1.Advances in cell-based therapies targeting inhibitory neurons for schizophrenia: a novel strategy to address negative symptoms and cognitive deficits
Chuqing ZHOU ; Jun ZHAO ; Youhui JIANG ; Xinyi REN ; Tao LI ; Peiyan NI
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(11):862-869
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and highly heterogeneous psychiatric disorder. Current antipsychotic medications show limited effectiveness in treating negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysfunction of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons, leading to inhibitory circuit dysregulation, plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and brain organoid technologies have provided more accurate human-based models of schizophrenia, offering new avenues to investigate the complex neurodevelopmental mechanism of schizophrenia and to explore cell replacement therapies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that transplantation of specific types of GABAergic interneuron precursors into the brain can selectively improve negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in animal models, highlighting considerable translational potential. However, the transition from bench to bedside still faces multiple technical and ethical challenges, enhancing cell differentiation efficiency, ensuring long-term safety of transplanted cells, achieving precise control and functional integration of neuronal subtypes, understanding circuit-specific contributions to different symptom domains, and establishing rigorous ethical and regulatory frameworks. In summary, inhibitory GABAergic interneuron-based cell therapy provides a novel theoretical and perspective foundation for improving negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite significant challenges ahead, its prospects remain highly promising.
2.Association between plasma complement levels and white matter microstructural abnormalities in first-episode schizophrenia
Lingqi JIAN ; Shiyi HU ; Hua YU ; Peiyan NI ; Junzhe RAN ; Wei WEI ; Liansheng ZHAO ; Chengcheng ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(8):469-474
Objective To investigate alterations in plasma complement levels and white matter imaging characteristics,along with their relationship in patients with first-episode schizophrenia(SCZ).Methods Thirty-eight patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 42 healthy controls were enrolled.Whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)was performed using a Philips 3.0 T MRI scanner.Tract-based spatial statistics(TBSS)combined with the Johns Hopkins University(JHU)white matter labels atlas was used to extract and compare white matter characteristics between the two groups.Plasma levels of complement components(C1q,C3,C4,factor B,factor H,and factor P)were measured using the MILLIPLEX? human complement assay kit via multiplex analysis.Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the association between plasma complement levels and white matter features.Results The radial diffusivity(RD)of the left fornix/stria terminalis was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group[(0.62±0.04)×10-3mm2/s vs.(0.60±0.03)×10-3mm2/s,PFDR=0.048)].Factor H[677.71(551.58,846.21)ng/mL vs.582.76(513.93,729.71)ng/mL,P=0.041]and factor P[71.36(57.30,95.99)ng/mL vs.60.08(46.67,80.03)ng/mL,P=0.011]were both significantly elevated compared to the control group.Moreover,RD values in the left fornix/stria terminalis were negatively correlated with plasma C3 levels in the patient group(r=-0.362,P=0.025).Conclusion Patients with first-episode schizophrenia exhibit white matter microstructural abnormalities in left fornix/stria terminalis,which are significantly associated with plasma complement levels.
3.Association between plasma complement levels and white matter microstructural abnormalities in first-episode schizophrenia
Lingqi JIAN ; Shiyi HU ; Hua YU ; Peiyan NI ; Junzhe RAN ; Wei WEI ; Liansheng ZHAO ; Chengcheng ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(8):469-474
Objective To investigate alterations in plasma complement levels and white matter imaging characteristics,along with their relationship in patients with first-episode schizophrenia(SCZ).Methods Thirty-eight patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 42 healthy controls were enrolled.Whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)was performed using a Philips 3.0 T MRI scanner.Tract-based spatial statistics(TBSS)combined with the Johns Hopkins University(JHU)white matter labels atlas was used to extract and compare white matter characteristics between the two groups.Plasma levels of complement components(C1q,C3,C4,factor B,factor H,and factor P)were measured using the MILLIPLEX? human complement assay kit via multiplex analysis.Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to examine the association between plasma complement levels and white matter features.Results The radial diffusivity(RD)of the left fornix/stria terminalis was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group[(0.62±0.04)×10-3mm2/s vs.(0.60±0.03)×10-3mm2/s,PFDR=0.048)].Factor H[677.71(551.58,846.21)ng/mL vs.582.76(513.93,729.71)ng/mL,P=0.041]and factor P[71.36(57.30,95.99)ng/mL vs.60.08(46.67,80.03)ng/mL,P=0.011]were both significantly elevated compared to the control group.Moreover,RD values in the left fornix/stria terminalis were negatively correlated with plasma C3 levels in the patient group(r=-0.362,P=0.025).Conclusion Patients with first-episode schizophrenia exhibit white matter microstructural abnormalities in left fornix/stria terminalis,which are significantly associated with plasma complement levels.
4.Advances in cell-based therapies targeting inhibitory neurons for schizophrenia: a novel strategy to address negative symptoms and cognitive deficits
Chuqing ZHOU ; Jun ZHAO ; Youhui JIANG ; Xinyi REN ; Tao LI ; Peiyan NI
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(11):862-869
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and highly heterogeneous psychiatric disorder. Current antipsychotic medications show limited effectiveness in treating negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysfunction of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons, leading to inhibitory circuit dysregulation, plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and brain organoid technologies have provided more accurate human-based models of schizophrenia, offering new avenues to investigate the complex neurodevelopmental mechanism of schizophrenia and to explore cell replacement therapies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that transplantation of specific types of GABAergic interneuron precursors into the brain can selectively improve negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in animal models, highlighting considerable translational potential. However, the transition from bench to bedside still faces multiple technical and ethical challenges, enhancing cell differentiation efficiency, ensuring long-term safety of transplanted cells, achieving precise control and functional integration of neuronal subtypes, understanding circuit-specific contributions to different symptom domains, and establishing rigorous ethical and regulatory frameworks. In summary, inhibitory GABAergic interneuron-based cell therapy provides a novel theoretical and perspective foundation for improving negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite significant challenges ahead, its prospects remain highly promising.
5.Research Progress on Efficacy-related Biomarkers of Immunotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Jianhong ZHENG ; Lin TIAN ; Peiyan ZHAO ; Hui LI ; Ying CHENG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(2):127-133
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and its mortality rate remains high. In addition to conventional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, immunotherapy methods have been developed and used in recent years for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only a small number of patients with NSCLC can benefit from immunotherapy strategies, and some patients even have hyperprogression after receiving immunotherapy. Therefore, precision immunotherapy requires effective biomarkers to guide it. In this paper, tissue samples, blood samples, intestinal microbiota, and other biomarkers are reviewed according to different sample sources. Blood samples, including TCR immune repertoire, Tregs cells, cytokines, lactate dehydrogenase, and other markers, are summarized and analyzed to provide reference for clinicians' diagnosis and treatment decisions.
6.Study on the feasibility of MRI technique with APT in predicting the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke
Ao ZHAO ; Xinying WU ; Tong FU ; Peiyan WANG ; Teng JIANG ; Hai LIN ; Huihua YU ; Jianmin YUAN ; Lindong LIU
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):46-50,54
Objective:To study the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)technique with amide proton transfer(APT)in predicting the prognosis of cerebral stroke.Methods:A total of 71 patients with acute cerebral stroke who admitted to the Nanjing First Hospital,Nanjing Medical University from September 2022 to May 2023 were selected.All of them underwent the test of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),and received the MRI examination with chemical exchange saturation transfer(CEST).According to the modified Rankin scale(mRS)values of 1-month follow-up,they were divided into favorable recovery group(mRS<2,44 cases)and poor group(mRS≥2,27 cases).The asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio(MTRasym)image(APT)was obtained by analyzing data with special software.And then,the difference(△APTw)of APT values between ischemic zone and contralateral normal tissue was further calculated.The △APTw values of two groups were compared and analyzed,and the Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to analyze the correlation among △APTw,NIHSS and mRS.The receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was drawn,and the area under curve(AUC)of ROC curve was calculated.Results:There were significant positive correlations among △APTw,NIHSS and mRS scores(R2=0.659,0.522,P<0.001),and the differences of △APTW,NIHSS and mRS scores between the favorable recovery group and poor group were significant(t=5.73,6.36,13.92,P<0.05),respectively.The AUC value was 0.886,and the sensitivity and specificity of prediction were respectively 77.8%and 95.5%.The positive and negative predictive values were respectively 91.3%and 87.5%.Conclusion:APT imaging technique has feasibility in predicting the prognosis of acute cerebral ischemic stroke.
7.The effect of c-Myc on regulating the immune-related ligands in Y subtype small cell lung cancer through histone deacetylase 1
Peiyan ZHAO ; Xiaodan SUN ; Hui LI ; Lin TIAN ; Yuanhua LU ; Ying CHENG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(11):1009-1018
Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of c-Myc on regulating the expression of immune-related ligands in Y subtype small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) characterized by high expression of immune-related molecules.Methods:The Y subtype SCLC cell line H196 was randomly divided into the control group, c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4 group, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) inhibitor pyroxamide group, and 10058-F4 plus pyroxamide group. The co-culture system with NK-92MI cells was used to determine the effect of H196 cells on the function of natural killer (NK) cells. Western Blotting and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the effect of c-Myc on class Ⅰ HDAC, and flow cytometry was used to detect the regulatory effect of c-Mycon CD47, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and CD155, which are highly expressed immune checkpoints in Y subtype SCLC, and major histocompatibility complex classⅠ-related chains A and (MICA/B), which is a poorly expressed immune-activating ligand in SCLC, and the role of HDAC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to determine the regulatory mechanism of c-Myc-HDAC1 on MICA/B expression.Results:Inhibition of c-Myc decreased the mortality of H196 cells in the co-culture system and down-regulated the expression of MICA/B. Compared with the NK+H196 group [(42.54±2.47)%], the proportion of cells killed by NK-92MI cells in the NK+H196+10058-F4 group was lower [(28.48±3.38)%, P<0.001]. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of MICA/B on the cells in the 10058-F4 group (36.40±0.82) was lower than that in the control group (91.23±8.60, P<0.001). And c-Myc could bind to HDAC1, whose protein level was up-regulated by 10058-F4 while the mRNA level was not. Compared with the cells in the control group (90.10±4.91), the MFI of MICA/B on the cells in the pyroxamide group was significantly increased (145.70±5.86, P<0.001), and the MFI of MICA/B on the cells in the 10058-F4+pyroxamide group (54.60±2.88) was significantly increased compared with the cells in the 10058-F4 group (35.97±1.60, P<0.001). The percentage of MICA promoter gene fragments in the c-Myc antibody precipitation group (0.125±0.037) was significantly higher than that in the IgG group (0.000 8±0.000 3, P=0.004). MICB had a similar trend, suggesting that the c-Myc-HDAC1 complex could bind to the promoter region of MICA/B. The MFI of CD47 on the cells in the 10058-F4 group (60.07±0.21) was significantly lower than cells in the control group (70.27±1.37, P<0.001), but the MFIs of PD-L1 (13.50±0.61) and CD155 (829.70±41.19) were significantly higher than those on the cells in the control group (9.23±0.94, P<0.01; 496.00±4.36, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions:c-Myc may promote the expression of MICA/B and CD47 in Y subtype SCLC cells by binding and inhibiting HDAC1, while it may also be involved in inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 and CD155 in SCLC cells.
8.PKM1 Regulates the Expression of Autophagy and Neuroendocrine Markers in Small Cell Lung Cancer
TANG CHENCHEN ; JIN YULONG ; ZHAO PEIYAN ; TIAN LIN ; LI HUI ; YANG CHANGLIANG ; ZHONG RUI ; LIU JINGJING ; MA LIXIA ; CHENG YING
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;27(9):645-653
Background and objective Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is known as recalcitrant cancer with high malignancy and heterogeneity.Immunotherapy has changed the treatment pattern of extensive-disease SCLC(ED-SCLC),but the beneficiary population is limited.Therefore,exploring new therapeutic strategies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved for SCLC.SCLC is characterized by highly active glycolytic metabolism and pyruvate kinase Ml(PKM1)is one of the isozymes of PK,an important rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis pathway.Previous studies have shown that PKM1 is related to autophagy and drug sensitivity,however,how PKM1 regulates drug sensitivity in SCLC and its mechanism remain unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the biological functions of PKM1 in SCLC,including its effects on proliferation,migra-tion,autophagy,drug sensitivity,and expression of neuroendocrine(NE)-related markers in SCLC.Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PKM1 in SCLC cells.PKM1 gene-overexpressed SCLC cell lines were constructed by stable lentivirus transfection.Proliferation of cells and drug sensitivity were detected by MTT,and migration ability of cells was determined by Transwell.The level of autophagy was detected by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of NE-related proteins.Results PKM1 was differentially expressed among various SCLC cell lines,and was lower in H1092 cells(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,there was no significant difference in proliferation level of PKM1 overexpressing H1092 cell,but the migration ability was significantly increased(P<0.001),the drug sensitivity was re-duced,and the level of autophagy was inhibited(P<0.001).Additionally,overexpression of PKM1 could upregulate the expres-sion of non-neuroendocrine(non-NE)-related proteins(P<0.01)and decrease the expression of NE-related proteins(P<0.01).Conclusion PKM1 was differentially expressed in SCLC cell lines,and high expression of PKM1 did not affect the prolifera-tion,but affected the migration of SCLC cells.PKM1 might affect drug sensitivity by inhibiting autophagy and regulating the expression of NE markers.These results provide a theoretical basis for exploring the role of PKM1 in SCLC.
9.The effect of c-Myc on regulating the immune-related ligands in Y subtype small cell lung cancer through histone deacetylase 1
Peiyan ZHAO ; Xiaodan SUN ; Hui LI ; Lin TIAN ; Yuanhua LU ; Ying CHENG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(11):1009-1018
Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of c-Myc on regulating the expression of immune-related ligands in Y subtype small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) characterized by high expression of immune-related molecules.Methods:The Y subtype SCLC cell line H196 was randomly divided into the control group, c-Myc inhibitor 10058-F4 group, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) inhibitor pyroxamide group, and 10058-F4 plus pyroxamide group. The co-culture system with NK-92MI cells was used to determine the effect of H196 cells on the function of natural killer (NK) cells. Western Blotting and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the effect of c-Myc on class Ⅰ HDAC, and flow cytometry was used to detect the regulatory effect of c-Mycon CD47, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and CD155, which are highly expressed immune checkpoints in Y subtype SCLC, and major histocompatibility complex classⅠ-related chains A and (MICA/B), which is a poorly expressed immune-activating ligand in SCLC, and the role of HDAC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to determine the regulatory mechanism of c-Myc-HDAC1 on MICA/B expression.Results:Inhibition of c-Myc decreased the mortality of H196 cells in the co-culture system and down-regulated the expression of MICA/B. Compared with the NK+H196 group [(42.54±2.47)%], the proportion of cells killed by NK-92MI cells in the NK+H196+10058-F4 group was lower [(28.48±3.38)%, P<0.001]. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of MICA/B on the cells in the 10058-F4 group (36.40±0.82) was lower than that in the control group (91.23±8.60, P<0.001). And c-Myc could bind to HDAC1, whose protein level was up-regulated by 10058-F4 while the mRNA level was not. Compared with the cells in the control group (90.10±4.91), the MFI of MICA/B on the cells in the pyroxamide group was significantly increased (145.70±5.86, P<0.001), and the MFI of MICA/B on the cells in the 10058-F4+pyroxamide group (54.60±2.88) was significantly increased compared with the cells in the 10058-F4 group (35.97±1.60, P<0.001). The percentage of MICA promoter gene fragments in the c-Myc antibody precipitation group (0.125±0.037) was significantly higher than that in the IgG group (0.000 8±0.000 3, P=0.004). MICB had a similar trend, suggesting that the c-Myc-HDAC1 complex could bind to the promoter region of MICA/B. The MFI of CD47 on the cells in the 10058-F4 group (60.07±0.21) was significantly lower than cells in the control group (70.27±1.37, P<0.001), but the MFIs of PD-L1 (13.50±0.61) and CD155 (829.70±41.19) were significantly higher than those on the cells in the control group (9.23±0.94, P<0.01; 496.00±4.36, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions:c-Myc may promote the expression of MICA/B and CD47 in Y subtype SCLC cells by binding and inhibiting HDAC1, while it may also be involved in inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 and CD155 in SCLC cells.
10.Value of magnetic resonance imaging in screening for prostate cancer
Tianming ZAI ; Lindong LIU ; Peiyan WANG ; Ao ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2023;32(5):560-564
Objective To evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in screening for prostate cancer. Methods A total of 120 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer were enrolled in Nanjing Municipal First Hospital from March 2020 to March 2023, and 100 age-matched health volunteers during the study period served as controls. All patients and healthy individuals received prostate MRI scanning, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was estimated. Post-surgical pathology was used as a gold standard to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in screening for prostate cancer. The correlation between pathological staging and ADC values in prostate cancer patients was investigated using Spearman correlation analysis. Results The mean ADC values were (1.01 ± 0.15) × 10−3, (0.88 ± 0.21) × 10−3, (0.72 ± 0.11) × 10−3, and (0.59 ± 0.09) × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively, for stage A, B, C, and D prostate cancer patients, and the differences were significant (F = 38.99, P < 0.01).Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between pathological staging and ADC value (r = −0.81, P < 0.05). In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in prostate cancer screening were 92.50% and 91.00%, respectively. Conclusion MRI shows a high value in screening for prostate cancer, and the ADC value is of great significance for staging prostate cancer.

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