BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Deoxyshikonin (DSK) has been reported to inhibit tumor growth in various types of cancers, but its roles and action mechanisms in breast cancer (BC) are unclear. This study examined the anti-cancer function and mechanism of DSK in BC.MATERIALS/METHODS: MDA-MB-231 and BT549, human BC cells, were used. The cell viability and apoptosis levels were examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 experiments and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of apoptosis-related factors (Ki-67, Bax, and Bcl-2), CD206, CD168, and proteins involved in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)uclear factor (NF)-κB pathway was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The cell invasion ability was determined using the Transwell experiment. The levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The in vivo functions of DSK were assessed using a xenograft mouse model. RESULTS: DSK inhibited cell proliferation, enhanced cell apoptosis, and reduced the cell invasion of MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells. DSK also reduced the levels of CD206 and CD168 proteins, as well as IL-10 and TGF-β in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced THP-1 cells.DSK downregulated the expression of the phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-NF-κB proteins in cells. These effects were reversed by 740 Y-P (PI3K/AKT activator). In addition, DSK significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight in a xenograft mouse model. DSK increased the level of cell apoptosis and decreased the expression of Ki-67 and CD206 in subcutaneous tumor tissue. DSK also inactivated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins. CONCLUSION DSK inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and tumor immune microenvironment of BC cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, indicating that DSK may be a potential therapeutic option for BC treatment.

In this study, we constructed a series of recombinant Fc variants of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), screened the fragment crystallizable (Fc) variants with significantly prolonged serum half-lives, and analyzed the relationship between mutation site and half-life, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of IgG4 antibodies and Fc fusion protein-based drugs. Nine gene sites were selected for mutation, and different mutation sites were combined. The variant expression plasmids pET24b-Fc were constructed by molecular cloning and point mutation. The plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) for the expression of different recombinant proteins of Fc. Fc2 and Fc3 variants had slightly lower recombinant protein yields, and the expression of other variants was not affected. The toxicity of different Fc variants was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and calcein acetoxymethyl ester/ propidium iodide (calcein AM/PI) in vitro and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) in vivo. The results showed that the recombinant Fc variants had good biocompatibility and safety. Finally, the Fc variants were labeled with fluorescent markers, and the effects of different mutations on their serum half-lives were investigated by in vivo experiments. The Fc5 variant with prolonged serum half-life was successfully screened out, which provided a theoretical and practical basis for the optimal design of IgG4 subtype antibody and Fc fusion protein drugs.
Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments/biosynthesis* ; Half-Life ; Animals ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Mice

Objective:To analyze the incidence trend of lip and oral cancer in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods:The incidence data of lip and oral cancer in China from 1990 to 2021 were obtained through the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) database, including incidence rates by gender and age-standardized incidence rates. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trend of lip and oral cancer incidence rate. Age-period-cohort (APC) model was adopted to estimate the effects of Age, Period and Cohort on the incidence of lip and oral cancer in China.Results:The crude and age-standardized incidence rates of lip and oral cancer in China from 1990 to 2021 showed an increasing trend, and the crude incidence rates of the whole population, male and female in the year 2021 increased by 216.8%, 266.7% and 130.4%, respectively, compared with 1990. The age effect, period effect and birth cohort effect of the incidence risk of lip and oral cancer in China were statistically significant (all P<0.05). People of older the age and the more recent the birth cohort, the higher the incidence risk. Conclusions:The incidence of lip and oral cancer is on the rise in China from 1990 to 2021. Age, period and birth cohort are all the factors affecting the incidence of lip and oral cancer.

Although clinical evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an established major risk factor for heart failure, it remains unexplored whether sleep disorder-caused hepatic damage contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, our findings revealed that sleep fragmentation (SF) displayed notable hepatic detrimental phenotypes, including steatosis and oxidative damage, along with significant abnormalities in cardiac structure and function. All these pathological changes persisted even after sleep recovery for 2 consecutive weeks or more, displaying memory properties. Mechanistically, persistent higher expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the liver was the key initiator of SF-accelerated damage phenotypes. SF epigenetically controlled the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) enrichment at the Nox4 promoter and markedly increased Nox4 expression in liver even after sleep recovery. Moreover, fine coordination of the circadian clock and hepatic damage was strictly controlled by BMAL1-dependent Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) transcription after circadian misalignment. Accordingly, genetic manipulation of liver-specific Nox4 or Sirt1, along with pharmacological intervention targeting NOX4 (GLX351322) or SIRT1 (Resveratrol), could effectively erase the epigenetic modification of Nox4 by reducing the H3K27ac level and ameliorate the progression of liver pathology, thereby counteracting SF-evoked sustained CVD. Collectively, our findings may pave the way for strategies to mitigate myocardial injury from persistent hepatic detrimental memory in diabetic patients.

Objective To explore the effect of modified Buzhong Yiqi decoction(MBZYQ)on thyroid function in rats with Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)by regulating the Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods The HT rat model was constructed.The successfully modeled rats were divided into the HT group,L-MBZYQ,M-MBZYQ,H-MBZYQ(intragastric administration of 11.35,22.70,and 45.40 g/kg MBZYQ granules,respectively),and the MBZYQ+Pam3CSK4 group(intragastric administration of 45.40 g/kg MBZYQ granules+intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4),with 10 rats in each group.Another 10 normally raised rats were selected as the control group.The pathological changes of thyroid tissues and the apoptosis of thyroid tissue cells in each group were observed by HE staining and TUNEL staining respectively.The expressions of serum thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),free triiodothyronine(FT3),free thyroxine(FT4),thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),interleukin-17(IL-17),and interleukin-10(IL-10)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TLR2,MyD88 and NF-κB in thyroid tissues.Results The pathological damage of thyroid tissues in the L-MBZYQ,M-MBZYQ and H-MBZYQ groups was alleviated.The apoptosis rate of cells,the expressions of TGAb,TPOAb,TSH,IL-17,TLR2,MyD88 and NF-κB were lower than those in the HT group,while the expressions of FT3,FT4 and IL-10 were higher than those in the HT group.Moreover,the degree of decrease or increase in the M-MBZYQ and H-MBZYQ groups was greater than that in the L-MBZYQ group,and the changes in the H-MBZYQ group were greater than those in the M-MBZYQ group(P<0.05).The pathological damage of thyroid tissue in the MBZYQ+Pam3CSK4 group was further aggravated.The apoptosis rate of cells,the expressions of TGAb,TPOAb,TSH,IL-17,TLR2,MyD88 and NF-κB were higher than those in the H-MBZYQ group,while the expressions of FT3,FT4 and IL-10 were lower than those in the H-MBZYQ group(P<0.05).Conclusion MBZYQ can protect the thyroid function of HT rats,and its mechanism of action may be achieved by inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of plasmalemmal vesicle-associated protein(PLVAP)regulating high glucose(HG)induced endocytosis dysfunction in human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells(HLSECs)through Kelch-like epichlorohydrin ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/Maf protein.Methods HLSECs were cultured in vitro and divided into normal control(NC)group,high glucose(HG)group,PLVAP overexpression recombinant vector(LV-PLVAP)group,lentivirus empty vector(LV-CON)group,HG+LV-PLVAP+Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385)group,HG+LV-PLVAP+Maf inhibitor(Mafenide)group,HG+LV-CON+ML385 group and HG+LV-CON+Mafenide group.Cell activity was detected by CCK-8 assay.The transfection efficiency of LV-PLVAP was observed by fluorescence microscopy.The fluorescence expression of PLVAP and Nrf2 was detected by immunofluorescence.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PLVAP,Keap1,Nrf2,and Maf,Caveolin-1(CAV-1).Results A lot of green fluorescence appeared in LV-PLVAP and LV-CON groups,however,no green fluorescence was shown in NC group.Immunofluorescence results showed that PLVAP was expressed in cell membrane;Nrf2 was expressed in cytoplasm,and in HG group,Nrf2 was expressed in nucleus.Compared with NC group,the expression of PLVAP,Keap1 mRNA and protein decreased in HG group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the expression of Nrf2,Maf and CAV-1 mRNA and protein increased in HG group(P<0.01).Compared with HG group,the expression of PLVAP,Keap1,Nrf2 mRNA and protein increased in HG+LV-PLVAP group(P<0.01),while the expression of Maf,CAV-1 mRNA and protein decreased in HG+LV-PLVAP group(P<0.01).Compared with HG+LV-PLVAP group,the expression of CAV-1 mRNA and protein increased in HG+LV-PLVAP+ML385 and HG+LV-PLVAP+Mafenide groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions PLVAP regulates the expression of CAV-1 through the Keap1/Nrf2/Maf pathway and then regulates HG induced endocytosis dys-function in HLSECs.Over expression of PLVAP alleviates this pathological reaction.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of pachymic acid(PA)on li-popolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute kidney injury(AKI)in mice.METHODS:(1)Genes related to AKI were screened using the DAVID database.Core genes were identified by intersecting related genes and analyzed using Cyto-scape software.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analyses were performed through the DAVID database for the cross-targets.Molecular docking and activity assays were conducted on the primary core targets.(2)A total of 100 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups:normal control(NC),model(LPS),solvent control(LPS+DMSO),and treatment groups(LPS+PA-10 and LPS+PA-20),with 20 mice in each group.The LPS-AKI model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 18 mg/kg LPS.The treatment groups received 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg PA,respectively,and the solvent control group was administered an equivalent dose of DMSO.Mice were euthanized 24 h after injection.Serum was collected for biochemical analysis,and Western blot was used to detect neutro-phil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL),kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1),caspase-3,cleaved caspase-3,interleu-kin-1β(IL-1β),and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)protein expression.RT-qPCR was employed to detect inflammatory factor mRNA levels.Molecular docking was used to simulate the optimal binding site of PA to caspase-3.En-zyme activity assays were performed to assess caspase protein activity,and renal lesions were observed via hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.RESULTS:(1)Thirty-one potential targets of PA against AKI were identified through network pharmacology.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that these tar-gets were primarily involved in immune response,inflammatory processes,apoptosis and survival,angiogenesis and hemo-dynamics,oxidative stress,and endoplasmic reticulum stress.Key targets included CASP3(caspase-3),PTGS2,BCL2,CCL2,and CYP219.(2)PA treatment improved renal function and reduced tubular epithelial injury.It significantly de-creased NGAL,KIM-1,and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels,as well as inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β,and MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression.PA also reduced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.Enzyme activity assays and mo-lecular docking revealed that PA exerted its anti-apoptotic effect by directly binding to caspase-3,thereby inhibiting its ac-tivation by caspase-8.CONCLUSION:PA demonstrated a therapeutic effect in LPS-AKI,potentially through the inhibi-tion of inflammatory factor synthesis and release,as well as the inhibition of caspase-3 activation by caspase-8,reducing apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Aim To investigate the effects of endur-ance exercise(EE)on rats following cerebral ischemi-a/reperfusion injury(CI/RI)and to explore its rela-tionship with the Mas signaling pathway.Methods Seventy-two adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=18 each):sham group,model group,EE group(group E),and A779 pretreatment group(group A).The CI/RI model was established u-sing middle cerebral artery occlusion method Rats in both group E and group A underwent regular running for four weeks before model preparation,while rats in group A were injected with A779 30 minutes before model preparation.The cognitive function of rats was evaluated using the Neurological Disability Score(NDS)and Morris water maze test.After intravenous injection of Evans blue(EB)for one hour,the rats were euthanized,and brain tissues were collected to measure the infarction volume,EB content,ROS con-tent,and the percentage of apoptotic neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region.The protein expression relat-ed to the Mas pathway was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group,the learning and memory ability as well as the neurological function in group E exhibited a significant improvement(P＜0.05).Both the cerebral infarction volume and the ap-optotic neuron percentage in the ischemic hippocampal CA1 region showed a significant reduction in group E(P＜0.05).The ROS content along with the EB con-tent in the brain tissue significantly decreased in group E(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the expressions of Mas/PKA/CREB/UCP2 pathway related proteins were sig-nificantly enhanced in group E(P＜0.05).However,the Mas receptor antagonist A779 significantly inhibited these neurological effects(P＜0.05).Conclusion EE may inhibit oxidative stress and alleviate CI/RI in rats by activating the Mas/PKA/CREB/UCP2 signaling pathway.

Aim To evaluate the ameliorative effects of different ratios of Renshen-Huangjing(RH) on SPS-induced PTSD-like behaviors in mice,and to investi-gate the action mechanism using bioinformatics analysis and experimental studies.Methods The aqueous ex-tract was extracted in four ratios of RH in a total weight of 60 g,i.e.1∶0(RH1),2∶1(RH2),1∶2(RH3),and 0∶1(RH4).The extraction rates of Rg1,Rb1,and polysaccharides from different ratios of RH were then detected using UPLC-UV method.The SPS model was established,and RH1,RH2,RH3 and RH4(400 mg·kg-1)were administered by intragas-tric gavage for 14 day,followed by behavioral tests to e-valuate the PTSD-like behaviors.The serum CORT,IL-1β and IL-10 were determined by ELISA.The possible targets of action were analyzed using bioinformatics.The expression levels of Calpain-1,PSD95,BDNF and GluN2B in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results The SPS model induced PTSD-like be-haviors in mice.Serum levels of CORT and IL-1β in-creased and level of IL-10 decreased in SPS model.After treatment with different ratios of RHs,RH2 showed the best therapeutic effect,which was manifes-ted in the suppression of PTSD-like behaviors,the re-duction of CORT and IL-1β levels,and the promotion of IL-10 levels;160 overlapping targets might explain the therapeutic effects of RH on PTSD,and these tar-gets were enriched in inhibiting synaptic damage,exer-ting antioxidant properties and suppressing neuroin-flammation,respectively.RH2 prevented the SPS-in-duced decrease in the expression of Calpain-1,PSD95,BDNF and the elevation of GluN2B.Molecular docking showed strong binding of Rg1 and Rb1 to Calpain-1,PSD95,and BDNF,respectively.Conclusions The a-queous extract of RH in a 2∶1 ratio can more effec-tively prevent SPS-induced PTSD-like behaviors,and its effect may be related to targets such as Calpain-1,PSD95,BDNF and GluN2B.

Objective To explore the targeted regulatory relationship of miR-330-5p on OY-TES-1 in glioblastoma and the effect of miR-330-5p/OY-TES-1 axis on the migration ability of glioblastoma.Methods Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze the expression level of miR-330-5p in patients with glioblastoma and its influence on prognosis and survival of patients.The glioblastoma cells U251 were divided into miR-330-5p minics group,minics-NC group,and miR-330-5p+OY-TES-1 overexpression group(miR-330-5p minics+pcDNA3.1-OY-TES-1).The effect of miR-330-5p on the activity of OY-TES-1 3'UTR region was detected by double luciferase reporter gene experiment.The expression of OY-TES-1 mRNA was detected by qRT-PCR.The effect of miR-330-5p/OY-TES-1 axis on the migration ability of glioblastoma cells was detected by Transwell migration assay.Results The expression of miR-330-5p in glioblastoma tissue was significantly lower than those in non-tumor brain tissue and low-grade glioma tissue(P<0.05).The survival time of glioblastoma patients with high expression of miR-330-5p was significantly longer than that of patients with low expression of miR-330-5p(P<0.05).After overexpression of miR-330-5p,the activity of OY-TES-1 3'UTR region was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with minics-NC group,the expression levels of OY-TES-1 mRNA of U251 and U87MG cells in miR-330-5p minics group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with minics-NC group,the numbers of migrating cells in miR-330-5p minics group and miR-330-5p+OY-TES-1 overexpression group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with miR-330-5p minics group,the number of migrating cells in miR-330-5p+OY-TES-1 overexpression group was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion MiR-330-5p targets OY-TES-1 to inhibit the migration of glioblastoma.