1.Development of a microfluidic chip-based in vitro model of retinal microvasculature and thrombosis therein
Shuxian SHAO ; Yanmei WANG ; Yihan XU ; Jiaxin ZHENG ; Yufan ZHANG ; Danning LIU ; Yuan LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(11):1199-1207
Objective To develop an endothelialized microfluidic chip model that simulates the spatial architecture and bioactivity of retinal vasculature,enabling thrombosis modeling and thrombolytic efficacy validation.Methods A tri-level microvascular network chip(300/200/100 μm diameters)with bifurcated architecture was fabricated using soft lithography.Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs)were perfused into channels,with endothelial coverage monitored via phase-contrast microscopy and F-actin staining.Cellular bioactivity was assessed using mitochondrial membrane potential probes(5,5,6,6-Tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide,JC-1)and nitric oxide(NO)quantification.Fresh blood samples from 10 healthy donors(Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University,March to June 2024)were perfused with digital injection pump to mimic blood flow in human body into 3 experimental groups:normal whole blood,and TNF-α-activated endothelium+normal blood,TNF-α-activated endothelium+TNF-α-treated blood.Three inlet blood flow rates of 37.8、11.1 and 3.5 μL/min were set in each group.Two experimental groups,normal saline and recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator(rtPA),were established using the endothelialized microfluidic thrombosis model to validate thrombolytic efficacy.Endothelial functional impacts were assessed through integrated DAPI/NO staining and thrombosis model analysis across 3 intervention phases:pre-thrombosis,post-thrombosis,and post-thrombolysis.Results A tri-level microfluidic vascular model(300/200/100 μm diameters)was successfully constructed.In 72 h after endothelial cell perfusion,complete channel coverage was achieved,with phase-contrast microscopy and F-actin staining confirming confluent cellular alignment.JC-1/NO assays validated preserved endothelial bioactivity.Compared with the whole blood group,both TNF-α-activated endothelium+normal blood and TNF-α-activated endothelium+TNF-α-treated blood groups exhibited significantly increased thrombus occupancy rates at identical flow rates(all P<0.001).Notably,TNF-α-activated endothelium+TNF-α-treated blood group demonstrated the highest thrombus ratio at 3.5 μL/min(P<0.001).The rtPA group showed superior thrombolytic efficacy versus saline(P<0.001).Endothelial monolayer integrity was maintained across intervention phases,with thrombosis triggering significant NO elevation(P<0.001).Conclusion Our retinal vasculature-mimetic microfluidic model enables precise thrombosis modeling and drug evaluation,providing new methodology for studying retinal vascular occlusive diseases.
2.Cytokine-driven pathogenesis and targeted therapeutics in thyroid eye disease
Yufan SHAO ; Yu YANG ; Chao LIU ; Kun WANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(11):970-975
Thyroid eye disease(TED), also known as thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO) or Graves' ophthalmopathy(GO), is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder associated with autoimmune thyroid disease and can severely impair vision and quality of life. The pathogenesis of TED is closely linked to dysregulated cytokine networks; however, current therapies yield limited response rates in patients with moderate-to-severe TED. This review synthesizes the mechanisms of action of key cytokines and evaluates the translational potential of emerging targeted therapies, aiming to provide a rationale for overcoming current therapeutic bottlenecks and advancing precision treatment strategies.
3.Research progress on the role of polygenic risk scores and gene-environment interactions in the risk and recognition of depression
Rui LIU ; Yongqi SHAO ; Yufan CAI ; Wenji CHEN ; Zhi XU
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(3):232-237
Depression is a psychological disorder that imposes a tremendous social burden, with a high prevalence in China. In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases of depression in China has steadily increased, yet the recognition rate of the disease remains low. Depression demostrates a clear familial aggregation pattern. To improve its recognition, numberous studies have utilized the polygenic risk score for major depressive disorder (MDD-PRS) as a potential genetic marker to identify high-risk populations. This article reviews the latest progress and research on the use of MDD-PRS in depression, aiming to clarify its capacity to capture genetic variations associated with depression, its interaction with environmental factors, and their relationship to the onset of the disorder. Additionally, this review evaluates the predictive performance of existing risk models for depression and proposes potential directions for future research.
4.Cytokine-driven pathogenesis and targeted therapeutics in thyroid eye disease
Yufan SHAO ; Yu YANG ; Chao LIU ; Kun WANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(11):970-975
Thyroid eye disease(TED), also known as thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO) or Graves' ophthalmopathy(GO), is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder associated with autoimmune thyroid disease and can severely impair vision and quality of life. The pathogenesis of TED is closely linked to dysregulated cytokine networks; however, current therapies yield limited response rates in patients with moderate-to-severe TED. This review synthesizes the mechanisms of action of key cytokines and evaluates the translational potential of emerging targeted therapies, aiming to provide a rationale for overcoming current therapeutic bottlenecks and advancing precision treatment strategies.
5.Research progress on the role of polygenic risk scores and gene-environment interactions in the risk and recognition of depression
Rui LIU ; Yongqi SHAO ; Yufan CAI ; Wenji CHEN ; Zhi XU
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(3):232-237
Depression is a psychological disorder that imposes a tremendous social burden, with a high prevalence in China. In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases of depression in China has steadily increased, yet the recognition rate of the disease remains low. Depression demostrates a clear familial aggregation pattern. To improve its recognition, numberous studies have utilized the polygenic risk score for major depressive disorder (MDD-PRS) as a potential genetic marker to identify high-risk populations. This article reviews the latest progress and research on the use of MDD-PRS in depression, aiming to clarify its capacity to capture genetic variations associated with depression, its interaction with environmental factors, and their relationship to the onset of the disorder. Additionally, this review evaluates the predictive performance of existing risk models for depression and proposes potential directions for future research.

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