Search

Ischemic stroke is an acute and serious cerebral vascular disease, which greatly affects people's health and brings huge economic burden to society. Microglia, as important innate immune components in central nervous system (CNS), are double-edged swords in the battle of nerve injury, considering their polarization between pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is one of the potent pro-inflammatory mediators that promotes the M1 polarization of microglia. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is an effective intracellular inhibitor of HMGB1, but of poor water solubility and dose-dependent toxicity. To overcome the shortcomings of GA delivery and to improve the efficacy of cerebral ischemia therapy, herein, we designed reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive polymer-drug conjugate nanoparticles (DGA) to manipulate microglia polarization by suppressing the translocation of nuclear HMGB1. DGA presented excellent therapeutic efficacy in stroke mice, as evidenced by the reduction of infarct volume, recovery of motor function, suppressed of M1 microglia activation and enhanced M2 activation, and induction of neurogenesis. Altogether, our work demonstrates a close association between HMGB1 and microglia polarization, suggesting potential strategies for coping with inflammatory microglia-related diseases.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) have emerged as a new treatment for cancer. This study aims to identify the effectiveness of nsPEFs in the treatment of HCC and analyze the alterations in the gut microbiome and serum metabonomics after ablation.Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: healthy control mice (n = 10), HCC mice (n = 10), and nsPEF-treated HCC mice (n = 23). Hep1-6 cell lines were used to establish the HCC model in situ. Histopathological staining was performed on tumor tissues. The gut microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Serum metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomic analysis. Spearman’s correlation analysis was carried out to analyze the correlation between the gut microbiome and serum metabonomics.Results: The fluorescence image showed that nsPEFs were significantly effective. Histopathological staining identified nuclear pyknosis and cell necrosis in the nsPEF group. The expression of CD34, PCNA, and VEGF decreased significantly in the nsPEF group. Compared with normal mice, the gut microbiome diversity of HCC mice was increased. Eight genera including Alistipes and Muribaculaceae were enriched in the HCC group. Inversely, these genera decreased in the nsPEF group. LC-MS analysis confirmed that there were significant differences in serum metabolism among the three groups. Correlation analysis showed crucial relationships between the gut microbiome and serum metabolites that are involved in nsPEF ablation of HCC.Conclusion: As a new minimally invasive treatment for tumor ablation, nsPEFs have an excellent ablation effect. The alterations in the gut microbiome and serum metabolites may participate in the prognosis of HCC ablation.

Both of the surface topographical features and distribution of biochemical cues can influence the cell-substrate interactions and thereby tissue regeneration in vivo. However, they have not been combined simultaneously onto a biodegradable scaffold to demonstrate the synergistic role so far. In this study, a proof-of-concept study is performed to prepare micropatterns and peptide gradient on the inner wall of a poly (D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) guidance conduit and its advantages in regeneration of peripheral nerve in vivo. After linear ridges/grooves of 20/40 μm in width are created on the PLCL film, its surface is aminolyzed in a kinetically controlled manner to obtain the continuous gradient of amino groups, which are then transferred to CQAASIKVAV peptide density gradient via covalent coupling of glutaraldehyde. The Schwann cells are better aligned along with the stripes, and show a faster migration rate toward the region of higher peptide density. Implantation of the nerve guidance conduit made of the PLCL film having both the micropatterns and peptide gradient can significantly accelerate the regeneration of sciatic nerve in terms of rate, function recovery and microstructures, and reduction of fibrosis in muscle tissues. Moreover, this nerve conduit can also benefit the M2 polarization of macrophages and promote vascularization in vivo.

ObjectiveWe investigate the characteristics of histological damage to myocardial cells in the ablation region and surrounding areas of the left ventricular epicardium in rabbits using our self-developed cardiac pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation instrument and ablation catheter.MethodsForty eight New Zealand rabbits underwent ablation on the left ventricular myocardium after open-heart exposure with a cardiac arrhythmia PEF ablation device and ablation catheter developed by the Medical Translation Laboratory of Pulsed Electric Field Technology in Zhejiang Province. The ablation parameters were set as biphasic electrical pulses; voltage, ±800 V; pulse width, 10 μs; interphase delay, 500 us. Six rabbits were included in the sham group and 42 other rabbits were randomly divided into immediately, 6-h, 1-, 3-day, 1-, 2-, and 4-week post-ablation groups, with six rabbits in each group. Creatine kinase- (CK)-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured before and at different time points after PEF ablation to analyze their dynamic evolution. Masson staining of tissue block sections of left ventricular myocardial ablation and adjacent tissue heart specimens was performed, and the occurrence of TUNEL apoptosis in myocardium tissue was analyzed.ResultsAll rabbits completed the PEF ablation procedure and the follow-up process. After PEF ablation, the levels of cardiac enzymes, including CK-MB, CK, and AST, increased significantly, peaking 1–3 days after the procedure. In particular, those of CK and CK-MB increased by 15–20 times but returned to the preoperative level after 2 weeks. Based on general observation, it was found that the myocardium in the ablation area was swollen immediately after PEF ablation. Masson staining analysis revealed that cardiomyocytes were broken and infiltrated by erythrocytes after 6 h. After 1 day, the cells started to experience atrophy and necrosis; after 3 days, fibrotic replacement of the necrotic area became obvious. Then, by 4 weeks, the myocardial cells were completely replaced by hyperplasia. Apoptosis occurred significantly at 6 h and peaked at 24 h post-ablation, demonstrating a 37.7-fold increase; apoptotic cell counts decreased significantly at 3 days post-ablation, and no significant apoptotic cardiomyocytes were seen after 1 week.ConclusionAfter PEF ablation, cardiomyocytes showed apoptotic process and dyed, at least partially, through a secondary necrosis, the ablation boundary was clear, the ablation area was replaced by structurally intact fibroblasts, no island myocardium tissue were seen, and the ablation area vessels and nerves were not affected.

Keratin 8 (KRT8) is the major component of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton and aberrant expression in multiple tumors. However, the role of KRT8 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. In the present study, KRT8 expression was found to be upregulated along with prognosis and metastasis in LUAD. Kaplan–Meier analysis presented that the 5-year OS and DSS rates were significantly better among patients with low KRT8 expression compared to those with high expression. Correlation analysis showed that KRT8 expression was significantly associated with gender (P = 0.027), advanced T stage (P = 0.001), advanced N stage (P = 0.048), and advanced pathologic stage (P = 0.025). Univariate Cox analysis demonstrated that KRT8 was a predictor of OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.526; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.141–2.040; P = 0.004] and DSS (HR = 1.625; 95% CI 1.123–2.353; P = 0.010) in the TCGA database. Importantly, downregulation of KRT8 obviously suppressed cell proliferation, cell migration, invasion, and EMT as well as induced cell apoptosis. KRT8 knockdown significantly inhibited NF-κB signaling, suggesting a potential mechanism. Overall, our results indicated that KRT8 could regulate lung carcinogenesis and may serve as a potential target for antineoplastic therapies.

The expression of the SRY-Box Transcription Factor 15 (Sox15) is reduced by DNA methylation, and its progression is suppressed within numerous tumors. However, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. In the present work, the clinical importance and function of Sox15, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism, were explored within HCC. The expression of Sox15 is reduced and positively correlated with prognosis in HCC as analyzed by GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis) and OncoLnc. Meanwhile, the hypermethylated Sox15 promoter CpG-site predicted a dismal HCC prognosis. Besides, ectopic Sox15 expression within the HCC cells (LM3, HUH7, SK-hep-1) remarkably inhibited in vitro cell growth and inhibited xenograft tumorigenesis in the nude mice. Moreover, Sox15 inactivated the Wnt pathway under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. To summarize, Sox15 played a tumor suppressor role within the HCC via the inactivated Wnt pathway. Sox15 and CpG-site methylation of its promoter are the factors that independently predict the prognosis of HCC.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary safety and effect of a pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation system. Methods: The pulmonary veins (PVs) and superior vena cava (SVC) were isolated with the pulsed field ablation (PFA) system, which included a PEF generator and an electrode. The effects of PFA were investigated in six porcines using a novel circular catheter with combined functions (mapping/ablation) designed to work with a cardiac mapping system. The PEF generator delivered a train of biphasic pulsed electric pulses with a high amplitude (800–2000 V) and short pulse duration. The voltage mapping, PVs and SVC potentials, ostial diameters, and phrenic nerve and esophagus viability data were collected 4 weeks later, after which the animals were subsequently euthanized for gross histopathology analysis. Results: PFA 100% isolated the PVs and SVC with four applications with a mean pulse number of 100–150 pulses, causing no muscle convulsion. PFA does not cause PV stenosis or phrenic nerve dysfunction. Histological analysis confirmed 100% transmurally without any venous stenoses or phrenic injuries. Pathology follow-up showed that PFA had selectively ablated cardiomyocytes but spared blood vessels, the esophagus, and phrenic nerves; after ablation, the myocardial tissue showed homogeneous fibrosis. Conclusion: The PFA system is safe and feasible in the preliminary porcine model, which can effectively isolate PVs and SVCs. Transmural tissue damage can be achieved without phrenic palsy or stenosis.

Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) is a novel ablation technique that is based on high-intensity electric voltage to achieve tumour-killing effect in the target region, and increasingly considered for treating tumours of the liver, kidneys and other organs with rich blood supply. This study aims to observe effect of nsPFE treatment on serum metabolites and gut microbiota. The serum and faecal specimens of the pigs were collected pre- and post-treatment. The gut microbiota of pigs was sequenced by Illumina Miseq platform for analysing the diversity and alterations of gut microbiota. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabonomic analysis and Pearson coefficient method were also used to construct the interaction system of different metabolites, metabolic pathways and flora. A total of 1,477 differential metabolites from the serum were identified by four cross-comparisons of different post-operative groups with the control group. In addition, an average of 636 OTUs per sample was detected. Correlation analysis also revealed the strong correlation between intestinal bacteria and differential metabolites. The nsPEF ablation of the liver results in a degree of liver damage that affects various metabolic pathways, mainly lipid metabolism, as well as gut microbiota. In conclusion, our study provided a good point for the safety and feasibility of applying nsPEF on liver through the integrated analysis of metabolomics and microbiomes, which is beneficial for the improvement of nsPEF in clinical use.

Background/Aims: The prevalence of hyperlipidemia is increasing rapidly. The role of Coreopsis tinctoria (CT) in amending lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemia patients has not been reported. This study aims to evaluate the role of CT in altering lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemia patients and to explore the possible mechanisms mediated by gut microbiota in hyperlipidemia mice models. Methods: A retrospective analysis in 40 hyperlipidemia patients was conducted, in which 20 patients took fenofibrate and another 20 patients normatively drank water with CT. Hyperlipidemia mice models were also established. Blood biochemical tests were performed using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Liver histopathology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Ileocecal samples were collected from mice, and bacterial DNA was extracted and sequenced by MiSeq sequencing. Bacterial composition and differences were analyzed. Results: In hyperlipidemia patients, CT was associated with decreased triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels without liver injury. The experimental hyperlipidemia model also verified a similar result. Gut microbial richness and diversity were significantly decreased in hyperlipidemic mice, but increased after CT treatment. Bacterial communities were significantly differentiated between normal controls and hyperlipidemic mice. CT administration improved gut microbiota composition to an approximately normal status. Meanwhile, CT administration attenuated bacterial alterations at the class, order, family, and genus levels in hyperlipidemic mice. Importantly, the genera Barnesiella, Lactobacillus, and Helicobacter achieved high discriminatory power in hyperlipidemic mice relative to normal controls. Conclusions: CT can modulate blood lipid metabolism with improvement of liver function by decreasing LDL and improving gut microbiota compositions. These findings may provide novel therapeutic strategies for patients with hyperlipidemia.