BACKGROUND: Peripheral helper T (T PH ) cells are uniquely positioned within pathologically inflamed non-lymphoid tissues to stimulate B-cell responses and antibody production. However, the phenotype, function, and clinical relevance of T PH cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are currently unknown. METHODS: Blood, tumor, and peritumoral liver tissue samples from 39 HCC patients (Sep 2016-Aug 2017) and 101 HCC patients (Sep 2011-Dec 2012) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were used. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the expression, phenotype, and function of T PH cells. Log-rank tests were performed to evaluate disease-free survival and overall survival in samples from 39 patients and 101 patients with HCC. T PH cells, CD19 + B cells, and T follicular helper (T FH ) cells were cultured separately in vitro or isolated from C57/B6L mice in vivo for functional assays. RESULTS: T PH cells highly infiltrated tumor tissues, which was correlated with tumor size, early recurrence, and shorter survival time. The tumor-infiltrated T PH cells showed a unique ICOS hi CXCL13 + IL-21 - MAF + BCL-6 - phenotype and triggered naïve B-cell differentiation into regulatory B cells. Triggering programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) induced the production of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) by T PH cells, which then suppressed tumor-specific immunity and promoted disease progression. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism of T PH cell-regulatory B-cell-mediated immunosuppression and provides an important perspective for determining the balance between the differentiation of protumorigenic T PH cells and that of antitumorigenic T FH cells in the HCC microenvironment.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Middle Aged ; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-21 ; Aged ; Chemokine CXCL13/metabolism*

Elemene is widely recognized as an effective anti-cancer compound and is routinely administered in Chinese clinical settings for the management of several solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its detailed molecular mechanism has not been adequately demonstrated. In this research, it was demonstrated that elemene effectively curtailed NSCLC growth in the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Mechanistically, employing high-throughput screening techniques and subsequent biochemical validations such as microscale thermophoresis (MST), microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) was pinpointed as a critical target through which elemene exerts its anti-tumor effects. Interestingly, elemene serves as a binding stabilizer for miR-145-5p, demonstrating a strong binding affinity (dissociation constant (K _D) = 0.39 ± 0.17 μg/mL) and preventing its degradation both in vitro and in vivo, while not interfering with the synthesis of the primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) and precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs). The stabilization of miR-145-5p by elemene resulted in an increased level of this miRNA, subsequently suppressing NSCLC progression through the miR-145-5p/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP3K3)/nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) pathway. Our findings provide a new perspective on revealing the interaction patterns between clinical anti-tumor drugs and miRNAs.

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has a unique structure that makes monoclonal antibody (mAb) preparation challenging. This study aims to develop a method for preparing HbA1c mAbs and establish a fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (FICA) for rapid detection of HbA1c. Three glycosylated peptides were synthesized and used to prepare complete antigens, which were identified by dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. The complete antigens and natural HbA1c were used for cross-immunization of mice, and the optimal complete antigen was selected. The mouse with the highest serum titer was chosen for mAb preparation. The purity and specificity of the mAbs were verified, and a FICA method was developed. The optimal complete antigen, with a titer of 1:512 000, was successfully prepared and selected. Fusion with splenocytes resulted in four specific HbA1c antibodies (purity > 90%). The best antibody exhibited a binding constant (Ka) of 1.67×10¹⁰ L/mol with the antigen. Based on this antibody, a FICA method was successfully established, capable of producing results within 15 min. The method demonstrated a good linear range (3%-13% HbA1c, y=0.071 3x+0.005 6, R²=0.993 7), recovery rates of 98%-102%, precision < 10.00%, and no nonspecific reactions. Clinical testing of 210 samples showed positive agreement of 96.36%, negative agreement of 97.00%, and overall agreement of 96.68%. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis yielded an area under curve (AUC) of 0.980 9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.961 0-1.000 0], with high consistency verified in multicenter studies. We successfully developed a key technique for preparing HbA1c monoclonal antibodies and established a FICA method for rapid detection of HbA1c. It will provide an efficient and convenient detection method for the early diagnosis and long-term management of diabetes and its complications.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis* ; Animals ; Mice ; Glycated Hemoglobin/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Humans ; Antibody Specificity ; Chromatography, Affinity/methods* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods* ; Female

Objective To explore the relationship between triglyceride-glucose index(TyG)and acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)of anterior circulation.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients with anterior circulation AIS-LVO who underwent emergency endovascular thrombectomy at Neurovascular Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Jan.2018 to Dec.2019.According to modified Rankin scale(mRS)score 90 d after operation,the patients were assigned to favorable outcome group(mRS score 0-2)or unfavorable outcome group(mRS score 3-6),and the TyG was compared.According to the median of TyG,the patients were assigned to low-TyG group(TyG＜8.57)or high-TyG group(TyG ≥8.57),and the clinical data,laboratory indexes,and imaging characteristics were compared.Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of TyG for poor prognosis.Results A total of 135 patients were enrolled,with 72 in the favorable outcome group and 63 in the unfavorable outcome group.The TyG of the unfavorable outcome group was significantly higher than that of the favorable outcome group(8.82+0.63 vs 8.43+0.60,P＜0.001).There were 67 patients in the low-TyG group and 68 in the high-TyG group.Compared with the low-TyG group,the proportion of patients with hyperlipidemia history(P=0.003),systolic blood pressure at admission(P=0.018),fasting blood glucose level(P＜0.001),and triglyceride level(P＜0.001)were significantly higher in the high-TyG group,the infarct core volume was significantly larger(P=0.025),the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly lower(P=0.013),and the mRS score 90 d after operation was significantly higher(3[1,5]vs 1[0,5],P=0.049).The TyG had certain predictive value for poor prognosis in anterior circulation AIS-LVO patients(area under curve value=0.662,95％confidence interval 0.571-0.753).Conclusion TyG is elevated in anterior circulation AIS-LVO patients with poor prognosis,and may be a potential prognostic indicator for anterior circulation AIS-LVO patients.

Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)over 24 h after onset.Methods The clinical data of AIS-LVO patients who received endovascular treatment in Neurovascular Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Jan.2018 to Dec.2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including baseline characteristics,imaging findings,treatment,degree of vascular recanalization(modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b and 3 for successful recanalization)and prognosis.Results A total of 57 patients were included,including 42 males and 15 females,aged from 30 to 84 years old.The most common risk factors were hypertension(39 cases,68.4%),followed by smoking history(24 cases,42.1%),diabetes mellitus(17 cases,29.8%),previous stroke history(16 cases,28.1%),and atrial fibrillation(9 cases,15.8%).Before treatment,the National Institutes of Health stroke scale score was 12.84±7.04,and the Alberta Stroke Program early computed tomography score was 9.00(7.00,10.00).Vascular occlusion sites included middle cerebral artery occlusion in 27(47.4%)cases,internal carotid artery occlusion in 24(42.1%)cases,and tandem lesions in 6(10.5%)cases.The time from onset to femoral artery puncture was 38.30(28.17,53.71)h,and the time from femoral artery puncture to vascular recanalization was 52.00(38.50,92.50)min.General anesthesia was the main anesthesia method,accounting for 64.9%(37/57).The etiological types of stroke were mainly large artery atherosclerosis(38 cases,66.7%),cardiogenic embolism(9 cases,15.8%),unknown causes(6 cases,10.5%),and other clear causes(4 cases,7.0%).Mechanical thrombectomy was the first choice in 41(71.9%)cases,balloon dilatation/stenting was used in 35(61.4%)cases,of which 15(26.3%)cases were the first choice.Finally,53(93.0%)cases were recanalized successfully.In terms of complications,1(1.8%)case had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.The 90-d prognosis rate was 59.6%(34/57),and 3(5.3%)cases died.Conclusion Endovascular treatment for AIS-LVO patients over 24 h after onset has high recanalization rate and good safety,but it still needs to be further verified by randomized controlled trials.

Objective To explore the effect of Sangxing Zhike Formula in rats with cough vari-ant asthma(CVA)and its possible mechanism based on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator(CFTR)pathway.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,dexamethasone group(0.5 mg/kg)and low-,medium-,high-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula groups(9.6,19.2 and 38.4 g/kg)using a ran-dom number table method,with 9 rats in each group.Except for the control group,CVA rat models were established in the other groups.Rats in each group were administered the drug by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days.The general conditions of rats in each group were observed.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in rat serum.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)staining were used to observe the pathological changes in rat lung and bronchial tissues,and the acid-base balance of airway surface liquid(ASL)was measured.Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were used to detect the expression levels of pro-tein kinase A(PKA),CFTR protein and their mRNA in lung tissues of rats.Results Compared with the control group,rats in the model group showed listlessness,dull fur,slow weight gain,a significantly expanded area of alveolar septal consolidation,and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltrations around the bronchi.Compared with the model group,rats in each intervention group had better general conditions and reduced inflammatory infiltrations in lung tissues and bronchial lu-mens.Compared with the control group,the serum levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 in the model group were increased,and the pH values of ASL in the model group,low-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group,medium-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group,and high-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group were all decreased,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in each intervention group were decreased,and the pH values of ASL in the dexamethasone group,medium-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group,and high-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group were increased,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the expressions of PKA protein and PKA mRNA in the model group,low-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group,and medium-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group were all decreased,and the expressions of CFTR protein and CFTR mRNA in the model group and each intervention group were all decreased,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the expressions of PKA protein and PKA mRNA in the dexametha-sone group and high-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group were increased,and the expressions of CFTR protein and CFTR mRNA in the high-dose Sangxing Zhike Formula group were increased,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Sangxing Zhike Formula can im-prove the general conditions of CVA rats,regulate the acid-base balance of ASL,reduce airway in-flammatory cell infiltration andairway remodeling,and decrease the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18.Its mechanism may be related to the cAMP/CFTR pathway.

BACKGROUND:Knee osteoarthritis is a common clinical degenerative joint disease characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress biological effects,and therefore it can be used symptomatically and expected to provide a new strategy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of resveratrol on knee osteoarthritis in rats through the silence information regulator 1(SIRT1)/forkhead transcription factor O1(FOXO1)pathway. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,low-dose resveratrol group,and high-dose resveratrol group,with 10 rats in each group.Knee osteoarthritis models were established in the model group,low-dose resveratrol group,and high-dose resveratrol group.A mixture of 4%papain solution and 0.3 mol/L cysteine solution(1:1 for 0.5 hours;20 μL)was injected at 1,4,and 7 days after modeling.Rats in the low-dose and high-dose resveratrol groups were injected with 25 and 100 mg/kg resveratrol through the articular cavity at 1 day after successful modeling,while those in the control and model groups were injected with equivalent volume of physiological saline through the articular cavity.After 28 days of treatment,the maximum knee joint activity was measured;the levels of oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors in the synovial fluid of the knee joint were analyzed by radioimmunoassay and ELISA;the content of collagen fibers in the knee joint was analyzed by safranin O-fast green staining;the degree of arthritic lesions was analyzed using the Mankin histological score;and the levels of SIRT1 and FOXO1 in the knee joint were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,the maximum knee flexion and extension angles of rats significantly increased in the low-dose and high-dose resveratrol groups,and were significantly higher in the high-dose group than the low-dose group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the knee joint fluid of rats significantly increased in the low-dose and high-dose resveratrol groups.The level of malondialdehyde significantly decreased in both resveratrol groups,and the level in the high-dose resveratrol group was significantly better than that in the low-dose resveratrol group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-dose and high-dose resveratrol groups showed a significant decrease in the levels of interleukin 1β,interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in the knee joint fluid of rats,and the levels of these inflammatory factors were significantly lower in the high-dose resveratrol group than the low-dose resveratrol group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the content of collagen fibers in the knee joint was significantly increased in both resveratrol groups,and the high-dose resveratrol group showed a higher content of collagen fibers than the low-dose resveratrol group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the expression level of SIRT1 in the knee joints of rats significantly increased in both resveratrol groups,while the level of acetylated FOXO1 significantly decreased(P<0.05).The magnitude of changes was significantly better in the high-dose group than the low-dose group.To conclude,resveratrol significantly improves the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in the joint fluid of rats with knee osteoarthritis and alleviates arthritic symptoms in a dose-dependent manner,possibly through the SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of roxadustat on apoptosis and senescence of renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 induced by heat stress.Methods After HK-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of roxadustat(10,20,30,40 and 50 μmol/L)for 24 h,CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimal intervention concentration of roxadustat.HK-2 cells were divided into 4 groups(n=3):control group,roxadustat group(30 μmol/L,24 h),heat-stress group(43 ℃,2 h),and heat-stress+roxadustat group(30 μmol/L roxadustat treatmnet for 24 h followed by heat-stress 2 h).Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay.Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),Cleaved Caspase-3,p16 and p21 at protein level was detected by Western blotting.Immunofluorescence assay was employed to observe the distribution of HIF-1α.β-galactosidase staining kit was utilized to detect SA-β-Gal activity.TUNEL staining was used to measure cell apoptosis.Results The highest cell viability was observed in the cells after 30 μmol/L roxadustat treatment.Heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability(P＜0.05),elevated protein levels of HIF-1α,Cleaved Caspase-3,p16 and p21(P＜0.05),enhanced SA-β-Gal activity(P＜0.05)and increased percentage of TUNEL-positive cells(P＜0.05)when compared with the cells in the control group.In comparison with the heat-stress group,the heat-stress+roxadustat group showed significant decrease in the protein levels of Cleaved Caspase-3,p16 and p21(P＜0.05),reduced activity of SA-β-Gal[(65.44±5.00)％vs(77.15±2.61)％,P＜0.05]and decreased percentage of TUNEL-positive cells[(16.73±2.20)％vs(46.40±13.87)％,P＜0.05],but increase in cell viability[(86.33±4.51)％vs(66.33±8.50)％,P＜0.05]as well as HIF-1α protein expression(P＜0.05).Furthermore,immunofluorescence assay showed that HIF-1α was mainly distributed in the nucleus and perinucleus.Conclusion Roxadustat attenuates heat stress-induced apoptosis and senescence of renal tubular epithelial cells by upregulating HIF-1α.

Objective:To further improve the understanding of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), we retrospectively analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, treatment status, and survival status of patients with PNH in Zhejiang Province.Methods:This study included 289 patients with PNH who visited 20 hospitals in Zhejiang Province. Their clinical characteristics, comorbidity, laboratory test results, and medications were analyzed and summarized.Results:Among the 289 patients with PNH, 148 males and 141 females, with a median onset age of 45 (16-87) years and a peak onset age of 20-49 years (57.8% ). The median lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level was 1 142 (604-1 925) U/L. Classified by type, 70.9% (166/234) were classical, 24.4% (57/234) were PNH/bone marrow failure (BMF), and 4.7% (11/234) were subclinical. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue or weakness (80.8%, 235/289), dizziness (73.4%, 212/289), darkened urine color (66.2%, 179/272), and jaundice (46.2%, 126/270). Common comorbidities were hemoglobinuria (58.7% ), renal dysfunction (17.6% ), and thrombosis (15.0% ). Moreover, 82.3% of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy, 70.9% required blood transfusion, 30.7% used immunosuppressive agents, 13.8% received anticoagulant therapy, and 6.3% received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate was 84.4% (95% CI 78.0% -91.3% ) . Conclusion:Patients with PNH are more common in young and middle-aged people, with a similar incidence rate between men and women. Common clinical manifestations include fatigue, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, renal dysfunction, and recurrent thrombosis. The 10-year OS of this group is similar to reports from other centers in China.

Objective To investigate the effect of intravitreal injection of fibrillin-2(FBN2)recombinant protein on FBN2-deficient retinopathy.Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:nor-mal control group,negative control group,FBN2 knockdown group,and FBN2 recombinant protein group,with 8 mice in each group.The right eyes were taken as the experimental eyes.Mice in the normal control group did not receive any inter-vention,mice in the negative control group were intravitreally injected with 3 μL empty vector(1 mg·L-1),and mice in the FBN2 knockdown group and FBN2 recombinant protein group were intravitreally injected with 3 μL adeno-associated vi-rus(1 mg·L-1).After 4 weeks,mice in the FBN2 recombinant protein group were intravitreally injected with 3 μL FBN2 recombinant protein(1 mg·L-1).Then,electroretinogram(ERG)and optical coherence tomography(OCT)were used to measure the amplitude of Rod-b and Max-a waves and the changes in the retinal structure.Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blot were used to detect changes in FBN2,microfibril-associated glycopro-tein 2(MAGP-2),collagen I(COL1)mRNA and protein expression in the mouse retina.Results The ERG findings showed that compared with the negative control group and normal control group,the amplitude of Rod-b and Max-a waves in the retina of mice in the FBN2 knockdown group and FBN2 recombinant protein group decreased(all P＜0.05);com-pared with the FBN2 knockdown group,the amplitude of Rod-b and Max-a waves in the retina of mice in the FBN2 recom-binant protein group significantly increased(both P＜0.05).The OCT findings showed that compared with the FBN2 knock-down group,the structure of the retinal pigment epithelium and the light reflex in the FBN2 recombinant protein group be-came more regular.The RT-PCR detection results showed that compared with the FBN2 knockdown group,the expression of FBN2 mRNA in the retinal tissue of mice in the FBN2 recombinant protein group significantly increased,while the ex-pression of COL1 and MAGP-2 mRNA significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Western blot assay results showed that com-pared with the FBN2 knockdown group,the expression of FBN2 protein in the retinal tissue of mice in the FBN2 recombi-nant protein group increased significantly,while the expression of COL1 and MAGP-2 proteins decreased significantly(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Intravitreal injection of FBN2 recombinant protein can compensate for the endogenous deficiency of FBN2 in mice with FBN2-deficient retinopathy and achieve therapeutic effects by regulating COL1 and MAGP-2 expres-sion.