1.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
2.Efficacy of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Combined with Budesonide Nasal Spray in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps and Its Impact on Nasal Mucosal Function and Quality of Life
Jun-ping LIU ; Fei LIANG ; Hui WANG ; Zhen LIU ; Xiao-liang CHEN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(16):2666-2673
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of endoscopic sinus surgery(ESS)combined with budesonide nasal spray in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP),with a focus on its effects on symptom control,nasal mucosal function repair,immune regulation,and recurrence rate.Methods:A total of 110 patients with CRSwNP were randomly divided into a matched group(60 cases,receiving ESS alone)and an observation group(50 cases,receiving ESS followed by 6 months of postoperative budesonide nasal spray).The Lund-Kennedy score,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score for symptoms,nasal mucociliary clearance rate(MTR),nasal mucosal T-cell subsets(CD4+/CD8+),inflammatory factors(TGF-β1,VEGF),serum marker(IL-3,IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,TSLP)and complications,recurrence rate(6 months and 12 months)were compared between the two groups before surgery and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.Results:At 3 months postoperatively,the VAS scores for nasal obstruction,hyposmia,and facial pain in the observation group were lower than those in the matched group(0.76±0.21 vs 1.26±0.34,0.88±0.17 vs 1.48±0.33,0.37±0.07 vs 0.55±0.11,all P<0.001).At 6 months postoperatively,the Lund-Kennedy score(1.34±0.31 vs 1.65±0.33)and MTR(7.53±1.67 vs 6.54±1.39 mm/min)in the observation group were superior to those in the matched group(both P<0.05).The CD4+/CD8+ratio(1.03±0.17 vs 0.87±0.14)and TGF-β1 levels(568.33±75.48 vs 506.27±72.87 μg/L)were higher,while VEGF levels(145.95±27.94 vs 178.33±36.37 ng/L)were lower in the observation group(all P<0.001).At 6 months after surgery,the levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,and TSLP were lower than those in the matched group(P<0.05).The complication rate(8.00%vs 16.67%)and recurrence rate(4.00%vs 18.33%)in the observation group were lower than those in the matched group(P<0.05).Conclusion:ESS combined with budesonide can significantly alleviate CRSwNP symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence by inhibiting Th2-type inflammatory responses,regulating T-cell immune balance,improving ciliary function,and suppressing angiogenesis.The synergistic mechanism involves the dynamic regulation of inflammatory microenvironment remodeling and mucosal repair,demonstrating significant clinical efficacy and safety.This study is the first to propose a postoperative management strategy that integrates mucosal repair,Th2 suppression,and inflammatory remodeling,filling a gap in research on postoperative immune microenvironment regulation.
3.Research progress on mechanism of action of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors in prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Na GAO ; Yu WANG ; Zhen-hua LIU ; Wei-min YANG ; Chuang XIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1813-1817
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a common di-gestive system disease with an increasing morbidity year by year.Its pathological mechanisms have not been fully clarified,and there are currently no ideal or effective curative methods.Phos-phodiesterase(PDE)can regulate intracellular cAMP/cGMP levels to mediate downstream signaling pathways,participating in various pathophysiological processes.In recent years,the po-tential efficacy of PDE inhibitors in the treatment of IBD has gradually attracted attention.This article reviews the pharmaco-logical effects and mechanisms of selective PDE subtype inhibi-tors in the prevention and treatment of IBD,providing references for further research of IBD therapeutic drugs.
4.Interleukin-13 is involved in vascular intimal hyperplasia by regulation of vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation
Xin WU ; Xiao LIU ; Jiaying ZHANG ; Ziyi ZHEN ; Qi LI ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(9):1694-1702
AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which interleukin-13(IL-13)influences vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC)phenotypic transformation and subsequently contributes to vascular intimal hyperplasia in rats.METHODS:A total of 32 male SD rats,aged 5~7 weeks and weighing 330~360 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8 per group):normal(Nor)group,normal treatment(Nor+IL-13 neutralizing antibody,Nor+IL-13Nab)group,inju-ry(Inj)group,and injruy treatment(Inj+IL-13Nab)group.A 2F balloon catheter was used to induce mechanical injury in the left common carotid artery of SD rats to establish a vascular intimal hyperplasia model.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe vascular structural changes.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kits were used to measure IL-13 and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)levels.Human aortic smooth muscle cells(HA-SMCs)were cultured in vitro.Flow cytometry was conducted to assess peripheral blood CD4+IL-13+T cell content.Real-time quantita-tive PCR(RT-qPCR)was employed to evaluate gene expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin,osteopontin,calponin,collagen type Ⅰ/Ⅲ,proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 antigen.Transwell and scratch wound assays were per-formed to assess cell migration.RESULTS:Compared with the model group,administration of IL-13Nab significantly in-hibited vascular intimal hyperplasia induced by mechanical vascular injury by antagonizing high plasma IL-13 levels(P<0.01).Immunofluorescence and mRNA analysis showed that neutralizing high plasma IL-13 suppressed collagen accumu-lation(P<0.01)and VSMC phenotypic transformation(P<0.01)in the injured vessels but did not inhibit peripheral blood CD4+IL-13+T cell activation.Incubation of HA-SMCs with recombinant human IL-13(rhIL-13)promoted cell pro-liferation and migration(P<0.01)as well as phenotypic transformation(P<0.01).Additional evidence suggested that rhIL-13-induced HA-SMC phenotypic transformation was associated with the regulation of TGF-β1 secretion by HA-SMCs.CONCLUSION:Interleukin-13 promotes vascular intimal hyperplasia by regulating VSMC phenotypic transformation through TGF-β1 secretion in rat models.
5.PD-L1 inhibits and regulates liver CD8+IFN-γ+ T cells to damage liver function and participate in atherosclerosis
Xiao LIU ; Xin WU ; Zi-yi ZHEN ; Jia-ying ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):638-645
Aim To study the effect of anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody on high-fat diet-induced athero-sclerosis in ApoE-/-mice.Methods Twenty-four ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into the normal group,high-fat group,and high-fat+anti-PD-L1 mAb group.After 70 days,the blood samples were harves-ted.Blood vessels(aortic root to abdominal aorta)and liver from each groups were stained with Oil Red O.Hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)was employed to vis-ualize structural changes in liver.Enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the serum levels of total cholesterol(CHO),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-c)and inflammatory factors(IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1 β).Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of lymphocytes(CD4 and CD8).RT-PCR was utilized to assess the expressions of IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1 β,CD4 and CD8 in liver.Results Compared with the high-fat group,the treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody promoted vascular wall and liver lipid accumulation,and also up-regulated serum and liver content of cholesterol(CHO),triglyceride(TG)and high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c).Treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody up-regulated the con-tent of alanine aminotransferase(GPT)and aspartate aminotransferase(GOT)in serum and liver,but not al-kaline phosphatase(AKP).ELISA test indicated that treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody stimu-lated the serum level of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1 β.Fur-thermore,the mRNA level of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1 βin liver was also up-regulated after treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody.With flow cytometry,we observed that treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody promoted hepatic CD8+T and CD8+IFN-γ+T cell activation,but had no effect on CD4+IFN-γ+T cell activation under high-fat feeding conditions.Con-clusions Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody adminis-tered under high-fat feeding conditions can damage liv-er function and aggravate atherosclerosis by activating liver CD8+IFN-γ+T cells.
6.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
7.Construction and Identification of a Macrophage-specific Colgalt1 Gene Knockout Mouse Model
Pei-Pei QIU ; Xiao-Jiao SUN ; WANG-LEI ; Zhi-Qi WANG ; Chu-Xiao YI ; Zhen-Ming LIU ; Ji-Guo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1214-1222
Aberrant expression of Colgalt1 is closely associated with tumorigenesis and tumor progres-sion;however,the mechanism by which it regulates macrophages to influence tumor development remains poorly understood.This study aimed to establish a macrophage-specific Colgalt1 gene knockout mouse model to delve into the mechanisms through which Colgalt1 modulates macrophage function and subse-quently affects the occurrence and progression of tumor-related diseases.Initially,Colgalt1flox+mice were generated using gene editing techniques,followed by crossing with Lyz2-Cre+mice,which exhibit tissue-specific expression in the myeloid lineage(including monocytes and mature macrophages).Through this strategy,mice with the genotype Colgalt1-/-Lyz2-Cre+were successfully obtained,achieving conditional knockout of the Colgalt1 gene in macrophages.Colgalt1flox/flox Lyz2-Cre-mice were used as control.PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were employed to identify the Flox and Cre genotypes of the knockout mice.RT-qPCR and Western Blot techniques were utilized to detect the expression levels of Colgalt1 in BMDMs from knockout mice at both the mRNA and protein levels,respectively.Western Blot results re-vealed a significant downregulation of Colgaltl expression in BMDMs from knockout mice compared to controls(P<0.01).RT-qPCR results demonstrated a significant reduction in Colgalt1 mRNA levels in BMDMs from knockout mice compared to contro1s(P<0.001),while no significant differences in Col-galt1 mRNA expression were observed in liver,lung,or spleen tissues between the two groups.Addition-ally,immunohistochemistry was employed to detect Colgalt1 expression in liver-specific macrophages,re-vealing an absence of Colgalt l-positive staining in liver macrophages from knockout mice.HE staining was used to observe cellular morphology in liver tissues from both groups of mice,showing no significant differences in cellular morphology or obvious pathological changes in tissues and organs.Moreover,the o-verall survival of the mice was not affected.Finally,RT-qPCR was used to assess the expression of mac-rophage-related inflammatory factors in BMDMs from both groups of mice.The results indicated that com-pared to controls,knockout mice exhibited downregulated expression of TNF-α(P<0.05)and signifi-cantly upregulated expression of IL-10(P<0.01),Arginase1(P<0.001),and CD206(P<0.001)in BMDMs,suggesting an anti-inflammatory trend and M2 polarization of macrophages following Colgalt 1 knockout.In summary,this study successfully established a macrophage-specific Colgalt1 gene knockout mouse model,providing a more reliable experimental animal model for in-depth exploration of the specific roles of Colgalt1 in macrophage functional regulation and the pathogenesis of tumor-related diseases.This model holds promise for identifying novel therapeutic targets and strategies for tumors and other diseases.
8.Clinical efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin pill in patients with unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes mellitus:A meta-analysis
Xiang GAO ; Fang-yuan LIU ; Xiao-zhen HAN ; Dong-qian SUN ; Chuan-liang LIU
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(5):635-640
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Shexiang Baoxin pill in patients with unstable angina pectoris(UAP)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)using meta-analysis.Methods:We searched the databases including Pubmed,Web of Science,EMbase,EBSCO,Cochrane,CBM,CNKI and Wanfang for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)about the therapeutic effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on patients with UAP and T2DM from the establish-ment to January 20th,2023.RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform meta-analysis to investigate the effect of Shexiang Baoxin pill on angina improvement and blood glucose fluctuation in patients with UAP and T2DM.Results:Six eligible literatures were included,including 346 patients in Shexiang Baoxin pill group and control group respec-tively.The results of meta-analysis showed that compared to participants in control group,those in Shexiang Baox-in pill group had significantly higher clinical overall efficiency(OR=3.13,95%CI 2.01~4.89,P<0.001),and significantly lower angina attack frequency(MD=-0.66,95%CI-0.79~-0.52,P<0.001),duration of angi-na(MD=-3.10,95%CI-4.11~-2.09,P<0.001),and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose(MD=-1.79,95%CI-2.00~-1.57,P<0.001).Conclusion:Shexiang Baoxin pill could improve clinical overall efficiency,an-gina attack frequency and duration,and reduce 2-hour postprandial blood glucose in patients with unstable angina pectoris and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
9.Effects of heated iodophor disinfection on body temperature and bleeding in elderly patients undergoing radical mastectomy
Shan-shan TAN ; Xiao HAN ; Wen-wen HE ; Qiong LIU ; Zhen TIAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(3):241-244
Objective To determine the effects of heated iodophor disinfection on intraoperative body temperature and bleeding in elderly patients undergoing radical mastectomy.Methods A total of 78 elderly patients who underwent unilateral radical mastectomy in Suqian Hospital of Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from September 2022 to August 2024 were selected as the study subjects,and they were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 39 cases in each group.The control group and the observation group were disinfected with iodophor at temperature of 23℃and heated to 37℃before surgery,respectively.The qualified skin disinfection,incision infection,body temperature,adverse reactions during the recovery period,intraoperative bleeding volume,postoperative drainage bleeding volume,and hemoglobin levels of patients of the two groups were compared.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the qualified rate of skin disinfection or incision infection rate between of patients the two groups(P>0.05).At 30 minutes after disinfection,60 minutes after disinfection,and at the end of surgery,the body temperature of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The incidences of intraoperative hypothermia,delayed awakening,and shivering reaction of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The intraoperative bleeding volume and postoperative drainage bleeding volume of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The hemoglobin level 3 days after surgery of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with the routine use of 23℃iodophor to disinfect the skin of elderly patients undergoing radical mastectomy,the use of iodophor heated to 37℃does not affect the disinfection effect and incision infection,and the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia in patients is lower,which is conducive to reduce the amount of intraoperative bleeding and the incidence of adverse reactions during the recovery period.
10.PD-L1 inhibits and regulates liver CD8+IFN-γ+ T cells to damage liver function and participate in atherosclerosis
Xiao LIU ; Xin WU ; Zi-yi ZHEN ; Jia-ying ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):638-645
Aim To study the effect of anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody on high-fat diet-induced athero-sclerosis in ApoE-/-mice.Methods Twenty-four ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into the normal group,high-fat group,and high-fat+anti-PD-L1 mAb group.After 70 days,the blood samples were harves-ted.Blood vessels(aortic root to abdominal aorta)and liver from each groups were stained with Oil Red O.Hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)was employed to vis-ualize structural changes in liver.Enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the serum levels of total cholesterol(CHO),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-c)and inflammatory factors(IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1 β).Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of lymphocytes(CD4 and CD8).RT-PCR was utilized to assess the expressions of IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1 β,CD4 and CD8 in liver.Results Compared with the high-fat group,the treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody promoted vascular wall and liver lipid accumulation,and also up-regulated serum and liver content of cholesterol(CHO),triglyceride(TG)and high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c).Treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody up-regulated the con-tent of alanine aminotransferase(GPT)and aspartate aminotransferase(GOT)in serum and liver,but not al-kaline phosphatase(AKP).ELISA test indicated that treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody stimu-lated the serum level of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1 β.Fur-thermore,the mRNA level of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1 βin liver was also up-regulated after treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody.With flow cytometry,we observed that treatment with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody promoted hepatic CD8+T and CD8+IFN-γ+T cell activation,but had no effect on CD4+IFN-γ+T cell activation under high-fat feeding conditions.Con-clusions Anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody adminis-tered under high-fat feeding conditions can damage liv-er function and aggravate atherosclerosis by activating liver CD8+IFN-γ+T cells.

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