1.Effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and mechanism analysis
Xiaofang GENG ; Chang LIU ; Yinyin YANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Le ZHAO ; Bingqing ZENG ; Chen WANG ; Pengyu LIN ; Yulong LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):354-362
Objective To investigate the effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods Zebrafish embryos (2.5 to 3 hours post-fertilization [hpf]) were exposed to 3.7 × 104 Bq/mL tritiated water (tritiated water group), and those exposed to E3 culture medium were used as the control group. The mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, heart rate, body length, yolk sac area, neutrophil count in the tail, immune-related gene expression, and immune-related protein expression of zebrafish in the two groups were determined. Then transcriptome technology was used to further analyze the possible mechanism of tritiated water affecting the immune system of zebrafish. Results Compared with the control group, zebrafish at 72 hpf in the tritiated water group had no significant changes in the mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, body length, and yolk sac area((t = 0.9045, 0.5000, 1.0000, 0.7238, 0.0337, P = 0.4169, 0.6433, 0.3739, 0.4785, 0.9735), but had significantly increased heart rate(t = 4.575,P = 0.002). At 4 days post-fertilization (dpf), the neutrophil count in the tail of zebrafish in the tritiated water group was significantly increased(t = 2.563,P = 0.0196), the mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased(t = 2.891, P = 0.045), the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly increased(t = 3.848, P = 0.018), and the protein expression of NLRP3 was significantly decreased(t = 14.98, P = 0.001). At 7 dpf, the neutrophil count in the tail and the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β were significantly decreased(t = 3.772, 7.048, 15.620, 4.423, P = 0.014, 0.002, 0.0001, 0.012). Transcriptome sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the “neutrophil activation” and “platelet activation pathways” at 4 dpf and in the “neutrophil apoptosis”, “ferroptosis”, and “necroptosis” pathways at 7 dpf. Conclusion Tritiated water exposure induces a temporally dynamic immune response in zebrafish, potentially affecting immune homeostasis by regulating neutrophil activation and apoptosis, as well as the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3.
2.Ameliorative effect of patchouli alcohol on mice with lung-heat syndrome based on PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway
Linze LI ; Yi LI ; Haoyi QIAO ; Jiakang JIAO ; Qi ZHANG ; Xiaofang WU ; Xingyu ZHAO ; Yinming ZHAO ; Chun WANG ; Jianjun ZHANG ; Linyuan WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):459-470
Objective:
To investigate the therapeutic effect of patchouli alcohol on mice with lung-heat syndrome based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathway.
Methods:
First, network pharmacology was used to predict the potential targets of patchouli alcohol in the treatment of lung-heat syndrome, and a "component-disease-key target" network was constructed for pathway analysis. Then, 40 BALB/c mice were assigned to the normal, lung-heat model, honeysuckle, and low-dose and high-dose patchouli alcohol groups. All groups, except the blank group, were intranasally infected with 50 μL (103 TCID50) of influenza virus solution. After two hours of infection, mice were treated once a day for seven consecutive days. The therapeutic mechanism of patchouli alcohol was explored by measuring pulmonary inflammatory factors, the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway, hypothalamic fever markers (PGE2, cAMP, cGMP levels), rectal temperature, and tissue energy metabolism.
Results:
Network pharmacology identified 135 target genes related to patchouli alcohol and lung-heat syndrome, with the key targets being STAT3, H1F1A, and NF-κB1. In animal experiments, patchouli alcohol significantly alleviated influenza virus-induced lung inflammatory damage in mice with lung-heat syndrome, inhibited the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in lung tissues(P<0.01), and suppressed the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway. It also reduced hypothalamic levels of PGE2 and cAMP(P<0.01), suppressed the increase in rectal temperature, significantly decreased liver glycogen and pyruvate levels(P<0.01), and increased the activities of SDH, LDH, and Na+ -K+ -ATPase in the liver(P<0.01)
Conclusion
Patchouli alcohol improves the symptoms of lung-heat syndrome in mice by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway, reducing proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory damage, and regulating hypothalamic fever markers and energy metabolism.
3.Study on the effects of carvacrol on stomach-heat and stomach-cold rats and its mechanism of cooling and clearing based on energy metabolism and gastrointestinal function
Qi ZHANG ; Yi LI ; Hongye LI ; Fengwei ZHANG ; Minghui JIANG ; Xingyu ZHAO ; Linze LI ; Xiaofang WU ; Yinming ZHAO ; Songrui DI ; Jianjun ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Linyuan WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):471-482
Objective:
To investigate the biological effects of carvacrol on rats with stomach-heat and stomach-cold and its regulation on transient receptor potential(TRP) channels in rats with stomach-heat, and to study the cold and heat properties of carvacrol and its possible mechanism.
Methods:
According to the random number method, 100 SD rats were divided into stomach-heat blank group, stomach-heat model group, Coptidis Rhizoma group, stomach-heat low-dose and high-dose carvacrol group, stomach-cold blank group, stomach-cold model group, Baked ginger group, stomach-cold low-dose group and high-dose carvacrol group, 10 rats in each group. The rat model of stomach-heat was established by intragastric administration of pepper aqueous solution (0.80 g/kg) and anhydrous ethanol, and the rat model of stomach-cold was established by intragastric administration of water extract of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and sodium hydroxide (10.40 g/kg). On the day of modeling, the rats in the Baked ginger group were given Baked ginger decoction (0.78 g/kg), and the rats in the Coptidis Rhizoma group were given Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (0.43 g/kg).The stomach-cold and stomach-heat low-dose group of carvacrol was given carvacrol emulsion (40 mg/kg), high-dose group was given carvacrol emulsion (80 mg/kg).All rats of the blank and model groups were given the equal volume of emulsion prepared by 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 1% Tween 80, 1% polyethylene glycol 400, and 93% normal saline, once a day, for 7 days. The general condition of rats was observed and the body mass was recorded. The pathological morphology of gastric tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The changes of material and energy metabolism, cyclic nucleotide (cAMP), thyroid hormone and gastrointestinal hormone in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential channel M8 (TRPM8) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in rats with gastric fever were detected by Western blotting.
Results:
Compared with the stomach-heat blank group, the body mass of rats in the stomach-heat model group decreased at the fifth and seventh day (P<0.05). The contents (or ratio) of hepatic glycogen (HGlyc), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were decreased (P<0.05), and Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, cytochrome C oxidase (COX), NADH dehydrogenase (ND), cyclic adenosine phosphate (cAMP), cAMP/cyclic guanosine phosphate (cGMP), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), and α-amylase (α-AMS) all increased (P<0.05). Compared with the stomach-heat model group, the body mass of rats in the Coptidis Rhizoma group decreased at the third, fifth, and seventh day, the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, TG, VIP and α-AMS were increased, and Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, and GAS all decreased (P<0.05). The body mass of rats in the stomach-heat low-dose carvacrol group decreased at the seventh day. The contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, and VIP were increased, Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, and MTL all decreased, the expression of TRPV1 and UCP1 in gastric tissue decreased, while TRPM8 increased (P<0.05) in rats of the stomach-heat low-dose and high-dose carvacrol groups. Compared with the stomach-cold blank group, the body mass of rats in the stomach-cold model group decreased at the third, fifth, and seventh day, the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, TG, α-AMS, and VIP all increased, while Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, GAS, and MTL all decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the stomach-cold model group, the body mass of rats in the Baked ginger group was increased at the seventh day, and the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, VIP, and α-AMS all decreased, while Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, GAS, and MTL all increased (P<0.05). The contents of HGlyc, cAMP, α-AMS, and VIP of rats in the stomach-cold low and high-dose carvacrol group all decreased (P<0.05). TG in the stomach-cold low-dose carvacrol group was increased. TC, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, and cGMP all increased, while cAMP/cGMP decreased (P<0.05) in the high-dose carvacrol group.
Conclusion
In this study, the rat model of stomach-cold and stomach-heat were successfully established by using cold and heat factors. The result showed that carvacrol had a certain inhibitory effect on body mass, material energy metabolism, cyclic nucleotide level, thyroid hormone and gastrointestinal function in rats with stomach-heat, indicating that the drug was cold. Carvacrol′s cold medicinal property could be biologically explained by TRPV1 activation, UCP1 induction, and TRPM8 suppression.
4.Analysis of Anti-tumor Innovative Drug Policy Text Based on Policy Tools in China
Xiaofang ZHONG ; Ya LI ; Hong ZHU ; Zhiyuan SUN ; Shuyang ZHAO
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(4):654-660
Objective By analyzing the anti-tumor innovative drug policies text in China,this study aimed to explore the focus and shortcomings of policies related to anti-tumor innovative drugs,and provide the reference for future policy formula-tion and optimization in the field of anti-tumor innovative drug.Methods By accessing the official websites of relevant minis-tries and subordinate institutions such as the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China,the State Council of the People's Republic of China,the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,and National Medical Products Administra-tion,and using the keywords"cancer","tumor","anti-tumor drug",and"innovative drug",etc,the national level policies related to the anti-tumor innovative drugs from January 1,2005,to December 31,2022,were collected.Based on a two-dimensional analy-sis framework of policy tools and stakeholders,the collected policy texts were classified,encoded,and statistically analyzed.Results A total of 30 policy texts were involved,and a total of 90 policy codes were generated.There were 24,43,and 23 codes for demand-based policy tools,environmental policy tools,and supply-based policy tools,accounting for 26.67%,47.78%,and 25.56%,respectively.Based on policy tools and stakeholders,a total of 183 codes were generated,with government departments,pharmaceutical enterprises,medical institutions,and patients having 70,36,54,and 23 codes respectively,accounting for 38.25%,19.67%,29.51%,and 12.57%.Conclusions China had the highest proportion of environmental policy tools in the application of innovative anti-tumor drug policies,while supply-oriented and demand-oriented policy tools were underutilized,resulting in an overall imbalance in application;The distribution pattern of stakeholders was not coordinated,with government departments and medical institutions having higher attention than pharmaceutical enterprises and patients..It was necessary to reasonably promote the collaborative application of anti-tumor innovative drug policy tools,scientifically plan the layout of anti-tumor innovative drug policy sub-tools,and balance the interests of all stakeholders to ensure the efficient implementation of the policies.
5.Diagnostic value of cell-free DNA detection in tuberculous pleurisy
CHENG Liang ; HUA Shaopeng ; JIANG Yanping ; JIA Xiujie ; HU Xiaofang ; ZHAO Xinguo
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(2):162-
Objective To assess the diagnostic efficacy of the cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA testing (CF-TB) in tuberculous pleurisy. Methods A total of 71 patients diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy and 35 patients with non-tuberculous pleurisy were selected from the Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi between January to December 2022. The standard pleural puncture was conducted to collect pleural effusion, which was then utilized for Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture, GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin resistance (GeneXpert MTB/RIF), CF-TB, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) testing. Blood samples were subjected to tuberculosis infection T-cell spotting test (T-SPOT.TB) assay. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was applied to obtain the optimal cut-off value for pleural fluid CF-TB and to compare the diagnostic performance of CF-TB with other methods. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 software, with statistical significance defined as P<0.05. Results The ROC curve analysis determined that the optimal cycle threshold (Ct) value for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy using CF-TB in pleural fluid was 38.489, with a sensitivity of 91.5% and specificity of 97.1%. In comparison, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of T-SPOT.TB and pleural fluid ADA in diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy were 86.0%, 71.4%, 86.0%, 71.4%, 81.1%, and 55.0%, 91.4%, 92.9%, 50.8%, 67.0%, respectively, all of which were lower than the diagnostic efficiency of CF-TB. Furthermore, the specificity of pleural fluid CF-TB in diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy (97.1%) was not significantly different from GeneXpert MTB/RIF (100%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture (100%), but its sensitivity (91.5%) was significantly higher than both GeneXpert MTB/RIF (19.7%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture (28.2%), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusions Compared to the conventional gold standard for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy, CF-TB exhibits a higher sensitivity and its specificity is superior to that of tuberculosis immunological test. Consequently, CF-TB can serve as a valuable complement to other traditional detection methods in aiding the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.
6.Efficacy and prognosis comparison of first-line treatment with EGFR-TKI versus chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR rare mutation
Yanrong GUO ; Jing WANG ; Qinxiang GUO ; Chang ZHAO ; Yuan LI ; Ning GAO ; Xiaofang ZHANG ; Weihua YANG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(1):16-23
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect difference between first-line treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) and chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rare mutation.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was performed. Data of NSCLC patients with rare EGFR mutation who were treated in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. EGFR mutations in living tissues or blood were detected by using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) before first-line treatment. According to first-line treatment methods,they were divided into EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group. Objective remission rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of both groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) curves. Log-rank test was used for comparison among groups. Single-factor and multi-factor Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze the influencing factors of PFS and OS.Results:A total of 169 patients with EGFR rare mutations were included, and the age [ M (IQR)] was 63 years (12 years); there were 96 cases (56.8%) < 65 years and 73 cases (43.2%) ≥65 years; 70 (41.4%)males and 99 (58.6%) females; 55 cases (32.5%) had EGFR G719X mutation,45 cases (26.6%) had L861Q mutation, 17 cases (10.1%) had S768I mutation, and 52 cases (30.8%) had complex mutation; 55 cases (32.5%) received the first-line chemotherapy and 114 cases (67.5%) received the first-line EGFR-TKI treatment. In the chemotherapy group, ORR was 36.4% (20/55) and DCR was 85.5% (47/55); in EGFR-TKI treatment group, ORR was 72.8% (83/114) and DCR was 90.4% (103/114). The ORR of EGFR-TKI treatment group was higher than that of chemotherapy group ( χ2 = 20.70, P = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference in DCR between two groups ( χ2 = 1.76, P = 0.184). Subgroup analysis showed that ORR in EGFR-TKI treatment group with G719X, L861Q and complex mutations was higher than that of the corresponding mutations in chemotherapy group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in DCR among subgroups (all P > 0.05). The median PFS time was 9.7 months (95% CI: 6.0-13.4 months) and 3.8 months (95% CI: 3.1-7.1 months), respectively in EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group, and there was a statistically significant difference in PFS between the two groups ( P < 0.001). The median OS time was 25.6 months (95% CI: 18.0-37.9 months) and 31.7 months (95% CI: 18.0-42.8 months), respectively in EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group, and there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the two groups ( P = 0.231). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that brain metastasis [with vs. without: HR = 2.306, 95% CI: 1.452-3.661, P < 0.001] and the first-line treatment methods (EGFR-TKI vs. chemotherapy: HR = 0.457, 95% CI:0.317-0.658, P < 0.001) were independent influencing factors for PFS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation; brain metastasis (with vs. without: HR = 2.087, 95% CI: 1.102-3.953, P = 0.024; unknown vs. without: HR = 2.118,95% CI: 1.274-3.520, P = 0.004) were independent influencing factors for OS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation. Conclusions:Compared with the first-line chemotherapy, EGFR-TKI first-line treatment could improve objective remission and PFS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation, while no OS benefit is observed.
7.Clinical effect and safety analysis of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients
Jun LIU ; Junna SUN ; Xiaofang LI ; Jianmin TIAN ; Jiping ZHAO ; Yongqiang ZHANG
China Journal of Endoscopy 2024;30(1):7-15
Objective To explore the clinical effect and safety of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients.Methods 188 elderly patients who were scheduled to undergo painless gastroenteroscopy from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into group A,group B,group C,and group D by random number table method,with 47 cases in each group.The group A,group B and group C were used remimazolam 0.2,0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg,and alfentanil 3 μg/kg respectively,and the remimazolam 2.5 mg/time was added during the operation.The group D was used propofol 1.5 mg/kg and alfentanil 3 μg/kg,and a single dose of propofol 0.5 mg/kg was added during the operation.The hemodynamics at different time points[3 min before anesthesia administration(T0),immediately after endoscopy(T1),3 min after endoscopy(T2),at the end of examination(T3),at the time of awakening(T4)],anesthesia onset time,sedation success rate,gastrointestinal endoscopy time,awakening time,time to leave the observation room and intraoperative/postoperative complications were compared,and the test results of neurobehavioral cognitive state examination(NCSE)were compared at different times.Results The percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)at T1 and T2 time point were higher than group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the heart rate(HR)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)among group A,group B,group C and group D at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in SpO2 between group A and group B at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of sedation,gastrointestinal endoscopy examination time and time of leaving the observation room among the four groups(P>0.05),but the onset time of anesthesia in group A was longer than that in group B,group C and group D,and the awakening time in group A and group B was shorter than that in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in awakening time between group A and group B(P>0.05).The incidence rate of bradycardia in group A and group B was lower than in group D,and the incidence rates of hypoxemia,respiratory depression,hypotension,and dizziness in group A were lower than those in group D,and the incidence rate of injection pain in group A,group B and group C was lower than that in group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 10 minutes of complete wakefulness,there was no statistically significant difference in the passing rates of calculation ability and the memory tests between group A and group B(P>0.05),but the passing rates of calculation ability and memory test in group A were higher than those in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion During painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients,the sedative effect of using 0.3 mg/kg remimazolam combined with alfentanil is good,and it has stable hemodynamics,and the occurrence rate of complications such as bradycardia and espiratory depression is low,and the early postoperative cognitive function is recovered well.
8.Effectiveness of intercostal nerve block and analgesia with bupivacaine liposomes in single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery: A prospective study
Jianguo LU ; Xiangmei ZHAO ; Shaoyin GAN ; Xiaofang CHEN ; Deqi ZHU ; Ershuai YAN ; Xiaojie LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(10):1442-1447
Objective To compare the analgesic effect, duration and incidence of adverse reactions of liposome bupivacaine (LB) and bupivacaine hydrochloride after intercostal nerve block in single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery. Methods In Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between September 2023 and March 2024, 228 patients who needed to undergo thoracoscopic lung surgery were selected and divided into two groups by random number table method: a group B with bupivacaine hydrochloride (n=118), and a group LB with LB (n=110). Intraoperative intercostal nerve block was performed under endoscopy, and the time of first use of analgesic drugs after surgery, cumulative use of opioids 72 h after surgery, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, length of stay and other indicators were evaluated and recorded. Results Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h in the LB group were significantly lower than those in the group B (P<0.05). The total number of activities within 48 h after surgery in the group B was significantly lower than that in the LB group (P<0.05), and the postoperative hospitalization stay in the LB group was shorter than that in the group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in postoperative adverse reactions. Conclusion Intercostal nerve block with LB during single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery can significantly reduce postoperative pain, improve quality of life, and promote recovery of the patients. It is worthy of clinical application.
9.Interpretation of 2023 International League Against Epilepsy guidelines: treatment of seizures in the neonate
Shiguo ZHAO ; Zihao YANG ; Zhenjie CHEN ; Shanshan XIA ; Weimei HE ; Xiaofang LOU ; Hongqin ZHOU ; Qiqi SHAO ; Chenmei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(6):682-688
According to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) standards, the Newborn Working Group of the ILAE put forward 6 necessary questions about the management of neonatal anti-seizure medication and gave evidence-based recommendations in 2023. The basic framework is systematic review+expert consensus. The clinical recommendations of ILAE guidelines 2023 and the similarities and differences between ILAE guidelines 2023 and ILAE guidelines 2011 were analyzed and interpreted in this paper, in order to provide reference for colleagues involved in neonatal convulsion management in China.
10.A mechanistic study of radiotherapy on intratumoral NK cell infiltration augmentation by regulating the EZH2/CXCL10 pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Xiaofang ZHAO ; Quan WANG ; Jing SUN ; Aimin ZHANG ; Xiaoyun CHANG ; Wengang LI ; Xuezhang DUAN
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(9):835-844
Objective:To investigate the effect and associated mechanism of tumor tissue-infiltrating NK cells after receiving radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A HCC tumor-bearing mouse model was constructed using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (SK-Hep-1) and divided into four groups: control, radiotherapy, NK cell clearance, and NK clearance combined with radiotherapy. Tumor growth condition was simultaneously recorded. The NK cell ratio in peripheral blood and the NK cell intratumoral infiltration condition were detected by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Lentiviral-constructed SK-Hep-1 cells was used to detect the effect of radiotherapy on the regulation of CXCL10 and NK cell chemotaxis following EZH2 overexpression. SK-Hep-1 cells were irradiated in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of EZH2 and CXCL10 mRNA and protein in the two groups of cell lines and mouse tumor tissues were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry. The chemotaxis and blocking experiments were used to validate the chemotaxis effect of CXCL10 on NK cells. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The HCC tumor-bearing mouse model experiment showed that HCC tumor growth was most remarkable in the NK clearance combined with the radiotherapy group compared to the radiotherapy group ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of NK cells in the peripheral blood of nude mice in the radiotherapy group was significantly reduced, while the NK cell intratumoral infiltration was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry showed invitro and invivo expressional alterations. The average expression levels of EZH2 mRNA and protein in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and tumor tissues were decreased in the radiotherapy group than the control group and mouse tumor tissues ( P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCL10 increased ( P<0.05). The cell supernatant following radiotherapy enhanced NK cell chemotaxis but inhibited CXCL10 neutralization. EZH2 overexpression validated that radiotherapy up-regulated CXCL10 mRNA and down-regulated protein expression levels in in vitro and in vivo experiments ( P<0.05). The chemotactic effect on NK cells was significantly weakened with EZH2 overexpression following radiotherapy. Conclusion:NK cells, as immune effector cells, are directly involved in radiotherapy- activated anti-HCC immunity. Importantly, radiotherapy inhibits EZH2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma, thereby upregulating CXCL10 expression and enhancing intratumoral NK cell invasion.


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