1.Aberrant Increase in Lipid Synthesis Exacerbates Diabetic Nephropathy and Folic Acid-induced Kidney Injury.
Yuzhi CHEN ; Xiaoyun JIANG ; Qihui DAI ; Gonghua HUANG ; Xinguang LIU ; Meng YANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(1):119-132
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and effects of fatty acid metabolism in folic acid (FA)-induced kidney injury and diabetic nephropathy (DN) mouse models. MethodsThe FA-induced kidney injury model was established via intraperitoneal injection of FA. Nine adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to two groups: saline control group (Saline, n=5) and FA intervention group (n=4). Mice in the FA group received a single intraperitoneal injection of FA (250 mg/kg), whereas those in the Saline group were administered an equivalent volume of normal saline. The DN model was constructed using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Eleven adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups: normal diet control group (ND, n=6) and DN model group (DN, n=5). The ND group was fed a normal diet throughout the experiment; the DN group was maintained on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (100 mg/kg), and then continued on the high-fat diet until week 16. (1) Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and sirius red staining were used to observe pathological changes in the kidneys of the four groups of mice. (2) RNA-Seq was performed on mouse kidney tissues to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthesis and fibrosis-related genes. Lipid droplet accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining on frozen kidney sections. (3) Human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) were treated with 10 ng/mL recombinant human TGF-β1 or high glucose. RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthesis and fibrosis-related genes in HK-2 cells. Lipid droplet accumulation in HK-2 cells and PTECs was detected using Bodipy 493/503 staining. (4) HK-2 cells were treated with 100 µmol/L palmitic acid (PA). Bodipy 493/503 staining was used to evaluate lipid droplet accumulation. (5) SA-β-gal staining was used to assess senescence in kidney tissues from all four mouse groups. Cellular senescence and the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors in PA-treated HK-2 cells were assessed using SA-β-gal staining, Western blot, and RT-qPCR. The effect of PA-treated PTECs on renal fibroblast activation was assessed by immunofluorescence. Results(1) Both FA and DN groups showed pathological changes in kidney tissue, including renal tubular structural damage and collagen fiber deposition. (2) DEGs in both FA and DN groups were significantly enriched in metabolism-related pathways, especially lipid metabolism pathways. Compared to the Saline control, the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes Srebp1 and Fasn was significantly upregulated in the FA group (Srebp1: t=2.445, P=0.044 4; Fasn: t=2.571, P=0.037 0). Compared to the ND group, Srebp1, Acc1, and Fasn gene expression was upregulated in the DN group (Srebp1: t=3.354, P=0.010 0; Acc1: t=2.602, P=0.031 5; Fasn: t=2.358, P=0.046 1). The fibrosis-related gene Col1a1 was also upregulated in both FA and DN groups (FA: t=2.628, P=0.034 0; DN: t=3.602, P=0.007 0), accompanied by pathological signs of lipid accumulation. (3) In HK-2 cells treated with TGF-β1 or high glucose, the mRNA expression levels of SREBP1 (F=15.41, P=0.004 3; TGFβ: P=0.002 9; HG: P=0.045 2), ACC1 (F=30.30, P=0.000 7; HG: P=0.001 4), and FASN (F=18.76, P=0.002 6; TGFβ: P=0.001 7; HG: P=0.031 0) were significantly upregulated. Both treatments also induced lipid accumulation in HK-2 cells and PTECs. (4) There was an increase in senescent cells in the kidneys of both the FA and DN groups. PA treatment induced lipid accumulation, accelerated senescence, and activated fibroblasts in renal tubular epithelial cells. ConclusionsTranscriptional abnormalities of lipid metabolism-related genes were observed in the kidneys of both FA-induced kidney injury and diabetic nephropathy models. Excessive fatty acid synthesis leads to lipid accumulation, which induces senescence in PTECs and ultimately promotes the development and progression of fibrosis.
2.Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury
Chang LIU ; Rui TAO ; Qihui HU ; Jing LUO ; Cong CHEN
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(7):951-956
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)is a pathological phenomenon that commonly occurs during liver surgery and transplantation.It leads to serious tissue damage and affects liver function.The mechanisms behind IRI are complex,involving oxida-tive stress,inflammatory responses,and calcium homeostasis disorder.Recently,scientists have paid more attention to the role of endo-plasmic reticulum stress(ERS)in IRI.ERS activates three classical signaling pathways,PERK,IRE1,and ATF6,through the unfolded protein response(UPR),aiming to preliminarily restore endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis and protect cells.However,if the stress re-sponse is excessive or persistent,ERS can activate apoptosis signaling pathways,such as CHOP and Bax/Bak,worsening cell injury.Additionally,ERS is closely related to other cellular stress responses,such as autophagy and oxidative stress,which jointly affect the survival and death of hepatocytes.Regulation of ERS,especially interventions targeting the three UPR pathways,is considered as a po-tential therapeutic pathway for alleviating hepatic IRI.Pharmacological interventions,such as 4-phenylbutyric acid and taurocholic acid,and gene therapies,such as knocking out PERK or IRE1,have shown positive effects in protecting liver function while inhibiting ERS.This paper reviews the mechanism of action of ERS in hepatic IRI,focuses on the specific roles of the three UPR pathways and their potential as therapeutic targets,and explores the future of re-lated therapeutic strategies.
3.NAT10 inhibition alleviates astrocyte autophagy by impeding ac4C acetylation of Timp1 mRNA in ischemic stroke.
Li YANG ; Xiaotong LI ; Yaxuan ZHAO ; Hao CHEN ; Can WANG ; Angrong WU ; Xintong GUO ; Yue HUANG ; Qihui WANG ; Lingyun HAO ; Xiaowen LI ; Ying JI ; Jin BAN ; Guangtian WANG ; Junli CAO ; Zhiqiang PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2575-2592
Although a single nucleotide polymorphism for N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified in patients with early-onset stroke, the role of NAT10 in ischemic injury and the related underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that NAT10, the only known RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification "writer", is increased in the damaged cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke and the peri-infarct cortex of mice subjected to photothrombotic (PT) stroke. Pharmacological inhibition of NAT10 with remodelin on Days 3-7 post-stroke or astrocytic depletion of NAT10 via targeted virus attenuates ischemia-induced infarction and improves functional recovery in PT mice. Mechanistically, NAT10 enhances ac4C acetylation of the inflammatory cytokine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) mRNA transcript, which increases TIMP1 expression and results in the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and progression of astrocyte autophagy. These findings demonstrate that NAT10 regulates astrocyte autophagy by targeting Timp1 ac4C after stroke. This study highlights the critical role of ac4C in the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and proposes a promising strategy to improve post-stroke outcomes via NAT10 inhibition.
4.Roles of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and mitophagy in liver diseases.
Qihui ZHOU ; Panpan CEN ; Zhi CHEN ; Jie JIN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(10):972-994
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an intracellular transcription factor that helps protect against oxidative stress in different types of cells under pathological conditions. Mitochondria are vital organelles that function in diverse metabolic processes in the body, including redox reactions, lipid metabolism, and cell death. Mitophagy, a specific form of autophagy for damaged mitochondria, plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of liver diseases. In this review, we explain in detail the roles of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and mitophagy, and the relationship between them, in various hepatic diseases (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury, and liver cancer). We also offer some potential insights and treatments relevant to clinical applications.
Humans
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Mitophagy/physiology*
;
Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
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Liver Diseases/etiology*
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Animals
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Oxidative Stress
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
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Liver Neoplasms
5.Intrinsic specific TGF-β signaling in myofibers attenuates mouse acute skeletal myositis via LRP1
Qihui CAI ; Haiqiang LAN ; Bojun XIAN ; Nan WANG ; Xiaolei HUANG ; Xiaolu NIU ; Xinyu HU ; Chen LI ; Junyi XIE ; Zhaohong LIAO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(7):1365-1374
AIM:To investigate the effect of intrinsic specific transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling on regeneration and repair of myofibers in acute skeletal myositismice model induced by cardiotoxin(CTX).METHODS:One hundred and eighty-six wild C57BL/6 mice and one hundred and thirty-eight mice with conditional knockout of TGF-β receptor 2(TGF-βr2)in myofibers(SM TGF-βr2-/-mice)were selected.CTX injection to anterior tibial muscle(TA)in-duced acute myoinjury in mice.Some SM TGF-βr2-/-mice were given Smad signaling agonist SRI-011381(SRI)intramus-cular injection.All mice were mainly divided into the following groups:control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group and SM TGF-βr2-/-+SRI group.Twenty-four mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1),respectively,while the relative protein expression of myosin heavy chain 3(MHY3)and embryonic myosine heavy chain(eMHC)in damaged muscle was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.In vi-tro,after being extracted from neonatal mice,myogenic precursor cells(MPCs)were cultured in an pro-inflammatory mi-lieu and treated with SRI,recombinant mouse extracellular matrix protein 1(rmECM1)alone or in combination.Hereby,they were divided into the following seven groups:control-MPCs group,control-MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+rmECM1 group,and TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI+rmECM1 group.Six mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules(MHC-I/H-2Kb),major histocompatibility complex class II molecules(MHC-II/H2-Eα),Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3),and LRP1.And the relative protein expression of MoyD and myogenin in myotubes was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RE-SULTS:In vivo,compared with control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group showed the significant upregulation of pro-inflamma-tory cytokines(P<0.05),and the opposite trend of anti-inflammatory cytokines,LRP1,MHY3,eMHC in the injured muscle(P<0.05),with delayed regeneration and repair of myofibers.In vitro,compared with control-MPCs+LPS group,LRP1,MoyD and myogenin significantly downregulated in TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,but the downregulation trend was corrected after giving SRI treatment(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,the combi-nation of rmECM1 and SRI significantly upregulated the protein expression of MyoD and myogenin(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:In a mouse model of acute skeletal myositis,intrinsic TGF-β signaling specifically in myofibers regulates local im-mune behavior.It promotes the expression of LRP1 in damaged muscle via Smad2/3 signaling,and LRP1 can then fully bind to ECM1,thereby facilitating muscle regeneration and repair,and improving the prognosis of acute skeletal myositis.
6.Common Environmental Problems and Testing Experiences in Laboratory Animal Facilities in Sichuan Province
Wentao LIU ; Yanhong LUO ; Yongxia LONG ; Qihui LUO ; Zhengli CHEN ; Lida LIU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(4):483-489
Laboratory animals are the "living" tools of medical research. Through animal experiments, people can gain continuous insights into the laws of life, reveal the essence of diseases, develop vaccines and drugs for prevention and treatment, and play an important role in the technological development of fields related to human health. The environmental conditions of laboratory animals have a direct impact on their health, quality, and the results of animal experiments. The higher the degree of environmental control, the more reliable the experimental results are in terms of quality. Therefore, environmental control of laboratory animal facilities is important for ensuring that laboratory animals live under required conditions, which is a key factor for conducting effective animal experiments. This article analyzes the current status of environmental testing of laboratory animal facilities in Sichuan Province, briefly summarizing their number, area, and other basic information, and provides detailed statistics on the ability of institutions to conduct environmental testing for laboratory animal facilities in Sichuan Province. It also summarizes the testing requirements for laboratory animal facility environments based on national standards, regulatory requirements, and the quality control needs of facility users. In the analysis of testing indicators for laboratory animal facilities, based on testing data from 40 laboratory animal facilities in Sichuan Province, it was found that static pressure difference is the indicator most prone to non-compliance, followed by illumination and air exchange rate. Using barrier environments as examples, common problems in the process of environmental testing for laboratory animal facilities are summarized in six aspects: testing personnel, instruments, methods, technical materials, testing environment, and reports, and targeted suggestions are proposed. These suggestions help improve environmental control in laboratory animal facilities, and provide practical reference and guidance for relevant testing institutions, as well as laboratory animal producers and users in the industry.
7.Intrinsic specific TGF-β signaling in myofibers attenuates mouse acute skeletal myositis via LRP1
Qihui CAI ; Haiqiang LAN ; Bojun XIAN ; Nan WANG ; Xiaolei HUANG ; Xiaolu NIU ; Xinyu HU ; Chen LI ; Junyi XIE ; Zhaohong LIAO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(7):1365-1374
AIM:To investigate the effect of intrinsic specific transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling on regeneration and repair of myofibers in acute skeletal myositismice model induced by cardiotoxin(CTX).METHODS:One hundred and eighty-six wild C57BL/6 mice and one hundred and thirty-eight mice with conditional knockout of TGF-β receptor 2(TGF-βr2)in myofibers(SM TGF-βr2-/-mice)were selected.CTX injection to anterior tibial muscle(TA)in-duced acute myoinjury in mice.Some SM TGF-βr2-/-mice were given Smad signaling agonist SRI-011381(SRI)intramus-cular injection.All mice were mainly divided into the following groups:control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group and SM TGF-βr2-/-+SRI group.Twenty-four mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1),respectively,while the relative protein expression of myosin heavy chain 3(MHY3)and embryonic myosine heavy chain(eMHC)in damaged muscle was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.In vi-tro,after being extracted from neonatal mice,myogenic precursor cells(MPCs)were cultured in an pro-inflammatory mi-lieu and treated with SRI,recombinant mouse extracellular matrix protein 1(rmECM1)alone or in combination.Hereby,they were divided into the following seven groups:control-MPCs group,control-MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+rmECM1 group,and TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI+rmECM1 group.Six mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules(MHC-I/H-2Kb),major histocompatibility complex class II molecules(MHC-II/H2-Eα),Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3),and LRP1.And the relative protein expression of MoyD and myogenin in myotubes was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RE-SULTS:In vivo,compared with control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group showed the significant upregulation of pro-inflamma-tory cytokines(P<0.05),and the opposite trend of anti-inflammatory cytokines,LRP1,MHY3,eMHC in the injured muscle(P<0.05),with delayed regeneration and repair of myofibers.In vitro,compared with control-MPCs+LPS group,LRP1,MoyD and myogenin significantly downregulated in TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,but the downregulation trend was corrected after giving SRI treatment(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,the combi-nation of rmECM1 and SRI significantly upregulated the protein expression of MyoD and myogenin(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:In a mouse model of acute skeletal myositis,intrinsic TGF-β signaling specifically in myofibers regulates local im-mune behavior.It promotes the expression of LRP1 in damaged muscle via Smad2/3 signaling,and LRP1 can then fully bind to ECM1,thereby facilitating muscle regeneration and repair,and improving the prognosis of acute skeletal myositis.
8.Changes in the isolation and drug resistance rate of Escherichia coli in a hospital over the past 10 years
Lijie GUO ; Fushun LI ; Jingjing CHEN ; Qihui WANG ; Yunzhuo CHU
Journal of China Medical University 2024;53(3):266-270
Objective To summarize the isolation and drug resistance rate of Escherichia coliin The First Hospital of China Medical University over the past 10 years,in order to provide evidence for the efficacies of clinical anti-infection treatments.Methods The data was collected from Escherichia coli isolated from patients treated at The First Hospital of China Medical University between 2013 and 2022.VITEK 2 and VITEK MS were used for bacterial identification,VITEK2 and KB method were used for drug sensi-tivity testing,and WHONET 5.6 software was used for analysis.Results From 2013 to 2022,6 845 strains were isolated,including 80.5%from inpatients and 19.5%from emergency and outpatients.The specimens were most commonly found in the urine(57.8%),blood(15.0%),secretions(9.2%),and drainage fluid(8.1%).The isolation rate of extended-spectrumβ-lactamase(ESBL)producing Escherichia coli was 57.2%(54.3%to 61.5%).The drug resistance rate of Escherichia coli to carbapenems was low,at only 1.2%(0.2%to 2.6%).Conclusion Escherichia coli remains an important pathogen in clinical infections,with varying degrees of resist-ance to multiple antibiotics,and the resistance rate is increasing.Clinical physicians should pay sufficient attention to this issue.
9.Interpretation of the updates of the NCCN esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers clinical practice guidelines in oncology (version 3. 2023)
Yi, WANG ; Chen ZHENG ; Qihui LI ; Jun WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(01):11-16
Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. On August 29, 2023, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) released the NCCN esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers clinical practice guidelines in oncology (version 3. 2023). This article aims to highlight the key updates in treatment and follow-up recommendations between the version 3 and the version 2 in 2023, providing the latest guidance for the management of esophageal cancer in our country.
10.Efficacy of robot-assisted surgery and laparoscopic surgery for choledochal cyst: a Meta-analysis
Tianhui GUO ; Qihui HU ; Cong CHEN ; Rui TAO ; Jintong HE ; Jixing WANG ; Zhenhao HUANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(2):289-296
The Choledochal cyst is an extremely rare congenital anomaly of the bile duct. Early cyst resection and Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy are the primary surgical methods for treating choledochal cyst. With the emergence of enhanced recovery after surgery, laparoscopic surgery has effectively reduced the incidence of biliary complications and wound infections, but it still does not meet people's requirements for minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery system has the potential to enhance surgical precision and the maneuverability of surgeons due to clear surgical visualization and flexible mechanical arms. The authors review the relevant literatures and conduct a Meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of robot-assisted surgery and laparoscopic surgery for choledochal cyst.

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