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Chen L, Li X, Deng Y, Chen J, Huang M, Zhu F, Gao Z, Wu L, Hong Q, Feng Z, Cai G, Sun X, Bai X, Chen X. The PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway mediates renal pericyte-myofibroblast transition by enhancing glycolysis through HKII. J Transl Med 2023; 21:323. [PMID: 37179292 PMCID: PMC10182641 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04167-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pericyte-myofibroblast transition (PMT) has been confirmed to contribute to renal fibrosis in several kidney diseases, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a well-known cytokine that drives PMT. However, the underlying mechanism has not been fully established, and little is known about the associated metabolic changes. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify transcriptomic changes during PMT. PDGFRβ + pericytes were isolated using MACS, and an in vitro model of PMT was induced by 5 ng/ml TGF-β1. Metabolites were analyzed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS). 2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG) was used to inhibit glycolysis via its actions on hexokinase (HK). The hexokinase II (HKII) plasmid was transfected into pericytes for HKII overexpression. LY294002 or rapamycin was used to inhibit the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway for mechanistic exploration. RESULTS An increase in carbon metabolism during PMT was detected through bioinformatics and metabolomics analysis. We first detected increased levels of glycolysis and HKII expression in pericytes after stimulation with TGF-β1 for 48 h, accompanied by increased expression of α-SMA, vimentin and desmin. Transdifferentiation was blunted when pericytes were pretreated with 2-DG, an inhibitor of glycolysis. The phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR were elevated during PMT, and after inhibition of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway with LY294002 or rapamycin, glycolysis in the TGF-β1-treated pericytes was decreased. Moreover, PMT and HKII transcription and activity were blunted, but the plasmid-mediated overexpression of HKII rescued PMT inhibition. CONCLUSIONS The expression and activity of HKII as well as the level of glycolysis were increased during PMT. Moreover, the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway regulates PMT by increasing glycolysis through HKII regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaofan Li
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yiyao Deng
- Department of Nephrology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianwen Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Mengjie Huang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Fengge Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Zhumei Gao
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Lingling Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Zhe Feng
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Guangyan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xuefeng Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xueyuan Bai
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Dasen B, Pigeot S, Born GM, Verrier S, Rivero O, Dittrich PS, Martin I, Filippova M. T-cadherin is a novel regulator of pericyte function during angiogenesis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C821-C836. [PMID: 36802732 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00326.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Pericytes are mural cells that play an important role in regulation of angiogenesis and endothelial function. Cadherins are a superfamily of adhesion molecules mediating Ca2+-dependent homophilic cell-cell interactions that control morphogenesis and tissue remodeling. To date, classical N-cadherin is the only cadherin described on pericytes. Here, we demonstrate that pericytes also express T-cadherin (H-cadherin, CDH13), an atypical glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored member of the superfamily that has previously been implicated in regulation of neurite guidance, endothelial angiogenic behavior, and smooth muscle cell differentiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to investigate T-cadherin function in pericytes. Expression of T-cadherin in pericytes from different tissues was performed by immunofluorescence analysis. Using lentivirus-mediated gain-of-function and loss-of-function in cultured human pericytes, we demonstrate that T-cadherin regulates pericyte proliferation, migration, invasion, and interactions with endothelial cells during angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. T-cadherin effects are associated with the reorganization of the cytoskeleton, modulation of cyclin D1, α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), integrin β3, metalloprotease MMP1, and collagen expression levels, and involve Akt/GSK3β and ROCK intracellular signaling pathways. We also report the development of a novel multiwell 3-D microchannel slide for easy analysis of sprouting angiogenesis from a bioengineered microvessel in vitro. In conclusion, our data identify T-cadherin as a novel regulator of pericyte function and support that it is required for pericyte proliferation and invasion during active phase of angiogenesis, while T-cadherin loss shifts pericytes toward the myofibroblast state rendering them unable to control endothelial angiogenic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Dasen
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastien Pigeot
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gordian Manfred Born
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Olga Rivero
- Research Group on Psychiatry and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Valencia, Spain
| | - Petra S Dittrich
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Martin
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Filippova
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Surgery, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Synergistic Impairment of the Neurovascular Unit by HIV-1 Infection and Methamphetamine Use: Implications for HIV-1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091883. [PMID: 34578464 PMCID: PMC8473422 DOI: 10.3390/v13091883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurovascular units (NVU) are the minimal functional units of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and the basement membrane. The BBB serves as an important interface for immune communication between the brain and peripheral circulation. Disruption of the NVU by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) induces dysfunction of the BBB and triggers inflammatory responses, which can lead to the development of neurocognitive impairments collectively known as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is a frequent comorbidity among individuals infected with HIV-1. METH use may be associated not only with rapid HIV-1 disease progression but also with accelerated onset and increased severity of HAND. However, the molecular mechanisms of METH-induced neuronal injury and cognitive impairment in the context of HIV-1 infection are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the signaling pathways mediating synergistic impairment of the BBB and neuronal injury induced by METH and HIV-1, potentially accelerating the onset or severity of HAND in HIV-1-positive METH abusers. We also discuss potential therapies to limit neuroinflammation and NVU damage in HIV-1-infected METH abusers.
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Kurmann L, Okoniewski M, Dubey RK. Estradiol Inhibits Human Brain Vascular Pericyte Migration Activity: A Functional and Transcriptomic Analysis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092314. [PMID: 34571963 PMCID: PMC8472363 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality in women and it kills twice as many women as breast cancer. A key role in the pathophysiology of stroke plays the disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) within the neurovascular unit. While estrogen induces vascular protective actions, its influence on stroke remains unclear. Moreover, experiments assessing its impact on endothelial cells to induce barrier integrity are non-conclusive. Since pericytes play an active role in regulating BBB integrity and function, we hypothesize that estradiol may influence BBB by regulating their activity. In this study using human brain vascular pericytes (HBVPs) we investigated the impact of estradiol on key pericyte functions known to influence BBB integrity. HBVPs expressed estrogen receptors (ER-α, ER-β and GPER) and treatment with estradiol (10 nM) inhibited basal cell migration but not proliferation. Since pericyte migration is a hallmark for BBB disruption following injury, infection and inflammation, we investigated the effects of estradiol on TNFα-induced PC migration. Importantly, estradiol prevented TNFα-induced pericyte migration and this effect was mimicked by PPT (ER-α agonist) and DPN (ER-β agonist), but not by G1 (GPR30 agonist). The modulatory effects of estradiol were abrogated by MPP and PHTPP, selective ER-α and ER-β antagonists, respectively, confirming the role of ER-α and ER-β in mediating the anti-migratory actions of estrogen. To delineate the intracellular mechanisms mediating the inhibitory actions of estradiol on PC migration, we investigated the role of AKT and MAPK activation. While estradiol consistently reduced the TNFα-induced MAPK and Akt phosphorylation, only the inhibition of MAPK, but not Akt, significantly abrogated the migratory actions of TNFα. In transendothelial electrical resistance measurements, estradiol induced barrier function (TEER) in human brain microvascular endothelial cells co-cultured with pericytes, but not in HBMECs cultured alone. Importantly, transcriptomics analysis of genes modulated by estradiol in pericytes showed downregulation of genes known to increase cell migration and upregulation of genes known to inhibit cell migration. Taken together, our findings provide the first evidence that estradiol modulates pericyte activity and thereby improves endothelial integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kurmann
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland;
| | | | - Raghvendra K. Dubey
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland;
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Correspondence:
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Pimentel E, Sivalingam K, Doke M, Samikkannu T. Effects of Drugs of Abuse on the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Brief Overview. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:513. [PMID: 32670001 PMCID: PMC7326150 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of psychostimulants and alcohol disrupts blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, resulting in alterations to cellular function, and contributes to neurotoxicity. The BBB is the critical boundary of the central nervous system (CNS) where it maintains intracellular homeostasis and facilitates communication with the peripheral circulation. The BBB is regulated by tight junction (TJ) proteins that closely interact with endothelial cells (EC). The complex TJ protein network consists of transmembrane proteins, including claudins, occludins, and junction adhesion molecules (JAM), as well as cytoskeleton connected scaffolding proteins, zonula occludentes (ZO-1, 2, and 3). The use of psychostimulants and alcohol is known to affect the CNS and is implicated in various neurological disorders through neurotoxicity that partly results from increased BBB permeability. The present mini review primarily focuses on BBB structure and permeability. Moreover, we assess TJ protein and cytoskeletal changes induced by cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, heroin, nicotine, and alcohol. These changes promote glial activation, enzyme potentiation, and BBB remodeling, which affect neuroinflammatory pathways. Although the effect of drugs of abuse on BBB integrity and the underlying mechanisms are well studied, the present review enhances the understanding of the underlying mechanisms through which substance abuse disorders cause BBB dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emely Pimentel
- School of Medicine, St. George's University, Great River, NY, United States
| | - Kalaiselvi Sivalingam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, United States
| | - Mayur Doke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, United States
| | - Thangavel Samikkannu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, United States
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Erickson MA, Banks WA. Neuroimmune Axes of the Blood-Brain Barriers and Blood-Brain Interfaces: Bases for Physiological Regulation, Disease States, and Pharmacological Interventions. Pharmacol Rev 2018; 70:278-314. [PMID: 29496890 PMCID: PMC5833009 DOI: 10.1124/pr.117.014647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) barriers predominantly mediate the immune-privileged status of the brain, and are also important regulators of neuroimmune communication. It is increasingly appreciated that communication between the brain and immune system contributes to physiologic processes, adaptive responses, and disease states. In this review, we discuss the highly specialized features of brain barriers that regulate neuroimmune communication in health and disease. In section I, we discuss the concept of immune privilege, provide working definitions of brain barriers, and outline the historical work that contributed to the understanding of CNS barrier functions. In section II, we discuss the unique anatomic, cellular, and molecular characteristics of the vascular blood-brain barrier (BBB), blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and tanycytic barriers that confer their functions as neuroimmune interfaces. In section III, we consider BBB-mediated neuroimmune functions and interactions categorized as five neuroimmune axes: disruption, responses to immune stimuli, uptake and transport of immunoactive substances, immune cell trafficking, and secretions of immunoactive substances. In section IV, we discuss neuroimmune functions of CNS barriers in physiologic and disease states, as well as pharmacological interventions for CNS diseases. Throughout this review, we highlight many recent advances that have contributed to the modern understanding of CNS barriers and their interface functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Erickson
- Geriatric Research and Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington; and Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - William A Banks
- Geriatric Research and Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington; and Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Bai Y, Zhang Y, Han B, Yang L, Chen X, Huang R, Wu F, Chao J, Liu P, Hu G, Zhang JH, Yao H. Circular RNA DLGAP4 Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke Outcomes by Targeting miR-143 to Regulate Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition Associated with Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity. J Neurosci 2018; 38:32-50. [PMID: 29114076 PMCID: PMC6705810 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1348-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are highly expressed in the CNS and regulate physiological and pathophysiological processes. However, the potential role of circRNAs in stroke remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the circRNA DLGAP4 (circDLGAP4) functions as an endogenous microRNA-143 (miR-143) sponge to inhibit miR-143 activity, resulting in the inhibition of homologous to the E6-AP C-terminal domain E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 expression. circDLGAP4 levels were significantly decreased in the plasma of acute ischemic stroke patients (13 females and 13 males) and in a mouse stroke model. Upregulation of circDLGAP4 expression significantly attenuated neurological deficits and decreased infarct areas and blood-brain barrier damage in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse stroke model. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition contributes to blood-brain barrier disruption and circDLGAP4 overexpression significantly inhibited endothelial-mesenchymal transition by regulating tight junction protein and mesenchymal cell marker expression. Together, the results of our study are illustrative of the involvement of circDLGAP4 and its coupling mechanism in cerebral ischemia, providing translational evidence that circDLGAP4 serves as a novel therapeutic target for acute cerebrovascular protection.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes. However, whether circRNAs are involved in ischemic injury, particularly cerebrovascular disorders, remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate a critical role for circular RNA DLGAP4 (circDLGAP4), a novel circular RNA originally identified as a sponge for microRNA-143 (miR-143), in ischemic stroke outcomes. Overexpression of circDLGAP4 significantly attenuated neurological deficits and decreased infarct areas and blood-brain barrier damage in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse stroke model. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the efficacy of circRNA injection in an ischemic stroke model. Our investigation suggests that circDLGAP4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for acute ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Emergency Department, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Rongrong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Fangfang Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jie Chao
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Gang Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - John H Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92354, and
| | - Honghong Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China,
- Institute of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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