Nai-Li Wei

Prof. Nai-Li Wei


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 January 2023 in Frontiers in Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JCJian Chen
Jian Chen
ADAn-Xiang Dai
An-Xiang Dai
HTHai-Liang Tang
Hai-Liang Tang
CLChang-Hao Lu
Chang-Hao Lu
HLHao-Xin Liu
Hao-Xin Liu
NWNai-Li Wei
Nai-Li Wei
Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) are crucial in several pathological inflammation processes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, their potential for clinical diagnostics remains unknown. The present investigation evaluated the clinical significance of ALCAM, VCAM-1, NCAM, and ICAM-1 levels in the plasma of participants with cognitive impairment (44 patients with mild cognitive impairment, 71 patients with Alzheimer’s dementia, and 18 patients with other dementia) and 28 controls with normal cognitive ability. We also detected plasma levels of multiple inflammatory factors (IFN-gamma, IL-18, IL-1beta, IL-13, IL-8, IL-7, CCL11, MCP-1, TSLP, IL-10, BDNF, IL-17, IL-5, TREM-1) using Multiplex liquid chip and plasma levels of Abeta1-42 and Abeta1-40 using liquid-phase flow cytometry (FCM). Our findings demonstrated a correlation of ALCAM and VCAM-1 with age, the severity of cognitive decline, and MTA, but no significant difference between groups for NCAM and ICAM-1. ALCAM and VCAM-1 both demonstrated a positive correlation with the degree of atrophy in the medial temporal lobe structure. Further analysis revealed no significant correlation in plasma between VCAM-1, ALCAM and Abeta1-40, Abeta1-42. Nevertheless, there was a significant correlation between VCAM-1, ALCAM and many inflammatory factors. Furthermore, the predictive value of ALCAM and VCAM-1 for AD was assessed using a multi-parameter regression model. ALCAM and VCAM-1 in combination with ApoE4, education, age, and MMSE could predict AD with high precision (AUC=0.891; AIC=146.9) without imaging diagnosis. ALCAM and VCAM-1 combination improved the predictive accuracy significantly. In a nutshell, these findings revealed ALCAM and VCAM-1 as reliable indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.

11 August 2024 in Alzheimer's & Dementia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YZYing‐Jie Zhang
Ying‐Jie Zhang
YCYan Cheng
Yan Cheng
HTHai‐Liang Tang
Hai‐Liang Tang
QYQi Yue
Qi Yue
XCXin‐Yi Cai
Xin‐Yi Cai
NWNai-Li Wei
Nai-Li Wei
INTRODUCTION: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele exerts a significant influence on peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.METHODS: The present study enrolled 54 patients diagnosed with late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD; including 28 APOE ε4 carriers and 26 non‐carriers). Plasma inflammatory cytokine concentration was assessed, alongside bulk RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) and single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).RESULTS: Plasma tumor necrosis factor α, interferon γ, and interleukin (IL)‐33 levels increased in the APOE ε4 carriers but IL‐7 expression notably decreased. A negative correlation was observed between plasma IL‐7 level and the hippocampal atrophy degree. Additionally, the expression of IL‐7R and CD28 also decreased in PBMCs of APOE ε4 carriers. ScRNA‐seq data results indicated that the changes were mainly related to the CD4+ Tem (effector memory) and CD8+ Tem T cells.DISCUSSION: These findings shed light on the role of the downregulated IL‐7/IL‐7R pathway associated with the APOE ε4 allele in modulating neuroinflammation and hippocampal atrophy.Highlights: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele decreases plasma interleukin (IL)‐7 and aggravates hippocampal atrophy in Alzheimer's disease. Plasma IL‐7 level is negatively associated with the degree of hippocampal atrophy. The expression of IL‐7R signaling decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of APOE ε4 carriers Dysregulation of the IL‐7/IL‐7R signal pathways enriches T cells.

30 August 2023 in Brain Pathology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
XJXiao‐Yu Ji
Xiao‐Yu Ji
XPXin‐Yuan Peng
Xin‐Yuan Peng
HTHai‐Liang Tang
Hai‐Liang Tang
HPHui Pan
Hui Pan
WWWei‐Tang Wang
Wei‐Tang Wang
NWNai-Li Wei
Nai-Li Wei
The apolipoprotein Eɛ4allele (APOE4) is universally acknowledged as the most potent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD).APOE4promotes the initiation and progression of AD. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclearly understood, differences in lipid‐bound affinity among the three APOE isoforms may constitute the basis. The protein APOE4 isoform has a high affinity with triglycerides and cholesterol. A distinction in lipid metabolism extensively impacts neurons, microglia, and astrocytes.APOE4carriers exhibit phenotypic differences from non‐carriers in clinical examinations and respond differently to multiple treatments. Therefore, we hypothesized that phenotypic classification of AD patients according to the status of APOE4 carrier will help specify research and promote its use in diagnosing and treating AD. Recent reviews have mainly evaluated the differences betweenAPOE4allele carriers and non‐carriers from gene to protein structures, clinical features, neuroimaging, pathology, the neural network, and the response to various treatments, and have provided the feasibility of phenotypic group classification based onAPOE4carrier status. This review will facilitate the application ofAPOEphenomics concept in clinical practice and promote further medical research on AD.

10 July 2025 in Journal of Translational Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YHYi-Xuan Hao
Yi-Xuan Hao
CLChen-Rui Li
Chen-Rui Li
ZLZhi-Jie Lu
Zhi-Jie Lu
NKNan Kong
Nan Kong
RHRong-Hua Huang
Rong-Hua Huang
NWNai-Li Wei
Nai-Li Wei
Ischemic stroke induces irreversible cerebral tissue damage, a condition exacerbated by the brain’s limited endogenous neuroplasticity and inability to regenerate neurons. While neural circuit reorganization holds therapeutic potential, its efficacy is hindered by pathological barriers such as glial scarring, chronic inflammation, and neurotrophic factor deficiency. Although pharmacological and interventional methods for stroke have been well developed, their functional recovery outcomes remain suboptimal. Emerging neural regeneration paradigms, particularly stem cell-based strategies (encompassing neural stem cell transplantation, neural progenitors grafts, and 3D brain organoid implantation), offer novel solutions to these challenges. However, critical limitations persist in conventional stem cell approaches: (1) compromised synaptic integration efficacy hinders functional neural circuit reconstruction; (2) the absence of functional vascular niches coupled with deficient astrocyte-mediated support and extracellular matrix signaling; (3) restricted regenerative capacity despite theoretical multipotent differentiation potential. Recent breakthroughs in cerebral organoid technology have revolutionized neurological disease modeling and neural repair research. Building upon this paradigm shift, our study mechanistically interrogates neuroplastic remodeling processes following ischemic stroke, while critically evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and inherent limitations of stem cell-based interventions. This affirms the critical role of 3D human cerebral organoid transplantation in the reconstruction of neural circuits. Additionally, we further summarize the utility of organoid-based disease models and address associated ethical and societal concerns. Future efforts should prioritize the clinical translation of organoid transplantation for ischemic stroke, aiming to mitigate neurological deficits and restore functional recovery.

2 December 2021 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
NWNai-Li Wei
Nai-Li Wei
JCJian Chen
Jian Chen
To date, there is a shortage of effective treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve AD cognitive function, there are obvious individual differences, which may be related to different apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes. As the risk and pathogenesis of AD varies greatly among different genotypes precise treatment strategies should be implemented depending upon genotype, which has not been proved by clinical studies. Apart from that, the published clinical studies are highly heterogeneous, and therefore, systematic and well-developed randomized controlled Trails (RCT) and demonstration of precise administration protocols are required. To verify this hypothesis, this project designed a RCT study, and randomly divided apoE4 carrier AD and non-carrier AD into high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) or low-frequency rTMS (LF-rTMS) treatment groups. Specifically, 80 patients with AD, namely 48 APOE4 carriers and 32 non-APOE4 carriers will be included in the study. After that, based on different stimulation frequencies of rTMS, they will be divided into the HF-rTMS group and the LF-rTMS group, when patients with AD will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups. After AD patients are involved in the study, their memory, cognition, anxiety, depression and activities of daily living will be tested before and during 2 weeks of rTMS. Furthermore, peripheral blood will be collected before and after treatment to detect changes in pathological indexes via MSD platform (Meso Scale Discovery), while 32-channel EEG data will be also collected to detect and analyze changes in gamma oscillation. In addition, these patients will be followed up for 6 months and their neuropsychological scale was also evaluated every month. At present, our study has included 18 AD patients (10 APOE4 carriers; 8 non-carriers). Our study is still in progress. The grouping has not been unblinded. But the preliminary data demonstrated that non-carriers had better MoCA score improvement than APOE4 carriers. The results indicated that the two populations of AD patients should be treated differently. Thus, this project will provide direction for precision rTMS in AD and also promotes a shift in relevant treatment philosophy.Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [ChiCTR2100041625].

12 August 2024 in Journal of Clinical Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HLHaoxin Liu
Haoxin Liu
YZYuan Zhong
Yuan Zhong
XZXizhou Zhang
Xizhou Zhang
ADAnxiang Dai
Anxiang Dai
ZLZhijie Lu
Zhijie Lu
JCJian Chen
Jian Chen