1.Clinical efficacy analysis of seven pediatric patients with Acute myeloid leukemia and the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene.
Lihuan SHI ; Shan HUANG ; Xing XIE ; Pengkai FAN ; Haili GAO ; Yanna MAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(2):90-95
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of seven pediatric patients with Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) positive for the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was carried out on the clinical data, treatment, and prognosis of seven AML patients with t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene admitted to Henan Children's Hospital between June 2015 and November 2024. Relevant literature was also reviewed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2024-102-001).
RESULTS:
Among 297 pediatric patients with AML, 7 cases (2.36%) were positive for the t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene, including 3 males and 4 females, with a median age of 11 years (range: 3 ~ 12 years). According to the FAB classification, these included 1 case of M2, 3 cases of M5, and 3 cases of AML-not otherwise specified (non-M3). All 7 patients were found to harbor the t(16;21)(p11;q22) translocation, with 3 cases showing additional chromosomal abnormalities. Immunophenotyping revealed universal expression of CD13, CD33, CD34, and CD117, with partial expression of CD56, CD4, CD64, CD123, CD15, CD38, CD11b, HLA-DR, cMPO, and CD16. One patient achieved complete remission (CR) after the first course of DAE (cytarabine + daunorubicin + etoposide) induction chemotherapy but relapsed and discontinued the treatment. Six patients received DAH (cytarabine + daunorubicin + homoharringtonine) induction therapy, of whom 2 achieved CR after two courses and underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), resulting in an overall CR rate of 42.86%. Five children did not receive allo-HSCT and had a median overall survival of 9 months (range: 6 ~ 18 months). Two children who underwent transplantation achieved bone marrow morphological and molecular biological relapse at 6 and 9 months post-transplantation, respectively. After receiving combined chemotherapy and donor lymphocyte infusion, one child failed to achieve remission and died at 22 months post-transplantation, while the other has been followed up to date with positive fusion gene status. Their overall survival was 25 months and 30 months, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The t(16;21)(p11;q22) FUS::ERG fusion gene is rare in pediatric AML and associated with poor prognosis. Allo-HSCT may mitigate the adverse prognostic impact of the FUS::ERG fusion gene and contribute to prolonged survival.
Humans
;
Male
;
Child
;
Female
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
;
Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics*
;
Translocation, Genetic
;
Retrospective Studies
;
RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics*
;
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Child, Preschool
;
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/genetics*
;
Prognosis
;
Treatment Outcome
2.Analysis of ten cases of Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with non-KMT2A::AFF1 transcriptional variant 11q23 rearrangements.
Yuanyuan WANG ; Shuzhen FU ; Yong SHEN ; Qingxia XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):265-272
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with 11q23 rearrangement acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with non-KMT2A::AFF1 fusion genes.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 10 patients with KMT2A fusion gene positive and partner gene non-AFF1 ALL admitted to Henan Cancer Hospital from December 2016 to December 2024 were retrospectively summarized. The immunophenotype, molecular genetic characteristics, clinical manifestations and disease prognosis of these patients were analyzed. This research has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Henan Cancer Hospital (Ethics No.: 2019342).
RESULTS:
Among the 10 patients, the fusion genes were KMT2A::MLLT1 in 7 cases, KMT2A::MLLT4, KMT2A::MLLT3 and KMT2A::MLLT10 in 1 case each. The European Group for the Immunological Classification of Leukemias (EGIL) classification included 6 cases of T-ALL, 2 cases of pro-B-ALL, 1 case of Common-B-ALL and 1 case of pre-B-ALL. 4 cases of B-ALL all expressed CD19, cCD79a, CD38 and HLA-DR, and some expressed CD34 and CD22, without expression or weak expression of CD10, without expression of CD20. One case was accompanied by myeloid marker CD15 expression. 6 cases of T-ALL all expressed CD34, CD7, most expressed CD38, and some expressed CD3, CD5, CD2, CD4 and CD8, and 1 case expressed CD4 and CD8 together. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 3 cases, 5 cases were positive for WT1 fusion gene, and 6 cases had gene alterations. 9 patients achieved the first complete remission (CR1) during chemotherapy, and 1 patient relapsed within 6 months after CR1. At the last follow up, 1 patient (the fusion gene was KMT2A::MLLT4) remained unrelieved. There were 2 cases of KMT2A rearrangement (KMT2A-r) persistent positive (+/+) and 8 cases of KMT2A-r negative (+/-). The overall survival (OS) rate and leukemia-free survival (LFS) rate of patients with KMT2A-r persistent positive were significantly lower than those of patients with negative change, and the differences were statistically significant (P values were all < 0.05). Among the 3 patients who received chemotherapy+allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), no relapse was observed until the follow up day. The OS rate and LFS rate of patients with KMT2A::MLLT1 and chemotherapy+allo-HSCT were higher than those of non-KMT2A::MLLT1 and single chemotherapy patients, and the differences were not statistically significant (P values were all ≥ 0.05). There was no significant difference in OS rate and LFS rate between T-ALL and B-ALL patients (P values were all ≥ 0.05). The median LFS time of the 10 patients was 32 (0 ~ 100) months, and the median OS time was 36 (1 ~ 101) months.
CONCLUSION
The 11q23 rearrangement ALL with non-KMT2A::AFF1 transcript is mainly KMT2A::MLLT1, T-ALL is more common, and the rate of chromosomal karyotype detection is relatively low. Persistent positive KMT2A-r is unfavorable for patient survival, and allo-HSCT during the CR1 period may improve patient survival.
Humans
;
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein/genetics*
;
Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics*
;
Adult
;
Adolescent
;
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11/genetics*
;
Child
;
Transcriptional Elongation Factors/genetics*
;
Gene Rearrangement
;
Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Young Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Prognosis
;
Child, Preschool
;
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
3.C/EBPβ-Lin28a positive feedback loop triggered by C/EBPβ hypomethylation enhances the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells in restenosis.
Xiaojun ZHOU ; Shan JIANG ; Siyi GUO ; Shuai YAO ; Qiqi SHENG ; Qian ZHANG ; Jianjun DONG ; Lin LIAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):419-429
BACKGROUND:
The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis.
METHODS:
Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n = 20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation/genetics*
;
Cell Movement/genetics*
;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
DNA Methylation/physiology*
;
CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics*
;
Male
;
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*
4.Brain injury biomarkers and applications in neurological diseases.
Han ZHANG ; Jing WANG ; Yang QU ; Yi YANG ; Zhen-Ni GUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(1):5-14
Neurological diseases are a major health concern, and brain injury is a typical pathological process in various neurological disorders. Different biomarkers in the blood or the cerebrospinal fluid are associated with specific physiological and pathological processes. They are vital in identifying, diagnosing, and treating brain injuries. In this review, we described biomarkers for neuronal cell body injury (neuron-specific enolase, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1, αII-spectrin), axonal injury (neurofilament proteins, tau), astrocyte injury (S100β, glial fibrillary acidic protein), demyelination (myelin basic protein), autoantibodies, and other emerging biomarkers (extracellular vesicles, microRNAs). We aimed to summarize the applications of these biomarkers and their related interests and limits in the diagnosis and prognosis for neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury, status epilepticus, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and infection. In addition, a reasonable outlook for brain injury biomarkers as ideal detection tools for neurological diseases is presented.
Humans
;
Biomarkers/cerebrospinal fluid*
;
Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis*
;
Brain Injuries/metabolism*
;
Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/cerebrospinal fluid*
;
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/blood*
;
S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit/blood*
;
tau Proteins/cerebrospinal fluid*
;
Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/blood*
;
Myelin Basic Protein/cerebrospinal fluid*
;
Neurofilament Proteins/blood*
;
MicroRNAs/blood*
;
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/metabolism*
5.Chidamide triggers pyroptosis in T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia via the FOXO1/GSDME axis.
Xinlei LI ; Bangdong LIU ; Dezhi HUANG ; Naya MA ; Jing XIA ; Xianlan ZHAO ; Yishuo DUAN ; Fu LI ; Shijia LIN ; Shuhan TANG ; Qiong LI ; Jun RAO ; Xi ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1213-1224
BACKGROUND:
T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LBL/ALL) is an aggressive form of hematological malignancy associated with poor prognosis in adult patients. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are aberrantly expressed in T-LBL/ALL and are considered potential therapeutic targets. Here, we investigated the antitumor effect of a novel HDAC inhibitor, chidamide, on T-LBL/ALL.
METHODS:
HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 levels in T-LBL/ALL cell lines and patient samples were compared with those in normal controls. Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were conducted in Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells to assess apoptosis and pyroptosis. A specific forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) inhibitor was used to rescue pyroptosis and upregulated gasdermin E (GSDME) expression caused by chidamide treatment. The role of the FOXO1 transcription factor was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The efficacy of chidamide in vivo was evaluated in a xenograft mouse.
RESULTS:
The expression of HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 was significantly upregulated in T-LBL/ALL. Cell viability was obviously inhibited after chidamide treatment. Pyroptosis, characterized by cell swelling, pore formation on the plasma membrane and lactate dehydrogenase leakage, was identified as a new mechanism of chidamide treatment. Chidamide triggered pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation and GSDME transcriptional upregulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that chidamide led to the increased transcription of GSDME through a more relaxed chromatin structure at the promoter and the upregulation of FOXO1 expression. Moreover, we identified the therapeutic effect of chidamide in vivo .
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested that chidamide exerts an antitumor effect on T-LBL/ALL and promotes a more inflammatory form of cell death via the FOXO1/GSDME axis, which provides a novel choice of targeted therapy for patients with T-LBL/ALL.
Humans
;
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
;
Forkhead Box Protein O1/genetics*
;
Aminopyridines/pharmacology*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Benzamides/pharmacology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy*
;
Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology*
;
Jurkat Cells
;
Histone Deacetylases/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Gasdermins
6.Protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
Jiannan WANG ; Lijun DAI ; Zhentao ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2753-2768
Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a group of chronic disorders characterized by the progressive loss of neurons. Major neurodegenerative conditions include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Pathologically, these diseases are marked by the accumulation of aggregates formed by pathological proteins such as amyloid-β, tau, α-synuclein, and TAR DNA-binding protein 43. These proteins assemble into amyloid fibrils that undergo prion-like propagation and dissemination, ultimately inducing neurodegeneration. Understanding the biology of these protein aggregates is fundamental to elucidating the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the aggregation and transmission of pathological proteins, the processes through which these protein aggregates trigger neurodegeneration, and the interactions between different pathological proteins. We also provide an overview of the current diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies targeting pathological protein aggregates.
Humans
;
Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism*
;
alpha-Synuclein/metabolism*
;
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism*
;
tau Proteins/metabolism*
;
Protein Aggregation, Pathological/metabolism*
;
DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Protein Aggregates/physiology*
7.Effects of ginsenoside Rb_1 on liver FXR pathway and liver and fecal bile acid profiles in rats induced by high-fat diet based on targeted metabolomics.
Xue LENG ; Yang LI ; Qi WANG ; Xin-Tong LI ; Mei-Jun LYU ; Yan-Na SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4649-4658
A targeted metabolomics study was conducted on the bile acid profiles in the liver and feces of rats induced by a high-fat diet and intervened by ginsenoside Rb_1, along with the detection of FXR pathway gene expression in the liver, to explore and clarify its mechanism of action. The content of biochemical indicators in the serum were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were used to detect pathological changes and lipid deposition in the liver. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of FXR, small heterodimer partner(SHP), cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase(CYP7A1), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c) in the liver. Targeted bile acid metabolomics technology was employed to analyze changes in bile acid profiles in liver tissue and feces, and a correlation analysis was performed between key genes such as FXR, SHP, CYP7A1, SREBP-1c and differential bile acid metabolites. The results showed that ginsenoside Rb_1 significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) in the serum, alleviated the large fat vacuoles and lipid deposition in the liver, increased the expression of FXR mRNA in the liver, and decreased the expression of SREBP-1c mRNA. The expression of CYP7A1 and SHP mRNA was increased, but the differences were not statistically significant. Targeted bile acid metabolomics showed that ginsenoside Rb_1 could restore the levels of 9 bile acids in the liver and 8 bile acids in the feces. Ginsenoside Rb_1 also increased the percentage of taurocholic acid(TCA) in the liver(56.78%) and the percentage of 12-ketolithocholic acid(12-KLCA) in the feces(26.10%). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed two pathways involved in bile acid metabolism: primary bile acid biosynthesis and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that FXR, SHP, CYP7A1, and SREBP-1c were positively correlated with multiple differential bile acids. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rb_1 may intervene in lipid metabolism disorders induced by a high-fat diet by regulating the FXR pathway and modulating bile acid profiles in the liver and feces.
Animals
;
Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics*
;
Liver/drug effects*
;
Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*
;
Metabolomics
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Feces/chemistry*
;
Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase/metabolism*
;
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1/genetics*
;
Humans
8.Effect of removing microglia from spinal cord on nerve repair after spinal cord injury in mice.
Qi JIANG ; Chao QI ; Yuerong SUN ; Shiyuan XUE ; Xinyi WEI ; Haitao FU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(6):754-761
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of removing microglia from spinal cord on nerve repair and functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice.
METHODS:
Thirty-nine 6-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group ( n=12), SCI group ( n=12), and PLX3397+SCI group ( n=15). The PLX3397+SCI group received continuous feeding of PLX3397, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor, while the other two groups were fed a standard diet. After 14 days, both the SCI group and the PLX3397+SCI group were tested for ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) to confirm that the PLX3397+SCI group had completely depleted the spinal cord microglia. The SCI model was then prepared by clamping the spinal cord in both the SCI group and the PLX3397+SCI group, while the control group underwent laminectomy. Preoperatively and at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days postoperatively, the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) was used to assess the hind limb function of mice in each group. At 28 days, a footprint test was conducted to observe the gait of the mice. After SCI, spinal cord tissue from the injury site was taken, and Iba1 immunofluorescence staining was performed at 7 days to observe the aggregation and proliferation of microglia in the spinal cord. HE staining was used to observe the formation of glial scars at the injury site at 28 days; glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence staining was applied to astrocytes to assess the extent of the injured area; neuronal nuclei antigen (NeuN) immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate neuronal survival. And 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess axonal survival at 60 days.
RESULTS:
All mice survived until the end of the experiment. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the microglia in the spinal cord of the PLX3397+SCI group decreased by more than 95% compared to the control group after 14 days of continuous feeding with PLX3397 ( P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the BMS scores in the PLX3397+SCI group and the SCI group significantly decreased at different time points after SCI ( P<0.05). Moreover, the PLX3397+SCI group showed a further decrease in BMS scores compared to the SCI group, and exhibited a dragging gait. The differences between the two groups were significant at 14, 21, and 28 days ( P<0.05). HE staining at 28 days revealed that the SCI group had formed a well-defined and dense gliotic scar, while the PLX3397+SCI group also developed a gliotic scar, but with a more blurred and loose boundary. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the number of microglia near the injury center at 7 days increased in the SCI group than in the control group, but the difference between groups was not significant ( P>0.05). In contrast, the PLX3397+SCI group showed a significant reduction in microglia compared to both the control and SCI groups ( P<0.05). At 28 days after SCI, the area of spinal cord injury in the PLX3397+SCI group was significantly larger than that in SCI group ( P<0.05); the surviving neurons significantly reduced compared with the control group and SCI group ( P<0.05). The axonal necrosis and retraction at 60 days after SCI were more obvious.
CONCLUSION
The removal of microglia in the spinal cord aggravate the tissue damage after SCI and affecte the recovery of motor function in mice, suggesting that microglia played a neuroprotective role in SCI.
Animals
;
Spinal Cord Injuries/surgery*
;
Microglia/pathology*
;
Female
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Nerve Regeneration/drug effects*
;
Spinal Cord/pathology*
;
Pyrroles/administration & dosage*
;
Aminopyridines/administration & dosage*
;
Recovery of Function
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Microfilament Proteins/metabolism*
;
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism*
9.Mechanism of Qizhi Jiangtang capsule inhibits podocyte pyroptosis to improve kidney injury in diabetes nephropathy by regulating NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.
Shanshan SU ; Zhaoan GUO ; Huan YANG ; Hui LIU ; Jingnan TANG ; Xiaoyu JIANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(3):204-210
Objective To investigate the impact of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QZJT) on renal damage in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice via NOD like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3/caspase-1/ Gasdermin D (NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD) signaling pathway. Methods Mice were randomly allocated into six experimental groups: a normal control group (NC), a diabetic nephropathy model group (DN), a low-dose QZJT treatment group (L-QZJT), a high-dose QZJT treatment group (H-QZJT), a positive control group administered Shenqi Jiangtang Granules (SQJT), and an ML385 group (treated with an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2). Upon successful model induction, therapeutic interventions were commenced. Renal function impairment in the mice was evaluated through quantification of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary albumin (UAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the kidney-to-body mass ratio (K/B). Renal tissue pathology was evaluated using HE and PAS staining. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were quantified by ELISA. Levels of podocyte markers and proteins involved in relevant pathways were assessed using Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the NC group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN were increased in the DN group, and the K/B mass ratio was also increased. In contrast, compared with the DN group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN in both the low-dose (L-QZJT) and high-dose Quanzhou Jintang (H-QZJT) groups were decreased, and the K/B mass ratio was decreased as well. The therapeutic efficacy of H-QZJT was comparable to that of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules. QZJT ameliorated renal histopathological injury in DN mouse, increased the protein levels of Nephrin (a podocyte marker), and decreased the protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N. After ML385 treatment, renal cells exhibited swelling and morphological changes, the inflammatory infiltrate area was enlarged, the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N were up-regulated, and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased. Conclusion QZJT may inhibit podocyte pyroptosis by acting on the Nrf2 to regulate the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, thus improving renal damage in DN mouse.
Animals
;
Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology*
;
Podocytes/pathology*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
;
Pyroptosis/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Caspase 1/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Phosphate-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Male
;
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Kidney/pathology*
;
Gasdermins
10.Effects and mechanisms of hpcMSC transplantation in ameliorating cognitive dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and hippocampal neuronal damage in stroke mice.
Guangping HAO ; Shanyou SONG ; Mengjun LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(6):514-523
Objective To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of human placental chorionic plate-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hpcMSCs) on cognitive dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neuronal damage and synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of stroke. Methods A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was adopted. The mice were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, MCAO group and hpcMSCs treatment group, with seven mice in each group. The hpcMSCs treatment group received hpcMSCs transplantation on the 1st, 3rd and 10th day after MCAO. One month after MCAO, the cognitive ability of the mice was evaluated by Morris water maze and Y maze behavioral tests; the morphological changes and synaptic functions of hippocampal neurons were analyzed by HE staining, Nissl staining, Golgi staining and immunofluorescence staining techniques; the density and activation status of microglia was analyzed by Fluorescent labeling method; the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in brain tissue were analyzed by ELISA; the expressions of phosphorylated-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (p-MEK1), phosphorylated-extracellular regulated protein kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated-cAMP-response element binding protein (p-CREB) and other proteins related to neuroprotection in the signal pathways were detected by Western blotting; and electrophysiological detection was performed using hippocampal slices in vitro. Results Compared with the MCAO group, mice in the hpcMSCs treatment group showed significant improvements, including improved cognitive ability, alleviated neuroinflammation (demonstrated by reduced microglial activation and decreased levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), and increased neuronal density with normalized morphology of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. The treatment group also demonstrated a significantly increased number of Nissl-positive cells and density of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons, along with restored frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mEPSP). Moreover, hpcMSCs treatment significantly increased the expression levels of p-MEK1, p-ERK and p-CREB in the hippocampus. Conclusion Transplantation of hpcMSCs ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal neuronal injury in stroke mice through the reduction of neuroinflammation, restoration of hippocampal neuronal function, promotion of synaptic plasticity and activation of the MEK/ERK/CREB signaling pathway. These findings suggest a new potential therapeutic approach for post-stroke neural repair.
Animals
;
Hippocampus/physiopathology*
;
Mice
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Male
;
Neurons/metabolism*
;
Stroke/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Neuroinflammatory Diseases/therapy*
;
Female
;
Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail