The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of the modified of Bazhentang combined with Guishentang in improving pregnancy outcomes in mouse models of embryo implantation dysfunction by regulating T helper 1/T helper 2 （Th1/Th2） immune balance. MethodsEighty ICR female mice were randomly divided into four groups （n=20 per group） on gestational day 1 （GD1）： control， model， western medicine， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） groups. Except for the control group， all mice received mifepristone solution （0.2 mg/mouse） via oral gavage on GD4 to induce embryo implantation dysfunction. The TCM group received a water decoction of the modified of Bazhentang combined with Guishentang （20.8 g·kg^-1）， with the western medicine group administered dydrogesterone （3.9 mg·kg^-1）， and the control/model groups given equal volumes of saline. All treatments were administered once daily from GD1 until one day before sample collection. Outcomes included implantation site counts （macroscopic observation）， pregnancy rates， body weight， endometrial histopathology （hematoxylin-eosin staining）， uterine expression of T-box expressed in T cells （T-bet）， GATA-binding protein 3 （GATA3）， interferon gamma （IFN-γ）， and interleukin-4 （IL-4） at protein （Western blot） and mRNA （real-time polymerase chain reaction， Real-time PCR） levels， serum IFN-γ and IL-4 levels （enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay， ELISA）， and Th1/Th2 immune balance evaluated by calculating T-bet/GATA3 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios. ResultsCompared to the control group， the model group showed no significant change in pregnancy rate but exhibited a marked reduction in average implantation sites and body weight （P<0.01）. Histopathological analysis revealed endometrial abnormalities， including decreased glandular density， stromal compaction， and absence of nucleolar vacuoles. At the molecular level， uterine tissue in the model group demonstrated significantly upregulated expression of T-bet and IFN-γ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alongside markedly downregulated GATA3 and IL-4 expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum analysis confirmed markedly elevated IFN-γ （P<0.01） and reduced IL-4 levels （P<0.01）， resulting in significantly increased T-bet/GATA3 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios （P<0.01）. Compared to the model group， pregnancy rates in all treatment groups showed no significant change. Implantation sites and body weight increased substantially （P<0.01）， with restored endometrial morphology characterized by enhanced glandular density， stromal edema， and reappearance of nucleolar vacuoles. Significant downregulation of T-bet and IFN-γ （P<0.01） and upregulation of GATA3 and IL-4 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in uterine tissue were observed. Serum IFN-γ levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while IL-4 levels were significantly elevated （P<0.05）. The Th1/Th2 ratios were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe modified of Bazhentang combined with Guishentang significantly enhances the number of embryo implantation sites in mice with embryo implantation dysfunction， potentially through modulating T-bet/GATA3 expression， restoring Th1/Th2 immune balance， and improving endometrial receptivity.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to preliminarily identify the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome element characteristics of FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Methods: Between March 25, 2023 and September 30, 2024, T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants received oral microbiota capsules as an adjunct to metformin therapy. Information obtained by four diagnostic methods of TCM, along with clinical and laboratory parameters, was collected before and after the intervention. Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between laboratory indicators and differential bacterial genera. According to the post-treatment reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), patients were categorized into a response (R) group and a non-response (NR) group. Treatment outcomes, safety indicators, gut microbiota changes, and TCM syndrome element features were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 53 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis, and 30 patients were assigned to R group and 23 to NR group. After treatment, the R group exhibited significant reductions in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The NR group also showed significant decreases in HbA1c and FPG levels P < 0.01 or P < 0.05. Compared with the NR group, after treatment, FPG level in the R group demonstrated significant reductions (P < 0.01). As compared with before treatment, pancreatic islet function demonstrated enhancement in the R group, a significant increase in the 2-hour pastprandial C-peptide (2hC-P) levels in R group (P < 0.05), whereas no marked change was observed in the NR group. Regarding body composition indicators, the R group showed significantly lower waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat (VF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) levels compared with the NR group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the NR group exhibited a significant elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (P < 0.05). Other safety-related indicators fluctuated within normal reference ranges, and no other adverse events, such as diarrhea, fever, or nausea, were reported. Metagenomic sequencing showed that FMT improved the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota, remodeling its overall structure. At the phylum level, the abundance of p_Firmicutes decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while the abundances of p_Bacteroidota and p_Proteobacteria increased significantly (P < 0.01). At the family level, among the 125 identified taxa, the abundances of f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Lactobacillaceae, and f_Sutterellaceae were significantly elevated, whereas six families, including f_Lachnospiraceae, f_Ruminococcaceae, and f_Coriobacteriaceae, were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). Among the 367 taxa at the genus level, the top 10 differential genera showed significantly increased abundances of g_Bacteroides and g_Sutterella, and significantly decreased abundances in eight genera, including g_Faecalibacterium, g_Ruminococcus, g_Blautia, and g_Collinsella (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that the phylum p_Bacillota was positively correlated with improvements in T2DM laboratory parameters, g_norank_f_Prevotellaceae was significantly positively correlated with fasting C-peptide (FC-P) and 2hC-P (P < 0.05). HbA1c demonstrated a significantly positive correlation with g_Blautia and g_Gemmiger (P < 0.05) and a significantly negative correlation with g_Bacteroides and g_Collinsella (P > 0.05). Analysis of syndrome element characteristics revealed that the R group was primarily characterized by pathological patterns of dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency. Before treatment, statistically significant reductions in syndrome element scores were observed for dampness, Yang deficiency, spleen, phlegm, Qi deficiency, Qi stagnation, and Yin deficiency (P < 0.01), as well as for heat and liver (P < 0.05). The NR group was mainly featured with Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. Statistically significant changes in their syndrome element scores after treatment were noted for Qi deficiency (P < 0.01), and for spleen, Qi stagnation, liver, and blood deficiency (P < 0.05). In this group, the score changes for Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, heat, and dampness were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The principles of syndrome element differentiation can be effectively applied to predict treatment efficacy and facilitate patient selection for FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Patients with T2DM presented with specific TCM syndrome element characteristics, notably dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency, represent a highly responsive population to FMT therapy.

Objective To investigate the effect of FUNDC1 tyrosine phosphorylation site mutations on mitophagy in H9c2 myocardial cells by constructing tyrosine site mutant plasmids (Y11 and Y18) of the FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1). Methods The mutant plasmids constructed by whole-gene synthesis were transfected into rat myocardial H9c2 cells and divided into five groups: empty plasmid group, FUNDC1 overexpression group, Y11 mutant group, Y18 mutant group, and Y11 combined with Y18 mutant group. The viability of H9c2 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Additionally, tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) staining was utilized to detect mitochondrial membrane potential. The protein expression levels of FUNDC1, translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOM20), and cytochrome c oxidase IV (COX IV) were detected by Western blot analysis. Confocal microscopy was used to evaluate transfection efficiency as well as the co-localization of mitochondria and lysosomes. Results The FUNDC1 overexpression, Y11, Y18, and Y11 combined with Y18 mutant plasmids were successfully constructed. After plasmid transfection, widespread GFP fluorescence expression was observed under confocal microscopy. Compared with the empty plasmid group, FUNDC1 protein expression levels were significantly increased in the FUNDC1 overexpression group, Y11 mutation group, Y18 mutation group, and Y11 combined with Y18 mutation group, while cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential showed no significant changes. Compared to the empty plasmid group, cells transfected with Y18 and Y11 combined with Y18 mutant plasmids showed increased TOM20 and COX IV expression levels and decreased mitochondrial-lysosomal co-localization. Conclusion Transfection with FUNDC1 Y18 or Y11 combined with Y18 mutant plasmids inhibited mitophagy in H9c2 myocardial cells.
Animals ; Rats ; Mitophagy/genetics* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology* ; Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism* ; Mutation ; Phosphorylation ; Tyrosine/genetics* ; Cell Line ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial

Objective To investigate mitophagy in diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)target genes and analyze the immune correlation.Methods DFU related datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)and screened for their differential expression genes(DEGs).Mitophagy related genes(MRGs)were obtained from the Genecards database.DEGs and MRGs were intersected and analysed using gene ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and protein-protein interaction(PPI).Target genes were mined using four machine learning models:Support vector machine-recursive feature eliminatio,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,random forest,extreme gradient boosting.DEGs were analysed for immune infiltration and the correlation of target genes with immune infiltration.Results GO enrichment results showed that it was mainly enriched in regulation of autophagy of mitochondrion.KEGG enrichment results showed that hypoxia inducible factor-1 signalling pathway,p53 signalling pathway and AMPK signalling pathway were mainly enriched.Machine learning results showed TP53 and CYCS as target genes.Immune infiltration results showed a clear correlation of TP53 with plasma cells,regulatory T cells,follicular helper T cells,CD8+T cells and monocytes.CYCS showed a clear correlation with B cell memory,T cells CD8+T cells,monocytes,plasma cells and regulatory T cells.Conclusion TP53,CYCS may be the target genes regulating mitophagy in DFU and have a key role in reducing the level of oxidative stress.At the same time,the dysregulation of plasma cells,T cells and other immune cells may also have some effect on mitophagy.

[Objective]To explore the mechanism of clear wine and analyze the theoretical and practical significance of co-decoction of wine and water recorded in Treatise on Febrile Diseases such as Zhigancao Decoction.[Methods]Grounded in the decoction methodologies documented in ancient texts such as Treatise on Febrile Diseases and the"wine-mediated drug delivery"theory,integrating modern pharmacological investigations with quantitative analysis of bioactive component dissolution,and conducting comparative clinical efficacy assessments through contemporary case studies,the synergy effect of clear wine in Zhigancao Decoction was systematically elucidated.[Results]Ancient texts emphasized the role of clear wine in Zhigancao Decoction for promoting blood circulation and drug efficacy,yet many later derivative formulas abandoned wine decoction,suggesting its synergy effects may vary with herbal compatibility and pathogenic mechanisms.Modern studies confirmed that clear wine enhances partial efficacy by increasing the dissolution of lipophilic components(such as catalpol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural),but the regulation of herbal compatibility and decoction techniques played a more critical role in therapeutic outcomes.Clinical data demonstrated similar efficacy of water-decocted groups in relieving primary symptoms such as arrhythmia compared with clear wine-decocted groups,with no advantage observed across wine types,supporting the notion that the solvent-mediated synergy effect of clear wine in Zhigancao Decoction was non-essential.[Conclusion]Effect of promoting blood circulation and drug efficacy by clear wine exhibits pathomechanism specificity.In Zhigancao Decoction,its therapeutic action is constrained by herbal compatibility and decoction techniques,demonstrating no significant therapeutic effect on the formula's principal indications.Further multicenter randomized controlled trials can be conducted to verify the efficacy of clear wine.

Objective To investigate mitophagy in diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)target genes and analyze the immune correlation.Methods DFU related datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)and screened for their differential expression genes(DEGs).Mitophagy related genes(MRGs)were obtained from the Genecards database.DEGs and MRGs were intersected and analysed using gene ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and protein-protein interaction(PPI).Target genes were mined using four machine learning models:Support vector machine-recursive feature eliminatio,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,random forest,extreme gradient boosting.DEGs were analysed for immune infiltration and the correlation of target genes with immune infiltration.Results GO enrichment results showed that it was mainly enriched in regulation of autophagy of mitochondrion.KEGG enrichment results showed that hypoxia inducible factor-1 signalling pathway,p53 signalling pathway and AMPK signalling pathway were mainly enriched.Machine learning results showed TP53 and CYCS as target genes.Immune infiltration results showed a clear correlation of TP53 with plasma cells,regulatory T cells,follicular helper T cells,CD8+T cells and monocytes.CYCS showed a clear correlation with B cell memory,T cells CD8+T cells,monocytes,plasma cells and regulatory T cells.Conclusion TP53,CYCS may be the target genes regulating mitophagy in DFU and have a key role in reducing the level of oxidative stress.At the same time,the dysregulation of plasma cells,T cells and other immune cells may also have some effect on mitophagy.

[Objective]To explore the mechanism of clear wine and analyze the theoretical and practical significance of co-decoction of wine and water recorded in Treatise on Febrile Diseases such as Zhigancao Decoction.[Methods]Grounded in the decoction methodologies documented in ancient texts such as Treatise on Febrile Diseases and the"wine-mediated drug delivery"theory,integrating modern pharmacological investigations with quantitative analysis of bioactive component dissolution,and conducting comparative clinical efficacy assessments through contemporary case studies,the synergy effect of clear wine in Zhigancao Decoction was systematically elucidated.[Results]Ancient texts emphasized the role of clear wine in Zhigancao Decoction for promoting blood circulation and drug efficacy,yet many later derivative formulas abandoned wine decoction,suggesting its synergy effects may vary with herbal compatibility and pathogenic mechanisms.Modern studies confirmed that clear wine enhances partial efficacy by increasing the dissolution of lipophilic components(such as catalpol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural),but the regulation of herbal compatibility and decoction techniques played a more critical role in therapeutic outcomes.Clinical data demonstrated similar efficacy of water-decocted groups in relieving primary symptoms such as arrhythmia compared with clear wine-decocted groups,with no advantage observed across wine types,supporting the notion that the solvent-mediated synergy effect of clear wine in Zhigancao Decoction was non-essential.[Conclusion]Effect of promoting blood circulation and drug efficacy by clear wine exhibits pathomechanism specificity.In Zhigancao Decoction,its therapeutic action is constrained by herbal compatibility and decoction techniques,demonstrating no significant therapeutic effect on the formula's principal indications.Further multicenter randomized controlled trials can be conducted to verify the efficacy of clear wine.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy in elderly patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the patients with unresectable/advanced HCC who attended six hospitals from January 1,2019 to March 31,2021,and all patients received camrelizumab monoclonal antibody treatment,among whom 84.8%also received targeted therapy.According to the age of the patients,they were divided into elderly group(≥65 years)and non-elderly group(＜65 years).The two groups were assessed in terms of overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and immune-related adverse events(irAE).The chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups;the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival curves.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine the independent influencing factors for PFS and DCR at 6 months.Results A total of 99 HCC patients were enrolled,with 27 in the elderly group and 72 in the non-elderly group.The elderly group had an OS rate of 67.8%,an ORR of 44.4%,and a DCR of 74.1%at 12 months and a median PFS of 6.4(95%confidence interval[CI]:3.0-12.4)months,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(all P＞0.05).The median OS was unavailable for the elderly group,while the non-elderly group had an OS of 18.9(95%CI:13.0-24.8)months;there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.485).The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that major vascular invasion(MVI)was an independent risk factor for PFS(hazard ratio[HR]=2.603,95%CI:1.136-5.964,P=0.024)and DCR(HR=3.963,95%CI:1.671-9.397,P=0.002)at 6 months,while age,sex,etiology of HBV infection,presence of extrahepatic metastasis,Child-Pugh class B,and alpha-fetoprotein＞400 ng/mL were not associated with PFS or DCR at 6 months.For the elderly group,the incidence rates of any irAE and grade 3/4 irAE were 51.9%and 25.9%,respectively,with no significant differences compared with the non-elderly group(P＞0.05),and skin disease was the most common irAE in both groups(39.4%).Conclusion Camrelizumab monoclonal antibody combined with molecular-targeted therapy has similar efficacy and safety in patients with unresectable/advanced HCC aged≥65 years and those aged＜65 years.MVI is associated with suboptimal response to immunotherapy and poor prognosis.

Objective To determine the blood physiological and biochemical indexes in the inbred SHANXI MU strain of spontaneous type 2 diabetes(T2DM)Chinese hamsters.Methods Chinese hamsters with spontaneously developed T2DM and normal hamsters(n=10 hamsters per group),aged 12 months,were selected for the study.Fasting blood samples were collected and 15 physiological parameters and 16 biochemical indicators were analyzed using a Sysmex XT automated hematology analyzer and Hitachi fully automatic biochemical analyzer.Results The white cell count,red cell count,platelet count,hemoglobin level,alanine transaminase,aspartate transaminase,glutamate,total cholesterol,triglycerides,and uric acid all differed significantly between the diabetic and control groups(P＜0.05).Conclusions The change of blood physiological and biochemical indexes in the Chinese hamster spontaneous T2DM model were in line with the trend in human T2DM incidence,thus providing basic data for the application of this model.