Traditional development of small protein scaffolds has relied on display technologies and mutation-based engineering, which limit sequence and functional diversity, thereby constraining their therapeutic and application potential. Protein design tools have significantly advanced the creation of novel protein sequences, structures, and functions. However, further improvements in design strategies are still needed to more efficiently optimize the functional performance of protein-based drugs and enhance their druggability. Here, we extended an evolution-based design protocol to create a novel minibinder, BindHer, against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It not only exhibits super stability and binding selectivity but also demonstrates remarkable properties in tissue specificity. Radiolabeling experiments with ^99mTc, ⁶⁸Ga, and ¹⁸F revealed that BindHer efficiently targets tumors in HER2-positive breast cancer mouse models, with minimal nonspecific liver absorption, outperforming scaffolds designed through traditional engineering. These findings highlight a new rational approach to automated protein design, offering significant potential for large-scale applications in therapeutic mini-protein development.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between intracerebroventricular glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-induced improvement in long-term postoperative cognitive function and expression of PKMζ and Kalirin in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.Methods:Sixty 7-day old Sprague-Dawley rats, male or female, were divided into 4 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), GDNF group (group G), surgery group (group S) and surgery plus GDNF group (group S+ G). Group C did not receive anesthesia, surgery or drug treatment. Group G received intracerebroventricular injection of 0.3 μg recombinant rat GDNF. Group S and group S+ G underwent right carotid artery exposure surgery under 3% sevoflurane anesthesia, and in addition group S+ G received intracerebroventricular injection of GDNF. The Barnes maze test and the fear conditioning test were performed starting from postnatal day 33. The animals were then sacrificed under sevoflurane anesthesia after behavioral testing, the brains were obtained and divided into 2 halves sagittally along the midline. The left half of the brain was used for Golgi staining to observe dendritic morphology and measure dendritic spine density. The hippocampal protein was extracted from the right half of the brain to detect the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the time to identify the target box in the Barnes maze test was significantly prolonged, the context-related freezing time in the fear conditioning test was shortened, the total dendritic length, the number of branches, the number of intersections in sholl analysis and spinal density in the hippocampus were reduced, and the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin was down-regulated in group S ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters in group G ( P>0.05). Compared with group S, the time to identify the target box in the Barnes maze test was significantly shortened, the context-related freezing time in the fear conditioning test was prolonged, the total dendritic length, the number of branches, the number of intersections in sholl analysis and spinal density in the hippocampus were increased, and the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin was up-regulated in group S+ G ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which intracerebroventricular GDNF improves long-term postoperative cognitive function may be related to up-regulating the expression of PKMζ and Kalirin and promoting the development of dendrites and dendritic spines in the hippocampus of neonatal rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.04.021.].

Objective:To investigate whether propofol can cause injury to hippocampal mitochondria in neonatal rats and the regulation of excitatory amino acid receptor AMPA receptor.Methods:Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 7 days were randomly divided into control group, propofol group, propofol+AMPA receptor agonist AMPA group (propofol+AMPA group) and propofol+AMPA receptor inhibitor CNQX group (propofol+CNQX group), with 12 rats in each group. The rats in the propofol groups were intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg propofol, while in control group with 3 mg/kg normal saline. Each group was given 1/2 of the first dose every 20 minutes after the first administration, three times a day, for three consecutive days. The rats in the propofol+AMPA group and the propofol+CNQX group were injected with 1 g/L AMPA or CNQX 5 μL through left ventricle after the first administration. Three days after administration, the rats were sacrificed to obtain brain tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of AMPA receptor glutamate receptors (GluR1, GluR2) subunit totally (T) and on membrane (M) in hippocampus. The expression of dynamin-related protein-1 (DRP-1) and phosphorylated-DRP-1 (p-DRP-1) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) related to mitochondrial fission and fusion were determined. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and ATPase activity were determined.Results:Compared with the control group, GluR1 expression and its M/T ratio were significantly increased after treatment of propofol, GluR2 expression and its M/T ratio were significantly decreased, the ATP content and ATP-related enzyme activity were decreased significantly, while the expression of DRP-1 and its phosphorylation was significantly increased, and the expression of Mfn2 was significantly decreased. The changes indicated that repeated intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg propofol leading to the injury of mitochondria in neural cells. Compared with the propofol group, the GluR1 expression and its M/T ratio further increased after AMPA agonist administration [T-GluR1 protein (T-GluR1/β-actin): 2.41±0.29 vs. 1.72±0.11, M-GluR1 protein (M-GluR1/β-actin): 1.18±0.15 vs. 0.79±0.09, M/T ratio: 0.78±0.12 vs. 0.46±0.08, all P < 0.01], GluR2 expression was significantly increased [T-GluR2 protein (T-GluR2/β-actin): 0.65±0.13 vs. 0.30±0.14, P < 0.01; M-GluR2 protein (M-GluR2/β-actin): 0.17±0.05 vs. 0.13±0.07, P > 0.05], but its M/T ratio was further decreased (0.27±0.10 vs. 0.41±0.08, P < 0.05). The ATP-related enzyme activity was further decreased, and the ATP content was further decreased (μmol/g: 0.32±0.07 vs. 0.70±0.10, P < 0.01). Mitochondria DRP-1 expression and its phosphorylation were further increased [DRP-1 protein (DRP-1/GAPDH): 2.75±0.36 vs. 1.70±0.19, p-DRP-1 protein (p-DRP-1/GAPDH): 0.99±0.14 vs. 0.76±0.15, both P < 0.05], and Mfn2 expression was further decreased (Mfn2/GAPDH: 0.23±0.12 vs. 0.54±0.12, P < 0.05). This indicated that the AMPA agonist increased the expression of the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit on the cell membrane and shifted the GluR2 into the cell, thus increasing the mitochondrial injury caused by propofol. Compared with the propofol group, the GluR1 expression and its M/T ratio decreased significantly after AMPA inhibitor administration [T-GluR1 protein (T-GluR1/β-actin): 0.99±0.14 vs. 1.72±0.11, M-GluR1 protein (M-GluR1/β-actin): 0.21±0.07 vs. 0.79±0.09, M/T ratio: 0.21±0.07 vs. 0.46±0.08, all P < 0.01], the change of GluR2 expression was not significant, but its M/T ratio was significantly increased (0.59±0.09 vs. 0.41±0.08, P < 0.05). The ATP-related enzyme activity was increased significantly, and the ATP content was increased significantly (μmol/g: 0.87±0.12 vs. 0.70±0.10, P < 0.05). Mitochondria DRP-1 expression and its phosphorylation were significantly decreased [DRP-1 protein (DRP-1/GAPDH): 1.18±0.17 vs. 1.70±0.19, p-DRP-1 protein (p-DRP-1/GAPDH): 0.37±0.10 vs. 0.76±0.10, both P < 0.05], and Mfn2 expression was significantly increased (Mfn2/GAPDH: 0.78±0.10 vs. 0.54±0.12, P < 0.05). This indicated that AMPA inhibitor promoted the movement to the cell membrane of GluR2 subunits meanwhile inhibited the expression of GluR1 subunits, thus alleviating the injury of mitochondrial caused by propofol in the brain. Conclusions:Repeated intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg propofol for 3 days can increase the expression of GluR1 subunits of AMPA receptor in 7-day neonatal rats hippocampus mainly distributing in the cell membrane, decrease the expression of GluR2 subunits moving into the cell, thus causing injury of mitochondrial function and dynamics, which can be aggravated by AMPA receptor agonist and alleviated by AMPA receptor inhibitors.

Objective:To identify the key genes for neuropathic pain in rats.Methods:The genomic data of spinal cord tissues of rats (GSE18803) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Database at the American Center for Biotechnology Information to identify differentially expressed genes associated with neuropathic pain, and key genes were obtained by further analysis of the protein-protein interaction networks.Single-cell localization and expression of the key genes were analyzed by the Tabula Muris database.Results:The protein-protein interaction networks identified 10 hub genes, including Tyrobp, Clec4a3, C1qc, Ptprc, Laptm5, Csf1r, C1qa, C1qb, Fcgr3a, Cd53. Cd53, Laptm5 and Ptprc were mainly expressed in macrophages, B cells, NK cells, monocytes and granulocytes. Clec4a3 and Csf1r were mainly expressed in monocytes, Fcgr3a in monocytes and granulocytes, and Tyrobp in macrophages, monocytes, granulocytes, and pluripotent progenitor cells. Conclusions:Ten target genes associated with neuropathic pain are identified using bioinformatics, and their distribution and expression in immune inflammatory cells are obtained through comprehensive analysis.

Purpose: This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy or endocrine therapy maintenance in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Materials and Methods: The meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and propensity score matching of multicenter cohort study evaluated MBC patients who underwent first-line chemotherapy or endocrine therapy maintenance. This study is registered with PROSPERO: CRD42017071858 and ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04258163. Results: A total of 2,867 patients from 15 RCTs and 760 patients from multicenter cohort were included. The results from meta-analysis showed that chemotherapy maintenance improved progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.73; p < 0.001; moderate-quality evidence) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.87; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.97; p=0.016; high-quality evidence) than observation. In the cohort study, for hormone receptor–positive MBC patients, chemotherapy maintenance improved PFS (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.85; p < 0.001) and OS (HR, 0.55; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.73; p < 0.001) compared with observation, and endocrine therapy maintenance also improved PFS (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.80; p < 0.001) and OS (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.69; p < 0.001). There were no differences between chemotherapy and endocrine therapy maintenance in PFS and OS (all p > 0.05). Regardless of the continuum or switch maintenance therapy, showed prolonged survival in MBC patients who were response to first-line treatment. Conclusion This study provided evidences for survival benefits of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy maintenance in MBC patients, and there was no difference efficacy between chemotherapy and endocrine therapy maintenance for hormone receptor–positive patients.

Objective:To evaluate the role of hippocampal β-amyloid 42 (Aβ 42) deposition-induced accumulation of neutrophils in blood-brain barrier damage caused by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats. Methods:Seventy-two healthy male Wistar rats in which IT catheters were successfully planted, aged 18-20 months, weighing 600-650 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=18 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT group (group D), sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S) and DAPT plus sevoflurane anesthesia group (group DS). Dimethyl sulfoxide 10 μl was intrathecally injected in group C and group S, and 30 min later group C inhaled 60% oxygen for 2 h, and group S inhaled 3.6% sevoflurane and 60% oxygen for 2 h and tibial fracture surgery was performed at the same time.DAPT 10 μl was intrathecally injected in group D and group DS, and 30 min later group D inhaled 60% oxygen for 2 h, and group DS inhaled 3.6% sevoflurane and 60% oxygen for 2 h and tibial fracture surgery was performed at the same time.The fear conditioning test was performed at 12 h after the end of treatment in each group, and the ratio of time spent freezing was calculated.The rats were sacrificed after the end of behavioral test, and hippocampal tissues were removed for determination of the expression of Aβ 42, occludin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (by Western blot), neutrophil count (by immuno-histochemistry), and content of Evans blue (EB) (by EB staining). Results:Compared with group C, the ratio of time spent freezing was significantly decreased, the expression of Aβ 42 and MMP-9 was up-regulated, the expression of occludin was down-regulated, the neutrophil count and content of EB were increased in group S and group DS ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group D ( P>0.05). Compared with group S, the ratio of time spent freezing was significantly increased, the expression of Aβ 42 and MMP-9 was down-regulated, the expression of occludin was up-regulated, the neutrophil count and content of EB were decreased in group DS ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which sevoflurane anesthesia leads to postoperative cognitive dysfunction is related to hippocampal Aβ 42 deposition-induced accumulation of neutrophils and causing damage to blood-brain barrier in aged rats.

Objective:To evaluate the role of spinal P2Y1R in the development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats with incisional pain (IP) and the relationship with the function of NR1 and NR2B in spinal cord.Methods:Forty-eight healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 250-280 g, in which intrathecal catheters were successfully placed, were divided into 6 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), P2Y1R antagonist MRS2179 group (group M), remifentanil group (group R), remifentanil plus MRS2179 group (group R+ M), IP plus remifentanil group (group I+ R) and IP plus remifentanil plus MRS2179 group (group I+ R+ M). In group C, normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later normal saline was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1.In group M, MRS2179 0.6 nmol/kg was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later normal saline was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1.In group R, normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1.In group R+ M, MRS2179 0.6 nmol/kg was intrathecally injected, and 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1 via the tail vein.In group I+ R, normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected, 10 min later remifentanil was infused for 60 min via the tail vein at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1, and IP was established at 10 min after onset of remifentanil infusion.In group I+ R+ M, MRS2179 0.6 nmol/kg was intrathecally injected, 10 min later remifentanil was infused via the tail vein for 60 min at a rate of 1 μg·kg -1·min -1, and IP was established at 10 min after onset of remifentanil infusion.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT), thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL), and the number of paw lifts on the cold plate were measured at 24 h before infusion of remifentanil or normal saline and at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after the end of infusion.The animals were sacrificed after the last measurement of the pain threshold, L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of P2Y1R, phosphorylated NR1 (p-NR1), NR1, phosphorylated NR2B (p-NR2B) and NR2B (by Western blot), for calculation of the ratios of p-NR1/NR1 and p-NR2B/NR2B, and for detection of expression of P2Y1R mRNA, NR1 mRNA and NR2B mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with group C, MWT was significantly decreased, TWL was shortened, the number of paw lifts on the cold plate was increased, the expression of P2Y1R protein and mRNA, NR1 protein and mRNA, p-NR1, NR2B protein and mRNA and p-NR2B was up-regulated, and p-NR1/NR1 ratio and p-NR2B/NR2B ratio were increased in group R ( P<0.01). Compared with group R, MWT was significantly increased, TWL was prolonged, the number of paw lifts on the cold plate was decreased, the expression of P2Y1R, p-NR1, NR1 protein and mRNA, p-NR2B, NR2B protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and p-NR1/NR1 ratio and p-NR2B/NR2B ratio were decreased in group R+ M ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with group I+ R, MWT was significantly increased, TWL was prolonged, the number of paw lifts on the cold plate was decreased, the expression of P2Y1R, p-NR1, NR1 protein and mRNA, p-NR2B, NR2B protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and p-NR1/NR1 ratio and p-NR2B/NR2B ratio were decreased in group I+ R+ M ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Spinal P2Y1R can enhance the function of NR1 and NR2B, which may be involved in the development of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats with IP.

Objective:To evaluate the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-2 (NOD2) in dorsal root ganglion in the development of neuropathic pain (NP) in rats.Methods:Thirty-two adult male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), NP group (group S), negative control siRAN group (group N), and NOD2-siRNA group (group R). In N and R groups, 1×10 8 IFU/ml negative control siRNA and NOD2-siRNA 10 μl were intrathecally injected, respectively, once a day for 3 consecutive days.Normal saline 10 μl was intrathecally injected once a day for 3 consecutive days in C and S groups.The model of NP was established using spared nerve injury (SNI) at 2 weeks after intrathecal injection.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured at 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 28 days after SNI.Animals were sacrificed after measuring pain threshold on day 28, and the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of the lumbar segment (L 4-6) were removed for determination of the expression of NOD2 (by Western blot) and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and NOD2 mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Results:Compared with group C, MWT was significantly decreased at each time point after SNI, and the expression of NOD2 protein and mRNA and TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in DRGs was up-regulated in group NP ( P<0.01). Compared with group NP, MWT was significantly increased at each time point after SNI, and the expression of NOD2 protein and mRNA and TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in DRGs was down-regulated in group R ( P<0.01), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group N ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism underlying the development of NP may be related to the up-regulation of NOD2 expression in DRGs, thus further promoting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase (G9a) and sodium-dependent activation of potassium channel (Slack) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats with neuropathic pain (NP).Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 1 month, weighing 100-120 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), vector plus sham operation group (VS group), vector plus NP group (VN group), and G9a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout plus NP group (GN group). Sham operation was performed at the age of 2 months in group S. In group VS, AAV5 1 μl was microinjected into L 4 and L 5 DRG at the age of 1 month, and sham operation was performed at the age of 2 months.In VN group and GN group, AAV5 and G9a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout plasmid 1 μl were microinjected into L 4 and L 5 DRG at the age of 1 month, and NP model was established by spinal nerve ligation (SNL) at the age of 2 months.Six rats in each group were selected to measure the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) before microinjection (T 0), before SNL (T 1), and at 3, 5 and 7 days after SNL (T 2-4). The animals were sacrificed after the last behavioral testing, the DRGs of lumbar segment (L 4, 5) were removed for determination of the expression of G9a, dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9(H3K9me2) and Slack (by Western blot). At 7 days after establishing the model, 6 rats from each group were selected to culture the primary DRG neurons.The frequency and amplitude of Slack current in DRG neurons and miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the spinal dorsal horn were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results:Compared with group S, the TWL was significantly shortened and the MWT was decreased at T 2-4, the expression of G9a and H3K9me2 in the spinal dorsal horn was up-regulated, the expression of Slack was down-regulated, the amplitude and frequency of Slack currents in DRG neurons were decreased, and the frequency of mEPSCs was increased in group VN ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group VS ( P>0.05). Compared with group VN, the TWL was significantly prolonged and the MWT was increased at T 2-4, the expression of G9a and H3K9me2 in the spinal dorsal horn was down-regulated, the expression of Slack was up-regulated, the amplitude and frequency of Slack currents in DRG neurons were increased, and the frequency of mEPSCs was decreased in group GN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism of NP is related to up-regulating the expression of G9a in DRG, thus inhibiting the expression and opening of Slack channels in rats.