1.Mitophagy regulates bone metabolism
Hanmin ZHU ; Song WANG ; Wenlin XIAO ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Xi ZHOU ; Ye HE ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1676-1683
BACKGROUND:In recent years,numerous studies have shown that autophagy and mitophagy play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism.Under non-physiological conditions,mitophagy breaks the balance of bone metabolism and triggers metabolism disorders,which affect osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,etc. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of mitophagy in regulating bone metabolic diseases and its application in clinical treatment. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases were searched by computer using the keywords of"mitophagy,bone metabolism,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,osteocytes,chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells"in English and Chinese.The search time was from 2008 to 2023.According to the inclusion criteria,90 articles were finally included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mitophagy promotes the generation of osteoblasts through SIRT1,PINK1/Parkin,FOXO3 and PI3K signaling pathways,while inhibiting osteoclast function through PINK1/Parkin and SIRT1 signaling pathways.Mitophagy leads to bone loss by increasing calcium phosphate particles and tissue protein kinase K in bone tissue.Mitophagy improves the function of chondrocytes through PINK1/Parkin,PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways.Modulation of mitophagy shows great potential in the treatment of bone diseases,but there are still some issues to be further explored,such as different stages of drug-activated mitophagy,and the regulatory mechanisms of different signaling pathways.
2.Paroxetine alleviates dendritic cell and T lymphocyte activation via GRK2-mediated PI3K-AKT signaling in rheumatoid arthritis.
Tingting LIU ; Chao JIN ; Jing SUN ; Lina ZHU ; Chun WANG ; Feng XIAO ; Xiaochang LIU ; Liying LV ; Xiaoke YANG ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Chao TAN ; Xianli WANG ; Wei WEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):441-451
BACKGROUND:
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) could participate in the regulation of diverse cells via interacting with non-G-protein-coupled receptors. In the present work, we explored how paroxetine, a GRK2 inhibitor, modulates the differentiation and activation of immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS:
The blood samples of healthy individuals and RA patients were collected between July 2021 and March 2022 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were used to induce the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Flow cytometry analysis was used to characterize the differentiation and function of dendritic cells (DCs)/T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to explore the specific molecular mechanism.
RESULTS:
In patients with RA, high expression of GRK2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes, accompanied by the increases of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In animal model, a decrease in regulatory T cells (T regs ), an increase in the cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8 + ) T cells, and maturation of DCs were observed. Paroxetine, when used in vitro and in CIA mice, restrained the maturation of DCs and the differentiation of CD8 + T cells, and induced the proportion of T regs . Paroxetine inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 in DCs and T cells. Simultaneously, paroxetine upregulated the expression of programmed death ligand 1, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, paroxetine inhibited the PI3K-AKT-mTOR metabolic pathway in both DCs and T cells. This was associated with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in the utilization of glucose and lipids, particularly in DCs. Paroxetine reversed PI3K-AKT pathway activation induced by 740 Y-P (a PI3K agonist) through inhibiting the interaction between GRK2 and PI3K in DCs and T cells.
CONCLUSION
Paroxetine exerts an immunosuppressive effect by targeting GRK2, which subsequently inhibits the metabolism-related PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway of DCs and T cells in RA.
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2/metabolism*
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology*
;
Animals
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Dendritic Cells/metabolism*
;
Paroxetine/therapeutic use*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Mice
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Humans
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Male
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects*
;
Female
;
T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
;
Middle Aged
4.Molecular diversity and evolutionary mechanisms of bacterial nucleic acid sensing systems: a focus on the CBASS innate immune system
Wenjing BIAN ; Mei LI ; Yibei XIAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(4):416-423
The bacterial CBASS(cyclic-oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signaling system) represents a novel innate immune defense mechanism mediated by cyclic nucleotides.The system employs cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferases (CD-NTases) to recognize exogenous nucleic acids, catalyzing the production of second messenger molecules such as cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) to activate effector proteins (e.g., nucleases), thereby triggering "cell suicide" to combat phage infection. The molecular mechanisms and evolutionary features of CBASS not only uncover the diversity of bacterial immune defenses but also provide critical insights into the conservation of prokaryotic-eukaryotic immune pathways. Notably, the bacterial CBASS system exhibits profound homology with the eukaryotic cGAS-STING (Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase—Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway across multiple dimensions, including the catalytic domains of CD-NTase/cGAS and cyclic nucleotide signaling mechanisms. This finding supports the hypothesis that eukaryotic innate immunity may have originated from prokaryotic horizontal gene transfer and highlights an evolutionary shift in defense strategies from bacterial "population lysis" to "individual inflammatory activation" in higher organisms.This review systematically synthesizes the functional architecture and mechanisms of the CBASS system, with a deep exploration of its evolutionary connections to the eukaryotic cGAS-STING pathway. The insights gained herein offer fresh perspectives for understanding the origin and evolution of the innate immune system, and for driving advancements in biotechnological research and development.
5.Multi-evidence Integration Methodology for Traditional Chinese Medicine: the MERGE Framework
Honghao LAI ; Zhe WANG ; Ying LI ; Wenjing TANG ; Beibei WANG ; Peidong SUN ; Mingyao SUN ; Jiajie HUANG ; Zhipan XIAO ; Ying LI ; Chen ZHAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Kehu YANG ; Jie LIU ; Long GE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(1):172-182
In the era of evidence-based medicine, it is necessary to explore the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based on standardized technical methods and operating procedures in order to achieve the modernization and internationalization of TCM and benefit all humanity. The proposal of a three-pronged evidence system combining TCM theory, human experience and experimental evidence marks an important progress in the thinking method of the TCM evaluation system. The multi-evidence body integrated through appropriate methods provides a strong support for the clinical guideline recommendations and evidence-based health decision-making in TCM. Based on the current methodological progress of international evidence synthesis and grading, this paper proposes a novel approach for integrating multi-evidence in TCM: the MERGE framework. The aim is to establish a solid foundation for the development of this methodology and provide guidance for the advancement of evidence-based medicine framework in TCM.
6.Interpretation of specification for service of cancer screening for workers
Hongda CHEN ; Bin LU ; Ying ZHENG ; Peng DU ; Xiao QI ; Kai ZHANG ; Yuying LIU ; Junli WEI ; Donghua WEI ; Jiyong GONG ; Yunchao HUANG ; Zhenya SONG ; Xi CHU ; Dong DONG ; Wenjing ZHENG ; Min DAI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(4):486-489
As the backbone force of China's social and economic construction, the health status of workers is closely related to the nation's productivity and social development. Currently, cancers have become one of the major diseases threatening the health of workers. However, there are still many shortcomings in the cancer screening services for the workers. To standardize cancer screening services for workers, ensure the quality of screening services, and improve the overall screening effectiveness, 19 institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, have jointly formulated the Group Standard "Specification for service of cancer screening for workers (T/CHAA 023-2023)". This standard follows the principles of "legality, scientific rigor, advancement, and feasibility" and combines the frontier scientific advances in cancer screening. It clarifies the relevant requirements for service principles, service design, service delivery, service management, service evaluation, and improving worker cancer screening. Implementing this group standard will help connect the common screening needs of workers, employers, and cancer screening service providers, standardize the screening process, improve screening quality, and ultimately increase the early diagnosis rate and survival rate of cancer patients. Consequently, this group standard will help safeguard workers' health rights and interests, ensure the labor force resources, promote the comprehensive coordinated and sustainable development of society, and contribute to realizing the "Healthy China 2030" strategic policy.
7.A novel PAX9 variant in a Chinese family with non-syndromic oligodontia and genotype-phenotype analysis of PAX9 variants
Zhanyun JIN ; Junjia GUO ; Yunyun YUAN ; Lingqiang MENG ; Hui LI ; Ya ZHAO ; Jiabao REN ; Yongping MA ; Zun-Sheng XIAO ; Hong ZHANG ; Ling YANG ; Chenyun DOU ; Xiaoxue WANG ; Jinmei WANG ; Wenjing SHEN
West China Journal of Stomatology 2024;42(5):581-592
Objective This study aimed to identify PAX9 variants in non-syndromic tooth agenesis families of Chi-na,as well as to analyze the genotype-phenotype of non-syndromic tooth agenesis caused by PAX9 variants,which can provide a basis for the genetic diagnosis of tooth agenesis.Methods We collected the data of 44 patients with non-syn-dromic oligodontia who underwent treatment at Stomatological Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2018 and 2023.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the peripheral blood of the proband and its core family members,and the variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Pathogenicity analysis and function prediction of the variants were per-formed using bioinformatics tools.The correlation between the genotype of PAX9 variant and its corresponding pheno-type was examined by reviewing 55 publications retrieved from PubMed.The studies involved 232 tooth agenesis pa-tients with PAX9 variants.Results A novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)and a reported PAX9 c.406C>T(p.Gln136*)were identified in two Chinese families.Through bioinformatics analysis and three-dimensional structural mod-eling,we postulated that the frameshift variant was pathogenic.The outcome was the premature cessation of PAX9 pro-tein,which caused severe structural and functional deficiencies.Summarizing the PAX9 genotype-phenotype relationship revealed that patients carrying the PAX9 variant commonly led to loss of the second molars.Conclusion We identified the novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)in a Chinese family of non-syndromic oligodontia,expanding the known variant spectrum of PAX9.The most susceptible tooth position for PAX9 variants of tooth agenesis was the second mo-lars and the deciduous molars during the deciduous dentition.
8.Effect of polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide on acute kidney injury in mice induced by cisplatin and its ferroptosis mechanism
Fangyang JIANG ; Jing XIAO ; He CHANG ; Mingyang SUN ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Guangfu LYU ; He LIN ; Zhe LIN ; Xiaowei HUANG ; Yuchen WANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(5):1235-1242
Objective:To discuss the protective effect of polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)on the mice with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury(AKI),and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,POP group,and ferroptosis inducer Erastin combined with POP(Erastin+POP)group,and there were 10 mice in each group.The mice in POP group and Erastin+POP group were given intragastric administration of POP(400 mg·kg-1),and on the 7th day,the mice in model group,POP group,and Erastin+POP group were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin(20 mg·kg-1)to establish the AKI models,the mice in control group were injected with the same volume of normal saline,and the mice in Erastin+POP group were intraperitoneally injected with Erastin(40 mg·kg-1)one day in advance(on the 6th day of the experiment).After 9 d,the mice were killed and the serum and kidney tissue were collected,and the levels of serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by kit;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of kidney tissue of the mice in various groups;the expression levels of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1(FSP1),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by immunohistochemistry;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the level of GSH was significantly decreased(P<0.01);most kidney tubules were dilated,the epithelial cells were swollen,the vacuolar degeneration and epithelial cells fell off,and the protein-like tubules could be seen in the lumen;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue were decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with model group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in POP group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the level of GSH was significantly increased(P<0.01);the dilatation of kidney tubular lumen,epithelial cell swelling,vacuolar degeneration,and epithelial cell exfoliation were decreased;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in POP group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with POP group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in Erastin+POP group were significantly increased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was increased(P<0.05),and the level of GSH was significantly decreased(P<0.01);the pathological injury of kidney tissue was aggravated obviously;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:POP can reduce the AKI in the mice induced by cisplatin,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of POP on the ferroptosis induced by cisplatin.
9.Latent profile analysis of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia
Rui LI ; Yan SHI ; Xiao SUN ; Li WANG ; Guomin BU ; Jingyi WANG ; Xiaoqian KONG ; Wenjing XIA
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(16):2021-2029
Objective To explore the current status and potential subtypes of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia,and to analyze the related influencing factors of different subtypes.Methods Dementia patients and their family caregivers in 8 community health service centers in Shanghai from June to October 2023 were recruited by convenience sampling.General information questionnaire,Tilburg Frailty Indicator(TFI),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview(ZBI),and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC)were conducted for investigation.Latent profile analysis was used to explore the potential subtypes of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia.The influencing factors associated with the potential subtypes were identified by univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 470 family caregivers of patients with dementia were surveyed,and 46.17%of them suffered from frailty.Frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia can be classified into 3 potential subtypes:comprehensive-low frailty subtype(70.64%),psychosocial-medium frailty subtype(19.57%),and physical-high frailty subtype(9.79%).Family caregivers of patients with dementia who had poor sleep quality and suffered from 2 or more chronic diseases were more likely to be classified into the physical-high frailty subtype(P<0.05).Family caregivers of patients with dementia who had higher levels of depression,lower mastery levels of caregiving knowledge and skills and spousal caregivers were more likely to be classified into the psychosocial-medium frailty subtype(P<0.05).Family caregivers of patients with dementia who had higher levels of resilience were more likely to be classified into the comprehensive-low frailty subtype(P<0.05).Conclusion The incidence of frailty among family caregivers of patients with dementia is at a high level with significant heterogeneity.It is suggested that medical staff should pay attention to the frailty of family caregivers,with a focus on family caregivers in the psychosocial-medium frailty subtype or physical-high frailty subtype,and take timely and targeted interventions according to the characteristics and influencing factors of different subtypes,so as to prevent or delay the occurrence and development of frailty.
10.Mediating role of self-regulatory fatigue between psychological distress and patient activation among old patients receiving PCI
Wenjing ZHANG ; Feifei GUO ; Zhihao WANG ; Hongli GUO ; Yunling XIAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2024;43(8):1025-1029
Objective:To investigate the mediating role of self-regulatory fatigue between psychological distress and patient activation among elderly patients undergoing PCI, in order to establish a foundation for enhancing patient activation in this population.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 267 elderly patients hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics at Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, for PCI treatment of coronary artery disease from March to August 2023.The study utilized the Patient Self-Regulation Fatigue Scale(SRF-S), the Positivity Scale(PAM), and the Kessler Scale of Psychological Distress(K10)to evaluate self-regulation fatigue, positivity, and psychological distress in the patients.Additionally, a structural equation model was developed to investigate the relationships among these variables.Results:The study found that the scores of PAM, SRF-S, and K10 were as follows: (56.49±9.52), (42.74±8.11), and(23.42±4.45)respectively.Patient activation showed a negative correlation with self-regulatory fatigue and psychological distress, while self-regulatory fatigue was positively correlated with psychological distress.Furthermore, self-regulatory fatigue was identified as playing a partial mediating role between psychological distress and patient activation, with a mediating effect of 0.198, which accounted for 53.8% of the total effect.Conclusions:self-regulatory fatigue serving as a mediating factor between psychological distress and patient activation.Clinicians should prioritize addressing self-regulatory fatigue to enhance the efficacy of patient activation interventions.

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