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Abstract Arterial occlusion-induced ischemic stroke (IS) is a highly frequent stroke subtype. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that modulates antioxidant genes. Its role in IS is still unelucidated. The current study focused on constructing a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model for investigating the NRF2-related mechanism underlying cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Each male C57BL/6 mouse was injected with/with no specific NRF2 activator post-tMCAO. Changes in blood–brain barrier (BBB)-associated molecule levels were analyzed using western-blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analysis. NRF2 levels within cerebral I/R model decreased at 24-h post-ischemia. NRF2 activation improved brain edema, infarct volume, and neurological deficits after MCAO/R. Similarly, sulforaphane (SFN) prevented the down-regulated tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and reduced the up-regulated aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) after tMCAO. Collectively, NRF2 exerted a critical effect on preserving BBB integrity modulating ferroptosis and inflammation. Because NRF2 is related to BBB injury regulation following cerebral I/R, this provides a potential therapeutic target and throws light on the underlying mechanism for clinically treating IS.

Abstract Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder wherein the composition and gene expression patterns of peripheral blood immune cells change significantly. It is triggered by antigens with similar epitopes to Schwann cells that stimulate a maladaptive immune response against peripheral nerves. However, an atlas for peripheral blood immune cells in patients with GBS has not yet been constructed. This is a monocentric, prospective study. We collected 5 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) patients and 3 healthy controls hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from December 2020 to May 2021, 3 AIDP patients were in the peak stage and 2 were in the convalescent stage. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these patients. Furthermore, we performed cell clustering, cell annotation, cell–cell communication, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identification and pseudotime trajectory analysis. Our study identified a novel clonally expanded CD14+ CD163+ monocyte subtype in the peripheral blood of patients with AIDP, and it was enriched in cellular response to IL1 and chemokine signaling pathways. Furthermore, we observed increased IL1β–IL1R2 cell–cell communication between CD14+ and CD16+ monocytes. In short, by analyzing the single-cell landscape of the PBMCs in patients with AIDP we hope to widen our understanding of the composition of peripheral immune cells in patients with GBS and provide a theoretical basis for future studies.

Abstract Egg production traits are economically important in laying ducks. Genetic molecular mechanisms and candidate genes underlying these traits remain unclear. In this study, whole genome variants were identified through whole-genome resequencing using three high-egg producing (HEN) and three low-egg producing (LEN) laying ducks. The gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathways for the genes of common differential variants between HEN and LEN ducks were determined. Frizzled class receptor 6 (FZD6) was further genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. The association of FZD6 gene polymorphisms with 73 egg production and weight traits in 329 female ducks were estimated. A total of 65,535 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 4,702 indels were identified across the genome. Fourteen GO terms and 14 KEGG pathways were determined for the genes of common differential variants, including MAPK signaling, Wnt signaling, melanogenesis and calcium signaling pathways, which are key functional pathways for poultry egg production reported in previous reports. Further analysis showed that 27 SNPs of FZD6 were associated with three early egg production of duck and egg weight traits, including egg production at 17 weeks (EP17), 18 weeks (EP18) and 19 weeks (EP19) and egg weight at 59 weeks (EW59). The FZD6 should be considered a novel candidate gene for egg production traits in laying ducks.