1.Electrical stimulation induces miR-741-3p to regulate Radil and promote Schwann cell migration
Qing LIU ; Bo GAO ; Xiao YANG ; Yu JIANG ; Pei WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4038-4043
BACKGROUND:More and more animal experiments and clinical studies have confirmed that electrical stimulation can promote the repair of peripheral nerve injury,but the specific mechanism is not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of electrical stimulation-induced miR-741-3p regulating Radil on Schwann cell migration. METHODS:(1)Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into electrical stimulation group and control group.The electrical stimulation group received continuous electrical stimulation for 7 days after sciatic nerve compression injury,while the control group was not treated after sciatic nerve compression.The injured nerves were taken on day 7 after operation.The expression difference of miR-741-3p between the two groups was verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization.(2)The target genes of miR-741-3p were predicted by miRDB,TargetScan,and miRWalk databases.(3)Schwann cells were transfected with miR-741-3p mimetic and its control,miR-741-3p inhibitor and its control,Radil siRNA and its control,miR-741-3p inhibitor+Radil siRNA and miR-741-3p inhibitor+siRNA control.The transfection efficiency was detected by RT-PCR.The migration ability of Schwann cells was detected by Transwell chamber. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The fluorescence intensity of miR-741-3p in the electrical stimulation group was lower than that in the control group.(2)The results of database prediction showed that 69 genes might be the target genes of miR-741-3p.Radil was one of the predicted target genes,which was mainly involved in cell adhesion and migration.(3)Compared with the miR-741-3p inhibitor control group,the number of Schwann cell migration increased in the miR-741-3p inhibitor group(P<0.05).Compared with the miR-741-3p mimic control group,the number of Schwann cell migration in the miR-741-3p mimic group decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the siRNA control group,the number of Schwann cell migration was decreased in the Radil siRNA group(P<0.05).(4)Compared with miR-741-3p inhibitor control group,the expression level of Radil was increased in miR-741-3p inhibitor group.Compared with miR-741-3p mimic control group,the expression level of Radil was decreased in miR-741-3p mimic group.(5)Compared with miR-741-3p inhibitor+siRNA control group,the number of Schwann cell migration was reduced in miR-741-3p inhibitor+Radil siRNA group(P<0.05).The results showed that electrical stimulation promoted the migration of Schwann cells by down-regulating miR-741-3p and targeting Radil gene.
2.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
3.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
4.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
5.Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein-4 Inhibits Erythropoietin Production in Diabetic Mice with Kidney Disease by Degrading HIF2A
Junmei WANG ; Shuai HUANG ; Li ZHANG ; Yixian HE ; Xian SHAO ; A-Shan-Jiang A-NI-WAN ; Yan KONG ; Xuying MENG ; Pei YU ; Saijun ZHOU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):421-435
Background:
In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes.
Methods:
The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments.
Results:
RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice.
Conclusion
RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.
6.The Influence of Social Context on Perceptual Decision Making and Its Computational Neural Mechanisms
Yu-Pei LIU ; Yu-Shu WANG ; Bin ZHAN ; Rui WANG ; Yi JIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2568-2584
Perceptual decision making refers to the process by which individuals make choices and judgments based on sensory information, serving as a fundamental ability for human adaptation to complex environments. While traditional research has focused on perceptual decision making in isolated contexts, growing evidence highlights the profound influence of social contexts prevalent in real-world scenarios. As a crucial factor supporting individual survival and development, social context not only provides rich information sources but also shapes perceptual decision making through top-down processing mechanisms, prompting researchers to recognize the inherently social nature of human decisions. Empirical studies have demonstrated that social information, such as others’ choices or group norms, can systematically bias individuals’ perceptual decisions, often manifesting as conformity behaviors. Social influence can also facilitate performance under certain conditions, particularly when individuals can accurately identify and adopt high-quality social information. The impact of social context on perceptual decisions is modulated by a variety of external and internal factors, including group characteristics(e.g., group size, response consistency), attributes of peers (e.g., familiarity, social status, distinctions between human and artificial agents), as well as individual differences such as confidence, personality traits, and developmental stage. The motivations driving social influence encompass three primary mechanisms: improving decision accuracy through informational influence, gaining social acceptance through normative influence, and maintaining positive self-concept. Recent computational approaches have employed diverse theoretical frameworks to provide valuable insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying social influence in perceptual decision making. Reinforcement learning models demonstrate how social feedback shapes future choices through reward-based updating. Bayesian inference frameworks describe how individuals integrate personal beliefs with social information based on their respective reliabilities, dynamically updating beliefs to optimize decisions under uncertainty. Drift diffusion models offer powerful tools to decompose social influence into distinct cognitive components, allowing researchers to differentiate between changes in perceptual processing and shifts in decision criteria. Collectively, these models establish a comprehensive methodological foundation for disentangling the multiple pathways by which social context shapes perceptual decisions. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies provide converging evidence that social context influences perceptual decision making through multi-level neural mechanisms. At early perceptual processing stages, social influence modulates sensory evidence accumulation in parietal cortex and directly alters primary visual cortex activity, while guiding selective attention to stimulus features consistent with social norms through attentional alignment mechanisms. At higher cognitive levels, the reward system (ventral striatum, ventromedial prefrontal cortex) is activated during group-consistent decisions; emotion-processing networks (anterior cingulate cortex, insula, amygdala) regulate experiences of social acceptance and rejection; and mentalizing-related brain regions (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction) support inference of others’ mental states and social information integration. These neural circuits work synergistically to achieve top-down multi-level modulation of perceptual decision making. Understanding the mechanisms by which social context shapes perceptual decision making has broad theoretical and practical implications. These insights inform the optimization of collective decision-making, the design of socially adaptive human-computer interaction systems, and interventions for cognitive disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and anorexia nervosa. Future studies should combine computational modeling and neuroimaging approaches to systematically investigate the multi-level and dynamic nature of social influences on perceptual decision making.
7.Analysis of early acute gastrointestinal injury and its influencing factors in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Wenxue JIANG ; Chunxi PAN ; Yanlin WEI ; Qiao WEI ; Chi WANG ; Mingyu PEI ; Liwen LYU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(2):210-214
Objective:To investigate the acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at the early stage of operation and its influencing factors.Methods:A total of 70 patients with ECMO who were hospitalized in the Emergency Care Unit of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital from September 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and a total of 70 patients with ECMO who were hospitalized in the emergency care unit of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital from September 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the 2012 guidelines of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine on the classification of acute gastrointestinal injury in critically ill patients, the patients were divided into AGI group and non-AGI group. The incidence of acute gastrointestinal injury in the early stage was statistically analyzed, and the results of blood gas analysis during ECMO loading and ECMO parameters, hemodynamic indexes and biochemical indexes after ECMO transfer were statistically analyzed. To explore the influencing factors and independent risk factors of AGI in the early stage. In addition, 70 patients were divided into successful group and non-successful group according to whether they were successfully withdrawn. The occurrence of acute gastrointestinal injury between the two groups was compared, and the effect of acute gastrointestinal injury on ECMO patients was analyzed.Results:Among the 70 ECMO patients, the incidence of early AGI was 71.43% (50 cases), and the components of AGI Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 18.57% (13 cases), 41.43% (29 cases), 11.43% (8 cases) and 0% (0 cases), respectively. ① Univariate analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), vasoactive drug index (VIS), pH, lactic acid and BMI were significantly different between AGI group and non-AGI group when ECMO was used ( P < 0.05). Logistic binary regression analysis showed that BMI was an independent risk factor for early AGI in ECMO patients (ROC area 0.657, 95% confidence interval 0.522-0.791 ( P < 0.05), and Yoden index 0.15). (3) The AGI composition ratio of the unsuccessful group was higher than that of the unsuccessful group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Patients with ECMO have a high incidence of AGI in the early stage, mainly occurring in grade I and Ⅱ. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, MAP, VIS, pH, lactic acid and BMI when ECMO is put on are influential factors for the early development of AGI in ECMO patients, among which BMI is an independent risk factor for the early development of AGI in ECMO patients. The occurrence of AGI reduces the probability of successful withdrawal in ECMO patients.
8.Independent risk factors for renal function non-recovery at 28 days after ECMO initiation among patients receiving ECMO complicated with acute kidney injury
Qiao WEI ; Yanlin WEI ; Mingyu PEI ; Wenxue JIANG ; Chi WANG ; Liwen LYU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(3):317-323
Objective:To investigate the recovery of renal function and its influencing factors in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and complicated with acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods:This was a retrospective observational study. The clinical data of patients with ECMO support and AKI admitted to the Emergency intensive care unit of the People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from October 2019 to December 2021 were collected. The patients were divided into renal function recovery group and renal function non-recovery group according to the recovery of renal function after 28 days of ECMO. With renal function non-recovery at 28 days as the end point of the study, and the variables with significant differences in baseline were selected for stepwise backward regression to determine the independent risk factors. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of independent risk factors.Results:A total of 40 patients were enrolled, of which 28 patients (70%) had recovery of renal function, and 12 patients (30%) did not have recovery of renal function. Stepwise backward multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lactate level at ECMO initiation was an independent risk factor for non-recovery of renal function ( OR = 1.380, 95% CI: 1.096-1.738, P = 0.006). The ROC curve showed that the AUC and 95% CI were 0.863 (0.751-0.975), the sensitivity was 100%, and the specificity was 75%. Conclusion:Lactate level at ECMO initiation was an independent risk factor for non-recovery of renal function on 28 days after ECMO initiation among patients undergoing ECMO support complicated with AKI. Lactate has a high predictive value for the non-recovery of renal function.
9.Chinese Medicine Regulates Signaling Pathways Related to Esophageal Cancer: A Review
Shanshan LI ; Dandan WEI ; Junwen PEI ; Hongling WANG ; Shiqing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):226-238
Esophageal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract. At present, the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer has not been fully clarified. Although surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have achieved good clinical results in the treatment of esophageal cancer, there are still many complications and severe adverse reactions. As an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in recent years, many basic experiments and clinical studies have proved that Chinese medicine has a good effect in treating esophageal cancer. At the same time, the multi-component and multi-target characteristics of Chinese medicine and unclear pathogenesis of esophageal cancer determine that there are some problems such as unclear mechanisms of Chinese medicine in preventing and treating esophageal cancer. It is necessary to start with modern medicine and reveal the mechanism of Chinese medicine in preventing and treating diseases from the aspects of molecular biology and network pharmacology. It is believed in TCM that the occurrence of esophageal cancer is mostly attributed to stagnation of liver Qi, phlegm stasis and Qi stagnation, fluid consumption and heat accumulation, the decline of healthy Qi, and the cementation of cancer toxicity. According to the literature review, Chinese medicinal compounds mainly include tonic formulae (such as Liu Junzitang), drying and moistening formulas (such as Qigesan), and heat-clearing formulas (such as Fufang Kushen injection). Chinese medicinal monomers mainly include drugs potent in attacking poison and killing insects, clearing heat, activating blood and resolving stasis, and regulating Qi, which is consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of esophageal cancer in TCM. It is also found that Chinese medicine can promote cell apoptosis and autophagy, block cell cycle, and reverse cell resistance by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (Notch), Wnt/β-catenin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3), and other related signaling pathways, but there is no systematic summary. This study systematically summarized the relevant signaling pathways of Chinese medicine in regulating esophageal cancer, which is helpful to clarify the relevant mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the process of esophageal cancer occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis, so as to provide new targets and new perspectives for the treatment of esophageal cancer and promote the modernization of TCM.
10.Role of Ferroptosis in Bone Homeostasis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Bo WEI ; Juan LI ; Yiwei JIANG ; Yuying ZHOU ; Chunhui LUO ; Zhongchao YU ; Pei LIU ; Yunxiang HAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):249-257
Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic bone disease characterized by bone microstructure degeneration and bone mass loss, which has a high prevalence and disability rate. Effective prevention and treatment of OP is a major difficulty in the medical community. The nature of OP is that multiple pathological factors lead to the imbalance of human bone homeostasis maintained by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic cell death pathway, and its fundamental cause is cell damage caused by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Studies have shown that ferroptosis is involved in and affects the occurrence and development of OP, which leads to OP by mediating the imbalance of bone homeostasis. Ferroptosis is an adjustable form of programmed cell death. The intervention of ferroptosis can regulate the damage degree and death process of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which is beneficial to maintain bone homeostasis, slow down the development process of OP, improve the clinical symptoms of patients, reduce the risk of disability, and improve their quality of life. However, there are few studies on ferroptosis in OP. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a medical treasure with unique characteristics and great application value in China. It has been widely used in China and has a long history. It has the multi-target and multi-pathway advantages in the treatment of OP, with high safety, few toxic and side effects, and low treatment cost, and has a significant effect in clinical application. The intervention of TCM in ferroptosis to regulate bone homeostasis may be a new direction for the prevention and treatment of OP in the future. This article summarized the regulatory mechanisms related to ferroptosis, discussed the role of ferroptosis in bone homeostasis, and reviewed the current status and progress of active ingredients in TCM compounds and monomers in the regulation of OP through ferroptosis, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the participation of TCM in the prevention and treatment of OP in the future.

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