1.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
2.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
3.Prognostic significance of TRIM28 elevation in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia
Siqi GONG ; Cong LI ; Mengmeng FAN ; Huiping WANG ; Wanqiu ZHANG ; Xue LIANG ; Qianshan TAO ; Qiang HONG ; Zhimin ZHAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):301-308
ObjectiveTo clarify the expression of TRIM28 in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical indicators and prognosis, and to further explore the effect of TRIM28 expression levels on the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells using small interfering RNA. MethodsThe GSE34577 dataset was analyzed using R software to compare TRIM28 expression between healthy controls and non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Clinical samples from non-M3 AML patients were collected, with TRIM28 expression levels measured using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The analysis focused on correlations between TRIM28 expression and various clinical indicators, treatment efficacy, and patient prognosis. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to downregulate TRIM28 expression in human primary AML cells (HL60 cell line). The effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis were then assessed through CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that TRIM28 was up-regulated in non-M3 AML of both online database GSE34577 and clinical samples (P<0.000 1), TRIM28 expression of new diagnosis group and relapsed refractory group was higher than iron deficiency anemia group (P<0.01), and there was no significance between different French-American-British classification systems subtype. TRIM28 expression was higher in non-M3 AML patients with a poor genetic prognosis stratified as moderate than in the good prognosis group, and TRIM28 expression was associated with NPM1 combined with the FLT3-ITD mutation, positively correlated with age, bone marrow blast, peripheral blood blast and white blood cell, negatively correlated with hemoglobin. In addition, interference TRIM28 greatly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. ConclusionThis study reveals that TRIM28 is highly expressed in non-M3 AML and associated with prognosis, and plays a key role in the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells, suggesting that TRIM28 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for non-M3 AML.
4.Clinical efficacy of endoscopic endonasal dorsum sellae and posterior clinoid process resection combined with pituitary hemi-transposition for pan-sellar area lesions
Tabengwa GEORGE TAKURA ; Qiang XIE ; Huaichao ZHANG ; Shuang LIU ; Jinlong HUANG ; Pin CHEN ; Zeyang LI ; Xiaobiao ZHANG ; Tao XIE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):507-515
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endoscopic endonasal dorsum sellae and posterior clinoid process resection combined with pituitary hemi-transposition in the treatment of pan-sellar area lesions. Methods Clinical data from 57 patients with pan sellar diseases who underwent endoscopic transnasal resection of the posterior clinoid process combined with lateral pituitary displacement surgery in the neurosurgery department of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2019 to January 2025 were collected, and their clinical surgical characteristics and prognosis were analyed. Results A total of 57 patients with pan-sellar area lesions were included in this study, comprising 27 craniopharyngiomas, 7 giant suprasellar pituitary adenomas, 7 chordomas, 6 chondrosarcomas, 5 diaphragma sellae/dorsum sellae meningiomas, and 5 rare lesions. All procedures were completed successfully, and gross total or near-total resection was achieved in all patients. No new neurovascular complications occurred intraoperatively. The follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 24 months. New postoperative anterior pituitary insufficiency occurred in 3 patients (5.3%), and new posterior pituitary insufficiency requiring long-term hormone replacement therapy occurred in 4 patients (7.0%). No additional pituitary dysfunction was observed in the remaining patients. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea occurred in 1 patient (1.8%) and was successfully repaired. Intracranial infection occurred in 3 patients (5.3%) and resolved after medical treatment. Conclusion Endoscopic resection of the posterior clinoid process combined with lateral displacement of the pituitary gland can effectively expand the surgical space, while repositioning the pituitary gland can reduce the extent of skull base defects. In addition, the risk of pituitary dysfunction caused by lateral displacement of the pituitary gland is relatively low.
5.Ameliorative effects of Imperatae Rhizoma extract against doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury and its molecular mechanisms
Huan LUO ; Qiang WANG ; Youjun ZHU ; Chunrong TAO ; Yang MAO ; Defeng LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1559-1566
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects of Imperatae Rhizoma (RI) extract against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury and its potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to screen for target overlap between the predicted core targets of RI’s active components and targets associated with myocardial injury, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Based on the network pharmacology results, a DOX-induced myocardial injury mouse model was established using male C57BL/6J mice to observe the effects of RI extract [1 g/(kg·d)] on the survival rate, body weight, and cardiac damage. A DOX-injured HL-1 cardiomyocyte model was established to assess the effects of different mass concentrations of RI extract (50, 100, 200 μg/mL) on mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, and expression of the relevant target proteins. The mechanism was validated by transfecting with small interfering RNA of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1). RESULTS A total of 58 overlapping targets were screened, which were enriched in biological processes such as hormone response and hypoxia response, as well as pathways including apoptosis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and pyruvate metabolism. Key target proteins, such as ESR1, were also identified. Animal experiments confirmed that the survival rate of mice in the DOX+RI group was obviously higher than that in the DOX group, with a slower rate of weight loss and improved pathological changes, such as cardiac atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration, compared to the DOX group. Cell experiments showed that, compared with the DOX group, the DOX+RI groups exhibited significantly increased or upregulated mitochondrial membrane potential, relative ATP levels, and mRNA expressions of isocitrate dehydrogenase 3A (IDH3A), succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), as well as mRNA and protein expressions of ESR1; conversely, relative ROS levels and apoptosis rates were significantly reduced ( P <0.05). Following ESR1 knockdown, the anti-apoptotic effect of the RI extract on cardiomyocytes was significantly attenuated ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The RI extract may alleviate DOX-induced myocardial injury by activating the ESR1 signaling pathway, improving mitochondrial function, and inhibiting excessive ROS production and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
6.Interpretation of "Cancer Statistics, 2026": Comparative study on cancer epidemiological characteristics and prevention and control effectiveness between China and the United States
Changqing DONG ; Huayu HE ; Ye TAO ; Guangliang QIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):884-893
During the critical period of global cancer epidemiological transition, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recently published "Cancer Statistics, 2026" on the projected cancer data in the United States. To objectively evaluate the differences in cancer control systems between China and the United States, we compared the actual data of 2022 from National Cancer Center of China (NCC) with the latest the United States data. The mortality-to-incidence (M/I) ratio was used as the core indicator to evaluate clinical diagnosis and screening efficiency, and the Joinpoint regression trends from the source reports were analyzed. In addition, a sensitivity analysis model was built to adjust for the differences in the proportion of death-certificate-only (DCO) cases and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China's 2022 cancer screening data. There is a significant contrast in the epidemiological characteristics of cancer between China and the United States in terms of cancer species composition and overall prognosis, which essentially reflects the differences in the epidemiological history of the two countries. This also suggests that in the future, China's cancer prevention and control strategies should shift towards precise hierarchical management to further narrow the gap in health efficacy.
7.Epidemiological investigation of a cluster of rural severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome cases and tick ecological monitoring results in Zibo City
Jun DU ; Ai-min FENG ; Bao-qiang CUI ; Tao SUN ; Yi-chuan YANG ; Yan-dong WANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):128-133
Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of a clustered outbreak of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)as well as the ecological tick monitoring results for Zibo City, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods A case definition was cited before epidemic investigations were performed. Epidemiological investigations were performed on the index cases and their close contacts. Blood samples were collected from cases and close contacts, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to detect SFTS virus(SFTSV)nucleic acid sequences. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze risk factors and develop prevention and control strategies. Results This clustered outbreak involved two index cases and six close contacts with no deaths. Case A exhibited symptom onset on July 26. SFTS was confirmed on August 2. Case B exhibited symptom onset on August 1, and SFTS was confirmed on August 3. Patient B reported a recent history of tick bites. In both index cases, the incubation period for SFTS was inferred to be 7-12 days. The time interval from symptom onset to clinical diagnosis in the two cases ranged from 2-8 days, with an average period of 5 days. SFTSV nucleic acid test result were positive for both patients, whereas all six close contacts tested negative. All captured ticks tested negative for SFTSV using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The densities of parasitic and free-living ticks in the emergency monitoring area around the cases were 12.60 and 4.65 ticks/(flag·100 m). In 2024, the average parasitic tick index and free-living tick density index were 4.21 and 2.43 ticks/(flag ·100 m)in Yiyuan County, respectively. Conclusions No evidence of human-to-human transmission was found in the assessed SFTS clusters. The infections were likely acquired through tick bites during fieldwork, and the risk of a subsequent outbreak spreading was low.
8.Epidemiological characteristics of common viral respiratory infections before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province
Min-yi YANG ; Yan LIU ; Su-yi ZHANG ; Qiang WANG ; Guang-tao LIU ; Bo ZHENG ; Xin-yu WANG ; Dan-ni ZHAO ; Jian-yong SHEN ; Wei-bing WANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(6):819-828
Objective To investigate and compare the epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory viruses among influenza-like illness(ILI)and severe acute respiratory infection(SARI)cases in Huzhou,Zhejiang Province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,so as to provide a basis for formulating and adjusting the prevention and control strategies for viral respiratory infectious diseases.Methods ILI and SARI cases at two influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Huzhou and had throat swab samples collected during Nov 2017 to Feb 2020(pre-COVID-19 pandemic period)and Dec 2022 to Apr 2024(post-COVID-19 mitigation phase)were selected as the participants.Seven common viral respiratory pathogens were tested,including influenza A virus(H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes),influenza B virus(Victoria lineage,FluB),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV),rhinovirus(HRV),adenovirus(ADV),and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).The positive rates of respiratory pathogens before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were compared across different age groups and different time.Results A total of 7 948 ILI samples and 2 294 SARI samples were included.The overall positive rate of ILI samples increased from 33.6%to 47.1%,primarily due to the increase in influenza and COVID-19 infections;the overall positive rate of SARI samples decreased from 31.4%to 24.8%,mainly due to the reduction in HRV and ADV infections.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,SARS-CoV-2(22.1%),H3N2(12.7%),and FluB(6.0%)were the primary pathogens in ILI samples,while RSV(7.1%),H3N2(5.3%),and HRV(4.5%)dominated in SARI samples.During the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,the influenza virus circulation period was shortened.Before the COVID-19 pandemic,RSV was mainly detected in autumn and winter,while during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,out-of-season RSV epidemics were observed in spring and summer.Co-infection rate in ILI cases increased significantly in the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase,predominantly consisting of co-infections of COVID-19 and influenza A virus,while co-infection rate in SARI cases showed a decline.Conclusion We found important epidemiological changes in respiratory viruses in Huzhou during the post-COVID-19 mitigation phase compared to pre-COVID-19 period,including increased positive rates of influenza and COVID-19,and disruptions to the seasonal patterns of influenza and RSV.The prevention and control strategies should be adjusted in a timely manner based on the monitoring data.
9.Effects of Liangxue Heying Formula-medicated serum on the activation of LPS-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Chun-lan XIA ; Xia FENG ; Ye-min CAO ; Zhi-qiang LIANG ; Yi LE ; Hong-tao XU ; Fei QI ; Ji LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(4):1150-1156
AIM To investigate the effects of Liangxue Heying Formula-medicated serum(LXHY-MS)on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS CCK-8,DCFH-DA fluorescence probe and Western blot method were used to screen the LPS concentration in modeling and the serum LXHY concentration for treatment.The HUVECs divided into the normal group,the model group and the LXHY-MS group had their SOD activity detected by automatic biochemical analyzer;their MDA level detected by colorimetry;their protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 detected by Western blot;and their mROS expression and recruitment effect on THP-1 photographed with high connotation.With the use of JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor(AG490),the HUVECs divided into the normal group,the AG490 group,the LPS group,the LPS+AG490 group,the LPS+LXHY-MS group,and LPS+LXHY-MS+AG490 group were subjected to the corresponding treatment,followed by the detection of their protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed decreased SOD activity(P<0.01),increased MDA level(P<0.05),increased ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions(P<0.05,P<0.01),and increased mROS expression and THP-1 cells recruitment.Compared with the model group,the LXHY-MS group shared increased SOD activity(P<0.05),decreased MDA level(P<0.01),decreased ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions(P<0.05,P<0.01),reduced mROS expression and THP-1 cells recruitment.Given the use of AG490,the model group displayed increased protein expressions of ICAM-1,VCAM-1,IL-6,TNF-α,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in contrast to the normal group(P<0.05,P<0.01);each intervened group showed decreased expressions of related proteins in contrast to the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION LXHY-MS may protect the injury due to the activation of HUVECs by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
10.Application of percutaneous coronary intraluminal shock wave balloon catheter angioplasty in calcified coronary nodules
Hao JIANG ; Zhi WANG ; Zhen-tao SHI ; Min SUN ; Shi-jie FANG ; Qiang TANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(5):260-265
Objective To evaluate the effect of Intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)in the treatment of calcified nodules,and to observe the presence of coronary dissection after IVL treatment.Methods A total of 106 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(coronary heart disease)admitted to the cardiovascular Department of Shougang Hospital,Peking University from March 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.A total of 106 patients with moderate to severe stenosis accompanied by calcification as detected by coronary angiography were treated with IVL after intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)examination.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether there were calcified nodules in the coronary lesions:39 cases in the calcified nodules group and 67 cases in the non-calcified nodules group.The occurrence of coronary dissection during surgery was observed between the two groups,and other perioperative related complications and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)within 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)were compared between the two groups.Results The levels of renal insufficiency(25.6%vs.9.0%,P=0.021)and creatinine[(119.71±134.75)μmol/L vs.(71.82±16.53)μmol/L,P=0.033]in the calcified nodule group were higher than those in the non-calcified nodule group,the difference was statistically significant,and there was no difference in other baseline data.The target vessels in the calcified nodule group were mainly left anterior descending branch and right coronary artery,while those in the non-calcified nodule group were mainly left anterior descending branch,with few circumflex branches in both groups,and there was statistical significance in the distribution of target vessels in the left anterior descending branch and right coronary artery between the two groups(P=0.020).In terms of eccentric calcification(P=0.048)and asymmetric calcification(48.7%vs.28.4%,P=0.035)between the two groups,the calcified nodule group was higher than the non-calcified nodule group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).In terms of whether more than 20 pulses were needed and whether there was slippage during IVL,the calcified nodule group was higher than the non-calcified nodule group,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.022).The success rate of interventional therapy was 100%in both groups.After IVL treatment,the calcified nodule group was higher than the non-calcified nodule group in terms of the occurrence of coronary artery dissection,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.009).The MACE of the two groups within 1 month after PCI was slightly higher in the calcified nodule group than in the non-calcified nodule group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.235).Conclusions IVL is feasible and effective for the treatment of calcified coronary nodules.However,in the course of treatment,the occurrence of coronary dissection should be vigilant,identified as early as possible,and treated in time.


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