1.Regulation of lysosome function by stem cells in treatment of lysosomal storage diseases
Yiwen LI ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):145-152
BACKGROUND:Lysosomal storage diseases,as a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders,exhibit complex pathogenesis often leading to dysfunction of cells,tissues,and organs.Current therapeutic approaches have certain limitations.Stem cell transplantation,as an emerging treatment method,offers new options for patients with lysosomal storage diseases.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanisms of action of stem cells in regulating lysosomes for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and explore the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine in treating such diseases,providing new insights for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with stem cells.METHODS:Relevant literature from 2010 to 2024 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases using keywords"stem cells,lysosomal storage disease,lysosome"in English and Chinese.Ultimately,78 articles were included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells treat lysosomal storage diseases by regulating lysosomes primarily through three aspects:regulating stem cell differentiation and replacement,improving intercellular communication and the microenvironment,and enhancing lysosomal enzyme expression through gene editing.(2)Stem cells have achieved significant effects in the treatment of some lysosomal storage diseases,such as Niemann-Pick disease,mucopolysaccharidoses,Gaucher disease,and metachromatic leukodystrophy.(3)The procedure for stem cell transplantation needs further optimization.Adverse reactions post-transplantation urgently need to be addressed,and the efficiency and safety of gene-modified stem cells also need to be further improved.In the future,more research on the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine is required to reveal the relevant mechanisms for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Regulation of lysosome function by stem cells in treatment of lysosomal storage diseases
Yiwen LI ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):145-152
BACKGROUND:Lysosomal storage diseases,as a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders,exhibit complex pathogenesis often leading to dysfunction of cells,tissues,and organs.Current therapeutic approaches have certain limitations.Stem cell transplantation,as an emerging treatment method,offers new options for patients with lysosomal storage diseases.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanisms of action of stem cells in regulating lysosomes for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and explore the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine in treating such diseases,providing new insights for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with stem cells.METHODS:Relevant literature from 2010 to 2024 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases using keywords"stem cells,lysosomal storage disease,lysosome"in English and Chinese.Ultimately,78 articles were included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells treat lysosomal storage diseases by regulating lysosomes primarily through three aspects:regulating stem cell differentiation and replacement,improving intercellular communication and the microenvironment,and enhancing lysosomal enzyme expression through gene editing.(2)Stem cells have achieved significant effects in the treatment of some lysosomal storage diseases,such as Niemann-Pick disease,mucopolysaccharidoses,Gaucher disease,and metachromatic leukodystrophy.(3)The procedure for stem cell transplantation needs further optimization.Adverse reactions post-transplantation urgently need to be addressed,and the efficiency and safety of gene-modified stem cells also need to be further improved.In the future,more research on the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine is required to reveal the relevant mechanisms for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Role of"HA coat"in modulating stemness and endocrine resistance in ER+breast cancer
Shiyi WU ; Si CHEN ; Bohan LIU ; Yuting LIU ; Yiwen LIU ; Yiqing HE ; Yan DU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Qian GUO ; Feng GAO ; Cuixia YANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(10):1298-1307
Objective·To determine hyaluronan(HA)expression in the endocrine-resistant microenvironment of estrogen receptor-positive(ER+)breast cancer and elucidate its impact on the acquired resistance.Methods·Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to quantify HA levels in the culture supernatants of fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells.An immunofluorescence(IF)assay was performed to visualize the colocalization of CD44 and HA in MCF7/FulR cells.Using an established adaptive endocrine-resistant breast cancer mouse model,HA expression in resistant breast cancer tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry(IHC)assay.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)were conducted to examine transcriptomic profiles and alterations in HA-related genes in resistant breast cancer cells.Flow cytometry(FCM)was utilized to measure the proportion of CD44+CD24-cells in MCF7/FulR.The correlation between HA synthesis genes and cell stemness was investigated in clinical ER+breast cancers from GEO data sets.Hyaluronidase(HAase)treatment was applied to remove the"HA coat",and RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis were carried out to monitor changes in stemness-related molecules.CCK-8 assays,flow cytometry(FCM),and Hoechst 33258 staining were performed to determine changes in apoptosis and fulvestrant efficiency after HAase treatment.Results·IF results revealed that compared with MCF7 cells,the"HA coat"on the surface of MCF7/FulR cells was significantly thickened.IHC demonstrated markedly increased HA retention in fulvestrant-resistant mouse breast cancer tissues.ScRNA-seq and RNA-seq analyses indicated elevated expression of stemness-related genes and HA synthesis-associated genes in fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells.Correlation analysis revealed a positive association between HA synthesis and cancer stemness in ER+breast cancer.IF and RT-qPCR results demonstrated that removing the HA coating from the surface of MCF7/FulR cells led to a significant reduction in the expression of stemness-related molecules;concurrently,CCK-8 assays,FCM analysis,and Hoechst 33258 staining revealed that"HA coat"clearance reduced MCF7/FulR'tolerance to fulvestrant and increased apoptosis.Conclusion·Endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells develop an enriched"HA coat",which promotes stemness in fulvestrant-resistant tumors.Disruption of this HA coat through HAase treatment effectively reduces cell stemness,induces apoptosis,and re-sensitizes breast cancer cells to fulvestrant.
4.Advances in research on an animal model of empty bottle stimulation stress anxiety
Yongzhi ZHAO ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Yanqin LUO ; Fang CHEN ; Mengchen DONG ; Ruile PAN ; Qi CHANG ; Ning JIANG ; Xinmin LIU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):420-429
Objective To provide a comprehensive review of the modeling method of the empty bottle stimulation(EBS)anxiety model,including commonly used experimental animal strains and genders,animal grouping,modeling procedures,modeling duration,primary behavioral evaluation method,and the underlying pathological mechanisms.This aims to offer a reference for the application of the EBS anxiety model in anxiety disorder research.Methods Searches were conducted in databases such as CNKI and PubMed to collect all literature related to the EBS anxiety model,which were then systematically summarized and organized.Results(1)Male adult SD or Wistar rats are predominantly used as experimental animals;(2)The optimal modeling period is 2 weeks;(3)Behavioral evaluations primarily utilize the open field test,elevated plus maze test,and light-dark box test;(4)Pathological mechanisms involve abnormal neurotransmitter metabolism in brain regions such as the hippocampus,prefrontal cortex,and amygdala.Conclusions The EBS anxiety model exhibits an anxiety-like behavioral phenotype and associated neurobiological mechanisms,validating its utility as an animal model for the study of anxiety disorders.However,further exploration and refinement are required for its standardized construction protocol and the understanding of its mechanistic underpinnings.
5.ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice
Lu XIA ; Wei CHEN ; Yiwen PAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Min SU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1030-1034
Objective:To investigate the effect of ERMAP on imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice and its related mechanism.Methods:The experimental mice were divided into 3 groups:Sham group,WT group and ERMAP-/-group,with 9 mice in each group.The Sham group was smeared with Vaseline,and the WT group and ERMAP-/-group were smeared with IMQ to induce psoriatic dermatitis.The severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis lesions in mice were evaluated according to the psoria-sis area and severity index(PASI)and the HE staining pathology score.The expressions of F4/80 and Ki67 in mouse skin lesions were observed by immunofluorescence staining.The relative expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,IFN-γ and iNOS in skin lesions were detected by qRT-PCR.Flow cytometry was used to detect the proliferation and activation of T cells and the proportion of macrophages in spleen.Results:In the IMQ-induced mouse model of psoriasis-like dermatitis,the skin lesions of ERMAP gene knock out mice showed more severe squamous accumulation and skin bulge,more inflammatory cells aggregation and cytokine production,and the proportion of immune cells in the spleen of mice increased compared with the WT group,and the proportion of M1 macrophages increased.Conclu-sion:ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice by enhancing immune response.
6.Development of the Social Isolation Scale for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its reliability and validity test
Xiaoyan BAI ; Daxing WU ; Chao SUN ; Keke LIN ; Quanying WU ; Jingwen BO ; Yiwen WEI ; Yu LIU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(20):1538-1544
Objective:The Social Isolation Scale for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was developed and tested for reliability and validity, which provided an effective tool for measuring the social isolation level of patients with T2DM.Methods:The initial scale was developed through literature review, qualitative interviews, and expert consultation. Convenience sampling method was used to select T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for questionnaire survey. The item analysis method was used to select the items of the scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to evaluate construct validity. The content validity of the scale was evaluated by the scale-level content validity index and the item-level content validity index. The criterion validity was verified by using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Reliability was tested through internal consistency and test-retest reliability.Results:Through literature review and qualitative interviews, 30 items of the scale were selected to form the first version scale. After two rounds of inquiries from 16 experts (expert authority coefficient = 0.897), the second version of the scale was formed. A total of 407 questionnaires were distributed in two stages using the second version scale. Among the 407 patients, there were 214 males and 193 females. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 61.338%. The final scale was determined to include 4 dimensions and 16 items, with the dimensions being "social support network", "frequency of social participation", "satisfaction with interpersonal relationships", and "diabetes-related sense of isolation".The average content validity index at the scale level was 0.929, the content validity index at the item level was 0.830 - 1.000, and the criterion validity was - 0.647 and 0.681. The Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.822, and the test-retest reliability was 0.858.Conclusions:The Social Isolation Scale for people with T2DM has good reliability and validity. It is a reliable and valid tool for assessing social isolation in T2DM patients.
7.Effects of circadian rhythm on anxiety,depression,and cognitive behavior in mice with chronic restraint stress
Meng QIANG ; Ning JIANG ; Hong HUANG ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Fang CHEN ; Zhaohui LI ; Xinmin LIU ; Guanghua LYU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(2):45-57
Objective To investigate the effects of chronic restraint stress for 28 days(day and night)on mood and cognitive-like behavior in male and female ICR mice,to provide a basis for the selection of sex and restraint period in chronic restraint stress model animals.Methods A total of 72 male and female(1∶1)ICR mice were divided into six groups:male control,daytime restraint,and nighttime restraint groups,and female control,daytime restraint,and nighttime restraint groups.Mice in all but the control groups were bound for 10 h/d and restrained continuously for 28 days to establish a chronic restraint stress model.The emotional and cognitive behaviors induced by restraint in male and female mice at different times were observed by open field,Y maze,novel inhibition feeding,elevated cross maze,tail suspension,forced swimming,and dark-avoidance experiments.Results In the tail suspension experiment,the immobility time of male mice in the daytime restraint group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group(P<0.05),and the immobility times of male mice in the daytime and nighttime restraint groups were also significantly increased in the forced swimming experiment,compared with those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the female daytime restraint and female control groups in the novelty inhibition feeding experiment,but the feeding latency of the nighttime restraint group was significantly longer than that of the control group(P<0.05)and the daytime restraint group(P<0.05).The feeding latency of female mice was significantly longer than that of males during nighttime restraint(P<0.05).In the open field test,compared with the male control group,the female control group showed a significant decrease in central area time and the ratio of central area time to peripheral area time(P<0.05).Compared with the female control group,the female daytime restraint group exhibited a significant decrease in central area time and the ratio of central area time to peripheral area time(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the groups in the elevated cross maze and Y maze experiments.There was no significant difference in dark latency between the daytime restraint group and the control group,but darkness latency was significantly shorter in the nighttime restraint group compared with those in the control group(P<0.05).When male and female mice were combined,the immobility time in the daytime restraint group was significantly increased in the tail suspension experiment(P<0.05),the immobility times of mice in the daytime and nighttime restraint groups were significantly increased in the forced swimming experiment(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the central zone time and the ratio of central area time to peripheral area time of daytime restraint mice were significantly shorter compared with those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the central zone time and the ratio of central area time to peripheral area time in the nighttime restraint groups,and no significant difference in average speed or total distance between the daytime and nighttime restraint groups.Conclusions Male mice exhibited depression after 28 d of chronic restraint stress during the daytime,while female mice were prone to anxiety after 28 d of chronic restraint stress.Male mice experienced learning and memory impairment after 28 d of chronic restraint stress during the night.
8.Mechanisms underlying the role of the TXNIP/Trx-1 pathway in microglial polarization in rat retinas after retinal ischemia reperfusion
Yuze ZHAO ; Yiwen WANG ; Lijun ZHANG ; Xinhao FU ; Peilun XIAO ; Xiaoli WANG ; Jianliang LIU ; Yansong ZHAO
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(3):177-182,201
Objective To explore the mechanism of the thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)/thioredoxin-1(Trx-1)pathway in regulating the polarization of retinal microglia in rats after retinal ischemia-reperfusion(RIR)in rats,and to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of retinal ischemia reperfusion injury(RIRI).Methods For-ty-two healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a Sham group,a RIRI group and a TXNIP siRNA group.The right eye of the rats was experimented.For RIRI and TXNIP siRNA groups,RIRI models were established using the anterior chamber high intraocular pressure method.Rats in the TXNIP siRNA group were given the intravitreal injection of TXNIP siRNA 3 d before modeling.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to analyze retinal histopathologic changes of rats in all groups 24 h after modeling.Immunohistochemical staining of brain-specific homeobox/POU domain proteins 3A(Brn-3a)was made to count the number of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs).The dynamical changes in the number of TXNIP+cells 6 h,24 h,72 h and 7 d after modelling were analyzed through immunohistochemical staining in the RIRI group.The retinal microglia polarization and changes in the expression of TXNIP and Trx-1 proteins in each group were de-tected by double immunofluorescence staining and Western blot 24 h after modeling.Results HE staining results showed that 24 h after modelling,the retinal cells were disordered and the inner retinal layer was thickened and swelled in RIRI and TXNIP siRNA groups,compared with those in the Sham group(all P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results of Brn-3a showed that 24 h after modeling,the number of Brn-3a+cells in RIRI and TXNIP siRNA groups significantly decreased,compared with that in the Sham group(both P<0.05).The number of Brn-3a+cells in the TXNIP siRNA group was signifi-cantly higher than that in the RIRI group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results of TXNIP at different time points after modeling showed that the expression of TXNIP+proteins started to increase 6 h after modeling.The TXNIP+protein level reached a peak at 24 h and then decreased gradually.Western blot results revealed that 24 h after modeling,RIRI and TXNIP siRNA groups had significantly higher TXNIP levels and significantly lower Trx-1 levels than the Sham group(all P<0.05).Compared with those in the RIRI group,the expression of TXNIP proteins was significantly lower and the expression of Trx-1 proteins was significantly higher in the TXNIP siRNA group(both P<0.05).Double immunofluores-cence staining showed that 24 h after modeling,Iba1+/CD206+cells were significantly more and Iba1+/CD16+cells were significantly less in the TXNIP siRNA group than those in the RIRI group(both P<0.05).RIRI and TXNIP siRNA groups had significantly more Ibal+/TXNIP+cells and significantly less Iba1+/Trx-1+cells than the Sham group(both P<0.05).The number of Iba1+/TXNIP+cells was significantly lower and the number of Iba1+/Trx-1+cells was significantly higher in the TXNIP siRNA group than those in the RIRI group(both P<0.05).Conclusion RIR activates the TXNIP/Trx-1 path-way to induce the activation of retinal microglia and regulate the polarization of microglia,thereby resulting in RIRI in rats.
9.Role of"HA coat"in modulating stemness and endocrine resistance in ER+breast cancer
Shiyi WU ; Si CHEN ; Bohan LIU ; Yuting LIU ; Yiwen LIU ; Yiqing HE ; Yan DU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Qian GUO ; Feng GAO ; Cuixia YANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(10):1298-1307
Objective·To determine hyaluronan(HA)expression in the endocrine-resistant microenvironment of estrogen receptor-positive(ER+)breast cancer and elucidate its impact on the acquired resistance.Methods·Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to quantify HA levels in the culture supernatants of fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells.An immunofluorescence(IF)assay was performed to visualize the colocalization of CD44 and HA in MCF7/FulR cells.Using an established adaptive endocrine-resistant breast cancer mouse model,HA expression in resistant breast cancer tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry(IHC)assay.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)were conducted to examine transcriptomic profiles and alterations in HA-related genes in resistant breast cancer cells.Flow cytometry(FCM)was utilized to measure the proportion of CD44+CD24-cells in MCF7/FulR.The correlation between HA synthesis genes and cell stemness was investigated in clinical ER+breast cancers from GEO data sets.Hyaluronidase(HAase)treatment was applied to remove the"HA coat",and RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis were carried out to monitor changes in stemness-related molecules.CCK-8 assays,flow cytometry(FCM),and Hoechst 33258 staining were performed to determine changes in apoptosis and fulvestrant efficiency after HAase treatment.Results·IF results revealed that compared with MCF7 cells,the"HA coat"on the surface of MCF7/FulR cells was significantly thickened.IHC demonstrated markedly increased HA retention in fulvestrant-resistant mouse breast cancer tissues.ScRNA-seq and RNA-seq analyses indicated elevated expression of stemness-related genes and HA synthesis-associated genes in fulvestrant-resistant breast cancer cells.Correlation analysis revealed a positive association between HA synthesis and cancer stemness in ER+breast cancer.IF and RT-qPCR results demonstrated that removing the HA coating from the surface of MCF7/FulR cells led to a significant reduction in the expression of stemness-related molecules;concurrently,CCK-8 assays,FCM analysis,and Hoechst 33258 staining revealed that"HA coat"clearance reduced MCF7/FulR'tolerance to fulvestrant and increased apoptosis.Conclusion·Endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells develop an enriched"HA coat",which promotes stemness in fulvestrant-resistant tumors.Disruption of this HA coat through HAase treatment effectively reduces cell stemness,induces apoptosis,and re-sensitizes breast cancer cells to fulvestrant.
10.Survival advantage of first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis
Peixin FENG ; Qing HOU ; Ningning YAO ; Wenjuan ZHANG ; Bochen SUN ; Wenxia NIU ; Anqi ZHAO ; Wenlu CHEN ; Baixue WU ; Yuying ZHOU ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Yu LIANG ; Xin CAO ; Wei BAI ; Jianting LIU ; Shuangping ZHANG ; Jianzhong CAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(8):766-773
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 137 patients with Stage Ⅳ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated at our hospital from January 2018 to May 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group, n = 43) and a group treated with only chemoimmunotherapy ( n = 94). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. With overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as study endpoints, the survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox regression method. Results:Before calibration, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group significantly outperformed the sole chemoimmunotherapy group in median PFS (13.6 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.501, 95% CI: 0.309-0.811, P = 0.005). After calibration using the COX proportional-hazards model for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, smoking history, T/N/M stage, and tumor location, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group still had significant advantages in PFS (14.7 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.441, 95% CI: 0.261-0.745, P = 0.002). IPTW analysis further confirmed this trend (13.9 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.304-0.795, P < 0.001). Specifically, the median OS of the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group demonstrated significant improvement in all analyses: pre-calibration (29.5 months vs. 18.0 months; HR: 0.507, 95% CI: 0.297-0.867, P = 0.013), after calibration using the Cox model (27.5 months vs. 16.7 months; HR: 0.470, 95% CI: 0.266-0.830, P = 0.009), and after calibration using IPTW (29.5 months vs. 16.9 months; HR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.262-0.764, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The combination of radiotherapy and first-line chemoimmunotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes of patients with advanced ESCC, suggesting its potential as a standard treatment strategy.

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