1.A photodynamic nanohybrid system reverses hypoxia and augment anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of immunotherapy.
Haitao YUAN ; Xiaoxian WANG ; Xin SUN ; Di GU ; Jinan GUO ; Wei HUANG ; Jingbo MA ; Chunjin FU ; Da YIN ; Guohua ZENG ; Ying LONG ; Jigang WANG ; Zhijie LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3243-3258
Photodynamic immunotherapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. However, the dysfunctional tumor vasculature results in tumor hypoxia and the low efficiency of drug delivery, which in turn restricts the anticancer effect of photodynamic immunotherapy. In this study, we designed photosensitive lipid nanoparticles. The synthesized PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles could produce type I/II reactive oxygen species (ROS) by electron or energy transfer through PFBT under light irradiation. Moreover, this nanosystem could alleviate tumor hypoxia and promote vascular normalization through Roxadustat. Upon irradiation with white light, the ROS produced by PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles in situ dysregulated calcium homeostasis and triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, which further promoted the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, enhanced antigen presentation, and stimulated an effective adaptive immune response, ultimately priming the tumor microenvironment (TME) together with the hypoxia alleviation and vessel normalization by Roxadustat. Indeed, in vivo results indicated that PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles promoted M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, recruited more natural killer cells, and augmented infiltration of T cells, thereby leading to efficient photodynamic immunotherapy and potentiating the anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody. Collectively, photodynamic immunotherapy with PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles efficiently program TME through the induction of immunogenicity and oxygenation, and effectively suppress tumor growth through immunogenic cell death and enhanced anti-tumor immunity.
2.Protective effects of liensinine against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through relieving inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
Yaran SUO ; Shuyu LI ; Chunjin FU ; Xin CHAI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Yin Kwan WONG ; Haining LYU ; Chengchao XU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):52-61
Background: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity has attracted considerable attention in clinical settings due to the limited treatment options available. Liensinine stands out as a key alkaloid known for its pharmaceutical activities. However, the role of liensinine in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the protective effects of liensinine against APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine or varying doses of liensinine (10 or 20 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. APAP (400 mg/kg, i.g.) was then administered to induce liver damage for 12 hours. Blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected for further analysis. Liver enzyme levels and histopathological analysis were employed to assess liver injury. RNA-seq was conducted to evaluate the dynamic changes in gene expression. Biochemical assays were used to measure oxidative stress and inflammation, while the TUNEL assay was performed to assess hepatocyte apoptosis. Results: The results demonstrated that the administration of liensinine mitigated serum liver enzyme levels and tissue damage resulting from APAP overdose. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant and coordinated changes in genes related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway in response to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The expression alterations of key genes within these three pathways, associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, were reversed by liensinine, indicating its potential in alleviating APAP-induced liver damage through multiple signaling pathways. This suggests the diverse therapeutic effects of liensinine, including inflammation suppression, oxidative stress reduction, and cell apoptosis inhibition. Indeed, pretreatment with liensinine effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, and apoptotic cells induced by APAP. Conclusions: Liensinine mitigates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through multifaceted pathways, providing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic benefits.
3.Protective effects of liensinine against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through relieving inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
Yaran SUO ; Shuyu LI ; Chunjin FU ; Xin CHAI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Yin Kwan WONG ; Haining LYU ; Chengchao XU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):52-61
Background: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity has attracted considerable attention in clinical settings due to the limited treatment options available. Liensinine stands out as a key alkaloid known for its pharmaceutical activities. However, the role of liensinine in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the protective effects of liensinine against APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine or varying doses of liensinine (10 or 20 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. APAP (400 mg/kg, i.g.) was then administered to induce liver damage for 12 hours. Blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected for further analysis. Liver enzyme levels and histopathological analysis were employed to assess liver injury. RNA-seq was conducted to evaluate the dynamic changes in gene expression. Biochemical assays were used to measure oxidative stress and inflammation, while the TUNEL assay was performed to assess hepatocyte apoptosis. Results: The results demonstrated that the administration of liensinine mitigated serum liver enzyme levels and tissue damage resulting from APAP overdose. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant and coordinated changes in genes related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway in response to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The expression alterations of key genes within these three pathways, associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, were reversed by liensinine, indicating its potential in alleviating APAP-induced liver damage through multiple signaling pathways. This suggests the diverse therapeutic effects of liensinine, including inflammation suppression, oxidative stress reduction, and cell apoptosis inhibition. Indeed, pretreatment with liensinine effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, and apoptotic cells induced by APAP. Conclusions: Liensinine mitigates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through multifaceted pathways, providing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic benefits.
4.Protective effects of liensinine against acetaminophen-induced liver injury through relieving inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
Yaran SUO ; Shuyu LI ; Chunjin FU ; Xin CHAI ; Jingjing LIAO ; Yin Kwan WONG ; Haining LYU ; Chengchao XU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):52-61
Background: Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity has attracted considerable attention in clinical settings due to the limited treatment options available. Liensinine stands out as a key alkaloid known for its pharmaceutical activities. However, the role of liensinine in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury remains unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the protective effects of liensinine against APAP-induced liver injury. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine or varying doses of liensinine (10 or 20 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days. APAP (400 mg/kg, i.g.) was then administered to induce liver damage for 12 hours. Blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected for further analysis. Liver enzyme levels and histopathological analysis were employed to assess liver injury. RNA-seq was conducted to evaluate the dynamic changes in gene expression. Biochemical assays were used to measure oxidative stress and inflammation, while the TUNEL assay was performed to assess hepatocyte apoptosis. Results: The results demonstrated that the administration of liensinine mitigated serum liver enzyme levels and tissue damage resulting from APAP overdose. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant and coordinated changes in genes related to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and apoptosis pathway in response to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The expression alterations of key genes within these three pathways, associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis, were reversed by liensinine, indicating its potential in alleviating APAP-induced liver damage through multiple signaling pathways. This suggests the diverse therapeutic effects of liensinine, including inflammation suppression, oxidative stress reduction, and cell apoptosis inhibition. Indeed, pretreatment with liensinine effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress indicators, and apoptotic cells induced by APAP. Conclusions: Liensinine mitigates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through multifaceted pathways, providing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic benefits.
5.Development and validation of a novel criterion of histologic healing in ulcerative colitis defined by inflammatory cell enumeration in lamina propria mucosa: A multicenter retrospective cohort in China
Han GAO ; Kangsheng PENG ; Yadi SHI ; Shenshen ZHU ; Ruicong SUN ; Chunjin XU ; Ping LIU ; Zhi PANG ; Lanxiang ZHU ; Weichang CHEN ; Baisui FENG ; Huili WU ; Guangxi ZHOU ; Mingsong LI ; Junxiang LI ; Baijing DING ; Zhanju LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(11):1316-1323
Background::Histological healing is closely associated with improved long-term clinical outcomes and lowered relapses in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we developed a novel diagnostic criterion for assessing histological healing in UC patients.Methods::We conducted a retrospective cohort study in UC patients, whose treatment was iteratively optimized to achieve mucosal healing at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University from January 2017 to May 2022. We identified an inflammatory cell enumeration index (ICEI) for assessing histological healing based on the proportions of eosinophils, CD177 + neutrophils, and CD40L + T cells in the colonic lamina propria under high power field (HPF), and the outcomes (risks of symptomatic relapses) of achieving histological remission vs. persistent histological inflammation using Kaplan-Meier curves. Intrareader reliability and inter-reader reliability were evaluated by each reader. The relationships to the changes in the Nancy index and the Geboes score were also assessed for responsiveness. The ICEI was further validated in a new cohort of UC patients from other nine university hospitals. Results::We developed an ICEI for clinical diagnosis of histological healing, i.e., Y = 1.701X 1 + 0.758X 2 + 1.347X 3 - 7.745 (X 1, X 2, and X 3 represent the proportions of CD177 + neutrophils, eosinophils, and CD40L + T cells, respectively, in the colonic lamina propria under HPF). The receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis revealed that Y <-0.391 was the cutoff value for the diagnosis of histological healing and that an area under the curve (AUC) was 0.942 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.905-0.979) with a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 83.6% ( P <0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the intrareader reliability was 0.855 (95% CI: 0.781-0.909), and ICEI had good inter-reader reliability of 0.832 (95% CI: 0.748-0.894). During an 18-month follow-up, patients with histological healing had a substantially better outcome compared with those with unachieved histological healing ( P <0.001) using ICEI. During a 12-month follow-up from other nine hospitals, patients with histological healing also had a lower risk of relapse than patients with unachieved histological healing. Conclusions::ICEI can be used to predict histological healing and identify patients with a risk of relapse 12 months and 18 months after clinical therapy. Therefore, ICEI provides a promising, simplified approach to monitor histological healing and to predict the prognosis of UC.Registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No. ChiCTR2300077792.
6.Construction of the simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy based on virtual simulation technology and its application evaluation
Fengping ZENG ; Mengxin WANG ; Chenqian YU ; Guoxiu LIU ; Chunjin LI ; Guobing ZHANG ; Huaqiang ZHAI ; Shiyuan JIN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(3):271-276
OBJECTIVE To construct the simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy based on virtual simulation technology, and assist in the development of the new mode of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing education training. METHODS The field research and questionnaire surveys were conducted to identify the needs of Chinese medicine students and practitioners for the content and presentation of knowledge on the construction of simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. Taking the laws and regulations on the construction of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy and the related teaching materials and literature on traditional Chinese medicine preparation as the knowledge source, the virtual simulation technology was applied to build a simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy so as to achieve the functions of browsing the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, learning the knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine preparation and practical skills training. A multi-site simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy evaluation scale study was conducted based on platform operational testing. RESULTS A simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy was constructed, consisting of four core modules: video teaching, animation video, simulated pharmacy, and simulated experience. The overall score of evaluation scale was 93.31, with all entries scoring above 80; the ones with evaluation scales above 90 accounted for 92.31% (60/65). CONCLUSIONS Simulated traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy based on virtual simulation technology meets the learning needs of users and enhances the teaching effect of traditional Chinese medicine dispensing technology training.
7.Thinking on the Development Route of Modern TCM Dispensing Industry
Guoxiu LIU ; Qianqian SUN ; Sijin ZHAO ; Jiankun WU ; Hongmei CHEN ; Yuanlong LI ; Chunjin LI ; Shiyuan JIN ; Xiangfei SU ; Huaqiang ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(7):8-13
TCM dispensing is the most basic clinical pharmaceutical work of TCM.In recent years,based on the 9 key technologies of TCM dispensing,the TCM dispensing industry has ushered in great development,and innovative TCM dispensing information system and intelligent dispensing equipment have appeared.This article sorted out the current situation of TCM dispensing industry and looked forward to its future development route.The results showed that the introduction of new technology and new equipment in the key technical links of procurement acceptance,dispensing review,TCM decocting,medication guidance and so on have improved the quality of dispensing service and ensured the quality and safety of medication.In the development of modern TCM dispensing industry,it is necessary to improve the quality control standard system,service standard system and core equipment standard system in the standardization of dispensing technology;in terms of talent cultivation in the field of dispensing,it is necessary to focus on restructuring and building new educational models to cultivate new medical talents that intersect medical and engineering fields;in terms of informatization and intelligence,it is necessary to develop intelligent equipment that is more in line with the characteristics of TCM,and further promote and improve the"shared TCM pharmacy"model.Through improving the content of TCM clinical pharmaceutical care,developing new technology and equipment of TCM dispensing,and improving the level of dispensing service and education,it is expected to gradually realize the standardization,informatization and intelligent development of modern TCM dispensing industry.
8.Development of shared traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy from the perspective of primary medical care
Qianqian SUN ; Chunyu LIU ; Siyu LI ; Man YUAN ; Chunjin LI ; Yixuan LI ; Tao WU ; Weiyong ZHOU ; Huaqiang ZHAI
China Pharmacy 2023;34(3):269-274
In order to make the shared traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacy develop more efficiently and normatively at the grass-roots level, using the “shared TCM pharmacy” as the retrieval word, this paper uses the literature research method to retrieve the reports, documents and policies from CNKI, the websites of people’s governments at all levels, the official websites of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, people.com, China News Network, Xinhua News and other platforms before May 20, 2022, sort out the development mode and history of two “Internet plus” TCM pharmacies, namely “shared TCM pharmacies” and “smart TCM pharmacies”, and compare them with each other. Combined with the actual work of community hospitals and community service centers (stations), the necessity and advantages (such as reducing the costs of the intermediate links of drug circulation and standardizing the grass-roots drug use process) of the development of “shared TCM pharmacy” are obtained from the perspective of primary medical care. Combined with the current situation of the promotion and application of shared TCM pharmacy in county medical communities, it is concluded that the shared TCM pharmacy should be further constructed from four aspects: improving the work process of drug centralized procurement under the background of normalization, improving the compatibility and synchronization of the whole process dispensing information system module, unifying pharmaceutical services and personnel training, defining the authority of data query and clarifying the boundaries of patient privacy to further build a shared TCM pharmacy. Finally, it integrates information technology, summarizes the definition of shared TCM pharmacy and its future construction direction, and provides reference for the next development of shared TCM pharmacy at the grass-roots level.
9.Effects of LEF1 and CTNNB1 on cycle arrest, apoptosis and radiation resistance of esophageal carcinoma cells
Dahe GE ; Yaqing LIU ; Jun NAN ; Jian LI ; Hui DING ; Shulin QIAO ; Yuan AN ; Chunjin XU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2022;31(4):376-382
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the expression level of lymphocyte enhancer-binding factor 1(LEF1) and CTNNB1 and the cycle arrest, apoptosis and radiation resistance of esophageal cancer cells and unravel the related mechanisms.Methods:Recombinantplasmids and empty plasmids expressing LEF1 and CTNNB1were constructed and transfected into esophageal cancer cells. RT-PCR assay was used to detect the transfection efficiency of the plasmids. Clone formation assay, CCK8 assay, cell cycle test by flow cytometry, apoptosis test by flow cytometry and Western blot were performed to detect the differences in theradioresistance, proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells before and after transfection.Results:The survival rate of clonal colony cells in the pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6-CTNNB1 group was significantly better than those in other groups ( P<0.05). The proliferation of clonal colony cellsat 72 h, 96 h and 120 h in the pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6-CTNNB1 group was significantly better than those in the pGEX+ pCMV6, pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6 and pCMV6-CTNNB1+ pGEX groups (all P<0.05). The percentage of G 2 phase arrest cells in the pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6-CTNNB1 group was significantly higher than those in the other groups (all P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of esophageal cancer cells in the pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6-CTNNB1 group was significantly lower compared with those in the pGEX+ pCMV6, pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6 and pCMV6-CTNNB1+ pGEX groups (all P<0.05). The expression levels of Bax and Caspase 3 proteins in the pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6-CTNNB1 group were significantly lower than those in the pGEX+ pCMV6, pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6 and pCMV6-CTNNB1+ pGEX groups (all P<0.05). The expression level of Bcl-2 protein in the pGEX-LEF1+ pCMV6-CTNNB1 group was significantly higher compared with those in the other groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion:LEF1 and CTNNB1 can regulate the proliferation and G 2 phase arrest of esophageal cancer cells after radiation intervention by mediating the Wnt signaling pathway, and improve the radiation resistance of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting cell apoptosis.
10.Methylation status of DACH1 gene in esophageal cancer and its clinical significance.
Yaqing LIU ; Jian LI ; Hui DING ; Chunjin XU ; Xuebin KOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2021;38(10):1002-1006
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the correlation of methylation status of dachshund homolog 1 (DACH1) gene in tumor tissues with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients of esophageal cancer.
METHODS:
Tumor tissue, paracancerous tissue and normal esophageal mucosal specimens of 104 patients with esophageal cancer were collected. Methylation-specific PCR was used to determine the methylation status of the DACH1 gene. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression model were used to analyze the correlation between DACH1 methylation status and clinical pathological characteristics of the patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the relationship between DACH1 methylation status and prognostic survival of patients.
RESULTS:
The methylation rate of the DACH1 gene in esophageal cancer tumor tissue was 30.77% (32/104), which was higher than those in adjacent tissues (1.92%) and normal esophageal mucosa (0%) (P< 0.05). The methylation status of the DACH1gene in tumor tissues of patients did not correlate with the patient's age, gender, and pathological type (P> 0.05) but tumor differentiation, TNM staging, and lymph node metastasis(P< 0.05). The degree of tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis of patients are independent risk factors for the methylation status of the DACH1 gene. By March 2020, 89 of the 104 patients had died. Among them, the median survival foresophageal cancer patients with DACH1 gene methylation was 22 months, which was lower than 34 months of those without DACH1 methylation (P< 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Methylation of the DACH1 gene may be involved in the occurrence and progress of esophageal cancer. The degree of tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis of patients are independent risk factors for the methylation status of the DACH1 gene. Patients with esophageal cancer but unmethylated DACH1 gene have a longer prognostic survival.
Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology*
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Eye Proteins/genetics*
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Humans
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Lymphatic Metastasis
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Methylation
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Neoplasm Staging
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Prognosis
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Transcription Factors

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