1.Nucleic Acid-driven Protein Degradation: Frontiers of Lysosomal Targeted Degradation Technology
Han YIN ; Yu LI ; Yu-Chuan FAN ; Shuai GUO ; Yuan-Yu HUANG ; Yong LI ; Yu-Hua WENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):5-19
Distinct from the complementary inhibition mechanism through binding to the target with three-dimensional conformation of small molecule inhibitors, targeted protein degradation technology takes tremendous advantage of endogenous protein degradation pathway inside cells to degrade plenty of “undruggable” target proteins, which provides a novel route for the treatment of many serious diseases, mainly including proteolysis-targeting chimeras, lysosome-targeting chimeras, autophagy-targeting chimeras, antibody-based proteolysis-targeting chimeras, etc. Unlike proteolysis-targeting chimeras first found in 2001, which rely on ubiquitin-proteasome system to mainly degrade intracellular proteins of interest, lysosome-targeting chimeras identified in 2020, which was act as the fastly developing technology, utilize cellular lysosomal pathway through endocytosis mediated by lysosome-targeting receptor to degrade both extracellular and membrane proteins. As an emerging biomedical technology, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras utilize nucleic acids as certain components of chimera molecule to replace with ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor or protein of interest, exhibiting broad application prospects and potential clinical value in disease treatment and drug development. This review mainly introduced present progress of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras technology, including its basic composition, its advantages compared with antibody or glycopeptide-based lysosome-targeting chimeras, and focused on its chief application, in terms of the type of lysosome-targeting receptors. Most research about the development of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras focused on those which utilized cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor as the lysosome-targeting receptor. Both mannose-6-phosphonate-modified glycopeptide and nucleic aptamer targeting cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor, even double-stranded DNA molecule moiety can be taken advantage as the ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor. The same as classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, asialoglycoprotein receptor can also be used for advance of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. Another new-found lysosome-targeting receptor, scavenger receptor, can bind dendritic DNA molecules to mediate cellular internalization of complex and lysosomal degradation of target protein, suggesting the successful application of scavenger receptor-mediated nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. In addition, this review briefly overviewed the history of lysosome-targeting chimeras, including first-generation and second-generation lysosome-targeting chimeras through cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor-mediated and asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated endocytosis respectively, so that a clear timeline can be presented for the advance of chimera technique. Meantime, current deficiency and challenge of lysosome-targeting chimeras was also mentioned to give some direction for deep progress of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Finally, according to faulty lysosomal degradation efficiency, more cellular mechanism where lysosome-targeting chimeras perform degradation of protein of interest need to be deeply explored. In view of current progress and direction of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras, we discussed its current challenges and development direction in the future. Stability of natural nucleic acid molecule and optimized chimera construction have a great influence on the biological function of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Discovery of novel lysosome-targeting receptors and nucleic aptamer with higher affinity to the target will greatly facilitate profound advance of chimera technique. In summary, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras have many superiorities, such as lower immunogenicity, expedient synthesis of chimera molecules and so on, in contrast to classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, making it more valuable. Also, the chimera technology provides new ideas and methods for biomedical research, drug development and clinical treatment, and can be used more widely through further research and optimization.
2.Mechanism of Ferroptosis in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion and Interventional Mechanism of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu Prescription Based on "Blood Stasis and Toxin" Pathogenesis
Jiayue HAN ; Danyi PAN ; Jiaxuan XIAO ; Yuchen LIU ; Jiyong LIU ; Yidi ZENG ; Jinxia LI ; Caixing ZHENG ; Hua LI ; Wanghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):51-60
ObjectiveTo explore the material basis of the "interaction of blood stasis and toxin" mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, as well as the protective role of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu prescription (HXHYJDF) against ferroptosis. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, model group, deferoxamine (DFO) group (100 mg·kg-1), low-dose HXHYJDF group (4.52 g·kg-1), medium-dose HXHYJDF group (9.04 g·kg-1), and high-dose HXHYJDF group (18.07 g·kg-1), with ten rats in each group. Except for the sham group, the other groups were used to replicate the model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in the middle cerebral artery of rats by the reforming Longa method. Neurological function was assessed at 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post-reperfusion using the modified neurological severity scores (m-NSS). Brain tissue pathology and the morphology of mitochondria were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), divalent iron ions (Fe2+), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ischemic cerebral tissue were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression of iron death marker proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferroportin-1 (FPN1), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TfR1), and ferritin mitochondrial (FtMt) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group, the mNSS score of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that the number of neurons in the cortex of brain tissue was seriously reduced, and the intercellular space was widened. The nucleus was fragmented, and the cytoplasm was vacuolated. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria in the cytoplasm contracted and rounded, and the mitochondrial cristae decreased. The matrix was lost and vacuolated, and the density of the mitochondrial bilayer membrane increased. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS increased significantly (P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemistry and WB showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 proteins was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 proteins was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with those of the model group, the m-NSS scores of the high-dose and medium-dose HXHYJDF groups began to decrease on the 3rd and 5th days, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The results of HE and transmission electron microscopy showed that the intervention of HXHYJDF improved the pathological changes of neurons and mitochondria. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH in the medium-dose and high-dose HXHYJDF groups increased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA, Fe2+, and ROS decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of GSH in the low-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the contents of MDA and ROS decreased significantly (P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the high-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 decreased significantly (P<0.01). The expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the medium-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression of TfR1 decreased significantly (P<0.01). WB results showed that the expression levels of FPN1 and GPX4 proteins in the high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose HXHYJDF groups were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression levels of FtMt and TfR1 proteins were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). ConclusionHXHYJDF can significantly improve neurological dysfunction symptoms in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, improve the pathological morphology of the infarcted brain tissue, and protect the brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury to a certain extent. Neuronal ferroptosis is involved in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, with increased levels of MDA, Fe2+, ROS, and TfR1 and decreased levels of FtMt, FPN1, GPX4, and GSH potentially constituting the material basis of the interaction of blood stasis and toxin mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. HXHYJDF may exert brain-protective effects by regulating iron metabolism-related proteins, promoting the discharge of free iron, reducing brain iron deposition, alleviating oxidative stress, and inhibiting ferroptosis.
3.Exploring Quality Makers of Xiaoqinglong Granules in Treating Bronchial Asthma Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process-entropy Weight Method, Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Huijuan XIE ; Zhuqian TANG ; Dan HU ; Yingbi XU ; Li HAN ; Bin YANG ; Hua LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):192-200
ObjectiveTo investigate the quality markers of Xiaoqinglong granules(XQLG) for treating bronchial asthma using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)-entropy weight method(EWM), network pharmacology and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) content determination. MethodsEffectiveness, testability and peculiarity component data of XQLG in treating bronchial asthma were constructed through database retrieval, literature review, and network pharmacology. Subsequently, AHP-EWM was used to quantitatively identify and weight the control layer and element layer, the relevant compounds were selected as candidate quality markers based on comprehensive scores. Further comparison of reference substances and establishment of HPLC content determination method were used to determine the potential quality markers of XQLG, which were verified by molecular docking with disease targets. ResultsA total of 13 components, including glycyrrhizic acid, paeoniflorin, schisandrol A, isoliquiritigenin, 6-gingerol, ephedrine, liquiritin, albiflorin, liquiritigenin, 6-shogaol, pseudoephedrine, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde, were identified as potential quality markers of XQLG by AHP-EWM. Quantitative analysis indicated that all aforementioned quality markers could be detected in 13 batches of XQLG, indicating that it had stable testability as a quality marker. Among these 13 batches of samples, ephedrine and paeoniflorin exhibited good consistency in content, while pseudoephedrine and cinnamaldehyde showed poor consistency. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the 13 compounds exhibited binding energies with the core targets -2.11 kcal·mol-1, indicating that the 13 compounds could spontaneously bind to the disease targets, which may be the material basis for the treatment of bronchial asthma with XQLG. ConclusionIn this study, 13 compounds were screened by AHP-EWM combined with network pharmacology and HPLC as quality markers for the treatment of bronchial asthma by XQLG, laying the foundation for enhancing the quality standards of this preparation.
4.Current status of cognition and skin care behavior in adolescent patients with acne: A survey in China.
Jing TIAN ; Hong SHU ; Qiufang QIAN ; Zhong SHEN ; Chunyu ZHAO ; Li SONG ; Ping LI ; Xiuping HAN ; Hua QIAN ; Jinping CHEN ; Hua WANG ; Lin MA ; Yuan LIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(4):476-477
5.Structure Study of Proton Tautomers Based on Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry and Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Calculations
Da-Li FU ; Hao-Dong WANG ; Bao-Kang HAO ; Ye-Hua HAN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(1):138-144
Investigating the structural characteristics of proton tautomers is of great significance for understanding organic reactions and biochemical processes.In this study,a method based on ion mobility mass spectrometry combined with ab initio molecular dynamics calculations was proposed.The structures of proton tautomers were determined by comparing the experimental and theoretical collision-induced dissociation(CID)mass spectrograms of different proton tautomers.Ion mobility mass spectrometry was used to separate proton tautomerism produced during ionization.The CID mass spectra of each isomer could be obtained after mobility separation.The quantum chemical mass spectrometry(QCXMS)program based on ab initio molecular dynamics calculations was used to calculate the fragmentation process and obtain the theoretical CID mass spectra.The results of experiment and calculation showed that this method effectively solved the issue of difficult identification of proton tautomers.This method was also of great significance for the study of ionization mechanism and organic reaction process using mass spectrometry.
6. Establishment and genotype identification of hepatic stellate cell-specific Grk2 gene knockout mouse model
Yu-Han WANG ; Ya-Ping XU ; Nan LI ; Ting-Ting CHEN ; Ling LI ; Ping-Ping GAO ; Wei WEI ; Wu-Yi SUN ; Hua WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):189-194
Aim To establish a stable hepatic stellate cell ( HSC ) -specific G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 ( GRK2 ) knockout mice and provide the important animal model for further studying the biological function of GRK2 in HSC. Methods The loxP-labeled Grk2 gene mouse (Grk2
7.LncRNA-CCRR regulates arrhythmia induced by myocardial infarction by affecting sodium channel ubiquitination via UBA6
Fei-Han SUN ; Dan-Ning LI ; Hua YANG ; Sheng-Jie WANG ; Hui-Shan LUO ; Jian-Jun GUO ; Li-Na XUAN ; Li-Hua SUN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(8):1437-1446
Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nism of arrhythmia of sodium channel ubiquitination af-ter MI and to study the electrophysiological remodeling mechanism of lncRNA-CCRR after MI for the preven-tion and treatment of arrhythmia after MI.Methods LncRNA-CCRR transgenic mice and C57BL/6 mice injected with lncRNA-CCRR overexpressed adeno-asso-ciated virus were used.Four weeks after infection,the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was ligated for 12 h to establish a mouse acute myocar-dial infarction model,and the incidence of arrhythmia was detected by programmed electrical stimulation.Ln-cRNA-CCRR overexpression/knockdown adeno-associ-ated virus and negative control were transfected into neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes(NMCMs),and the model was prepared by hypoxia for 12 h.LncRNA-CCRR expression was detected by FISH,Nav1.5 and UBA6 protein and Nav.1.5 mRNA expression were de-tected by Western blot and real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Nav1.5 and UBA6 expressions were detected by immunofluores-cence,and the relationship between lncRNA-CCRR and UBA6 was detected by RIP.INa current density af-ter CCRR overexpression and knockdown was detected by Whole-cell clamp patch.Results In MI mice,the expression of lncRNA-CCRR decreased,the incidence of arrhythmia increased,the expression of CCRR and Nav1.5 mRNA was down-regulated,the protein ex-pression of Nav1.5 was down-regulated,and the pro-tein expression of UBA6 was up-regulated compared with sham group.Overexpression of CCRR could re-verse the above changes.AAV-CCRR could reverse the down-regulated CCRR and Nav1.5 mRNA levels af-ter hypoxia,and improve the expression of Nav1.5 and UBA6 protein.The direct relationship between ln-cRNA-CCRR and UBA6 was identified by RIP analy-sis.The INa density increased after transfection with AAV-CCRR.The INa density decreased after transfec-tion with AAV-si-CCRR.Conclusions The expres-sion of lncRNA-CCRR decreases after MI,and ln-cRNA-CCRR can improve arrhythmia induced by MI by inhibiting UBA6 to increase the protein expression level of Nav1.5 and the density of INa.
8.Establishment of a Multiplex Detection Method for Common Bacteria in Blood Based on Human Mannan-Binding Lectin Protein-Conjugated Magnetic Bead Enrichment Combined with Recombinase-Aided PCR Technology
Jin Zi ZHAO ; Ping Xiao CHEN ; Wei Shao HUA ; Yu Feng LI ; Meng ZHAO ; Hao Chen XING ; Jie WANG ; Yu Feng TIAN ; Qing Rui ZHANG ; Na Xiao LYU ; Qiang Zhi HAN ; Xin Yu WANG ; Yi Hong LI ; Xin Xin SHEN ; Jun Xue MA ; Qing Yan TIE
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(4):387-398
Objective Recombinase-aided polymerase chain reaction(RAP)is a sensitive,single-tube,two-stage nucleic acid amplification method.This study aimed to develop an assay that can be used for the early diagnosis of three types of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA),and Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)in the bloodstream based on recombinant human mannan-binding lectin protein(M1 protein)-conjugated magnetic bead(M1 bead)enrichment of pathogens combined with RAP. Methods Recombinant plasmids were used to evaluate the assay sensitivity.Common blood influenza bacteria were used for the specific detection.Simulated and clinical plasma samples were enriched with M1 beads and then subjected to multiple recombinase-aided PCR(M-RAP)and quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays.Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the consistency between the two assays. Results The M-RAP method had sensitivity rates of 1,10,and 1 copies/μL for the detection of SA,PA,and AB plasmids,respectively,without cross-reaction to other bacterial species.The M-RAP assay obtained results for<10 CFU/mL pathogens in the blood within 4 h,with higher sensitivity than qPCR.M-RAP and qPCR for SA,PA,and AB yielded Kappa values of 0.839,0.815,and 0.856,respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion An M-RAP assay for SA,PA,and AB in blood samples utilizing M1 bead enrichment has been developed and can be potentially used for the early detection of bacteremia.
9.Early clinical efficacy study on the efficacy of a three-stage conservative Chinese medicine external treatment for a-cute lateral ankle ligament injuries
Qing-Xin HAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Jun-Ying WU ; Xiao-Hua LIU ; Yan LI ; Tian-Xin CHEN ; Yu YI ; Mei-Qi YU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(10):997-1002
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of a new three-phase Chinese medicine(CM)external treatment for acute lateral ankle ligament injuries.Methods From July to December 2023,64 patients with acute lateral ankle ligament in-juries were randomly assigned to receive either the new three-phase CM external treatment combined with the POLICE(pro-tect,optimal loading,ice,compression,elevation)treatment(observation group)or the POLICE treatment(control group),with 32 cases in each group.The observation group consisted of 17 males and 15 females,with an average age of(30.59±3.10)years old ranging from 25 to 36 years old,while the control group included 14 males and 18 females,with an average age of(30.03±3.19)years old ranging from 24 to 37 years old.Visual analogue scale(VAS)evaluation and Figure of 8 measurement were used to evaluate the degree of ankle joint pain and swelling of the subjects at the initial enrollment and after 1 week and sixth weeks of treatment.At the same time,the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)and Karlsson Ankle Function Score System were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle joint function in patients at all stages.MRI imaging was employed to observe the degree of biological healing of the anterior talofibular ligament,with the signal to noise ratio(SNR)in-dicating the level of healing.A lower SNR suggests better ligament healing,as it represents lower water content in the ligament.Results All patients completed a 6-week follow-up.There was no significant difference in VAS,AOFAS score and Karlsson score between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).After 1 week and 6 weeks of treatment,the VAS,AOFAS score and Karlsson score of the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05).After 1 week of treatment,the VAS score of the obser-vation group(3.21±0.87)was lower than that of the control group(4.21±1.50),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After 1 weeks of treatment,the AOFAS and Karlsson scores[(50.84±4.70)points,(49.97±4.00)points]of the ob-servation group were higher than those[(46.91±5.56)points,(46.66±5.36)points]of the control group(P<0.05).MRI images showed that after 6 weeks of treatment,the SNR value of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(SNR of the observation group was 75.25±16.59,the contral gruop was 85.81±15.55),(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with the control group,the new three-phase CM external treatment is signifi-cantly effective in reducing pain and swelling,enhancing ligament repair quality,and promoting functional recovery of the an-kle joint in patients with acute lateral malleolar ligament injuries.
10.Influence of Host Factors on Drug Resistance of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Chen CHEN ; Ying WU ; Xian HUA ; Jinnan LU ; Yi LI ; Chunhua ZHAO ; Han MIN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(5):1091-1099
To analyze the host factors affecting the drug resistance of Patients with Hp infection were consecutively recruited in the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2021 to October 2023. Endoscopic biopsy specimens were collected for pathological diagnosis, Hp strain culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test. Nineteen factors involving the basic information, lifestyle, dietary habits, and health status of the patients were collected through electronic medical records and questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the patients' factors and drug resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, furazolidone, tetracycline and metronidazole. A total of 115 patients (Hp strain 115) with Hp infection who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. There were 53 males (46.09%) and 62 females (53.91%), with an average age of (45.16±13.39) years. Gastroscopic pathology showed 86 cases (74.78%) of superficial gastritis, 6 cases (5.22%) of atrophic gastritis, 14 cases (12.17%) of intestinal metaplasia, 6 cases (5.22%) of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 3 cases (2.61%) of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia/gastric cancer. The drug resistance rates of Hp strains to metronidazole, levofloxacin and clarithromycin were 91.30% (105/115), 53.04% (61/115) and 51.30% (59/115), respectively. Resistance to amoxicillin, furazolidone and tetracycline was not found. Dual drug resistance: levofloxacin + metronidazole dual resistance rate was 50.43% (58/115), clarithromycin + metronidazole dual resistance rate was 47.83% (55/115), clarithromycin + levofloxacin dual resistance rate was 36.52% (42/115). Multidrug resistance: clarithromycin + levofloxacin + metronidazole triple resistance rate was 34.78% (40/115). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that (metronidazole was not included in the multivariate analysis due to the absence of sensitive strains), previous Hp eradication history ( The drug resistance rate of Hp strains isolated from patients in the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University to metronidazole, levofloxacin and clarithromycin were high, and dual drug resistance and multidrug resistance were prominent. Age, previous Hp eradication history and drinking water source may be associated with single or dual drug resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Comprehensive consideration, reasonable selection of antibiotics and individualized treatment should be taken into account during Hp eradication.

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