1.Effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on mitochondrial autophagy in rats with vascular dementia through ROS/Nrf2 signaling and its mechanism
Lieqian SUN ; Mengyu GU ; Jie YANG ; Kaiyi WANG ; Gaoshuai GUO ; Hongbo ZHANG ; Siyi ZHANG ; Tanglong WANG ; Zhiwei YANG ; Yanni HE ; Chao YANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(3):610-620
Objective:To discuss the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)transplantation on mitophagy in the vascular dementia(VaD)rats through reactive oxygen species(ROS)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)signaling,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:Forty-five male adult SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,unloaded group,BMSCs group,and MSCs+ML385(Nrf2 inhibitor)group(combination group),and there were 9 rats in each group.After intraperitoneal anesthesia,the VaD models were established in all groups except sham operation group.Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory abilities of the rats in various groups;HE staining was used to observe the histopathological morphology of brain tissue of the rats in various groups;Nissl staining was used to observe the changes of Nissl bodies in hippocampus region of brain tissue of the rats in various groups;transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of hippocampus region of the rats in various groups;fluorescence probe method was used to detect the ROS levels in hippocampus neurons in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase(Parkin),Beclin-1,ubiquitin-binding protein p62(P62),and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3(LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ)ratio in brain tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:The Morris water maze results showed that compared with sham operation group,the escape latency of the rats in model group was significantly increased(P<0.01),while the number of crossing time and residence time were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the escape latency of the rats in BMSCs group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the number of crossing time and residence time were significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with BMSCs group,the escape latency of the rats in combination group was significantly increased(P<0.01),while the number of crossing time and residence time were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The HE staining results showed that hippocampus neurons of the rats in sham operation group were normal in quantity and morphology,with uniform staining and clear structure.Compared with sham operation group,the hippocampus tissue of the rats in model group showed sparse arrangement,disordered structure,reduced neuronal quantity,varied morphology,uneven staining,nuclear pyknosis,and partial neuronal necrosis.Compared with model group,the neuronal damage of the rats in hippocampus regio in BMSCs group was alleviated,with restored morphology and improved neuronal loss.Compared with BMSCs group,the neurons of the rats in hippocampus region in combination group showed irregular morphology,disordered structure,unclear cell boundaries,uneven staining,and nuclear pyknosis.The Nissl staining results showed that the hippocampal neurons in sham operation group were tightly arranged with intact morphology,obvious nucleoli,and abundant darkly stained Nissl bodies.Compared with sham operation group,the neurons in hippocampus region of the rats in model group showed pyknosis,vacuolization,and sparse Nissl bodies.Compared with model group,the BMSCs group showed reduced neuronal pyknosis,relatively intact morphology,and increased Nissl bodies.Compared with BMSCs group,the combination group showed neuronal pyknosis,loss of morphological integrity,and fragmented Nissl bodies.The transmission electron microscope results showed that mitochondria in sham operation group exhibited oval shape with intact double-membrane structure and cristae.Compared with sham operation group,the mitochondria in model group showed swelling,disrupted membranes,broken cristae,and numerous autophagosomes.Compared with model group,the BMSCs group showed improved mitochondrial structure and reduced autophagosomes.Compared with BMSCs group,the combination group showed swollen mitochondria,disrupted membranes,broken cristae,and visible autophagosomes.The fluorescence probe results showed that compared with sham operation group,the ROS levels in the hippocampus neurons in brain tissue of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the ROS levels in hippocampus neurons in brain tissue of the rats in BMSCs group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BMSCs group,the ROS levels in hippocampus neurons in brain tissue of the rats in combination group were significantly increased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in brain tissue of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in brain tissue of the rats in BMSCs group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with BMSCs group,the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in brain tissue of the rats in combination group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with sham operation group,the expression levels of Parkin,PINK1,and Beclin-1 proteins,and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expression level of P62 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the expression levels of Parkin,PINK1,and Beclin-1 proteins,as well as the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio,of the rats in BMSCs group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expression level of P62 protein was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with BMSCs group,the expression levels of Parkin,PINK1,and Beclin-1 proteins,as well as the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio,of the rats in combination group were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expression level of P62 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:BMSCs can alleviate the hippocampal neuronal pathological changes and improve cognitive function in the VaD rats,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of ROS/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit mitophagy.
2.Mechanism and prospects of regulatory B cells in transplantation immunotherapy
Yi BAI ; Yanni ZHANG ; Yuxin DUAN ; Jinyao YU ; Jiayi SUN ; Zejie WANG ; Ling LI ; Qifa YE
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(4):317-323
Immunotherapy following transplantation has long been a central focus in both anti-rejection strategies and the induction of immune tolerance. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) can directly suppress the immune system via the interaction between programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Additionally, Bregs exert indirect immunosuppressive effects through the secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and granzyme B (GrB), among which IL-10 plays a particularly critical role. This review summarizes recent progress in the classification, functional characteristics, and activation mechanisms of Bregs, as well as their potential applications in transplantation immunotherapy, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for Breg-targeted strategies in transplant immune modulation.
3.Imaging features of hepatic lymphoma on contrast-enhanced ultrasound and conventional ultrasound
Yanni CHEN ; Feihang WANG ; Kai YUAN ; Hong QIN ; Qiannan ZHAO ; Wenping WANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(5):410-415
Objective:To analyze the conventional ultrasound(CUS)and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)features of hepatic lymphoma,and to investigate the value of CEUS in the diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma.Methods:The images of 39 patients(39 lesions)with hepatic lymphoma pathologically confirmed by surgery and puncture from March 2012 to July 2024 at Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed. Evaluations of CUS included the echogenicity,morphology,color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI)situation,evaluations of CEUS included enhancement type,enhancement degree compared to the peripheral normal liver parenchyma and time to enhancement.Results:In the 39 lesions,hypoechoic lesions were detected in 31(79.49%,31/39)patients on CUS. CDFI detected linear or branched color flow signals inside the lesions in 21(53.85%,21/39)lesions,and peripheral color flow signals around the lesions in 3 lesions,while arterial flow signals were detected in 16 of them,with a resistance index of 0.50~0.77(0.67 ± 0.02). In addition,signs of non-compacted normal blood vessels passing through the lesions were detected in 5 lesions. After injection of contrast medium,39 lesions showed different degrees of enhancement,mainly showed entirety homogeneous enhancement,during the arterial phase of CEUS,34(87.18%,34/39)lesions showed fast enhancement,and when the enhancement reached the peak,26(66.67%,26/39)lesions revealed hyper-enhancement,showing “fast progression”. There were 38(97.44%,38/39)lesions in the portal and delayed phases showed “fast forward”.Conclusions:CUS and CEUS can provide some value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatic lymphoma.
4.Differences in clinical-pathological-ultrasound features among hepatocellular carcinoma with different des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin status
Feihang WANG ; Yadan XU ; Yanni CHEN ; Kai YUAN ; Wentao KONG ; Yi DONG ; Yijie QIU ; Wenping WANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(8):662-669
Objective:To explore the differences between clinical-pathological-ultrasound features in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with negative and positive des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin(DCP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 649 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC at Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from April 2020 to May 2024. Patients were stratified into DCP-negative(177 cases,<40 mAU/ml)and DCP-positive(472 cases,≥40 mAU/ml)groups. Clinical data,pathological features,and ultrasound findings were collected. Conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)imaging characteristics were analyzed and compared between the two groups,and the correlation between ultrasound features and pathological characteristics were analyzed.Results:The DCP-negative group exhibited a lower incidence of microvascular invasion(10.17% vs. 34.75%, P<0.001)and smaller median tumor diameter(23 mm vs. 40 mm, P<0.001). Heterogeneous internal echogenicity was less frequent in DCP-negative tumors[48.59%(86/177) vs. 74.58%(352/472), P<0.001]. CEUS revealed higher rates of arterial-phase iso-enhancement(6.78% vs. 1.69%)and absence of washout(13.56% vs. 4.45%)in DCP-negative HCC(both P<0.001). CEUS LI-RADS classification showed fewer LR-5 lesions[50.85%(90/177) vs. 59.53%(281/472)]in DCP-negative group( P<0.001). Conclusions:HCC with different DCP states has different clinical-pathological-ultrasound features. DCP-negative HCCs are more likely to show atypical enhancement patterns characteristic of HCC.
5.The relationship between the expression levels of mir-155/Th17 and mir-23b-3p/Tfh in peripheral blood and the prognostic value of AD in AIDS patients
Yanni LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Peng ZHAO
Immunological Journal 2025;41(3):199-204
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression levels of mir-155/Th17 and mir-23b-3p/Tfh in peripheral blood and the prognostic value of secondary atopic dermatitis(AD)in AIDS patients.Methods In this study,80 AIDS patients were treated in our hospital from February 2021 to December 2023.The subjects were divided into AD group and non-AD group according to whether they had secondary AD.The levels of mir-155,Th17,mir-23b-3p and Tfh in peripheral blood of AD group and non-AD group were compared.Spearman method was used to analyze the relationship between levels of mir-155,Th17,mir-23b-3p and Tfh in peripheral blood and secondary AD in AIDS patients.At the same time,according to the prognosis of patients,the subjects were divided into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group,and the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients were screened by Logistic regression analysis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of peripheral blood mir-155,Th17,mir-23b-3p and Tfh levels on the prognosis of AIDS patients.Results Compared with non-AD group,the levels of miR-155,Th17 and Tfh in peripheral blood of AD group were higher(P<0.05),and the levels of miR-23b-3p were lower(P<0.05).The level of miR-155,Th17 and Tfh in peripheral blood were positively correlated with secondary AD of AIDS(r=0.487,0.492,0.495,P<0.05),and the level of miR-23b-3p in peripheral blood was negatively correlated with secondary AD of AIDS(r=-0.503,P<0.05).The levels of HIV load(high dose),lymphoma,PLT,NLR,CRP,miR-155,Th17 and Tfh in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group(P<0.05),while the levels of albumin and miR-23b-3p in the poor prognosis group were lower than those in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lymphoma,PLT,NLR,low albumin,CRP,miR-155,Th17,Tfh and low miR-23b-3p were all risk factors for poor prognosis of AIDS patients(P<0.05).ROC curve results showed that the AUC(95%CI)and sensitivity of combined detection of peripheral blood miR-155,Th17,Tfh and miR-23b-3p in predicting poor prognosis of AIDS patients were 0.883(0.805~0.992)and 96.70%,respectively.All of them were higher than the above peripheral blood indexes alone(P<0.05).Conclusion The abnormal expression of miR-155,Th17,Tfh,and miR-23b-3p in peripheral blood is closely related to secondary AD in AIDS patients,and is a risk factor affecting the poor prognosis of AIDS patients.The combined detection of these indicators has a high predictive value for the poor prognosis of AIDS patients.
6.Clinical feature and genetic analysis of a child with X-linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome caused by nonsense variant in the MID1 gene mediated by mRNA degradation escape
Yingyu YAN ; Li HE ; Ying YANG ; Duan WANG ; Haiqing ZHANG ; Yanni CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):219-225
Objective:To explore the genotype-phenotype relationship in a child with Opitz G/BBB syndrome (OS) with mild clinical phenotype.Methods:A child with motor developmental delay as the initial symptom admitted to Xi ′an Children′s Hospital on June 10, 2021 was selected for this study. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and his mother. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify genetic variant in the child. Candidate variant were verified by Sanger sequencing to assess inheritance patterns and pathogenicity. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the variant on mRNA and protein expression, respectively, using recombinant expression plasmids generated in vitro. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xi′an Children′s Hospital (Ethics No. 20240045).Results:① The child, a 9-month-and-7-day-old boy, presented with a low nasal bridge, hypertelorism, and difficulty sitting independently. Echocardiography revealed an atrial septal defect. ② WES identified a homozygous variant in the MIDI gene, c. 1483C>T (p.R495X), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and found to be inherited from the mother.③ Recombinant expression plasmids were successfully constructed. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the variant significantly reduced MIDI gene mRNA expression, while WB results indicated that the variant led to the production of a truncated protein. Conclusion:The mild clinical phenotype of OS in this child may be attributed to the mRNA degradation escape mechanism induced by the nonsense variant c. 1483C>T(p.R495X) in the MIDI gene. These findings provide valuable diagnostic insights for this pedigree and contribute to the understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation in OS.
7.Study on the role of the STING-IRF3 pathway in rapid pacing-induced senescence of HL-1 myocytes
Yajia LI ; Zhen CAO ; Yuanjia KE ; Yuntao FU ; Yanni CHENG ; Dishiwen LIU ; Xuewen WANG ; Kexin GUO ; Xiaojian LONG ; Qingyan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(9):1268-1276
Objective:To explore the impact of the stimulator of interferon genes(STING)-interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3)pathway on the senescence of rapid pacing HL-1 myocytes.Methods:HL-1 cells were divided into five groups: the control group(HL-1 cells without any treatment), pacing group(HL-1 cells paced for 48 hours), STING siRNA group(HL-1 cells paced for 48 hours and transfected with STING siRNA), NC siRNA group(HL-1 cells paced for 48 hours and transfected with NC siRNA), and H151 inhibitor group(HL-1 cells paced for 48 hours with the addition of 1 μmol/L STING inhibitor H151). Mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed in control and pacing group cells, and mitochondrial MitoTracker and TFAM co-localization staining was performed on these cells.Cellular senescence was evaluated using β-galactosidase staining in each group, and the positive rate of cellular senescence was observed and calculated.Western blotting was employed to detect the expression levels of STING, IRF3, P-IRF3, P16, P21, and P53 proteins in all groups.Immunofluorescence was utilized to examine the expression distribution of STING and P21 across the various groups.ELISA was performed to measure the concentrations of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in the cell supernatants from each group as part of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype(SASP).Results:Compared with the control group, the ratio of mitochondrial JC-1 multimer to monomer was significantly decreased in the pacing group( t=16.42, P<0.05), the co-localization of mitochondrial MitoTracker and TFAM in the cells was significantly weakened, the proportion of cells with positive cellular senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining significantly increased in the pacing group, the expression levels of STING, P-IRF3/IRF3, P16, P21, and P53 proteins were significantly elevated in the pacing group, and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in the cell supernatants were markedly increased.Compared with the pacing group, the proportion of cells with positive cellular senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining decreased in the STING siRNA group and H151 inhibitor group ( F= 18.13, P<0.05), the expression levels of STING, P-IRF3/IRF3, P16, P21, and P53 were reduced in the STING siRNA group and H151 inhibitor group ( F=16.84, 26.56, 74.70, 31.80, 31.23, all P<0.05), and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in the cell supernatants decreased( F=197.80、1 339.00、1 308.00, all P<0.001). Conclusions:Rapid pacing of HL-1 cells can promote mtDNA release into the cytoplasm, activate the STING-IRF3 pathway, accelerate cellular senescence, and enhance the secretion of SASP.Inhibiting the expression of STING can delay the senescence induced by the rapid pacing of HL-1 cells and reduce SASP secretion.
8.Application of SPARK learning model combined with five-step questioning method in standardized training of residents in the department of thyroid and breast surgery
Yixiang HUANG ; Gang WANG ; Yanni HUANG ; Lei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(10):1350-1356
Objective:To combine the SPARK learning model with five-step questioning method, construct a new teaching regimen, and evaluate its effectiveness in the resident training in the department of thyroid and breast surgery, and to provide theoretical basis and practical reference for optimizing the training model of specialist physicians.Methods:A total of 104 clinicians in the department of thyroid and breast surgery who participated in standardized training from December 2022 to December 2024 were selected as research subjects. Based on the time of teaching reform (January 2024), 52 clinicians who participated in standardized training from December 2022 to December 2023 were included in the control group; they received the routine teaching method mainly based on the linear teaching process of "theory teaching, clinical demonstration, skill training, and case discussion", which emphasized knowledge transmission and skill imitation. The 52 clinicians who participated in standardized training from January to December 2024 were assigned to the experimental group; they received SPARK learning model combined with the five-step question teaching method. Teaching evaluation included assessment of basic theory, clinical skills, and clinical thinking as well as satisfaction with teaching. The t test and chi-square test were performed using SPSS 26.0. Results:The basic theory assessment and clinical skill assessment scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The scores of all thinking ability dimensions were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group [diagnostic decision-making: (21.85±1.15) vs. (18.35±3.42); treatment plan: (24.62±1.52) vs. (20.28±4.13); complication management: (14.82±0.73) vs. (12.17±2.53); evidence-based medicine application: (15.18±0.92) vs. (12.48±2.85); multidisciplinary collaboration: (14.95±0.83) vs. (12.73±3.08); and cost benefit analysis: (8.25±0.42) vs. (6.82±1.53)]. The satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.Conclusions:Through the organic combination of systematic knowledge construction and critical thinking training, the teaching method integrating SPARK learning model and five-step questioning method can significantly enhance the specialized core competence of residents in the department of thyroid and breast surgery and their decision-making ability to cope with complex clinical scenarios.
9.Clinical feature and genetic analysis of a child with X-linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome caused by nonsense variant in the MID1 gene mediated by mRNA degradation escape.
Yingyu YAN ; Li HE ; Ying YANG ; Duan WANG ; Haiqing ZHANG ; Yanni CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(2):219-225
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genotype-phenotype relationship in a child with Opitz G/BBB syndrome (OS) with mild clinical phenotype.
METHODS:
A child with motor developmental delay as the initial symptom admitted to Xi'an Children's Hospital on June 10, 2021 was selected for this study. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the child and his mother. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify genetic variant in the child. Candidate variant were verified by Sanger sequencing to assess inheritance patterns and pathogenicity. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the variant on mRNA and protein expression, respectively, using recombinant expression plasmids generated in vitro. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xi'an Children's Hospital (Ethics No. 20240045).
RESULTS:
The child, a 9-month-and-7-day-old boy, presented with a low nasal bridge, hypertelorism, and difficulty sitting independently. Echocardiography revealed an atrial septal defect. WES identified a homozygous variant in the MIDI gene, c.1483C>T (p.R495X), which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and found to be inherited from the mother.Recombinant expression plasmids were successfully constructed. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the variant significantly reduced MIDI gene mRNA expression, while WB results indicated that the variant led to the production of a truncated protein.
CONCLUSION
The mild clinical phenotype of OS in this child may be attributed to the mRNA degradation escape mechanism induced by the nonsense variant c.1483C>T (p.R495X) in the MIDI gene. These findings provide valuable diagnostic insights for this pedigree and contribute to the understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation in OS.
Humans
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Male
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Infant
;
Transcription Factors/metabolism*
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Microtubule Proteins/genetics*
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Craniosynostoses/genetics*
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Hypospadias/genetics*
;
Codon, Nonsense/genetics*
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RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
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Female
;
RNA Stability/genetics*
;
Phenotype
;
Nuclear Proteins/genetics*
;
Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
;
Esophagus/abnormalities*
;
Hypertelorism
10.Deubiquitinase OTUD6A alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury by targeting EZH2 to reduce cell death in hepatocytes.
Yanni ZHAO ; Tianyang JIN ; Tingxin XU ; Yi FANG ; Qingsong ZHENG ; Wu LUO ; Weiwei ZHU ; Yue CHEN ; Jiong WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Wei ZUO ; Lijiang HUANG ; Guang LIANG ; Yi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4772-4788
Acetaminophen (APAP) is the primary cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. Ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 6A (OTUD6A), a recently discovered deubiquitinase of the OTU family, has been primarily studied in tumor contexts. However, its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of OTUD6A in the pathogenesis of AILI. Our findings demonstrated a substantial upregulation of OTUD6A in both the liver tissue and isolated hepatocytes of mice following APAP stimulation. OTUD6A knockout exacerbated APAP-induced inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and liver injury, whereas OTUD6A overexpression alleviated these pathologies. Mechanistically, OTUD6A directly interacted with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and selectively removed K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from EZH2, enhancing its stability. This resulted in increased protein levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death in hepatocytes. Collectively, our research uncovers a novel role for OTUD6A in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury by promoting EZH2 stabilization.

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