1.Progress in the application of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Songguo DONG ; Chunyan SONG ; Xiaofeng HOU ; Weihua YANG ; Yun WANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):235-241
Exosomes are ubiquitous in all types of body fluids, exhibiting a high degree of abundance and diversity. Given their distinctive structure and function, exosomes are involved in a range of life activities, including intercellular communication, material transport, and immune regulation. An increasing number of studies have identified exosomes as a source of diagnostic markers for diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, exosomes represent a novel avenue for therapeutic intervention, with promising clinical applications. This paper examines the diagnostic and therapeutic mechanisms of exosomes in diabetic retinopathy, reviews the advancements in exosomes-based diagnostics and therapeutics for diabetic retinopathy, and aims to enhance the precision and efficiency of clinical diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
2.Timosaponin BⅡ Combined with Icariin Maintains Osteoclast-osteoblast Coupling by Restoring Yin-Yang Balance
Zaishi ZHU ; Zeling HUANG ; Weiye CAI ; Hua CHEN ; Boen SONG ; Yue LU ; Qing LU ; Xiaofeng SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):48-57
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of timosaponin BⅡ (TBⅡ) combined with icariin (ICA) on osteoclast (OC)-osteoblast (OB) coupling and decipher the mechanism from the cellular level. MethodsThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to assess the effects of different concentrations of TBⅡ and different concentrations of TBⅡ+ICA on the growth of RAW264.7 cells. Soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) was used to induce the differentiation of RAW264.7 pre-osteoclasts into osteoclasts. The cells were allocated into sRANKL, TBⅡ (1, 5, 10 μmol·L-1), and TBⅡ+ICA groups. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was performed to assess the effects of TBⅡ and TBⅡ+ICA on osteoclast differentiation. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was conducted to examine the effects of TBⅡ+ICA on the expression of key genes involved in osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast-derived coupling factors. The osteogenic differentiation conditioned medium mixed with osteoclast supernatant was used to induce osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red S staining were employed to determine the effect of TBⅡ+ICA on osteogenic differentiation. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the effects of conditioned medium on key genes involved in osteogenic differentiation. ResultsTBⅡ at 1, 5, 10 μmol·L-1 had no significant effect on the cell survival rate. Compared with the sRANKL group, TBⅡ inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and achieved the best effect at 10 μmol·L-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the sRANKL group, different concentrations of TBⅡ down-regulated the mRNA levels of osteoclast differentiation-related genes c-Fos, RANK, and RANKL (P<0.05). None of 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ, 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ+10-4 μmol·L-1 ICA, or 10 μmol·L-1 TBⅡ+10-3 μmol·L-1 ICA affected the viability of RAW264.7 cells. TBⅡ and/or ICA inhibited osteoclast differentiation (P<0.01), and TBⅡ + ICA had the best effect (P<0.01). Compared with the sRANKL group, TBⅡ and/or ICA down-regulated the mRNA levels of c-Fos, RANK, and RANKL (P<0.05). The single application of TBⅡ and ICA had no significant effect on the mRNA levels of Wnt10b, Cthrc1, and C3a, while TBⅡ+ICA exerted up-regulating effects (P<0.05). Compared with those in the blank group, the bone differentiation and mineralization abilities of the normal osteogenic induction group and each osteogenic induction + osteoclast supernatant group were improved (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the normal osteogenic induction group and the osteogenic induction + osteoclast supernatant group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of Runx2 and OCN (P<0.01). ConclusionTBⅡ+ICA can inhibit osteoclast differentiation, maintain the normal osteoclast-osteoblast coupling, and promote osteogenic differentiation.
3.Pain, agitation, and delirium practices in Chinese intensive care units: A national multicenter survey study.
Xiaofeng OU ; Lijie WANG ; Jie YANG ; Pan TAO ; Cunzhen WANG ; Minying CHEN ; Xuan SONG ; Zhiyong LIU ; Zhenguo ZENG ; Man HUANG ; Xiaogan JIANG ; Shusheng LI ; Erzhen CHEN ; Lixia LIU ; Xuelian LIAO ; Yan KANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):3031-3033
4.GPSM2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer to affect patient prognosis by promoting tumor cell proliferation.
Xue SONG ; Yue CHEN ; Min ZHANG ; Nuo ZHANG ; Lugen ZUO ; Jing LI ; Zhijun GENG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Yueyue WANG ; Lian WANG ; Jianguo HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):229-238
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the association between GPSM2 expression level and gastric cancer progression and analyze the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2.
METHODS:
We analyzed GPSM2 expression levels in gastric cancer tumors based on data from the GEPIA database and the clinical data of 109 patients. Public databases enrichment analysis were used to assess the impact of GPSM2 expression level on survival outcomes and the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2. We further observed the effects of GPSM2 knockdown and overexpression on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of MGC803 cells using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and immunoblotting and on the growth of MGC803 cell xenografts in nude mice.
RESULTS:
Bioinformatic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the clinical specimens both revealed high GPSM2 expressions in gastric cancer (P<0.01). A high GPSM2 expression was significantly correlated with T3-4 stages, N2-3 stages, a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level ≥5 μg/L, and a carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level ≥37 kU/L (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis identified high GPSM2 expression as an independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival of the patients (P<0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that GPSM2 was involved in cell cycle regulation. In MGC803 cells, GPSM2 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and G1/S transition and xenograft growth in nude mice. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that GPSM2 executed its biological functions by regulating the p53 signaling pathway, which was confirmed by the results of immunoblotting experiments showing suppression of p53 signaling pathway activity in GPSM2-over expressing MGC803 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
GPSM2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer to affect patient prognosis by promoting tumor cell proliferation and G1/S transition possibly via inhibiting the p53 pathway.
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Prognosis
;
Animals
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice
;
Apoptosis
;
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism*
;
Cell Movement
5.High MYO1B expression promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and is associated with poor patient prognosis.
Qingqing HUANG ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Lian WANG ; Xue SONG ; Zhijun GENG ; Lugen ZUO ; Yueyue WANG ; Jing LI ; Jianguo HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):622-631
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze MYO1B expression in gastric cancer, its association with long-term prognosis and its role in regulating biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells.
METHODS:
We analyzed MYO1B expression in gastric cancer and its correlation with tumor grade, tumor stage, and patient survival using the Cancer Public Database. We also examined MYO1B expression with immunohistochemistry in gastric cancer and paired adjacent tissues from 105 patients receiving radical surgery and analyzed its correlation with cancer progression and postoperative 5-year survival of the patients. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were used to explore the biological functions of MYO1B and the key pathways. In cultured gastric cancer cells, we examined the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion following MYO1B overexpression and knockdown.
RESULTS:
Data from the Cancer Public Database showed that MYO1B expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in normal tissues with strong correlations with tumor grade, stage and patient prognosis (P<0.05). In the clinical tissue samples, MYO1B was significantly overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues in positive correlation with Ki67 expression (r=0.689, P<0.05) and the parameters indicative of gastric cancer progression (CEA ≥5 μg/L, CA19-9 ≥37 kU/L, G3-4, T3-4, and N2-3) (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that high MYO1B expression was associated with decreased postoperative 5-year survival and was an independent risk factor (HR: 3.522, 95%CI: 1.783-6.985, P<0.05). MYO1B expression level was a strong predictor of postoperative survival (cut-off value: 3.11, AUC: 0.753, P<0.05). GO and KEGG analyses suggested that MYO1B may regulate cell migration and the mTOR signaling pathway. In cultured gastric cancer cells, MYO1B overexpression significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR.
CONCLUSIONS
High MYO1B expression promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and is correlated with poor patient prognosis.
Humans
;
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Prognosis
;
Cell Movement
;
Myosin Type I/genetics*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Female
;
Male
6.Hypaphorine alleviates Crohn's disease-like colitis in mice by inhibiting intestinal epithelial inflammatory response and protecting intestinal barrier function.
Qingqing HUANG ; Jingjing YANG ; Xuening JIANG ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Lugen ZUO ; Lian WANG ; Yueyue WANG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Xue SONG ; Jianguo HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(11):2456-2465
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of hypaphorine (HYP) on Crohn's disease (CD)‑like colitis in mice and its molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
Thirty male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into WT, TNBS, and HYP groups, and in the latter two groups, mouse models of CD-like colitis were established using TNBS with daily gavage of 15 mg/kg HYP or an equivalent volume of saline. The treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing the disease activity index (DAI), body weight changes, colon length and histopathology. The effect of HYP was also tested in a LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cell model mimicking intestinal inflammation by evaluating inflammatory responses and barrier function of the cells using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. GO and KEGG analyses were conducted to explore the therapeutic mechanism of HYP, which was validated in both the cell and mouse models using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
In the mouse models of CD-like colitis, HYP intervention obviously alleviated colitis as shown by significantly reduced body weight loss, colon shortening, DAI and inflammation scores, and expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in the colon tissues. HYP treatment also significantly increased the TEER values, reduced bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, lowered serum levels of I-FABP and FITC-dextran, increased the number of colonic tissue cup cells, and upregulated colonic expressions of MUC2 and tight junction proteins (claudin-1 and ZO-1) in the mouse models. In LPS-stimulated Caco-2 cells, HYP treatment significantly inhibited the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors and increased the expressions of tight junction proteins. Western blotting showed that HYP downregulated the expressions of the key proteins in the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in both the in vitro and in vivo models.
CONCLUSIONS
HYP alleviates CD-like colitis in mice possibly by suppressing intestinal epithelial inflammation and improving gut barrier function.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Crohn Disease/drug therapy*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Caco-2 Cells
;
Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Colitis/drug therapy*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Inflammation
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Intestinal Barrier Function
7.Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Interact with Schwann Cells for Tumor Perineural Invasion by Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Xinwen ZHANG ; Yijia HE ; Shixin XIE ; Yuxian SONG ; Xiaofeng HUANG ; Qingang HU ; Yanhong NI ; Yi WANG ; Yong FU ; Liang DING
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(6):1003-1020
Perineural invasion (PNI) by tumor cells is a key phenotype of highly-invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Since Schwann cells (SCs) and fibroblasts maintain the physiological homeostasis of the peripheral nervous system, and we have focused on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) for decades, it's imperative to elucidate the impact of CAFs on SCs in PNI+ OSCCs. We describe a disease progression-driven shift of PNI- towards PNI+ during the progression of early-stage OSCC (31%, n = 125) to late-stage OSCC (53%, n = 97), characterized by abundant CAFs and nerve demyelination. CAFs inhibited SC proliferation/migration and reduced neurotrophic factors and myelin in vitro, and this involved up-regulated ER stress and decreased MAPK signals. Moreover, CAFs also aggravated the paralysis of the hind limb and PNI in vivo. Unexpectedly, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was exclusively expressed on CAFs and up-regulated in metastatic OSCC. The LIF inhibitor EC330 restored CAF-induced SC inactivation. Thus, OSCC-derived CAFs inactivate SCs to aggravate nerve injury and PNI development.
Schwann Cells/metabolism*
;
Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Mice
;
Cell Movement/physiology*
;
Cell Proliferation/physiology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
8.Construction of competitive endogenous RNA network mediated by lung ischemia-reperfusion core genes
Xiaofeng LI ; Mingzheng TANG ; Xixi LIU ; Ziqing SONG ; Guoxin ZHANG ; Kaiyin YANG ; Lingyun ZHANG
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(1):70-81
Objective To analyze the core genes of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Methods Original data of GSE145989 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database as the training set, and the GSE172222 and GSE9634 datasets were used as the validation sets, and the differentially-expressed genes (DEG) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and the core genes were screened, and the diagnostic values of these core genes and the immune infiltration levels of immune cells were evaluated. The ceRNA network was constructed and validated. The targeted drugs based on ceRNA network were assessed. Results A total of 179 DEG were identified, including 61 down-regulated and 118 up-regulated genes. GO analysis showed that DEGs were associated with multiple biological processes, such as cell migration, differentiation and regulation, etc. They were correlated with cell components, such as vesicle membrane, serosa and membrane raft, etc. They were also associated with multiple molecular functions, such as chemokine receptor, G protein-coupled receptor, immune receptor activity and antigen binding, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEG were involved in tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Wnt, interleukin (IL)-17 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways, etc. PPI network suggested that CD8A, IL2RG, STAT1, CD3G and SYK were the core genes of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. The ceRNA network prompted that miR-146a-3p, miR-28-5p and miR-593-3p were related to the expression level of CD3G. The miR-149-3p, miR-342-5p, miR-873-5p and miR-491-5p were correlated with the expression level of IL-2RG. The miR-194-3p, miR-512-3p, miR-377-3p and miR-590-3p were associated with the expression level of SYK. The miR-590-3p and miR-875-3p were related to the expression level of CD8A. The miR-143-5p, miR-1231, miR-590-3p and miR-875-3p were associated with the expression level of STAT1. There were 13 targeted drugs for CD3G, 4 targeted drugs for IL-2RG, 28 targeted drugs for SYK and 3 targeted drugs for lncRNA MUC2. No targeted drugs were identified for CD8A, STAT1 and other ceRNA network genes. Conclusions CD8A, IL2RG, STAT1, CD3G and SYK are the core genes of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. The research and analysis of these core genes probably contribute to the diagnosis of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and providing novel research ideas and therapeutic targets.
9.RP11-789C1.1 inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation and accelerates apoptosis via the ATR/CHK1 signaling pathway
Wenwei LIU ; Wei FENG ; Yongxin ZHANG ; Tianxiang LEI ; Xiaofeng WANG ; Tang QIAO ; Zehong CHEN ; Wu SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(15):1835-1843
Background::Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays an important role in the progression of gastric cancer (GC). Their involvement ranges from genetic regulation to cancer progression. However, the mechanistic roles of RP11-789C1.1 in GC are not fully understood.Methods::We identified the expression of lncRNA RP11-789C1.1 in GC tissues and cell lines by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A series of functional experiments revealed the effect of RP11-789C1.1 on the proliferation of GC cells. In vivo experiments verified the effect of RP11-789C1.1 on the biological behavior of a GC cell line. RNA pull-down unveiled RP11-789C1.1 interacting proteins. Western blot analysis indicated the downstream pathway changes of RP11-789C1.1, and an oxaliplatin dosing experiment disclosed the influence of RP11-789C1.1 on the drug sensitivity of oxaliplatin. Results::Our results demonstrated that RP11-789C1.1 inhibited the proliferation of GC cells and promoted the apoptosis of GC cells. Mechanistically, RP11-789C1.1 inhibited checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) phosphorylation by binding ataxiatelangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related (ATR), a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase, promoted GC apoptosis, and mediated oxaliplatin sensitivity.Conclusion::In general, we discovered a tumor suppressor molecule RP11-789C1.1 and confirmed its mechanism of action, providing a theoretical basis for targeted GC therapy.
10.FHL2 interacts with LDHA to promote glioma cell proliferation
WU Guoqing ; ZHANG Ting△ ; SONG Xiaofeng ; ZHU Ting ; LI Na ; LI Ming
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(10):976-983
[摘 要] 目的:探讨四个半LIM结构域2(FHL2)蛋白对胶质瘤细胞增殖的影响及其分子机制。方法:利用TCGA和CGGA数据库分析胶质瘤组织中FHL2 mRNA表达水平与患者预后的关系。通过WB法检测人胶质瘤组织标本及人胶质瘤细胞U87、T98G、U251、SNB19、GSC23、A172、LN229、G267和星形胶质细胞NHA中的FHL2蛋白表达水平。利用慢病毒载体构建稳定敲低FHL2的U87细胞和过表达FHL2的SNB19细胞,即U87-shGFP、U87-shFHL2-1#、U87-shFHL2-4#和SNB19-3flag、SNB19-3flag-FHL2组。通过CCK-8法、克隆形成实验检测敲低和过表达FHL2对细胞增殖的影响,免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)和液相色谱-串联质谱(LC/MS)法筛选FHL2在胶质瘤细胞中的相互作用蛋白,并用Co-IP和免疫荧光法验证它们的结合作用和共定位情况。使用酶标仪检测敲低和过表达FHL2细胞内乳酸产量和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性的变化,WB法分析FHL2、LDHA及p-LDHA在正常脑组织和胶质瘤组织中的蛋白表达差异及其相互关系。在过表达 FHL2的SNB19细胞中使用LDHA的小分子抑制剂AT-101,通过CCK-8实验和酶标仪比色法验证FHL2在胶质瘤乳酸代谢中的作用,验证AT-101在胶质瘤中潜在的治疗效果。结果:Co-IP和LC/MS检测发现,FHL2与LDHA在胶质瘤细胞中存在相互作用。FHL2过表达可提高LDHA活性和乳酸生成(均P < 0.001),进而促进胶质瘤细胞增殖(P < 0.001)。相反,敲低FHL2会降低LDHA活性和乳酸产量(P < 0.001或P < 0.05)并抑制细胞增殖(P < 0.001)。AT101能抑制LDHA活性,并显著抑制FHL2促进胶质瘤细胞的增殖,同时恢复磷酸化LDHA(Y10)水平(P<0.01或P < 0.001)。结论:FHL2与LDHA蛋白相互作用,FHL2通过激活p-LDHA(Y10)的表达促进LDHA活性和乳酸产生,进而促进胶质瘤细胞的增殖,靶向这种相互作用可能成为治疗胶质瘤的潜在策略。

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