DAI ; Hongjie SHEN ; Zheng LI ; Wei CUI ; Qingya CUI ; Mengyun LI ; Sifan CHEN ; Mingqing ZHU ; Depei WU ; Xiaowen TANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(1):35-40
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-ALL) .Methods:Patients with Ph-ALL who underwent CAR-T therapy followed by allo-HSCT from March 2018 to August 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Of the 21 patients, 14 were male and 7 were female. The median age at the time of CAR-T therapy was 22 (6-50) years. Seven patients had ABL1-like rearrangements, and 14 had JAK-STAT rearrangements. Prior to CAR-T therapy, 12 patients experienced hematologic relapse; 7 were multiparameter flow cytometry minimal residual disease (MFC-MRD) -positive and 2 were MFC-MRD-negative. CAR-T cells were derived from patients’ autologous lymphocytes. Nine patients were treated with CD19 CAR-T cells, and 12 were treated with CD19/CD22 CAR-T cells. After assessment on day 28 after CAR-T therapy, 95.2% of the patients achieved complete remission, with an MRD-negative remission rate of 75%. Nineteen patients developed grade 0–2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 2 patients suffered grade 3 CRS, all cases of which resolved after treatment. All patients underwent allo-HSCT after CAR-T therapy. The median time from CAR-T therapy to allo-HSCT was 63 (38-114) days. Five patients experienced relapse after CAR-T therapy, including four with hematologic relapse and one with molecular relapse. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates in the ABL1 and JAK-STAT groups were (83.3±15.2) % and (66.6±17.2) %, respectively ( P=0.68) . The 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were (50.0±20.4) % and (55.6±15.4) % in the ABL1 and JAK-STAT groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in 3-year OS or RFS between the two groups. Conclusions:CAR-T therapy followed by allo-HSCT leads to rapid remission in most patients with Ph-ALL and prolongs leukemia-free survival.
5.Effects of hormone changes 12 h after hCG trigger on the outcomes of IVF/ICSI-ET treatment with GnRH-a protocol
Huihua WU ; Rui ZHU ; Mingqing LI ; Qingxia MENG ; Fuxin WANG ; Jie DING ; Hong LI
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2024;44(6):610-616
Objective:To explore the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone as well as the change of estradiol 12 h after hCG trigger on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at the Center for Reproduction and Genetics of the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. A total of 2 506 patients received IVF/ICSI-ET treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) protocol from March 2015 to June 2020 were selected. With Spearman rank correlation analysis and path analysis, we explore the relationship among the changes of these hormones and the baseline characteristic of patients, as well as the relationship among the changes of these hormones and the outcomes of IVF treatment.Results:The increase of hCG was accompanied by the rise of progesterone and the decline of estradiol change rate ( r=0.094, P<0.001; r=-0.093, P<0.001). Meanwhile the rise of progesterone was accompanied by the decline of estradiol change rate ( r=-0.089, P<0.001). The dosage of hCG trigger was directly positively correlated to hCG level after hCG trigger, path coefficients (PC) was 0.307 ( P<0.001). Body mass index (BMI) was directly negatively correlated to hCG level and progesterone level after hCG trigger (PC=-0.434, P<0.001; PC=-0.154, P<0.001), whereas positively correlated to estradiol change rate (PC=0.097, P<0.001). Meanwhile the duration and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn) used were positively correlated to progesterone level after hCG trigger (PC=0.102, P<0.001; PC=0.080, P=0.030). hCG level and progesterone level after hCG trigger had positive correlation to oocyte retrieved rate (PC=0.098, P<0.001; PC=0.080, P<0.001). While estradiol change rate was not correlated to oocyte retrieved rate ( P>0.05). Progesterone level on hCG trigger day negatively related to normal fertilization rate (PC=-0.050, P=0.039). hCG level, progesterone level and estradiol change rate after hCG trigger had no correlation with high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Oocyte retrieved rate was positively affected by hCG level and progesterone level 12 h after hCG trigger. While normal fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were not affected by the change of hormones level 12 h after hCG trigger. Therefore we should pay attention to hCG level and progesterone level 12 h after hCG trigger.
6.Kinetic characteristics of T cell expansion in patients with B tumor after CAR19 T cell therapy
Lan DAI ; Ren MEI ; Wenhong SHEN ; Ziling ZHU ; Mengjie CAI ; Na′na PING ; Chongsheng QIAN ; Linyan HE ; Xia BAI ; Mingqing ZHU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(12):1435-1441
Objective:To investigate the proliferation kinetics of T cells in patients with B-cell hematologic malignancies who received CAR19 T cell therapy.Methods:Observational study. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the levels of CAR19+and CAR19-T cell expansion and the dynamic changes of T lymphocyte subsets before and after CAR19 T cell therapy. The 52 patients with B-cell hematologic malignancies (including 12 B-ALL and 40 NHL) who received CAR19 T cell therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2021 to December 2023 were recruited in this study. Patients were divided into complete response group and incomplete response group according to the efficacy evaluation criteria in the treatment guidelines for B-cell hematologic malignancies. T test or non-parametric rank sum test were used to compare the differences of CAR19+and CAR19-T cell subsets between the two groups.Results:At the peak of CAR19+T cell expansion, there was no statistic difference of CAR19+T cell subsets between the complete response group and the incomplete response group. After 6 months, the percentage of CD4+T cells (CD3+CD4+CD8-) in CAR19-T cells in patients was lower than the pre-treatment level(48.0+27.2,63.1+19.7,<0.01), and the percentages of CD197+CD45RA+and CD197-CD45RA-subsets recovered to the pre-treatment level, while the percentage of CD197-CD45RA+subset(4.2+3.0,21.1+15.6,<0.01) was lower than the pre-treatment level. The percentage of CD8+T cells (CD3+CD4-CD8+) returned to pre-treatment level after 6 months, CD197-CD45RA-subset in CD8+T cells returned to pre-treatment level, while CD197+CD45RA+subset(16.6+8.7,35.1+30.1,<0.01),CD197+CD45RA-subset(18.7+9.1,25.8+19.1,<0.01) were still lower than pre-treatment level.Conclusion:After CAR19 T cell treatment, there was no significant differences in the proportions of CAR19+T cell subsets in patients with different therapeutic effects. After treatment, the proportion of CAR19-CD3+CD4-CD8+cells recovered earlier than CD3+CD4+CD8-cells, and the dynamic changes of each subgroup were different. This therapeutic regimen has a great impact on the subpopulation of CAR19-T cells in vivo, and the reconstruction of such T cells takes a long time.
7.Effects of hormone changes 12 h after hCG trigger on the outcomes of IVF/ICSI-ET treatment with GnRH-a protocol
Huihua WU ; Rui ZHU ; Mingqing LI ; Qingxia MENG ; Fuxin WANG ; Jie DING ; Hong LI
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2024;44(6):610-616
Objective:To explore the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone as well as the change of estradiol 12 h after hCG trigger on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at the Center for Reproduction and Genetics of the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. A total of 2 506 patients received IVF/ICSI-ET treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) protocol from March 2015 to June 2020 were selected. With Spearman rank correlation analysis and path analysis, we explore the relationship among the changes of these hormones and the baseline characteristic of patients, as well as the relationship among the changes of these hormones and the outcomes of IVF treatment.Results:The increase of hCG was accompanied by the rise of progesterone and the decline of estradiol change rate ( r=0.094, P<0.001; r=-0.093, P<0.001). Meanwhile the rise of progesterone was accompanied by the decline of estradiol change rate ( r=-0.089, P<0.001). The dosage of hCG trigger was directly positively correlated to hCG level after hCG trigger, path coefficients (PC) was 0.307 ( P<0.001). Body mass index (BMI) was directly negatively correlated to hCG level and progesterone level after hCG trigger (PC=-0.434, P<0.001; PC=-0.154, P<0.001), whereas positively correlated to estradiol change rate (PC=0.097, P<0.001). Meanwhile the duration and dosage of gonadotropin (Gn) used were positively correlated to progesterone level after hCG trigger (PC=0.102, P<0.001; PC=0.080, P=0.030). hCG level and progesterone level after hCG trigger had positive correlation to oocyte retrieved rate (PC=0.098, P<0.001; PC=0.080, P<0.001). While estradiol change rate was not correlated to oocyte retrieved rate ( P>0.05). Progesterone level on hCG trigger day negatively related to normal fertilization rate (PC=-0.050, P=0.039). hCG level, progesterone level and estradiol change rate after hCG trigger had no correlation with high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Oocyte retrieved rate was positively affected by hCG level and progesterone level 12 h after hCG trigger. While normal fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were not affected by the change of hormones level 12 h after hCG trigger. Therefore we should pay attention to hCG level and progesterone level 12 h after hCG trigger.
8.Kinetic characteristics of T cell expansion in patients with B tumor after CAR19 T cell therapy
Lan DAI ; Ren MEI ; Wenhong SHEN ; Ziling ZHU ; Mengjie CAI ; Na′na PING ; Chongsheng QIAN ; Linyan HE ; Xia BAI ; Mingqing ZHU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(12):1435-1441
Objective:To investigate the proliferation kinetics of T cells in patients with B-cell hematologic malignancies who received CAR19 T cell therapy.Methods:Observational study. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the levels of CAR19+and CAR19-T cell expansion and the dynamic changes of T lymphocyte subsets before and after CAR19 T cell therapy. The 52 patients with B-cell hematologic malignancies (including 12 B-ALL and 40 NHL) who received CAR19 T cell therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2021 to December 2023 were recruited in this study. Patients were divided into complete response group and incomplete response group according to the efficacy evaluation criteria in the treatment guidelines for B-cell hematologic malignancies. T test or non-parametric rank sum test were used to compare the differences of CAR19+and CAR19-T cell subsets between the two groups.Results:At the peak of CAR19+T cell expansion, there was no statistic difference of CAR19+T cell subsets between the complete response group and the incomplete response group. After 6 months, the percentage of CD4+T cells (CD3+CD4+CD8-) in CAR19-T cells in patients was lower than the pre-treatment level(48.0+27.2,63.1+19.7,<0.01), and the percentages of CD197+CD45RA+and CD197-CD45RA-subsets recovered to the pre-treatment level, while the percentage of CD197-CD45RA+subset(4.2+3.0,21.1+15.6,<0.01) was lower than the pre-treatment level. The percentage of CD8+T cells (CD3+CD4-CD8+) returned to pre-treatment level after 6 months, CD197-CD45RA-subset in CD8+T cells returned to pre-treatment level, while CD197+CD45RA+subset(16.6+8.7,35.1+30.1,<0.01),CD197+CD45RA-subset(18.7+9.1,25.8+19.1,<0.01) were still lower than pre-treatment level.Conclusion:After CAR19 T cell treatment, there was no significant differences in the proportions of CAR19+T cell subsets in patients with different therapeutic effects. After treatment, the proportion of CAR19-CD3+CD4-CD8+cells recovered earlier than CD3+CD4+CD8-cells, and the dynamic changes of each subgroup were different. This therapeutic regimen has a great impact on the subpopulation of CAR19-T cells in vivo, and the reconstruction of such T cells takes a long time.
9.Babaodan Alleviates APAP-induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice by Inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1 Pathway
Ruowei ZHAO ; Qing ZHANG ; Mingxing ZHU ; Yueyang LIU ; Zaixing CHENG ; Mingqing HUANG ; Yanfang ZHENG ; Yanxiang LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(5):122-128
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Babaodan (BBD) on the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3/cysteine aspartate-specific protease-3 (NLRP3/Caspase-1) pathway proteins in mice with acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury. MethodC57BL/6 mice were randomly grouped, and BBD (75, 150, 300 mg·kg-1, ig) was administered twice a day for three days. After 2 hours of the last administration, the mice were treated with APAP (400 mg·kg-1, ip), and the eyeballs were removed to collect blood after 14 hours. Then they were sacrificed by cervical dislocation for sample collection. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of liver tissue cells, and biochemical methods were used to detect the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in serum of mice in each group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was performed to determine the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6, and Western blot was performed to determine the protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-18 in the liver of mice. ResultCompared with the conditions in normal group, the hepatic lobule structure of mice in the model group was partially destroyed, and the hepatic sinusoids were dilated. And the expression levels of ALT and AST in serum, the protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, iNOS, IL-18 and COX-2 and the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the administration groups had improvement in liver cell rupture and hepatic sinusoidal compression, and a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT and AST in serum as well as the protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, iNOS, IL-18 and COX-2 and the the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBBD can reduce APAP-induced acute liver injury in mice. The mechanism may be related to anti-oxidative stress, inhibition of NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway, and decreased expression levels of IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α and IL-6.
10.Coagulation function changes after CD19-CAR-T cells immunotherapy for B-ALL and its related factors
Lan DAI ; Linyan HE ; Ziling ZHU ; Shengli XUE ; Mengjie CAI ; Haixia ZHOU ; Zhaoyue WANG ; Mingqing ZHU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2022;45(8):846-851
Objective:To investigate the changes of various cytokines and coagulation function in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) patients with different CRS scores during CD19-CAR-T cell immunotherapy.Methods:87 patients with B-ALL hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and 30 normal controls were enrolled into this study from July 2018 to October 2020. The age of the patients was 32(20, 56) years old and 36(41.4%) were female. All these coagulation indicators, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, fibrinogen (Fg) were analyzed by automatic blood coagulation in B-ALL patients before and after treated with CAR-T cell. The ratio of CD19-CAR-T cells and the expression of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TFN-α, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-17A were analyzed using flow cytometry. The patients′ clinical parameters were detected, and the CRS classification of severity was made according to the standard of consensus.Results:Patients with CRS>3 had prolonged PT and APTT, increased D-dimer, and decreased fibrinogen ( P<0.05). The levels of cytokines of IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with CRS>3 than that in controls ( P<0.05).The D-dimer level is positively correlated with IL-10. Conclusion:Patients with severe CRS grading have significant coagulation dysfunction in CD19-CAR-T cell immunotherapy. Cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 may affect coagulation function and CRS grading during CD19-CAR-T cell immunotherapy.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail