1.Exploring mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of post-stroke depression based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment
Hongmei MA ; Jiaming LIU ; Qiqi CHEN ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Zhiqiang HUANG ; Yong CHEN ; Hongfeng LEI ; Xinju HOU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(5):1082-1088,1095
Objective:To explore mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of post-stroke depression(PSD)based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiment.Methods:TCMSP and other databases were used to predict active components and targets of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction.Targets of PSD were retrieved from PharmGKB and other databases,and"component-intersection target-disease"network was constructed by Cytoscape(v3.9.1)software.PPI network was constructed by String(v11.5)database,and GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analy-sis of intersection targets were performed by DAVID6.8 database.AutoDock vina(v1.1.2)software was used for molecular docking.Pymol(v 2.5)and other softwares were used to visualize optimal docking results.Animal experiments were setup in control group,model group,fluoxetine group,TCM group and TCM+fluoxetine group,neurobehavioral scores and expressions of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors in brain tissues were detected.mRNA and protein expressions of key genes PPARG,MAPK3,AKT1,PIK3CA were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results:A total of 225 kinds of active ingredients of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction were obtained,which acted on 119 targets of PSD,among which key targets included MAPK3,AKT1,PIK3CA and PPARG,key pathways including MAPK signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and etc.Compared with model group,MAPK3 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased,AKT1,PIK3CA,PPARG mRNA and protein expressions were increased in TCM group and TCM+fluoxetine group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mechanism of Chaihu Longgu Muli Decoction and Ganmai Dazao Decoction in treatment of PSD may be related to inhibition of MAPK3 expression,promotion of AKT1,PIK3CA,PPARG expressions,alleviation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress in brain tissues.
2.Effect and mechanism of mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 1 on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Qiqi REN ; Wei HUANG ; Tao MA ; Cuihua LU
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2024;44(6):398-405
Objective:To investigate the effect and possible molecular mechanism of mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease (MASP) 1 on the biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells.Methods:From January 10 to October 25, 2022, 20 pairs of fresh liver cancer tissue and adjacent (3 cm from cancer tissue) normal tissue samples of patients who underwent hepatic cancer resection at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University were collected, and the expression of MASP1 was analyzed. From March 1, 2012 to May 20, 2017, the cancer tissue and adjacent (3 cm from cancer tissue) normal tissue samples of 67 patients with HCC were collected from the tissue sample bank of the Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University and the correlation between the expression level of MASP1 and clinical data of patients with HCC were analyzed. Human hepatoma cells lines SK-Hep1 and Hep3B were cultured, and MASP1 overexpression and MASP1 knockdown cell lines were constructed. SK-Hep1 negative control group, SK-Hep1 MASP1 overexpression group, Hep3B negative control group and Hep3B MASP1 knockdown group were set up. The effect of MASP1 on the proliferation of HCC cells was detected by subcutaneous tumor transplantation experiment in nude mice. The effect of MASP1 on the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related proteins (N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), and E-cadherin), and the effects of MASP1 on the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway related proteins and their phosphorylation levels were detected by Western blotting. Independent sample- t test, paired- t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The results of immunohistochemical staining of 20 pairs of fresh tissue samples showed that the expression level of MASP1 in liver cancer tissue was lower than that in adjacent normal tissue (3.73±1.03 vs. 6.76±1.46), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=16.97, P<0.001). The correlation analysis of MASP1 expression level and clinical data of 67 patients with HCC revealed that the expression level of MASP1 was related to vascular invasion of the tumor, and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=5.20, P=0.023). The subcutaneous tumor transplantation experiment in nude mice showed that the volume and weight of subcutaneous tumor of mice in SK-Hep1 MASP1 overexpression group were lower than those of the SK-Hep1 negative control group((165.42±149.08) mm 3vs. (260.42±179.78) mm 3, (0.13±0.12) g vs. (0.18±0.12) g), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.15 and 3.89, both P<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that the expression levels of N-cadherin and MMP9 in SK-Hep1 MASP1 overexpression group were lower than those of SK-Hep1 negative control group, while the expression level of E-cadherin was higher than that of SK-Hep1 negative control group (0.73±0.01 vs. 1.02±0.02, 0.40±0.01 vs. 0.69±0.01, 0.91±0.02 vs. 0.78±0.02), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=24.23, 36.87 and 9.27, all P<0.001). The expression levels of N-cadherin and MMP9 in Hep3B MASP1 knockdown group were higher than those in Hep3B negative control group, and the expression levels of E-cadherin was lower than that in Hep3B negative control group (1.04±0.01 vs. 0.31±0.01, 0.54±0.02 vs. 0.04±0.01, 0.56±0.01 vs. 0.93±0.01), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=163.20, 53.16, 60.74, all P<0.001). The expression levels of phosphoinositide PI3K, phosphoinositide Akt, and phosphoinositide mTOR of SK-Hep1 MASP1 overexpression group were lower than those of SK-Hep1 negative control group (0.59±0.01 vs.1.02±0.01, 0.64±0.01 vs. 1.12±0.02, 0.10±0.01 vs. 1.05±0.02); the expression levels of phosphoinositide PI3K, phosphoinositide Akt, and phosphoinositide mTOR of Hep3B MASP1 knockdown group were higher than those of Hep3B negative control group (0.96±0.01 vs. 0.55±0.01, 0.99±0.01 vs. 0.38±0.01, 0.93±0.02 vs. 0.06±0.01), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=40.87, 40.91, 87.30, 44.17, 107.50, 67.28, all P<0.001). Conclusions:The expression level of MASP1 is low in HCC tissue, and is significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients and the occurrence of tumor vascular invasion. MASP1 may affect the proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, suggesting that MASP1 may become a key gene in the treatment of HCC.
3.Rapid Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Shenxianshengmai Oral Liquid by UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS
Shiyu ZONG ; Zhibiao DI ; Qiqi LIU ; Zhuangzhuang HUANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Ye LI ; Feng LIU ; Yang LIU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(1):218-228
Objective To explore the chemical basis of Shenxianshengmai oral liquid.Method UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS technology was used to identify the chemical components of Shenxianshengmai oral liquid.The chromatographic separation was performed on a Thermo Accucore aQ C18 column(150 mm×2.1 mm,2.6 μm)with mobile phase gradient elution of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution(A)and methanol(B)for 0-13 min,5%-60%B;13-27 min,60%-95%B;27-30 min,95%B,the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1,and the column temperature was at 30℃.The mass spectrometry was performed by heating electrospray ionization(H-ESI)with positive and negative ion scanning modes.The scanning range was m/z 120-1800,and the collision energies were 30 eV,50 eV and 70 eV.Result A total of 160 components were identified,including 29 flavonoids,24 organic acids,21 alkaloids,19 terpenoids,15 phenylpropanoids,12 saponins and 40 other components.Six chemical constituents(rutin,psoralenoside,isopsoralenoside,psoralen,isopsoralen and bakuchiol)were confirmed by comparison with reference substances.Conclusion In this study,an UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS method has been established for accurate,rapid and systematic identification of the constituents in Shenxian Shengmai oral liquid,which provides an important basis for clarifying the chemical basis and quality control.
4.Sequencing,verification and functional analysis of differentially expressed genes in brain tissue of a rat model with acute intracerebral hemorrhage
Yuguang GAO ; Jie ZHONG ; Deqing HUANG ; Yujuan MA ; Yuxiong LIAO ; Qiqi LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(20):3182-3189
BACKGROUND:There are differentially expressed genes in acute intracerebral hemorrhage,which are related to the occurrence and development of intracerebral hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE:To screen differentially expressed genes and key genes in brain tissue of a rat model with acute intracerebral hemorrhage,to validate them through qPCR,and to analyze the relationships between key genes and the neurological function and brain tissue water content after intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS:Seventy-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:in intracerebral hemorrhage group,a rat model of acute intracerebral hemorrhage was made using collagenase injection at the right caudate nucleus;and in sham-operated group,rats were injected with equal amount of saline at the same site.RNA was extracted from rat brain tissues of both groups using the TRIzol method and transcriptome sequencing technology was used to identify differentially expressed genes in brain tissues of acute intracerebral hemorrhage,which were then verified by qPCR and analyzed for the relationships between the genes and neurological function and brain tissue water content after intracerebral hemorrhage.And the key genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis in combination with bioinformatics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Ten key genes were identified,including CXCL8,SERPINE1,TFPI2,CXCR4,GDA,KCNQ5,ERICH3,SCN3B,CACNA1E,and CCL20.The contents of GDA,KCNQ5,ERICH3,SCN3B,and CACNA1E in the intracerebral hemorrhage group were lower than those in the sham-operated group(P<0.05).The contents of CXCL8,SERPINE1,TFPI2,CXCR4 and CCL20 in the intracerebral hemorrhage group were higher than those in the sham-operated group(P<0.05).The contents of GDA,KCNQ5,ERICH3,SCN3B,and CACNA1E were positively correlated with brain tissue water content and neurologic deficit score(P<0.05),while the contents of CXCL8,SERPINE1,TFPI2,CXCR4 and CCL20 were negatively correlated with brain tissue water content and neurologic deficit score(P<0.05).GO analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in two biological processes(leukocyte chemotaxis and chemokine-mediated signaling pathways),two cell components(cation channel complexes and ion channel complexes),and two molecular functions(gated channel activity and ion channel activity).KEGG analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were concentrated in tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,glutamatergic synapses and GABAergic synapses.To conclude,the differentially expressed genes in intracerebral hemorrhage include CXCL8,SERPINE1,TFPI2,CXCR4,GDA,KCNQ5,ERICH3,SCN3B,CACNA1E,and CCL20,and these genes are related to brain tissue water content and neurological function after intracerebral hemorrhage.These genes are mainly enriched in cell components,binding functions,cellular protrusions,and other related biological functions.
5.Improvement effects of Runchang granules on the constipation in mice and its mechanism
Mengqin HUANG ; Xuesong WANG ; Yuhan GAN ; Shiqin LU ; Qiqi DENG ; Qing ZHU ; Jiao GUO
China Pharmacy 2024;35(2):160-165
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects of Runchang granules on the constipation in mice and its potential mechanism. METHODS The mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, Runchang granules low-dose and high-dose groups (5, 10 g/kg), mosapride group (0.003 g/kg, positive control), with 6 mice in each group. The latter 4 groups were given loperamide intragastrically (0.004 g/kg), twice a day, for 3 consecutive days. Normal control group and model group were given purified water intragastrically, and administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically for 7 consecutive days. After the last medication, fecal moisture content and intestinal motility of mice were determined, while the structures of colon and ileum, and the secretion of colonic mucus were observed. Protein expressions of tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit), mucin 2 (MUC2) and stem cell factor (SCF) were determined in colon; meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)] as well as factors related to promoting intestinal motility [neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK), 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor (5-HT4R), MUC2, SCF, c-kit] were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group, the fecal water content, intestinal propulsion rate, protein expression of c-kit in colon, relative expressions of MUC2 and SCF protein, and mRNA expressions of factors related to promoting intestinal motility (except for nNOS and SCF in Runchang granules low-dose group) were all increased significantly in Runchang granules low-dose and high-dose groups, and mosapride group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors were decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Both colon and ileum injuries improved, and the secretion of colon mucus was increased significantly in Runchang granules high-dose group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Runchang granules have laxative effect and can improve constipation in mice, and its mechanism may be related to the promotion of the secretion of colon mucus and MUC2 expression, and the activation of SCF/c-kit signaling pathway.
6.Identification of banana ADA1 gene family members and their expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses.
Qiqi ZHAO ; Wenhui REN ; Huifei ZHU ; Qiuzhen WU ; Chunyu ZHANG ; Xiaoqiong XU ; Binbin LUO ; Yuji HUANG ; Yukun CHEN ; Yuling LIN ; Zhongxiong LAI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2024;40(1):190-210
The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) is an ancillary transcription initiation complex which is highly conserved. The ADA1 (alteration/deficiency in activation 1, also called histone H2A functional interactor 1, HFI1) is a subunit in the core module of the SAGA protein complex. ADA1 plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress resistance. In this paper, we performed genome-wide identification of banana ADA1 gene family members based on banana genomic data, and analyzed the basic physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, selection pressure, promoter cis-acting elements, and its expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that there were 10, 6, and 7 family members in Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana and Musa itinerans. The members were all unstable and hydrophilic proteins, and only contained the conservative SAGA-Tad1 domain. Both MaADA1 and MbADA1 have interactive relationship with Sgf11 (SAGA-associated factor 11) of core module in SAGA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that banana ADA1 gene family members could be divided into 3 classes. The evolution of ADA1 gene family members was mostly influenced by purifying selection. There were large differences among the gene structure of banana ADA1 gene family members. ADA1 gene family members contained plenty of hormonal elements. MaADA1-1 may play a prominent role in the resistance of banana to cold stress, while MaADA1 may respond to the Panama disease of banana. In conclusion, this study suggested ADA1 gene family members are highly conserved in banana, and may respond to biotic and abiotic stress.
Musa/genetics*
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Phylogeny
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Fungal Proteins
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Cell Nucleus
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Histones
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Stress, Physiological/genetics*
7.Deep mining of healthy blood metagenomics and phageomes
Lin ZHU ; Qiqi WANG ; Yulian XU ; Yang HUANG ; Zhan GAO ; Miao HE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(10):1091-1100
Objective To explore the presence and potential interactions of microbes and bacteriophages in the blood of healthy individuals by employing in-depth bioinformatics mining to analyze the structure and function of the blood microbi-ome ecosystem.Methods Blood plasma samples from 1 600 voluntary blood donors collected at Mianyang Central Blood Station from 2012 to 2018 were subjected to DNA extraction and library construction.High-throughput sequencing was con-ducted using the Illumina HiSeq 4500 platform,followed by extensive bioinformatics analysis.Microbial abundance in blood samples was analyzed using metagenomic analysis software such as Bowtie2,Trimmomatic and Kraken.Subsequent phage-ome analysis included sequence quality control,assembly,identification,clustering and functional annotation using software such as Megahit,geNomad,CheckV and eggNOG-mapper.Phylogenetic trees,species annotation and host analysis and pre-diction for the identified blood bacteriophages were constructed using iTOL,BLAST and PhaBOX software.Results Met-agenomic sequencing identified microbes across 36 phyla,151 orders,338 families,338 genera and 3 757 species in the plasma samples.At the species level,the most abundant species included Bacillus cereus,Lactobacillus murinus,L.johnso-nii,Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,B.thuringiensis,L.reuteri,Cutibacterium acnes,Dietzia sp.JS16-p6b,Mycoplasma hyo-rhinis,M.hyopneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.Through phageome analysis,202 viral Operational Taxonomic Units(vOTUs)were identified,revealing 24 types of bacteriophages.Host analysis using the viral host database completed mat-ches for 15 potential bacteriophage hosts,including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,Rhodoferax lacus,Pseudoalteromonas marina,Thalassotalea loyana,Vibrio alginolyticus,V.tasmaniensis,V.vulnificus,Pseudomonas sp.,Agrobacterium sp.ST15.13/040,Enterococcus gallinarum,Flavobacterium sp.,Thermotoga naphthophila,Chryseobacterium sp.RU33C,L.acidipiscis and Neisseria mucosa.Conclusion The study of the healthy human blood microbiome and phageome reveals the presence of microbes and phages in the blood,which may have profound impacts on human health.
8.Optimal design and application of information management system of biobank in hospitals
Qiqi ZHANG ; Xiaoyan NING ; Hui HUANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Xueying SUN ; Le ZHEN ; Zhidong WANG ; Chunwen PU
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2023;36(1):62-66
Objective:To establish a standardized information management system (IMS) for preserving, managing, querying, and performing statistics on biospecimens and their clinical data, which is conducive to improving the utilization of biobank.Methods:Under the premise of ensuring operating environment and data security, a database-based data logic relationship model is created and applied to the IMS to manage and analyze biospecimens and their supporting clinical information of patients enrolled in the biobank of our center.Results:To ensure the establishment of the follow-up cohort, biospecimens and clinical information of inpatients and outpatients were continuously collected in the biobank of our center. Since December 2014, more than 270 000 biospecimens from inpatient, outpatient, and scientific research have been preserved. The IMS optimized by this model efficiently completes the basic work of the biobank. At the same time, the data can be queried jointly and in batches, and then converted into a report format for statistical analysis.Conclusions:The IMS of our center is suitable for application and popularization as a construction and management model for the hospital-level biobank, which meets the daily work of the biobank and diverse research needs, and provides a convenient platform and rich resources for the development of precision medicine.
9.Regulatory Mechanism of NCOA4-mediated Ferritinophagy and its Progress in Colitis and Colitis-associated Cancer
Dan ZHANG ; Qiqi HUANG ; Hongna LI ; Li LIU ; Huirong LIU ; Xiaopeng MA
Chinese Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;28(10):620-625
Abnormal iron metabolism mediated by ferritinophagy is one of the most important mechanisms in the occurrence of ferroptosis.The regulatory mechanism of ferritinophagy mainly involves the transcription of NCOA4 and its corresponding protein modifications.Ferroptosis plays an important role in the development of colitis and colitis-associated cancer,and target-oriented regulation of ferroptosis can alleviate colonic inflammatory response and induce the tumor cell death.This article mainly reviewed the regulatory mechanism of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and its progress in colitis and colitis-related cancer,which may provide a new point for the investigation on mechanism of colitis and inflammation-cancer transformation.
10.Changes and significance of T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in hyperlipidemia-induced acute pancreatitis
Xiaodong HUANG ; Jiyan LIN ; Penghui DU ; Xianwei HUANG ; Mandong PAN ; Qicong WANG ; Jianbao HUANG ; Qingliu ZHENG ; Qiqi WU ; Jun HU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2022;31(1):92-97
Objective:To explore the characteristics of T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in hyperlipidemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HLAP) and its prognostic value.Methods:This study included 184 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2018 to May 2021. Based on disease etiology, there were 92 HLAP cases and 92 non-hyperlipidemia-induced AP (NHLAP) cases. Stratified by disease severity according to 2012 Atlanta classification criteria, the patients were divided into the severe subgroup (SAP) and non-severe subgroup (NSAP). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from all patients on day 1, 3, and 5 after admission. T lymphocyte subsets were determined by flow cytometry, and cytokines were detected by flow fluorometry. The number of CD4 +% and CD8 +% and the expression of cytokines were compared by Student’s t test or Mann-Whitney U analysis. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for severe AP, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to predict severe AP. Statistical significance was taken as P<0.05. Results:Compared with the NHLAP group, patients in the HLAP group had lower CD4 +%, while higher levels of IL-2 on day 1 ( P<0.05), and had also lower CD4 +%, while higher levels of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 on day 3 ( P<0.05). Furthermore, IL-6 and IL-10 levels of the HLAP group were significantly increased compared to the NHLAP group on day 5 ( P<0.05). IL-10 levels in the SAP subgroup were significantly higher than those in the NSAP subgroup on day 1 ( P<0.05). Compared with the NSAP subgroup, the SAP subgroup had elevated levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ on day 3 (all P<0.05), and had lower CD4 +%, while increased levels of IL-6 and IL-10 on day 5 (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-10 was an immune indicator of independent risk factor for severe AP in the HLAP group on day 1 ( OR=1.139, 95% CI: 1.038-1.251, P<0.05). Finally, ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of IL-10 to assess HLAP with severe AP was 0.772, and the best cut-off value for predicting severe AP was 5.6 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 68.8%. Conclusions:Changes of CD4 +% and cytokines are different between the HLAP and NHLAP groups. IL-10 can be used as a predictor of early disease severity in patients with HLAP.

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