Hepatic fibrosis is not only a pathological process of hepatic self-repair after chronic liver injury， but also a critical stage in the progression of chronic liver disease to liver cirrhosis. Studies have shown that as a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death， pyroptosis plays an important role in various diseases and is also considered a potential therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis. This article systematically reviews the association of pyroptosis in hepatocytes， hepatic stellate cells， and hepatic macrophages with hepatic fibrosis and discusses pyroptosis-mediated therapeutic strategies targeting hepatic fibrosis.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum Th1-type cytokine levels and extraocular muscle-related parameters in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 45 patients diagnosed with TAO in our hospital from January 2023 to December 2024, and 20 normal volunteers during the same period as controls. Venous blood samples of the patients were collected to detect the concentrations of Th1-type cytokines [interferon-γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-2(IL-2), and interleukin-12(IL-12)] in the serum. Additionally, the end diastolic velocity(Ved), velocity maximum(Vmax), resistance index(RI)of the central retinal artery, as well as the thickness and left-right diameter of the medial rectus muscle were measured. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of TAO, and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was adopted to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each index for the occurrence of TAO.RESULTS: The general information of the two groups was comparable. Compared with the normal control group, the serum concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α in TAO patients were significantly increased, Ved and Vmax were lower than those in the control group, and RI and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum IFN-γ concentration, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle were all risk factors for TAO. ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUCs of serum IFN-γ concentration, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle for the diagnostic efficacy of TAO were 0.756, 0.769, 0.732, and 0.642, respectively. The combined detection of IFN-γ, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle had an AUC of 0.840 and a Youden index of 0.59, which was superior to the detection of a single indicator.CONCLUSION: The levels of serum Th1-type cytokines and extraocular muscle-related ultrasound indicators have certain value in the diagnosis of TAO. The combination of IFN-γ, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle has better diagnosis efficiency in TAO, which can provide a certain reference for the early diagnosis of TAO.

Objective:To discuss the regulatory role of complement alternative pathway in mouse colorectal cancer(CRC)liver metastasis model based on bioinformatics methods,and to clarify its mechanism through experimental verification.Methods:Using"CRC liver metastasis"as the keyword,the GSE81558 dataset was retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,including normal colon tissue samples,CRC tissue samples and CRC liver metastasis tissue samples.Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze and screen differentially expressed genes(DEGs).Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed using R and Cytoscape software,and the results were visualized.Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins(STRING)database was used to evaluate protein-protein interactions(PPIs)of DEGs and construct PPI network.Twelve C57BL/6 mice were injected with SL4 tumor cells into spleen,and the liver tissues were collected at 0,7 and 14 d.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of complement pathway-related genes in liver metastatic foci.The CRC liver metastasis mouse model was used to verify the complement signaling pathway.The mice were divided into control group,factor B knockout group(FB-/-)and C4 factor knockout group(C4-/-),and there were 6 mice in each group.The liver weights of the mice were measured;HE staining was used to detect the percentage of metastatic area in liver tissue in control group and FB-/-group;immunohistochemistry was used to detect macrophage infiltration in liver tissue in control group and FB-/-group,and the percentage of macrophage infiltration was calculated.Results:The distances between normal colon tissue samples and CRC tissue samples,as well as between CRC tissue samples and CRC liver metastasis tissue samples were far,indicating significant differences between samples,allowing subsequent analysis of DEGs.A total of 1 908 DEGs were screened in the dataset comparing normal colon tissue samples and CRC tissue samples,including 771 up-regulated DEGs and 1 137 down-regulated DEGs.Twenty-three up-regulated DEGs and 100 down-regulated DEGs were identified in the dataset comparing CRC and CRC liver metastasis.The GO functional enrichment analysis results showed that compared with normal colon tissue samples,DEGs in CRC samples were mainly enriched in biological processes(BP)related to cell cycle and mitosis,including mitotic cell cycle process,cell division,response to hormone,mitotic nuclear division and response to lipid.Compared with CRC samples,the DEGs in CRC liver metastasis samples were mainly enriched in coagulation-related BP,including platelet degranulation,blood coagulation regulation,acute-phase response,hemostasis regulation and coagulation regulation.The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that compared with normal colon tissue samples,the DEGs in CRC tissue samples were mainly enriched in cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways.Compared with CRC tissue samples,the DEGs in CRC liver metastasis tissue samples were mainly enriched in complement,coagulation cascade and metabolism-related signaling pathways.The Hub genes identified in PPI network were related to blood proteins.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with 0 d group,the mRNA expression level of complement related genes complement 1q(C1q)in liver metastatic foci tissue sampres in 7 d group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the mRNA expression levels of complement 3(C3),complement 5(C5),FB,and factor D(FD)were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the mRNA expression levels of complement pathway-related genes C1q,complement 2(C2),C3,complement fragment 3a receptor(C3aR),C5,complement fragment 5a receptor(C5aR),decay-accelerating factor(DAF),FB and FD in liver metastatic foci tissue sampres in 14 d group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the liver weight of the mice in FB-/-group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),while there was no significant difference was observed in C4-/-group(P>0.05).The HE staining results showed that compared with control group,the liver metastatic foci in FB-/-mice were significantly decreased,and the percentage of metastatic area was decreased(P<0.01).The immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with control group,the macrophage infiltration in liver metastatic foci of the mice in FB-/-group was reduced,and the percentage of macrophage infiltration was decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Complement cascade is associated with CRC liver metastasis,and the alternative complement pathway regulates CRC liver metastasis,suggesting this pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND:The impact of the endometrium's structure and spiral artery blood flow parameters on the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination by husband remains unclear.This study identified the independent factors and constructed a prediction model with good clinical application efficacy after calibration of other confounding factors. OBJECTIVE:To construct and validate a clinical pregnancy prediction model for artificial insemination by husband based on endometrial structure and uterine spiral artery blood flow parameters. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 299 patients who underwent artificial insemination by husband treatment at Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2017 to January 2021.The non-pregnancy group consisted of 1 182 patients,while the pregnancy group included 117 patients.Out of these patients,93 cases were successfully matched between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups using a 1∶1 propensity score matching method.Single-factor and multi-factor analyses were used to screen the endometrial structure and uterine spiral artery blood flow parameters to determine their influence on artificial insemination by husband outcomes.The optimal cutoff value was established for each independent influencing factor through receiver operating curve analysis and their risk trend affecting artificial insemination by husband pregnancy outcomes was analyzed using a restricted cubic spline.The clinical efficacy of this combined forecast model was tested by using clinical decision curve and clinical influence curve methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistical significance in non-endometrial factors between the pregnancy group and the non-pregnancy group,and the data had a good balance by propensity score matching(P>0.05).(2)Single-factor analysis identified several subendometrial parameters as significant influencing factors of artificial insemination by husband pregnancy outcomes,including vascularization index,flow index,vascular flow index,resistance index,pulsatility index,maximum systolic velocity/end-diastolic velocity,thickness of average junction zone and maximum junction zone from the basal endometrium to the outer myometrium inner layer(P<0.05).(3)Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that thickness of average junction zone,pulsatility index,and vascular flow index were independent influencing factors of pregnancy outcomes of artificial insemination by husband,vascular flow index>thickness of average junction zone>pulsatility index.(4)Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the area under receiver operating characteristic curve of vascular flow index was 0.704(0.629,0.779),and the optimal cutoff value was 6.26;the area under receiver operating characteristic curve of thickness of average junction zone was 0.660(0.582,0.739),and the optimal cutoff value was 6.38;the area under receiver operating characteristic curve of pulsatility index was 0.642(0.563,0.721),and the optimal cutoff value was 1.18.(5)The restricted cubic spline analysis revealed that artificial insemination by husband pregnancy outcomes were significantly positively affected when the vascular flow index was>6.24 or the thickness of average junction zone was≤6.55 mm,while a negative risk was associated with pulsatility index>1.27.(6)The clinical decision curve and clinical influence curve analyses exhibited that the combined prediction model had the maximum clinical net benefit at the threshold probability value of 0.17-0.93,and the ratio of loss to benefit was consistently less than 1 in the threshold probability range,indicating that the model had good clinical efficacy.(7)It is concluded that after adjusting for other confounding factors outside of the endometrium using propensity score matching and multifactorial logistic regression,the thickness of average junction zone,pulsatility index and vascular flow index were independent factors that influenced pregnancy outcomes of artificial insemination by husband.Through determining their optimal cutoff values and assessing their risk trends,it was confirmed that the combined prediction model had good predictive value and clinical efficacy.

Objective: To determine the active components of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker (Tu Bie Chong) and explore the mechanisms underlying its fracture-healing ability. Methods: A modified Einhorn method was used to develop a rat tibial fracture model. Progression of bone healing was assessed using radiological methods. Safranin O/fast green and CD31 immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the growth of bone cells and angiogenesis at the fracture site. Methylthiazoletetrazolium blue and wound healing assays were used to analyze cell viability and migration. The Transwell assay was used to explore the invasion capacity of the cells. Tubule formation assays were used to assess the angiogenesis capacity of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). qRT-PCR was used to evaluate the changes in gene transcription levels. Results: Tu Bie Chong fraction 3 (TF3) significantly shortened the fracture healing time in model rats. X-ray results showed that on day 14, fracture healing in the TF3 treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P = .0086). Tissue staining showed that cartilage growth and the number of H-shaped blood vessels at the fracture site of the TF3 treatment group were better than those of the control group. In vitro, TF3 significantly promoted the proliferation and wound healing of MC3T3-E1s and HUVECs (all P < .01). Transwell assays showed that TF3 promoted the migration of HUVECs, but inhibited the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells. Tubule formation experiments confirmed that TF3 markedly promoted the ability of vascular endothelial cells to form microtubules. Gene expression analysis revealed that TF3 significantly promoted the expression of VEGFA, SPOCD1, NGF, and NGFR in HUVECs. In MC3T3-E1 cells, the transcript levels of RUNX2 and COL2A1 were significantly elevated following TF3 treatment. Conclusion TF3 promotes fracture healing by promoting bone regeneration associated with the RUNX2 pathway and angiogenesis associated with the VEGFA pathway.

The Qa-1 in mice is homologous to human leukocyte antigen E(HLA-E), and both of them belong to the non-classical major histocompatibility complex I b(MHC-I b) molecules. Qa-1 is capable of presenting self or exogenous antigen peptides to interact with two distinct receptors, namely T cell receptor (TCR) and natural killer cell group 2 member A (or C) (NKG2A/C), thus playing an important role in immune response and regulation. Qa-1-restricted regulatory CD8⁺ T cell (CD8⁺ Treg) is one of the most studied CD8⁺ Treg subgroups, which can maintain immune homeostasis and autoimmune tolerance by exerting immunosuppressive effects. Consequently, Qa-1-restricted CD8⁺Treg cells are closely associated with the occurrence and development of various clinical diseases, such as tumors, infections, autoimmune diseases, and transplant rejections. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the phenotypic characteristics, functional effects, regulatory mechanisms of Qa-1-restricted CD8⁺ Treg cells, as well as the latest research progresses of Qa-1-restricted CD8⁺ Treg cells involved in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
Humans ; Animals ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology* ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Communicable Diseases/immunology*