1.KDM5A/cGAS-STING–mediated microglial activation contributes to prenatal fine particulate matter induced cerebral cortical injury in offspring mice
Wenke NIE ; Li ZHOU ; Siqi WANG ; Chao SONG ; Hang YU ; Wanwei LI ; Mengxiao LUAN ; Lu SUN ; Li YU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):270-277
Background Prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is closely associated with cortical damage and neuroinflammation in offspring. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway is a key regulator of inflammation and may be subject to epigenetic regulation. Objective To investigate the role of cGAS-STING pathway activation in PM2.5-induced cortical damage in offspring mice during pregnancy and the underlying epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Methods Open field tests were used to assess depressive-like behavior in offspring mice. Morphological analysis was conducted to evaluate cortical damage and microglial activation in offspring brains. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) were performed to detect changes in the expression of key molecules in the cGAS-STING pathway in cortical tissue. A PM2.5-induced microglial cell injury model was established in BV2 cells. Microglial activation was observed, cell viability was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and key molecules in the cGAS-STING pathway were detected by RT-qPCR and WB. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the epigenetic regulatory association between the STING signaling pathway and lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A). Changes in KDM5A mRNA and protein expression, as well as the protein level of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), were detected in an in vitro PM2.5 injury model. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, the KDM5A gene was silenced in BV2 cells exposed to PM2.5. The protein expression of H3K4me3 was detected to evaluate improvements in microglial activation, changes in inflammatory markers such as iNOS and mannose receptor (CD206), and alterations in the cGAS-STING pathway. Results Compared with the control group, the total distance of offspring mice in the PM2.5 group was significantly reduced, and both the distance traveled and the time spent in the central area of the open field were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001), indicating depressive-like behavior in the offspring mice. Compared with the control group, the offspring mice in the PM2.5 group exhibited disorganized cortical structure and significantly activated microglia (P<0.01), with significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of cGAS and STING (P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001). The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the PM2.5 treatment induced BV2 cells to polarize toward the M1 phenotype, exhibiting a distinct amoeboid morphology, with upregulated expression of the pro-inflammatory factor iNOS (P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001) and activation of the cGAS-STING pathway (P<0.05, P<0.01). The analysis of RNA-seq data from KDM5A knockout cells revealed significantly downregulated STING expression, suggesting that KDM5A may activate the STING signaling pathway. The in vitro experiments further confirmed that the PM2.5-treated BV2 cells exhibited significantly elevated mRNA and protein levels of KDM5A (P<0.01), while the H3K4me3 protein levels were markedly reduced (P<0.05). After silencing KDM5A in BV2 cells exposed to PM2.5, compared with the PM2.5+siNC group, the PM2.5+siKDM5A group showed no obvious microglial activation and polarized toward the M2 phenotype, with significantly decreased expression levels of iNOS, cluster of differentiation 16 (CD16), and interleukin-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly increased expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors CD206, YM1, and interleukin-10 (P<0.01, P<0.001). Meanwhile, the expression levels of cGAS and STING were also reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion KDM5A activates microglia through the cGAS-STING pathway, thereby contributing to PM2.5-induced cortical damage in offspring mice during pregnancy.
2.Progress of Research on Regional Differences in Esophageal Cancer
Yu CHEN ; Wenke CAI ; Xiaodi LUO ; Yongneng HE ; Dong TU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(6):488-494
Esophageal cancer is a common malignant tumor of digestive tract.Remarkable regional difference is a prominent feature of the clinical epidemiology of esophageal cancer.They are mainly manifested in incidence rate,incidence type,onset age,and gene mutation.These differences may be related to dietary habits,lifestyle,and environmental factors.In recent years,research on the regional differences in esophageal cancer has gradually deepened.This article summarizes the differences in incidence rate,incidence type,gene mutations,epigenetics,risk factors,and prognosis of esophageal cancer in different regions,including Asia(China,India,Japan,and other countries),Europe,America(the United States),Africa,and other regions.Understanding these differences can help doctors and public health experts understand the risk factors and causes of esophageal cancer and further develop highly effective prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the occurrence and mortality rate of this malignancy.
3.Protocol for the Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Children with Upper Airway cough Syndrome
Lingyun ZHANG ; Xiyou WANG ; Daxin LIU ; Qiang HE ; Xuefeng WANG ; Xun LI ; Yutong FEI ; Yi XIAO ; Xiaoxue LAN ; Yuanwen LIANG ; Xiaoxuan LIN ; Rong ZHOU ; Sirui GU ; Ying ZHANG ; Yue WANG ; Xingzhu YE ; Wenke LIU ; Hong CHEN ; Changhe YU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(8):961-966
In order to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) for children in China, Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine initiated the development of this Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Children with Upper Airway cough Syndrome based on evidence-based medical evidence. This guideline will process registration, write a plan, and develop relevant processes and writing norms, develop and publish official documents. This plan mainly introduces the scope of the guidelines, the purpose and significance, the composition of the guidelines working group, the management of conflicts of interest, the collection, selection and determination of clinical problems, the retrieval, screening and rating of evidence, and the consensus of recommendations. Registration information: This study has been registered in the international practice guidelines registry platform with the registration code of PREPARE-2023CN087.
4.Clinical features and initial outcomes in elderly patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy
Jinxiu LIANG ; Fangxiao XIA ; Wenke HAO ; Wenxue HU ; Yanhua WU ; Feng YU ; Zhi ZHAO ; Wei LIU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(2):168-174
Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features and initial treatment outcomes of elderly individuals with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effect of hospitalized patients aged 60 years or older with renal-biopsy-proven idiopathic membranous nephropathy for at least one year.Results:This study enrolled a total of 91 elderly patients with IMN, consisting of 51 males(56.0%)and 40 females(44.0%). The median age of the patients was 67 years.The urinary protein creatinine ratio(uPCR)and urinary albumin creatinine ratio(uACR)of the patients were 4 454.3 mg/g and 2 258.5 mg/g, respectively.The median 24-hour urinary protein and urinary albumin levels were 5 098.2 mg/24 h and 2 800.6 mg/24 h, respectively.The average estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was(60.5±20.4)ml·min -1·1.73 m -2.Out of the total of 61 patients, 67.0% achieved remission, including complete and partial remission, within a year of renal biopsy.The levels of uPCR and uACR were significantly higher in the non-remission group compared to the remission group(5 462.5 vs.2 271.1 mg/g, P<0.001; 2 774.4 vs.1 320.0 mg/g, P=0.001). Additionally, the levels of 24h urinary protein and urinary albumin were significantly higher in the non-remission group compared to the remission group(6 526.4 vs.3 210.4 mg/g, P=0.002; 3 067.7 vs.2 102.4 mg/g, P=0.007). The remission group had a higher proportion of patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy(85.2% vs.33.3%, P<0.001). The remission rates were higher in patients treated with glucocorticoid combined with cyclophosphamide, glucocorticoid combined with calcineurin inhibitors, or glucocorticoid combined with mycophenolate mofetil compared to those receiving conservative treatment(88.2% vs.31.0%, P=0.001; 80.0% vs.31.0%, P<0.001; 100.0% vs.31.0%, P=0.007). There was no significant difference in remission rate between the three immunosuppressive therapy groups( P>0.05). However, upon further analysis, it was found that the levels of uPCR, uACR, and serum cystatin C(CysC)were higher in the immunosuppressive therapy groups compared to conservative treatment.Additionally, serum total protein and albumin were lower in the immunosuppressive therapy groups, and these differences were statistically significant( P<0.05). Conclusions:The majority of elderly patients diagnosed with IMN have multiple comorbidities.For those at high risk with elevated urinary protein levels, early initiation of immunosuppressive therapy may lead to a higher initial urinary protein remission rate.Therefore, it is advisable to develop individualized treatment plans for elderly patients with IMN based on their clinical characteristics, as well as the risks and benefits associated with immunosuppressive therapy.
5.Expression changes of miRNAs and EMT-related genes in human mesothelial cells induced by long-term exposure to asbestos
Rui LI ; Wenke YU ; Qi WANG ; Lijin ZHU ; Fangfang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(9):668-672
Objective:To investigate the effects of long-term exposure to chrysotile and crocidolite on miRNAs and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) -related gene expression in human pleural mesothelial cells.Methods:In November 2020, fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of EMT-related genes in human pleural mesothelioma cells (NCl-H2052 cells, NCl-H2452 cells) and human normal mesothelial cells (Met-5A cells). MiRNAs with abnormal expression in human pleural mesothelioma cells were screened out from the previous miRNA chip data of research group, and target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using miRWalk database (http: //mirwalk.umm.uni-heidelberg.de). RT-qPCR was used to verify the abnormal expression of EMT-related miRNAs in cell lines. Met-5A cells were treated with 5μg/cm 2 chrysotile and crocidolite respectively for 48 h a time, once a week and a total of 10 times. Chrysotile group, crocidolite group and control group were set up. And the control group was added with the same volume of PBS. The expression changes of EMT-related genes and abnormal expression miRNAs in each group were detected by RT-qPCR. The differences among the groups were compared by one-way ANOVA, and the differences between the control group and the experimental group were compared by dunnet- t test. Results:Compared with Met-5A cells, the expression levels of Vimentin and Twist genes were increased, and the expression level of E-cadherin genes was decreased in NCl-H2052 cells and NCl-H2452 cells ( P<0.001). Target genes of miRNAs with abnormal expression in miRNA chip were predicted, and the results showed four abnormally expressed miRNAs associated with EMT and verified the expression of these four miRNAs in the cell lines. Compared with Met-5A cells, the expression level of hsa-miR-155-5p was increased in NCl-H2052 cells and NCl-H2452 cells, the expression levels of hsa-miR-34b-5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p and hsa-miR-28-5p were decreased in NCl-H2052 cells and NCl-H2452 cells ( P<0.001), which was consistent with the results of chip analysis. After exposure of Met-5A cells, it was found that compared with the control group, the expression levels of Vimentin and Twist genes, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-34b-5p and hsa-miR-34c-5p in the crocidolite group were increased, while the expression level of E-cadherin gene was decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Vimentin, Twist and E-cadherin genes in chrysotile group were increased, while the expression levels of hsa-miR-34b-5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p and hsa-miR-28-5p were decreased ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Long-term exposure to chrysotile and crocidolite could cause Met-5A cells to produce miRNAs and EMT-related gene expression changes similar to mesothelioma cells.
6.Expression changes of miRNAs and EMT-related genes in human mesothelial cells induced by long-term exposure to asbestos
Rui LI ; Wenke YU ; Qi WANG ; Lijin ZHU ; Fangfang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(9):668-672
Objective:To investigate the effects of long-term exposure to chrysotile and crocidolite on miRNAs and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) -related gene expression in human pleural mesothelial cells.Methods:In November 2020, fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of EMT-related genes in human pleural mesothelioma cells (NCl-H2052 cells, NCl-H2452 cells) and human normal mesothelial cells (Met-5A cells). MiRNAs with abnormal expression in human pleural mesothelioma cells were screened out from the previous miRNA chip data of research group, and target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using miRWalk database (http: //mirwalk.umm.uni-heidelberg.de). RT-qPCR was used to verify the abnormal expression of EMT-related miRNAs in cell lines. Met-5A cells were treated with 5μg/cm 2 chrysotile and crocidolite respectively for 48 h a time, once a week and a total of 10 times. Chrysotile group, crocidolite group and control group were set up. And the control group was added with the same volume of PBS. The expression changes of EMT-related genes and abnormal expression miRNAs in each group were detected by RT-qPCR. The differences among the groups were compared by one-way ANOVA, and the differences between the control group and the experimental group were compared by dunnet- t test. Results:Compared with Met-5A cells, the expression levels of Vimentin and Twist genes were increased, and the expression level of E-cadherin genes was decreased in NCl-H2052 cells and NCl-H2452 cells ( P<0.001). Target genes of miRNAs with abnormal expression in miRNA chip were predicted, and the results showed four abnormally expressed miRNAs associated with EMT and verified the expression of these four miRNAs in the cell lines. Compared with Met-5A cells, the expression level of hsa-miR-155-5p was increased in NCl-H2052 cells and NCl-H2452 cells, the expression levels of hsa-miR-34b-5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p and hsa-miR-28-5p were decreased in NCl-H2052 cells and NCl-H2452 cells ( P<0.001), which was consistent with the results of chip analysis. After exposure of Met-5A cells, it was found that compared with the control group, the expression levels of Vimentin and Twist genes, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-34b-5p and hsa-miR-34c-5p in the crocidolite group were increased, while the expression level of E-cadherin gene was decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Vimentin, Twist and E-cadherin genes in chrysotile group were increased, while the expression levels of hsa-miR-34b-5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p and hsa-miR-28-5p were decreased ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Long-term exposure to chrysotile and crocidolite could cause Met-5A cells to produce miRNAs and EMT-related gene expression changes similar to mesothelioma cells.
7.Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury (version 2023)
Zhiming SONG ; Junhua GUO ; Jianming CHEN ; Jing ZHONG ; Yan DOU ; Jiarong MENG ; Guomin ZHANG ; Guodong LIU ; Huaping LIANG ; Hezhong CHEN ; Shuogui XU ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Zhinong WANG ; Daixing ZHONG ; Tao JIANG ; Zhiqiang XUE ; Feihu ZHOU ; Zhixin LIANG ; Yang LIU ; Xu WU ; Kaican CAI ; Yi SHEN ; Yong SONG ; Xiaoli YUAN ; Enwu XU ; Yifeng ZHENG ; Shumin WANG ; Erping XI ; Shengsheng YANG ; Wenke CAI ; Yu CHEN ; Qingxin LI ; Zhiqiang ZOU ; Chang SU ; Hongwei SHANG ; Jiangxing XU ; Yongjing LIU ; Qianjin WANG ; Xiaodong WEI ; Guoan XU ; Gaofeng LIU ; Junhui LUO ; Qinghua LI ; Bin SONG ; Ming GUO ; Chen HUANG ; Xunyu XU ; Yuanrong TU ; Liling ZHENG ; Mingke DUAN ; Renping WAN ; Tengbo YU ; Hai YU ; Yanmei ZHAO ; Yuping WEI ; Jin ZHANG ; Hua GUO ; Jianxin JIANG ; Lianyang ZHANG ; Yunfeng YI
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2023;39(12):1057-1069
Pulmonary blast injury has become the main type of trauma in modern warfare, characterized by externally mild injuries but internally severe injuries, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of early death. The injury is complicated in clinical practice, often with multiple and compound injuries. Currently, there is a lack of effective protective materials, accurate injury detection instrument and portable monitoring and transportation equipment, standardized clinical treatment guidelines in various medical centers, and evidence-based guidelines at home and abroad, resulting in a high mortality in clinlcal practice. Therefore, the Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association and the Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized military and civilian experts in related fields such as thoracic surgery and traumatic surgery to jointly develop the Clinical treatment guideline for pulmonary blast injury ( version 2023) by combining evidence for effectiveness and clinical first-line treatment experience. This guideline provided 16 recommended opinions surrounding definition, characteristics, pre-hospital diagnosis and treatment, and in-hospital treatment of pulmonary blast injury, hoping to provide a basis for the clinical treatment in hospitals at different levels.
8.Repurposing non-oncology small-molecule drugs to improve cancer therapy: Current situation and future directions.
Leilei FU ; Wenke JIN ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Lingjuan ZHU ; Jia LU ; Yongqi ZHEN ; Lan ZHANG ; Liang OUYANG ; Bo LIU ; Haiyang YU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(2):532-557
Drug repurposing or repositioning has been well-known to refer to the therapeutic applications of a drug for another indication other than it was originally approved for. Repurposing non-oncology small-molecule drugs has been increasingly becoming an attractive approach to improve cancer therapy, with potentially lower overall costs and shorter timelines. Several non-oncology drugs approved by FDA have been recently reported to treat different types of human cancers, with the aid of some new emerging technologies, such as omics sequencing and artificial intelligence to overcome the bottleneck of drug repurposing. Therefore, in this review, we focus on summarizing the therapeutic potential of non-oncology drugs, including cardiovascular drugs, microbiological drugs, small-molecule antibiotics, anti-viral drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-neurodegenerative drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and other drugs in human cancers. We also discuss their novel potential targets and relevant signaling pathways of these old non-oncology drugs in cancer therapies. Taken together, these inspiring findings will shed new light on repurposing more non-oncology small-molecule drugs with their intricate molecular mechanisms for future cancer drug discovery.
9.Standardized manipulations for pediatric Tuina in medical institutions
Xiaoxue LAN ; Yue WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Qianji CHEN ; Yuanwen LIANG ; Rong ZHOU ; Sirui GU ; Yi AN ; Kexin SHANG ; Wenke LIU ; Xingzhu YE ; Hui SHAO ; Miao JIANG ; Changhe YU ; Hong CHEN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022;44(12):1327-1346
The standardization of pediatric Tuina is beneficial to pediatric Tuina practitioners in a norm practices. The paper collects the content from teaching textbooks, TCM ancient books and database literature, and tries to develop the technical specifications of pediatric Tuina by four rounds Delphi surveys and expert consensus. This specification covers the manipulation of pediatric Tuina, the position of acupoints, the effects of acupoints and the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric Tuina, including indications, contraindications, cautious use, operation steps and methods.
10.Bone flare after initiation of new endocrine therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: two cases reports and literatures review
Gaochen BAI ; Yi SONG ; Xiaochun ZHANG ; Zheng ZHAO ; Cheng CHEN ; Wei YU ; Wenke HAN ; Zhisong HE ; Jie JIN ; Liqun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2019;40(3):200-205
Objective To summarize the characteristics of clinical manifestation of bone flare after the treatment with new endocrine therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in order to evaluate the curative effect of patients properly and determine the reasonable treatment strategy.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of two patients with mCRPC performed "bone flare" defined as PSA decline and bone metastases progression in the initial treatment with new endocrine therapy in Urology Department of Peking University First Hospital,and analyzed the clinical characteristics and treatment methods with the relative literature.Case 1,a 79-year-old man,presented with frequent urination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 115.900 ng/ml,was diagnosed as prostate cancer (cT3N0M1) with bone metastasis.After androgen deprivation therapy of 24 months,PSA elevated and multiple bone metastases progressed.The patient was diagnosed with mCRPC and then began the treatment of enzalutamide.Case 2,a 62-year-old man,complained about emaciation and frequent urination,was diagnosed with prostate cancer(cT4N1M1)with bone and lymph metastases.After androgen deprivation therapy of 22 months,PSA elevated and multiple bone metastases progressed.The patient was diagnosed with mCRPC and then began the treatment of abiraterone.Results Case 1 was treated with enzalutamide and 2 months later PSA decreased from 133.400 ng/ml to 5.530 ng/ml,while bone scan showed multiple bone metastases,part of which was newly metastatic lesions.6 months later,the number of metastatic lesions kept stable,and part of lesions presented metabolism decrease.8 months later,the number of metastatic lesions began to decrease.1 year later,the patient started to receive chemical therapy because of the progression of the disease.After 5 cycles of chemotherapy,PSA progression occurred and chemotherapy was stopped.Liver failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation caused death in June 2016.Case 2 was treated with abiraterone and 2 months later PSA decreased from 54.820 ng/ml to 3.580 ng/ml,while bone scan showed multiple bone metastases,part of which was newly metastatic lesions.6 months later,the number of metastatic lesions began to decline.10 months later,the number of metastatic lesions kept stable.The treatment of abiraterone was continued so far and the patient was in a stable condition.Conclusions Enzalutamide and abiraterone,two new endocrine therapy,are determined as preferred methods for the treatment of mCRPC.The bone scanning is required to evaluate the possibility of "bone flare" which is defined as PSA decline and bone metastases progression in the initial treatment.These patients should be evaluated to make appropriate clinical decision.

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