1.Development and application of a three-dimensional digital visualization system for children's neck acupoints
Xiaojing AO ; Kun LI ; Yuhang LIU ; Xiaoxuan YANG ; Xing WANG ; Zhijun LI ; Xiaoyan REN ; Shaojie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1834-1840
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			BACKGROUND:Currently,there have been studies on three-dimensional digitalization and visualization systems for adult acupoints,but there are not many reports on the visualization of pediatric acupoints based on real pediatric digital sectional anatomical datasets. OBJECTIVE:To design and develop a digital three-dimensional visualization system for children's neck acupoints,to provide a basis for acupuncture and moxibustion,meridian and acupoint science teaching,clinical practice,acupuncture manipulation practice,and acupuncture safety research,and to provide a basis for the development of children's acupoint simulation system. METHODS:Based on a real cross-sectional anatomical dataset of pre-school boys,a three-dimensional digital virtual anatomical model of the neck region of children and internal multi-organ three-dimensional reconstruction were completed using PhotoShop 2021 and Digihuman Reconstruction System software.A database of 11 acupoints was compiled,including Fengfu and Fengchi,using the Unity database language.A three-dimensional model of children's neck anatomy,acupoint database,and writing acupuncture operation codes were integrated in Unity3D software.A three-dimensional digital visualization system for children's neck acupoints was successfully created,which integrated simulation acupoint positioning,three-dimensional acupoint anatomy,acupuncture training,clinical teaching,and acupuncture safety research. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)This study was based on real child specimens.Manual layer by layer segmentation of cross-sectional images was used to ensure the accuracy of the three-dimensional model to the greatest extent possible.The 3D software Digihuman Reconstruction System was utilized to extract and save independent segmentation data.PhotoShop 2021 software was collaborated with to complete dozens of three-dimensional reconstruction anatomical models of the outer skin of the neck and its internal bone structure,cervical spinal cord,blood vessels and nerves,muscles,and ligaments in children.The basic morphology and overall contour integrity verification of each independent structure were completed in MeshLab software.The 3-material research 13.0 software was applied for final fine tuning and anatomical position confirmation,successfully simulating and restoring the true anatomical morphology of the neck of preschool children.(2)Based on and referring to the national standards of the People's Republic of China,a database of commonly used acupoints in children's neck region was collected and organized,including their names,meridians,positioning,local anatomy,needle insertion levels,acupuncture methods,acupuncture accidents and prevention,acupoint indications,and two-dimensional anatomical sectional images.(3)Unity3D software was employed to integrate the three-dimensional model of children's neck,acupuncture simulation operation,and acupoint database,and a three-dimensional digital children's neck acupoint acupuncture visualization system was successfully constructed.The system displayed information on children's neck acupoints,two-dimensional and three-dimensional anatomical structures,and achieved two-dimensional and three-dimensional acupuncture simulation functions and acupuncture safety research functions for children's neck acupoints.Based on the ultra-thin sectional anatomical dataset of real child specimens,the first three-dimensional digital and visualization system for acupoints in the neck region of children had been constructed.Compared with previous acupoint acupuncture systems,it is more in line with the anatomical and morphological development characteristics of Asian children and has high application value in the fields of acupuncture safety research,clinical teaching,and acupuncture simulation training.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Study on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets based on HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS and network pharmacology
Yuan-hong LIAO ; Jing-kun LU ; Yan NIU ; Jun LI ; Ren BU ; Peng-peng ZHANG ; Yue KANG ; Yue-wu WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):449-458
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 The analysis presented here is based on the blood components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets, the key anti-atherosclerosis pathway of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was screened by network pharmacology, and the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Guanxin Qiwei tablets was clarified and verified by cell experiments. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS technique was used to analyze the components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood, to determine the precise mass charge ratio of the compounds, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the components by using secondary mass spectrometry fragments and literature comparison. Finally, a total of 42 components of Guanxin Qiwei tablets into blood were identified. To better understand the interactions, we employed the Swiss Target Prediction database to predict the associated targets. Atherosclerosis (AS) disease targets were searched in disease databases Genecard, OMIM and Disgent, and 181 intersection targets of disease targets and component targets were obtained by Venny 2.1.0 software. Protein interactions were analyzed by String database. The 32 core targets were selected by Cytscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database. It was found that the anti-atherosclerosis pathways of Guanxin Qiwei tablets mainly include lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signal pathways. The core targets and the core compounds were interlinked, and it was found that cryptotanshinone and tanshinone ⅡA in Guanxin Qiwei tablets were well bound to TNF, PPAR
		                        		
		                        	
3.Effects and mechanisms of dihydroartemisinin combined with carfilzomib on the activity, proliferation, and apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells
Lu REN ; Xiaoli XIE ; Kun ZHANG ; Lijuan WANG
Journal of International Oncology 2024;51(3):129-136
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To study the effects and potential mechanisms of the combination of dihydroartemisinin and carfilzomib on the activity, proliferation, and apoptosis of multiple myeloma ARD cell lines.Methods:In vitro cultivation of multiple myeloma ARD cells involved treating the cells with dihydroartemisinin at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/ml, and with carfilzomib at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 nmol/L. The ARD cells were divided into a control group (no treatment) , a dihydroartemisinin group (2 μg/ml) , a carfizomib group (8 nmol/L) , and a combination group (dihydroartemisinin 2 μg/ml + carfizomib 8 nmol/L) . Cell activity and proliferation were assessed by MTT assay and EdU-488 assay; cell apoptosis was evaluated using live cell/dead cell dual staining and flow cytometry. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were examined using Western blotting analysis. Results:The cell survival rates of ARD cells treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg/ml dihydroartemisinin were (100.00±2.18) %, (50.22±3.09) %, (37.39±2.34) %, (30.42±1.79) %, (23.80±1.12) %, and (18.04±0.79) %, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference ( F=653.30, P<0.001) . With the increase of drug concentration, ARD cell activity decreased gradually (all P<0.05) . The cell survival rates of ARD cells treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 nmol/L carfilzomib were (100.00±1.12) %, (83.98±2.95) %, (67.27±2.10) %, (58.24±2.02) %, (46.34±1.14) %, and (37.47±1.36) %, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference ( F=227.40, P<0.001) . With the increase of drug concentration, ARD cell activity decreased gradually (all P<0.05) . The cell survival rates for the control group, dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group were (100.00±2.67) %, (67.23±0.57) %, (76.23±2.83) %, and (27.06±1.09) %, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference ( F=655.60, P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group compared with control group (all P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group and carfilzomib group compared with combined group (both P<0.001) . The EdU-488 experiment showed that the EdU-positive rates of ARD cells in the control group, dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group were (100.00±8.17) %, (68.07±6.14) %, (85.04±2.78) %, and (19.62±3.83) %, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference ( F=115.20, P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group compared with control group ( P<0.001; P=0.047; P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group and carfilzomib group compared with combined group (both P<0.001) . The live cell/dead cell dual staining experiment showed, under bright-field observation, the cell morphology was intact in the control group. In all the drug groups, the cell morphology became irregular, reduced in size with condensed cytoplasmic, and apoptotic vesicles with irregular morphology were seen around the cells, among which the most obvious changes were seen in the combination group. Under fluorescence observation, the cells in the control group only displayed green fluorescence. In all drug-treated groups, cells with red fluorescence were observed, with the combination group having the highest percentage of cells with red fluorescence among the total cell population. The apoptosis rates for the control group, dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group were (9.06±2.95) %, (29.50±1.34) %, (20.77±3.00) %, and (58.23±5.13) %, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference ( F=115.80, P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group compared with control group ( P<0.001; P=0.012; P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group and carfilzomib group compared with combined group (both P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the relative expression levels of P53, Cleaved-Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins among the control group, dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group ( F=21.76, P<0.001; F=42.87, P<0.001; F=44.27, P<0.001; F=163.50, P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group, carfilzomib group, and combination group compared with control group (all P<0.05) . There were statistically significant differences in the dihydroartemisinin group and carfilzomib group compared with combined group (both P<0.05) . Conclusion:The combination of dihydroartemisinin and carfilzomib can synergistically inhibit the activity and proliferation of multiple myeloma ARD cells, and promote apoptosis, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Effect of Yiqi Tongmai Formula in Intervening in Liver Inflammation and Lipidosis in ApoE-∕- Mice Based on NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Yuhan CHEN ; Quanna REN ; Kun WANG ; Tingting SU ; Yanhua YANG ; Ming MA ; Yu ZHANG ; Xu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):64-72
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yiqi Tongxin formula (YQTM) on liver inflammation in apolipoprotein E-∕- (ApoE-∕-) mice by regulating the nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. MethodForty ApoE-∕- mice were randomly divided into a model group, an atorvastatin group (positive drug group), and low-, medium-, and high-dose YQTM groups (0.39, 0.78, 1.56 g·kg-1). Each drug administration group was given the corresponding concentration of the drug by gavage on the basis of high-fat feeding for 12 consecutive weeks. Eight C57BL/6J mice were used as a blank group and fed with normal chow. After 12 weeks, oil red O staining and Masson staining were used to observe the aortic lesions in mice and to determine whether the modeling was successful. Oil red O staining was used to observe the lipidosis in the livers of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the tissue lesions in the livers of mice. Masson staining was used to observe the distribution of collagen fibers in the livers of mice. Enzyme markers were used to detect the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in mouse serum, as well as total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in the liver. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 were detected in mouse liver by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was utilized to observe the expression regions of NF-κB and NLRP3 in the livers of mice. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NF-κB inhibitory protein (IκB), IκB kinase β (IKKβ), phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB), phosphorylated IKK β (p-IKKβ), NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in the livers of mice. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed severe aortic lipidosis, and the intracellular fat droplets in the livers aggregated in large quantities. The cytoplasm was filled with fat vacuoles(P<0.01). The serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT were significantly elevated in the mice(P<0.01). TG and TC levels were elevated in the liver(P<0.01). The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in liver tissue, as well as the protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκB, IKKβ, p-NF-κB, p-IκB, p-IKKβ, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in the liver were significantly elevated(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the aortic arch plaques of mice in each YQTM group were attenuated, and the fat aggregation in the liver was reduced. The inflammatory cell infiltration was alleviated(P<0.05,P<0.01). The serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01). TG and TC levels in the liver were reduced. The IL-1β and IL-18 levels in liver tissue, as well as protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκB, IKKβ, p-NF-κB, p-IκB, p-IKKβ, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in the liver were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionThe intervention mechanism of YQTM on liver inflammation in ApoE-∕- mice may be related to the down-regulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Effects of Yiqi tongmai formula on atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice and its mechanism
Quanna REN ; Yuhan CHEN ; Kun WANG ; Ming MA ; Yanhua YANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Xu ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2024;35(18):2232-2237
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Yiqi tongmai formula on atherosclerosis (AS) in ApoE-/- mice and its mechanism. METHODS Forty ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into model group, positive control group [atorvastatin calcium, 2.6 mg/(kg·d)], and low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula [0.46, 0.91, 1.82 g/(kg·d), by raw material], with 8 mice in each group. Eight C57BL/6J mice were selected as the normal group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were given a high-lipid diet and relevant drug or normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 12 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as well as the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured in mice. The proportion of aortic plaque area in each group of mice was detected and calculated, and the pathological morphological changes of the aortic sinus were observed; the protein phosphorylation levels of aortic phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (aka Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were examined. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C and the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and MCP-1 (including low-dose group) were decreased significantly in medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula, while the content of HDL-C in high-dose group was increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01); aortic plaques of the mice were reduced in Yiqi tongmai formula groups to different extents, and pathological changes such as lipid deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration were relieved to different extents; the proportion of aortic plaque area, the protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR in aortic tissue were significantly reduced in medium-dose and high-dose groups of Yiqi tongmai formula (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Yiqi tongmai formula can improve lipid metabolism, reduce inflammatory response, and delay plaque development in AS mice. Its effect may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway activation.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Clinical Multi-features Analysis of Cystic Lung Adenocarcinoma and Construction of Invasive Risk Prediction Model
WANG QIANG ; FU CHENGHAO ; WANG KUN ; REN QIANRUI ; CHEN AIPING ; XU XINFENG ; CHEN LIANG ; ZHU QUAN
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;27(4):266-275
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Background and objective Cystic lung cancer,a special type of lung cancer,has been paid more and more attention.The most common pathological type of cystic lung cancer is adenocarcinoma.The invasiveness of cystic lung adenocarcinoma is vital for the selection of clinical treatment and prognosis.The aim of this study is to analyze the multiple clinical features of cystic lung adenocarcinoma,explore the independent risk factors of its invasiveness,and establish a risk pre-diction model.Methods A total of 129 cases of cystic lung adenocarcinoma admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into pre-invasive group[atypical adenomatous hyperplasia(AAH),adenocarcinoma in situ(AIS)and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma(MIA)]and invasive group[invasive adenocarcinoma(IAC)]according to pathological findings.There were 47 cases in the pre-invasive group,including 19 males and 28 females,with an average age of(51.23±14.96)years.There were 82 cases in the invasive group,including 60 males and 22 females,with an average age of(61.27±11.74)years.Mul-tiple clinical features of the two groups were collected,including baseline data,imaging data and tumor markers.Univariate analysis,LASSO regression and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to screen out the independent risk factors of the invasiveness of cystic lung adenocarcinoma,and the risk prediction model was established.Results In univariate analysis,age,gender,smoking history,history of emphysema,neuron-specific enolase(NSE),number of cystic airspaces,lesion di-ameter,cystic cavity diameter,nodule diameter,solid components diameter,cyst wall nodule,smoothness of cyst wall,shape of cystic airspace,lobulation,short burr sign,pleural retraction,vascular penetration and bronchial penetration were statisti-cally different between the pre-invasive group and invasive groups(P<0.05).The above variables were processed by LASSO regression dimensionality reduction and screened as follows:age,gender,smoking history,NSE,number of cystic airspaces,lesion diameter,cystic cavity diameter,cyst wall nodule,smoothness of cyst wall and lobulation.Then the above variables were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Cyst wall nodule(P=0.035)and lobulation(P=0.001)were found to be independent risk factors for the invasiveness of cystic lung adenocarcinoma(P<0.05).The prediction model was established as follows:P=e^x/(1+e^x),x=-7.927+1.476* cyst wall nodule+2.407* lobulation,and area under the curve(AUC)was 0.950.Conclusion Cyst wall nodule and lobulation are independent risk factors for the invasiveness of cystic lung adenocarcinoma,which have certain guiding significance for the prediction of the invasiveness of cystic lung adenocarcinoma.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.The Genetic Polymorphism and Structural Analysis of 47 Microhaplotypes in a Jiangsu Changshu Chinese Han Population
Kun-Peng PAN ; Yao-Sen FENG ; Wen-Shuai YU ; Zong-Wei LIU ; Yi-Ren YAO ; Jie ZHAO ; Ke-Lai KANG ; Chi ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Jian WU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(2):423-434
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the genetic polymorphism and structure of 47 autosomal microhaplotypes in the Han population in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, and to evaluate the forensic efficiencies and forensic parameters. MethodsThe DNA library of unrelated individual samples was prepared according to MHSeqTyper47 kit manual and sequenced on the MiSeq FGx platform. Microhaplotype genotyping and sequencing depth statistics were processed using MHTyper. The genetic information of samples was then evaluated. The fixation index and genetic distance between the Jiangsu Changshu population and the reference populations in the 1000 Genomes Project phase 3 (1KG) were calculated, and forensic parameters were evaluated. ResultsThe fixation index and genetic distance between the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu, and the CHB (Han Chinese in Beijing, China) reference population in 1KG were the lowest. The effective allele number (Ae) of each locus is also the closest between the two populations. The combined matching probability (CMP) of the Changshu Han population is close to the 5 populations of the East Asian reference super-population in 1KG, which is 1.25×10-36, and the combined probability of exclusion reached 0.999 999 999 964 1. ConclusionThis study reported the genetic polymorphism and allele frequency of 47 microhaplotypes in a Han population in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. This information provides a data basis for 47 microhaplotypes in forensic applications. In addition, the polymorphism differences between the 1KG reference population and the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu were compared, and the genetic structure of 47 microhaplotypes in the Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu was revealed. In general, the reference data of the East Asian super-population in 1KG is more in line with the genetic characteristics of Han population in Changshu, Jiangsu. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Application of traction with titanium clips in endoscopic submucosal dissection for large laterally spreading tumor in rectum and sigmoid colon
Ling REN ; Shuxian ZHANG ; Kun WANG ; Lu WANG ; Xuyang LIANG ; Chenyan ZUO ; Zhimei ZHANG ; Yunliang SUN ; Shengxiang LÜ
China Journal of Endoscopy 2024;30(6):30-36
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the advantages and efficacy of traction with titanium clips in endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for large laterally spreading tumor(LST)in rectum and sigmoid colon.Methods 67 patients with large sigmoid or rectal LST underwent ESD from January 2018 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,including 32 patients in Group A and 35 patients in Group B.Group A was treated with clip-line traction and group B was treated with traditional ESD.The size of lesion,the total operation time,the submucosal dissection time,submucosal dissection rate,submucosal injection number,en bloc resection rate,R0 resection rate,curative resection rate and complications of the two groups were compared.Results LST-G-M was the most common type and villous adenoma was the main pathology in both groups.There were no differences in en bloc resection rate,R0 resection rate and incidence of complications between the two groups.The average size of group A was(13.6±8.4)cm2,significantly larger than that in group B(9.3±4.7)cm2,the total operation time was(42.3±10.3)min in group A,significantly shorter than that in group B(47.9±10.1)min,submucosal dissection time was(30.7±8.2)min in group A,significantly shorter than that in group B(36.1±7.6)min,submucosal injection number was(2.7±1.1)times in group A,significantly less than that in group B(3.5±1.2)times,submucosal dissection rate was(0.4±0.2)cm2/min in group A,significantly faster than that in group B(0.2±0.1)cm2/min,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with traditional ESD,clip-line traction can provide a better surgical field and more effective dissection for large LST in rectum and sigmoid colon.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Chromosome Spatial Conformation:Techniques,Applications and Challenges
Ren-Jie WANG ; Meng-Meng HU ; Kun YANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(7):921-933
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			The spatial conformation of chromosomes within the nucleus plays a pivotal role in gene ex-pression,DNA replication,DNA damage repair,and gene stability.Understanding the intricate spatial organization of chromosomes is crucial for studying disease occurrence and development.However,our current understanding of changes in chromosome spatial conformation remains insufficient,limiting our a-bility to investigate the relationship between chromosomal structure and disease.This limitation primarily stems from the need for further development and refinement of high-resolution techniques used to study chromosome spatial conformation.In this paper,we provide a brief overview of the fundamental spatial structure of chromosomes before delving into detailed discussions on the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),chromosome conformation capture(3C)and its derivatives,along with relevant research findings.To achieve more accurate real-time observations of chromosomal dynamics and spatial organization,it is imperative to conduct experiments using live cells.Therefore,this paper provides an extensive description of how fluorescence microscopy-based location tracking technology and chromosome dynamic tracking technology have been applied in studying chromosomal spatial conformation as well as highlighting notable achievements in this field.Finally,based on evaluating the strengths and weaknesses associated with various techniques employed thus far,we identify existing challenges within chromosomal spatial conformation studies while offering suggestions for future research endeavors.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Overexpression of mitoNEET inhibits ferroptosis-induced mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction in brown adipocytes
Hongyu ZHENG ; Zhen TIAN ; Yanxia WANG ; Kun ZHOU ; Zhong REN ; Zhixiang ZHOU ; Wenhao XIONG ; He ZHENG ; Zhisheng JIANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(5):852-861
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			AIM:To investigate the potential impact of mitoNEET[mitochondrial protein containing Asn-Glu-Glu-Thr(NEET)sequence]on mitochondrial metabolism in brown adipocytes,and to elucidate its underlying mecha-nism.METHODS:An in vitro model of primary mouse brown adipocytes was established.Western blot were utilized to detect relevant proteins,and iron ion and ATP content was measured using kits.Mitochondrial membrane potential and re-active oxygen species(ROS)were assessed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.RESULTS:The expression of the ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4 increased by 1.13 times in ferroptosis inducer erastin treatment group,whereas the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 decreased by 27.33%and 25.33%,respectively,compared with control group(P<0.05).The expression of Nrf1,PGC-1α,MFN2 and UCP1 proteins,related to mitochondrial energy metabolism,de-creased by 20.98%,15.17%,15.03%and 34.22%,respectively(P<0.05).Additionally,the mitoNEET protein con-tent was significantly reduced by 42.14%(P<0.05).The iron ion content in erastin group was substantially increased by 1.80 times compared with control group.However,a notable decrease in ATP content of 14.95%was seen(P<0.05).The results obtained from fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated a significant decrease in the mitochon-drial membrane potential of brown adipocytes in erastin group,with reductions of 52.18%and 61.31%(P<0.05),re-spectively.A substantial increase in mitochondrial ROS content of 80.97%was seen(P<0.05).Western blot analysis of overexpressed stable strains revealed a significant elevation in mitoNEET levels in brown adipocytes following lentivirus transfection,exhibiting an increase of 11.19 times(P<0.05),thus confirming successful transfection.The LV-mitoNEET group exhibited a significant decrease of 37.95%in the expression of ferroptosis-related protein ACSL4 in brown adipose cells compared with control group.Additionally,there was a notable increase of 77.82%and 66.3%in the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,respectively(P<0.05).Up-regulation was observed in the expression of MFN2(79.06%),PGC-1α(72.89%),Nrf1(40.14%),and UCP1(31.68%)(P<0.05).The test results demonstrated that the LV-mitoNEET group experienced a reduction of 43.5%in iron ion content compared with control group while exhibiting an increase of 33.5%in ATP content(P<0.05).The results obtained from fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated that mitoNEET overexpression led to a significant increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential of erastin-induced brown adipocytes,with increments of 17.61%and 96.05%,respectively.Additionally,mitoNEET overexpression effec-tively reduced the production of mitochondrial ROS by 24.48%(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that mitoNEET overexpression can effectively inhibit the disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism caused by ferroptosis-induced death of brown adipocytes.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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