Circulating cell-free mtDNA as a new biomarker for cancer detection and management

Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide,and was responsible for 19.29 million new cases and 9.96 million deaths in 2020 alone.The total number of patients with cancer worldwide is estimated to reach 28 million by 2040.The American Association for Cancer Research has also estimated approximately 16.2 million cancer deaths by 20401.

Novel distribution pattern of fibrinolytic components in rabbit tissues extract: a preliminary study

Objective: The purpose of this work was to investigate the distribution pattern of fibrinolytic factors and their inhibitors in rabbit tissues. Methods: The components of the fibrinolytic system in extracts from a variety of rabbit tissues, including tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), plasminogen (Plg), plasmin (Pl) and α2 plasmin inhibitor (α2PI), were determined by colorimetric assay. Results: The tissue extracts in renal, small intestine, lung, brain and spleen demonstrated strong fibrinolytic function, in which high activity of tPA, Plg and Pl was manifested; whereas in skeletal muscle, tongue and stomach, higher activity of PAI-1 and α2PI showed obviously. Also excellent linear correlations were found between levels of tPA and PAI-1, Pl and α2PI, Plg and Pl. In related tissues, renal cortex and renal marrow showed distinctly higher activity of tPA and lower activity of PAI-1, with the levels of Plg and Pl in renal cortex being higher than those in renal marrow, where the α2PI level was higher than that in renal cortex. Similarly, the levels of tPA, Plg and Pl in small intestine were higher than those in large intestine, but with respect to PAI-1 and α2PI, the matter was reverse. In addition, the fibrinolytic activity in muscle tissue was lower, however, the levels of tPA, Plg, and Pl in cardiac muscle were obviously higher than those in skeletal muscles, and the levels of PAI-1 and α2PI were significantly lower than those in skeletal muscle. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that a remarkable difference of the fibrinolytic patterns exists in rabbit tissues, which has probable profound significance in understanding the relationship between the function of haemostasis or thrombosis and the physiologic function in tissues.

ICOS-Ig combined with CsA induces long term survival of cardiac allografts in mouse

Objective: To study the synergistic effect of ICOS-Ig combined with cyclosporine (CsA) on mouse heart transplantation and explore its therapeutic potential. Methods: ICOS-Ig fusion protein was generated by fusing the extracellular portion of human ICOS and Fc portion of human IgG. To investigate the effect of ICOS-Ig on T-cell proliferation in vitro, ICOS-Ig or IgG was added to the primary MLR cultures (BALB/c spleen T cells as responder cells and irradiated C57BL/6 spleen cells as stimulator cells). The cells responsiveness rates were detected by 3H-TdR methods. Then the T cells of each group in primary MLR were cultured as responder cells for secondary MLR, and irradiated C57BL/6 (donor) or C3H (third party) spleen cells as stimulator cells. To study the effect of ICOS-Ig on T-cell proliferation in vivo, CFSE-labeled C57BL/6 spleen cells were transferred to irradiated BALB/c mice. Mice were then treated with IgG, ICOS-Ig or CsA. Seventy two hours after transfer, the spleen cells of the mice were harvested for the detection of CD4+CFSE+ and CD8+CFSE+ by FACS. C57BL/6 mouse underwent transplantation of the hearts of BALB/c mouse and were then randomly divided into five equal groups: no treatment group, control IgG treated group (250 μg i.p. d2, 4, 6), ICOS-Ig treated group (250 μg i.p. d2, 4, 6), CsA treated group (10 mg/kg i.p. d0-6), ICOS-Ig combined with CsA group. The cardiac allograft survival was monitored by daily palpation. Results: In primary MLR, ICOS-Ig inhibited T-cell proliferation, (inhibition ratio 58±8.2% in 50 μg/ml). In secondary MLR, ICOS-Ig specifically inhibited donor spleen cells, which suggested ICOS-Ig could induce donor-specific hyporesponsiveness. In the CFSE dye assay, CD4+CFSE+ and CD8+CFSE+ in ICOS-Ig and CsA group was stronger than those in control group, which showed ICOS-Ig and CsA could inhibit the proliferation of allo-reactive T cells in vivo. In mouse heart transplantation model, survival was significantly prolonged in animals treated with ICOS-Ig or CsA as compared with controls. Moreover, ICOS-Ig combined with CsA group had even longer engraftment (>100 d) than ICOS-Ig or CsA used alone. In histological examination, it was found that there were congestions and edemas in no treatment and IgG treated recipients, together with a lot of inflammatory cells infiltrated. Allogeneic hearts from ICOS-Ig and/or CsA immunized recipients revealed milder histological changes. It was revealed in mechanical analysis that splenic T cells from recipients also exhibited depressed mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR) and cytotoxic lymphocyte reactions (CTL). Conclusion: These data suggest that ICOS-Ig combined with CsA induces a long-term survival of mouse cardiac allografts, whereas monotherapy is less effective in this regard. Thus, ICOS-Ig combined with CsA treatment may be a novel regimen to combat allograft rejection.

TaqMan real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR in detection of macrophage inflammatory protein-2γ mRNA in myocarditis murine

Objective: To study the role of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2γ in myocarditis pathogenesis in BALB/c mice. Methods: The relationship between the progression of Coxsarckie virus B3(CVB3) viral myocarditis and experimental autoimmune myocarditis and MIP-2γ mRNA expression in mouse was studied by TaqMan real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. Results: MIP-2γ mRNA expression rose on 3 to 5 d after CVB3 infection, reached peak on 7 d, and returned to normal level until 14 d, which corresponded well with the disease course. The MIP-2γ mRNA expression level rose significantly on the day 18 d after immunization with porcine cardiac myosin, which was consistent with pathological examination. Conclusion: MIP-2γ may be involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis.

Combining single-cell RNA-sequencing and bulk data to reveal immunity-related genes expression pattern in the systemic lupus erythematosus and target organ kidney

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)is a complex chronic autoimmune disease with no known cure.However,the regulatory mechanism of immunity-related genes is not fully understood in SLE.In order to explore new therapeutic targets,we used bioinformatical methods to analyze a series of data.Methods:After downloading and processing the data from Gene Expression Omnibus database,the differentially expressed genes of SLE were analyzed.CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze the immune infiltration of SLE.Based on single-cell RNA-sequencing data,the role of immune-related genes in SLE and its target organ(kidney)were analyzed.Key transcription factors affecting immune-related genes were identified.Cell-cell communication networks in SLE were analyzed.Results:In total,15 hub genes and 4 transcription factors were found in the bulk data.Monocytes and macrophages in GSE81622(SLE)showed more infiltration.There were four cell types were annotated in scRNA sequencing dataset(GSE135779),as follows T cells,monocyte,NK cells and B cells.Immunity-related genes were overexpressed in monocytes.Conclusion:The present study shows that immune-related genes affect SLE through monocytes and play an important role in target organ renal injury.

IDH1 mutation inhibits differentiation of astrocytes and glioma cells with low oxoglutarate dehydrogenase expression by disturbingα-ketoglutarate-related metabolism and epigenetic modification

Isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH)mutations frequently occur in lower-grade gliomas and secondary glioblastomas.Mutant IDHs exhibit a gain-of-function activity,leading to the production of D-2-hydroxyglutarate(D-2HG)by reducingα-ketoglutarate(α-KG),a central player in metabolism and epigenetic modifications.However,the role ofα-KG homeostasis in IDH-mutated gliomagenesis remains elusive.In this study,we found that low expression of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase(OGDH)was a common feature in IDH-mutated gliomas,aswellasinastrocytes.ThislowexpressionofOGDHresultedintheaccumulationofα-KGandpromotedastrocytematuration.However,IDH1 mutation significantly reducedα-KG levels and increased glutaminolysis and DNA/histone methylation in astrocytes.These metabolic and epigenetic alterations inhibited astrocyte maturation and led to cortical dysplasia in mice.Moreover,our results also indicated that reduced OGDH expression can promote the differentiation of glioma cells,while IDH1 mutations impeded the differentiation of glioma cells with low OGDH by reducing the accumulation ofα-KG and increasing glutaminolysis.Finally,we found that l-glutamine increasedα-KG levels and augmented the differentiation-promoting effects of AGI5198,an IDH1-mutant inhibitor,in IDH1-mutant glioma cells.Collectively,this study reveals that low OGDH expression is a crucial metabolic characteristic of IDH-mutant gliomas,providing a potential strategy for the treatment of IDH-mutant gliomas by targetingα-KG homeostasis.

Roles of light transmission aggregometry and CYP2C19 genotype in predicting ischaemic complications during interventional therapy for intracranial aneurysms

Background and purpose Light transmission aggregometry(LTA)and CYP2C19 genotype analysis are commonly used to evaluate the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel during the interventional treatment of intracranial aneurysms.The aim of this study was to determine which test can predict ischaemic events during these treatments.Methods Patient demographic information,imaging data,laboratory data and ischaemic complications were recorded.LTA and CYP2C19 genotype results were compared,and multiple linear regression was performed to examine factors related to platelet reactivity.Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine whether LTA and CYP2C19 could predict ischaemic complications and to identify other clinical risk factors.Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to calculate the cut-off value for predicting ischaemic complications.A subgroup analysis was also performed for different CYP2C19 genotype metabolisers,as well as for patients with flow diverters and traditional stents.Results A total of 379 patients were included,of which 22 developed ischaemic events.Maximum platelet aggregation induced by ADP(ADP-MPA)could predict ischaemic events(p<0.001;area under the curve,0.752(95%CI 0.663 to 0.842)),and its cut-off value was 41.5%.ADP-MPA(p=0.001)and hypertension duration>10 years(p=0.022)were independent risk factors for ischaemic events,while the CYP2C19 genotype was not associated with ischaemic events.In the subgroup analysis,ADP-MPA could predict ischaemic events in fast metabolisers(p=0.004)and intermediate metabolisers(p=0.003).The cut-off value for ischaemic events was lower in patients with flow diverters(ADP-MPA=36.4%)than in patients with traditional stents(ADP-MPA=42.9%).Conclusions ADP-MPA can predict ischaemic complications during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.Patients with flow diverters require stronger antiplatelet medication than patients with traditional stents.

Analytical validation of GMEX rapid point- of care CYP2C19 genotyping system for the CHANCE-2 trial

Background and purpose Rapid genotyping is useful for guiding early antiplatelet therapy in patients with high-risk nondisabling ischaemic cerebrovascular events(HR-NICE).Conventional genetic testing methods used in CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy for patients with HR-NICE did not satisfy the needs of the Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events(CHANCE)-2 trial.Therefore,we developed the rapid-genotyping GMEX(point-of care)system to meet the needs of the CHANCE-2 trial.Methods Healthy individuals and patients with history of cardiovascular diseases(n=408)were enrolled from six centres of the CHANCE-2 trial.We compared the laboratory-based genomic test results with Sanger sequencing test results for accuracy verification.Next,we demonstrated the accuracy,timeliness and clinical operability of the GMEX system compared with laboratory-based technology(YZY Kit)to verify whether the GMEX system satisfies the needs of the CHANCE-2 trial.Results Genotypes reported by the GMEX system showed 100%agreement with those determined by using the YZY Kit and Sanger sequencing for all three CYP2C19 alleles(*2,*3 and*17)tested.The average result’s turnaround times for the GMEX and YZY Kit methods were 85.0(IQR:85.0-86.0)and 1630.0(IQR:354.0-7594.0)min(p<0.001),respectively.Conclusions Our data suggest that the GMEX system is a reliable and feasible point-of care system for rapid CYP2C19 genotyping for the CHANCE-2 trial or related clinical and research applications.

Safety and efficacy of meplazumab in healthy volunteers and COVID-19 patients: a randomized phase 1 and an exploratory phase 2 trial

Recent evidence suggests that CD147 serves as a novel receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.Blocking CD147 via anti-CD147 antibody could suppress the in vitro SARS-CoV-2 replication.Meplazumab is a humanized anti-CD147 IgG_(2) monoclonal antibody,which may effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.Here,we conducted a randomized,double-blinded,placebo-controlled phase 1 trial to evaluate the safety,tolerability,and pharmacokinetics of meplazumab in healthy subjects,and an open-labeled,concurrent controlled add-on exploratory phase 2 study to determine the efficacy in COVID-19 patients.In phase 1 study,59 subjects were enrolled and assigned to eight cohorts,and no serious treatment-emergent adverse event(TEAE)or TEAE grade≥3 was observed.The serum and peripheral blood Cmax and area under the curve showed non-linear pharmacokinetic characteristics.No obvious relation between the incidence or titer of positive anti-drug antibody and dosage was observed in each cohort.The biodistribution study indicated that meplazumab reached lung tissue and maintained>14 days stable with the lung tissue/cardiac blood-pool ratio ranging from 0.41 to 0.32.In the exploratory phase 2 study,17 COVID-19 patients were enrolled,and 11 hospitalized patients were involved as concurrent control.The meplazumab treatment significantly improved the discharged(P=0.005)and case severity(P=0.021),and reduced the time to virus negative(P=0.045)in comparison to the control group.These results show a sound safety and tolerance of meplazumab in healthy volunteers and suggest that meplazumab could accelerate the recovery of patients from COVID-19 pneumonia with a favorable safety profile.

A missense mutation in the androgen receptor gene causing androgen insensitivity syndrome in a Chinese family

Dear Editor, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome （AIS） is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder presenting as male pseudohermaphroditism with gender ambiguity or reversal. According to the reaction to androgens, subjects with AIS can exhibit varying degrees of feminization, mainly in two forms.