Interferon stimulating factor STING, a transmembrane protein residing in the endoplasmic reticulum, is extensively involved in the sensing and transduction of intracellular signals and serves as a crucial component of the innate immune system. STING is capable of directly or indirectly responding to abnormal DNA originating from diverse sources within the cytoplasm, thereby fulfilling its classical antiviral and antitumor functions. Structurally, STING is composed of 4 transmembrane helices, a cytoplasmic ligand binding domain (LBD), and a C terminal tail structure (CTT). The transmembrane domain (TM), which is formed by the transmembrane helical structures, anchors STING to the endoplasmic reticulum, while the LBD is in charge of binding to cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). The classical second messenger, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), represents a key upstream molecule for STING activation. Once cGAMP binds to LBD, STING experiences conformational alterations, which subsequently lead to the recruitment of Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) via the CTT domain. This, in turn, mediates interferon secretion and promotes the activation and migration of dendritic cells, T cells, and natural killer cells. Additionally, STING is able to activate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), thereby initiating the synthesis and release of inflammatory factors and augmenting the body’s immune response. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have disclosed the non-classical functions of STING. It has been found that STING plays a significant role in organelle regulation. STING is not only implicated in the quality control systems of organelles such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum but also modulates the functions of these organelles. For instance, STING can influence key aspects of organelle quality control, including mitochondrial fission and fusion, mitophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This regulatory effect is not unidirectional; rather, it is subject to organelle feedback regulation, thereby forming a complex interaction network. STING also exerts a monitoring function on the nucleus and ribosomes, which further enhances the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in infection-related immunity. The interaction mechanism between STING and organelles is highly intricate, which, within a certain range, enhances the cells’ capacity to respond to external stimuli and survival pressure. However, once the balance of this interaction is disrupted, it may result in the occurrence and development of inflammatory diseases, such as aseptic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Excessive activation or malfunction of STING may trigger an over-exuberant inflammatory response, which subsequently leads to tissue damage and pathological states. This review recapitulates the recent interactions between STING and diverse organelles, encompassing its multifarious functions in antiviral, antitumor, organelle regulation, and immune regulation. These investigations not only deepen the comprehension of molecular mechanisms underlying STING but also offer novel concepts for the exploration of human disease pathogenesis and the development of potential treatment strategies. In the future, with further probing into STING function and its regulatory mechanisms, it is anticipated to pioneer new approaches for the treatment of complex diseases such as inflammatory diseases and tumors.

BACKGROUND: T cell dysfunction, which includes exhaustion, anergy, and senescence, is a distinct T cell differentiation state that occurs after antigen exposure. Although T cell dysfunction has been a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy, its potential in transplant research, while not yet as extensively explored, is attracting growing interest. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play a pivotal role in inducing T cell dysfunction. METHODS: A novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin, targeting IRF4 inhibition, was employed to investigate T cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, expression of T-cell dysfunction-associated molecules, effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, and allograft survival in both in vitro and BALB/c to C57BL/6 mouse cardiac transplantation models. RESULTS: In vitro , blockade of IRF4 in T cells effectively inhibited T cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and significantly upregulated the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Helios, CD160, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4), markers of T cell dysfunction. Furthermore, it suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. Combining ultra-low-dose Trametinib (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and Rapamycin (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) demonstrably extended graft survival, with 4 out of 5 mice exceeding 100 days post-transplantation. Moreover, analysis of grafts at day 7 confirmed sustained IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) inhibition, enhanced PD-1 expression, and suppressed IFN-γ secretion, reinforcing the in vivo efficacy of this IRF4-targeting approach. The combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically inhibited the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to a more pronounced suppression of IRF4 expression. CONCLUSIONS Targeting IRF4, a key regulator of T cell dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for inducing transplant immune tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically suppresses the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to profound IRF4 inhibition, promoting allograft acceptance, and offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for improved transplant outcomes. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and facilitate translation to clinical practice.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism* ; Heart Transplantation/methods* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use* ; Pyridones/therapeutic use* ; Graft Survival/drug effects* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression based on metabolomics and network pharmacology. The chemical constituents of Jiaotai Pills were identified by UHPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 480, and the targets of Jiaotai Pills and depression were retrieved from online databases. STRING and Cytoscape 3.7.2 were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network of core targets of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression and the "compound-target-pathway" network. DAVID was used for Gene Ontology(GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the core targets. The mouse model of depression was established with chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) and treated with different doses of Jiaotai Pills. The behavioral changes and pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed. UHPLC-Orbitrap Exploris 120 was used for metabolic profiling of the serum, from which the differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways were screened. A "metabolite-reaction-enzyme-gene" network was constructed for the integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology. A total of 34 chemical components of Jiaotai Pills were identified, and 143 core targets of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression were predicted, which were mainly involved in the arginine and proline, sphingolipid, and neurotrophin metabolism signaling pathways. The results of animal experiments showed that Jiaotai Pills alleviated the depression behaviors and pathological changes in the hippocampus of the mouse model of CUMS-induced depression. In addition, Jiaotai Pills reversed the levels of 32 metabolites involved in various pathways such as arginine and proline metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and porphyrin metabolism in the serum of model mice. The integrated analysis showed that arginine and proline metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and porphyrin metabolism might be the key pathways in the treatment of depression with Jiaotai Pills. In conclusion, metabolomics combined with network pharmacology clarifies the antidepressant mechanism of Jiaotai Pills, which may provide a basis for the clinical application of Jiaotai Pills in treating depression.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Depression/genetics* ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Metabolomics ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Antidepressive Agents

The chemical constituents of the chloroform extract of the 90% methanol extract obtained from the dried branches and leaves of Croton lauioides were investigated. By using silica gel column chromatography, C_(18 )column chromatography, MCI column chromatography, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), six compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified as lauioidine(1), 2α-methoxy-8α-hydroxy-6-oxogermacra-1(10),7(11)-dien-8,12-olide(2), myrrhanolide B(3), gossweilone(4), 6β,7β-epox-4α-hydroxyguaian-10-ene(5), and 4(15)-eudesmane-1β,5α-diol(6) by analyzing the HR-ESI-MS, IR, ECD, 1D NMR and 2D NMR data, as well as their physicochemical properties. All compounds were isolated from C. lauioides for the first time, among which compound 1 is a new nor-clerodane diterpenoid.
Croton/chemistry* ; Diterpenes, Clerodane/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

AIM To investigate the consistency of chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma.METHODS Eighteen batches of standard decoctions were prepared,after which the extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of magnolflorine,jatrorrhizine,columbamine,epiberberine,coptisine,palmatine,berberin were determined,HPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.RESULTS There were 11 common peaks in the characteristic chromatograms of 18 batches of standard decoctions and 24 batches of formula granules with the similarities of 0.861-1.000,which were clusterd into two categories.The formula granules and standard decoction demonstrated approximated extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of index constituents.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma display good consistency,which can provide references for the quality control,process research and clinical application of the former.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of 2 cases of styloid-carotid syndrome(SCS)and review the literature to enhance understanding of the disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations,auxiliary examinations,and diagnosis and treatment of 2 patients with SCS admitted to the Neurology Department of Kaifeng Central Hospital.Additionally,relevant literature was searched through domestic and foreign databases such as PubMed,WOS,Embase,CNKI and VIP.The clinical characteristics of SCS were summarized based on the literature results.Results The 2 cases were diagnosed as transient cerebral ischemia(TIA)combined with SCS through head and neck CT angiography(CTA)and styloid process CT.Apart from the 2 cases treated in our hospital,a total of 11 cases of SCS have been reported in Chinese and English literature up to October 2023.Among the 13 cases,11 cases(84.6%)started with episodic TIA symptoms,and 11 cases(84.6%)had obvious inducing factors related to specific head position changes.Common clinical manifestations included unilateral limb weakness with or without sensory disturbance(10 cases,76.9%),slurred speech(7 cases,53.8%),unilateral limb sensation disorder(4 cases,30.7%),syncope(3 cases,23.1%)and amaurosis(2 cases,15.4%).All 13 cases underwent 64-row head and neck CTA examination,and 6 cases(46.2%)dynamically observed the changes in blood flow velocity through examinations such as transcranial Doppler ultrasound(TCD),cervical vascular ultrasound,and digital subtraction angiography(DSA).All patients were followed up for more than 3 months;and 10 cases(76.9%)achieved clinical cure after treatment,of which 8 cases underwent styloid process shortening surgery;3 cases(23.1%)achieved clinical symptom improvement after treatment.Conclusions For patients with recurrent TIA and/or cerebral infarction,it is necessary to identify whether there are inducing factors related to specific body position changes.For patients highly suspected of SCS,routine examinations such as styloid process CT and 64-row head and neck CTA should be performed,and if necessary,whole brain DSA,dynamic TCD and/or carotid ultrasound should be conducted to guide the diagnosis and treatment.When non-surgical treatment is ineffective,radical styloid process truncation can be considered as a treatment option.

Objective To construct clinical imaging model,radiomics model,and a combined model based on the above two for predicting lymph node metastasis(LNM)of colon cancer(CC),and to compare the diagnostic performance of each model.Methods The data from 328 CC patients confirmed by surgical pathology were analyzed retrospectively,including 156 with LNM.All patients were randomly divided into training group(229 cases)and validation group(99 cases)at a ratio of 7∶3.The difference of clinical imaging indicators were compared between groups and a clinical imaging model for diagnosing LNM was constructed.The tumor three-dimensional volume of interest(VOI)was used for radiomics feature extraction,and after dimensionality reduction and selection,8 features were obtained to construct the Radiomics score(Radscore).A combined model of clinical imaging indicators and Radscore was built.The diagnostic performance of each model for LNM was compared,and the calibration and clinical benefit of the optimal model were evaluated.Results There were statistical differences in clinical imaging indicators between the two groups:carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),CA199,tumor long diameter,and lymph node short diameter(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the clinical imaging model,radiomics model,and combined model were 0.721,0.814,0.854(training group),and 0.744,0.732,0.808(validation group),respectively.The AUC of the combined model was the highest,and both the training and validation groups were higher than that of the clinical imaging model(P＜0.05).The combined model demonstrated higher calibration,with a clinical benefit from decision curve analysis(DCA)threshold range of 0.09 to 0.91.Conclusion The nomogram constructed based on clinical imaging indicators and CT radiomics holds high value in diagnosing LNM of CC.

At present, there is no cure for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) due to HIV-1 latent reservoirs. Therefore, it urgently requires novel HIV-1 latency-regulating agents with high potency, low toxicity and favorable drug-like properties to achieve a functional cure for AIDS. Herein, we reviewed the advances in HIV-1 latency-regulating agents since 2019, including the drug discovery strategies, bioactivities, and mechanisms of these compounds. It is of great guiding significance in the development of latency-regulating agents with clinical value.

Aim To establish NCI-H446/EP for small cell lung cancer resistant cells resistant to cisplatin and etoposide, and to evaluate their biological characteristics and multidrug resistance. Methods Nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with NCI-H446 cells of SCLC to construct an in vivo model of xenograft tumor, and were given first-line EP regimen treatment for SCLC, inducing drug resistance in vivo, and stripping tumor tissue in vitro culture to obtain drug-resistant cells. The resistance coefficient, cell doubling time, cell cycle distribution, expression of multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), and drug resistance-related protein were detected in vitro, and the drug resistance to cisplatin and etoposide in vivo were verified. Results Mice with NCI-H446 tumors acquired resistance after eight weeks' EP regimen treatment, and the drug-resistant cell line NCI-H446/EP was obtained by isolation and culture in vitro. The resistance factors of this cell line to cisplatin, etoposide, SN38 and doxorubicin were 12.01, 18.36, 65.4 and 10.12, respectively. Compared with parental cells, the proportion of NCIH446/EP cells in Q