1.Screening of diagnostic markers for endothelial cell Senescence in mice with radiation-induced heart disease and analysis of immune infiltration
Jiaming LAI ; Yuling SONG ; Zixi CHEN ; Jinghuan WEI ; Hao CAI ; Guoquan LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1450-1463
BACKGROUND:Radiotherapy significantly improves survival rates in patients with various malignant tumors.However,with prolonged post-treatment survival,many patients face the risk of radiation-related cardiac toxicity.This is especially true after chest radiotherapy,where the risk of radiation-induced heart disease significantly increases,becoming one of the most severe complications affecting prognosis survival.OBJECTIVE:To identify diagnostic markers of endothelial cellular senescence in radiation-induced heart disease through systematic transcriptomic analysis.METHODS:Firstly,genes associated with cellular senescence were screened from the CellAge database and intersected with the transcriptomic training dataset of a mouse model of radiation-induced heart disease to identify differentially expressed senescence-related genes.Secondly,weighted gene co-expression network analysis and machine learning were used to identify key hub genes that play critical roles in radiation-induced heart disease.The expression of these genes was validated using a dataset of radiation-induced endothelial injury.Additionally,the quanTlseq method was employed to assess the immune infiltration status related to radiation-induced heart disease.The expression levels of key genes and their association with survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving chest radiotherapy were explored through the analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Systematic transcriptomic analysis identified CCND1 as the core gene of endothelial cellular senescence in radiation-induced heart disease,and this finding was validated in the mouse model of radiation-induced heart disease.(2)The diagnostic model constructed from these data indicated that CCND1 had high specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing radiation-induced heart disease.(3)Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant immune response dysregulation in the mouse model of radiation-induced heart disease,and CCND1 was closely related to various immune cells.(4)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CCND1 was associated with poorer disease-specific survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving chest radiotherapy.This study systematically uncovers,for the first time,the pivotal role of CCND1 in endothelial cell senescence associated with radiation-induced heart disease.CCND1,a gene integral to cell cycle regulation,can induce cellular senescence when abnormally expressed.Furthermore,the findings highlight its potential as an early diagnostic marker.
2.Screening of diagnostic markers for endothelial cell Senescence in mice with radiation-induced heart disease and analysis of immune infiltration
Jiaming LAI ; Yuling SONG ; Zixi CHEN ; Jinghuan WEI ; Hao CAI ; Guoquan LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1450-1463
BACKGROUND:Radiotherapy significantly improves survival rates in patients with various malignant tumors.However,with prolonged post-treatment survival,many patients face the risk of radiation-related cardiac toxicity.This is especially true after chest radiotherapy,where the risk of radiation-induced heart disease significantly increases,becoming one of the most severe complications affecting prognosis survival.OBJECTIVE:To identify diagnostic markers of endothelial cellular senescence in radiation-induced heart disease through systematic transcriptomic analysis.METHODS:Firstly,genes associated with cellular senescence were screened from the CellAge database and intersected with the transcriptomic training dataset of a mouse model of radiation-induced heart disease to identify differentially expressed senescence-related genes.Secondly,weighted gene co-expression network analysis and machine learning were used to identify key hub genes that play critical roles in radiation-induced heart disease.The expression of these genes was validated using a dataset of radiation-induced endothelial injury.Additionally,the quanTlseq method was employed to assess the immune infiltration status related to radiation-induced heart disease.The expression levels of key genes and their association with survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving chest radiotherapy were explored through the analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Systematic transcriptomic analysis identified CCND1 as the core gene of endothelial cellular senescence in radiation-induced heart disease,and this finding was validated in the mouse model of radiation-induced heart disease.(2)The diagnostic model constructed from these data indicated that CCND1 had high specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing radiation-induced heart disease.(3)Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant immune response dysregulation in the mouse model of radiation-induced heart disease,and CCND1 was closely related to various immune cells.(4)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CCND1 was associated with poorer disease-specific survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving chest radiotherapy.This study systematically uncovers,for the first time,the pivotal role of CCND1 in endothelial cell senescence associated with radiation-induced heart disease.CCND1,a gene integral to cell cycle regulation,can induce cellular senescence when abnormally expressed.Furthermore,the findings highlight its potential as an early diagnostic marker.
3.Quantitative analysis and distribution comparison of salidroside and its liposomes in mouse serum,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,and lung tissue
Rong WANG ; Ni ZHAO ; Guoquan LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Shen’ao LI ; Jiaming LAI ; Hao CAI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1998-2002
OBJECTIVE Establish a quantitative analysis method for salidroside (Sal) in mouse serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue, and compare the distribution differences of Sal and its liposomes. METHODS Using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), Welch Xtimate C18 was used as the chromatographic column, with methanol-formic acid aqueous solution (formic acid volume fraction: 0.1% for serum and BALF detection, 0.2% for lung tissue detection) as the mobile phase, flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, detection wavelength of 275 nm, column temperature of 30 ℃, and injection volume of 10 μL. Serum, BALF, and lung tissue homogenate samples were precipitated with methanol for protein analysis. Twelve mice were randomly divided into Sal group and Sal liposome group, and the concentrations of Sal in serum, BALF, and lung tissue were detected after intragastric administration corresponding liquid medicine at a dose of 300 mg/kg (calculated as Sal) for 0.5 h. RESULTS The linear ranges of Sal in serum, BALF, and lung tissue were 1.56-200.00 μg/mL, 1.56-100.00 μg/mL, and 6.24-400.00 μg/g, respectively (all r=0.999 9), with intra-day RSD of 1.35%-3.87%, 1.10%-2.75%, and 1.90%-3.86%, respectively; the inter-day RSD of 3.38%-5.11%, 2.22%- 4.36%, and 2.41%-4.73%, respectively. The relative accuracies were 97.95%-101.61%, 98.29%-101.82%, and 97.41%- 106.94%, respectively. The stability RSDs were all less than 6%. Compared with the Sal group, the Sal liposome group significantly increased the concentration of Sal in BALF of mice (P<0.05), and significantly decreased the concentration of Sal in serum and lung tissue (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The HPLC method established in this study is suitable for quantitative analysis of Sal in mouse serum, BALF, and lung tissue. Sal liposomes have a tendency to distribute towards the alveolar cavity during early administration.
4.A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Tengshen Granules for Treatment of Grade 1 Hypertension
Yuru PENG ; Jiaming HUAN ; Laiyun XIN ; Zhenyuan WANG ; Cong WANG ; Yunlun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):168-176
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tengshen Granules in the treatment of grade 1 hypertension with the syndrome of severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency. MethodsA total of 120 patients with grade 1 hypertension presenting with severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the observation group (Tengshen granules) and the control group (placebo), with 60 cases in each group. On the basis of lifestyle intervention, treatment was administered for 8 weeks followed by a 2-month follow-up. During the study period, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, blood pressure, antihypertensive efficacy, blood pressure control rate, and other indicators were recorded and analyzed, and safety was evaluated. ResultsA total of 114 patients completed the trial, including 57 in the control group and 57 in the observation group. Compared with baseline, TCM syndrome scores, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in the observation group were significantly reduced after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, systolic blood pressure in the observation group was lower from week 4 of medication (P<0.05), and this difference persisted until 2 months after drug discontinuation. For diastolic blood pressure, the observation group was superior to the control group at week 8 (P<0.01), with no statistically significant differences at other time points. Regarding syndrome improvement, the TCM syndrome scores for severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency showed significant improvement at weeks 6 and 8 of treatment, with the observation group superior to the control group (P<0.05). During the 1-month follow-up after drug discontinuation, the syndrome scores in the observation group remained lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of antihypertensive efficacy in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (χ2=11.389, P<0.05). In addition, the level of urinary microalbumin in the observation group was lower after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionTengshen granules demonstrate significant clinical efficacy and good safety in the treatment of grade 1 hypertension with severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency. They can effectively reduce blood pressure and improve related TCM syndrome manifestations.
5.A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Tengshen Granules for Treatment of Grade 1 Hypertension
Yuru PENG ; Jiaming HUAN ; Laiyun XIN ; Zhenyuan WANG ; Cong WANG ; Yunlun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):168-176
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tengshen Granules in the treatment of grade 1 hypertension with the syndrome of severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency. MethodsA total of 120 patients with grade 1 hypertension presenting with severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the observation group (Tengshen granules) and the control group (placebo), with 60 cases in each group. On the basis of lifestyle intervention, treatment was administered for 8 weeks followed by a 2-month follow-up. During the study period, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, blood pressure, antihypertensive efficacy, blood pressure control rate, and other indicators were recorded and analyzed, and safety was evaluated. ResultsA total of 114 patients completed the trial, including 57 in the control group and 57 in the observation group. Compared with baseline, TCM syndrome scores, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in the observation group were significantly reduced after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, systolic blood pressure in the observation group was lower from week 4 of medication (P<0.05), and this difference persisted until 2 months after drug discontinuation. For diastolic blood pressure, the observation group was superior to the control group at week 8 (P<0.01), with no statistically significant differences at other time points. Regarding syndrome improvement, the TCM syndrome scores for severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency showed significant improvement at weeks 6 and 8 of treatment, with the observation group superior to the control group (P<0.05). During the 1-month follow-up after drug discontinuation, the syndrome scores in the observation group remained lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of antihypertensive efficacy in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (χ2=11.389, P<0.05). In addition, the level of urinary microalbumin in the observation group was lower after treatment than before treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionTengshen granules demonstrate significant clinical efficacy and good safety in the treatment of grade 1 hypertension with severe liver heat and hyperactive Yang combined with mild kidney Yin deficiency. They can effectively reduce blood pressure and improve related TCM syndrome manifestations.
6.Application and mechanisms of targeting BRD4 in osteosarcoma.
Ding CHEN ; Jiaming TIAN ; Yihe DONG ; Zi LI ; Jun HUANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):416-429
OBJECTIVES:
Metastasis is the primary cause of death in osteosarcoma, and current clinical treatments remain limited. BRD4, a key epigenetic regulator, has shown therapeutic promise in various cancers through its inhibition. However, the mechanistic role of BRD4 in osteosarcoma remains poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which BRD4 regulate osteosarcoma progression and to explore novel therapeutic strategies.
METHODS:
Immunofluorescence was used to assess BRD4 expression levels in a tissue microarray containing 80 osteosarcoma samples from different patients. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset (GSE42352, containing survival data from 88 osteosarcoma patients) was downloaded to perform Kaplan-Meier survival analysis based on BRD4 gene expression levels. In vivo, an orthotopic intramedullary osteosarcoma model was established using HOS cells in C57 mice, followed by treatment with varying doses of the BRD4 inhibitor (+)-JQ1. Micro-CT, 3D reconstruction of bone tissue, and HE staining were employed to evaluate pathological changes in bone and intestinal lymph nodes. In vitro, cell viability was measured using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, while colony formation and Transwell assays assessed proliferative and invasive capacities. Chromatin-bound BRD4 was analyzed via co-immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS), and O-GlcNAc glycosylation sites and glycan chains of BRD4 were identified using Co-IP with Nano-LC MS/MS. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of target genes, respectively.
RESULTS:
BRD4 was positively expressed in 61.25% (49/80) of osteosarcoma tissues. Patients with high BRD4 expression exhibited significantly shorter survival times (P<0.05). In the orthotopic mouse model, intervention with (+)-JQ1, a potent and commonly used BETi, significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo and reduced bone destruction (P<0.05). (+)-JQ1 treatment significantly suppressed the proliferation (P<0.001), invasion (P<0.001), and migration (P<0.05) of HOS cells. In osteosarcoma cells, BRD4 exhibited O-GlcNAc modifications at both N- and C- C-termini, particularly at Thr73, which is essential for protein stability. This modification also contributed to the activation of the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway (KEGG Pathway: hsa01521). (+)-JQ1 treatment displaced BRD4 from enhancers and downregulated the transcription of pathway-related genes, such as EGFR and PDGFC, thereby suppressing the malignant behavior of osteosarcoma cells.
CONCLUSIONS
BRD4 promotes osteosarcoma progression via O-GlcNAc modification at Thr73 and plays a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis.
Osteosarcoma/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Cell Cycle Proteins
;
Mice
;
Bone Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Azepines/pharmacology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Triazoles/pharmacology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Nuclear Proteins/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Male
;
Bromodomain Containing Proteins
7.Unmet needs of patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: three case reports and a literature review.
Xian LI ; Ru LUO ; Jiaming XU ; Xueli JIN ; Weiqin WANG ; Xibin XIAO ; Wenbin QIAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(5):493-502
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is classified as an independent subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification (Turner et al., 2010). The 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO 2022) classification of hematolymphoid tumors retains this subtype (Alaggio et al., 2022). IVLBCL, which is characterized by neoplastic lymphocyte proliferation within the lumen of small blood vessels, tends to invade organs, such as the nervous system, skin, bone marrow (BM), and lung (D'Angelo et al., 2019; Satoh et al., 2019; Vásquez et al., 2019; Fukami et al., 2020).
Humans
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy*
;
Vascular Neoplasms/therapy*
8.Boosting with Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine or historical SARS-CoV-2 vaccines elicits discriminating immune responses against Omicron variants.
Yi WU ; Xiaoying JIA ; Namei WU ; Xinghai ZHANG ; Yan WU ; Yang LIU ; Minmin ZHOU ; Yanqiong SHEN ; Entao LI ; Wei WANG ; Jiaming LAN ; Yucai WANG ; Sandra CHIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):947-962
Booster vaccinations are highly recommended in combating the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its subvariants. However, the optimal booster vaccination strategies and related immune mechanisms with different prior vaccinations are under-revealed. In this study, we systematically evaluated the immune responses in mice and hamsters with different prime-boost regimens before their protective efficacies against Omicron were detected. We found that boosting with Ad5-nCoV, SWT-2P or SOmicron-6P induced significantly higher levels of neutralization activities against Omicron variants than CoronaVac and ZF2001 by eliciting stronger germinal center (GC) responses. Specifically, SOmicron-6P induced even stronger antibody responses against Omicron variants in CoronaVac and Ad5-nCoV-primed animals than non-Omicron-specific vaccines but with limited differences as compared to Ad5-nCoV and SWT-2P. In addition, boosting with a specific vaccine has the potential to remodel the existing immune profiles. These findings indicated that adenovirus-vectored vaccines and mRNA vaccines would be more effective than other types of vaccines as booster shots in combating Omicron infections. Moreover, the protective efficacies of the vaccines in booster vaccinations are highly related to GC reactions in secondary lymphatic organs. In summary, these findings provide timely important information on prime-boost regimens and future vaccine design.
9.Single-nucleus transcriptomics decodes the link between aging and lumbar disc herniation.
Min WANG ; Zan HE ; Anqi WANG ; Shuhui SUN ; Jiaming LI ; Feifei LIU ; Chunde LI ; Chengxian YANG ; Jinghui LEI ; Yan YU ; Shuai MA ; Si WANG ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Zhengrong YU ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Jing QU
Protein & Cell 2025;16(8):667-684
Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Aging/pathology*
;
Nucleus Pulposus/pathology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Transcriptome
;
Middle Aged
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology*
;
Adult
;
Cellular Senescence
;
Stem Cells/pathology*
;
Aged
;
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*
10.The Effects of Tai Chi Training on Bone Density,Bone Turnover Markers,and Heart Rate Variability in High-Risk Osteoporosis Population
Jiaming LIN ; Chao LI ; Wei ZHAO ; Jun ZHOU ; Xiaoying CHEN ; Xiangyu XI ; Haijun HE ; Baohong MI ; Yuefeng CHEN ; Weiheng CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1566-1571
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tai Chi training on bone density, bone turnover markers, and heart rate variability for people with high-risk osteoporosis, and to provide evidence for the prevention of osteoporosis at early stage. MethodsSixty-six cases of people with high risk of osteoporosis were included, and they were divided into 33 cases each in the intervention group and the control group using the random number table method. The control group received osteoporosis health education three times a week, and the intervention group received Tai Chi training under the guidance of a trainer three times a week for 40 mins each time on the basis of the control group, and both groups were intervened for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone density of L1~L4 vertebrae, bilateral femoral necks and bilateral total hips in the two groups before and after the intervention; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine bone turnover markers before and after the intervention, including pro-collagen type Ⅰ pro-amino-terminal prepropyl peptide (P1NP) and β-collagen type Ⅰ cross-linking carboxy-terminal peptide (β-CTX). Seven cases with good compliance in the intervention group were selected. After wearing the heart rate sensor, they successively performed Tai Chi training and walking activities recommended by the guideline for 20 mins each, and the heart rate variability (HRV) during exercise was collected, including time-domain indexes such as standard deviation of normal sinus intervals (SDNN), root-mean-square of the difference between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD), frequency-domain metrics such as low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), and low-frequency/high-frequency power ratio (LF/HF), as well as nonlinear metrics such as approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SampEn). ResultsFinally, 63 cases were included in the outcome analysis, including 30 cases in the intervention group and 33 cases in the control group. After the intervention, the differences of L1~L4 vertebrae, bone density of bilateral femoral neck and bilateral total hip in the intervention group were not statistically significant when compared with those before intervention (P>0.05), while the bone density of all parts of the control group decreased significantly compared with that before intervention (P<0.05), and the difference in the bone density of the L1~L4 vertebrae, bilateral femoral neck, and the right total hip before and after the intervention of the intervention group was smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05). The differences in P1NP and β-CTX between groups before and after intervention was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with walking exercise, LF decreased, HF increased and LF/HF decreased during Tai Chi exercise (P<0.05); the time domain indexes and non-linear indexes between groups had no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionTai Chi exercise can maintain lumbar, hip, and femoral bone density and improve sympathetic/parasympathetic balance in people at high risk for osteoporosis, but cannot significantly improve bone turnover markers.

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