1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.The mechanism of YB1-mediated MDR1 regulation in cisplatin-induced drug resistance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Siqi WANG ; Miao CHEN ; Xinyu LUO ; Heng LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(8):1383-1391
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Y-box binding protein 1 (YB1) mediates the expression of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) and regulates cisplatin-induced resistance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). MethodsAfter treating human ICC HCCC-9810 cells with different concentrations of cisplatin, Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques were used to detect the expression of YB1 and phosphorylated YB1 (pYB1) and changes in their cellular localization. In addition, qPCR and Western blot were used to analyze the expression changes of drug resistance-related proteins MDR1, multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), and major vault protein (MVP). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was performed to examine the binding of YB1 to the MDR1 promoter in HCCC-9810 cells with or without cisplatin treatment. Additionally, bisulfite sequencing (BS-seq) was used to determine the methylation status of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) islands within the MDR1 promoter in HCCC-9810 cells, before and after cisplatin treatment. ResultsAfter HCCC-9810 cells were treated with cisplatin, the total amount of intracellular YB1 protein did not change, but the level of pYB1 gradually increased, accompanied by the nuclear migration of YB1 and pYB1 protein. After HCCC-9810 cells were induced with cisplatin, the expression of MDR1 significantly increased, and the drug resistance of the cells also increased. If the expression of MDR1 was inhibited beforehand, the increase in drug resistance of the cells can be reversed. Similarly, after knocking down the expression of YB1 in HCCC-9810 cells, the nuclear migration of YB1 and pYB1 significantly decreased, and the expression of MDR1 significantly decreased, resulting in a significant increase in sensitivity to cisplatin chemotherapy. When HCCC-9810 cells were not stimulated by external factors, the CpG island in the promoter region of MDR1 showed a high methylation state, and multiple transcription factors, including YB1, could not bind to it. When HCCC-9810 cells were treated with cisplatin, the CpG island in the promoter region of MDR1 underwent demethylation, and the binding force between YB1 and the MDR1 promoter in the nucleus increased, activating MDR1 expression. ConclusionYB1 is highly expressed in the cytoplasm of ICC cells. Cisplatin chemotherapy induces nuclear translocation of YB1, accompanied by demethylation of the CpG island in the MDR1 promoter. Nuclear YB1 binds to the MDR1 promoter and activates transcription, ultimately leading to chemotherapy resistance.
3.Analyses of epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Ningbo City of Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2023
Yumeng LUO ; Xianhao WU ; Jia’na WANG ; Heng FAN ; Tianfeng HE
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(8):627-633
ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemic trends, key populations, and high-risk area characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Ningbo from 2018 to 2023, and to provide evidence-based references for optimizing prevention strategies and precise allocation of prevention and control resources. MethodsData on HFMD cases with current addresses in Ningbo from 2018 to 2023 were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD. Global spatial autocorrelation analyses were applied to detect spatial clustering of HFMD, and spatiotemporal scan analyses were conducted to identify spatiotemporal clusters. ResultsA total of 116 967 HFMD cases, were reported of which 2 were severe and none were fatal. The average annual incidence rate was 206.33 per 100 000 population, showing an overall declining trend. Seasonal patterns were observed, with bimodal distributions in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 (main peak from May to July; secondary peak from September to November), and unimodal distributions in 2020 (peak from October to December) and 2023 (peak from July to October). Children aged 5 years and under accounted for the majority of cases (104 634 cases, 89.46%), with a mean age of (3.48±3.29) years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.44∶1. Children cared for at home (56.39%) and those attending kindergarten (35.97%) were the predominant populations. The highest average incidence rate was observed in Ninghai County (261.46/100 000), and the lowest in Fenghua District (152.46/100 000), while the average incidence rates in most districts/counties ranged from 188.22 to 226.53 per 100 000 population. The highest incidence rate was observed in areas classified as urban-rural fringes (240.08 per 100 000 population). Spatial analyses revealed global clustering in 2020 (Moran’s I=0.35, P<0.05), with hotspots concentrated in Ninghai county and Xiangshan county. Spatiotemporal scan analyses identified significant clusters each year from 2018 to 2023. The strongest cluster was detected in Cixi City from May to September in 2018 (LLR=27 249.53, RR=13.06, P<0.01), followed by Yinzhou District from April to October in 2019 (LLR=25 172.16, RR=10.61, P<0.01). ConclusionThe overall incidence of HFMD in Ningbo City shows a declining trend. The disease shows bimodal (spring-summer and autumn-winter) or unimodal (autumn-winter) seasonal patterns. Cases are predominantly seen in boys aged 5 years and under, and who are cared for at home or attend kindergarten、 High-risk areas are concentrated in southern counties (Ninghai and Xiangshan). It is recommended to strengthen health education and vaccination coverage for children aged 5 years and under, and to implement dynamic surveillance and targeted interventions in key areas during high-incidence seasons, so as to reduce transmission and spread.
4.Effect of interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 ( IFITM1 ) upregulation to cytokine release syndrome in CAR-T-treated B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Mengyi DU ; Yinqiang ZHANG ; Chenggong LI ; Fen ZHOU ; Wenjing LUO ; Lu TANG ; Jianghua WU ; Huiwen JIANG ; Qiuzhe WEI ; Cong LU ; Haiming KOU ; Yu HU ; Heng MEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1242-1244
5.Application of platelet-rich plasma combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule in treatment of rats with knee osteoarthritis
Zhenhua CAI ; Muzhou XIAO ; Heng LUO ; Zhilan WU ; Li LI ; Cong LÜ
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(5):623-629
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma(PRP)combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule on rats with osteoarthritis(OA)and the changes in the levels of related factors.Methods:Anterior cruciate ligament transection was performed to establish a rat model of OA,and after modeling,the rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Xianling Gubao Capsule group,PRP group,and Xianling Gubao Capsule+PRP group,with 10 rats in each group.After intervention,ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α;knee articular cartilage was collected,and qPCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP3,MMP13,Col2,Aggrecan,and p-p38;Micro-CT was used to assess the changes in bones around the knee joint;HE staining and SF staining were used to observe the changes in knee articular cartilage.Results:ELISA showed that PRP combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule significantly reduced the serum levels of the inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05).The results of qPCR and Western blot showed that PRP combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule significantly reduced the expression levels of MMP3,MMP13,and p-p38 and increased the expression levels of Col2 and Ag-grecan in knee articular cartilage(P<0.05).Micro-CT,HE staining,and SF staining showed a certain degree of improvement in knee articular cartilage degeneration in the Xianling Gubao Capsule+PRP group(P<0.05).Conclusion:PRP combined with Xianling Gubao Capsule exerts a therapeutic effect on rats with OA,possibly by regulating the p38MAPK signaling pathway.
6.Clinical value of quality control circle activities in preventing deep vein thrombosis in military hospitals
Xile WEI ; Xuehui HU ; Hange SONG ; Meixia ZHANG ; Guang CHENG ; Heng LUO ; Desheng WANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(2):150-155
Objective To explore the clinical effect of quality control circle(QCC)activities on the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in inpatients in military hospitals.Methods A total of 318 patients who were diagnosed and treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January to December 2021 and 40 medical staff were enrolled in this study.Routine care was performed in 158 patients from January to June 2021,and QCC care was implemented in 160 patients from July to December 2021.The awareness of DVT prevention in medical staff and patients(or their famiy members)before and after QCC activities,lower limb DVT preventive measures taken by medical staff,and the occurrence of DVT were compared.Results The scores of the cause,clinical manifestations,nursing measures and preventive measures of DVT after QCC activities were significantly higher than those before QCC activities in both medical staff and patients(or their families)(P<0.05).The overall implementation rate of preventing lower limb DVT after QCC activities was significantly higher than that before QCC activities(94.14%vs.46.20%,P<0.05).The incidence of DVT after QCC activities was significantly lower than that before QCC activities(0.62%vs.5.06%,P<0.05).Conclusion Implementing QCC activities can improve the cognitive ability of military medical staff and patients(or family members)in DVT prevention,increase the implementation rate of DVT prevention measures,and reduce the incidence of DVT.
7.Correlations of Fib/Alb,sTLT-1 and NGAL in peripheral blood at admission with risk of poor prognosis in patients with acute thoracoabdominal trauma and their early warning values
Jucheng LIN ; Shigui LUO ; Qilun HE ; Zhihui HENG ; Shiguo WANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(18):91-96,116
Objective To investigate the correlations of fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio(Fib/Alb),soluble myeloid cell triggering receptor-like transcript factor-1(sTLT-1)and neutrophil gelatinase-as-sociated lipocalin(NGAL)in peripheral blood at admission with the risk of poor prognosis in patients with acute thoracoabdominal trauma and their early warning values.Methods A prospective study was conducted in 152 patients with acute thoracoabdominal trauma in the hospital from January 2022 to May 2024.The patients were divided into good prognosis group(n=120)and poor prognosis group(n=32)according to their prognosis.Baseline data and the levels of Fib/Alb,sTLT-1 and NGAL in peripheral blood at admission were compared between the two groups.The relationships between the levels of Fib/Alb,sTLT-1,and NGAL in peripheral blood at admission and the severity of trauma[the Circulation,Respiration,Abdomen,Movement,and Speech(CRAMS)score]and the risk of poor prognosis were analyzed.The early warning values of the levels of Fib/Alb,sTLT-1 and NGAL in peripheral blood at admission for the risk of poor prognosis were evaluated.Results The time from injury to admission in the poor prognosis group was longer than that in the good prognosis group,the CRAMS score,the Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score,and the levels of Fib,Alb and Fib/Alb in peripheral blood at admission in the poor prognosis group were lower than those in the good prognosis group,while the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score and the levels of sTLT-1 and NGAL in peripheral blood at admission were higher than those in the good prognosis group,with statistically significant between-group differences(P<0.05).The levels of Fib,Alb and Fib/Alb in peripheral blood at admission showed a decreasing trend,while the levels of sTLT-1 and NGAL showed an increasing trend in patients with mild,severe,and extremely severe trauma,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the level of Fib/Alb in peripheral blood at admission(r=0.839)was positively correlated with the CRAMS score,while the levels of sTLT-1 and NGAL(r=-0.832,-0.808)were negatively cor-related with the CRAMS score(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,the levels of Fib/Alb(OR=0.769),sTLT-1(OR=1.562)and NGAL(OR=1.575)in peripheral blood at admission were still independently correlated with the risk of poor prognosis(P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for the combined early warning of the risk of poor prognosis by the levels of Fib/Alb,sTLT-1,and NGAL in peripheral blood at admission was 0.918,which was superior to the early warning value of individual indicators(Z=2.992,2.291,2.082,P<0.05).Conclusion The levels of Fib/Alb,sTLT-1 and NGAL in peripheral blood are closely related to the severity of trauma and prognosis in patients with acute thoracoabdominal trauma.Combined detection has a certain ear-ly warning value for the risk of poor prognosis and can be used as potential factors for clinical assess-ment of trauma condition and early warning of the risk of poor prognosis.
8.Application of metagene next-generation sequencing of alveolar lavage fluid in the detection of pathogenic bacteria of pulmonary infection
He Zhang ; Xinyue Luo ; Xin Heng ; Yun Zhang ; Songping Wang ; Jun Deng
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1917-1923,1931
Objective:
To investigate the value of metagene next⁃generation sequencing ( mNGS) in the detection of pathogens in patients with pulmonary infection.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from 434 patients with pulmonary infections admitted over the past four years. Based on the presence of underlying comorbidities , patients were divided into underlying disease group (n = 262) and non⁃underlying disease group (n = 172) . Pathogen detection was conducted using both mNGS and conventional tests. Clinical and laboratory parameters , radiographic findings , and pathogen detection results were systematically analyzed. The diagnostic performance of the two methods in identifying causative pathogens of pulmonary infections was compared.
Results:
The positive rate of mNGS in 434 patients was higher than that of conventional tests , and the difference was statisti⁃cally significant (P < 0. 05) . The efficacy of mNGS in detecting bacteria and viruses was significantly higher than that of conventional tests , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Although the fungal detection rate of mNGS was higher than that of conventional tests , the difference was not statistically significant. Among them , the detection rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , Strepto⁃ coccus pneumoniae , Streptococcus constellation , Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus fumigatus were significantly higher than those of conventional tests , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Subgroup analy- sis showed that the proportion of males , hospital stay , smoking prevalence and average age in the underlying dis- ease group were higher than those in the non-underlying disease group , and the difference was statistically signifi- cant (P < 0. 05) , while there were no significant differences in antibiotic use and endotracheal intubation rate be- tween the two groups. The most common pathogens detected by mNGS in the underlying disease group were Myco⁃ bacterium tuberculosis , Haemophilus influenzae , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , human herpes⁃ virus type 4 and Aspergillus fumigatus , while the most common pathogens in the non-underlying disease group were Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Haemophilus influenzae , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Kleb⁃ siella pneumoniae. The positive rate of mNGS in the two groups was significantly higher than that of conventional tests , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) , while the difference in the positive rate of mNGS between the two groups was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
mNGS has significant advantages over con- ventional tests of pathogen in lung infection , and is less affected by underlying diseases , which can provide an etio- logical basis for lung infection.
9.Augmentation of PRDX1-DOK3 interaction alleviates rheumatoid arthritis progression by suppressing plasma cell differentiation.
Wenzhen DANG ; Xiaomin WANG ; Huaying LI ; Yixuan XU ; Xinyu LI ; Siqi HUANG ; Hongru TAO ; Xiao LI ; Yulin YANG ; Lijiang XUAN ; Weilie XIAO ; Dean GUO ; Hao ZHANG ; Qiong WU ; Jie ZHENG ; Xiaoyan SHEN ; Kaixian CHEN ; Heng XU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Cheng LUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):3997-4013
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage, accompanied by the accumulation of plasma cells, which contributes to its pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations occurring during plasma cell differentiation in RA can deepen our comprehension of its pathogenesis and guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, our study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying plasma cell differentiation by demonstrating that PRDX1 interacts with DOK3 and modulates its degradation by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This interaction results in the inhibition of plasma cell differentiation, thereby alleviating the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. Additionally, our investigation identifies Salvianolic acid B (SAB) as a potent small molecular glue-like compound that enhances the interaction between PRDX1 and DOK3, consequently impeding the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting plasma cell differentiation. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of developing chemical stabilizers for the PRDX1-DOK3 complex in suppressing plasma cell differentiation for RA treatment and establish a theoretical basis for targeting PRDX1-protein interactions as specific therapeutic targets in various diseases.
10.Structural insights into the distinct ligand recognition and signaling of the chemerin receptors CMKLR1 and GPR1.
Xiaowen LIN ; Lechen ZHAO ; Heng CAI ; Xiaohua CHANG ; Yuxuan TANG ; Tianyu LUO ; Mengdan WU ; Cuiying YI ; Limin MA ; Xiaojing CHU ; Shuo HAN ; Qiang ZHAO ; Beili WU ; Maozhou HE ; Ya ZHU
Protein & Cell 2025;16(5):381-385


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