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* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology* ; Animals ; Dendritic Cells/metabolism* ; Paroxetine/therapeutic use* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects* ; Female ; T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged

ObjectiveTo observe and compare the intervention effect of modified Cangfu Daotantang on glucose and lipid metabolism in simple obese children with phlegm dampness and stagnation. MethodA total of 60 children with simple obesity were randomly divided into two groups according to the simple randomization method of the random number table. The odd number was included in the test group， and the even number was included in the basic treatment group， with 30 cases in each group. On the basis of signing the informed consent notice， the treatment group was given modified Cangfu Daotantang combined with basic treatment， while the control group was only given basic treatment. After three months of treatment， the body mass index （BMI）， glucose and lipid metabolism level ［total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， fasting plasma glucose （FPG）， fasting insulin （FINS）， and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）］， the change in the total score of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， and the effective rate of treatment were observed and compared. ResultAfter treatment， the BMI of the observation group and the control group decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the BMI level in the observation group decreased significantly （P<0.05）. After treatment， the levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the observation group and the control group decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the observation group decreased significantly （P<0.05）. In addition， the level of TC in the observation group improved significantly compared with that in the control group （P<0.01）. The levels of FPG， FINS， and HOMA-IR in the observation group and the control group were significantly lower than those before treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， compared with the control group， the levels of FPG， FINS， and HOMA-IR in the observation group were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The level of FPG in the observation group was significantly improved compared with that in the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， the total score of TCM syndromes in the two groups decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the total score of TCM syndromes in the observation group was lower （P<0.01）. After treatment， the total effective rate of treatment was 86.67% （26/30） in the observation group and 73.33% （22/30） in the control group. By rank sum test， the total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group （Z=-2.100， P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Cangfu Daotantang combined with basic treatment can effectively reduce the BMI of obese children and improve their glucose and lipid metabolism. It has good clinical effects and high clinical application value， which is worth further in-depth research and promotion.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological and genetic characteristics of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in Tianjin during two influenza epidemic seasons from October 2020 to March 2021 and from October 2021 to March 2022, and enrich the whole genome database of hMPV in China.Methods:A total of 1 040 pharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) were analyzed using microfluidic chip fluorescence quantitative PCR. RT-PCR was used to amplify the whole genome in hMPV-positive samples, and the second-generation sequencing was performed for complete genome sequencing. Bioinformatics software including CLC, DNAStar, and MEGA was used for sequence assembly, nucleotide and amino acid homology analysis, and phylogenetic tree mapping.Results:Among the 1 040 samples, 25 were positive for hMPV with a positive rate of 2.40%. The highest positive rate was observed in the age group of 3 to 5 years, reaching 3.71% (16/431). During the influenza epidemic seasons, the detection rate of hMPV peaked in December, reaching 6.67% (12/180). Twelve strains were successfully sequenced, and there were seven of type B2, four of type A2b, and one of type B1. More variations were detected in the G gene, with 111nt-dup sequence repeats observed in the G gene of three A2b strains.Conclusions:The prevalence of hMPV peaks in December during the influenza epidemic seasons in Tianjin, with Type B2 being the predominant type. Except for the G gene with more mutations, other genes remain stable.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of dihydroartemisinin(DHA)on lipo-polysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)in mice using whole-genome sequencing.METHODS An ALI mouse model was established via intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg·kg-1 lipopolysaccharide.The mice were divided into normal control group(n=10),model group(n=10)and model+DHA group(n=10).The mice in the model+DHA group were injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg·kg-1 DHA,while those in the normal control group and LPS group were injected intraperitoneally with solvent of DHA,saline containing 1%Tween 80 and 10%Macrogol 400.The mice were executed 24 h after drug administration.The wet and dry weight ratio(W/D)of lung tissue was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe histopathological damage in the lung.Classified counts of inflamma-tory cells in alveolar lavage fluid were performed.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in alveolar lavage fluid.Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was used to detect mRNA levels of placenta-specific 8(Plac8),Toll-like receptor 7(TLR7),IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-αin lung tissue.The whole gene transcriptome was sequenced by RNA transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq)using the Illumina HiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform before the function and signal pathway of differentially expressed gene mRNA between the groups were enriched and analyzed using GO and KEGG enrichment analysis methods.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the lung W/D values of mice,the pathological damage,inflammatory cells in alveolar lavage fluid,expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in alveolar lavage fluid(P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.01),and the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced in lung tissues in the model+DHA group(P<0.01,P<0.05,P<0.05).Whole gene transcriptome sequencing revealed that immune-related Plac8 and TLR7 genes were significantly upregu-lated(P<0.01)in mouse lung tissue of the model group but significantly downregulated(P<0.05)in mouse lung tissue of the model+DHA group.The results of RT-qPCR of Plac8 and TLR7 verified the results of whole gene transcriptome sequencing.GO and KEGG analysis showed that Plac8 and TLR7 were mainly related to the regulation of cytokine production,T/B cell activation and signal transduction,chemo-kine signal transduction and NF-κB signal transduction.CONCLUSION DHA might reduce LPS-induced lung damage and ameliorate the inflammatory condition in lungs of ALI mice.The mechanism of action may be that DHA negatively regulates the signaling pathways involved in TLR7 and Plac8 by decreasing the expressions of TLR7 and Plac8 mRNA before regulating a series of immune responses such as secretion of inflammation-related cytokines and activation of immune cells,thereby reducing inflam-matory damage in lungs.

Objective : To investigate the effect of platelet particles on the extent of intestinal inflammation and in⁃ testinal mucosal permeability in mice with dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis. Methods : The experiment was divided into four groups : normal control group ( n = 10 , drinking sterile distilled water + intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution) , PMPs group ( n = 10 , drinking sterile distilled water + intraperitoneal injection of PMPs) , DSS model group ( n = 10 , drinking DSS solution + intraperitoneal injection of 0. 9% sodium chloride solution) , and experimental group ( n = 15 , drinking DSS solution + intraperitoneal injection of PMPs) . Peripheral blood⁃derived PMPs suspension was collected from inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD) patients. A colitis model was constructed in mice by allowing them to freely drink a 5% DSS solution for 1 week , followed by continuous intraperitoneal injection of PMPs for 7 days. Disease activity index (DAI) scores was recorded daily and the severity of intestinal inflammation with histopathological scores (HI) was assessed by HE staining of colon samples at the end of the experiment. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) , neutrophil elastase (NE) , citrullinated histone H3 (citH3) , and free DNA levels were measured in colon homogenate , observe intestinal mucosal structure by transmission electron microscopy , and intestinal permeability was tested using fluorescein isothiocyanate⁃dextran (FITC⁃D) . Results: Compared with the normal control group , the colonic mucosa of mice in the PMPs group showed edema , severe destruction of epithelial structure , extensive aggregation of inflammatory cells , and increased overall HI score (P < 0. 01) ; the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL⁃1β and TNF⁃α in colonic tissue homogenates of mice in the PMPs group increased (P < 0. 05) , and the expression of NETs increased (P < 0. 05) ; the plasma FITC⁃D level of mice in the PMPs group significantly increased (P < 0. 05) , and the permeability of intestinal mucosa increased. Compared with the DSS group , the experimental group mice had higher plasma FITC⁃D levels ( P < 0. 05 ) and more electron microscopic colonic epithelial damage. Conclusion PMPs induces NETs formation in mice , promotes colonic inflammation in mice , increases intestinal mucosal permeability and aggravates intestinal inflammation in mice with DSS colitis.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the leaves and twigs of Callicarpa cathayana. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, MCI gel CHP 20P/P120, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. The structures of the compounds were determined by HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. Results: A total of 24 compounds were isolated from the 85% methanol extract of leaves and twigs of C. cathayana. They were identified as cathayanalactone G (1), a new diterpene, and 23 known compounds as patagonic acid (2), (-)-16-hydroxycledroda-3,13-dien-16,15-olide-18-oic acid (3), 15-methoxypatagonic acid (4), oleanolic acid (5), ursolic acid (6), siaresinolic acid (7), pomolic acid (8), α-amyrin (9), tormentic acid (10), lupeol (11), 5,7-dihydroxy-3,4′-dimethoxyflavone (12), 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,7,3′-dimethoxyfla-vone (13), 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,4′- tetramethoxyflavone (14), salvigenin (15), kaemferol (16), astragalin (17), pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (18), paulownin (19), β-sitosterol (20), β-sitosterol β-D-glucopyranoside (21), 5-hydroxy-coumarin (22), isocopoletin (23), and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (24). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new labdane diterpene. Compounds 10, 13, 16 and 17 are isolated from the genus Callicarpa for the first time. Compounds 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 23 and 24 are reported from C. cathayana for the first time.

Objective To investigate the changes and formation mechanism of plasma endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Blood samples were collected from 60 patients with AP who were treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from August 2020 to June 2021, and these patients were divided into mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group with 23 patients, moderate-severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) group with 23 patients, and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group with 14 patients; 20 individuals who underwent physical examination were enrolled as control group.Differential centrifugation was used to obtain platelet-poor plasma, flow cytometry was used to measure the level of CD31 + CD41 - EMPs, and ELISA was used to measure the levels of endothelin-1(ET-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), nitric oxide (NO), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1).HUVECs were stimulated by the plasma of AP patients, and then flow cytometry and qRT-PCR were used to measure the changes in EMPs, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), VCAM-1, NADPH oxidase, and P-selectin.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups and within each group.The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Pearson correlation test was used for correlation analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the MAP, MSAP, and SAP groups had a significant increase in the level of EMPs (all P < 0.05).Compared with the MAP and MSAP groups, the SAP group had a significant increase in the level of EMPs (both P < 0.05).In the patients with AP, the level of EMPs was negatively correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ score, Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis, Ranson score, CT score, and C-reactive protein ( r =0.686 2, 0.777 3, 0.713 8, 0.771 8, and 0.473 9, all P < 0.01).Compared with the control group, the MAP, MSAP, and SAP groups had significant increases in the levels of ET-1, vWF, and VCAM-1 and a significant reduction in the level of NO (all P < 0.05).Compared with the control group, the MSAP and SAP groups had the plasma that promoted the release of a large amount of EMPs (both P < 0.05).Compared with the control group, all the other groups, except the MAP group in terms of VCAM-1 and eNOS, had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of eNOS, iNOS, ICAM-1, P-selectin, VCAM-1, and NADPH oxidase (all P < 0.05).Compared with the HC group, the MAP, MSAP, and SAP groups and the LPS group had a significant increase in the level of ROS and a significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential in HUVECs (all P < 0.05). Conclusion There is a significant increase in the plasma level of EMPs in AP patients, which is correlated with the severity of pancreatitis.Meanwhile, the plasma of AP patients can promote the formation of EMPs in HUVECs in vitro, which may be associated with cell oxidative injury.

The aim of this work is to discover the inhibitory mechanism of tea peptides and to analyse the affinities between the peptides and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) as well as the stability of the complexes using in vitro and in silico methods. Four peptide sequences identified from tea, namely peptides I, II, III, and IV, were used to examine ACE inhibition and kinetics. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC

Objective:To explore the medication regularity and prescription rule of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of cardiac failure.Methods:The China Patent Publication Notice of the State Intellectual Property Office (http://epub.sipo.gov.cn/) was rearched and retrievedfor Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of heart failure. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) inheritance support system (V 2.5) was used to input the prescription information and establish the database. The association rules, mutual information method, entropy clustering of complex systems and other data mining methods were used for commonly used drugs, combination rule and new prescription of core group.Results:A total of 101 prescriptions were included, involving 316 drugs. The frequency of commonly used drugs were Astragali Radix (59.41%), Poria (41.58%), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (40.59%), Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen (34.65%), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (33.66%), and the medicinal properties were mainly warm, and the sweet taste. The main flavors weresweet, bitterness, and pungency, and the main sources of meridians belonged to liver, spleen, heart, lungs and kidneys. The most commonly used drug combinations contribute to supplement Qi, invigorate blood circulation and stasis, warm Yang, remove moisture. There were 12 core drug groups and 6 new prescriptions for heart failure. Conclusions:Analysis on formulas for heart failure shows that the prescriptions focus on supplementing qi and activating blood circulation, warming Yang reducing dampness, invigorating spleen, and nourishing Yin, dispel turbid, solid Yang. It can provide reference for clinical treatment to improve curative effect and standardize prescription medication.

Biological pharmaceutics is not only the important basic course in medicine,biotechnology,but also the course of combination of theory and practice.Experiment plays an important role in the teaching system of biological pharmaceutics.According to the characteristics of biopharmaceutical and the demand for talent cultivation,we have made some adjustments from the basic process of genetic engineering drug preparation such as rearranging biopharmaceutical experimental classes to form a systemic experiment content,increasing the experiment lesson,innovatively making the students participant in the experiment preparation,and opening the laboratory and improve the method of experiment examination.It has been proved that this teaching reform can improve the teaching quality of experimental class,and has valuable demonstration significance and reference value to the quality education and experimental teaching reform.