1.Zfp335 regulates the proportion of effector Treg and tumor immunity.
Xiaonan SHEN ; Wenhua LI ; Xiaoxuan JIA ; Biao YANG ; Xin WANG ; Haiyan LIU ; Anjun JIAO ; Lei LEI ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Baojun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(5):385-390
Objective Zinc finger protein 335 (Zfp335) plays a crucial role in the early development of thymic T cells and the differentiation of peripheral T cell subpopulations. The objective of this study is to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of Zfp335 in the regulation of regulatory T cell (Treg) within tumor immunity. Methods The Zfp335 gene was specifically knocked out in Treg using tamoxifen (Zfp335fl/fl FOXP3creERT2), and the MC38 tumor model was established. On the 7th day after tumor inoculation, tumor size was observed and measured. Tumor size was monitored and recorded daily starting from day 7 post-inoculation. On day 12, tumors were harvested, and the proportions of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and Treg were analyzed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the mitochondrial function of effector regulatory T cell (eTreg) was assessed. Results From day 10 post-tumor inoculation, tumor volume in the Zfp335CKO group was significantly reduced compared to that of the wild-type (WT) group. Furthermore, the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, along with their respective effector cells, was significantly higher in the Zfp335CKO group than in the WT group. The proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells producing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were also significantly increased in the Zfp335CKO group compared to that of the WT group. In addition, the percentage of CD8+ T cells secreting granzyme B (GzmB) was significantly higher in the Zfp335CKO group than that in the WT group. In contrast, the proportion of Treg and inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS)+ Treg in the Zfp335CKO group was significantly lower than that in the WT group. Finally, the expression level of Mitotracker Deep Red in eTreg from the Zfp335CKO group was significantly reduced compared to that in the WT group. Conclusion During tumorigenesis, the specific deletion of Zfp335 impairs Treg activation, which is related to decreased mitochondrial function in eTreg. In Zfp335CKO mice. Tumors exhibit increased infiltration of effector T cells, accompanied by elevated levels of cytotoxic cytokines, ultimately enhancing resistance to tumor progression.
Animals
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T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism*
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Mice
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
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Neoplasms/genetics*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Female
2.N 6-Methyladenosine modification of circDcbld2 in Kupffer cells promotes hepatic fibrosis via targeting miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis.
Sai ZHU ; Xin CHEN ; Lijiao SUN ; Xiaofeng LI ; Yu CHEN ; Liangyun LI ; Xiaoguo SUO ; Chuanhui XU ; Minglu JI ; Jianan WANG ; Hua WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Xiaoming MENG ; Cheng HUANG ; Jun LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):296-313
Kupffer cells (KCs), as residents and sentinels of the liver, are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KCs to HF have not been determined. In this study, the expression levels of circRNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in KCs from a mouse model of HF mice were investigated using microarray and circRNA-Seq analyses. circDcbld2 was identified as a candidate circRNA in HF, as evidenced by its up-regulation in KCs. Silver staining and mass spectrometry showed that Wtap and Igf2bp2 bind to cirDcbld2. The suppression of circDcbld2 expression decreased the KC inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation, attenuating mouse liver fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, Wtap mediated the N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of circDcbld2, and Igf2bp2 recognized m6A-modified circDcbld2 and increased its stability. circDcbld2 contributes to the occurrence of HF by binding miR-144-3p/Et-1 to regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that circDcbld2 functions via the m6A/circDcbld2/miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis and may act as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.
3.m6A modification regulates PLK1 expression and mitosis.
Xiaoli CHANG ; Xin YAN ; Zhenyu YANG ; Shuwen CHENG ; Xiaofeng ZHU ; Zhantong TANG ; Wenxia TIAN ; Yujun ZHAO ; Yongbo PAN ; Shan GAO
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1559-1572
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, while the mechanism of m6A in regulating mitosis remains underexplored. Here, we found that the total m6A modification level in cells increased during mitosis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and m6A dot blot assays. Silencing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) or METTL14 results in delayed mitosis, abnormal spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation defects by the immunofluorescence. By analyzing transcriptome-wide m6A targets in HeLa cells, we identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a key gene modified by m6A in regulating mitosis. Specifically, through immunoblotting and RNA pulldown, m6A modification inhibits PLK1 translation via YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1, thus mediating cell cycle homeostasis. Demethylation of PLK1 mRNA leads to significant mitotic abnormalities. These findings highlight the critical role of m6A in regulating mitosis and the potential of m6A as a therapeutic target in proliferative diseases such as cancer.
Humans
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Polo-Like Kinase 1
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Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism*
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
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Mitosis/physiology*
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HeLa Cells
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Adenosine/genetics*
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Methyltransferases/metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
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RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
4.Individualized prediction model of tacrolimus dose/weight-adjusted trough concentration based on machine learning approach
Hui Jiang ; Liang Tang ; Xin Wang ; Fan Jiang ; Deguang Wang ; Xiaofeng Lan ; Xiang Xie
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):344-350
Objective:
To utilize machine learning(ML) algorithms to develop accurate and effective prediction models for TAC dose/weight-adjusted trough concentration(C0/D).
Methods:
Data were collected on 264 TAC blood concentration monitoring data from 72 patients undergoing kidney transplantation. The effects of population statistical data, clinical features, combined medication, and ultrasound feature parameters on TAC C0/D were analyzed. Features with a significance level less than 0.05 in the univariate analysis of TAC C0/D were selected for inclusion in the random forest(RF) algorithm to identify significant features. These features were interpreted using partial dependency plots. Five ML algorithms, including RF, support vector regression(SVR), extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost), decision trees(DT) and artificial neural networks(ANN), were employed to establish the TAC C0/D prediction model. Hyper-parameter tuning was performed on the RF model that performed the best.
Results :
Ten characteristic variables with importance scores>5 were retained and included in the ML model: transglutaminase, red blood cell count, blood urea nitrogen, weight, serum creatinine, renal segmental arterial resistance index, renal aortic resistance index, hematocrit, renal pelvic Young′s modulus value, and time after transplantation. The partial dependence plots showed that all 10 important variables screened were positively correlated with TAC C0/D. The tuned RF model outperformed the other models with aR2of 0.81, aRMSEof 43.93, and aMAEof 29.97.
Conclusion
The ML models demonstrate good performance in predicting TAC C0/D and provide innovative interpretations using partial dependence plot. The optimized RF model shows optimal performance and offers a novel tool for individualized medication adjustment for TAC in renal transplant patients.
5.Comparison of luteal phase long protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol in PCOS patients after the first antagonist failure cycle
Tianjuan WANG ; Chao WANG ; Qiong XIN ; Yuping XU ; Wenxiang ZHANG ; Ping ZHOU ; Xiaofeng XU ; Zhaolian WEI ; Yunxia CAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(6):976-982
Objective To investigate the clinical effects and pregnancy outcomes of using luteal phase long protocol and GnRH antagonist protocol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)who have failed their first GnRH antagonist protocol therapy.Methods The clinical data of 163 PCOS patients who underwent IVF/ICSI-ET were retrieved.After the failure of their first GnRH antagonist protocol treatment,they were divided into two groups in the second controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH)cycle:Luteal phase long protocol group(n=95)and Gn-RH antagonist protocol group(n=68).A retrospective analysis and comparison of basic clinical data,clinical and laboratory indicators,and pregnancy outcomes between two groups were conducted.Results ① There was no sta-tistically significant difference in basic clinical indicators between two group except LH.② Compared the first and second cycle treatments of patients in the luteal phase long protocol group,the initiation dose of gonadotropin(Gn),total number of Gn days,total Gn usage,estradiol(E2)on the day of hCG injection,number of retrieved eggs,oocyte maturation rate,2PN fertilization rate,2PN cleavage rate,blastocyst formation rate,high-quality blas-tocyst formation rate,and moderate to severe OHSS rate were significantly higher than those in the first GnRH an-tagonist cycle(P<0.05).The GnRH antagonist protocol group also showed similar improvements.③ The com-parison of the second COH cycle between two groups showed that the total number of Gn days,total Gn usage,and total Gn cost in the luteal phase long protocol group were significantly higher(P<0.05),while the E2 and LH on the day of hCG injection,and the maturation rate of eggs were significantly lower than those in the GnRH antagonist protocol group(P<0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference in the number of retrieved eggs,2PN fertilization,2PN cleavage,blastocyst formation rate,high-quality blastocyst formation rate,and OHSS rate between the two groups;④ The comparison of fresh transplantation cycles for the second COH cycle between the two groups showed that the luteal phase long protocol fresh transplantation rate,implantation rate,clinical preg-nancy rate,and live birth rate were slightly higher than those of the GnRH antagonist protocol group,but the differ-ence was not statistically significant.Comparing the outcomes of pregnancy following the initial frozen-thawed em-bryo transfer(FET)between two groups,the biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate of the GnRH antagonist protocol group were higher than those of the luteal phase long protocol group(P<0.05).However,no significant statistical variations were found in implantation rate,live birth rate,neonatal gestational age,and birth weight.Conclusion For PCOS patients who fail the first GnRH antagonist protocol,an appropriate increase in the initiating dose and usage of Gn can achieve satisfactory pregnancy outcomes with both protocols.Compared with change to a luteal phase long protocol,reusing the GnRH antagonist protocol still maintains its long-standing advan-tages,such as shorter total Gn days,lower costs,and better patient compliance.
6.Expert consensus on the bi-directional screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus
Xin SHEN ; Yinzhong SHEN ; Eryong LIU ; Dingyong SUN ; Dongmin LI ; Yun HE ; Jinge HE ; Lin XU ; Bin CHEN ; Chengliang CHAI ; Lianguo RUAN ; Yong GAO ; Aihua DENG ; Zhen NING ; Jing CHEN ; Xiaofeng LIU ; Kaikan GU ; Lixin RAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(4):327-336
Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are both serious global public health threats. Early detection of infected persons and/or patients through TB/HIV bi-directional screening is crucial for prevention and control strategy in China and globally. In recent years, with the promotion and application of new TB and HIV detection technologies worldwide, TB/HIV bi-directional screening technologies and strategies have made remarkable changes. This expert consensus introduces the significance and challenges of TB/HIV bi-directional screening, summarizes important progress of research and applications, and makes recommendations on screening measures and procedures to further strengthen TB/HIV bi-directional screening in China.
7.Design and clinical application of a blue cap anticoagulant blood volume measurement card
Jie ZHU ; Chunxia XIE ; Qian XIN ; Airong NIU ; Xiaofeng MOU ; Lei ZHANG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(3):170-173
To develop a blue cap anticoagulant tube blood volume measuring card of to solve the problem of insufficient or excessive blood collection in clinical coagulation specimens.The device was composed of a measuring card,a transparent housing with a base and a tube holder.The measuring card was divided into qualified and unqualified areas,the housing was used to insert the card,the tube holder was used to place blood collection tubes.The device was used by clinical nurses to judge the adequacy of blood collection volume in blue cap anticoagulant tube.After the use of the device,the failure rate of clinical blue cap anticoagulation tube specimens submission was reduced from 6.71‰ to 2.73‰,shortened the time limit for specimen submission.At the same time,the device made the rejection judgment of department specimens more standardized and avoided the acceptance of unqualified specimens caused by subjective judgment errors.The device has simple structure,convenient operation and strong practicability,and has promotion value.
8.Analysis of the relationship between KRAS,NRAS,BRAF,HER2 gene mutations and MSI status and clinical features in colorectal cancer patients
Jie ZHAO ; Shan JIANG ; Xin LIAO ; Xiaofeng WANG ; Xueping CHEN ; Jiang WU ; Xiaosong LI ; Yifan SHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(19):2360-2365,2371
Objective To investigate the relationship between Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS),neuroblastoma viral oncogene RAS homolog(NRAS),V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homo-log B(BRAF),human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)gene mutations and microsatellite instabili-ty(MSI)status and clinicopathological features in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods The clinical data of 226 patients with colorectal cancer treated in the hospital from October 2019 to March 2022 were collected.Next-generation sequencing technology was used to detect KRAS,NRAS,BRAF,HER2 gene mutations and MSI status.Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the mismatch repair system(MMR)status.Multiva-riate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between KRAS,NRAS,BRAF,HER2 gene mutations and clinicopathological features.Results Among 226 colorectal cancer patients,the mutation frequencies of KRAS,NRAS,BRAF and HER2 were 54.89%,5.3%,8.4%and 1.8%,respectively.The fre-quency of KRAS mutation in mucinous adenocarcinoma was higher than that in common adenocarcinoma(P<0.05).The risk of KRAS mutation in right colon cancer was increased(OR=2.145,P=0.012).NR AS gene mutation was more frequent in left colon and rectal cancer(P<0.05).The frequency of BRAF gene mu-tation was higher in poorly differentiated and microsatellite instability-high(MSI-H)colorectal cancer(P<0.05),and the risk of BRAF gene mutation in the right colon was increased(OR=2.844,P=0.042).HER2 gene amplification mutation showed distant metastasis(P<0.05).KRAS mutations were mutually exclusive with NRAS,BRAF and HER2 amplification mutations(P<0.05).MSI-H was more frequent in the right co-lon(P<0.05).Of the 226 cases,10 cases were defective mismatch repair(dMMR)/MSI-H,8 cases were dM-MR/microsatellite stable,and 5 cases were proficient mismatch repair/MSI-H.There was a moderate agree-ment between dMMR and MSI-H(Kappa=0.575).Conclusion KRAS,NRAS,BRAF,HER2 and MSI sta-tus are associated with clinicopathological features in patients with colorectal cancer.Combined detection of KRAS,NRAS,BRAF,HER2 and MSI can provide more accurate and effective data to guide the treatment and prognosis of patients.
9.Genetic diversity and recombination events of human infections with Sapovirus
Wanqiu LIU ; Mingda HU ; Xiaofeng HU ; Hongguang REN ; Xin WANG ; Yaqing HE
Military Medical Sciences 2024;48(10):737-743
Objective To investigate the genetic characteristics and recombination of human-infected sapoviruses(SaVs)worldwide using bioinformatics.Methods The complete genome sequences of SaVs were downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)while high-quality complete genomes were retained for analysis.Molecular phylogenetic trees of SaVs were constructed to analyze their genetic characteristics,followed by recombination analysis of human-infected SaV strains genetype Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅳ,and V(G Ⅰ,G Ⅱ,GⅣ,and GⅤ)with recombination analysis software.Results SaVs exhibited substantial genetic diversity worldwide and infected a wide range of hosts.Human-associated SaVs included G Ⅰ,G Ⅱ,GⅣ,and GⅤ,with GⅤ shared between human and swine hosts.Genetype recombination analysis of SaVs revealed a high frequency of recombination in SaV G Ⅱ strains that involved diverse hosts in the field of SaV G V strains.Recombination breakpoints of the virus were concentrated in the major viral proteins 1(VP1)and minor viral proteins 2(VP2).Conclusion Based on systematic analysis of the genetic characteristics of human-infected SaVs,the genotype distribution and prevalence of SaVs are investigated,the recombination patterns of SaV revealed,and its genetic dynamics highlighted.These findings can offer insights into epidemiological trends of viruses and help devise effective prevention and control strategies.
10.Multivariate analysis and prediction model of mild cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus
Xin HUANG ; Pu ZHANG ; Yu GAO ; Kai CHEN ; Xiaofeng LI ; Huiyang GU ; Xue LIANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(16):2236-2243
Objective To explore the influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment(MCI)in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus,and to establish the prediction model,so as to provide guidance for the treatment of MCI in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus.Methods 199 patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes diagnosed in the second ward of Cardiovascular Department of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2023 to January 2024 were analyzed.The related factors of MCI in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regres-sion.According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis,the prediction model of MCI in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus was established.Results Univariate analysis showed that age(P=0.002 3),homocysteine(P<0.000 1),fasting blood glucose(P=0.022 5),glycated hemoglobin(P=0.006 6),and blood uric acid(P=0.032 2)were the influencing factors of MCI.Multivariate logistic regression analysis:age(OR=1.08,P=0.000 4),homocysteine(OR=1.37,P<0.000 1),fasting blood glucose(OR=1.22,P=0.023 5),glycated hemoglobin(OR=1.61,P=0.004 2),and blood uric acid(OR=1.29,P=0.009 1)were the independent influencing factors of MCI.The optimal threshold is when the Youden index(YI=sensitivity+speci-ficity)is maximum.At the optimal threshold,the sensitivity was 0.74,the specificity was 0.80,and the area under the curve(AUC)was 0.809,indicating that the model can effectively predict the occurrence of MCI.Conclusion Age,fasting blood glucose,blood homocysteine,blood uric acid and glycosylated hemoglobin are independent risk factors for MCI in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes.The clinical prediction model based on multivariate logistic regression has a certain predictive value for the occurrence of MCI in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus.


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