1.Endothelial progenitor cell and mesenchymal stem cell therapy for vascular stent-associated diseases
Qingyin LI ; Linhua LI ; Chunle ZHANG ; Ping FU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4091-4101
BACKGROUND:With advancements in stem cell research,the therapeutic efficacy of adult stem cells such as endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells in atherosclerosis and complications arising from atherosclerosis and vascular stent implantation is gradually being recognized.Due to the limitations of intravenous infusion of adult stem cells,including poor targeting and low treatment efficiency,recent research has focused on surface modification of vascular stents to achieve localized aggregation and functional modulation of endothelial progenitor cells or mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the therapeutic progress of endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells in vascular stent-related diseases,summarize the research status of the design of vascular stents based on endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Relevant literature was retrieved on CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,and Web of Science databases since their inception.The Chinese search terms were"endothelial injury,stenting,thrombosis,intimal hyperplasia,atherosclerosis,endothelial repair,endothelial progenitor cell,mesenchymal stem cell,vascular stent."English search terms were"endothelial injury,stenting,thrombosis,intimal hyperplasia,atherosclerosis,endothelial repair,endothelial regeneration,endothelial progenitor cell,mesenchymal stem cell,vascular stent,vascular scaffold."According to inclusion and exclusion criteria,127 articles were finally reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells can treat atherosclerosis and complications of stent implantation through differentiation and paracrine effects,mainly by protecting endothelial cells,regulating the expression of inflammatory cells and cytokines,and modulating smooth muscle cell proliferation and phenotype.Mesenchymal stem cells may have adverse reactions such as thrombosis and vascular calcification in therapeutic applications,and using extracellular vesicles and co-administration with heparin for surface modification is a feasible solution.Currently,there is more research on stents based on endothelial progenitor cells,mainly focusing on recruitment,capture,proliferation,differentiation,and activity.Research on stents based on mesenchymal stem cell capture in the vascular field is relatively scarce,but exosome-loaded stents derived from mesenchymal stem cells have been found to have highly effective therapeutic efficacy.Additionally,some underlying diseases such as diabetes may affect the activity of adult stem cells,leading to the loss of effectiveness in stem cell-based stent designs.Therefore,in future stent designs,consideration should be given to the background diseases.
2.Connotation and Clinical Application of "The Nature of Cold and Heat Complex Syndrome is Cold": from the Perspective of Zang-Fu (脏腑) Wind-Damp Theory
Tong LIN ; Yingying YANG ; Linhua ZHAO ; Lili ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):795-799
According to zang-fu (脏腑) wind-damp theory, it is believed that wind, cold, and dampness are internal pathogenic factors that, when stagnated, transform into heat and invade the zang-fu organs, leading to chronic conditions. Heat is seen as a manifestation, while cold is considered the root cause. When external factors trigger these latent pathogens, the disease of the zang-fu organs exacerbates or relapses, often presenting with a complex syndrome of cold and heat. Based on this theory, the viewpoint of "for complex syndrome of cold and heat, cold is the root" is proposed. It suggests that for diseases with a complex cold-heat syndrome, external invasion of wind, cold, and dampness are the initiating factors. During the acute phase, treatment should focus on dispelling and eliminating the pathogens to promote the expulsion of the latent wind, cold, and dampness. During the remission phase, the focus shifts to reinforcing the healthy qi and tonifying the root, allowing the cold and dampness to be cleared. Internal dampness originates from the spleen; therefore, regulating the spleen and stomach, and dispersing cold and removing dampness is the key to treating wind-damp disorders of zang-fu organs. Cold and dampness are both yin pathogens, which damage yang qi, and repeated invasions of wind, cold, and dampness obstruct the qi flow of the zang-fu organs, progressively weakening yang qi. Hence, it is necessary to protect yang qi, and thereafter dispelling cold and dampness by warming yang. The theory that "for complex syndrome of cold and heat, cold is the root" provides guidance for the clinical application and the treatment of complex and difficult diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Exploration on the Formation,Evolution,and Alienation of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment
Sicheng WANG ; Linhua ZHAO ; Rumeng TANG ; Lili ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1202-1206
Syndrome differentiation and treatment is an integral part of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic and therapeutic system, whose development exhibits distinct stages. This paper systematically reviews the evolutionary trajectory of syndrome differentiation and treatment, from symptom-based treatment in Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), to ZHANG Zhongjing's establishment of the disease-pulse-syndrome-treatment framework, through its application and development in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and finally to its recognition as a fundamental characteristic of TCM in modern times. However, the overemphasis on syndrome differentiation and treatment, coupled with a diminished focus on disease concepts, has led to its gradual alienation as the primary diagnostic and therapeutic model. The alienation mainly manifests as a tendency to prioritize syndrome over disease, resulting in the overgeneralization and limited application of the concept, and causing a lack of specificity in practice. This paper emphasizes that a correct understanding of syndrome differentiation and treatment is a necessary premise for the deve-lopment and improvement of the TCM diagnostic and therapeutic system. By integrating modern medical diagnosis to clarify disease targets and applying TCM thinking to extract common patterns of diseases, precise alignment between syndrome differentiation and treatment and modern clinical demands can be achieved, providing a reference for addressing the contemporary challenges of syndrome differentiation and treatment.
4.Syndrome Element Distribution and Complication Risks in Type 2 Diabetic Patients:A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Yu WEI ; Lili ZHANG ; Ling ZHOU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Qing NI ; Xiaolin TONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1363-1368
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients based on maximum body mass index (maxBMI) and explore their association with complication risks. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was used to collect clinical data from hospitalized T2DM patients, extracting age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, duration of disease, HbA1c level, complications, and TCM syndromes, and extracting the syndrome elements of disease location and disease nature based on their TCM syndromes. MaxBMI was calculated by telephone survey of patients' self-reported maximum body weight; patients with maxBMI ≥24 kg/m2 were classified into spleen-heat syndrome group, and those with maxBMI <24 kg/m2 were classified into consumptive-heat syndrome group. The distribution of TCM syndrome types and syndrome elements of patients in the two groups were analysed. Then the propensity score matching method was used to balance the baseline characteristics between the two groups and compare the differences in the distribution of syndrome types and syndrome elements and the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications between the two groups. ResultsAmong the 1178 T2DM patients, syndrome elements in spleen-heat patients (1034 cases) were primarily located in the spleen (351 cases, 33.95%), liver (240 cases, 23.21%), and stomach (139 cases, 13.44%), while in consumptive-heat patients (144 cases), they were concentrated in the spleen (57 cases, 39.58%), liver (34 cases, 23.61%), and kidneys (17 cases, 11.81%); regarding syndrome elements of disease nature, spleen-heat patients were predominantly characterized by qi deficiency (481 cases, 46.52%), phlegm (353 cases, 22.73%), and dampness (241 cases, 23.31%), whereas consumptive-heat patients showed more qi deficiency (84 cases, 58.33%) and yin deficiency (44 cases, 30.56%). After propensity score matching, 132 cases were included in each group, and no statistically significant differences were observed in the distribution of syndrome elements of disease location between the two groups (P>0.05), but the phlegm element was significantly more prevalent in spleen-heat patients than in consumptive-heat patients (P = 0.006). Regarding the risk of complications, spleen-heat patients had a significantly higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients (OR=2.04, P=0.010), while no significant differences were found between groups in the occurrence of microvascular complications (P>0.05). ConclusionThe spleen-heat T2DM patients show a more frequent syndrome element of disease nature of phlegm, and a higher risk of developing macrovascular complications compared to consumptive-heat patients.
5.Professor TONG Xiaolin's Experience in Treating Prediabetes with Overweight and Obesity Using the Method of Relieving Depression and Reducing Turbidity
Sicheng WANG ; Yangyang LIU ; Yan YAN ; Zishan JIN ; Boxun ZHANG ; Qingwei LI ; Xiaoxuan XU ; Linhua ZHAO ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1424-1427
To summarise the clinical experience of Professor TONG Xiaolin in treating prediabetes combined with overweight or obesity using the method of relieving depression and reducing turbidity. It is believed that prediabetes belongs to the category of "spleen-heat syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine, and its core pathogenesis is center fullness with internal heat, while obesity is the initiating factor for exacerbating center fullness and internal heat, therefore, it is of great significance to reduce the risk of diabetes by interrupting the transformation between overweight, obesity and glucose metabolism abnormality. It is proposed that the main pathogenesis of prediabetes combined with overweight or obesity is qi depression and turbidity obstruction in middle jiao, with qi depression as the root and turbidity obstruction as the cause, forming a treatment idea with the method of relieving depression and reducing turbidity as the core. In clinic, Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Decoction (大黄黄连泻心汤) is used as the basic prescription, with a primary focus on directing the turbid downward, supplemented by regulating qi, which embodies the concept of "promoting movement through descent, then figuring out the root of spleen-heat syndrome. Furthermore, the treatment is flexibly modified based on the patient's deficiency-excess syndrome to ensure individualized therapy.
6.Small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) facilitates gemcitabine chemosensitivity in gallbladder cancer by regulating the miR-23b-3p/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) pathway.
Hui WANG ; Yixiang GU ; Miaomiao GUO ; Ming ZHAN ; Min HE ; Yang ZHANG ; Linhua YANG ; Yingbin LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2783-2792
BACKGROUND:
Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert pivotal roles in fostering chemoresistance across diverse tumors. Nevertheless, the precise involvement of lncRNAs in modulating chemoresistance within the context of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains obscure. This study aimed to uncover how lncRNAs regulate chemoresistance in gallbladder cancer, offering potential targets to overcome drug resistance.
METHODS:
To elucidate the relationship between gemcitabine sensitivity and small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 ( SNHG1 ) expression, we utilized publicly available GBC databases, GBC tissues from Renji Hospital collected between January 2017 and December 2019, as well as GBC cell lines. The assessment of SNHG1, miR-23b-3p, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression was performed using in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to quantify the cell viability. Furthermore, a GBC xenograft model was employed to evaluate the impact of SNHG1 on the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were executed to assess the specificity and sensitivity of SNHG1.
RESULTS:
Our analyses revealed an inverse correlation between the lncRNA SNHG1 and gemcitabine resistance across genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, GBC cell lines, and patients. Gain-of-function investigations underscored that SNHG1 heightened the gemcitabine sensitivity of GBC cells in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Mechanistic explorations illuminated that SNHG1 could activate PTEN -a commonly suppressed tumor suppressor gene in cancers-thereby curbing the development of gemcitabine resistance in GBC cells. Notably, microRNA (miRNA) target prediction algorithms unveiled the presence of miR-23b-3p binding sites within SNHG1 and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PTEN . Moreover, SNHG1 acted as a sponge for miR-23b-3p, competitively binding to the 3'-UTR of PTEN , thereby amplifying PTEN expression and heightening the susceptibility of GBC cells to gemcitabine.
CONCLUSION
The SNHG1/miR-23b-3p/PTEN axis emerges as a pivotal regulator of gemcitabine sensitivity in GBC cells, holding potential as a promising therapeutic target for managing GBC patients.
Humans
;
Deoxycytidine/pharmacology*
;
PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics*
;
Gemcitabine
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*
;
MicroRNAs/genetics*
;
Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
7.Anti-CD24 antibody-nitric oxide donor conjugates bearing a self-bioorthogonal cleavable linker.
Jianbing WU ; Tianyue CHENG ; Jiajun XIE ; Ziyu QIAN ; Linhua HUANG ; Xun YUAN ; Libang ZHANG ; Shan YANG ; Yihua ZHANG ; Tonglin XU ; Juan ZHANG ; Zhangjian HUANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5366-5386
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive malignancy predominantly managed via chemotherapy. Our clinical sample analysis revealed a significant correlation between elevated CD24 expression in TNBC tumor cells and patient survival rates. We developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), named HN03, consisting of an antibody with engineered cysteines for site-specific conjugation with a low toxic nitric oxide (NO) precursor as its payload through a novel Pt(IV)-mediated bioorthogonal self-cleavable linker. HN03 specifically targets tumor cells expressing high levels of CD24, concurrently generating cisplatin and releasing NO upon activation. HN03 also exhibited potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. It significantly reduced tumor growth at various doses, prevented tumor metastasis, with markedly lower toxicity than traditional chemotherapy agents. We found that a key mechanism of its action involved inducing apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress, substantially decreasing the number of M2-type macrophages. Overall, HN03 stands out as a promising therapeutic option for TNBC, offering a targeted treatment with reduced side effects and the potential for improved outcomes. Furthermore, using Pt(IV) in the linker and an NO precursor as the payload enhances the versatility of the Antibody-NO donor Conjugate (ANC), offering new avenues for the design of the next generation of ADCs.
8.The Impact of "Two Reconstructions" Theoretical Framework on Improving the Clinical Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dongsen HU ; Linhua ZHAO ; Pengfei XIE ; Rumeng TANG ; Xing HANG ; Ling ZHOU ; Xiangyuan ZHANG ; Lili ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2401-2405
By reconstructing the integrated Chinese and western medicine diagnostic and treatment system, the "Two Reconstructions" theoretical framework establishes a standardized pathway of "classification-staging-syndrome differentiation", which improves the accuracy of disease identification and strengthens the capacity for full-course intervention; in addition, by reconstructing the modern materia medica system, it innovatively integrates the traditional properties and efficacy of Chinese herbal medicinals with modern pharmacological mechanisms, forming a "state-target co-regulation" precise medication model, and builds a dose-effect theoretical system for prescriptions and medicinals, thereby enhancing both the targeting accuracy and dosage precision of therapeutic interventions. The "Two Reconstructions" theorecitcal framework is a key strategy for enhancing clinical efficacy. It can precisely identify "states" and "targets" for directed intervention, shift the focus of prevention and treatment earlier to enable full-cycle management, establish standardized paradigms for reproducible and evaluable efficacy, and expand the scope of clinical practice to address conditions without typical syndromes and critical illnesses. As a systematic pathway for innovation in TCM, this theoretical framework provides valuable insights and references for promoting the high-quality development of integrative Chinese and western medicine.
9.Genetic characteristics and clinical analysis of 20 patients with Gaucher's disease
Tianbo ZHANG ; Xiaoling WEN ; Xialin ZHANG ; Junrong YAN ; Guoping HAO ; Linhua YANG ; Ruijuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(1):82-85
Gaucher Disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by high heterogeneity. This study aimed to further understand the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes in GD patients through a retrospective analysis of 20 cases in Shanxi Bethune Hospital, including their clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, enzyme studies, and genetic results. Among the 20 GD patients, 16 were classified as Type Ⅰ GD with a median age of diagnosis of 24 years, and 4 were classified as Type Ⅲ GD with a median age of diagnosis of 19 years. All patients exhibited splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, with 16 patients showing skeletal imaging changes, and 5 of them presenting with bone pain symptoms. Genetic analysis revealed 15 distinct mutations, predominantly missense mutations, with L483P being the most prevalent (35.7%), followed by V414L, L303I, and F252I. Mutation sites were predominantly located in exon 7. Noteworthy findings included the first report of the S310G mutation by our research group and the first occurrence of the K196R mutation in the Chinese population. Additionally, the N227S mutation was implicated in a potential association with neuropathy. Despite advancements, Uncertainties still exist in the correlation between clinical phenotypes and genotypes in GD patients.
10.Pedigree Analysis and Molecular Mechanism Study of Hereditary Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Caused by Compound Heterozygous Mutation of the ITGA2B Gene
Xiaomei LU ; Dongyan FU ; Yaofang ZHANG ; Lidong ZHAO ; Lei WANG ; Jia YANG ; Jie LIU ; Jiawei ZHENG ; Linhua YANG ; Gang WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(4):370-377
Objective:The phenotype and genotype of a pedigree with Glanzmann thrombasthenia caused by compound heterozygous mutation in the ITGA2B gene and its molecular pathogenesis were explored.Methods:The platelet aggregation rate of the proband and his family was detected by using a platelet aggregation test with adenosine diphosphate, collagen, epinephrine, arachidonic acid, and ristocetin. The expression levels of CD41 (αⅡb), CD61 (β3), and CD42b (GPⅠb) on the platelet surface was detected by flow cytometry. Gene sequencing technology was used for the genetic identification of the family. RT-PCR was used in the detection of mRNA splicing, and qRT-PCR was used in detecting the relative mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene. Bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate the pathogenicity of mutation sites and their effects on protein structure and function. The expressions of total αⅡb and β3 in platelets were analyzed by Western blot.Results:Except ristocetin, the other four inducers could not induce platelet aggregation in the proband. Flow cytometry showed that the expression levels of αⅡb and β3 were only 0.25% and 9.76%, respectively, on the platelet surface of the proband, whereas GPⅠb expression was relatively normal. The expression levels of glycoproteins in the other family members were almost normal. c.480C>G and c.2929C>T mutations were detected in the proband through gene sequencing. The c.480C>G mutation was inherited from his mother, and the c.2929C>T mutation was inherited from his father. The RT-PCR and sequencing results showed that the c.480C>G mutation caused mRNA splicing in the proband and his mother, resulting in the deletion of 99 bases in c.476G-574A (p.S160-S192). qRT-PCR showed that the c.2929C>T variant reduced the mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene in the proband and his father. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the c.480C>G mutation might form a binding sequence with hnRNP A1 protein and generate the 5′SS splice site. The three-dimensional structural model of the αⅡb subunit showed that the β-propeller domain of the p.S160-S192 deletion lost two β-strands and one α-helix in blade 2. The c.2929C>T nonsense mutation caused premature translation termination and produced a truncated protein with the deletion of p.R977-E1039, including the cytoplasmic domain, transmembrane domain, and a β chain of the extracellular Calf-2 domain. The total αⅡb expression of the proband was absent, and the relative expression of β3 was 11.36% of the normal level.Conclusion:The compound heterozygous mutation c.480C>G in exon 4 and c.2929C>T in exon 28 of the ITGA2B gene probably underlies Glanzmann thrombasthenia in this pedigree.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail