1.Comprehensive Analysis of the Expression, Prognosis and Function of TRAF Family Proteins in NSCLC.
Yixuan WANG ; Qiang CHEN ; Yaguang FAN ; Shuqi TU ; Yang ZHANG ; Xiuwen ZHANG ; Hongli PAN ; Xuexia ZHOU ; Xuebing LI
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(3):183-194
BACKGROUND:
Currently, lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high morbidity and mortality all over the world. However, the exact mechanisms underlying lung cancer progression remain unclear. The tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF) family members are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, which function as both adaptor proteins and ubiquitin ligases to regulate diverse receptor signalings, leading to the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) signaling. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of TRAFs in different tissues and cancer types, as well as its mRNA expression, protein expression, prognostic significance and functional enrichment analysis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in order to provide new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.
METHODS:
RNA sequencing data from the The Genotype-Tissue Expression database was used to analyze the expression patterns of TRAF family members in different human tissues. RNA sequencing data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database was used to analyze the expression patterns of TRAF family members in different types of cancer cell lines. RNA sequencing data from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyze the mRNA levels of TRAF family members across different types of human cancers. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses from HPA database were used to analyze the TRAF protein levels in NSCLC [lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC)]. Overall survival analysis was performed by Log-rank test using original data from Kaplan-Meier Plotter database to evaluate the correlation between TRAF expressions and prognosis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the TRAF family-related genes using RNA sequencing data from the TCGA database for NSCLC. The correlation between the expression levels of TRAF family members and the tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed using the ESTIMATE algorithm based on RNA sequencing data from the TCGA database.
RESULTS:
The TRAF family members exhibited significant tissue-specific expression heterogeneity. TRAF2, TRAF3, TRAF6 and TRAF7 were widely expressed in most tissues, while the expressions of TRAF1, TRAF4 and TRAF5 were restricted to specific tissues. The expressions of TRAF family members were highly specific among different types of cancer cell lines. In mRNA database of LUAD and LUSC, the expressions of TRAF2, TRAF4, TRAF5 and TRAF7 were significantly upregulated; while TRAF6 did the opposite; moveover, TRAF1 and TRAF3 only displayed a significant upregulation in LUAD and LUSC, respectively. Except for TRAF3, TRAF4 and TRAF7, other TRAF proteins displayed an obviously deeper IHC staining in LUAD and LUSC tissues compared with normal tissues. Additionally, patients with higher expression levels of TRAF2, TRAF4 and TRAF7 had shorter overall survival; while patients with higher expression levels of TRAF3, TRAF5 and TRAF6 had significantly longer overall survival; however, no significant difference had been observed between TRAF1 expression and the overall survival. TRAF family members differentially regulated multiple pathways, including NF-κB, immune response, cell adhesion and RNA splicing. The expression levels of TRAF family members were closely associated with immune cell infiltration and stromal cell content in the tumor immune microenvironment, with varying positive and negative correlations among different members.
CONCLUSIONS
TRAF family members exhibit highly specific expression differences across different tissues and cancer types. Most TRAF proteins exhibit upregulation at both mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC, whereas, only upregulated expressions of TRAF2, TRAF4 and TRAF7 predict worse prognosis. The TRAF family members regulate processes such as inflammation, immunity, adhesion and splicing, and influence the tumor immune microenvironment.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology*
;
Lung Neoplasms/mortality*
;
Prognosis
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*
2.Research Progress in Closed-loop Insulin Delivery Systems
Xiangqian WEI ; Xiuwen ZHANG ; Yanfang WANG ; Xinwei WEI ; Juan ZHANG ; Kangfan JI ; Shiming ZHANG ; Zhen GU ; Jinqiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(10):1303-1312
Individuals with type 1 diabetes or advanced type 2 diabetes suffer insufficient insulin secretion, leading to symptoms of hyperglycemia. To maintain the normal blood glucose levels, those people with diabetes must administer insulin multiple times a day. However, insulin requirements are influenced by several factors such as diet, exercise, and illness, combined with the narrow therapeutic index, making accurate insulin dosage challenging. Excessive insulin administration can even pose life-threatening risks. In addition, frequent daily insulin injections place considerable physiological and psychological burdens on patients. To tackle these challenges, researchers have embarked on the development of closed-loop insulin delivery systems. These systems adjust insulin dosages in real-time changes based on the patient’s blood glucose levels, therefore enhancing both the safety and effectiveness of insulin therapy. This review categorizes closed-loop insulin delivery systems into two types: electronic-based and material-based systems, based on their compositional attributes. The exploration of both types covers their components, developmental history, clinical applications, current pros and cons, and future directions. The relative strengths and limitations of these two categories of closed-loop insulin delivery systems are also compared and discussed.
3.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific T-cell responses are induced in people living with human immunodeficiency virus after booster vaccination
Xiuwen WANG ; Yongzheng LI ; Junyan JIN ; Xiaoran CHAI ; Zhenglai MA ; Junyi DUAN ; Guanghui ZHANG ; Tao HUANG ; Xin ZHANG ; Tong ZHANG ; Hao WU ; Yunlong CAO ; Bin SU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(22):2734-2744
Background::T-cell-mediated immunity is crucial for the effective clearance of viral infection, but the T-cell-mediated immune responses that are induced by booster doses of inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) remain unclear.Methods::Forty-five PLWH who had received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than two years and 29 healthy controls (HCs) at Beijing Youan Hospital were enrolled to assess the dynamic changes in T-cell responses between the day before the third vaccine dose (week 0) and 4 or 12 weeks (week 4 or week 12) after receiving the third dose of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), and multiplex cytokines profiling were used to assess T-cell responses at the three timepoints in this study.Results::The results of the ELISpot and activation-induced marker (AIM) assays showed that SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses were increased in both PLWH and HCs after the third dose of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and a similar magnitude of immune response was induced against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant compared to the wild-type strain. In detail, spike-specific T-cell responses (measured by the ELISpot assay for interferon γ [IFN-γ] release) in both PLWH and HCs significantly increased in week 4, and the spike-specific T-cell responses in HCs were significantly stronger than those in PLWH 4 weeks after the third vaccination. In the AIM assay, spike-specific CD4 + T-cell responses peaked in both PLWH and HCs in week 12. Additionally, significantly higher spike-specific CD8 + T-cell responses were induced in PLWH than in HCs in week 12. In PLWH, the release of the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-22 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that were stimulated with spike peptides increased in week 12. In addition, the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 were higher in PLWH than in HCs in week 12. Interestingly, the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses in PLWH was negatively associated with the extent of CD8 + T-cell activation and exhaustion. In addition, positive correlations were observed between the magnitude of spike-specific T-cell responses (determined by measuring IFN-γ release by ELISpot) and the amounts of IL-4, IL-5, IL-2 and IL-17F. Conclusions::Our findings suggested that SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses could be enhanced by the booster dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines and further illustrate the importance of additional vaccination for PLWH.
4.Clinical characteristics and treatment in adults and children with histiocytic necroti-zing lymphadenitis
Xiuwen FEI ; Si LIU ; Bo WANG ; Aimei DONG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(3):533-540
Objective:To analyze the clinical data of histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis(HNL),comparing the similarities and differences between children and adults,to deepen the understanding of the disease by clinical physicians,and to improve diagnostic rate and reduce misdiagnosis and mistreat-ment.Methods:The clinical data of hospitalized patients with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis diagnosed by biopsy from January 2010 to August 2023 in Peking University First Hospital were collec-ted,and the clinical features,laboratory examinations,pathological features,treatments with antibiotics and glucocorticoids,and prognosis of histiocytic necrotic lymphadenitis were analyzed.Grouped based on age,the differences of clinical characteristics,laboratory tests,treatment,and prognosis between the children group(<16 years old)and the adult group(≥16 years old)were compared.Results:Among the 81 enrolled patients,there were 42 males and 39 females.The median age was 21(14,29)years,the median duration of disease was 20.0(13.0,30.0)days,and the median length of hospital stay was 13.0(10.0,15.0)days.The first symptoms were fever,lymphadenopathy,and both.All the patients had enlarged lymph nodes with different parts and sizes,96.3%(78 of 81)of the patients had cervical lymphadenopathy,50.6%(41 of 81)had bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy,55.6%(45 of 81)had supraclavicular,axillary or inguinal lymphadenopathy,and the median lymph node diameter was 20.0(20.0,30.0)mm.Only one patient had no fever,the other 80 patients had fever,the median peak body temperature was 39.0(38.0,39.8)℃.Accompanying symptoms:rash(8.6%,7/81),fatigue(34.6%,28/81),night sweating(8.6%,7/81),chills(25.3%,25/81),muscle soreness(13.6%,11/81),and joint pain(6.2%,5/81).There were 17 cases(21.0%,17/81)of hepatosplenomegaly,of which 12 cases(70.6%,12/17)were splenomegaly.68.8%(55/80)of patients had a decrease in white blood cell(WBC)count,with 47.5%(38/80)increased in lymphocyte(LY)proportion,53.4%(39/73)increased in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(CRP),79.2%(57/72)increased in erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),22.2%(18/81)increased in alanine transaminase(ALT),27.2%(22/81)elevated in aspartate transaminase(AST),and 81.6%(62/76)elevated in lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).All the 81 patients underwent lymph node biopsy,and 77.8%(63/81)of the patients showed that most of the structures in the lymph nodes were destroyed or disappeared,and 16.0%(13/81)of the lymph nodes were still in existence,hyperplasia and normal lymph node were 1.2%(1/81)respectively,and 3.7%(3/81)had normal lymph node structures.Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 67 cases.The percentages of CD3+and CD68(KP1)+were respectively 97.0%(65/67),and MPO+were 94.0%(63/67).In the study,51 patients(63.0%,51/81)were treated with glucocorticoid therapy after diagnosis.The median time for temperature to return to normal was 1.0(1.0,4.0)days after glu-cocorticoid therapy.when the glucocorticoid treatment worked best,the body temperature could drop to normal on the same day.There were significant differences in length of stay,predisposing factors,chills,the rate of increase in high-sensitivity CRP,antibiotic and glucocorticoid treatment between the adults and children groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:In clinical practice,if there are cases with unexplained fever,su-perficial lymph node enlargement,and reduced white blood cells as clinical characteristics,and general anti-biotics treatment is ineffective,histiocytic necrotic lymphadenitis should be considered.Lymph node biopsy should be performed as early as possible to clarify the diagnosis,reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment,and symptomatic treatment should be the main treatment.Glucocorticoids therapy has a definite therapeutic effect.
5.The role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity: Disruption of microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid metabolism.
Lijian CHEN ; Kaikai ZHANG ; Jiali LIU ; Xiuwen LI ; Yi LIU ; Hongsheng MA ; Jianzheng YANG ; Jiahao LI ; Long CHEN ; Clare HSU ; Jiahao ZENG ; Xiaoli XIE ; Qi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(11):4832-4857
Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is associated with significant neurotoxicity, high addiction potential, and behavioral abnormalities. Recent studies have identified a connection between the gut microbiota and METH-induced neurotoxicity and behavioral disorders. However, the underlying causal mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to METH pathophysiology remain largely unexplored. In this study, we employed fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and antibiotic (Abx) intervention to manipulate the gut microbiota in mice administered METH. Furthermore, we supplemented METH-treated mice with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and pioglitazone (Pio) to determine the protective effects on gut microbiota metabolism. Finally, we assessed the underlying mechanisms of the gut-brain neural circuit in vagotomized mice. Our data provide compelling evidence that modulation of the gut microbiome through FMT or microbiome knockdown by Abx plays a crucial role in METH-induced neurotoxicity, behavioral disorders, gut microbiota disturbances, and intestinal barrier impairment. Furthermore, our findings highlight a novel prevention strategy for mitigating the risks to both the nervous and intestinal systems caused by METH, which involves supplementation with SCFAs or Pio.
6.Multi-omics fusion analysis models with machine learning predict survival of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a multicenter prospective observational study.
Jiani WANG ; Yuwei LIU ; Renzhi ZHANG ; Zhenyu LIU ; Zongbi YI ; Xiuwen GUAN ; Xinming ZHAO ; Jingying JIANG ; Jie TIAN ; Fei MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(7):863-865
7.Research advances on neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.
Yuliang SHENG ; Wei SHAO ; Yuhao WANG ; Xiuwen KANG ; Rong HU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2023;35(11):1229-1232
Mechanical ventilation has, since its introduction into clinical practice, undergone a major evolution from controlled ventilation to diverse modes of assisted ventilation. Conventional mechanical ventilators depend on flow sensors and pneumatic pressure and controllers to complete the respiratory cycle. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a new form of assisted ventilation in recent years, which monitors the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) to provide an appropriately level of pressure support. And EAdi is the best available signal to sense central respiratory drive and trigger ventilatory assist. Unlike other ventilation modes, NAVA breathing instructions come from the center. Therefore, NAVA have the synchronous nature of the breaths and the patient-adjusted nature of the support. Compared with traditional ventilation mode, NAVA can efficiently unload respiratory muscles, relieve the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), improve patient-ventilator coordination, enhance gas exchange, increase the success rate of weaning, etc. This article reviews the research progress of NAVA in order to provide theoretical guidance for clinical applications.
Humans
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Interactive Ventilatory Support
;
Respiration, Artificial
;
Positive-Pressure Respiration
;
Diaphragm/physiology*
;
Respiratory Muscles/physiology*
8.Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids ameliorate methamphetamine-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in a Sigmar-1 receptor-dependent manner.
Kaikai ZHANG ; Lijian CHEN ; Jianzheng YANG ; Jiali LIU ; Jiahao LI ; Yi LIU ; Xiuwen LI ; Long CHEN ; Clare HSU ; Jiahao ZENG ; Xiaoli XIE ; Qi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(12):4801-4822
Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse can cause serious mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. The gut microbiota is a crucial contributor to maintaining host mental health. Here, we aim to investigate if microbiota participate in Meth-induced mental disorders, and the potential mechanisms involved. Here, 15 mg/kg Meth resulted in anxiety- and depression-like behaviors of mice successfully and suppressed the Sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1)/BDNF/TRKB pathway in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, Meth impaired gut homeostasis by arousing the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related colonic inflammation, disturbing the gut microbiome and reducing the microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Moreover, fecal microbiota from Meth-administrated mice mediated the colonic inflammation and reproduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in recipients. Further, SCFAs supplementation optimized Meth-induced microbial dysbiosis, ameliorated colonic inflammation, and repressed anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Finally, Sigmar1 knockout (Sigmar1-/-) repressed the BDNF/TRKB pathway and produced similar behavioral phenotypes with Meth exposure, and eliminated the anti-anxiety and -depression effects of SCFAs. The activation of SIGMAR1 with fluvoxamine attenuated Meth-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Our findings indicated that gut microbiota-derived SCFAs could optimize gut homeostasis, and ameliorate Meth-induced mental disorders in a SIGMAR1-dependent manner. This study confirms the crucial role of microbiota in Meth-related mental disorders and provides a potential preemptive therapy.
9.Mechanisms of imperatorin on regulating P-glycoprotein in blood-brain barrier based on network pharmacology and in vitro experi-ment
Yizhen SONG ; Wanxin YIN ; Yicong MA ; Yufan AN ; Jiaqi HUANG ; Zhongjie YAN ; Xiuwen WU ; Yuanyu WANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2023;37(z1):17-18
OBJECTIVE To explore mecha-nisms of imperatorin on regulating P-glycoprotein(P-gp)in blood-brain barrier(BBB)based on net-work pharmacology combined with in vitro experi-ment.METHODS Drug targets were predicted using the Pharmapper and Swiss targets data-bases;disease targets were obtained through the Genecards database;intersections between drugs and disease targets were screened by Cytoscape software;the obtained core targets were used to construct protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,gene ontology(GO)functions,and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.The effects of imperatorin(20,50,100 μ mol·L-1)on P-gp activity were monitored in hCMEC/D3in vitro BBB model,and the effects of imperatorin on the expression of target proteins were verified using Western blot method.RESULTS 55 drug targets and 3102 disease targets were obtained from the network pharmacology screening,and 37 core targets were obtained after the combination.Enrichment analysis showed that core targets were closely related to chemical synaptic trans-mission regulation,neurotransmitter receptor activity,proteinkinaseregulationactivity,G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway,neural active ligand receptor interaction pathway,PI3K-Akt sig-naling pathway,VEGF signaling pathway,etc..In vitro experimental validation suggested that all tested concentration groups of imperatorin signifi-cantly reduced the activity and expression of P-gp,which were achieved by significantly downregu-lating the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt,and repressing the expression of VEGFR2 pro-tein.CONCLUSION Network pharmacology was used to predict the core targets and signaling pathways of imperatorin on regulating P-gp in BBB and relevant validation was conducted through in vitro experiments,providing a refer-ence basis for further exploration of the mecha-nisms of imperatorin on regulating P-gp in BBB.
10.Weak SARS-CoV-2-specific responses of TIGIT-expressing CD8 + T cells in people living with HIV after a third dose of a SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine.
Junyan JIN ; Xiuwen WANG ; Yongzheng LI ; Xiaodong YANG ; Hu WANG ; Xiaoxu HAN ; Jin SUN ; Zhenglai MA ; Junyi DUAN ; Guanghui ZHANG ; Tao HUANG ; Tong ZHANG ; Hao WU ; Xin ZHANG ; Bin SU
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(24):2938-2947
BACKGROUND:
T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif domains (TIGIT), an inhibitory receptor expressed on T cells, plays a dysfunctional role in antiviral infection and antitumor activity. However, it is unknown whether TIGIT expression on T cells influences the immunological effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inactivated vaccines.
METHODS:
Forty-five people living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than two years and 31 healthy controls (HCs), all received a third dose of a SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine, were enrolled in this study. The amounts, activation, proportion of cell subsets, and magnitude of the SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response of TIGIT + CD4 + and TIGIT + CD8 + T cells were investigated before the third dose but 6 months after the second vaccine dose (0W), 4 weeks (4W) and 12 weeks (12W) after the third dose.
RESULTS:
Compared to that in HCs, the frequency of TIGIT + CD8 + T cells in the peripheral blood of PLWH increased at 12W after the third dose of the inactivated vaccine, and the immune activation of TIGIT + CD8 + T cells also increased. A decrease in the ratio of both T naïve (T N ) and central memory (T CM ) cells among TIGIT + CD8 + T cells and an increase in the ratio of the effector memory (T EM ) subpopulation were observed at 12W in PLWH. Interestingly, particularly at 12W, a higher proportion of TIGIT + CD8 + T cells expressing CD137 and CD69 simultaneously was observed in HCs than in PLWH based on the activation-induced marker assay. Compared with 0W, SARS-CoV-2-specific TIGIT + CD8 + T-cell responses in PLWH were not enhanced at 12W but were enhanced in HCs. Additionally, at all time points, the SARS-CoV-2-specific responses of TIGIT + CD8 + T cells in PLWH were significantly weaker than those of TIGIT - CD8 + T cells. However, in HCs, the difference in the SARS-CoV-2-specific responses induced between TIGIT + CD8 + T cells and TIGIT - CD8 + T cells was insignificant at 4W and 12W, except at 0W.
CONCLUSIONS
TIGIT expression on CD8 + T cells may hinder the T-cell immune response to a booster dose of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, suggesting weakened resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in PLWH. Furthermore, TIGIT may be used as a potential target to increase the production of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 + T cells, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of vaccination.
Humans
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Antibodies, Viral
;
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
;
COVID-19/complications*
;
COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology*
;
HIV Infections/complications*
;
Receptors, Immunologic
;
SARS-CoV-2


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