Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, immune-mediated liver injury of unknown etiology. The onset of this disease involves the activation and recruitment of diverse immune and non-immune cells, which in turn trigger hepatic damage. Immune checkpoint molecules (ICM) are expressed on the surface of multiple cell types. By regulating cellular functional states, they help limit the intensity and duration of immune responses, thereby preventing excessive inflammation and tissue damage, and maintaining immune homeostasis. In AIH, however, this natural "braking" mechanism is impaired, leading to aberrant activation of both immune and non-immune cells and the breakdown of immune homeostasis. Consequently, ICM are likely to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AIH. A deeper understanding of the function of ICM in AIH not onlyadvances our insight into the disease mechanism, but also suggests that targeting these molecules may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AIH.

To characterize the genomes of different emm-type group A Streptococcus (GAS), their virulence genes and drug resistance profiles in Tianjin City from 2011 to 2024. After PCR, a total of 42 strains with different years and emm types were selected for whole genome sequencing and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and the core genomes were used to generate a phylogenetic tree, after which the virulence genes and resistance genes were identified and analyzed, followed by the drug susceptibility test. In this study, the GAS strains were dominated by emm1 (50.0%) and emm12 (40.4%), and the MLST phenotypes were categorized into six types: ST36 (40.4%), ST1274 (26.1%), ST28 (23.8%), ST921 (4.7%), ST46 (2.3%), and ST403 (2.3%). There was a high consistency between their emm-types and ST types. A total of 68 virulence genes were detected in the genomes of 42 GAS strains, involving functional genes encoding exotoxin, bacterial adhesion, extracellular enzymes, etc. The virulence genes they carried were significantly different between emm1-type and emm12-type strains, such as speA. At the same time, the carrying rates of some virulence genes in the same emm-type strains changed with time, such as hyl. The resistance genes were basically the same among different emm-type strains except for the vanSE gene detected in all emm12 strains. The results of drug sensitivity showed that the GAS strains isolated in Tianjin City from 2011 to 2024 were sensitive to penicillin, cefazolin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, and levofloxacin, while the resistance rates to erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and clindamycin ranged from 88.5% to 100.0%, and there was a certain degree of consistency between the resistance phenotypes and the detected resistance genes. Overall, the main emm types and evolutionary features of GAS in Tianjin City from 2011 to 2024 were consistent with the dominant types in China, and the carrying rate of virulence genes and drug resistance genes differed significantly among different emm-type strains, and there were continuous evolution and variation in the prevalence of virulence genes in GAS.

Hot melt extrusion(HME)technology employs thermodynamic and kinetic principles to mix pharmaceutical polymers with crystalline drugs at high temperatures and extrude them,embedding drug molecules within the polymer matrix to form solid dispersions.Due to its solvent-free nature,capability for one-step processing,and support for continuous operation,HME has garnered significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years.This article introduced the basic principles and development history of HME technology and its marketed drugs.It reviewed the research progress of HME technology in improving drug solubility,masking taste,controlled release,targeted release,oral dispersible films,implant formulations,semi-solid formulations,and 3D printed formulations.Additionally,the article summarized the advantages and limitations of HME technology and provided an outlook on its future development.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycopro-tein-G(VSV-G)modification on the mucosal immune efficacy of antigen-loaded engineered exosome vaccines.METHODS In vitro experiments:Dendritic cells(DCs)were divided into three groups:cell-control(treated with culture medium),receptor binding domain(RBD)(transfected with plasmid RBD),and RBD+VSV-G(co-transfected with plasmids RBD and VSV-G).Expression levels of RBD and VSV-G were assessed using Western blotting,flow cytometry,and immunofluorescence.Exosomes were extracted via ultracentrifugation,whose morphology,size distribution,and marker proteins were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy,nanoparticle tracking analysis,and Western blotting that confirmed the expressions of RBD and VSV-G in the exosomes.In vivo experiments:① Female BALB/c mice were divided into the control group Mock exosomes(Mock-Exo)(derived from the supernatant of cell-control),RBD decorated exosomes(RBD-Exo)(derived from the RBD cell supernatant),and RBD and VSV-G decorated exosomes(RBD+VSV-G-Exo)(derived from RBD+VSV-G cell supernatant).Follow-ing intranasal immunization with the respective vaccines,the nasal retention effects were evaluated using in vivo imaging.Flow cytometry was used to assess the ability to recruit immune cells to the nasal tissue.Serum RBD-specific immunoglobulin G(IgG)and mucosal immunoglobulin A(IgA)(bronchoal-veolar lavage fluid/nasal wash)were quantified at 7 and 21 d post-immunization by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.Body weight changes were monitored and key serum biochemical parameters along with histopathological damage to major organs were analyzed following immunization.② Female BALB/c mice were divided into the Mock-Exo group(intranasally inoculated with Mock-Exo),RBD+VSV-G-Exo group(intranasally inoculated with RBD+VSV-G-Exo),and RBD+VSV-G-Exo(im)group(intramus-cularly injected with RBD+VSV-G-Exo).RESULTS In vitro experiments:RBD and VSV-G were successfully expressed in cells,with positive rates of RBD+and VSV-G+cells at 64.4%and 31.2%,respectively.The extracted exosomes exhibited regular morphology and qualified purity,with a particle size of approximately 138 nm and successfully loaded RBD and VSV-G proteins.In vivo experiments:Compared to Mock-Exo and RBD-Exo,RBD+VSV-G-Exo prolonged nasal retention time to 96 h and markedly increased the numbers of CD49B+natural killer cells,CD11c+dendritic cells,and F4/80+macrophages in nasal tissues.RBD+VSV-G-Exo induced robust RBD-specific immune responses,with serum IgG titers,BALF IgA titers,and nasal wash IgA titers reaching 1∶5 215,1∶2 560,1∶1 114,respec-tively.In contrast,no RBD-specific IgA antibody titers were detected in the BALF and nasal wash of mice treated with RBD+VSV-G-Exo(im).Mice showed stable body weight gain during 30 d post-immu-nization.Major serum biochemical indices were within normal reference ranges,and no obvious patho-logical changes were observed in major organs or olfactory bulbs 7 d after immunization.CONCLU-SION VSV-G modification extends the retention time of engineered exosome vaccines in nasal tissues,enhance their ability to recruit immune cells,and induce a high-level antigen-specific respiratory mucosal immune response.

OBJECTIVE To study the anti-fatigue effects of differently-cultivated Astragalus extract in a hypoxic environment of the plateau and explore the related mechanisms.METHODS Fifty-six male KM mice were randomly divided into the hypoxic swimming control(HSC)group,imitation wild Astragalus extract(IWA)430,860 and 1 720 mg·kg-1 groups,and cultivated Astragalus extract(CA)463,925 and 1 850 mg·kg-1 groups.The drug was administered by gavage once daily for 15 days,while body mass was monitored every three days.After 15 days of gavage,the mice were subjected to load swimming(5%body weight)in a hypobaric chamber(simulating a 4 000 m altitude),with exhaus-tive swimming time measured to identify the optimal dosage.Following randomization,fifty male KM mice were assigned to five groups:normoxic control(NC),hypoxic control(HC),HSC,IWA 860 and CA 925 mg·kg-1.All groups underwent daily gavage for 15 d before 90 min non-weight-bearing swimming was conducted in the HSC,IWA 860 and CA 925 mg·kg-1 groups within a hypobaric chamber,followed by immediate measurement of muscle strength.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in liver and gastrocnemius muscle tissues.Blood urea nitrogen(BUN),blood glucose(BG)and serum lactic acid(LA),glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),liver glycogen(LG)and muscle glycogen(MG)in livers and muscles,and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in muscles were measured by commercial kits.Taurine and hypotaurine were measured by HPLC.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used for cysteine sulfenic acid decarboxylase(CSAD)measure-ment.Western blotting was used to detect protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in skeletal muscles.RESULTS Compared with the HSC group,the swimming time was prolonged in IWA 463,IWA 860,CA 925 and CA 1 850 mg·kg-1 groups.Compared with the HSC group,the muscle strength of mice in the IWA 860 mg·kg-1 group and the CA 925 mg·kg-1 group was significantly increased,histo-pathological damage in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle was reduced,serum levels of LA and BUN were significantly decreased,levels of BG,LG and MG were significantly increased,levels of GSH,GSH-Px and SOD were significantly increased,contents of MDA were significantly decreased,expressions of CSAD were significantly increased in liver tissue,contents of GSH,T-AOC,taurine and hypotaurine were significantly increased,levels of ROS were significantly decreased,and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,Nrf2,HO-1 were significantly upregulated in muscle tissues.CONCLUSION Under simulated high-altitude hypoxic conditions,extracts of Astragalus membranaceus cultivated by two methods consis-tently exhibit anti-fatigue effects.Its mechanisms may be mitigating oxidative stress,augmenting taurine and hypotaurine metabolic regulation,and activating PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.IWA has a better anti-fatigue effect than CA.

RNA-based gene therapy has been widely used for various diseases, and extensive studies have proved that suitable delivery routes greatly help the development of RNA therapeutics. Identifying a safe and effective delivery system is key to realizing RNA therapeutics' clinical translation. Inhalation is a non-invasive pulmonary delivery modality that can enhance the retention of therapeutic agents in the lungs with negligible toxicity, thereby improving patient compliance. Inhaled RNA therapeutics are increasingly becoming an area of focus for researchers; however, only several clinical trials have explored inhaled delivery of RNA for pulmonary diseases. This review presents an overview of recent advances in inhaled delivery systems for RNA therapeutics, including viral and nonviral systems, highlighting state of the art regarding inhalation in the messenger RNA (mRNA) field. We also summarize the applications of mRNA inhalants in infectious and other lung diseases. Simultaneously, the research progresses on small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and different types of RNA are also discussed to provide new strategies for developing RNA inhalation therapy. Finally, we clarify the challenges inhaled RNA-based therapeutics face before their widespread adoption and provide insights to help advance this exciting field to the bedside.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of orexin-A-mediated regulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors for promoting motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Thirty-six newborn SD rats (aged 7-14 days) were randomized into 6 groups (n=6), including a normal control group, a sham-operated group, and 4 SCI groups with daily intrathecal injection of saline, DNQX, orexin-A, or orexin-A+DNQX for 3 consecutive days after PCI. Motor function of the rats were evaluated using blood-brain barrier (BBB) score and inclined plane test 1 day before and at 1, 3, and 7 days after SCI. For patch-clamp experiment, spinal cord slices from newborn rats in the control, sham-operated, SCI, and SCI+orexin groups were prepared, and ventral horn neurons were acutely isolated to determine the reversal potential and dynamic indicators of glutamate receptor-mediated currents under glutamate perfusion. RESULTS: At 3 and 7 days after SCI, the orexin-A-treated rats showed significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles than those with other interventions. Compared with those treated with DNQX alone, the rats receiving the combined treatment with orexin and DNQX had significantly higher BBB scores and grip tilt angles on day 7 after PCI. In the patch-clamp experiment, the ventral horn neurons from SCI rat models exhibited obviously higher reversal potential and greater rise slope of glutamate current with shorter decay time than those from sham-operated and orexin-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS Orexin-A promotes motor function recovery in rats after SCI possibly by improving the function of the ionotropic glutamate receptors.
Animals ; Spinal Cord Injuries/drug therapy* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate/metabolism* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Orexins/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Animals, Newborn ; Neuropeptides/pharmacology* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology*

Compared with conventional transdermal drug delivery systems, dissolving microneedles significantly enhance drug bioavailability by penetrating the stratum corneum barrier and achieving intradermal drug delivery. In order to improve the transdermal bioavailability of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, in this study, a novel microneedle delivery system was developed for dexmedetomidine hydrochloride based on 3D printing combined with micro-molding. By systematically optimizing the microneedle geometrical parameters, array arrangement, and preparation process parameters, we determined the optimal ratio of drug-carrying matrix as 15% PVP (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) K90. The microneedles exhibited significant drug loading gradients, with mean content of (209.99±27.56) μg/patch, (405.31±30.31) μg/patch, and (621.61±34.43) μg/patch. They showed a regular pyramidal structure under SEM and handheld electron microscopy, and their mechanical strength allowed effective penetration into the stratum corneum. The surface contact angles were all < 90°, indicating excellent hydrophilicity. The microneedles dissolved completely within 10 min after skin insertion, achieving a cumulative release rate of 90% (Higuchi model, r=0.996) during 2 hours of in vitro transdermal permeation. The cytotoxicity test and hemolysis test verified good biocompatibility. Pharmacodynamic evaluation showed that the microneedle group demonstrated pain-relieving effect within 15 min, with the pain threshold at the time point of 60 min being 3 times that in the transdermal cream group. The microneedle system developed in this study not only offers an efficient drug delivery option for patients but also establishes an innovative platform for rapid percutaneous delivery of hydrophilic drugs, demonstrating significant potential in perioperative pain management.
Dexmedetomidine/pharmacokinetics* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Needles ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Microinjections/instrumentation* ; Skin Absorption ; Skin/metabolism*