Publications by authors named "Feng-Qing Ji"
Background And Aims: Disruption of the intestinal barrier of the digestive tract is a common pathophysiological change in the elderly, which may partly contribute to gut dysfunction and inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. This study aimed to discover new interactive epigenetic regulation patterns involved in intestinal barrier dysfunction and colitis in elderly populations.
Methods: Intestinal barrier function and structure were evaluated in naturally ageing mice and elderly people.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the increased risk of colitis and colorectal cancer in older adults, linking this to issues with the mucus barrier in the colon.
- It was found that aged colons had a defective mucosal barrier, increased pathogens, and higher levels of a specific microRNA (miR-124-3p), which negatively impacted mucus properties.
- The researchers concluded that miR-124-3p leads to lower levels of an enzyme (T-synthase) essential for proper mucus glycosylation, suggesting this pathway is crucial for maintaining intestinal health in older populations.
Article Synopsis
- Dopaminergic neuron therapy using hUCB-MSCs is emerging as a promising approach for Parkinson's disease treatment.
- The study found that using conditioned medium from amniotic epithelial cells significantly boosts the production of DA neuron-like cells from hUCB-MSCs, indicated by specific gene upregulation.
- Furthermore, the presence of neurotrophic factors like BDNF and NGF in the conditioned medium plays a key role in this differentiation, suggesting hUCB-MSCs combined with ACM could be an effective ethical cell therapy for PD.
Article Synopsis
- Research has shown that human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) can turn into dopamine (DA) neuron-like cells when stimulated by amniotic epithelial cells (AECs), but the exact factors involved in this process are not fully understood.
- The study focuses on pleiotrophin (PTN), a protein thought to support DA neurons, and investigates its expression and secretion by AECs, finding that PTN promotes the differentiation of hUCB-MSCs into DA neuron-like cells when combined with AEC-conditioned medium (ACM).
- Results demonstrate that PTN alongside other neurotrophic factors in ACM enhances the differentiation of hUCB