1.Research progress of antigen specific T cell detection technology
Mingzhe ZENG ; Jiahui DU ; Jiahao HU ; Ziqian HE ; Zeming LE ; Jingyi HUANG ; Zhiqing LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1490-1496
T cell response plays an important role in anti-viral infection and anti-tumor immunity,and antigen-specific T cell detection is essential for study of T cell response.This article reviews progress of antigen-specific T cell detection technology,including enzyme-linked immunospot(ELISPOT)assay,intracellular cytokine staining(ICS)assay and activation-induced labeling(AIM)assay,which based on detection of cytokine secretion or activation phenotypes of specific T cells after stimulation and reactivation with antigen in vitro.Another class of methods include Tetramer technology based on known epitopes-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)restriction and recently developed single-cell transcriptomes and T-cell antigen receptor(TCR)sequencing technology.Application of the above methods has advanced our understanding of antigen specific T cell response:Strength and duration of the response,subpop-ulation information,epitopes and their associated HLA-restriction,TCR cloning information and transcriptome characteristic.
2.Adiposity, circulating metabolic markers, and risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.
Si CHENG ; Zhiqing ZENG ; Jun LV ; Canqing YU ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Pei PEI ; Ling YANG ; Yiping CHEN ; Huaidong DU ; Li GAO ; Xiaoming YANG ; Daniel AVERY ; Junshi CHEN ; Zhengming CHEN ; Liming LI ; Yuanjie PANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):991-993
3.Research progress of antigen specific T cell detection technology
Mingzhe ZENG ; Jiahui DU ; Jiahao HU ; Ziqian HE ; Zeming LE ; Jingyi HUANG ; Zhiqing LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1490-1496
T cell response plays an important role in anti-viral infection and anti-tumor immunity,and antigen-specific T cell detection is essential for study of T cell response.This article reviews progress of antigen-specific T cell detection technology,including enzyme-linked immunospot(ELISPOT)assay,intracellular cytokine staining(ICS)assay and activation-induced labeling(AIM)assay,which based on detection of cytokine secretion or activation phenotypes of specific T cells after stimulation and reactivation with antigen in vitro.Another class of methods include Tetramer technology based on known epitopes-human leukocyte antigen(HLA)restriction and recently developed single-cell transcriptomes and T-cell antigen receptor(TCR)sequencing technology.Application of the above methods has advanced our understanding of antigen specific T cell response:Strength and duration of the response,subpop-ulation information,epitopes and their associated HLA-restriction,TCR cloning information and transcriptome characteristic.
4.Advances in the induction of immune tolerance in allogeneic organ transplantation
Zhiqing XIANG ; Sen ZENG ; Leiyan WEI ; Yizhou ZOU
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(1):74-83
Organ transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage organ failure, However, the allogenic origin of donor tissues frequently provokes rejection by the recipient's immune system. Inducing a state of immune hyporesponsiveness specific to the transplanted cells and organs, referred to as near-immunotolerance, is the ideal approach to managing transplant rejection. Currently, various strategies have been explored to achieve immune hyporesponsiveness, including cell-based immune induction, chimerism induction, co-stimulatory pathway blockade, apoptosis induction, targeted clearance of memory T cells, and the use of exosomes or nanoparticles for drug delivery to induce tolerance. This review highlights the importance of achieving immune tolerance in clinical medicine to ensure the survival of both allografts and recipients. It provides an overview of the current status and advancements in tolerance-inducing strategies in allogeneic transplantation. Additionally, the review critically examines the limitations of these approaches and discusses future directions for research in this field.
5.Advances in the induction of immune tolerance in allogeneic organ transplantation
Zhiqing XIANG ; Sen ZENG ; Leiyan WEI ; Yizhou ZOU
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(1):74-83
Organ transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage organ failure, However, the allogenic origin of donor tissues frequently provokes rejection by the recipient's immune system. Inducing a state of immune hyporesponsiveness specific to the transplanted cells and organs, referred to as near-immunotolerance, is the ideal approach to managing transplant rejection. Currently, various strategies have been explored to achieve immune hyporesponsiveness, including cell-based immune induction, chimerism induction, co-stimulatory pathway blockade, apoptosis induction, targeted clearance of memory T cells, and the use of exosomes or nanoparticles for drug delivery to induce tolerance. This review highlights the importance of achieving immune tolerance in clinical medicine to ensure the survival of both allografts and recipients. It provides an overview of the current status and advancements in tolerance-inducing strategies in allogeneic transplantation. Additionally, the review critically examines the limitations of these approaches and discusses future directions for research in this field.
6.The evaluation of alpha-fetoprotein response on efficacy and prognosis in targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy for intermediate-to-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter clinical study
Kongying LIN ; Qingjing CHEN ; Luobin GUO ; Yun YANG ; Yufeng CHEN ; Jianxi ZHANG ; Fuqun WEI ; Hui ZHANG ; Zhiqing CHENG ; Yuntong LI ; Congren WANG ; Yabin JIANG ; Kecan LIN ; Weiping ZHOU ; Yongyi ZENG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(2):248-256
Objective:To investigate the evaluation efficacy and predictive prognostic value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response in tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in combination with PD-1 inhibitors (α-PD-1) for intermediate-to-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 205 patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were admitted to 9 medical centers, including Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University et al, from March 2020 to July 2022 were collected. There were 178 males and 27 females, aged (52±12)years. Based on AFP response at 6-8 weeks after treatment, patients were divided into the AFP response group (AFP level decreased by ≥50% compared to baseline) and the AFP no response group (AFP level decreased by <50% compared to baseline). Observation indicators: (1) AFP response evaluation of anti-tumor efficacy; (2) comparison of patient prognosis; (3) analysis of factors affecting patient prognosis. Measurement data with normal distrubution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) and M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve and calculate survival rate, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional risk model was used for univariate analysis and the COX stepwise regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) AFP response evaluation of anti-tumor efficacy. Before treatment, all 205 patients were positive of AFP, with a baseline AFP level of 1 560(219,3 400)μg/L. All 205 patients were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1, and the AFP level was 776(66,2 000)μg/L after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Of the 205 patients, 88 cases were classified as AFP response and 117 cases were classified as AFP no response. According to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 42.05%(37/88) and 94.32%(83/88) in patients of the AFP response group and 16.24% (19/117) and 64.10% (75/117) in patients of the AFP no response group, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=16.846, 25.950, P<0.05). According to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors, the ORR and DCR were 69.32% (61/88) and 94.32% (83/88) in patients of the AFP response group and 33.33% (39/117) and 64.10% (75/117) in patients of the AFP no response group, showing significant differences between them ( χ2=26.030, 25.950, P<0.05). (2) Comparison of patient prognosis. All 205 patients were followed up for 12.4(range, 2.4-34.0)months after treatment. The median progression free survival time and total survival time were 5.5 months and 17.8 months, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year progression free survival rates were 20.8% and 7.2%, and the 1-year, 2-year overall survival rates were 68.7% and 31.5%, respectively. The median progression free survival time, 1-year and 2-year progression free survival rates were 9.7 months, 39.6% and 14.2% in patients of the AFP response group and 3.7 months, 7.8% and 2.0% in patients of the AFP no response group, showing a significant difference in progression free survival between them ( χ2=43.154, P<0.05). The median overall survival time, 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were not reached, 85.2% and 56.3% in patients of the AFP response group and 14.6 months, 56.3% and 14.5% in patients of the AFP no response group, showing a significant difference in overall survival between them ( χ2=33.899, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors affecting patient prognosis. Results of multivariate analysis showed that invasion of large blood vessels, extrahepatic metastasis, combined hepatic artery intervention therapy, and AFP response were independent factors influencing progression free survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 ( hazard ratio=1.474, 1.584, 0.631, 0.367, 95% confidence interval as 1.069-2.033, 1.159-2.167, 0.446-0.893, 0.261-0.516, P<0.05), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, invasion of large blood vessels, extrahepatic metastasis, and AFP response were independent factors influencing overall survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 ( hazard ratio= 1.347, 1.914, 1.673, 0.312, 95% confidence interval as 1.041-1.742, 1.293-2.833, 1.141-2.454, 0.197-0.492, P<0.05). Conclusions:AFP response at 6-8 weeks after treatment can effectively evaluate anti-tumor efficacy of TKIs in combination with α-PD-1 for intermediate-to-advanced HCC. AFP response is the independent factor influencing progression free survival and overall survival in patients with intermediate-to-advanced HCC who were treated with TKIs in combination with α-PD-1.
7.Associations of body mass index and waist circumference with risk of chronic kidney disease in adults in China
Zhiqing ZENG ; Yu MA ; Chao YANG ; Canqing YU ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Pei PEI ; Huaidong DU ; Junshi CHEN ; Zhengming CHEN ; Liming LI ; Luxia ZHANG ; Jun LYU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(7):903-913
Objective:To examine the associations of BMI and waist circumference (WC) with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its subtypes in adults in China.Methods:The data from the China Kadoorie Biobank were used. After excluding those with cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, or CKD at baseline survey, 480 430 participants were included in this study. Their body height and weight, and WC were measured at baseline survey. Total CKD was defined as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), hypertensive nephropathy (HTN), glomerulonephritis (GN), chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (CTIN), obstructive nephropathy (ON), CKD due to other causes, and chronic kidney failure. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the associations between exposure factors and risks of outcomes.Results:During a follow-up period of (11.8±2.2) years, 5 486 cases of total CKD were identified, including 1 147 cases of DKD, 340 cases of HTN, 1 458 cases of GN, 460 cases of CTIN, 598 cases of ON, 418 cases of CKD due to other causes, and 1 065 cases of chronic kidney failure. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors, baseline prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and WC and compared to participants with normal BMI (18.5-23.9 kg/m 2), the hazard ratios ( HRs) of total CKD for underweight (<18.5 kg/m 2), overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m 2), and obese (≥28.0 kg/m 2) were 1.42 (95% CI: 1.23-1.63), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93-1.08) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.87-1.10), respectively. Stratification analysis by WC showed that BMI was negatively associated with risk for total CKD in non-central obese participants (WC: <85.0 cm in men and <80.0 cm in women) ( HR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99), while the association was positive in central obese participants (≥90.0 cm in men and ≥85.0 cm in women) ( HR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05). The association between BMI and GN was similar to that of total CKD. BMI was associated with an increased risk for HTN, with a HR of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06-1.18) per 1.0 kg/m 2 higher BMI. After adjusting for potential confounders and BMI, compared to participants with non-central obesity, the HRs for pre-central obesity (WC: 85.0-89.9 cm in men and 80.0-84.9 in women) and central obesity were 1.26 (95% CI: 1.16-1.36) and 1.32 (95% CI: 1.20-1.45), respectively. With the exception of HTN and CTIN, WC was positively associated with risks for all CKD subtypes. Conclusions:BMI-defined underweight and central obesity were independent risk factors for total CKD, and BMI and WC had different associations with risks for disease subtypes.
8.Impact of tumor lysis syndrome on the prognosis of pediatric mature B-cell lymphoma
Chenggong ZENG ; Zhiqing WEI ; Junting HUANG ; Jia ZHU ; Feifei SUN ; Juan WANG ; Suying LU ; Yizhuo ZHANG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Zijun ZHEN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(12):1098-1105
Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effect of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) on the prognosis of children and adolescents with intermediate- or high-risk high-grade mature B-cell nonHodgkin lymphoma (HG B-NHL) .Methods:This study collected the clinical data and prognosis of 283 patients aged <18 years with newly diagnosed intermediate- or high-risk HG B-NHL treated at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2010 to December 2022. The clinical characteristics, laboratory indicators during TLS, and prognosis of the patients were analyzed. The optimal cutoff values of laboratory indicators during TLS were identified using R studio according to event-free survival (EFS) .Results:Of the 283 patients enrolled, the median age was 7 (range: 1-18) years and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6∶1, 76 (26.9%) developed TLS, and 207 (73.1%) did not. Patients with TLS demonstrated higher proportions of the pathological subtype Burkitt lymphoma, high-risk stratification, age <12 years, and LDH of ≥1 000 IU/L compared with patients without TLS (all P<0.05). The 5-year EFS and overall survival (OS) rates of the entire group were (84.5±2.2) % and (88.2±2.0) %, respectively. The 5-year OS rate of patients with TLS was significantly lower than that of those without TLS [ (80.8±4.6) % vs (91.0±2.0) %, P=0.01]. Among patients with TLS, those with serum uric acid of ≤612.7 μmol/L ( n=36) exhibited lower 5-year EFS [ (67.8±8.1) % vs (87.5±5.2) %, P=0.04] and OS rates [ (69.9±8.1) % vs (90.0±4.7) %, P=0.04] compared with those with uric acid of >612.7 μmol/L ( n=40). Similarly, patients with serum phosphate of ≤1.89 mmol/L ( n=58) demonstrated lower 5-year EFS [ (71.6±6.0) % vs 100%, P=0.02] and OS rates [ (74.8±5.8) % vs 100%, P=0.03] compared with those with phosphate of >1.89 mmol/L ( n=18) . Conclusions:TLS is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HG B-NHL. Patients with lower serum uric acid and phosphate levels during TLS demonstrated worse prognoses, indicating their potential value in predicting prognosis and guiding stratified treatment.
9.Impact of tumor lysis syndrome on the prognosis of pediatric mature B-cell lymphoma
Chenggong ZENG ; Zhiqing WEI ; Junting HUANG ; Jia ZHU ; Feifei SUN ; Juan WANG ; Suying LU ; Yizhuo ZHANG ; Xiaofei SUN ; Zijun ZHEN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(12):1098-1105
Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effect of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) on the prognosis of children and adolescents with intermediate- or high-risk high-grade mature B-cell nonHodgkin lymphoma (HG B-NHL) .Methods:This study collected the clinical data and prognosis of 283 patients aged <18 years with newly diagnosed intermediate- or high-risk HG B-NHL treated at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2010 to December 2022. The clinical characteristics, laboratory indicators during TLS, and prognosis of the patients were analyzed. The optimal cutoff values of laboratory indicators during TLS were identified using R studio according to event-free survival (EFS) .Results:Of the 283 patients enrolled, the median age was 7 (range: 1-18) years and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6∶1, 76 (26.9%) developed TLS, and 207 (73.1%) did not. Patients with TLS demonstrated higher proportions of the pathological subtype Burkitt lymphoma, high-risk stratification, age <12 years, and LDH of ≥1 000 IU/L compared with patients without TLS (all P<0.05). The 5-year EFS and overall survival (OS) rates of the entire group were (84.5±2.2) % and (88.2±2.0) %, respectively. The 5-year OS rate of patients with TLS was significantly lower than that of those without TLS [ (80.8±4.6) % vs (91.0±2.0) %, P=0.01]. Among patients with TLS, those with serum uric acid of ≤612.7 μmol/L ( n=36) exhibited lower 5-year EFS [ (67.8±8.1) % vs (87.5±5.2) %, P=0.04] and OS rates [ (69.9±8.1) % vs (90.0±4.7) %, P=0.04] compared with those with uric acid of >612.7 μmol/L ( n=40). Similarly, patients with serum phosphate of ≤1.89 mmol/L ( n=58) demonstrated lower 5-year EFS [ (71.6±6.0) % vs 100%, P=0.02] and OS rates [ (74.8±5.8) % vs 100%, P=0.03] compared with those with phosphate of >1.89 mmol/L ( n=18) . Conclusions:TLS is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HG B-NHL. Patients with lower serum uric acid and phosphate levels during TLS demonstrated worse prognoses, indicating their potential value in predicting prognosis and guiding stratified treatment.
10.Distribution characteristics of choroidal thickness in normal population and the diagnostic cut-off value for pachychoroid
Xinyuan ZHANG ; Bingjie QIU ; Yanhong WANG ; Zhiqing LI ; Yiyun ZENG ; Xiaosi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2022;40(6):548-555
Objective:To characterize the distribution characteristics of choroidal thickness in healthy normal subjects and to define the diagnostic cut-off value for pachychoroid.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was carried out.Four hundred and forty-six eyes of 230 healthy subjects from the pachychoroid disease spectrum (PCD) cohort in Beijing Tongren Hospital from April 2018 to June 2021, were enrolled for the choroidal thickness distribution analysis.Three hundred and fourteen eyes of 274 patients with PCD including 149 eyes of 113 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy, 95 eyes of 81 patients with polypoid choroidal vasculopathy, 70 eyes of 60 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, along with 382 eyes of 199 normal subjects matched for refractive error, age and gender with PCD were selected for likelihood ratio analysis.Routine eye examinations including the best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp microscopy, dilated fundus examination and color fundus photography were performed in all subjects.Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) of 9 mm×9 mm scanning mode was used to measure the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) automatically in nine macular regions according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study classification system using TOPCON Advanced Boundary Segmentation (TABS) software.Pearson linear correlation analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis were adopted to evaluate the correlations between SFCT and age, diopter.Multiple linear regression was employed to analyze the factors affecting SFCT.After age and refractive error adjustment, the likelihood ratio test was used to determine the diagnostic cut-off value for pachychoroid.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital (No.TRECKY2016-054). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to entering the cohort.Results:A negative correlation was found between SFCT and age in normal eyes ( r=-0.34, P<0.001), in both normal male and female subjects ( r=-0.43, P<0.001; r=-0.38; P<0.001). A weak positive correlation was found between SFCT and diopter ( rs=0.19, P<0.001). It was found that age and diopter were strongly correlated with SFCT (both at P<0.001). The cut-off values for pachychoroid in 20-39 years group, 40-59 years group, 60-79 years group and ≥80 years group were 320-330 μm, 330-340 μm, 250-275 μm and 200-225 μm, respectively.The percentages of eyes with pachychoroid in 20-39 years group, 40-59 years group and ≥60 years group were 14.71%(10/68), 24.48%(47/192) and 28.89%(55/184), respectively, showing statistically significant differences among them ( χ2=6.170, P=0.046; LR=6.579, P=0.037). The proportion of pachychoroid in ≥60 years group was significantly higher than that of 20-39 years group, showing a statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.982, P=0.014; LR=6.479, P=0.011). Conclusions:The distribution characteristics of pachychoroid vary in normal subjects over age.Age and diopter are the independent influencing factors of SFCT.

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