The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP₆), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP₆-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.

Objective To investigate the expression of microRNA-508-3p(miR-508-3p)in epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)tissue,its impact on the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells,and its regulatory relationship with zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1(ZEB1).Methods The surgical resection of EOC cancer tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues were collected.SKOV3 cells were divided into the NC mimic group(transfected with NC mimic),miR-508-3p mimic group(transfected with miR-508-3p mimic),si-NC group(transfected with si-NC),si-ZEB1 group(transfected with si-ZEB1)and co-transfection group(co-transfected with si-ZEB1 and miR-508-3p mimic).The mRNA expression levels of miR-508-3p and ZEB1 in EOC cancer tissues,adjacent normal tissues and five groups of cells were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The Transwell assay was used to detect the cell migration and invasion abilities.Results The relative expression levels of miR-508-3p in EOC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were 0.77±0.36 and 1.07±0.40,the relative expression levels of ZEB1 mRNA in EOC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were 2.10±1.21 and 1.29±0.95,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).The migration cell number of the NC mimic,miR-508-3p mimic,si-NC,si-ZEB1 and co-transfection groups was 633.00±32.49,319.20±19.89,650.40±25.85,375.00±17.25 and 129.40±17.10;the invasion cell number was 527.20±25.01,288.60±16.68,520.00±25.83,293.40±18.37 and 76.60±8.76;the relative expression levels of miR-508-3p were 1.05±0.37,3.94±1.21,1.01±0.21,1.26±0.34 and 3.40±0.41;the relative expression levels of ZEB1 mRNA were 1.00±0.04,0.58±0.05,1.00±0.08,0.54±0.07 and 0.29±0.03,respectively.The above indicators showed statistically significant differences between the miR-508-3p mimic group and the NC mimic group,between the si-NC group and the co-transfection group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion MiR-508-3p is lowly expressed in EOC cancer tissue,and it may inhibit the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by targeting ZEB1 expression.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of clinically isolated Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021,and provide evidence for rational use of antimicrobial agents.Methods Data of H.influenzae and M.catarrhalis strains isolated from 2015 to 2021 in CHINET program were collected for analysis,and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method or automated systems according to the uniform protocol of CHINET.The results were interpreted according to the CLSI breakpoints in 2022.Beta-lactamases was detected by using nitrocefin disk.Results From 2015 to 2021,a total of 43 642 strains of Haemophilus species were isolated,accounting for 2.91％of the total clinical isolates and 4.07％of Gram-negative bacteria in CHINET program.Among the 40 437 strains of H.influenzae,66.89％were isolated from children and 33.11％were isolated from adults.More than 90％of the H.influenzae strains were isolated from respiratory tract specimens.The prevalence of β-lactamase was 53.79％in H.influenzae strains.The H.influenzae strains isolated from children showed higher resistance rate than the strains isolated from adults.Overall,779 strains of H.influenzae did not produce β-lactamase but were resistant to ampicillin(BLNAR).Beta-lactamase-producing strains showed significantly higher resistance rates to these antimicrobial agents than the β-lactamase-nonproducing strains.Of the 16 191 M.catarrhalis strains,80.06％were isolated from children and 19.94％isolated from adults.M.catarrhalis strains were mostly susceptible to both amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefuroxime,evidenced by resistance rate lower than 2.0％.Conclusions The emergence of antibiotic-resistant H.influenzae due to β-lactamase production poses a challenge for clinical anti-infective treatment.Therefore,it is very important to implement antibiotic resistance surveillance for H.influenzae and guide rational antibiotic use.All local clinical microbiology laboratories should actively improve antibiotic susceptibility testing and strengthen antibiotic resistance surveillance for H.influenzae.

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an adverse event that occurs during long-term peritoneal dialysis, significantly impairing treatment efficiency and adversely affecting patient outcomes. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a principal active component derived from Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, has exhibited anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in various settings. This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of AS-IV in the treatment of PF. METHODS: The PF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid (100 mL/kg). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HMrSV5 cells was induced by the addition of 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). The differentially expressed genes in HMrSV5 cells treated with AS-IV were screened using transcriptome sequencing analysis. The potential targets of AS-IV were screened using network pharmacology and analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. RESULTS: Administration of AS-IV at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg effectively mitigated the increase in peritoneal thickness and the development of fibrosis in mice with PF. The expression of the fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin in the peritoneum was significantly decreased in AS-IV-treated mice. The treatment of AS-IV (10, 20, and 40 μmol/L) significantly delayed the EMT of HMrSV5 cells induced by TGF-β, as demonstrated by the decreased number of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine-positive cells, reduced migrated area, and decreased expression of fibrosis markers. A total of 460 differentially expressed genes were detected in AS-IV-treated HMrSV5 cells through transcriptome sequencing, with notable enrichment in the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT) signaling pathway. The reduced levels of phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K) and p-AKT were detected in HMrSV5 cells with AS-IV treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was predicted as a direct target of AS-IV, exhibiting strong hydrogen bond interactions. The activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway by the compound 740Y-P, and the activation of the EGFR pathway by NSC 228155 each partially counteracted the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on the EMT of HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION AS-IV delayed the EMT process in peritoneal mesothelial cells and slowed the progression of PF, potentially serving as a therapeutic agent for the early prevention and treatment of PF. Please cite this article as: Huang Y, Chu CL, Qiu WH, Chen JY, Cao LX, Ji SY, Zhu B, Wang GK, Shen QQ. Astragaloside IV delayed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of EGFR and PI3K-AKT pathways. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):694-705.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Animals ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Peritoneal Fibrosis/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which resveratrol(RES) alleviates cerebral vascular endothelial damage in sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE) through network pharmacology and animal experiments. By using network pharmacology, the study identified common targets and genes associated with RES and SAE and constructed a protein-protein interaction( PPI) network. Gene Ontology(GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to pinpoint key signaling pathways, followed by molecular docking validation. In the animal experiments, a cecum ligation and puncture(CLP) method was employed to induce SAE in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the sham group, CLP group, and medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES. The sham group underwent open surgery without CLP, and the CLP group received an intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution after surgery. The medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg·kg-1 and 60 mg·kg~(-1) of RES after modeling, respectively, and samples were collected 12 hours later. Neurological function scores were assessed, and the wet-dry weight ratio of brain tissue was detected. Serum superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase( CAT) activity, and malondialdehyde( MDA) content were measured by oxidative stress kit. Histopathological changes in brain tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to evaluate tight cell junctions and mitochondrial ultrastructure changes in cerebral vascular endothelium. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of zonula occludens1( ZO-1), occludin, claudins-5, optic atrophy 1( OPA1), mitofusin 2(Mfn2), dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1), fission 1(Fis1), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α). Network pharmacology identified 76 intersecting targets for RES and SAE, with the top five core targets being EGFR, PTGS2, ESR1, HIF-1α, and APP. GO enrichment analysis showed that RES participated in the SAE mechanism through oxidative stress reaction. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that RES participated in SAE therapy through HIF-1α, Rap1, and other signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed favorable docking activity between RES and key targets such as HIF-1α. Animal experiment results demonstrated that compared to the sham group, the CLP group exhibited reduced nervous reflexes, decreased water content in brain tissue, as well as serum SOD and CAT activity, and increased MDA content. In addition, the CLP group exhibited disrupted tight junctions in cerebral vascular endothelium and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. The protein expression levels of Drp1, Fis1, and HIF-1α in brain tissue were increased, while those of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, Mfn2, and OPA1 were decreased. In contrast, the medium-dose and high-dose groups of RES showed improved neurological function, increased water content in brain tissue and SOD and CAT activity, and decreased MDA content. Cell morphology in brain tissue, tight junctions between endothelial cells, and mitochondrial structure were improved. The protein expressions of Drp1, Fis1, and HIF-1α were decreased, while those of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-5, Mfn2, and OPA1 were increased. This study suggested that RES could ameliorate cerebrovascular endothelial barrier function and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis by inhibiting oxidative stress after SAE damage, potentially through modulation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Resveratrol/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Humans ; Sepsis/complications* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) for short-term efficacy and prognosis in newly treated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). METHODS: The general data, laboratory indicators, disease stage and other clinical data of 91 newly treated PTCL patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2015 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cutoff values for PNI and SIRI were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the patients were stratified into groups based on these cutoffs to compare clinical features and short-term efficacy between the different groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors affecting overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The optimal cutoff values for PNI and SIRI were 45.30 and 1.74×10⁹/L, respectively. Patients in different PNI groups showed statistically significant differences in age, Ann Arbor stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, international prognostic index (IPI), prognostic index for PTCL-not otherwise specified (PIT), pathological subtypes, and complete response (CR) rate (P < 0.05). PTCL patients in different SIRI groups exhibited significant differences in Ann Arbor stage, LDH level, IPI score, PIT score, and CR rate (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥60 years old (OR =2.750), Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (OR =5.200), IPI score ≥2 (OR =7.650), low PNI (OR =3.296), and high SIRI (OR =3.130) were independent risk factors affecting treatment efficacy in PTCL patients (P < 0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that low PNI and elevated β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) levels were independent risk factors affecting OS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION PNI and SIRI have certain application value in evaluating short-term efficacy and prognosis in patients with PTCL. Compared with SIRI, PNI demonstrates greater predictive value for patient prognosis.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Nutrition Assessment ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Inflammation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

AIM To investigate the effects of rice wine type and wine processing method on chemical constituents and anti-coagulation effect of Angelicae sinensis Radix.METHODS Wine-washed products and wine-stir-fried products were prepared by different types and ages of rice wine,respectively,after which HPLC was adopted in the content determination of tryptophan,chlorogenic acid,vanillic acid,phthalic acid,ferulic acid,senkyunolide I,senkyunolide H,coniferyl ferulate and ligustilide,and PT,APTT,TT were detected in rabbit plasma.RESULTS Phenolic acids and volatile constituents demonstrated lower contents in the wine-stir-fried products than those in the raw product(P＜0.05),while those in the wine-washed products displayed no obvious changes(except for senkyunolide I)(P＞0.05).The contents of volatile constituents in the wine-washed products were higher than those in the wine-stir-fried products(P＜0.05).After being processed with dry rice wine,various constituents exhibited increased contents as compared with those after being processed with sweet rice wine(P＜0.05).Compared with the raw product,prolonged PT,APTT and TT were observable in the processed products prepared by 3-year semi-dry rice wine(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The optimal rice wine type is determined to be 3-year semi-dry.Wine-washed Angelicae sinensis Radix shows high contents of ferulic acid and volatile constituents,whose activating blood and resolving stasis effect may be stronger.