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.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
4.Application research of endoscopic-laparoscopic regional gastric resection combined with sentinel lymph node basin dissection in patients with early gastric cancer
Zhi ZHENG ; Zimeng WANG ; Rui XU ; Haiqiao ZHANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Guotian RUAN ; Jie YIN ; Xiaoye LIU ; Jun CAI ; Guangyong CHEN ; Xiujing SUN ; Shengtao ZHU ; Peng LI ; Jun ZHANG ; Shutian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(7):587-596
Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of endoscopic-laparoscopic regional gastric resection combined with sentinel lymph node basin dissection in patients with early-stage gastric cancer.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Data of 17 consecutive early gastric cancer patients from a prospective cohort at Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University were analyzed between August 2023 and August 2024. Sixteen cases were from the department of general surgery and 1 from the department of gastroenterology. The cohort included 9 males and 8 females,with a mean age of 61.4 years (range: 46 to 79 years). Clinical data,including demographics,pathological features,surgical procedures,and follow-up outcomes,were collected through medical records and databases. All patients were followed for over 3 months,with follow-up ending on December 5,2024.Results:A total of 17 patients were involved. Among them, 5 patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection (LSBD),and another 3 patients who underwent complete ESD resection received LSBD due to pathological stage meeting the expanded indications. 6 patients who underwent non-curative ESD resection received laparoscopic gastric regional resection (LRG) combined with LSBD,and another 3 patients directly received LRG combined with LSBD. The average number of sentinel lymph nodes dissected before surgery ( M(IQR)) was 8.9 (4.5) (range: 4 to 21),and the detection rate and accuracy rate were both 100%. Postoperative pathology confirmed that there was no metastasis in the sentinel lymph nodes of 5 patients who underwent ESD combined with LSBD and 3 patients who underwent LSBD after complete ESD resection. The vertical and horizontal margins of ESD were all negative. One patient was an absolute indication for ESD. For the 6 patients who underwent non-curative ESD resection combined with LRG and LSBD,the horizontal margins were all negative. Two patients showed 1 metastasis in each of the 21 and 9 sentinel lymph nodes during the operation,and additional distal gastrectomy was performed during the operation. Postoperatively,73 and 39 lymph nodes were retrieved respectively. The former had 1 additional metastasis,while the latter had no metastasis. Among the 3 patients who underwent direct LRG combined with LSBD,the horizontal margins were negative. One patient was confirmed as an absolute indication for ESD by postoperative pathology,and one patient had 1 metastasis in 8 sentinel lymph nodes during the operation,and additional distal gastrectomy was performed. Postoperatively,there was no metastasis in 54 lymph nodes. All patients had no complications such as infection,bleeding,perforation,or death after surgery. Among the 14 patients who did not receive additional radical surgery,they were able to pass gas and defecate within 3 days after surgery,with an average hospital stay of 6 days. The nutritional indicators and gastric radionuclide emptying imaging half-emptying time were similar to those before surgery at 3 months after surgery. Conclusions:Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative regional gastrectomy with sentinel lymph node basin dissection has the advantages of minimal invasiveness,preservation of gastric function,and precise treatment. It maybe suitable for patients with early-stage gastric cancer at high risk of lymph node metastasis and has good short-term efficacy.
5.Investigation on the teaching effect and demand of Public Health Skills Training course
Panyuan CAI ; Rui WU ; Jing YANG ; Danni WANG ; Jie LI
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2025;27(1):84-90,95
Objective:To understand the teaching effect and demand of the graduating students of the School of Public Health on the Public Health Skills Training course.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted among students of grade 2018 majoring in Preventive Medicine and Maternal and Child Health Care Medicine and students of grade 2019 majoring in Food Hygiene and Nutrition and Health Inspection and Quarantine of Anhui Medical University.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of course effectiveness and demand.Results:Among the 212 students who participated in the survey,89.62%of the students said that they could master the learning of Public Health Skills Training course,and 84.91%of the students believed that it had practical application significance for their future work and life.The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that students who were satisfied with the curriculum(compared with dissatisfaction/average)and thought that the curriculum difficulty was average/easy(compared with difficult)had higher curriculum mastery.Students who thought that the time of the course should be moved backward(compared with the appropriate time)and had no intention to participate in the National Public Health Skills Competition(compared with had intention to participate)for college students thought that the study of the course had no practical application significance for their future work and life.Conclusion:Strengthen the teaching of public health skills practical training courses,improve students'satisfaction with the courses,and find teaching methods suitable for students'understanding can improve students'mastery of the courses and help students better improve their practical and analytical abilities.
6.Clinical value of the two-dimensional speckle tracking technique for evaluating cardiac shape remodeling in small for gestational age fetuses
Chen ZHU ; Qi CAI ; Yun-yun REN ; Rui LIU ; Man LI ; Jin-lian XIANG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):209-215
Objective To obtain measurements of fetal four-chamber view and left and right ventricular shapes using two-dimensional speckle tracking,and to explore the clinical quantification of cardiac shape remodeling in small for gestational age(SGA)fetuses.Methods In this study,we prospectively collected data on singleton pregnancies from 28 to 39 weeks that were established in the archives of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from May 2020 to Jul 2021.Fetuses eligible for inclusion criteria were randomly matched according to the ratio of estimated fetal weight(EFW)≥10th percentile(P10)∶EFW
7.Research progress on early screening methods for occupational noise-induced hearing loss
Aihua LI ; Wenyan YU ; Hongyan YANG ; Weihong CAI ; Rui ZHANG ; Haijiang FENG ; Huaiying TAO ; Yixian MA ; Yan YE
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1400-1404
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible sensorineural hearing loss that severely endangers workers’ health, making early screening crucial. This article reviewed the research progress on early screening methods for occupational NIHL, introduced the testing mechanisms of three core screening methods—tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry —and summarized their clinical application advantages and limitations. It is proposed that multimodal combined detection (e.g., the combination of tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry) can significantly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of early screening. Meanwhile, future studies with prospective cohort design are encouraged to verify the long-term monitoring value of each method and to strengthen the joint development of screening technologies with cutting-edge approaches such as machine learning, in order to further improve screening efficiency and provide stronger protection for workers’ hearing health.
8.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
9.Signal mining and analysis of adverse events for lecanemab based on the FAERS database
Wen ZHANG ; Min LI ; Erping LIU ; Wenting TAO ; Rui CAI ; Weixian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(2):166-174
Objective To mine the risk signals of adverse drug events(ADEs)related to lecanemab through the U.S.Food and Drug Adminstration Adverse Event Reporting System(FAERS)database,to provide a reference for the safe clinical use of lecanemab.Methods Data on adverse events related to lecanemab from the fourth quarter,2010 to the second quarter 2024 in the FAERS were collected.Potential ADE signals were mined using the reporting odds ratio(ROR)method,Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency(MHRA)method,Bayesian confidence propagation neural network(BCPNN)method and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker(MGPS)method.The top 30 ADEs in terms of report frequency and signal strength,as well as ADEs categorized by system organ class(SOC),were statistically analyzed.Results A total of 868 adverse event reports related to lecanemab were collected,involving 1,986 instances of ADEs with 38 related ADE identified,the proportion of serious ADEs was 23.39%,and 87.15%of ADEs occurred in the first 3 months after the initiation of the drug.The top 30 PT signals in reported cases were headache,chills,fatigue,effusion type amyloid-related imaging abnormalities(ARIA-E),hemorrhage-type amyloid-related imaging abnormalities(ARIA-H),and so on.The top 30 signals in terms of signal intensity mainly included ARIA-E,ARIA-H,brain fog,infusion-related reactions.ADEs related to nervous system diseases were the most common.Fifteen new suspected or serious ADEs not recorded in the instructions were discovered,such as brain fog,formication,status epilepticus.Conclusion Risk assessment of patients'medication should be conducted before clinical use of lecanemab,especially in the first 3 months of the medication period,focus should be placed on monitoring common ADEs,such as ARIA-E,ARIA-H,infusion-related reactions.Attention also needs to be paid to the newly discovered suspected ADEs,to ensure the patients'medication safety.
10.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

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