基于基因表达谱相似性的四物汤重定位及抗乳腺癌有效成分群辨识＊

目的 发现四物汤的新药理作用并辨识其有效成分群。方法 于GEO和Cmap数据库获取四物汤和1309个小分子药物的基因表达谱，计算差异表达基因及四物汤与1309个小分子药物的基因表达谱间的相似性，相似性较高的小分子药物的药理作用为四物汤的新药理作用。相似性较高的小分子药物的靶点作为四物汤发挥新药理作用的靶标，利用分子对接技术辨识四物汤的有效成分群。结果 四物汤具有抗乳腺癌的作用，其有效成分群为荭草苷、芍药苷和半乳糖醛酸等，并通过文献调研验证了辨识结果的可靠性。结论 本研究将为扩大四物汤的临床应用范围及质量控制奠定基础，为乳腺癌的治疗提供新方法。     

艾灸对慢性萎缩性胃炎大鼠外周血基因表达谱的影响

目的 探讨隔药饼灸对慢性萎缩性胃炎大鼠外周血基因表达谱的影响，为后续研究提供研究方向。方法 将雄性Wistar大鼠随机分成正常组、模型组、隔药饼灸组、电针组和西药组，均采用MNNG诱导CAG大鼠模型，取穴中脘、气海，隔药饼灸每次每穴1壮，每日1次，共4周；电针频率100 Hz，强度1-3 mA，20 min，每日1次，共4周；西药采用叶酸悬浊液1.0 mL/100 g灌胃，每天1次，持续4周。采用Trizol法提取各组CAG大鼠的外周血总RNA，质控后建立文库，采用RNA-seq高通量测序，结合生物信息学的方法深入分析隔药饼灸逆转的差异表达基因。结果 与正常组比较，CAG组大鼠外周血有1 542个差异表达基因，涉及的通路主要有癌症、免疫疾病、能量代谢、消化系统、免疫系统通路。隔药饼灸干预CAG大鼠的外周血差异表达基因2 956个，涉及的通路与分子相互作用、信号转导、癌症、免疫疾病、氨基酸代谢、能量代谢、脂质代谢、维生素代谢、核苷酸代谢、消化系统、免疫系统、神经内分泌系统等相关；电针干预CAG外周血的差异表达基因3 136个，涉及的通路与癌症、免疫疾病、氨基酸代谢、能量代谢、脂质代谢、维生素代谢、核苷酸代谢、消化系统、免疫系统、神经内分泌系统等相关；西药干预CAG外周血差异表达基因1 308个，涉及的通路与蛋白翻译、信号转导、癌症、免疫系统、消化系统等相关。经RT-qPCR验证，各组外周血Foxo3、Uba52、S100a1、Nod2的结果和RNA-seq测序结果一致。结论 隔药饼灸、电针和西药干预CAG的外周血差异表达基因的数量不同，西药较针灸改变CAG的差异基因数目少。3种干预方法均能影响CAG大鼠外周血免疫相关、肿瘤相关的基因表达谱，隔药饼灸和电针干预的差异基因还涉及能量、氨基酸、脂质、维生素代谢。     

In vivo epigenetic effects induced by engineered nanomaterials: A case study of copper oxide and laser printer-emitted engineered nanoparticles

Evidence continues to grow on potential environmental health hazards associated with engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). While the geno- and cytotoxic effects of ENMs have been investigated, their potential to target the epigenome remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is two-fold: 1) determining whether or not industry relevant ENMs can affect the epigenome in vivo and 2) validating a recently developed in vitro epigenetic screening platform for inhaled ENMs. Laser printer-emitted engineered nanoparticles (PEPs) released from nano-enabled toners during consumer use and copper oxide (CuO) were chosen since these particles induced significant epigenetic changes in a recent in vitro companion study. In this study, the epigenetic alterations in lung tissue, alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood from intratracheally instilled mice were evaluated. The methylation of global DNA and transposable elements (TEs), the expression of the DNA methylation machinery and TEs, in addition to general toxicological effects in the lung were assessed. CuO exhibited higher cell-damaging potential to the lung, while PEPs showed a greater ability to target the epigenome. Alterations in the methylation status of global DNA and TEs, and expression of TEs and DNA machinery in mouse lung were observed after exposure to CuO and PEPs. Additionally, epigenetic changes were detected in the peripheral blood after PEPs exposure. Altogether, CuO and PEPs can induce epigenetic alterations in a mouse experimental model, which in turn confirms that the recently developed in vitro epigenetic platform using macrophage and epithelial cell lines can be successfully utilized in the epigenetic screening of ENMs.     

Epigenetics explained: a topic “primer” for the epilepsy community by the ILAE Genetics/Epigenetics Task Force

Epigenetics refers broadly to processes that influence medium to long‐term gene expression by changing the readability and accessibility of the genetic code. The Neurobiology Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) recently convened a Task Force to explore and disseminate advances in epigenetics to better understand their role and intersection with genetics and the neurobiology of epilepsies and their co‐morbidities, and to accelerate translation of these findings into the development of better therapies. Here, we provide a topic primer on epigenetics, explaining the key processes and findings to date in experimental and human epilepsy. We review the growing list of genes with epigenetic functions that have been linked with epilepsy in humans. We consider potential practical applications, including using epigenetic signals as biomarkers for tissue‐ and biofluid‐based diagnostics and the prospects for developing epigenetic‐based treatments for epilepsy. We include a glossary of terms, FAQs and other supports to facilitate a broad understanding of the topic for the non‐expert. Last, we review the limitations, research gaps and the next challenges. In summary, epigenetic processes represent important mechanisms controlling the activity of genes, providing opportunities for insight into disease mechanisms, biomarkers and novel therapies for epilepsy.