1.From Gene Expression to Transcriptome-wide Association Study: Development and Comparison of Methodology
Kun FANG ; Guozhuang LI ; Linting WANG ; Qing LI ; Kexin XU ; Lina ZHAO ; Zhihong WU ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):223-229
Over the past two decades, genome-wide association study(GWAS) has identified numerous genetic variants and loci associated with heritable diseases. With the gradual maturation and saturation of GWAS methodologies, transcriptome-wide association study(TWAS) offers a novel perspective by linkinggenetic phenotypes to gene expression levels. By integrating TWAS with other multi-omics analyses, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of heritable diseases. This article provides an overview of recent groundbreaking and representative TWAS methods and tools, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and discusses future trends in TWAS development.
2.TRPC6 involves in endoplasmic reticulum stress induced apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells
Linting WEI ; Pengbo GE ; Xiaoqin MA ; Jie GAO ; Dan LIU ; Peng ZHAO ; Shizhuo WEI ; Jing DONG ; Li WANG ; Rongguo FU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(6):898-903
【Objective】 To explore the role and mechanism of TRPC6 in apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). 【Methods】 The experiment groups were classified as follows: normal control (NC), thapsigargin (TG), TG+SKF96365, and TG+TRPC6 siRNA groups. Transcription and protein expressions of TRPC6 and ERS related proteins (GRP78 and Caspase12) were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Additionally, cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst33258. Finally, Fluo-4 AM Ca2+ imaging technique was used to determine changes of intracellular calcium ( [Ca2+] i) by laser scanning confocal microscope. 【Results】 Morphological changes of apoptotic cells were characterized by nuclear enrichment or nuclear fragmentation, and the apoptosis rate was increased after TG stimulation. The expressions of TRPC6 and ERS related proteins (GRP78 and Caspase12) were elevated in TG group compared with NC group (P<0.05). Pre-incubation of HBZY-1 cells with SKF96365 and TRPC6 siRNA decreased cell apoptosis (P<0.05). The entry of [Ca2+] i also increased after TG stimulation (P<0.05). The expressions of TRPC6, GRP78 and Caspase12 were downregulated compared with TG group after treatment with SKF96365 and TRPC6 siRNA accompanied by decreased [Ca2+] i (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Taken together, this study suggests that inhibition of TRPC6 can alleviate TG-induced HBZY-1 cell apoptosis.
3.Mechanism of TRPC in promoting extracellular matrix deposition of glomerular mesangial cells
Linting WEI ; Pengbo GE ; Ke LI ; Yan LI ; Yinhong WANG ; Weihao ZHAO ; Chenkai CUI ; Jing DONG ; Jie GAO ; Li WANG ; Rongguo FU
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(4):518-524
【Objective】 To explore the role and mechanism of TRPC in promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1). Methods Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the distribution and expression of TRPC1 and TRPC6 in HBZY-1 cells. After AngⅡ stimulation, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of Gαq/PLCβ4/TRPC signaling pathway main proteins and ECM deposition indicators (α-SMA, collagenⅢ and fibronectin). By silencing the expressions of TRPC1 and TRPC6 by RNA interference, the expressions of ECM deposition indicators were detected. Changes in [Ca2+]i influx were determined through Fluo-4AM Ca2+ imaging. 【Results】 Both TRPC1 and TRPC6 were expressed in HBZY-1, and were mainly located in cell membrane and cytoplasm. After AngⅡ stimulation, Gαq/PLCβ4/TRPC signaling pathway was activated, and the mRNA and protein expressions of Gαq, PLCβ4, TRPC1 and TRPC6 were all increased (P<0.05). [Ca2+]i influx also increased (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of ECM deposition indicators (α-SMA, ColⅢ and Fn) were upregulated (P<0.05). Silencing the expressions of TRPC1 and TRPC6 by RNA interference led to decreased [Ca2+]i influx (P<0.05), and downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of ECM deposition indicators in HBZY-1 cells (P<0.05). The results suggested that inhibition of TRPC expressions could inhibit AngⅡ induced ECM deposition in HBZY-1 cells, which might be associated with decreased [Ca2+]i influx. 【Conclusion】 TRPC may be a novel therapeutic target of renal fibrosis.
4.Diagnosis and treatment recommendations of dialysis patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection for primary care clinicians
Rongguo FU ; Zhao CHEN ; Lining JIA ; Li WANG ; Jin HAN ; Lifang TIAN ; Xianghui CHEN ; Linting WEI ; Fuqian LEI ; Jiamei LU ; Xiaoqin MA ; Li ZHAO ; Shizhuo WEI ; Jing LIU ; Zhaoyang DUAN ; Jie GAO
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(3):353-360
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing outpatient hemodialysis (HD) and home peritoneal dialysis (PD) are high risk population of severe and critical types caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment in dialysis patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we wrote this recommendation for primary care clinicians. During the epidemic period of SARS-CoV-2 infection, all patients should be instructed to strengthen self-management. Once the SARS-CoV-2 infection was found in dialysis patients, early stratified management should be carried out within 72 hours after the first positive nucleic acid or antigen test results, which includes early antiviral therapy, early recognition, and transferring severe patients from community or primary hospital to a referral hospital promptly. Guidance for dietary and sports rehabilitation after SARS-CoV-2 infection should also be started as soon as possible.
5.Secondary metabolites of petri-dish cultured Antrodia camphorata and their hepatoprotective activities against alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.
Yu WU ; Wen-Jing TIAN ; Shuo GAO ; Zu-Jian LIAO ; Guang-Hui WANG ; Jir-Mehng LO ; Pei-Hsin LIN ; De-Quan ZENG ; Da-Ren QIU ; Xiang-Zhong LIU ; Mi ZHOU ; Ting LIN ; Hai-Feng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2019;17(1):33-42
Antrodia camphorata, a well-known and highly valued edible medicinal mushroom with intriguing activities like liver protection, has been traditionally used for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease. A. camphorata shows highly medicinal and commercial values with the demand far exceeds the available supply. Thus, the petri-dish cultured A. camphorata (PDCA) is expected to develope as a substitute. In this paper, nineteen triterpenes were isolated from PDCA, and thirteen of them were the unique anthroic acids in A. camphorata, including the main content antcin K, which suggested that PDCA produced a large array of the same anthroic acids as the wild one. Furthermore, no obvious acute toxicity was found suggesting the edible safety of PDCA. In mice alcohol-induced liver injury model, triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) had been reduced by the PDCA powder as well as the main content antcin K, which indicated that the PDCA could protect alcoholic liver injury in mice model and antcin K could be the effective component responsible for the hepatoprotective activities of PDCA against alcoholic liver diseases.
Alanine Transaminase
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blood
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Aldehyde Dehydrogenase
;
blood
;
Animals
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Antrodia
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chemistry
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Aspartate Aminotransferases
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blood
;
Biological Products
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
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etiology
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prevention & control
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Cholestenes
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chemistry
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pharmacology
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therapeutic use
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Cholesterol, VLDL
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blood
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Disease Models, Animal
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Ethanol
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toxicity
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Female
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Fruiting Bodies, Fungal
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chemistry
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Liver
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drug effects
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metabolism
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pathology
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Liver Diseases, Alcoholic
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prevention & control
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Male
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Malondialdehyde
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blood
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Mice
;
Molecular Structure
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Triglycerides
;
blood
;
Triterpenes
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chemistry
;
pharmacology
;
therapeutic use

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