Human ESC-derived vascular cells promote vascular regeneration in a HIF-1α dependent manner

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.

Single-cell profiling reveals a potent role of quercetin in promoting hair regeneration

Hair loss affects millions of people at some time in their life, and safe and efficient treatments for hair loss are a significant unmet medical need. We report that topical delivery of quercetin (Que) stimulates resting hair follicles to grow with rapid follicular keratinocyte proliferation and replenishes perifollicular microvasculature in mice. We construct dynamic single-cell transcriptome landscape over the course of hair regrowth and find that Que treatment stimulates the differentiation trajectory in the hair follicles and induces an angiogenic signature in dermal endothelial cells by activating HIF-1α in endothelial cells. Skin administration of a HIF-1α agonist partially recapitulates the pro-angiogenesis and hair-growing effects of Que. Together, these findings provide a molecular understanding for the efficacy of Que in hair regrowth, which underscores the translational potential of targeting the hair follicle niche as a strategy for regenerative medicine, and suggest a route of pharmacological intervention that may promote hair regrowth.

The way for certifying counselors and psychotherapists in China / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:From a professional competency-based perspective,this study aimed to explore appro-priate ways for certifying counselors and psychotherapists in China,and focused on improving the evaluation pro-gram for clinical and counseling psychologist of the Clinical and Counseling Psychology Registration System (CCPRS)of Chinese Psychological Society.Method:The theories and methods for certifying counselors and psy-chotherapists in China and overseas were summarized by using the literature method,based on which the design principles for certification in China were determined.Using the expert method,the core competencies of Chinese counselor and psychotherapist were proposed to form the index system of evaluation.A survey was also conducted to obtain a preliminary validity of the improved evaluation program.Result:Design principles for certifying coun-selors and psychotherapists were multi-trait,multi-method,and multi-informant.The core competencies of Chinese counselor and therapist included six domains,which were professional attitudes and conduct,ethics and law,clinical knowledge and skills,science and research,relationship building,cultural diversity and Chinese culture,case man-agement,respectively.Results from the expert judgments indicated that the evaluation materials which formulated by the improved program could assess all six core competencies and had acceptable reliabilities(Cronbach's α=0.74-0.97).And the expert evaluation about the improved program was high.Conclusion:The core competencies of Chinese counselor and therapist,which formulated by the improved evaluation program,reflect the necessary attitudes,knowledge and skills that needed when engaged in the professional practice of counseling and psychothera-py,and also can be used as a reference for counselor and psychotherapist education,training,practice,and compe-tency evaluation in China.The improved evaluation program can be used as a transitional way for certifying coun-selors and psychotherapists in China.

Valsartan Inhibits Myocardial Apoptosis by Down-regulating Myocardial X-box Binding Protein 1 Expression in Experimental Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Rat’s Model / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To study the relationship between myocardial X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) expression and myocardial apoptosis in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) rat’s model and to clarify the mechanism of valsartan inhibiting myocardial apoptosis. Methods: A total of 50 Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: Control group, the rats received intraperitoneal citrate buffer at 65mg/kg,n=10 and Streptozotocin group, the rats received intraperitoneal streptozotocin at 65mg/kg,n=40, all animals were treated for 7 days. DCM model was established in 37 rats (fasting blood glucose ≥ 16.7mmole/L) and they were further divided into 2 groups: DCM group, the rats received intragastric normal saline,n=20 and DCM + valsartan group, the rats received intragastric valsartan at 30mg/kg·day,n=17. The rats were treated for 16 weeks. The body weight, tail blood pressure, glucose and cardiac function were compared among 3 groups. Myocardial apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, RNA and protein expressions of myocardial cytochrome C, cleaved caspase 3, glucose regulation protein 78 (GRP78) and XBP1-s were examined by immunolfuorescence, real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Results: Compared with Control group, DCM group showed disordered cardiac structure, more collagen content and myocardial apoptosis,P<0.05; increased RNA and protein expressions of GRP78, XBP1-s, cleaved caspase 3 and cytochrome C,P<0.05. Compared with DCM group, DCM + valsartan group had rather regularly arranged myocardiocytes, less interstitial ifbrosis and myocardial apoptosis,P<0.05; decreased RNA and protein expressions of GRP78, XBP1-s, cleaved caspase 3 and cytochrome C,P<0.05. Conclusion: Valsartan may inhibit myocardial XBP1 activation and therefore, reduce the myocardial apoptosis in experimental DCM rat’s model.