1.Immune microenvironment regulates bone regeneration
Hu YANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Chengming JIA ; Tong WANG ; Guangfei ZHANG ; Yaoyao JI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):701-710
BACKGROUND:The local immune microenvironment plays an important regulatory role in the process of bone formation,and the immune system is intricately linked to the skeletal system.OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the promotion of bone regeneration from three aspects:immune cell regulation of microenvironment,regulation of immune response by small extracellular vesicles,and induction of immune response by bone biomaterials,and to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms involved in bone regeneration.METHODS:Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed,CNKI,WanFang Database,and VIP Database,using the search terms of"osteoimmunology,immune microenvironment,small extracellular vesicles,bone regeneration,bone tissue repair,biomaterials,and tissue engineering"in English and Chinese.Repeat and irrelevant literature was screened and removed,and 92 articles that met the criteria were selected for intensive reading and review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Multiple immune cells and bone cells are in the same microenvironment,and immune cells can regulate the differentiation and activity of bone cells,collectively forming an immune microenvironment that affects bone regeneration.Neutrophils can significantly reduce local inflammatory responses in the early stages of bone injury,creating a favorable microenvironment for bone regeneration.M1 macrophages can clear foreign bodies and reduce early inflammatory responses,while M2 macrophages can promote the expression of osteogenic markers and factors,playing an important role in the repair process of bone injury.B cells and T cells can directly or indirectly affect the generation and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,regulate bone metabolism,and promote bone regeneration.Extracellular vesicles of small cells regulate the local immune microenvironment through paracrine secretion,promoting bone formation and angiogenesis at the site of bone injury.The metal ions,surface hydrophilicity,porosity,pore size,surface morphology,and surface roughness on the surface of biomaterials can directly regulate local immune responses,and have anti-inflammatory,angiogenic,and osteogenic effects,thereby accelerating bone regeneration.
2.Immune microenvironment regulates bone regeneration
Hu YANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Chengming JIA ; Tong WANG ; Guangfei ZHANG ; Yaoyao JI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):701-710
BACKGROUND:The local immune microenvironment plays an important regulatory role in the process of bone formation,and the immune system is intricately linked to the skeletal system.OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the promotion of bone regeneration from three aspects:immune cell regulation of microenvironment,regulation of immune response by small extracellular vesicles,and induction of immune response by bone biomaterials,and to elucidate the immune regulatory mechanisms involved in bone regeneration.METHODS:Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed,CNKI,WanFang Database,and VIP Database,using the search terms of"osteoimmunology,immune microenvironment,small extracellular vesicles,bone regeneration,bone tissue repair,biomaterials,and tissue engineering"in English and Chinese.Repeat and irrelevant literature was screened and removed,and 92 articles that met the criteria were selected for intensive reading and review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Multiple immune cells and bone cells are in the same microenvironment,and immune cells can regulate the differentiation and activity of bone cells,collectively forming an immune microenvironment that affects bone regeneration.Neutrophils can significantly reduce local inflammatory responses in the early stages of bone injury,creating a favorable microenvironment for bone regeneration.M1 macrophages can clear foreign bodies and reduce early inflammatory responses,while M2 macrophages can promote the expression of osteogenic markers and factors,playing an important role in the repair process of bone injury.B cells and T cells can directly or indirectly affect the generation and activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts,regulate bone metabolism,and promote bone regeneration.Extracellular vesicles of small cells regulate the local immune microenvironment through paracrine secretion,promoting bone formation and angiogenesis at the site of bone injury.The metal ions,surface hydrophilicity,porosity,pore size,surface morphology,and surface roughness on the surface of biomaterials can directly regulate local immune responses,and have anti-inflammatory,angiogenic,and osteogenic effects,thereby accelerating bone regeneration.
3.Efficacy of bilateral facial muscle training combined with visual electromyography biofeedback in the treatment of idiopathic facial nerve palsy
Xinyue CAI ; Ling DING ; Yilan MA ; Shihong HU ; Huajun GU ; Longdian GU ; Yijie ZHU ; Jiakun YAN ; Yaoyao ZHENG ; Qingsong MA
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(6):1017-1023
Objective To explore the efficacy of bilateral facial muscle training combined with visual electromyography biofeedback on facial nerve function recovery in patients with idiopathic facial nerve palsy. Methods Patients with idiopathic facial nerve palsy admitted to Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University from July 2022 to July 2024 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group. The control group received conventional physical factor therapy, while the intervention group received bilateral facial muscle training combined with visual electromyography biofeedback therapy based on the control group’s regimen. After 20 treatment sessions, the total effective rate, the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve grading system, the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) score, and the average value ratio of maximal amplitudes of bilateral frontalis and zygomaticus muscles were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 90 patients were included, 45 in each group. After 20 treatment sessions, the total effective rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (84.4% vs 75.6%, P=0.003). Compared with the control group, the intervention group demonstrated a significantly lower H-B grade (P=0.003) and a higher SFGS score (P=0.001). The average value ratios of maximal amplitudes of the affected versus healthy side frontalis (P=0.013) and zygomatic (P=0.022) muscles were higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Conclusions Bilateral facial muscle training combined with visual electromyography biofeedback is an effective approach for treating idiopathic facial nerve palsy, effectively promoting the recovery of facial nerve function, and improving facial symmetry and facial muscle function.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Oxidative Stress to Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis: A Review
Hu YANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Chengming JIA ; Tong WANG ; Guangfei ZHANG ; Yaoyao JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):277-285
Osteoporosis is a common bone metabolic disease, which is mainly characterized by the decrease in the number of bone trabeculae and the destruction of bone tissue microstructure, leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risks. This disease is common in postmenopausal women, elderly men, diabetes patients, and obese people. Due to the lack of awareness to prevent bone losses and the limitations of bone mass measurement methods, osteoporosis is only concerned when there are serious complications, which imposes a heavy burden on both patients and medical resources. Oxidative stress refers to the excessive production of highly active molecules such as reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen in the body subjected to harmful stimuli, leading to the imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidant systems and causing oxidative damage. Studies have shown that oxidative stress can increase the generation and activity of osteoclasts and inhibit the differentiation of osteoblasts, thus playing a role in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is considered an effective antioxidant that can alleviate oxidative stress-induced osteoporosis by regulating a variety of signaling pathways. Studies have shown that TCM can alleviate oxidative stress and promote bone angiogenesis and osteogenesis by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-kappa B, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) signaling pathways. TCM alleviates oxidative stress and promotes osteogenesis by regulating the Nrf2, PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin, and secreted glycoprotein Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. In addition, TCM regulates NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/RANK ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway to alleviate excessive bone resorption induced by oxidative stress. This paper systematically summarizes the literature on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by TCM or its active ingredients via the above-mentioned signaling pathways to reduce oxidative stress in recent years. It briefs the possible molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress regulation-related signaling pathways to cause osteoporosis. In addition, this paper discusses the effects and mechanisms of TCM on bone angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and bone resorption by reducing oxidative stress through the regulation of related signaling pathways, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the research and clinical treatment of osteoporosis.
5.Changes in expression of miR-146a-5p and StAR in blood vessels of rats with hypertension complicated with sepsis
Lan ZHENG ; Lianyu LI ; Penghui ZHANG ; Dingxin ZHANG ; Yaoyao QIN ; Weiwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(4):482-488
Objective:To investigate the changes in the expression of miR-146a-5p and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the blood vessels of rats with hypertension complicated with sepsis, and to preliminarily evaluate the underlying mechanisms of vascular lesions in hypertension complicated with sepsis.Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks, weighing 250-270 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using the random number table method: sham operation group, sepsis group, hypertension group, and hypertension complicated with sepsis group. In sham operation group, laparotomy was performed, and sterile normal saline was subcutaneously infused using a micro-osmotic pump for 4 weeks. The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation after anesthesia in sepsis group. The hypertension model was established by subcutaneously infusing angiotensin Ⅱ at a rate of 500 ng·kg -1·min -1 for 4 weeks using a micro-osmotic pump in hypertension group. In hypertension complicated with sepsis group, angiotensin Ⅱ was subcutaneously infused, and 4 weeks later the sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation. Blood pressure was measured at the end of establishing the model in each group, and blood samples of the abdominal aorta and specimens of aorta were obtained under deep anesthesia, and the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The systolic and diastolic functions of the aorta were detected using the aortic vascular ring assay. The collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated after Masson staining. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and StAR was detected using the immunohistochemical staining assay, and the thickness of the aortic wall was measured. The expression of StAR mRNA and miR-146a-5p was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with sham operation group, the aortic contraction rate was significantly decreased, the expression of StAR protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a-5p was down-regulated, and the serum TNF-α concentration was increased in the other three groups, and the systolic blood pressure and CVF were significantly increased, the thickness of the aortic wall was increased, the expression of α-SMA was up-regulated, and the thickness of the aortic wall was increased in hypertension and hypertension complicated with sepsis groups ( P<0.05). Compared with sepsis group, the systolic pressure was significantly increased, the aortic contraction rate was decreased, CVF was increased, the expression of α-SMA was up-regulated, the thickness of the aortic wall was increased, the expression of StAR protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a-5p was down-regulated, and the serum TNF-α concentration was increased in hypertension complicated with sepsis group ( P<0.05). Compared with hypertension group, the aortic contraction rate was significantly decreased, the diastolic rate was increased, the expression of StAR protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a-5p was down-regulated, and the serum TNF-α concentration was increased in hypertension complicated with sepsis group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Down-regulation of miR-146a-5p and up-regulation of StAR in the blood vessels of rats with hypertension complicated with sepsis may be associated with the vascular lesions caused by hypertension complicated with sepsis.
6.Qingda Granules alleviate brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis
Qiaoyan CAI ; Yaoyao XU ; Yuxing LIN ; Haowei LIN ; Junpeng ZHENG ; Weixiang ZHANG ; Chunyu ZHAO ; Yupeng LIN ; Ling ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):18-26
Objective To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules(QDG)for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).Methods Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks.The control rats,along with 6 age-matched WKY rats,were treated with saline only.Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored,and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining.Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR,and the protein expressions of NeuN,STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R),the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis,expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA,and protein expressions of STAT3,Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay,Hoechst 33342 staining,RT-qPCR,and Western blotting.Results Compared with WKY rats,SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex,reduced expressions of NeuN,miR-124 and Bcl-2,and enhanced expressions of STAT3,Bax and cleaved caspase-3(P<0.05).All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG(P<0.05).In the HT22 cell model,QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis,increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2,and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3,Bax and cleaved caspase-3.Conclusion QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.
7.Qingda Granules alleviate brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.
Qiaoyan CAI ; Yaoyao XU ; Yuxing LIN ; Haowei LIN ; Junpeng ZHENG ; Weixiang ZHANG ; Chunyu ZHAO ; Yupeng LIN ; Ling ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):18-26
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules (QDG) for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
METHODS:
Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks. The control rats, along with 6 age-matched WKY rats, were treated with saline only. Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored, and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining. Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR, and the protein expressions of NeuN, STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis, expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA, and protein expressions of STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with WKY rats, SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, reduced expressions of NeuN, miR-124 and Bcl-2, and enhanced expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG (P<0.05). In the HT22 cell model, QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis, increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2, and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3.
CONCLUSIONS
QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.
Animals
;
Rats, Inbred SHR
;
MicroRNAs/metabolism*
;
STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Rats
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Rats, Inbred WKY
;
Male
;
Hypertension
8.Interactively Integrating Reach and Grasp Information in Macaque Premotor Cortex.
Junjun CHEN ; Guanghao SUN ; Yiwei ZHANG ; Weidong CHEN ; Xiaoxiang ZHENG ; Shaomin ZHANG ; Yaoyao HAO
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(11):1991-2009
Reach-to-grasp movements require integrating information on both object location and grip type, but how these elements are planned and to what extent they interact remains unclear. We designed a new experimental paradigm in which monkeys sequentially received reach and grasp cues with delays, requiring them to retain and integrate both cues to grasp the goal object with appropriate hand gestures. Neural activity in the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) revealed that reach and grasp were similarly represented yet not independent. Upon receiving the second cue, the PMd continued encoding the first, but over half of the neurons displayed incongruent modulations: enhanced, attenuated, or even reversed. Population-level analysis showed significant changes in encoding structure, forming distinct neural patterns. Leveraging canonical correlation analysis, we identified a shared subspace preserving the initial cue's encoding, contributed by both congruent and incongruent neurons. Together, these findings reveal a novel perspective on the interactive planning of reach and grasp within the PMd, providing insights into potential applications for brain-machine interfaces.
Animals
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Motor Cortex/physiology*
;
Hand Strength/physiology*
;
Macaca mulatta
;
Psychomotor Performance/physiology*
;
Neurons/physiology*
;
Male
;
Cues
;
Movement/physiology*
;
Gestures
9.Action mechanism of Gegenmaqi prescription in treatment of periarthritis of shoulder combined with type 2 diabetes based on TCMSP database
Tong WANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Chengming JIA ; Hu YANG ; Guangfei ZHANG ; Yaoyao JI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(35):7669-7678
BACKGROUND:Gegenmaqi prescription has a good effect on periarthritis of shoulder combined with type 2 diabetes and has a good application prospect,but the specific mechanism is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the action mechanism of Gegenmaqi prescription on periarthritis of shoulder and type 2 diabetes by network pharmacology,molecular docking,and molecular dynamics.METHODS:The active components and protein targets of Gegenmaqi prescription were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database and analysis platform,referred to as TCMSP jointly established by the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica,Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica,and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in 2013.Genecards created by Professor Doron Lancet's team at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel in 1997,Drugbank created by scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada in 2006,and the OMIM database established by Dr.Victor A.McKusick's team at Johns Hopkins University in the United States in 1966 were used to search the disease protein targets of periarthritis of shoulder and type 2 diabetes,and the intersection targets were obtained based on the WeChat online tool.The protein-protein interaction network was constructed based on the STRING database created in 2000 by Peer Bork's team at the European Bioinformatics Institute(EMBL),and the protein-protein interaction relationship was analyzed.The core targets were screened according to the degree value.The intersection targets were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.Finally,molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used to verify the binding of key components to key targets.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)One hundred and forty-two active ingredients of Gegenmaqi prescription were obtained,including 65 intersections between component targets and disease targets,5 key active ingredients(β-sitosterol,stigmasterol,kaempferol,quercetin,and formononetin),and 5 key targets(AKT1,tumor necrosis factor,interleukin-10,JUN,and TP53).(2)GO function enrichment included 508 items,390 biological process items,77 molecular function items and 41 cell component items.KEGG pathway analysis showed 146 pathways,mainly involving advanced glycation end products receptor signaling pathway,lipid and atherosclerosis signaling pathway,tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,and interleukin-17 signaling pathway.(3)Molecular docking showed that the key components and key targets had good binding activity.Molecular dynamics simulation showed that β-sitosterol had stable interactions with AKT1,tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10.(4)Gegenmaqi prescription has been comprehensively studied,and the material basis of its pharmacological effect has been primarily clarified.It is predicted that Gegenmaqi prescription can treat periarthritis of shoulder combined with type 2 diabetes through multi-components,multi-targets,and multi-pathways to exert anti-inflammatory and regulate insulin secretion.
10.Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on the real experience of prehabilitation among cancer patients
Lina CAI ; Xinbo WANG ; Yehua XIE ; Yaoyao CAI ; Ting SUN ; Hengyu ZHENG ; Xianghong YE
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(18):2395-2403
Objective:To systematically synthesize the real experiences of cancer patients undergoing prehabilitation and provide a reference for the development of targeted prehabilitation programs.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases for qualitative studies on the prehabilitation experiences of cancer patients. The quality of the included studies was appraised, and the findings were integrated using a Meta-aggregative approach. The search covered publications up to June 30, 2024.Results:A total of 17 studies were included, yielding 76 themes. These were synthesized into 12 categories and further integrated into four integration results: heavy physical and psychological burden with low adherence to programs; positive cognition supported by multiple factors leads to high adherence under appropriate interventions; unmet practical needs require urgent attention; physical and psychological benefits are sustained and influential.Conclusions:Multiple factors affect patients' adherence to prehabilitation, and unmet needs are common. Future research should aim to identify barriers and meet patients' needs.

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