1.Human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote tendon repair in a rabbit Achilles tendinopathy model.
Yingyu MA ; Zhiwei LIN ; Xiaoyi CHEN ; Xin ZHAO ; Yi SUN ; Ji WANG ; Xiaozhou MOU ; Hai ZOU ; Jinyang CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(9):1089-1097
		                        		
		                        			BACKGROUND:
		                        			Hair follicles are easily accessible and contain stem cells with different developmental origins, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), that consequently reveal the potential of human hair follicle (hHF)-derived MSCs in repair and regeneration. However, the role of hHF-MSCs in Achilles tendinopathy (AT) remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of hHF-MSCs on Achilles tendon repair in rabbits.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			First, we extracted and characterized hHF-MSCs. Then, a rabbit tendinopathy model was constructed to analyze the ability of hHF-MSCs to promote repair in vivo . Anatomical observation and pathological and biomechanical analyses were performed to determine the effect of hHF-MSCs on AT, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms through which hHF-MSCs affects AT. Furthermore, statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and one-way repeated measures multivariate ANOVA as appropriate.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			Flow cytometry, a trilineage-induced differentiation test, confirmed that hHF-derived stem cells were derived from MSCs. The effect of hHF-MSCs on AT revealed that the Achilles tendon was anatomically healthy, as well as the maximum load carried by the Achilles tendon and hydroxyproline proteomic levels were increased. Moreover, collagen I and III were upregulated in rabbit AT treated with hHF-MSCs (compared with AT group; P  < 0.05). Analysis of the molecular mechanisms revealed that hHF-MSCs promoted collagen fiber regeneration, possibly through Tenascin-C (TNC) upregulation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 downregulation.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			hHF-MSCs can be a treatment modality to promote AT repair in rabbits by upregulating collagen I and III. Further analysis revealed that treatment of AT using hHF-MSCs promoted the regeneration of collagen fiber, possibly because of upregulation of TNC and downregulation of MMP-9, thus suggesting that hHF-MSCs are more promising for AT.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rabbits
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hair Follicle
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Achilles Tendon/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tendinopathy/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Proteomics
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mesenchymal Stem Cells
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
2.Promotion effect of FGF23 on osteopenia in congenital scoliosis through FGFr3/TNAP/OPN pathway.
Hongqi ZHANG ; Gang XIANG ; Jiong LI ; Sihan HE ; Yunjia WANG ; Ang DENG ; Yuxiang WANG ; Chaofeng GUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(12):1468-1477
		                        		
		                        			BACKGROUND:
		                        			Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a complex spinal malformation of unknown etiology with abnormal bone metabolism. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), secreted by osteoblasts and osteocytes, can inhibit bone formation and mineralization. This research aims to investigate the relationship between CS and FGF23.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			We collected peripheral blood from two pairs of identical twins for methylation sequencing of the target region. FGF23 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of CS patients and age-matched controls were measured. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of FGF23. The expression levels of FGF23 and its downstream factors fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFr3)/tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP)/osteopontin (OPN) in primary osteoblasts from CS patients (CS-Ob) and controls (CT-Ob) were detected. In addition, the osteogenic abilities of FGF23-knockdown or FGF23-overexpressing Ob were examined.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			DNA methylation of the FGF23 gene in CS patients was decreased compared to that of their identical twins, accompanied by increased mRNA levels. CS patients had increased peripheral blood FGF23 mRNA levels and decreased computed tomography (CT) values compared with controls. The FGF23 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with the CT value of the spine, and ROCs of FGF23 mRNA levels showed high sensitivity and specificity for CS. Additionally, significantly increased levels of FGF23, FGFr3, OPN, impaired osteogenic mineralization and lower TNAP levels were observed in CS-Ob. Moreover, FGF23 overexpression in CT-Ob increased FGFr3 and OPN levels and decreased TNAP levels, while FGF23 knockdown induced downregulation of FGFr3 and OPN but upregulation of TNAP in CS-Ob. Mineralization of CS-Ob was rescued after FGF23 knockdown.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			Our results suggested increased peripheral blood FGF23 levels, decreased bone mineral density in CS patients, and a good predictive ability of CS by peripheral blood FGF23 levels. FGF23 may contribute to osteopenia in CS patients through FGFr3/TNAP / OPN pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Osteopontin/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Scoliosis/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Osteoblasts/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Calcinosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Bone Diseases, Metabolic/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fibroblast Growth Factors/genetics*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
3.Inhibition of glutaminolysis alleviates myocardial fibrosis induced by angiotensin II.
Pan-Pan WANG ; Hao-Miao BAI ; Si-Yu HE ; Zi-Qi XIA ; Mei-Jie LIU ; Jiong AN ; Jia-Heng ZHOU ; Chen-Han LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Xing ZHANG ; Xin-Pei WANG ; Jia LI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2023;75(2):179-187
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			The present study was aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of glutaminolysis of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in hypertension-induced myocardial fibrosis. C57BL/6J mice were administered with a chronic infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 1.6 mg/kg per d) with a micro-osmotic pump to induce myocardial fibrosis. Masson staining was used to evaluate myocardial fibrosis. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with BPTES (12.5 mg/kg), a glutaminase 1 (GLS1)-specific inhibitor, to inhibit glutaminolysis simultaneously. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect protein expression levels of GLS1, Collagen I and Collagen III in cardiac tissue. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat CFs were treated with 4 mmol/L glutamine (Gln) or BPTES (5 μmol/L) with or without Ang II (0.4 μmol/L) stimulation. The CFs were also treated with 2 mmol/L α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) under the stimulation of Ang II and BPTES. Wound healing test and CCK-8 were used to detect CFs migration and proliferation respectively. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of GLS1, Collagen I and Collagen III. The results showed that blood pressure, heart weight and myocardial fibrosis were increased in Ang II-treated mice, and GLS1 expression in cardiac tissue was also significantly up-regulated. Gln significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, mRNA and protein expression of GLS1, Collagen I and Collagen III in the CFs with or without Ang II stimulation, whereas BPTES significantly decreased the above indices in the CFs. α-KG supplementation reversed the inhibitory effect of BPTES on the CFs under Ang II stimulation. Furthermore, in vivo intraperitoneal injection of BPTES alleviated cardiac fibrosis of Ang II-treated mice. In conclusion, glutaminolysis plays an important role in the process of cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II. Targeted inhibition of glutaminolysis may be a new strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Angiotensin II/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fibroblasts
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice, Inbred C57BL
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fibrosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Myocardium/pathology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
4.Central Granular Cell Odontogenic Tumor: A Literature Review of Cases Reported in the Last 71 Years with a New Case Report.
Fatemeh MASHHADIABBAS ; Sanaz GHOLAMITOGHCHI ; Roohollah SAFARPOUR
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2023;38(2):138-146
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Central granular cell odontogenic tumors (CGCOTs) are rare, benign, slowly growing odontogenic neoplasms. Due to their uncertain histogenesis, CGCOTs are still not included as a distinct entity in the WHO classification (2017) of odontogenic tumors. We report a case of CGCOT involving the right side of maxillary anterior region of a 39-year-old white female. Immunohistochemical staining showed that granular cells positively expressed CD68 and vimentin, and negatively expressed S-100 protein. Meanwhile, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases to summary the clinico-pathological features of 51 reported cases of CGCOT. The results showed that the granular cells of 28.6% cases were immunopositive for vimentin and CD68, and odontogenic epithelial cells were positive immunoreactivity for cytokeratin. These findings reinforced the mesenchymal origin of granular cells and the odontogenic nature of epithelium islands.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Female
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Adult
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Vimentin
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Odontogenic Tumors/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Epithelial Cells/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Keratins
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Analysis of COL1A1 and COL1A2 gene variants in two fetuses with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Yaning ZHANG ; Xinyue WU ; Qiaoyun LIU ; Xiaona YAN ; Huize LIU ; Dairong FENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2023;40(7):821-827
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To explore the genetic basis of two fetuses with an osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) phenotype.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			Two fetuses diagnosed at the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College respectively on June 11, 2021 and October 16, 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the fetuses were collected. Amniotic fluid samples of the fetuses and peripheral blood samples of their pedigree members were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were carried out to identify the candidate variants. Minigene splicing reporter analysis was used to validate the variant which may affect the pre-mRNA splicing.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			For fetus 1, ultrasonography at 17+6 weeks of gestation had revealed shortening of bilateral humerus and femurs by more than two weeks, in addition with multiple fractures and angular deformities of long bones. WES revealed that fetus 1 had harbored a heterozygous c.3949_3950insGGCATGT (p.N1317Rfs*114) variant in exon 49 of the COL1A1 gene (NM_000088.4). Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), it was classified as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+PS2+PM2_Supporting) for disrupting the downstream open reading frame resulting in premature translational termination, being de novo in origin, and lacking records in the population and disease databases.For fetus 2, ultrasonography at 23 weeks of gestation also revealed shortening of bilateral humerus and femurs by one and four weeks, respectively, in addition with bending of bilateral femurs, tibias and fibulas. Fetus 2 had harbored a heterozygous c.1557+3A>G variant in intron 26 of the COL1A2 gene (NM_000089.4). Minigene experiment showed that it has induced skipping of exon 26 from the COL1A2 mRNA transcript, resulting in an in-frame deletion (c.1504_1557del) of the COL1A2 mRNA transcript. The variant was inherited from its father and had been previously reported in a family with OI type 4. It was therefore classified as a pathogenic variant (PS3+PM1+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP5).
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			The c.3949_3950insGGCATGT (p.N1317Rfs*114) variant in the COL1A1 gene and c.1557+3A>G variant in the COL1A2 gene probably underlay the disease in the two fetuses. Above findings not only have enriched the mutational spectrum of OI, but also shed light on the correlation between its genotype and phenotype and provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the affected pedigrees.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Pregnancy
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Female
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Osteogenesis Imperfecta/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mutation
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fetus
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
6.<i>COL4A5i> genotypes and clinical characteristics of children with Alport syndrome.
Wei HUANG ; Cui-Hua LIU ; Ji-Tong LI ; Yu-Jie LIU ; Yu-Liu LI ; Ming TIAN ; Guang-Hai CAO ; Shu-Feng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2023;25(7):732-738
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVES:
		                        			To investigate the genotypes of the pathogenic gene <i>COL4A5i> and the characteristics of clinical phenotypes in children with Alport syndrome (AS).
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			A retrospective analysis was performed for the genetic testing results and clinical data of 19 AS children with <i>COL4A5i> gene mutations.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			Among the 19 children with AS caused by <i>COL4A5i> gene mutations, 1 (5%) carried a new mutation of the <i>COL4A5i> gene, i.e., c.3372A>G(p.P1124=) and presented with AS coexisting with IgA vasculitis nephritis; 3 children (16%) had large fragment deletion of the <i>COL4A5i> gene, among whom 2 children (case 7 had a new mutation site of loss51-53) had gross hematuria and albuminuria at the onset, and 1 child (case 13 had a new mutation site of loss3-53) only had microscopic hematuria, while the other 15 children (79%) had common clinical phenotypes of AS, among whom 7 carried new mutations of the <i>COL4A5i> gene. Among all 19 children, 3 children (16%) who carried <i>COL4A5i> gene mutations also had <i>COL4A4i> gene mutations, and 1 child (5%) had <i>COL4A3i> gene mutations. Among these children with double gene mutations, 2 had gross hematuria and proteinuria at the onset.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			This study expands the genotype and phenotype spectrums of the pathogenic gene <i>COL4A5i> for AS. Children with large fragment deletion of the <i>COL4A5i> gene or double gene mutations of <i>COL4A5i> with <i>COL4A3i> or <i>COL4A4i> tend to have more serious clinical manifestations.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Nephritis, Hereditary/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hematuria/complications*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Retrospective Studies
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type IV/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Genotype
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mutation
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
7.Amygdalin Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis through Inhibiting Activation of TGF-β/Smad Signaling.
Zhun XIAO ; Qiang JI ; Ya-Dong FU ; Si-Qi GAO ; Yong-Hong HU ; Wei LIU ; Gao-Feng CHEN ; Yong-Ping MU ; Jia-Mei CHEN ; Ping LIU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2023;29(4):316-324
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To observe the effect of amygdalin on liver fibrosis in a liver fibrosis mouse model, and the underlying mechanisms were partly dissected in vivo and in vitro.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			Thirty-two male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control, model, low- and high-dose amygdalin-treated groups, 8 mice in each group. Except the control group, mice in the other groups were injected intraperitoneally with 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-olive oil solution 3 times a week for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. At the first 3 weeks, amygdalin (1.35 and 2.7 mg/kg body weight) were administered by gavage once a day. Mice in the control group received equal quantities of subcutaneous olive oil and intragastric water from the fourth week. At the end of 6 weeks, liver tissue samples were harvested to detect the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp). Hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining were used to observe the inflammation and fibrosis of liver tissue. The expressions of collagen I (Col-I), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD31 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway were observed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The activation models of hepatic stellate cells, JS-1 and LX-2 cells induced by TGF-β1 were used in vitro with or without different concentrations of amygdalin (0.1, 1, 10 µmol/L). LSECs. The effect of different concentrations of amygdalin on the expressions of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) dedifferentiation markers CD31 and CD44 were observed.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			High-dose of amygdalin significantly reduced the Hyp content and percentage of collagen positive area, and decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Col-I, α-SMA, CD31 and p-Smad2/3 in liver tissues of mice compared to the model group (P<0.01). Amygdalin down-regulated the expressions of Col-I and α-SMA in JS-1 and LX-2 cells, and TGFβ R1, TGFβ R2 and p-Smad2/3 in LX-2 cells compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, 1 and 10 µmol/L amygdalin inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of CD31 in LSECs and increased CD44 expression compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			Amygdalin can dramatically alleviate liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in mice and inhibit TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, consequently suppressing HSCs activation and LSECs dedifferentiation to improve angiogenesis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Amygdalin/therapeutic use*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Olive Oil/therapeutic use*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Wistar
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Smad Proteins/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Liver
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Signal Transduction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Carbon Tetrachloride
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hepatic Stellate Cells
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill Allieviates Heart Failure via Extracellula Matrix-Receptor Interaction Pathways Based on RNA-Seq Transcriptomics and Experimental Studies.
Ya-Fang TAN ; Yu-Han FU ; Min-Zhou ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2023;29(7):600-607
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To investigate the protective mechanisms of Chinese medicine Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pills (STDP) on heart failure (HF).
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			Isoproterenol (ISO)-induced HF rat model and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced neonatal rat cardiac fibroblast (CFs) model were used in the present study. HF rats were treated with and without STDP (3 g/kg). RNA-seq was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's stainings were taken to assess cardiac fibrosis. The levels of collagen I (Col I) and collagen III (Col III) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. CCK8 kit and transwell assay were implemented to test the CFs' proliferative and migratory activity, respectively. The protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, Col I, and Col III were detected by Western blotting.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			The results of RNA-seq analysis showed that STDP exerted its pharmacological effects on HF via multiple signaling pathways, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, cell cycle, and B cell receptor interaction. Results from in vivo experiments demonstrated that STDP treatment reversed declines in cardiac function, inhibiting myocardial fibrosis, and reversing increases in Col I and Col III expression levels in the hearts of HF rats. Moreover, STDP (6, 9 mg/mL) inhibited the proliferation and migration of CFs exposed to Ang II in vitro (P<0.05). The activation of collagen synthesis and myofibroblast generation were markedly suppressed by STDP, also the synthesis of MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as ECM components Col I, Col III, and α-SMA were decreased in Ang II-induced neonatal rats' CFs.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			STDP had anti-fibrotic effects in HF, which might be caused by the modulation of ECM-receptor interaction pathways. Through the management of cardiac fibrosis, STDP may be a compelling candidate for improving prognosis of HF.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA-Seq
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Transcriptome/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Heart Failure/drug therapy*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fibrosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Myocardium/pathology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
9.Expression of LRG-1 in mice with hypertensive renal damage and its significance.
Linlin ZHANG ; Xiangcheng XIAO ; Xueling HU ; Wei WANG ; Ling PENG ; Rong TANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2023;48(6):837-845
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVES:
		                        			Long-term elevated blood pressure may lead to kidney damage, yet the pathogenesis of hypertensive kidney damage is still unclear. This study aims to explore the role and significance of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG-1) in hypertensive renal damage through detecting the levels of LRG-1 in the serum and kidney of mice with hypertensive renal damage and its relationship with related indexes.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			C57BL/6 mice were used in this study and randomly divided into a control group, an angiotensin II (Ang II) group, and an Ang II+irbesartan group. The control group was gavaged with physiological saline. The Ang II group was pumped subcutaneously at a rate of 1.5 mg/(kg·d) for 28 days to establish the hypertensive renal damage model in mice, and then gavaged with equivalent physiological saline. The Ang II+irbesartan group used the same method to establish the hypertensive renal damage model, and then was gavaged with irbesartan. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of LRG-1 and fibrosis-related indicators (collagen I and fibronectin) in renal tissues. ELISA was used to evaluate the level of serum LRG-1 and inflammatory cytokines in mice. The urinary protein-creatinine ratio and renal function were determined, and correlation analysis was conducted.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			Compared with the control group, the levels of serum LRG-1, the expression of LRG-1 protein, collagen I, and fibronectin in kidney in the Ang II group were increased (all <i>Pi><0.01). After treating with irbesartan, renal damage of hypertensive mice was alleviated, while the levels of LRG-1 in serum and kidney were decreased, and the expression of collagen I and fibronectin was down-regulated (all <i>Pi><0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the level of serum LRG-1 was positively correlated with urinary protein-creatinine ratio, blood urea nitrogen, and blood creatinine level in hypertensive kidney damage mice. Serum level of LRG-1 was also positively correlated with serum inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			Hypertensive renal damage mice display elevated expression of LRG-1 in serum and kidney, and irbesartan can reduce the expression of LRG-1 while alleviating renal damage. The level of serum LRG-1 is positively correlated with the degree of hypertensive renal damage, suggesting that it may participate in the occurrence and development of hypertensive renal damage.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mice, Inbred C57BL
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Fibronectins
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Irbesartan
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Creatinine
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kidney/physiology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hypertension/complications*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Angiotensin II
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
10.Protective effect of intervention with cannabinoid type-2 receptor agonist JWH133 on pulmonary fibrosis in mice.
Xiao WU ; Wen Ting YANG ; Yi Ju CHENG ; Lin PAN ; Yu Quan ZHANG ; Hong Lan ZHU ; Meng Lin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(7):841-849
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: JWH133, a cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist, was tested for its ability to protect mice from bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: By using a random number generator, 24 C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, JWH133 intervention group, and JWH133+a cannabinoid type-2 receptor antagonist (AM630) inhibitor group, with 6 mice in each group. A mouse pulmonary fibrosis model was established by tracheal instillation of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). Starting from the first day after modeling, the control group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and the model group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The JWH133 intervention group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml of JWH133 (2.5 mg/kg, dissolved in physiological saline), and the JWH133+AM630 antagonistic group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 ml of JWH133 (2.5 mg/kg) and AM630 (2.5 mg/kg). After 28 days, all mice were killed; the lung tissue was obtained, pathological changes were observed, and alveolar inflammation scores and Ashcroft scores were calculated. The content of type Ⅰ collagen in the lung tissue of the four groups of mice was measured using immunohistochemistry. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the serum of the four groups of mice were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the content of hydroxyproline (HYP) in the lung tissue of the four groups of mice was measured. Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of type Ⅲ collagen, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2), phosphorylated P-ERK1/2 (P-ERK1/2), and phosphorylated ribosome S6 kinase type 1 (P-p90RSK) in the lung tissue of mice in the four groups. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression levels of collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ, and α-SMA mRNA in the lung tissue of the four groups of mice. Results: Compared with the control group, the pathological changes in the lung tissue of the model group mice worsened, with an increase in alveolar inflammation score (3.833±0.408 vs. 0.833±0.408, <i>Pi><0.05), an increase in Ashcroft score (7.333±0.516 vs. 2.000±0.633, <i>Pi><0.05), an increase in type Ⅰ collagen absorbance value (0.065±0.008 vs. 0.018±0.006, <i>Pi><0.05), an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration, and an increase in hydroxyproline levels [(1.551±0.051) μg/mg vs. (0.974±0.060) μg/mg, <i>Pi><0.05]. Compared with the model group, the JWH133 intervention group showed reduced pathological changes in lung tissue, decreased alveolar inflammation score (1.833±0.408, <i>Pi><0.05), decreased Ashcroft score (4.167±0.753, <i>Pi><0.05), decreased type Ⅰ collagen absorbance value (0.032±0.004, <i>Pi><0.05), reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased hydroxyproline levels [(1.148±0.055) μg/mg, <i>Pi><0.05]. Compared with the JWH133 intervention group, the JWH133+AM630 antagonistic group showed more severe pathological changes in the lung tissue of mice, increased alveolar inflammation score and Ashcroft score, increased type Ⅰ collagen absorbance value, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, and increased hydroxyproline levels. Compared with the control group, the expression of α-SMA, type Ⅲ collagen, P-ERK1/2, and P-p90RSK proteins in the lung tissue of the model group mice increased, while the expression of type Ⅰ collagen, type Ⅲ collagen, and α-SMA mRNA increased. Compared with the model group, the protein expression of α-SMA (relative expression 0.60±0.17 vs. 1.34±0.19, <i>Pi><0.05), type Ⅲ collagen (relative expression 0.52±0.09 vs. 1.35±0.14, <i>Pi><0.05), P-ERK1/2 (relative expression 0.32±0.11 vs. 1.14±0.14, <i>Pi><0.05), and P-p90RSK (relative expression 0.43±0.14 vs. 1.15±0.07, <i>Pi><0.05) decreased in the JWH133 intervention group. The type Ⅰ collagen mRNA (2.190±0.362 vs. 5.078±0.792, <i>Pi><0.05), type Ⅲ collagen mRNA (1.750±0.290 vs. 4.935±0.456, <i>Pi><0.05), and α-SMA mRNA (1.588±0.060 vs. 5.192±0.506, <i>Pi><0.05) decreased. Compared with the JWH133 intervention group, the JWH133+AM630 antagonistic group increased the expression of α-SMA, type Ⅲ collagen, P-ERK1/2, and P-p90RSK protein in the lung tissue of mice, and increased the expression of type Ⅲ collagen and α-SMA mRNA. Conclusion: In mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, the cannabinoid type-2 receptor agonist JWH133 inhibited inflammation and improved extracellular matrix deposition, which alleviated lung fibrosis. The underlying mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the ERK1/2-RSK1 signaling pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
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		                        			Pulmonary Fibrosis/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Collagen Type I/pharmacology*
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		                        			Collagen Type III/pharmacology*
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		                        			Hydroxyproline/pharmacology*
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		                        			Sodium Chloride/metabolism*
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		                        			Mice, Inbred C57BL
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		                        			Lung/pathology*
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		                        			Cannabinoids/adverse effects*
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		                        			Bleomycin/metabolism*
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		                        			Collagen/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Inflammation/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
            
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