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.Brain Aperiodic Dynamics
Zhi-Cai HU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Jiang WANG ; Gui-Ping LI ; Shan LIU ; Hai-Tao YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):99-118
Brain’s neural activities encompass both periodic rhythmic oscillations and aperiodic neural fluctuations. Rhythmic oscillations manifest as spectral peaks of neural signals, directly reflecting the synchronized activities of neural populations and closely tied to cognitive and behavioral states. In contrast, aperiodic fluctuations exhibit a power-law decaying spectral trend, revealing the multiscale dynamics of brain neural activity. In recent years, researchers have made notable progress in studying brain aperiodic dynamics. These studies demonstrate that aperiodic activity holds significant physiological relevance, correlating with various physiological states such as external stimuli, drug induction, sleep states, and aging. Aperiodic activity serves as a reflection of the brain’s sensory capacity, consciousness level, and cognitive ability. In clinical research, the aperiodic exponent has emerged as a significant potential biomarker, capable of reflecting the progression and trends of brain diseases while being intricately intertwined with the excitation-inhibition balance of neural system. The physiological mechanisms underlying aperiodic dynamics span multiple neural scales, with activities at the levels of individual neurons, neuronal ensembles, and neural networks collectively influencing the frequency, oscillatory patterns, and spatiotemporal characteristics of aperiodic signals. Aperiodic dynamics currently boasts broad application prospects. It not only provides a novel perspective for investigating brain neural dynamics but also holds immense potential as a neural marker in neuromodulation or brain-computer interface technologies. This paper summarizes methods for extracting characteristic parameters of aperiodic activity, analyzes its physiological relevance and potential as a biomarker in brain diseases, summarizes its physiological mechanisms, and based on these findings, elaborates on the research prospects of aperiodic dynamics.
4.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
5.Application of post competency-oriented BOPPPS combined with scenario simulation teaching method for team emergency rescue training in Xizang, China
Jieyu LUO ; Lingyu WEI ; Huadong CHEN ; Hong ZHAN ; Tsring PHURPU ; Zhen PU ; Ruibin CAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(11):1472-1477
Objective:To investigate the short-term and long-term effects of competency-oriented BOPPPS combined with scenario simulation teaching model on team emergency rescue skills training for healthcare professionals in Xizang.Methods:Forty-four healthcare professionals who participated in team emergency rescue training at Bianba People's Hospital from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected as study subjects. The BOPPPS combined with scenario simulation teaching model was applied in the clinical teaching of acute myocardial infarction. Before the training, the post competency was assessed using the Self-Directed Learning Instrument. The short-term teaching effects were evaluated using skill assessment and questionnaire after the training, and the long-term teaching effects were evaluated using the same questionnaire after six months.Results:Post-training skill assessment scores of the trainees were (50.45±6.68) for skill operation, (7.80±0.97) for humanistic communication, and (16.28±1.52) for team cooperation, which were significantly higher than pre-training scores ( P<0.05). Among self-directed learning abilities, "I enjoy finding answers to questions" was positively correlated with the humanistic communication scores, and "I can connect new knowledge with my personal experiences" was negatively correlated with skill operation scores ( P<0.05). The score of long-term emergency rescue skill improvement (4.27) was significantly higher than that after the training in the short term (3.98) ( P<0.05), while there were no significant decreases in career confidence and team collaboration ability ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The post competency-oriented BOPPPS combined with scenario simulation teaching model contributes to improving the team emergency rescue skills of healthcare professionals in Xizang, stabilizing their career confidence, and stimulating their self-learning ability. It is suitable to promote this teaching model in the clinical skills training of healthcare professionals in Xizang.
6.Mechanism of Congrong Shujing granules in treatment of Parkinson's disease based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and parallel reaction monitoring technology
Hai-xin LIU ; Hui-xin NI ; Mei ZHOU ; Zi-li FAN ; Zheng-tao GAO ; Fang-zhen WU ; Yao LIN ; Qian XU ; Jing CAI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):365-372
Aim To explore the mechanism of Con-grong Shujing granule(CSGs)in the treatment of Par-kinson's disease(PD)by network pharmacology,mo-lecular docking and parallel reaction monitoring(PRM)technology.Methods The active components of CSGs and the target genes of Parkinson's disease were obtained through the database.The intersection targets of drugs and diseases were selected to construct the"drug-active ingredient-target"and protein interac-tion network.The intersection target genes were impor-ted into David database for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis,and the main components were docked with key targets.27 SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group(n=9),model group(n=9)and treat-ment group(n=9).On day 1,7 and 14 of treatment,PRM analysis was used to detect the changes in the specific peptides of key target proteins in the substantia nigra of rats.Results The main components of CSGs wereTanshialdehyde,Baicalein,Quercetin and Kaempferol.The most important targets for the treat-ment of PD were TP53,AKT1,EGFR,HSP90 AA1 and STAT3.KEGG analysis mainly enriched MAPK,PI3K-Akt and neurotrophic factor signaling pathway.The molecular docking between core components and core targets showed that the binding of drugs and targets had good activity.PRM analysis of key proteins found that the target peptide expression levels of ASK1,JNK1 and JNK3 were different among groups(P<0.05).Con-clusion CSGs can alleviate ERS,inhibit apoptosis and play a neural protective role through the ASK1-JNK pathway.
7.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.
8.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.
9.Dosimetric differences between 6 MV flatten-filter free MC and CCC algorithms for the same machine model
Yong SANG ; Jian'an WU ; Man ZHAO ; Zhen DING ; Jiajun CAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(5):571-576
Objective To analyze the dosimetric differences between Monaco Monte Carlo(MC)algorithm and Pinnacle collapse cone convolution(CCC)algorithm for the same machine model using the 6 MV flatten-filter free(FFF)mode,thus providing a reference for the clinical application of these two treatment planning systems.Methods According to the MPPG5 and TRS430 reports,the acceptance and commissioning of Monaco MC algorithm model and Pinnacle CCC algorithm model in Department of Radiation Oncology,Shenzhen Hospital,Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were performed.A retrospectively analysis was conducted on 30 cases,including 10 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer,6 cases of lung cancer,4 cases of esophageal cancer,and 10 cases of cervical cancer.For each case,a 6 MV FFF plan was designed in Pinnacle using CCC algorithm.A 2.5 mm dose grid was selected for plan optimization and dose calculation.The plan was then exported to Monaco,where dose to medium was calculated using MC algorithm and a 2.5 mm dose grid with a 1%uncertainty for each control point.Both calculations in Pinnacle and Monaco took into account the impact of the treatment couch and immobilization devices on dose attenuation.The dose differences to the target volumes and major organs at risk between Pinnacle and Monaco for 3 different body parts including the head,chest and abdomen were compared.Results(1)For nasopharyngeal cancer,compared with Pinnacle CCC algorithm,Monaco MC algorithm lowered the Vpd of PTVp,PTVn,PTVrpn,PTV1 and PTV2 by 9.98%,2.64%,15.0%,1.93%and 8.01%,elevated the Dmax of PTVp,PTVn and PTVrpn by 2.98%,5.62%and 2.39%,increased the Dmean of PTVn and PTV1 by 1.87%and 0.72%,respectively;and the Dmax of the brainstem,the Dmax of the optic chiasm,and the Dmean of the right parotid gland were 3.83%lower,7.03%higher and 1.32%higher in Monaco MC algorithm as compared with Pinnacle CCC algorithm,respectively.(2)For lung cancer and esophageal cancer,Monaco MC algorithm showed increases of 2.37%,4.18%,15.30%,6.36%and 1.04%in the Dmax of PGTV,the V20,V5 and Dmean of lungs,and the V30 of heart as compared with Pinnacle CCC algorithm,respectively.(3)For cervical cancer,the Vpd of PTV_LR,Dmax of PTV_LR,the V40 of the rectum,the Dmax of the small intestine,and the Dmean of humeral head were 7.70%lower,3.70%higher,4.31%lower,3.05%higher and 2.07%higher in Monaco MC algorithm than in Pinnacle CCC algorithm,respectively.These differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion For the above 3 treatment sites,significant differences are found in dose calculations for target areas and organs at risk between Monaco MC algorithm and Pinnacle CCC algorithm for the same treatment plan.Attention should be paid to the differences in dose algorithms for different treatment planning systems in clinical applications,which may have impacts on patient survival rates and organ toxicity.
10.Molecular characteristics of the HA genes of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses originating from wild birds in wetlands in Fujian
Zhen CHEN ; Chun-hua ZHU ; Cui-teng CHEN ; Bin-qiong LIU ; Guo-zhang CAI ; Chun-he WAN ; Yu HUANG ; Shao-hua SHI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):227-234
This study was aimed at evaluating the characteristics of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses(AIVs)origina-ting from wild birds in major wetlands in Fujian.Five H9N2 subtype AIVs isolated from fecal samples from wild birds in wet-lands of the Minjiang River,Jiulong River,Sandu Bay,Xinghua Bay,and Quanzhou Bay in Fujian were sequenced.Sequence a-nalysis of the HA genes of the five H9N2 subtype AIVs indicated that the five isolates shared 89.8%-99.4%nucleotide se-quence identity.All five isolates belonged to the same h9.4.2.5c evolutionary branch.The cleavage site motifs of HA were all PSRSSR ↓ GLF,thus indicating molecular characteristics of AIVs with low pathogenicity.The HA proteins of the viruses orig-inating from wild birds bore eight identical potential glycosylation sites,among which the glycosylation site at position 313 was located near the HA protein cleavage site.The 226th amino acid of HA in the receptor binding site was leucine in each virus,thus indicating that HAs of the five H9N2 subtype AIVs had mammalian sialic acid α-2,6 receptor binding affinity.In conclu-sion,the five H9N2 subtype AIVs originating from wild birds in Fujian had low pathogenicity,and the HAs had mammalian sialic acid α-2,6 receptor binding affinity.

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