OBJECTIVES: Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute respiratory failure syndrome characterized by impaired gas exchange. Due to the lack of effective targeted drugs, it is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of TW on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in ALI, providing experimental evidence for TW as a potential adjuvant therapy for ALI. METHODS: Eighteen specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC; intranasal saline), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg intranasally to induce ALI), and LPS+TW (50 mg/kg TW by gavage on the first day of modeling, followed by 5 mg/kg LPS intranasally to induce ALI) groups (n=6 each). Lung injury and edema were assessed by histopathological scoring and wet-to-dry weight ratio. Cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in lung tissue lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to assess the proportions of MDSCs, polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs), and monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood, and lung tissue, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in lung tissues. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (ARG-1) in lung tissues were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PMN-MDSCs sorted from the lungs of LPS-treated mice were co-cultured with splenic CD3⁺ T cells and divided into NC, triptolide (TPL)-L, and TPL-H groups, with bovine serum albumin, 25 nmol/L TPL, and 50 nmol/L TPL, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of PMN-MDSCs on T-cell proliferation, and RT-qPCR was used to measure iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, the LPS group showed marked lung pathology with significantly increased histopathological scores and wet-to-dry ratios (both P<0.001). TW treatment significantly alleviated lung injury and reduced both indices compared with the LPS group (both P<0.05). Cytokine levels were significantly decreased in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.001). The proportions of MDSCs in CD45⁺ cells from spleen, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lung, as well as PMN-MDSCs from spleen, peripheral blood, and lung, were significantly reduced in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.05), accompanied by reduced ROS levels in lung tissues (P<0.001). iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression in lung tissues was significantly lower in the LPS+TW group than in the LPS group (both P<0.001). In vitro, compared with the TPL-L group, the TPL-H group showed significantly increased CD3⁺ T-cell proliferation (P<0.001), and decreased iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS TW alleviates the progression of LPS-induced ALI in mice, potentially by reducing the proportion of MDSCs in lung tissues and attenuating the immunosuppressive function of PMN-MDSCs.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/cytology* ; Tripterygium/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Male ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Epoxy Compounds ; Phenanthrenes

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major form of dementia in the elderly and is closely related to the toxic effects of microglia sustained activation. In AD, sustained microglial activation triggers impaired synaptic pruning, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aberrant expression of deubiquitinating enzymes is associated with regulating microglia function. Here, we use RNA sequencing to identify a deubiquitinase YOD1 as a regulator of microglial function and AD pathology. Further study showed that YOD1 knockout significantly improved the migration, phagocytosis, and inflammatory response of microglia, thereby improving the cognitive impairment of AD model mice. Through LC-MS/MS analysis combined with Co-IP, we found that Myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), a key regulator maintaining microglia homeostasis, is an interacting protein of YOD1. Mechanistically, YOD1 binds to MYH9 and maintains its stability by removing the K48 ubiquitin chain from MYH9, thereby mediating the microglia polarization signaling pathway to mediate microglia homeostasis. Taken together, our study reveals a specific role of microglial YOD1 in mediating microglia homeostasis and AD pathology, which provides a potential strategy for targeting microglia to treat AD.

Objective:To evaluate the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxidase-1 (HO-1) in reduction of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs)-derived exosomes (hucMSCs-exo) in mice.Methods:The hucMSCs were cultured, and exosomes were extracted and identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western blot. Thirty-six male SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice, weighing 20-25 g, were used. Thirty mice were selected and divided into 5 groups ( n=6 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), sham operation + Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 group (Sham + ML385 group), renal I/R group (I/R group), renal I/R + exosome group (I/R+ EXO group), and renal I/R + exosome + Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 group (I/R+ EXO+ ML385 group). A model of renal I/R injury was prepared by clamping the bilateral renal pedicles for 45 min followed by perfusion in anesthetized animals. ML385 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 45 min before preparing the model in Sham+ ML385 group and I/R+ EXO+ ML385 group, and hucMSCs-exo 100 μg was injected via the tail vein at 15 min before reperfusion in I/R+ EXO group and I/R+ EXO+ ML385 group. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations were detected at 24 h of reperfusion. The renal tissues were obtained for examination of the pathological changes and for determination of contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA (by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). The left 6 mice were allocated to sham operation group (Sham-IM group, n=3) and renal I/R group (I/R-IM group, n=3) by a random number table method for VISQUE in living imaging observation. Results:The exosomes showed a typical cup-shaped morphology with a transmission electron microscope, the nanoparticles tracked and analyzed the average diameter of the exosome, with an average diameter of 96.7 nm, and the positive expression of surface markers CD9, CD63 and TSG101 was detected using Western blot. The renal fluorescence intensity value was significantly increased in I/R-IM group as compared with Sham-IM group ( P<0.05). Compared with Sham group, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations were significantly increased, the contents of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA and ROS levels were increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of renal tissues were aggravated in I/R group, and no significant change was found in serum BUN and Cr concentrations in Sham+ ML385 group ( P>0.05). Compared with I/R group, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations were significantly decreased, the contents of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA and ROS levels were decreased, the activity of SOD was increased, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of renal tissues were significantly attenuated in I/R+ EXO group. Compared with I/R+ EXO group, the serum BUN and Cr concentrations were significantly increased, the contents of IL-6, TNF-α and MDA and ROS levels were increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of renal tissues were aggravated in I/R+ EXO+ ML385 group. Conclusions:The mechanism by which hucMSCs-exo reduces renal I/R injury may be related to activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in mice.

Objective:To explore the applied therapeutic effect of digital surgical technique combined with three dimensional(3D)printing guide plate in surgery of maxillofacial fracture.Methods:A total of forty patients with maxillofacial fracture who admitted to the Department of Stomatology at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2019 to June 2023 were selected.They were divided into an observation group(18 cases)and a control group(22 cases)based on different surgical methods.The observation group used digital technique combined with 3D printing technique to conduct surgery by auxiliary method,and the control group used routine open reduction and internal fixation surgery for maxillofacial fracture.The surgical time,bleeding volume,complications and satisfaction evaluation between two groups of patients were observed and compared.Results:All patients obtained clinical cure after open reduction and internal fixation surgery,and the surgical time(2.01±0.52)h and bleeding volume(123.89±67.31)mL during surgery of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group(U=62.000,26.500,P<0.05),respectively.The incidence of the complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.675,P<0.05),and there were no statistically significant difference in infection and limited incision opening between the two groups(P>0.05).In the satisfaction evaluation,there was a significant difference in appearance satisfaction scores between the observation group(8.89±0.758)and the control group(7.73±0.827)(U=66.000,P<0.05),while there were no statistically significant differences in chewing and language aspects between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The combination of digital technique and 3D printing guide plate has favorable clinical guidance effect in maxillofacial fracture surgery,which can significantly improve surgical efficacy,and reduce the incidence of complications,and obtain higher patient satisfaction.It is worth to be applied in clinical practice.

Objective:To observe and analyze the morphological characteristic of bone marrow and peripheral blood in patients diagnosed with de novo acute leukemia.Methods:From October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021, 1151 patients aged 47 (26, 62) years, consisting of 602 males and 549 females with newly diagnosed acute leukemia in the Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, were collected to preform the morphological analysis in bone marrow and peripheral blood smears. Based on the comprehensive diagnosis results of morphology, immunology, cytogenetics, and molecular biology, comparison between acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), AML with RUNX1-RUNXITI gene, AML with CBFβ/MYH11 gene, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with PML/RARA gene, AML with NPM1 gene, the rest of the AML, Ph+ALL and Ph-ALL were performed by Chi-square test along with analysis of the differences in the ratio of wood bundle cells, pseudo-Chediak-Higashi (PCH) inclusions, cytoplasmic small particles, nuclear notches, leukemia cells with cup-like changes (cup cells); as well as the differences in the micromeganuclei, early immature granulocytes, plasma cells, high eosinophils and other accompanying cells and the distribution of "grape-like" aggregation. Finally, the morphological characteristics of acute leukemia cells, the appearance and arrangement of accompanying cells were summarized.Results:Between AML and ALL, there were statistically significant differences in cytoplasmic Auer bodies[(45.5%, 0%), χ 2=211.400, P<0.01], PCH inclusion bodies[(28.9%, 0%), χ 2=114.100, P<0.01], cytoplasmic fine particles[(20.7%, 2.9%), χ 2=53.798, P<0.01], nuclear notches[(0.7%, 6.1%), χ 2=30.906, P<0.01], and goblet cells[(4.9%, 0.3%), χ 2=13.495, P<0.01], micromegakaryus [(22.4%, 0.3%), χ 2=80.398, P<0.01], plasma cells[(87.6%, 10.6%), χ 2=604.241, P<0.01], hyperacidophils[(15.3%, 1.0%), χ 2=46.116, P<0.01] showed significant differences in the "grape-like" aggregation distribution. In AML with RUNX1-RUNXITI gene, the changes of vacuoles and PCH inclusion bodies are more obvious; in AML with CBFβ/MYH11 gene, the increase of hypereosinophils is more obvious; in APL with PML/RARA gene, the increase of woodbundle is more obvious. The morphology of nuclei chromatin, nucleolus, and vacuoles were also different among the groups. Comparison between Ph+ALL and Ph-ALL showed that Ph+ALL was more prone to develop early immature granulocytes and plasma cells (all P<0.05). Conclusion:There are significant differences between AML and ALL in the characteristics of leukemia cells, the regularity of accompanying cells, and the aggregation and distribution patterns. The subtypes of AML with specific genetic abnormalities have their own characteristics in the appearance of vacuoles, PCH inclusions, hypereosinophils, woodbundle cells, and goblet cells. Ph+ALL is more prone to present early immature granulocytes and plasma cells.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (hucMSC-Exo) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and to clarify the critical role and regulating mechanism of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 6/poly adenosine-diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) 1 signaling pathway during this process. Methods The hucMSC-Exo was extracted by ultracentrifugation, and identified by transmission electron microscope (TEM), nanoparticle tracing analysis and Western blot. SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group (group S), sham operation+TRPC6 inhibitor SKF96365 group (group SS), renal IRI group (group IRI), exosome treatment group (group EXO) and exosome +TRPC6 inhibitor SKF96365 group (group ES), with 6 rats in each group. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were detected. Pathological changes of renal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Paller score was calculated. The expression levels of key molecules of necroptosis in rat renal tissues, including receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)1, RIPK3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), TRPC6 and PARP1, were detected by Western blot. Results Typical saucer-like structure was observed under TEM. Nanoparticle tracing analysis showed that the average diameter of the extracted substance was 125.9 nm. Western blot revealed that the surface markers of CD9, CD63 and CD81 were positively expressed, confirmed that the extracted substance was exosome. Compared with group S, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were up-regulated, the pathological damage of renal tissues was worsened, Paller score was elevated, the relative expression levels of TRPC6 and PARP1 proteins were down-regulated, and the relative expression levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL proteins were up-regulated in group IRI (all P < 0.05). Compared with group IRI, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were down-regulated, the pathological damage of renal tissues was mitigated, Paller score was decreased, the relative expression levels of TRPC6 and PARP1 proteins were up-regulated, and the relative expression levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL proteins were down-regulated in group EXO (all P < 0.05). Compared with group EXO, the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were up-regulated, the pathological damage of renal tissues was aggravated, Paller score was increased, the relative expression levels of TRPC6 and PARP1 proteins were down-regulated, and the relative expression levels of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL proteins were up-regulated in group ES (all P < 0.05). Conclusions hucMSC-Exo may alleviate the necroptosis induced by renal IRI in rat models, which is related to the activation of TRPC6/PARP1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To detect the expression of ARK5 in peripheral blood circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from pancreatic cancer patients and explore its correlation with the efficacy and prognosis for gemcitabine chemotherapy.Methods:A total of 175 peripheral blood samples of pancreatic cancer patients who were treated in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University from January 2016 to June 2021 were collected. CTCs were enriched by nano-microfluidic chip technology. The expression of ARK5 in CTCs was detected by immunofluorescence. According to the expression of ARK5, the patients were divided into two groups: positive group and negative group. The differences on clinicopathological features, the efficacy of chemotherapy, median survival and progression-free survival time between the two groups were compared.Results:CTCs were enriched in 98 of 175 patients (55.6%), including 70 ARK5 positive and 28 ARK5 negative patients. There were no significant differences on clinical features between the two groups, and the two groups were comparable. In the 70 ARK5 positive patients, 64 patients (91.4%) were resistant to gemcitabine, while only 12 of the 28 ARK5 negative patients (42.8%) were resistant to gemcitabine. The incidence of gemcitabine resistance in ARK5 positive patients was significantly higher than that in ARK5 negative patients, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The median survival time was 11.5 months in ARK5 positive group and 14 months in ARK5 negative expression group, and the progression-free survival time was 6 months in ARK5 positive expression group and 8 months in negative expression group. The survival time of ARK5 positive group was significantly shorter than that of ARK5 negative group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The pancreatic cancer patients with ARK5 positive CTCs have significantly higher incidence of gemcitabine resistance and shorter survival time than those with ARK5 negative CTCs. Detection of ARK5 expression in CTCs may be a new method to judge chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients.

Objective:To explore the protective effect and mechanism of scutellarin (Scu) on sepsis associated-acute kidney injury (SA-AKI).Methods:① In vivo experiment: 36 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into normal saline (NS) control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced SA-AKI model group (LPS group), 20 mg/kg Scu control group (Scu 20 control group), and 5, 10, 20 mg/kg Scu pretreatment groups by random number table with 6 mice in each group. The SA-AKI model was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg LPS. The NS control group was injected with NS intraperitoneally. The Scu pretreatment groups were intraperitoneally injected with different doses of Scu every day before LPS injection for 1 week. Scu 20 control group was injected with 20 mg/kg Scu for 1 week. After 24 hours of LPS treatment, mice in each group were sacrificed, kidney tissues were collected, and kidney injury was detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway related molecules, apoptosis-related proteins and cysteine-rich protein 61-connective tissue growth factor-nephroblastoma overexpressed gene 1 (CCN1). ② In vitro experiment: human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 was cultured in vitro and used for experiment when the cells fused to 80%. In the cells without LPS treatment and after 100 g/L LPS treatment, pcDNA3.1-CCN1 and small interfering RNA (siRNA) CCN1 sequence were transfected to overexpress and inhibit CCN1 expression, respectively, to observe whether CCN1 was involved in NF-κB signaling pathway activation and apoptosis. In addition, 100g/L LPS and 20 μmol/L Scu were added into HK-2 cells transfected with and without CCN1 siRNA to investigate the mechanism of protective effect of Scu on LPS-induced HK-2 cells injury. Results:① The results of in vivo experiment: the renal function of SA-AKI mice induced by LPS was significantly decreased, and had kidney histological damage and severely damaged renal tubules. Scu could alleviate renal function and histological damage in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting results showed Scu could reduce the protein expression of NF-κB signaling pathway related molecules and CCN1 in the renal tissue, and had a significant alleviating effect on apoptosis, indicating that CCN1 was involved in NF-κB signaling pathway activation and apoptosis. ② The results of in vitro experiment: in HK-2 cells not treated with LPS, CCN1 overexpression had no effect on apoptosis related protein and pro-inflammatory factors of NF-κB signaling pathway. In HK-2 cells treated with LPS, overexpression of CCN1 significantly inhibited the mRNA expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), with significant differences as compared with cells stimulated only by LPS [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 3.20±0.57 vs. 4.88±0.69, TNF-α mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 2.99±0.44 vs. 5.00±0.81, MCP-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 2.81±0.50 vs. 5.41±0.75, all P < 0.05], and the apoptosis-related protein was significantly down-regulated. However, when siRNA was used to inhibit the expression of CCN1, the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory factors were significantly increased as compared with cells stimulated only by LPS [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 6.01±1.13 vs. 4.88±0.69, TNF-α mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 5.15±0.86 vs. 5.00±0.81, all P < 0.05], and apoptosis-related protein was significantly up-regulated. In the LPS-induced HK-2 cells, the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory factors were significantly down-regulated after Scu treatment as compared with cells stimulated only by LPS [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT) : 2.55±0.50 vs. 6.15±1.04, TNF-α mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 2.58±0.40 vs. 3.95±0.52, MCP-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 2.64±0.44 vs. 6.21±0.96, all P < 0.05], and apoptosis-related protein was also significantly reduced. When the expression of CCN1 was inhibited by siRNA, the protective effect of Scu on cells was weakened, which showed that the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in cells was significantly up-regulated compared with the cells without inhibition of CCN1 expression [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 5.34±0.76 vs. 2.55±0.50, TNF-α mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 3.66±0.54 vs. 2.58±0.40, MCP-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 5.15±0.79 vs. 2.64±0.44, all P < 0.05], and the expression of apoptosis related protein was also significantly up-regulated. Conclusions:Scu could protect the renal function in SA-AKI mice, and the protective effect is associated with NF-κB signaling pathway and CCN1. Thus, Scu could alleviate LPS-induced kidney injury by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) refers to the reperfusion injury caused by the recovery of blood supply of ischemic tissues or organs, which commonly occurs in organ transplantation and other surgical procedures. IRI may cause a series of severe clinical issues, such as delayed graft function, acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and circulatory arrest, etc. These events yield high incidence and fatality. At present, no effective solution has been available. Transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6), a member of Ca²⁺ channel family, is highly expressed in multiple types of cells. It may adjust many physiological functions by regulating intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, which has become an important target for developing therapeutic drugs for multiple diseases. In this article, research progresses on the introduction and function of TRPC6, the association between TRPC6 and IRI and the therapeutic prospect of TRPC6 targeted drugs in IRI were reviewed, aiming to provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of IRI during organ transplantation