1.Heterogeneity of Adipose Tissue From a Single-cell Transcriptomics Perspective
Yong-Lang WANG ; Si-Si CHEN ; Qi-Long LI ; Yu GONG ; Xin-Yue DUAN ; Ye-Hui DUAN ; Qiu-Ping GUO ; Feng-Na LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):820-835
Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.
2.Bioinformatics and Animal Experiments Reveal Mechanism of Shouhui Tongbian Capsules in Treating Constipation
Yong LIANG ; Qimeng ZHANG ; Bin GE ; Yang ZHANG ; Yu SHI ; Yue LU ; Hongxi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):150-157
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Shouhui Tongbian capsules in treating constipation based on the research foundation of its active components combined with network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsThe drug components were imported into SwissTargetPrediction to predict the targets of Shouhui Tongbian capsules, and constipation-related targets were collected from disease databases. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for the common targets shared by Shouhui Tongbian capsules and constipation to screen key targets, which was followed by gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. A "bioactive component-target-pathway" network was constructed, and the core components of Shouhui Tongbian capsules in treating constipation were screened based on the topological parameters of this network. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding affinity of core components to key targets. A mouse model of constipation was constructed to screen the key pathways and targets of the drug intervention in constipation. ResultsThe PPI network revealed six key constipation-related targets: protein kinase B (Akt1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The KEGG pathway analysis showed that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway was the most enriched. The topological parameter analysis of the "bioactive component-target-pathway" network screened out the top 10 core components: auranetin, isosinensetin, naringin, diosmetin, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, hesperidin, isorhapontigenin, and chrysophanol. Molecular docking results showed that the 10 core components had strong binding affinity with the 6 key targets. Animal experiments showed that after intervention with different doses of Shouhui Tongbian capsules, the time to the first black stool excretion was reduced and the fecal water content and small intestine charcoal propulsion rate of mice were improved. After treatment with Shouhui Tongbian capsules, the colonic mucosal injury and glandular arrangement were alleviated, and the muscle layer thickness was increased. Western blot results showed that Shouhui Tongbian capsules recovered the expression of apoptosis-related molecules mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway in the colonic tissue of constipated mice. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) results showed that the cell apoptosis rate of the colon significantly reduced after intervention with Shouhui Tongbian capsules. ConclusionThe results of network pharmacology and animal experiments confirmed that Shouhui Tongbian capsules can treat constipation through multiple targets and pathways. The capsules can effectively intervene in loperamide-induced constipation in mice by regulating the constipation indicators and reducing cell apoptosis in the colon tissue via activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
3.Five new triterpenoid saponins from the kernels of Momordica cochinchinensis
Ru DING ; Jia-qi WANG ; Yi-yang LUO ; Yong-long HAN ; Xiao-bo LI ; Meng-yue WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):442-448
Five saponins were isolated from the kernels of
4.The Role of Golgi Apparatus Homeostasis in Regulating Cell Death and Major Diseases
Xin-Yue CHENG ; Feng-Hua YAO ; Hui ZHANG ; Yong-Ming YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2051-2067
The Golgi apparatus (GA) is a key membranous organelle in eukaryotic cells, acting as a central component of the endomembrane system. It plays an irreplaceable role in the processing, sorting, trafficking, and modification of proteins and lipids. Under normal conditions, the GA cooperates with other organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lysosomes, mitochondria, and others, to achieve the precise processing and targeted transport of nearly one-third of intracellular proteins, thereby ensuring normal cellular physiological functions and adaptability to environmental changes. This function relies on Golgi protein quality control (PQC) mechanisms, which recognize and handle misfolded or aberrantly modified proteins by retrograde transport to the ER, proteasomal degradation, or lysosomal clearance, thus preventing the accumulation of toxic proteins. In addition, Golgi-specific autophagy (Golgiphagy), as a selective autophagy mechanism, is also crucial for removing damaged or excess Golgi components and maintaining its structural and functional homeostasis. Under pathological conditions such as oxidative stress and infection, the Golgi apparatus suffers damage and stress, and its homeostatic regulatory network may be disrupted, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins, membrane disorganization, and trafficking dysfunction. When the capacity and function of the Golgi fail to meet cellular demands, cells activate a series of adaptive signaling pathways to alleviate Golgi stress and enhance Golgi function. This process reflects the dynamic regulation of Golgi capacity to meet physiological needs. To date, 7 signaling pathways related to the Golgi stress response have been identified in mammalian cells. Although these pathways have different mechanisms, they all help restore Golgi homeostasis and function and are vital for maintaining overall cellular homeostasis. It is noteworthy that the regulation of Golgi homeostasis is closely related to multiple programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Once Golgi function is disrupted, these signaling pathways may induce cell death, ultimately participating in the occurrence and progression of diseases. Studies have shown that Golgi homeostatic imbalance plays an important pathological role in various major diseases. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), Golgi fragmentation and dysfunction aggravate the abnormal processing of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) and Tau protein, promoting neuronal loss and advancing neurodegenerative processes. In cancer, Golgi homeostatic imbalance is closely associated with increased genomic instability, enhanced tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and increased resistance to cell death, which are important factors in tumor initiation and progression. In infectious diseases, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria hijack the Golgi trafficking system to promote their replication while inducing host defensive cell death responses. This process is also a key mechanism in host-pathogen interactions. This review focuses on the role of the Golgi apparatus in cell death and major diseases, systematically summarizing the Golgi stress response, regulatory mechanisms, and the role of Golgi-specific autophagy in maintaining homeostasis. It emphasizes the signaling regulatory role of the Golgi apparatus in apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. By integrating the latest research progress, it further clarifies the pathological significance of Golgi homeostatic disruption in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, and reveals its potential mechanisms in cellular signal regulation.
5.Comparative efficacy of botulinum toxin injection versus extraocular muscle surgery in acute acquired comitant esotropia
Tianyi LIU ; Yue ZHOU ; Pengzhou KUAI ; Yangchen GUO ; Xiaobo HUANG ; Yong WANG ; Xin CAO
International Eye Science 2025;25(11):1721-1727
AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin A(BTXA)injection versus strabismus surgery in the treatment of acute acquired comitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS:Patient records of AACE cases treated at First People's Hospital of Nantong from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients were categorized into either strabismus surgery or BTXA injection groups based on treatment modality. Further stratification was performed according to preoperative deviation angles [>35 prism diopters(PD)vs ≤35 PD] and age(≥18 years adult group vs <18 years adolescent group). The baseline patient characteristics were collected, deviation angles at multiple timepoints before and after treatment were measured, and stereopsis test results were documented. Through comparative analysis of therapeutic outcomes across subgroups, we systematically evaluated the efficacy of different treatment approaches.RESULTS:A total of 43 AACE patients were included. At the final follow-up, both the surgery and BTXA injection groups showed a statistically significant decrease in deviation angle compared to pretreatment measurements(P<0.001). Significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of the cure rate of strabismus and the recovery rate of stereopsis(P<0.05). For patients with deviations >35 PD, surgery yielded significantly better outcomes than injection therapy in postoperative angle, success rate, and stereopsis recovery(P<0.05). Similarly, in patients aged ≥18 years, surgical treatment was superior to injections in reducing strabismus angle, improving success rates, and restoring stereopsis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Both BTXA injection and strabismus surgery demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in AACE. Surgical treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to BTXA injection therapy, particularly in patients with deviations >35 PD and those aged ≥18 years. For patients with angles ≤35 PD or under 18 years, BTXA injection remains a viable treatment option.
6.GRK2-YAP signaling is implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension development
Peng YE ; Yunfei DENG ; Yue GU ; Pengfei LIU ; Jie LUO ; Jiangqin PU ; Jingyu CHEN ; Yu HUANG ; Nanping WANG ; Yong JI ; Shaoliang CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(7):846-858
Background::Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by excessive proliferation of small pulmonary arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), endothelial dysfunction, and extracellular matrix remodeling. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) plays an important role in the maintenance of vascular tone and blood flow. However, the role of GRK2 in the pathogenesis of PAH is unknown.Methods::GRK2 levels were detected in lung tissues from healthy people and PAH patients. C57BL/6 mice, vascular smooth muscle cell-specific Grk2-knockout mice ( Grk2?SM22), and littermate controls ( Grk2flox/flox) were grouped into control and hypoxia mice ( n = 8). Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was induced by exposure to chronic hypoxia (10%) combined with injection of the SU5416 (cHx/SU). The expression levels of GRK2 and Yes-associated protein (YAP) in pulmonary arteries and PASMCs were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA expression levels of Grk2 and Yes-associated protein ( YAP) in PASMCs were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Wound-healing assay, 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay, and 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining were performed to evaluate the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. Meanwhile, the interaction among proteins was detected by immunoprecipitation assays. Results::The expression levels of GRK2 were upregulated in the pulmonary arteries of patients with PAH and the lungs of PH mice. Moreover, cHx/SU-induced PH was attenuated in Grk2?SM22 mice compared with littermate controls. The amelioration of PH in Grk2?SM22 mice was accompanied by reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling. In vitro study further confirmed that GRK2 knock-down significantly altered hypoxia-induced PASMCs proliferation and migration, whereas this effect was severely intensified by overexpression of GRK2. We also identified that GRK2 promoted YAP expression and nuclear translocation in PASMCs, resulting in excessive PASMCs proliferation and migration. Furthermore, GRK2 is stabilized by inhibiting phosphorylating GRK2 on Tyr86 and subsequently activating ubiquitylation under hypoxic conditions. Conclusion::Our findings suggest that GRK2 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of PAH, via regulating YAP expression and nuclear translocation. Therefore, GRK2 serves as a novel therapeutic target for PAH treatment.
7.Endovascular treatment for symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery: comparison with drug therapy
Yue ZHU ; Chao HOU ; Shuxian HUO ; Qin YIN ; Xianjun HUANG ; Wen SUN ; Guodong XIAO ; Yong YANG ; Hongbing CHEN ; Min LI ; Mingyang DU ; Ruidong YE
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;32(8):576-584
Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome of endovascular treatment vs. drug treatment in patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Methods:Based on prospective cohort registration research data, patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of internal carotid artery were retrospectively included. They were divided into a drug treatment group and an endovascular treatment group according to the actual treatment received. The latter was further divided into a successful recanalization group and an unsuccessful recanalization group. The endpoint events included ipsilateral ischemic stroke, any stroke, and all-cause death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare the endpoint events between groups during the perioprocedural period (within 30 days), and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was use to compare the endpoint events between the groups during the long-term follow-up. Results:A total of 684 patients were included, of which 570 (83.33%) were male, median aged 63 years (interquartile range, 56-70 years). Three hundred and fifty-three patients (51.6%) received drug treatment; 331 (48.4%) received endovascular treatment, of which 161 (48.6%) had successful recanalization. The median follow-up time was 1 223 days (interquartile range, 646.5-2 082 days), with 109 patients (15.9%) experiencing stroke recurrence events (including 87 ipsilateral ischemic stroke) and 78 (11.4%) experiencing all-cause mortality. The risk of any stroke during the perioprocedural period in the successful recanalization group was significantly higher than that in the drug treatment group (odds ratio 3.679, 95% confidence interval 1.038-13.036; P=0.044), but the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence (risk ratio 0.347, 95% confidence interval 0.152-0.791; P=0.012) and all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.239, 95% confidence interval 0.093-0.618; P=0.003) during the long-term follow-up were significantly lower than those in the drug treatment group. Conclusions:In patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery, endovascular treatment can increase the risk of stroke recurrence within 30 days, but successful recanalization can reduce the risks of long-term ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality.
8.Determination and analysis of twenty-four metallic elements in polysorbate 80
Yajuan LEI ; Yun JIANG ; Yong ZHAO ; Changliang LI ; Yanming LIU ; Yue ZHANG
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(5):521-525
Objective:To establish an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS)method for the determination of 24 elements in polysorbate 80,and evaluate the results.Methods:The elements were determined by ICP-MS,statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26,and the risk assessment was carried out with reference to ICH Q3D guidelines.Results:The standard curves showed good linear relationship in the corresponding concentration range(r=0.997-0.999).The recoveries were 88.81%-134.64%(RSD<5%,n=6).None of the elements recommended for evaluation exceeded the control threshold.Conclusion:The method is accurate,reliable and easy-to-operate,and the risk of elemental impurities in this sample is low.
9.Treatment of open fracture bone defect of distal femur with antibiotic cement column and bone graft
Yue-Yue QIAO ; Yong ZHAO ; Da-Peng ZHOU ; Bing XIE ; Hai-Peng XUE
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(4):406-410
Objective To investigate the efficacy of antibiotic cement column combined with iliac bone graft in the treat-ment of open fracture with bone defect of distal femur.Methods From October 2014 to March 2021,16 patients of open frac-ture bone defect of distal femur were treated with antibiotic bone cement column and iliac bone graft,including 12 males and 4 females.The age ranged from 28 to 68 years old.There were 11 cases of traffic accident injury,5 cases of falling injury,3 cases as Gustilo type Ⅰ,5 cases as type Ⅱ and 8 cases as type Ⅲ A.AO classification was used:9 cases of C2 type and 7 cases of C3 type.The time from injury to final bone grafting ranged from 4 to 119 days.The length of bone defect ranged from 2 tol0 cm.Fractures healing time,complications and knee function Merchan score were recorded.Results All the 16 patients were fol-lowed up from 9 to 29 months.The incisions of 16 patients healed in one stage without postoperative infection,plate fracture,limb shortening and valgus and varus deformity.The healing time randed from 4 to 10 months.Knee joint function according to the Merchant scoring standard,showed that 8 cases were excellent,4 cases were good,3 cases were fair,and 1 case was poor.Conclusion The use of antibiotic bone cement column combined with iliac bone graft in the treatment of open and complex bone defects of distal femur is an effective surgical method to prevent infection,assist fracture reduction,increase fixation strength and significantly reduce the amount of bone grafting.
10.Mechanism of artemisinin inhibiting malignant biological behavior of colorectal cancer cells stimulated by glucose
Yong-Na PAN ; Yue-Feng CHANG ; Jing-Jing GUO ; Yi-Li SUN ; Lan WEI ; Chun-Yan YANG ; Jin-Wang KANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(5):388-393
Objective To investigate the effect of artemisinin(ART)on the malignant biological behavior of colorectal cancer(CRC)cells stimulated by glucose and its mechanism.Methods The concentration gradients of 0,5,10,20,40 and 60 μmol/L of ART were used to treat the human colorectal cancer cell line SW480,and then the cell viability was detected by CCK-8.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.Transwell was used to detect the cell migration and invasion.Western blot was used to detect the apoptosis,epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)related proteins expression.Results Compared with the 0 μmol/L of ART,the viability of SW480 cells decreased under 5,10,20,40,60 μmol/L of ART treatment(P<0.05),and IC50 was 36.91 μmol/L.Therefore,the cells treated with 10,20 and 40 μmol/L of ART were as the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose ART groups,the cells treated with 0 μmol/L of ART were as the control group,and the cells treated with 40 μmol/L of ART and 10 μmol/L of Coumermycin A1 were as the Coumermycin A1 group.Compared with the control group,the cell scratch wound healing rate,invasion ability,and expression levels of Bcl-2,N-cadherin,Vimentin,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the low-dose ART group,the medium-dose ART group,and the high-dose ART group decreased obviously(P<0.05),while the apoptosis rate,and expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3 and E-cadherin increased(P<0.05).Compared with the high-dose ART group,the cell scratch wound healing rate,invasion ability,and expression levels of Bcl-2,N-cadherin,Vimentin,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the Coumermycin A1 group increased obviously(P<0.05),while the apoptosis rate,and expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3 and E-cadherin decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion ART may inhibit the viability,migration,invasion and EMT of glucose-stimulated CRC cells and promote apoptosis by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

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