1.Regulation of lysosome function by stem cells in treatment of lysosomal storage diseases
Yiwen LI ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):145-152
BACKGROUND:Lysosomal storage diseases,as a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders,exhibit complex pathogenesis often leading to dysfunction of cells,tissues,and organs.Current therapeutic approaches have certain limitations.Stem cell transplantation,as an emerging treatment method,offers new options for patients with lysosomal storage diseases.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanisms of action of stem cells in regulating lysosomes for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and explore the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine in treating such diseases,providing new insights for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with stem cells.METHODS:Relevant literature from 2010 to 2024 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases using keywords"stem cells,lysosomal storage disease,lysosome"in English and Chinese.Ultimately,78 articles were included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells treat lysosomal storage diseases by regulating lysosomes primarily through three aspects:regulating stem cell differentiation and replacement,improving intercellular communication and the microenvironment,and enhancing lysosomal enzyme expression through gene editing.(2)Stem cells have achieved significant effects in the treatment of some lysosomal storage diseases,such as Niemann-Pick disease,mucopolysaccharidoses,Gaucher disease,and metachromatic leukodystrophy.(3)The procedure for stem cell transplantation needs further optimization.Adverse reactions post-transplantation urgently need to be addressed,and the efficiency and safety of gene-modified stem cells also need to be further improved.In the future,more research on the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine is required to reveal the relevant mechanisms for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
2.Microbiota distribution in oral and esophageal sites of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients
Jinyu KONG ; Xingyue FENG ; Mengfan QIAN ; Jian WANG ; Wei SUN ; Yiwen LIU ; Ruonan LI ; Shegan GAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(7):1296-1304
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution characteristics and correlation of paired oral and esophageal microbiota in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MethodsA total of 46 pathologically confirmed ESCC patients were enrolled, and oral swabs and cancerous tissue samples were collected. The microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and bioinformatics methods were employed to compare the microbiota diversity, compositional differences, and correlations between the two sites. ResultsThe Alpha diversity of the oral microbiota in ESCC patients was significantly higher than that of their esophageal microbiota, though the overall community structure was similar between the two sites. LEfSe analysis revealed that Spirochaetes, Prevotella, Catonella, Enterococcus, Fusobacterium periodonticum, Veillonella parvula, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Neisseria subflava were significantly enriched in ESCC tumor tissues. In contrast, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Haemophilus, Streptococcus mitis, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Haemophilus haemolyticus, and Prevotella tannerae were significantly enriched in the oral cavity. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant associations between the two sites at taxonomic levels such as Spirochaetes, Treponema, Granulicatella elegans, Neisseria macacae, Treponema amylovorum, Fusobacterium periodonticum, and Neisseria meningitidis (P<0.05). ConclusionThe oral and esophageal microbiota in ESCC patients exhibit both distinct differences and similarities. Oral microbiota may influence the esophageal microenvironment through migration or local immune modulation.
3.Change and significance of IL-18 and Th1 in cytomegalovirus infection after pediatric liver transplantation
Yiwen GAO ; Chun LIU ; Dan LI ; Jiawei MU ; Yuliang WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(8):1453-1457
ObjectiveTo investigate the change of interleukin (IL)-18 and Th1, Th2 of CD3+CD8- T helper lymphocytes in pediatric liver transplantation with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. MethodsA total of 40 pediatric patients who underwent pediatric liver transplantation were collected. Patients were divided into the CMV group (n=20) and the non-infected group (n=20) according to whether CMV infection occurred. The plasma IL-18 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression percentage of IFN-γ and IL-10 of CD3+CD8- T lymphocytes (Th1 and Th2) in peripheral blood were determined with flow cytometry. ResultsThe expression level of plasma IL-18 significantly increased in the CMV group compared with that in non-infected group (P<0.01). The expression percentage of Th1 in peripheral blood significantly decreased in the CMV group compared with that in non-infected group (P<0.01). No significant difference was found in the expression percentage of Th2 between CMV group and non-infected group. IL-18 levels were negatively correlated with the Th1 (P<0.05). ConclusionThe elevated IL-18 levels along with polarized Th 1 subsets’ imbalance involves in the pathogenesis of CMV infection in pediatric liver transplantation.
4.Clinical Observation of Xiere Xingpi Yin in Treatment of Simple Obesity and Effect on Obesity-related miRNAs
Yelin ZHU ; Yiwen HUANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Xianchang ZENG ; Zhenxiu LIU ; Hejin LAI ; Feng TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):177-185
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xiere Xingpi Yin (XRXPY) on the body mass and body fat distribution in patients with simple obesity, and to preliminarily explore whether the mechanism involves the regulation of specific obesity-related microRNAs (miRNAs). MethodsA randomized controlled trial design was employed to recruit patients with simple obesity diagnosed with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of dampness-heat accumulating in the spleen. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 95 patients with simple obesity of dampness-heat encumbering the Spleen syndrome were recruited, after 3 were excluded, 92 were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio by means of a random number table. On the basis of lifestyle intervention, the observation group received XRXPY granules, while the control group received a placebo. Serum samples and TCM symptom scores were collected before and after the 12-week observation period. Differences in body mass loss, body composition, lipid metabolism, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the groups. An obesity-related miRNA dataset was constructed by searching the Human MicroRNA Disease Database. Library construction, sequencing, and quality control were performed on 6 selected patients from each group to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs. The intersection of these miRNAs with the obesity-related miRNAs was verified by bioinformatics and correlation analysis. ResultsBaseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups before treatment. A total of 86 patients completed the study (42 cases in the observation group and 44 cases in the control group). The proportion of patients achieving ≥5% body weight reduction was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group 81.0% (34/42) vs. 43.2% (19/44) (χ2=12.963, P<0.01). Compared with baseline within the observation group, body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were significantly decreased (P<0.01), as were body fat percentage (P<0.01) and serum triglyceride level (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, waist circumference and TCM syndrome score were significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01), and body weight showed a trend toward reduction. When changes from baseline were compared between the two groups, the magnitudes of decrease in body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were all significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). With respect to safety, no serious adverse events occurred in either group and no participant discontinued the study because of adverse events. Compared with baseline, alanine aminotransferase levels decreased significantly in both the control and observation groups (P<0.01), and urea decreased significantly in the observation group (P<0.01), indicating a favorable safety profile. Sequencing identified nine differentially expressed miRNAs. After intersecting with the obesity-related miRNA dataset (187 miRNAs), 3 miRNAs were identified: miR-221 (log2FC=-6.62, P=0.009), miR-29a (log2FC=6.33, P=0.016), and miR-10b (log2FC=-5.91, P=0.029). A total of 262 target genes of the 3 miRNAs were identified, which were significantly enriched in 67 pathways, including the lysine degradation pathway (P=0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between miR-221 and triglycerides (r=0.46, P=0.027), a negative correlation between miR-29a and waist-to-hip ratio (r=-0.41, P=0.047), and positive correlations of miR-10b with body fat percentage (r=0.49, P=0.014) and waist circumference (r=0.44, P=0.032). ConclusionXRXPY combined with lifestyle intervention can effectively reduce the body mass and improve body composition. The underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of the lysine degradation pathway via miR-221, miR-29a, and miR-10b, though further verification is required.
5.Regulation of lysosome function by stem cells in treatment of lysosomal storage diseases
Yiwen LI ; Feixiang LIU ; Yunke ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(1):145-152
BACKGROUND:Lysosomal storage diseases,as a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders,exhibit complex pathogenesis often leading to dysfunction of cells,tissues,and organs.Current therapeutic approaches have certain limitations.Stem cell transplantation,as an emerging treatment method,offers new options for patients with lysosomal storage diseases.OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanisms of action of stem cells in regulating lysosomes for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases and explore the feasibility of traditional Chinese medicine in treating such diseases,providing new insights for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with stem cells.METHODS:Relevant literature from 2010 to 2024 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases using keywords"stem cells,lysosomal storage disease,lysosome"in English and Chinese.Ultimately,78 articles were included for review and analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stem cells treat lysosomal storage diseases by regulating lysosomes primarily through three aspects:regulating stem cell differentiation and replacement,improving intercellular communication and the microenvironment,and enhancing lysosomal enzyme expression through gene editing.(2)Stem cells have achieved significant effects in the treatment of some lysosomal storage diseases,such as Niemann-Pick disease,mucopolysaccharidoses,Gaucher disease,and metachromatic leukodystrophy.(3)The procedure for stem cell transplantation needs further optimization.Adverse reactions post-transplantation urgently need to be addressed,and the efficiency and safety of gene-modified stem cells also need to be further improved.In the future,more research on the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine is required to reveal the relevant mechanisms for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Clinical Observation of Xiere Xingpi Yin in Treatment of Simple Obesity and Effect on Obesity-related miRNAs
Yelin ZHU ; Yiwen HUANG ; Ke ZHANG ; Xianchang ZENG ; Zhenxiu LIU ; Hejin LAI ; Feng TAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):177-185
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xiere Xingpi Yin (XRXPY) on the body mass and body fat distribution in patients with simple obesity, and to preliminarily explore whether the mechanism involves the regulation of specific obesity-related microRNAs (miRNAs). MethodsA randomized controlled trial design was employed to recruit patients with simple obesity diagnosed with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome of dampness-heat accumulating in the spleen. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 95 patients with simple obesity of dampness-heat encumbering the Spleen syndrome were recruited, after 3 were excluded, 92 were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio by means of a random number table. On the basis of lifestyle intervention, the observation group received XRXPY granules, while the control group received a placebo. Serum samples and TCM symptom scores were collected before and after the 12-week observation period. Differences in body mass loss, body composition, lipid metabolism, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the groups. An obesity-related miRNA dataset was constructed by searching the Human MicroRNA Disease Database. Library construction, sequencing, and quality control were performed on 6 selected patients from each group to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs. The intersection of these miRNAs with the obesity-related miRNAs was verified by bioinformatics and correlation analysis. ResultsBaseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups before treatment. A total of 86 patients completed the study (42 cases in the observation group and 44 cases in the control group). The proportion of patients achieving ≥5% body weight reduction was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group 81.0% (34/42) vs. 43.2% (19/44) (χ2=12.963, P<0.01). Compared with baseline within the observation group, body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were significantly decreased (P<0.01), as were body fat percentage (P<0.01) and serum triglyceride level (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, waist circumference and TCM syndrome score were significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.01), and body weight showed a trend toward reduction. When changes from baseline were compared between the two groups, the magnitudes of decrease in body weight, waist circumference, and TCM syndrome score were all significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). With respect to safety, no serious adverse events occurred in either group and no participant discontinued the study because of adverse events. Compared with baseline, alanine aminotransferase levels decreased significantly in both the control and observation groups (P<0.01), and urea decreased significantly in the observation group (P<0.01), indicating a favorable safety profile. Sequencing identified nine differentially expressed miRNAs. After intersecting with the obesity-related miRNA dataset (187 miRNAs), 3 miRNAs were identified: miR-221 (log2FC=-6.62, P=0.009), miR-29a (log2FC=6.33, P=0.016), and miR-10b (log2FC=-5.91, P=0.029). A total of 262 target genes of the 3 miRNAs were identified, which were significantly enriched in 67 pathways, including the lysine degradation pathway (P=0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between miR-221 and triglycerides (r=0.46, P=0.027), a negative correlation between miR-29a and waist-to-hip ratio (r=-0.41, P=0.047), and positive correlations of miR-10b with body fat percentage (r=0.49, P=0.014) and waist circumference (r=0.44, P=0.032). ConclusionXRXPY combined with lifestyle intervention can effectively reduce the body mass and improve body composition. The underlying mechanism may involve the regulation of the lysine degradation pathway via miR-221, miR-29a, and miR-10b, though further verification is required.
7.The preventive and therapeutic effects of three ethanol extracts derived from three sources of Stellera chamaejasme L. on imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice
Ying PENG ; Xin LIU ; Yiwen NIE ; Xinhe WANG ; Hua NIAN ; Jianyong ZHU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(10):502-507
Objective To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of ethanol extracts derived from three sources of traditional Chinese medicine: Stellera chamaejasme L., Euphorbia fischeriana Steud. and Euphorbia kansuensis Prokh., on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in mice. Methods Thirty-six male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the following 6 groups with 6 mice in each group: blank control, model, Stellera chamaejasme, Euphorbia fischeriana, Euphorbia kansuensis, and calcipotriol. Psoriasis area and severity index(PASI) scores were used to record the changes of skin lesions in every group; Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of skin and measure the thickness of the epidermis. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of nuclear antigen Ki67 in the skin tissues of mice. Results Compared with the model group, the three kinds of ethanol extracts could reduce the PASI score, inhibit epidermal thickening, and decrease expression of Ki67 in the psoriasis mice. Among them, the therapeutic effect of Stellera chamaejasme was the most significant and it was better than the commonly used topical drug calcipotriol. Conclusion The ethanol extract of Stellera chamaejasme had good anti-psoriatic activity, which could inhibit the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes, reduce the expression of Ki67, and significantly improve psoriasis-like skin lesions.
8.Survival advantage of first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis
Peixin FENG ; Qing HOU ; Ningning YAO ; Wenjuan ZHANG ; Bochen SUN ; Wenxia NIU ; Anqi ZHAO ; Wenlu CHEN ; Baixue WU ; Yuying ZHOU ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Yu LIANG ; Xin CAO ; Wei BAI ; Jianting LIU ; Shuangping ZHANG ; Jianzhong CAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(8):766-773
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 137 patients with Stage Ⅳ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated at our hospital from January 2018 to May 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group, n = 43) and a group treated with only chemoimmunotherapy ( n = 94). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. With overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as study endpoints, the survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox regression method. Results:Before calibration, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group significantly outperformed the sole chemoimmunotherapy group in median PFS (13.6 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.501, 95% CI: 0.309-0.811, P = 0.005). After calibration using the COX proportional-hazards model for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, smoking history, T/N/M stage, and tumor location, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group still had significant advantages in PFS (14.7 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.441, 95% CI: 0.261-0.745, P = 0.002). IPTW analysis further confirmed this trend (13.9 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.304-0.795, P < 0.001). Specifically, the median OS of the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group demonstrated significant improvement in all analyses: pre-calibration (29.5 months vs. 18.0 months; HR: 0.507, 95% CI: 0.297-0.867, P = 0.013), after calibration using the Cox model (27.5 months vs. 16.7 months; HR: 0.470, 95% CI: 0.266-0.830, P = 0.009), and after calibration using IPTW (29.5 months vs. 16.9 months; HR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.262-0.764, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The combination of radiotherapy and first-line chemoimmunotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes of patients with advanced ESCC, suggesting its potential as a standard treatment strategy.
9.Development and validation of a machine learning-based prognostic model for portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis
Junqi YUAN ; Sa LYU ; Jun LING ; Yiwen XU ; Hui FENG ; Shaoli YOU ; Fuquan LIU ; Limei YU ; Bing ZHU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(7):497-502
Objective:To analyze the prognostic factors of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and to construct a prognostic prediction model based on machine learning methods.Methods:The clinical data of 388 patients with liver cirrhosis and PVT admitted to the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2022 to April 2024 were retrospectively collected and analyzed, including 243 males and 145 females, aged (56.9±10.9) years. A total of 388 patients were randomly divided into the training set ( n=310) and the testing set ( n=78) in a 4∶1 ratio. The Boruta algorithm was used to screen the key features in the training set, and then four machine learning algorithms, including random forest, support vector machine, generalized linear model and Bayesian, were used to establish a survival prediction model. Model performance was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the test set and the training set. The patients were followed up for 1 year for survival. Sort the importance of features based on the SHAP value. Results:There were 250 patients (80.6%) who survived and 60 (19.4%) who died. The model for end-stage liver disease score, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, D-dimer, white blood cell count, severe ascites ratio, and Child-Pugh grade C ratio of liver function in the death group were higher than those in the survival group, and the red blood cell count and hematocrit were lower than those in the survival group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The areas under the ROC curve for predicting survival by random forest, support vector machine, generalized linear model and Bayesian model were 0.92, 0.78, 0.81 and 0.71 in the training set, and the area under the ROC curve in the testing set were 0.81, 0.72, 0.67 and 0.68, respectively. Random forest had the best prediction performance, with an accuracy of 81.7%, a sensitivity of 84.6%, and a specificity of 76.9% in the testing set. In the analysis of the importance of characteristic parameters of the random forest model, total bilirubin, red blood cells, hematocrit, serum creatinine, ascites classification, etc. had a relatively high contribution to the model. Conclusion:In the survival prediction model of patients with liver cirrhosis and PVT based on machine learning algorithm, the random forest model had high prediction performance, and total bilirubin may be the most important factor affecting the survival prognosis of patients.
10.Effects of targeting chemokine ligand 1 on the malignant biological behaviors of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Jingying LI ; Yiwen XU ; Menglin LIU ; Minhai NIE ; Xuqian LIU
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(2):169-175
Objective:To explore the expression of chemokine ligand 1(CCL1)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)and its effect on the proliferation,migration and invasion of human oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells(HSC-4).Methods:28 OSCC tissue samples and clinical characteristic data of patients were collected at the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University between January 2018 and June 2020,as well as 10 normal gingival tissue samples removed during the extraction of impacted teeth.OSCC cells HSC-4 were cultured routinely and divided into the control group(without virus),the NC group(transfected with control lentiviral vector),the shCCL1 group(transfected with knockdown CCL1 lentiviral vector),and the CCL1 group(culture medium containing 60 ng/mL CCL1 recombinant protein).Immunohistochemistry and WB were used to detect the expression of CCL1 in OSCC tissues and cells,and analyze the correlation between its expression level and the clinical features of patients.qPCR,CCK-8 assay,plate cloning assay,cell scratch test,Transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of CCL1 mRNA,the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities and the apoptosis of HSC-4 cells respectively.Results:CCL1 protein was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and HSC-4 cells(all P<0.01)and its expression was related to the clinical stage of tumors(P<0.05).The expression of CCL1 in HSC-4 cells was successfully knocked down(P<0.000 5).Knocking down the expression of CCL1 could inhibit the proliferation(P<0.05 or P<0.01),migration and invasion(all P<0.05)of HSC-4 cells,and promote its apoptosis(all P<0.05).CCL1 recombinant protein treatment resulted in the opposite effects(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.000 1).Conclusion:CCL1 is highly expressed in OSCC and its expression is correlated with the clinical stage of OSCC.CCL1 may take part in regulating the proliferation,migration,invasion and apoptosis of HSC-4 cells.

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