1.Production of GTKO pigs and kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques
Yan WANG ; Yue CHANG ; Chang YANG ; Taiyun WEI ; Xiaoying HUO ; Bowei CHEN ; Jiaoxiang WANG ; Heng ZHAO ; Jianxiong GUO ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Xiong ZHANG ; Feiyan ZHU ; Wenmin CHENG ; Hongye ZHAO ; Kaixiang XU ; Ameen Jamal MUHAMMAD ; Zhendi WANG ; Hongjiang WEI
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):526-537
Objective To explore the construction of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-knockout (GTKO) Diannan miniature pigs and the kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques, and to assess the effectiveness of GTKO pigs. Methods The GTKO Diannan miniature pigs were constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system and somatic cell cloning technology. The phenotype of GTKO pigs was verified through polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing and immunofluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect antigen-antibody (IgM) binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Kidney xenotransplantation was performed from GTKO pigs to rhesus macaques. The humoral immunity, cellular immunity, coagulation and physiological indicators of the recipient monkeys were monitored. The function and pathological changes of the transplanted kidneys were analyzed using ultrasonography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting exon 4 of the GGTA1 gene in Diannan miniature pigs was designed. The pGL3-GGTA1-sgRNA1-GFP vector was transfected into fetal fibroblasts of Diannan miniature pigs. After puromycin selection, two cell clones, C59# and C89#, were identified as GGTA1 gene-knockout clones. These clones were expanded to form cell lines, which were used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The reconstructed embryos were transferred into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, resulting in 13 fetal pigs. Among them, fetuses F04 and F11 exhibited biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, and F04 had a normal karyotype. Using this GTKO fetal pig for recloning and transferring the reconstructed embryos into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, seven surviving piglets were obtained, all of which did not express α-Gal epitope. The binding of IgM from the serum of rhesus monkey 20# to GTKO pig PBMC was reduced, and the survival rate of GTKO pig PBMC in the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay was higher than that of wild-type pig. GTKO pig kidneys were harvested and perfused until completely white. After the left kidney of the recipient monkey was removed, the pig kidney was heterotopically transplanted. Following vascular anastomosis and blood flow restoration, the pig kidney rapidly turned pink without hyperacute rejection (HAR). Urine appeared in the ureter 6 minutes later, indicating successful kidney transplantation. The right kidney of the recipient was then removed. Seven days after transplantation, the transplanted kidney had good blood flow, the recipient monkey's serum creatinine level was stable, and serum potassium and cystatin C levels were effectively controlled, although they increased 10 days after transplantation. Seven days after transplantation, the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in the recipient monkey increased, while platelet count and fibrinogen levels decreased. The activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and prothrombin time remained relatively stable but later showed an upward trend. The recipient monkey survived for 10 days. At autopsy, the transplanted kidney was found to be congested, swollen and necrotic, with a small amount of IgG deposition in the renal tissue, and a large amount of IgM, complement C3c and C4d deposition, as well as CD68+ macrophage infiltration. Conclusions The kidneys of GTKO Diannan miniature pigs may maintain normal renal function for a certain period in rhesus macaques and effectively overcome HAR, confirming the effectiveness of GTKO pigs for xenotransplantation.
2.Epigenetic factors associated with peri-implantitis: a review.
Qianhui LI ; Hongye LU ; Mengyuan ZHANG ; Yuting YE ; Qianming CHEN ; Ping SUN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(7):657-674
Peri-implant diseases are characterized by the resorption of hard tissue and the inflammation of soft tissue. Epigenetics refers to alterations in the expression of genes that are not encoded in the DNA sequence, influencing diverse physiological activities, including immune response, inflammation, and bone metabolism. Epigenetic modifications can lead to tissue-specific gene expression variations among individuals and may initiate or exacerbate inflammation and disease predisposition. However, the impact of these factors on peri-implantitis remains inconclusive. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review to investigate the associations between epigenetic mechanisms and peri-implantitis, specifically focusing on DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). We searched for relevant literature on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar with keywords including "epigenetics," "peri-implantitis," "DNA methylation," and "microRNA." DNA methylation and miRNAs present a dynamic epigenetic mechanism operating around implants. Epigenetic modifications of genes related to inflammation and osteogenesis provide a new perspective for understanding how local and environmental factors influence the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. In addition, we assessed the potential application of DNA methylation and miRNAs in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of peri-implantitis, aiming to provide a foundation for future studies to explore potential therapeutic targets and develop more effective management strategies for this condition. These findings also have broader implications for understanding the pathogenesis of other inflammation-related oral diseases like periodontitis.
Peri-Implantitis/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Epigenesis, Genetic
;
DNA Methylation
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
3.Effective therapeutic targeting of tumor lineage plasticity in neuroendocrine prostate cancer by BRD4 inhibitors.
Xiong ZHANG ; Yatian YANG ; Hongye ZOU ; Yang YANG ; Xingling ZHENG ; Eva COREY ; Amina ZOUBEIDI ; Nicolas MITSIADES ; Ai-Ming YU ; Yuanpei LI ; Hong-Wu CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1415-1429
Tumor lineage plasticity (LP) is an emerging hallmark of cancer progression. Through pharmacologically probing the function of epigenetic regulators in prostate cancer cells and organoids, we identified bromodomain protein BRD4 as a crucial player. Integrated ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis of tumors revealed, for the first time, that BRD4 directly activates hundreds of genes in the LP programs which include neurogenesis, axonogenesis, EMT and stem cells and key drivers such as POU3F2 (BRN2), ASCL1/2, NeuroD1, SOX2/9, RUNX1/2 and DLL3. Interestingly, BRD4 genome occupancy is reprogrammed by anti-AR drugs from facilitating AR function in CRPC cells to activating the LP programs and is facilitated by pioneer factor FOXA1. Significantly, we demonstrated that BRD4 inhibitor AZD5153, currently at clinical development, possesses potent activities in complete blockade of tumor growth of both de novo neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and treatment-induced NEPC PDXs and that suppression of tumor expression of LP programs through reduction of local chromatin accessibility is the primary mechanism of action (MOA) by AZD5153. Together, our study revealed that BRD4 plays a fundamental role in direct activation of tumor LP programs and that its inhibitor AZD5153 is highly promising in effective treatment of the lethal forms of the diseases.
4.Effects of Tuina at "Weizhong" (BL 40) on Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampal CA3 Region in Chronic Sciatic Nerve Compression Injury Model Rats
Hongye HUANG ; Shuijin CHEN ; Lechun CHEN ; Huanzhen ZHANG ; Jingjing JIANG ; Yu JIANG ; Jincheng CHEN ; Zhigang LIN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(15):1602-1610
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tuina at Weizhong (BL 40) for relieving sciatica from the perspective of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Tuina group, MK-801 group, MK-801 plus Tuina group, 12 rats in each group. After lateral ventricular cannulation, rats model with chronic compression injury of the right sciatic nerve were prepared in all groups except the sham operation group. On day 4 after modelling, rats in the Tuina group start Tuina at Weizhong (BL 40) for 10 mins once a day for a total of 14 days; rats in the MK-801 group started injecting with 0.25 μg/μl of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B) blocker, dizocycline (MK-801), 0.5 μl of which was administered daily in the lateral ventricle for 14 days. Rats in the MK-801 plus Tuina group underwent Tuina after 30 mins when completing MK-801 injection in the lateral ventricle, in the same way as above; rats in the model group and the sham operation group did not undergo any intervention. Spontaneous pain behaviour scores and paw withdraw thresholds (PWTs) were examined on day 1 (base value) before modelling and on day 4, 10, 14 and 18 after modelling; and on day 19, the brain tissues of the rats in each group were sampled and the number and morphology of the Nysted-positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 region were observed using Nysted staining; and the number of synapses, the thickness of postsynaptic dense material, the length of active band and the curvature of synaptic interface in hippocampal CA3 region were observed by transmission electron microscopy; and the expression of synapse-associated proteins NR2B and postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD95) in hippocampal CA3 was detected by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting. ResultsCompared with the same time in the sham operation group, spontaneous pain scores significantly increased and PWTs decreased on day 4, 10, 14, and 18 after modelling in the model group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, spontaneous pain scores in Tuina group of rats significantly decreased on day 10, 14, and 18 after modelling, and PWTs significantly increased on day 14 and 18 after modelling (P<0.05). Compared with Tuina group, spontaneous pain scores increased on day 10, 14, and 18 of modelling, and PWTs decreased at days 14 and 18 of modelling in the MK-801 plus Tuina group had higher spontaneous pain scores on days 10, 14, and 18 after modelling and lower PWTs on days 14 and 18 after modelling (P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the neuronal arrangement in the hippocampal CA3 region of the rats in the model group was disordered, with decreased number of Nysted-positive cells and synapses, reduced thickness of postsynaptic densities, length of active bands, and curvature of synaptic interfaces, wider synaptic gaps, and decreased immunofluorescent positive expression of NR2B and PSD95 as well as the expression of immunoblotting proteins in hippocampal CA3 region (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, more dense arranged nerve cells, the number of Nysted-positive cells, the number of synapses, the thickness of postsynaptic dense material, the length of active bands increased, the synaptic gap became significantly narrower, and the positive expression of immunofluorescence and immunoblotting protein expression of NR2B, PSD95 increased in the rat hippocampal CA3 region of Tuina group (P<0.05). Compared with Tuina group, the neuronal morphology of the hippocampal CA3 region in MK-801 plus Tuina group was severely damaged, and the number of Nystrom's-positive cells, the number of synapses, the thickness of post-synaptic densities, the length of active bands, and the curvature of synaptic interfaces reduced, the synaptic gaps became wider, and the immunofluorescent positive expression of NR2B, PSD95, and the expression of immunostained proteins decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong" (BL 40) showed significant analgesic effect, and one of the possible mechanisms concluded as significantly increasing the levels of NR2B and PSD95 protein expression in hippocampal CA3 region and thus modulating the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus.
5.Effects of Tuina on P2Y12/RhoA/ROCK2 Pathway and c-Fos Protein Expression of Microglia in Spinal Dorsal Horn of Sciatic Nerve Chronic Compressive Injury Rats
Jingjing JIANG ; Zhigang LIN ; Hongye HUANG ; Huanzhen ZHANG ; Lechun CHEN ; Hui LIN ; Shiye WU ; Shuijin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(7):100-105
Objective To observe the effects of tuina on P2Y12/RhoA/ROCK2 pathway and c-Fos protein expression of microglia in spinal dorsal horn of sciatic nerve chronic compressive injury(CCI)rats;To explore the mechanism of tuina in treating lumbar disc herniation.Methods A CCI model of right sciatic nerve was used to simulate neuropathic pain in lumbar disc herniation.24 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group and tuina group,with 8 rats in each group.After 4 days of modeling,massage intervention was used to in the tuina group for 14 days.The paw withdrawal threshold(PWT)and paw withdrawal latency(PWL)of rats before and on the 4th,10th,and 17th day after modeling were observed,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Iba1 and P2Y12 protein in right spinal dorsal horn,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of RhoA and ROCK2 protein in right spinal dorsal horn,immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the number of c-Fos positive cells in right spinal dorsal horn.Results Compared with the blank group,the PWT and PWL of the model group were significantly reduced on the 4th,10th,and 17th day after modeling(P<0.001),while the expressions of Iba1,P2Y12,RhoA and ROCK2 protein in right spinal dorsal horn significantly increased(P<0.001,P<0.05),the number of c-Fos positive cells significantly increased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the PWT and PWL of the tuina group significantly increased on the 10th and 17th day after modeling(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001),and the expressions of Iba1,P2Y12,RhoA and ROCK2 protein in right spinal dorsal horn significantly decreased(P<0.001,P<0.01,P<0.05),and the number of c-Fos positive cells significantly reduced(P<0.001).Conclusion Tuina may inhibit the activation of microglia by regulating P2Y12/RhoA/ROCK2 pathway and c-Fos protein expression in spinal dorsal horn,reduce neuronal excitability,and exert analgesic effects on lumbar disc herniation.
6.Exploring the effect of Tuina on the dendritic structure of spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation based on NR2B/PSD-95 pathway
Huanzhen ZHANG ; Bingqian WANG ; Shuijin CHEN ; Lechun CHEN ; Jingjing JIANG ; Yu JIANG ; Jincheng CHEN ; Hongye HUANG ; Jiayu FANG ; Weiquan ZENG ; Zhigang LIN
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2023;21(2):129-136
Objective: To investigate the analgesic mechanism of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) by observing the effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B)/postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) pathway on the dendritic structure of spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Tuina group, a blocker agent group, and a blocker agent + Tuina group. The sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was prepared by the sciatic nerve ligation method. From the 4th day after modeling, rats in the Tuina group and the blocker agent + Tuina group were subject to daily Tuina intervention, and those in the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group were daily intrathecally injected with NR2B blocker agent (MK-801). The spontaneous pain score was used to observe the pain behavior of all rats. The expression levels of NR2B and downstream PSD-95 were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the dendritic structure changes were observed by Golgi staining for rat spinal cord dorsal horn after 14 d of continuous intervention. Results: Compared with the blank group, the degree of rat spontaneous pain after CCI was elevated in both the model and the Tuina groups (P<0.01) and was reduced in the Tuina group after the Tuina intervention compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the rat spontaneous pain level after blocking NR2B was reduced in both the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group (P<0.05). The NR2B and PSD-95 protein levels were significantly higher in the model group compared with the blank group (P<0.01); the total number of dendritic branches was increased (P<0.01), and the total dendritic length became longer (P<0.01) in the spinal cord dorsal horn. The rat NR2B and PSD-95 protein levels were significantly decreased in the Tuina group compared with the model group (P<0.01); the total dendritic branch number was reduced (P<0.01) and the total length was shortened (P<0.01) in the spinal cord dorsal horn. After blocking NR2B, the expression levels of NR2B and downstream PSD-95 protein were significantly lower in both the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group compared to the model group (P<0.01). The total branch number was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the total length was significantly shortened (P<0.01) of the dendrites in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Conclusion: Tuina may exert an analgesic effect by remodeling the dendritic structure in the spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NR2B/PSD-95 signaling pathway.
7.Research progress on molecular mechanism related to ventricular remodeling in elderly patients with chronic heart failure
Rui YANG ; Junmin YU ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Dahe LI ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Hongye CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2023;27(23):139-143
Chronic heart failure is the terminal stage of progressive aggravation of various cardio-vascular diseases,and as an independent risk factor for heart failure,senility can increase the preva-lence rate.Ventricular remodeling is the main pathological and physiological basis of chronic heart failure,and in addition to changes in the activities of inflammatory reactions and related cytokines,factors such as metabolic disorders of myocardium,regulation of myocardial extracellular vesicles,and imbalance of intestinal microbiota also play important roles.This paper provided an overview of the research progress on ventricular remodeling mechanism in elderly patients with heart failure.
8.Effect of ixazomib combination treatment therapies on multiple myeloma and the prognostic influencing factors
Yunlong TANG ; Yuqing MIAO ; Yifei CHEN ; Jiaqi LIU ; Yan ZHOU ; Naitong SUN ; Hongye LI
Cancer Research and Clinic 2023;35(12):910-914
Objective:To explore the efficacy of ixazomib combination treatment therapies for multiple myeloma (MM), and the influencing factors of prognosis.Methods:The clinical data of 80 MM patients admitted to Yancheng Third People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received 3 courses of ixazomib combination treatment therapies (28 d was 1 course). All combination treatment therapies included ID group (ixazomib + dexamethasone, 11 cases) and ID + immunomodulator group (ixazomib + dexamethasone + lenalidomide/thalidomide, 50 cases), ID + other chemotherapy drugs group (ixazzomib + dexamethasone + doxorubicin liposome/cyclophosphamide/bendamustine, 19 cases). The clinical efficacy of patients in different treatment regimens was compared, and the prognosis was followed up and recorded. The clinical characteristics between the survival and the dead patients were compared. Cox proportional risk model was used to make multivariate analysis of the overall survival of MM patients receiving ixazomib combination therapies.Results:The treatment was effective in 9 cases (81.82%) of the ID group, 32 cases (64.00%) of the ID + immunomodulator group, and 9 cases (47.37%) of the ID + other chemotherapy drugs group. There was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness rate of 3 ixazomib combination regimens ( χ2 = 0.62, P = 0.432). All patients were followed up for 5 to 20 months, with an average follow-up time of (15±4) months. There were statistically significant differences in immunoglobulin type, Durie-Salmon stage, early treatment line and therapeutic efficacy between the survival group (49 cases) and the death group (31 cases) (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the clinical effectiveness (effectiveness vs. ineffectiveness: OR = 0.242, 95% CI 0.103-0.567, P = 0.001) and the previous first-line treatment (the first-line vs. the other lines: OR = 0.577, 95% CI 0.452-0.736, P < 0.001) were independent protective factors for the overall survival of MM. Conclusions:The 3 ixazomib combination therapies have a certain efficacy in the treatment of MM; ID regimen has the best clinical efficacy and survival. The clinical effectiveness and the previous first-line treatment are independent protective factors for the survival of MM.
9.Overview of the Application of Automated Intelligent Drug Cabinet in the Field of Hospital Medicine Management
DONG Zhiyong ; LI Weijun ; TENG Tianli ; LYU Ning ; CHEN Liangfang ; CHEN Feifei ; CAI Beibo ; HE Hangkai ; YUAN Hongye ; JIANG Saiping
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2023;40(17):2378-2383
OBJECTIVE To review the application and development of automatic intelligent drug cabinet in hospitals at home and abroad. METHODS The relevant research articles published from 2010 to 2022 were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed and other databases. RESULTS The application of automatic intelligent drug cabinet could shorten the execution time of inpatient medical orders, improve the work efficiency of pharmacists and doctors and nurses, improve the quality of drug management in wards and promote the transformation of hospital pharmaceutical care. CONCLUSION The construction of decentralized dispensing mode with automated intelligent drug cabinets as the core has important theoretical guiding significance and broad application prospects for the automation, informatization, intelligence and whole process management of drugs in medical institutions, and also helps to improve the level of medical pharmacy service management.
10.Research progress on molecular mechanism related to ventricular remodeling in elderly patients with chronic heart failure
Rui YANG ; Junmin YU ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Dahe LI ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Hongye CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2023;27(23):139-143
Chronic heart failure is the terminal stage of progressive aggravation of various cardio-vascular diseases,and as an independent risk factor for heart failure,senility can increase the preva-lence rate.Ventricular remodeling is the main pathological and physiological basis of chronic heart failure,and in addition to changes in the activities of inflammatory reactions and related cytokines,factors such as metabolic disorders of myocardium,regulation of myocardial extracellular vesicles,and imbalance of intestinal microbiota also play important roles.This paper provided an overview of the research progress on ventricular remodeling mechanism in elderly patients with heart failure.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail