1.Heterogeneity of Adipose Tissue From a Single-cell Transcriptomics Perspective
Yong-Lang WANG ; Si-Si CHEN ; Qi-Long LI ; Yu GONG ; Xin-Yue DUAN ; Ye-Hui DUAN ; Qiu-Ping GUO ; Feng-Na LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):820-835
Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.
2.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
3.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
4.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
5.Effects of ultraviolet combined with Kangfuxin liquid and oxygen therapy on post chemotherapy oral mucositis
Zhaoqin XIE ; Xiaoqin QI ; Jingjing WU ; Si CHEN ; Shasha FENG ; Yanqiu SHEN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(9):1223-1227
Objective:To explore the effect of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) combined with Kangfuxin liquid wet compress and oxygen blowing method on the post chemotherapy oral mucositis (OM) in patients with hematological malignancies.Methods:From January 2022 to February 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 120 patients with post chemotherapy OM in the Department of Hematology of the Affiliated Huai'an First People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group received Kangfuxin liquid wet compress, while the observation group carried out a combination of UV-C irradiation and oxygen oral blowing method on the basis of the control group. This study compared the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score before and two days after treatment, the healing status of OM after treatment on the 5th day, and the healing time of OM between the two groups of patients.Results:A total of 108 patients completed the study, with 52 in the control group and 56 in the observation group. After two days of treatment, the VAS scores of both groups of patients were lower than those before treatment, and those of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). On the 5th day of treatment, the healing rate of OM in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=5.425, P<0.05). The healing time of OM in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.458, P<0.05) . Conclusions:The combination of UV-C, Kangfuxin liquid and oxygen blowing method can alleviate pain, improve the healing rate of OM, and shorten the healing time of post chemotherapy OM in patients with hematological malignancies, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
6.The first female case of human monkeypox in Yunnan Province
Yang ZHOU ; De-Li QI ; Zheng-Ji CHEN ; Zhi-Peng MAO ; Min DAI ; Yu-Dong GAO ; Si-Yi LUO ; Shao-Hua PAN ; Hong-Hai SU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(6):599-603
This is the first reported case of a female with monkeypox infection in Kunming City,Yunnan Province.An epi-demiological investigation was conducted to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of monkeypox epidemics in China,especially for early detection in females in accordance with the"Monkeypox prevention and control program(2023 ver-sion)".Diagnosis was performed as described in the"Monkeypox Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines(2022 version)".Speci-mens were collected for laboratory testing.The epidemiological investigation determined that the female patient had sexual in-tercourse with her newly married husband once before disease onset and the husband hid his history of male homosexual sex.The laboratory test results of the woman and her husband were positive for the nucleic acid of the monkeypox virus.Both had typical clinical symptoms,including rash.The epidemiological investigation,clinical symptoms,laboratory test results,and previous epidemic data of monkeypox in Yunnan province confirmed the woman as the first female infected with monkeypox in Yunnan Province and her husband was the presumed source of infection.
7.Protective Effect of Endogenous ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Against Cisplatin-Induced Myelosuppression
Qi-Hua XU ; Zong-Meng ZHANG ; Chao-Feng XING ; Han-Si CHEN ; Ke-Xin ZHENG ; Yun-Ping MU ; Zi-Jian ZHAO ; Fang-Hong LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1601-1607
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of endogenous ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)against cisplatin-induced myelosuppression and the mechanism of reducing apoptosis in bone marrow nucleated cells using mfat-1 transgenic mice.Methods:The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups:wild-type mice normal control group,mfat-1 transgenic mice normal control group,wild-type mice model group and mfat-1 transgenic mice model group.The mice in the model group were injected intraperitoneally with 7.5 mg/kg cisplatin on day 0 and day 7 to construct a myelosuppression model,while the mice in the normal control group were injected intraperitoneally with an equal amount of saline,and their status was observed and their body weight was measured daily.Peripheral blood was taken after 14 day for routine blood analysis,and the content and proportion of PUFA in peripheral blood were detected using gas chromatography.Bone marrow nucleated cells in the femur of mice were counted.The histopathological changes in bone marrow were observed by histopathological staining.The apoptosis of nucleated cells and the expression level changes of apoptosis-related genes in the bone marrow of mice were detected by flow cytometry and fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results:Compared with wild-type mice,mfat-1 transgenic mice showed significantly increased levels of ω-3 PUFA in peripheral blood and greater tolerance to cisplatin.Peripheral blood analysis showed that endogenous ω-3 PUFA promoted the recovery of leukocytes,erythrocytes,platelets and haemoglobin in peripheral blood of myelosuppressed mice.The results of HE staining showed that endogenous ω-3 PUFA significantly improved the structural damage of bone marrow tissue induced by cisplatin.Flow cytometry and PCR showed that,compared with wild-type mice model group,the apoptosis rate of bone marrow nucleated cells in mfat-1 transgenic mice was significantly reduced(P<0.001),and the expression of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expressions of pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bak mRNA were significantly reduced(P<0.001,P<0.05).Conclusion:Endogenous ω-3 PUFA can reduce cisplatin-induced apoptosis in bone marrow nucleated cells,increase the number of peripheral blood cells and exert a protective effect against cisplatin-induced myelosuppression by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes.
8.Research on the capacity and improvement path of home-and community-based integrated health and social care:A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis based on 39 cases
Si-Qi LIU ; Jun ZHAO ; Nan LIU ; Hao-Yan DENG ; Qi CHEN ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(9):28-35
Objective:Empirical analysis of the multiple driving paths of service capabilities of home-and community-based integrated health and social care in China,for providing useful reference for promoting the system improvement.Methods:Based on the World Health Organization's Integrated Care for Older People(ICOPE)implementation framework,an analysis framework for service capabilities of home-and community-based integrated health and social care was constructed.39 districts(counties)in Wuxi,Jiaozuo,Changsha,Chengdu,and Chongqing were included.The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis(fsQCA)method was used to analyze the configuration paths of high or non-high-level service capabilities of home-and community-based integrated health and social care.Results:The service capabilities of home-and community-based integrated health and social care is improved by the configuration of various factors.Four path configurations might contribute to the development of service capabilities of home-and community-based integrated health and social care,and three path configurations might hinder the development.Institutional support,financing mechanism and the demand level of regional aging population are the key factors.Conclusions:Service capabilities of home-and community-based integrated health and social care are affected by the interaction and interrelation between multiple factors.Strategies should be jointly implemented from different aspects to improve service capabilities.
9.Treatment of male immune infertility by traditional Chinese medicine:A meta-analysis
Chun-Mei FAN ; Si-Qi MA ; Ke-Fan DING ; Yi-Jian YANG ; Xin-Bang WEN ; Zi-Qin ZHAO ; Shu-Hui CHEN ; Guo-Zheng QIN
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(6):547-563
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of male im-mune infertility(MII)by meta-analysis.Methods:We retrieved randomized controlled trial(RCT)on the treatment of male im-mune infertility with traditional Chinese medicine from the databases of WanFang,Chinese Biomedical Literature,Cochrane Library,Weipu,PubMed and CNKI,and performed methodological quality assessment of the RCTs identified and statistical analysis and evalua-tion of the publication bias using the RevMan5.4 software.Results:Totally,25 RCTs(2 563 cases)were included in this study.Compared with Western medicine alone in the treatment of MII,TCM achieved a significantly higher total effectiveness rate(OR=6.35,95% CI:4.96-8.13,P<0.000 01),negative conversion rate of seminal plasma anti-sperm antibodies(OR=4.52,95% CI:2.72-7.51,P<0.000 01),negative rate of serum anti-sperm antibodies(OR=2.98,95% CI:2.23-3.96,P<0.000 01),sperm concentration(MD=15.56,95% CI:11.32-19.79,P<0.000 01),grade a sperm motility(MD=3.85,95% CI:1.91-5.79,P=0.000 01),grade a+b sperm motility(MD=13.77,95% CI:7.06-20.48,P<0.000 1),sperm viability(MD=10.32,95% CI:6.78-13.86,P<0.000 01)and pregnancy rate(OR=3.53,95% CI:2.68-4.63,P<0.000 01),but a lower rate of adverse reactions(OR=0.06,95% CI:0.01-0.23,P<0.000 01).There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm between TCM and Western medicine alone in the treatment of MII(MD=-7.53,95% CI:-15.50-0.44,P=0.06).Conclusion:TCM has a definite effectiveness and high safe in the treatment of male immune infertility.
10.Effect of dynamic changes of microglia on oligodendrocytes in animal model of multiple sclerosis
Shuwen YUAN ; Kerong QI ; Qingqing LIU ; Xue CHEN ; Jianchao SI ; Shengchang YANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(6):669-677
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous syestem (CNS) triggered by an autoimmune mechanism, which is the main cause of neurological disability in young people. In MS, a variety of glial cells participate in the pathogenesis and development of the disease, and oligodendrocytes (OL) and myelin cytes are destroyed by autoimmune mediated inflammation. Impaired OL production of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) leads to persistent demyelination, myelin fragment accumulation and axonal injury, with clinical manifestation of CNS disability. Microglia (MG), which is involved in the inflammatory response and removal of myelin debris, plays a pivotal role in OPC differentiation and OL maturation, thereby directly or indirectly influencing the process of myelin regeneration. An interactive mechanism exists between these 2 components. The comprehension of the interrelationship between the 2 factors can provide enhanced insights into the pathogenesis of MS and facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies, thereby addressing pivotal scientific challenges encountered in clinical management of MS. Therefore, this review summarizes the dynamic changes of microglia in MS and its classic animal models, explores the internal relationship between MG and OL in this process, and focuses on the beneficial effects of targeted regulation of microglia, thereby promoting OPC differentiation and myelin regeneration, in order to provide a new research direction for MS treatment.

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