1.Hippocampal Extracellular Matrix Protein Laminin β1 Regulates Neuropathic Pain and Pain-Related Cognitive Impairment.
Ying-Chun LI ; Pei-Yang LIU ; Hai-Tao LI ; Shuai WANG ; Yun-Xin SHI ; Zhen-Zhen LI ; Wen-Guang CHU ; Xia LI ; Wan-Neng LIU ; Xing-Xing ZHENG ; Fei WANG ; Wen-Juan HAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Sheng-Xi WU ; Rou-Gang XIE ; Ceng LUO
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2127-2147
Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca2+ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals
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Laminin/genetics*
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Hippocampus/metabolism*
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Neuralgia/metabolism*
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Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*
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Male
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Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism*
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Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*
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Integrin beta1/metabolism*
;
Pyramidal Cells/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
2.Mechanism of cofilin in regulating prostate cancer progression and potential therapeutic strategies
Fang-zhi FU ; Li-tong WU ; En-min FENG ; Xiang ZHAO ; Neng WANG ; Biao WANG ; Qing ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1206-1211
The molecular mechanisms underlying the develop-ment and metastasis of prostate cancer remain elusive.This comprehensive review delves into the intricate role of cofilin,an actin-binding protein,in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer.Cofilin is a significant protein in cytoskeletal dynamics,and any dysregulation may result in the morphological changes in normal cells and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.Research has revealed that the activity of cofilin is regula-ted by various mechanisms,including phosphorylation/dephos-phorylation and interactions with other molecules.Moreover,this review discusses promising therapeutic interventions,such as co-filin inhibitors and gene therapy,which have demonstrated effica-cy in preclinical models.The challenge of clinically preventing the transition to castration-resistant prostate cancer and tumor metastasis is widely recognized,necessitating the development of precise drug treatments and biomarker identification.As a key regulatory protein,cofilin provides a more comprehensive refer-ence for the prevention and treatment of prostate diseases.
3.Application effect of bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method in severe patients with nasointestinal catheterization
Hua FENG ; Kui WANG ; Wenjun XU ; Neng LI ; Hengxi ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(5):542-546
Objective To observe the application effect of bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method in severe patients with nasointestinal catheterization.Methods A total of 150 severe patients who were admitted to intensive care unit(ICU)and emergency intensive care unit(EICU)and required nasointestinal catheterization were collected.Patients were separated into the blind insertion method group(catheterization without other auxiliary equipment,n=50),the ultrasound method group(ultrasound-guided catheterization,n=53),and the combined method group(bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method,n=47)according to the wishes of patients or their families.The catheterization success rate,feeding standard-reaching rate within one week,catheterization time and incidence of adverse events were compared between three groups.Kappa test was used to compare the consistency of three methods with X-ray examination results after catheterization.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the catheterization effect.Results The catheterization success rate and the feeding standard-reaching rate within one week were increased successively in the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group,and the catheterization time shortened in turn(P<0.05).The consistency of blind insertion method,ultrasound method,combined method with X-ray examination was strong(Kappa=0.730),very strong(Kappa=0.835)and very strong(Kappa=0.911),respectively.Results of ROC curve showed that the areas under the ROC curve of the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group increased in turn,which were 0.838(95%CI:0.661-1.000),0.918(95%CI:0.763-1.000)and 0.988(95%CI:0.959-1.000),and the combined method group had the best catheterization effect.There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events such as hiccup,abdominal distension,diarrhea,aspiration and gastrointestinal bleeding between the three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method can improve the success rate of nasointestinal catheterization in severe patients,shorten the catheterization time and without increasing the incidence of adverse events.
4.Application effect of bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method in severe patients with nasointestinal catheterization
Hua FENG ; Kui WANG ; Wenjun XU ; Neng LI ; Hengxi ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(5):542-546
Objective To observe the application effect of bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method in severe patients with nasointestinal catheterization.Methods A total of 150 severe patients who were admitted to intensive care unit(ICU)and emergency intensive care unit(EICU)and required nasointestinal catheterization were collected.Patients were separated into the blind insertion method group(catheterization without other auxiliary equipment,n=50),the ultrasound method group(ultrasound-guided catheterization,n=53),and the combined method group(bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method,n=47)according to the wishes of patients or their families.The catheterization success rate,feeding standard-reaching rate within one week,catheterization time and incidence of adverse events were compared between three groups.Kappa test was used to compare the consistency of three methods with X-ray examination results after catheterization.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the catheterization effect.Results The catheterization success rate and the feeding standard-reaching rate within one week were increased successively in the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group,and the catheterization time shortened in turn(P<0.05).The consistency of blind insertion method,ultrasound method,combined method with X-ray examination was strong(Kappa=0.730),very strong(Kappa=0.835)and very strong(Kappa=0.911),respectively.Results of ROC curve showed that the areas under the ROC curve of the blind insertion method group,the ultrasound method group and the combined method group increased in turn,which were 0.838(95%CI:0.661-1.000),0.918(95%CI:0.763-1.000)and 0.988(95%CI:0.959-1.000),and the combined method group had the best catheterization effect.There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events such as hiccup,abdominal distension,diarrhea,aspiration and gastrointestinal bleeding between the three groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Bedside contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with gas-water alternating injection method can improve the success rate of nasointestinal catheterization in severe patients,shorten the catheterization time and without increasing the incidence of adverse events.
5.Impact of low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation on the immune microenvironment of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Zhecheng LI ; Neng TANG ; Lei YAO ; Zhaoyi WU ; Zhiming WANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(2):346-355
Background and Aims:Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC),the most common type of thyroid cancer,has been rapidly increasing in incidence worldwide,posing a serious threat to individual health and public healthcare systems.Exposure to low-to-moderate doses of ionizing radiation is more relevant to the daily lives of the general population and,therefore,raises greater public health concerns.It has also been widely recognized as a potential factor in immune system remodeling.This study was conducted to investigate the impact of low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation on the tumor immune microenvironment of PTC,aiming to reveal the potential hazards of such radiation exposure in PTC patients.Methods:Two datasets(GSE29265 and GSE35570)containing RNA-seq data and corresponding clinical information were retrieved and downloaded from the GEO database.These datasets included thyroid cancer samples from patients exposed to ionizing radiation due to the Chernobyl disaster,as well as sporadic thyroid cancer cases.After data cleaning,merging,batch effect correction,differential gene expression analysis,functional enrichment analysis,immune cell infiltration analysis,and tumor microenvironment analysis were performed using R language.Results:In tumor samples,the radiation-exposed group exhibited significant differential gene expression compared to the sporadic group,with three genes upregulated and 27 genes downregulated.These differentially expressed genes were primarily enriched in biological functions closely related to immune responses,including chemokine activity,immune cell chemotaxis,and tumor immunity.Immune cell infiltration analysis indicated that radiation exposure had a limited impact on immune cell infiltration in normal samples.However,in tumor samples,the immune and ESTIMATE scores were significantly lower in the radiation-exposed group than in the sporadic group.Further analysis revealed that total T cells,CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,B cells,and cytotoxic lymphocytes exhibited significantly lower infiltration levels in the tumor microenvironment of the radiation-exposed group than the sporadic group.Conclusion:Although low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation has a relatively minor impact on normal thyroid tissue,it significantly reduces the infiltration of various immune cell subtypes in the PTC tumor microenvironment.This reduction in immune infiltration may have important implications for disease progression.
6.Development of a shark single-domain antibody targeting a unique B cell epitope in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Yue WANG ; Li-jun SHEN ; Quan FANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Yong-neng LUO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):32-39
The purpose of this study is to develop a shark single domain antibody(SdAb)targeting a unique B cell epitope in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein,and explore its role in the immunological detection targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S.A u-nique peptide S9 was artificially synthesized based on the sequence of a unique B cell epitope of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein,then it was conjugated to the carrier protein KLH.It was used as an immunogen for subcutaneous injection into shark back and boosted according to the standard immunization protocol.Blood collected from shark tail vein and peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBL)were isolated.Total RNA was purified from PBL and transcribed to cDNA by reverse transcription.Shark vNAR frag-ments were amplified from cDNA templates and cloned into pComb3XSS vector to obtain phage library.A positive clone named T01 was obtained through screening the phage library by indirect ELISA.Then its gene was cloned into the expression vector pET-28a.The SdAb T01 was then prokaryotically expressed and purified,and its specific recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S was indentified by Western-blot(WB),indirect ELISA and IF A.T01 binds well with peptide S9 at EC50 value of 2.050±0.064 nmol/L.The purified SdAb T01 was proven by WB to be able to selectively detect recombinant spike protein sub-unit 1(S1)of SARS-CoV-2,with no cross-reactive to recombinant spike protein subunit 1 of other six human coronavirus.It was showed by ELISA that SdAb T01 can sensitively detect the recombinant N terminal domain(NTD)of SARS-CoV-2 pro-tein.Moreover,it also specifically recognizes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that was transiently expressed in transfected HEK293 cells by IFA.Therefore,a shark single domain antibody targeting a unique B cell epitope in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was successfully developed,and has shown potential immunodiagnostic value by WB,ELISA and IFA.Thus,it provides an effective tool for unique antigen detection of SARS-CoV-2.
7.Impact of low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation on the immune microenvironment of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Zhecheng LI ; Neng TANG ; Lei YAO ; Zhaoyi WU ; Zhiming WANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(2):346-355
Background and Aims:Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC),the most common type of thyroid cancer,has been rapidly increasing in incidence worldwide,posing a serious threat to individual health and public healthcare systems.Exposure to low-to-moderate doses of ionizing radiation is more relevant to the daily lives of the general population and,therefore,raises greater public health concerns.It has also been widely recognized as a potential factor in immune system remodeling.This study was conducted to investigate the impact of low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation on the tumor immune microenvironment of PTC,aiming to reveal the potential hazards of such radiation exposure in PTC patients.Methods:Two datasets(GSE29265 and GSE35570)containing RNA-seq data and corresponding clinical information were retrieved and downloaded from the GEO database.These datasets included thyroid cancer samples from patients exposed to ionizing radiation due to the Chernobyl disaster,as well as sporadic thyroid cancer cases.After data cleaning,merging,batch effect correction,differential gene expression analysis,functional enrichment analysis,immune cell infiltration analysis,and tumor microenvironment analysis were performed using R language.Results:In tumor samples,the radiation-exposed group exhibited significant differential gene expression compared to the sporadic group,with three genes upregulated and 27 genes downregulated.These differentially expressed genes were primarily enriched in biological functions closely related to immune responses,including chemokine activity,immune cell chemotaxis,and tumor immunity.Immune cell infiltration analysis indicated that radiation exposure had a limited impact on immune cell infiltration in normal samples.However,in tumor samples,the immune and ESTIMATE scores were significantly lower in the radiation-exposed group than in the sporadic group.Further analysis revealed that total T cells,CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,B cells,and cytotoxic lymphocytes exhibited significantly lower infiltration levels in the tumor microenvironment of the radiation-exposed group than the sporadic group.Conclusion:Although low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation has a relatively minor impact on normal thyroid tissue,it significantly reduces the infiltration of various immune cell subtypes in the PTC tumor microenvironment.This reduction in immune infiltration may have important implications for disease progression.
8.Development of a shark single-domain antibody targeting a unique B cell epitope in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Yue WANG ; Li-jun SHEN ; Quan FANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Yong-neng LUO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):32-39
The purpose of this study is to develop a shark single domain antibody(SdAb)targeting a unique B cell epitope in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein,and explore its role in the immunological detection targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S.A u-nique peptide S9 was artificially synthesized based on the sequence of a unique B cell epitope of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein,then it was conjugated to the carrier protein KLH.It was used as an immunogen for subcutaneous injection into shark back and boosted according to the standard immunization protocol.Blood collected from shark tail vein and peripheral blood lymphocytes(PBL)were isolated.Total RNA was purified from PBL and transcribed to cDNA by reverse transcription.Shark vNAR frag-ments were amplified from cDNA templates and cloned into pComb3XSS vector to obtain phage library.A positive clone named T01 was obtained through screening the phage library by indirect ELISA.Then its gene was cloned into the expression vector pET-28a.The SdAb T01 was then prokaryotically expressed and purified,and its specific recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S was indentified by Western-blot(WB),indirect ELISA and IF A.T01 binds well with peptide S9 at EC50 value of 2.050±0.064 nmol/L.The purified SdAb T01 was proven by WB to be able to selectively detect recombinant spike protein sub-unit 1(S1)of SARS-CoV-2,with no cross-reactive to recombinant spike protein subunit 1 of other six human coronavirus.It was showed by ELISA that SdAb T01 can sensitively detect the recombinant N terminal domain(NTD)of SARS-CoV-2 pro-tein.Moreover,it also specifically recognizes the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that was transiently expressed in transfected HEK293 cells by IFA.Therefore,a shark single domain antibody targeting a unique B cell epitope in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was successfully developed,and has shown potential immunodiagnostic value by WB,ELISA and IFA.Thus,it provides an effective tool for unique antigen detection of SARS-CoV-2.
9.Mechanism of cofilin in regulating prostate cancer progression and potential therapeutic strategies
Fang-zhi FU ; Li-tong WU ; En-min FENG ; Xiang ZHAO ; Neng WANG ; Biao WANG ; Qing ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1206-1211
The molecular mechanisms underlying the develop-ment and metastasis of prostate cancer remain elusive.This comprehensive review delves into the intricate role of cofilin,an actin-binding protein,in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer.Cofilin is a significant protein in cytoskeletal dynamics,and any dysregulation may result in the morphological changes in normal cells and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.Research has revealed that the activity of cofilin is regula-ted by various mechanisms,including phosphorylation/dephos-phorylation and interactions with other molecules.Moreover,this review discusses promising therapeutic interventions,such as co-filin inhibitors and gene therapy,which have demonstrated effica-cy in preclinical models.The challenge of clinically preventing the transition to castration-resistant prostate cancer and tumor metastasis is widely recognized,necessitating the development of precise drug treatments and biomarker identification.As a key regulatory protein,cofilin provides a more comprehensive refer-ence for the prevention and treatment of prostate diseases.
10.Wumeiwan regulate Keap-1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress injury in mice with ulcerative colitis
Li-Dong DU ; Ying WANG ; Rui-Hua XIN ; Zheng-Ying QIU ; Guan-Yu ZHAO ; Neng-Lian LI ; Jin SHAO ; Guo-Tai WU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2088-2092
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of Wumeiwan on oxidative stress injury of ulcerative colitis mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)by regulating Kelch-like ECH related protein 1(Keap-1)-nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathwayand.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups:normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups.UC mice model were induced by free access to 2%DSS water.Mice in normal and model group were orally administered with 0.9%NaCl,mice in positive control group were orally treated with Mesalazine solution(0.005 g·10 g-1·d-1),while mice in experimental groups were orally administered with Wumeiwan decoction at the dose of 0.13 and 0.26 g·10 g-1·d-1,respectively.All the drugs were administered for consecutive 7 days,1 times a day.The levels of disease activity index(DAI)and the colon length were scored.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in colon tissue of mice were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)method.The level of Keap-1,Nrf2,HO-1 proteins in colon tissue were determined by Western blot method.Results The levels of DAI of seventh day in normal group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups were 0、(2.62±0.33),(1.87±0.35),(1.87±0.35)and(1.58±0.35);the colon lengths were(8.16±0.47)、(5.98±0.24),(7.58±0.38),(7.33±0.24)and(7.48±0.51)cm;the SOD mRNA were 1.01±0.16、0.40±0.01,1.43±0.45,0.65±0.01 and 0.83±0.02;the CAT mRNA were 1.01±0.20、0.45±0.01,0.84±0.02,0.68±0.07 and 0.87±0.05;the COX-2 mRNA were 1.03±0.33、16.65±0.60,4.78±0.25,14.07±0.60 and 7.39±0.15;the iNOS mRNA were 1.04±0.40、20.71±0.66,8.09±0.93,15.44±0.68 and 11.66±0.06;the levels of Keap-1 were 1.22±0.16、1.10±0.05,1.18±0.05,1.94±0.08 and 1.17±0.08;the levels of Nrf2 were 1.12±0.16、0.76±0.15,0.65±0.13,0.70±0.16 and 0.82±0.18;the levels of HO-1 were 1.34±0.15、1.00±0.12,0.89±0.10,1.50±0.18 and 1.40±0.13,respectively.Significant difference was found between normal group and model group(P<0.01,P<0.05);significant difference was also found between the experimental-L,-H groups and model group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Wumeiwan can inhibit oxidative stress in mice with UC,the mechanisms may be related to adjusted the expression of Keap-1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway protein in colon.

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