1.Identification and Analysis of MHCⅡ Genes in Wuzhishan Pigs
Yuanyuan LIU ; Wenshui XIN ; Zhe CHAO ; Zongxi CAO ; Yifei CAI ; Qiang LI ; Lingwei LI ; Guangliang LIU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):340-348
ObjectiveTo obtain the gene sequences of major histocompatibility complex (MHC ) Ⅱgenes of Wuzhishan pigs, analyze their genetic information, and explore the biological functions of their MHC system. MethodsSpleen samples were collected from 3 adult male Wuzhishan pigs. Primers were designed according to MHCⅡ gene sequences, and the coding sequences of Wuzhishan pig MHCⅡ genes were amplified by RT-PCR. Sanger sequencing was performed to determine the full-length sequences. Bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze the physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, structural domains, chromosomal localization, and syntenic relationships of these genes. ResultsEight MHCⅡ genes were identified in Wuzhishan pigs, designated as SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, SLA-DMB, SLA-DMA and SLA-DOA. The full-length sequences of these genes were determined by Sanger sequencing and subsequently deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PQ182796, PQ182797, PQ182798, PQ182799, PQ182800, PQ182801, PQ182802, and PQ164779. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the six MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs clustered separately from their counterparts in Duroc, Meishan, Large White, and Bama pigs, indicating distinct evolutionary trajectories. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that most MHC Ⅱ proteins were hydrophobic, with molecular weights ranging from 27 700 to 30 000 Da. Genes within the same subregion shared conserved motifs. Specifically, four MHCⅡ proteins encoded by SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, and SLA-DMB contained the MHCⅡβ conserved domain, while those encoded by the genes SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DMA, and SLA-DOA contained the MHCⅡα conserved domain. The eight MHCⅡ genes were scattered along the long arm of chromosome 7 in the Wuzhishan pigs, exhibiting syntenic relationships with three human genes and five Duroc pig genes. ConclusionThe MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs may possess a unique evolutionary origin.
2.Identification and Analysis of MHCⅡ Genes in Wuzhishan Pigs
Yuanyuan LIU ; Wenshui XIN ; Zhe CHAO ; Zongxi CAO ; Yifei CAI ; Qiang LI ; Lingwei LI ; Guangliang LIU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):340-348
ObjectiveTo obtain the gene sequences of major histocompatibility complex (MHC ) Ⅱgenes of Wuzhishan pigs, analyze their genetic information, and explore the biological functions of their MHC system. MethodsSpleen samples were collected from 3 adult male Wuzhishan pigs. Primers were designed according to MHCⅡ gene sequences, and the coding sequences of Wuzhishan pig MHCⅡ genes were amplified by RT-PCR. Sanger sequencing was performed to determine the full-length sequences. Bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze the physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, structural domains, chromosomal localization, and syntenic relationships of these genes. ResultsEight MHCⅡ genes were identified in Wuzhishan pigs, designated as SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, SLA-DMB, SLA-DMA and SLA-DOA. The full-length sequences of these genes were determined by Sanger sequencing and subsequently deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PQ182796, PQ182797, PQ182798, PQ182799, PQ182800, PQ182801, PQ182802, and PQ164779. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the six MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs clustered separately from their counterparts in Duroc, Meishan, Large White, and Bama pigs, indicating distinct evolutionary trajectories. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that most MHC Ⅱ proteins were hydrophobic, with molecular weights ranging from 27 700 to 30 000 Da. Genes within the same subregion shared conserved motifs. Specifically, four MHCⅡ proteins encoded by SLA-DQB, SLA-DRB, SLA-DOB, and SLA-DMB contained the MHCⅡβ conserved domain, while those encoded by the genes SLA-DRA, SLA-DQA, SLA-DMA, and SLA-DOA contained the MHCⅡα conserved domain. The eight MHCⅡ genes were scattered along the long arm of chromosome 7 in the Wuzhishan pigs, exhibiting syntenic relationships with three human genes and five Duroc pig genes. ConclusionThe MHCⅡ genes of Wuzhishan pigs may possess a unique evolutionary origin.
3.Value of Dermoscopy in the Diagnosis of Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma and Bowen's Disease
Zhiyu PANG ; Zhe LI ; Jie LIU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1221-1228
To summarize the dermoscopic features of superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Bowen's disease and explore the diagnostic value of dermoscopy for these two conditions. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and dermoscopic features of patients with histopathologically confirmed superficial BCC and Bowen's disease at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2021 to September 2023. Intergroup comparisons were performed. Using histopathology as the gold standard, the diagnostic accuracy of clinical visual assessment and dermoscopy-assisted diagnosis for superficial BCC and Bowen's disease was calculated. A total of 29 patients with superficial BCC and 64 patients with Bowen's disease met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them, 20 superficial BCC patients and 23 Bowen's disease patients underwent dermoscopic examination. The mean ages of the superficial BCC and Bowen's disease groups were (67.5±13.3) years and (69.9±10.9) years, respectively, with male-to-female ratios of 1∶2.22 and 1∶1.13. Except for the proportions of lesions < 1 cm in diameter and brown lesions, which showed statistically significant differences, other clinical features—including lesion location, solitary/multiple lesions, well-defined borders, and presence of ulceration/bleeding—did not differ significantly (all Superficial BCC and Bowen's disease exhibit distinct dermoscopic features. Dermoscopy significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy for both conditions.
4.Translational Research of Electromagnetic Fields on Diseases Related With Bone Remodeling: Review and Prospects
Peng SHANG ; Jun-Yu LIU ; Sheng-Hang WANG ; Jian-Cheng YANG ; Zhe-Yuan ZHANG ; An-Lin LI ; Hao ZHANG ; Yu-Hong ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):439-455
Electromagnetic fields can regulate the fundamental biological processes involved in bone remodeling. As a non-invasive physical therapy, electromagnetic fields with specific parameters have demonstrated therapeutic effects on bone remodeling diseases, such as fractures and osteoporosis. Electromagnetic fields can be generated by the movement of charged particles or induced by varying currents. Based on whether the strength and direction of the electric field change over time, electromagnetic fields can be classified into static and time-varying fields. The treatment of bone remodeling diseases with static magnetic fields primarily focuses on fractures, often using magnetic splints to immobilize the fracture site while studying the effects of static magnetic fields on bone healing. However, there has been relatively little research on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis using static magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, a type of time-varying field, have been widely used in clinical studies for treating fractures, osteoporosis, and non-union. However, current clinical applications are limited to low-frequency, and research on the relationship between frequency and biological effects remains insufficient. We believe that different types of electromagnetic fields acting on bone can induce various “secondary physical quantities”, such as magnetism, force, electricity, acoustics, and thermal energy, which can stimulate bone cells either individually or simultaneously. Bone cells possess specific electromagnetic properties, and in a static magnetic field, the presence of a magnetic field gradient can exert a certain magnetism on the bone tissue, leading to observable effects. In a time-varying magnetic field, the charged particles within the bone experience varying Lorentz forces, causing vibrations and generating acoustic effects. Additionally, as the frequency of the time-varying field increases, induced currents or potentials can be generated within the bone, leading to electrical effects. When the frequency and power exceed a certain threshold, electromagnetic energy can be converted into thermal energy, producing thermal effects. In summary, external electromagnetic fields with different characteristics can generate multiple physical quantities within biological tissues, such as magnetic, electric, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal effects. These physical quantities may also interact and couple with each other, stimulating the biological tissues in a combined or composite manner, thereby producing biological effects. This understanding is key to elucidating the electromagnetic mechanisms of how electromagnetic fields influence biological tissues. In the study of electromagnetic fields for bone remodeling diseases, attention should be paid to the biological effects of bone remodeling under different electromagnetic wave characteristics. This includes exploring innovative electromagnetic source technologies applicable to bone remodeling, identifying safe and effective electromagnetic field parameters, and combining basic research with technological invention to develop scientifically grounded, advanced key technologies for innovative electromagnetic treatment devices targeting bone remodeling diseases. In conclusion, electromagnetic fields and multiple physical factors have the potential to prevent and treat bone remodeling diseases, and have significant application prospects.
5.Research progress on strategies to target intestinal microbiota to improve drug resistance in tumor immunotherapy
Hui-ling LI ; Bi-qing LIU ; Ying-nan FENG ; Xin HU ; Lan ZHANG ; Xian-zhe DONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):260-268
A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.
6.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Threatened Abortion
Xinchun YANG ; Shuyu WANG ; Huilan DU ; Songping LUO ; Zhe JIN ; Rong LI ; Xiangyan RUAN ; Qin ZHANG ; Xiaoling FENG ; Shicai CHEN ; Fengjie HE ; Shaobin WEI ; Qun LU ; Yanqin WANG ; Yang LIU ; Qingwei MENG ; Zengping HAO ; Ying LI ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):241-246
Threatened abortion is a common disease of obstetrics and gynecology and one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in TCM obstetrics and gynecology, Western medicine obstetrics and gynecology, and pharmacology to deeply discuss the advantages of TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment as well as the medication plans for threatened abortion. After discussion, the experts concluded that chromosome, endocrine, and immune abnormalities were the key factors for the occurrence of threatened abortion, and the Qi and blood disorders in thoroughfare and conception vessels were the core pathogenesis. In the treatment of threatened abortion, TCM has advantages in preventing miscarriages, alleviating clinical symptoms and TCM syndromes, relieving anxiety, regulating reproductive endocrine and immune abnormalities, personalized and diversified treatment, enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity, and preventing the disease before occurrence. The difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with traditional Chinese and Western medicine lies in identifying the predictors of abortion caused by maternal factors and the treatment of thrombophilia. Recurrent abortion is the breakthrough point of treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is urgent to carry out high-quality evidence-based medicine research in the future to improve the modern diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with TCM.
7.Effect and Mechanism of Menispermi Rhizoma Total Alkaloids on Antiviral Infection
Xuejiao WANG ; Qiqi LI ; Yanli YU ; Xia LIU ; Min LI ; Zhe LIU ; Xin JIA ; Yao WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):37-44
ObjectiveTo investigate the antiviral effect of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids and its relationship with the type Ⅰ interferon (IFN-Ⅰ) signaling pathway. MethodThe effects of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids on the intracellular replication of influenza A virus (H1N1), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and cerebral myocarditis virus (EMCV) were detected by fluorescent inverted microscope, flow cytometry, Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and Western blot. A mouse model infected with H1N1 was constructed, and the mice were divided into a control group, H1N1 model group, Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids groups (10, 20, 30 mg·kg-1), and oseltamivir group (40 mg·kg-1), so as to study the effects on the weight and survival rate of infected mice. Real-time PCR was used to detect the activation effect of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids on the IFN-Ⅰ pathway in cells, and the relationship between the antiviral effect of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids in IFNAR1 knockout A549 cells (IFNAR1-/--A549) and IFN-Ⅰ pathway was detected. ResultCompared with the control group, the virus proliferated significantly in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids could significantly inhibit the replication of H1N1, VSV, and EMCV in vitro (P<0.01), inhibit the weight loss of the mice infected with the H1N1 in vivo, and improve the survival rate of mice (P<0.05). In addition, Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids activated the IFN-I pathway and relied on this pathway to exert the function of antiviral infection. ConclusionMenispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids exert antiviral effects in vivo and in vitro by activating the IFN-Ⅰ pathway.
8.Analysis of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan patients with age-related cataract
Huali ZHU ; Tingting XU ; Ling WEI ; Zhe XU ; Jie LI ; Pei LIU ; Sicen LIU ; Haomei WANG
International Eye Science 2024;24(5):816-820
AIM:To compare the differences of ocular biometric parameters of age-related cataract between Tibetan and Han ethnic groups, and to analyze the distribution characteristics of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan cataract patients.METHODS:Retrospective cohort study. A total of 661 patients(1 030 eyes)with age-related cataract confirmed in the hospital between January 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled. The parameters of axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, corneal astigmatism and astigmatic axis were measured by IOL Master 500 in 483 cases(739 eyes)of Tibetan age-related cataract patients and 178 cases(291 eyes)of Han patients.RESULTS:The axial length, anterior chamber depth and corneal astigmatism of the Tibetan patients with age-related cataract were 23.33(22.81, 23.86)mm, 3.04(2.79, 3.30)mm and 0.73(0.47, 1.07)D. The mean keratometry was 43.89±1.35 D. The results indicated that Tibetan cataract patients had shorter axial lengths and smaller keratometry compared to Han patients(all P<0.05). Age in Tibetan patients was negatively correlated with axial length and anterior chamber depth, and positively correlated with keratometry(all P<0.05). Tibetan male patients had longer axial lengths, deeper anterior chambers, and flatter corneas compared to female patients(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:There were differences in ocular biometric parameters between age-related cataract patients of Tibetan and Han ethnicities. The distribution of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan cataract patients varied across different age groups and gender groups.
9.Effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on Th17/Treg Immune Imbalance and Notch1 Signaling Pathway in AIT Mice
Zhuo ZHAO ; Nan SONG ; Ziyu LIU ; Pin LI ; Yue LUO ; Pengkun ZHANG ; Zhimin WANG ; Yuanping YIN ; Tianshu GAO ; Zhe JIN ; Xiao YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):19-27
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on the immune imbalance of helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) and Notch1 signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). MethodA total of 60 8-week-old NOD.H-2h4 mice were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, western medicine group (selenium yeast tablet, 32.5 mg·kg-1), and low-dose (4.78 g·kg-1·d-1), middle-dose (9.56 g·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (19 g·kg-1·d-1) Buzhong Yiqitang groups, with 10 mice in each group. The normal group was fed with distilled water, and the other groups were fed with water containing 0.05% sodium iodide for eight weeks. After the animal model of AIT was formed spontaneously, the mice were killed under anesthesia after intragastric administration for eight weeks. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroid hormone (FT4) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and thyroid tissue changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of retinoid-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt), interleukin (IL)-17, forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), IL-10, Notch1, and hair division-related enhancer 1 (Hes1) in thyroid tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group, the thyroid structure of the model group was severely damaged, and lymphocytes were infiltrated obviously. The levels of serum TGAb, FT3, and FT4 contents were significantly increased, and TSH content was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt, IL-17, Notch1, and Hes1 were significantly increased, while those of FoxP3 and IL10 were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, thyroid structural damage and lymphocyte infiltration were improved in the treatment groups, and serum TGAb, FT3, and FT4 contents were significantly decreased. TSH content was increased, and mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt, IL-17, Notch1, and Hes1 were decreased. mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxP3 and IL-10 were increased to different degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the middle-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group had the most significant intervention effect. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can alleviate the thyroid structural damage in AIT mice, and its mechanism may be related to improving the abnormal differentiation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inhibiting the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway.
10.Clinical and Genetic Study on 48 Children with Short Stature of Unknown Etiology
Lele HOU ; Shaofen LIN ; Xiaojuan LI ; Zulin LIU ; Hui OU ; Lina ZHANG ; Zhe MENG ; Liyang LIANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):127-135
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features and causative genes of short stature children with unknown etiology, providing evidence for precise clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsThe study recruited children with suspected but undiagnosed short stature from the pediatric endocrinology department in our hospital between January 2018 and August 2022. A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical manifestations, laboratory test and whole exome sequencing (WES) results. Causative genes were classified and analyzed according to different pathogenic mechanisms. ResultsA total of 48 children (30 boys and 18 girls) were enrolled, aged 7.73 ± 3.97 years, with a height standard deviation score ( HtSDS) of -3.63 ± 1.67. Of the patients, 33 (68.8%) suffered from facial anomalies, 31 (64.6%) from skeletal abnormalities, 26 [54.2%, 61.5% of whom born small for gestational age (SGA)] from perinatal abnormalities, 24 [50.0%, 87.5% of whom with growth hormone (GH) peak concentration below normal] from endocrine disorders and 21(43.8%) had a family history of short stature. Laboratory tests showed that GH peak concentration following stimulation test was (9.72 ± 7.25) ng/mL, IGF-1 standard deviation score was -0.82 ± 1.42, the difference between bone age and chronological age was -0.93 ± 1.39 years. Of the 25 cases with mutant genes found by WES, 14 (56.0%) had pathogenic mutation, 6 (24.0%) likely pathogenic mutation, and 5 (20.0%) mutation of uncertain significance. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were identified in 14 genes, including 10 affecting intracellular signaling pathways (PTPN11, RAF1, RIT1, ARID1B, ANKRD11, CSNK2A1, SRCAP, CUL7, SMAD4 and FAM111A) and 4 affecting extracellular matrix (ECM) components or functions (ACAN, FBN1, COL10A1 and COMP). ConclusionsA rare monogenic disease should be considered as the possible etiology for children with severe short stature accompanied by facial anomalies, disproportionate body types, skeletal abnormalities, SGA, GH peak concentration below normal and a family history of short stature. WES played an important role in identifying the monogenic causes of short stature. This study indicated that affecting growth plate cartilage formation through intracellular signaling pathways and ECM components or functions was the main mechanism of causative genes leading to severe short stature in children. Further research may help discover and study new pathogenic variants and gene functions.

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