1.A new pathway for the homing of asthma bone mesenchymal stem cells: miR-139/Notch1 axis regulates macrophage polarization
Kun WANG ; Haoxiang FANG ; Xiaomei CAO ; Ziheng ZHU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):264-269
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of miR-139/Notch1 axis and macrophage polarization in the homing changes of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in asthmatic rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of immune regulation by BMSCs during asthma. Methods30 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, model control group and BMSCs implantation group, with 10 rats in each group. BMSCs labeled with CFSE were infused into the body of asthmatic rats through the tail vein, and the homing status of BMSCs in asthmatic lung tissue was detected by flow cytometry. Changes in the proportion of inflammatory cells in alveolar lavage fluid were detected by Wright-Giemsa Stain; the levels of macrophage polarization cytokines IFN⁃γ,IL-13,CD80 and CD206 in rat serum were detected by ELISA; the miR-139, Notch1, NOS2, Arg1 and CXCR4 in lung tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the expression of serum CD80 and IFN⁃γ in the MC group decreased, while the expression of IL-13 and CD206 increased (P<0.01). The expression of miR⁃139 in lung tissue of MC group rats decreased, and the expression of macrophage polarization markers NOS2, Arg1, and homing marker CXCR4 genes increased (P<0.01). Compared with the MC group, the expression of IFN-γ of rats in BMSCs group increased, while the expression of IL-13 and CD206 decreased (P<0.01). The expression of miR⁃139, CXCR4, and SDF⁃1 mRNA in the lung tissue of rats of BMSCs group increased, while the expression of Notch1, NOS2, and Arg1 decreased (P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that CXCR4 was positively correlated with miR⁃139 (P<0.05), while CXCR4 was negatively correlated with Notch1 (P<0.05). SDF⁃1 and IFN⁃γ was a positively correlated (P<0.05), while SDF⁃1 was negatively correlated with Arg1 and CD206 (P<0.05). ConclusionThe miR⁃139/Notch1 axis can promote BMCs homing in asthmatic rats by affecting macrophage polarization in asthma.
2.Nursing care of 8 patients with severe immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonia complicated with respiratory failure
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(7):871-875
To summarize the nursing experience of 8 patients with non-small cell lung cancer with severe immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonia complicated with respiratory failure caused by programmed death receptor 1 inhibitor.Nursing points:implementing target-oriented oxygenation management to reduce the risk of lung injury;bundled care measures should be taken to prevent pulmonary infection and infection aggravation;closely observing the changes of the disease,early identification and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding and hypocalcemia;regular follow-up and health education to improve the ability of disease self-monitoring and management.After careful treatment and nursing,6 cases recovered and were discharged from hospital,while 2 cases gave up treatment;after 1 to 6 weeks of follow-up,5 cases recovered well and 1 case died after 1 week.
3.Study on activation mechanism of SGCs in representation along the distribution of stomach meridian in IBS-D mice.
Na LI ; Junhui REN ; Lu GUAN ; Yashuang XU ; Liyan ZHONG ; Xiaomei SHAO ; Jianqiao FANG ; Junying DU ; Junfan FANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(5):593-600
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the peripheral neural mechanism underlying representation along the distribution of stomach meridian induced by intestinal inflammatory reaction using diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) mice.
METHODS:
Among 62 healthy male C57BL/6 mice of clean grade, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a control group and a model group, 6 mice in each group, additionally, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a Tianshu group, a Liangqiu group and a Zusanli group, 4 mice in each group. In the model group, citrobacter was administered orally to establish IBS-D model. In the control group and the model group, the visceral pain threshold was observed using fecal colorectal distension (fCRD) induced electromyography of external oblique muscle, the positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining, the number, location and distribution rule of Evans blue (EB) extravasation points were observed by injection of EB staining solution into the tail vein. In the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, fluorescent dye Dil was injected at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), "Liangqiu" (ST34) and "Zusanli" (ST36) respectively, to observe the dye-positive cell number in different dorsal root ganglion (DRG) segments. In the control group and the model group, the activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in different DRG segments was observed by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS:
Compared with the control group, in the model group, the area under curve of electromyography of external oblique muscle was increased at fCRD of 25, 50 and 75 μL distilled water (P<0.001, P<0.01); the MPO-positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was increased (P<0.01). Few EB extravasation points could be found in the control group, while there were much more EB extravasation points observed in the model group, which was specially distribution in the area of stomach meridian, from "Huaroumen" (ST24) to "Zusanli" (ST36), as well as the surface area dominated by L2-L5 segment of the spinal cord. The Dil-positive cells were mainly exhibited in the DRG of T11, L5 and L4 segments in the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the ratio of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/glutamine synthetase (GS) co-expression was increased in the DRG of T11, L4 and L5 segments in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
The activation of SGCs within DRG of T11, L4 and L5 segments may relate closely to the occurrence of the representation along the stomach meridian distribution in IBS-D mice.
Animals
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Male
;
Mice
;
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Meridians
;
Stomach/physiopathology*
;
Humans
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Acupuncture Points
;
Disease Models, Animal
4.Observation of the effect of Yanghe Pingchuan granules on the homing of BMSCs in asthma based on FTO regulation of Notch1 pathway.
Kun WANG ; Haoxiang FANG ; Xiaomei CAO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(7):585-592
Objective To observe the effect of m6A methylation regulation on Notch1 pathway on the homing of BMSCs in asthma, and the intervention study of traditional Chinese medicine compound Yanghe Pingchuan Granules. Methods Rat bone mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC)and bronchial epithelial cells were cocultured. The extracted cells were divided into: bronchial epithelial cell group, asthma bronchial epithelial cell+mesenchymal stem cell co-culture group (co-culture group), co-culture cell+normal serum group, coculture cell+serum containing optimal drug group, siRNA FTO+normal serum group, siRNA FTO-NC+normal serum group, and siRNA FTO+serum containing optimal drug group. The vitality and cell cycle changes of co-cultured cells were detected. The level and markers of homing BMSC were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of Notch1 pathway related genes were detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of Notch1 pathway related proteins were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with bronchial epithelial cell group, the co-cultured cell group showed an increase in the homing level of BMSCs and the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), Notch1, transcription factor recombination signal binding protein-J (RBP-J), and hairy enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) proteins. Compared with the co-cultured cell group and co-cultured cell+normal serum group, the co-cultured cell+serum containing optimal drug group showed an increase in the homing level of BMSCs and the expressions of CXCR4 and SDF-1, while the protein and mRNA levels of Notch1 and Hes1 decreased. Compared with the siRNA FTO-NC+normal serum group, the siRNA FTO+normal serum group showed an increase in the levels of Notch1, activated Notch1, RBP-J, Hes1 protein, and cell viability, while the level of homing BMSC decreased. Compared with siRNA FTO+normal serum group, the levels of Notch1, RBP-J mRNA, activated Notch1, and Hes1 protein decreased, while the level of homing BMSCs increased in siRNA FTO+serum containing optimal drug group. The levels of Notch1, RBP-J, and Hes1 mRNA were reduced in the co-cultured cells+serum containing optimal drug group. Compared with siRNA FTO+serum containing optimal drug group, the expressions of Notch1, activated Notch1, RBP-J, Hes1 protein and cell viability decreased, while the level of homing BMSCs increased in the co-cultured cells+serum containing optimal drug group. Conclusion Yanghe Pingchuan Granules may promote the homing of BMSCs in asthma and alleviate asthma inflammation by upregulating the expression of FTO and inhibiting the expression of downstream genes in the Notch1 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Receptor, Notch1/genetics*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
;
Asthma/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
Coculture Techniques
;
Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics*
;
Epithelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Cells, Cultured
;
Male
5.Research progress on the role of vitamin D and its signaling pathway in disease development
Xiaomei ZHANG ; Hui YE ; Fang YANG ; Rui MIN ; Yeqing TONG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(4):456-466
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin primarily synthesized through skin exposure to ultraviolet B irradiation and dietary intake.Its biological effects are not limited to the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism but also involve a variety of physiological functions such as immune modulation,anti-inflammation,and anti-tumor.In recent years,as research deepens,the role of the vitamin D signaling pathway in various diseases has been gradually revealed,and its regulatory mechanisms are complex and diverse.This paper systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms underlying the vitamin D signaling pathway,including the two-step hydroxylation activation process of vitamin D,the regulation of gene transcription mediated by the vitamin D receptor(VDR),the homeostatic regulation involving vitamin D-binding protein and metabolic enzymes such as 1α-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase,and interactions with other signaling pathways,including NF-κB,Wnt,and Hedgehog.This study highlights the role of vitamin D in various multi-system diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease,diabetes and its complications,obesity,cardiovascular disease,colorectal cancer,breast cancer,among others.The systematic cognitive framework for understanding the vitamin D signaling pathway was conducted,providing a theoretical basis for precision treatment strategies targeting VDR.
6.The lnhibition of AC16 Cardiomyocyte Proliferation by Quercetin through Suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Xiaomei ZHONG ; Fang SHEN ; Da WO ; Jun PENG ; Weidong ZHU ; Danni REN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(3):643-651
Objective To explore the relationship between the inhibitory effect of quercetin on AC16 cardiomyocyte proliferation and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,the relationship between quercetin(quercetin,QCT)and the proliferation of AC16 cardiomyocytes through in vitro was investigated.Methods AC16 cells were stimulated with different concentrations of QCT.The effects of QCT on AC16 cell proliferation were detected by inverted microscope photography,trypan blue counting,and CCK-8 assay.Western blot was used to detect the effects of QCT on the expression of phosphorylated β-catenin(p-β-catenin),c-Myc,β-catenin,low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5(LRP5),and LRP6.The effect of quercetin on cell proliferation was detected after overexpressing β-catenin ΔN,LRP5,and LRP6 genes,and after silencing LRP5 and LRP6 genes by trypan blue counting.Results Compared with the control group,QCT could decrease the number of AC16 cells and inhibit the proliferation rate,which was concentration-dependent.At the protein expression level,10 and 20 μmol/L QCT led to an significant upregulated modification of p-β-catenin protein(P<0.05)and significant downregulation of c-Myc,β-catenin,LRP5,and LRP6 protein expression(P<0.05)in AC16 cells.Therefore,10 μmol/L QCT was chosen as the intervention concentration.Overexpression of β-catenin ΔN,LRP5,and LRP6 genes in AC16 cells significantly rescued the cell proliferation inhibition caused by 10 μmol/L QCT compared to the drug-only group(P<0.05).Conversely,silencing LRP5 and LRP6 genes led to inhibition of AC16 cell proliferation,and the combination with 10 μmol/L QCT did not exacerbate the inhibition(P>0.05).Conclusion The quercetin could inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via significant downregulation of LRP5/6,thereby attenuate cell proliferation of AC16 cardiomyocytes.
7.Correlation between PCSK9,MIF and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in pa-tients with coronary heart disease
Xin AN ; Binbin FANG ; Xiaolin YU ; Fen LIU ; Qian XIE ; Xiaomei LI ; Yining YANG
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(5):419-426
Aim To explore the relationship between serum levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9),macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)and the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with coro-nary heart disease(CHD).Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 139 patients with CHD and 69 control subjects who underwent coronary angiography during the same period,all of whom were admitted to the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from November 2023 to May 2024.Clinical data and coronary angiography results were collected,and the severity of coronary artery stenosis was quantitatively assessed using the Gensini score.Pa-tients with the Gensini scores>0 were classified into three groups based on tertiles:the mild stenosis group(1~18 points,54 cases),the moderate stenosis group(19~36 points,54 cases),and the severe stenosis group(>36 points,54 ca-ses).Serum levels of PCSK9 and MIF were measured by ELISA kit.Results Serum levels of PCSK9 and MIF were significantly higher in the CHD group than those in the control group(P<0.05).Multivariable Logistic regression analy-sis revealed that high levels of serum PCSK9 and MIF were independent risk factors for CHD.Spearman correlation analy-sis showed that serum PCSK9 and MIF levels were positively correlated with Gensini score(rs=0.619 6 and r,=0.411 4,both P<0.001).Further subgroup analysis showed that serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol lev-els were significantly increased in patients with high-level PCSK9,while patients with high-level MIF had higher inflamma-tory coefficients such as systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII)(all P<0.05).Conclusion Serum levels of PCSK9 and MIF are positively correlated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis.High levels of serum PCSK9 and MIF are independent risk factors for CHD.
8.Correlation between PCSK9,MIF and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in pa-tients with coronary heart disease
Xin AN ; Binbin FANG ; Xiaolin YU ; Fen LIU ; Qian XIE ; Xiaomei LI ; Yining YANG
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(5):419-426
Aim To explore the relationship between serum levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9),macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)and the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with coro-nary heart disease(CHD).Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 139 patients with CHD and 69 control subjects who underwent coronary angiography during the same period,all of whom were admitted to the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from November 2023 to May 2024.Clinical data and coronary angiography results were collected,and the severity of coronary artery stenosis was quantitatively assessed using the Gensini score.Pa-tients with the Gensini scores>0 were classified into three groups based on tertiles:the mild stenosis group(1~18 points,54 cases),the moderate stenosis group(19~36 points,54 cases),and the severe stenosis group(>36 points,54 ca-ses).Serum levels of PCSK9 and MIF were measured by ELISA kit.Results Serum levels of PCSK9 and MIF were significantly higher in the CHD group than those in the control group(P<0.05).Multivariable Logistic regression analy-sis revealed that high levels of serum PCSK9 and MIF were independent risk factors for CHD.Spearman correlation analy-sis showed that serum PCSK9 and MIF levels were positively correlated with Gensini score(rs=0.619 6 and r,=0.411 4,both P<0.001).Further subgroup analysis showed that serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol lev-els were significantly increased in patients with high-level PCSK9,while patients with high-level MIF had higher inflamma-tory coefficients such as systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII)(all P<0.05).Conclusion Serum levels of PCSK9 and MIF are positively correlated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis.High levels of serum PCSK9 and MIF are independent risk factors for CHD.
9.Screening for Myocardial Infarction Biomarkers Using Plasma Proteomics:a Mendelian Randomization Study With Validation in Animal Models and Human Populations
Xing ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Qian XIE ; Binbin FANG ; Chongyang ZHANG ; Long ZHAO ; Yining YANG ; Xiaomei LI ; Xianpei WANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(11):1066-1075
Objectives:This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between plasma proteins and myocardial infarction(MI)using two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis,identify key biomarkers,and validate their expression.Methods:The study utilized publicly available genome-wide association study(GWAS)data of 4 907 plasma proteins as the exposure factor,with single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)as instrumental variables,and four MI datasets as outcomes.Two-sample MR analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighted(IVW)method,complemented by simple model,weighted model,weighted median estimator(WME),and MR-Egger regression methods to assess the causal relationship between exposure factors and outcomes.Venn diagrams and word clouds were used to screen proteins associated with MI as candidate biomarkers.Reverse MR analysis was conducted to evaluate reverse causality.Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the results.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was used to validate the expression of proteasome activator subunit 1(PSME1)and vacuolar protein sorting 29(VPS29)in the aorta of mice,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to verify the expression of PSME1 and VPS29 in plasma from patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Results:The two-sample MR analysis indicated that PSME1 was significantly negatively associated with myocardial infarction in all four datasets,with OR(95%CI)of 0.684(0.557-0.839),0.990(0.987-0.993),0.579(0.448-0.748),and 0.993(0.990-0.996),respectively,with all P<0.001.Similarly,VPS29 also showed a significant negative association with MI in all four datasets,with OR(95%CI)of 0.902(0.862-0.945),0.998(0.997-0.999),0.866(0.808-0.929),and 0.998(0.997-0.999),respectively,with all P<0.001.Reverse MR analysis did not detect reverse causality,and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results.IHC results showed significantly reduced expression of PSME1 and VPS29 in the aortas of AMI mice with an atherosclerotic background compared to control mice(both P<0.05).ELISA results indicated significantly lower plasma levels of PSME1 and VPS29 in AMI patients compared to healthy controls(both P<0.05).Conclusions:Higher levels of PSME1 and VPS29 are negatively associated with the risk of MI,suggesting that PSME1 and VPS29 may serve as protective biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases.
10.Effect of electroacupuncture on the expression of TRPV4 in the dorsal root ganglion of diabetic neuropathic pain model rats
Minjian JIANG ; Hengyu CHI ; Yurong KANG ; Yongliang JIANG ; Yinmu ZHENG ; Siyi LI ; Shuting ZHOU ; Boyu LIU ; Xiaomei SHAO ; Jianqiao FANG ; Xiaofen HE
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):241-248
Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4~L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4~L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4~L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.

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