1.Reshaping Intercellular Interactions: Empowering the Exploration of Disease Mechanisms and Therapies Using Organoid Co-Culture Models
Dengxu TAN ; Yifan MA ; Ke LIU ; Yanying ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):309-317
The organoid co-culture model, as a novel tool for recreating a three-dimensional microenvironment to study cell-cell interactions, has demonstrated significant application potential in biomedical research in recent years. By simulating the in vivo tissue microenvironment, this model provides a more precise experimental platform for investigating complex cellular interactions, particularly in areas such as tumor immune evasion mechanisms, drug sensitivity testing, and the pathological characterization of neurodegenerative diseases, where it has demonstrated significant value. However, the organoid co-culture model still faces several challenges in terms of standardized procedures, large-scale cultivation, ethical guidelines, and future development. In particular, in the field of laboratory animal science, how to effectively combine organoids with traditional animal models, and how to select the most appropriate model for different research needs while exploring its potential for replacement, remain pressing issues. In the context of ethical approval and the replacement of animal experiments, the organoid co-culture model offers an experimental approach that better aligns with the "3R" principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), potentially becoming an important tool for replacing traditional animal models. To this end, this paper reviews the latest advances and key challenges in this field, providing a detailed description of the construction methods for organoid co-culture models and discussing their applications in disease mechanism research and drug screening. The paper also systematically compares the organoid co-culture models with traditional animal models, exploring the criteria for selecting the appropriate model for specific applications. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential value of organoid co-culture models as alternatives to animal experiments and anticipates future development trends of this technology. Through these discussions, the paper aims to promote the innovation and development of organoid co-culture technology and provide new perspectives and scientific evidence for future research.
2.Reshaping Intercellular Interactions: Empowering the Exploration of Disease Mechanisms and Therapies Using Organoid Co-Culture Models
Dengxu TAN ; Yifan MA ; Ke LIU ; Yanying ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):309-317
The organoid co-culture model, as a novel tool for recreating a three-dimensional microenvironment to study cell-cell interactions, has demonstrated significant application potential in biomedical research in recent years. By simulating the in vivo tissue microenvironment, this model provides a more precise experimental platform for investigating complex cellular interactions, particularly in areas such as tumor immune evasion mechanisms, drug sensitivity testing, and the pathological characterization of neurodegenerative diseases, where it has demonstrated significant value. However, the organoid co-culture model still faces several challenges in terms of standardized procedures, large-scale cultivation, ethical guidelines, and future development. In particular, in the field of laboratory animal science, how to effectively combine organoids with traditional animal models, and how to select the most appropriate model for different research needs while exploring its potential for replacement, remain pressing issues. In the context of ethical approval and the replacement of animal experiments, the organoid co-culture model offers an experimental approach that better aligns with the "3R" principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), potentially becoming an important tool for replacing traditional animal models. To this end, this paper reviews the latest advances and key challenges in this field, providing a detailed description of the construction methods for organoid co-culture models and discussing their applications in disease mechanism research and drug screening. The paper also systematically compares the organoid co-culture models with traditional animal models, exploring the criteria for selecting the appropriate model for specific applications. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential value of organoid co-culture models as alternatives to animal experiments and anticipates future development trends of this technology. Through these discussions, the paper aims to promote the innovation and development of organoid co-culture technology and provide new perspectives and scientific evidence for future research.
3.A randomized controlled trial of value orientation brief therapy combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in mild to moderate depression
Ziyang JI ; Lijing SHI ; Yifang FU ; Yixuan ZHANG ; Meiqi SHAO ; Manyu HE ; Jiao DONG ; Fengju YAO ; Huiying WANG ; Changhong WANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(3):193-199
Objective:To evaluate the effect of value orientation brief therapy(VBT)combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs)on clinical symptoms,rumination,decision-making ability,and cognitive func-tion in patients with mild to moderate depression.Methods:Eighty patients meeting the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate depression were randomly assigned to either a medication(SSRIs)group(36 completed)or a VBT combined group(38 completed)for a 6-week intervention.Baseline and post-intervention assessments includ-ed the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxious Scale(HAMA),Ruminative Response Scale-Chi-nese Version(RRS-CV),Iowa Gambling Test(IGT),number of eye fixation(NEF),responsive search score(RSS)in exploratory eye trajectory movement were used to evaluate patients'anxiety and depression symptoms,ru-minative thinking,decision-making function,and cognitive function.Results:The VBT combined group showed sig-nificantly better therapeutic effects than the medication group(P<0.05).Compared to baseline and the medication group,the VBT combined group had significantly lower post-intervention scores in HAMD,HAMA,symptom rumi-nation,introspective reflection,compulsive meditation,and RRS-CV total scores after intervention(Ps<0.05),and significantly higher scores in IGT net profit scores,NEF,and RSS scores(Ps<0.05).Compared with the medica-tion group,the VBT combined group demonstrated a greater reduction in HAMD,HAMA,symptom rumination,in-trospective reflection,compulsive meditation,and RRS-CV total scores before and after intervention(Ps<0.05),and a larger increase in IGT net profit scores,NEF,and RSS scores(Ps<0.05).Conclusion:VBT combined with SSRIs effectively improves the symptoms of depression,anxiety,decision-making ability,rumination thinking,and cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate depression.
4.Effect and mechanism of gambogic acid based on heterogeneous transformation of prostate cancer
Minli HUANG ; Mengyao LI ; Yanzi XING ; Gen LI ; Yongbin ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1289-1298
Objective To systematically construct patient-derived tumor organoid(PDO)and patient-derived xenograft(PDX)models of prostate cancer(PCa),and to explore the inhibitory effect and mechanism of gambogic acid(GA)on PCa.Methods The PubChem,SwissTargetPrediction,SuperPred,SEA,GeneCards,OMIM,and STRING databases,and the Venny 2.1.0 online website,Cytoscape 3.8.2,and DAVID software were used to construct a protein-protein interaction network.Gene ontology(GO)and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were carried out,and visualization processing was performed to identify the targets and pathways of GA acting on PCa.GA was applied to PDOs and PCa cells(22Rv1,PC3,and DU145)for 48 hours and its effects on cell viability were assessed by CellTiter-Glo and CCK-8 assays.Changes in gene and protein levels of the targets were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western Blot,respectively.The PDX model was treated with GA and the tumor volume and weight were measured.Changes in expression levels of the targets in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Network pharmacology identified signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)as the core target of GA inhibiting PCa,related to the hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α signaling pathway.GA reduced the viability of cells and PDOs and significantly down-regulated HIF-1α,STAT3,and P-STAT3 protein levels.In vivo experiments,tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced in the GA group,and immunohistochemistry showed that STAT3 and HIF-1α expression levels were decreased.Conclusions The clinically representative PDO and PDX models,combined with cell lines,verified the prediction result of network pharmacology,confirming a significant killing effect of GA on PCa,possibly via a mechanism related to the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
5.Potential of prostaglandin D2 and its metabolites in tumor immunotherapy:mechanisms and applications based on animal models
Hongping LUO ; Dengxu TAN ; Qingling AN ; Bing BAI ; Yanying ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):449-456
Prostaglandin D2(PGD2)is a biologically active substance with important roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.PGD2 exerts its biological functions mainly through prostaglandin D2 synthase(PGDS),which is closely related to inflammation and immune regulation.Recent studies have found that PGD2 and its synthase,PGDS,are able to directly inhibit tumor cell proliferation,induce apoptosis,suppress migration and invasion,and further regulate the tumor immune microenvironment to affect the immunotherapy of tumors,demonstrating good tumor therapeutic potential.In this paper,we review the biological properties of PGD2 and its synthase,focusing on its role in the immunotherapy of tumor models.We explore the immunotherapeutic efficacy of PGD2 and its synthase,and their roles in promoting immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment,and discuss their potential as new targets for tumor therapy.
6.Effects of remimazolam and sevoflurane anesthesia on intracranial pressure and cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoinglaparoscopicsurgery in trendelenburg position
Junpeng LIU ; Shiya LIU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Changhong MIAO ; Xihua LU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(13):2088-2093
Objective To explore the impacts of remimazolam on intraoperative intracranial pressure(ICP)and cerebral oxygenation in patients undergoing laparoscopic lower abdominal and pelvic surgery under CO2 pneumoperitoneum combined with Trendelenburg position.Methods Eighty-eight patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic lower abdominal and pelvic surgery were randomly assigned to the remimazolam group(n=44)and the sevoflurane group(n=44).In the remimazolam group,continuous infusion of remimazolam at a rate of 1 mg/(kg·h)was administered for anesthesia maintenance.In contrast,the sevoflurane group inhaled 2%sevoflurane.Heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),peak airway pressure(Peak),plateau airway pressure(Plat),end-tidal CO2(PETCO2),regional cerebral oxygen saturation(rSO2),and optic nerve sheath diameter(ONSD)of both eyes were measured and recorded at the following time points:prior to anesthesia induction(T0),5 minutes after induction(T1),10 minutes(T2),30 minutes(T3),and 60 minutes(T4)after the establishment of pneumo-peritoneum in Trendelenburg position,as well as 30 minutes after deflation in the supine position(T5).Results No significant intergroup differences were detected in HR,MAP,Peak,Plat,or PETCO2 at any time point(P>0.05).In both groups,Peak and Plat values were significantly higher at T2-T4 compared to T1(P<0.05).Regard-ing the ONSD)no intergroup differences were noted at T0 and T1(P>0.05).From T2 to T5,ONSD in both groups increased significantly relative to T0..It gradually rose with the prolongation of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelen-burg positioning and showed a slight decrease at T5(P<0.05).Specifically,at T3 and T4,the remimazolam group exhibited significantly smaller ONSD values than the sevoflurane group(P<0.05).Throughout the study,no inter-group differences in rSO2 were observed(P>0.05).Conclusion In laparoscopic lower abdominal and pelvic surgeries performed in the Trendelenburg position,intravenous anesthesia with remimazolam may be more effective in mitigating the elevation of intracranial pressure compared to sevoflurane inhalation.
7.Potential of prostaglandin D2 and its metabolites in tumor immunotherapy:mechanisms and applications based on animal models
Hongping LUO ; Dengxu TAN ; Qingling AN ; Bing BAI ; Yanying ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(3):449-456
Prostaglandin D2(PGD2)is a biologically active substance with important roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.PGD2 exerts its biological functions mainly through prostaglandin D2 synthase(PGDS),which is closely related to inflammation and immune regulation.Recent studies have found that PGD2 and its synthase,PGDS,are able to directly inhibit tumor cell proliferation,induce apoptosis,suppress migration and invasion,and further regulate the tumor immune microenvironment to affect the immunotherapy of tumors,demonstrating good tumor therapeutic potential.In this paper,we review the biological properties of PGD2 and its synthase,focusing on its role in the immunotherapy of tumor models.We explore the immunotherapeutic efficacy of PGD2 and its synthase,and their roles in promoting immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment,and discuss their potential as new targets for tumor therapy.
8.Japanese encephalitis virus escape type Ⅰ interferon mechanism in the creation of a mouse infection model
Yifan ZHOU ; Caiqin ZHANG ; Bingrun LI ; Jiaojiao BAO ; Yanying ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):288-295
Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV)usually evades the inhibitory effect of the innate immunity factor type Ⅰ interferon(Ⅰ-IFN)when it infects human cells and tissues.The virus then causes a series of serious symptoms,such as spasticity,neurodegenerative lesions,neuroinflammation,and even death.Generally,JEV escapes innate immunity by inhibiting IFN-α/β production and the interferon Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway.Because of this special immune escape mechanism,various mouse infection models have been constructed for the study of the pathogenesis of and therapeutic regimens for JEV infections.In this review,based on an exposition of the IFN immune escape mechanism of JEV,we systematically introduce the concept of JEV-infected mouse models and analyze the characteristics of these models and the degree to which they simulate human symptoms.The intention is to develop various new JEV-infected mouse models based on potential new research targets and provide novel ideas for animal models for JEV research.
9.Effect and mechanism of gambogic acid based on heterogeneous transformation of prostate cancer
Minli HUANG ; Mengyao LI ; Yanzi XING ; Gen LI ; Yongbin ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1289-1298
Objective To systematically construct patient-derived tumor organoid(PDO)and patient-derived xenograft(PDX)models of prostate cancer(PCa),and to explore the inhibitory effect and mechanism of gambogic acid(GA)on PCa.Methods The PubChem,SwissTargetPrediction,SuperPred,SEA,GeneCards,OMIM,and STRING databases,and the Venny 2.1.0 online website,Cytoscape 3.8.2,and DAVID software were used to construct a protein-protein interaction network.Gene ontology(GO)and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were carried out,and visualization processing was performed to identify the targets and pathways of GA acting on PCa.GA was applied to PDOs and PCa cells(22Rv1,PC3,and DU145)for 48 hours and its effects on cell viability were assessed by CellTiter-Glo and CCK-8 assays.Changes in gene and protein levels of the targets were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western Blot,respectively.The PDX model was treated with GA and the tumor volume and weight were measured.Changes in expression levels of the targets in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Network pharmacology identified signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)as the core target of GA inhibiting PCa,related to the hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α signaling pathway.GA reduced the viability of cells and PDOs and significantly down-regulated HIF-1α,STAT3,and P-STAT3 protein levels.In vivo experiments,tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced in the GA group,and immunohistochemistry showed that STAT3 and HIF-1α expression levels were decreased.Conclusions The clinically representative PDO and PDX models,combined with cell lines,verified the prediction result of network pharmacology,confirming a significant killing effect of GA on PCa,possibly via a mechanism related to the STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
10.Research progress in gene-editing technology in tumor organoids
Mengyao LI ; Minli HUANG ; Peng LI ; Junke XIE ; Mengtian GUO ; Yongbin ZHANG ; Changhong SHI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(5):721-729
Organoids have become an important technological platform in cancer research,but simulating the primary tumor tissue structure and function still presents problems.The development of gene-editing technology,especially when combined with tumor organoids,provides a new approach for accurately and comprehensively simulating the in vivo characteristics of tumor models.Introducing specific gene mutations or correcting mutations in tumor organoids through gene-editing technology can allow detailed analysis of the mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression,as well as exploring potential therapeutic targets,accelerating the drug-screening process,and providing new insights for personalized cancer treatment.This article reviews the formation of tumor organoids and the technical aspects of gene-editing strategies,emphasizing their unique applications and prospects in tumor organoids.We also propose that accurately simulating the in vivo microenvironment,promoting the standardization and stability of organoid gene-editing technology,and optimizing the efficiency of gene editing can accelerate the application of organoids in precision medicine research.

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