1.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
2.Circadian and non-circadian regulation of the male reproductive system and reproductive damage: advances in the role and mechanisms of clock genes.
Meng-Chao HE ; Ying-Zhong DAI ; Yi-Meng WANG ; Qin-Ru LI ; Si-Wen LUO ; Xi LING ; Tong WANG ; Jia CAO ; Qing CHEN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):712-720
Recently, male reproductive health has attracted extensive attention, with the adverse effects of circadian disruption on male fertility gradually gaining recognition. However, the mechanism by which circadian disruption leads to damage to male reproductive system remains unclear. In this review, we first summarized the dual regulatory roles of circadian clock genes on the male reproductive system: (1) circadian regulation of testosterone synthesis via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes; (2) non-circadian regulation of spermatogenesis. Next, we further listed the possible mechanisms by which circadian disruption impairs male fertility, including interference with the oscillatory function of the reproductive system, i.e., synchronization of the HPT axis, crosstalk between the HPT axis and the HPA axis, as well as direct damage to germ cells by disturbing the non-oscillatory function of the reproductive system. Future research using spatiotemporal omics, epigenomic assays, and neural circuit mapping in studying the male reproductive system may provide new clues to systematically unravel the mechanisms by which circadian disruption affects male reproductive system through circadian clock genes.
Male
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Circadian Clocks/physiology*
;
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/physiology*
;
Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiology*
;
Testis/physiology*
;
Testosterone/biosynthesis*
;
CLOCK Proteins
;
Infertility, Male/physiopathology*
3.Clinical characteristics and outcomes of 11 neonates with venous thrombosis.
Xi-Ge GU ; Li-Ying DAI ; Xiao-Qing SHI ; Wen-Chao ZHANG ; Yong-Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(5):588-594
OBJECTIVES:
To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes of neonatal venous thrombosis.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 11 neonates with venous thrombosis admitted to the Department of Neonatology of Anhui Children's Hospital from January 2019 to September 2024. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among the 11 neonates diagnosed with venous thrombosis, 5 were male, and 6 were preterm infants, with a median gestational age of 35+6 weeks, birth weight of (2 322±1 069) g, and admission temperature of (36.6±0.4)°C. The median age at symptom onset was 6 days. Of the 11 cases, 8 limb venous thromboses and 1 portal vein thrombosis were confirmed by vascular ultrasound, and 2 cases of intracranial venous sinus thrombosis were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Ten cases received low molecular weight heparin for anticoagulation, with a treatment duration of (24±15) days; 2 cases were treated with urokinase thrombolysis, and 4 cases received fresh frozen plasma transfusion. Thrombosis resolved in 7 cases before discharge. Partial resolution occurred in 2 cases before discharge (1 continued outpatient treatment until resolution and 1 resolved during follow-up). One case was transferred to another hospital after 1 day of treatment and was discharged after thrombosis reduction. No adverse reactions such as bleeding were observed. One neonate with cerebral infarction at admission did not receive heparin anticoagulation and was followed up as an outpatient.
CONCLUSIONS
Vascular ultrasound is the most commonly used diagnostic method for neonatal venous thrombosis. Heparin anticoagulation is the recommended treatment. The overall prognosis of neonatal venous thrombosis is favorable.
Humans
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Male
;
Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy*
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
4.Inferring Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drug Resistance and Transmission using Whole-genome Sequencing in a High TB-burden Setting in China
Feng Yu FAN ; Xin Dong LIU ; Wang Yi CHEN ; Chao Xi OU ; Zhi Qi MAO ; Ting Ting YANG ; Jiang Xi WANG ; Cong Wen HE ; Bing ZHAO ; Jiang Zhen LIU ; Maiweilanjiang ABULIMITI ; Maimaitiaili AIHEMUTI ; Qian GAO ; Lin Yan ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(2):157-169
Objective China is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis(TB)worldwide,and TB remains a public health concern.Kashgar Prefecture in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region is considered as one of the highest TB burden regions in China.However,molecular epidemiological studies of Kashgar are lacking. Methods A population-based retrospective study was conducted using whole-genome sequencing(WGS)to determine the characteristics of drug resistance and the transmission patterns. Results A total of 1,668 isolates collected in 2020 were classified into lineages 2(46.0%),3(27.5%),and 4(26.5%).The drug resistance rates revealed by WGS showed that the top three drugs in terms of the resistance rate were isoniazid(7.4%,124/1,668),streptomycin(6.0%,100/1,668),and rifampicin(3.3%,55/1,668).The rate of rifampicin resistance was 1.8%(23/1,290)in the new cases and 9.4%(32/340)in the previously treated cases.Known resistance mutations were detected more frequently in lineage 2 strains than in lineage 3 or 4 strains,respectively:18.6%vs.8.7 or 9%,P<0.001.The estimated proportion of recent transmissions was 25.9%(432/1,668).Multivariate logistic analyses indicated that sex,age,occupation,lineage,and drug resistance were the risk factors for recent transmission.Despite the low rate of drug resistance,drug-resistant strains had a higher risk of recent transmission than the susceptible strains(adjusted odds ratio,1.414;95%CI,1.023-1.954;P = 0.036).Among all patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis(DR-TB),78.4%(171/218)were attributed to the transmission of DR-TB strains. Conclusion Our results suggest that drug-resistant strains are more transmissible than susceptible strains and that transmission is the major driving force of the current DR-TB epidemic in Kashgar.
5.Design and experimental study of wearable cardiopulmonary monitoring system
Wan-Jun SHUAI ; Shu-Li ZHAO ; Wen-Zhe LI ; Hua-Yong GAO ; Jian JIANG ; Xi CHEN ; Jin-Hua YANG ; Yong CHAO ; Zheng-Tao CAO
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(4):51-55
Objective To design a wearable cardiopulmonary monitoring system and validate its performance through preliminary human trials.Methods The wearable cardiopulmonary monitoring system was composed of a data collector,a wearing vest and an information management platform.The data collector used an EFM32GG330 SCM as the main microcon-troller unit(MCU),which included a respiratory modulation module,an ECG modulation module,a body position modulation module,a wireless communication module(involving in a Bluetooth module and a Wi-Fi module),a storage module and a power management module.The wearable vest had a cardigan-type structure,and was equipped with ECG sensors and respiratory motion sensors at its inner side.The information management platform was developed with Client/Server(C/S)architecture and Java/JavaScript.The system developed was compared with Mindray's IPM10 Patient Monitor routinely used in hospitals through preliminary human trials to verify its effectiveness in monitoring human heart rate and respiratory rate.Results The system developed could continuously monitor the human heart rate and respiratory rate for a long time,and the monitoring results had high consistency with those of Mindray's IPM10 Patient Monitor.Conclusion The system can be used for medical monitoring of cardiopulmonary indicators during training or exercise,providing accurate physiological information for health management.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(4):51-55]
6.Effects of fast-advancing short-term high altitude exposure on different systems in young and middle-aged men
Zehong PENG ; Jianglong WEN ; Wenzhuo ZHU ; Xi ZHU ; Chao LIU ; Heng CHENG ; Qi ZHANG ; Lili ZHU
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(26):15-19
Objective To observe the changes of liver function,blood cell,and lung function of healthy young and middle-aged men before and after fast-advancing short-term high altitude exposure(FSHAE);and to explore the effects and possible mechanisms of FSHAE on the function of liver,blood cells,and lung tissues.Methods This study included 48 healthy young and middle-aged male volunteers,who collected physiological indicators,tested liver function indicators,blood cell indicators,and lung function-related indicators 1 day before entering the plateau(100m above sea level),and 15 days after FSHAE(3000m above sea level).Differences in the relevant parameters of each system were compared before and after FSHAE.Results Compared with those before entering the plateau,the physiological parameters of young and middle-aged men after 15 days of FSHAE heart rate increased significantly,respiratory rate increased,systolic blood pressure increased,mean arterial blood pressure increased,oxygen saturation decreased(P<0.01),and diastolic blood pressure increased(P<0.05),all of which were statistically significant;and the indicators of liver function:glutamic oxaloacetic aminotransferase,glutamic alanine aminotransferase increased(P<0.01),glutamylamine aminotransferase,glutamate aminotransferase,glutaminase,and pulmonary function were increased(P<0.01),glutamyl transpeptidase,alkaline phosphatase,and total bile acids were elevated,and total protein decreased(P<0.05),and the differences were statistically significant.Hemocyte-related indexes:erythrocyte count,erythrocyte pressure volume,mean erythrocyte volume,mean hemoglobin volume,mean hemoglobin concentration,and hemoglobin were elevated,and platelet count decreased(P<0.01),and the differences were statistically significant.although there was an elevation of leukocyte count(P>0.05);Lung function-related indexes:decreased exertion lung volume(P<0.05).There were decreased exertion expiratory volume in the first second,increased one-second rate(P>0.05).Conclusion FSHAE can lead to oxidative stress in the organism,and acute hypoxic multisystemic injury will occur,with the simultaneous emergence of hypoxic adaptive regulation of various systems,self-compensatory repair of various organs of the organism,and there may be the possibility of interactions between various systems.
7.Value of Reduced Field-of-view DWI in Quantitative Assessment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Ying-ying ZHAN ; Yun-fei ZHU ; Xiao-jun HE ; Xi-meng LI ; Chao-ran LIU ; Ke ZHANG ; Wen-juan LI ; Guo-bin HONG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(2):326-334
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of reduced field-of-view DWI (r-FOV DWI) in quantitative assessment of axial spondyloarthritis. MethodsA total of 112 patients with chronic back pain or suspected axial spondyloarthritis receiving full field-of-view DWI (f-FOV DWI) and reduced field-of-view DWI (r-FOV DWI) from December 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled. Next, subjective image quality assessment (anatomical detail, artifacts, distortion, overall image quality) and objective image quality assessment including (signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio) were conducted by two experienced radiologists. In addition, the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values of three groups (active group, inactive group, and control group) on the two DWI sequences were measured by the two radiologists, respectively. Finally, the consistency of measurement between the two researchers was evaluated and the differences in ADC values was compared. Results102 patients were included and were divided into three groups, including the active group (n=32), inactive group (n=29), and control group (n=41) according to ASAS diagnostic criteria. All subjective and objective image quality metrics were rated in favor of r-FOV DWI images compared with f-FOV DWI images [overall image quality: DWI 4(3
8.Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria from pleural and peritoneal effusion:surveillance report from Hunan Provincial Antimicrobial Resistance Sys-tem,2012-2021
Yong-Xue TANG ; Si-Yu WANG ; Xiao-Bing XIE ; Li-Hua CHEN ; Chen-Chao FU ; Chen LI ; Yan-Ming LI ; Jun LIU ; Nan REN ; Guo-Min SHI ; Jing-Min WU ; Huai-De YANG ; Hong-Xia YUAN ; Ming ZHENG ; Xun HUANG ; An-Hua WU ; Xing-Wang NING ; Xi-Mao WEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2023;22(12):1438-1451
Objective To understand the distribution and antimicrobial resistance changes of bacteria isolated from pleural and peritoneal effusion in Hunan Province,and provide reference for correct clinical diagnosis and rational antimicrobial use.Methods Data reported by member units of Hunan Provincial Antimicrobial Resistance Survei-llance System from 2012 to 2021 were collected.Bacteria antimicrobial resistance surveillance method was imple-mented according to technical scheme of China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System(CARSS),and WHO-NET 5.6 software was used to analyze the data of bacteria isolated from pleural and peritoneal effusion as well as antimicrobial susceptibility testing results.Results From 2012 to 2021,a total of 28 934 bacterial strains were iso-lated from specimens of pleural and peritoneal effusions from member units of Hunan Provincial Antimicrobial Re-sistance Surveillance System,with 5 752 strains from pleural effusion and 23 182 from peritoneal effusion.The top five bacteria isolated from pleural effusion were Escherichia coli(n=907,15.8%),Staphylococcus aureus(n=535,9.3%),Klebsiella pneumoniae(n=369,6.4%),Staphylococcus epidermidis(n=452,7.9%),and Staphy-lococcus haemolyticus(n=285,5.0%).The detection rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MR-SA)from pleural effusion was 24.3%-39.2%,and that of methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus(MRCNS)was 58.8%-77.1%.The top five bacteria isolated from peritoneal effusion were Escherichia coli(n=8 264,35.6%),Klebsiella pneumoniae(n=2 074,9.0%),Enterococcus faecium(n=1 458,6.3%),Staphylo-coccus epidermidis(n=1 383,6.0%),and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n=1 152,5.0%).The detection rate of MRSA from peritoneal effusion was 22.1%-52.4%,which presented a decreasing trend(P=0.004).The detec-tion rate of MRCNS was 60.4%-79.4%.The resistance rates of Enterobacterales from peritoneal effusion to ce-fazolin,cefuroxime,ceftriaxone and cefepime all showed decreasing trends(all P<0.05).Vancomycin-,linezo-lid-,and teicoplanin-resistant Staphylococcus strains were not found in pleural and peritoneal effusions.The resis-tance rates of Enterococcus faecium to most tested antimicrobial agents were higher than those of Enterococcus fae-calis.The resistance rates of Enterobacterales to imipenem and meropenem were ≤8.5%.The resistance rates of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli to imipenem and meropenem were ≤43.3%.Conclusion The data structure of Hunan Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System for pleural and peritoneal effusions from 2012 to 2021 is relatively complete.The constituent and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated pathogenic bacteria vary in different years.
9. Correlation between sarcopenia,sarcopenic obesity and osteoporosis in adults of Han nationality in Liaoning province
Jia-Yi LI ; Huan-Jiu XI ; You-Feng WEN ; Chao GUI ; Xiao-Ming ZHANG ; Hai-Long ZHANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2023;54(2):238-243
Objective To understand the prevalence of sarcopenia,sarcopenic obesity and osteoporosis, and to analyze the influence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity on osteoporosis. Methods After all the people signed the informed research agreement, the experimental subjects were selected from Han people over 20 years old in Liaoning region, and a total of 1266 cases were included. The distribution of muscle mass, fat mass and bone mineral density in different parts of adults were measured by bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) and bone densitometer, and the correlation between sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity and osteoporosis in adults was studied. Results With the increase of age, the muscle mass of limbs, trunk, total muscle mass and body weight of the Han adults in Liaoning showed a trend of increasing at first and then decreasing. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity between men and women, but there was a significant difference in the prevalence of osteoporosis between men and women. The prevalence of all three groups reached the peak in the age group above 60, and the difference was statistically significant.The risk factor for osteoporosis was sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Conclusion Among adults of Han nationality in Liaoning, the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity,sarcopenia and osteoporosis is significantly different in age. Bone condition is affected by fat mass and muscle mass.
10.Reverse effect of Semaphorin-3F on rituximab resistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma via the Hippo pathway.
Qiong LI ; Naya MA ; Xinlei LI ; Chao YANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Jingkang XIONG ; Lidan ZHU ; Jiali LI ; Qin WEN ; Lei GAO ; Cheng YANG ; Lingyi RAO ; Li GAO ; Xi ZHANG ; Jun RAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(12):1448-1458
BACKGROUND:
Exploring the underlying mechanism of rituximab resistance is critical to improve the outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we tried to identify the effects of the axon guidance factor semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F) on rituximab resistance as well as its therapeutic value in DLBCL.
METHODS:
The effects of SEMA3F on the treatment response to rituximab were investigated by gain- or loss-of-function experiments. The role of the Hippo pathway in SEMA3F-mediated activity was explored. A xenograft mouse model generated by SEMA3F knockdown in cells was used to evaluate rituximab sensitivity and combined therapeutic effects. The prognostic value of SEMA3F and TAZ (WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1) was examined in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and human DLBCL specimens.
RESULTS:
We found that loss of SEMA3F was related to a poor prognosis in patients who received rituximab-based immunochemotherapy instead of chemotherapy regimen. Knockdown of SEMA3F significantly repressed the expression of CD20 and reduced the proapoptotic activity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity induced by rituximab. We further demonstrated that the Hippo pathway was involved in the SEMA3F-mediated regulation of CD20. Knockdown of SEMA3F expression induced the nuclear accumulation of TAZ and inhibited CD20 transcriptional levels via direct binding of the transcription factor TEAD2 and the CD20 promoter. Moreover, in patients with DLBCL, SEMA3F expression was negatively correlated with TAZ, and patients with SEMA3F low TAZ high had a limited benefit from a rituximab-based strategy. Specifically, treatment of DLBCL cells with rituximab and a YAP/TAZ inhibitor showed promising therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo .
CONCLUSION
Our study thus defined a previously unknown mechanism of SEMA3F-mediated rituximab resistance through TAZ activation in DLBCL and identified potential therapeutic targets in patients.
Humans
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Animals
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Mice
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Rituximab/therapeutic use*
;
Hippo Signaling Pathway
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Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology*
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Prognosis
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Semaphorins/therapeutic use*
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*

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