1.Restoration of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice inhibited by cyclophosphamide with psoralen
Chenglong WANG ; Zhilie YANG ; Junli CHANG ; Yongjian ZHAO ; Dongfeng ZHAO ; Weiwei DAI ; Hongjin WU ; Jie ZHANG ; Libo WANG ; Ying XIE ; Dezhi TANG ; Yongjun WANG ; Yanping YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):16-23
BACKGROUND:Psoralen has a strong anti-osteoporotic activity and may have a restorative effect on chemotherapy-induced osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the restorative effect of psoralen on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice inhibited by cyclophosphamide and its mechanism. METHODS:C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured.Effect of psoralen on viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected by MTT assay.Osteogenic induction combined with alkaline phosphatase staining was used to determine the optimal dose of psoralen to restore the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells inhibited by cyclophosphamide.The mRNA expression levels of Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin,osteoprotegerin,and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes Wnt1,Wnt4,Wnt10b,β-catenin,and c-MYC were measured by RT-qPCR at different time points under the intervention with psoralen.The protein expression of osteogenic specific transcription factor Runx2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes Active β-catenin,DKK1,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 was determined by western blot assay at different time points under the intervention with psoralen. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant effect of different concentrations of psoralen on the viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.The best recovery of the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide was under the intervention of psoralen at a concentration of 200 μmol/L.(2)Psoralen reversed the reduction in osteogenic differentiation marker genes Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin mRNA expression and Runx2 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(3)Psoralen reversed the decrease in Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes Wnt4,β-catenin,c-MYC mRNA and Active β-catenin,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 protein expression and the increase in DKK1 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(4)The results showed that cyclophosphamide inhibited osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice,and psoralen had a restorative effect on it.The best intervention effect was achieved at a concentration of 200 μmol/L psoralen,and this protective effect might be related to the activation of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway by psoralen.
2.Differences in dynamic stability across different height barriers between obese and average men
Wenli ZHANG ; Ziqi ZHAO ; Leichao LIANG ; Yunqi TANG ; Yong WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2319-2326
BACKGROUND:Obesity negatively affects dynamic balance during walking,and crossing barriers is a more routine functional activity that requires more stability in controlling body posture. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differences in dynamic stability between obese and average males,and to assess the balance ability of obese males using a relatively more challenging obstacle crossing. METHODS:A total of 24 male youths(12 each in the obese and normal groups)were recruited to complete the tests of walking on level ground and crossing obstacles of different heights(4 cm,11 cm,15 cm)in random order.Kinematic and dynamic data were collected using the Qualisys motion capture system and Kistler force stage.Statistical analysis was performed using two-factor(2 groups * 4 movement types)repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The obese group had a lower step speed than the normal group(P<0.05),the proportion of the first single support period decreased and the proportion of the second double support period increased when crossing the 11 cm versus 15 cm hurdles(P<0.05).When walking on level ground,the margin of stability in the internal and external directions in the normal group was greater than that of the obese group(P<0.05).When crossing the 4 cm hurdles,the margin of stability in the obese group was less than that in the normal group(P<0.05).When crossing the 11 cm hurdles,there was no significant difference between the two groups in the anterior-posterior direction(P>0.05),while there was a significant difference in the internal-external direction(P<0.05).When crossing the 15 cm hurdles,the margin of stability in the obese group was lower than that in the normal group(P<0.05).Overall,obesity decreases the body's ability to control the body,reduces dynamic stability during crossing the barrier,and increases the risk of falls compared with the general population.In addition,compared with level ground walking,the decrease in the dynamic stability when crossing barriers is more significant in the obese group than the general population.
3.Screening of Anti-breast Cancer Active Ingredients in Famous Classical Formula Yanghetang
Sijia SU ; Xinyu ZHAO ; Jingna ZHOU ; Junfeng GAO ; Xu TANG ; Binyu WEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):21-30
ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), the combination of serum pharmacochemistry, response profile of absorbed components in serum, network pharmacology and drug-likeness prediction was used to screen the potential active ingredients of Yanghetang against breast cancer. MethodsUPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to identify the main components in different solvent extracts of Yanghetang, and serum pharmacochemistry was applied to analyze the absorbed components from the serum of female SD rats after 0.5, 1, 2 h of administration. Combined with the response characteristic values of serum drug components obtained from UNIFI 1.8.2, the absorbed prototype components and metabolites were screened to get the absorbed components of Yanghetang with a significant patterns of elimination and growth. Network pharmacology was applied to construct a drug-component-pathway-target-disease network, and molecular docking was performed between absorbed components and key targets of breast cancer, and the drug similarity was analyzed by SwissADME. ResultsForty-two compounds were identified in Yanghetang samples extracted with different solvents, of which 16 compounds were common to the three different extraction solvents(methanol, 50% methanol and water). The results of drug-containing serum analysis showed that there were 16 absorbed components in serum, including 5 prototypes and 11 metabolites. Network pharmacology results showed that Yanghetang against breast cancer involved 15 key targets such as proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src(SRC), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase catalytic alpha polypeptide(PIK3CA). Molecular docking results showed that 16 potential active ingredients were well combined with the predicted targets. Combined with drug likenesses, 12 compounds in the absorbed components of Yanghetang were considered to have potential for anti-breast cancer activity, mainly including α-pinene and γ-eudesmol and their metabolites, of which one was from Ephedrae Herba, one was from Rehmanniae Radix, and eight were from Cinnamomi Cortex. ConclusionThe chemical components of Yanghetang mainly include polysaccharides, monoterpene glycosides and coumarins, and its prototype components mainly undergo oxidation, hydrolysis and acetylation after entering the blood. Its anti-breast cancer mechanism may be related to the regulation of signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt). The results of this study can lay a foundation for further exploration of Yanghetang in the treatment of breast cancer.
4.Clinical significance of establishing a red blood cell alloantibody detection database
Xiao XIAO ; Long CHEN ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Zhanghan HE ; Mengjun ZHOU ; Jie TANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):54-60
[Objective] To explore the clinical significance and application value of establishing a database for red blood cell alloantibody detection. [Methods] Patients who were scheduled for blood transfusion in our hospital from January 1, 2020 to May 1, 2024 were selected as the research subjects. A red blood cell alloantibody detection database was established using Microsoft Office Excel software to register the detection data of patients' alloantibodies and antibodies of undetermined specificity (AUS). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics, antibody distribution, antibody decay and repeat positivity of the patients in the database. The LISS-IAT method was routinely used for antibody screening and identification. [Results] Among the alloantibodies, the Rh blood group system had the highest detection rate, followed by antibodies of the MNS blood group system and the Lewis blood group system. The predominant antibody in the Rh blood group system was anti-E. In the univariate analysis, the positivity of antibody was significantly associated with the patient's gender, age, blood transfusion history, pregnancy history and type of disease (all P<0.001). In the database, 48 patients experienced antibody decay, accounting for 15.24%(48/315), with an average time span of antibody decay ranging from 22 to 1 324 days. Six cases showed repeat positivity after decay, which were related to blood transfusions. The shortest interval between blood transfusions that led to antibody repeat positivity was 3 days, and the longest interval was 427 days. Among 58 cases with AUS, 3 converted into alloantibodies, among which 2 were anti-E and 1 was anti-Lea. [Conclusion] Establishing a red blood cell alloantibody detection database is an effective way to guide ambiguous cross-matching in clinical practice and is also an effective measure for the management of transfusion risks.
5.Incidence characteristics of five major malignant tumors in Nanning City
ZHAO Lin ; JIANG Longyan ; XU Bin ; TANG Xianyan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):135-138
Objective:
To investigate the incidence and trends of liver, lung, breast, colorectal and gastric cancers in Nanning City from 2018 to 2022.
Methods:
Data of new cases of liver, lung, breast, colorectal and gastric cancers in Nanning City from 2018 to 2022 were collected through the big data platform of the Nanning Health Propaganda and Information Center's Hospitalization System. The incidence rates were calculated and standardized using the data of the seventh national population census in 2020. The age, gender, and urban-rural distribution of the five malignant tumor cases were descriptively analyzed. The trends in incidence of the five malignant tumors were analyzed using annual percent change (APC).
Results:
From 2018 to 2022, the crude and standardized incidence rates of liver cancer in Nanning City were 24.46/105 and 26.39/105, respectively, showing upward trends (APC=15.122% and 13.111%, both P<0.05). The crude and standardized incidence rates of lung cancer were 23.42/105 and 25.83/105, respectively, showing upward trends (APC=13.714% and 10.056%, both P<0.05). The crude and standardized incidence rates of breast cancer were 19.13/105 and 20.29/105, respectively, with no significant trends (APC=-5.129% and -5.164%, both P>0.05). The crude incidence rate of colorectal cancer was 18.81/105, showing an upward trend (APC=8.164%, P<0.05), while the standardized incidence rate was 20.64/105, with no significant trend (APC=5.044%, P>0.05). The crude incidence rate of gastric cancer was 7.27/105, showing an upward trend (APC=5.984%, P<0.05), while the standardized incidence rate was 7.98/105, with no significant trend (APC=3.304%, P>0.05). The age of onset peak for liver cancer was 65 to <70 years, for lung cancer was 75 to <80 years, for breast cancer was 55 to <60 years, for colorectal cancer was 80 to <85 years, and for gastric cancer was 75 to <80 years. The standardized incidence rates of liver, lung, colorectal and gastric cancers were higher in males than in females (all P<0.05). The standardized incidence rates of liver, lung and gastric cancers were higher in rural areas than in urban areas, while the standardized incidence rates of breast and colorectal cancers were lower in rural areas (all P<0.05).
Conclusions
The incidence rates of liver, lung, colorectal and gastric cancers in Nanning City showed upward trends from 2018 to 2022, while the incidence rate of breast cancer remained stable. The standardized incidence rates of liver, lung, colorectal and gastric cancers were higher in males, and the standardized incidences of liver, lung and gastric cancers were higher in rural areas.
6.The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Runner’s High
Yun-Teng WANG ; Jia-Qi LIANG ; Wan-Tang SU ; Li ZHAO ; Yan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):358-373
“Runner’s high” refers to a momentary sense of pleasure that suddenly appears during running or other exercise activities, characterized by anti-anxiety, pain relief, and other symptoms. The neurobiological mechanism of “runner’s high” is unclear. This review summarizes human and animal models for studying “runner’s high”, analyzes the neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in runner’s high, and elucidates the evidence and shortcomings of researches related to “runner’s high”. This review also provides prospects for future research. Research has found that exercise lasting more than 30 min and with an intensity exceeding 70% of the maximum heart rate can reach a “runner’s high”. Human experiments on “runner’s high” mostly use treadmill exercise intervention, and evaluate it through questionnaire surveys, measurement of plasma AEA, miRNA and other indicators. Animal experiments often use voluntary wheel running intervention, and evaluate it through behavioral experiments such as conditional place preference, light dark box experiments (anxiety), hot plate experiments (pain sensitivity), and measurement of plasma AEA and other indicators. Dopamine, endogenous opioid peptides, endogenous cannabinoids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and other substances increase after exercise, which may be related to the “runner’s high”. However, attention should be paid to the functional differences of these substances in the central and peripheral regions, as well as in different brain regions. Moreover, current studies have not identified the targets of the neurotransmitters or neural factors mentioned above, and further in-depth researches are needed. The mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens projection, ventral hippocampus-nucleus accumbens projection, red nucleus-ventral tegmental area projection, cerebellar-ventral tegmental area projection, and brain-gut axis may be involved in the regulation of runner’s high, but there is a lack of direct evidence to prove their involvement. There are still many issues that need to be addressed in the research on the neurobiological mechanisms of “runner’s high”. (1) Most studies on “runner’s high” involve one-time exercise, and the characteristics of changes in “runner’s high” during long-term exercise still need to be explored. (2) The using of scales to evaluate subjects lead to the lacking of objective indicators. However, some potential biomarkers (such as endocannabinoids) have inconsistent characteristics of changes after one-time and long-term exercise. (3) The neurotransmitters involved in the formation of the “runner’s high” all increase in the peripheral and/or central nervous system after exercise. Attention should be paid to whether peripheral substances can enter the blood-brain barrier and the binding effects of neurotransmitters to different receptors are completely different in different brain regions. (4) Most of the current evidence show that some brain regions are activated after exercise. Is there a functional circuit mediating “runner’s high” between these brain regions? (5) Although training at a specific exercise intensity can lead to “runner’s high”, most runners have not experienced “runner’s high”. Can more scientific training methods or technological means be used to make it easier for people to experience the “runner’s high” and thus be more willing to engage in exercise? (6) The “runner’s high” and “addiction” behaviors are extremely similar, and there are evidences that exercise can reverse addictive behaviors. However, why is there still a considerable number of people in the sports population and even athletes who smoke or use addictive drugs instead of pursuing the “pleasure” brought by exercise? Solving the problems above is of great significance for enhancing the desire of exercise, improving the clinical application of neurological and psychiatric diseases through exercise, and enhancing the overall physical fitness of the population.
7.Characteristics of imprinted differentially methylated regions in preeclampsia placenta
Huijun TANG ; Xiaojun JIA ; Xinzhi ZHAO ; Weiping YE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):65-71
Objective To investigate the characteristics of imprinted differentially methylated regions (iDMRs) in placentas and their correlation with preeclampsia (PE). Methods A total of 43 healthy pregnant women (control group) and 33 pregnant women with PE (PE group) at Shanghai Putuo Maternity and Infant Hospital and International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected. A total of 3 362 CpG sites in 62 iDMRs were analyzed in 76 placenta and 5 maternal blood samples using BisCap targeted bisulfite resequencing (BisCap-seq) assays. The CpG sites in the CpG islands of the iDMRs were assessed for their methylation levels and methylation linkage disequilibrium (MLD). Imprinted methylation haplotype blocks (iMHBs) were constructed based on MLD. The methylation levels and variablility of CpG sites and iMHBs were compared among the healthy placenta, PE placenta and blood samples. Results The CpG sites in the CpG islands of the iDMRs exhibited intermediate methylation, with adjacent sites displaying high MLD (methylation levels: 0.35-0.65, D’ > 0.8). A total of 185 iMHBs were constructed using these coupled CpG sites, 60 placenta-specific iMHBs and 38 somatic iMHBs were found to be differentially methylated in the placenta compared with maternal blood (Padj<0.05). Twenty-seven iMHBs were identified with differentially variable methylation patterns in the placenta. The iMHBs methylation was unchanged in the PE placentas compared to the healthy placentas. Twenty-seven differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) were identified outside the iMHBs structure, among which the methylation levels of 19 CpG sites showed statistically significant differences between the PE group and the control group (Padj<0.05). The quantitative results of placental compositions of maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using placenta-specific haplotype (PSH) were highly correlated with those estimated by a deconvolution methodology (r=0.973, P<0.01). Conclusions The genomic imprinting features in the PE placentas were obvious, and PSH could be a potential marker of the placenta to quantify the placental compositions of maternal plasma cfDNA.
8.Effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma Before and After Steaming with Wine on Intestinal Flora and Immune Environment in Constipation Model Mice
Yaya BAI ; Rui TIAN ; Yajun SHI ; Chongbo ZHAO ; Jing SUN ; Li ZHANG ; Yonggang YAN ; Yuping TANG ; Qiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):192-199
ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma(RH) before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, lactulose group(1.5 mg·kg-1), high, medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine(PRH)(8, 4, 1 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride(6 mg·kg-1) in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling, each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution, and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration, the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing, the levels of gastrin(GAS), motilin(MTL), interleukin-6(IL-6), γ-interferon(IFN-γ) in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cell(Treg) in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate(P<0.01), the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium, localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated, necrotic and atrophied, a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner, the contents of GAS and MTL, the proportions of CD4+, CD8+ and Treg were significantly reduced(P<0.01), the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees, the contents of GAS, MTL, IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ were significantly increased(P<0.01), although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend, there was no significant difference. In addition, the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant(ASV) and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group, and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group, the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH, and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased, and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis, promote immune system activation, inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function, which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.
9.Effect of Folic Acid-modified Crebanine Polyethylene Glycol-polylactic Acid Hydroxyacetic Acid Copolymer Nanoparticles Combined with Ultrasonic Irradiation on Subcutaneous Tumor Growth of Liver Cancer in Mice
Rui PAN ; Junze TANG ; Hailiang ZHANG ; Kun YU ; Xiaoyu ZHAO ; Xin CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):217-225
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of folic acid-modified crebanine polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid hydroxyacetic acid copolymer(PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles(FA-Cre@PEG-PLGA NPs, hereinafter referred to as NPs) combined with ultrasonic irradiation on subcutaneous tumor of liver cancer in Kunming(KM) mice. MethodsEighty-four healthy male KM mice were utilized to establish a subcutaneous tumor model of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma with H22 cells, then mice were randomly divided into model group, placebo group, hydroxycamptothecin group(8 mg∙kg-1), low, medium and high dose crebanine raw material groups(2, 2.5, 3 mg∙kg-1, hereinafter referred to as the low, medium and high dose crebanine groups, respectively), low, medium and high dose NPs groups(2, 2.5, 3 mg∙kg-1), and low, medium and high dose NPs combined with ultrasonic irradiation groups(2, 2.5, 3 mg∙kg-1, hereinafter referred to as the low, medium and high dose combination groups, respectively). The corresponding doses of drugs were administered via tail vein injection, the model group received no treatment, while the placebo group was injected with an equivalent amount of normal saline. Dosing was conducted for a total of 10 times on alternate days. The body mass of the mice was monitored, and parameters such as body mass change rate, thymus index, spleen index, tumor volume, tumor weight, relative tumor growth rate(T/C), and tumor inhibition rate(TGI) were calculated. Pathological changes in liver and kidney tissues as well as the tumor were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Additionally, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatinine(CREA) in serum of mice were detected by biochemical method. Furthermore, the effect of ultrasound on the distribution of NPs in subcutaneous tumors of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma was observed by in vivo imaging technique. ResultsAmong different treatment methods, the combination of NPs and ultrasound irradiation had the best therapeutic effect. Compared with the model group, the body mass growth rates of mice in the medium and high combination groups decreased, while the thymus index and spleen index increased, but there was no statistically significant difference in serum AST, ALT, BUN and CREA levels, indicating that NPs combined with ultrasound irradiation had little effect on the normal physiological state of the body, oth groups had TGI>40% and T/C<60%, indicating a clear anti-tumor effect. Pathological analysis showed that compared with the NPs groups, the combination groups exhibited varying degrees of necrosis in tumor cells, accompanied by less damage to the liver and kidneys. In vivo imaging of small animals showed that compared with the high dose NPs group, the high dose combination group had stronger tumor targeting ability(P<0.01). ConclusionNPs combined with ultrasonic irradiation can not only effectively targeted the drug to the tumor site, inhibit the subcutaneous tumor growth of mouse liver cancer, but also decrease damage to liver and kidney tissues.
10.Unraveling the Heterogeneity of CD8+ T-Cell Subsets in Liver Cirrhosis: Implications for Disease Progression
Kepu ZHENG ; Leiyang DAI ; Shengning ZHANG ; Yingpeng ZHAO ; Wang LI ; Yang GAO ; Yuanyi MANG ; Lingfeng JIAO ; Yu TANG ; Jianghua RAN
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):410-426
Background/Aims:
Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear.
Methods:
This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis.
Results:
Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer.
Conclusions
In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.


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