Biology subjects

Wen, X.

Publications and source records attributed to Wen, X..

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Rapid and Complete Inactivation of Enveloped Viruses by Electrochemical Disinfection: Unraveling the Contribution of Reactive Chlorine Species

Waterborne viruses pose significant threats to global water safety. Electrochemical (EC) disinfection is considered a promising next-generation technology to address this challenge. However, its efficacy against enveloped viruses remains inadequately under-stood. In this study, we employed bacteriophage Phi6 as a surrogate to systematically eval-uate the inactivation efficiency and damage mechanisms of enveloped viruses in a flow-through EC reactor. Experimental results indicated that Phi6 was more susceptible to EC disinfection than common bacterial surrogates. Comprehensive damage was observed across all major viral components, including structural proteins, the lipid envelope, and the RNA genome. The electrogenerated reactive chlorine species (RCS) were identified as the primary agent responsible for this inactivation, exhibiting higher reactivity than conven-tional free chlorine. Furthermore, radical chlorine species were also confirmed to be pro-duced during EC disinfection, contributing to rapid and extensive viral inactivation. This study demonstrates the feasibility of EC disinfection for inactivating enveloped viruses and provides deeper mechanistic insights into its highly efficient viral inactivation performance. SYNOPSISOur results elucidate the rapid inactivation and thorough damage of the enveloped virus surrogate Phi6 by electrogenerated reactive chlorine species during electrochemical disinfection. TOC O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=104 SRC="FIGDIR/small/688411v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (46K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7e8c29org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@23fcedorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b26312org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1864ab1_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Fusobacterium nucleatum outer membrane vesicles activate the TNFR1/NF-κB signaling pathway to promote OSCC proliferation

Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum, Fn) has emerged as a significant bacterium linked to cancer. However, the precise mechanisms by which Fn drives the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain obscure. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), small vesicular structures secreted by Gram-negative bacteria, are known to contribute to their pathogenicity. This study investigated the role of Fn OMVs in oral cancer progression and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsMetagenomic sequencing was conducted on both oral cancer and control tissues. OMVs were isolated through ultracentrifugation. Cell proliferation assays on two cancer cell lines assessed the impact of Fn and its OMVs. Fn OMVs were administered to mice to evaluate their influence on tumorigenesis. RNA-seq was performed on OMV-treated cells to identify enriched genes, which were validated via qPCR and Western blot. Knockdown experiments were executed in vitro and in vivo to confirm the involvement of Fn OMVs in TNFR1-mediated NF-{kappa}B signaling. ResultsFn prevalence was markedly higher in oral cancer tissues compared to non-cancerous samples. In vitro, Fn and its OMVs significantly enhanced the growth and proliferation of oral cancer cell lines. Mice treated with Fn OMVs developed larger tumors than those receiving Fn alone. Furthermore, Fn OMVs notably induced TNFR1 expression and activated the NF-{kappa}B signaling pathway, as confirmed by RNA-seq, qPCR, and Western blot. TNFR1 knockdown significantly diminished the effects of Fn OMVs on cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. ConclusionThis study compellingly demonstrates that Fn OMVs are pivotal in OSCC progression by directly activating TNFR1-mediated NF-{kappa}B signaling. These findings pave the way for future research into the prevention and treatment of oral cancer.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Semi-parametric Empirical Bayes Method for Multiplet Detection in snATAC-seq with Probabilistic Multi-omic Integration

Multiplets, formed when multiple cells are captured in a droplet, produce hybrid molecular profiles that confound single-cell analyses. Detecting multiplets in single-nucleus ATAC-seq (snATAC-seq) data is particularly challenging due to sparsity and overdispersion of chromatin accessibility measurements. We introduce SEBULA, a semi-parametric empirical Bayes model that yields well-calibrated posterior probabilities for multiplet detection, enabling principled false discovery rate control. SEBULA also integrates probabilistic evidence with complementary signals from other modalities, such as scRNA-seq. Benchmarking on simulations and seven annotated trimodal DOGMA-seq datasets demonstrates SEBULAs superior performance. The open-source software is computationally efficient.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

NTX250: A Modular mRNA-Based Immunotherapy Platform for HPV-Associated Cancers with Broad Applicability.

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key driver of multiple HPV-associated malignancies, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), oropharyngeal, head and neck, and anogenital cancers. Despite the high efficacy of prophylactic HPV vaccines, a substantial population remains at ongoing risk due to issues related to vaccine accessibility, awareness, or personal choice. Current treatments, such as the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), address lesions but do not eliminate persistent HPV infection and are associated with potential complications. Moreover, individuals treated for HPV-related disease are at increased risk for subsequent HPV-associated malignancies. These factors underscore an urgent need for effective, non-invasive therapeutic strategies capable of targeting and eradicating persistent HPV infections. Here we introduce NTX250, an innovative mRNA-based therapeutic platform designed to deliver HPV type 16 (HPV16) E6-E7 antigens, combined with immunomodulators human interleukin-12 (IL-12) p70 and engineered human LIGHT (LIGHT). The mRNAs are co-delivered via lipid and ionizable peptoid nanoparticles referred to as Nutshell formulation for intralesional administration. Our preclinical evaluation demonstrates that localized delivery of NTX250 in HPV16-transformed tumor-bearing models results in complete tumor regression and the induction of durable, antigen-specific immune memory. Moreover, this modular mRNA nanoparticle approach combining tumor-specific antigens and immunomodulators is adaptable beyond HPV, with potential applications targeting neoepitopes or other tumor-associated antigens, thus offering a versatile platform for immunotherapy across a broad range of indications. These findings highlight the potential of this strategy as a broadly applicable, non-surgical immunotherapeutic capable of inducing robust and specific anti-tumor responses.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Two Distinct Attentional Priorities Guide Exploratory and Exploitative Gaze in Parallel

Gaze is directed to visual objects that are informative, reward-predictive, or novel. These gaze preferences may reflect the parallel influence of two separable attention systems: Exploratory attention prioritizing uncertainty and exploitative attention prioritizing learned information about reward. We tested this hypothesis in nonhuman primates learning feature-based attention to objects that had either previously learned reward associations or were novel. The reward history of features slowed down learning by attracting fixations of non-rewarded distractors that were previously targets. This reward history bias persisted in fixations used to choose objects even after choice accuracy stabilized. In contrast, fixational sampling that preceded a choice showed negligible history biases that were overcome quickly in favor of wider exploratory sampling. Quantifying the exploratory value object features with a Parallel Belief States model of attention confirmed that exploratory fixational sampling was unaffected by reward history, while exploitative fixations that committed to a decision showed persistent target history biases. These findings suggest that gaze is guided by two separable attentional priorities in parallel. Exploratory attention prioritizes uncertain items and instantiates information sampling, while exploitative attentional priority guides gaze to current and previously goal-relevant features.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2025

Multi-omics analysis reveals genetic regulatory mechanismsof muscle traits in wild and domesticated Bactrian camels

Bactrian camels, large domesticated animals adapted to extreme environments, have evolved under natural and artificial selection to suit their living conditions and meet human needs. In arid and semi-arid regions, they provide valuable resources through economically important traits such as meat, milk, and wool production, contributing significantly to both economy and ecology. However, research on gene function, adaptive evolution, and molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits in Bactrian camels remains limited, constraining the full utilization of their breeding potential and conservation efforts.To address this gap, we performed whole-genome resequencing (WGS) on 35 domesticated Bactrian camels from the Chinese Sunite local population and integrated this data with publicly available WGS data from 112 Asian Bactrian camels. Our comprehensive analysis revealed significant genetic differences and genomic features between wild and domesticated Bactrian camels. We further integrated 27 epigenomic (ATAC-seq) and transcriptomic (RNA-seq) datasets from eight biologically important tissues of four Bactrian camels, along with skeletal muscle scRNA-seq and scATAC data. This allowed us to identify tissue-specific genes, regulatory elements, and genes under positive selection.Our integrated analysis identified target genes and their upstream regulatory elements, including potential regulatory transcription factors, with a focus on positively selected regions in Bactrian camel muscle tissue. We constructed regulatory pathways from key SNPs to regulatory elements to genes, and for the first time, identified regulatory elements in major tissues of the Bactrian camel genome. Our results also summarized the single-cell transcriptional landscape of Bactrian camel skeletal muscle, revealing cellular heterogeneity and genetic expression patterns across two developmental stages.This comprehensive regulatory element map provides a valuable resource for genetic and genomic studies in Bactrian camels. It reveals key regulatory networks, important genes, and regulatory elements influencing muscle development, as well as potentially significant functional variants affecting meat production traits. These findings will provide crucial data support for future genetic improvement and breeding efforts in Bactrian camels.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

Broad brain biodistribution conferred by an AAV to restore TDP-43 function mitigates Frontotemporal Demenia-like deficits

TDP-43 dysfunction is an early pathogenic determinant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP), a devastating disorder currently without effective therapy. Here, we exploit a blood-brain-barrier (BBB)-permeable AAV (AAV-PHP.eB) that confers broad brain biodistribution to restore TDP-43 function in a TDP-43 deficient model (CamKIIa-CreER;Tardbp mice) that mimics the early stage of TDP-43 dysfunction occurring in FTLD-TDP. Intracerebroventricular delivery by AAV-PHP.eB of CTR, our previously characterized splicing repressor, revealed its accumulation in [~]40% of adult hippocampal neurons. Remarkably, treatment of adult CamKIIa-CreER;Tardbpf/fmice with AAV-PHP.eB-CTR restored TDP-43 function, attenuated neuronal aberrant activity and memory deficits, and rescued neuron loss. Importantly, we showed that TDP-43s autoregulatory element restricts CTR expression to a physiological range. No overt phenotype was observed after long-term exposure to AAV-PHP.eB-CTR in aged mice, highlighting a favorable safety profile for this gene therapy. These results validate that BBB-crossing AAVs can deliver CTR with a biodistribution in the adult brain that is broad enough to rescue FTD-like phenotypes, supporting clinical testing of this gene therapy for FTLD-TDP.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Insulin modulates mPFC gene expression and emotional behavior in a sex-specific manner following fetal growth restriction

Exposure to prenatal adversity (e.g., stress, malnutrition) is a major risk factor for lifelong vulnerability to neuropsychiatric and metabolic disorders, and alterations in the function of peripheral hormones in the brain are suggested as a possible and unexplored mechanism. Although insulin is well known for its peripheral metabolic functions, it also influences brain development and emotional regulation, particularly within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here, we identify insulin signaling as a key mechanistic link between prenatal stress and long-term alterations in brain function and behavior. Using a validated rat model of prenatal adversity (prenatal food restriction, FR), we found that insulin administration selectively modulates gene expression in FR animals at P0, P21 and P90, affecting pathways involved in neurodevelopment and stress regulation, such as Wnt/{beta}-catenin signaling. Targeted insulin infusion into the mPFC of adult animals reversed behavioral phenotypes induced by FR in a sex- and context-dependent manner, decreasing emotional reactivity to environmental cues. These findings offer novel insight into the neurodevelopmental role of insulin and suggest that insulin signaling may serve as a therapeutic target to mitigate the long-term brain and behavioral consequences of prenatal adversity.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Determine Interaction Affinity Changes of the SUMO E1 Activating Enzymes During SUMO Activation using Quantitative FRET technology

The heterodimeric E1 complex, Aos1-Uba2, catalyzes the first adenylation activation of the SUMO1 peptide in the SUMOylation cascade. The reaction affinity and dynamics of the Aos1-Uba2 heterodimer during the first step activation have yet to be determined. The Kd for the Aos1-Uba2 interaction provides a unique perspective for the activation step of the ubiquitin-like protein conjugation cascade. Here, we report for the first time the determination of the Aos1 and Uba2 interaction dissociation constant (Kd) and kinetics using the qFRET assay. We also used the SPR method to verify the interaction Kd between Aos1 and Uba2. We also determined the kinetics changes of Aos1-Uba2 when SUMOs and ATP were added to the reaction in real time. The results showed that forming a thioester bond between SUMO1 and Uba2 increases the FRET signal, indicating that the E1 heterodimer is more stable and bound to each other in SUMO and ATP. These results suggest that the qFRET method can be used to determine protein interaction affinity changes and track real-time changes in protein conformation and dynamics changes during biochemical reactions.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2A Orchestrates Vascular Redox Homeostasis via Direct Transcriptional Activation of SIRT1

Myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A), a transcription factor implicated in coronary artery disease, remains unexplored in vascular redox regulation. To address this gap and overcome limitations of current antioxidant therapies, we investigated MEF2As role in oxidative defense using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and murine models. Adenoviral vectors encoding MEF2A-specific shRNA or mRNA were employed to silence or overexpress MEF2A in HUVECs. For in vivo validation, endothelial-targeted MEF2A knockdown was achieved via AAV1-shRNA delivery in mice fed a high-fat diet. Systemic redox status was assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione homeostasis (GSH/GSSG ratio), NADH/NAD+ balance, mitochondrial membrane potential ({Delta}{Psi}m), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Mechanistic insights were derived from immunofluorescence, qPCR, western blotting, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. MEF2A silencing induced redox imbalance, characterized by elevated ROS, reduced GSH/GSSG ratio, and {Delta}{Psi}m collapse. Conversely, MEF2A overexpression synergized with SIRT1 to restore glutathione pools, maintain NAD+ homeostasis, and suppress ROS under oxidative stress. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed direct MEF2A binding to two cis-elements in the SIRT1 promoter, driving transcriptional activation. In vivo, MEF2A-deficient mice exhibited amplified vascular oxidative damage, including elevated DNA damage marker (8-OHdG) and ROS levels. Downregulation of SIRT1/PGC-1 in MEF2A silenced cells was verified in vivo. Our findings establish MEF2A as a master regulator of endothelial redox defense via the SIRT1-PGC-1 axis, offering a mechanistic foundation for targeting oxidative cardiovascular disorders. This work suggests pharmacological MEF2A activation as a novel strategy for precision antioxidant therapy in vascular medicine.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Vascularized Bioengineered Kidney Using Decellularized Scaffold Recellularized with human Placenta-Derived Angiogenic stem Cells and Kidney Organoids

A bioengineered kidney using a decellularized kidney scaffold (DKS) offers a promising solution to the kidney shortage. However, the transplantation of bioengineered kidneys using DKS recellularized with human endothelial, renal cells or others has not yet successfully achieved the vascular and renal reconstruction in vivo. In this study, we identified another type of stem cells, designated as human placenta-derived angiogenic stem cells (hPASCs), which serve as seeding cells for the vascularization of DKS. These hPASCs encompass angiogenic subpopulations, exhibit both stem cell properties and the capacity for vascular differentiation. Human fetal kidney organoids (KIO) were established as a source of renal parenchymal cells, comprising renal, immune, and vascular cell populations. We developed a vascularized bioengineered kidney by recellularizing DKS with hPASCs and KIO using a circulation perfusion culture system. The hPASCs bioengineered kidney demonstrated enhanced angiogenesis and reconstructed renal architecture in vivo, by transplantation into rat models of renal subcapsular and partial nephrectomy. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and single-cell analyses revealed that the hPASCs revascularized bioengineered kidney regenerated both vascular and renal parenchymal cells within the host. This study offers another strategy for kidney bioengineering and regeneration.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Tetranychus cinnabarinus is an important agricultural pest, primarily due to its rapid development of pesticide resistance. In this study, we constructed a chromosome-level genome of T. cinnabarinus using Illumina, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The assembled genome spans 86.67 Mb, with an N50 value of 21.77 Mb, and 84.54 Mb of sequences anchored across three chromosomes. The BUSCO completeness of the genome is 92.78%. Through gene prediction, we identified 11,388 protein-coding genes, 98.53% of which are functionally annotated. Furthermore, we systematically identified 304 genes from five major detoxification enzyme systems. This high-quality genome provides a solid foundation for investigating the physiological mechanisms of T. cinnabarinus and for identifying potential targets for biocontrol strategies.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Multiresolution Clustering of Genomic Data

Cluster analysis is a widely used unsupervised learning technique in genomic data analysis, with critical applications such as inferring genetic population structures and annotating cell types from single-cell RNA-seq data. However, most existing clustering methods focus on identifying a single optimal partition while overlooking intrinsic relationships among the inferred clusters. Moreover, clustering results produced by different algorithms often appear inconsistent, and there is a lack of principled approaches to extract shared, biologically meaningful patterns across diverse clustering outputs. In this work, we introduce a computational framework that enables systematic exploration of multi-resolution clustering structures in genomic data, starting from an initial configuration generated by any available clustering algorithm. The proposed algorithm provides a unified and principled approach for uncovering complex, nested biological relationships and reconciling discrepancies among clustering results. We demonstrate the utility of our framework through comprehensive simulations and applications to both genetic and single-cell transcriptomic datasets, highlighting its ability to recover interpretable and reproducible clustering structures. Furthermore, we show that our multi-resolution cluster analysis of complex genomic data yields valuable insights into patterns of human population migration and cell differentiation trajectories.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

p53-induced RNA-binding protein ZMAT3 inhibits transcription of a hexokinase to suppress mitochondrial respiration

The tumor suppressor p53 is a transcription factor that controls the expression of hundreds of genes. Emerging evidence indicates that the p53-induced RNA-binding protein ZMAT3 acts as a key splicing regulator that contributes to p53-dependent tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism by which ZMAT3 functions within the p53 pathway remains largely unclear. Here, we discovered a function of ZMAT3 in inhibiting transcription of HKDC1, a hexokinase that regulates glucose metabolism and mitochondrial respiration. Quantitative proteomics revealed HKDC1 as the most significantly upregulated protein in ZMAT3-depleted colorectal cancer cells. ZMAT3 depletion resulted in increased mitochondrial respiration, which was rescued by simultaneous depletion of HKDC1, suggesting that HKDC1 is a critical downstream effector of ZMAT3. Unexpectedly, ZMAT3 did not bind to HKDC1 RNA or DNA; however, proteomic analysis of the ZMAT3 interactome identified its interaction with the oncogenic transcription factor JUN. ZMAT3 depletion enhanced JUN binding to the HKDC1 locus, leading to increased HKDC1 transcription that was rescued upon JUN depletion, suggesting that JUN activates HKDC1 transcription in ZMAT3-depleted cells. Collectively, these findings uncover a mechanism by which ZMAT3 regulates transcription through JUN and demonstrate that HKDC1 is a key component of the ZMAT3-regulated transcriptome in the context of mitochondrial respiration regulation.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Adolescents with major depression featured by sensory-association subtyping show divergent information dynamics and streams

Adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibits complex and heterogeneous alterations of brain functional organization. To understand the neurobiological basis of adolescent MDD, we adopted resting-state functional MRI data and used various matrix decomposition approaches to obtain the organization gradients, temporal dynamics, and information streams. With clustering sensory-association gradient features in our exploratory sample (NMDD = 250 and NControls = 203), we identified two MDD subtypes. Subtype 1 was characterized by sensory contraction and subtype 2 was associated with association expansion. In addition, two subtypes showed divergent bottom-up and top-down information flows in sensory and association areas using temporal dynamics analysis. These subtypes exhibit distinct age-related changes and reorganization trajectories along sensory-association and auditory-visual axes, highlighting that cortical information flow patterns systematically vary and relate differently to sensory integration, cognitive complexity, and aging. These network distinctions are linked to clinical severity and molecular mechanisms. Subtype 1 is predominantly associated with early neurodevelopmental abnormalities and emotional regulation deficits, while Subtype 2 is more related to synaptic dysfunction and reduced neuronal excitability. These results could be largely replicated in another independent sample (NMDD = 73 and NControls = 28). We therefore construct a sensory-association dual functional framework to characterize MDD heterogeneity in adolescent MDD. Itl integrates cortical hierarchy, developmental trajectories, and genetic influences, offering novel insights into MDD pathophysiology and providing a theoretical foundation for precision psychiatry, facilitating personalized diagnosis and intervention strategies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Hydrogen-Induced Calcium Influx via the TRPC4-TRPC4AP Axis

BackgroundCalcium ions (Ca{superscript 2}) serve as universal intracellular messengers regulating diverse physiological processes, while dysregulated Ca{superscript 2} homeostasis triggers cytotoxicity. Molecular hydrogen (H2) exhibits protective effects against oxidative stress-related pathologies, but its mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. Transient receptor potential canonical 4 (TRPC4) channels and their associated protein TRPC4AP are critical mediators of Ca{superscript 2} influx ( [Ca{superscript 2}]i), yet their role in H2-mediated calcium signaling is unexplored. This study investigates the molecular mechanism by which H2 modulates Ca{superscript 2} dynamics through the TRPC4-TRPC4AP axis, aiming to establish its therapeutic potential for calcium-related disorders. MethodsThe study employed heterogeneous cellular models (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells, neurons, fibroblasts) and in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in C57BL/6J mice. Techniques included CRISPR-Cas9 knockout, siRNA-mediated gene silencing, molecular docking (AlphaFold 3), and protein-protein interaction analysis. Calcium flux was quantified via fluorescence imaging, while mitochondrial integrity and cytoskeletal dynamics were assessed using JC-1 staining, ATPase activity assays, and live-cell imaging. Structural validation of TRPC4-TRPC4AP binding sites utilized mutagenesis and complementation experiments. ResultsH2 selectively enhanced extracellular Ca{superscript 2} influx via TRPC4-TRPC4AP, with no cytotoxicity or mitochondrial dysfunction observed. Key arginine residues (730Arg-731Arg) in the TRPC4 CIRB domain formed hydrogen-bond networks essential for channel activation. In vivo, H2 increased neuronal Ca{superscript 2} transient frequency and amplitude in the primary motor cortex. TRPC4AP knockout abolished H2-induced Ca{superscript 2} influx, while mutagenesis of 730Arg/731Arg disrupted channel activity. H2 also promoted cytoskeletal remodeling and cell motility, dependent on TRPC4AP-mediated Ca{superscript 2} signaling. ConclusionsThis study identifies H2 as a novel calcium agonist that activates the TRPC4-TRPC4AP axis to regulate extracellular Ca{superscript 2} influx. The 730Arg-731Arg motif in TRPC4 serves as a critical H2-sensitive site, enabling dynamic calcium homeostasis without overload. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for H2-based therapies targeting calcium dysregulation in neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases, while highlighting TRPC4AP as a pivotal molecular switch for gasotransmitter signaling.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Inflammation-profiling reveals activated pathways and biomarkers with predictive potential in oligoarticular JIA

ObjectiveWe set out to profile the immune mechanisms active in treatment-naive oligoarticular JIA (oJIA) to improve understanding of its immunopathogenesis, to identify potential biomarkers that can aid diagnosis, predictions and correlate with clinical disease parameters. MethodsUsing Olink proteomics (Inflammation Panel), we defined and compared the inflammation profiles of 38 plasma and 62 synovial fluid (SF) oJIA samples, 38 plasma samples from healthy age- and sex-matched controls (HC), 12 SF samples from non-arthritic controls and 26 SF samples from knee injury patients. Clinical data were retrieved from the Swedish Pediatric Rheumatology Quality Register. ResultsPlasma profiles of oJIA and HC were largely overlapping, with IL6 and MMP-1 upregulated in oJIA. In SF, 48 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in oJIA, highlighting immune pathways like leukocyte migration, cell chemotaxis and adaptive immunity. Comparative analysis revealed 13 proteins specific to oJIA. Correlations were found between DEPs in oJIA SF and clinical parameters (cJADAS-71, pain, health impact score). Plasma IL6 and MMP-1 showed strong correlation with disease activity and pain, respectively. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 were identified as potential predictive biomarkers for disease progression. ConclusionsThe overlap in plasma inflammation profiles of oJIA and HCs suggests local rather than systemic inflammation in oJIA, underlining the need for synovial fluid-based immunopathogenesis studies. Adaptive immune signatures in oJIA SF distinguished it from knee injury patients, offering potential for diagnostic application. Increased CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in SF were associated with chronic disease progression and could serve as prognostic biomarkers and early treatment targets.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals altered plasma cell subsets and decreased cytotoxicity of NK cells in patients with Kawasaki diseas

AimThe pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of Kawasaki disease (KD) are worth further exploring. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), our study aimed to explore the landscape of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with KD. MethodsWe analyzed the scRNA-seq data of three patients with KD and three healthy controls from the GSE168732 dataset. Additionally, we explored the immune profiles and immune cell subtypes of patients with KD. ResultsSignificantly increased B cells and decreased NK cells were observed in the KD group compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, six B cell subsets were identified in the PBMCs of patients with KD. Particularly, plasma cells (CD9+ and S100A9+ B cell clusters) distinctly increased in the KD group. CD9+ B cell cluster was characterized by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling-associated marker genes and DEGs. Meanwhile the S100A9+ B cell cluster was characterized by platelet aggregation marker genes. As for NK cells, CD16+CD56dim NK cells were enriched in the KD group. Cytotoxicity-related activating receptors (KLRD1,KLRC3) and cytotoxicity-associated genes (PRF1, NKG7, GZMA, GZMH, GNLY) were downregulated in the KD group. ConclusionCD9+ and S100A9+ plasma cells may contribute to CALs in KD by upregulating VEGF and activating platelet. In addition, decreased cytotoxicity of NK cells mediated by KLRD1/KLRC3 receptor may play a vital role in the development of KD. Our results suggested that plasma cells and NK cells could be promising targets for the treatment of KD.

immunology↗