1.TGF-β1-engineered Biomimetic Platelet Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy of Ischemic Stroke
Li-Qi CHEN ; Tian-Fang KANG ; Guo-Jun HUANG ; Ting YIN ; Ai-Qing MA ; Lin-Tao CAI ; Hong PAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):697-710
ObjectivePost-ischemic acute inflammation and the subsequent persistent dysregulation of the immune microenvironment represent major pathological drivers that aggravate neuronal injury and severely restrict functional recovery following ischemic stroke. Although current reperfusion therapies partially restore blood flow, they fail to effectively modulate the secondary inflammatory cascade and oxidative stress, which remain critical barriers to neurological restoration. To address this challenge, this study aimed to engineer and systematically evaluate a biomimetic nanosystem composed of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-loaded platelet membrane-camouflaged lipid nanoparticles (PLP). This nanosystem was designed to achieve dual lesion-targeted delivery and immune microenvironment remodeling. By verifying its spatiotemporal accumulation, anti-inflammatory activity, and neuroprotective efficacy, we sought to establish an integrated therapeutic strategy that simultaneously enables lesion targeting, immune regulation, and functional recovery after ischemic injury. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of PLP, including hydrodynamic particle size, zeta potential, structural stability, and morphology, were characterized using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The preservation of platelet membrane-derived adhesion and immunoregulatory proteins was confirmed by SDS-PAGE through comparative analysis of protein band profiles between PLP and native platelet membranes. The in vitro biological activities of PLP were evaluated using two complementary cellular models. LPS-induced M1-polarized RAW264.7 macrophages were employed to assess inflammatory modulation, while oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced BV2 microglial cells and SH-SY5Y neuronal cells were utilized to investigate neuroinflammatory regulation and neuronal protection. For in vivo validation, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model was established to mimic ischemia-reperfusion injury. The spatiotemporal biodistribution and lesion-targeting capability of the PLP were monitored through live fluorescence imaging. Therapeutic efficacy was comprehensively evaluated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence analysis, body weight monitoring, and neurological severity score (NSS) assessment. ResultsPLP nanoparticles displayed a uniform spherical morphology, nanoscale particle size distribution, and stable negative surface charge, indicating favorable colloidal stability and circulation potential. SDS-PAGE results confirmed the effective retention of key platelet membrane proteins associated with endothelial adhesion, immune evasion, and inflammatory regulation, demonstrating the successful biomimetic construction. Optimal therapeutic concentrations were determined in OGD/R-induced BV2 cells, where PLP exhibited excellent cytocompatibility and anti-inflammatory activity.In vitro experiments demonstrated that PLP significantly inhibited the polarization of RAW264.7 macrophages toward the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and markedly reduced neuronal apoptosis under ischemia-reperfusion conditions. In vivo fluorescence imaging revealed that PLP rapidly accumulated in the ischemic brain hemisphere and maintained prolonged retention for up to 7 d, suggesting enhanced lesion-specific targeting and sustained drug release. Compared with control group, PLP treatment significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume, attenuated reactive astrogliosis, improved weight recovery, and accelerated neurological functional restoration, as reflected by significantly improved NSS scores. ConclusionThis study establishes a multifunctional biomimetic nanoplatform that integrates platelet membrane-mediated active targeting with the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective properties of TGF-β1. The PLP system enables rapid lesion homing and long-term retention while synergistically regulating the post-stroke inflammatory microenvironment by suppressing pro-inflammatory immune activation, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and limiting excessive astrocyte reactivity. Importantly, this study proposes a conceptually therapeutic paradigm that combines targeted delivery with immune microenvironment remodeling to achieve comprehensive neurovascular protection. These findings provide strong experimental evidence supporting the translational potential of biomimetic nanotherapeutics as next-generation precision interventions for ischemic stroke.
2.Molecular features of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome evolution in chronic liver diseases: a dynamic network biomarker analysis
Qingqing Chen ; Hua Zhang ; Dong Guo ; Hong Cai ; Yiyu Lu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(2):241-256
Objective:
To elucidate the biological basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes from the perspective of “same syndrome, different diseases” in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), thereby providing a complementary approach for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic liver diseases (CLD).
Methods:
To investigate the dynamic characteristics of TCM syndromes in CLD, transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed from patients with CHB, LC, or HCC presenting with three TCM syndromes: liver gallbladder dampness heat syndrome (LGDHS), liver depression spleen deficiency syndrome (LDSDS), and liver kidney Yin deficiency syndrome (LKYDS). These participants were recruited at Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between August 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the random variance model (RVM) F test with false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Principal component analysis (PCA) and unsupervised hierarchical clustering were applied to visualize sample grouping. Dynamic network biomarkers (DNB) analysis was employed to detect critical transition stages during syndrome evolution, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses to characterize the functional roles and pathway involvement of the DNB members. Random forest (RF) analysis and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) were used to rank the importance of candidate genes. External validation was performed using microarray data from an independent CLD cohort (GSE89377) and RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) dataset. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed on an independent cohort of LC patients to validate the expression levels of the candidate genes.
Results:
The study included a total of 132 participants. DNB analysis identified LDSDS stage as a critical tipping point during TCM syndrome evolution across CHB, LC, and HCC. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway was consistently enriched in the DNB analysis across all three types of CLD, suggesting its potential involvement in the critical transition of TCM syndromes. Among the 24 core DNB members of the PI3K-AKT pathway, four genes—integrin subunit beta 1 (ITGB1), collagen type IV alpha 1 chain (COL4A1), collagen type IV alpha 2 chain (COL4A2), and DNA damage inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3)—were identified by RF analysis (Gini score > 1) and ROC analysis. ROC analysis demonstrated high discriminative ability for distinguishing LGDHS from LKYDS in CHB patients, with AUC of
3.The value of total volume response and total mass response in the therapeutic evaluation of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma
Jun-cheng WAN ; Cai-hong YU ; Chang-yu LI ; Yong-jie ZHOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jian-hua WANG ; Zhi-ping YAN ; Guo-wei YANG ; Zhuo-yang FAN ; Xu-dong QU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):201-208,231
Objective To analyze the correlation between lesion volume,lesion mass,and maximum lesion diameter in the assessment of advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis,and to evaluate the application value of total volume response and total mass response of lung metastatic lesions in efficacy assessment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT imaging data of 20 patients clinically confirmed with hepatocarcinoma and lung metastases,followed by subsequent follow-up to monitor their survival outcomes.Volume measurement software was used to measure the volume of lesions before and after treatment.We recored lesion diameter,volume measurements and CT values,calculated the mass of the lesions.The correlation between lesion volume,mass and diameter was analyzed,as well as the correlation between the change rates of volume,mass and lesion diameter.Additionally,the total volume and total mass of all lesions were calculated.The correlation between the change rates of total volume/total mass and the change rate of pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria,as well as the correlation with changes in patients'tumor markers,were analyzed.Furthermore,the overall volume response and overall mass response of lesions were evaluated based on changes in total volume and total mass,and their consistencies with the RECIST 1.1 criteria for efficacy evaluation were analyzed.Finally,univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the association between these variables and patient survival outcomes.Results There was strong correlation between lesion volume,mass and tumor diameter(r=0.771,0.775),between the rate of change in mass and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.846),and between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and the rate of change in pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria(r=0.800,0.896).The correlation between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and patients'tumor markers was not statistically significant.There was moderate correlation between the rate of change in volume and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.692).The evaluation results of total volume response and total mass response for pulmonary lesions in advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis were generally consistent with the RECIST 1.1 criteria(Kappa=0.486,0.426).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total lesion volume(P=0.047)and total lesion mass(P=0.049)were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.Conclusion Lesion volume,mass,and diameter,as well as their respective change rates,were found to be interrelated.Furthermore,total lesion volume and total lesion mass were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.The total volume response and total mass response are promising evaluation methods in evaluating the efficacy of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma,which are different from the RECIST 1.1 evaluation criteria.
4.The value of total volume response and total mass response in the therapeutic evaluation of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma
Jun-cheng WAN ; Cai-hong YU ; Chang-yu LI ; Yong-jie ZHOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jian-hua WANG ; Zhi-ping YAN ; Guo-wei YANG ; Zhuo-yang FAN ; Xu-dong QU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):201-208,231
Objective To analyze the correlation between lesion volume,lesion mass,and maximum lesion diameter in the assessment of advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis,and to evaluate the application value of total volume response and total mass response of lung metastatic lesions in efficacy assessment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the CT imaging data of 20 patients clinically confirmed with hepatocarcinoma and lung metastases,followed by subsequent follow-up to monitor their survival outcomes.Volume measurement software was used to measure the volume of lesions before and after treatment.We recored lesion diameter,volume measurements and CT values,calculated the mass of the lesions.The correlation between lesion volume,mass and diameter was analyzed,as well as the correlation between the change rates of volume,mass and lesion diameter.Additionally,the total volume and total mass of all lesions were calculated.The correlation between the change rates of total volume/total mass and the change rate of pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria,as well as the correlation with changes in patients'tumor markers,were analyzed.Furthermore,the overall volume response and overall mass response of lesions were evaluated based on changes in total volume and total mass,and their consistencies with the RECIST 1.1 criteria for efficacy evaluation were analyzed.Finally,univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the association between these variables and patient survival outcomes.Results There was strong correlation between lesion volume,mass and tumor diameter(r=0.771,0.775),between the rate of change in mass and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.846),and between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and the rate of change in pulmonary lesion diameter under the RECIST 1.1 criteria(r=0.800,0.896).The correlation between the rates of change in total volume/total mass and patients'tumor markers was not statistically significant.There was moderate correlation between the rate of change in volume and the rate of change in lesion diameter(r=0.692).The evaluation results of total volume response and total mass response for pulmonary lesions in advanced hepatocarcinoma with lung metastasis were generally consistent with the RECIST 1.1 criteria(Kappa=0.486,0.426).Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that total lesion volume(P=0.047)and total lesion mass(P=0.049)were independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.Conclusion Lesion volume,mass,and diameter,as well as their respective change rates,were found to be interrelated.Furthermore,total lesion volume and total lesion mass were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival outcomes.The total volume response and total mass response are promising evaluation methods in evaluating the efficacy of lung metastasis of hepatocarcinoma,which are different from the RECIST 1.1 evaluation criteria.
5.Progress on mechanism of IL-32 in transformation process of gastric"inflammation to cancer"
Weijian ZHANG ; Yuqi WU ; Dishu ZHOU ; Shuya SONG ; Xinxin HONG ; Yifei XU ; Tiantian CAI ; Shaoju GUO ; Huafeng PAN ; Haiwen LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(9):2264-2271
IL-32 is a multifunctional cytokine with both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties.It has been proved that expression of IL-32 increases with progression of gastric mucosal diseases and severity of gastric cancer(GC),thus participating in process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.However,how IL-32 affects malignant transformation of gastric"inflamma-tion-cancer"and finally leads to adverse outcome of GC invasion and migration is still controversial.In order to better clarify regulatory effect and possible mechanism of abnormal expression of IL-32 on different histopathological stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation,and to explore new directions and breakthroughs in molecular mechanism of early truncation and treatment of gastric precancerous lesion(GPL),we searched literatures related to IL-32 in six authoritative databases at home and abroad,such as Pubmed,Web of Science and CNKI,in past 30 years.It was found that pathogenicity or protective function of IL-32 in different histo-pathological stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation depended on its different subtypes,secretory forms,surrounding cytokine environment,disease status and genetic factors.IL-32 may regulate polarization of macrophages through NF-κB,MAPK,COX2,PR3,IDO,NOD,PKCδ,FAK and STAT3,amplify or inhibit chronic inflammatory stimulation of gastric mucosa,and thus participate in process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.Our new understanding of role of IL-32 in different stages of Cor-rea cascade may contribute to development of cytokine-directed therapy,and therapy aimed at regulating different alternative splicing subtypes of IL-32 and targeting IL-32 signals can be used as a new strategy for medical treatment of GPL and GC in future.
6.Progress on mechanism of IL-32 in transformation process of gastric"inflammation to cancer"
Weijian ZHANG ; Yuqi WU ; Dishu ZHOU ; Shuya SONG ; Xinxin HONG ; Yifei XU ; Tiantian CAI ; Shaoju GUO ; Huafeng PAN ; Haiwen LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(9):2264-2271
IL-32 is a multifunctional cytokine with both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties.It has been proved that expression of IL-32 increases with progression of gastric mucosal diseases and severity of gastric cancer(GC),thus participating in process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.However,how IL-32 affects malignant transformation of gastric"inflamma-tion-cancer"and finally leads to adverse outcome of GC invasion and migration is still controversial.In order to better clarify regulatory effect and possible mechanism of abnormal expression of IL-32 on different histopathological stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation,and to explore new directions and breakthroughs in molecular mechanism of early truncation and treatment of gastric precancerous lesion(GPL),we searched literatures related to IL-32 in six authoritative databases at home and abroad,such as Pubmed,Web of Science and CNKI,in past 30 years.It was found that pathogenicity or protective function of IL-32 in different histo-pathological stages of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation depended on its different subtypes,secretory forms,surrounding cytokine environment,disease status and genetic factors.IL-32 may regulate polarization of macrophages through NF-κB,MAPK,COX2,PR3,IDO,NOD,PKCδ,FAK and STAT3,amplify or inhibit chronic inflammatory stimulation of gastric mucosa,and thus participate in process of gastric"inflammation-cancer"transformation.Our new understanding of role of IL-32 in different stages of Cor-rea cascade may contribute to development of cytokine-directed therapy,and therapy aimed at regulating different alternative splicing subtypes of IL-32 and targeting IL-32 signals can be used as a new strategy for medical treatment of GPL and GC in future.
7.Study on effects of icariin on chronic ulcerative colitis in mice
Cai-xia XUE ; Hong-yue LI ; Jin LI ; Shi-yu ZHAO ; Jian-lin YANG ; Yao-yan DUN ; Zheng-guo XIONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1743-1753
Aim To investigate the effect of icariin(ICA)on chronic ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods Male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were ran-domly divided into the control group,model group,low-dose ICA group,and high-dose ICA group.Except for the control group,the rest of the mice were established as chronic UC models.Expressions of tight junction proteins,inflammatory factors,fibrosis markers,macro-phage markers,and MAPK signaling pathways in the colonic epithelium of each group were determined by Western blot,qPCR,immunohistochemistry;the degree of intestinal damage and fibrosis was detected by HE and Masson staining;the co-localization of different macrophage markers with related factors was examined by immunofluorescence.Results Treatment of ICA significantly improved the general condition of chronic UC mice,decreased the infiltration of M1-type macro-phages and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway,reduced the co-localization expression of M1-type macrophages with the MAPK signaling pathway,and downregulated the infiltration of M2-type macrophages and the secretion of pro-fibrotic factors in the colon.Conclusion ICA mitigates the inflammatory damage and fibrosis of colon in chronic UC mice.
8.Metabolomic alterations in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Yan-Yan WU ; Qi-Qi BU ; Xin WANG ; Tao LI ; Hong-Yan WU ; Le KANG ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Da-Peng LIU ; Jing GUO ; Cai-Jun WANG ; Wen-Qing KANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(12):1475-1481
Objective To analyze the serum metabolomic changes of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)at postmenstrual age(PMA)36 weeks,screen potential biomarkers and associated metabolic pathways,and assess their relationship with short-term respiratory outcomes.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted.Infants with gestational age 28-32 weeks admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January to December 2024 were included.Twenty infants with BPD and 20 gestational age-,birth weight-,and sex-matched non-BPD preterm infants were included.Serum collected at PMA 36 weeks was subjected to untargeted metabolomics analysis,and associations with short-term respiratory outcomes were analyzed.Results Thirteen potential biomarkers distinguishing BPD were identified(area under the curve>0.75,P<0.05).Eight biomarkers—including terephthalic acid,phosphatidylinositol,fumarate,and lysophosphatidic acid—were significantly upregulated(FC≥1.5),while five biomarkers,such as 7α-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoate ester and phosphatidylcholine,were significantly downregulated(FC≤1/1.5).Pathway analysis indicated five pathways associated with BPD,including glycerophospholipid metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism.Dysregulation of glycerophospholipid and bile acid metabolism may affect adverse short-term respiratory outcomes in infants with BPD.Conclusions The 13 significantly different metabolites may serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of BPD.Glycerophospholipid metabolism is associated with the occurrence of BPD and with adverse short-term respiratory outcomes.
9.Study on effects of icariin on chronic ulcerative colitis in mice
Cai-xia XUE ; Hong-yue LI ; Jin LI ; Shi-yu ZHAO ; Jian-lin YANG ; Yao-yan DUN ; Zheng-guo XIONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1743-1753
Aim To investigate the effect of icariin(ICA)on chronic ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods Male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were ran-domly divided into the control group,model group,low-dose ICA group,and high-dose ICA group.Except for the control group,the rest of the mice were established as chronic UC models.Expressions of tight junction proteins,inflammatory factors,fibrosis markers,macro-phage markers,and MAPK signaling pathways in the colonic epithelium of each group were determined by Western blot,qPCR,immunohistochemistry;the degree of intestinal damage and fibrosis was detected by HE and Masson staining;the co-localization of different macrophage markers with related factors was examined by immunofluorescence.Results Treatment of ICA significantly improved the general condition of chronic UC mice,decreased the infiltration of M1-type macro-phages and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway,reduced the co-localization expression of M1-type macrophages with the MAPK signaling pathway,and downregulated the infiltration of M2-type macrophages and the secretion of pro-fibrotic factors in the colon.Conclusion ICA mitigates the inflammatory damage and fibrosis of colon in chronic UC mice.
10.Metabolomic alterations in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Yan-Yan WU ; Qi-Qi BU ; Xin WANG ; Tao LI ; Hong-Yan WU ; Le KANG ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Da-Peng LIU ; Jing GUO ; Cai-Jun WANG ; Wen-Qing KANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(12):1475-1481
Objective To analyze the serum metabolomic changes of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)at postmenstrual age(PMA)36 weeks,screen potential biomarkers and associated metabolic pathways,and assess their relationship with short-term respiratory outcomes.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted.Infants with gestational age 28-32 weeks admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January to December 2024 were included.Twenty infants with BPD and 20 gestational age-,birth weight-,and sex-matched non-BPD preterm infants were included.Serum collected at PMA 36 weeks was subjected to untargeted metabolomics analysis,and associations with short-term respiratory outcomes were analyzed.Results Thirteen potential biomarkers distinguishing BPD were identified(area under the curve>0.75,P<0.05).Eight biomarkers—including terephthalic acid,phosphatidylinositol,fumarate,and lysophosphatidic acid—were significantly upregulated(FC≥1.5),while five biomarkers,such as 7α-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoate ester and phosphatidylcholine,were significantly downregulated(FC≤1/1.5).Pathway analysis indicated five pathways associated with BPD,including glycerophospholipid metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism.Dysregulation of glycerophospholipid and bile acid metabolism may affect adverse short-term respiratory outcomes in infants with BPD.Conclusions The 13 significantly different metabolites may serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of BPD.Glycerophospholipid metabolism is associated with the occurrence of BPD and with adverse short-term respiratory outcomes.

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