Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear. Methods: This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis. Results: Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer. Conclusions In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.

Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear. Methods: This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis. Results: Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer. Conclusions In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.

Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear. Methods: This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis. Results: Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer. Conclusions In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.

Background/Aims: Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear. Methods: This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis. Results: Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer. Conclusions In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.

【Objective】 To analyze the correlation between the expressions of CD10,CA9 and CD133 and the prognosis of patients with metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma (mccRCC) treated with sorafenib or sunitinib. 【Methods】 A total of 80 mccRCC patients who received sorafenib or sunitinib as first-line therapy were retrospectively enrolled. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was performed for CD10,CA9 and CD133 in tumor tissue samples to analyze the correlation between the expression of each marker and clinicopathologic variables. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze prognostic factors of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS),and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed for CA9 expression and PFS,OS in the treatment subgroups. 【Results】 Altogether 37 patients (46.25%) had PFS,and the median PFS (mPFS) was 24.9 months (95%CI:16.5-33.2 months),while 55 patients (68.75%) died and the median OS (mOS) was 44.2 months (95%CI:14.6-73.7). Low expression of CD10 was correlated with high Fuhrman grade (χ²=6.241,P=0.012),lymph node metastasis (χ²=5.952,P=0.015),and the number of metastatic organs ≥2 (χ²=8.205,P=0.004). Univariate analysis showed that Fuhrman grade,number of metastatic organs and lymph node metastasis were the prognostic factors of PFS (P<0.05),while the number of metastatic organs,lymph node metastasis and CA9 expression were the prognostic factors of OS (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that Fuhrman grade was an independent factor of PFS (HR=2.457,95%CI:1.126-5.365,P=0.024),and the number of metastatic organs was an independent prognostic factor of OS (HR=1.857,95%CI:1.048-3.290,P=0.034). Survival analysis in subgroups showed that high CA9 expression in the sorafenib group was associated with longer OS (HR=0.401,95%CI:0.204-0.787,P=0.008). 【Conclusion】 Low expression of CA9 is an non-independent risk factor for OS,while CD10 and CD133 cannot be used as prognostic factors for mccRCC patients. Since mccRCC patients with low CA9 expression have less survival benefit from sorafenib and sunitinib,they can choose target therapy combined with immunotherapy or dual immunotherapy according to the guidelines to improve prognosis.

Objective To compare the early clinical efficacy of renal transplantation between extended criteria donor (ECD) and standard criteria donor (SCD). Methods Clinical data of 85 recipients undergoing renal transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the types of donors, all recipients were divided into the ECD group (n=31) and SCD group (n=54). The level of serum creatinine (Scr), incidence of early complications and clinical prognosis within 3 months after renal transplantation were compared between 2 groups. Results No statistical significance was observed in the levels of Scr within 1 month after renal transplantation between the ECD group and SCD group (all P>0.05). At postoperative 60 and 90 d, the level of Scr in the ECD group was (189±97) and (175± 69) μmol/L respectively, significantly higher than (142±49) and (135±41) μmol/L in the SCD group (P=0.005 and 0.002). In the ECD group and SCD group, the incidence of acute rejection (AR) was 6% and 15%, the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) was 23% and 19%, the incidence of pulmonary infection was 10% and 6%, the incidence of other early complications was 32% and 15%, respectively, no statistical significance was identified (all P>0.05). In the ECD group and SCD group, the survival rate of the recipient was 97% and 94%, the survival rate of the renal was 84% and 91%, no statistical significance was identified (all P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with the SCD, renal transplantation from ECD can achieve equivalent early clinical efficacy. In the present condition of serious deficiency of donor kidney, the application of ECD can enlarge the supply of the donor kidney.

Objective To explore the skills and summarize the experience in the establishment of orthotopic liver transplantation rat models from donation after cardiac death (DCD). Methods According to the time of warm ischemia, 120 rats were divided into 3 groups: group A (warm ischemia for 0 min, n=40 pairs), group B (warm ischemia for 10 min, n=40 pairs) and group C (warm ischemia for 20 min, n=40 pairs). Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed by the modified two-cuff technique in 3 groups. The time of each stage of surgery was recorded in 3 groups. The survival rate at the end of surgery, 24 h, 72 h and 7 d after surgery was recorded in 3 groups. The dead rats were immediately subject to anatomical examination to identify the cause of death. Results The cold ischemia time of donor liver, anhepatic phase and operation time of the recipients did not significantly differ among three groups (all P>0.05). In groups A, B and C, the survival rate at the end of surgery was 97%, 97%, and 100% respectively. The survival rate at postoperative 24 h was 92%, 90% and 92% respectively. The survival rate at postoperative 72 h was 90%, 80% and 77% respectively. The survival rate at postoperative 7 d was 85%, 70% and 57% respectively. The survival rate at the end of surgery, postoperative 24 h and 72 h did not significantly differ among 3 groups (all P>0.05). At postoperative 7 d, the survival rate in group C was significantly lower than that in group A (P<0.05). Surgical operation was the major cause of intraoperative and postoperative 24 h death. Bile leakage and ischemic hepatic failure were the causes of death at postoperative 72 h. Biliary duct complications were the main causes of death at postoperative 7 d. The quantity of rats developing with biliary duct complications was increased along with the prolongation of warm ischemic time. Conclusions The success of stable establishment of rat models with orthotopic liver transplantation from DCD depends upon the protection of the liver and biliary function. The difficulty lies in the anastomosis of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava and the shortening of anhepatic phase.

Objective To investigate the effect of CaMK Ⅱ expression on apoptosis of rat hepatocytes BRL-3A.Methods Rat BRL-3A cells were stable passage were cultured.The CaMK Ⅱ γ protein (LV-CaMK Ⅱ γ group) and CaMK Ⅱ γshRNA (shRNA group) lentiviral expression systems were constructed.The corresponding blank vectors (LV-NC group and shRNA-NC group) and normal saline (CON group) were perfused into the control groups.The expression levels of CaMK Ⅱ,Cyt C and MF proteins were detected by Western blotting,and the apoptosis rate of BRL-3A cells was measured by Tunel method.Results The protein expression of CaMK Ⅱ,Cyt C and AIF in LV-CaMK Ⅱ γ group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P＜0.05).The protein expression of CaMK Ⅱ,Cyt C and AIF in shRNA group was significantly lower than that in CON group (P＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference among CON group,LV-NC group and shRNA-NC group (P＞0.05).At the same time point,the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in LV-CaMK Ⅱ γ group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P＜0.05).At the same time point,the apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in shRNA group was significantly higher than in CON group (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the apoptosis of hepatocytes among CON group,LV-NC group and shRNA-NC group (P＞0.05).Conclusion The specific CaMK Ⅱ signaling pathway can inhibit the apoptosis of BRL-3A cells,while the enhanced CaMK Ⅱ signaling pathway promotes the apoptosis of BRL-3A cells.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hypothermia status in the donors upon the renal graft function after renal transplantation from donation after citizen's death. Methods Thirty-six eligible donors were randomly divided into the normal temperature (body temperature 36.5-37.5 ℃ , n=19) and hypothermia groups (body temperature 34.0-35.0 ℃ , n=17). The matched recipients undergoing renal transplantation were also assigned into the normal temperature (n=38) and hypothermia groups (n=34). Perioperative conditions of the donors and recipients were compared between two groups. And postoperative renal graft function of the recipients were statistically compared between two groups, including the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and primary nonfunction (PNF). Results No statistical significance was identified in the perioperative amount of urine volume, serum creatinine (Scr), systolic blood pressure, saturation oxygen, warm ischemia time and cold ischemia time of the donors between two groups (all P>0.05). No statistical significance was noted in terms of the operation time, intraoperative mean blood glucose and intraoperative mean arterial pressure of the recipients between two groups (all P>0.05). Postoperative incidence of DGF of the recipients in the hypothermia group was 6%, significantly lower than that in the normal temperature group (24%) (χ2=4.393, P=0.036). Postoperative incidence of PNF of the recipients was 3% in both the hypothermia and normal temperature groups with no statistical significance (χ2=0.000, P=1). Conclusions The hypothermia status of the donors can significantly reduce the incidence of DGF, whereas exerts no evident effect upon the incidence of PNF in the recipients.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) infection early after renal transplantation from donation after citizen's death. Methods Clinical data of 166 patients undergoing allogeneic renal transplantation and regular follow-up in Xijing Hospital from November 2011 to September 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. General conditions were statistically compared between the recipients undergoing renal transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD) and their counterparts receiving living related donor renal transplantation. The incidence of MDROs infection, onset time, course of diseases, complications, infection site and etiological type were observed. The therapeutic methods and clinical prognosis were summarized. Results The incidence of MDROs infection early after renal transplantation in the recipients undergoing DCD renal transplantation was 14%, significantly higher than 2% in those receiving living related donor renal transplantation, and 13% and 2% for the incidence of delayed graft function with statistical significance (both P<0.05). The incidence of renal graft loss was 8%and 2%, and 5% and 1% for the mortality rate without statistical significance between two groups (both P>0.05). MDROs infection occurred in 11 patients after DCD renal transplantation. The most common infection site was urinary system(n=6) and the most prevalent pathogenic bacterium was Escherichia coli (n=4). All patients infected with MDROs were treated with a sufficient dosage of effective antibiotics according to the outcomes of bacterial culture and drug sensitivity test. Eight patients obtained favorable clinical prognosis, one underwent nephrectomy and two died. Conclusions The incidence of MDROs infection early after DCD renal transplantation is higher than that after living related-donor renal transplantation. Strict donor screening, early detection, intimate monitoring and timely treatment can effectively reduce the risk of MDROs and enhance clinical prognosis.