1.Research progress of CRISPR/Cas9 in genetically inherited eye diseases
Zhangyu LIU ; Xun QIN ; Jiayu HUANG ; Qin JIANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):912-917
Currently, researchers have identified several mutated genes associated with hereditary eye diseases; however, effective therapeutic options remain scarce. The emergence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)and its associated proteins(CRISPR-associated proteins, Cas)offers a promising approach for treating these diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 enables precise targeting and modification of specific genetic sequences, allowing for the correction of mutated genes, as well as knockout or replacement of pathogenic genes to achieve therapeutic effects. In ophthalmology, CRISPR/Cas9 has been applied to various hereditary eye disorders, including corneal dystrophy, congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. Additionally, significant progress has been made to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 to develop disease models. Therefore, it has great potential for clinical applications. However, challenges such as delivery efficiency and off-target effects remain. This review summarizes the mechanism of CRISPR/Cas9, its applications in genetic eye diseases and disease models, as well as the existing challenges, aiming to provide new insights for treatment.
2.Effects of astragaloside Ⅳ on arterial endothelial tissue damage in rats with intracranial aneurysm
Qiang CAI ; Liuqing LIU ; Jiayu TANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1617-1621
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ(AST) on the injury of arterial endothelial tissue in rats with intracranial aneurysms (IA), and to explore its mechanism of action based on the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/nucleotide- binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. METHODS Rats were divided into Sham group (intragastric administration and intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline), IA group (intragastric administration and intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline), AST low-dose group (AST-L group, intragastric administration of 40 mg/kg AST), AST high-dose group (AST-H group, intragastric administration of 80 mg/kg AST), AST-H+HY-N2485 group [intragastric administration of 80 mg/kg AST and intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg HY-N2485 (activator of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway)]. They were given relevant medicine, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. After last medication, the levels of inflammatory factors [serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-6] and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin (ET) were detected; the morphology of IA was observed; the expressions of von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway related proteins in vascular tissue were also determined. RESULTS Compared with the Sham group, the basilar arterial ring of rats in the IA group had obvious protrusions, and the arterial vascular endothelial cells were significantly damaged. The levels of inflammatory factors, VEGF and ET in serum, as well as the expression levels of vWF, VCAM-1 and NLRP3 proteins and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB protein in vascular tissues were increased significantly (P< 0.05). Aneurysms and ruptures of the internal elastic layer were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the expression level of eNOS protein was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with IA group, the morphology of IA and the levels of above indexes were all improved significantly in AST-L and AST-H groups (P<0.05),and the improvement in the AST-H group was more significant than that in the AST-L group (P<0.05); HY-N2485 could attenuate the improvement effect of AST on vascular endothelial tissue damage in IA rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS AST may inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors, alleviate inflammation and vascular endothelial tissue damage in IA rats by inhibiting NF- κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting the formation of IA. active_999@sina.com
3.Interpretation of advances in immune therapy for non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress
Wen LIU ; Jiayu LU ; Xuxu ZHANG ; Xinyao XU ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Guizhen LI ; Bo BAO ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1063-1071
The 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) convened in Paris, France, centering on the optimization and innovation of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Key topics at the congress included the application strategies for perioperative immunotherapy, breakthroughs in combination therapy models for advanced NSCLC, and the emerging roles of biomarkers in predicting diverse treatment outcomes. This paper integrates data from several key pivotal studies to systematically analyze the clinical value of neoadjuvant therapy within the perioperative setting, the potential of targeted combination regimens, and the challenges of managing drug resistance, thus offering new directions for clinical practice.
4.The Connotation and Clinical Significance of “Spleen Governs Time” based on the Zangxiang (藏象) Time-space View
Ruochong WANG ; Shuran MA ; Yike SUN ; Yuxiao QIN ; Jiayu WEN ; Yawen ZHANG ; Ran GAO ; Leilei LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):121-127
There are different views on the theory of “spleen governs time”, which is still a hot spot in the study of Zangxiang (藏象) theory. Based on Zangxiang time-space view, it is found that the thinking mode of the spleen governing time theory follows space-time logic. It is believed that the different time views of the spleen governing time are all formed based on the space view that the spleen belongs to earth and resides in the center, and the zang time theory is developed with the unified time and space logic. Guided by Zangxiang time-space view, the origin of the spleen belonging to earth and residing in the center is traced, and the theoretical connotation and its clinical application of spleen governing time under different time-space logic are explored with reference to the four season and five zang theory, five season and five zang theory, six season and six zang theory, and eight season and eight zang theory.
5.GPCR-Gs mediates the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 against oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation-induced astrocyte injury
Xi Wang ; Ying Liu ; Juan Li ; Jiayu Xie ; Yi Dai ; Minke Tang
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2024;11(1):33-43
Objectives:
To investigate whether the protective actions of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) on astrocytes are mediated through the Gs-type G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR-Gs).
Methods:
Primary astrocyte cultures derived from neonatal mouse brain were used. Astrocyte injury was induced via oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R). Cell morphology, viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, apoptosis, glutamate uptake, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) secretion were assessed to gauge cell survival and functionality. Western blot was used to investigate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways. GPCR-Gs-specific inhibitors and molecular docking were used to identify target receptors.
Results:
Rb1 at concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 5 μM did not significantly affect the viability, glutamate uptake, or BDNF secretion in normal astrocytes. OGD/R reduced astrocyte viability, increasing their LDH leakage and apoptosis rate. It also decreased glutamate uptake and BDNF secretion by these cells. Rb1 had protective effects of astrocytes challenged by OGD/R, by improving viability, reducing apoptosis, and enhancing glutamate uptake and BDNF secretion. Additionally, Rb1 activated the cAMP and Akt pathways in these cells. When the GPCR-Gs inhibitor NF449 was introduced, the protective effects of Rb1 completely disappeared, and its activation of cAMP and Akt signaling pathways was significantly inhibited.
Conclusion
Rb1 protects against astrocytes from OGD/R-induced injury through GPCR-Gs mediation.
6.Neuroprotective Effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Neuroinflammation in Mice Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Jiayu XIE ; Yushu LIU ; Feiya ZHU ; Minke TANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):81-89
ObjectiveTo observe the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in mice and to preliminarily investigate its mechanism of action. MethodSeventy ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection group, and low-dose, high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 groups, with 14 mice in each group. A mouse brain neuroinflammation model was prepared using the LPS dose escalation method, starting with a dose of 1 mg·kg-1 and administered via intraperitoneal injection every 48 h (every other morning). Each subsequent dose increased by 2 mg·kg-1, for a total of 7 injections, culminating in a final dose of 13 mg·kg-1. The dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection group received an intraperitoneal injection at 5 mg·kg-1·d-1. The low-dose and high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 groups were given intraperitoneal injections at 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 and 20 mg·kg-1·d-1, respectively, while the blank and model groups received the same volume of normal saline for 14 days. The behavioral activity of LPS mice was observed, anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the Y-maze and elevated plus maze, and brain levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neuronal damage of microglia, and the activation status of microglia and astrocytes in the brain were assessed using immunofluorescence staining. The protein expression of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in mouse brain were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in the Y-maze and elevated plus maze (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly elevated levels of MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the brain (P<0.01), a significant decrease in the number of neuronal positive cells in the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus CA1 region (P<0.01), significant activation of microglia and astrocytes (P<0.01), and a significant increase in the expression of phosphorylated PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB proteins (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the ginsenoside Rb1 low-dose and high-dose groups showed significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the Y-maze and elevated plus maze (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly decreased levels of MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the brain (P<0.01), a significant increase in the number of neuronal positive cells in the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus CA1 region (P<0.01), significant inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation (P<0.05, P<0.01), and a significant decrease in the expression of phosphorylated PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGinsenoside Rb1 has neuroprotective effects on LPS-induced inflammation in mice, which may involve the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
7.Mechanism of Qingxuan Runmu Yin in the treatment of dry eye based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology
Ying LIU ; Shanshan ZHAO ; Jiayu HUANG ; Jing YAO
International Eye Science 2024;24(10):1529-1535
AIM: To investigate the mechanism of action of Qingxuan Runmu Yin(QRY)in the treatment of dry eye(DE)based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology, and to validate the efficacy and key targets of QRY through a animal model of DE.METHODS:RNA-sequencing(RNA-seq)technology was used to detect differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between mice in the DE group and mice in the normal control group, the active ingredients and potential targets of QRY were screened through database, and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were carried out after overlapping the results and obtaining key targets. Additionally, “drug-component-target signaling pathways” network was built and the protein-protein interaction(PPI)was analyzed. Mice were examined for Schirmer I test(SⅠt), tear film breakup time(BUT), and corneal fluorescein staining(FL)every 7 d from the beginning of the animal experiments. Hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE)was performed to observe pathologic changes in mouse corneal tissues. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)were performed to verify the mRNA and protein expression levels of the core targets in mouse corneal tissues.RESULTS:Totally 2 234 DEGs, 233 active ingredients and 457 related targets of QRY were collected, with a total of 64 key targets obtained. GO function and KEGG pathway results showed that QRY was closely related to inflammatory mediators, and 19 core targets such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β)were screened by PPI network construction; SⅠt, BUT and FL results in the QRY group were statistically significantly different compared with the model group(all P<0.05); HE staining showed that corneal epithelial cell stratification was disordered and the corneal morphology was changed in the model group. However, QRY treatment significantly improved corneal morphology and disordered stratification, with a close morphology to the blank group; ELISA, Western blot and qRT-PCR results showed that the protein expression and RNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)in the QRY group showed a decreasing trend compared with the model group.CONCLUSION: Through the combination of multiple components, multiple targets and multiple pathways, QRY regulated the targets such as IL-6, IL-1β and TNF through quercetin and other main components, thereby inhibiting AGE-RAGE/TNF/IL-17 and other signaling pathways, thus achieving the treatment on DE.
8.Analysis of factors influencing the effect of Toric intraocular lens on corneal astigmatism
International Eye Science 2024;24(12):1922-1926
Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation is currently one of effective methods for treating cataracts. As cataract surgery technology has evolved, traditional cataract surgery has shifted from vision surgery to refractive surgery. The Toric IOL can significantly reduce corneal astigmatism and enhance patients' postoperative visual effects. However, the corrective impact of Toric IOL is influenced by numerous factors, including the accuracy of preoperative biometric measurements, selection of appropriate Toric IOL calculation formulas, the precision of implantation axis, surgical incision design, and rotational stability of the Toric IOL. This article will review the factors that influence the Toric IOL's effect on corneal astigmatism.
9.Influence of geometric factor on detection efficiency in low-background α/β radioactivity measurement
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(2):183-188
Objective To study the influence of the radius of the active zone of the plane source and the horizontal distance between the source center and the center of the detection window on the detection efficiency of low-background α/β measuring instruments. Methods The geometric factor was calculated under different conditions in MATLAB, and a traceable plane source was used to test and analyze two commonly used measuring instruments. Results With the other parameters unchanged, when the radius of the active zone R1 = 9 mm, the G value was greatest; and when the horizontal distance a = 0 mm, the G value was greatest. According to the calculation formula of the verification regulation, for the 90Sr-90Y planar source, at the maximum value of a, the detection efficiency of FYFS-400X was 1.2% lower, and that of MPC-9604 was 3.2% lower; for the 241Am planar source, the detection efficiency of MPC-9604 was 1.9% lower at the maximum value of a. Conclusion The geometric factor decreases with the increase in the radius of the active zone and the horizontal distance between the source center and the center of the detection window. At the central position, the geometric factor has less influence on the relative standard uncertainty of detection efficiency. When using a standard plane source for counting, measures should be taken to ensure that the plane source is always centrally located in the sample tray.
10.Establishment of HPLC fingerprint of Shuangdong capsules and the spectral effect relationship of its anti-inflammatory effect
Xingcun LIU ; Michan ZHANG ; Qingqing YAO ; Jiayu HUANG ; Lei TANG ; Jun WU ; Li LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(9):1094-1099
OBJECTIVE To establish HPLC fingerprint of Shuangdong capsules, and to study the spectral effect relationship of its anti-inflammatory effect. METHODS The fingerprints of 15 batches of Shuangdong capsules were established by HPLC,and the similarity evaluation was carried out; the foot swelling model was established to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Shuangdong capsules. The gray correlation analysis method was used to construct the spectral effect relationship for the anti- inflammatory effect of Shuangdong capsules using the swelling rate of rat foot and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in right hindfoot tissues as the pharmacodynamic indexes of anti-inflammatory effects. RESULTS Overall 15 batches of Shuangdong capsules identified 20 common peaks, the similarities were all greater than 0.97, and a total of 8 chromatographic peaks were identified. According to the gray correlation analysis, the correlation degrees between the peak area and the foot swelling rate and the levels of MDA, SOD, PGE2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α in 15 batches of Shuangdong capsules were 0.621 1- 0.783 5, 0.564 3-0.827 9, 0.581 0-0.845 3, 0.564 9-0.855 0, 0.583 1-0.856 4, 0.576 5-0.863 5, 0.564 1-0.838 0 and 0.572 5- 0.851 3, respectively. Among them, the chemical components represented by peak 4 (geniposidic acid), peak 10 (chlorogenic acid) and the chemical composition represented by peak 2 were strongly correlated with anti-inflammatory efficacy indicators. CONCLUSIONS In this study, HPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of Shuangdong capsules were successfully established. Among them, geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid may be its anti-inflammatory ingredients.


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