1.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid alleviates inflammation in C2C12 myoblasts through the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway
Huihui JI ; Xu JIANG ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yunhong XING ; Liangliang WANG ; Na LI ; Yuting SONG ; Xuguang LUO ; Huilin CUI ; Ximei CAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1220-1229
BACKGROUND:Rev-erbα is involved in the regulation of inflammation,but pharmacological activation of Rev-erbα increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.To reduce the relevant risk,an exploration on SR9009,a Rev-erbα agonist,combined with other drugs to relieve inflammation in skeletal myoblasts was conducted,laying the theoretical foundation for the treatment of inflammation-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship of SR9009,indolepropionic acid and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced C2C12 myoblasts. METHODS:(1)C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate in the presence of lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL).RNA-seq and KEGG pathway analysis were used to study signaling pathways.(2)C2C12 myoblast viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay to determine optimal concentrations of indolepropionic acid.Subsequently,cells were categorized into control group,lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)group,SR9009(10 μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,indolepropionic acid(80μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,and SR9009+indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.ELISA was employed to measure protein expression levels of interleukin-6 in the cultured supernatant.Real-time quantitative PCR were employed to measure mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Western blot assay were employed to measure protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65.(3)After Rev-erbα was knocked down by siRNA,knockdown efficiency was assessed by RT-qPCR.And mRNA levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were also measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,lipopolysaccharide time-dependently inhibited myofibroblast fusion to form myotubes,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were elevated,and the level of interleukin-6 in the cell supernatant was significantly increased.The results of KEGG pathway showed that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was activated by lipopolysaccharide.Indolepropionic acid exhibited significant suppression of C2C12 myoblasts viability when its concentration exceeded 80 μmol/L.Indolepropionic acid and SR9009 inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby played an anti-inflammatory role,and suppressed the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression were downregulated.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid notably reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation,further downregulated the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.The ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression was significantly lower than that in the SR9009+lipopolysaccharide group or indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.Rev-erbα increases time-dependently with lipopolysaccharide induction.The knockdown efficiency of Rev-erbα by siRNA reached over 58%,and lipopolysaccharide was added after Rev-erbα was successfully knocked down.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly up-regulated.These results conclude that Rev-erbα may act as a promising pharmacological target to reduce inflammation.SR9009 targeted activation of Rev-erbα combined with indolepropionic acid significantly inhibits the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and attenuates the inflammatory response of C2C12 myofibroblasts.Moreover,the combined anti-inflammatory effect is superior to that of the intervention alone.
2.Embracing Internal States: A Review of Optimization of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treating Depression.
Tingting WU ; Qiuxuan YU ; Ximei ZHU ; Yinjiao LI ; Mingyue ZHANG ; Jiahui DENG ; Lin LU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(5):866-880
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a rapid and effective therapy for major depressive disorder; however, there is significant variability in therapeutic outcomes both within and across individuals, with approximately 50% of patients showing no response to rTMS treatment. Many studies have personalized the stimulation parameters of rTMS (e.g., location and intensity of stimulation) according to the anatomical and functional structure of the brain. In addition to these parameters, the internal states of the individual, such as circadian rhythm, behavior/cognition, neural oscillation, and neuroplasticity, also contribute to the variation in rTMS effects. In this review, we summarize the current literature on the interaction between rTMS and internal states. We propose two possible methods, multimodal treatment, and adaptive closed-loop treatment, to integrate patients' internal states to achieve better rTMS treatment for depression.
Humans
;
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/methods*
;
Depressive Disorder, Major/physiopathology*
;
Neuronal Plasticity/physiology*
;
Brain/physiopathology*
3.Correlations of CALLY index in early pregnancy with the onset and severity of preeclampsia
Yanhua NIU ; Ximei WANG ; Yi LIU ; Yumeng WANG ; Jinghan ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(4):97-102
Objective To investigate the correlations of CALLY index in early pregnancy with the onset and severity of preeclampsia.Methods A total of 987 pregnant women were prospectively en-rolled as study subjects,with 42 lost during follow-up,resulting in a final inclusion of 945 subjects.Based on the occurrence and severity of preeclampsia during follow-up,the pregnant women were di-vided into preeclampsia group(n=47),severe preeclampsia group(n=49),and normal group(n=849).General information and laboratory test results were collected from all pregnant women,and the CALLY index was calculated.The Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation be-tween CALLY index and severity of preeclampsia(mean arterial pressure);the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze the predictive efficacy of each indicator for pre-eclampsia;Cox regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the onset of preeclamp-sia.Results The mean arterial pressure and 24-hour urine protein levels were higher in the severe pre-eclampsia group than those in the preeclampsia group and normal group,and higher in the preeclampsia group than those in the normal group(P<0.05).The CALLY index was lower in the severe preeclamp-sia group than in the preeclampsia group and normal group,and lower in the preeclampsia group than in the normal group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between CALLY index and mean arterial pressure(r=-0.571,P<0.001).The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of CALLY index for predicting preeclampsia was 0.941(95%CI,0.900 to 0.981).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that an increased CALLY index was an independent protective factor for the onset of preeclampsia(HR=0.185,95%CI,0.092 to 0.374,P<0.001).Conclusion The CALLY index is negatively correlated with the severity of preeclampsia and is an independent influencing factor for the onset of preeclampsia,which can be used as an auxiliary indicator to assess the onset and severity of preeclampsia in pregnant women.
4.Clinical manifestations and genetic variation analysis in six Chinese pedigrees affected with Stargardt disease.
Lijuan ZHANG ; Tao MA ; Ruiqi ZHANG ; Ximei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(5):547-555
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the correlation between clinical manifestations and genetic variations in six Chinese Stargardt disease pedigrees.
METHODS:
Six Stargardt disease pedigrees due to ABCA4 gene variants that visited Shanxi Eye Hospital from June 2021 June 2023 were selected as the study subjects. A retrospective study method was used to collect the clinical and family history data of all members of these pedigrees. Peripheral venous blood samples of the examinees were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted for trio-WES. Candidate variants of the ABCA4 gene were verified by family Sanger sequencing. According to the "Standards and Guidelines for the Classification of Sequence Variants" (hereinafter referred to as the "ACMG Guidelines") formulated by American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant sites of the ABCA4 gene were classified for pathogenicity. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shanxi Eye Hospital (Ethics No. SXYYLL-20200620).
RESULTS:
From June 2021 to June 2023, 7 patients (patient 1 to 7) from families with Stargardt disease with ABCA4 variants were selected as the study subjects. The age of the patients was between 7 to 53 years old, and the age of onset was between their 6 to 15 years old. All patients had exhibited moderate-to-severe visual impairment with macular atrophy, and yellow white spots were seen in all patients except patient II2 in family 5. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) results showed that all patients' macular fovea was significantly thinner, with IS/OS or ellipsoid zone disappeared. Autofluorescence showed low autofluorescence in the macula, and abnormalities dot autofluorescence in the paramacular and periphery retina. ERG grouping classified three pedigrees as Group 3, two as Group 1, and one as Group 2. Genetic analysis results showed that all pedigrees had autosomal recessive inheritance, five had compound heterozygous variants in the ABCA4, and one had homozygous variants. In total 11 pathogenic mutations were detected in the ABCA4 gene, of which 3 were found for the first time, including p.Glu1704Gly, p.Gly1965Glu and p.Ser1531Phe. Patients carrying nonsense or frameshift mutations include patient 1 (family 1, II1), patient 2 (family 1, II2), patient 4 (family 3, II1), patient 6 (family 5, II2), and patient 7 (family 6, II1), whose clinical manifestations are more severe than those of patient 3 (family 2, II2) and patient 5 (family 4, II1), whom carried missense mutations in terms of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) damage.
CONCLUSION
The ABCA4 gene variations may be the genetic cause of the Stargardt disease in this study, and the discovery of the ABCA4 gene p.Glu1704Gly, p.Gly1965Glu, p.Ser1531Phe variants has enriched the mutational spectrum of Stargardt disease.
Adolescent
;
Adult
;
Child
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Young Adult
;
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/genetics*
;
China
;
Genetic Variation
;
Macular Degeneration/congenital*
;
Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Stargardt Disease/genetics*
;
East Asian People/genetics*
5.Application of three-dimensional printing in cartilage tissue engineering
Shuying YU ; Yu LI ; Xinhao CHENG ; Yijun ZHANG ; Zheng LIU ; Chengxiang YAN ; Baihui XIE ; Ximei WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(1):99-106
In the past decades, significant progress has been achived in cartilage regeneration. The traditional techniques for constructing tissue engineering cartilage scaffold mainly include pore agent method (or template method), phase separation method, gas foaming method, freeze-drying method, electrospinning method, etc. Cartilage is heterogeneous, and it is difficult for traditional scaffolds to simulate the high anisotropy of cartilage. Therefore, functional regeneration of cartilage is challenging. With the progress of three-dimensional(3D) printing technology, it is possible to prepare functional bionic scaffolds with fine structure and gradient changes through co-deposition of biomaterials, cells and active biomolecules, so as to achieve functional cartilage regeneration. This article reviewed 3D printing technology of cartilage tissue engineering, and the application of 3D printing technology in cartilage regeneration at different anatomical positions (articular cartilage, auricle cartilage, nasal cartilage). In addition, the importance of preparing bionic constructs with regional structure gradient and regional composition gradient was discussed. 3D bioprinting technology, 4D printing techniques, smart biomaterials brought hope for the construction of bionic tissues and organs.
6.Application of three-dimensional printing in cartilage tissue engineering
Shuying YU ; Yu LI ; Xinhao CHENG ; Yijun ZHANG ; Zheng LIU ; Chengxiang YAN ; Baihui XIE ; Ximei WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(1):99-106
In the past decades, significant progress has been achived in cartilage regeneration. The traditional techniques for constructing tissue engineering cartilage scaffold mainly include pore agent method (or template method), phase separation method, gas foaming method, freeze-drying method, electrospinning method, etc. Cartilage is heterogeneous, and it is difficult for traditional scaffolds to simulate the high anisotropy of cartilage. Therefore, functional regeneration of cartilage is challenging. With the progress of three-dimensional(3D) printing technology, it is possible to prepare functional bionic scaffolds with fine structure and gradient changes through co-deposition of biomaterials, cells and active biomolecules, so as to achieve functional cartilage regeneration. This article reviewed 3D printing technology of cartilage tissue engineering, and the application of 3D printing technology in cartilage regeneration at different anatomical positions (articular cartilage, auricle cartilage, nasal cartilage). In addition, the importance of preparing bionic constructs with regional structure gradient and regional composition gradient was discussed. 3D bioprinting technology, 4D printing techniques, smart biomaterials brought hope for the construction of bionic tissues and organs.
7.Expression of miR-146a in CD4+T lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines
Bo LI ; Qiuxia HU ; Ximei WU ; Ruonan SHE ; Jinhui TAN ; Junjia LUO ; Haitao YANG ; Haoru ZHANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(10):1249-1254
Objective·To investigate the expression of miR-146a in peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6).Methods·A total of 30 active RA patients who received medical treatment and 30 healthy controls who underwent physical examinations at the People's Hospital of Longhua,Shenzhen from August 2019 to July 2021 were selected.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)and CD4+T lymphocytes were isolated from venous blood extracted from RA patients and healthy controls,respectively.Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)was used to detect the expression of miR-146a in peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6.After transfection of the peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of RA patients with miR-146a mimic,the expression of miR-146a,TNF-α and IL-6 was detected again.The correlations between miR-146a expression and TNF-α and IL-6 expression in RA patients,both before and after transfection,were analyzed by using Pearson correlation coefficient.Results·Before transfection with miR-146a mimic,the expression levels of miR-146a,TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of RA patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls(all P<0.001).After transfection,the expression of miR-146a in peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of RA patients was significantly higher,and the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly lower(all P<0.001).The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression of miR-146a in peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of RA patients,both before and after transfection,was positively correlated with the expression of TNF-α and IL-6,respectively(r=0.959,P<0.001;r=0.916,P<0.001;r=0.971,P<0.001;r=0.861,P<0.001).Conclusion·miR-146a can regulate the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of RA patients,indicating that miR-146a may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA.
8.Optimal method for preparing frozen skeletal muscle tissue sections
Jieyun ZHANG ; Xingyu LU ; Jinfang LIU ; Ximei CAO ; Na LI ; Junhong SUN ; Xinhua LIANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(10):64-71
Objective To explore the optimal method for preparing fresh and fixed skeletal muscle tissues,and to lay an experimental foundation for the rapid diagnosis of and research into the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle diseases.Methods The tibialis anterior muscle was extracted from C57BL/6J mice.Fresh tissue was treated by direct rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen,embedding combined with liquid nitrogen freezing,and foreign body alkane treatment combined with liquid nitrogen freezing.Fixed tissues were pre-treated by direct embedding with embedding agent combined with rapid liquid nitrogen freezing.The frozen sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.The cross-sectional areas of ice crystals and muscle fibers were calculated to evaluate the effects of the different pre-treatment method.Results The morphology of the muscle fiber bundles was disrupted and numerous ice crystal vacuoles were observed in fresh tissues after direct liquid nitrogen freezing and foreign body alkane treatment combined with liquid nitrogen freezing.In contrast,the muscle fiber bundles were intact and dense and there were no ice crystals in tissues treated with embedding agent combined with rapid liquid nitrogen freezing,indicating that this pre-treatment method was suitable for preparing fresh skeletal muscle tissue.Fixed tissue treated with embedding agent and liquid nitrogen freezing also showed complete muscle fiber bundles and no ice crystals.Conclusions Treatment of fresh and fixed skeletal muscle tissues with embedding agent combined with rapid liquid nitrogen freezing preserves muscle fiber bundles,with no ice crystals.Tissues prepared by this method are thus suitable for further examinations,such as immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.This method will therefore aid the accurate and rapid diagnosis of and research into the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle diseases.
9.Application of three-dimensional printing in cartilage tissue engineering
Shuying YU ; Yu LI ; Xinhao CHENG ; Yijun ZHANG ; Zheng LIU ; Chengxiang YAN ; Baihui XIE ; Ximei WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2023;39(12):1277-1285
In the past decades, great progress has been made in cartilage regeneration. The traditional techniques for constructing tissue engineering cartilage scaffold mainly include pore agent method (or template method ) , phase separation method, gas foaming method, freeze-drying method , electrospinning method, etc. Cartilage is heterogeneous, and it is difficult for traditional scaffolds to simulate the high anisotropy of cartilage. Therefore, functional regeneration of cartilage is challenging. With the progress of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, it is possible to prepare functional bionic scaffolds with fine structure and gradient changes through co deposition of biomaterials, cells and active biomolecules, so as to achieve functional cartilage regeneration. This article reviews 3D printing technology of cartilage tissue engineering, and the application of 3D printing technology in cartilage regeneration at different anatomical positions (articular cartilage, auricle cartilage, nasal cartilage) . In addition, the importance of preparing bionic constructs with regional structure gradient and regional composition gradient was discussed. 3D bioprinting technology, 4 D printing techniques, smart biomaterials brought hope for the construction of bionic tissues and organs.
10.Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the scalp combined with cyst infection: a case report
Zheng LIU ; Jingxia ZHANG ; Ximei WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2023;39(12):1357-1361
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is commonly found in deep soft tissues, but cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions are relatively rare. The lack of specific symptoms and characteristic manifestations under the microscope makes the diagnosis and treatment of UPS difficult. In April 2022, a patient who was initially diagnosed with cyst infection of the scalp through superficial ultrasound and symptoms was admitted to the Medical Cosmetic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. After the lesion was resected through surgery, the pathological result showed that the lesion combined UPS. Subsequently, the patient underwent a tumor extended resection, followed by chemotherapy. After 8 months of follow-up, the patient’s prognosis was favorable. This case report aims to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous UPS by thoroughly reviewing the diagnostic and therapeutic process of this patient and systematically reviewing related literature.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail