1.Drofenine as a Kv2.1 inhibitor alleviated AD-like pathology in mice through Aβ/Kv2.1/microglial NLRP3/neuronal Tau axis.
Jian LU ; Qian ZHOU ; Danyang ZHU ; Hongkuan SONG ; Guojia XIE ; Xuejian ZHAO ; Yujie HUANG ; Peng CAO ; Jiaying WANG ; Xu SHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):371-391
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with clinical hallmarks of progressive cognitive impairment. Synergistic effects of the Aβ-Tau cascade reaction are tightly implicated in AD pathology, and microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation drives neuronal tauopathy. However, the underlying mechanism of how Aβ mediates NLRP3 inflammasome remains unclear. Herein, we determined that oligomeric Aβ (o-Aβ) bound to microglial Kv2.1 and promoted Kv2.1-dependent potassium efflux to activate NLRP3 inflammasome resulting in neuronal tauopathy by using Kv2.1 inhibitor drofenine (Dfe) as a probe. The underlying mechanism has been intensively investigated by assays with Kv2.1 knockdown in vitro (si-Kv2.1) and in vivo (AAV-ePHP-si-Kv2.1). Dfe deprived o-Aβ of its capability to promote microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal Tau hyperphosphorylation by inhibiting the Kv2.1/JNK/NF-κB pathway while improving the cognitive impairment of 5×FAD-AD model mice. Our results have highly addressed that the Kv2.1 channel is required for o-Aβ-driven microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuronal tauopathy in AD model mice and highlighted that Dfe as a Kv2.1 inhibitor shows potential in the treatment of AD.
2.NIR-II-activated whole-cell vaccine with ultra-efficient semiconducting diradical oligomers for breast carcinoma growth and metastasis inhibition.
Yijian GAO ; Yachao ZHANG ; Yujie MA ; Xiliang LI ; Yu WANG ; Huan CHEN ; Yingpeng WAN ; Zhongming HUANG ; Weimin LIU ; Pengfei WANG ; Lidai WANG ; Chun-Sing LEE ; Shengliang LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1159-1170
High-performance phototheranostics with combined photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging have been considered promising approaches for efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, developing phototheranostic materials with efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), especially over the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm), remains challenging. Herein, we report an ultraefficient NIR-II-activated nanomedicine with phototheranostic and vaccination capability for highly efficient in vivo tumor elimination and metastasis inhibition. The NIR-II nanomedicine of a semiconducting biradical oligomer with a motor-flexible design was demonstrated with a record-breaking PCE of 87% upon NIR-II excitation. This nanomedicine inherently features extraordinary photothermal stability, good biocompatibility, and excellent photoacoustic performance, contributing to high-contrast photoacoustic imaging in living mice and high-performance photothermal elimination of tumors. Moreover, a whole-cell vaccine based on a NIR-II nanomedicine with NIR-II-activated performance was further designed to remotely activate the antitumor immunologic memory and effectively inhibit tumor occurrence and metastasis in vivo, with good biosafety. Thus, this work paves a new avenue for designing NIR-II active semiconducting biradical materials as a promising theranostics platform and further promotes the development of NIR-II nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment.
3.Celastrol-loaded ginsenoside Rg3 liposomes boost immunotherapy by remodeling obesity-related immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in melanoma.
Hongyan ZHANG ; Jingyi HUANG ; Yujie LI ; Wanyu JIN ; Jiale WEI ; Ninghui MA ; Limei SHEN ; Mancang GU ; Chaofeng MU ; Donghang XU ; Yang XIONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2687-2702
Obesity usually exacerbates the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME), hindering CD8+ T cell infiltration and function, which further represents a significant barrier to the efficacy of immunotherapy. Herein, a multifunctional liposomal system (CR-Lip) for encapsulating celastrol (CEL) was utilized to remodel obesity-related ITME and improve cancer immunotherapy, wherein Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) was detected interspersed in the phospholipid bilayer and its glycosyl exposed on the surface of the liposome. CR-Lip had a relatively uniform size (116.5 nm), facilitating favorable tumor tissue accumulation through the interaction between Rg3 and glucose transporter 1 overexpressed in obese tumor cells. Upon reaching the tumor region, CR-Lip was found to induce the immunogenic cell death (ICD) of HFD tumor cells. Notably, the level of PHD3 in HFD tumor cells was effectively boosted by CR-Lip to effectively block metabolic reprogramming and increase the availability of major free fatty acids fuel sources. In vivo, experiments studies revealed that the easy-obtained nano platform stimulated enhanced the production of various cytokines in tumor tissues, DC maturation, CD8+ T-cell infiltration, and synergistic anticancer therapeutic potency with aPD-1 (tumor inhibition rate = 82.1%) towards obesity-related melanoma. Consequently, this study presented an efficacious approach to tumor immunotherapy in obese mice by encompassing tumor eradication, inducing ICD, and reprogramming metabolism. Furthermore, it offered a unique insight into a valuable attempt at the immunotherapy of obesity-associated related tumors.
4.A cisplatin prodrug-based self-assembling ozone delivery nanosystem sensitizes radiotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.
Tianyue XU ; Dan ZHENG ; Meixu CHEN ; Linlin SONG ; Zhihui LIU ; Yan CHENG ; Yujie ZHAO ; Liwen HUANG ; Yixuan LI ; Zhankun YANG ; Cong LI ; Biao DONG ; Jing JING ; Hubing SHI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2703-2722
Lacking therapeutic targets highlights the crucial roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To relieve the side effects of the chemoradiotherapy combination regimen, we design and develop a self-assembled micelle nanosystem consisting of perfluorocarbon chain-modified cisplatin prodrug. By incorporating perfluorodecalin, this nanosystem can effectively carry ozone and promote irradiation-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. By leveraging the perfluorocarbon sidechain, the nanosystem exhibits efficient internalization by TNBC cells and effectively escapes from lysosomal entrapment. Under X-ray irradiation, ozone-generated ROS disrupts the intracellular redox balance, thereby facilitating the release of cisplatin in a reduction-responsive manner mediated by reduced glutathione. Moreover, oxygen derived from ozone decomposition enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Notably, the combination of irradiation with ozone-loaded cisplatin prodrug nano system synergistically prompts antitumor efficacy and reduces cellular/systemic toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the combo regimen remodels the tumor microenvironment into an immune-favored state by triggering immunogenic cell death and relieving hypoxia, which provides a promising foundation for a combination regimen of immunotherapy. In conclusion, our nanosystem presents a novel strategy for integrating chemotherapy and radiotherapy to optimize the efficacy and safety of TNBC clinical treatment.
5.Corrigendum to "Hydralazine represses Fpn ubiquitination to rescue injured neurons via competitive binding to UBA52" J. Pharm. Anal. 14 (2024) 86-99.
Shengyou LI ; Xue GAO ; Yi ZHENG ; Yujie YANG ; Jianbo GAO ; Dan GENG ; Lingli GUO ; Teng MA ; Yiming HAO ; Bin WEI ; Liangliang HUANG ; Yitao WEI ; Bing XIA ; Zhuojing LUO ; Jinghui HUANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):101324-101324
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.08.006.].
6.Machine learning-assisted microfluidic approach for broad-spectrum liposome size control.
Yujie JIA ; Xiao LIANG ; Li ZHANG ; Jun ZHANG ; Hajra ZAFAR ; Shan HUANG ; Yi SHI ; Jian CHEN ; Qi SHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101221-101221
Liposomes serve as critical carriers for drugs and vaccines, with their biological effects influenced by their size. The microfluidic method, renowned for its precise control, reproducibility, and scalability, has been widely employed for liposome preparation. Although some studies have explored factors affecting liposomal size in microfluidic processes, most focus on small-sized liposomes, predominantly through experimental data analysis. However, the production of larger liposomes, which are equally significant, remains underexplored. In this work, we thoroughly investigate multiple variables influencing liposome size during microfluidic preparation and develop a machine learning (ML) model capable of accurately predicting liposomal size. Experimental validation was conducted using a staggered herringbone micromixer (SHM) chip. Our findings reveal that most investigated variables significantly influence liposomal size, often interrelating in complex ways. We evaluated the predictive performance of several widely-used ML algorithms, including ensemble methods, through cross-validation (CV) for both liposome size and polydispersity index (PDI). A standalone dataset was experimentally validated to assess the accuracy of the ML predictions, with results indicating that ensemble algorithms provided the most reliable predictions. Specifically, gradient boosting was selected for size prediction, while random forest was employed for PDI prediction. We successfully produced uniform large (600 nm) and small (100 nm) liposomes using the optimised experimental conditions derived from the ML models. In conclusion, this study presents a robust methodology that enables precise control over liposome size distribution, offering valuable insights for medicinal research applications.
7.Efgartigimod alfa in the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis:a rapid health technology assessment
Gerile HUANG ; Yujie LI ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Hao GUO
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2024;33(10):1156-1163
Objective To evaluate the efficacy,safety and economy of efgartigimod alfa in the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis by rapid health technology assessment,and to provide evidence-based evidence for clinical rational drug use.Methods PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,CNKI,VIP,WanFang Data,SinoMed database and relevant databases of health technology assessment institutions were electronically searched to collect health technology assessment reports,systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and pharmacoeconomic literatures of efgartigimod alfa for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis from the inception to June 21,2024.Two researchers screened the literature,extracted data,and evaluated the quality of the literature,summarised the finding and performed qualitative descriptive analysis.Results A total of 6 literature were included,involving 5 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and one pharmacoeconomic study.In terms of efficacy,efgartigimod alfa demonstrated a significant reduction in MG-ADL,QMGs,and MG-QOLs 15R compared to placebo among generalized myasthenia gravis patients,these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).However,findings from different studies regarding comparisons with other biologics like batoclimab,ronzanolixizumab,and eculizumab yielded inconsistent conclusions.In terms of safety,the incidence of adverse events in adults generalized myasthenia gravis patients treated with efgartigimod alfa compared with that of the placebo was not statistically significant(P>0.05).However,compared with other biological agents,the conclusions drawn from each study were inconsistent.In terms of economics,efgartigimod alfa did not exhibit cost-effectiveness advantages over traditional therapies.Conclusion Efgartigimod alpha showed better efficacy than placebo in the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis,but there was no definitive conclusion compared with other biological agents.In terms of safety,the incidence of ADE in adult generalized myasthenia gravis patients treated with efgartigimod alpha was not statistically different from that of the placebo group,and no definite conclusion could be drawn when compared with other biological agents.According to U.S.drug economic data,efgartigimod alpha does not have economic advantages over traditional therapies.
8.Establishment and assessment of a visual detection method for nucleic acid of Afri-can swine fever virus
Xingqi LIU ; Yujie BAI ; Mengyao ZHANG ; Jingbo HUANG ; Guangliang LIU ; Yuanyuan LI ; Shuyi TAN ; Haili ZHANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Zongxi CAO ; Hualei WANG ; Pei HUANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(8):1585-1592
African swine fever(ASF),caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV),is a highly contagious infectious disease of pigs.This disease has been spread rapidly in China since 2018,po-sing a huge threat to China's pig farming industry.To rapid detect the ASFV,a loop-mediated iso-thermal amplification(LAMP)combined with the disposable nucleic acid visualization test strip was established for visual detection of the nucleic acid of ASFV B646L gene.The method was easy to operate without special instruments and equipment,while it effectively avoided the disadvantage of false positives caused by aerosol contamination.The method was able to detect 1.16 copies/μL of the recombinant plasmid in 50 min at 65 ℃.In addition,the method was specific with no cross-re-action with classical swine fever virus,porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,por-cine parvovirus,transmissible gastroenteritis virus.The results in this study provides a rapid,con-venient,sensitive and reliable method for early diagnosis and screening for ASFV suspected infec-tion cases.
9.A visual RT-LAMP-VF method for detection of Zika virus nucleic acid
Yumeng SONG ; Pei HUANG ; Hongli JIN ; Cuicui JIAO ; Yujie BAI ; Mengyao ZHANG ; Zhiyuan GONG ; Yuanyuan LI ; Haili ZHANG ; Hualei WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(8):1698-1703
To establish a simple,convenient,sensitive,and specific method for rapid detection of Zi-ka virus(ZIKV),the whole genome sequences of ZIKV isolated from different times and regions were analyzed.The specific primers and probes were designed based on the screened target se-quences located in the conserved region of the ZIKV NS5 gene.By combining RT-LAMP isother-mal amplification technology and immunochromatography technology,a reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification nucleic acid and flow visualization strip(RT-LAMP-VF)detec-tion method for ZIKV was established.The results showed that the method had good specificity and sensitivity.When the ratio of inner,outer,and ring primers(FIP∶LF∶F3)was 4∶2∶1,the detection method can specifically detect 102 copies/pL RNA transcripts or 2.15 pfu ZIKV at 61 ℃for 45 minutes,with no cross reaction with other flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus and classical swine fever virus.Other RNAs in blood tissue samples did not affect the sensitivity and specificity of RT-LAMP-VF,indicating that the method can be applied to clinical practice.The ZIKV RT-LAMP-VF detection method established in this study is easy to perform and does not require special instruments and equipment.It is particularly suitable for the rapid detection of ZIKV in grassroots units,providing technical support and material support for the establishment of on-site rapid detection and early warning and prediction systems for ZIKV disease.
10.Establishment and validation of a sepsis 28-day mortality prediction model based on the lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio in patients with sepsis
Zhiyang WANG ; Fang HUANG ; Shifeng LI ; Xinyue LI ; Yujie LIU ; Bin SHAO ; Meili LIU ; Yunnan YAO ; Jun WANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(11):1140-1146
Objective:To develop and validate a predictive model of 28-day mortality in sepsis based on lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LAR).Methods:Sepsis patients diagnosed in the department of intensive care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from August 1, 2017 to September 1, 2022 were retrospective selected. Clinical data, laboratory indicators, disease severity scores [acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA)] were collected. Patients were divided into death group and survival group according to whether they died at 28 days, and the difference between the two groups was compared. The dataset was randomly divided into training set and validation set according to 7∶3. Lasso regression method was used to screen the risk factors affecting the 28-day death of sepsis patients, and incorporating multivariate Logistic regression analysis (stepwise regression) were included, a prediction model was constructed based on the independent risk factors obtained, and a nomogram was drawn. The nomogram prediction model was established. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze and evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. Hosmer-Lemeshow test, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the accuracy and clinical practicability of the model, respectively.Results:A total of 394 patients with sepsis were included, with 248 survivors and 146 non-survivors at 28 days. Compared with the survival group, the age, proportion of chronic obstructive pneumonia, respiratory rate, lactic acid, red blood cell distribution width, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, blood potassium, blood phosphorus, LAR, SOFA score, and APACHEⅡ score in the death group were significantly increased, while oxygenation index, monocyte count, platelet count, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and blood calcium were significantly reduced. In the training set, LAR, age, oxygenation index, blood urea nitrogen, lactic acid, total cholesterol, fibrinogen, blood potassium and blood phosphorus were screened by Lasso regression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis finally included LAR [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.029, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.014-1.047, P < 0.001], age ( OR = 1.023, 95% CI was 1.005-1.043, P = 0.012), lactic acid ( OR = 1.089, 95% CI was 1.003-1.186, P = 0.043), oxygenation index ( OR = 0.996, 95% CI was 0.993-0.998, P = 0.002), total cholesterol ( OR = 0.662, 95% CI was 0.496-0.865, P = 0.003) and blood potassium ( OR = 1.852, 95% CI was 1.169-2.996, P = 0.010). A total of 6 predictor variables were used to establish a prediction model. ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the model in the training set and validation set were 0.773 (95% CI was 0.715-0.831) and 0.793 (95% CI was 0.703-0.884), which was better than APACHEⅡ score (AUC were 0.699 and 0.745) and SOFA score (AUC were 0.644 and 0.650), and the cut-off values were 0.421 and 0.309, the sensitivity were 62.4% and 82.2%, and the specificity were 82.2% and 68.9%, respectively. The results of Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the predicted results of the model were in good agreement with the actual clinical observation results, and the DCA showed that the model had good clinical application value. Conclusion:The prediction model based on LAR has a good predictive value for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis and can guide clinical decision-making.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail