Publications by authors named "Zhenlai Zhu"

Apoptosis is crucial for maintaining internal homeostasis. Apoptotic vesicles (ApoVs) derived from mesenchymal stem/ stromal cells (MSCs-ApoVs) as natural lipid nanoparticles are attractive candidates for the next generation of immunotherapies. However, the therapeutic potential of MSCs-ApoVs in managing hypersensitivity reactions mediated by CD8 T cells remains elusive.

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Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by abnormal dilation of microvessels in the dermal papillary layer. Multiple studies have demonstrated that vascular endothelial cells regulate vascular function rather than merely acting as passive barriers. Piezo1 serves as a critical mechanical switch, sensing mechanical changes induced by vasodilation.

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Chronic cutaneous mucormycosis is a rare condition distinct from the acute form, characterized by a prolonged, indolent course and varied clinical presentations. This study presents a 5-year experience from a tertiary dermato-mycology clinic, identifying six cases, the majority of whom were immunocompetent, with trauma history reported in four patients. The median duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 60 months.

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Background: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) represent a spectrum of severe drug-induced cutaneous reactions. These conditions are characterized by widespread and confluent keratinocyte apoptosis, which differentiates them from erythema multiforme (EM). Mounting evidence has implicated the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis pathway in the pathogenesis of SJS/TEN, but the potential roles and specific mechanisms of these pathways in SJS/TEN remain largely unexplored.

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Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) manifest life-threatening cutaneous adverse drug reactions characterized by keratinocyte death. Previous studies have indicated that apoptosis and necroptosis are implicated in SJS/TEN pathogeneses. However, other forms of cell death involved in this process remain unidentified.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study focused on understanding the oral complications (like altered taste, dry mouth, and mouth sores) that arose during two waves of COVID-19 in China, involving 510 patients over the course of several months.
  • - Findings revealed that over 50% of patients experienced oral complications during both pandemic periods, with certain issues like altered taste and dry mouth being particularly common.
  • - The research highlights the need for healthcare providers to identify and treat these complications to enhance oral health in populations affected by COVID-19.
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Background: Non-scarring alopecia is typically represented by two main types: alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). While previous observational studies have indicated a link between non-scarring alopecia and hypothyroidism, the precise causal relationship remains uncertain. To determine the potential links between non-scarring alopecia and hypothyroidism, we conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

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Background: Skin barrier dysfunction may both initiate and aggravate skin inflammation. However, the mechanisms involved in the inflammation process remain largely unknown.

Objectives: We sought to determine how skin barrier dysfunction enhances skin inflammation and molecular mechanisms.

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Neutrophils have a pathogenic function in inflammation via releasing pro-inflammatory mediators or neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). However, their heterogeneity and pro-inflammatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that CXCR4 neutrophils accumulate in the blood and inflamed skin in human psoriasis, and correlate with disease severity.

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Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most prevalent autoimmune vesiculobullous skin illness that tends to affect the elderly. Growing evidence has hinted a correlation between BP and neurological diseases. However, existing observational studies contained inconsistent results, and the causality and direction of their relationship remain poorly understood.

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Dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) facilitates imbalanced immune responses and tissue hyperinflammation. However, the heterogeneous functions of skin ECs and their underlying mechanism in dermatoses remain to be determined. Here, focusing on the pathogenic role of skin ECs in psoriasis, we characterized the molecular and functional heterogeneity of skin ECs from healthy individuals and psoriasis patients at the single-cell level.

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Cutaneous dendritic cells (DCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the specific role of different subsets of DCs has not been well defined. This study aimed to investigate the contributions of Langerhans cells (LCs), resident dermal Langerin DCs (r-Langerin dDCs), and newly infiltrated inflammatory dermal Langerin DCs (i-Langerin dDCs) in an AD mouse model induced by the topical application of MC903.

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Microbial dysbiosis in the skin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD); however, whether and how changes in the skin microbiome initiate skin inflammation, or vice versa, remains poorly understood. Here, we report that the levels of sebum and its microbial metabolite, propionate, were lower on the skin surface of AD patients compared with those of healthy individuals. Topical propionate application attenuated skin inflammation in mice with MC903-induced AD-like dermatitis by inhibiting IL-33 production in keratinocytes, an effect that was mediated through inhibition of HDAC and regulation of the AhR signaling pathway.

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Disseminated facial verruca plana is a chronic disorder that causes significant psychological distress. However, safe and effective treatment is lacking. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of 35% glycolic acid (GA) for the treatment of disseminated facial verruca plana.

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Objectives: Ablative fractional CO laser (AFL) therapy is an effective intervention to induce dermal remodeling. AFL treatment of the skin triggers the recruitment of immune cells, with neutrophils dominating the early phase. However, the role of recruited neutrophils in AFL-induced microinjuries and their subsequent dermal remodeling capacity remains elusive.

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Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a delayed-type hypersensitivity response to skin contact allergens in which keratinocytes are critical in the initiation of early responses. Keratin 17 (K17) is a cytoskeletal protein inducible under stressful conditions and regulates multiple cellular processes, especially in skin inflammatory diseases; however, knowledge regarding its contribution to ACD pathogenesis remains ill defined. In the present study, we clarified the proinflammatory role of K17 in an oxazolone (OXA)-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) murine model and identified the underlying molecular mechanisms.

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The epidermal barrier refers to the stratum corneum, the uppermost layer of the skin, and constitutes the first line of defense against invasion by potentially harmful pathogens, diminishes -epidermal water loss, and plays a crucial role in the maintenance of skin homeostasis. Keratin 17 (K17) is a type I epithelial keratin with multiple functions, including in skin inflammation, epithelial cell growth, protein synthesis, and tumorigenesis. However, the relationship between K17 and the skin barrier has yet to be systematically investigated.

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Excessive activation of CD4 T cells and T helper type (Th) 17/Th1 cell differentiation are critical events in psoriasis pathogenesis, but the associated molecular mechanism is still unclear. Here, using quantitative proteomics analysis, we found that cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) expression was markedly increased in CD4 T cells from patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls and was positively correlated with psoriasis severity. Meanwhile, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of CDK7 ameliorated the severity of psoriasis in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model and suppressed CD4 T-cell activation as well as Th17/Th1 cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro.

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Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are increasingly recognized as active players in intercellular crosstalk more than passive linings of a conduit for nutrition delivery. Yet, their functional roles and heterogeneity in skin remain uncharacterized. We have used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) as a profiling strategy to investigate the tissue-specific features and intra-tissue heterogeneity in dermal ECs at single-cell level.

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Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe drug-induced cutaneous reactions characterized by keratinocyte apoptosis. Exosomes are nanometer-sized membranous vesicles in body fluids. They contain functional proteins, mRNAs, and miRNAs, which induce immune dysfunction and influence disease progression.

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Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with 2% to 3% prevalence worldwide and a heavy social-psychological burden for patients and their families. As the exact pathogenesis of psoriasis is still unknown, the current treatment is far from satisfactory. Thus, there is an urgent need to find a more effective therapy for this disease.

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