Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) residing on the outer mitochondrial membrane is a pivotal factor participating in mitochondrial fusion and maintaining mitochondrial morphology. Due to its multifaceted cellular functions, MFN2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse maladies, notably type 2 Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which has catalyzed a surge in pharmaceutical endeavors directed towards MFN2. This article reviews the function of MFN2 and its role in a variety of diseases, outlines the current status of drug discovery against MFN2, and summarizes potential drug molecules currently in preclinical research, aiming to provide some reference for the research and development of drugs and therapies targeting MFN2.

To understand the progress of, summarize the lessons learned from and analyze the challenges in the national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2024, this article presented the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People’s Republic of China in 2024. By the end of 2024, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate schistosomiasis elimination achievements, and 7 provinces of Jiangsu, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi maintained the criteria of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. A total of 450 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2024, including 26 061 endemic villages covering 73 630 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 450 counties (cities, districts) endemic for schistosomiasis, 388 (86.22%) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 62 (13.78%) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption. In 2024, a total of 4 102 624 individuals received immunological tests for schistosomiasis in China, with 44 823 sero-positives identified (1.09% seroprevalence), and a total of 169 722 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 1 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 321 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2024. In 2024, a total of 575 686 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic villages of China, and 113 842 bovines received immunological tests, with 235 sero-positives detected (0.21% seroprevalence), while no egg-positives were identified among the 167 475 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2024, snail survey was performed covering an area of 680 498.27 hm² in China, and 190 778.66 hm² snail habitats were identified, including 59.09 hm² emerging snail habitats and 704.23 hm² reemerging snail habitats. In 2024, a total of 19 665 schistosomiasis patients receiving chemotherapy with praziquantel in China, and expanded chemotherapy was given to humans at 571 722 person-times and to bovines at 306 740 herd-times. In addition, snail control with chemical treatment covered 117 111.37 hm² snail habitats across China in 2024, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 66 562.95 hm², while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 374.26 hm². The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence rates of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both 0 among humans and bovines in China in 2024, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that the prevalence of schistosomiasis remained at a low level in China in 2024; however, the areas of snail habitats remained high and the number of fenced cattle showed a slight increase. To address these risks, it is imperative to maintain the integrated strategy with an emphasis on management of the source of S. japonicum infection and intensified snail control in high-risk areas, and to reinforce schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas.

Objective To investigate the role of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in trichloroethylene (TCE)-induced skin sensitization and liver damage in guinea pigs, using diallyl sulfide (DAS), a CYP2E1 inhibitor, as an intervention. Methods Specific pathogen-free female guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank control group, solvent control group, positive control (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene) group, TCE-exposure group, and DAS-intervention group. Skin sensitization experiments were conducted using the guinea pig TCE maximal dose-skin sensitization test. Urinary trichloroacetic acid levels were determined following TCE induction and challenge. At 48 hours after the final challenge, serum liver function markers and inflammatory cytokines levels were detected. Histopathological examination on skin and liver tissues was performed, and hepatic CYP2E1 protein expression and oxidative stress indicators were assessed. Results The sensitization rates of guinea pigs were 100.0%, 75.0%, and 33.3% in the positive control, TCE-exposure, and DAS-intervention groups, respectively, while the blank control and solvent control groups were both 0.0%. Compared with the guinea pigs in TCE-exposure group, those in the DAS-intervention group had lower urinary trichloroacetic acid levels at intradermal induction, local induction, first challenge, and 24 hours after the final challenge time point (all P<0.05). Histopathology of guinea pigs showed dermal inflammatory infiltration and basal keratinocyte necrosis in the TCE-exposure group, whereas only mild dermal inflammation was observed in the DAS-intervention group. The guinea pigs in TCE-exposure group exhibited diffuse hepatocellular necrosis, while hepatic damage in the DAS-intervention group was alleviated, characterized by only mild hepatocellular steatosis and hepatocyte swelling around the central vein. The skin sensitization rate of guinea pigs in the TCE-exposure group increased (all P<0.01), the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT )activity, the levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) increased (all P<0.05), the relative expression of CYP2E1 protein, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the level of malondialdehyde in liver tissue increased (all P<0.05), while the activity of catalase decreased (P<0.05), compared with the blank control and solvent control groups. The serum ALT activity and the levels of IL-2, IL-17, and TNF-α of guinea pigs in DAS-intervention group reduced (all P<0.05), as well as CYP2E1 protein expression, SOD activity, and malondialdehyde level in liver tissue reduced (all P<0.05), compared with the TCE-exposure group. Conclusion TCE can induce hepatic CYP2E1 expression, thereby promoting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which contributes to skin sensitization and liver damage. DAS alleviates TCE-induced toxic effects on skin and liver by inhibiting CYP2E1 expression.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huoxue Rongluo prescription （HXRLP） in repairing the blood-brain barrier （BBB） after ischemic stroke （IS）. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation （Sham） group， cerebral infarction model （MCAO） group， environmental circadian disruption with cerebral infarction model （ECD-MCAO） group， low-， medium-， and high-dose HXRLP （HXRLP-L， M， and H） groups （8.5， 17， 34 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， and positive drug butylphthalide （NBP） group （0.23 mL·d^-1）. In the Sham group， only the exposed blood vessels were isolated without suture insertion. In the other groups， the middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） model of mice was prepared. In the ECD-MCAO group， HXRLP groups， and NBP group， the environmental circadian disruption （ECD） model was prepared. The mice in the Sham group， MCAO group， and ECD-MCAO group were given the same volume of soybean oil by gavage， while those in the other groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. Samples were collected after 7 consecutive days of administration. The mNSS score was used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on neurological deficits after IS. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess the impact of HXRLP on the pathological damage of brain tissue after IS. 2，3，5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining and cerebral blood perfusion status were used to evaluate the repair effect of HXRLP on brain tissue damage after IS. Evans blue staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the improvement effect of HXRLP on the permeability injury of BBB after IS. Immunofluorescence （IF） staining was used to observe the expression of von Willebrand Factor （vWF）， brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 （Bmal1）， and Occludin in brain tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Bmal1， Occludin， tight junction protein （Claudin-5）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and angiopoietins（Ang）， and related analysis was conducted. ResultsCompared with the Sham group， the MCAO group exhibited significantly aggravated neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， brain pathological damage， and BBB leakage （P0.01） and significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）. The expression of Bmal1， vWF， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA）， and Ang in brain tissue was significantly enhanced （P0.01）， while the expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 was significantly weakened （P0.01）. Compared with the MCAO group， the ECD-MCAO group showed significantly aggravated neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， and BBB leakage （P0.01）， obviously worsened brain pathological damage （P0.05）， significantly reduced cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）， and significantly decreased expression of Bmal1， vWF， VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in brain tissue （P0.01）. Compared with the ECD-MCAO group， the HXRLP groups of all doses presented significantly improved neurological deficits， cerebral infarction volume， brain pathological damage， and BBB leakage （P0.01）， significantly increased cerebral blood perfusion （P0.01）， and enhanced expression levels of Bmal1， vWF， VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in brain tissue （P0.01）. ConclusionHXRLP can regulate the clock protein Bmal1 and promote the expression of VEGFA， Ang， Occludin， and Claudin-5， thereby improving BBB damage after IS.

Lymphatic metastasis is the main metastatic route for colorectal cancer, which increases the risk of cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. The properties of the lymph node metastatic colorectal cancer (LNM-CRC) cells are poorly understood, and effective therapies are still lacking. Here, we found that hypoxia-induced fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα) expression in LNM-CRC cells. Gain- or loss-function experiments demonstrated that FAPα enhanced tumor cell migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and lymphangiogenesis via activation of the STAT3 pathway. In addition, FAPα in tumor cells induced extracellular matrix remodeling and established an immunosuppressive environment via recruiting regulatory T cells, to promote colorectal cancer lymph node metastasis (CRCLNM). Z-GP-DAVLBH, a FAPα-activated prodrug, inhibited CRCLNM by targeting FAPα-positive LNM-CRC cells. Our study highlights the role of FAPα in tumor cells in CRCLNM and provides a potential therapeutic target and promising strategy for CRCLNM.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the toxicological mechanism of drug-induced liver injury(DILI) in rats induced by cantharidin(CTD). METHODS: SD rats were exposed to different doses of CTD(0.061 4, 0.092 1, 0.184 1 mg·kg−1) by oral gavage for 28 d. Liver index and serum liver function indictors were detected. HE staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes of liver. Then the proteins in endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS), autophagy, and apoptosis-pathway were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The liver index was increased in CTD groups. The ALT, AST, LDH, ALP and T-Bil were increased by CTD with a dose-dependent manner. Disrupted hepatic architecture and dilatation of central vein were observed after CTD intervention. The protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, ATF4, Beclin-1, LC3, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and Bax/Bcl-2 were increased after CTD intervention. Molecular docking results revealed that GRP78, ATF4, and Beclin-1 could directly interconnect with CTD. CONCLUSION CTD can activate ERS, autophagy and synergistically inducing downstream apoptosis in rat, providing a novel insight into the mechanism of CTD-induced DILI.

OBJECTIVE To explore the independent risk factors of voriconazole （VCZ）-related liver injury in elderly patients with hypoproteinemia. METHODS Elderly patients with invasive fungal infection and hypoproteinemia who were hospitalized in the respiratory intensive care unit of our hospital and treated with VCZ from August 2020 to July 2023 were selected. They were divided into group A （liver injury group） and group B （non-liver injury group） based on whether the liver injury occurred after using VCZ. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between minimum concentration （cmin） of VCZ and inflammatory factor[C-reactive protein （CRP）， procalcitonin （PCT）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）]， as well as liver function [alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （GGT）， total bilirubin （TBIL）]； univariate analysis was performed by using χ 2 test； Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting the occurrence of liver injury. RESULTS A total of 320 patients were included in the study， of whom 56 developed liver injury， with an incidence of 17.50%. The VCZ cmin in group A was significantly higher than group B （P＝ 0.021）. CRP， PCT， IL-6， and TBIL were correlated with VCZ cmin （P＜0.05）. CRP， PCT， IL-6， and TBIL had a significant impact on VCZ cmin （P＜0.05）. VCZ cmin， PCT， and TBIL were independent risk factors for liver injury （P＜0.05）. The patients with VCZ cmin≥3.76 mg/L had a significantly increased risk of liver injury. CONCLUSIONS VCZ cmin， PCT， and TBIL are independent risk factors for the occurrence of liver injury in elderly patients with hypoproteinemia. For patients with high PCT and TBIL， VCZ cmin and liver function should be closely monitored during VCZ treatment to reduce the risk of liver injury.

Objective To explore the characteristics and mechanism of phase separation between TAR DNA binding protein-43(TDP-43)and ubiquitin.Methods The TARDBP gene and its truncated genes were inserted into vectors to construct recombinant plasmids for expression and protein purification.The phase separation system of ubiquitin and TDP-43 was constructed in vitro.The characteristics of the droplets formed via liquid-liquid phase separation were observed by fluorescence microscopy.The plasmids of ubiquitin and TDP-43 were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to observe aggregates containing TDP-43 and ubiquitin and find out whether TDP-43 could be ubiquitinated.Results The GFP-8Ub,TDP-43 full-length(FL)and truncated proteins were purified.TDP-43 FL and C-terminal domain(CTD)proteins were able to form droplets via phase separation with ubiquitin.The droplets changed into solid-like aggregates after prolonged incubation.Insolvable aggregates containing TDP-43 and ubiquitin were formed.TDP-43 was ubiquitinated under stress conditions in HEK293T cells after being co-transfected with ubiquitin and TDP-43 recombinant plasmids.Conclusion TDP-43 undergoes co-phase separation with ubiquitin,mainly driven by the multivalent interaction between TDP-43′s CTD structural domain and ubiquitin.The droplets finally form aggregates with solid-like properties.Under stress conditions,especially when the protein homeostasis is disrupted,TDP-43 and ubiquitin form aggregates while TDP-43 is ubiquitinated.This study reveals the basic mechanism of TDP-43 co-phase separation with ubiquitin and liquid-solid transformation.

Objective:This study aims to explore the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients and the screening value of serological indicators for HEV infection patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on 97 440 cases of anti-HEV IgM and IgG simultaneously tested in two Beijing hospitals from January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2023. Among them, there were 61 005 males and 36 435 females, with an average age of 51.65±13.05 years old. According to the positivity of anti HEV specific antibodies, they were divided into anti-HEV IgM positive group (3 588 cases), anti-HEV IgG positive group (18 083 cases), and anti-HEV antibody negative group (78 892 cases). Results of HEV RNA, liver function, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ and PT were collected, and their basic clinical information were recorded. The prevalence of HEV infection in patients, as well as the relationship between the positivity of anti-HEV specific antibodies and the patient′s age group, HEV RNA, and clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results:Among 97 440 patients who tested anti-HEV IgM and IgG simultaneously, the positivity rate of anti-HEV IgM was 3.68% (3 588/97 440), and was 18.56% for anti-HEV IgG (18 083/97 440). The overall positivity rates of anti-HEV IgM in two Beijing hospitals from 2018 to 2023 were 2.51%, 2.53%, 3.02%, 4.59%, 5.72%, and 4.26% ( χ2=1 401.73, P<0.001), while the positivity rates of anti-HEV IgG were 12.56%, 12.32%, 12.85%, 22.65%, 27.42%, and 26.66% ( χ2=1 058.29, P<0.001). These rates showed a gradual increase until 2023 when a decline was observed. The positivity rates of anti-HEV IgM (2.28%, 3.60%, 4.47%) ( χ2=89.62, P<0.001) and IgG (4.71%, 17.86%, 25.94%) ( χ2=2 017.32, P<0.001) increased with age in patients who aged 1-30, >30-60, and over 60 years old. The age and ALB values of patients in the anti-HEV IgM positive group were lower than the IgG-positive group, while the proportion of males, TBIL, ALT, AFP and PT values were higher than the IgG-positive group, and the differences were statistically significance ( P<0.05). Furthermore, patients in both the anti-HEV IgM and IgG positive groups had higher age, male proportion, TBIL, ALT, AFP, PIVKA-Ⅱ, and PT values than the anti-HEV negative group. Additionally, both groups had lower ALB values than the anti-HEV negative group, all of which were statistically significant ( P<0.05). 2 162 HEV infected patients were grouped based on HEV RNA positivity. The proportion of anti-HEV IgM single positive, IgG single positive, IgM+IgG double positive, and antibody negative patients in the HEV RNA positive group were 5.42% (18/332), 3.62% (12/332), 90.36% (300/332), and 0.60% (2/332), respectively. Among them, the proportion of anti-HEV IgM+IgG double positive patients in the HEV RNA positive group was higher than that in the HEV RNA negative group ( χ2=302.87, P<0.001), while the proportion of anti-HEV IgG single positive ( χ2=174.36, P<0.001) and anti-HEV antibody negative patients ( χ2=59.28, P<0.001) were lower than that in the HEV RNA negative group, both of which were statistically significant ( P<0.001). In addition, the positive rates of HEV RNA in anti-HEV IgM positive, IgG positive, and antibody negative patients were 29.23% (318/1 088), 17.59% (312/1 774), and 0.65% (2/306), respectively. Conclusion:The HEV infection rate among patients declined in 2023. HEV infection is age-related, with older individuals being more susceptible. Abnormal liver function and jaundice were commonly observed during HEV infection. It is crucial to note that the absence of anti-HEV specific antibodies cannot rule out HEV infection; therefore, additional testing for HEV RNA and/or HEV Ag is necessary for accurate diagnosis.

To understand the progress of national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2023 and summarize the lessons and experiences, data on the endemic status of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People’s Republic of China were collected and analyzed at a national level. By the end of 2023, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan and Hubei provinces were identified to achieve the criteria of transmission interruption in 2020, and Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces achieved the criteria of transmission interruption in 2023. A total of 451 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2023, including 26 250 endemic villages covering 73 034 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 451 endemic counties (cities, districts), 78.49% (354/451) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 21.51% (97/451) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption, respectively. In 2023, a total of 4 216 643 individuals received immunological tests, with 47 794 sero-positives identified, and a total of 184 216 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 4 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 768 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2023. In 2023, 539 548 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and 125 440 bovines received immunological tests, with 124 sero-positives detected, while no egg-positives were identified among the 133 508 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2023, snail survey was performed at an area of 641 339.53 hm² and 184 819.77 hm² snail habitats were identified, including 51.53 hm² emerging snail habitats and 642.25 hm² reemerging snail habitats. In 2023, there were 20 198 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 598 183 person-time individuals and 283 954 herdtime bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2023, snail control with chemical treatment was performed in 116 347.95 hm² snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 690.89 hm², while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 334.62 hm². The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both zero among humans and bovines in 2023, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that transmission interruption of schistosomiasis had been achieved across all endemic provinces in China in 2023, and the endemic status of schistosomiasis tended to be stable, while advanced cases were predominant among all schistosomiasis cases. However, the areas of snail habitats remained high and cattle re-raising was very common in some regions. Intensified schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas are needed.