1.Exploring Mechanism of Xiaojinwan-containing Serum in Inhibiting Breast Cancer Cells Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Hongdi TANG ; Xiaobo JIN ; Chen GAO ; Hongkai LI ; Zhiming LI ; Lu YAO ; Fengli SONG ; Ning KANG ; Wenwen WANG ; Ying SUN ; Zhibin WANG ; Tong LI ; Yingli ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):13-22
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of Xiaojinwan (XJW)-containing serum interfering with endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. MethodsXJW-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of XJW (4 g·kg-1) to SD rats. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro. β-Catenin overexpression and knockdown plasmids were constructed and transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells. The optimal XJW-containing serum (4 g·kg-1) according to previous studies was used for β-catenin intervention and overexpression experiments. The groups for intervention/overexpression experiments included intervention/overexpression blank group, β-catenin intervention/overexpression group, intervention/overexpression blank + XJW group, and β-catenin intervention/overexpression + XJW group. Cell morphology was observed under a microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect and record apoptosis rates. Western blot was performed to measure apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and active-Caspase-3] and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect β-catenin mRNA expression levels in different groups. ResultsIntervention experiment results showed that compared with the intervention blank group, the β-catenin intervention group and the intervention blank + XJW group showed increased apoptosis rates (P<0.05, P<0.01), elevated protein levels of Bax, active Caspase-3, and E-cadherin (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased protein levels of Bcl-2 and Vimentin (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced in the β-catenin intervention group (P<0.05, 0.63 ± 0.15) and the intervention blank + XJW group (P<0.05, 0.79 ± 0.33). Compared with the β-catenin intervention group, the β-catenin intervention + XJW group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax and active Caspase-3 protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin protein levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression was further reduced in the β-catenin intervention + XJW group (P<0.01, 0.22 ± 0.08). Compared with the intervention blank + XJW group, the β-catenin intervention + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax, active Caspase-3, and E-cadherin protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression was also reduced (P<0.05). Overexpression experiment results showed that compared with the overexpression blank group, the β-catenin overexpression group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01), while the overexpression blank + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.05). In the β-catenin overexpression and β-catenin overexpression + XJW groups, Bax and E-cadherin protein levels decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels increased (P<0.05). In the overexpression blank + XJW group, Bax and E-cadherin levels increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and vimentin levels decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). β-catenin mRNA expression increased in the β-catenin overexpression group (P<0.01, 7.26 ± 1.03) but decreased in the overexpression blank + XJW group (P<0.05, 0.73 ± 0.14). Compared with the β-catenin overexpression group, the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), elevated Bax and E-cadherin levels (P<0.05), and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced (P<0.05, 4.65 ± 1.02). Compared with the overexpression blank + XJW group, the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.01), decreased Bax and E-cadherin levels (P<0.01), and increased Bcl-2, N-cadherin, and Vimentin levels (P<0.05). β-catenin mRNA expression increased (P<0.01). ConclusionXJW-containing serum inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by suppressing EMT, which is associated with the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
2.Mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin Pills and Tongxinluo Capsules in Treating Myocardial No-reflow Based on Treating Same Disease with Different Methods
Siqi LIU ; Wenqing YANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yan TANG ; Ju WANG ; Yaxuan PENG ; Haoxue QIN ; Lanyue DENG ; Jialu GONG ; Ning XU ; Shuying ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Ting CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):125-133
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin pills (TMYX) and Tongxinluo capsules (TXL) in treating no-reflow (NR) after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion following the concept of treating the same disease with different methods, based on integrative pharmacology and experimental validation. MethodsEighty 8-week-old SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=20): sham operation, NR, TMYX (4 g·kg-1), and TXL (2 mg·kg-1). A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion no-reflow was established by in-situ ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Gastric gavage was first performed 4 h after the operation, and samples were collected on day 7. Thioflavin S staining was used to observe the NR area in rat myocardium. Echocardiography was performed to examine the cardiac function. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes of the myocardial tissue. An automatic biochemical analyzer was adopted to measure myocardial enzyme activity. Then, integrated pharmacology was applied for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Finally, Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of key targets in the myocardial tissue, including soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/dependent protein kinase (PKG), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the NR group showed increased NR area of myocardium, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular outflow tract peak velocity (LVOT Peak), and left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) (P<0.01), fractured and disordered myocardial fibers as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardial tissue, enhanced activities of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and downregulated protein levels of sGC, PKG, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K (Tyr458), and p-Akt (Tyr315) in the myocardial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression level of HIF-1α protein showed a downward trend. Compared with the NR group, the TMYX group and TXL group exhibited a decreasing trend in myocardial NR area, EF, FS, and LVOT Peak significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), LVSV showed an upward trend, ameliorated myocardial pathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration, reductions in CK, CK-MB, and LDH activities (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated protein levels of sGC, PKG, p-PI3K (Tyr458) in myocardial tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), the protein expressions of p-Akt (Tyr315) and HIF-1α showed an upward trend. A comparison of the therapeutic effects between the two compound prescriptions showed that TMYX tended to exert a better effect in restoring cardiac function and protecting cardiac structure in NR rats, whereas TXL was more effective in reducing myocardial NR area and lowering myocardial enzyme activities in NR rats. Integrative pharmacology analysis combined with experimental verification demonstrated that both TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR through the following mechanisms: activating the cyclic cGMP/PKG signaling pathway to regulate vascular tone, activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to dilate blood vessels, and activating the HIF-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress. However, TMYX had an advantage in activating the cGMP/PKG pathway, while TXL was superior in activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. The two compound prescriptions exerted comparable effects on the HIF-1 signaling pathway, which might serve as their common therapeutic pathway. ConclusionBoth TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR damage. TMYX exerts its protective effect against NR mainly by activating the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, while TXL exerts its effect mainly through the PI3K/Akt pathway. The HIF-1α signaling pathway may be a common pathway for the two compound prescriptions to exert their protective effects against NR. This study reveals the similarities and differences between TMYX and TXL in the treatment effect and mechanism for NR, providing an experimental basis and a theoretical basis for better clinical application of the two compound prescriptions.
3.Genomic characterization of Legionella pneumophila isolated from industrial circulating cooling water
Man YU ; Ying TANG ; Xiangjun ZHANG ; Chenyi TAO ; Yong NING ; Yi XU ; Xiaodong JIA ; Xia ZHANG
China Occupational Medicine 2026;53(1):50-57
Objective To analyze the genomic characteristics of Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) isolated from industrial circulating cooling water in workplace. Methods A total of 20 L. pneumophila strains isolated from industrial circulating cooling water collected from eight chemical enterprises were selected as the research subjects. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the strains, followed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism analysis, virulence factor profiling, and antibiotic resistance gene detection. Results The dominant MLST typing among the 20 L. pneumophila strains was ST2. Serogroup 1 (Lp1) strains exhibited high genetic diversity. Strains from different enterprises showed substantial genomic diversity, suggesting possible inter-enterprise dissemination. Each isolate harbored 175-295 virulence genes; among them, virulence genes were identified, and 139 genes were detected in all the 20 strains. These genes primarily included those related to the Dot/Icm type Ⅳ bacterial secretion system, flagellar synthesis and motility, and type Ⅳ pili. The number of virulence genes carried by L. pneumophila strains of different ST types differed (P<0.01), with unidentified sequence types harboring more virulence genes than other STs (P<0.01). A total of four resistance genes were predicted, including aminoglycoside phosphotransferase-encoding gene APH(9)-Ia, carbapenemase-encoding gene OXA-29, and efflux pump genes-encoding genes LpeA and LpeB, with detection rates of 100.00%, 100.00%, 10.00%, and 10.00%, respectively. These genes may confer resistance to cephalosporins, penicillins, and aminoglycosides, and all strains were multidrug resistance. Conclusion L. pneumophila isolated from industrial recirculating cooling water exhibits high genetic diversity, strong pathogenicity, and significant multidrug resistance potential.
4.The expression of DLAT in hepatocellular carcinoma and its impact on immunotherapy efficacy
Xiwang ZHANG ; Ning DING ; Jiajun HUI ; Jichun TANG ; Shengjun DING
Immunological Journal 2025;41(2):91-96
Objective To investigate the expression of dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase(DLAT)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tissues and its impact on immunotherapy efficacy,aiming to identify a new biomarker for prognosis assessment and immunotherapy response prediction.Methods Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the transcriptomic data,clinical pathological characteristics and survival information of HCC patients from TCGA database.The expression of DLAT in HCC and its correlation with clinical features were evaluated,along with its relationship with immune infiltration,immune checkpoint-related genes,and immunotherapy response.Results DLAT was highly expressed in HCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis(HR=1.63,P=0.006).The proportion of R1&R2 residual tumors were significantly higher in the DLAT high-expression group(4.1%vs 1.2%,P=0.011).Immune infiltration analysis revealed that high DLAT expression was negatively correlated with Th 17,DC cells,B cells and T cells,while positively correlated with T helper cells,Tcm and Tem cells.Furthermore,DLAT expression showed significant positive correlations with key immune checkpoint genes(PDCD1LG2,HAVCR2,TIGIT,and PVR),and TIDE algorithm predicted poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in the DLAT high-expression group.Conclusion High expression of DLAT in HCC tissues is a risk factor for poor prognosis and may serve as a potential biomarker for prognostic assessment and immunotherapy response prediction in HCC patients.
5.Cross-sectional study of drug resistance in newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected patients in Shanghai
Qianru LIN ; Xuqin WANG ; Wenqi TANG ; Yuan DONG ; Qing YUE ; Chunyan HE ; Xiaolei YU ; Changhe LIU ; Yiqing HAN ; Wanqing FENG ; Zhen NING ; Xin SHEN ; Xin CHEN ; Yi LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(1):69-74
Objective:To investigate the drug resistance of newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected patients in Shanghai and to provide reference value for clinical antiretroviral therapy (ART).Methods:The peripheral venous blood plasma of 196 newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected patients screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from April to June 2023 was collected, HIV-1 RNA was extracted, the pol region was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for sequencing, the mutation sites and ART drug resistance were analyzed.Results:The plasma of 196 newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected patients was amplified successfully in 162 cases (amplification success rate was 82.65%). The subtypes consisted of CRF07_BC(51.23%), CRF01_AE (27.78%), and others (6.79%), CRF55_01B (5.56%), B (3.70%), CRF01_AE/B (3.70%) and CRF08_BC (1.23%). The overall transmitted drug resistance rate was 7.41%, the protease inhibitors (PIs), non-nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) resistance rates were 3.09%, 3.70%, 0.00% and 0.62%, respectively. The proportion of NNRTIs-related mutation sites in B (66.67%) and CRF55_01B (88.89%) was higher than that in CRF07_BC (13.25%); the proportion of NNRTIs-related mutation sites in CRF55_01B (88.89%) was higher than that in CRF01_AE (22.22%) and other subtypes (18.18%), the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of PIs-related mutation sites in CRF01_AE/B was 21.71 times that of CRF07_BC[odds ratio ( OR)=21.71, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 3.36-140.27, P=0.001]. Conclusions:The transmitted drug resistance among newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected patients in Shanghai is at the moderate epidemic level, mainly NNRTIs and PIs-related drug resistance, and the INSTIs resistance rate is low, the use of INSTIs in ART regimens should be considered.
6.House dust mite-induced autophagy affects airway epithelial barrier function through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway
Ziling ZENG ; Xing WANG ; Hongmei TANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Ning MA ; Yuejiao LI ; Xiaoyun WANG ; Xiefang YUAN ; Guofeng XU ; Qiaoqiao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Jiayao DUAN ; Yun ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(9):1309-1318
Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.
7.Effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing erythropoietin on apoptosis of SH-SY5Y neurons in ischemia and hypoxia
Ning KONG ; Jixiang TANG ; Yubo HOU ; Lan MENG ; Lei SUN ; Baodong MA ; Yiming SHAO ; Ranran JIN ; Han YUE ; Hui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(36):7752-7761
BACKGROUND:Long non-coding RNA(LncRNA)plays an important role in nervous system development and neurological diseases.Previous studies by the research team have demonstrated that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing erythropoietin(EPO-MSCs)under ischemic and hypoxic conditions have better neuroprotective functions and significantly activate the expression of LncRNA XIST.Research suggests that XIST is related to the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy,but the role and mechanism of its regulation by EPO-MSCs in protecting ischemic-hypoxic neurons remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the new mechanism by which LncRNA XIST,in response to EPO-MSC signaling,affects the apoptosis of ischemic-hypoxic SH-SY5Y cells.METHODS:(1)SH-SY5Y cell lines with knockdown of LncRNA XIST(sh-XIST)and negative control(NC-XIST)were constructed through lentiviral transfection.Oxygen-glucose deprivation was used to induce ischemic-hypoxic injury in the cells.Transwell chambers were used to create a non-contact co-culture system with EPO-MSCs,sh-XIST,and NC-XIST ischemic-hypoxic SH-SY5Y cells.Cell proliferation ability was detected using the CCK-8 assay.Cell migration ability was assessed using the scratch assay,and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.(2)RNA-seq bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen for differentially expressed genes and pathways between sh-XIST and NC-XIST cell lines.Dual-luciferase experiments were used to verify the relationship between miR-124-3p and the target genes XIST and GRIN1.qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the expression levels of downstream miR-124-3p and GRIN1 genes.(3)miR-124-3p inhibitors and mimics were added to verify phenotypic changes in SH-SY5Y cells after ischemic-hypoxic injury and co-culture with EPO-MSCs.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the NC-XIST group,SH-SY5Y cells in the sh-XIST group showed reduced proliferation and migration abilities and increased apoptosis after ischemic-hypoxic injury and co-culture with EPO-MSCs.(2)Dual-luciferase experiments showed that miR-124-3p interacted with the target gene XIST.SH-SY5Y cells transfected with miR-124-3p mimics and co-cultured with EPO-MSCs showed decreased apoptosis after ischemic-hypoxic injury,while SH-SY5Y cells transfected with miR-124-3p inhibitors showed increased apoptosis after co-culture with EPO-MSCs.(3)Transcriptomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of sh-XIST revealed significant downregulation of the neuroactive ligand-receptor pathway and the key receptor gene GRIN1 for central nervous system development.(4)Dual-luciferase experiments showed that miR-124-3p interacted with GRIN1.GRIN1 expression was significantly downregulated in the sh-XIST group after ischemic-hypoxic injury compared with the NC-XIST group.These findings indicate that LncRNA XIST promotes GRIN1 expression by upregulating miR-124-3p,thereby reducing cell apoptosis after ischemic-hypoxic injury and co-culture with EPO-MSCs and enhancing proliferation and migration.sh-XIST can block this protective function.
8.Based on data mining to explore the characteristics of acupoint selection and the law of acupoint compatibility in the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome
Jingyi NING ; Shuochen FAN ; Diwei TANG ; Weifeng LI ; Man QIN ; Zili LIU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(30):11-15
Objective To explore the characteristics of acupoint selection and the law of acupoint compatibility in the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome(GBS)based on data mining.Methods Literature on acupuncture treatment of GBS was searched and screened from China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform,VIP,SioMed,PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,and Cochrane Library from the establishment of the database to December 1,2024 and to build database.The author information and acupuncture prescriptions were modified and imported according to the data entry requirements of the Traditional Chinese medicine inheritance computing platform V3.5,the relevant data were analyzed and integrated through the"Acupoint Analysis"module of the platform.Results A total of 140 related papers,145 valid prescriptions,involving 237 acupoints.The acupoints with higher frequency were Zusanli,Hegu,Quchi,Yanglingquan and etc.The analysis yielded 42 core acupoints,22 sets of strong association rules for core acupoints,and 5 new core acupuncture prescriptions.Conclusion Acupuncture treatment for GBS follows the principle of"treating impotence by taking Yangming alone",takes"benefiting Qi and draining heat,supporting the correctness and opening up the collaterals"as the main method,and attaches importance to"regulating the spirit and connecting the internal organs".
9.Resilience Empowers Run Risk Governance in Healthcare System:Internal Mechanism and Driving Mechanism
Xiaoyu LIU ; Ning NING ; Qunhong WU ; Yunli TANG ; Caihong SUN ; Yu CUI
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(1):37-40
In modern society,the diversity of risk causes,the complexity of risk trans-mission paths and the cascading effect of risk consequences make the uncertainty of the run risk of medical and health system increase sharply,and risk governance has become a rising topic in the academic circle.However,the traditional risk management system is riddled with difficulties,which has been difficult to meet the needs of modern governance,and resilient governance provides a new perspective for improving the governance capacity of the medical and health system run risk,and promotes risk management to"turn brittle into tough".How to empower the technical advantages of resilience governance to manage the run risk of the healthcare system,break the obstruction of the traditional governance mechanism,and explore its internal mechanism and driving mechanism are the key issues to realize the innovation of resilient governance and the modernization of governance capacity.
10.House dust mite-induced autophagy affects airway epithelial barrier function through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway
Ziling ZENG ; Xing WANG ; Hongmei TANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Ning MA ; Yuejiao LI ; Xiaoyun WANG ; Xiefang YUAN ; Guofeng XU ; Qiaoqiao WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Jiayao DUAN ; Yun ZHANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(9):1309-1318
Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by House dust mites(HDM)on airway epithelial tight junction through β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(16HBE)were stimulated with HDM at different time points(0,3,6,12,24,48 h)and different concen-trations(0,40,100,200 μg/mL)to screen the appropriate stimulation concentration and stimulation time.16HBE cells were treated with oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetylcysteine(NAC),autophagy inhibitor 3-methylad-enine(3-MA),HDM,and their combinations.Cells were transfected with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B,Beclin-1-siRNA,and ATG14-siRNA lentivirus and then stimulated with NAC and HDM.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of autophagy-related protein LC3B,tight junction-related proteins Occludin,and ZO-1 in airway epithelial cells.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)was detected by using DCFH-DA in each group.The protein expression levels of Occludin,ZO-1,LC3B,Beclin-1,ATG5,ATG14,P62,Snail,β-catenin and p-β-catenin were detected by Western blot method.Results Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group,200 μg/mL HDM stimulation induced cellular autophagy,increased the expression level of LC3B protein,and promoted the level of ROS,all with statistical significances(all P<0.05).Compared with the HDM group,the HDM+3-MA,HDM+ATG14-si,and HDM+Beclin-1-si groupsall showed significantincreases in the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).The HDM+NAC group demonstrated significant decreases both in the level of ROS andin the expression level of LC3B protein.Western blot results revealed that compared with HDM,3-MA and autophagy protein low-expression beads(Beclin-1-si,ATG14-si)attenuated HDM-induced cellular autophagy(P<0.05),inhibited HDM-induced upregulation of Snail and p-β-catenin expression,and improved HDM-induced decreases in Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Moreover,compared with the HDM group,the NAC+HDM group exhibited significant decreases both in the conversion of LC3BⅠ to LC3BⅡ(P<0.001)in the protein levels of Snail,p-β-catenin,Beclin-1 and ATG14(P<0.01),but significant increases in the protein levels of Occludin and ZO-1(P<0.05).Conclusion HDM affects the tight connections between airway epithelial cells by inducing autophagy,which may be attributed to the β-catenin-Snail signaling pathway.

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