1.The mechanism of magnoflorine in inhibiting colon cancer based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiment
Lulu TAN ; Lina ZHU ; Shujin ZHANG ; Yuxuan WANG ; Huimei LI ; Yuke WANG ; Jiayi HOU ; Qilong FENG ; Jianyun SHI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(6):1021-1031
ObjectiveTo explore the function and related molecular mechanisms of magnoflorine against colon cancer via network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro cell experiments. MethodsIn this study, the canonical SMILES of magnoflorine was obtained from the PubChem database, and the potential targets of magnoflorine were predicted by the Swiss Target Prediction database, while the disease targets of colon cancer were obtained from the DisGeNET, GeneCards and OMIM databases. The intersecting targets between magnoflorine's predicted targets and colon cancer disease targets were taken, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and analyzed. The DAVID online database was employed to conduct Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses on core targets. The top five key targets screened were docked with magnoflorine using AutoDock software. Finally, cellular experiments including CCK-8 assays, EdU experiments, cell scratch assays, and Transwell assays were conducted to validate the results from network pharmacology and molecular docking. Results44 key targets of magnoflorine in resisting colon cancer were acquired. The molecular docking results showed that magnoflorine had a strong binding activity with the core target signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the top five of the PPI network. Cellular experiments confirmed that magnoflorine could inhibit the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells by suppressing the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. ConclusionMagnoflorine may inhibit the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells by regulating the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway.
2.Natural products for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration: New insights focusing on mitochondrial quality control and cGAS/STING pathway.
Xuelu XIE ; Shan LIAN ; Wenyong YANG ; Sheng HE ; Jingqiu HE ; Yuke WANG ; Yan ZENG ; Fang LU ; Jingwen JIANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101145-101145
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects the vision of elderly individuals worldwide. Although current therapeutics have shown effectiveness against AMD, some patients may remain unresponsive and continue to experience disease progression. Therefore, in-depth knowledge of the mechanism underlying AMD pathogenesis is urgently required to identify potential drug targets for AMD treatment. Recently, studies have suggested that dysfunction of mitochondria can lead to the aggregation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) innate immunity pathways, ultimately resulting in sterile inflammation and cell death in various cells, such as cardiomyocytes and macrophages. Therefore, combining strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory mediators may hold great potential in facilitating AMD management. Notably, emerging evidence indicates that natural products targeting mitochondrial quality control (MQC) and the cGAS/STING innate immunity pathways exhibit promise in treating AMD. Here, we summarize phytochemicals that could directly or indirectly influence the MQC and the cGAS/STING innate immunity pathways, as well as their interconnected mediators, which have the potential to mitigate oxidative stress and suppress excessive inflammatory responses, thereby hoping to offer new insights into therapeutic interventions for AMD treatment.
3.Anticoagulant-related nephropathy caused by enoxaparin: a case report and literature review
Juanli WANG ; Wei LIU ; Ya WANG ; Wenjun ZHANG ; Yuke KONG ; Jianqin WANG ; Yindi WANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(5):376-379
This paper presents a rare renal biopsy-confirmed case of enoxaparin-induced anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN). A 62-year-old male was admitted with microscopic hematuria, massive albuminuria, and elevated serum creatinine following postoperative right shoulder joint infection. The serum creatinine level decreased after surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. Enoxaparin (4 000 U daily) was initiated for thromboembolism prevention. The patient developed acute kidney injury with serum creatinine 517 μmol/L accompanied by gross hematuria. Renal biopsy revealed characteristic features of ARN coexisting with infection-related glomerulonephritis. After antibiotic therapy, urinary alkalinization, hemodialysis, and glucocorticoids (prednisone acetate 30 mg daily) of therapeutic interventions, the renal function partially recovered with dialysis discontinuation. The paper reviews the relevant literature on the risk factors, clinical manifestations, pathological features, diagnosis and treatment of ARN to improve clinicians' understanding.
4.Natural products for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration:New insights focusing on mitochondrial quality control and cGAS/STING pathway
Xuelu XIE ; Shan LIAN ; Wenyong YANG ; Sheng HE ; Jingqiu HE ; Yuke WANG ; Yan ZENG ; Fang LU ; Jingwen JIANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):956-973
Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a disease that affects the vision of elderly individuals worldwide.Although current therapeutics have shown effectiveness against AMD,some patients may remain unresponsive and continue to experience disease progression.Therefore,in-depth knowledge of the mechanism underlying AMD pathogenesis is urgently required to identify potential drug targets for AMD treatment.Recently,studies have suggested that dysfunction of mitochondria can lead to the ag-gregation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes(STING)innate immunity pathways,ultimately resulting in sterile inflammation and cell death in various cells,such as cardiomyocytes and macrophages.Therefore,combining strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory mediators may hold great potential in facilitating AMD management.Notably,emerging evidence indicates that natural products targeting mitochondrial quality control(MQC)and the cGAS/STING innate immunity pathways exhibit promise in treating AMD.Here,we summarize phytochemicals that could directly or indirectly influence the MQC and the cGAS/STING innate immunity pathways,as well as their interconnected mediators,which have the potential to mitigate oxidative stress and suppress excessive inflammatory responses,thereby hoping to offer new insights into therapeutic interventions for AMD treatment.
5.Clinical and genetic analysis of a pedigree affected with Distal arthrogryposis type 5D due to compound heterozygous variants of ECEL1 gene.
Weiyu HU ; Baiyun CHEN ; Yang GAO ; Xiaona WANG ; Yuke LI ; Qianying LI ; Huichun ZHANG ; Chao GAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(3):322-329
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical phenotypes and genetic characteristics of a pedigree with Distal arthrogryposis type 5D (DA5D) caused by compound heterozygous variants in the ECEL1 gene.
METHODS:
A child (proband) diagnosed with DA5D and his family members (proband's parents and sister) who was admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Henan Children's Hospital in July 2022 due to "multiplex distal arthrogryposis" were enrolled into this study. Clinical data of the proband were collected and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband and members of his family about 3 mL. Trio-whole genome sequencing (trio-WGS) was carried out to detected the genetic variations of the proband and his family members. The candidate's pathogenic gene variants were screened and analyzed by Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and other databases. The screened variants were annotated for clinical phenotypes using databases like the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The pathogenicity of the candidate variants was predicted by bioinformatics tools such as Provean. Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), pathogenicity ratings were conducted for variant sites. The protein conservation and mutation structure prediction of ECEL1 protein among species were carried out though MEGA-X and PyMOL. The research protocol of this study was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial Children's Hospital (Approval No. 2023-H-H01), and informed consent for clinical research was obtained from the guardians of the probands.
RESULTS:
The proband had multiplex distal arthrogryposis involving hands, feet, knees, and ankles, and had right ptosis, micrognathia, low auricular position, and upturned nose. The parents and sister both had normal phenotypes. Trio-WGS and Sanger sequencing revealed that the child had compound heterozygous variants of paternal c.1742_c.1743insT and maternal c.2314T>G, for which the father and sister were carriers of the c.1742_c.1743insT heterozygous variant and the mother was carrier of c.2314T>A. Neither mutation site has been reported. According to guidelines of ACMG, the c.1742_c.1743insT variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PSV1+PM2_Supporting), and c.2314T>G was classified as uncertain (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP3). The results of conserved analysis of amino acid residue sequences of ECEL1 protein showed that the missense mutation of the maternal c.2314T>G (p.Cys772Gly) was highly conserved among humans and other seven species. The protein structure prediction revealed that the c.1742_c.1743insT frameshift mutation led to the protein truncation, and the c.2314T>G missense mutation resulted in the failure of forming 1 disulfide bond.
CONCLUSION
The compound heterozygous variants of ECEL1 gene were considered to be pathogenic for this DA5D patient, which have expanded the mutational spectrum of the ECEL1 gene and provided a reference for clinical diagnosis as well as genetic counseling for this family.
Humans
;
Pedigree
;
Arthrogryposis/genetics*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Heterozygote
;
Phenotype
;
Mutation
;
Child
;
Metalloendopeptidases
6.Effects of MSUS-guided shoulder joint capsule hydraulic expansion method combined with rotator interval injection method in patients with early PFS
Shuo YANG ; Yuke ZHANG ; Dan YANG ; Xinyue WANG ; Mingjuan WANG ; Yan YANG ; Jianhong ZHOU
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(7):71-76
Objective:To investigate the effects of musculoskeletal ultrasound(MSUS)-guided shoulder joint capsule hydraulic expansion method combined with rotator interval(RI)injection method on ultrasound imaging indicators,shoulder function,and serum inflammatory factors in treating patients with early primary frozen shoulder(PFS).Methods:A total of 168 patients with early PFS admitted to Jiangbei District of The Frist Affiliated Hospital to Army Medical University between June 2021 and June 2023 were selected.They were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group by using a random number table,with 84 patients in each group.The control group received the therapy with MSUS-guided shoulder joint capsule hydraulic expansion.The observation group received the therapy with RI injection on the basis of the control group.After 5 weeks of treatment,the changes of the following parameters were compared and analyzed between the two groups:Visual Analog Scale(VAS)score for shoulder pain,Simple Shoulder Test(SST)score,Constant-Murley Score(CMS),thickness of the glenohumeral joint capsule at the axilla of ultrasound imaging,thickness of coracohumeral ligament(CHL),RI thickness,positivity rate of RI blood flow,passive range of motion(ROM)of the shoulder joint,and serum inflammatory factor levels including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6).Results:At 5th week after treatment,both groups showed VAS scores decreased,and SST and CMS scores increased.The VAS score(1.34±0.30)of observation group was significantly lower than(1.97±0.46)of control group,and the SST score and CMS score were significantly higher than those of control group(t=10.514,9.597,7.910,P<0.05),respectively.Both groups showed decreases in thickness of the glenohumeral joint capsule at the axilla,CHL thickness,RI thickness,and positivity rate of RI blood flow,and these indicators of observation group were significantly lower than them of control group,with statistically significant differences(t=5.518,16.106,9.050,25.211,P<0.05).The ranges of backward extension and outward rotation of observation group were larger than those of control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=9.209,12.447,P<0.05).The serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and CRP of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=10.523,17.750,19.995,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:The treatment of MSUS-guided shoulder joint capsule hydraulic expansion combined with RI injection can effectively alleviate the degrees of shoulder pain and dysfunction in patients with early PFS,and improve indicators of ultrasound imaging,the ROM values of outward rotation and backward extension,and reduce serum levels of inflammatory factors,which have favorable therapeutic effects.
7.Clinical and genetic analysis of a pedigree affected with Distal arthrogryposis type 5D due to compound heterozygous variants of ECEL1 gene
Weiyu HU ; Baiyun CHEN ; Yang GAO ; Xiaona WANG ; Yuke LI ; Qianying LI ; Huichun ZHANG ; Chao GAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(3):322-329
Objective:To explore the clinical phenotypes and genetic characteristics of a pedigree with Distal arthrogryposis type 5D (DA5D) caused by compound heterozygous variants in the ECEL1 gene. Methods:A child (proband) diagnosed with DA5D and his family members (proband′s parents and sister) who was admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Henan Children′s Hospital in July 2022 due to " multiplex distal arthrogryposis" were enrolled into this study. Clinical data of the proband were collected and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the proband and members of his family about 3 mL. Trio-whole genome sequencing (trio-WGS) was carried out to detected the genetic variations of the proband and his family members. The candidate′s pathogenic gene variants were screened and analyzed by Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and other databases. The screened variants wer annotated for clinical phenotypes using databases like the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The pathogenicity of the candidate variants was predicted by bioinformatics tools such as Provean. Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), pathogenicity ratings were conducted for variant sites. The protein conservation and mutation structure prediction of ECEL1 protein among species were carried out though MEGA-X and PyMOL. The research protocol of this study was reviewed by the Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial Children′s Hospital (Approval No. 2023-H-H01), and informed consent for clinical research was obtained from the guardians of the probands.Results:The proband had multiplex distal arthrogryposis involving hands, feet, knees, and ankles, and had right ptosis, micrognathia, low auricular position, and upturned nose. The parents and sister both had normal phenotypes. Trio-WGS and Sanger sequencing revealed that the child had compound heterozygous variants of paternal c. 1742_c.1743insT and maternal c. 2314T>G, for which the father and sister were carriers of the c. 1742_c.1743insT heterozygous variant and the mother was carrier of c. 2314T>A. Neither mutation site has been reported. According to guidelines of ACMG, the c. 1742_c.1743insT variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PSV1+ PM2_Supporting), and c. 2314T>G was classified as uncertain (PM2_Supporting+ PM3+ PP3). The results of conserved analysis of amino acid residue sequences of ECEL1 protein showed that the missense mutation of the maternal c. 2314T>G(p.Cys772Gly) was highly conserved among humans and other seven species. The protein structure prediction revealed that the c.1742_c.1743insT frameshift mutation led to the protein truncation, and the c. 2314T>G missense mutation resulted in the failure of forming 1 disulfide bond.Conclusion:The compound heterozygous variants of ECEL1 gene were considered to be pathogenic for this DA5D patient, which have expanded the mutational spectrum of the ECEL1 gene and provided a reference for clinical diagnosis as well as genetic counseling for this family.
8.Sputum metabolomics study in patients with occupational coal workers′ pneumoconiosis
Yiming ZHANG ; Qiufang QU ; Qingnan ZHOU ; Shuhan GUO ; Le LIU ; Yuke WANG ; Zhenlin HE ; Sanqiao YAO
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(3):241-248
Objective To investigate the sputum metabolic profiles of patients with occupational coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) by an untargeted metabolomics method, and to identify relevant differential metabolic pathways and potential biomarkers. Methods A total of 12 male patients with stage Ⅰ CWP were selected as the CWP group, and 16 healthy male individuals were selected as the control group, using a judgmental sampling method. Sputum metabolites of individuals in both groups were detected to perform non-targeted metabolomic analysis using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Differential metabolites (DMs) and their pathways were screened using principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Potential biomarkers were analyzed and identified via the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results There were apparent metabolic alterations observed in sputum of CWP patients compared with healthy controls. In the positive ion mode, a total of 42 DMs were identified in sputum from CWP patients, including 19 downregulated and 23 upregulated metabolites. In the negative ion mode, a total of 25 DMs were identified in sputum from CWP patients, including 16 downregulated and 9 upregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis of sputum from CWP patients showed that seven DMs pathways were enriched in ABC transporters, histidine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation, involving 26 DMs. ROC analysis indicated that 16(R)-hydroxyarachidonic acid, pyrophosphate, and 2-hydroxyphenylacetate of these 26 DMs may serve as potential biomarkers for CWP. Conclusion Sputum metabolomic profiles were altered in CWP patients compared with healthy controls. The potential biomarkers of CWP prevention and treatment are 16(R)-hydroxyarachidonic acid, pyrophosphate, and 2-hydroxyphenylacetate.
9.Decoding the immune microenvironment of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia due to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with CD19 CAR-T failure by single-cell RNA-sequencing.
Xudong LI ; Hong HUANG ; Fang WANG ; Mengjia LI ; Binglei ZHANG ; Jianxiang SHI ; Yuke LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Mingxia SUN ; Haixia CAO ; Danfeng ZHANG ; Na SHEN ; Weijie CAO ; Zhilei BIAN ; Haizhou XING ; Wei LI ; Linping XU ; Shiyu ZUO ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1866-1881
BACKGROUND:
Several studies have demonstrated the occurrence of secondary tumors as a rare but significant complication of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation. Given the limited variety of secondary tumor types reported to date, a comprehensive characterization of the various secondary tumors arising after CAR-T therapy is essential to understand the associated risks and to define the role of the immune microenvironment in malignant transformation. This study aims to characterize the immune microenvironment of a newly identified secondary tumor post-CAR-T therapy, to clarify its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
METHODS:
In this study, the bone marrow (BM) samples were collected by aspiration from the primary and secondary tumors before and after CD19 CAR-T treatment. The CD45 + BM cells were enriched with human CD45 microbeads. The CD45 + cells were then sent for 10× genomics single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify cell populations. The Cell Ranger pipeline and CellChat were used for detailed analysis.
RESULTS:
In this study, a rare type of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) were reported in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had previously received CD19 CAR-T therapy. The scRNA-seq analysis revealed increased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and an immunosuppressive state of monocytes/macrophages, which may impair cytotoxic activity in both T and natural killer (NK) cells in secondary CMML before treatment. In contrast, their cytotoxicity was restored in secondary CMML after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
This finding delineates a previously unrecognized type of secondary tumor, CMML, after CAR-T therapy and provide a framework for defining the immune microenvironment of secondary tumor occurrence after CAR-T therapy. In addition, the results provide a rationale for targeting macrophages to improve treatment strategies for CMML treatment.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy*
;
Tumor Microenvironment/genetics*
;
Antigens, CD19/metabolism*
;
Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics*
;
Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Single-Cell Analysis/methods*
;
Female
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods*
;
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen
;
Middle Aged
10.Predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythemato-sus
Wenqiong WANG ; Yuke HOU ; Chun LI ; Xuewu ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):599-603
Objective:To identify predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes(APOs)in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 318 SLE pa-tients who delivered at Peking University People's Hospital from May 2016 to September 2021.These pa-tients were categorized into two groups:The APOs group(n=85)and the non-APOs group(n=233).Various factors,including disease duration,clinical manifestations,laboratory parameters,and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000(SLED AI-2000)scores,were analyzed for their associa-tion with APOs.SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results:The mean age of SLE pa-tients in this study was(24.65±5.26)years.Among the 318 pregnancies studied,302(302/318,94.97%)resulted in live births,while 16(16/318,5.03%)cases ended in stillbirths,with no neonatal deaths reported.Among the live births,206(206/302,68.21%)were full-term infants,65(65/302,21.52%)cases were small for gestational age(SGA),and 31(31/302,10.26%)cases were preterm.The SLEDAI-2000 scores were significantly higher in the APOs group compared with the non-APOs group(5.82±4.97 vs.3.74±3.72,t=4.019,P=0.001),suggesting greater disease activity as a risk fac-tor.Similarly,glucocorticoid doses were markedly higher in the APOs group[12.50(7.50,50.00)mg vs.10.00(5.00,15.00)mg,P<0.001],underscoring the link between disease severity and APOs.Univariate analysis revealed that lupus nephritis(31.76%vs.21.03%,x2=3.946,P=0.047),throm-bocytopenia(24.71%vs.9.01%,x2=13.380,P<0.001),hypocomplementemia(36.47%vs.26.03%,x2=4.847,P=0.028),antiphospholipid antibody positivity(20.00%vs.11.16%,x2=4.163,P=0.041),and absence of pregnancy treatment(21.18%vs.11.59%,x2=4.713,P=0.030)were associated with increased APOs risk.Multivariate Logistic regression identified thrombocyto-penia(OR=2.671,95%CI:1.309-5.449,P=0.007),hypocomplementemia(OR=1.935,95%CI:1.104-3.393,P=0.021),and antiphospholipid antibody positivity(OR=2.153,95%CI:1.054-4.399,P=0.035)as independent predictors of APOs.Conclusion:These findings highlight that certain clinical and laboratory features,including thrombocytopenia,hypocomplementemia,and antiphospholipid antibody positivity,are critical independent predictors of APOs in SLE patients.The study underscores the importance of close monitoring and proactive management of these risk factors to improve pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail