ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula（YHJF） on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated， model， low-dose YHJF（4.1 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose YHJF（8.2 g·kg^-1） groups. Except for the sham-operated group， a cecal ligation and puncture（CLP） procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses， while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention， the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded， and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention， and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate（dUTP） nick end labeling（TUNEL） staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of interleukin（IL）-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes（DEGs） and differential metabolites in the spleen， followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， flow cytometry， and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice（P0.05）. Compared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling， with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells， an increase in the spleen index， and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.05）. Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups， potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology（GO） enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer（NK） cell-mediated positive immune regulation， cell killing， cytokine production， positive regulation of innate immune cells， and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions， viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors， chemokine signaling pathway， and nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB） signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis identified CD160， granzyme B（GZMB）， and chemokine ligand 4（CCL4） as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention， and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， glycosylphosphatidylinositol（GPI） anchor biosynthesis， linoleic acid metabolism， and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that， compared with the sham-operated group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen， along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression， and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T（NKT） cells in the spleen（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen， a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group， CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased（P0.01）， while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression（P0.01）. ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160， and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula（YHJF） on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated， model， low-dose YHJF（4.1 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose YHJF（8.2 g·kg^-1） groups. Except for the sham-operated group， a cecal ligation and puncture（CLP） procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses， while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention， the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded， and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention， and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate（dUTP） nick end labeling（TUNEL） staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of interleukin（IL）-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes（DEGs） and differential metabolites in the spleen， followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， flow cytometry， and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice（P0.05）. Compared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling， with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells， an increase in the spleen index， and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels（P0.05）. Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups， potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology（GO） enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer（NK） cell-mediated positive immune regulation， cell killing， cytokine production， positive regulation of innate immune cells， and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions， viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors， chemokine signaling pathway， and nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB） signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis identified CD160， granzyme B（GZMB）， and chemokine ligand 4（CCL4） as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention， and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， glycosylphosphatidylinositol（GPI） anchor biosynthesis， linoleic acid metabolism， and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that， compared with the sham-operated group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen， along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression， and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T（NKT） cells in the spleen（P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen， a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group， CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased（P0.01）， while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression（P0.01）. ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160， and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.

Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity， and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity， this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） herbs that strengthen the spleen， regulate qi， and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation， promoting water-damp metabolism， and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness， internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity， this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.

BACKGROUND:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)is a pleiotropic cytokine,which is secreted in different types of stem cells and can regulate the proliferation,differentiation and migration of various types of stem cells.Our previous research has confirmed that human embryonic stem cells secrete MIF and that its concentration in the culture medium is relatively stable.However,whether MIF is involved in the survival,proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of MIF on survival,proliferation,and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. METHODS:(1)Human embryonic stem cells H9 were cultured.The growth curve of cells was detected and plotted by CCK-8 assay.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the level of MIF in the medium.(2)To determine the effects of exogenous MIF on the survival and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells,different groups were established:the control group,which was cultured in stem cell medium without any modifications;the exogenous MIF group,which was treated with different concentrations(30,100,300 ng/mL)of MIF in the stem cell medium;the MIF inhibitor ISO-1 group,which was treated with different concentrations(2,7,21 μmol/L)of ISO-1 in the stem cell medium;and the MIF+ISO-1 group,which was treated with different concentrations of ISO-1 along with 100 ng/mL of MIF.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay.(3)To further elucidate the effect of MIF gene on survival and proliferation of human embryonic stem cell,the MIF knockout H9 cell line was constructed by CRISPR-Cas 9 technology to observe the lineage establishment.(4)To determine the effect of high concentrations of MIF on human embryonic stem cell differentiation,100 ng/mL MIF and 100 ng/mL of CXCR4 neutralizing antibody were separately added to the normal stem cell culture medium.The expression levels of self-renewal factors(KLF4,c-MYC,NANOG,OCT4,and SOX2)and differentiation transcription factors(FOXA2,OTX2)were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunofluorescence staining,and western blot analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The logarithmic growth phase of H9 cells was between 3-6 days.Under normal growth conditions,human embryonic stem cells secreted MIF at a concentration of approximately 20 ng/mL,independent of cell quantity.(2)Compared to the control group,the addition of different concentrations of MIF had no effect on the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells(P>0.05).ISO-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells,with a stronger inhibition observed at higher concentrations of ISO-1(P<0.05).The addition of MIF in the presence of ISO-1 reduced the inhibitory effect of ISO-1(P<0.05).(3)Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that knocking out 50%of the MIF gene resulted in a significant decrease in the growth vitality of human embryonic stem cells and failure to establish cell lines.(4)Adding 100 ng/mL exogenous MIF to the culture medium resulted in a decrease in the mRNA,protein,and fluorescence expression levels of the self-renewal transcription factor KLF4,while the mRNA,protein,and fluorescence expression levels of the differentiation factor FOXA2 increased.(5)When 100 ng/mL CXCR4 neutralizing antibody was added to the culture medium,the mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF4 increased,while the mRNA and protein expression levels of FOXA2 decreased,contrary to the expression trend observed in the MIF group.In conclusion,the endogenous secretion of MIF by human embryonic stem cells is essential for their survival.The addition of MIF to the culture medium does not promote the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells.However,it can lead to a decrease in the expression of the self-renewal factor KLF4 and an increase in the expression of the transcription factor FOXA2.This provides a clue for further investigation into the effects and mechanisms of MIF on the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.The MIF-CXCR4 axis plays a regulatory role in this process.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have found that neohesperidin can delay bone loss in ovariectomized mice and has the potential to treat osteoporosis,but its specific mechanism of action remains to be explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the key targets and possible mechanisms of neohesperidin in the treatment of osteoporosis based on bioinformatics and cell experiments in vitro. METHODS:The gene expression dataset related to osteoporosis was obtained from GEO database,and the differentially expressed genes were screened and analyzed in R language.The osteoporosis-related targets were screened from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases,and the neohesperidin-related targets were screened from ChEMBL and PubChem databases,and the common targets were obtained by intersection of the three.The String database was used to construct the PPI network of intersection genes,and the key targets were screened.The DAVID database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.The AutoDock software was used to verify the molecular docking between the neohesperidin and the target protein.The effect of neohesperidin on osteogenic differentiation of C57 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected.Complete medium was used as blank control group;osteogenic induction medium was used as the control group;and osteogenic induction medium containing different concentrations of neohesperidin(25,50 μmol/L)was used as experimental group.The expression of alkaline phosphatase,the degree of mineralization,the expression of osteogenic-related genes and target genes during osteogenic differentiation of cells were measured at corresponding time points. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)9 253 differentially expressed genes,2 161 osteoporosis-related targets,and 326 neohesperidin-related targets were screened.There were 53 common targets among the three.All 53 genes were up-regulated in osteoporosis samples.The PPI network screened the target gene PRKACA of research significance.GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that neohesperidin's treatment of osteoporosis through PRKACA target mainly depended on biological processes such as protein phosphorylation and protein autophosphorylation,acting on endocrine resistance,proteoglycan in cancer,and estrogen signaling pathway to play a therapeutic role.Molecular docking results showed that neohesperidin had a certain binding ability to the protein corresponding to the target PRKACA.(2)The results of alkaline phosphatase staining showed that neohesperidin could promote the expression of alkaline phosphatase in the early stage of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.Alizarin red staining showed that neohesperidin could promote the mineralization of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.RT-qPCR results showed that neohesperidin could increase the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,PRKACA,and osteocalcin.(3)These results indicate that neohesperidin may promote osteogenic differentiation through PRKACA target on the estrogen signaling pathway to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:The mechanism of programmed death receptor-1(PD-1)effect on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high glucose environment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of PD-1 on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high glucose environment and its regulatory mechanism. METHODS:Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were randomly divided into normal glucose group(5.6 mmol/L),high glucose group(30 mmol/L),PD-1 overexpression group,PD-1 overexpression no-load group,PD-1 knockdown group,PD-1 knockdown no-load group,and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor group(PD-1 knockdown+5 μmol/L LY294002).Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in high glucose to simulate the diabetic environment in vitro.The mRNA expression of PD-1 and ligand PD-L1 and the mRNA expression of osteogenic markers Runx2 and OSX in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by qRT-PCR.The osteogenic differentiation ability was observed by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The protein expressions of PD-1,PD-L1,p-PI3K,and p-AKT were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 were significantly increased in the high glucose environment in vitro,and the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was inhibited in the high glucose environment.(2)Knockdown of PD-1 expression could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,increase cell proliferation activity,and activate the PI3K/AKT pathway.(3)After addition of PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002,the ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts decreased.The results show that PD-1 is dependent on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high glucose environment.

BACKGROUND:U937 cells can be used as a cell model for studying the biological characteristics,signaling pathways,and therapeutic targets of acute myeloid leukemia.Although it has been reported that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia,its biological function in U937 cells remains unclear,and its mechanism of action in the occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia needs to be further clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression level of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells. METHODS:RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the bone marrow monocyte samples from acute myeloid leukemia patients,and the differentially expressed gene long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was screened.The expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia was detected by qRT-PCR.The relationship between long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 mRNA expression and prognosis in bone marrow cells of 173 acute myeloid leukemia patients and 70 healthy people was statistically analyzed by GEPIA database.Subsequently,recombinant lentivirus technology and CRISPR/Cas9-SAM technology were used to construct U937 cell lines with knockdown/overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125.qRT-PCR was used to detect the knockdown/overexpression efficiency of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125.Next,CCK-8 assay,flow cytometry,and western blot assay were used to detect the effects of knockdown/overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells.Finally,western blot assay was used to detect the effect of knockdown/overexpressed long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of qRT-PCR showed that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was highly expressed in peripheral blood of acute myeloid leukemia patients.The results of GEPIA database showed that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was highly expressed in bone marrow cells of acute myeloid leukemia patients,and the high expression group had worse overall survival.(2)The knockdown efficiency of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in knockdown group was 70%,and the U937 cells that stably down-regulated long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 expression were successfully constructed.The expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in overexpression group was four times that of vector group,and stable U937 cells were successfully constructed.(3)Knockdown of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells and promoted their apoptosis.Overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 promoted the proliferation of U937 cells but had no significant effect on the apoptosis of U937 cells.(4)Knockdown of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 inhibited the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,while overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.These results confirm that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia peripheral blood.Long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 may affect the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,and may be a potential prognostic marker for acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.

Objective: To explore the impact of sleep quality, experience of childhood maltreatment, and their interaction on depressive symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide the reference for early intervention of depressive symptoms among middle school students. Methods: From September to December 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 231 students from two secondary schools in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province by a convenient sampling method. The survey included general demographic information, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Short Version of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The Chi square test was used to analyze the differences in depressive symptom, sleep quality and childhood maltreatment among students with different demographic characteristics. Correlation analysis was conducted using Logistic regression, and interaction analysis was performed by both additive and multiplicative interaction models. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms among middle school students was 22.7%, and the rate for high school students (35.2%) was significantly higher than that for middle school students (17.0%) ( χ 2=50.35, P <0.01). The detection rates of depressive symptoms among middle school students with a history of childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality were 45.8% and 44.0%, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that compared to students without a history of childhood maltreatment, students with a history of childhood maltreatment had a higher risk of depressive symptoms ( OR =4.49，95% CI =3.31~ 6.09 , P <0.01);students with poor sleep quality had a higher risk of depressive symptoms than students with good sleep quality ( OR = 5.99，95% CI =4.37~8.22, P <0.01).The interaction results showed that the presence of childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality had an additive interaction on the occurrence of depression in middle school students. Compared with students without childhood maltreatment and having good sleep quality, students with childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality had a 22.49 times higher risk of developing depression ( OR =22.49，95% CI =14.22~35.59, P <0.01). Conclusion Depressive symptoms among middle school students are associated with childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality, and there is an additive interaction between childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality on the impact of depressive symptoms.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Shexiang Tongxin Dripping pills-containing serum （STDP） in ameliorating angiotensinⅡ （AngⅡ）-induced cell phenotype transformation， proliferation， migration， and dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells. MethodsAn AngⅡ-induced proliferation and migration model of vascular smooth muscle cells was established. The cells were treated with STDP at 5%， 10%， and 20% for 24 h. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of α smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine （EdU） staining were employed to detect the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells， and the scratch assay was employed to detect the migration of the cells. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of pathway proteins such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 （ACE2）， angiotensin Ⅱ type 2 （AT2）， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 （AT1）， as well as proliferation and migration proteins such as typeⅠ collagen （ColⅠ） and osteopontin （OPN）. ResultsCompared with the model group， STDP increased the expression of α-SMA， reduced the expression of MMP-2， and inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells （P<0.05）. Furthermore， STDP up-regulated the expression levels of ACE2， AT2， and MAS1， while down-regulating the expression level of AT1， PCNA， ColⅠ， MMP-9， Rock1， Rock2， and SRF （P<0.05）. Compared with the STDP group， the ACE2 inhibitor reversed the regulatory effects of STDP. ConclusionSTDP inhibits the phenotype transformation， proliferation， and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and regulates the expression of cell proliferation and migration-related proteins to ameliorate the dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells. It exerts the effects by up-regulating the expression of proteins in the ACE2-AT2/MAS pathway and down-regulating the expression of proteins in the AT1-Rock signaling pathway.