1.FGF21 overexpression upregulates SIRT1/GPX4 to inhibit ferroptosis and relieve CCl4 mouse acute liver injury
Xutao LING ; Qianqian HUANG ; Lun ZHANG ; Fang XIE ; Nan BAI ; Yingxia WANG ; Haoran HUA ; Haoze WANG ; Wenjing DAI ; Kexin LI ; Jianqing WANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(6):1053-1060
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of liver-targeted fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) overexpression against CCl₄-induced acute liver injury (ALI) and its association with silent information regulator 1/glutathione peroxidase 4 (SIRT1/GPX4) expression and ferroptosis-related markers. MethodsFemale ICR mice (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into Control, CCl₄, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-FGF21, and AAV-FGF21 + CCl4 groups. Liver-targeted FGF21 overexpression was achieved via tail vein injection of AAV8-FGF21 virus with green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeling. ALI was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ (0.3 mL/kg), with sample collection at 12 hours. Body weight and liver weight were recorded to calculate the liver weight/body weight. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured using a biochemical analyzer. FGF21 expression in liver tissues was detected by immunofluorescence. Hepatic histopathology was evaluated by HE staining. RT-qPCR was performed to assess mRNA expression of ferroptosis and iron metabolism-related genes (ACSL4, PTGS2, HJV, FPN, GPX4), FGF21, and SIRT1. Protein expression of FGF21, SIRT1, and GPX4 were determined by Western blot. Iron content, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver homogenate were quantified using assay kits. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the FGF21 mRNA and protein expression elevated in CCl4 group; serum ALT/AST levels and liver weight/body weigh increased. The HE staining results showed that the liver cell membranes were ruptured. The mRNA levels of ACSL4 and PTGS2, the iron content and MDA levels all increased (P<0.01). The mRNA levels of SIRT1, GPX4, HJV, and FPN, the GSH level and SOD activity all decreased (P<0.05), and the protein levels of SIRT1 and GPX4 both decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the CCl4 group, the serum levels of ALT and AST in the AAV-FGF21 + CCl4 group were decreased (P<0.01), and the liver/body ratio of mice decreased (P<0.01). The results of HE staining showed that the degree of liver injury was alleviated. The mRNA levels of ACSL4 and PTGS2, iron content and MDA level all decreased (P<0.01), while the mRNA levels of SIRT1, GPX4, HJV, FPN, GSH level and SOD activity all increased (P<0.05). The protein levels of SIRT1 and GPX4 both increased (P<0.05). ConclusionFGF21 overexpression is associated with enhanced SIRT1/GPX4 expression and suppression of ferroptosis features, thereby contributing to the alleviation of CCl4-induced ALI.
2.Advancements in Cell Membrane–Based Biomimetic Carriers for Antitumor Therapy
Jiahe WU ; Nan WANG ; Jianqing GAO ; Nengming LIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(12):973-979
Drug delivery technologies are crucial components in drug development, greatly enhancing drug bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxic side effects. Cell membrane-based biomimetic carriers have attracted considerable interest owing to their intrinsic biointeractive capability derived from source cells in vivo. This review summarizes the fundamental properties and functional attributes of cell membrane–based biomimetic carriers from different cellular sources and discusses their advancements in tumor-targeted drug delivery and role in the activation of antitumor immunity. Ultimately, the discussion focuses on the prospects and potential challenges in employing cell membrane-based biomimetic carriers for antitumor treatment.
3.Allergic profile characteristics and clinical application trends in patients undergoing immunotherapy for cat and dog hair allergens: a retrospective analysis from 2019 to 2023
Qing WANG ; Lisha LI ; Yan WANG ; Jia YIN ; Jianqing GU ; Jie ZHENG ; Yu LI ; Zhirong DU ; Kai GUAN
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(9):1407-1413
Objective:To investigate the clinical demand for subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with pet allergens and explore the sensitization characteristics of patients undergoing pet SCIT.Methods:A cross-sectional retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with pet allergies and treated with pet allergen SCIT in our outpatient clinic from January 2019 to December 2023. Patients were categorized into three groups based on the type of SCIT received: single-cat SCIT group, single-dog SCIT group, and combined cat-dog SCIT group.Results:A total of 931 patients were included, the age range was 5-65 years (median age of 30 years), with 283 male and 648 female. Among them, 67.7%( n=630) received single-cat SCIT, 10.9% ( n=102)received single-dog SCIT, and 21.4% ( n=199) received combined cat-dog SCIT. The number of patients receiving pet allergen SCIT increased annually. Patients in the single-dog SCIT group were significantly older than those in the other two groups ( H=41.329, P<0.001) and had a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis (91.2% vs. 96.5% and 98.5%; χ2=10.400, P=0.006). In the combined cat-dog SCIT group, the allergy rate to mold allergens was significantly higher than in the single-cat SCIT group (12.6% vs. 4.9%, χ2=13.965, P=0.001). In the single-dog SCIT group, the allergy rate to spring pollen allergens was significantly higher than in the other two groups ( χ2=15.731, P<0.001), and the allergy rate to autumn pollen allergens was significantly higher than in the single-cat SCIT group ( χ2=13.459, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in the dust mite allergy rate among the three groups( χ2=4.117, P=0.129). In the single-dog SCIT group, patients with asthma were significantly older than those without asthma (41.2 vs. 35.2 years old, t=-2.073, P=0.041). In both the single-cat and single-dog SCIT groups, the proportion of allergic rhinitis in the asthma group(91.2%,78.3%) was significantly lower than that in the non-asthma group(97.4%,94.9%) ( χ2=8.863,6.158; P=0.008,0.026). In the single-cat SCIT group, non-asthmatic patients were significantly more likely to receive SCIT combined with spring pollen allergens compared to asthmatic patients (23.9% vs. 11.0%, χ2=7.586, P=0.006). Conclusions:The demand for pet allergen SCIT has steadily increased over the years, with a predominance of female patients. Sensitization profiles varied among patients receiving SCIT for different pet allergens. This study comprehensively elucidates the clinical demand and sensitization characteristics of patients undergoing pet allergen SCIT, providing valuable reference data for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
4.Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 18 patients with plasmablastic lymphoma
Shanshan WENG ; Qing SHI ; Weili ZHAO ; Jianqing MI ; Li WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(9):865-869
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtype for which no standardized therapeutic regimen has been established in clinical practice. This study retrospectively analyzed 18 PBL cases at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from July 2012 to June 2024. Participants comprised 12 males and 6 females, with a median age of 59 (39–77) years. Twelve (66.7% ) cases presented at stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ, nine (50% ) have cytopenia, 12 (66.7% ) have increased lactate dehydrogenase level, and four (22.2% ) had a Ki-67 index of ≥90%. The tumor cells highly expressed CD38 (15/17, 88.2% ) /CD138 (12/17, 70.6% ), whereas the B-cell marker CD20 was rarely detected (1/17, 5.9% ). Of the 11 cases that underwent genetic sequencing, common mutations included TP53 (27.3% ), KMT2D (18.2% ), and TET2 (18.2% ). After excluding one patient with positive HIV who died without treatment, 17 patients received first-line therapy, achieving a complete response in 10 (58.8% ) and a partial response in 5 (29.4% ) cases. With the median follow-up time of 4.33 (0.17–12.17) years, Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the 2-year progression-free survival rate and overall survival rate were (68.5±11.2) % and (75.5±10.1) %, respectively.
5.Development, reliability, and validity of a treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with multiple myeloma
Chunyan SUN ; Zhen CAI ; Bing CHEN ; Lijuan CHEN ; Wenming CHEN ; Kaiyang DING ; Juan DU ; Rong FU ; Chengcheng FU ; Da GAO ; Guangxun GAO ; Yanjuan HE ; Jian HOU ; Ming JIANG ; Fei LI ; Jian LI ; Juan LI ; Zhenyu LI ; Aijun LIAO ; Jing LIU ; Jun LUO ; Jianmin LUO ; Yanping MA ; Jianqing MI ; Ting NIU ; Hongling PENG ; Yongping SONG ; Luqun WANG ; Rong ZHAN ; Xi ZHANG ; Yu HU
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(8):713-721
Objective:To develop a treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:The initial scale was constructed through a literature search, Delphi expert correspondence, and cognitive testing. This study conducted a preliminary survey of 379 patients with MM and a formal survey of 865 patients from the hematology departments of 155 hospitals nationwide from February 2024 to March 2024. The final scale was obtained after conducting item analysis and reliability and validity tests on the initial scale.Results:The constructed scale contains 36 items covering six domains: physiological, psychological, social, treatment side effects, general health, and others. In the preliminary survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.597 to 0.939, and the test-retest reliability was 0.747 ( P<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis extracted eight common factors with a cumulative variance contribution of 60.058%. In the formal survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.484 to 0.930, and the test-retest reliability was 0.835 ( P<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a comparative fit index of 0.750, a root-mean-square error of approximation of 0.090, and a root-mean-square residual of 0.067. Conclusion:The treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with MM designed in this study exhibited good reliability and validity, reflecting the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients. This scale can provide a reference to clinicians for assessing the disease status of patients.
6.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
7.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
8.Dimethyl fumarate alleviates DEHP-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in maternal rats during pregnancy through NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway
Yue Jiang ; Yun Yu ; Lun Zhang ; Qianqian Huang ; Wenkang Tao ; Mengzhen Hou ; Fang Xie ; Xutao Ling ; Jianqing Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):117-123
Objective :
To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate(DMF) on maternal intrahepatic cholestasis(ICP) during pregnancy induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) exposure and its mechanism.
Methods :
Thirty-two 8-week-old female institute of cancer research(ICR) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ctrl group, DEHP group, DMF group and DEHP+DMF group. DEHP and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DEHP(200 mg/kg) by gavage every morning at 9:00 a.m. DMF and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DMF(150 mg/kg) from day 13 to day 16 of gestation by gavage. After completion of gavage on day 16 of pregnancy, maternal blood, maternal liver, placenta, and amniotic fluid were collected from pregnant mice after a six-hour abrosia. The body weight of the mother rats and the body weight of the fetus rats were sorted and analyzed; the levels of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase(AST/ALT) in serum and TBA in liver, amniotic fluid and placenta were detected by biochemical analyzer; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) in the liver; Western blot was used to detect the expression of the nuclear factor KappaB(NF-κB) and NLRP3.
Results :
Compared with the control group, the body weight of the DEHP-treated dams and pups decreased(P<0.05); the levels of TBA, ALP, AST/ALT in the serum of dams and the levels of TBA in the liver, amniotic fluid, and placenta of dams increased(P<0.05); the histopathological results showed that liver tissue was damaged, bile ducts were deformed, and there was inflammatory cell infiltration around them; the levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NLRP3 transcription in maternal liver increased(P<0.05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the DEHP group,the body weight of both dams and fetuses significantly increased in DEHP + DMF group( P<0. 05); the levels of TBA,ALP,AST/ALT in the serum of dams and amniotic fluid of fetuses decreased( P<0. 05); the degree of liver lesions was improved; the transcription levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1,IL-18 and NLRP3 in maternal liver decreased( P<0. 05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly decreased( P<0. 05).
Conclusion
DMF can effectively protect the DEHP exposure to lead to female ICP,and its mechanism may be through inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and reducing liver inflammation.
9.A Randomized Controlled,Double-Blind Study on Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方) in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Blood-Heat Syndrome
Xuewen REN ; Yutong DENG ; Huishang FENG ; Bo HU ; Jianqing WANG ; Zhan CHEN ; Xiaodong LIU ; Xinhui YU ; Yuanwen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1679-1686
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方, HJF) in treating psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat syndrome. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group, with 30 cases in each. The treatment group received HJF granules orally, one dose a day, combined with topical Qingshi Zhiyang Ointment (青石止痒软膏), while the control group received placebo granules, one dose a day, combined with the same topical ointment. Both groups were topically treated twice daily of 28 days treatment cours. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), visual analogue scale for pruritus (VAS), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and psoriasis life stress inventory (PLSI) were assessed before treatment and on day 14 and day 28. Response rates for PASI 50 (≥50% reduction) and PASI 75 (≥75% reduction), as well as overall clinical efficacy, were compared between groups. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were measured before and after 28 days of treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. ResultsAfter 28 days of treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in PASI total score, lesion area score, erythema, scaling, and infiltration scores, pruritus VAS score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly greater improvements in PASI total score and erythema score, TCM syndrome score, serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels, and PASI 50 response rate after 28 days (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons of score differences before and after 28-day treatment revealed that the treatment group showed significantly better improvements in PASI total, lesion area score, erythema score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and inflammatory markers (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The total effective rate on day 14 and day 28 was 40.00% (12/30) and 83.33% (25/30) in the treatment group, versus 6.90% (2/29) and 41.38% (12/29) in the control group, respectively. The clinical efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Mild gastric discomfort occurred in 3 patients in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. ConclusionHJF can effectively improve skin lesions and TCM symptoms relieve pruritus, enhance quality of life, and reduce inflammatory markers IL-6 and IL-17, in patients with blood-heat syndrome of psoriasis vulgaris, with a good safety profile.
10.Analysis of influential factors and the construction of a risk prediction model for tigecycline-related drug-induced cholestatic liver disease
Lina LIU ; Jianqing WANG ; Lun ZHANG ; Jun YU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(20):2555-2560
OBJECTIVE To analyze the influential factors of drug-induced cholestatic liver disease (DIC) related to tigecycline (TGC), and establish a prediction model for the risk of this adverse reaction. METHODS Data of 707 hospitalized patients who received TGC treatment in our hospital from August 2022 to August 2024 were collected and randomly divided into training set (n=566) and test set (n=141) at a ratio of 8∶2. Prediction variables were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC, and a nomogram prediction model was drawn based on the above factors. The prediction performance of the model was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and its area under the curve (AUC). The accuracy of the model was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curves. The clinical net benefit of the prediction model were evaluated by decision curve analysis. RESULTS Among the 707 patients, 93 patients developed DIC, with an incidence rate of 13.15%. Gender, age, high-dose administration of TGC, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, duration of medication of TGC, and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole were independent risk factors for the occurrence of TGC-related DIC (P<0.05). The AUC of the training set model was 0.745 (95%CI: 0.687-0.801), with a sensitivity of 76.6% and a specificity of 60.3%. The AUC of ROC curve of the test set model was 0.762 (95%CI: 0.650-0.900), with a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 72.0%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test for the training set, the χ 2 value was 5.187 and P was 0.737; and for the test set, the χ 2 value was 9.980 and P was 0.266. The mean absolute error of the calibration curve for the training set was 0.012, and for the test set, it was 0.038. The risk threshold range for the training set was 4%-45%, and for the test set, it was 4%-28%. CONCLUSIONS Age, gender, high-dose administration of TGC, ICU admission, duration of medication of TGC, and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole are independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC. The established TGC-related DIC risk prediction model has good prediction performance and accuracy.


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