1.Research advances in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating immune cells
Lijuan LONG ; Zongyu WANG ; Yali ZHAO ; Chuanfu QIN ; Hua QIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):349-358
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with a high mortality rate, an insidious onset, and complex pathological mechanisms. In the tumor microenvironment, tumor-promoting immune cells protect tumor cells from immune attacks, while dysfunction of anti-tumor immune cells causes the inhibition of immune response, thereby leading to the continuous deterioration of cancer. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has shown good efficacy in the treatment of HCC, and it can inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells by regulating immune cells. By analyzing related articles in China and globally, this article summarizes how immune cells affect the progression of HCC through the immunosuppressive pathway and how traditional Chinese medicine exerts an anti-HCC effect by regulating immune cells, in order to provide theoretical basis and reference for optimizing the treatment of HCC.
2.Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of ultrasound and MRI in knee osteoarthritis
Miaomiao ZHANG ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Yulan ZHENG ; Chen TIAN ; Long GE ; Qun QIANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(8):1-4
Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)by Meta-analysis.Methods Multiple databases for literature on KOA ultrasound and MRI diagnosis were screened.After data extraction and study quality assessment,14 articles involving 1613 patients were finally included.Meta-analysis were used on the extracted data to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound and MRI in the diagnosis of KOA.Results All included studies used arthroscopy or surgical pathology as the gold standard for diagnosis.The pooled sensitivity,specificity,and diagnostic odds ratio(DOR)for ultrasound in diagnosing KOA were 0.79,0.82,and 20.30,respectively,with area under the curve(AUC)was 0.89.In comparison,the pooled sensitivity,specificity,and DOR for MRI in diagnosing KOA were 0.88,0.85,and 42.35,respectively,with AUC of 0.92.Conclusion Ultrasound and MRI have good accuracy in the diagnosis of KOA,and MRI is superior to ultrasound.
3.Research progress of LSD1 in regulating tumor immune mechanisms
Lijuan LONG ; Songze SONG ; Qinong YE ; Jing LIN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(8):1088-1092
Lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1)plays a regulatory role in tumor immunity.LSD1 affects CD8+T cell infiltration by regulating AGO2 protein level,and it is required for normal B cell proliferation and differentiation via reducing local chromatin accessibility.LSD1 inhibition promotes NK cell cytotoxicity of cancer cells through restoring the expression of ULBPs.LSD1 affects the resistance of M1 macrophages to oxidative stress by regulating the level of SOD2;In addition,regulating the expression of LSD1 affects the anti-tumor function of CD 19 CAR-T cells and immune checkpoint blockers.The development of drugs targeting LSD1 will provide new ideas for immunotherapy of tumors.
4.Deciphering the protective role of AZGP1 in heart failure through Mendelian randomization
Long LI ; Xia ZHAO ; Shan JIN ; Zeying LI ; Fuqiang LÜ ; Lijuan PANG ; Kejian LIU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(8):1035-1045
Objective·To investigate the causal relationship between plasma zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(AZGP1)and heart failure(HF)by using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis and experimental validation.Methods·A two-sample MR analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between AZGP1 and HF by integrating large-scale genome-wide association study(GWAS)data on plasma proteins and HF.The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method was employed as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger regression,weighted median,and simple median methods.Horizontal pleiotropy was tested by using MR-PRESSO global test and MR-Egger intercept analysis.Colocalization analysis was conducted to validate genetic locus overlap.Additionally,a clinical cohort(84 HF patients and 68 healthy controls)was analyzed,with plasma AZGP1 levels quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results·MR analysis showed that elevated plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly associated with reduced HF risk(OR=0.82,95%CI 0.75?0.90,P=1.70×10-5).Colocalization analysis confirmed that AZGP1 expression and HF shared causal genetic variants(posterior probability for H4=0.69).Sensitivity and reverse MR analyses supported the robustness of the results.ELISA confirmed that plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly lower in HF patients compared to healthy controls,reinforcing its protective role in HF.Conclusion·This study demonstrates AZGP1 exerts a protective causal effect on HF and may serve as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.
5.Deciphering the protective role of AZGP1 in heart failure through Mendelian randomization
Long LI ; Xia ZHAO ; Shan JIN ; Zeying LI ; Fuqiang LÜ ; Lijuan PANG ; Kejian LIU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(8):1035-1045
Objective·To investigate the causal relationship between plasma zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(AZGP1)and heart failure(HF)by using Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis and experimental validation.Methods·A two-sample MR analysis was performed to assess the causal relationship between AZGP1 and HF by integrating large-scale genome-wide association study(GWAS)data on plasma proteins and HF.The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method was employed as the primary analytical approach,supplemented by MR-Egger regression,weighted median,and simple median methods.Horizontal pleiotropy was tested by using MR-PRESSO global test and MR-Egger intercept analysis.Colocalization analysis was conducted to validate genetic locus overlap.Additionally,a clinical cohort(84 HF patients and 68 healthy controls)was analyzed,with plasma AZGP1 levels quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results·MR analysis showed that elevated plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly associated with reduced HF risk(OR=0.82,95%CI 0.75?0.90,P=1.70×10-5).Colocalization analysis confirmed that AZGP1 expression and HF shared causal genetic variants(posterior probability for H4=0.69).Sensitivity and reverse MR analyses supported the robustness of the results.ELISA confirmed that plasma AZGP1 levels were significantly lower in HF patients compared to healthy controls,reinforcing its protective role in HF.Conclusion·This study demonstrates AZGP1 exerts a protective causal effect on HF and may serve as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.
6.Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of ultrasound and MRI in knee osteoarthritis
Miaomiao ZHANG ; Lijuan ZHANG ; Yulan ZHENG ; Chen TIAN ; Long GE ; Qun QIANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(8):1-4
Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)by Meta-analysis.Methods Multiple databases for literature on KOA ultrasound and MRI diagnosis were screened.After data extraction and study quality assessment,14 articles involving 1613 patients were finally included.Meta-analysis were used on the extracted data to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound and MRI in the diagnosis of KOA.Results All included studies used arthroscopy or surgical pathology as the gold standard for diagnosis.The pooled sensitivity,specificity,and diagnostic odds ratio(DOR)for ultrasound in diagnosing KOA were 0.79,0.82,and 20.30,respectively,with area under the curve(AUC)was 0.89.In comparison,the pooled sensitivity,specificity,and DOR for MRI in diagnosing KOA were 0.88,0.85,and 42.35,respectively,with AUC of 0.92.Conclusion Ultrasound and MRI have good accuracy in the diagnosis of KOA,and MRI is superior to ultrasound.
7.The expression of PCDH9 was absent in prostate cancer tissues in the high-score group and was associated with the expressions of p53, Rb and STAT3
Hao WANG ; Lijuan PENG ; Zhongyou XIA ; Yulai XU ; Jing SUN ; Xuqian ZHANG ; Qiongxian LONG ; Ji WU
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(3):273-277
【Objective】 To explore the expression of PCDH9 loss in regulating cell cycle and promoting tumor progression. 【Methods】 The clinical records of 127 cases of prostate cancer treated during 2018 and 2023 were collected, including 87 paraffin tissue samples from the G4-5 group and 40 from the G1-3 group. The expressions of PCDH9, p53, Rb and STAT3 were detected with immunohistochemical staining, and the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. 【Results】 The expression deletion rate of PCDH9 in prostate cancer tissues in G4-5 group (44.8% vs.7.5%) was significantly higher than that in G1-3 group (P<0.001). The positive expression rates of p53 and STAT3 were 34.5% and 89.7%, respectively, and the expression loss rate of Rb was 27.6% in G4-5 group. The expression loss rates of PCDH9 and Rb were associated with neuroendocrine-like histological morphology, nerve invasion and vascular invasion (P<0.05). In G4-5 group of prostate cancer, PCDH9 expression was positively correlated with the expressions of p53 (r=0.345, P<0.05), Rb (r=0.503, P<0.05) and STAT3 (r=0.224, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 PCDH9 is prone to loss of expression in high-group prostate cancer tissues, especially in cases with neuroendocrine-like histological morphology, which may regulate the cell cycle through the STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting tumor progression.
8.Analysis of Non-target Proteins in Human Albumin and Human Immunoglobulin by UHPLC-LTQ- Orbitrap-MS
ZHANG Hengjie ; TANG Yao ; WANG Juexiao ; JIANG Jiaxing ; LONG Lijuan ; MA Jing ; WANG Shuqiao ; LI Yan ; YANG Lei
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2023;40(19):2713-2720
OBJECTIVE To analyze and identify non-target proteins in human albumin and human immunoglobulin by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem linear ion trap orbitrap mass spectrometry. METHODS The extract was separated on a ACQUITY UPLC peptide BEH C18(300Å, 1.7 μm, 2.1 mm×100 mm) column and the gradient elution was performed with mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile. The analytes were detected in Full MS/dd-MS2(TopN). RESULTS A total of 52 non-target proteins were identified from human albumin and human immunoglobulin. Among them, 25 non-target proteins were identified in human albumin samples, and 27 non-target proteins were identified in human immunoglobulin samples. CONCLUSION The established qualitative method can rapidly, accurately and systematically identify various proteins in human albumin and human immunoglobulin. The results provide reference for the quality control of the preparation as well as its further clinical application.
9.Mechanism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-derived exosomes inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation
Chuanfu QIN ; Yali ZHAO ; Lijuan LONG ; Hua QIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2023;39(10):2340-2347
ObjectiveTo investigate whether cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-derived exosomes can downregulate HBx expression and inhibit hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. MethodsThe supernatants of HepG2, HepGA14, and CTL cells were collected to extract exosomes, which were referred to as NC-exo, HBV-exo, and CTL-exo, respectively). Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe their morphology, and Western Blot was used to measure the expression of the markers of exosomes CD63 and TSG101. NC-exo, HBV-exo, and CTL-exo labeled by BODIPY dye were mixed with HBV-exo at different ratios and were then co-cultured with HSC LX-2 (HSC-LX2). A fluorescence microscope was used to observe whether exosomes could enter LX-2 cells, and an fluorescence microscope was used to observe cell morphological changes; quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to measure the expression of the activated biomarkers such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), ɑ-smooth muscle actin (ɑ-SMA), and collagen type I (Collagen I) in LX-2 cells. CTL-exo was added to the HepGA14 culture system; then qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression level of HBV DNA, cccDNA, and HBx in exosomes in HepGA14 cells, and Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression level of HBx in exosomes. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe exosomes were all microcysts with a double-layer membrane structure and were circular or elliptical in shape, with the expression of the signature proteins CD63 and TSG101, and the vesicles had a diameter of 50-100 nm. The fluorescence microscope showed that exosomes could enter LX-2 cells, and HSC were enlarged with extended cell processes. The results of qPCR showed that there were significant differences in the expression levels of TGF-β1, ɑ-SMA, and Collagen I genes between the NC-exo, HBV-exo, NC-exo+HBV-exo, and Con groups (F=444.678, 417.144, and 571.508, all P<0.05). After the intervention of HepGA14 cells with CTL-exo, qPCR results showed that compared with the control group, there were significant reductions in the expression levels of HBV DNA and cccDNA in HepGA14 cells (all P<0.05), the relative mRNA expression level of HBx in exosomes (P<0.05), and the protein expression level of HBx (P<0.05). CTL-exo and HBV-exo were mixed at different ratios (2∶1, 5∶1, 10∶1) and were then used for the intervention of LX-2 cells, and qPCR results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β1, ɑ-SMA, and Collagen I genes in LX-2 cells gradually decreased with the increase in the ratio of CTL-exo between groups (P<0.05). ConclusionCTL-exo can downregulate the protein expression of HBx in HBV-exo to inhibit HSC activation, suggesting that CTL-exo has an anti-hepatitis B liver fibrosis effect.
10.Establishment and evaluation of artificial intelligence image marking method for magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy
Lijuan FENG ; Lin TIAN ; Qian ZOU ; Zhongming DAI ; Xiaojuan TIAN ; Gongli YANG ; Jingfeng DU ; Mengqi XIANG ; Yu MENG ; Long XU
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2022;42(1):14-18
Objective:To explore the marking method for magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG) pictures with artificial intelligence (AI), so as to improve the work efficiency of endoscopist and to reduce the blind area of AI image reading.Methods:According to the consensus of MCCG, 24 parts of stomach in 14 775 pictures of MCCG from 35 subjects in Shenzhen Zifu Medical Technology Co., Ltd received MCCG from March to August, 2020 were marked by ten gastroenterologists and one developer of MCCG with medical background, the marking shape included rectangles and polygons. Among the ten gastroenterologists, three were senior endoscopist (the total number of gastroenteroscopy operations over 80 000, chief physician or associate chief physician), four were medium seniority endoscopist (the total number of gastroenteroscopy operations between 10 000 and 80 000, associate chief physician), and three were junior endoscopist (the total number of gastroenteroscopy operations less than 10 000, attending physician). The pictures of the same subject were pre-marked by two selected senior endoscopists with blind method, and the standard of marking with most appropriate coincidence rate was determined. The qualified marked pictures were automatically learn with AI deep learning method, and the learning results were fed back. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:According to the pre-marked results, the standard of coincidence rate for rectangular marking area was set as 50.0% and that for polygon marking area was 70.0%. The first correction for qualified rate was 39.0% (5 762/14 775). A total of 9 013 pictures were corrected. After repeated training and correction for one to five times, all pictures were qualified marked. The marking qualified rate of senior endoscopist partners was higher than that of partners of different qualifications (48.7%, 1 200/2 466 vs. 19.0%, 825/4 337), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=659.20, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the marking qualified rate between the senior endoscopist partners and partners of senior endoscopist and capsule developer (48.7%, 1 200/2 466 vs. 49.6%, 1 496/3 019; P>0.05). Conclusions:Establishment of AI marking method for MCCG can provide technical support for AI non-blind area reading, and AI non-blind area monitoring during the operation of MCCG.


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