1.Mechanism by which KRT18 interacts with mRNA and long non-coding RNA to regulate intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cell injury
Zhongyuan LIU ; Yang LI ; Zhiwen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):312-321
BACKGROUND:Differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins in the intervertebral disc plays a key role in intervertebral disc degeneration,and decreased levels of the RNA-binding protein KRT18 are associated with degenerative disc disease,but its specific role in the nucleus pulposus cells has not yet been fully determined. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interaction of KRT18 with mRNA and long non-coding RNA on nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc and its mechanism. METHODS:Normal and degenerated nucleus pulposus cells were obtained from nucleus pulposus samples of patients undergoing interbody fusion for lumbar fracture or intervertebral disc degeneration.iRIP-seq,functional enrichment analysis,and DNA microarray analysis were performed to identify the mRNA and long non-coding RNA binding with KRT18.Subsequently,KRT18 was knocked down in nucleus pulposus cells based on the analysis results,and the expression levels of related genes were detected at the protein and RNA levels through protein immunoblotting and qRT-PCR,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Through iRIP-seq analysis,we identified abundant KRT18 binding sites within the GUAAUC and AGCCUC sequences,indicating that KRT18 may be involved in regulating RNA transcription,translation,stability or play a role in cell signaling pathways.It can stably bind to mature mRNA,among which highly expressed genes include CRLF1,IGFBP4,etc.At the same time,the peak genes of long non-coding RNA binding with it include SNHG25,SNHG12,NEAT1,USP32,EIF4A2 and CDH4.Most of these genes are involved in various biological processes such as apoptosis and inflammation,and can mediate related pathways of extracellular matrix metabolism.KRT18 can regulate their stability,transport,translation,splicing and other functions,thus affecting gene expression and cell function.We further verified through experiments the knockdown of KRT18 in nucleus pulposus cells,and found that the level of extracellular matrix metabolism was inhibited and unbalanced,resulting in intervertebral disc degeneration in vitro.This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of KRT18 from the perspective of its binding with mRNA and long non-coding RNA for the first time,and speculated the potential function of KRT18 in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration,laying a foundation for future research on the key functions of KRT18.
2.Modified Ditan Tang Regulates Biorhythm-related Genes in Rat Model of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Zhiwen PANG ; Yu LIU ; Nan SONG ; Jie WANG ; Jingxuan ZHU ; Zhen HUA ; Yupeng PEI ; Qun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):115-124
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Ditan tang on genes related to the transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) of biorhythm in the rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of NAFLD. MethodsSixty-five healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned into blank (n=20), model (n=15), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (2.68, 5.36, and 10.72 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) modified Ditan tang (n=10) groups. Other groups except the blank group were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The modified Ditan tang groups were treated with the decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and the blank and model groups were treated with an equal volume of normal saline from the 9th week for 4 weeks. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. TG and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) assay kits were used to measure the levels of TG and NEFA in the liver. The pathological changes in the hypothalamus and liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the lipid deposition in the liver was observed by oil red O staining. The levels of brain-muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (BMAL1/ARNTL) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of BMAL1, circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), period circadian clock 2 (PER2), and cryptochrome1 (Cry1) in the hypothalamus and liver were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, AST, and ALT (P<0.01) and a lowered level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, elevated levels of TG and NEFA in the liver (P<0.01), pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, and a large number of vacuoles in the brain area. In addition, the model group showed lipid deposition in the liver, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. Compared with the model group, all the three modified Ditan tang groups showed lowered levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, and AST (P<0.05, P<0.01) and an elevated level of HDL-C (P<0.05) in the serum, and lowered levels of TG and NEFA (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver. Furthermore, the three groups showed alleviated pyknosis and deep staining of hypothalamic neuron cells, reduced lipid deposition in the liver, down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Cry1 and PER2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hypothalamus and liver. ConclusionModified Ditan tang can reduce lipid deposition in the liver and regulate the expression of CLOCK, BMAL1, Cry1, and PER2 in the TTFL of NAFLD rats.
3.Facilitators and barriers of implementation of educational guidance intervention program for orthokeratology lens wearing: a qualitative study
Jun LIU ; Jingyu YAN ; Jinping HU ; Lili ZHENG ; Wei CHEN ; Siqi MI ; Zhiwen WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(33):4558-4562
Objective:To explore the facilitators and barriers in implementing the orthokeratology lens-wearing education guidance program from the perspectives of children, their families, and medical and nursing staff.Methods:Based on phenomenological research, purposive sampling was used to select five medical workers, 18 children wearing orthokeratology lenses and family members from the Optometry Center of Peking University Third Hospital as interviewees for semi-structured interviews. Colaizzi's 7-step method was used to analyze interview data.Results:Two themes (facilitators and barriers) were extracted, among which facilitators included two sub-themes (strong demand for educational guidance, trust in medical and nursing staff), and barriers consisted of two sub-themes (patient factors, external support factors) .Conclusions:In promoting the educational guidance intervention program for wearing orthokeratology lenses, medical and nursing staff need to fully play the role of facilitators, analyze and solve barriers, and ultimately promote the smooth implementation of the intervention program.
4.The impact of metformin on marginal bone loss at the edge of implants in patients with type 2 diabetes mel-litus and exercise habit
Huan TIAN ; Zhiwen SHAO ; Guoqiang ZHAO ; Zian YI ; Zijun CHEN ; Yuxi WANG ; Banglian DENG ; Yingliang SONG ; Xiangdong LIU
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(6):775-782
Objective:To study the effects of metformin on marginal bone resorption of implants in patients with type 2 diabetes melli-tus(T2DM)and exercise habit.Methods:63 cases with 73 implants were included.Among them,there were 41 cases(47 implants)without T2DM in group N,10 cases(13 implants)with T2DM and without exercise habit in group M,12 cases(12 implants)with T2DM and exercise habit in the MR group.The patients were followed up at 6 months,1 and 2 years after implantation.The marginal bone loss(MBL).Implantation success rate and peri-implantitis incidence rate were compared among the groups.Results:The bone resorption of the proximal and median margins of the long-term bone level of the implants in the N and MR groups were significantly lower than that in the M group(P=0.001 and P=0.000 5,respectively).The implant success rates of group N,MR and M were 95.74%,100%and 76.92%,respectively.The incidence of peri-implantitis of the three groups was 2.13%,0 and 15.38%,respec-tively.Conclusion:Metformin is more effective in the improvement of the long-term marginal bone resorption of implants,increase the success rate of implants,and reduce the incidence of peri-implantitis in patients with T2DM and exercise habit in the mandibular first molar area.
5.Recent advances in subtyping of biliary tract carcinoma
Zhiwen LIN ; Hongzhi LIU ; Yongyi ZENG
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2024;29(2):114-120
Biliary tract carcinoma exhibits high heterogeneity at the genomic,epigenetic,and molecular expression levels.The patients even with the same pathological morphology and clinical stage of biliary tract malignant tumors have substantial differences in the treatment response and prognosis.Traditional pathological histology and clinical classifications are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the precision medicine era.Molecular subtyping has the potential to provide more personalized cancer treatment strategies.It not only helps to reveal the mechanisms of tumor development and accurately predict disease prognosis,but also plays a crucial role in guiding the development of novel targeted drugs and implementing targeted therapies for specific tumors.With the ongoing development of precision medicine,the role of molecular subtyping in cancer diagnosis,treatment option,and prognosis assessment is increasingly prominent.This paper systematically reviewed the recent progress in the molecular subtyping of biliary tract malignant tumors based on domestic and international clinical and basic research.
6.Quality evaluation of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction based on UPLC fingerprint and multi-index determination
Fangping ZHANG ; Cuijie WEI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Wenkai XIE ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Zhiwen DUAN ; Yongwei FENG ; Minyou HE ; Roushan CHEN ; Dongmei SUN ; Lin ZHOU ; Zhenyu LI
China Pharmacist 2024;28(11):397-405
Objective To establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)fingerprint and multi-index content determination method of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction.Methods 15 batches of Siraitiae fructus from different producing areas were collected,Siraitiae fructus standard decoction was prepared according to Technical Requirements for Quality Control and Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules,and the extract rate was calculated.UPLC was used to establish the fingerprint of 15 batches of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction and determine the contents of 11-O-mogroside V,kaempferitrin and mogroside V,which were the main effective components.The chemometrics analysis was used to evaluate the quality of Siraitiae fructus standard decoction and find possible quality markers.Results The extraction rate of 15 batches Siraitiae fructus standard decoction ranged from 24.79%to 34.95%.There were 16 common peaks in the fingerprint,and 4 components were identified.The Siraitiae fructus standard decoction was divided into 2 categories by chemometrics analysis,among which samples from Liuzhou,Guangxi were in one category and samples from Guilin,Guangxi were in another category.Seven differential markers were screened out under the condition of variable importance projection value,and the order was as follows:peak 8>peak 7>peak 5>peak 12(kaempferitrin)>peak 1>peak 13>peak 4.The contents of kaempferitrin,11-O-mogroside V and mogroside V in samples from Guilin,Guangxi were slightly higher than those in samples from Liuzhou,Guangxi.Conclusion The UPLC fingerprint and content determination method established in this study are feasible,which can provide a basis for the quality evaluation of Siraitiae fructus.The results of principal component analysis show that kaempferol is likely to become a quality marker of Siraitiae fructus.
7.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine intervening in esophageal cancer by microRNA regulation
Zhiwen SHEN ; Liqun LI ; Mingyao XU ; Xin LIU ; Jing HUANG ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Jiaqi YIN ; Sheng XIE
China Pharmacy 2024;35(8):1016-1022
Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system with an extremely poor prognosis. MicroRNA (miRNA) is an important regulator in tumor occurrence and development, and can participate in malignant biological behaviors such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis. Traditional Chinese medicine has the characteristics of accurate curative effects, wide range of effects, and few side effects. The review uses miRNA as the entry point to systematically elaborate on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine-mediated miRNA intervening in EC. The results showed that active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (including curcumin, Tussilago farfara polysaccharides, Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharides and ophiopogonin B) and Dougen guanshitong oral liquid could up-regulate the expressions of miRNAs such as miRNA-532-3p (miR-532-3p), miR-551b-3p, miR-99a, miR-34a, miR-199a-3p and miR-377; and the active ingredients/parts of traditional Chinese medicine (including chrysin and Actinidia arguta extract), and Chinese herbal formulas (including Chaihu shugan san combined with Xuanfu daizhe decoction and Modified jupi zhuru decoction) could down-regulate the expressions of miRNAs such as miR-199a-3p, miR-451 and miR-21, which could regulate the expressions of signaling pathways (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, etc.) or their downstream protein(zinc-finger and homeobox protein 1, etc.) or enzymes(thymidine kinase-1, etc.), inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of EC cells and induce apoptosis, thereby ultimately achieving the purpose of preventing the disease from aggravating.
8.Study on quality evaluation of Buddleja officinalis from different habitats based on HPLC fingerprint and content determination
Cuijie WEI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Zhiwen DUAN ; Yongwei FENG ; Xiaozhou JIA ; Yueyi LIANG ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Dongmei SUN ; Zhenyu LI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(2):215-221
Objective:To establish UPLC fingerprint method and 2 contents determination methods of Buddleja officinalis; To provide a reference for improving the quality control standard and evaluation of Buddleja officinalis from different habitats.Methods:UPLC method was used to establish the fingerprints of 17 batches of Buddleja officinalis. The similarity evaluation, clustering analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to compare the quality differences of Buddleja officinalis from different habitats. The contents of acteoside and linarin in Buddleja officinalis were determined.Results:There were 12 common peaks in UPLC fingerprints of Buddleja officinalis, six of which were identified as echinacoside, acteoside, cynaroside, isoacteoside, linarin, and apigenin. The fingerprint similarity of 17 batches of Buddleja officinalis was more than 0.9; Buddleja officinalis from different habitats were classified into 2 groups. Five differential markers were determined by OPLS-DA analysis. The order of significance was acteoside > peak 3 > echinacoside > isoacteoside > linarin. Edgeworthia chrysantha was identified by the method of fingerprint as counterfeit. The results of content determination showed that the content of Buddleja officinalis in Hubei and Sichuan was the high and stable.Conclusion:The method can effectively analyze the differences of Buddleja officinalis from different habitats, and provide reference for the quality control of Buddleja officinalis.
9.Phosphatidic acid-enabled MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration: Translational implication in liver failure.
Jiawen ZHOU ; Xinyue SUN ; Xuelian CHEN ; Huimin LIU ; Xiulian MIAO ; Yan GUO ; Zhiwen FAN ; Jie LI ; Yong XU ; Zilong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):256-272
Liver regeneration following injury aids the restoration of liver mass and the recovery of liver function. In the present study we investigated the contribution of megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1), a transcriptional modulator, to liver regeneration. We report that both MKL1 expression and its nuclear translocation correlated with hepatocyte proliferation in cell and animal models of liver regeneration and in liver failure patients. Mice with MKL1 deletion exhibited defective regenerative response in the liver. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that MKL1 interacted with E2F1 to program pro-regenerative transcription. MAPKAPK2 mediated phosphorylation primed MKL1 for its interaction with E2F1. Of interest, phospholipase d2 promoted MKL1 nuclear accumulation and liver regeneration by catalyzing production of phosphatidic acid (PA). PA administration stimulated hepatocyte proliferation and enhanced survival in a MKL1-dependent manner in a pre-clinical model of liver failure. Finally, PA levels was detected to be positively correlated with expression of pro-regenerative genes and inversely correlated with liver injury in liver failure patients. In conclusion, our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration. Screening for small-molecule compounds boosting MKL1 activity may be considered as a reasonable approach to treat acute liver failure.
10.Role of NF-κB Signaling Pathway in "Reflux Esophagitis-esophageal Cancer" and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention:A Review
Mingyao XU ; Liqun LI ; Xin LIU ; Zhiwen SHEN ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Jiaqi YIN ; Zhu LIU ; Sheng XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):221-233
Reflux esophagitis is an inflammatory disease of esophageal mucosa damage caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Its incidence is on the rise, and it has become an important precancerous disease of esophageal cancer. Studies have shown that the continuous inflammatory response stimulates the esophageal mucosa, causing abnormal proliferation of esophageal epithelial cells and damage to esophageal mucosal tissue, which eventually leads to the occurrence of heterogeneous hyperplasia and even carcinogenesis. The nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway is one of the most classical inflammatory and cancer signaling pathways. It has been found that abnormal activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway is crucial to the development and prognosis of reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer. It is widely involved in the proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammatory response of esophageal epithelial cells and tumor cells, accelerating the transformation of reflux esophagitis to esophageal cancer and making it a potential target for the treatment of reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer. Currently, there is no specific treatment for reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer, and large side effects often appear. Therefore, finding a promising and safe drug remains a top priority. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine scholars have conducted a lot of research on NF-κB signaling pathway, and the results indicate that NF-κB signaling pathway is an important potential target for traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer, but there is a lack of comprehensive and systematic elaboration. Therefore, this paper summarized the relevant studies in recent years, analyzed the relationship among NF-κB signaling pathway, reflux esophagitis, esophageal cancer, and transformation from inflammation to cancer, and reviewed the research literature on the regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer, so as to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer.

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