Animal models and experimental medicine最新文献

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in diverse biological processes. In recent years, extensive research has significantly advanced our understanding of miRNA biogenesis, function, and its implications in various biological processes and diseases. In development, miRNAs precisely regulate gene expression to ensure proper organismal growth. miRNAs serve as essential modulators of cell proliferation and differentiation, thereby determining cell fate. Regarding the regulation of apoptosis, miRNAs play a significant role in controlling programmed cell death. Moreover, in metabolism, miRNAs are involved in modulating various pathways. This review examines the latest advancements in miRNA research, encompassing their biogenesis, functional roles, and involvement in various biological processes and diseases. A specific emphasis is placed on the roles of miRNAs in development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolic regulation. Additionally, cutting-edge technologies were discussed for the potential therapeutic applications of miRNA-based strategies.

Accurate macaque paternity identification is of great significance in various fields, yet relevant research remains scarce. Our study aimed to screen effective microsatellite markers for macaque paternity testing. Initially, 300 microsatellite markers were randomly selected from the genome of the crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and 12 highly polymorphic tetra-nucleotide repeat markers were identified. These markers' genetic parameters and exclusion probabilities in both crab-eating and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) populations were calculated, meeting the paternity testing requirements for both species. To validate the markers, 16 crab-eating macaque and 10 rhesus macaque families with known pedigrees were randomly chosen for testing. The genotypes of the 12 markers in the macaques' offspring could be traced back to their parents, confirming the accuracy and applicability of the marker combination for paternity identification in both macaque species.

Experimental mice play a critical role in biomedical research. The phenotype and application of different substrains vary due to genetic differentiation and variation. To ensure validity and reliability of results, it is imperative to adhere to standardized experiments and controls. This paper objectively reviews the origin, differentiation, and phenotypic and genetic differences between the C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse substrains. Furthermore, an optimal selection strategy is proposed based on the genetic quality control technology to facilitate the precise application of these two mouse substrains.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common psychiatric complication affecting nearly one-third of stroke survivors, leading to increased disability, mortality, and cognitive decline. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has proven effective in treating PSD through syndrome differentiation, yet existing animal models primarily reflect Western medical concepts and fail to incorporate the TCM principle of “同病异治” (treating the same disease with different methods). This paper provides a review of the current methods for constructing animal models of post-stroke depression (PSD) from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation and proposes multi-dimensional assessment indicators. By integrating TCM theories with modern biomedical techniques, this study offers a comprehensive framework for deepening the understanding of the pathogenesis and therapeutic evaluation of PSD. This approach not only contributes to advancing PSD research but also paves the way for innovative treatment strategies that combine traditional and modern medicine.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes 90% of oral tumors. Advanced cases severely impair patients' life quality of life due to anatomical location and limited therapies. Conventional treatments often induce drug resistance or recurrence. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are widely used to simulate tumor progression and drug responses, serving as translational tools for precision medicine. This study aimed to establish drug-resistant OSCC PDX models. Human OSCC tissues were transplanted into immunodeficient mice and passaged (P1–P2). At P2 (tumor volume: 40–80 mm³), mice received cisplatin (1 mg/kg, three times/week) with cetuximab (1 mg/kg, weekly), GSK690693 (10 mg/kg, five times/week), or rapamycin (4 mg/kg, five times/week). PDX tissues from groups with less-therapeutic response (manifested as larger tumor volumes) were serially passaged to assess treatment efficacy. Tumor tissues with diminished drug sensitivity underwent histopathological analysis and identified stability of their tumor characteristics using hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and immunohistochemical staining after one additional passage and retreatment. Results demonstrated that successive passaging accelerates tumor growth. First-generation treatments showed universal sensitivity. At P2, cisplatin–cetuximab and rapamycin groups remained sensitive, whereas GSK690693 efficacy declined. Continued passaging of GSK690693-treated tumors confirmed resistance, as evidenced by exhibiting enhanced malignant characteristics at histological level. The GSK690693-resistant model was established first, whereas resistant models of other treatment groups were established according to similar protocols. These findings suggest that sequential passaging and drug exposure in PDX models recapitulated clinical tumor evolution, enabling the development of drug-resistant OSCC models. This study can offer methodological insights for precision therapy of OSCC.