1.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
2.Research on cardiometabolic risk factors of workers in new forms of employment
Siyuan WANG ; Xiaoshun WANG ; Rui GUAN ; Hong YU ; Xin SONG ; Binshuo HU ; Zhihui WANG ; Xiaowen DING ; Dongsheng NIU ; Tenglong YAN ; Huadong XU
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(2):150-154
Objective To analyze the prevalence status of cardiometabolic risk factor (CMRF) and its aggregation among workers engaged in new forms of employment. Methods A total of 5 429 new employment workers (including couriers, online food delivery workers, and ride hailing drivers) who underwent health medical examinations at a tertiary hospital in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. Data on waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid levels were collected to analyze their CMRF [central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and their aggregation (with ≥ 2 of the above 5 risk factors) status. Results The detection rates of central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, and reduced HDL-C were 61.2%, 38.2%, 29.5%, 40.9% and 22.6%, respectively. The detection rates of CMRF aggregation was 57.8%. The result of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male, age ≥45 years, smoking, overweight, and obesity were risk factors for CMRF aggregation (all P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of CMRF and its aggregation among workers with new forms of employment in Beijing City is relatively high. Targeted prevention and control efforts should be strengthened for high-risk populations, especially males, workers aged ≥45 years, smokers, and those who are overweight or obese.
3. Exploring mechanism of hypolipidemic effect of total Ligustrum robustum (Roxb. ) Blume on hyperlipidemic golden hamsters based on intestinal flora
Chen-Xi XU ; Rui-Le PAN ; Meng-Chen DONG ; Zhi-Hong YANG ; Xiao-Ya LI ; Wen JIN ; Run-Mei YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):476-483
Aim To evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of the total phenylpropanoid glycosides extracted from Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume (LRTPG) on hyperlipidemic golden hamsters and explore its regulatory effect on intestinal flora. Methods Sixty hamsters were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a positive drug group, LRTPG-L group, LRTPG-M group, and LRTPG-H group. After the successful induction of the model by high-fat diet, the animals were continuously administered for four weeks, and their blood lipids and liver lipids were detected. The formed feces from the colorectal region of the hamsters in the control group, model group and LRTPG-H group were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. Results LRTPG reduced serum TG, TC, LDL-C and liver TG, TC concentrations significantly in hyperlipidemic hamsters. The results of the intestinal microbiota sequencing showed that compared to the control group, LRTPG significantly decreased the relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes and increased the relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia (P < 0.01) at the phylum level. At the family level, LRTPG significantly increased the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae, Peptococcaceae, and Verrucomicrobiaceae (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). At the genus level, LRTPG significantly increased the relative abundance of Oscillospira, Oscillibacter, Flavonifractor and Akkermansiaceae (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). These changes in the flora were beneficial to the hypolipidemic effect of LRTPG. Conclusion LRTPG may exert its hypolipidemic effect by improving the intestinal flora disorder caused by a high-fat diet in golden hamsters.
4.Rapid Determination of 32 Kinds of Veterinary Drug Residues in Eggs Using Modified QuEChERS Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide-coated Melamine Sponge by Ultra-High Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Xu XU ; Jia LYU ; Lan-Rui YANG ; Zhu-Chen HOU ; Bao-Cheng JI ; Yan-Hong BAI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(1):121-129,中插38-中插43
A rapid analytical method for simultaneous determination of 32 kinds of multi-residue veterinary drugs in eggs was developed using a modified QuEChERS technique based on a reduced graphene oxide-coated melamine sponge(r-GO@MeS)by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).The influences of graphene oxide(GO)concentrations,sponge dosages,and purification modes on drug recoveries were investigated during the purification process.The optimal purification conditions involved using a GO concentration of 0.5 mg/mL,a sponge dosage of 6.0 cm3/mL,and a dynamic purification mode of 5 extrusion cycles.Separation was achieved using an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 RRHD column(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8 μm),and quantitative analysis was performed by the external standard method using an electrospray ionization source(ESI)in multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode.The results showed that all 32 kinds of veterinary drugs exhibited good linear correlation with coefficients greater than 0.999,and matrix effects(MEs)ranging from?7.8%to 18.9%.The limits of detection(LODs)and quantification(LOQs)ranged from 0.2 to 10.2 μg/kg and from 0.6 to 28.0 μg/kg,respectively.The recoveries for the three spiked levels were in the range of 66.5%?117.5%,with intra-day and inter-day precision(Relative standard deviation)below 13.3%and 16.3%,respectively.The synthetic r-GO@MeS exhibited efficient matrix purification without the need of high-speed centrifugation or strong magnetic field assistance.This significantly shorted the sample pretreatment time and improved the convenience of the matrix purification process.Combined with UPLC-MS/MS,the method was suitable for the rapid determination of multi-residue veterinary drugs in eggs.
5.Analysis of Cumulative Live Birth Rate of Selective Single Embryo Transfer by Time-lapse Monitoring System and Conventional Morphological Assessment in IVF/ICSI-ET
Guihong CHENG ; Aiyan ZHENG ; Jie DING ; Qinyan ZOU ; Yongle XU ; Rui ZHU ; Fuxin WANG ; Huihua WU ; Hong LI ; Qingxia MENG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(2):130-135
Objective:To analyse the clinical significance of selective single embryo transfer by time-lapse mo-nitoring(TLM)or conventional morphology assessment(CMA)in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm in-jection and embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET),and to initially explore the predictive value of Raman spectral analy-sis of embryo culture medium for clinical pregnancy rate.Methods:The study is a prospective randomized con-trolled clinical trial.We assigned 139 patients treated with IVF/ICSI-ET in Reproductive and Genetics Center of Suzhou Municipal Hospital from April 2019 to July 2020,which were randomly assigned to either the CMA or the TLM group.We performed selective single-embryo transfer(fresh cycle and FET)after selecting the optimal em-bryos with TLM or CMA respectively.If the patient's first embryo transfer was unsuccessful,a second one would be performed to compare the differences in the cumulative live birth rate of embryo transfer and other pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.Meanwhile,we collected 15 μl of embryo culture medium at day 3 after IVF/ISCI fertilization for Raman spectroscopy analysis.Results:There were no differences in cumulative live birth,cu-mulative clinical pregnancy,cumulative premature birth,cumulative early spontaneous abortion,cumulative ectopic pregnancy and LGA or SGA between TLM and CMA groups(P>0.05).The Neonatal sex ratio in the TLM group was lower than that in the CMA group,but the difference was not significant(P>0.05).Raman spectros-copy analysis of embryo culture medium predicted the clinical pregnancy rate with 67.21%accuracy.Conclu-sions:In young women with a good ovarian reserve,the advantage of using TLM to evaluate embryos is not obvi-ous,so we should remain vigilant that embryo selection based on morphokinetic parameters may affect the sex ratio.Raman spectroscopic analysis of embryo culture medium is not yet able to effectively predict the planting ability of embryos.
6.Effect and mechanism of short-chain fatty acids in aged rats with sarcopenia
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(32):5172-5176
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)are a potential regulator of skeletal muscle energy metabolism,but the exact mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of SCFAs on aged rats with sarcopenia and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group,sarcopenia group,and sarcopenia+SCFAs group(SCFAs group).In the latter two groups,rat models of sarcopenia were established using ovariectomized rats injected with 5 mg/kg dexamethasone for 7 days.In the control group,the abdominal cavity was only exposed but not removed,and then sutured.Rats in the SCFAs group were administered drinking water containing 150 mmol/L short-chain fatty acids,600 mg/kg sodium acetate,200 mg/kg sodium propionate,and 200 mg/kg sodium butyrate for 4 weeks.Rats in the control and sarcopenia groups were given the same volume of normal saline.Successful modeling was assessed by measuring the bilateral gastrocnemius muscle mass and body mass to calculate the gastrocnemius index after modeling.Food intake,body mass and grip strength of rats were measured at 0,1,2 and 4 weeks after successful modeling;morphological changes of gastrocnemius muscle were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining;and the expression of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 proteins in gastrocnemius muscle was detected by western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the sarcopenia group showed significantly decreased body mass,food intake,forelimb grip strength(P<0.05),wet mass of gastrocnemius muscle(P<0.05),and protein levels of p-AMPK and p-ULK1(P<0.05).Compared with the sarcopenia group,the SCFAs group showed a significant increase in food intake,body mass,grip strength,wet mass of gastrocnemius muscle,and protein levels of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 in gastrocnemius muscle(P<0.05).All these findings indicate that SCFAs improve symptoms of sarcopenia in the elderly and may be associated with the upregulation of AMPK and ULK1 proteins in skeletal muscle.
7.Wound healing in diabetic mice with soluble microneedle-loaded platelet-rich plasma lysate: a preliminary study
Jiakang WU ; Shifan ZHENG ; Xunyi YOU ; Hong WANG ; Yingcan XU ; Rui ZHONG ; Jiaxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(2):130-137
【Objective】 To prepare microneedles(MNs) loaded with platelet-rich plasma lysate (PL) using Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), and explore the prospect of PL MNs in the treatment of diabetic wounds. 【Methods】 CMCS was used as the basic material, and an appropriate amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPK-60) was added to prepare needle materials of different concentrations, and the optimal concentration was determined by investigating the needle formation rate, morphological characteristics and mechanical properties, and the growth factor activity in PL MNs was investigated. The diabetic mice were randomly divided into four groups after the back wound was made, the control group did not do any treatment, the PL smear group was treated with PL smearing, the blank MNs group was treated with MNs without PL, and the PL MNs group was treated with PL microneedles. The effect of PL MNs in wound healing in diabetic mice was evaluated through body observation, H&E staining and immunohistochemistry results. 【Results】 When PVPK60 was 40 mg/mL, the needle formation rate was 100%, the array was complete, the needle body was full, and the needle was sharp. According to the results of mechanical-displacement curve and weight pressure change experiment, the prepared PL MNs have good mechanical strength. The results of growth factor analysis indicated that the content of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in PL was (625±35) pg/mL, and the content of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) was (18 741±1 287) pg/mL. After making the MNs, the VEGF content was (183±2) pg/mL, and the PDGF-BB content was (8049±1157) pg/mL. Although the concentration of growth factors decreased, growth factor activity was still preserved.The results of wound healing experiments in diabetic mice showed that the PL MNs group had better healing, and the wound healing rate was different from that of three groups (P<0.01). The results of H&E staining showed that the PL MNs group had fewer inflammatory cell infiltrates and bleeding spots. The number of fibroblasts and new microvascular in the control group was worse than that in the PL MNs group and the PL smear group. The results of immunohistochemistry indicated that the expression of pro-inflammatory factor IL-6 decreased, while anti-inflammatory factor TGF-β and angiogenesis index CD31 increased in the PL MNs group, which were significantly different from those in the other three groups (P<0.01). 【Conclusion】 The PL MNs prepared in this experiment have good mechanical properties, which has a positive effect on the wound healing of diabetic mice, and provides a new idea for diabetic wound healing.
8.Development of a High-throughput Sequencing Platform for Detection of Viral Encephalitis Pathogens Based on Amplicon Sequencing
Li Ya ZHANG ; Zhe Wen SU ; Chen Rui WANG ; Yan LI ; Feng Jun ZHANG ; Hui Sheng LIU ; He Dan HU ; Xiao Chong XU ; Yu Jia YIN ; Kai Qi YIN ; Ying HE ; Fan LI ; Hong Shi FU ; Kai NIE ; Dong Guo LIANG ; Yong TAO ; Tao Song XU ; Feng Chao MA ; Yu Huan WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(3):294-302
Objective Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health.It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens,including herpes viruses,flaviviruses,enteroviruses,and other viruses.The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge.Recently,high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections.Thus,In this study,we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing. Methods We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR)primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature.The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples.Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples,and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing. Results The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×,and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons.The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST,and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing. Conclusion Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis.It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.
9.Rat cardiac fibroblasts inhibit gap junction between cardiomyocytes through increasing matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity
Xue BAI ; Hong GAO ; Xiang HUANG ; Xu YAN ; Tingju HU ; Rui CHEN ; Li AN ; Yuting SONG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(3):465-472
AIM:To investigate the effect of conditioned medium from hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-treated rat cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)on gap junction between cardiomyocytes and determine whether its mechanism is related to matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2)activity.METHODS:(1)H9c2 cells were randomly divided into five groups:con-trol group,normal group,ARP-100 group,H/R group,and H/R+ARP-100 group.Scrape loading/dye transfer assay was used to assess the gap junction function.Western blot was used to detect the expression and phosphorylation levels of Cx43.Gelatin zymography assay was performed to measure MMP2 activity.(2)SD rats were randomly divided into control group,ARP-100 group,ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)group,and I/R+ARP-100 group,with 8 rats in each group.Micro-electrode array technology was used to record the type and duration of arrhythmia.Immunohistochemistry experiment was performed to assess expression levels and distribution of Cx43 in myocardial tissues.RESULTS:Compared with the con-trol group,the H/R group showed decreased protein expression of Cx43(P<0.01),narrowed distance of lucifer yellow dif-fusion(P<0.01),and increased MMP2 activity(P<0.01).ARP-100 attenuated H/R-induced gap junction dysfunction(P<0.05).The arrhythmia score was also reduced after perfusion with ARP-100(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:H/R-treated rat CFs can inhibit gap junction between cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism may involve increased MMP2 activity.
10.Analysis of the whole genome characteristics of influenza A (H3N2) virus in Wuxi city from 2022 to 2023
Yong XU ; Rui WANG ; Chun′an YU ; Jing BAO ; Qi ZHOU ; Yong XIAO ; Hong LI ; Xiaoluan SHI ; Guangyuan MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(4):454-463
Objective:To understand the whole genome and genetic evolution characteristics of the first epidemic influenza A (H3N2) viruses in Wuxi from 2022-2023.Methods:Real time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR method was used to perform typing on respiratory samples of influenza cases. Virus isolation was performed on samples with positive nucleic acid of subtype A H3N2 influenza virus detected. After cell culture, nucleic acid was extracted from strains with red blood cell agglutination test (HA) ≥ 1∶8, whole genome sequence was amplified, library was constructed, and computer sequencing was performed using MiSeq sequencer. Using NC_007366.1 as reference strain, the data were analyzed using CLC Genomics Workbench (Version 23) software. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 7.0 software, and the N-glycosylation sites were predicted by NetNGlyc 1.0 Server software.Results:The nucleotide homology and amino acid homology among 35 strains of influenza A H3N2 virus from 2022 to 2023 were 96.4%-100% and 95.2%-100%, respectively. The 16 epidemic strains in 2022 belong to the 3C.2a1b.2a.1a evolutionary branch, while the 19 epidemic strains in 2023 belong to the 3C.2a1b.2a.2a.3a.1 evolutionary branch. There are 7 differences in the nucleotide sequence of the HA gene between the 2022 epidemic strain and the corresponding vaccine strain, sharing 15 mutation sites; There are 28 differences in the nucleotide sequence of the HA gene between the 2023 epidemic strain and the corresponding vaccine strain, sharing 17 mutation sites. The HA genes of 35 epidemic strains all lack N-glycosylation site 61: NSS, while in 2023, the HA genes of 19 epidemic strains added N-glycosylation site 110: NSS.Conclusions:The HA and NA genes of influenza A H3N2 virus in 2022 and 2023 belong to two evolutionary branches, respectively, and both show specific amino acid site changes compared to the corresponding vaccine strains. The antigen matching between the 2022 epidemic strain and the vaccine strain is relatively good, while there is a risk of low antigen matching between the 2023 epidemic strain and the vaccine strain.

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