1.Ginkgo biloba extract down-regulates TLR4/NLRP3 signaling to protect airway inflammation in COPD rats
Ying Pan ; Xueni Mo ; Gerui Wang ; Yuqing Feng ; Fang Xie ; Meiling Mao ; Tingting Wei ; Jing Xiang ; Lianjian Huang ; Fanbo Wei ; Yibao Yang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1833-1838
Objective:
To explore the regulatory effects of ginkgo biloba extract on airway inflammatory injury and Toll⁃like receptor 4(TLR4)/nucleotide⁃binding oligomerization domain⁃containing 3(NLRP3) pathway in rats with vided into four groups : the normal control group ,
Methods:
Thirty⁃six male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups : the normal control group , the model group , the prednisone treatment group , and the ginkgo biloba extract treatment group , with 9 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group , the COPD rat mod⁃els in the other groups was constructed by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with ciga⁃rette smoke exposure. After successful modeling , the rats were continuously administered drugs for 12 weeks , fol⁃lowed by sampling. The general conditions and respiratory symptoms of the rats were observed. The pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin⁃eosin (HE) staining technique ; the mRNA and protein ex⁃pression levels of TLR4 , tumor necrosis factor⁃α (TNF⁃α ) , interleukin⁃1β (IL⁃1β) and NLRP3 in rat lung tissueswere detected by real⁃time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT⁃qPCR) and Western blot.
Results:
Com⁃pared with the normal control group , the lung tissues of rats in the model group were significantly damaged , and the protein and mRNA expression of TLR4 , TNF⁃α , IL⁃1β , and NLRP3 increased ( P < 0. 05 ) . Compared with the model group , lung tissue damage was reduced in the prednisone group and the ginkgo biloba extract group , and TLR4 , TNF⁃α , IL⁃1β , NLRP3 protein and mRNA expression decreased (P < 0. 05) .
Conclusion
Ginkgo biloba airway inflammatory response by inhibiting the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
2.Pan-cancer analysis of MZB1 expression and its association with immune infiltration and clinical prognosis.
Yu ZHANG ; Haitao LI ; Yuqing PAN ; Jiexian CAO ; Li ZHAI ; Xi ZHANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):2006-2018
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the expression levels of marginal zone B and B1-cell-specific protein (MZB1) in pan-cancer and its association with patient prognosis and tumor microenvironment (TME).
METHODS:
MZB1 expression data, clinicopathological parameters, and survival data from 33 cancer types were extracted from the UCSC database for analyzing the correlations of MZB1 with clinical stage, patient prognosis, immunomodulatory genes, immune checkpoint genes, tumor stemness, immune cell infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). MZB1 gene mutations in pan-cancer were assessed using cBioPortal online database, and the value of MZB1 for cancer diagnosis was evaluated using ROC curve analysis. MZB1 expression levels in myeloid leukemia and renal carcinoma cells were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting, and the effect of MZB1 knockdown on cell proliferation was examined using EdU assay.
RESULTS:
MZB1 was significantly overexpressed in 20 cancer types, including kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), breast invasive carcinoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. Its expression was associated with TNM stage, clinical stage, overall survival, and progression-free survival in multiple cancers. In most tumors, MZB1 expression was correlated significantly with immunomodulatory genes, immune checkpoint genes, tumor stemness, immune cell infiltration, TMB, and microsatellite instability. Gene amplification was the predominant mutation type of MZB1 in pan-cancer, and MZB1 showed high diagnostic value for skin cutaneous melanoma, KIRC, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. MZB1 was highly expressed in different myeloid leukemia cell lines and renal carcinoma cell lines, and MZB1 knockdown significantly suppressed the proliferation of HL60 and 769-P cells.
CONCLUSIONS
MZB1 is highly expressed in a variety of tumors, and its aberrant expression affects the occurrence and prognosis of many tumors, suggesting its potential as a novel tumor biomarker and immunomodulatory target.
Humans
;
Prognosis
;
Tumor Microenvironment
;
Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mutation
;
Kidney Neoplasms
;
Microsatellite Instability
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Carcinoma, Renal Cell
3.Protective mechanism of sevoflurane on acute lung injury in sepsis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signal-ing pathway
Jinyan GUO ; Yuqing YOU ; Ke CHEN ; Fen PAN ; Jiahui LAI ; Sufang CHEN ; Weifeng YAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(19):2991-2999
Objective To explore the role of sevoflurane(SEV)in sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI)and observe its impact on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Methods Forty C57 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10 each):Sham,CLP,SEV,and SEV+XAV(β-catenin inhibitor).A sepsis model was established via cecal ligation and puncture.Lung injury was evaluated using HE staining,lung wet/dry weight ratio,and TUNEL staining.Levels of inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6)were detected by ELISA.Oxidative stress indices(SOD,MDA,ROS)were measured by colorimetry and flow cytometry.Hindlimb blood perfusion and oxygenation were assessed with laser speckle flowmetry.Expressions of key Wnt pathway molecules and down-stream target genes(c-Myc,Cyclin D1)were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Co-localization of β-catenin and SP-C(a marker of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells)in lung tissues was determined by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the Sham group,the CLP group exhibited significant increases in sepsis severity,lung pathological damage including alveolar structure destruction,inflammatory infiltration,and apoptosis,elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,and significant decrease in SOD and increase in MDA and ROS.Additionally,lower limb blood flow and oxygenation levels were significantly reduced,while the expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes,as well as the co-localization signal and fluorescence intensity of β-catenin with SP-C,were significantly downregulated(all P<0.05).Compared with the CLP group,the SEV group showed significant improvements in all these indicators.However,compared with the SEV group,the SEV+XAV group demon-strated a reversed protective effect,with all indicators approaching the levels observed in the CLP group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane alleviates sepsis-induced ALI by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,and enhancing the expression and localization of β-catenin in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells.
4.Bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis of relationship between cytokines and atopic dermatitis
Weijia LI ; Yi PENG ; Qiao HUANG ; Pu WANG ; Min HU ; Suyue PAN ; Lingyu LIU ; Jiahui QI ; Qian-fan JIANG ; Yuqing HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(8):1914-1919
Objective:Bidirectional causal associations of 41 cytokines with atopic dermatitis(AD)were explored based on a Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.Methods:Pooled data from genome wide association study(GWAS)of 41 cytokines and AD were utilized for instrumental variable(IV)screening,and single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)affecting the results of MR analyses was excluded by the MR-PRESSO outlier test as well as by the MR Steiger filtering method.Two-sample bidirectional MR analyses were performed using inverse variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger regression,and weighted median methods(WM).MR-Egger intercept term test and Cochran's Q test were performed to test the pleiotropy and heterogeneity of IV,and MR results were visu-alized by scatterplots,funnel plots,and leave-one-out plots.Results:Forward MR analysis showed that MIG(IVW:OR=0.89;95%CI:0.81~0.97;P=0.006)reduced the risk of AD development.In contrast,IL-5(IVW:OR=1.17;95%CI:1.01~1.36;P=0.042)and IL-18(MR Egger:OR=1.17;95%CI:1.03~1.33;P=0.030)increased the risk of AD development.Inverse MR analysis showed a potential causal association between AD and increased MIG(IVW:Beta=0.10;95%CI:0.02~0.17;P=0.014).None of the sensitivity analyses indicated pleiotropy and heterogeneity of the included IV.Conclusion:MIG may be an important marker in the progression of AD with a potential bidirectional causal association with risk of morbidity.IL-5 and IL-18 have a potential positive causal association for AD.
5.Bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis of relationship between cytokines and atopic dermatitis
Weijia LI ; Yi PENG ; Qiao HUANG ; Pu WANG ; Min HU ; Suyue PAN ; Lingyu LIU ; Jiahui QI ; Qian-fan JIANG ; Yuqing HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(8):1914-1919
Objective:Bidirectional causal associations of 41 cytokines with atopic dermatitis(AD)were explored based on a Mendelian randomization(MR)approach.Methods:Pooled data from genome wide association study(GWAS)of 41 cytokines and AD were utilized for instrumental variable(IV)screening,and single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)affecting the results of MR analyses was excluded by the MR-PRESSO outlier test as well as by the MR Steiger filtering method.Two-sample bidirectional MR analyses were performed using inverse variance weighting(IVW),MR-Egger regression,and weighted median methods(WM).MR-Egger intercept term test and Cochran's Q test were performed to test the pleiotropy and heterogeneity of IV,and MR results were visu-alized by scatterplots,funnel plots,and leave-one-out plots.Results:Forward MR analysis showed that MIG(IVW:OR=0.89;95%CI:0.81~0.97;P=0.006)reduced the risk of AD development.In contrast,IL-5(IVW:OR=1.17;95%CI:1.01~1.36;P=0.042)and IL-18(MR Egger:OR=1.17;95%CI:1.03~1.33;P=0.030)increased the risk of AD development.Inverse MR analysis showed a potential causal association between AD and increased MIG(IVW:Beta=0.10;95%CI:0.02~0.17;P=0.014).None of the sensitivity analyses indicated pleiotropy and heterogeneity of the included IV.Conclusion:MIG may be an important marker in the progression of AD with a potential bidirectional causal association with risk of morbidity.IL-5 and IL-18 have a potential positive causal association for AD.
6.Analysis of immune infiltration mechanism of dermatomyositis and prediction of therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine based on CIBERSORT algorithm
Pu WANG ; Min HU ; Suyue PAN ; Qiao HUANG ; Dongyu CHEN ; Wenlong FAN ; Xiaoyu YANG ; Hong-xin WANG ; Yuqing HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(4):783-791,中插1
Objective:To analyze the gene chip related to dermatomyositis based on bioinformatics,to explore the immune in-filtration mechanism of key genes in dermatomyositis by CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm,and to predict the therapeutic targets of dermatomyositis by network pharmacology.Methods:The gene microarray of dermatomyositis was searched in GEO database,and the differentially coexpressed genes were screened and analyzed.The differentially coexpressed genes were analyzed by GO analysis,KEGG analysis,protein interaction network construction(PPI)by R software package.Verify the expression levels of key genes,and the correlation of immune cell infiltration was analyzed by CIBERSORT deconvolution method.Through the medical ontology informa-tion retrieval platform Coremine medical database,the traditional Chinese medicine treatment targets of dermatomyositis were screened and summarized.Results:A total of 196 differentially expressed genes were screened.GO enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes were mainly concentrated in defense response to virus,blood particles,double-stranded RNA binding,polypeptide antigen binding,and so on.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it was enriched in RIG-Ⅰ-like receptor sig-nal pathway,Toll-like receptor signal pathway and other signal pathways related to the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis.Finally,four key genes of dermatomyositis,STAT1,ISG15,IRF7 and IRF9 were obtained.Through CIBERSORT algorithm,M1 macrophages,M2 macrophages and CD8+T cells were the three kinds of cells with the highest average proportion and the most obvious immune infil-tration,and there was a significant positive correlation between activated natural killer cells and activated dendritic cells,while there was a significant negative correlation between resting mast cells and activated mast cells.The therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine such as fish brain stone were predicted based on Coremine medical database;through channel analysis,it could be found that these traditional Chinese medicines are mainly attributed to liver meridian,lung meridian,spleen meridian;efficacy analysis is mainly focused on clearing heat,detoxification,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,relieving cough and resolving phlegm and so on.Conclusion:Four key genes and some key signal pathways of dermatomyositis,STAT1,ISG15,IRF7 and IRF9 were obtained by bioinformatics method,the immune infiltration mechanism was analyzed by CIBERSORT algorithm,and the thera-peutic potential targets of traditional Chinese medicine were screened out to provide direction for the pathogenesis and treatment of der-matomyositis.
7.Improvement of immune function and intestinal flora in immunosuppressed mice by Dilong fermentation
Yuqing CUI ; Yishan LIU ; Xingliang PAN ; Yongzhan BAO ; Wanyu SHI ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1713-1719
Thirty SPF Kunming male mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups:the control group,the model group,and the low,medium,and high dose groups of Dilong.Except for the control group,the other mice were continuously injected intraperitoneally with 80 mg/kg cyclophosphamide for 3 days to prepare an immunosuppressive model.After the model-ing was completed,the control group and the model group were given an equal amount of physio-logical saline by gavage,while the low,medium,and high dose Dilong groups were given 100,200,and 400 mg/kg of Dilong fermented material by gavage,respectively.The treatment lasted for 14 days,and thymus,spleen,blood,and intestinal contents were collected 2 hours after the last admin-istration.The results showed that cyclophosphamide caused a weight loss in mice during the exper-iment,reduced thymus index,white blood cells,lymphocytes,granulocytes,immunoglobulin levels in the blood,and disrupted gut microbiota.Dilong fermented material can effectively improve the decrease in body weight and thymus index of mice,increase the levels of immune cells and immu-noglobulin in the blood,improve the diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota,and increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria.Dilong fermented can effectively alleviate the immune suppres-sion and intestinal microbiota disorder caused by cyclophosphamide in mice.Considering all fac-tors,the optimal dosage is 200 mg/kg.
8.Improvement of immune function and intestinal flora in immunosuppressed mice by Dilong fermentation
Yuqing CUI ; Yishan LIU ; Xingliang PAN ; Yongzhan BAO ; Wanyu SHI ; Liting CAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(8):1713-1719
Thirty SPF Kunming male mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups:the control group,the model group,and the low,medium,and high dose groups of Dilong.Except for the control group,the other mice were continuously injected intraperitoneally with 80 mg/kg cyclophosphamide for 3 days to prepare an immunosuppressive model.After the model-ing was completed,the control group and the model group were given an equal amount of physio-logical saline by gavage,while the low,medium,and high dose Dilong groups were given 100,200,and 400 mg/kg of Dilong fermented material by gavage,respectively.The treatment lasted for 14 days,and thymus,spleen,blood,and intestinal contents were collected 2 hours after the last admin-istration.The results showed that cyclophosphamide caused a weight loss in mice during the exper-iment,reduced thymus index,white blood cells,lymphocytes,granulocytes,immunoglobulin levels in the blood,and disrupted gut microbiota.Dilong fermented material can effectively improve the decrease in body weight and thymus index of mice,increase the levels of immune cells and immu-noglobulin in the blood,improve the diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota,and increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria.Dilong fermented can effectively alleviate the immune suppres-sion and intestinal microbiota disorder caused by cyclophosphamide in mice.Considering all fac-tors,the optimal dosage is 200 mg/kg.
9.Protective mechanism of sevoflurane on acute lung injury in sepsis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signal-ing pathway
Jinyan GUO ; Yuqing YOU ; Ke CHEN ; Fen PAN ; Jiahui LAI ; Sufang CHEN ; Weifeng YAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(19):2991-2999
Objective To explore the role of sevoflurane(SEV)in sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI)and observe its impact on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Methods Forty C57 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10 each):Sham,CLP,SEV,and SEV+XAV(β-catenin inhibitor).A sepsis model was established via cecal ligation and puncture.Lung injury was evaluated using HE staining,lung wet/dry weight ratio,and TUNEL staining.Levels of inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6)were detected by ELISA.Oxidative stress indices(SOD,MDA,ROS)were measured by colorimetry and flow cytometry.Hindlimb blood perfusion and oxygenation were assessed with laser speckle flowmetry.Expressions of key Wnt pathway molecules and down-stream target genes(c-Myc,Cyclin D1)were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Co-localization of β-catenin and SP-C(a marker of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells)in lung tissues was determined by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the Sham group,the CLP group exhibited significant increases in sepsis severity,lung pathological damage including alveolar structure destruction,inflammatory infiltration,and apoptosis,elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,and significant decrease in SOD and increase in MDA and ROS.Additionally,lower limb blood flow and oxygenation levels were significantly reduced,while the expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes,as well as the co-localization signal and fluorescence intensity of β-catenin with SP-C,were significantly downregulated(all P<0.05).Compared with the CLP group,the SEV group showed significant improvements in all these indicators.However,compared with the SEV group,the SEV+XAV group demon-strated a reversed protective effect,with all indicators approaching the levels observed in the CLP group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane alleviates sepsis-induced ALI by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,and enhancing the expression and localization of β-catenin in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells.
10.Analysis of immune infiltration mechanism of dermatomyositis and prediction of therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine based on CIBERSORT algorithm
Pu WANG ; Min HU ; Suyue PAN ; Qiao HUANG ; Dongyu CHEN ; Wenlong FAN ; Xiaoyu YANG ; Hong-xin WANG ; Yuqing HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(4):783-791,中插1
Objective:To analyze the gene chip related to dermatomyositis based on bioinformatics,to explore the immune in-filtration mechanism of key genes in dermatomyositis by CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm,and to predict the therapeutic targets of dermatomyositis by network pharmacology.Methods:The gene microarray of dermatomyositis was searched in GEO database,and the differentially coexpressed genes were screened and analyzed.The differentially coexpressed genes were analyzed by GO analysis,KEGG analysis,protein interaction network construction(PPI)by R software package.Verify the expression levels of key genes,and the correlation of immune cell infiltration was analyzed by CIBERSORT deconvolution method.Through the medical ontology informa-tion retrieval platform Coremine medical database,the traditional Chinese medicine treatment targets of dermatomyositis were screened and summarized.Results:A total of 196 differentially expressed genes were screened.GO enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes were mainly concentrated in defense response to virus,blood particles,double-stranded RNA binding,polypeptide antigen binding,and so on.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it was enriched in RIG-Ⅰ-like receptor sig-nal pathway,Toll-like receptor signal pathway and other signal pathways related to the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis.Finally,four key genes of dermatomyositis,STAT1,ISG15,IRF7 and IRF9 were obtained.Through CIBERSORT algorithm,M1 macrophages,M2 macrophages and CD8+T cells were the three kinds of cells with the highest average proportion and the most obvious immune infil-tration,and there was a significant positive correlation between activated natural killer cells and activated dendritic cells,while there was a significant negative correlation between resting mast cells and activated mast cells.The therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine such as fish brain stone were predicted based on Coremine medical database;through channel analysis,it could be found that these traditional Chinese medicines are mainly attributed to liver meridian,lung meridian,spleen meridian;efficacy analysis is mainly focused on clearing heat,detoxification,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,relieving cough and resolving phlegm and so on.Conclusion:Four key genes and some key signal pathways of dermatomyositis,STAT1,ISG15,IRF7 and IRF9 were obtained by bioinformatics method,the immune infiltration mechanism was analyzed by CIBERSORT algorithm,and the thera-peutic potential targets of traditional Chinese medicine were screened out to provide direction for the pathogenesis and treatment of der-matomyositis.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail