1.RUNX3 regulates FAP to influence the proliferation of mouse lung primary fibroblasts
Junbo YOU ; Xianchen WANG ; Hui LING ; Jiahao FAN ; Qi CHEN ; Hui TAO ; Jiming SHA
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):606-611
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced activation of mouse primary pulmonary fibroblasts (PFs), and its effects on fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression, cell proliferation, and collagen synthesis. MethodsPFs were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and cultured. A RUNX3 knockdown model was established using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cells were assigned to the control group (Control), TGF-β1-treated group (TGF-β1), negative control group (TGF-β1+siRNA-NC), and RUNX3-silenced group (TGF-β1+si-RUNX3). In addition, a RUNX3 overexpression rescue experiment was performed based on TGF-β1 stimulation. Protein and mRNA levels of RUNX3, FAP, and typeⅠcollagen (COL1A1) were measured by Western blot and reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 and EdU assays. Co-expression of COL1A1 and FAP was examined by double immunofluorescence staining. ResultsCompared with the Control group, RUNX3, FAP, and COL1A1 expression levels were upregulated in PFs in the TGF-β1 group (P<0.01). The CCK-8 assay showed that the absorbance value was reduced in the RUNX3 knockdown group compared with the negative control group (P<0.01). Consistently, the EdU assay demonstrated a lower proportion of EdU-positive cells in the RUNX3 knockdown group than in the negative control group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence double staining revealed decreased fluorescence intensities of COL1A1 and FAP in the RUNX3 knockdown group relative to the negative control. Under RUNX3 overexpression conditions, these fluorescence signals exhibited a partial rebound (P<0.01). ConclusionRUNX3 in TGF-β1-induced PFs may promote cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by positively regulating FAP expression. Targeting the RUNX3/FAP axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.
2.Effect of RUNX3 on the activation, proliferation, and migration capabilities of hepatic stellate cells
Hui LING ; Xianchen WANG ; Junbo YOU ; Jiahao FAN ; Xiao CUI ; Jiming SHA ; Liquan YU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):277-284
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of targeted silencing of Runt-related Transcription Factor 3 (RUNX3) on the proliferation and migration of Mouse Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs), as well as subsequent collagen deposition. MethodsMouse hepatic stellate cell line (JS-1) was selected and then morphologically observed and identified under a microscope. After the cells had fully adhered, they were treated with 5 ng/mL of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) for 24 hours to induce hepatic stellate cell activation. Furthermore, a RUNX3 silencing model was established using RUNX3 lentiviral infection. The experiment was divided into four groups: Control group, TGF-β1 group, TGF-β1+siRNA-NC group, and TGF-β1+siRNA-RUNX3 group. Protein expression changes of RUNX3, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Alpha 1 type I collagen (Collagen I) were detected using Western blot method. Cellular immunofluorescence assays were employed to investigate the deposition changes of α-SMA and RUNX3 in hepatic stellate cells. RT-qPCR was utilized to examine the mRNA expression changes of RUNX3, α-SMA, and Collagen I. The proliferative capacity of hepatic stellate cells was assessed using Edu staining. The migratory ability of hepatic stellate cells was evaluated through wound healing assays and Transwell migration experiments. ResultsCompared with Control group, a significant elevation in RUNX3 was observed in the TGF-β1-induced activated HSCs (P<0.01). Meanwhile, the protein and mRNA levels of fibrosis-related markers and α-SMA and Collagen I were significantly upregulated (P<0.001). Additionally, the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs were significantly enhanced (P<0.001). In contrast, when compared to TGF-β1+siRNA-NC group, TGF-β1+siRNA-RUNX3 group exhibited a notable decrease in RUNX3 and other related indicators, such as the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA and Collagen I (P<0.05). Concurrently, the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs were significantly inhibited in TGF-β1+siRNA-RUNX3 group (P<0.01). ConclusionSilencing RUNX3 can inhibit the deposition of collagen and the proliferation and migration of hepatic stellate cells. Conversely, RUNX3 promotes the proliferation and migration capabilities of HSCs, thereby facilitating the activation of HSC.
3.From Bedside to Molecular Diagnosis-Multidisciplinary Treatment of a Rare Case of Autoinflammatory Disease Presenting with Skin Induration and Limb Weakness
Hanhui FU ; Wenjun WANG ; Yaping LIU ; Hui YOU ; Tao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Xuejun ZENG ; Liying CUI ; Huijuan ZHU ; Xiuli ZHAO ; Min SHEN ; Yicheng ZHU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):207-213
This article reports a rare case of autoinflammatory disease presenting initially with skin induration and swelling after trauma as the initial manifestation, followed by progressive limb weakness. The patient was a middle-aged female who developed skin induration and swelling after trauma, which gradually progressed to limb weakness, dysarthria and bilateral facial paralysis, accompanied by livedo reticularis of the lower extremities, diffuse skin induration of the limbs, and beaded subcutaneous nodules in the right upper limb. The patient had a susceptibility to infection since childhood and a history of chronic livedo reticularis. Skin pathological examination revealed panniculitis. A comprehensive etiological screening for special infections and autoimmune diseases was completed with an unremarkable results, and whole-exome sequencing showed no abnormal findings. Following a multidisciplinary discussion combined with RNA sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed with an autoinflammatory disease, with a suspected type Ⅰ interferonopathy. Treatment with tofacitinib resulted in gradual improvement of clinical symptoms. This case highlights the importance of detailed medical history collection, systematic physical examination and multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment, and underscores the pivotal role of molecular diagnosis in the confirmation of rare diseases. It can provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and management of similar rare cases.
4.A case of severe anemia caused by hookworm infection
Jun-ma YOU ; Hong-sheng ZHANG ; Hui-ni ZHENG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):69-71
We report a case of a female farmer from the Yichang suburb, aged 68 years, who had been suffering from the infection for 3 years and had a history of seeking medical treatment at a community hospital and receiving blood transfusions. Her hemoglobin was as low as 28 g/L during this visit, and she had been ill for a long time with severe anemia. Routine stool examination revealed hookworm eggs. After active treatment, the patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital.
5.Research Progress on Targeting Autophagy in Pan-creatic Cancer Treatment
Dongfeng SONG ; Tingting YOU ; Hui TANG ; Jinrong YING ; Zhao SUN ; Chunmei BAI
China Cancer 2025;34(8):653-659
Autophagy is a cellular self-degradation process that maintains homeostasis and has been shown to promote tumor progression in advanced stages.Pancreatic cancer cells and the surrounding stromal cells exhibit high levels of autophagy.Therefore,targeting au-tophagy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.This review focuses on research targeting autophagy in pancreatic cancer treatment,elaborating on the roles and underlying mechanisms of autophagy in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation,metas-tasis,modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment,and drug resistance.Additional-ly,we summarize preclinical and clinical studies investigating autophagy-targeted therapies both as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments,aiming to provide new theo-retical rationale and therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer management.
6.Comparison of Visual Prostate Symptom Score(Chinese version)and International Prostate Symptom Score in the evaluation of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Xiaolei DUAN ; Hui YAO ; Xin XIANG ; Yiping ZHU ; Yijing WU ; Min YOU ; Siping CAO ; Yi ZHOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(11):993-998
Objective The aim of this study is to examine the Chinese version of Visual Prostate Symptom Score(CVPSS)and the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS)in the assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms in BPH pa-tients.Methods By using convenient sampling,inpatients in the urology department of a tertiary grade A hospital in Shanghai were selected as the survey subjects from March 2023 to March 2024.The lower urinary tract symptoms of the patients were eval-uated using the self-designed general information questionnaire.And the CVPSS and IPSS with their urine flow rate were meas-ured.A comparative analysis was conducted from aspects such as internal consistency,correlation of item scores,completion time of the scale,and assistance rate.Results A total of 246 patients with BPH were recruited.The total score and life quality score were 13.93±3.55 and 4.23±1.02 by CVPSS.And the total score and life quality by IPSS was 18.33±7.55 and 4.36±1.02,respectively.The Cronbach's α coefficient were 0.761 and 0.787,respectively.The time taken on CVPSS was less than that on IPSS(P<0.01).And the rate of needing assistance was 23.58%for CVPSS,which was significantly lower than that(65.24%)for IPSS.Conclusion CVPSS is significantly correlated with the corresponding items and total scores of IPSS,as well as the quality of life.Moreover,it takes less time and can be used as a simple and effective self-assessment tool for lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly BPH patients with lower education levels.It reduces the burden of medical staffs as well.
7.Renal metabolomics study of Huangqi preparations for alleviating nephrotoxicity of cisplatin
Ying XU ; Qing YOU ; Hui-zhi LUO ; Qi-rui HE ; Jian-dong ZOU ; Jing WANG ; Chang-yin LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2113-2119
Aim To investigate the effect of Huangqi injection(HI)and Huangqi oral solution(HO)on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity(CIN)based on un-targeted metabolomics technology and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into the blank group,cisplatin(CDDP)model group,HI treatment group,and HO treatment group,then the CIN model was built with low dose multiple intraperitoneal injections of CDDP.Pre-liminary evaluation of the renal protective efficacy of HI and HO was performed by measuring serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and organ indi-ces.Further screening and identification of potential biomarkers(PBs)related to CIN and HI/HO pharma-cological effects were attained through metabolomics studies of renal tissues,and pathway enrichment analy-sis was conducted.Results HI and HO significantly restored the abnormal increase in renal function indica-tors and abnormal decrease in organ indices caused by CDDP,as well as significantly improved the abnormal renal metabolic profile induced by CDDP,indicating that both HI and HO had good alleviating effects on CIN.HI significantly reversed 47 out of 54 CIN related PBs,mainly involving metabolic pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism,tryptophan metabo-lism,pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis;HO signifi-cantly reversed 18 out of 54 CIN related PBs,mainly involving metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypo-taurine metabolism,ascorbate and aldarate metabo-lism,pentose and glucuronate interconversions.Con-clusions Both HI and HO have significant alleviating effects on CIN.In the short term,HI salleviating effect is superior to that of HO.Overall,the mechanisms by which both alleviate CIN are mainly related to regula-ting lipid metabolism,amino acid metabolism.
8.An animal model of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome for translational research
Kuo‑An CHU ; Chia‑Yu LAI ; Yu‑Hui CHEN ; Fu‑Hsien KUO ; I.‑Yuan CHEN ; You‑Cheng JIANG ; Ya‑Ling LIU ; Tsui‑Ling KO ; Yu‑Show FU
Laboratory Animal Research 2025;41(1):81-92
Background:
Despite the fact that an increasing number of studies have focused on developing therapies for acute lung injury, managing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a challenge in intensive care medicine.Whether the pathology of animal models with acute lung injury in prior studies differed from clinical symptoms of ARDS, resulting in questionable management for human ARDS. To evaluate precisely the therapeutic effect of trans‑ planted stem cells or medications on acute lung injury, we developed an animal model of severe ARDS with lower lung function, capable of keeping the experimental animals survive with consistent reproducibility. Establishing this animal model could help develop the treatment of ARDS with higher efficiency.
Results:
In this approach, we intratracheally delivered bleomycin (BLM, 5 mg/rat) into rats’ left trachea via a needle connected with polyethylene tube, and simultaneously rotated the rats to the left side by 60 degrees. Within sevendays after the injury, we found that arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) significantly decreased to 83.7%, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2 ) markedly reduced to 65.3 mmHg, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2 )amplified to 49.2 mmHg, and the respiratory rate increased over time. Morphologically, the surface of the left lung appeared uneven on Day 1, the alveoli of the left lung disappeared on Day 2, and the left lung shrank on Day 7. A his‑ tological examination revealed that considerable cell infiltration began on Day 1 and lasted until Day 7, with a larger area of cell infiltration. Serum levels of IL-5, IL-6, IFN-γ, MCP-1, MIP-2, G-CSF, and TNF-α substantially rose on Day 7.
Conclusions
This modified approach for BLM-induced lung injury provided a severe, stable, and one-sided (left-lobe) ARDS animal model with consistent reproducibility. The physiological symptoms observed in this severe ARDS animal model are entirely consistent with the characteristics of clinical ARDS. The establishment of this ARDS animal model could help develop treatment for ARDS.
9.Renal metabolomics study of Huangqi preparations for alleviating nephrotoxicity of cisplatin
Ying XU ; Qing YOU ; Hui-zhi LUO ; Qi-rui HE ; Jian-dong ZOU ; Jing WANG ; Chang-yin LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2113-2119
Aim To investigate the effect of Huangqi injection(HI)and Huangqi oral solution(HO)on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity(CIN)based on un-targeted metabolomics technology and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Sprague Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into the blank group,cisplatin(CDDP)model group,HI treatment group,and HO treatment group,then the CIN model was built with low dose multiple intraperitoneal injections of CDDP.Pre-liminary evaluation of the renal protective efficacy of HI and HO was performed by measuring serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and organ indi-ces.Further screening and identification of potential biomarkers(PBs)related to CIN and HI/HO pharma-cological effects were attained through metabolomics studies of renal tissues,and pathway enrichment analy-sis was conducted.Results HI and HO significantly restored the abnormal increase in renal function indica-tors and abnormal decrease in organ indices caused by CDDP,as well as significantly improved the abnormal renal metabolic profile induced by CDDP,indicating that both HI and HO had good alleviating effects on CIN.HI significantly reversed 47 out of 54 CIN related PBs,mainly involving metabolic pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism,tryptophan metabo-lism,pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis;HO signifi-cantly reversed 18 out of 54 CIN related PBs,mainly involving metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypo-taurine metabolism,ascorbate and aldarate metabo-lism,pentose and glucuronate interconversions.Con-clusions Both HI and HO have significant alleviating effects on CIN.In the short term,HI salleviating effect is superior to that of HO.Overall,the mechanisms by which both alleviate CIN are mainly related to regula-ting lipid metabolism,amino acid metabolism.
10.Short-term efficacy and safety of sublobectomy based on intersegmental vein-centered planning for treatment of intersegmental early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(4):262-267
Objective:To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of intersegmental vein-centered planning sublobectomy (VCPS) in the treatment of intersegmental early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 68 patients with early-stage NSCLC who underwent VCPS in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University from May to November 2023 were successively included. A group of 71 patients who underwent combined segmentectomy or subsegmentectomy (CSS) during the same period was selected as the control. Preoperative three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology was used for surgical planning in the VCPS group, with tumor resection centered around intersegmental veins during the operation. In the CSS group, combined segment or subsegment resection was performed based on preoperative 3D planning. The operative time, complications, resection margin distance, hospitalization costs, and short-term follow-up results of both groups were compared.Results:The VCPS group included 29 males (42.6%) and 39 females (57.4%), with the age of (61±11) years and the tumor diameter of (10.4±3.1) mm; the postoperative pathology types revealed adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in 31 cases (45.6%), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) in 23 cases (33.8%), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) in 14 cases (20.6%). The CSS group included 27 males (38.0%) and 44 females (62.0%), with the age of (59± 11) years and the tumor diameter of (9.9±2.9) mm; the postoperative pathology types revealed AIS in 31 cases (43.7%), MIA in 27 cases (38.0%), and IA in 13 cases (18.3%). There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, tumor diameter and pathological type distribution between the VCPS group and CSS group (all P > 0.05). The operative time [ M ( Q1, Q3)] in the VCPS group was shorter than that in the CSS group [90 (75, 100) min vs. 150 (120, 180) min, Z = -9.83, P < 0.01]; the hospitalization cost in the VCPS group was lower than that in the CSS group [(44 969±6 929) yuan vs. (61 476±10 661) yuan, t = -10.77, P < 0.01]. There was no statistically significant difference in resection margin distance between the two groups [(18±5) mm vs. (18±5) mm, t = 0.65, P > 0.05]. Postoperative complications in the VCPS group included 2 cases of prolonged air leak and 1 case of postoperative cholecystitis, while patients in the CSS group showed 4 cases of prolonged air leak and 1 case of conversion to thoracotomy due to intraoperative bleeding. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of postoperative prolonged air leak and drainage time of both groups (all P > 0.05). No tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed in either group during 3-month follow-up after operation. Conclusions:VCPS, which centers surgical planning around intersegmental veins, provides more precise anatomical localization for intersegmental NSCLC lesions, shortens operative time, reduces surgical difficulty and costs, and decreases postoperative complications.


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