1.Study on Cardiac Aging Phenotypes of SHJHhr Mice
Rongle LIU ; Hao CHENG ; Fusheng SHANG ; Shufu CHANG ; Ping XU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):13-20
ObjectiveTo investigate the spontaneous premature cardiac aging in SHJHhr mice. MethodsA comparative study was conducted between SHJHhr mice (SHJHhr group) and wild-type ICR mice (WT group) at different ages (10 and 24 weeks). Cardiac function was analyzed using a small animal in vivo ultrasound imaging system. After euthanasia, organs were collected and weighed to assess the extent of cardiac atrophy. Cardiac pathological damage was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Cardiac fibrosis was analyzed using Masson staining. Myocardial cell area was analyzed after wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining. The activities of oxidative damage indicators in myocardial tissue, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT), as well as the content of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of factors associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Colorimetric assay was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ResultsCompared to WT group mice of the same age, 10-week-old mice in the SHJHhr group showed no significant differences in stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), or heart and lung weights. However, at 24 weeks of age, mice in the SHJHhr group had significantly lower SV, EF, and FS values compared to mice of the same age in the WT group (P<0.05), with no significant change in lung weight but a significant reduction in heart weight (P<0.05). Histological analysis of heart tissue from 24-week-old mice revealed no significant difference in cardiac fibrosis levels between SHJHhr and WT groups, but WGA staining showed a significant reduction in myocardial cell area in mice in the SHJHhr group (P<0.05). PCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of mRNA levels of oxidative stress factors Sod2, Gpx1, and Cat genes (P<0.05). Biochemical assays indicated significantly reduced activities of oxidative damage-related enzymes SOD, GPX, and CAT in myocardial tissue (P<0.05), while the levels of oxidative damage markers 8-OHdG and MDA significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionMice in the SHJHhr group exhibit premature cardiac aging, which may be associated with oxidative stress damage in myocardial tissue.
2.Panax notoginseng saponins regulate differential miRNA expression in osteoclast exosomes and inhibit ferroptosis in osteoblasts
Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Zhao TIAN ; Qiang DING ; Chaohui LI ; Jianjie WEI ; Hao LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4011-4021
BACKGROUND:Steroid-induced femoral head necrosis is mostly caused by long-term and extensive use of hormones,but its specific pathogenesis is not yet clear and needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To screen out the differential miRNAs in osteoclast exosomes after the intervention of Panax notoginseng saponins,and on this basis,to further construct an osteogenic-related ferroptosis regulatory network to explore the potential mechanism and research direction of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS:MTT assay was used to detect the toxic effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone and different mass concentrations of Panax notoginseng saponins on Raw264.7 cell line.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining and TUNEL assay were used to detect the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on osteoclast inhibition and apoptosis.Exosomes were extracted from cultured osteoclasts with Panax notoginseng saponins intervention.Exosomes from different groups were sequenced to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.CytoScape 3.9.1 was used to construct and visualize the regulatory network between differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs.Candidate mRNAs were screened by GO analysis and KEGG analysis.Finally,the differential genes related to ferroptosis were screened out,and the regulatory network of ferroptosis-related genes was constructed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The concentration of dexamethasone(0.1 μmol/L)and Panax notoginseng saponins(1 736.85 μg/mL)suitable for intervention of Raw264.7 cells was determined by MTT assay.(2)Panax notoginseng saponins had an inhibitory effect on osteoclasts and could promote their apoptosis.(3)Totally 20 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified from osteoclast-derived exosome samples,and 11 differentially expressed miRNAs related to osteogenesis were predicted by target mRNAs.The regulatory networks of 4 up-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs corresponding to 155 down-regulated candidate mRNAs and 7 down-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs corresponding to 238 up-regulated candidate mRNAs were constructed.(4)Twenty-four genes related to ferroptosis were screened out from the differential genes.Finally,12 networks were constructed(miR-98-5p/PTGS2,miR-23b-3p/PTGS2,miR-425-5p/TFRC,miR-133a-3p/TFRC,miR-185-5p/TFRC,miR-23b-3p/NFE2L2,miR-23b-3p/LAMP2,miR-98-5p/LAMP2,miR-182-5p/LAMP2,miR-182-5p/TLR4,miR-23b-3p/ZFP36,and miR-182-5p/ZFP36).These results indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins may regulate osteoblast ferroptosis by regulating the expression of miRNAs derived from osteoclast exosomes,thus providing a new idea for the study of the mechanism of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.
3.Fast Object Perception in The Subcortical Pathway: a Commentary on Wang et al.’s Paper in Human Brain Mapping (2023)
Hao-Yun MA ; Yu-Yin WEI ; Li-Ping HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1904-1908
The subcortical visual pathway is generally thought to be involved in dangerous information processing, such as fear processing and defensive behavior. A recent study, published in Human Brain Mapping, shows a new function of the subcortical pathway involved in the fast processing of non-emotional object perception. Rapid object processing is a critical function of visual system. Topological perception theory proposes that the initial perception of objects begins with the extraction of topological property (TP). However, the mechanism of rapid TP processing remains unclear. The researchers investigated the subcortical mechanism of TP processing with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). They find that a subcortical magnocellular pathway is responsible for the early processing of TP, and this subcortical processing of TP accelerates object recognition. Based on their findings, we propose a novel training approach called subcortical magnocellular pathway training (SMPT), aimed at improving the efficiency of the subcortical M pathway to restore visual and attentional functions in disorders associated with subcortical pathway dysfunction.
4. MW-9, a chalcones derivative bearing heterocyclic moieties, ameliorates ulcerative colitis via regulating MAPK signaling pathway
Zhao WU ; Nan-Ting ZOU ; Chun-Fei ZHANG ; Hao-Hong ZHANG ; Qing-Yan MO ; Ze-Wei MAO ; Chun-Ping WAN ; Ming-Qian JU ; Chun-Ping WAN ; Xing-Cai XU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):514-520
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of the MW-9 on ulcerative colitis(UC)and reveal the underlying mechanism, so as to provide a scientific guidance for the MW-9 treatment of UC. Methods The model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells was established. The effect of MW-9 on RAW264.7 cells viability was detected by MTT assay. The levels of nitric oxide(NO)in RAW264.7 macrophages were measured by Griess assay. Cell supernatants and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines containing IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β were determined by ELISA kits. Dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced UC model in mice was established and body weight of mice in each group was measured. The histopathological damage degree of colonic tissue was assessed by HE staining. The protein expression of p-p38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was detected by Western blot. Results MW-9 intervention significantly inhibited NO release in RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 of 20.47 mg·L-1 and decreased the overproduction of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05). MW-9 had no cytotoxicity at the concentrations below 6 mg·L-1. After MW-9 treatment, mouse body weight was gradually reduced, and the serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly down-regulated. Compared with the model group, MW-9 significantly decreased the expression of p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 protein. Conclusions MW-9 has significant anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo, and its underlying mechanism for the treatment of UC may be associated with the inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway.
5.Comparison of Metabolomics Peak-Picking Parameter Optimization Algorithms Based on Chromatographic Peak Shape
Yang-Hao SHENG ; Jue WANG ; Yue-Ping JIANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(1):130-137,中插44-中插46
Peak picking is one of the essential steps in non-targeted metabolomics data preprocessing based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Among various peak-picking algorithms,centWave algorithm based on continuous wavelet transform has been widely adopted in high-resolution mass spectrometry.In this study,the optimization effects of two centWave parameter optimization algorithms,IPO and centWave Sweep,were compared.Two datasets including metabolite standards and urine were used for comprehensive evaluation of these two algorithms with respect to three indicators:good peak shape ratio,reliable peak ratio,and repeatable peak ratio.To quickly and accurately distinguish good and bad peak shapes,three ensemble learning algorithms,random forest,adaboost and gradient boosting decision tree,were selected to establish a model for distinguishing chromatographic peak shape.Finally,according to the accuracy and F1 score,random forest was selected to establish a discrimination model(Accuracy 93.5%,F1 score 0.938).Compared with recommended parameters of XCMS Online,the proportion of reliable peaks and the proportion of repeatable peaks of two parameter optimization algorithms were improved in different datasets.However,when it came to the proportion of peaks with good shape,there was no significant difference between the optimized parameters and the parameters recommended by XCMS Online in different datasets.Furthermore,all three parameter settings resulted in relatively low proportions of peaks with good shape.The results indicated that the current parameter optimization algorithm was unable to improve the proportion of peaks with good shape.An excessive number of bad shape peaks could not only decrease the statistical power of analysis but also generate false positive results.Therefore,it was critical to perform additional confirmation of potential markers in the practical application of metabolomics researches.
6.Clinical efficacy of CalliSpheres drug-loaded microspheres versus blank microspheres in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer by transarterial chemoembolization
Ruiwen CHENG ; Ruobing HAO ; Ping LI ; Kun ZHANG ; Liping DENG ; Yaheng CAO ; Lin SU ; Hongrong SHEN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(1):32-37
Objective To analyze and compare the clinical efficacy of CalliSpheres drug-eluting micro-spheres and blank microspheres in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer by bronchial arterial chemoembolization.Methods Fifty patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who had failed or relapsed after radiotherapy,chemotherapy,targeting and immunotherapy were collected and treated with super-selective bronchial artery chemoembolization.A retrospective analysis was conducted to compare the tumor response rate and survival between CalliSpheres drug-eluting and blank microspheres.Results The PR,ORR and DCR in the drug-eluted microsphere group were higher than those in the blank microsphere group,and there was a statistical difference in DCR between the two groups 1 month after surgery(χ2 = 4.08,P = 0.04).PD in the drug-eluted microsphere group was lower than that in the blank microsphere group.The CEA,CYF and SCC in the drug-eluted microsphere group after surgery were lower than those in the blank microsphere group,and the CEA,CYF and SCC in the two groups after surgery were lower than those before surgery,and there were statistical differences in CEA and CYF 1 month after surgery between the two groups.The PFS and OS in drug-eluted microsphere group were higher than those in blank microsphere group.Conclusion CalliSpheres drug-eluting microspheres could improve the effective rate of tumor treatment and prolong the survival time more effectively than the blank micro-spheres via arterial chemoembolization,providing reliable clinical practice basis for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
7.Application research of PGT in blocking the inheritance of novel mutations in the PKHD1 gene in autoso-mal recessive polycystic kidney disease pedigrees
Ning WANG ; Yan HAO ; Dawei CHEN ; Zhiguo ZHANG ; Dan KUANG ; Qing ZHANG ; Yiqi YING ; Zhaolian WEI ; Ping ZHOU ; Yunxia CAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(7):1006-1010
Objective To investigate the application value of single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)linkage analysis based on next-generation sequencing(NGS)technology in preimplantation genetic testing(PGT)of families with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease(ARPKD).Methods A family with ARPKD was selected,where the female member had a pregnancy ultrasound revealing polycystic kidney in the fetus.Genetic testing showed compound heterozygous mutations of the polycystic kidney/polycystic liver disease 1 gene(PKHD1),c.10444C>T(paternal)and c.4303del(maternal),with the c.4303del mutation being reported for the first time.Targeting the coding region of the PKHD1 gene,335 high-density tightly linked SNP sites were selected in the upstream and downstream 2M regions using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and NGS.The couple′s SNP risk haplotypes carrying gene mutations were constructed.After in vitro fertilization,blastocyst culture was performed.Trophoblastic cells obtained from the biopsy were subjected to whole-genome amplification,and NGS was used for linkage analysis and low-depth chromosomal aneuploidy screening of the embryos.Sanger sequencing was used to verify the results of embryo linkage analysis.Results Among the 6 biopsied embryos,4 were mutation-free and euploid,1 exhibited heterozygous for the mutation and mosaic while another unstable sequencing data,making it impossible to judge.One of the mutation-free and developmentally healthy euploid embryos was implanted into the maternal uterus,resulting in the full-term delivery of a healthy baby.Conclusion Application of NGS-based SNP linkage analysis in PGT can effectively blocking the vertical transmission of ARPKD within families,while avoiding abortion issues caused by aneuploid embryos.This study is also the first PGT report target-ing the PKHD1 gene c.4303del mutation.
8.Molecular mechanism of PANoptosis in diagnostic markers and subtyping of osteoporosis
Qiang DING ; Bo XIONG ; Jinfu LIU ; Zhao TIAN ; Xiangbin RONG ; Limin CHEN ; Hongcheng TAO ; Hao LI ; Ping ZENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(28):4505-4510
BACKGROUND:It has been hypothesized that PANoptosis may be involved in the pathologic process of osteoporosis,but there have been no studies addressing the mechanisms of PANoptosis genes in osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biological mechanism of PANoptosis regulators in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. METHODS:The GSE56815 dataset was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and PANoptosis genes were extracted for differential analysis.The key genes of PANoptosis were screened by random forest tree model to construct a disease risk prediction model.Consensus clustering algorithm,single sample genome enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were used to explore the differences between different PANoptosis molecular subtypes.Herbal drugs that regulate the key genes of PANoptosis were predicted through Coremine medical database,a medical ontology information retrieval platform. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Based on the four PANoptosis key genes(CASP1,CASP10,MEFV,and TNF),the diagnostic markers of osteoporosis were determined,and the risk prediction model was constructed and verified.Osteoporosis was divided into two different PANoptosis subtypes(clusters A,B and gene clusters A,B),and the PANoptosis scores of cluster B and gene cluster B were higher than those of cluster A and gene cluster A,respectively.Traditional Chinese drugs such as ginseng which can regulate the key genes of PANoptosis were predicted by the Coremine medical database.
9.The Regulatory Function of ADAR1-mediated RNA Editing in Hematological Malignancies
Xing-Yu WAN ; Huan-Ping GUO ; Rui-Hao HUANG ; Xiao-Qi WANG ; Ling-Yu ZENG ; Tao WU ; Lin XIA ; Xi ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(2):300-308
RNA editing, an essential post-transcriptional reaction occurring in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), generates informational diversity in the transcriptome and proteome. In mammals, the main type of RNA editing is the conversion of adenosine to inosine (A-to-I), processed by adenosine deaminases acting on the RNAs (ADARs) family, and interpreted as guanosine during nucleotide base-pairing. It has been reported that millions of nucleotide sites in human transcriptome undergo A-to-I editing events, catalyzed by the primarily responsible enzyme, ADAR1. In hematological malignancies including myeloid/lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma, dysregulation of ADAR1 directly impacts the A-to-I editing states occurring in coding regions, non-coding regions, and immature miRNA precursors. Subsequently, aberrant A-to-I editing states result in altered molecular events, such as protein-coding sequence changes, intron retention, alternative splicing, and miRNA biogenesis inhibition. As a vital factor of the generation and stemness maintenance in leukemia stem cells (LSCs), disordered RNA editing drives the chaos of molecular regulatory network and ultimately promotes the cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition and drug resistance. At present, novel drugs designed to target RNA editing(e.g., rebecsinib) are under development and have achieved outstanding results in animal experiments. Compared with traditional antitumor drugs, epigenetic antitumor drugs are expected to overcome the shackle of drug resistance and recurrence in hematological malignancies, and provide new treatment options for patients. This review summarized the recent advances in the regulation mechanism of ADAR1-mediated RNA editing events in hematologic malignancies, and further discussed the medical potential and clinical application of ADAR1.
10.Application of growth hormone pretreatment in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy
Haiyan ZHOU ; Caiyun WU ; Dehuan HUANG ; Yan HAO ; Dawei CHEN ; Menghan WANG ; Gang ZHAO ; Ping ZHOU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(6):988-993
Objective To investigate the effect of growth hormone(GH)pretreatment on the improvement of eu-ploid and pregnancy outcome.Methods A prospective analysis was conducted on 134 patients undergoing preim-plantation genetic testing for aneuploidy(PGT-A),among whom 30 patients were self-controlled and 104 patients were inter-group controlled.According to whether GH was added,the patients were divided into GH pretreatment group and GH non-pretreatment group.GH pretreatment included subcutaneous injection of GH 2U/day for 4-6 weeks before the start of gonadotropin(Gn),and the dose was doubled on the day of Gn until the trigger day.GH non-pretreatment meant no GH treatment,GH pretreatment was given when the previous PGT-A cycle failed within one year when the PGT-A was performed again,forming the self-control group.The basic situation,blastocyst situa-tion and pregnancy outcome were compared between the groups by inter-group and self-control.Results No matter in the group control or self-controlled group,the endometrial thickness on the day of HCG,ovarian sensitivity index(OSI),number of oocytes obtained,MII oocytes,2PN number,2PN fertilization rate,available oocyte rate,num-ber of biopsy blastocysts,number of euploid blastocysts,euploid blastocyst rate,and at least one euploid rate sig-nificantly increased after GH pretreatment,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The total amount of Gn,Gn days,number of mosaic blastocysts,and mosaic blastocyst rate were not significantly changed after GH pretreatment,with no statistically significant differences.The implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in-creased after GH pretreatment,but with no statistically significant differences.Conclusion GH pretreatment can significantly improve the number and rate of euploid embryos in patients undergoing PGT-A,and has a tendency to improve pregnancy outcome.


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