Project description:Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a prevalent thrombotic complication in cirrhosis, yet its pathophysiology remains elusive, hindering effective treatment strategies. Unlike thrombosis in other vascular beds, anticoagulation often fails to achieve complete recanalization in PVT, highlighting the need of alternative therapeutic approaches. We investigated portal vein endothelium involvement in PVT pathogenesis, identifying potential therapeutic targets. We isolated for the first time primary human portal vein endothelial cells (PVEC) from explanted livers of cirrhotic patients with and without PVT, as well as from a control group without portal hypertension and conducted RNA sequencing. Transcriptomic analysis unveiled endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) pathway as a key mechanism underlying PVT in cirrhosis, predominantly induced through TGFβ/SMAD mechanism. Remarkably, coagulation markers remained unaffected. In silico drug repurposing identified statins as potential agents targeting these alterations. Our study elucidates significant endothelial changes in the portal vein of cirrhotic patients, particularly pronounced in those with PVT, with EndMT emerging as a pivotal process. Simvastatin emerges as a promising therapeutic option for PVT treatment and prevention by modulating EndMT in PVEC.
Project description:We aimed to investigate the microbial community composition in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its effect on prognosis. The relationship between changes in bacterial flora and the prognosis of spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage was studied in two cohort studies. Fecal samples from healthy volunteers and patients with intracerebral hemorrhage were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing at three time points: T1 (within 24 hours of admission), T2 (3 days post-surgery), and T3 (7 days post-surgery) using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology.
Project description:Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is characterized by portal hypertension due to obstruction or stenosis of the intrahepatic peripheral portal branches. Researchers have suggested that IPH may be attributed to intrahepatic peripheral portal vein thrombosis, splenic factors, abnormal autoimmunity, and related factors, however, the etiology of IPH remains unclear. We used microarrays to identify the functions of genes expressed in blood samples from patients with IPH.
Project description:Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is characterized by portal hypertension due to obstruction or stenosis of the intrahepatic peripheral portal branches. Researchers have suggested that IPH may be attributed to intrahepatic peripheral portal vein thrombosis, splenic factors, abnormal autoimmunity, and related factors, however, the etiology of IPH remains unclear. We used microarrays to identify the functions of genes expressed in blood samples from patients with IPH. In order to examine the specific expression of genes in patients with IPH, we analyzed blood samples from three patients with IPH and three healthy volunteers as control using DNA microarrays.
Project description:Cirrhosis profoundly impacts extrahepatic vasculature, particularly altering the portal venous system (PVS), leading to increased portal pressure, portosystemic collaterals, and portal vein thrombosis, which heightens morbidity and reduced survival in patients with liver disease. Despite extensive research on intrahepatic vasculature in cirrhosis, understanding of extrahepatic changes in the splanchnic territory at the molecular level remains limited. The distinct characteristics of the PVS suggest a unique endothelial profile crucial for elucidating vascular dysfunction in liver diseases. However, current research is hampered by the inaccessibility of the portal vein and imperfect preclinical models. Here, we aim to isolate and immortalize primary human portal vein endothelial cells (hPVECs) to enhance understanding of pathophysiological changes during liver disease and establish a platform for future drug testing.
Project description:This study aimed to analyze changes in gut microbiota composition in mice after transplantation of fecal microbiota (FMT, N = 6) from the feces of NSCLC patients by analyzing fecal content using 16S rRNA sequencing, 10 days after transplantation. Specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice were used for each experiments (N=4) as controls.
Project description:Fecal samples collected on day 5 from randomly selected colitic SD rats were analyzed for gut microbiota by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The orally administered Dex-P-laden NPA2 coacervate (Dex-P/NPA2) significantly restores the diversity of gut microbiota compared with colitic SD rats in the Dex-P/PBS group and the untreated colitic rats (Control).
Project description:This study in rats was designed to investigate whether whole rhye (WR) can influence the metabolism of n-3 and n-6 long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and gut microbiota composition. For 12 weeks, rats were fed a diet containing either 50% WR or 50% refined rye (RR). Total bacterial DNA was extracted from fecal and cecal samples (n=5 per group). 16S PCR amplification was performed to assess the microbial diversity at the family level using the HuGChip. Amplified DNA was purified and labelled with either Cy3 or Cy5 dye and hybridized on the microarray. A 15 chip study was realized, each corresponding to hybridization with 250ng of labelled 16S rRNA gene amplicons from either mice fecal and cecal samples. Each probe (4441) was synthetized in three replicates.
Project description:We explore whether a low-energy diet intervention for Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) improves liver disease by means of modulating the gut microbiome. 16 individuals were given a low-energy diet (880 kcal, consisting of bars, soups, and shakes) for 12 weeks, followed by a stepped re-introduction to whole for an additional 12 weeks. Stool samples were obtained at 0, 12, and 24 weeks for microbiome analysis. Fecal microbiome were measured using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Positive control (Zymo DNA standard D6305) and negative control (PBS extraction) were included in the sequencing. We found that low-energy diet improved MASH disease without lasting alterations to the gut microbiome.
Project description:We used 16S V3/V4 region amplification to evaluate the composition of bacteria species in mouse fecal pellets after vehicle or ABX treatment and before and after fecal matter transplant.
