1.Preparation and characterization of 3D plant-based scaffold based on decellularization method in liver tissue engineering
Jingjing HU ; Songlin HE ; Daxu ZHANG ; Shuo ZHAO ; Xiaonan SHI ; Weilong LI ; Shujun YE ; Jingyi WANG ; Quanyi GUO ; Li YAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(29):4645-4651
BACKGROUND:Tissue engineering has brought new hope to the clinical challenge of liver failure,and the preparation of plant-derived decellularized fiber scaffolds holds significant importance in liver tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE:To prepare apple tissue decellularized scaffold material by using fresh apple slices and a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate,and assess its biocompatibility. METHODS:Fresh apples were subjected to decellularization using phosphate buffer saline and sodium dodecyl sulfate solution,separately.Afterwards,the decellularized apple tissues and apple decellularized scaffold materials were decontaminated with phosphate buffer saline.Subsequently,scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the effectiveness of decellularization of the apple materials.Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted from the inguinal fat BALB/C of mice,and their expression of stem cell-related markers(CD45,CD34,CD73,CD90,and CD105)was identified through flow cytometry.The cells were then divided into a scaffold-free control group and a scaffold group.Equal amounts of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto both groups.The biocompatibility of the decellularized scaffold with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated using CCK-8 assay,hematoxylin-eosin staining,and phalloidine staining.Cell adhesion and growth on the scaffold were observed under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.Furthermore,the scaffold was subdivided into the non-induced group and the hepatogenic-induced group.Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured on the decellularized apple scaffold,and they were cultured for 14 days in regular culture medium or hepatogenic induction medium for comparison.Immunofluorescent staining using liver cell markers,including albumin,cytokeratin 18,and CYP1A1,was performed.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the secretion of alpha fetoprotein and albumin.Additionally,scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the morphology of the induced cells on the scaffold,verifying the expression of liver cell-related genes on the decellularized scaffold material.Finally,the cobalt-60 irradiated and sterilized decellularized apple scaffolds were transplanted onto the surface of mouse liver and the degradation of the scaffold was observed by gross observation and hematoxylin-eosin staining after 28 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the decellularized apple scaffold material retained a porous structure of approximately 100 μm in size,with no residual cells observed.(2)Through flow cytometry analysis,the cultured cells were identified as adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.(3)CCK-8 assay results demonstrated that the prepared decellularized apple tissue scaffold material exhibited no cytotoxicity.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and phalloidine staining showed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were capable of adhering and proliferating on the decellularized apple tissue scaffold.(4)The results obtained from immunofluorescence staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the decellularized apple scaffolds exhibited elevated expression of liver-specific proteins,including albumin,alpha-fetoprotein,cytokeratin 18,and CYP1A1.These results suggested that they were induced differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells possessing functional characteristics of liver cells.(5)The decellularized apple scaffold implanted at 7 days has integrated with the liver,with partial degradation of the scaffold observed.By 28 days,the decellularized apple scaffold has completely degraded and has been replaced by newly-formed tissue.(6)The results indicate that the decellularized scaffold material derived from apple tissue demonstrates favorable biocompatibility,promoting the proliferation,adhesion,and hepatic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
2.Network Correlation Analysis Between Components of Shuanghuanglian Injection and Allergy-like Targets
Weilong ZHANG ; Hong HE ; Ru QIAO ; Peng HE ; Wenjiao LI ; Liangqi ZHANG ; Xiaoxuan LIU ; Siqi HUANG ; Xue PAN ; Fuyuan HE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):190-197
ObjectiveBased on the network pharmacology system and quantitative spectroscopy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compounds, a topological network analysis method with equilibrium constant as the core was established to further explore the interaction between allergenic components and their network targets in Shuanghuanglian injection(SHLI), in order to provide new ideas and experimental basis for identifying and screening potential allergens of SHLI. MethodAfter one week of adaptive feeding, 72 SPF-grade SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group, SHLI standard group, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos(LJF) group, Scutellariae Radix(SR) group, Forsythiae Fructus(FF) group, and 7 groups of SHLI matching groups(groups 1-7), with 6 rats in each group. Rats in each group were administered the drug intravenously and blood samples were taken after steady state, high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) characterization profiles of the testing drugs and plasma components in each group were established, and the peak area changes of the drugs and plasma components in each group were calculated after the component groups were classified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the changes of immunoglobulin E(IgE), histamine(HIS), tryptase(TPS), total complement(CH50) and terminal complement complex(C5b-9) in animal blood samples. MATLAB R2020b v9.9.0 software was used to calculate the network balance constants of the component groups with the targets, and the eigenvalues of the matrices composed of network equilibrium constants were calculated and ranked according to their values. ResultELISA results showed that, compared with the blank group, groups 1-3 could significantly increase the IgE level, groups 1-2, groups 4-6 and SHLI standard group could significantly increase the HIS level, group 4 could significantly increase the CH50 level, groups 1, 3-4, LJF group and FF group could significantly increase the TPS level, SR group could significantly increase the C5b-9 level, and the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05). According to the retention time of chromatographic peaks, it was classified into 6 component groups from C1 to C6 by HPLC. The order of the network balance constants of each component group was C6>C4>C1>C5>C3>C2, indicating that C6 had the greatest effect on the allergic reaction, and was most likely to be the allergen. The sequence of eigenvalues was C2>C5b-9>C3>C1>CH50>C6>C5>IgE>TPS>C4>HIS, indicating that component group C2 had the greatest contribution to the whole network. ConclusionBased on the correlation analysis of SHLI component group and allergy-like target network, this study clarified that component group C6 may be a potential allergen in SHLI, and the component group C2 may be a key node in the mechanism of drug action, which can provide new strategies and methods for the screening of allergens in TCM injections.
3.Effect of Sangqiao Qingfei Formula combined with western medicine conventional therapy combined with mechanical ventilation on pulmonary function and serum PCT in patients with AECOPD respiratory failure
Xin YU ; Yufeng ZHANG ; Cong WANG ; Haibing HUA ; Weilong JIANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(9):1121-1127
Objective:To explore the effects of Sangqiao Qingfei Prescription combined with Western medicine conventional therapy with mechanical ventilation on lung function and airway inflammation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) respiratory failure; To evaluate clinical efficacy.Methods:A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. Totally 90 AECOPD patients with respiratory failure in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the observation subjects. They were divided into two groups using a random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. The control group received mechanical ventilation treatment, while the observation group received Sangqiao Qingfei Prescription on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. TCM syndrome scoring was performed before and after treatment, and the time of successful withdrawal from the machine was recorded; a blood gas analyzer was used to detect PaO 2, PaCO 2, blood oxygen saturation (SaO 2) and pH values; the plateau pressure (Pplat), peak airway pressure (Ppeak), airway resistance (Raw) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were recorded during the ventilator; a pulmonary function meter was used to measure respiratory rate (RR), maximum expiratory flow (PEF), FVC, FEV1, and the percentage of FEV1 to the estimated value (FEV1% estimated value); serum CRP, TNF-α, and Procalcitonin (PCT) were detected using ELISA method. Clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results:During the treatment period, there were no cases of detachment in both groups. The mechanical ventilation time in the observation group was (7.16 ± 0.69) d, while in the control group it was (9.88 ± 1.04) d, with statistical significance ( t=14.62, P<0.001); after treatment, the main symptom, secondary symptom scores, and total scores of the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t values of 13.43, 18.53, 31.21, P<0.001); the PaO 2 [(79.16 ± 7.42) mmHg vs. (67.49 ± 6.88) mmHg, t=8.24], SaO 2 [(95.15 ± 9.93)% vs. (84.59 ± 9.48)%, t=5.16], and pH value (7.35 ± 0.23 vs. 7.26 ± 0.16, t=2.16) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), while PaCO 2 [(49.89 ± 3.65) mmHg vs. (62.39 ± 4.27) mmHg, t=14.93] was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01); after treatment in the observation group, Pplat [(15.31 ± 2.51) cmH 2O vs. (17.53 ± 2.02) cmH 2O, t=4.62], Ppeak [(22.43 ± 3.16) cmH 2O vs. (25.78 ± 3.17) cmH 2O, t=5.02], Raw [(18.96 ± 3.86) cmH 2O/(S?L) vs. (24.29 ± 4.29) cmH 2O/(S?L), t=6.20] were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01), Cdyn [(34.53 ± 3.35) cmH 2O/(S?L) vs. (30.27 ± 3.87) cmH 2O/(S?L), t=5.58] was higher than the control group ( P<0.01); the RR [(19.25 ± 2.43) times/min vs. (23.49 ± 3.07) times/min, t=7.26] in the observation group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01), PEF [(4.99 ± 0.40) L/s vs. (4.03 ± 0.34) L/s, t=12.27], FVC [(3.04 ± 0.20) L vs. (2.14 ± 0.22) L, t=20.31], FEV1 [(2.83 ± 0.20) L vs. (2.16 ± 0.13) L, t=18.84], FEV1% estimated value [(42.23 ± 4.66)% vs. (36.43 ± 5.09)%, t=5.64] were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01); serum CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and PCT in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t values were 18.13, 13.36, 15.97, 30.67, P<0.01). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.33% (42/45), while that of the control group was 77.78% (35/45), with statistical significance ( χ2=4.41, P=0.036). Conclusion:The combination of Sangqiao Qingfei Prescription and conventional Western medicine treatment with mechanical ventilation can effectively improve lung ventilation function, reduce inflammatory cytokine levels, alleviate inflammatory reactions, and improve clinical efficacy in AECOPD patients with respiratory failure.
4.The impact of immune cells selection on the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy
Wenxin QI ; Weilong ZHANG ; Hongmei JING
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(7):699-704
Here we summarized novel Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T) based on the immune material aspect. Young healthy donor T cells, stem cell-like memory T cells, human induced pluripotent stem cells and umbilical cord blood T cells are all potential candidates to enhance CAR-T cell therapy depending on their anti-tumor efficacy. Besides, due to less restricted major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatch effect, viral specific T cells, γδT cells, invariant natural killer T cells and macrophages also become idealized T cell sources in terms of Universal CAR-T (UCAR-T) cell therapeutics. In addition, studies demonstrated that more balanced CD4 +/CD8 + T cell ratio and eliminating monocytes during leukapheresis have a positive influence on CAR-T cell functioning, whereas T cells with higher exhaustion markers expression hampers anti-tumor ability of CAR-T cells after infusion. To avoid application of such T cells or mitigate the impact using immune checkpoint inhibitors is of great importance.
5.Study on the Characteristics of Supramolecular"Imprinting Template"of Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma phaeocaulis
Weilong ZHANG ; Yuchai WANG ; Ru QIAO ; Peng HE ; Shanshan LIANG ; Sheng LIU ; Yingyang TAN ; Yu TANG ; Limin GONG ; Fuyuan HE ; Xue PAN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(6):123-129
Objective The characteristics of supramolecular"imprinting template"of volatile oil of Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma phaeocaulis were analyzed and studied based on the supramolecular"qixi"theory of Chinese materia medica combined with chemometrics.Methods The volatile oil of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis were extracted by steam distillation,and the fingerprint and composition information of each batch were obtained by GC-MS.Total statistical moment method was used to compare the imprinting characteristics of the"imprinting template"of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis.The core index(CI)of each batch of essential oil of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis was calculated,and the topological characteristics of types of"imprinting template"of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis were compared by chemometrics.Results There was no significant difference in the extraction rate of volatile oil between C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis.The average values of total zero order moment(AUCT)were(1.907±0.177)×108,(1.979±0.413)×108 μV·s,respectively,showing that there was no significant difference in the total content of volatile oil between the two groups.The mean values of the total first order moment(MCRTT)were(30.969±0.962)and(33.198±0.409)min.The average value of total second order moment(VCRTT)was(56.176±11.368)and(43.891±4.113)min2,respectively,indicating that there were significant differences in the content ratio and species of volatile oils between the two groups.The similarity of total statistical moments of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis was mostly lower than the defined value,indicating that the chemical composition and composition ratio of the volatile oil were different.Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis could obviously divide C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis into two categories.Through the analysis of P value and VIP value,the CI values of Xvp 4th order,Xvpc 5th order,Xvpc 6th order,Xvpc 7th order,Xvc 3rd order,Xvpc 4th order were the main difference values of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis.Conclusion Through the characterization of"imprinting property"and"topological characteristics"of the supramolecular"imprinting template"and combining with chemometric analysis,it is possible to successfully distinguish C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis,and find the different CI values between two"imprinting templates".
6.Prognostic significance and biological implications of SM‑like genes in mantle cell lymphoma
Xue HE ; Changjian YAN ; Yaru YANG ; Weijia WANG ; Xiaoni LIU ; Chaoling WU ; Zimu ZHOU ; Xin HUANG ; Wei FU ; Jing HU ; Ping YANG ; Jing WANG ; Mingxia ZHU ; Yan LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shaoxiang LI ; Gehong DONG ; Xiaoliang YUAN ; Yuansheng LIN ; Hongmei JING ; Weilong ZHANG
Blood Research 2024;59():33-
Background:
SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.
Methods:
We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival.
Results:
Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group.Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity.
Conclusions
The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
7.Prognostic significance and biological implications of SM‑like genes in mantle cell lymphoma
Xue HE ; Changjian YAN ; Yaru YANG ; Weijia WANG ; Xiaoni LIU ; Chaoling WU ; Zimu ZHOU ; Xin HUANG ; Wei FU ; Jing HU ; Ping YANG ; Jing WANG ; Mingxia ZHU ; Yan LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shaoxiang LI ; Gehong DONG ; Xiaoliang YUAN ; Yuansheng LIN ; Hongmei JING ; Weilong ZHANG
Blood Research 2024;59():33-
Background:
SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.
Methods:
We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival.
Results:
Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group.Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity.
Conclusions
The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
8.Prognostic significance and biological implications of SM‑like genes in mantle cell lymphoma
Xue HE ; Changjian YAN ; Yaru YANG ; Weijia WANG ; Xiaoni LIU ; Chaoling WU ; Zimu ZHOU ; Xin HUANG ; Wei FU ; Jing HU ; Ping YANG ; Jing WANG ; Mingxia ZHU ; Yan LIU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shaoxiang LI ; Gehong DONG ; Xiaoliang YUAN ; Yuansheng LIN ; Hongmei JING ; Weilong ZHANG
Blood Research 2024;59():33-
Background:
SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.
Methods:
We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival.
Results:
Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group.Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity.
Conclusions
The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
9.MLL1 inhibits the neurogenic potential of SCAPs by interacting with WDR5 and repressing HES1.
Chen ZHANG ; Weilong YE ; Mengyao ZHAO ; Lujue LONG ; Dengsheng XIA ; Zhipeng FAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2023;15(1):48-48
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI), but improving the neurogenic potential of MSCs remains a challenge. Mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1), an H3K4me3 methyltransferases, plays a critical role in regulating lineage-specific gene expression and influences neurogenesis. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of MLL1 in the neurogenesis of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs). We examined the expression of neural markers, and the nerve repair and regeneration ability of SCAPs using dynamic changes in neuron-like cells, immunofluorescence staining, and a SCI model. We employed a coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay, real-time RT-PCR, microarray analysis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay to investigate the molecular mechanism. The results showed that MLL1 knock-down increased the expression of neural markers, including neurogenic differentiation factor (NeuroD), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), βIII-tubulin and Nestin, and promoted neuron-like cell formation in SCAPs. In vivo, a transplantation experiment showed that depletion of MLL 1 in SCAPs can restore motor function in a rat SCI model. MLL1 can combine with WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) and WDR5 inhibit the expression of neural markers in SCAPs. MLL1 regulates Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (HES1) expression by directly binds to HES1 promoters via regulating H3K4me3 methylation by interacting with WDR5. Additionally, HES1 enhances the expression of neural markers in SCAPs. Our findings demonstrate that MLL1 inhibits the neurogenic potential of SCAPs by interacting with WDR5 and repressing HES1. These results provide a potential therapeutic target for promoting the recovery of motor function in SCI patients.
Animals
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Humans
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Rats
;
Cell Differentiation
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/therapeutic use*
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Leukemia/metabolism*
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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Neurogenesis
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Stem Cells
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Transcription Factor HES-1/metabolism*
10.Exploring the links between gut microbiome changes and irritable bowel syndrome in Han populations in the Tibetan Plateau.
Xingguang ZHANG ; Wei XU ; Weilong ZHONG ; Wencheng ZHANG ; Cheng YANG ; Lisa DUAN ; Haiyan NIU ; Yanmei DONG ; Taotao LIU ; Shihai XIA ; Bangmao WANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2023;():1-16
The gut microbiome shows changes under a plateau environment, while the disbalance of intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the relationship between the two remains unexplored. In this work, we followed up a healthy cohort for up to a year before and after living in a plateau environment and performed 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing analysis of their fecal samples. Through evaluating the participants' clinical symptoms, combined with an IBS questionnaire, we screened the IBS sub-population in our cohort. The sequencing results showed that a high-altitude environment could lead to changes in the diversity and composition of gut flora. In addition, we found that the longer the time volunteers spent in the plateau environment, the more similar their gut microbiota composition and abundance became compared to those before entering the plateau, and IBS symptoms were significantly alleviated. Therefore, we speculated that the plateau may be a special environment that induces IBS. The taxonomic units g_Alistipes, g_Oscillospira, and s_Ruminococcus_torques, which had been proved to play important roles in IBS pathogenesis, were also abundant in the IBS cohort at high altitudes. Overall, the disbalance of gut microbiota induced by the plateau environment contributed to the high frequency of IBS and the psychosocial abnormalities associated with IBS. Our results prompt further research to elucidate the relevant mechanism.

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