This special issue was aimed to share with the colleagues worldwide the most recent research progress in the Pathophysiology field in China. To reach this goal, we invited over twenty prestigious pathophysiologists to write reviews or original articles to demonstrate their research advances. Though many of them were not able to submit their work in the designated time frame, we still collected eleven papers for this special issue, which at least represent part of the researches carried out by the Chinese pathophysiologist. I am greatly appreciated to the contributions made by my colleagues.
Dr. GQ Chen, a recognized scientist in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), reviewed their recent finding in disclosing the mechanisms and treatment of AML. They found that cobalt chloride (CoCl2)/iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO)-mimicked hypoxia or moderate hypoxia (2% and 3% O2) could directly trigger differentiation of many subtypes of AML cells. Also, intermittent hypoxia significantly prolongs the survival of the transplanted leukemic mice with differentiation induction of leukemic cells. Additionally, these hypoxia-simulating agents selectively stimulate differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemic cells induced by arsenic trioxide, an effective second-line drug for this unique type of leukemia. They also demonstrate that HIF-1α plays a role in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation of leukemic cells.
Dr. J Lu is an expert for studying the role of glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) and the receptors. They have found that expressions of TβRII and RhoB were up-regulated by ligand-bound GR at mRNA and protein levels. Blocking the effect of TβRII by TβRII neutralizing antibody or reduction of RhoB mRNA expression by RNAi diminished dexamethasone-inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, thus confirming that these genes are involved in GC antiproliferation effect.
Dr. CQ Xu, a recognized scientist in heart diseases, reviewed the most recent progress on an extracellular calcium sensing receptor (CaR) in physiological condition and in heart diseases. He summarized the CaR structure and function and emphasized the role of CaR in the cardiac tissues.
Dr. HL Yang, an expert in tumor study, reviewed the recent discovery of potential molecular targets involved in cell cycle inhibition and their evaluation as therapeutic agents for cancers. Based on her knowledge, she also summarized the strategies employed to control oncogenesis and their possible clinical applications.
Dr. SR Wang, an expert in atherosclerosis, presented an original article, which demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo that hyermethylation of CpG islands in estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) gene promoter region was increased in atherosclerosis patients, furthermore, the increased hyermethylation was positively correlated with the increased level of plasma tHcy and the severity of atherosclerotic lesion.
Dr. SQ Li, an expert in brain ischemia studies, presented an original article showing that accumulation of glutamate and Ca2+ accumulation in hippocampal microenvironment is a primary factor to induce release of cytochrome C from mitochondria into cytoplasm and activation of caspase cascade, and thus induce mitochondria stress and neuronal apoptosis. The neuroprotection of Cyclosporin A (CsA) involves inhibiting glutamate receptor overactivation and reducing the Ca2+ influx, and thus prevents neurons from massive apoptosis.
Dr. HD Wang, a dedicated young scientist studying on the mechanisms of inflammatory and the treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. They have demonstrated that berberine in combination with yohimbine can modulate host immune responses in animal model endotoxemia, and have proposed to conduct clinical trials on the safety and efficacy of this immunomodulatory therapy in human.
YQ Yu, a dedicated young scientist mainly working on cardiovascular diseases and the possible treatment with stem cells. She has reviewed the history and the current research progress on stem cells in cardiovascular field in China, in which she mainly summarized the work on differentiation of heart and vessel cells from stem cells and application of stem cells in cardiovascular diseases done by Chinese researchers and clinical doctors.
WH Dong, an expert mainly working on effects of Scorpion Venom Polypeptide (SVP). She reports that certain concentration SVPIV can protect the hematopoietic progenitor cells in irradiated mice, and the underlying mechanism involves the activation of JAK-STAT signal pathway.
Dr. R Liu and I have been working on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, the most common cause of dementia characterized with intraocular accumulation of the hyperphosphorylated tau proteins and intracellular aggregation of beta-amyloid. We have reviewed our most recent findings in regulation of protein phosphatase-2A, a major tau phosphatase. We also presented our insights on the nature of neurodegeneration.
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