1.Dissecting the histological heterogeneity of ovarian carcinosarcoma and high-grade serous ovarian cancer in primary and metastatic tumors by single-cell transcriptomic analysis.
Kaipeng XIE ; Shuang LIANG ; Nanxi WANG ; Qiaoying ZHU ; Jiangping WU ; Zhening PU ; Xiaoli WU ; Dake LI ; Juncheng DAI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(17):2195-2197
2.In-silico discovery of the hapten-based interaction between idiosyncratic hepatotoxic ingredients of Polygonum multiflorum and HLA-B*35:01
Dake XIAO ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhuo SHI ; Zhaofang BAI ; Jiang ZHENG ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Jiabo WANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):15-27
Background: The previous research has confirmed the existence of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM-IDILI), and demonstrated that PM-IDILI is an immune-mediated injury, with HLA-B*35:01 identified as a genetic susceptibility marker. Additionally, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahyd roxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside have been proposed as potential contributory ingredients in the pathogenesis of PM-IDILI. However, the precise mechanisms through which these susceptible factors contribute to the development of PM-IDILI remain unclear. Objectives: This study aims to explore the molecular characteristics of HLA-B*35:01 that contribute to PM-DILI and to propose a mechanistic hypothesis based on our previous research on PM-induced protein adducts. Methods: Key differences between HLA-B*35:01 and general Chinese HLA-B alleles were identified by comparing protein sequences, peptide binding motifs, and protein structures. Molecular docking was employed to assess whether PM-induced haptenated peptides can be presented by HLA-B*35:01 and other related alleles. Additionally, a simplified dipeptide model was used to evaluate the binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-haptenated peptides. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in the residues of the B and F peptide binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 compared to general Chinese HLA-B alleles. Further analysis suggested that the F pocket of HLA-B*35:01 was capable of binding EG-cysteine adducts and might be a key feature in the PM-IDILI pathogenesis. Peptide docking using DINC and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that HLA-B*35:01 could form stable complexes with EG-haptenated peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations also highlighted the critical roles of both the B and F pockets in peptide binding. Specifically, the F pocket binds the EG-modified residue in haptenated peptides, while the B pocket, despite lacking shared features among PM-IDILI patients, may indirectly influence the incidence of PM-IDILI by filtering haptenated peptides. The binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-modified cysteine residues was experimentally validated through a dipeptide-based assay, confirming that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. Conclusions: This study identified the unique B and F binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 as key factors in PM-IDILI pathogenesis and demonstrated that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. These findings suggest that PM-IDILI may be a hapten-based drug hypersensitivity reaction driven by EG, providing a theoretical framework for further research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PM-IDILI.
3.In-silico discovery of the hapten-based interaction between idiosyncratic hepatotoxic ingredients of Polygonum multiflorum and HLA-B*35:01
Dake XIAO ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhuo SHI ; Zhaofang BAI ; Jiang ZHENG ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Jiabo WANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):15-27
Background: The previous research has confirmed the existence of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM-IDILI), and demonstrated that PM-IDILI is an immune-mediated injury, with HLA-B*35:01 identified as a genetic susceptibility marker. Additionally, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahyd roxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside have been proposed as potential contributory ingredients in the pathogenesis of PM-IDILI. However, the precise mechanisms through which these susceptible factors contribute to the development of PM-IDILI remain unclear. Objectives: This study aims to explore the molecular characteristics of HLA-B*35:01 that contribute to PM-DILI and to propose a mechanistic hypothesis based on our previous research on PM-induced protein adducts. Methods: Key differences between HLA-B*35:01 and general Chinese HLA-B alleles were identified by comparing protein sequences, peptide binding motifs, and protein structures. Molecular docking was employed to assess whether PM-induced haptenated peptides can be presented by HLA-B*35:01 and other related alleles. Additionally, a simplified dipeptide model was used to evaluate the binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-haptenated peptides. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in the residues of the B and F peptide binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 compared to general Chinese HLA-B alleles. Further analysis suggested that the F pocket of HLA-B*35:01 was capable of binding EG-cysteine adducts and might be a key feature in the PM-IDILI pathogenesis. Peptide docking using DINC and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that HLA-B*35:01 could form stable complexes with EG-haptenated peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations also highlighted the critical roles of both the B and F pockets in peptide binding. Specifically, the F pocket binds the EG-modified residue in haptenated peptides, while the B pocket, despite lacking shared features among PM-IDILI patients, may indirectly influence the incidence of PM-IDILI by filtering haptenated peptides. The binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-modified cysteine residues was experimentally validated through a dipeptide-based assay, confirming that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. Conclusions: This study identified the unique B and F binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 as key factors in PM-IDILI pathogenesis and demonstrated that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. These findings suggest that PM-IDILI may be a hapten-based drug hypersensitivity reaction driven by EG, providing a theoretical framework for further research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PM-IDILI.
4.In-silico discovery of the hapten-based interaction between idiosyncratic hepatotoxic ingredients of Polygonum multiflorum and HLA-B*35:01
Dake XIAO ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhuo SHI ; Zhaofang BAI ; Jiang ZHENG ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Jiabo WANG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;3(1):15-27
Background: The previous research has confirmed the existence of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI) caused by Polygonum multiflorum (PM-IDILI), and demonstrated that PM-IDILI is an immune-mediated injury, with HLA-B*35:01 identified as a genetic susceptibility marker. Additionally, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EG) and 2, 3, 5, 4′-tetrahyd roxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside have been proposed as potential contributory ingredients in the pathogenesis of PM-IDILI. However, the precise mechanisms through which these susceptible factors contribute to the development of PM-IDILI remain unclear. Objectives: This study aims to explore the molecular characteristics of HLA-B*35:01 that contribute to PM-DILI and to propose a mechanistic hypothesis based on our previous research on PM-induced protein adducts. Methods: Key differences between HLA-B*35:01 and general Chinese HLA-B alleles were identified by comparing protein sequences, peptide binding motifs, and protein structures. Molecular docking was employed to assess whether PM-induced haptenated peptides can be presented by HLA-B*35:01 and other related alleles. Additionally, a simplified dipeptide model was used to evaluate the binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-haptenated peptides. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in the residues of the B and F peptide binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 compared to general Chinese HLA-B alleles. Further analysis suggested that the F pocket of HLA-B*35:01 was capable of binding EG-cysteine adducts and might be a key feature in the PM-IDILI pathogenesis. Peptide docking using DINC and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that HLA-B*35:01 could form stable complexes with EG-haptenated peptides. Molecular dynamics simulations also highlighted the critical roles of both the B and F pockets in peptide binding. Specifically, the F pocket binds the EG-modified residue in haptenated peptides, while the B pocket, despite lacking shared features among PM-IDILI patients, may indirectly influence the incidence of PM-IDILI by filtering haptenated peptides. The binding affinity of HLA-B*35:01 to EG-modified cysteine residues was experimentally validated through a dipeptide-based assay, confirming that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. Conclusions: This study identified the unique B and F binding pockets of HLA-B*35:01 as key factors in PM-IDILI pathogenesis and demonstrated that HLA-B*35:01 could bind EG-haptenated peptides. These findings suggest that PM-IDILI may be a hapten-based drug hypersensitivity reaction driven by EG, providing a theoretical framework for further research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying PM-IDILI.
5.Targeting STAT3 alleviates peritoneal fibrosis by regulating glycolysis and mesothelial-mesenchymal transition
Qilei DENG ; Jiao FU ; Nan LI ; Mengmeng HE ; Dake HUANG ; Pei ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(4):647-653
Objective To study the effect and mechanism of high glucose on mesothelial-mesenchymal transition(MMT)of peritoneal mesothelial cells(HMrSV5),and the protective effect of pharmacological blocking of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)on rat peritoneal fibrosis(PF)model.Methods The animals were divided into three groups:the sham group,the model group,and the STAT3 inhibitor group.A miniature per-itoneal dialysis catheter was implanted under the dorsal skin of rat and the rat peritoneal fibrosis model was induced by daily injection of high glucose dialysate.After 10 weeks,HE staining was used to evaluate the histology of the peritoneum,and the level of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)in the peritoneum was measured by immuno-histochemistry.HMrSV5 was cultured in high glucose and the optimal stimulation concentration of high glucose was determined by Western blot.High glucose was used to stimulate HMrSV5 after successful transfection with si-STAT3 and Western blot was used to measure the protein level of STAT3,p-STAT3,and the key enzymes of glycol-ysis 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3(PFKFB3)and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA).Results HE staining showed that administration of STAT3 inhibitor(BP-1-102)could inhibit the thickening of subperitoneal tissue and the proliferation of vessels in HG dialysis rats.The expression of TGF-β1 in the rats perito-neum of the model group was significantly higher than that in the sham group,and the level of TGF-β1 was marked-ly lower in the STAT3 inhibitor group compared to the model group(P<0.05).Compared to the control group,high glucose induced the up-regulation of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),the down-regulation of E-cadherin and STAT3 activation in HMrSV5(P<0.05).Mesothelial cells treated with high glucose also exhibited high expres-sion of the key enzymes of glycolysis(PFKFB3,LDHA)(P<0.05),and si-STAT3 can effectively inhibit the overexpression of PFKFB3 and LDHA induced by high glucose(P<0.05).Conclusion STAT3 is involved in high glucose-induced HMrSV5 hyperglycolysis and MMT,and targeting STAT3 alleviates peritoneal fibrosis and an-giogenesis during peritoneal dialysis treatment in rats.
6.Effect of hypothyroidism in pregnancy on cognitive function in rat offspring
Yawei ZHANG ; Yuanyuan CHENG ; Min XU ; Dake HUANG ; Datong DENG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(6):1035-1039
Objective To investigate the effects of hypothyroidism and drug intervention on the cognitive function of rat offspring through the establishment of a rat model of experimental hypothyroidism in pregnancy.Methods A to-tal of 20 SD female rats were randomly divided into control group(CON group)and hypothyroid group(PTU group).The hypothyroid model was established by propylthiouracil(PTU),the thyroid hormone levels of female mice were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay,and the differences between the two groups were compared.After successful modeling,the male mice were mated in cages,and the hypothyroid group was randomly divided into no intervention group(group Ⅰ),first trimester intervention group(group Ⅱ)and second and third tri-mester intervention group(group Ⅲ).The Morris water maze(MWM)experiment was used to test the learning and memory ability of the rats.The morphological structure of hippocampal neurons,the expression of nucleoprotein(NeuN)and synapse-associated protein(SYN)in mature neurons were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE),Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry.Results ① Compared with the CON group,the female mice in the PTU group had a significant increase in TSH and a significant decrease in FT4(P<0.05).② In the positio-ning navigation test,the evasion latency of the pups in each group was gradually shortened.On the 5th day,the in-cubation period of group Ⅰ was significantly longer than that of groups CON,Ⅱ,Ⅲ(P<0.05).There was little change between groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ and CON groups(P>0.05).③ The residence time of group Ⅱ was significantly different from that in group Ⅰ during the space exploration stage(P<0.05).There was a significant difference be-tween the number of pups crossing the platform in group Ⅰ and groups CON,Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P<0.05).④ There was no significant difference between HE staining and Nissl staining in hippocampal tissues of rats in each group.How-ever,compared with the CON group,the average absorbance of NeuN and SYN proteins in the hippocampus of mice in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion Hypothyroidism will have adverse effects on the cognitive function and hippocampal neuron development of pregnant rats,and the effects of interven-tion on the cognitive function of offspring at different stages of pregnancy are different,the earlier the intervention,the smaller the damage to cognitive function.
7.Relationship between metabolites of peripheral tryptophan-kynurenine metabolic pathway and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia
Yue WU ; Yan XU ; Xin HUANG ; Dake WANG ; Chenyun HUANG ; Sugai LIANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(1):6-10
BackgroundSchizophrenia is a common severe mental disorder with complex pathogenesis. There are few studies on the correlation between kynurenine metabolites in peripheral serum and urine in schizophrenia. ObjectiveTo investigate the concentration of tryptophan-kynurenine metabolites and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and urine in patients with schizophrenia, and their correlation with clinical symptoms, so as to explore potential biological characteristics related to schizophrenia. MethodsA total of 38 patients with schizophrenia who met the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), and were hospitalized or attended outpatient clinic at Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital from December 2021 to December 2022 were included in the study. Additionally, 26 healthy individuals were concurrently recruited from the community of Hangzhou to serve as a control group. All participants were requested to complete the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). The levels of tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), quinolinic acid (QUIN), picolinic acid (PIC), xanthurenate and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in both serum and urine were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry. Serum and urine IL-6 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between serum and urinary KYN metabolites, as well as the correlation between metabolite levels and clinical symptoms in the patient group. ResultsPatients with schizophrenia had significantly higher level of IL-6 in serum (U=798.500, P<0.01) and lower level of PIC in urine (U=253.000, P=0.013) compared with the control group. Additionally, level of serum KYN was positively correlated with QUIN/KYNA ratio and QUIN/PIC ratio (r=0.562, 0.438, P<0.05) in patients with schizophrenia. 5-HT/KYN ratio in serum was positively correlated with PANSS total score and negative symptom subscale score (r=0.458, 0.455, P<0.01) in patients with schizophrenia. ConclusionSerum TRP-KYN pathway metabolite levels in patients with schizophrenia were associated with neurotoxic metabolite ratios in urine and the severity of negative symptoms. [Funded by Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Program Exploratory (number, 2022KY990)]
8.Effect of a new type of ampelopsis hydrogel on gouty arthritis with accumulation of dampness-heat syndrome
Meimei XU ; Liang GUO ; Yueyue CHEN ; Rongyue JING ; Yamei ZHU ; Dake XU ; Jing HE ; Bo XU ; Yan ZHOU ; Lei XU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(5):25-30
Objective To investigate the interventional effect and mechanism of a novel ampelopsis hydrogel on dampness-heat accumulation syndrome of gouty arthritis. Methods A total of 90 patients with gouty arthritis who met the diagnostic criteria of western medicine and were differentiated as damp-heat accumulation syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) were randomly divided into treatment group, control group and blank group, with 30 patients in each group. The blank group was treated with etoricoxib only, the control group was treated with etoricoxib combined with ampelopsis hydrogel, and the treatment group was treated with etoricoxib combined with external application of ampelopsis hydrogel. The clinical efficacy, time to symptom improvement, safety, comfort, changes in syndrome scores of TCM, serum inflammatory factors[C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)], NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for pain, and joint mobility were compared among the three groups before and after treatment. Results The total effective rates in the treatment group and control group were 93.33% and 90.00%, respectively, which were higher than 70.00% in the blank group (
9.Relationship between cognitive and psychiatric symptoms and serum folate,homocysteine,vitamin B12 in patients with Alzheimer's disease
China Modern Doctor 2023;61(34):52-55
Objective To analyze the relationship between cognitive and psychiatric symptoms and serum folate,homocysteine(Hcy)and vitamin B12 in patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Fifty-eight patients with AD who were treated in Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital from March 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively selected.According to the score of neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire(NPI-Q),they were divided into observation group A(NPI-Q<14 points,36 cases)and observation group B(NPI-Q≥14 points,22 cases).Fifty-eight elderly persons who underwent physical examination during the same period were included in control group.The general data,serum folate,Hcy,vitamin B12 levels,mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score,NPI-Q score,clinical dementia rating(CDR)score were compared among the three groups.Results There was statistical significance in age comparison among the three groups(P<0.05),that is control group
10.Human acellular nerve allograft in repair of traumatic nerve defect of upper extremity: A preliminary observation
Bo ZHANG ; Ketong GONG ; Jianbing ZHANG ; Dake ZHU
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2022;45(2):139-143
Objective:To observe clinical outcomes of the repair of traumatic nerve defects in the proximal upper extremities by human acellular nerve allograft(hANG).Methods:Nerve defects in the upper extremities in 8 patients were repaired by hANG from March 2017 to January 2019. The patients were 6 males and 2 females with mean age of 35.4 (21-53) years old. The nerve defects were 2 radial nerve in distal upper arm, 4 median nerve in forearm, 1 interosseous dorsal nerve and 1 ulnar nerve in forearm. All injuries were acute nerve injury. Two patients had combined injury of upper arm muscle, 4 of forearm muscle and 1 of brachial artery defect. All wound were moderate to severe contaminated. The length of nerve defects was 30-60 (mean 45) mm. The surgical procedures were fixation of fracture, repair of the muscle and discovery of the broken ends of nerve and to repair with hANG. The postoperative follow-up period ranged 18 to 40 (mean 30.6) months to observe the local response of recovery. The efficacy was evaluated by the Upper Extremity Function Evaluation Standard set up by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association and Grading Standard of Muscle Strength.Results:No graft rejection was observed in all cases. Primarily healing was in 5 patients. Delayed healing in 2 patients and free skin grafting was performed. Local flap transfer was performed to repair the wound in 1 patient who developed a skin necrosis 10 days after surgery. Two patients with median nerve defects had nerve function restored well. The strength of finger grip and thumb opposition muscle restored to grade IV and the sensory function had restored S 3+. The interosseous dorsal nerve in 1 patient restored well. The strength of extensor digitorum tendon had restored to grade IV. Based on the evaluation criteria for the upper extremity issued by the Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, 3 patients was rated in excellent for function recovery, 1 in fair and 4 in poor. Conclusion:After throughout debridement, hANG can be applied in the repair of traumatic nerve defect in the proximal upper extremity in an emergency surgery and it can partially restore the nerve function.


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