1.Metabolic reprogramming nanomedicine potentiates colon cancer sonodynamic immunotherapy by inhibiting the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway.
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Weiwei JIN ; Zhichao DENG ; Bowen GAO ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Junlong FU ; Chenxi XU ; Wenlong WANG ; Ting BAI ; Lianying JIAO ; Hao WU ; Mingxin ZHANG ; Mingzhen ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2655-2672
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) can potentially induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, leading to the release of ATP, and facilitating the initiation of an immune response. Nevertheless, the enzymes CD39 and CD73 can swiftly convert ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine (ADO), resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This study introduced a nanomedicine (QD/POM1@NP@M) engineered to reprogram TME by modulating the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway. The nanomedicine encapsulated sonosensitizers silver sulfide quantum dots, and the CD39 inhibitor POM1, while also incorporating homologous tumor cell membranes to enhance targeting capabilities. This integrated approach, on the one hand, stimulates the release of ATP via SDT, thereby initiating the immune response. In addition, it reduced the accumulation of ADO by inhibiting CD39 activity, which ameliorated the immunosuppressive TME. Upon administration, the nanomedicine demonstrated substantial anti-tumor efficacy by facilitating the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, while reducing the immunosuppressive cells. This modulation effectively transformed the TME from an immunologically "cold" state to a "hot" state. Furthermore, combined with the checkpoint inhibitor α-PDL1, the nanomedicine augmented systemic anti-tumor immunity and promoted the establishment of long-term immune memory. This study provides an innovative strategy for combining non-invasive SDT and ATP-driven immunotherapy, offering new ideas for future cancer treatment.
2.Compound Centella asiatica formula alleviates Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the inflammation-fibrosis cascade via regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.
Liping GUAN ; Yan YAN ; Xinyi LU ; Zhifeng LI ; Hui GAO ; Dong CAO ; Chenxi HOU ; Jingyu ZENG ; Xinyi LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Junjie WANG ; Huilong FANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1307-1316
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
METHODS:
The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver.
CONCLUSIONS
CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals
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Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
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Mice
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Schistosoma japonicum
;
Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology*
;
Schistosomiasis japonica
;
Signal Transduction
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Inflammation
;
Centella/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
3.Single-cell transcriptomics identifies PDGFRA+ progenitors orchestrating angiogenesis and periodontal tissue regeneration.
Jianing LIU ; Junxi HE ; Ziqi ZHANG ; Lu LIU ; Yuan CAO ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyue CAI ; Xinyan LUO ; Xiao LEI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hao WANG ; Ji CHEN ; Peisheng LIU ; Jiongyi TIAN ; Jiexi LIU ; Yuru GAO ; Haokun XU ; Chao MA ; Shengfeng BAI ; Yubohan ZHANG ; Yan JIN ; Chenxi ZHENG ; Bingdong SUI ; Fang JIN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):56-56
Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA+ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31+ Endomucin+ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA+ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA+ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism*
;
Humans
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Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology*
;
Dental Sac/cytology*
;
Single-Cell Analysis
;
Transcriptome
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Bone Regeneration
;
Animals
;
Dental Papilla/cytology*
;
Periodontium/physiology*
;
Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Regeneration
;
Angiogenesis
4.Effect of Compatibility of Effective Monomer Components of Fujin Shengjisan on Angiogenesis of HUVEC Based on Uniform Design
Xianying LU ; Jing GAO ; Dingxi BAI ; Chaoming HOU ; Wenting JI ; Huan CHEN ; Chenxi WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):9-20
ObjectiveTo determine the optimal combination of the effective monomer components "quercetin-kaempferol-abietic acid-boswellic acid" in Fujin Shengjisan for promoting diabetic ulcer (DU) wound healing through uniform design, thereby achieving the modern application of the ancient formula. MethodsFollowing the principle of "uniform design-pharmacodynamic experiment-mathematical modeling and model verification", the U14(145) uniform design table was adopted.The four monomer components of Chinese medicine were considered as the independent variables, and the proliferation rate of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by glucose was used as the pharmacodynamic indicator. A mathematical model was constructed using DPS software to correlate the effective monomer components with the pharmacodynamic indicator. The results of uniform design were verified through CCK-8 assay, cell scratch healing, tube formation, Western blot, and Real-time PCR. ResultsAmong the 14 compatibility groups, compared with the high-glucose model group, compound compatibility group 6 showed the strongest proliferation effect and statistical significance (P<0.05). Four quadratic polynomial regression equations (Y1-Y4) were obtained through DPS modeling. Considering the model's fit, stability, and practical application, equations Y1-Y3 were selected for the follow-up verification. To ensure experiment reproducibility, group 6 was used for validation. Group 6 and equations Y1-Y3 were renamed as compound prescription ① to compound prescription④, respectively, to represent the modern application of the ancient FJSJ Powder through compatibility of monomer components. Verification experiments showed that in the CCK-8, scratch healing, and tube formation assays, the cell viability, wound healing rate, and tube formation number of HUVECs stimulated with 50 mmol·L-1 glucose were significantly reduced compared with the blank group. Moreover, the expression levels of angiogenesis-related cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), and CD31 secretion were significantly down-regulated. However, after intervention with compound prescriptions ① to ④, compound prescriptions ① and ③ significantly improved the biological functions of HUVECs induced by 50 mmol·L-1 glucose. Further analysis of the regression coefficients of compound prescriptions ① and ③, and the relative dose ratios of each monomer component, indicated that abietic acid, quercetin, and boswellic acid promoted angiogenesis of HUVECs in the high glucose environment, with a major effect (positive partial correlation coefficients, all > 0.9). Abietic acid and boswellic acid, as well as kaempferol and boswellic acid, promoted angiogenesis in HUVECs through interaction (positive partial correlation coefficients). ConclusionCompound prescriptions ① and ③ are the optimal combinations. They can reverse the inhibitory effects of high glucose, stimulate the proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities of HUVECs in a high glucose environment, and promote the expression of vascular endothelial growth factorA(VEGFA), FGF2, and CD31, thereby promoting angiogenesis and facilitating DU wound healing. This finding not only confirms the good reproducibility and feasibility of compound prescriptions ① and ③ but also provides new insights and methods for the rational construction of mathematical models to further study the compatibility theory of Chinese medicine.
5.Membranous nephropathy with monoclonal IgG1-κ deposits in an adolescent
Xiang FANG ; Pei ZHANG ; Shaoshan LIANG ; Chenxi MA ; Zhengkun XIA ; Chunlin GAO
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(10):772-775
This article reports a case of membranous nephropathy in an adolescent accompanied by monoclonal IgG1-κ deposition. The 16-year-old female patient was hospitalized for experiencing proteinuria and hematuria for more than 20 days. The patient had a history of mycoplasma infection and acute kidney injury, and renal pathology revealed glomerular membrane lesions accompanied by crescent formation. Electron microscopy showed electron dense deposits in the subepithelial and mesangial regions, and immunofluorescence demonstrated monotypic IgG1-κ deposits in the glomerulus. Bone marrow examination did not find any abnormal plasma cells, nor were there significant abnormalities in serum or urine free light chain κ/λ ratio. The diagnosis was proliferative glomerulonephritis characterized by membranous lesions with monoclonal IgG1-κ deposits. This disease is rare in children and adolescents, and currently there is limited understanding of its mechanism, with limited clinical treatment experience. This article aims to provide clinical insights through case analysis and literature review.
6.Tacrolimus treatment in children with refractory nephrotic syndrome
Pei ZHANG ; Chunlin GAO ; Jiuyu LIU ; Chenxi MA ; Mengzhen FU ; Kaili SHI ; Qianhuining KUANG ; Zhengkun XIA
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(11):901-907
Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant that was clinically used for organ transplantation in the 1990s. In the early 2000s, tacrolimus began to be used to treat pediatric kidney diseases in China. This article reviews the therapeutic effects, clinical dosages, and treatment methods of tacrolimus in the treatment of steroid-resistant, steroid-dependent, frequently relapsing, different pathological types, and monogenic mutation-related childhood nephrotic syndrome. It explores the clinical guiding role of machine learning in tacrolimus treatment for childhood nephrotic syndrome, aiming to provide references for the clinical research and application of tacrolimus in pediatric kidney diseases.
7.Cardiomyocyte pyroptosis inhibited by dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells via the miR-19a-3p/IRF-8/MAPK pathway in ischemia-reperfusion.
Yi LI ; Xiang WANG ; Sixian WENG ; Chenxi XIA ; Xuyang MENG ; Chenguang YANG ; Ying GUO ; Zuowei PEI ; Haiyang GAO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(18):2336-2346
BACKGROUND:
The protective effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury has been widely reported. Dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DP-MSCs) have therapeutic effects on various diseases, including diabetes and cirrhosis. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of DP-MSCs on I/R injury and elucidate the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
Myocardial I/R injury model mice were treated with DP-MSCs or a miR-19a-3p mimic. The infarct volume, fibrotic area, pyroptosis, inflammation level, and cardiac function were measured. Cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation were transfected with the miR-19a-3p mimic, miR-19a-3p inhibitor, or negative control. Pyroptosis and protein expression in the interferon regulatory factor 8/mitogen-activated protein kinase (IRF-8/MAPK) pathway were measured.
RESULTS:
DP-MSCs protected cardiac function in cardiac I/R-injured mice and inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. The upregulation of miR-19a-3p protected cardiac function, inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis, and inhibited IRF-8/MAPK signaling in cardiac I/R-injured mice. DP-MSCs inhibited cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and the IRF-8/MAPK signaling by upregulating the miR-19a-3p levels in cardiomyocytes injured by I/R.
CONCLUSION
DP-MSCs protected cardiac function by inhibiting cardiomyocyte pyroptosis through miR-19a-3p under I/R conditions.
Animals
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MicroRNAs/metabolism*
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Pyroptosis/genetics*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology*
;
Mice
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Male
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Dental Pulp/cytology*
;
Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/therapy*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology*
8.Characterization of intestinal flora and transcriptomics in rats with gastric cancer
Chenxi ZHANG ; Jijuan LI ; Feicheng ZHANG ; Tianyu GAO ; Xinyue LIANG ; Lijia PAN
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(1):70-81
Objective To analyze differences in the intestinal microbiota and transcriptomics between N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG)gastric cancer rats and normal rats and to analyze the correlation between the two,so as to provide a reference for related studies using MNNG gastric cancer rats as a model.Methods A total of 12 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal(NM)and gastric cancer(GC)groups.The GC group was given a concentration of 20 mg/mL of MNNG by gavage with a dose of 100 g/mL once a day,and the NM group was given the same amount of normal saline by gavage.Samples were collected for testing after 16 weeks of continuous intervention.The gastric tissues were collected and stained by HE staining to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa of the two groups,and the expression levels of differential genes were detected by transcriptome sequencing.The cecal contents were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing.Results(1)Visual observation and HE results showed that the volume of gastric mucosa in the NM group was normal,the surface was glossy,the gastric wall was elastic,the direction of the mucosal folds was regular,there were no hyperplasia or hemorrhagic spots.In the GC group,the volume of gastric mucosa was reduced,the gastric wall was thinned,elasticity was poor,the direction of the folds was disordered and irregular,and there was a bulge accompanied by yellow-black keratotic hyperplasia.In the NM group,the squamous epithelial layer,submucosa,and muscular layer of the gastric mucosa were clear,with no hyperplasia and keratinization.In the GC group,the gastric mucosa had disorganized layers and cell polarity,with different cell morphologies;the squamous epithelial layer was destroyed,and squamous epithelial cells were hyperplasic,keratinized,and had invaded the muscular layer by proliferation.The modeling was considered successful.(2)The results of intestinal microbiota sequencing showed that the abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus in MNNG gastric cancer rats decreased significantly,and the abundance of the rumen coccaceae Prevonella,and Blauter increased significantly.(3)The three key pathways obtained by transcriptomic sequencing and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were amebiasis,systemic lupus erythematosus,and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and five genes differentially enriched in these three pathways were those for MCPT8I2,IGH-6,IGHG1,ACTN2,and VEGF-D.(4)Combined analysis of intestinal microbiota and transcriptomics showed that_UCG-005,Prevonella_UCG-003 and Brautella were positively correlated with amebiasis,systemic lupus erythematosus,and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Conclusions The abundance of intestinal microbiota in gastric cancer rats formed by MNNG gavage is different from that of normal rats.The genes for MCPT8I2,IGH-6,IGHG1,ACTN2 and VEGF-D may be up-regulated in gastric cancer induced by MNNG gavage.Combined analysis of intestinal microbiota and differential genes suggested that the mechanism of MNNG carcinogenesis may be mainly related to the destruction of gastric mucosa and the inflammatory response.
9.Risks of nasogastric intubation and the coping strategies for online appointment nurses:a qualitative study
Yanan GAO ; Yanli WANG ; Ruifang LIU ; Xiuli BAI ; Yan WU ; Chenxi LIU ; Liying MA ; Shan FU ; Zhitong ZHANG ; Xinhua QIAO
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(6):57-64
Objective To explore the challenges faced by online appointment nurses during nasogastric intubation and to provide a reference for improvement of the quality and safety of the services provided by online appointment nursing.Methods A purposive sampling was employed to select 13 online appointment nurses from our hospital who had previously provided home nasogastric intubation services for patients.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the online appointment nurses.The results acquired from the interviews were analysed using Colaizzi's method.Results Two themes were identified.Theme 1 covered the increased risks of nasogastric intubation due to the patients themselves and home environment,which included 4 sub-themes of difficulties in identification and response due to complex conditions of patient,high risk of a sudden asphyxia with poor resuscitation facility,psychological stress from unfamiliar home environment,and more challenges in risk identification due to limited conditions for performing home-based intubation procedures;Theme 2 covered the coping strategies of online-scheduled nurses,which included the improvement of knowledge and skills in emergency nursing to improve comfidence and judge ability of intubation,the strengthening of nurse-patient communication to build a trust and cooperation,the conduct of thorough assessment to ensure procedural safety,and the use of alternative tools and collaboration with family members.Conclusion Online appointment nurses face challenges and risks from both of the procedures and patients themselves during home based nasogastric intubation.Hospitals and relevant management should actively implement corresponding strategies,provide training and guidance for online appointment nurses,develop relevant regulations,and improve the management mechanisms of the internet platform to ensure the safety of home based nasogastric intubation for online appointment nurses and improve the quality of the"Internet Plus Nursing Services."
10.Risks of nasogastric intubation and the coping strategies for online appointment nurses:a qualitative study
Yanan GAO ; Yanli WANG ; Ruifang LIU ; Xiuli BAI ; Yan WU ; Chenxi LIU ; Liying MA ; Shan FU ; Zhitong ZHANG ; Xinhua QIAO
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(6):57-64
Objective To explore the challenges faced by online appointment nurses during nasogastric intubation and to provide a reference for improvement of the quality and safety of the services provided by online appointment nursing.Methods A purposive sampling was employed to select 13 online appointment nurses from our hospital who had previously provided home nasogastric intubation services for patients.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the online appointment nurses.The results acquired from the interviews were analysed using Colaizzi's method.Results Two themes were identified.Theme 1 covered the increased risks of nasogastric intubation due to the patients themselves and home environment,which included 4 sub-themes of difficulties in identification and response due to complex conditions of patient,high risk of a sudden asphyxia with poor resuscitation facility,psychological stress from unfamiliar home environment,and more challenges in risk identification due to limited conditions for performing home-based intubation procedures;Theme 2 covered the coping strategies of online-scheduled nurses,which included the improvement of knowledge and skills in emergency nursing to improve comfidence and judge ability of intubation,the strengthening of nurse-patient communication to build a trust and cooperation,the conduct of thorough assessment to ensure procedural safety,and the use of alternative tools and collaboration with family members.Conclusion Online appointment nurses face challenges and risks from both of the procedures and patients themselves during home based nasogastric intubation.Hospitals and relevant management should actively implement corresponding strategies,provide training and guidance for online appointment nurses,develop relevant regulations,and improve the management mechanisms of the internet platform to ensure the safety of home based nasogastric intubation for online appointment nurses and improve the quality of the"Internet Plus Nursing Services."

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