1.The Role and Molecular Mechanism of N⁶-methyladenosine Modification in Spermatogenesis
Shi-Qi MENG ; Wen-Ting LU ; Xu CHENG ; Fan YANG ; Chang-Min NIU ; Ying ZHEGN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1297-1312
Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered and spatiotemporally regulated developmental process in the male reproductive system, during which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), supported by the seminiferous tubule microenvironment, sequentially undergo mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis to ultimately generate structurally intact spermatozoa. This complex process is accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming, chromatin remodeling, and finely tuned post-transcriptional regulation. Precise control of RNA fate is therefore essential for maintaining the continuity and fidelity of spermatogenesis, and its disruption represents a major molecular basis of male infertility. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotes, has emerged as a critical regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression. m6A methyltransferases (“writers”) catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine, m6A demethylases (“erasers”) remove the modification, and m6A-binding proteins (“readers”) recognize m6A-modified transcripts. Through the coordinated actions of these factors, m6A regulates transcript fate at multiple levels, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, translation, and decay. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A-mediated regulation is essential across multiple stages of spermatogenesis, including SSC self-renewal and differentiation, meiotic progression, maintenance of chromosomal stability, and sperm morphogenesis. Beyond its intrinsic functions in germ cells, m6A also contributes to the regulation of the testicular microenvironment. In sertoli cells, m6A is involved in maintaining blood-testis barrier integrity, RNA processing, and paracrine signaling, thereby providing structural and metabolic support for germ cell development. In Leydig cells, m6A regulates steroidogenesis, particularly testosterone synthesis, and participates in cellular stress responses and metabolic homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, m6A indirectly influences spermatogenesis by modulating the functional state of testicular somatic cells, highlighting an integrated regulatory mode that combines cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated effects. Notably, distinct classes of m6A regulators exhibit pronounced stage-specific functions and coordinated division of labor, collectively forming a multilayered and dynamic regulatory network. Writers often display dosage- and temporal window-dependent effects; erasers contribute to stage-specific demethylation and functional compensation; while readers function through a “switch-buffer” dual-layer architecture, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in substrate selection and post-transcriptional regulation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that some m6A-related proteins can function through noncanonical mechanisms independent of m6A recognition, such as intrinsic RNA-binding activity, helicase function, or ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, thereby expanding the functional landscape of the m6A regulatory system. Dysregulation of m6A machinery can lead to multiple spermatogenic defects, including impaired SSC self-renewal, meiotic arrest, abnormal chromatin remodeling, and defective sperm formation, ultimately resulting in male infertility. Despite substantial advances, several critical questions remain unresolved, including the distinction between m6A-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the spatiotemporal dynamics of m6A modifications at single-cell resolution, and the coordination and antagonism among different regulatory factors. In this review, we systematically summarize the dual regulation of spermatogenesis by germ cell-intrinsic mechanisms and the testicular microenvironment, and delineate the molecular mechanisms and stage-specific functions of the dynamic m6A regulatory network. We further discuss the current limitations in the field and propose feasible experimental strategies for future investigation. Collectively, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the epitranscriptomic regulation of spermatogenesis and to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of male infertility.
2.The Role and Molecular Mechanism of N⁶-methyladenosine Modification in Spermatogenesis
Shi-Qi MENG ; Wen-Ting LU ; Xu CHENG ; Fan YANG ; Chang-Min NIU ; Ying ZHEGN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1297-1312
Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered and spatiotemporally regulated developmental process in the male reproductive system, during which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), supported by the seminiferous tubule microenvironment, sequentially undergo mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis to ultimately generate structurally intact spermatozoa. This complex process is accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming, chromatin remodeling, and finely tuned post-transcriptional regulation. Precise control of RNA fate is therefore essential for maintaining the continuity and fidelity of spermatogenesis, and its disruption represents a major molecular basis of male infertility. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotes, has emerged as a critical regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression. m6A methyltransferases (“writers”) catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine, m6A demethylases (“erasers”) remove the modification, and m6A-binding proteins (“readers”) recognize m6A-modified transcripts. Through the coordinated actions of these factors, m6A regulates transcript fate at multiple levels, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, translation, and decay. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A-mediated regulation is essential across multiple stages of spermatogenesis, including SSC self-renewal and differentiation, meiotic progression, maintenance of chromosomal stability, and sperm morphogenesis. Beyond its intrinsic functions in germ cells, m6A also contributes to the regulation of the testicular microenvironment. In sertoli cells, m6A is involved in maintaining blood-testis barrier integrity, RNA processing, and paracrine signaling, thereby providing structural and metabolic support for germ cell development. In Leydig cells, m6A regulates steroidogenesis, particularly testosterone synthesis, and participates in cellular stress responses and metabolic homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, m6A indirectly influences spermatogenesis by modulating the functional state of testicular somatic cells, highlighting an integrated regulatory mode that combines cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated effects. Notably, distinct classes of m6A regulators exhibit pronounced stage-specific functions and coordinated division of labor, collectively forming a multilayered and dynamic regulatory network. Writers often display dosage- and temporal window-dependent effects; erasers contribute to stage-specific demethylation and functional compensation; while readers function through a “switch-buffer” dual-layer architecture, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in substrate selection and post-transcriptional regulation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that some m6A-related proteins can function through noncanonical mechanisms independent of m6A recognition, such as intrinsic RNA-binding activity, helicase function, or ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, thereby expanding the functional landscape of the m6A regulatory system. Dysregulation of m6A machinery can lead to multiple spermatogenic defects, including impaired SSC self-renewal, meiotic arrest, abnormal chromatin remodeling, and defective sperm formation, ultimately resulting in male infertility. Despite substantial advances, several critical questions remain unresolved, including the distinction between m6A-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the spatiotemporal dynamics of m6A modifications at single-cell resolution, and the coordination and antagonism among different regulatory factors. In this review, we systematically summarize the dual regulation of spermatogenesis by germ cell-intrinsic mechanisms and the testicular microenvironment, and delineate the molecular mechanisms and stage-specific functions of the dynamic m6A regulatory network. We further discuss the current limitations in the field and propose feasible experimental strategies for future investigation. Collectively, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the epitranscriptomic regulation of spermatogenesis and to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of male infertility.
3.Clinical and Neuroelectrophysiological Features of Autoimmune Nodopathy
Hongfei TAI ; Xunyan HUANG ; Songtao NIU ; Bin CHEN ; Yuzhi SHI ; Xingao WANG ; Fan JIAN ; Hua PAN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):191-199
To summarize the clinical characteristics, antibody spectrum and neuroelectrophysiological features of autoimmune nodopathy(AN), and to explore the phenotypic differences among different antibody-positive subgroups. The clinical and electrophysiological data of patients definitely diagnosed with AN in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2018 to January 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 patients with AN were included. Antibody examination results showed that, anti-neurofascin(NF)155 antibody was the most prevalent, detected in 17 patients(51.50%), followed by anti-contactin-1(CNTN1) antibody in 8 patients(24.24%). Anti-NF186 antibody(4 cases, 12.12%), anti-contactin-associated protein 1(Caspr1) antibody(2 cases, 6.06%) and dual-target antibody positivity(2 cases, 6.06%) were relatively uncommon. The main clinical manifestations of AN patients included symmetric distal paresthesia of the extremities(32 cases, 96.97%), limb weakness(31 cases, 93.93%) and sensory ataxia(25 cases, 75.76%). Different antibody-positive subgroups presented distinct phenotypic features: patients with positive anti-NF155 antibody had a relatively younger age of onset, chronic onset and a high incidence of tremor, which was dominated by immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 subclass antibodies; patients with positive anti-CNTN1 antibody had a relatively advanced age of onset, mostly presented with acute or subacute onset, and were prone to complicated nephrotic syndrome; patients with positive anti-NF186 antibody had relatively mild nerve conduction damage; patients with anti-Caspr1 antibody manifested acute or subacute onset, with relatively elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and 24-h intrathecal IgG synthesis rate. The prominent neuroelectrophysiological manifestations of AN included decreased motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, prolonged distal latency, frequent non-compressive conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion. Definite sensory nerve action potentials could not be elicited in more than half of the patients. Patients with AN show high heterogeneity in clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics, and different antibody-positive subgroups correspond to specific clinical and neuroelectrophysiological phenotypes.
4.Literature analysis of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis induced by empagliflozin
Zhenzhen LEI ; Wei RUI ; Yanling SHI ; Jiayue ZHU ; Ying GANG ; Xiaodi SUN ; Hao ZHAN ; Junnan WANG ; Yukun NIU ; Wenxiang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1874-1879
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) induced by empagliflozin, and provide references for safe medication. METHODS Case reports of euDKA induced by empagliflozin were retrieved and analyzed from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. The Naranjo’s scale was adopted to assess the causal relationship between empagliflozin and euDKA. RESULTS A total of 29 patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 13 females,with a median age of 58 years. All patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 22 patients had at least one comorbidity. The median time to euDKA onset was 60 days after administration, and 7 cases occurred within 2 weeks of treatment. Perioperative periods,fasting,and low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diets were the main predisposing factors. Common presentations included nausea,vomiting, fatigue, tachypnea,and tachycardia. The causal relationship between empagliflozin and euDKA was assessed as “probable” in all cases. According to adverse reaction severity grading, 13 cases were grade 3 (severe) and 16 cases were grade 4 (life-threatening). All patients discontinued empagliflozin and recovered after corresponding treatment. CONCLUSIONS euDKA is a serious adverse reaction to empagliflozin, which mostly occurs early in treatment. Perioperative periods, fasting, and ketogenic diets are prone to induce euDKA. Elderly patients and those with comorbidities are at higher risk. Risk assessment should be conducted before clinical administration; blood ketones and acid-base monitoring should be strengthened in the early medication period; withhold the drug before elective surgery, avoid prolonged fasting;upon diagnosis, discontinue empagliflozin and initiate intravenous insulin, provide fluid resuscitation promptly, and use other treatments to improve patient prognosis.
5.Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cryopreserved deglycerolized red blood cells infusion based on propensity score matching method
Wei YANG ; Fanfan FU ; Lei NIU ; Tingchen XU ; Xin ZHANG ; Hongmei SHI ; Lihui FU ; Chunya MA ; Yang YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):531-536
[Objective] To compare the efficacy and safety of deglycerolized red blood cells (DRBC) and suspended red blood cells (SRBC) based on the propensity score matching (PSM) method, so as to provide evidence for the rational use of DRBC resources in clinical practice. [Methods] A total of 89 patients who received DRBC transfusion and 2 916 patients who received SRBC transfusion in our hospital from January 2023 to September 2024 were included. A 1∶1 nearest neighbor PSM was used to balance covariates such as gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The changes of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), and inflammatory markers such as white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (NE) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6(IL-6) in the last 72 hours after transfusion were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and R software to evaluate clinical efficacy and transfusion safety. [Results] The baseline of the two groups was balanced after PSM (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the DRBC group (80.9%) and the SRBC group (86.5%) (P>0.05). In the SRBC group, WBC (×10
/L) increased from 9.634±6.742 to 10.147±6.835, CRP (mg/dL) increased from 5.468±4.647 to 6.174±6.114, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 213.733±587.191 to 157.255±552.626. In the DRBC group, WBC (×10
/L) decreased from 11.123±7.880 to 11.011±8.549, CRP (mg/dL) decreased from 5.729±4.761 to 5.326±4.466, and IL-6(pg/mL) decreased from 238.806±639.060 to 152.255±266.558. Compared with the before treatment, the differences between the SRBC group and DRBC group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Among all patients included in the statistics, the overall incidence of transfusion adverse reactions was 0.205% (6/2 916) in the SRBC group, and no adverse reactions occurred in the DRBC group. The incidence in the SRBC group was higher than that in the DRBC group. [Conclusion] Based on PSM analysis, there was no significant difference in the efficacy and safety of DRBC transfusion compared with SRBC transfusion, which can provide evidence-based support for routine application.
6.Kidney Gastrin/CCKBR Attenuates Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Inhibiting SGLT2-Mediated Glucose Reabsorption through Erk/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Xue ZHANG ; Yuhan ZHANG ; Yang SHI ; Dou SHI ; Min NIU ; Xue LIU ; Xing LIU ; Zhiwei YANG ; Xianxian WU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):194-209
Background:
Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption.
Methods:
Renal tubule-specific Cckbr-knockout (CckbrCKO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to investigate the effect of renal CCKBR on SGLT2 and systemic glucose homeostasis under normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD with a subsequent injection of a low dose of streptozotocin. The regulation of SGLT2 expression by gastrin/CCKBR and the underlying mechanism was explored using human kidney (HK)-2 cells.
Results:
CCKBR was downregulated in kidneys of diabetic mice. Compared with WT mice, CckbrCKO mice exhibited a greater susceptibility to obesity and diabetes when subjected to HFD.
7.Trends analysis of pancreatic cancer mortality in Xuhui district, Shanghai from 1992 to 2021
Jingshu XU ; Jianhua SHI ; Haiyan GU ; Lei CHEN ; Xiaolin QIAN ; Lu LU ; Deng NIU
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(1):34-40
Objective To study the death status of pancreatic cancer among residents in Xuhui district, Shanghai, from 1992 to 2021, and analyze its trends of change, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Methods Based on the database of Shanghai death registration system from 1992 to 2021, the crude mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, age-specific mortality rate and other indicators of pancreatic cancer among registered residents in Xuhui district were calculated. The Joinpoint software was used to analyze the trends of average annual percent change (AAPC) of pancreatic cancer mortality rate, and the age-period-cohort model was used to analyze the age effect, period effect and birth cohort effect pairs significant changes in pancreatic cancer mortality. Results In 2021, the mortality rate of pancreatic cancer in Xuhui district, Shanghai, ranked fourth among malignant tumors, and the winning rate and world standard rate of the whole population, males and females were 8.34/100 000 (8.81/100 000, 7.98/100 000) and 7.28/100 000 (7.69/100 000, 6.96/100 000), respectively, with males higher than females. AAPC of crude mortality rate and the standardized (6) mortality rate were higher in males than that in females. The age-specific mortality rate increased with the increase of age, and the highest mortality rate was found in 60-84 years old group. The age-period-cohort model showed that from 1992 to 2021, the annual net shift of pancreatic cancer mortality among the whole population, male and female residents in Xuhui district, Shanghai, was 1.22%, 1.58%, 1.15% (P=0.20, 0.19, 0.45) respectively, and the time trend was not significant. From the perspective of age effect, the risk of death from pancreatic cancer in the whole population and with age deviation in males had an obvious trend with increasing age (P<0.05), while the age effect in females had no obvious trend. From the perspective of period effect, no period deviation was significant in the whole population, males and females (P>0.05). In terms of cohort effects, there were significant differences in the whole population and the male cohort deviations(P<0.05). No significant cohort effect was observed in the female population. Conclusions The mortality rate of pancreatic cancer among registered residents in Xuhui district, Shanghai from 1992 to 2021, was on the rise, especially in the 60-84 years old group and male. The prevention and control of pancreatic cancer needs to develop effective epidemic prevention measures for corresponding populations.
8.Research progress on the mechanism of regulated cell death in thyroid carcinoma
Lingshan NIU ; Yue ZHAO ; Xu SHI ; Zheyu YANG ; Ruijun PAN ; Wei CAI
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(6):529-536
Thyroid carcinoma is one of the malignant tumors with rapidly increasing incidence rates. Some refractory patients face challenges from drug toxicity and resistance, urgently requiring the discovery of new therapeutic pathways to improve prognosis. Regulatory cell death(RCD)is a highly regulated orderly death mode, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis. Recent studies have found that RCD is closely associated with tumor progression, invasion, and resistance. This article systematically reviewed various death modes in thyroid cancer, including the core signaling nodes of each death pathway, and explored their specific functions in tumor progression. It also summarized potential therapeutic strategies targeting these death pathways. However, the complexity of RCD mechanisms and the sensitivity of treatments remain controversial. Future efforts should focus on screening broad-spectrum targets and developing synergistic therapies to ultimately achieve precise treatment based on cell death, thereby improving the prognosis of refractory thyroid cancer.
9.Olverembatinib in treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia with D241E mutation progressed to acute lymphoblastic leukemia: report of 1 case and review of literature
Jianhua NIU ; Xin SHI ; Wei PANG ; Xiumei FENG ; Yongrui WANG ; Xuemei LI ; Hua YANG ; Yanhua PU
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2025;34(6):361-365
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of olverembatinib in treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) progressed to acute lymphoblastic leukemia with D241E mutation.Methods:The diagnosis and treatment of a patient with D241E mutant CML progressed to acute lymphoblastic leukemia admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Jinan in December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, and relevant literature was reviewed.Results:The patient was a 47-year-old female, and her blood test result was abnormal during physical examination. She was diagnosed as CML and received treatment with imatinib and dasatinib for 2 years. The disease progressed to philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia with BCR-ABL mutation (a D241E mutation). After 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with a targeted drug (ponatinib), the patient achieved complete remission, while the minimal residual disease continued to be positive. The patient received 1 course of chemotherapy combined with olverembatinib from the 4th course of treatment. After olverembatinib monotherapy maintenance therapy for 36 months, the patient achieved molecular complete remission with minimal residual disease. The patient developed complications such as skin pigmentation and elevated lipid levels, but all complications were tolerable.Conclusions:The application of olverembatinib in D241E mutant CML progressed to acute lymphoblastic leukemia can help patients obtain sustained molecular biological remission and good safety.
10.Effects of Tongxin Huoqian Decoction on fibrosis in mice with adenomyosis model
Yinuo CHEN ; Yinuo ZHANG ; Xin WANG ; Zilu WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Wei SHI ; Weipin NIU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(12):1687-1694
Objective:To study the effects of Tongmai Huazheng Decoction on the fibrosis of lesions in mice with adenomyosis (AM); To explore its mechanism.Methods:The ICR mouse model of adenomyosis was established by using tamoxifen modeling method. The 30 mice successfully modeled were divided into model group, Tongmai Huazheng Decoction group and progesterone group according to the random number table method with 10 mice in each group, and 10 female mice were set as the blank group. Tongmai Huazheng Decoction group was intragastrically administered with Tongmai Huazheng Decoction 30.47 g/kg, once/d; The gestrinone group was intragastrically administered with gestrinone suspension 0.32 mg/kg, twice a week; the blank group and model group were intragastrically administered with 0.1 ml/10 g normal saline, once a day. After 8 weeks of intervention, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of uterine tissue; Masson staining was used to observe the degree of uterine tissue fibrosis; immunofluorescence method was used to detect the protein expressions of CollagenⅠ, CollagenⅢ and fibronectin in uterine tissue of each group; Western bolt method was used to detect the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in each group.Results:Compared with the model group, the ratio of collagen fiber area in uterine tissue in Tongmai Huazheng Decoction group and progesterone group decreased ( P<0.05), the immunofluorescence intensity of CollagenⅠ, CollagenⅢ and Fibronectin decreased ( P<0.05), and the expressions of TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Tongmai Huazheng Decoction can reduce the ratio of collagen fiber area in the uterus of mice with adenomyosis model, downregulate the expression of CollagenⅠ, Collagen Ⅲ, Fibronectin, TGF-β1, and α-SMA proteins, alleviate the degree of fibrosis in adenomyosis lesions, and thus inhibit or slow down disease progression.

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