1.Regulation of skin pigmentation by miR-25-5p via targeting RAB11B: a mechanistic study
Wenzhu WANG ; Hedan YANG ; Yunyao LIU ; Xiaojie SUN ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Xiuzhen LI ; Siqi TAN ; Haoxiang XU ; Yin YANG ; Tong LIN
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(9):816-824
Objective:To investigate the role of microRNA-25-5p (miR-25-5p) in melanogenesis, and to explore its underlying mechanisms.Methods:Target genes of miR-25-5p were predicted using the TargetScan database. The interaction between miR-25-5p and the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the RAB11B gene (a member of RAS oncogene family) was validated through a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) models were established in female C57BL/6J mice (6 - 8 weeks old) and female brown guinea pigs (4 - 6 weeks old) through daily broadband ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on the dorsal skin of the mouse ear or shaved dorsal skin of guinea pigs, while untreated mice and untreated dorsal skin areas of guinea pigs served as control groups. During modeling, these experimental animals received intradermal injections of a miR-25-5p agomir or a miR control agomir. Changes in skin pigmentation were observed, and skin tissue samples were harvested for further analysis after modeling. Melanin content in skin tissues was evaluated using Masson-Fontana staining. Expression of RAB11B and tyrosinase (TYR) in skin tissues was determined using immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Primary human melanocytes were isolated from discarded normal foreskin tissues of healthy males after circumcision. Both primary human melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells were transfected with miR-25-5p mimics or miR control mimics. Relative expression levels of miR-25-5p and RAB11B mRNA were quantified by qPCR using the 2 -ΔΔCt calculation method. In MNT1 cells, miR-25-5p and RAB11B were co-overexpressed to assess their effect on the mRNA expression of RAB11B and TYR. Statistical analysis was conducted using t test or one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Results:The bioinformatic prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a binding site for miR-25-5p in the 3′ UTR of the RAB11B gene. In both animal models, the treatment with the miR-25-5p agomir significantly reduced local skin pigmentation compared to the control groups; Masson-Fontana staining showed a marked decrease in the density of melanin granules in the epidermis and dermis in the miR-25-5p agomir groups compared with the miR control agomir groups (mice: 0.050 ± 0.005 vs. 0.087 ± 0.008; guinea pigs: 0.067 ± 0.015 vs. 0.110 ± 0.013; both P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed significantly lower expression of RAB11B in mouse skin tissues in the miR-25-5p agomir group than in those in the miR control agomir group (both P < 0.05). qPCR revealed significantly lower mRNA expression of RAB11B and TYR in skin tissues of guinea pigs in the miR-25-5p agomir group than in those in the miR control agomir group (both P < 0.05). Similarly, RAB11B mRNA expression significantly decreased in the miR-25-5p mimics group compared with the miR control mimics group in primary human melanocytes and MNT1 cells (both P < 0.05). In human MNT1 melanoma cells, miR-25-5p overexpression could suppress TYR mRNA expression, whereas co-overexpression of miR-25-5p and RAB11B could reverse this suppression. Conclusion:Overexpression of miR-25-5p could alleviate UVB-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and inhibit melanogenesis, likely by targeted suppression of RAB11B expression.
2.Effects of interleukin-23 inhibitors on psoriasis comorbidities
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(3):268-272
In recent years, biological agents have played an important role in the treatment of psoriasis, among which interleukin (IL) -23 inhibitors have shown favorable efficacy and safety. In addition, IL-23 inhibitors can influence the onset and development of psoriasis comorbidities, such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. This review first discusses the involvement of the IL-23/IL-17 pathway in the pathogenesis of various psoriasis comorbidities, and then summarizes the effects of IL-23 inhibitors on psoriasis comorbidities based on clinical trials, case reports, and Chinese and international guidelines, aiming to provide a reference for choosing appropriate treatments for psoriasis patients with different comorbidities.
3.Regulation of skin pigmentation by miR-25-5p via targeting RAB11B: a mechanistic study
Wenzhu WANG ; Hedan YANG ; Yunyao LIU ; Xiaojie SUN ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Xiuzhen LI ; Siqi TAN ; Haoxiang XU ; Yin YANG ; Tong LIN
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(9):816-824
Objective:To investigate the role of microRNA-25-5p (miR-25-5p) in melanogenesis, and to explore its underlying mechanisms.Methods:Target genes of miR-25-5p were predicted using the TargetScan database. The interaction between miR-25-5p and the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the RAB11B gene (a member of RAS oncogene family) was validated through a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) models were established in female C57BL/6J mice (6 - 8 weeks old) and female brown guinea pigs (4 - 6 weeks old) through daily broadband ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on the dorsal skin of the mouse ear or shaved dorsal skin of guinea pigs, while untreated mice and untreated dorsal skin areas of guinea pigs served as control groups. During modeling, these experimental animals received intradermal injections of a miR-25-5p agomir or a miR control agomir. Changes in skin pigmentation were observed, and skin tissue samples were harvested for further analysis after modeling. Melanin content in skin tissues was evaluated using Masson-Fontana staining. Expression of RAB11B and tyrosinase (TYR) in skin tissues was determined using immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Primary human melanocytes were isolated from discarded normal foreskin tissues of healthy males after circumcision. Both primary human melanocytes and human MNT1 melanoma cells were transfected with miR-25-5p mimics or miR control mimics. Relative expression levels of miR-25-5p and RAB11B mRNA were quantified by qPCR using the 2 -ΔΔCt calculation method. In MNT1 cells, miR-25-5p and RAB11B were co-overexpressed to assess their effect on the mRNA expression of RAB11B and TYR. Statistical analysis was conducted using t test or one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Results:The bioinformatic prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a binding site for miR-25-5p in the 3′ UTR of the RAB11B gene. In both animal models, the treatment with the miR-25-5p agomir significantly reduced local skin pigmentation compared to the control groups; Masson-Fontana staining showed a marked decrease in the density of melanin granules in the epidermis and dermis in the miR-25-5p agomir groups compared with the miR control agomir groups (mice: 0.050 ± 0.005 vs. 0.087 ± 0.008; guinea pigs: 0.067 ± 0.015 vs. 0.110 ± 0.013; both P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed significantly lower expression of RAB11B in mouse skin tissues in the miR-25-5p agomir group than in those in the miR control agomir group (both P < 0.05). qPCR revealed significantly lower mRNA expression of RAB11B and TYR in skin tissues of guinea pigs in the miR-25-5p agomir group than in those in the miR control agomir group (both P < 0.05). Similarly, RAB11B mRNA expression significantly decreased in the miR-25-5p mimics group compared with the miR control mimics group in primary human melanocytes and MNT1 cells (both P < 0.05). In human MNT1 melanoma cells, miR-25-5p overexpression could suppress TYR mRNA expression, whereas co-overexpression of miR-25-5p and RAB11B could reverse this suppression. Conclusion:Overexpression of miR-25-5p could alleviate UVB-induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and inhibit melanogenesis, likely by targeted suppression of RAB11B expression.
4.Effects of interleukin-23 inhibitors on psoriasis comorbidities
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(3):268-272
In recent years, biological agents have played an important role in the treatment of psoriasis, among which interleukin (IL) -23 inhibitors have shown favorable efficacy and safety. In addition, IL-23 inhibitors can influence the onset and development of psoriasis comorbidities, such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. This review first discusses the involvement of the IL-23/IL-17 pathway in the pathogenesis of various psoriasis comorbidities, and then summarizes the effects of IL-23 inhibitors on psoriasis comorbidities based on clinical trials, case reports, and Chinese and international guidelines, aiming to provide a reference for choosing appropriate treatments for psoriasis patients with different comorbidities.
5.Influences of Neferine on inflammatory injury in rats with nephrotic syndrome by regulating MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway
Kai FU ; Aili GUO ; Yan HE ; Cheng GONG ; Shen XU ; Xiuzhen SHI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(9):1838-1842,1849
Objective:To investigate the influences of Neferine(Nef)on inflammatory injury in nephrotic syndrome(NS)rats by regulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.Methods:SD rats were separated into control check group(CK group),Model group,low-dose Nef group(Nef-L group,2.5 mg/kg),high-dose Nef group(Nef-H group,5 mg/kg),prednisone acetate group(PA group,6.3 mg/kg),Anisomycin(MAPK agonist)group(5 μmol/L),Nef-H+Anisomycin group(5 mg/kg+5 μmol/L),with 12 rats in each group.Except for the CK group,all other groups were injected with doxorubicin through the tail vein to induce the NS rat model.Rats in CK group were injected with an equal volume of normal saline through the tail vein at the same time.After successful modeling,dosing treatment was performed once a day for 4 weeks.Detected 24-hour urine protein content,serum creatinine(Scr),albumin(ALB),urea nitro-gen(BUN)levels,renal tissue pathology,and levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β in renal tissue;TUNEL staining was performed to detect cell apoptosis in rat kidney tissue;Western blot was performed to detect the expression of p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2 and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in rat kidney tissue.Results:Compared with CK group,Model group had severe renal tissue pathological damage,the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,apoptosis rate,p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2,p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions were increased,while ALB level was decreased(P<0.05);compared with Model group,the renal tissue pathological damage of rats in Nef-L group,Nef-H group and PA group were severe,the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,apoptosis rate,p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2,p-NF-κB P65 protein expressions were decreased,while ALB level was increased,the renal tissue pathological damage in the Anisomycin group was aggravated,the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,apoptosis rate,p-p38,p-JNK,p-ERK1/2,p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions were increased,while ALB level was decreased(P<0.05);Anisomycin attenu-ated the effects of high doses of Nef on NS rats.Conclusion:Nef may alleviate the inflammatory injury in NS rats by inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.
6.Association between the ratio of dietary vitamin A to body weight and hypertension in children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(2):267-272
Objective:
To explore the relationship between the ratio of dietary vitamin A (VitA) to body weight and hypertension among children, so as to provide a reference for blood pressure control through dietary nutritional interventions and childhood hypertension prevention.
Methods:
Utilizing the baseline survey and followup sample data from the Healthy Children Cohort established in urban and rural areas of Chongqing from 2014 to 2019, structured quantitative dietary questionnaire and selfdesigned questionnaire were used to investigate the information of dietary intake and socioeconomic characteristics of 15 279 children, as well as blood pressure, height, weight measurement. The ratio of dietary VitA to body weight was divided into four groups based on quartiles [≤P25(Q1), >P25~P50(Q2), >P50~P75(Q3), >P75(Q4)]. Generalized linear regression models and Logistic regression models were used to analyze the correlation between ratio of dietary VitA to body weight with blood pressure levels and prevalence of hypertension.
Results:
The results of the 2014 baseline survey indicated that, after adjusting for confounding factors such as demographic indicators and nutritional intake, significant differences were observed in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) among different groups categorized by the ratio of dietary VitA to body weight (F=157.57, 44.71, 95.92, P<0.01). The baseline ratio of dietary VitA to body weight in children exhibited a negative correlation with DBP, SBP and MAP at baseline and in 2019[baseline: β(95%CI)=-0.65(-0.89--0.42), -0.22(-0.42--0.01), -0.36(-0.56--0.16); 2019: β(95%CI)=-0.77(-1.34--0.19), -0.62(-1.21--0.02), -0.77(-1.34--0.19), P<0.05]. Compared to Q1 group, the risk of hypertension decreased among children in Q4 at baseline and followup in 2019 [OR(95%CI)=0.63(0.49-0.81), 0.18(0.08-0.42), P<0.01].
Conclusions
The ratio of dietary VitA to body weight is significantly negatively correlated with blood pressure levels among children, and dietary VitA deficiency is an independent risk factor for hypertension among children. Measures should be taken to actively adjust childrens dietary nutrition and reduce the risk of childhood hypertension.
7.Potential value of L-citrulline in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
Xingyue YANG ; Junjuan ZHONG ; Fang XU ; Xiuzhen YE
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(12):943-946
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a common and critical disease in the neonatus characterized by persistent pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia, with a high mortality.Except for intubation and ventilator support, recognized treatments often require the application of pulmonary vasodilators drugs, such as inhaled nitric oxide, Sildenafil, etc, each with its own advantages.In recent years, L-citrulline, as a potential therapeutic option, has shown huge potential in PPHN treatment.The purpose of this review is to explore the possible potential of L-citrulline in the treatment of PPHN in terms of therapeutic mechanism, pharmacokinetics, current status of research and future perspectives.
8.A randomized controlled study of oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard in painless gastroscopy for snoring patients
Yanli NI ; Cheng ZHANG ; Weiying ZHANG ; Xiuzhen GAO ; Yongmei YOU ; Lijun HAN ; Lili MA ; Li SHEN ; Yinghua ZHU ; Xi TAN ; Yulong YANG ; Meidong XU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(9):718-722
Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard in painless gastroscopy for snoring patients.Methods:The snoring patients who underwent painless gastroscopy at two Endoscopy Centers of Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University in July 2022 were randomly divided into the observation group (using oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard) and the control group (using ordinary nasal oxygen tube and mouth guard). Parameters such as the wearing time and the removal time of the mouth guard, lowest pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2), incidence of hypoxemia, and the satisfaction of medical staff were compared between the two groups. Results:The wearing time of mouth guard was 11.63±0.84 seconds and the removal time was 5.33±0.76 seconds in the observation group ( n=40), which were lower than those in the control group ( n=47) (14.91±1.21 seconds, t=-14.463, P<0.001; 10.38±0.80 seconds, t=-30.095, P<0.001). The wearing satisfaction score was 9.80±0.61, the lowest SpO 2 was (96.70±3.42)%, the removal satisfaction score was 9.75±0.67, and the anesthesiologists' satisfaction score was 9.20±1.42 in the observation group, which were higher than those in the control group [7.70±0.93, t=12.209, P<0.001; (94.06±3.72)%, t=3.417, P=0.001; 7.96±0.98, t=9.803, P<0.001; 8.13±1.35, t=3.615, P=0.001] with significant difference. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypoxemia [10.00% (4/40) VS 14.89% (7/47), χ2=0.130, P=0.718] and endoscopic physician satisfaction score (9.30±0.97 VS 9.02±1.31, t=1.112, P=0.269) between the two groups. Conclusion:The oral-nasal oxygen supply mouth guard is easy to wear and remove, effectively reducing SpO 2 fluctuations during painless gastroscopy for snoring patients. It can enhance medical staff satisfaction with high clinical value.
9.Establishment and Evaluation of Animal Models of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Yue LI ; Xiuzhen HAN ; Qiulu XU ; Hongtao SHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):234-242
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a heterogeneous disease with dysfunction in multiple systems and multiple organs. Its etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully clarified, and its treatment also lacks specificity. The key to studying CFS is developing animal models that reflect the underlying mechanisms and etiology of CFS. The existing CFS modeling methods are complicated and not unified. By sorting out relevant literature,the present study evaluated the modeling methods,modeling standards,mechanisms, and clinical coincidence of the immune model,the stress model, and the disease-syndrome combination model in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The immune model is mainly constructed from the perspective of pathophysiology, with easy operation and wide investigation, which can simulate the pathological characteristics of CFS to ensure pathogenesis research,but the experimental repeatability is general. Stress modeling is a common method for a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases,including CFS. Many different stressors can be employed to investigate the etiology of CFS, but their effects are unpredictable. Compared with the two western medicine models mentioned above,the TCM disease-syndrome combination model integrates modern medicine with TCM theory,with high clinical coincidence and great practical value. However,the TCM disease-syndrome combination model of CFS is still in the exploratory stage with a few types of models,which needs to be further improved, aiming to establish scientific,reasonable,simple, and efficient animal models to provide support for exploring the etiology,pathogenesis, and new treatment ideas of CFS.
10.A case of testosterone-secreting adrenal tumor misdiagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome
Ping XU ; Xiuzhen ZHANG ; Qian YUAN ; Jintao HU ; Yan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2023;39(10):894-898
This article reports a case of adrenal tumor in a reproductive-aged woman with hyperandrogenism misdiagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome. The patient presented with menstrual disorder, elevated testosterone levels, and polycystic ovaries, initially diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome. Menstrual regularity was achieved after intermittent use of ethinylestradiol/cyproterone acetate and progesterone. Five years later, during a physical examination, a mass was discovered in the right adrenal gland, accompanied by elevated testosterone levels, polycystic ovaries, obesity, and insulin resistance. Laparoscopic resection of the right adrenal tumor was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was adrenal cortical oncocytoma. Postoperatively, menstrual regularity was restored, and testosterone levels normalized. This case highlights the importance of considering adrenal tumors secreting androgens in patients clinically diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, and emphasizes the need for regular adrenal imaging follow-up.


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