1.Construction Strategies and Challenges of Vascularized Brain Organoids
Meng-Meng CHEN ; Nan HU ; Shuang-Qing BAO ; Xiao-Hong LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1757-1770
Brain organoids are three-dimensional (3D) neural cultures that self-organize from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) cultured in vitro. Compared with traditional two-dimensional (2D) neural cell culture systems, brain organoids demonstrate a significantly enhanced capacity to faithfully replicate key aspects of the human brain, including cellular diversity, 3D tissue architecture, and functional neural network activity. Importantly, they also overcome the inherent limitations of animal models, which often differ from human biology in terms of genetic background and brain structure. Owing to these advantages, brain organoids have emerged as a powerful tool for recapitulating human-specific developmental processes, disease mechanisms, and pharmacological responses, thereby providing an indispensable model for advancing our understanding of human brain development and neurological disorders. Despite their considerable potential, conventional brain organoids face a critical limitation: the absence of a functional vascular system. This deficiency results in inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to the core regions of the organoid, ultimately constraining long-term viability and functional maturation. Moreover, the lack of early neurovascular interactions prevents these models from fully recapitulating the human brain microenvironment. In recent years, the introduction of vascularization strategies has significantly enhanced the physiological relevance of brain organoid models. Researchers have successfully developed various vascularized brain organoid models through multiple innovative approaches. Biological methods, for example, involve co-culturing brain organoids with endothelial cells to induce the formation of static vascular networks. Alternatively, co-differentiation strategies direct both mesodermal and ectodermal lineages to generate vascularized tissues, while fusion techniques combine pre-formed vascular organoids with brain organoids. Beyond biological approaches, tissue engineering techniques have played a pivotal role in promoting vascularization. Microfluidic systems enable the creation of dynamic, perfusable vascular networks that mimic blood flow, while 3D printing technologies allow for the precise fabrication of artificial vascular scaffolds tailored to the organoid’s architecture. Additionally, in vivo transplantation strategies facilitate the formation of functional, blood-perfused vascular networks through host-derived vascular infiltration. The incorporation of vascularization has yielded multiple benefits for brain organoid models. It alleviates hypoxia within the organoid core, thereby improving cell survival and supporting long-term culture and maturation. Furthermore, vascularized organoids recapitulate critical features of the neurovascular unit, including the early structural and functional characteristics of the blood-brain barrier. These advancements have established vascularized brain organoids as a highly relevant platform for studying neurovascular disorders, drug screening, and other applications. However, achieving sustained, long-term functional perfusion while preserving vascular structural integrity and promoting vascular maturation remains a major challenge in the field. In this review, we systematically outline the key stages of human neurovascular development and provide a comprehensive analysis of the various strategies employed to construct vascularized brain organoids. We further present a detailed comparative assessment of different vascularization techniques, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. Additionally, we summarize the principal challenges currently faced in brain organoid vascularization and discuss the specific technical obstacles that persist. Finally, in the outlook section, we elaborate on the promising applications of vascularized brain organoids in disease modeling and drug testing, address the main controversies and unresolved questions in the field, and propose potential directions for future research.
2.Anti-cancer Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Cellular Senescence: A Review
Shuang ZHAO ; Dong WANG ; Haoyang SHI ; Fangyuan WANG ; Jingyan MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):265-271
In recent years, the incidence and mortality rates of cancer have been increasing, posing a serious threat to human health. Western medicine mainly uses treatments such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, but they are prone to complications, drug resistance and adverse reactions. A growing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine has obvious advantages in the treatment of cancer, reducing the recurrence rate of cancer and improving the quality of survival of patients. Cellular senescence refers to a state of irreversible cell cycle growth arrest when cells cease to proliferate after a limited number of divisions, resulting in a decline in cell proliferation and differentiation capacities and physiological functions, accompanied by morphological changes such as flattening and multinuclear morphology. At the molecular level, it shows increased expression of DNA damage-related genes, reduced expression of cell cycle-related factors and significant secretory activity. The malignant development of cancer is closely related to cellular senescence. With the increasing number of cancer cell proliferation, cancer-related genes undergo continuous mutations, freeing them from cellular senescence and thus achieving unlimited proliferation. Through recent studies, it has been found that induction of tumor cell senescence, possibly through modulation of cellular DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which converts the suppressive immune tumor microenvironment to an activated immune tumor microenvironment and thus reverses the escape of tumor cell senescence, is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. However, the mechanism of cellular senescence in cancer progression is not fully understood, especially the anti-cancer role played by traditional Chinese medicine in regulating cellular senescence. This article summarized and concluded the specific molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence, the role of cellular senescence in cancer progression, and the mechanism of anti-cancer effects of traditional Chinese medicine based on cellular senescence from the perspective of regulating cellular senescence, with a view to providing ideas and methods for the anti-cancer effects of traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs.
3.Transcriptomic Analysis of Wuzi Yanzongwan on Testicular Spermatogenic Function in Semi-castrated Male Mice
Dixin ZOU ; Yueyang ZHANG ; Xuedan MENG ; Wei LU ; Shuang LYU ; Fanjun ZENG ; Kun CHEN ; Chang LIU ; Zhongxiu ZHANG ; Yu DUAN ; Yihang DAI ; Zhaoyi WANG ; Zhimin WANG ; Ruichao LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):61-69
ObjectiveTo screen out the transcriptomes related to the intervention of Wuzi Yanzongwan on the spermatogenic function of semi-castrated male mice, and to explore its potential mechanism in the intervention of the progress of low spermatogenic function. MethodBalb/c mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, testosterone propionate group(0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1, intramuscular injection) and Wuzi Yanzongwan group(1.56 g·kg-1·d-1, intragastric administration) according to body weight, with 12 mice in each group. The right testicle and epididymis were extracted from the model group and the drug administration group to construct the semi-castrated model of low spermatogenic function, while the fur and the right scrotum of the sham-operated group were only cut and immediately sterilized and sutured. At the end of the intervention, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histopathology of testis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum testosterone(T), luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH). The sperm count and motility of epididymis were measured by automatic sperm detector of small animal. Transcriptomic microarray technology was used to detect the mRNA expression level of testicular tissue in each group, the transcriptome of genes related to the regulation of Wuzi Yanzongwan was screened, and three mRNAs were selected for Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) to verify the transcriptome data. Through the annotation analysis of Gene Ontology(GO) and the signaling pathway analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), the related functions of drugs regulating transcriptome were analyzed. ResultCompared with the sham-operated group, the testicular tissue of mice in the model group showed spermatogenic injury, contraction and vacuolization of the seminiferous tubules, reduction of spermatogenic cells at all levels, widening of the interstitial space, obstruction of spermatogonial cell development and other morphological abnormalities, and serum T significantly decreased, LH significantly increased(P<0.01), and FSH elevated but no statistically significant difference, the count and vitality of epididymal sperm significantly decreased(P<0.01). There were 882 differentially expressed mRNAs in the testicular tissues, of which 565 were up-regulated and 317 were down-regulated. Cluster analysis showed that these differentially expressed mRNA could effectively distinguish between the sham-operated group and the model group. Compared with the model group, the damage to testicular tissue in the Wuzi Yanzongwan group was reduced, the structure of the seminiferous tubules was intact, vacuolization was reduced, and the number of spermatogenic cells at all levels was significantly increased and arranged tightly. The serum T significantly increased, LH significantly decreased(P<0.01), and FSH decreased but the difference was not statistically significant. The count and vitality of sperm in the epididymis were significantly increased(P<0.01). Moreover, Wuzi Yanzongwan could regulate 159 mRNA levels in the testes of semi-castrated mice, of which 32 were up-regulated and 127 were down-regulated, and the data of the transcriptome assay was verified to be reliable by Real-time PCR. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the transcriptome functions regulated by Wuzi Yanzongwan were involved in the whole cell cycle process of sperm development such as sex hormone production of interstitial cells in testis, renewal, differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis and signal transduction of spermatogenic cells, and were closely related to the biological behaviors of signaling pathways such as spermatogenic stem cell function, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and metabolic program. ConclusionWuzi Yanzongwan can effectively improve the low spermatogenic function of semi-castrated male mice, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of testicular transcriptional regulatory network, the synthesis of sex hormones in testicular interstitial cells, the function of spermatogenic stem cells, the whole cell cycle process of spermatogenesis, as well as the expression of endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and metabolic program related genes transcription.
4.Correlation between refractive development and physical growth indices in primary school students aged 6-9 years in Guangdong Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(7):936-940
Objective:
To analyze the correlation between refractive errors and physical development indicators among primary school students aged 6 to 9, so as to provide a scientific basis for the development of effective prevention and control measures.
Methods:
A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 2 833 elementary school students aged 6 to 9 from Guangdong Province for vision screening, ocular biometry, and physical examinations in Octorber, 2020. The Chi square test, t-test, and ANOVA were employed to compare myopia rates and indicator values across different groups. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the correlations between height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) with refractive development indicators.
Results:
The screening myopia rate among primary school students aged 6 to 9 was 16.7%, and the myopia rate increased with age ( χ 2= 51.58 , P <0.01). The height and weight of the myopic group [(126.96±7.41)cm, (26.59±6.45)kg] were higher than those of the non myopic group [(124.76±7.77)cm, (25.42±5.87)kg] ( t =5.84, 3.65, P <0.01). The mean values of spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and AL/corneal curvature radius (CR) ratio for students aged 6 to 9 were (-0.17±1.04)D, (22.96±0.78)mm, (3.38±0.24)mm, and (2.95±0.08), respectively, with statistically significant differences across different age and myopia severity groups ( t =37.08, 119.20, 41.54, 133.60; 935.30, 184.10, 73.95, 498.50, P < 0.01). After adjusting for gender, age, and residence, the multiple linear regression model showed that height was positively correlated with AL and CR, weight was positively correlated with ACD, and BMI was positively correlated with AL and ACD ( β = 0.191 , 0.070, 0.035, 0.013, 0.007, P <0.05). When stratified by myopia status, results for the non-myopic group were similar to the overall results, whereas in the myopic group, the correlations between height, BMI, and AL were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05).
Conclusions
Among primary school students aged 6 to 9, height and BMI are positively correlated with AL in the non myopic group but no similar correlation is observed in the myopic group, indicating that factors other than physical development, such as environmental and behavioral factors, should be considered for their impact on refractive development.
5.TSHR Variant Screening and Phenotype Analysis in 367 Chinese Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism
Hai-Yang ZHANG ; Feng-Yao WU ; Xue-Song LI ; Ping-Hui TU ; Cao-Xu ZHANG ; Rui-Meng YANG ; Ren-Jie CUI ; Chen-Yang WU ; Ya FANG ; Liu YANG ; Huai-Dong SONG ; Shuang-Xia ZHAO
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2024;44(4):343-353
Background:
Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes.
Methods:
In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity.
Results:
Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants.
Conclusions
We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.
6.Optimization of processing technology and quality characterization of wine-steamed Taxillus chinensis
Huifeng LI ; Hui LI ; Shuang MENG ; Xiaotao WANG ; Zhiwei WANG ; Xiangpeng KONG ; Haixian ZHAN ; Yingli WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1320-1326
OBJECTIVE To optimize the steaming and processing technology of wine-steamed Taxillus chinensis, and to characterize its quality. METHODS Using the content of avicularin, quercitrin, quercetin and appearance traits as evaluation indicators, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-entropy weight method was used to determine the weights of each indicator, and the comprehensive scores of those indicators were used as response values. Box-Behnken response surface method was used to investigate the effects of solid-liquid ratio (g/mL), soaking time, and steaming time on the processing technology of wine-steamed T. chinensis, optimize the best processing technology, and verify it. Fifteen batches of T. chinensis decoction pieces from different origins were used to prepare wine-steamed T. chinensis using the best processing technology, and their qualities were characterized. RESULTS The optimal processing technology for wine-steamed T. chinensis was to take 100 g of T. chinensis decoction pieces, add 20 mL of yellow wine, seal and moisten for 2 h, steam at normal pressure for 1 h, take out and dry at 50 ℃. The surface of wine-steamed T. chinensis prepared by the optimal processing technology was reddish brown or brownish, and its powder was dark brown, with a hard or brittle texture that was easy to break, and had a slight aroma of alcohol, and an astringent taste. Results of microscopic and thin-layer identification for the stem cross-section of wine-steamed T. chinensis were the same as those of raw T. chinensis. The contents of moisture, total ash and acid-insoluble ash were 3.92%-8.75%, 2.27%-5.08%, and 0.19%-0.82%, respectively; the contents of water-soluble extract were 11.28%-18.56%, and the contents of alcohol-soluble extract were 3.36%-8.58%; the contents of avicularin, quercitrin, and quercetin were 0.22-1.64, 0.26-2.45, and 0.01-0.38 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimized the processing technology of wine-steamed T. chinensis and preliminarily characterized its quality, which can provide reference for the standardized processing and establishment of quality standards for wine-steamed T. chinensis decoction mail:wyl@sxtcm.edu.cn pieces.
7.Optimization of processing technology and quality characterization of wine-steamed Taxillus chinensis
Huifeng LI ; Hui LI ; Shuang MENG ; Xiaotao WANG ; Zhiwei WANG ; Xiangpeng KONG ; Haixian ZHAN ; Yingli WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1320-1326
OBJECTIVE To optimize the steaming and processing technology of wine-steamed Taxillus chinensis, and to characterize its quality. METHODS Using the content of avicularin, quercitrin, quercetin and appearance traits as evaluation indicators, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-entropy weight method was used to determine the weights of each indicator, and the comprehensive scores of those indicators were used as response values. Box-Behnken response surface method was used to investigate the effects of solid-liquid ratio (g/mL), soaking time, and steaming time on the processing technology of wine-steamed T. chinensis, optimize the best processing technology, and verify it. Fifteen batches of T. chinensis decoction pieces from different origins were used to prepare wine-steamed T. chinensis using the best processing technology, and their qualities were characterized. RESULTS The optimal processing technology for wine-steamed T. chinensis was to take 100 g of T. chinensis decoction pieces, add 20 mL of yellow wine, seal and moisten for 2 h, steam at normal pressure for 1 h, take out and dry at 50 ℃. The surface of wine-steamed T. chinensis prepared by the optimal processing technology was reddish brown or brownish, and its powder was dark brown, with a hard or brittle texture that was easy to break, and had a slight aroma of alcohol, and an astringent taste. Results of microscopic and thin-layer identification for the stem cross-section of wine-steamed T. chinensis were the same as those of raw T. chinensis. The contents of moisture, total ash and acid-insoluble ash were 3.92%-8.75%, 2.27%-5.08%, and 0.19%-0.82%, respectively; the contents of water-soluble extract were 11.28%-18.56%, and the contents of alcohol-soluble extract were 3.36%-8.58%; the contents of avicularin, quercitrin, and quercetin were 0.22-1.64, 0.26-2.45, and 0.01-0.38 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimized the processing technology of wine-steamed T. chinensis and preliminarily characterized its quality, which can provide reference for the standardized processing and establishment of quality standards for wine-steamed T. chinensis decoction mail:wyl@sxtcm.edu.cn pieces.
8.Clinical study of 15 cases of primary non-immunodeficient central nervous system lymphoma in children
Huixia GAO ; Ningning ZHANG ; Chunju ZHOU ; Ling JIN ; Jing YANG ; Shuang HUANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Nan LI ; Yonghong ZHANG ; Yanlong DUAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(2):190-194
Clinical data of 15 primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) children aged ≤18 years admitted to our hospital between May 2013 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Our goal was to summarize the clinical features of children and investigate the therapeutic effect of a high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) based chemotherapy regimen on this disease. The male-to-female ratio was 2.7∶1, and the median age was 7.2 (2.3-16.4) years at diagnosis. The initial clinical symptoms were primarily cranial hypertension, with imaging findings revealing multiple lesions. Pediatric PCNSL with normal immune function has a favorable prognosis with HD-MTX-based chemotherapy. Patients with a stable disease can be treated with minimal or no maintenance. HD-MTX-based chemotherapy remains effective when the disease progresses or recurs after an initial course of non-HD-MTX-based chemotherapy.
9.Predictive value of disulfidptosis-related genes in the prognosis and drug sensitivity of colorectal cancer
Shuang-Yi SUN ; Xin-Xin HE ; Wen-Tong CHEN ; Bin LYU ; Meng-Xiao GE ; Yu-Meng GUO
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(4):473-483
Objective To establish a scoring model for predicting the prognosis and drug sensitivity of colorectal cancer(CRC)based on the expression of disulfidptosis-related genes by bioinformatics analyses combined with the validation with CRC patient-derived organoids(CRC-PDOs).Methods NMF(non-negative Matrix Factorization)algorithm,Cox and LASSO regression analyses were used to identify disulfidptosis-related genes with predictive value for CRC prognosis,and disulfidptosis-related risk scoring formula was constructed.The differential genes and enrichment pathways among different clusters were analyzed by GO(Gene Ontology)and KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes).The sensitivity of the high/low-risk clusters of CRC patients to chemotherapy drugs was predicted using the GDSC database and validated using CRC-PDOs.Results The results of NMF algorithm showed that CRC patients could be grouped into two clusters based on the disulfidptosis-related genes.COX regression analysis demonstrated that LRPPRC and SLC7A11 were the only two genes with significance to predict the prognosis of CRC patients(P=0.047,0.033).Low expression of SLC7A11 or high expression of LRPPRC in tumors of CRC patients was significantly correlated with overall survival(OS)(P=0.004,0.003).Based on LASSO regression analysis,the mortality risk scoring formula for disulfidptosis was as follows:Risk score=LRPPRC×(-0.670 5)+SLC7A11×0.311 2,and the GSE161158 dataset could be re-grouped into high-risk and low-risk clusters accordingly.There were 125 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between the two clusters.According to the GO and KEGG results,the up-regulated genes in high-risk cluster were mainly enriched in immune regulation,such as leukocyte chemotaxis,granulocyte migration and toll-like receptor binding.Low-risk cluster was characterized by pathways associated with sulfide metabolism,such as sulfur compound transmembrane transporter activity.Based on the GDSC database,the expression level of SLC7A11 and LRPPRC could predict chemotherapy drug sensitivity.As a representative,the efficacy of chemotherapy drug(irinotecan)on inhibiting the growth of CRC-PDOs was shown to be linearly correlated with the relative gene expression levels of SLC7A11 and LRPPRC in CRC tissues of patients(P=0.007,0.040).Conclusion According to the results based on the bioinformatics analyses and drug sensitivity testing on CRC-PDOs,disulfidptosis risk score could predict the prognosis and drug sensitivity of CRC patients,with potential clinical application prospect.
10.Study on Anti-Depression Effect of Wenyang Jieyu Granules Through cAMP-PKA-CREB and Ras-MAPK Signaling Pathway in Rat Hippocampus
Shuang MENG ; Zhenyu FENG ; Xinxin WANG ; Xuyan WANG ; Xiaojuan MA ; Jianping ZHAO ; Jie ZHAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(7):1802-1810
Objective To study the mechanism of Wenyang Jieyu Granules via cAMP-MAPK signaling pathway in hippocampus of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model rats.Methods CUMS was used to establish depression model in rats.The depression state of rats was reflected by sucrose preference test,forced swimming test and open field test.The expressions of cAMP,phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK)and Raf protein kinase-1(Raf-1)in rat hippocampus were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA).Western blot was used to detect the expressions of cyclic adenosine phosphate response element binding protein(CREB),phosphorylated cyclic adenosine phosphate response element binding protein(p-CREB),extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and Mitogen-activatsion ofed Extracellular signal-regulated Kinas(MEK)in rat hippocampus.The mRNA expres cAMP,CREB,cyclic adenosine phosphate dependent protein kinase A(PKA),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),and rat sarcoma(Ras)in rat hippocampus was detected by RT-PCR.The expression of caspase-3(caspase-3)in rath hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the model group,the body weight,sucrose preference rate and open field distance of model rats were increased in the positive control group and Wenyang Jieyu Granules group(P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduce the immobility time of forced swimming(P<0.05,P<0.01).It also increased the levels of cAMP,p-ERK,Raf-1,CREB,p-CREB,p-CREB/CREB,ERK and MEK in hippocampus of CUMS model rats(P<0.05,P<0.01).At the same time,the expression of cAMP,CREB,PKA,BDNF and Ras mRNA in the hippocampus of model rats were significantly improved(P<0.05,P<0.01),and he expression of caspase-3 in the hippocampus was reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion Wenyang Jieyu granules may exert antidepressant effect on model rats through cAMP and MAPK signaling pathways.


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