Huazhong University of Science and Technology: Chinese Research Output & Key Publications | SinoBioData

Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026

Exosomes promote diabetic wound healing: a visual analysis of research hotspots and evolutionary trends

Authors: Jian Xichao, Shao Jingjie, Tang Shihan, Qi Fang, Deng Chengliang

BACKGROUND: Diabetes wound is one of the serious complications of diabetes patients, and its complex pathological mechanism and clinical treatment dilemma is still a major challenge. In recent years, exosomes have become a new focus in the field of diabetes wound research because they play a key role in intercellular communication, immune regulation, and tissue repair. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the research hotspots and evolutionary trends of exosomes in diabetic wound healing. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science core collection to identify English literature focusing on exosomes in diabetic wound healing and published between the inception of the database and December 31, 2024. The annual publication volume was analyzed to track changes over time. Visual analyses using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were performed on the retrieved literature to examine key aspects such as authors, countries, institutions, journals, and keywords, providing insights into the current research landscape and evolving hot topics in exosomes for diabetic wound healing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: From 2014 to 2024, a total of 424 publications on exosome-promoted diabetic wound healing were produced, contributed by 2,883 authors from 46 countries and featured in 199 journals. In the realm of exosome-promoted diabetic wound healing, China had the highest number of publications, followed by the United States. The journals 'Journal of Nanobiotechnology' and 'Advanced Healthcare Materials' published the most papers and had high influence. Author Chen Zhenbing and Huazhong University of Science and Technology were the most productive author and institution, respectively, but the researcher clusters have not yet reached a certain scale, and future collaboration needs to be strengthened. Global research focus mainly concentrated on 10 thematic clusters including adipose stem cells, diabetic wounds, diabetic wound healing, wound healing, endoplasmic reticulum stress, microvesicles, collagen, proteomics, and diabetic foot infection. The research hotspots in this field are undergoing a transition from molecular mechanisms to systematic interventions. Future research hotspots will focus on angiogenesis, macrophages, antibacterial, and hydrogels. On this basis, integrating multidisciplinary technologies to achieve more effective precision treatment and optimize management strategies for diabetic wounds.

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Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026

Bibliometric analysis of trends and hotspots in immune cells for fibrotic diseases

Authors: ZHANG Shuangzhen, PAN Ling, LIU Rui

BACKGROUND: Research on multi-organ fibrotic diseases has gained increasing prominence in recent years. Immune cells play a crucial regulatory role in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases across various organs; however, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this specific research field is currently lacking. OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze the current research status, hotspots, and emerging trends in the field of immune cells and fibrotic diseases using bibliometric methods. METHODS: Publications on immune cells and fibrotic diseases of the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database spanning January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2024. Bibliometric and visual knowledge mapping analyses were performed on the extracted data using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package "bibliometrix". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 1 777 relevant articles were identified. These publications were contributed by 11 347 authors from 2 239 institutions across 73 countries and were published in 637 academic journals. From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2024, the annual publication volume showed an overall increasing trend. China, the United States, and Germany were the major contributing countries. The most prolific institutions were Zhejiang University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. The most cited institution was RWTH Aachen University Hospital in Germany. The most productive journal was Frontiers in Immunology. The most prolific authors were Tacke, Frank and Trautwein, Christian. Core keywords included liver fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, macrophages, expression, and activation. The bibliometric analysis revealed a paradigm shift from single-organ studies to shared immune mechanisms, with the field evolving from basic research on liver fibrosis to molecular and cellular targeted regulation of multi-organ fibrosis including heart, lung, and kidney. KEYWORDS: fibrosis; immune cells; bibliometrics; visual analysis; VOSviewer software; CiteSpace software; single-cell sequencing technology; macrophages

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Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2025

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for end-stage liver disease: adversity and opportunity

Authors: Shiqi Li, Yichen Wang, Su-meng Li, Yaxin Zhu, Yan-qin Du, Xin Zheng, Jun Wu

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is one of the predominant diseases contributing to high morbidity and mortality worldwide, with etiologies including alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic-associated liver disease. Currently, liver transplantation remains the only effective treatment, however, its clinical application is significantly limited by donor shortages, immune rejection, and high medical costs. Among the five types of stem cells that have been experimentally applied to liver diseases, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as the most extensively studied, with the largest number of experimental and clinical research platforms worldwide. This review compiles findings from 25 preclinical and clinical studies on MSCs in the treatment of ESLD, aiming to elucidate the core mechanisms of action and then outline both the challenges in MSC clinical translation and the novel opportunities arising from cutting-edge research.

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Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025

FOXD3 promotes homologous recombination repair and genomic stability by facilitating MRE11-mediated DNA end resection

Authors: Shibin Xu, Jingyu Zhang, Congwen Gao, Ziyi Xiong, Yamin Gong, Bao Chai, Hongxiang Chen, Xingzhi Xu

Homologous recombination (HR) is crucial for the high-fidelity repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), ensuring the maintenance of genome stability. In this study, we show that FOXD3 interacts with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and is recruited to DSBs in a PARP1-dependent manner. FOXD3 directly binds to the DSB repair protein MRE11 and promotes its recruitment to DSB sites, ensuring proper end resection. Inhibition of FOXD3 expression compromises HR-mediated DSB repair and chromosome stability and sensitizes cancer cells to ionizing radiation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that FOXD3 promotes HR-mediated DSB repair and genome stability.

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Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2024

Osteoinductive micro-nano guided bone regeneration membrane for in situ bone defect repair

Authors: Bingqian Wang, Xinfang Xie, Wenbin Jiang, Yichen Zhan, Yifan Zhang, Yaqi Guo, Zhenxing Wang, Nengqiang Guo, Ke Guo, Jiaming Sun

Background Biomaterials used in bone tissue engineering must fulfill the requirements of osteoconduction, osteoinduction, and osseointegration. However, biomaterials with good osteoconductive properties face several challenges, including inadequate vascularization, limited osteoinduction and barrier ability, as well as the potential to trigger immune and inflammatory responses. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop guided bone regeneration membranes as a crucial component of tissue engineering strategies for repairing bone defects. Methods The mZIF-8/PLA membrane was prepared using electrospinning technology and simulated body fluid external mineralization method. Its ability to induce biomimetic mineralization was evaluated through TEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, zeta potential, and wettability techniques. The biocompatibility, osteoinduction properties, and osteo-immunomodulatory effects of the mZIF-8/PLA membrane were comprehensively evaluated by examining cell behaviors of surface-seeded BMSCs and macrophages, as well as the regulation of cellular genes and protein levels using PCR and WB. In vivo, the mZIF-8/PLA membrane's potential to promote bone regeneration and angiogenesis was assessed through Micro-CT and immunohistochemical staining. Results The mineralized deposition enhances hydrophilicity and cell compatibility of mZIF-8/PLA membrane. mZIF-8/PLA membrane promotes up-regulation of osteogenesis and angiogenesis related factors in BMSCs. Moreover, it induces the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype and modulates the local immune microenvironment. After 4-weeks of implantation, the mZIF-8/PLA membrane successfully bridges critical bone defects and almost completely repairs the defect area after 12-weeks, while significantly improving the strength and vascularization of new bone. Conclusions The mZIF-8/PLA membrane with dual osteoconductive and immunomodulatory abilities could pave new research paths for bone tissue engineering.

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