芫根调节免疫功能的小肠转录组学研究

利用生物信息学技术初步探索芫根调控肠道免疫功能的分子生物学机制。方法 选择雄性SPF级BALB/c小鼠18只，随机分为3组，每组6只。SC1组小鼠每只每次灌胃芫根提取液150 μL，SC2组小鼠每只每次灌胃绞碎芫根原浆悬液150 μL，NC组小鼠每只每次灌胃生理盐水150 μL，连续7 d每日灌胃一次。分别取每组小鼠小肠组织样品提取RNA，总RNA的质检合格后，进行转录组测序。按GO功能和KEGG信号通路对差异表达基因聚类分析揭示差异表达高度富集的免疫相关通路。从免疫角度分析芫根灌胃小鼠小肠组织的基因表达变化情况。结果 转录组测序共检测到27733条 mRNA的表达，SC1组与NC组比较，显著差异表达基因1635个，其中上调差异表达基因1236个，下调差异表达基因399个；SC2组与NC组比较，显著差异表达基因2872个，其中上调差异表达基因2233个，下调差异表达基因639个（P＜0.05）。按GO功能和KEGG信号通路聚类分析显示差异表达基因在白介素分泌、干扰素反应、T细胞受体信号通路及维生素和脂肪消化吸收等途径的富集度在两个芫根组中均居于前20位（P＜0.01），肠黏膜趋化因子CCL20和巨噬细胞极化标志物CD274等免疫蛋白编码基因差异表达显著且同属于上述多个免疫通路。结论 芫根灌胃小鼠小肠的差异表达基因在白介素分泌、干扰素反应、T细胞受体信号通路、营养物质消化吸收等途径高度富集，提示芫根对肠道免疫系统及肠黏膜功能的调节，其中CD274的表达上调和CCL20的表达下调提示诱导M1型巨噬细胞极化和T细胞活化可能是芫根调控免疫和维护肠道正常结构功能的重要途径。     

Assessing the Effects of Geniculate Artery Embolization in a Nonsurgical Animal Model of Osteoarthritis

PurposeTo create a nonsurgical animal model of osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the effects of embolotherapy during geniculate artery embolization (GAE).Materials and MethodsFluoroscopy-guided injections of 700 mg of sodium monoiodoacetate were performed into the left stifle in 6 rams. Kinematic data were collected before and after induction. At 10 weeks after induction, Subjects 1 and 4–6 underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and Subjects 1, 3, and 4–6 underwent angiography with angiographic scoring to identify regions with greatest disease severity for superselective embolization (75–250-μm microspheres). Target vessel size was measured. At 24 weeks after angiography, DCE-MR imaging, angiography, and euthanasia were performed, and bilateral stifles were harvested. Medial/lateral tibial and femoral condylar, patellar, and synovial samples were cut, preserved, decalcified, and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. The stifle and synovium Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score and Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study score were determined. The volume transfer constant (K_trans) and extracellular volume fraction (v_e) were calculated from DCE-MR imaging along the lateral synovial regions of interest.ResultsThe mean gross and microscopic pathological scores were elevated at 38 and 61, respectively. Mean synovitis score was elevated at 9.2. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization angiographic scores were 5 and 3.8, respectively. Mean superior, transverse, and inferior geniculate artery diameters were 3.1 mm ± 1.21, 2.0 mm ± 0.50, and 1.6 mm ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization cartilage and synovitis scores were elevated at 35.13 and 73.3 and 5.5 and 9.2, respectively. The K_trans/v_e values of Subjects 4, 5, and 6 were elevated at 0.049/0.38, 0.074/0.53, and 0.065/0.51, respectively. Altered gait of the hind limb was observed in all subjects after induction, with reduced joint mobility. No skin necrosis or osteonecrosis was observed.ConclusionsA nonsurgical ovine animal knee OA model was created, which allowed the collection of angiographic, histopathological, MR imaging, and kinematic data to study the effects of GAE.     

Hepatitis B and circadian rhythm of the liver

The circadian rhythm in humans is determined by the central clock located in the hypothalamus’s suprachiasmatic nucleus, and it synchronizes the peripheral clocks in other tissues. Circadian clock genes and clock-controlled genes exist in almost all cell types. They have an essential role in many physiological processes, including lipid metabolism in the liver, regulation of the immune system, and the severity of infections. In addition, circadian rhythm genes can stimulate the immune response of host cells to virus infection. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer globally. HBV infection depends on the host cell, and hepatocyte circadian rhythm genes are associated with HBV replication, survival, and spread. The core circadian rhythm proteins, REV-ERB and brain and muscle ARNTL-like protein 1, have a crucial role in HBV replication in hepatocytes. In addition to influencing the virus’s life cycle, the circadian rhythm also affects the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of antiviral vaccines. Therefore, it is vital to apply antiviral therapy at the appropriate time of day to reduce toxicity and improve the effectiveness of antiviral treatment. For these reasons, understanding the role of the circadian rhythm in the regulation of HBV infection and host responses to the virus provides us with a new perspective of the interplay of the circadian rhythm and anti-HBV therapy. Therefore, this review emphasizes the importance of the circadian rhythm in HBV infection and the optimization of antiviral treatment based on the circadian rhythm-dependent immune response.