Article
Immunology
Marina A. Korn, Marie Steffensen, Carolin Brandl, Dmytro Royzman, Christoph Daniel, Thomas H. Winkler, Lars Nitschke
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe autoimmune disease with diverse symptoms and causes. Genetic variants have been identified to contribute to SLE development, but the etiology remains unclear. Studies in mouse models reveal the impact of specific gene mutations and epistatic effects on SLE manifestation. This study focuses on the potential epistatic effects of Siglecg with DNase1 and Dnase1l3 and their influence on SLE-like symptoms in mice.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara Bracaglia, Simona Ranallo, Francesco Ricci
Summary: Research scientists have developed programmable antigen-conjugated gene circuits that can detect target antibodies and trigger the production of detectable RNA sequences using a disposable electrochemical sensor. This cell-free electrochemical biosensor enables sensitive, specific, selective, and multiplexed detection of different antibodies in blood serum.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sarah T. K. Sin, Jiaen Deng, Lu Ji, Masashi Yukawa, Rebecca W. Y. Chan, Stefano Volpi, Augusto Vaglio, Paride Fenaroli, Paola Bocca, Suk Hang Cheng, Danny K. L. Wong, Kathy O. Lui, Peiyong Jiang, K. C. Allen Chan, Rossa W. K. Chiu, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between nucleases and extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) characteristics in plasma. The results show that DNASE1L3 can digest extracellular eccDNA but does not seem to affect intracellular eccDNA. The study also highlights the systemic effects of circulating fetal DNASE1L3 in degrading maternal eccDNA. Patients with DNASE1L3 mutations exhibit longer size distributions of plasma eccDNA compared to healthy controls. Overall, this study provides a missing link between nuclease activity and the biological manifestations of eccDNA in plasma, laying the foundation for future biomarker development.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Ze Zhou, Suk Hang Cheng, Spencer C. Ding, Macy M. S. Heung, Tingting Xie, Timothy H. T. Cheng, W. K. Jacky Lam, Wenlei Peng, Jeremy Y. C. Teoh, Peter K. F. Chiu, Chi-Fai Ng, Peiyong Jiang, K. C. Allen Chan, Rossa W. K. Chiu, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: The study reveals that urinary cfDNA has jagged ends, with a higher index compared to plasma DNA, particularly in patients with bladder cancer showing lower jagged end indexes. This suggests that jagged ends of urinary DNA could potentially serve as a new biomarker for bladder cancer detection.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Maria Lamminaho, Jouni Kujala, Hanna Peltonen, Maria Tengstrom, Veli-Matti Kosma, Arto Mannermaa
Summary: The study found that high cfDI is an independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival in breast cancer cases, and its inclusion in logistic regression models improves predictive performance, suggesting its prognostic potential.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiaoqing Peng, Hong-Dong Li, Fang-Xiang Wu, Jianxin Wang
Summary: This study reviews the development of noninvasive diagnostic methods based on cell-free DNAs, focusing on mutation, methylation, and DNA fragmentation patterns to identify tissues-of-origin. The challenges and future directions in this field are also discussed, providing insights for bioinformatics researchers to improve the identification of tissues-of-origin for cfDNAs.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Meihui Chen, Rebecca W. Y. Chan, Peter P. H. Cheung, Meng Ni, Danny K. L. Wong, Ze Zhou, Mary-Jane L. Ma, Liangbo Huang, Xinzhou Xu, Wing-Shan Lee, Guangya Wang, Kathy O. Lui, W. K. Jacky Lam, Jeremy Y. C. Teoh, Chi-Fai Ng, Peiyong Jiang, K. C. Allen Chan, Rossa W. K. Chiu, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: This study investigated the roles of DNASE1 and DNASE1L3 in the fragmentation of ucfDNA using mouse models and found DNASE1 to be an important nuclease in ucfDNA fragmentation. The study also evaluated the potential of ucfDNA fragmentation in bladder cancer detection through analyzing the concentrations and activities of DNASE1 in urine and plasma, as well as the ucfDNA fragment end data in bladder cancer patients.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Mary E. Norton
Summary: The 2022 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award is awarded to Yuk Ming Dennis Lo for his discovery of fetal DNA in the maternal circulation, which has revolutionized prenatal screening.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peiyong Jiang, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: A new assay for cell-free DNA fragmentation enhances the prediction of gene expression in liquid biopsies.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hiroki Okauchi, Norikazu Ichihashi
Summary: In this study, researchers combined an artificial DNA replication scheme with a reconstituted gene expression system and microcompartmentalization to achieve continuous replication and evolution of genomic DNA in cell-free systems. The isolated circular DNAs at Round 30 exhibited higher replication abilities than the original DNA due to common mutations, improved template ability, increased polymerase activity, and reduced inhibitory effect of polymerization by the recombinase. This artificial genomic DNA, which continuously replicates using self-encoded proteins and autonomously improves its sequence, offers a useful starting point for the development of more complex artificial cells.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Oncology
Anna Citarella, Zein Mersini Besharat, Sofia Trocchianesi, Tanja Milena Autilio, Antonella Verrienti, Giuseppina Catanzaro, Elena Splendiani, Zaira Spinello, Silvia Cantara, Patrizia Zavattari, Eleonora Loi, Cristina Romei, Raffaele Ciampi, Luciano Pezzullo, Maria Grazia Castagna, Antonio Angeloni, Rosella Elisei, Cosimo Durante, Agnese Po, Elisabetta Ferretti
Summary: In this study, the fragmentation and methylation of cfDNA were investigated as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of MTC. The results showed that the SFF ratio and methylation of CG_16698623 were significantly increased in MTC patients at diagnosis and could be used for better management of these patients.
BIOMARKER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jaeryuk Kim, Seung-Pyo Hong, Seyoon Lee, Woochan Lee, Dakyung Lee, Rokhyun Kim, Young Jun Park, Sungji Moon, Kyunghyuk Park, Bukyoung Cha, Jong-Il Kim
Summary: In this study, we established patient-derived organoid lines and used them as an in vitro model to study cfDNA biology. We analyzed various fragmentomic features of cfDNA extracted from the culture medium of the organoids, including fragment size, footprints, end motifs, and repeat types. Our results suggest that organoid models can be a valuable tool for studying cfDNA biology and its fragmentation patterns, paving the way for advancements in noninvasive cancer detection methodologies based on fragmentomics.
Article
Biology
Mingyu Luo, Yining Liu, Min Zhao
Summary: Blood-based detection of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a non-invasive and easily accessible method for early cancer detection. However, there are challenges in developing clinical biomarkers, such as filtering out false-positive cfDNA mutations and detecting low-frequency genetic alterations.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Biomedical
Yuan Lu
Summary: Freeze-dried genetic circuits can be combined with textiles to detect small molecules and nucleic acids from SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens, using colorimetric, fluorescence, or luminescence methods.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Giovanni Ponti, Monia Maccaferri, Antonio Percesepe, Aldo Tomasi, Tomris Ozben
Summary: cfDNA shows potential value in prostate cancer diagnosis, but faces challenges in clinical application, requiring common guidelines and standardized procedures for optimal use.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES
(2021)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wenjuan Pu, Mingjun Zhang, Xiuxiu Liu, Lingjuan He, Jie Li, Ximeng Han, Kathy O. Lui, Ben He, Bin Zhou
Article
Cell Biology
Kuo Liu, Hengwei Jin, Muxue Tang, Shaohua Zhang, Xueying Tian, Mingjun Zhang, Ximeng Han, Xiuxiu Liu, Juan Tang, Wenjuan Pu, Yan Li, Lingjuan He, Zhongzhou Yang, Kathy O. Lui, Bin Zhou
Summary: This study reveals that the endocardium has minimal contribution to cardiac macrophages and circulating blood cells. Instead, cardiac macrophages mainly originate from the endothelium.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zhangjing Ma, Kevin Y. Yang, Yu Huang, Kathy O. Lui
Summary: This article reviews the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 associated endothelial dysfunction, as well as the likely pathological mechanisms such as direct cell entry or indirect immune overreactions after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It also discusses potential biomarkers indicating disease severity, particularly related to abnormal thrombosis development in severe COVID-19, a fatal vascular complication. Furthermore, it summarizes clinical trials targeting the direct and indirect pathological pathways after SARS-CoV-2 infection to prevent or inhibit virus-induced endothelial disorders.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sarah T. K. Sin, Jiaen Deng, Lu Ji, Masashi Yukawa, Rebecca W. Y. Chan, Stefano Volpi, Augusto Vaglio, Paride Fenaroli, Paola Bocca, Suk Hang Cheng, Danny K. L. Wong, Kathy O. Lui, Peiyong Jiang, K. C. Allen Chan, Rossa W. K. Chiu, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between nucleases and extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) characteristics in plasma. The results show that DNASE1L3 can digest extracellular eccDNA but does not seem to affect intracellular eccDNA. The study also highlights the systemic effects of circulating fetal DNASE1L3 in degrading maternal eccDNA. Patients with DNASE1L3 mutations exhibit longer size distributions of plasma eccDNA compared to healthy controls. Overall, this study provides a missing link between nuclease activity and the biological manifestations of eccDNA in plasma, laying the foundation for future biomarker development.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yanchuang Han, Tailai Du, Siyao Guo, Lu Wang, Gang Dai, Tianxin Long, Ting Xu, Xiaodong Zhuang, Chen Liu, Shujuan Li, Dihua Zhang, Xinxue Liao, Yugang Dong, Kathy O. Lui, Xu Tan, Shuibin Lin, Yili Chen, Zhan-Peng Huang
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that METTL5 plays a regulatory role in cardiac hypertrophy by modulating mRNA translation. This discovery is important for understanding the mechanisms of cardiac remodeling.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Li Wang, Chak Kwong Cheng, Min Yi, Kathy O. Lui, Yu Huang
Summary: Vascular endothelium plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular homeostasis and regulating vascular function through the release of vasoactive molecules. Imbalance between relaxing and contracting factors derived from the endothelium leads to endothelial dysfunction, which is a critical contributor in aging and chronic cardiometabolic disorders. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key players in endothelial dysfunction and are considered as potential targets for intervention in patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Meihui Chen, Rebecca W. Y. Chan, Peter P. H. Cheung, Meng Ni, Danny K. L. Wong, Ze Zhou, Mary-Jane L. Ma, Liangbo Huang, Xinzhou Xu, Wing-Shan Lee, Guangya Wang, Kathy O. Lui, W. K. Jacky Lam, Jeremy Y. C. Teoh, Chi-Fai Ng, Peiyong Jiang, K. C. Allen Chan, Rossa W. K. Chiu, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: This study investigated the roles of DNASE1 and DNASE1L3 in the fragmentation of ucfDNA using mouse models and found DNASE1 to be an important nuclease in ucfDNA fragmentation. The study also evaluated the potential of ucfDNA fragmentation in bladder cancer detection through analyzing the concentrations and activities of DNASE1 in urine and plasma, as well as the ucfDNA fragment end data in bladder cancer patients.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kathy O. Lui, Yu Huang
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Cheng Tian, Xuewen Min, Yongxu Zhao, Yuchen Wang, Xiaoshan Wu, Situn Liu, Wei Dou, Tingting Zhou, Yan Liu, Rongkui Luo, Zhigang Li, Kathy O. Lui, Yu Li, Ben Zhou, Qiurong Ding
Summary: The MRG15-TUFM pathway has been identified as an important factor in the development of NASH, which can be targeted for the treatment of NASH.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaohua Zhang, Qianyu Zhang, Zixin Liu, Kuo Liu, Lingjuan He, Kathy O. Lui, Lixin Wang, Bin Zhou
Summary: Understanding cell-cell interactions is crucial for understanding biological processes. In this study, we developed a labeling strategy called Cre-induced intercellular labeling protein (CILP) to label neighboring cells in mammals. By using CILP, we successfully labeled endothelial cells in adult mice and revealed their gene signatures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kuo Liu, Hengwei Jin, Shaohua Zhang, Muxue Tang, Xinfeng Meng, Yan Li, Wenjuan Pu, Kathy O. Lui, Bin Zhou
Summary: Cardiac resident macrophages are important for heart development, homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. Recent studies have suggested the hematopoietic potential of cardiac endothelium, but previous genetic tracing studies did not strongly support this due to limitations in tracing tools. In this study, a new intercellular genetic labeling system was developed to trace heart-specific endothelial cells, and the results show that cardiac endothelial cells do not have hemogenic potential and do not contribute to cardiac macrophages or circulating blood cells.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Maoying Han, Zixin Liu, Lei Liu, Xiuzhen Huang, Haixiao Wang, Wenjuan Pu, Enci Wang, Xiuxiu Liu, Yan Li, Lingjuan He, Xufeng Li, Jiayu Wu, Lin Qiu, Ruling Shen, Qing-Dong Wang, Yong Ji, Reza Ardehali, Qiang Shu, Kathy O. Lui, Lixin Wang, Bin Zhou
Summary: Genetic lineage tracing in mice reveals that endocardium-derived fibroblasts preferentially proliferate and expand in response to pressure overload. Ablation of these cells alleviates cardiac fibrosis and reduces functional decline after pressure overload injury. This study identifies endocardium-derived fibroblasts as a key fibroblast subpopulation responsible for severe cardiac fibrosis and a potential therapeutic target.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kuo Liu, Muxue Tang, Wei Xu, Xinfeng Meng, Hengwei Jin, Maoying Han, Jing Pu, Yutang Li, Fanke Jiao, Ruilin Sun, Ruling Shen, Kathy O. Lui, Lu Lu, Bin Zhou
Summary: In this study, a transgenic hACE2 mouse line was developed to specifically express hACE2 in different lung epithelial cells, including AT2 cells, club cells, and ciliated cells. All these mice models developed severe pneumonia after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the hACE2 model in studying COVID-19-related pathologies in specific cell types.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xisheng Li, Zhangjing Ma, Kathy O. Lui
Summary: Human stem-cell-derived beta-like cells have the potential to be a valuable resource for treating insulin-dependent diabetes due to their ability to replicate and regenerate. This article presents a protocol for generating beta-like cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The protocol includes steps for differentiating beta-like cells from hESCs and enriching CD9-negative beta-like cells through fluorescence-activated cell sorting, as well as methods for characterizing human beta-like cells through immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assay. For complete details and implementation of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. (2020).
Review
Immunology
Fan Xiao, Ke Rui, Xiaofei Shi, Haijing Wu, Xiaoyan Cai, Kathy O. Lui, Qianjin Lu, Esteban Ballestar, Jie Tian, Hejian Zou, Liwei Lu
Summary: B cells play a crucial role in autoimmune diseases, and epigenetic research has revealed new mechanisms leading to B cell hyperactivation. Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
