Enhancing thalassemia gene carrier identification in non-anemic populations using artificial intelligence erythrocyte morphology analysis and machine learning.

BACKGROUND: Non-anemic thalassemia trait (TT) accounted for a high proportion of TT cases in South China. OBJECTIVE: To use artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of erythrocyte morphology and machine learning (ML) to identify TT gene carriers in a non-anemic population. METHODS: Digital morphological data from 76 TT gene carriers and 97 controls were collected. The AI technology-based Mindray MC-100i was used to quantitatively analyze the percentage of abnormal erythrocytes. Further, ML was used to construct a prediction model. RESULTS: Non-anemic TT carriers accounted for over 60% of the TT cases. Random Forest was selected as the prediction model and named TT@Normal. The TT@Normal algorithm showed outstanding performance in the training, validation, and external validation sets and could efficiently identify TT carriers in the non-anemic population. The top three weights in the TT@Normal model were the target cells, microcytes, and teardrop cells. Elevated percentages of abnormal erythrocytes should raise a strong suspicion of being a TT gene carrier. TT@Normal could be promoted and used as a visualization and sharing tool. It is accessible through a URL link and can be used by medical staff online to predict the possibility of TT gene carriage in a non-anemic population. CONCLUSIONS: The ML-based model TT@Normal could efficiently identify TT carriers in non-anemic people. Elevated percentages of target cells, microcytes, and teardrop cells should raise a strong suspicion of being a TT gene carrier.

A Photothermal Polymeric Platform for Efficient and Safe Gene Transfection: When Polyethylenimine Collaborates with Indocyanine Green.

Gene transfection, defined by the delivery of nucleic acids into cellular compartments, stands as a crucial procedure in gene therapy. While branched polyethylenimine (PEI) is widely regarded as the "gold standard" for nonviral vectors, its cationic nature presents several issues, including nonspecific protein adsorption and notable cytotoxicity. Additionally, it often fails to achieve high transfection efficiency, particularly with hard-to-transfect cell types. To overcome these challenges associated with PEI as a vector for plasmid DNA (pDNA), the photothermal agent indocyanine green (ICG) is integrated with PEI and pDNA to form the PEI/ICG/pDNA (PI/pDNA) complex for more efficient and safer gene transfection. The negatively charged ICG serves a dual purpose: neutralizing PEI's excessive positive charges to reduce cytotoxicity and, under near-infrared irradiation, inducing local heating that enhances cell membrane permeability, thus facilitating the uptake of PI/pDNA complexes to boost transfection efficiency. Using pDNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor as a model, our system shows enhanced transfection efficiency in vitro for hard-to-transfect endothelial cells, leading to improved cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, in vivo studies reveal the therapeutic potential of this system in accelerating the healing of infected wounds by promoting angiogenesis and reducing inflammation. This approach offers a straightforward and effective method for gene transfection, showing potentials for tissue engineering and cell-based therapies.

Regional nigral neuromelanin degeneration in asymptomatic leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene carrier using MRI.

Asymptomatic Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Gene (LRRK2) carriers are at risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied presymptomatic substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) regional neurodegeneration in asymptomatic LRRK2 carriers compared to idiopathic PD patients using neuromelanin-sensitive MRI technique (NM-MRI). Fifteen asymptomatic LRRK2 carriers, 22 idiopathic PD patients, and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were scanned using NM-MRI. We computed volume and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) derived from the whole SNc and the sensorimotor, associative, and limbic SNc regions. An analysis of covariance was performed to explore the differences of whole and regional NM-MRI values among the groups while controlling the effect of age and sex. In whole SNc, LRRK2 had significantly lower CNR than HCs but non-significantly higher volume and CNR than PD patients, and PD patients significantly lower volume and CNR compared to HCs. Inside SNc regions, there were significant group effects for CNR in all regions and for volumes in the associative region, with a trend in the sensorimotor region but no significant changes in the limbic region. PD had reduced volume and CNR in all regions compared to HCs. Asymptomatic LRRK2 carriers showed globally decreased SNc volume and CNR suggesting early nigral neurodegeneration in these subjects at risk of developing PD.

Construction of GPC3-modified Lipopolymer SiRNA Delivery System.

BACKGROUND: Gene therapy has been widely concerned because of its unique therapeutic mechanism. However, due to the lack of safe and effective carries, it has not been widely used in clinical practice. Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a highly specific proteoglycan for hepatocellular carcinoma and is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma. Herein, to monitor the effect of gene therapy and enhance the transfection efficiency of gene carriers, GPC3-modified lipid polyethyleneimine-modified superparamagnetic nanoparticle (GLPS), a type of visualized carrier for siRNA (small-interfering RNA) targeting the liver, was prepared. METHODS: We performed in vitro gene silencing, cytotoxicity, and agarose gel electrophoresis to identify the optimal GLPS formulation. In vitro MRI and Prussian blue staining verified the liver-targeting function of GLPS. We also analyzed the biocompatibility of GLPS by co-culturing with rabbit red blood cells. Morphological changes were evaluated using HE staining. RESULTS: The GLPS optimal formulation consisted of LPS and siRNA at a mass ratio of 25:1 and LPS and DSPE-PEG-GPC3 at a molar ratio of 2:3. GLPS exhibited evident liver-targeting function. In vitro, we did not observe morphological changes in red blood cells or hemolysis after co-culture. In vivo, routine blood analysis revealed no abnormalities after GLPS injection. Moreover, the tissue morphology of the kidney, spleen, and liver was normal without injury or inflammation. CONCLUSION: GLPS could potentially serve as an effective carrier for liver-targeted MRI monitoring and siRNA delivery.

Analysis of Gene Testing Results for Thalassemia in Childbearing-Age Population of Laibin City,Guangxi / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the carrier rate of thalassemia in Laibin city,Guangxi Province,and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of thalassemia.Methods From January 2020 to December 2021,88 152 patients were screened for thalassemia in the outpatient department of the Women's and Children's Hospital of 4 counties,1 city and 1 district in Laibin by blood cell detection and hemoglobin electrophoresis.The common and rare genes in initially screened positive individuals were detected by gap polymerase chain reaction(Gap-PCR)and reverse dot blot(RBD),and the results were conducted by statistical analysis.Results ① There were 22 553 positive cases in the preliminary screening and 8 327 positive cases received the diagnosis of thalassemia gene.A total of 4 944 thalassemia carriers of thalassemia genes were detected,deducing that the total thalassemia carrier rate in the population of childbearing age in this region was 15.19%,including 3 200 cases of α-thalassemia carriers(64.73%),1 424 cases of β-thalassemia carriers(28.80%),and 320 cases of were carriers α-thalassemia combined with β-thalassemia(6.47%).② There were 3 168 cases of common thalassemia(99.00%)and 32 cases of rare thalassemia(1.00%)among α-thalassemia gene carriers.A total of 13 mutant genes and 34 genotypes were detected,and genotype SEA/αα was the comes first.③ Among the β-thalassemia gene carriers,there were 1 411 cases of(99.09%)common thalassemia and 13 cases(0.91%)of rare thalassemia.A total of 19 mutant genes and 25 genotypes were detected,with CD41-42(-CTTT)being the most common.④ A total of 53 different genotypes were detected in the carriers of α-thalassemia combined with β-thalassemia,and the top genotype was--SEA/αα βCD41-42M/βN.⑤ The carrier rates of Yao and Han nationality were comparable,and the differences were not significant(χ2=0.300,P=0.584).The differences in carrying rates between Zhuang and Yao(χ2=23.66,P＜0.001),and between Zhuang and Han(χ2=116.98,P＜0.001)were significant.⑥ The carrier rate in Xiangzhou County was the highest(20.04%),while the carrier rate in Heshan City was the lowest(12.38%).⑦ The carrier rate of females was higher than that of males,and the difference was significant(χ2=182.03,P＜0.001).Conclusion The variants genotypes of thalassemia in Laibin were complex.This study was the first to investigate the carrier rate and gene mutation spectrum of thalassemia in Laibin Area,which provides valuable baseline data for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Anyalysis of Screening and Gene Identification of α-Thalassemia in Child-bearing Population of Conghua District,Guangzhou City / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence and the types of gene mutations of α-thalassemia in the child-bearing pop-ulation of Conghua District,Guangzhou.Methods Blood samples from 24 083 people of childbearing age were screened by blood cell analysis and hemoglobin electrophoresis,α-globin gene variation was detected by GAP-PCR and PCR reverse dot blot in the positive cases,and 17 common β-globin gene mutations were detected by PCR reverse Dot blot.Results A total of 2 596 cases of α-thalassemia gene abnormality were detected by gene identification,and the abnormal rate was 10.78%.A sum of 170 cases(0.71%)had a compound mutation of α-β gene.There were 2 550 cases(98.23%)of deletion and 46 cases(1.77%)of non-deletion in the mutant genes.There were 14 types of gene mutation,including 5 types of HbH disease(with--SEA/-α3.7 primarily),4 mild types(with 68.61%of--SEA/αα genotype),and 5 quiescent types(the top two genotypes were-α3.7/αα and-α4.2/αα).A total of 23 types of αβ complex gene mutation were detected,and the top six types were--SEA/βCD41-42,-α3.7/βCD41-42,--SEA/β654,--SEA/-28,-α3.7/β654 and-α3.7/βCD17,which accounted for 75.27%of all the complex types.Conclusion The gene abnormality rate of α-thalassemia in Conghua District of Guangzhou City was high.The gene mutation type and constitu-ent ratio,which have their own characteristics,is a special region of α-thalassemia.

Preparation and preliminary evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine based on PLGA nanoparticles / 药学学报

We constructed and optimized the plasmid DNA (pDNA) Opt-S encoding the gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein, using poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer (PLGA) as a delivery carrier for pDNA. PLGA-pDNA NPs were loaded by nanoprecipitation and its properties in vitro were preliminary evaluated. The results showed that the prepared PLGA-pDNA NPs were regular morphology, clear edges, with an average particle size of (184.2 ± 2.4) nm, polydisperse index (PDI) of 0.093 ± 0.013, zeta potential of (-68.10 ± 0.36) mV, and encapsulation rate of (98.92 ± 0.22)%. The PLGA-pDNA NPs were stable at -20 ℃ for 7 months and could protect pDNA against nuclease degradation. And they also exhibited sustained release of pDNA in vitro. The PLGA-pDNA NPs have low cytotoxicity and high safety. In addition, in vitro transfection experiments showed that the SARS-CoV-2 S gene could enter cells and be expressed. These results indicate that PLGA-pDNA NPs non-viral gene vector have simple preparation process and good performance, which are expected to provide a new idea for the research and development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

-D- phenotype screening by polybrene method / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To develop a novel screening reagent for -D- phenotype preliminary screening based on the difference in RhD antigen expression level of -D- phenotype and normal RhD phenotype. 【Methods】 RhD antigen expression of -D-phenotype and Rh D-- gene carrier were detected by flow cytometry. By adjusting the concentration of polybrene in the screening system, the red blood cells with high RhD antigen expression level agglutinated, and the preliminary screening of the -D-phenotype and its gene carriers was realized. 【Results】 According to the quantitative results of immunofluorescence intensity (MFI) analysis by flow cytometry, the expression level of RhD antigen in -D- phenotype cells (284 360±16 698, n=3) was about 3 times normal RhD positive cells (98 642±35 908, n=9)(P<0.01), while RhD antigen expression level of RhD-- gene carrier (181 109±39 455, n=4) was about 2 times normal RhD positive cells(P<0.01). RhD antigen expression (144 538±227 445, n=7) of the positive cells screened by 15 μL 3% fresh red blood cell suspension and screening system 35 μL (1 μL IgG anti-D, 29 μL polybrene polybrene, and 5 μL low ionic strength solution) was about 1.5 times normal RhD positive cells. 【Conclusion】 The polybrene preliminary screening system, which can be used for high-throughput screening of -D- phenotype, is a reliable technical method for frequency study of this phenotype.

Single arginine modified chitosan as gene carriers / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective To explore a new method for synthesizing arginine modified chitosan ( AC ) with mono-arginine substitution and high degree of substitution, and to evaluate the biological effect of AC as gene carriers. Methods The single arginine modified chitosan (sAC) was synthesized by means of protecting and de-protecting the arginine amino group before and after chitosan modified arginine reaction. Liu's arginine-modified chitosan ( LAC ) was prepared according to the methods reported in the literature . The conjunction of arginine to chitosan was detected by infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Three kinds of chitosan gene nanoparticles were respectively prepared by complex coacervation and characterized, including sAC gene nanoparticles (sACGNs), the LAC gene nanoparticles (LACGNs) and the chitosan gene nanoparticles (CGNs). A10 rat vascular smooth cells transfected with sACGNs were used to estimate the in vitro cellular uptake, internalization mechanisms and transfection efficiency. Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium blue (MTT) assay was used to measure the cytotoxicity. Results The infrared spectrum analysis confirmed that sAC was obtained via the conjunction of arginine to chitosan. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum analysis showed that the degree of substitution of arginine in sAC and LAC was 21.3％and 6.4％, respectively. When the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus (N/P ratio) was 2:1, the particle sizes of CGN, LACGN, and sACGN were (94.81±2.93) nm, (124.53±2.55) nm, and (128.53±2.04) nm, respectively, and the Zeta potentials were (3.50±1.61) mV, (5.74±0.41) mV, and (6.04±1.39) mV, respectively. For the cellular uptake, CGNs were mainly through the clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway, and LACGNs and sACGN were mainly through the caveolin-mediated endocytic pathway. Compared with CGNs, LACGNs and sACGNs showed higher cellular uptake and transfection efficiency , and the differences were statistically significant ( all P<0 . 05 ) . sACGNs achieved the highest transfection efficiency in the near-neutral pH environment. MTT results showed that when the mass concentration of sACGNs reached 100μg/ml, the survival rate of A10 cells was still higher than 90％, indicating the non-cytotoxicity of sACGNs. Conclusion The new method successfully synthesized single arginine-modified chitosan. As a gene carrier, sACGNs show higher gene transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than CGNs and LACGNs in near neutral pH environment.

Enhancement of Immunological Activity of CpG ODN by Chitosan Gene Carrier / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To investigate the enhancement of immunological activity of CpG ODN by chitosan gene carrier in mice, the effect of lymphocyte proliferation was detected in mice by using MTT, the levels of IgG and cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) in serum were measured by ELISA and peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets CD4+, CD8+ were analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that spleen lymphocytes isolated from the CS-CpG ODN group of mice showed the strongest proliferation (SI =1.551), and the levels of IgG, IL-2 and IL-12 in serum were higher than those of other groups. Compared with the immunization with CpG ODN, the immunization with CS-CpG ODN gene carrier was more efficient in up-regulating the percentage of CD4+ T cells and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of mice. It was concluded that CS gene carrier of CpG ODN was much more effective in improving immunity of CpG ODN in mice.

Study on the transfection of dextran derivative nanoparticles to the mda-mb-435 human breast cancer cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To prepare the dextran derivative nanoparticles with higher transfecting efficiency to mda-mb-435 human breast cancer cells.Methods The dextran 40 and the sodium periodate were reacted with different mole ratio to form the intermediate:oxidized dextrans having different aldehyde content.With different reactants matching,the spermine were grafted onto the oxidized dextrans mentioned above to form the dextran-spermine imine conjugates which were reduced by the excess reducing agent NaBH4 to produce the end products 9 species of dextran derivative nanoparticles(extran-spermine amine conjugates).The dextran derivative nanipartical of the highest gene transfecting efficiency was selected from the 9 species of dextran derivative nanoparticles by the experiment of gene transfection,using the pEGFP-C1 plasmid as the reporter,the mda-mb-435 human breast cancer cells as the transfected cells.Results The dextran derivative nanoparticles with the highest transfecting efficiency was the one that had the highest content of spermine grafted onto the oxidized dextran40 obtained by the reaction between sodium periodate and dextran40 with the mole ratio of 0.8.Conclusion The dextran derivative nanoparticles of the highest transfecting efficiency to the mda-mb-435 human breast cancer had been prepared.