Recent clinical studies have shown that mutation of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene in cancer cells may be associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and poor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Therefore, efficiently restoring PTEN gene expression in cancer cells is critical to improving the responding rate to ICB therapy. Here, we screened an adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid for efficient PTEN gene delivery into B16F10 tumor cells. We demonstrated that intratumorally injected AAV6-PTEN successfully restored the tumor cell PTEN gene expression and effectively inhibited tumor progression by inducing tumor cell immunogenic cell death (ICD) and increasing immune cell infiltration. Moreover, we developed an anti-PD-1 loaded phospholipid-based phase separation gel (PPSG), which formed an in situ depot and sustainably release anti-PD-1 drugs within 42 days in vivo. In order to effectively inhibit the recurrence of melanoma, we further applied a triple therapy based on AAV6-PTEN, PPSG^@anti-PD-1 and CpG, and showed that this triple therapy strategy enhanced the synergistic antitumor immune effect and also induced robust immune memory, which completely rejected tumor recurrence. We anticipate that this triple therapy could be used as a new tumor combination therapy with stronger immune activation capacity and tumor inhibition efficacy.

Objective To establish a coronavirus(CoV)infection model using human nasal mucosa organoids for testing antiviral drugs and evaluate the feasibility of using human nasal mucosa organoids with viral infection as platforms for viral research and antiviral drug development.Methods Human nasal mucosa organoids were tested for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 pseudoviruses.In a P3 laboratory,nasal mucosa organoids were infected with the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and 4 variant strains,and the infection conditions were optimized.The viral loads in the culture supernatants were measured at different time points using RT-qPCR,and immunofluorescence assay was employed to localize SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein to determine the type of the infected cells.In the optimized nasal mucosa viral infection model,the antiviral effects of camostat and bergamot extract(which were known to inhibit SARS-CoV-2)were tested and the underlying molecular mechanisms were explored.Results In the optimized nasal mucosa organoid models infected with SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 pseudoviruses,the viral load in the culture supernatants increased significantly during the period of 2 to 24 h following the infection,which confirmed infection of the organoids by both of the pseudoviruses.The nasal mucosa organoids could be stably infected by the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its 4 variant strains,validating successful establishment of the viral infection model,in which both camostat and bergamot extract exhibited dose-dependent antiviral effects.Conclusions Human nasal mucosa organoids with SARS-CoV-2 infection can serve as platforms for screening and testing antiviral drugs,particularly those intended for nasal administration.

Objective To establish a coronavirus(CoV)infection model using human nasal mucosa organoids for testing antiviral drugs and evaluate the feasibility of using human nasal mucosa organoids with viral infection as platforms for viral research and antiviral drug development.Methods Human nasal mucosa organoids were tested for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 pseudoviruses.In a P3 laboratory,nasal mucosa organoids were infected with the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and 4 variant strains,and the infection conditions were optimized.The viral loads in the culture supernatants were measured at different time points using RT-qPCR,and immunofluorescence assay was employed to localize SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein to determine the type of the infected cells.In the optimized nasal mucosa viral infection model,the antiviral effects of camostat and bergamot extract(which were known to inhibit SARS-CoV-2)were tested and the underlying molecular mechanisms were explored.Results In the optimized nasal mucosa organoid models infected with SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 pseudoviruses,the viral load in the culture supernatants increased significantly during the period of 2 to 24 h following the infection,which confirmed infection of the organoids by both of the pseudoviruses.The nasal mucosa organoids could be stably infected by the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its 4 variant strains,validating successful establishment of the viral infection model,in which both camostat and bergamot extract exhibited dose-dependent antiviral effects.Conclusions Human nasal mucosa organoids with SARS-CoV-2 infection can serve as platforms for screening and testing antiviral drugs,particularly those intended for nasal administration.

Objective Based on network pharmacology and in vivo experiments,to explore the mechanism of Yangxin Decoction in treating arterial atherosclerosis.Methods In the network pharmacology part,TCMSP database is used to screen the drug active ingredients and corresponding targets of Yangxin Decoction,Gene Cards,DisGeNet,OMIM,TTD database is used to screen atherosclerosis disease targets,the Evenn platform for interactive mapping to obtain drug disease intersection targets.Cytoscape 3.7.2 software is used to build a drug active ingredient core target disease interaction network diagram,The intersection target points are imported into STRING database to obtain PPI network diagram,and the Cytascape software is used for visualization processing.The metascape v3.5 platform is used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis,and the micro-signal platform is used for visualization processing.In vivo experiment:ApoE-/-mice established atherosclerosis animal models through high-fat diet.The model mice were randomly divided into model group(Model),low-dose Yangxin Decoction group(YXT-L),and high-dose Yangxin Decoction group(YXT-H).C57BL/6 mice were taken as the control group,YXT-L group and YXT-H group were respectively given 2.6 g·kg-1·d-1 and 5.2 g·kg-1·d-1 of Yangxin Decoction extract aqueous solution,and the control group and model group were given equal volume distilled water for 4 weeks.Oil red O staining was used to observe the plaque area of aortic sinus,and ELISA was used to detect serum IL-6 and IL-1β,Caspase-3,VEGF levels,TG,TC,LDL-C,HDL-C levels of blood lipids detected by automatic biochemical instrument,and NF-κB p65,TNF-α,IKKβ Protein expression of aorta detected by Western blot.Results Network pharmacology:105 active ingredients of Yangxin Decoction were screened out,including 535 corresponding targets,4921 atherosclerotic disease targets,162 drug disease intersection targets,and the top 10 targets include AKT1,TNF,IL-6,VEGFA,IL-1β,TP53,JUN,CASP3,PPARG,PTGS2.A total of 2224 items were obtained from and GO analysis,including 1946 biological processes,100 cell components and 178 molecular functions.A total of 216 signal pathways were obtained by KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis,mainly involving fluid shear stress,atherosclerosis,NF-κB signaling pathway,cAMP signaling pathway,diabetes cardiomyopathy,cysteine and methionine metabolism,VEGF signaling pathway,calcium signaling pathway,etc.In vitro experiment:Yangxin Decoction reduces serum TG,TC,LDL-C in ApoE-/-atherosclerosis mice in a dose-dependent manner,increases HDL-C level,reduces aortic sinus plaque area,and reduces serum IL-6,IL-1β,Caspase-3 and VEGF level;Inhibition of aortic NF-κB p65,TNF-α,IKKβ Protein expression.Conclusion Yangxin Decoction may inhibit TNF-α/IKKβ/NF-κB signaling pathway plays an anti-atherosclerosis role by regulating lipid metabolism,inhibiting inflammatory reaction,regulating cell apoptosis,etc.

Objective:To summarize the etiological mechanism, echocardiographic and clinical features of fetal cardiomyopathies (FCMs).Methods:According to the data of echocardiography in Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center in Fetal Heart Disease of Beijing Anzhen Hospital during 2015 January to 2020 December, 70 cases with FCMs were retrospectively reviewed, and the clinical, ultrasonic, pathological and clinical outcome data were collected. Whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing were used to identify the genetic changes.Results:Primary FCMs were diagnosed in 55 cases (78.6%, 55/70), including 39 fetuses with non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM), 10 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 5 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 1 with restricted cardiomyopathy (RCM). Secondary FCMs were diagnosed in 15 cases (21.4%, 15/70), including 7 fetuses with maternal anti-Ro/La antibodies (presenting with DCM), 4 with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (2 with DCM and 2 with HCM), 2 with fetal anemia (presenting with DCM), 1 with maternal diabetes (presenting with HCM) and 1 with chorioangioma of the placenta (presenting with DCM). In all cases, 9 cases were born, 3 cases died in perinatal period, and 58 pregnancies were terminated due to ineffective treatment or the decisions of pregnant women. Thirty cases with primary FCMs were performed with genetic tests, and 13 of them were identified with positive genetic changes related to FCMs, including 12 cases with NVM and 1 with HCM.Conclusions:Primary FCMs are more common than secondary FCMs in fetal period. The genetic disorders have a high proportion in fetal NVM. Fetal DCM and HCM have a large spectrum of intrinsic and extrinsic causes.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early hypopharyngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions.Methods:Clinical data of 41 patients who received ESD for early hypopharyngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions from August 2013 to August 2019 in the Department of Endoscopy of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. Main outcome measurements included operation completion rate, operation time, en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, complication rate and recurrence.Results:ESD was successfully completed in all 41 cases, with a success rate of 100.0% and a mean time of 49.1 min (ranged 10-110 min). Fifty-four lesions underwent en bloc resection, with an en bloc resection rate of 98.2% (54/55), of which 41 had negative horizontal and vertical margins, and the R0 resection rate was 74.5% (41/55). During the operation of 55 lesions, there was a small amount of blood oozing on the wound surface, and electrocoagulation with thermal biopsy forceps could successfully stop the bleeding. No perforation occurred, and 2 cases (4.3%) had delayed bleeding after ESD, and hemostasis was successful under emergency endoscopy. Postoperative endoscopy showed that 1 case (2.2%) had esophageal entrance stenosis, and the obstruction was relieved after repeated water balloon dilatation. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 72 months, and the median time was 18 months. One case was found to have mucosal lesions in the same part of the hypopharynx and received ESD treatment again. Follow-up to October 2020, no residual lesions and recurrence were found.Conclusion:ESD is a safe and effective option for the treatment of early hypopharyngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions, which is worthy of clinical application.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent joint disease with no effective treatment strategies. Aberrant mechanical stimuli was demonstrated to be an essential factor for OA pathogenesis. Although multiple studies have detected potential regulatory mechanisms underlying OA and have concentrated on developing novel treatment strategies, the epigenetic control of OA remains unclear. Histone demethylase JMJD3 has been reported to mediate multiple physiological and pathological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, the regulation of JMJD3 in aberrant force-related OA and its mediatory effect on disease progression are still unknown. In this work, we confirmed the upregulation of JMJD3 in aberrant force-induced cartilage injury in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, inhibition of JMJD3 by its inhibitor, GSK-J4, or downregulation of JMJD3 by adenovirus infection of sh-JMJD3 could alleviate the aberrant force-induced chondrocyte injury. Mechanistic investigation illustrated that aberrant force induces JMJD3 expression and then demethylates H3K27me3 at the NR4A1 promoter to promote its expression. Further experiments indicated that NR4A1 can regulate chondrocyte apoptosis, cartilage degeneration, extracellular matrix degradation, and inflammatory responses. In vivo, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed to construct an OA model, and the therapeutic effect of GSK-J4 was validated. More importantly, we adopted a peptide-siRNA nanoplatform to deliver si-JMJD3 into articular cartilage, and the severity of joint degeneration was remarkably mitigated. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that JMJD3 is flow-responsive and epigenetically regulates OA progression. Our work provides evidences for JMJD3 inhibition as an innovative epigenetic therapy approach for joint diseases by utilizing p5RHH-siRNA nanocomplexes.
Cartilage, Articular/pathology* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Down-Regulation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis/pathology* ; RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology*

Objective:To determine the potential risk factors of delayed hemorrhage after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric carcinomas or precancerous lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 637 patients with early gastric carcinomas (EGC) who treated with ESD in Department of Endoscopy at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from August 2013 to August 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with delayed bleeding.Results:A total of 699 lesions in 637 patients, of which 696 lesions were resected enbloc, the curative resection rate was 92.1% (644/699). The pathological diagnosis after ESD showed that 46 cases were low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 71 were high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 582 were cancer. Delayed bleeding occurred in 74 lesions, while other 625 lesions without postoperative bleeding. The incidence was 10.6%. Compared with the non-bleeding group, there were statistically significant differences in the maximum length of the lesion, the gross shape of the lesion, the control of intra operative bleeding, and the operation time in the delayed bleeding group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum length of the lesion and the gross shape of the lesion were independent factors of delayed bleeding after ESD. Delayed bleeding was inclined to occur in patients with lesion size ≥3.0 cm ( OR=1.958, 95% CI: 1.162-3.299) and the superficial and flat lesion ( OR=10.598, 95% CI: 1.313-85.532) after ESD. Conclusions:The maximum length of the lesion and the gross shape of the lesion are independent impact factors of delayed bleeding occurring in patients with EGC and precancerous lesions after ESD. Patients with lesion size≥3 cm, or superficial flat lesion should be paid attention after ESD operation. It needs to take timely measures to prevent the very likely bleeding in order to ensure postoperative recovery and improve the quality of life for postoperative patients.

Objective:To determine the potential risk factors of delayed hemorrhage after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric carcinomas or precancerous lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 637 patients with early gastric carcinomas (EGC) who treated with ESD in Department of Endoscopy at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from August 2013 to August 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with delayed bleeding.Results:A total of 699 lesions in 637 patients, of which 696 lesions were resected enbloc, the curative resection rate was 92.1% (644/699). The pathological diagnosis after ESD showed that 46 cases were low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 71 were high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 582 were cancer. Delayed bleeding occurred in 74 lesions, while other 625 lesions without postoperative bleeding. The incidence was 10.6%. Compared with the non-bleeding group, there were statistically significant differences in the maximum length of the lesion, the gross shape of the lesion, the control of intra operative bleeding, and the operation time in the delayed bleeding group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum length of the lesion and the gross shape of the lesion were independent factors of delayed bleeding after ESD. Delayed bleeding was inclined to occur in patients with lesion size ≥3.0 cm ( OR=1.958, 95% CI: 1.162-3.299) and the superficial and flat lesion ( OR=10.598, 95% CI: 1.313-85.532) after ESD. Conclusions:The maximum length of the lesion and the gross shape of the lesion are independent impact factors of delayed bleeding occurring in patients with EGC and precancerous lesions after ESD. Patients with lesion size≥3 cm, or superficial flat lesion should be paid attention after ESD operation. It needs to take timely measures to prevent the very likely bleeding in order to ensure postoperative recovery and improve the quality of life for postoperative patients.

Objective To evaluate effects of artesunate on rosacea-like inflammation in mouse models.Methods Twenty-five male BALB/c mice aged 7 weeks were injected subcutaneously with 40 μ1 antibacterial peptide LL-37 into the back once every 12 hours for 4 sessions to establish mouse models with rosacea-like inflammation.These 25 mice were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups:after each injection of LL-37,model group were gavaged with sodium chloride physiological solution,treatment groups gavaged with 25,50 and 100 mg/kg artesunate solution separately,and positive control group gavaged with 30 mg/kg doxycycline hydrochloride solution.Another 5 healthy mice injected subcutaneously with pure water into the back for 4 sessions served as blank control group.Forty-eight hours after the initial injection of LL-37,changes in skin lesions and the intensity of erythema were assessed.Skin tissues at the dorsal injection site were resected and subjected to HE staining,the tissue structure was observed and the number of inflammatory cells was counted.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to estimate the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in skin lesions.Results The model group showed obvious inflammatory reactions,and significantly increased erythema score (3.20 ± 0.84),inflammatory cell count (517.27 ± 99.43) and MPO activity (0.57 ± 0.08) compared with the blank control group (all P ＜ 0.01).The positive control group showed significantly decreased erythema score (1.60 ± 0.89),inflammatory cell count (270.93 ± 124.63) and MPO activity (0.40 ± 0.05) compared with the model group (P ＜ 0.05,0.01,0.01,respectively).Moreover,the erythema score,inflammatory cell counts and MPO activity were all significantly lower in 50-(1.80 ± 0.84,286.00 ± 33.72,0.43 ± 0.05,respectively) and 100-mg/kg artesunate groups (1.40 ± 0.55,258.00 ± 36.44,0.40 ± 0.06,respectively) than in the model group (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).However,there were no significant differences in the erythema score,inflammatory cell count and MPO activity between 50-or 100-mg/kg artesunate group and the positive control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Artesunate can inhibit rosacea-like inflammatory reactions in mouse models,especially the middle-and high-dose artesunate.