Objective To elucidate the role of the transcription factor liver activator protein (LAP, a member of the C/EBP family) in the expression of α1(I) collagen gene in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods Rat HSCs were prepared from SD rats by in situ perfusion and singlestep density Nycodenz gradient. Two chimeric luciferase reporter gene plasmids containing the human collagen α1(I) gene promoter fragments (-804～+1 452 or -804～+222) were constructed. Culture-activated HSCs were co-transfected with the reporter gene contructs and mammalian vector expressing LAP using the cationic-liposome mediated method, and the promoter activity was determined by measuring luciferase activity. Results The luciferase reporter gene construct containing the first intron of α1(I) collagen gene (-804～+1 452, was called as PGL3-col) had a higher level of gene expression, as compared with the construct lacking the first intron 〔was called as PGL3-col (△intron)-in activated HSCs (315±45 U/mg protein vs 220±70 U/mg protein, Ｐ＜0.05). Transient transfection of the vector expressing LAP significantly increased basal transcription from PGL3-col and PGL3-col (△intron) reporter gene vectors (587±62 U/mg protein vs 315±45 U/mg protein and 326±52 U/mg protein vs 220±70 U/mg protein respectively, both Ｐ＜0.05). Conclusion The transcription factor LAP transactivates collagen α1(I) gene in activated HSCs, and the first intron is important for α1(I) collagen gene transcription activity in activated HSCs.
1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (Sal) is a kind of catechol isoquinoline compound, which mainly exists in mammalian brain and performs a variety of biological functions. Through in vivo metabolism, Sal can be transformed into endogenous neurotoxins and can participate the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This has attracted widespread concern of researchers. Recently, many research works have shown that Sal may lead to alcohol addiction and regulate hormone release of the neuroendocrine system, which indicated that it is a potential regulator of dopaminergic neurons. In this paper, we discuss the neural functions of Sal on the above aspects, and wish to provide some theoretical supports for further research on its mechanism.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of rural alone-two-child policy (RAC policy) on zero population growth, high sex ratio at birth (SRB), and aging population in China. MethodsRural areas of cities which implement the RAC policy were included. Data from the fifth and the sixth population censes were used to analyze the variation of the total fertility rate (TFR), SRB, and the number of teenagers of every household (NTH) in context of different social and economic levels. ResultsThe implementation of RAC policy in rural areas with middle and upper social economic levels showed a long-term effect of increasing the TFR and decreasing the SRB. The implementation of rural girl policy mixed with RAC policy in areas with middle social economic level showed a long-term effect of decreasing the TFR and increasing the SRB; but the long-term effect in areas with low social economic level was uncertain. The NTHs were decreased in all included areas. According to the urban and rural birth preference, we made inferences that the implementation of alone-two-child policy in cities could result in the increase of TFR and the decrease of SRB. ConclusionThe long-term effect of RAC policy implemented in rural areas with middle social economic level could solve the problems of zero population growth and the high SRB, but the long-term effect of mixed policy implemented in rural areas with middle social economic level may aggravate the two problems above. The RAC policy cannot solve the aging population problem in rural area.
Objective To summarize research progress of the mechanism of natural killer cells (NK cells) acted in regulating the T cell immunity in chronic infectious disease. Method Literatures about recent studies concerning how NK cells act as a regulator for T cells in chronic infectious disease were reviewed according to the results obtained from PubMed, Embase, CNKI, CBM, and Wanfang databases. Results NK cells that acted as regulators of T cell immunity could affect T cell immune responses through influencing antigen presentation, secreting cytokine, and presenting lytic activities, thus playing an important role in the immunological therapy of chronic infectious diseases. Conclusion NK cells are critical for T cell immune regulation, which could provide noval strategies for immunological therapy of chronic infectious disease, transplantation-related immune rejection, and autoimmune disease.
Objective To systematically review the current situation, dilemmas and countermeasures of the regulation of health care integration services in China, and provide reference for the research on the regulation of health care integration services in China. Methods Studies and policies on the regulation of health care integration services were systematically searched from the inception of the databases to October 2022, and the included studies and policies were coded and analyzed by using the qualitative analysis software NVivo12. Results A total of 12 research articles and 15 policy announcements were included. The theoretical framework, regulatory dilemmas and regulatory countermeasures for the regulation of health care integration services were obtained through open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The regulatory framework of health care integration services was divided into five aspects: regulatory basis, regulatory subject, regulatory object, regulatory content and regulatory methods. The lack of regulatory basis led to dilemmas in the remaining aspects accordingly. Conclusion The regulation of health care integration services needs to start from the regulatory basis, introduce and improve the health care integration laws and policies, and gradually form a health care integration service regulatory model with institutional self-regulation as the priority, government regulation as the main body, and the public, third parties and other social regulation as the auxiliary.
As a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) is involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes by regulating the expression of related genes. RORα plays an important role in biological rhythm, metabolism, vascular hyperplasia and inflammation, which are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. This review focuses on the biological characteristics of RORα and its role and mechanism in tumorigenesis and development, so as to provide new ideas for tumor-related research.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of neural regulation mechanism of vasculogenesis. MethodsThe relevant literature on neural regulation mechanism of vasculogenesis was extensively reviewed. ResultsNeural regulation of vasculogenesis depends on synergistic effect among various cells of neurovascular unit, and co-participation of multiple cytokines, and it is closely related to a variety of repair mechanism, such as nerve regeneration and synaptic plasticity, but the specific mechanism need to be further investigated. ConclusionThe research of the neural regulation mechanism of vasculogenesis will contribute to further understanding repair mechanism of nerves and vessels injuries.
Objective To explore the role of high endothelial venule (HEV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the single cell level. Methods A total of 219257 cells from the lung tissues of 18 COPD patients and 28 healthy controls in the GEO public database (GSE136831) were used to analyze the relationship between HEV with T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. Results Endothelial cells were extracted using single cell analysis technique, and sorting out venous endothelium, CCL14, IGFBP7, POSTN were used as marker genes for HEV endothelial cells. The ratio of HEV endothelial cells was also identified as up-regulated expression in COPD. The function of the differential genes of HEV endothelial cells was analyzed, suggesting the presence of immune regulation. By trajectory analysis, it was suggested that the differential genes of HEV endothelial cells were enriched for extracellular matrix deposition in late development. Finally, by receptor-ligand pairing, it was suggested that HEV endothelial cells was recruited through a series of ligands with T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. Conclusions HEV endothelial cells are elevated in COPD and have an immunomodulatory role by secreting a series of ligands after recruiting T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes as well as dendritic cells for immune action. HEV may be a potential target for the study of COPD therapy.
ObjectiveTo explore new mechanisms of cross-species regulation of plant microRNA (miRNA) to regulate human health and disease.MethodThe recently relevant literatures on the new mechanisms of cross-species regulation of the plant miRNA for the health and disease of human were reviewed.ResultsThe phytochemicals played an important role in the maintaining human health and regulating diseases, and the plant miRNA cross-species regulation also played an important role in it. Its possible regulatory mechanism was that the mature plant miRNA came into the animal body through the gastrointestinal tract. It firstly passed through the gastrointestinal tract and then came into the microvesicles secreted by the small intestine. It was targeted to the organ or tissue through passing of the animal circulatory system. The plant miRNA passing through the gastrointestinal tract was highly matched with the target mRNA to perform its biological regulatory role.ConclusionsAlthough studies have confirmed that plant miRNA can regulate animal specific biological functions across gastrointestinal tract and it provides an experimental basis for plants to participate in new mechanisms for regulating occurrence and development of human health and disease, whether or not miRNA in food is affected by way it is processed, transported, stored, and extent to which it is affected, remains to be explored. At the same time, content of plant miRNA in animals is very low and types of plant miRNA in different animals are not same. Although the above issues have been unresolved, it is believed that with research progresses, mastering mechanism of miRNA cross-species regulation will greatly help to prevent human diseases and maintain health of body.
ObjectiveTo summarize the characteristics of the occurrence and development of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), and to review the important regulatory role of immune cells in the progression of ONFH. MethodsThe domestic and foreign literature on the immune regulation of ONFH was reviewed, and the relationship between immune cells and the occurrence and development of ONFH was analyzed. ResultsThe ONFH region has a chronic inflammatory reaction and an imbalance between osteoblast and osteoclast, while innate immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and immune effector cells such as T cells and B cells are closely related to the maintenance of bone homeostasis. ConclusionImmunotherapy targeting the immune cells in the ONFH region and the key factors and proteins in their regulatory pathways may be a feasible method to delay the occurrence, development, and even reverse the pathology of ONFH.