Objective To investigate the effects of STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1(STUB1)on the ubiquitination of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ferroptosis in colon cancer cells HCT116,as well as the impact on CD8+T cell-mediated killing of HCT116 cells.Methods HCT116 cells were divided into control group,empty plasmid transfection(pcDNA3.1-vector)group,STUB1 overexpression plasmid transfection(pcDNA3.1-STUB1)group,and co-transfection(pcDNA3.1-STUB1+pcDNA3.1-GPX4)group.Cell proliferation ability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.Clonogenic ability was determined by clone formation assay.Malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in cells were measured using an MDA kit.Intracellular ferrous ion(Fe2+)levels were detected with an Fe2+probe.Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using JC-1 dye.Protein expression levels of STUB1,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),and GPX4 were determined by western blot.The binding between STUB1 and GPX4 was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation.The effect of STUB1 on GPX4 protein ubiquitination was detected using a ubiquitin antibody.HCT116 cells transfected with different plasmids were co-cultured with human peripheral blood CD8+T cells,and the killing ability of CD8+T cells against HCT116 cells was measured using a lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)kit.Perforin,granzyme,and interferon-γ levels in the co-culture supernatant were determined by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group showed decreased cell proliferation ability,mitochondrial membrane potential,and protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4,along with increased STUB1 protein expression,MDA,Fe2+levels,and GPX4 ubiquitination in HCT116 cells.Compared with the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1+pcDNA3.1-GPX4 group exhibited increased cell proliferation ability,mitochondrial membrane potential,and expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4,along with decreased MDA and Fe2+levels in HCT116 cells.After co-culture of HCT116 cells with CD8+T cells,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group showed significantly increased killing rate of CD8+T cells against HCT116 cells,as well as elevated levels of perforin,granzyme,and interferon-γ in the co-culture supernatant compared with the control group.Compared with the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1+pcDNA3.1-GPX4 group exhibited decreased killing rate of CD8+T cells against HCT116 cells and reduced levels of perforin,granzyme,and interferon-γ in the co-culture supernatant.Conclusion Overexpression of STUB1 promotes GPX4 ubiquitination in colon cancer cells HCT116,induces ferroptosis,and enhances the killing effect of CD8+T cells on HCT116 cells.

Objective To investigate the effects of STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1(STUB1)on the ubiquitination of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ferroptosis in colon cancer cells HCT116,as well as the impact on CD8+T cell-mediated killing of HCT116 cells.Methods HCT116 cells were divided into control group,empty plasmid transfection(pcDNA3.1-vector)group,STUB1 overexpression plasmid transfection(pcDNA3.1-STUB1)group,and co-transfection(pcDNA3.1-STUB1+pcDNA3.1-GPX4)group.Cell proliferation ability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.Clonogenic ability was determined by clone formation assay.Malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in cells were measured using an MDA kit.Intracellular ferrous ion(Fe2+)levels were detected with an Fe2+probe.Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using JC-1 dye.Protein expression levels of STUB1,solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),and GPX4 were determined by western blot.The binding between STUB1 and GPX4 was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation.The effect of STUB1 on GPX4 protein ubiquitination was detected using a ubiquitin antibody.HCT116 cells transfected with different plasmids were co-cultured with human peripheral blood CD8+T cells,and the killing ability of CD8+T cells against HCT116 cells was measured using a lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)kit.Perforin,granzyme,and interferon-γ levels in the co-culture supernatant were determined by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group showed decreased cell proliferation ability,mitochondrial membrane potential,and protein expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4,along with increased STUB1 protein expression,MDA,Fe2+levels,and GPX4 ubiquitination in HCT116 cells.Compared with the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1+pcDNA3.1-GPX4 group exhibited increased cell proliferation ability,mitochondrial membrane potential,and expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4,along with decreased MDA and Fe2+levels in HCT116 cells.After co-culture of HCT116 cells with CD8+T cells,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group showed significantly increased killing rate of CD8+T cells against HCT116 cells,as well as elevated levels of perforin,granzyme,and interferon-γ in the co-culture supernatant compared with the control group.Compared with the pcDNA3.1-STUB1 group,the pcDNA3.1-STUB1+pcDNA3.1-GPX4 group exhibited decreased killing rate of CD8+T cells against HCT116 cells and reduced levels of perforin,granzyme,and interferon-γ in the co-culture supernatant.Conclusion Overexpression of STUB1 promotes GPX4 ubiquitination in colon cancer cells HCT116,induces ferroptosis,and enhances the killing effect of CD8+T cells on HCT116 cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of spleen on hepatic macrophages mediated activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)in mice with liver fibrosis.Methods Eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups.Mice in Group A and Group B were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 to establish liver fibrosis mouse model,while those in Group C were injected with corn oil as normal control.Four weeks later,mice with liver fibrosis received splenectomy(Spx)or sham operation(Sham),respectively.After continuous injection for 2 weeks,liver homogenates(L-Homo)were prepared and liver cells were isolated from the three groups.Expressions of IL-1β,IL-13,TGF-β,TNF-α,PDGF-β and VEGF in the liver homogenates of the three groups were detected by Luminex multifactor analysis.The expressions of these cytokines in liver macrophages(L-Mψ)and other non-parenchymal cells of Sham and Spx mice were analyzed by Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and flow cytometry.Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 or bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)were treated with liver homogenates from the Sham and Spx groups.Then the differently treated RAW264.7 cells were analyzed for mRNA expressions of cytokines and glutamine metabolism-related molecules by RT-qPCR,or transwell co-cultured with hepatic stellate cell line JS1.After co-culture,the survival and extracellular matrix expression of JS1 cells were analyzed.For comparison,Student's t test(between two groups)or one-way analysis of variance(among multiple groups)were used.Results Compared with normal control group,the concentrations of IL-1β,IL-13,TGF-β and TNF-α in the L-Homo of model group were significantly increased and showed higher levels in Sham group than in Spx group.Moreover,the hepatic macrophages were indicated as the major source of these cytokines.Consistently,macrophages treated with liver homogenate of Sham mice had increased expressions of IL-1β,TGF-β and TNF-α and glutaminase(GLS).After co-culture with macrophages treated with liver homogenate of Sham group rather than Spx group,JS1 expressed higher expressions of α-SMA and collagens.Conclusion The spleen is involved in regulating the secretion of cytokines by hepatic macrophages and enhancing their ability to activate hepatic stellate cells.

Gaining a better understanding of autoprotection against drug-induced liver injury(DILI)may provide new strategies for its prevention and therapy.However,little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.We used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the dynamics and functions of hepatic non-parenchymal cells(NPCs)in autoprotection against DILI,using acetaminophen(APAP)as a model drug.Autoprotection was modeled through pretreatment with a mildly hepatotoxic dose of APAP in mice,followed by a higher dose in a secondary challenge.NPC subsets and dynamic changes were identified in the APAP(hepatotoxicity-sensitive)and APAP-resistant(hepatotoxicity-resistant)groups.A chemokine(C-C motif)ligand 2+endothelial cell subset almost disappeared in the APAP-resistant group,and an R-spondin 3+endothelial cell subset promoted hepatocyte proliferation and played an important role in APAP autoprotection.Moreover,the dendritic cell subset DC-3 may protect the liver from APAP hepatotoxicity by inducing low reactivity and suppressing the autoimmune response and occurrence of inflammation.DC-3 cells also promoted angiogenesis through crosstalk with endothelial cells via vascular endothelial growth factor-associated ligand-receptor pairs and facilitated liver tissue repair in the APAP-resistant group.In addition,the natural killer cell subsets NK-3 and NK-4 and the Sca-1-CD62L+natural killer T cell subset may promote autoprotection through interferon-y-dependent pathways.Furthermore,macrophage and neutrophil subpopulations with anti-inflammatory phenotypes promoted tolerance to APAP hepatotoxicity.Overall,this study reveals the dynamics of NPCs in the resistance to APAP hepatotoxicity and provides novel insights into the mechanism of autoprotection against DILI at a high resolution.

Two patients (patient 1, a 61-year-old male; patient 2, a 58-year-old female) received red yeast rice 6 g once daily orally because of abnormal blood lipids. Patient 1 had schistosomal cirrhosis and cholestatic hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 5.32 mmol/L. After 26 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed limb weakness, with creatine kinase (CK) 604 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately and 3 days later, the patient developed lower limb muscle soreness, with CK 117 748 U/L. After 12 days of treatments with dexamethasone and rehydration, his symptoms gradually disappeared, with CK 79 U/L. Patient 2 had acute hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 2.34 mmol/L. After 24 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed weakness and muscle soreness in both lower limbs, with CK 52 222 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately, and after 12 days of treatments with methylprednisolone and hydration, her symptoms were improved, with CK 210 U/L.

Two patients (patient 1, a 61-year-old male; patient 2, a 58-year-old female) received red yeast rice 6 g once daily orally because of abnormal blood lipids. Patient 1 had schistosomal cirrhosis and cholestatic hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 5.32 mmol/L. After 26 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed limb weakness, with creatine kinase (CK) 604 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately and 3 days later, the patient developed lower limb muscle soreness, with CK 117 748 U/L. After 12 days of treatments with dexamethasone and rehydration, his symptoms gradually disappeared, with CK 79 U/L. Patient 2 had acute hepatitis, with triacylglycerol 2.34 mmol/L. After 24 days of oral administration of red yeast rice, the patient developed weakness and muscle soreness in both lower limbs, with CK 52 222 U/L. Red yeast rice was stopped immediately, and after 12 days of treatments with methylprednisolone and hydration, her symptoms were improved, with CK 210 U/L.

Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD) patients, and provide reference for patients who will receive renal biopsy with diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic kidney disease.Methods:The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic kidney disease who underwent renal biopsy were collected through the database at the Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from February 2002 to June 2018. According to the results of renal biopsy, they were divided into DKD group and NDKD group (including DKD+NDKD). The clinical manifestations and pathological types were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 507 patients were eventually included in the study. There were 114 cases (22.5%) with DKD and 393 cases (77.5%) with NDKD. Pathologically, the most common pathological types of NDKD were membranous nephropathy (30.0%) and IgA nephropathy (19.1%). Among NDKD patients, 5.6% patients had DKD combing with NDKD. In term of the clinical manifestations, DKD patients had a longer history of diabetes (>1 year, 76.3% vs 36.1%, P<0.001), higher quantity of urinary protein [3.69(1.70, 6.74) g/24 h vs 2.21(0.91, 4.97) g/24 h, P<0.001], higher serum creatinine [117.5(85.8, 194.5) μmol/L vs 89.0(68.0, 143.8) μmol/L, P<0.001] than NDKD patients. But the hemoglobin [(105.07±20.85) g/L vs (124.41±25.02) g/L, P=0.002] and cholesterol [(5.69±1.87) mmol/L vs (6.43±2.75) mmol/L, P=0.001] in DKD patients were lower than those in NDKD patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus history ( OR=4.162, 95% CI 1.717-10.098, P=0.002) , higer systolic pressure (every 1 mmHg, OR=1.028, 95% CI 1.011-1.045, P=0.001) , history of antihypertensive medication ( OR=3.141, 95% CI 1.496-6.591, P=0.002), diabetic retinopathy ( OR=5.561, 95% CI 2.361-13.100, P<0.001) and higher glycated hemoglobin level (every 1%, OR=1.680, 95% CI 1.333-2.118, P<0.001) were related factors of DKD, while hematuria ( OR=2.781, 95% CI 1.334-5.798, P=0.006) and higher hemoglobin level (every 1 g/L, OR=1.022, 95% CI 1.008-1.037, P=0.002) were related factors of NDKD. Conclusions:There are differences in clinical manifestations and pathological types between DKD and NDKD. The history of diabetes, antihypertensive medication, fundus examination, higher of proteinuria and glycosylated hemoglobin may predict DKD, while hematuria and higher level of hemoglobin may have certain guiding significance for the diagnosis of NDKD. The indication of renal biopsy in patients with diabetes mellitus complicated with chronic kidney disease should include comprehensive clinical manifestations.

Objective: To study the effect of high-dose methylprednisolone intravenous pulse therapy on immunoglobulins and CD series in patients with active moderate-to-severe Graves′ orbitopathy. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with active moderate-to-severe Graves′ orbitopathy were enrolled in this study. All the patients received iv methylprednisolone pulse therapy for 12 weeks according to the 2016 European Thyroid Association/European Group on Graves′Orbitopathy(EUGOGO) Guidelines. Serum thyroidal autoantibodies, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb), and serum immunoglobulins, such as IgG, IgE, IgA, IgM were evaluated at the baseline, at the end of 4th and 12th week. Percentages of CD3⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells and CD19⁺ B cells, CD16⁺ or CD56⁺ NK cells were also evaluated at each time point. Results: TRAb, TPOA and IgE, IgG, IgA were significantly decreased both after 4th week and after 12th week (all P<0.05). Percentages of CD3⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells and CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ ratio were gradually decreased after treatment. However, change of CD8⁺ T cells was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion High-dose methylprednisolone may exert an immunosuppressive effect not only by modifying humoral and cellular immune functions, but also by decreasing serum immunoglobulins.

OBJECTIVE: To explore molecular etiology and clinical characteristics of two pedigrees affected with hereditary factor VII(FVII) deficiency. METHODS: The nine exons and flanking sequences of the F7 gene of the probands were amplified by PCR. The amplicons were analyzed by direct sequencing. Suspected mutations were subjected to SWISS-MODEL modeling and analysis of protein structure change by Pymol software and conservation of amino acids across various species. RESULTS: For proband of pedigree 1, the prothrombin time (PT), FVII activity (FVII:C) and FVII antigen (FVII:Ag) were 36.3 s, 3%, 53.56%, respectively. Sequencing revealed a compound heterozygous variants of c.80_81delCT and c.1371G>T(p.Arg439Ser). His son carried a heterozygous c.1371G>T (p.Arg439Ser) variant. For proband of pedigree 2, the PT, FVII:C and FVII:Ag were 22.3 s, 4%, 1.58%, respectively. Sequencing has revealed a compound heterozygous c.278G>T(p.Arg75Met) missense variant in exon 3 and c.1278T>G (p.His408Gln) in exon 9 of the F7 gene. His mother and son both carried a heterozygous c.278G>T(p.Arg75Met) variant. Three-dimensional simulation and homology analysis revealed that the p.Arg439Ser and p.Arg75Met can respectively alter part of hydrogen bonds and two highly conserved amino acids. CONCLUSION Two novel heterozygous missense variants of the F7 gene [c.1371G>T(p.Arg439Ser) and c.278G>T(p.Arg75Met)] probably account for the decrease of factor VII in the two pedigrees.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Factor VII ; Factor VII Deficiency ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree

[Objective] This paper sums up Professor Ye Bai's scholar thought and clinical experience of using jineijin couplet medicines in treating digestive disease. [Methods] From the aspects of the drug pairing, application characteristics and case examples, this paper sums up Professor Ye Bai's scholar thought and clinical experience of using jineijin couplet medicines in treating digestive disease. [Results] Jineijin and ezhu can remove blood stasis and promote di-gestion to help transportion; jineijin and haijinsha can clear heat and dampness and not only treat jaundice, but also remove stones.[Conclusions]Professor Ye Bai's scholar thought and clinical experience of using jineijin couplet medicines in treating digestive disease is effective and is trusted and welcomed by patients. His thought and clinical experience are worth to extend and apply.