multi-modal-spatial-metabolomics-with-mid-infrared-microscope-guided

Multi-Modal Spatial Metabolomics with Mid-Infrared Microscope Guided Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Spatial metabolomics is a rapidly evolving field to map the distribution of metabolites within tissues, organs, and even single cells. This approach ...

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a potentially lethal complication of hyperthyroidism. However, only 1 specific susceptibility locus for TPP has been identified. Additional genetic determinants should be detected so that a prediction model can be constructed.

Assessment of Molecular Subtypes in Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis and Graves Disease Among Chinese Han Adults: A Population-Based Genome-Wide Association Study.

Mutations in  have been widely reported to be risk factors for Graves' disease (GD). The gene, along with its cognate ligand CD40L, may regulate pro-inflammatory and immune responses. Rs1883832, located at the -1 position of the Kozak sequence, is the most well-studied single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of , and has been confirmed to predispose those with the alteration to GD, regardless of ethnicity. Our genome-wide association study (GWAS) indicated that several SNPs, including rs1883832 located within the vicinity of  were associated with GD in the Han Chinese population. Aiming at identifying the most consequential SNP and its underlying pathogenic mechanism, we performed a two-stage refined study on 8,171 patients with GD and 7,906 controls, and found rs1883832 was the most significantly GD-associated SNP in the  gene region ( = 9.17×10, OR = 1.18). Through searching the cis-expression quantitative trait locus database and using quantitative RT-PCR, we further discovered that the rs1883832 genotype can influence  gene transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrated that rs1883832 is a susceptibility locus for pTRAb+ GD patients. In conclusion, the current study provides robust evidence that rs1883832 can regulate CD40 gene expression and affect serum TRAb levels, which ultimately contributes to the development of GD.

Compelling Evidence Linking CD40 Gene With Graves' Disease in the Chinese Han Population.

The cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor, absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), detects cytosolic DNA, activating the inflammasome and resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and pyroptotic cell death. Recent research has illuminated AIM2's contributions to PANoptosis and host defense. However, the role of AIM2 in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatoxicity remains enigmatic. In this study, we unveil AIM2's novel function as a negative regulator in the pathogenesis of APAP-induced liver damage in aged mice, independently of inflammasome activation. AIM2-deficient aged mice exhibited heightened lipid accumulation and hepatic triglycerides in comparison to their wild-type counterparts. Strikingly, AIM2 knockout mice subjected to APAP overdose demonstrated intensified liver injury, compromised mitochondrial stability, exacerbated glutathione depletion, diminished autophagy, and elevated levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Furthermore, our investigation revealed AIM2's mitochondrial localization; its overexpression in mouse hepatocytes amplified autophagy while dampening JNK phosphorylation. Notably, induction of autophagy through rapamycin administration mitigated serum alanine aminotransferase levels and reduced the necrotic liver area in AIM2-deficient aged mice following APAP overdose. Mechanistically, AIM2 deficiency exacerbated APAP-induced acute liver damage and inflammation in aged mice by intensifying oxidative stress and augmenting the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK. Given its regulatory role in autophagy and lipid peroxidation, AIM2 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for age-related acute liver damage treatment.

AIM2 regulates autophagy to mitigate oxidative stress in aged mice with acute liver injury.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease globally, with the potential to progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Given the absence of effective treatments to halt its progression, novel molecular approaches to the NAFLD diagnosis and treatment are of paramount importance.

Integrative analysis identifies oxidative stress biomarkers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

Maintaining intracellular redox balance is essential for the survival, antibody secretion, and mucosal immune homeostasis of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). However, the relationship between mitochondrial metabolic enzymes and the redox balance in ASCs has yet to be comprehensively studied. Our study unveils the pivotal role of mitochondrial enzyme PCK2 in regulating ASCs' redox balance and intestinal homeostasis. We discover that PCK2 loss, whether globally or in B cells, exacerbates dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis due to increased IgA ASC cell death and diminished antibody production. Mechanistically, the absence of PCK2 diverts glutamine into the TCA cycle, leading to heightened TCA flux and excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production. In addition, PCK2 loss reduces glutamine availability for glutathione (GSH) synthesis, resulting in a decrease of total glutathione level. The elevated mtROS and reduced GSH expose ASCs to overwhelming oxidative stress, culminating in cell apoptosis. Crucially, we found that the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mitoquinone (Mito-Q) can mitigate the detrimental effects of PCK2 deficiency in IgA ASCs, thereby alleviating colitis in mice. Our findings highlight PCK2 as a key player in IgA ASC survival and provide a potential new target for colitis treatment.

PCK2 maintains intestinal homeostasis and prevents colitis by protecting antibody-secreting cells from oxidative stress.

An efficient synthesis of chiral tertiary alcohols through asymmetric nucleophilic addition reaction of aldehyde hydrazones to simple ketones (especially aryl/methyl ketones) has been well established. Aryl aldehydes could be used as latent benzyl carbanion equivalents via reductive polarity reversal. The key to the success of the asymmetric reaction was the combination of an achiral monophosphine ligand PhP(2-furyl) with a chiral diamine derivative, which enhanced the enantioselectivity and reactivity. Density functional theory calculations revealed the hydrogen bond interactions between the chiral diamine derivative, the achiral monophosphine ligand, and the base anion, which combined to induce the desired enantioselectivity. Moreover, further synthetic transformation of tertiary alcohols with high chirality transfer was also demonstrated.

Article	Year
Assessment of Molecular Subtypes in Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis and Graves Disease Among Chinese Han Adults: A Population-Based Genome-Wide Association Study. JAMA network open\| PubMed ID: 31050781	2019
Compelling Evidence Linking CD40 Gene With Graves' Disease in the Chinese Han Population. Frontiers in endocrinology\| PubMed ID: 34867801	2021
AIM2 regulates autophagy to mitigate oxidative stress in aged mice with acute liver injury. Cell death discovery\| PubMed ID: 38429284	2024
Integrative analysis identifies oxidative stress biomarkers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Frontiers in immunology\| PubMed ID: 38476236	2024
PCK2 maintains intestinal homeostasis and prevents colitis by protecting antibody-secreting cells from oxidative stress. Immunology\| PubMed ID: 38934051	2024
Chiral ruthenium complex/PhP(2-furyl)-catalyzed asymmetric nucleophilic addition of aryl aldehyde hydrazones to simple ketones. Science advances\| PubMed ID: 40117353	2025

Haining Wang

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