1.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications (DMC), refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles, and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, was held in Beijing, 2024. Experts in TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and mechanism research related to DMC, ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development, research prioritization, and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM, strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.
2.Research progress on the association between physical activity and sleep quality in adolescents
WANG Jinxian*, LIU Yuan, WU Jian, WU Huipan, WANG Zhe, ZHANG Yingkun, WANG Yi, YIN Xiaojian
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):140-143
Abstract
To promote adolescents active participation in physical activity and improve sleep quality, the article analyzes the relationship of adolescent physical activity with subjective sleep satisfaction, sleep latency, sleep continuity, sleep efficiency, and sleep duration. It explores potential mechanisms underlying the link between physical activity and sleep quality, including physiological mechanisms (circadian rhythms, body temperature, neuroendocrine systems, and immune function), and psychological mechanisms (stress relief, improvement of negative emotions, and promotion of mental relaxation). Based on existing research, it is recommended that adolescents engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity daily to promote improved sleep quality.
3.Comparison of clinical efficacy of evolocumab and probucol after PCI in patients with ultra-high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Yi YUAN ; Na LI ; Haiying SUN ; Jing SUN ; Yongqiang MA ; Yan WU ; Guohong YANG ; Junxiang LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(5):645-649
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of evolocumab and probucol in patients with ultra-high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 156 ultra-high-risk ASCVD patients who underwent PCI in our institution between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. According to the lipid-lowering regimen, the patients were categorized into evolocumab group ( n =86) and probucol group ( n =70). Changes in lipid parameters [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprot ein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), and lipid goal achievement rate ] , inflammatory markers [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) ] , and cardiac function indices (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) were compared between two groups at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. The incidence of adverse clinical events during treatment, including acute myocardial infarction, in-stent restenosis, acute heart failure, cerebral hemorrhage, and stroke, was also evaluated. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups at baseline ( P >0.05). After 6 months of treatment, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles (except HDL-C) and inflammatory markers compared to those at baseline ( P <0.05). The evolocumab group exhibited greater reductions in TC, LDL-C, IL-6, and CRP, along with a higher lipid target achievement rate, compared with the probucol group ( P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the cardiac function-related indicators before and after treatment between the two groups, nor in the incidence of adverse events during the treatment ( P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS For ultra-high-risk ASCVD patients after PCI, both of the above treatment options are associated with improvements in blood lipid and inflammatory response, with good safety during short-term follow-up. Evolocumab shows superior efficacy in TC, LDL-C and inflammatory markers reduction and lipid target achievement, compared to probucol.
4.Zinc Finger Protein 639 Expression Is a Novel Prognostic Determinant in Breast Cancer
Fang LEE ; Shih-Ping CHENG ; Ming-Jen CHEN ; Wen-Chien HUANG ; Yi-Min LIU ; Shao-Chiang CHANG ; Yuan-Ching CHANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):86-98
Purpose:
Zinc finger protein 639 (ZNF639) is often found within the overlapping amplicon of PIK3CA, and previous studies suggest its involvement in the pathogenesis of esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinomas. However, its expression and significance in breast cancer remain uncharacterized.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical analysis of ZNF639 was performed using tissue microarrays.Functional studies, including colony formation, Transwell cell migration, and in vivo metastasis, were conducted on breast tumor cells with ZNF639 knockdown via small interfering RNA transfection.
Results:
Reduced ZNF639 immunoreactivity was observed in 82% of the breast cancer samples, independent of hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, ZNF639 expression was associated with favorable survival outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.89) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.16– 1.05). ZNF639 knockdown increased clonogenicity, cell motility, and lung metastasis in NOD/ SCID mice. Following the ZNF639 knockdown, the expression of Snail1, vimentin, and C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was upregulated, and the changes in cell phenotype mediated by ZNF639 were reversed by the subsequent knockdown of CCL20.
Conclusion
Low ZNF639 expression is a novel prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in patients with breast cancer.
5.Mechanism of Modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang in Improving Sensitivity of Cisplatin in EGFR-TKI Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Based on Aerobic Glycolysis
Yanping WEN ; Yi JIANG ; Liping SHEN ; Haiwei XIAO ; Xiaofeng YANG ; Surui YUAN ; Lingshuang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):39-46
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Si Junzitang and Shashen Maidong Tang [Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu prescription (YQYYJD)] in enhancing the sensitivity of cisplatin in epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells based on aerobic glycolysis. MethodsThe effects of different concentrations of YQYYJD (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 g·L-1) and cisplatin (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 mg·L-1) on the proliferation and activity of PC9/GR cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after 24 hours of intervention. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for PC9/GR cells was calculated to determine the concentrations used in subsequent experiments. PC9/GR cells were divided into blank group (complete medium), YQYYJD group (5 g·L-1), cisplatin group (12 mg·L-1), and combined group (YQYYJD 5 g·L-1 + cisplatin 12 mg·L-1). After 24 hours of intervention, cell viability was measured using CCK-8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation assay, and cell migration was evaluated by scratch and Transwell assays. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured by colorimetric assays. The expression levels of glycolysis-related proteins, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), phosphofructokinase P (PFKP), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), were determined by Western blot. ResultsBoth YQYYJD and cisplatin inhibited the viability of PC9/GR cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PC9/GR cells for YQYYJD and cisplatin were 5.15 g·L-1 and 12.91 mg·L-1, respectively. In terms of cell proliferation, compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate and the number of colonies formed in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in cell survival rate and colony formation (P<0.01). In terms of cell migration, compared with the blank group, the cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group exhibited a further significant reduction in cell migration rate and the number of cells passing through the Transwell membrane (P<0.01). In terms of glycolysis, compared with the blank group, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels in the YQYYJD group, cisplatin group, and combined group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups, the combined group showed a further significant reduction in glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the protein expression levels of HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA in the YQYYJD, cisplatin, and combined groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The combined group showed a further significant reduction in the expression levels of these proteins compared with the YQYYJD and cisplatin groups (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the protein expression levels of GLUT1 and MCT4 among the groups. ConclusionYQYYJD can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and migration of PC9/GR cells and enhance their sensitivity to cisplatin. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of the expression of glycolysis-related rate-limiting enzymes, including HK2, PFKP, PKM2, and LDHA, thereby inhibiting glycolysis.
6.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
7.Impact of Maxing Kugan Decoction on Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis in Oleic Acid-induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats via p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Taiqiang JIAO ; Yi NAN ; Ling YUAN ; Jiaqing LI ; Yang NIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maxing Kugan decoction (MKD) on inflammatory response and apoptosis in rats with oleic acid (OA)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into six groups: a control group, a model group, a dexamethasone-treated group (2 mg·kg-1), and three MKD-treated groups at low, medium, and high doses (3.1, 6.2,12.4 g·kg-1). Each group was administered either an equivalent volume of normal saline or the corresponding concentration of MKD by gavage for seven consecutive days. The model group and each administration group were used to establish the ALI model by tail vein injection of OA (0.2 mL·kg-1). Twelve hours after modeling, blood gas analyses were conducted, and the wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio of lung tissue was measured for each group. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the rats. Cell damage and apoptosis in lung tissue were examined via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays, and the results were subsequently scored. The expression levels of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs were assessed using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), along with a marked increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and lung W/D ratio (P<0.01). Additionally, levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in BALF were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Histopathological analysis of lung tissue showed significant inflammatory infiltration, tissue edema, alveolar septal thickening, and apoptosis of lung tissue. Pronounced increases were observed in the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα), B-cell lymphoma-2 associated x protein (Bax), and Caspases-3, as well as the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, Bax, Caspases-3, and cleaved Caspases-3, while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, MKD significantly elevated PaO2, SaO2, and PaO2/FiO2 while reducing PaCO2 and W/D ratio in rats (P<0.01). It also greatly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in BALF (P<0.01) and alleviated inflammatory infiltration, tissue edema, alveolar septal thickening, and apoptosis of lung tissue. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, IκBα, Bax, Caspases-3, as well as protein expression of p-p38 MAPK, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, Bax, Caspases-3, and cleaved Caspases-3 in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), while significantly upregulating mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). ConclusionMKD exerts a protective effect on OA-induced ALI rats, potentially through the regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis.
8.Impact of Maxing Kugan Decoction on Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis in Oleic Acid-induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats via p38 MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Taiqiang JIAO ; Yi NAN ; Ling YUAN ; Jiaqing LI ; Yang NIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):108-116
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maxing Kugan decoction (MKD) on inflammatory response and apoptosis in rats with oleic acid (OA)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into six groups: a control group, a model group, a dexamethasone-treated group (2 mg·kg-1), and three MKD-treated groups at low, medium, and high doses (3.1, 6.2,12.4 g·kg-1). Each group was administered either an equivalent volume of normal saline or the corresponding concentration of MKD by gavage for seven consecutive days. The model group and each administration group were used to establish the ALI model by tail vein injection of OA (0.2 mL·kg-1). Twelve hours after modeling, blood gas analyses were conducted, and the wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio of lung tissue was measured for each group. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the rats. Cell damage and apoptosis in lung tissue were examined via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays, and the results were subsequently scored. The expression levels of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs were assessed using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), along with a marked increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and lung W/D ratio (P<0.01). Additionally, levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in BALF were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Histopathological analysis of lung tissue showed significant inflammatory infiltration, tissue edema, alveolar septal thickening, and apoptosis of lung tissue. Pronounced increases were observed in the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα), B-cell lymphoma-2 associated x protein (Bax), and Caspases-3, as well as the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, Bax, Caspases-3, and cleaved Caspases-3, while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, MKD significantly elevated PaO2, SaO2, and PaO2/FiO2 while reducing PaCO2 and W/D ratio in rats (P<0.01). It also greatly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels in BALF (P<0.01) and alleviated inflammatory infiltration, tissue edema, alveolar septal thickening, and apoptosis of lung tissue. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, IκBα, Bax, Caspases-3, as well as protein expression of p-p38 MAPK, p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, Bax, Caspases-3, and cleaved Caspases-3 in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), while significantly upregulating mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). ConclusionMKD exerts a protective effect on OA-induced ALI rats, potentially through the regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis.
9.Mitochondria: The Target of Ionizing Radiation Damage
Lian-Chen TIAN ; Ya-Yi YUAN ; Xu-Hong DANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):836-844
In recent years, due to the development of radiotherapy technology and nuclear energy, people have paid more and more attention to the various effects of ionizing radiation on organisms. Ionizing radiation can induce protein, DNA and other biological macromolecules to damage, resulting in apoptosis, senescence, cancer and a series of changes. For a long time, it has been believed that the main target of ionizing radiation damage is DNA in the nucleus. However, it has been reported in recent years that ionizing radiation has both direct and indirect effects, and the theory of ROS damage in the indirect effects believes that ionizing radiation has target uncertainty, so it is not comprehensive enough to evaluate only the DNA damage in the nucleus. It has been reported that ionizing radiation can cause damage to organelles as well as damage to cells. Mitochondria are important damaged organelles because mitochondria occupy as much as 30% of the entire cell volume in the cytoplasm, which contains DNA and related enzymes that are closely related to cellular ATP synthesis, aerobic respiration and other life activities. What is more noteworthy is that mitochondria are the only organelles in which DNA exists in the human body, which makes researchers pay attention to various damage to mitochondrial DNA caused by ionizing radiation (such as double-strand breaks, base mismatching, and fragment loss). Although these damages also occur in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA is more severely damaged than nuclear DNA due to its lack of histone protection, so mitochondria are important targets of ionizing radiation damage in addition to the nucleus. Mitochondrial DNA is not protected by histones and has little repair ability. When exposed to ionizing radiation, common deletions occur at an increased frequency and are passed on to offspring. For large-scale mitochondrial DNA damage, mitochondria indirectly compensate for the amount of damaged DNA by increasing the number of DNA copies and maintaining the normal function of mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria are in a state of oxidative stress after exposure to ionizing radiation, and this oxidative stress will promote the change in mitochondrial function. When mitochondria are damaged, the activity of proteins related to aerobic respiration decreases, and oxidative respiration is inhibited to a certain extent. At the same time, a large amount of active superoxide anions are continuously produced to stimulate mitochondrial oxidative stress, and the signal of such damage is transmitted to the surrounding mitochondria, resulting in a cascade of damage reaction, which further activates the signalling pathway between mitochondria and nucleus. The cell nucleus is also in a state of oxidative stress, and finally, the level of free radicals is high, causing secondary damage to the genetic material DNA of mitochondria and nucleus. In this paper, the damage effects of ionizing radiation on mitochondria are reviewed, to provide a new idea for radiation protection.
10.PDGF-C: an Emerging Target in The Treatment of Organ Fibrosis
Chao YANG ; Zi-Yi SONG ; Chang-Xin WANG ; Yuan-Yuan KUANG ; Yi-Jing CHENG ; Ke-Xin REN ; Xue LI ; Yan LIN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1059-1069
Fibrosis, the pathological scarring of vital organs, is a severe and often irreversible condition that leads to progressive organ dysfunction. It is particularly pronounced in organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart. Despite its clinical significance, the full understanding of its etiology and complex pathogenesis remains incomplete, posing substantial challenges to diagnosing, treating, and preventing the progression of fibrosis. Among the various molecular players involved, platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) has emerged as a crucial factor in fibrotic diseases, contributing to the pathological transformation of tissues in several key organs. PDGF-C is a member of the PDGFs family of growth factors and is synthesized and secreted by various cell types, including fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. It acts through both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, exerting its biological effects by binding to and activating the PDGF receptors (PDGFRs), specifically PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. This binding triggers multiple intracellular signaling pathways, such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT and Ras-MAPK pathways. which are integral to the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, migration, and fibrosis. Notably, PDGF-C has been shown to promote the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, key effector cells in the fibrotic process, thus accelerating the accumulation of extracellular matrix components and the formation of fibrotic tissue. Numerous studies have documented an upregulation of PDGF-C expression in various fibrotic diseases, suggesting its significant role in the initiation and progression of fibrosis. For instance, in liver fibrosis, PDGF-C stimulates hepatic stellate cell activation, contributing to the excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins. Similarly, in pulmonary fibrosis, PDGF-C enhances the migration of fibroblasts into the damaged areas of lungs, thereby worsening the pathological process. Such findings highlight the pivotal role of PDGF-C in fibrotic diseases and underscore its potential as a therapeutic target for these conditions. Given its central role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, PDGF-C has become an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Several studies have focused on developing inhibitors that block the PDGF-C/PDGFR signaling pathway. These inhibitors aim to reduce fibroblast activation, prevent the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, and halt the progression of fibrosis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of such inhibitors in animal models of liver, kidney, and lung fibrosis, with promising results in reducing fibrotic lesions and improving organ function. Furthermore, several clinical inhibitors, such as Olaratumab and Seralutinib, are ongoing to assess the safety and efficacy of these inhibitors in human patients, offering hope for novel therapeutic options in the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In conclusion, PDGF-C plays a critical role in the development and progression of fibrosis in vital organs. Its ability to regulate fibroblast activity and influence key signaling pathways makes it a promising target for therapeutic strategies aiming at combating fibrosis. Ongoing research into the regulation of PDGF-C expression and the development of PDGF-C/PDGFR inhibitors holds the potential to offer new insights and approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fibrotic diseases. Ultimately, these efforts may lead to the development of more effective and targeted therapies that can mitigate the impact of fibrosis and improve patient outcomes.


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