1.Construction and identification of a sizeable naive human Fab phage display antibody library
Yakun ZHAO ; Xiaoyue WEI ; Fanliang MENG ; Wentao LIU ; Jiaming FAN ; Lijin LONG ; Wanting WANG ; Jianling CHEN ; Jianzhong ZHANG ; Lihua HE ; Liyong LIU ; Rui ZHAO ; Di SUN ; Xuezhen YUAN ; Xiaomei YAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):288-295
Objective:To construct a sizeable naive human Fab phage display antibody library to screen high-affinity specific antibodies in vitro. Methods:Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 126 healthy individuals, subsequently reverse-transcribed into cDNA, and used as a template. PCR amplification was performed to obtain the V H from IgG, IgM and light chain κ, λ, separately, with the initial PCR products serving as templates for a second round of PCR. Overlap extension PCR was employed to generate fragments of the κ and λ light chains. These fragments were ligated with the phage vector pNC3, which harbors the variable region 1 of the heavy chain, to construct a recombinant phage plasmid. This plasmid was then electroporated into competent Escherichia Coli TG1 cells to establish a naive human Fab phage display antibody library. One hundred clones were randomly selected for identification and sequencing, and antibody gene polymorphisms were analyzed using the IMGT database and MAFFT software. Recombinant α-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus was utilized to screen Fab antibody fragments through biopanning of the antibody library, followed by random selection of phage ELISA-identified clones. The positive clones (antigen A450∶blank control A450≥2.1) were sequenced. Results:Two large naive Fab phage display antibody libraries were successfully constructed, in which the capacity of κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 1.25×10 11 and 1.54×10 11, respectively. The titers for two antibody libraries were 6.04×10 13 CFU/ml and 3.50×10 13 CFU/ml. The positive transformation insertion rates for κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 96% (96/100) and 100% (100/100), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that all antibody sequences were unique. The amino acid sequences in the skeletal region were relatively conserved. In contrast, significant variations in the length of the complementarity determining region (CDR) were found, and the diversity of amino acid sequence of the complementary determining region was high, especially the CDR3. Analysis using the IMGT database indicated that the sequences exhibited a broad distribution across variable-diversity-joining gene families. After six rounds of panning, specific phage antibodies enrichment targeting α-hemolysin were achieved. A total of 142 monoclonal antibodies were sequenced, yielding 8 distinct Fab antibody sequences. Conclusion:This study successfully constructed two naive human Fab phage display antibody libraries with large capacity and good diversity, which can be used for screening human antibodies for serum epidemiology.
2.Research progress on mechanisms and animal models of comorbid depression and tumors
Yakun REN ; Xinpei WANG ; Xingjiu YANG ; Mengyuan LI ; Ran GAO
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1393-1402
The comorbidity of depression and cancer represents a significant global public health challenge,severely impacting patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes.This systematic review considers the epidemiological characteristics,clinical implications,and major challenges in current research regarding comorbid depression and cancer,focusing on the role of depression in promoting tumor progression and suppressing immune function via the neuroendocrine-immune regulatory network.We discuss the dynamic changes and interaction mechanisms of depression-related neurotransmitters(such as serotonin and norepinephrine)and stress hormones(such as cortisol)within the tumor microenvironment.We also reveal the molecular mechanisms by which depression regulates malignant biological behaviors such as tumor immune evasion,metastasis,and angiogenesis via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system.This review also evaluates the application value and limitations of existing animal models for studying the mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of depression and cancer,emphasizing the importance and urgency of developing more precise comorbidity models to uncover the mechanisms and explore management strategies.This review aims to raise awareness of risk prediction,clinical interventions,and basic research on the comorbidity of depression and cancer,to provide a theoretical foundation and new research directions for developing depression-cancer comorbidity models.
3.Research progress of bisphenol A involved in the occurrence and development of polycystic ovary syndrome
Xi NING ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Kongjia WU ; Yakun PU ; Zhuo WANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Chaohong QIU ; Tao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(2):207-211
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental chemical that is widely exposed in human daily life. It has attracted much attention because of its estrogenic effect. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disease in women of reproductive age. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of genetic, environmental and endocrine disorders. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that BPA plays an important role in the occurrence and development of PCOS. BPA promotes the development of PCOS by interfering with insulin sensitivity, immune response and changing ovarian structure and function. In addition, BPA exposure levels are associated with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and decreased ovarian reserve in PCOS patients. This review summarizes the effects of BPA on PCOS in terms of ovarian function, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory response, so as to provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention and prevention of BPA in the development of PCOS.
4.Preliminary analysis of mRNA m7G modifications in human Adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction.
Ziyan LIU ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Binbin HU ; Shiqi ZHANG ; Yakun LANG ; Yu FAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):187-197
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the potential role of mRNA m7G modification in the pathogenesis of human adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).
METHODS:
Pathological tissue specimens from four AEG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University between 2018 and 2019 were selected. Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from these patients. RNA was extracted from both tissue types and subjected to m7G methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m7G-MeRIP-seq) to analyze the patterns of m7G modification, the characteristics of differential m7G modification sites, the differentially expressed mRNA, and the correlation between m7G modification and mRNA expression levels. Differential m7G-modified genes (MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9) were further validated using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (MeRIP-qPCR), while the expression of METTL1 and WDR4 genes was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University (Ethics No. 20150083).
RESULTS:
m7G-MeRIP-seq analysis revealed that m7G modifications in both AEG and adjacent normal tissues were predominantly located in the GC-rich region surrounding the internal start codon of mRNA. Differential m7G modification sites between the two groups were closely associated with cancer-related genes. mRNA library analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNA were predominantly upregulated in AEG tissues and downregulated in adjacent normal tissues. Cross-analysis indicated that genes with hypermethylation tended to exhibit upregulated expression, while genes with hypomethylation were typically downregulated in AEG tissues. MeRIP-qPCR validation confirmed that the mRNA expression of MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9 were significantly upregulated in AEG tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (AEG vs. normal, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of METTL1 and WDR4 were also upregulated in AEG tissues (AEG vs. normal, P < 0.000 5).
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that mRNA m7G modification plays a significant role in the development of AEG. Furthermore, proteins as METTL1 and WDR4 may facilitate AEG progression by regulating mRNA m7G modification. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AEG and may inform future therapeutic strategies for this malignancy.
Humans
;
RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
;
Adenocarcinoma/pathology*
;
Esophagogastric Junction/metabolism*
;
Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
DNA Methylation
;
Methyltransferases/metabolism*
;
Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*
5.Influencing factors for atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with heart failure and construction of a nomogram model
Yakun SU ; Tingting LIN ; Qiong WANG ; Fengde LI ; Junying SONG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(8):1010-1015
Objective To elucidate the independent risk factors for AF in elderly patients with HF,develop a nomogram prediction model,and assess its predictive value for AF in elderly HF pa-tients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 299 patients of first HF hospitalization in Hengshui People's Hospital from June 2019 to December 2023,and based on the presence or absence of AF,they were divided into an AF group(133 cases)and a non-AF group(166 cases).The patients admitted from June 2019 to December 2022 were assigned into a modeling cohort(206 cases),while those from January 2023 to December 2023 into a validation cohort(93 cases).The general data were collected.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the modeling cohort to identify the independent predictors of AF in elderly HF patients,and a nomo-gram prediction model was constructed.ROC curve,calibration curve and clinical decision curve analyses were applied to evaluate the discrimination,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the etiology of HF(CHD vs HP,OR=0.610,95%CI:0.301-1.250,P=0.178;CMD vs HP,OR=0.213,95%CI:0.052-0.883,P=0.033),LAD(OR=1.081,95%CI:1.020-1.152,P=0.015),HF classifi-cation(HFmrEF vs HFrEF,OR=5.897,95%CI:2.448-14.201,P=0.000;HFpEF vs HFrEF,OR=7.211,95%CI:2.522-20.640,P=0.001),pre-albumin(PALB)(OR=0.438,95%CI:0.217-0.901,P=0.030),UAC(OR=2.186,95%CI:1.075-4.430,P=0.025),and direct biliru-bin(DBi)(OR=4.531,95%CI:2.052-9.990,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for AF in the elderly HF patients.ROC curve analysis showed the AUC value of the prediction model based on these factors in the modeling cohort was 0.831,and the AUC value in the validation cohort was 0.840.Decision curve analysis indicated that the model possessed clinical practicability within a probability threshold range of 10%-82%for the modeling cohort and 12%-100%for the vali-dation cohort.Conclusion Our nomogram prediction model based on multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis exhibits good predictive value for the occurrence of AF in elderly HF patients,and can facilitate clinical decision-making on diagnosis and treatment.
6.Preliminary analysis of mRNA m7G modifications in human Adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction
Ziyan LIU ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Binbin HU ; Shiqi ZHANG ; Yakun LANG ; Yu FAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):187-197
Objective:To explore the potential role of mRNA m7G modification in the pathogenesis of human adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).Methods:Pathological tissue specimens from four AEG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the People′s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University between 2018 and 2019 were selected. Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from these patients. RNA was extracted from both tissue types and subjected to m7G methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m7G-MeRIP-seq) to analyze the patterns of m7G modification, the characteristics of differential m7G modification sites, the differentially expressed mRNA, and the correlation between m7G modification and mRNA expression levels. Differential m7G-modified genes ( MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9) were further validated using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (MeRIP-qPCR), while the expression of METTL1 and WDR4 genes was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the People′s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University (Ethics No. 20150083). Results:① m7G-MeRIP-seq analysis revealed that m7G modifications in both AEG and adjacent normal tissues were predominantly located in the GC-rich region surrounding the internal start codon of mRNA. Differential m7G modification sites between the two groups were closely associated with cancer-related genes. ② mRNA library analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNA were predominantly upregulated in AEG tissues and downregulated in adjacent normal tissues. ③ Cross-analysis indicated that genes with hypermethylation tended to exhibit upregulated expression, while genes with hypomethylation were typically downregulated in AEG tissues. ④ MeRIP-qPCR validation confirmed that the mRNA expression of MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9 were significantly upregulated in AEG tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (AEG vs. normal, P<0.05). ⑤ RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of METTL1 and WDR4 were also upregulated in AEG tissues (AEG vs. normal, P<0.000 5). Conclusion:These findings suggest that mRNA m7G modification plays a significant role in the development of AEG. Furthermore, proteins as METTL1 and WDR4 may facilitate AEG progression by regulating mRNA m7G modification. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AEG and may inform future therapeutic strategies for this malignancy.
7.Overview of the Design and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Tongue Diagnosis Equipment
Yakun ZHANG ; Zilong CUI ; Shuo ZHAO ; Yasong FENG ; Shuo WANG ; Dan WANG ; Chaoyi FANG ; Shaoxian WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(6):1742-1749
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)tongue diagnosis has obvious advantages,but its strong subjectivity,susceptibility to environmental influences,and lack of a unified standard greatly affect the objectivity and accuracy of diagnostic results,and it is difficult to integrate into the modern scientific system.Therefore,developing tongue diagnosis equipment to objectively and normatively extract tongue image information,and simulating human brain thinking to construct an objective diagnostic model of TCM tongue image-disease syndrome,and promoting the quantitative and intelligent research of TCM tongue diagnosis have become the trend of future development.This article reviews the research status and application prospects of TCM tongue diagnosis equipment,in order to provide methodological references and research ideas for the research and application of this field.
8.Vanillic acid inhibits inflammatory response and extracellular matrix degradation of endplate chondrocytes
Qinghe YU ; Ziming CAI ; Jintao WU ; Pengfei MA ; Xin ZHANG ; Longqian ZHOU ; Yakun WANG ; Xiaoqin LIN ; Wenping LIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6391-6397
BACKGROUND:Research has shown that vanillic acid has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects,but it is unclear whether it has a protective effect on endplate chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of vanillic acid on endplate chondrocytes under inflammatory microenvironment.METHODS:(1)Primary endplate chondrocytes were isolated from the intervertebral disc of SD rats and identified by toluidine blue staining and collagenⅡ immunofluorescence.(2)The CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the effects of interleukin-1β and vanillic acid on the proliferation activity of endplate chondrocytes,in order to determine the concentration of vanillic acid for subsequent cell treatment.(3)An inflammatory microenvironment was simulated by adding 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β to the culture medium,and the endplate chondrocytes were treated with low,medium,and high mass concentrations of vanillic acid.The expression levels of inflammatory markers and extracellular matrix proteins were detected by western blot assay and immunofluorescence.(4)The expression of nuclear factor κB signaling pathway-related proteins was detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The morphology of endplate chondrocytes in adherent culture was pike or triangular in shape,positive for toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescence for collagen Ⅱ,indicating that the experimentally extracted cells were endplate chondrocytes.(2)The CCK-8 assay results showed that treatment with 2.5,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of endplate chondrocytes.Compared with the interleukin-1β group,the viability of endplate chondrocytes treated with 5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours was significantly increased(P<0.05).Therefore,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid was selected as the low,medium,and high dose groups for subsequent treatment of endplate chondrocytes.(3)Compared with the model group(complete medium containing 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β),the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),matrix metalloproteinase 13,matrix metalloproteinase 3,and tumor necrosis factor alpha protein in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high doses of vanillic acid groups were significantly reduced(P<0.05).(4)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of aggrecan and collagen Ⅱ in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid significantly increased(P<0.05).(5)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of phospho-nuclear factor κB and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor κB in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid was significantly reduced(P<0.05).(6)The above results indicate that vanillic acid may alleviate the inflammatory response and extracellular matrix degradation induced by interleukin-1β in rat endplate chondrocytes by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway.
9.Bioinformatics analysis and expression of the major genetic type of TcdB
Yitai Fang ; Nianzhi Ning ; Yakun Sun ; Deyu Li ; Hui Wang ; Deyan Luo
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(12):2273-2280
Objective:
To analyze the bioinformatics of domestic Clostridium difficile toxin B(TcdB) and prepare it to provide data support for the development of effective vaccines.
Methods:
Using bioinformatics software such as Snippy, Blast, Muscle, and the dist.alignment() and hclust() functions in R, 1 355 strains of Clostridium difficile from NCBI GenBank in China were compared and analyzed, and TcdB were grouped. The maximum likelihood tree and phylogenetic tree were beautified and displayed using iTOL. An online bioinformatics analysis website was used to predict and analyze the spatial structure and antigenic epitopes of the two largest subgroups, TcdB1 and TcdB2. The antigen protein TcdB was expressed and purified by prokaryotic system.
Results:
According to the genotype of toxin B, the 1 355 prevalent strains of Clostridium difficile in China could be roughly divided into 12 subtypes, among which TcdB1 and TcdB2 were the main subtypes, accounting for more than 93.94% of all isolated strains, and about 17.20% of the strains were nontoxigenic or lack TcdB. The antigen epitope prediction of TcdB1 and TcdB2 showed that their antigen epitope distributions were basically the same, and many of them were distributed outside the C-terminal combined repetitive oligopeptides domains.
Conclusion
A specialized typing system for C. difficile TcdB in China has been established, and its main subtypes have been predicted for antigenic epitopes. The screened TcdB has been expressed for recombinant preparation.
10.Influencing factors for atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with heart failure and construction of a nomogram model
Yakun SU ; Tingting LIN ; Qiong WANG ; Fengde LI ; Junying SONG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(8):1010-1015
Objective To elucidate the independent risk factors for AF in elderly patients with HF,develop a nomogram prediction model,and assess its predictive value for AF in elderly HF pa-tients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 299 patients of first HF hospitalization in Hengshui People's Hospital from June 2019 to December 2023,and based on the presence or absence of AF,they were divided into an AF group(133 cases)and a non-AF group(166 cases).The patients admitted from June 2019 to December 2022 were assigned into a modeling cohort(206 cases),while those from January 2023 to December 2023 into a validation cohort(93 cases).The general data were collected.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the modeling cohort to identify the independent predictors of AF in elderly HF patients,and a nomo-gram prediction model was constructed.ROC curve,calibration curve and clinical decision curve analyses were applied to evaluate the discrimination,calibration and clinical practicability of the prediction model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the etiology of HF(CHD vs HP,OR=0.610,95%CI:0.301-1.250,P=0.178;CMD vs HP,OR=0.213,95%CI:0.052-0.883,P=0.033),LAD(OR=1.081,95%CI:1.020-1.152,P=0.015),HF classifi-cation(HFmrEF vs HFrEF,OR=5.897,95%CI:2.448-14.201,P=0.000;HFpEF vs HFrEF,OR=7.211,95%CI:2.522-20.640,P=0.001),pre-albumin(PALB)(OR=0.438,95%CI:0.217-0.901,P=0.030),UAC(OR=2.186,95%CI:1.075-4.430,P=0.025),and direct biliru-bin(DBi)(OR=4.531,95%CI:2.052-9.990,P=0.000)were independent risk factors for AF in the elderly HF patients.ROC curve analysis showed the AUC value of the prediction model based on these factors in the modeling cohort was 0.831,and the AUC value in the validation cohort was 0.840.Decision curve analysis indicated that the model possessed clinical practicability within a probability threshold range of 10%-82%for the modeling cohort and 12%-100%for the vali-dation cohort.Conclusion Our nomogram prediction model based on multivariate logistic regres-sion analysis exhibits good predictive value for the occurrence of AF in elderly HF patients,and can facilitate clinical decision-making on diagnosis and treatment.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail