To study the ameliorative effect of Eucommiae Cortex extract on spatial learning disabilities in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice and explore its relationship with estrogen receptor β(ERβ)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) signaling pathway, sixty 3-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into a model group, an anti-brain failure capsule group(0.585 g·kg~(-1)), a donepezil hydrochloride group(0.65 mg·kg~(-1)), and a Eucommiae Cortex extract group(1.3 g·kg~(-1)), and 15 C57BL/6 mice of the same genetic background were set as WT control group. The learning and memory ability of mice was assessed by the Morris water maze test(MWM), the passive avoidance test(PAT), and the novel object recognition test(NOR). The histomorphological and cellular ultrastructural features of the hippocampal region of the mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy(TEM); the molecular docking validation of the key active ingredients and the key targets was performed by using AutoDock Vina software, and the immunohistochemical method(IHC) was used to detect the ERβ expression in the dentate gyrus(DG) area of mouse hippocampus. Western blot(WB) was utilized to detect the expression of ERβ, p-JNK, and JNK in mouse hippocampal area. Compared with those in the WT control group, the results of behavioral experiments showed that the latency of the mice in the model group was significantly increased, the number of platform traversals, and the target quadrant residence time were significantly decreased in the MWM. The evasion latency was significantly reduced, and the number of errors was significantly increased in the PAT. The index of recognition of novel objects was significantly reduced in the NOR. The results of HE staining indicated that the hippocampal area of mice in the model group showed a decrease in the number of neurons, disorganization of pyramidal cell arrangement, nucleus consolidation, and other changes. TEM results showed that some neuronal nuclei in the hippocampal area had a consolidated state, slightly thickened and aberrant nuclear membranes, and fewer intracytoplasmic nidus bodies; the IHC results showed that the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal DG area of the mice was reduced. The WB results showed that the ERβ expression in the hippocampal tissue was decreased, and the p-JNK/JNK level was elevated. Compared with the model group, the Eucommiae Cortex extract group showed a significant decrease in latency, and increase in number of platform traversals and target quadrant residence time in the MWM, a significant increase in evasion latency and decrease in number of errors in the PAT, and a significant increase in the index of recognition of novel objects in the NOR. In addition, there was an increase in the number of neurons in the hippocampal area of mice. The pyramidal cells tended to be arranged in an orderly manner; the nuclei of neurons in the hippocampal area were in a better state; the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal DG area of the mice was elevated; the expression of ERβ in the hippocampal tissue was elevated, and the level of p-JNK/JNK was reduced. The effects of donepezil hydrochloride group and anti-brain failure capsule on APP/PS1 mice in terms of behavioral, HE, and TEM indexes were similar to those of Eucommiae Cortex extract, and there was no significant difference between donepezil hydrochloride group and the model group in IHC and WB experiments, and the results of molecular docking indicated that the estrogen-like components in Eucommiae Cortex extract were tightly bound to ERβ. In conclusion, the binding of Eucommiae Cortex extract to estrogen receptors, regulation of ERβ expression, and activation of ERβ/JNK signaling pathway may be one of the key mechanisms by which it improves the learning and memory ability of APP/PS1 mice.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Memory/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics* ; Eucommiaceae/chemistry* ; Alzheimer Disease/psychology* ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Presenilin-1/metabolism* ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Maze Learning/drug effects* ; Learning/drug effects*

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

Arachidonic acid can be transformed into a variety of metabolites that trigger an inflammatory response through cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, cytochrome P450 enzymes, and other metabolic pathways. Moreover, it plays a key role in the occurrence and development of inflammatory diseases. In recent years, multi-target drugs based on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway have become an important direction of anti-inflammatory drug research. This article summarizes the opportunities and challenges of arachidonic acid metabolic pathways as well as their interference in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs, reviews the research progress of multi-target drug design, synthesis, and anti-inflammatory activity based on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, and discusses the difficulties and prospects of multi-target drugs based on metabolic pathways in anti-inflammatory drug development, aiming to provide some reference and inspiration for the study of multi-target anti-inflammatory drugs based on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway.

Objective:The transjugular or transfemoral approach is used as a common method for hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in current practice. This study aims to confirm the safety and effectiveness of measuring HVPG via the forearm venous approach.Methods:Prospective recruitment was conducted for patients with cirrhosis who underwent HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach at six hospitals in China and Japan from September 2020 to December 2020. Patients' clinical baseline information and HVPG measurement data were collected. The right median cubital vein or basilic vein approach for all enrolled patients was selected. The HVPG standard process was used to measure pressure. Research data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were used to represent medians (interquartile ranges), while qualitative data were used to represent frequency and rates. The correlation between two sets of data was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 43 cases were enrolled in this study. Of these, 41 (95.3%) successfully underwent HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach. None of the patients had any serious complications. The median operation time for HVPG detection via forearm vein was 18.0 minutes (12.3~38.8 minutes). This study confirmed that HVPG was positively closely related to Child-Pugh score ( r = 0.47, P = 0.002), albumin-bilirubin score ( r = 0.37, P = 0.001), Lok index ( r = 0.36, P = 0.02), liver stiffness ( r = 0.58, P = 0.01), and spleen stiffness ( r = 0.77, P = 0.01), while negatively correlated with albumin ( r = -0.42, P = 0.006). Conclusion:The results of this multi-centre retrospective study suggest that HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach is safe and feasible.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Xiaochaihu decoction combined with ulinastatin in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP),and its effect on the markers of intestinal mucosal barrier function and inflammatory factors in patients.Methods The clinical data of SAP patients admitted to Wuhan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2020 to November 2022 were retrospectively collected for the study,and according to the treatment methods,the patients were divided into the treatment group of modified Xiaochaihu decoction combined with ulinastatin(double drug group)and ulinastatin monotherapy group(single drug group).Patients in the single drug group were treated with ulinastatin,and patients in the double drug group were treated with a combination of modified Xiaochaihu decoction on the basis of the single drug group for 2 weeks.The scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes,Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)scores,intestinal mucosal barrier function,inflammatory factor levels,and total effective rate were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results A total of 82 SAP patients were included,including 41 in the double drug group and 41 in the single drug group.There was no difference between the single drug group and the double drug group in the TCM syndrome scores,APACHE Ⅱ scores,serum diamine oxidase(DAO),D-lactate,interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein(CRP),and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)before treatment(P＞0.05).After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores,APACHE Ⅱ scores,serum DAO,D-lactate,IL-6,CRP,and TNF-α were all reduced(P＜0.05),and these indicators in the double drug group were lower than those in the single drug group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the total effective rate in the double drug group was higher than that in the single drug group[92.68％(38/41)vs.75.61％(31/41),P＜0.05].Conclusion The combination of modified Xiaochaihu decoction with ulinastatin can significantly improve the clinical symptoms,alleviate the progression of the disease,improve the barrier function of the gastrointestinal mucosa,reduce the level of inflammatory factors,and improve the clinical efficacy compared with ulinastatin alone,which is worthy of wide application in the clinic.

Objective To investigate the effects of MCSO on physiological behavior and antioxidant index in D.melanogaster.Methods One-day-old wild type D.melanogaster was divided into control group,0.25％,0.5％,1％,2％and 4％dose groups,as well as male and female groups.The control group was exposed to the base medium,and each dose group was exposed to the MCSO medium added with 0.25％,0.5％,1％,2％and 4％concentrations,respectively.The optimal dosage concentration and time of administration were investigated by climbing experiment.Then the flies were divided into control group,model group and MCSO group.The model group was established by depriving the flies of sleep through repeated nocturnal light stimulation.Period of drug treatment,appetite test,negative geotaxis ability test,stress test,olfactory memory test,and sleep-wake rhythm detection were used to explore the effects of MCSO on their physiological behavior.The activities of super oxidase dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and malondialdehyde(MDA)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results MCSO enhanced the locomotory ability of 30-day-old D.melanogaster(P＜0.01),increased the activity of SOD and CAT(P＜0.01),and decreased the concentration of MDA(P＜0.01).Improve olfactory memory of senile fruit flies.After sleep deprivation,the night sleep time of female Drosophila model group was reduced(P＜0.05),and that of male Drosophila model group was reduced(P＜0.01).After feeding MCSO,the night sleep time of female drosophila model group was extended(P＜0.05),and that of male drosophila model group was extended(P＜0.01).Conclusions MCSO had a certain antioxidant effect,prolonging the sleep time and improving the olfactory memory of sleep-deprived Drosophila.