BACKGROUND:Angiogenesis is the main treatment target of cardiovascular diseases.Bone morphogenetic protein 2 can modulate angiogenesis,but the regulatory effect of endothelial cell-specific bone morphogenetic protein 2 on angiogenesis is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of endothelial-specific bone morphogenetic protein 2 on angiogenesis. METHODS:(1)Bioinformatics analysis:Cellular expression specificity and abundance of bone morphogenetic protein 2 were meta-analyzed by the PanglaoDB single-cell transcriptome database.The endothelial cell transcriptome sequencing dataset of the mouse hindlimb model and endocardial transcriptome dataset of mice overexpressing bone morphogenetic protein 2 were reanalyzed to evaluate the effect of endothelial cell bone morphogenetic protein 2 on the angiogenesis pathway.(2)Validation in vivo:After establishing the mouse hindlimb model,we compared the blood perfusion between the affected and sham limb at 7,14,and 21 days.The expression of the colocation of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and CD31 was explored by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining.(3)Validation in vitro:The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro were divided into a control group,a hypoxia group,and a bone morphogenetic protein 2 inhibitor Noggin intervention group.After being cultured for 24 hours,the angiogenesis of endothelial cells in each group was observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Endothelial cells are an important cell subgroup expressing bone morphogenetic protein 2.Both in the mouse hindlimb ischemia model and endocardial cells overexpressing bone morphogenetic protein 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2 was significantly up-regulated,and the angiogenesis pathway was significantly activated.(2)In the mouse hindlimb model,bone morphogenetic protein 2-positive blood vessels around neoangiogenesis increased significantly at 7 days of ischemia(P<0.05),and decreased significantly after 2 weeks of ischemia(P<0.001).(3)In umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in vitro,after hypoxic intervention,the migration and sprouting of endothelial cells increased significantly,and the expression of angiogenesis factors vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor was significantly increased.Noggin significantly reduced hypoxia-induced endothelial cell angiogenesis(P<0.001)and down-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor(P<0.01).(4)These findings verify that endothelial cell-specific bone morphogenetic protein 2 can regulate angiogenesis,and targeting endothelial cell bone morphogenetic protein 2 is a promising way to improve angiogenesis.

Objective To explore the construction of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-knockout (GTKO) Diannan miniature pigs and the kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques, and to assess the effectiveness of GTKO pigs. Methods The GTKO Diannan miniature pigs were constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system and somatic cell cloning technology. The phenotype of GTKO pigs was verified through polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing and immunofluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect antigen-antibody (IgM) binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Kidney xenotransplantation was performed from GTKO pigs to rhesus macaques. The humoral immunity, cellular immunity, coagulation and physiological indicators of the recipient monkeys were monitored. The function and pathological changes of the transplanted kidneys were analyzed using ultrasonography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting exon 4 of the GGTA1 gene in Diannan miniature pigs was designed. The pGL3-GGTA1-sgRNA1-GFP vector was transfected into fetal fibroblasts of Diannan miniature pigs. After puromycin selection, two cell clones, C59# and C89#, were identified as GGTA1 gene-knockout clones. These clones were expanded to form cell lines, which were used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The reconstructed embryos were transferred into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, resulting in 13 fetal pigs. Among them, fetuses F04 and F11 exhibited biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, and F04 had a normal karyotype. Using this GTKO fetal pig for recloning and transferring the reconstructed embryos into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, seven surviving piglets were obtained, all of which did not express α-Gal epitope. The binding of IgM from the serum of rhesus monkey 20# to GTKO pig PBMC was reduced, and the survival rate of GTKO pig PBMC in the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay was higher than that of wild-type pig. GTKO pig kidneys were harvested and perfused until completely white. After the left kidney of the recipient monkey was removed, the pig kidney was heterotopically transplanted. Following vascular anastomosis and blood flow restoration, the pig kidney rapidly turned pink without hyperacute rejection (HAR). Urine appeared in the ureter 6 minutes later, indicating successful kidney transplantation. The right kidney of the recipient was then removed. Seven days after transplantation, the transplanted kidney had good blood flow, the recipient monkey's serum creatinine level was stable, and serum potassium and cystatin C levels were effectively controlled, although they increased 10 days after transplantation. Seven days after transplantation, the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in the recipient monkey increased, while platelet count and fibrinogen levels decreased. The activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and prothrombin time remained relatively stable but later showed an upward trend. The recipient monkey survived for 10 days. At autopsy, the transplanted kidney was found to be congested, swollen and necrotic, with a small amount of IgG deposition in the renal tissue, and a large amount of IgM, complement C3c and C4d deposition, as well as CD68⁺ macrophage infiltration. Conclusions The kidneys of GTKO Diannan miniature pigs may maintain normal renal function for a certain period in rhesus macaques and effectively overcome HAR, confirming the effectiveness of GTKO pigs for xenotransplantation.

The organization of the brain follows a topological hierarchy that changes dynamically during development. However, it remains unknown whether and how cognitive training administered over multiple years during development can modify this hierarchical topology. By measuring the brain and behavior of school children who had carried out abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training for five years (starting from 7 years to 12 years old) in pre-training and post-training, we revealed the reshaping effect of long-term AMC intervention during development on the brain hierarchical topology. We observed the development-induced emergence of the default network, AMC training-promoted shifting, and regional changes in cortical gradients. Moreover, the training-induced gradient changes were located in visual and somatomotor areas in association with the visuospatial/motor-imagery strategy. We found that gradient-based features can predict the math ability within groups. Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of network recruitment impacted by long-term cognitive training during development.
Child ; Humans ; Cognitive Training ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Brain ; Brain Mapping ; Motor Cortex

BACKGROUND:Endogenous neurogenesis and exogenous stem cell transplantation in the brain show great therapeutic potential for neurological diseases including ischemic stroke,repairing and replacing lost neurons,promoting synaptic remodeling,and inhibiting apoptosis.Traditional Chinese medicine and compound therapy for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation for the treatment of neurological dysfunction after ischemia have certain advantages,targeting nerve repair through a variety of ways,including promoting endogenous neurogenesis and exogenous stem cell survival,proliferation,homing,and inducing neuronal differentiation. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine and compound for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation to promote nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke,in order to provide a reference for the research and treatment of new drugs in ischemic stroke. METHODS:The articles from CNKI and PubMed databases about traditional Chinese medicine and compound for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation in promotion of nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke from 2010 to 2022 were searched,with"supplementing qi and activating blood circulation;inducing resuscitation;traditional Chinese medicine(TCM);compounds;ischemic stroke;nerve repair;stem cells"as Chinese and English search terms.After excluding old and duplicate views,the retrieved literature was analyzed and collated,and a total of 124 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The definition of stem cells,ischemic stroke and the nerve repair pathway in the acute phase of ischemic stroke were sorted out.(2)The mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine and compound for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation to promote nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke was summarized,mainly including promoting stem cell proliferation,improving stem cell viability and survival rate,promoting nerve cell homing,inducing stem cell differentiation to neurons,inhibiting apoptosis of nerve cells,promoting axon regeneration,regulating angiogenesis and remodeling,improving the level of neurotrophic factors and repairing the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.(3)Through the existing research,the relevant factors and signaling pathways of traditional Chinese medicines and compounds for supplementing qi,activating blood circulation and inducing resuscitation to promote nerve repair in the acute phase of ischemic stroke were summarized,such as Nestin protein expression,DCX protein expression,brain-derived neurotrophic factor,vascular endothelial growth factor and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,Notch signaling pathway,PI3k/Akt signaling pathway,BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.It provides a relevant reference for future research on ischemic stroke-specific drugs and new clinical treatment methods.

BACKGROUND:The aging of mesenchymal stem cells is one of the main causes of aging-related diseases,and seriously affects its clinical application.Traditional Chinese medicine has a good anti-aging effect,and it can inhibit the aging of mesenchymal stem cells to promote its application in tissue engineering and prevent and treat aging-related diseases. OBJECTIVE:To review the effect and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on inhibiting the aging of mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:We searched CNKI and PubMed for the literature on inhibiting mesenchymal stem cell aging with traditional Chinese medicine from 2012 to 2022.The keywords were"traditional Chinese medicine,mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),aging"in Chinese and English,respectively.Finally,92 articles were included for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)We summarized five main mechanisms of the aging of mesenchymal stem cells:DNA damage,telomere shortening,oxidative stress,autophagy disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction.(2)This paper reviewed the phenotypic characteristics of senescent mesenchymal stem cells,including increases in cell volume,decreases in proliferation and multi-directional differentiation,increases in β-galactosidase activity,and activation of p21 and p16 pathways,and so on.(3)We summarized the main mechanisms of Chinese medicine inhibiting the senescence of mesenchymal stem cells at present,including inhibiting the activation of the Wnt pathway,inhibiting the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species,promoting the silencing of information regulator factor 2 homolog 1,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B,adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 pathway activation,and promoting the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase.(4)At present,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are the most widely studied in the research of traditional Chinese medicine to inhibit the aging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and the effect is better.(5)Zuogui Wan,Bushen Tiaogan Formula,resveratrol,Astragalus membranaceus and other traditional Chinese medicines can prevent and treat osteoporosis by promoting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of aging mesenchymal stem cells.However,the mechanism of Chinese medicine in improving the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells and preventing other aging-related diseases by inhibiting the aging of mesenchymal stem cells needs to be further explored.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have been widely used to treat neurological diseases.However,due to limitations of the blood-brain barrier,low survival rate and differentiation rate of stem cells at damaged sites,the therapeutic effect is limited. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Shexiang Huangqi compound dripping pills on proliferation,migration and astrocyte differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Male SD rats were treated with Shexiang Huangqi compound dripping pills for 5 days after continuous gavage.Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and serum was separated for later use.The effect of 5%,10%and 20%drug-containing serum on the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected by CCK-8 assay.The effect of 10%drug-containing serum on lateral migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was observed by scratch test.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in Transwell cells.The effects of 10%drug-containing serum on longitudinal migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were observed by crystal violet staining and DAPI nuclear staining.Differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into astrocytes was observed by inducing solution with 10%drug-containing serum or co-culture with astrocytes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)10%and 20%drug-containing serum promoted cell proliferation more significantly on days 2 and 3,and there was no statistical difference between the two concentrations.(2)At 30 and 48 hours,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell migration in 10%drug-containing serum group was significantly higher than that in the control group.(3)The number of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells filtered through Transwell cells in 10%drug-containing serum group was higher than that in the control group.(4)10%drug-containing serum might promote the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to astrocytes,but the differentiation effect was weak,and astrocytes might further promote the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into astrocytes induced by drug-containing serum.(5)The results exhibited that the 10%drug-containing serum could promote the proliferation and migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.Co-culture with astrocytes may promote the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells towards astrocytes.

BACKGROUND:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease,which often leads to the death of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is extremely complex,with high refractory rate and mortality rate.There are only two kinds of drugs for its treatment,so it is urgent to develop new treatment methods to improve the prognosis of patients. OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of Chinese medicine and mesenchymal stem cells regulating the immune response in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS:"Traditional Chinese medicine,medical stem cells,ALS,immune response"were Chinese and English search terms.Articles were retrieved from WanFang,CNKI,PubMed,Web of Science and other databases from 2010 to 2023.Finally,69 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The article summarizes in detail the five mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine regulating the immune response in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:mainly including the promotion of expression of closed zone protein-1 and closed protein-5 by traditional Chinese medicine such as borneol and astragaloside IV to rebuild the integrity of the blood central nervous system barrier.Fufangteng Mixture can regulate the receptor molecules on the surface of the natural killer cells to inhibit their autotoxicity.The complement system factors such as Scutellaria barbata and patchouli can inhibit their abnormal activation.Tripterygium wilfordii and Uncaria rhynchophylla inhibit the activation of microglia by mediating the production of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase.Zuogui Pill and Trichosanthes kirilowii Root promote the expression of interleukin-10 and regulate T cells to improve the immune environment.(2)Through existing research,five mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells regulating the immune response in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been summarized,mainly including reducing the expression of aquaporin 4 and reducing endothelial nitric oxide synthase signal transduction to repair the integrity of the immune barrier;releasing indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase,prostaglandin E2 and other factors to resist natural killer cell toxicity;secretion factor H interferes with the activity of invertase and inhibits abnormal activation of the complement system;regulating the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 system axis or secreting transforming growth factors β,which can change the phenotype of microglia and inhibit its activity by other ways;increasing the expression of interleukin-10 or activating the STATS phosphorylation pathway to restore T cell function.(3)At present,there are few studies on the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Relevant research reports have shown that Jiweiling Injection can promote stem cell proliferation and differentiation and that Buyang Huanwu decoction combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.In the future,further exploration is needed to explore the synergistic treatment effect of both on refractory amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Lipid metabolism,as the basis of life maintenance,is a prerequisite for cell survival,and lipid homeostasis can rapidly respond to metabolic changes in a coordinated manner.In cancers,there is an increase in lipid metabolism in cancer cells to meet the requirements for plasma membrane synthesis and energy production.Abnormal lipid metabolism plays an important role in the progression of primary liver cancer.This article reviews the association between abnormal lipid metabolism and primary liver cancer,in order to find targets for the prevention and treatment of primary liver cancer.

Objective To analyze the composition of microbial community in gut of elderly male Nycticebus bengalensis,aiming to explore the health impact factors associated with artificial captivity.Methods Fecal samples of 4 adult male Nycticebus bengalensis were collected and the V4 region was amplified using bacterial 16S rDNA universal primers.Illumina NovaSeq sequencing platform was used for microbial sequencing analysis.The complexity and similarity of the samples were analyzed using the QIIME software analysis tool.The species structure and abundance of the intestinal flora were analyzed at the phylum and genus levels based on validated data.The PICRUSt software was applied to predict the metabolic function of the flora.Results The results showed that the diversity index(Shannon index)of the flora in the youngest Nycticebus bengalensis was higher than that of the others.PCoA analysis showed that the bacterial community compositions of the four samples had a certain degree of similarity.Bacteria identified in the Nycticebus bengalensis feces included 12 phyla,18 classes,28 orders,49 families,93 genera,and 59 species.Among them,the dominant phyla were Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes with average relative abundances of 46％and 28％,respectively;The genera Bacteroides,Bifidobacterium,and Fusobacterium had higher abundances,with relative abundances of 33％,6％,and 6％,respectively;The beneficial genus Bifidobacterium was found in all samples,with the highest relative abundance found in the younger Nycticebus bengalensis.PICRUSt function prediction analysis showed that the abundance of the functional genes related to amino acid transport and metabolism,carbohydrate transport and metabolism,was relatively high.Conclusion The use of Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing technology can comprehensively detect the fecal microbial community of the Nycticebus bengalensis.The bacterial composition of Nycticebus bengalensis has rich diversity.Many bacteria are not identified and have higher relative abundance,which need further study.

Objective:To explore the genetic characteristics of a fetus with sex chromosome abnormality indicated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) at 25 + gestational weeks. Methods:A pregnant woman who was admitted to the Taizhou Hospital for abnormal NIPT result on January 6, 2023 was selected as the study subject. Relevant clinical data was collected. The fetus was subjected to chromosomal karyotyping analysis, copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and multiplex PCR assays. Results:NIPT had suggested monosomy of X chromosome. The fetus was found to have a chromosomal karyotype of 45, X[59]/46, X, del(Y)(q11.2)[17] at 30 + weeks of gestational age. CNV-seq suggested the presence a 7.98 Mb deletion at Yq11.222q12 and a mosaicism 16.92 Mb deletion. FISH suggested that the fetus harbored two SRY genes and a mosaicism sex chromosomal abnormality, and multiplex PCR revealed that its AZF b+ c region was completely deleted. C-banded karyotyping showed darkly stained dense mitotic granules at both ends of the Y chromosome. The fetus was ultimately determined as a 45, X/46, X, idic(Y)(q11.2) mosaicism. Following elected abortion, testing of the fetal tissue confirmed the presence of 45, X/46, XY mosaicism, and CNV-seq result of the placental tissue was compatible with that of NIPT. CNV-seq analysis of the couple revealed no obvious abnormality. Conclusion:With combined NIPT, karyotyping, CNV-seq, FISH and multiplex PCR assays, the fetus was diagnosed as a 45, X/46, X, idic(Y)(q11.2) mosaicism with deletion of the AZF b+ c region. Above finding has enabled prenatal diagnosis for the fetus.