1.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
2.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
3.Comparative Analysis of Sex Differences Between Cyclophosphamide- and Paclitaxel-Induced Mouse Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
Qiuming ZHONG ; Liping QIAN ; Yuanyuan CAI ; Deqiang LIU ; Wei LIN ; Chunying YU ; Jindong XIE ; Xunli WANG ; Sheng WU ; Biyin CHEN ; Zhen HUANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(5):677-688
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of sex on phenotypic stability in mouse models of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP) or paclitaxel (PTX), and to explore potential mechanisms underlying phenotypic heterogeneity in female mice. MethodsTwenty-eight wild-type specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice (half male and half female) aged 6-8 weeks were selected for synchronous back hair removal. On the 9th day after hair removal (T0), the mice were randomly divided into a wild-type female CYP group, a wild-type male CYP group, a female negative control group and a male negative control group. Mice in the CYP groups were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of 120 mg/kg CYP, and mice in the negative control groups were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of normal saline. Subsequently, the phenotypic changes of the CIA model induced by CYP were continuously observed and photographed. Eleven 6-week-old SPF female C57BL/6J mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX group). Following successful surgery, these mice and five XY (Sry⁻) mice bred from Four Core Genotypes breeding stock were used to establish the chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) model using the same protocol. Serum was collected from mice in the OVX group, wild-type female CYP group, and wild-type male CYP group on T7 after CYP administration for steroid hormone analysis by mass spectrometry to evaluate the effects of gonadal estrogen and sex chromosome background changes on the stability of the CYP-induced female alopecic phenotype. Finally, twenty SPF C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks (half male and half female) were randomly divided into a PTX low-dose group and a PTX high-dose group. On the 9th day after simultaneous hair removal, PTX was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 80 mg/kg or 120 mg/kg, respectively. Mice from the PTX low-dose group and the PTX high-dose group were continuously observed and photographed to compare the intra-group consistency of the phenotypes of female and male mice. Six SPF C57BL/6J mice (half male and half female) aged 6-8 weeks were used to repeat the construction method of the PTX low-dose group, and the hair follicle histological examination was performed at T0, T4, T7, T14 and T21, respectively, to observe the damage caused by PTX to hair follicle regeneration. ResultsThe phenotypes of CYP-induced male CIA mice are stable and reproducible. There are obvious individual differences in the alopecia phenotype in the CYP-induced female CIA model mice, which may be mainly caused by the differences in the relevant estrogens in the estrous cycle. The difference between OVX+CYP group and XY (Sry⁻) +CYP group disappeared, suggesting that ovarian-derived hormones and XY (Sry⁻) sex chromosome background may be involved in the formation of phenotypic heterogeneity of CYP-induced alopecia in female mice. The mice in the high-dose PTX group and the low-dose PTX group showed a relatively consistent alopecia and regrowth process, and there was no significant sex difference. ConclusionCYP-induced CIA is strongly influenced by sex, and ovariectomy or alteration of the sex chromosome background can improve the consistency of CYP-induced alopecic phenotypes in female mice. PTX-induced CIA shows good phenotypic consistency in both female and male mice, indicating broad applicability across sexes. Taken together, the choice of animal sex in CIA model construction, mechanistic studies, and evaluation of anti-alopecia interventions should take into account the type of chemotherapeutic agent, the study objective, and the required degree of phenotypic stability. Sex should therefore be considered an important variable in model standardization and interpretation of experimental findings.
4.Construction and value of evaluation system about satisfaction for efficiency of maintenance and repair for medical equipment on the basis of CCSI
Zhaoxia WU ; Raoxing CAI ; Guang LI ; Zhen LEI
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(3):143-147
Objective:To construct a evaluation system based on the model of china customer satisfaction index(CCSI)about satisfaction for efficiency of maintenance and repair for medical equipment,so as to analyze its application value in management for equipment.Methods:Based on the requirements of constructing CCSI model,the CCSI model was built from 6 variables included satisfaction,loyalty,profile of equipment,perceived value,expected quality and perceived quality through combined with the application situation of medical equipment in Lishui People's Hospital.And then,the evaluation system about the satisfaction for efficiency of maintenance and repair for medical equipment of hospital was constructed.This paper selected 100 using medical equipment in our hospital during January 2021 and February 2023.The satisfactions of engineers,persons of operation and maintenance,operators of equipment,and managers of equipment department for maintenance and application quality were compared between before and after the evaluation system based on CCSI model was applied.Results:The satisfactions of engineers,persons of operation and maintenance,operators of equipment,and managers of equipment department on maintenance and repair for equipment wasere respectively(90.36±3.26),(92.65±4.36),(93.14±2.98)and(93.14±4.69)points after the evaluation system with CCSI model was applied,all of which were higher than those before it was applied,and the differences between them were significant(t=14.349,12.249,17.283,10.348,P<0.05).The satisfaction scores of medical staffs on the timeliness of maintenance,repair,emergency management,test for fault of equipment,and the total score were respectively(22.14±1.36),(23.11±1.25),(22.14±1.36),(23.45±1.36)and(90.84±5.33)after the evaluation system with CCSI model was applied,all of which were higher than those before it was applied,and the differences were statistically significant(t=15.232,13.476,11.340,13.179,13.284,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of evaluation system based on CCSI about satisfaction for efficiency of maintenance and repair for medical equipment in the evaluation for the satisfaction for maintenance and repair for medical equipment of hospital can improve the satisfaction of manager who use equipment for maintenance and repair for equipment,and enhance the efficiency of running equipment and the quality of managing equipment,which has higher application value.
5.Microchannel-based Electrochemiluminescence Sensor for Tetracycline Detection Using Luminol/Hydrogen Peroxide as Reporter System
Shao-Kun HUANG ; Xiu-Lin XIE ; Hua-Bin CAI ; Yan-Ling HUANG ; Yue LIN ; Zhen-Yu LIN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):356-363
A microchannel-based electrochemiluminescence(ECL)sensor was developed for detection of tetracycline(TC)utilizing luminol/H2O2 as ECL reporting system.The low excitation potential of luminol/H2O2 effectively mitigated the impact of clamping voltage,thereby enhancing the detection performance of the microchannel-based ECL sensor.The microchannel modified with TC aptamer selectively recognized and captured target TC.The positively charged TC reduced the surface charge density within the microchannel,thereby increasing the ionic current in the microchannel,leading to change of ECL signal of system.The experimental conditions such as electrolyte concentration,TC-aptamer concentration,and reaction time between TC and TC-aptamer were optimized.Under optimal conditions,the difference of ECL signal in the absence and presence of TC(?ECL)exhibited a good linear relationship with TC concentration in the range from 1.00 ng/mL to 200 ng/mL,with a detection limit as low as 0.69 ng/mL.The sensor had good selectivity and was successfully used in detection of TC in milk samples.
6.Congrong San alleviates hippocampal neuronal injury and ferroptosis in AD rats by inhibiting GRP78-PERK-ATF4 signaling pathway
Yuan-qin CAI ; Xian-bing CHEN ; Qing-hua LONG ; Xi WANG ; Zhen-ning WANG ; Chu-hua ZENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):874-880
Aim To investigate the effects of Congrong San(CRS)on learning and memory ability,hippocam-pal neuronal injury,and ferroptosis in rats with Alzhei-mer's disease(AD)and to explore the related mecha-nisms.Methods AD rat models were established and divided into Sham,Model,CRS low-dose,CRS medium-dose,CRS high-dose,and memantine groups.After treatment,Morris water maze,HE and Nissl staining,transmission electron microscopy,immunofluorescence staining,Western blot,and kit assays were performed to assess learning and memory ability,hippocampal neuro-nal injury,ferroptosis-related indicatorsand glucose reg-ulated protein 78 ku(GRP78)-(proteinkinaseR-li-keERkinase)PERK-(activating transcription factor 4)ATF4 pathway protein expression.Results Com-pared with the model group,rats in the CRS medium-and high-dose groups and the memantine group showed significant improvement in learning and memory abili-ty,reduced hippocampal neuronal injury,increased number of Nissl bodies,and ameliorated endoplasmic reticulum swelling and mitochondrial damage.In addi-tion,the expressions of GRP78,p-PERK/PERK,and ATF4 were downregulated,while GPX4 expression was upregulated in the CRS medium-and high-dose groups and the memantine group.Moreover,MDA content de-creased,and SOD and GSH-PX levels increased in these groups.Conclusions CRS can improve the learning and memory ability in AD rats,reduce hipp-ocampal neuronal injury and ferroptosis,and its mecha-nism may be related to the inhibition of the GRP78-PERK-ATF4 pathway,enhancement of GPX4 expres-sion,and reduction of oxidative stress levels,providing a new approach for the clinical treatment of AD.
7.Comparative efficacy of different doses of tranexamic acid for traumatic hemorrhagic shock in the early phase of trauma following acute exposure to high altitude in rabbits
Zhen LIU ; Chao NIE ; Lijia YUAN ; Ling YANG ; Hui JIANG ; Cheng QIAN ; Linghu CAI ; Yi ZHANG ; Minghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(3):305-317
Objective:To compare the efficacy of different doses of tranexamic acid (TXA) for traumatic hemorrhagic shock (THS) in the early phase of trauma following acute exposure to high altitude in rabbits.Methods:Twenty-five healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into plain control group ( n=5) and acute high-altitude THS group ( n=20) according to the random number table method. The plain control group did not undergo THS modeling throughout the experiment while the acute high-altitude THS group was raised in a hypoxia simulation chamber with a volume fraction of 10% for 3 days to establish the THS model. Based on the different doses of TXA administered intravenously at 30 minutes after THS modeling, the acute high-altitude THS group was further divided into four subgroups: acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup, acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup, acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA subgroup and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroup, with 5 rabbits in each. The vital signs [mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, rectal temperature] and blood cell counts [red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT)], 4 coagulation parameters [fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT)], thromboelastography [clotting reaction time (R value), clot formation time (K value), maximum amplitude (MA value)], syndecan-1, inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were recorded before blood loss, at 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss. At 6 hours after THS, the lungs, terminal ileum, and kidneys of the rabbits were collected to observe tissue damage, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and total water content (TLW) of the lung tissue were measured. Results:(1) Vital signs: Before blood loss, there were no significant differences in MAP, heart rate, or rectal temperature between the acute high-altitude THS subgroups and the plain control group ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS subgroups exhibited significantly lower MAP, heart rate, and rectal temperature compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in MAP, heart rate or rectal temperature among the acute high-altitude THS subgroups at any time point ( P>0.05). In the acute high-altitude THS subgroups, MAP, heart rate and rectal temperature were significantly decreased at 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss compared to those before blood loss ( P<0.05); At 120 minutes after blood loss, these parameters were further significantly decreased compared to those at 30 minutes after blood loss ( P<0.05). (2) Blood cell counts: Before blood loss, the RBC count was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while the PLT was significantly lower ( P<0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, there was no significant difference in RBC count between the acute high-altitude THS subgroups and the plain control group ( P>0.05), but the PLT remained significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the RBC count was significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), with no significant differences among the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P>0.05). The PLT count was significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup compared to the other subgroups ( P<0.05). The PLT count in the acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup was significantly lower than those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between the latter two subgroups ( P>0.05). (3) Four Coagulation parameters: Before blood loss, D-dimer level was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in FIB ( P>0.05). APTT and PT were significantly shortened in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, D-dimer level remained significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while FIB was significantly lower ( P<0.05), with significant increase of APTT and PT compared to those before blood loss ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly higher D-dimer level compared to the other subgroups ( P<0.05), with significantly lower FIB and higher APTT and PT ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup also showed significantly higher D-dimer level compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with significantly lower FIB and increased APTT and PT ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in D-dimer, FIB, APTT or PT between the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P>0.05). (4) Thromboelastography parameters: Before blood loss, the R value was significantly shorter in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in K value or MA value ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, both R value and K value were significantly shorter in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05), with no significant differences in MA value ( P>0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly increased R value and K value compared to those in the other subgroups ( P<0.05), while MA value was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The remaining acute high-altitude THS subgroups showed significant decrease of R value and K value compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while MA value was significantly lower ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly lower R value and K value compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences in R value, K value and MA value between the later two groups ( P<0.05). (5) Changes in Syndecan-1, inflammatory factors and PAI-1: Before blood loss, syndecan-1 was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in IL-6, TNF-α, or PAI-1 ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). Among them, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significantly higher levels of syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 compared to the other acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup had significantly higher syndecan-1, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant difference in PAI-1 ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α or PAI-1 between the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P>0.05). (6) Tissue injury: At 6 hours after THS, acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significant interstitial thickening of the lung with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, localized loss of intestinal brush border accompanied by cellular disruption, and marked structural disruption of renal corpuscles with focal cellular injury and necrosis. At 6 hours after THS, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly higher lung injury scores, Chiu′s intestinal injury scores, and kidney injury scores compared to those of the other subgroups ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the tissue injury scores of the lungs, intestines and kidneys among the other subgroups ( P>0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup also had significantly higher lung W/D and TLW compared to those in the other subgroups ( P<0.05). At 6 hours after THS, the acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significantly higher W/D and TLW of the lung tissues compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA groups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between the latter two subgroups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:At 3 days after acute exposure to high altitude, rabbits show a hypercoagulable state of the blood, accompanied by endothelial barrier dysfunction. At 30 minutes after the induction of acute high-altitude THS, a single slow intravenous bolus injection of TXA at doses of 90 mg/kg and 135 mg/kg is more effective in improving coagulation and fibrinolysis function, inflammatory response, endothelial injury, and reduced the risk of pulmonary edema than that at a dose of 45 mg/kg.
8.NSD1 regulates H3K36me2 in the pathogenesis of non-obstructive azoospermia
Xuan ZHUANG ; Zhen-xin CAI ; Yu-feng YANG ; Zhi-ming LI
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(3):195-201
Objective:To explore the role of nuclear receptor-binding SET-domain protein 1(NSD1)in the pathogenesis of nonobstructive azoospermia(NOA)by regulating the expressions of relevant genes.Methods:We detected the expression of NSD1 in the testis tissue of 7 male patients with obstructive azoospermia(OA)and 18 with NOA by qPCR and immunofluorescence assay,and determined the modification level of H3K36me2 in the testes of two groups of patients by immunofluorescence staining,Western blot and immunoprecipitation(IP).We examined the difference in the enrichment of H3K36me2 in the testis tissue by chromatin IP-based sequencing(ChIP-Seq),analyzed the genomic distribution and target genes using bioinformatics,and verified the expression levels of the target genes in the testes of the two groups of patients by qPCR.Results:Compared with the patients with OA,those with NOA showed dramatically decreased mRNA and protein expressions of NSD1(P=0.000 8).The binding of NSD1 to H3K36me2 was observed in the testis tissue of both the two groups of patients,while the modification level of H3K36me2 was evidently reduced in the NOA males.H3K36me2 was distributed mainly in the intergenic region in the testes of the two groups of patients,but the enrich-ment of H3K36me2 was obviously decreased in the NOA group.The differentially H3K36me2-enriched genes were involved in various biological processes,including tissue development,and cell morphogenesis.Results of ChIP-Seq and qPCR showed significantly down-regulated expressions of the target genes KIT,SPO11 and ACRV1 in the testis tissue of the NOA males compared with those in the OA patients(P<0.01).Conclusion:The levels of NSD1 and H3K36me2 are decreased in testis tissue of the NOA patient,H3K36me2 is highly enriched in the spermatogenesis-related key genes KIT,SPO11 and ACRV1,and the down-regulated expression of NSD1 impairs spermatogenesis.
9.Congrong San alleviates hippocampal neuronal injury and ferroptosis in AD rats by inhibiting GRP78-PERK-ATF4 signaling pathway
Yuan-qin CAI ; Xian-bing CHEN ; Qing-hua LONG ; Xi WANG ; Zhen-ning WANG ; Chu-hua ZENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):874-880
Aim To investigate the effects of Congrong San(CRS)on learning and memory ability,hippocam-pal neuronal injury,and ferroptosis in rats with Alzhei-mer's disease(AD)and to explore the related mecha-nisms.Methods AD rat models were established and divided into Sham,Model,CRS low-dose,CRS medium-dose,CRS high-dose,and memantine groups.After treatment,Morris water maze,HE and Nissl staining,transmission electron microscopy,immunofluorescence staining,Western blot,and kit assays were performed to assess learning and memory ability,hippocampal neuro-nal injury,ferroptosis-related indicatorsand glucose reg-ulated protein 78 ku(GRP78)-(proteinkinaseR-li-keERkinase)PERK-(activating transcription factor 4)ATF4 pathway protein expression.Results Com-pared with the model group,rats in the CRS medium-and high-dose groups and the memantine group showed significant improvement in learning and memory abili-ty,reduced hippocampal neuronal injury,increased number of Nissl bodies,and ameliorated endoplasmic reticulum swelling and mitochondrial damage.In addi-tion,the expressions of GRP78,p-PERK/PERK,and ATF4 were downregulated,while GPX4 expression was upregulated in the CRS medium-and high-dose groups and the memantine group.Moreover,MDA content de-creased,and SOD and GSH-PX levels increased in these groups.Conclusions CRS can improve the learning and memory ability in AD rats,reduce hipp-ocampal neuronal injury and ferroptosis,and its mecha-nism may be related to the inhibition of the GRP78-PERK-ATF4 pathway,enhancement of GPX4 expres-sion,and reduction of oxidative stress levels,providing a new approach for the clinical treatment of AD.
10.Construction of cuproptosis-related genes prognostic model for oral squamous cell carcinoma based on bioinformatics
Baixin GAO ; Ling LI ; Jingfei ZHANG ; Chao YUAN ; Meng ZHANG ; Zhen CAI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(2):253-260
Objective:The transcriptome data was utilized to screen cuproptosis-related genes(CRGs)in oral squamous cell car-cinoma(OSCC),and the characteristic genes were identified for constructing a prognostic model for predicting patients'survival time.Methods:OSCC transcriptome gene expression and clinical data were obtained from TCGA and GEO.Through Lasso regres-sion analysis and Cox regression analysis,relevant prognostic genes were screened and prognostic models were constructed.Ac-cording to the median value of risk scores,patients were divided into high and low risk groups,and their survival rates were com-pared.Finally,the predictive performance of the model was verified.Results:In this study,9 characteristic genes with prognostic value(ENO2,P4HA1,SLC2A3,AQP1,PLS1,NXPH4,CTSG,TRAC,THBS1)were screened out and a 9-gene prognostic model was constructed.The survival rate of high-risk group based on prognostic model was significantly lower than that of low-risk group.The area under curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was 0.701,0.729 and 0.702 at 1 year,3 years and 5 years,respectively,which verifies that the risk model has good predictive performance.The nomogram predicted that the 1-year,3-year,and 5-year survival probabilities of OSCC patients are 89.6%,72.4%,and 63.9%respectively,and the cal-ibration curve confirmed the accuracy of the nomogram prediction.Conclusion:The 9-gene prognostic model based on CRGs screening could predict the prognosis of OSCC patients,which is helpful for clinical personalized treatment of OSCC patients and prediction of their survival rate.

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