1.Innovative Development and Cutting-edge Applications of Split Intein Technology
Jin-Qiu GAN ; Xiang-Yu DENG ; Xin-Yan WANG ; Jia-Bin LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1520-1540
Inteins are unique protein insertion sequences capable of self-excision, enabling the covalent ligation of flanking extein peptides via amide bond formation. This process proceeds spontaneously without requiring external enzymes, cofactors, or chemical reagents, granting inteins exceptional biocompatibility and traceless performance in protein engineering applications. Split inteins represent a specialized and versatile subclass whose splicing domains are encoded by two separate gene fragments rather than a single continuous open reading frame. These fragments, known as the N-terminal (IntN) and C-terminal (IntC) split inteins, associate through non-covalent interactions including hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces to assemble into an active three-dimensional structure, which then drives efficient extein ligation and enables protein trans-splicing. Protein trans-splicing mediated by split inteins has become a cornerstone for traceless protein ligation owing to its high specificity and irreversibility, fundamentally reshaping strategies for protein modification, assembly, and functional regulation. Compared with traditional chemical ligation methods, split intein systems require no complex chemical derivatization of peptide fragments and can operate efficiently at micromolar concentrations under physiological conditions, thus avoiding structural and functional damage caused by organic reagents. In contrast to enzymatic ligation tools such as sortase, split inteins eliminate the need for additional enzymes or cofactors, simplifying reaction systems, reducing costs, and minimizing non-specific side products. These distinctive advantages render split inteins highly promising for applications in chemical biology, synthetic biology, and biopharmaceutical development. In recent years, deepened mechanistic understanding has established structure-guided rational design as the primary approach to overcoming key limitations of split inteins, including intrinsic aggregation propensity, strict extein sequence dependence, and limited splicing efficiency. Bioinformatic tools have been used to identify aggregation-prone regions in the IntN fragment, and site-directed mutagenesis of hydrophobic residues, relocation of split sites, or removal of misfolding-prone sequences has substantially reduced in vitro aggregation and improved soluble expression and assembly activity. Rational engineering of catalytic residues and adjacent flexible loops has relaxed strict amino acid preferences at extein junctions, enhancing sequence tolerance and reducing the risk of functional impairment in target proteins. Consensus design based on multiple sequence alignments has yielded ultra-fast splicing variants such as Cfa DnaE and Cat-TerL, which exhibit significantly accelerated kinetics and improved tolerance to denaturing conditions. Meanwhile, advances in structural biology have further clarified the conformational dynamics and catalytic mechanisms of splicing, supporting the precise design of high-performance intein modules. On this basis, electrostatic interaction tuning and metagenomic screening have yielded multiple mutually orthogonal split intein pairs, enabling selective multi-fragment protein ligation and providing new routes for the efficient synthesis of large multi-domain functional proteins. With these engineered split inteins offering continuously improved performance and expanded applicability, protein trans-splicing has been widely applied in numerous cutting-edge areas of protein research and biomedicine. In gene delivery, split intein-based systems overcome the packaging limit of adeno-associated viral vectors, enabling the accurate reconstitution of large therapeutic proteins and base editors in target cells, thereby enhancing the efficacy and scope of gene therapy for genetic diseases. In internal protein sequence editing, split inteins mediate precise sequence replacement and modification in flexible regions or loops of target proteins, without the need for complex multi-step ligation and protein refolding involved in traditional protein semisynthesis. In protein-protein interaction studies, intein-mediated splicing covalently captures transient and weak intracellular complexes, enabling sensitive, high-throughput interaction detection and drug screening. In synthetic biology, conditionally controllable splicing systems support the construction of diverse intracellular and cell-surface biological logic gates for the precise regulation of cellular behavior. In mechanistic biochemical research, split inteins enable photocatalytic proximity labeling and site-specific tagging, allowing the preparation of homogeneous protein samples carrying precise post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and polyglutamylation for chromatin interactome analysis and epigenetic studies. Moreover, covalent trapping strategies using split inteins stabilize transient enzymatic intermediates, providing unprecedented insights into molecular mechanisms such as nucleosome ubiquitination that are difficult to elucidate using conventional methods. This review systematically summarizes key technological advances in split inteins over the past decade, highlighting engineering strategies, mechanistic insights, and the development of orthogonal components. It comprehensively surveys emerging applications at the frontiers of protein research, analyzes current core challenges, and proposes future directions, particularly emphasizing artificial intelligence-driven de novo design and novel splicing pathways to break existing technical bottlenecks. By enabling traceless, efficient, and versatile protein manipulation, split inteins continue to serve as indispensable tools that drive innovation in protein engineering and fundamental life science research.
2.Application of nanoprobe based on aggregation-induced luminescence in photothermal diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
Bin GUI ; Nan JIANG ; Xin HUANG ; Fanglu ZHONG ; Zhiwen WANG ; Qianhui LIU ; Yuxin GUO ; Yueying CHEN ; Huan PU ; Qing DENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(16):3400-3409
BACKGROUND:A novel aggregation induced luminescence fluorescence probe based on the mechanism of intramolecular motility restriction can be used for the detection of disease markers,tumor diagnosis,and bacterial imaging recognition.OBJECTIVE:To prepare a near-infrared Ⅱ nanoprobe called FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs based on aggregation-induced luminescence,and to explore its potential of targeted fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy for prostate cancer.METHODS:Lecithin,polyethylene glycol phospholipids,folate polyethylene glycol phospholipids,and aggregation induced luminescent molecule 2TT-oC26B were used as raw materials.The folate-targeted nanoprobe FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method,and basic characterization of the nanoprobe was detected.PC3 human prostate cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were selected as experimental objects.The cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were detected.PC3 human prostate cancer cells were selected as the experimental objects.Flow cytometry and calcein/propidium iodide staining were used to assess the efficacy of photothermal therapy.PC3 human prostate cancer cells were injected subcutaneously into the abdomen of BALB/C nude mice to establish a tumor model,and nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were injected into the tail vein.The mice were immediately subjected to near-infraced Ⅱ fluorescence imaging.12 hours later,the tumor was irradiated by laser for 5 minutes,and the photothermal treatment effect was observed within 14 days.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs with a mean diameter of(171.0±0.3)nm showed a well-defined spherical morphology.The nanoprobe had a wide absorption spectrum and tail emission extending to the near-infrared Ⅱ which emitted a bright near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence signal under laser irradiation.(2)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs had low cytotoxicity and high phototoxicity.The results of flow cytometry and calcein/propidium iodide staining showed that nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs had an obvious photothermal killing effect on human prostate cancer cells.(3)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs successfully achieved near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence imaging of mouse blood vessels and the maximum enrichment time of the tumor was 12 hours.The vessel widths of the hind leg and single blood vessels of abdomen were estimated to be 0.63 mm and 0.42 mm.The tumor volume of mice was significantly smaller after 14 days of treatment.(4)The results show that nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs can achieve near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy of prostate cancer effectively,which may provide a new method for early diagnosis and combined treatment of prostate cancer.
3.Liraglutide may alleviate acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing autophagy
Guo-jing XING ; Wen-bin LI ; Long-long LUO ; Li-fei WANG ; Yuan DENG ; Zhen WANG ; Zhao-jie ZHANG ; Xiao-hui YU ; Jiu-cong ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1867-1875
Aim To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide(LIRA)on acetaminophen(APAP)-in-duced hepatotoxicity at the in vivo level and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Control,LIRA(200 μg·kg-1),APAP(500 mg·kg-1),LIRA+APAP,LIRA+APAP+3-methylade-nine(3-MA,30 mg·kg-1)groups,with eight mice in each group.The mice were administered for three con-secutive days,and the materials were taken after 24 h.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were recorded,and liver morphology was ob-served.Serum ALT and AST levels,as well as SOD ac-tivity,MDA,and GSH content in liver homogenates,were measured using biochemical assay kits.The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA.Liver pathological changes were assessed by HE staining,while mitochon-drial and autophagosome structures in liver tissues were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The number of PCNA-positive cells in liver tissues was e-valuated using immunohistochemical staining.The pro-tein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ,p62,Bax,Bcl-2,PC-NA,and CyclinD1 in liver tissues were determined by Western blot.Results LIRA pretreatment can im-prove the general condition of mice with acetamino-phen-induced liver injury(AILI),reduce serum ALT and AST levels,and effectively ameliorate the appear-ance and morphology of the liver as well as the patho-logical damage to liver tissue.Simultaneously,the lev-els of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1βare significantly decreased;SOD activity and GSH con-tent are significantly increased,while MDA content is significantly reduced.Transmission electron microsco-py observations reveal the presence of numerous auto-phagosomes in the cytoplasm of liver tissue.Immuno-histochemical staining results indicate a significant in-crease in the number of PCNA-positive cells.Further-more,the expression of LC3Ⅱ,Bcl-2,PCNA,and Cy-clinD1 proteins in liver tissue is significantly upregulat-ed,while the expression of p62 and Bax proteins is significantly downregulated.However,after interven-tion with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the aforemen-tioned protective effects of LIRA are significantly.Conclusions LIRA pretreatment can significantly im-prove liver injury in AILI mice.Its protective mecha-nism may be related to enhancing autophagy in hepato-cytes,thereby reducing oxidative stress,inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of AILI mice.
4.Application of nanoprobe based on aggregation-induced luminescence in photothermal diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
Bin GUI ; Nan JIANG ; Xin HUANG ; Fanglu ZHONG ; Zhiwen WANG ; Qianhui LIU ; Yuxin GUO ; Yueying CHEN ; Huan PU ; Qing DENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(16):3400-3409
BACKGROUND:A novel aggregation induced luminescence fluorescence probe based on the mechanism of intramolecular motility restriction can be used for the detection of disease markers,tumor diagnosis,and bacterial imaging recognition.OBJECTIVE:To prepare a near-infrared Ⅱ nanoprobe called FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs based on aggregation-induced luminescence,and to explore its potential of targeted fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy for prostate cancer.METHODS:Lecithin,polyethylene glycol phospholipids,folate polyethylene glycol phospholipids,and aggregation induced luminescent molecule 2TT-oC26B were used as raw materials.The folate-targeted nanoprobe FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method,and basic characterization of the nanoprobe was detected.PC3 human prostate cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were selected as experimental objects.The cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were detected.PC3 human prostate cancer cells were selected as the experimental objects.Flow cytometry and calcein/propidium iodide staining were used to assess the efficacy of photothermal therapy.PC3 human prostate cancer cells were injected subcutaneously into the abdomen of BALB/C nude mice to establish a tumor model,and nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were injected into the tail vein.The mice were immediately subjected to near-infraced Ⅱ fluorescence imaging.12 hours later,the tumor was irradiated by laser for 5 minutes,and the photothermal treatment effect was observed within 14 days.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs with a mean diameter of(171.0±0.3)nm showed a well-defined spherical morphology.The nanoprobe had a wide absorption spectrum and tail emission extending to the near-infrared Ⅱ which emitted a bright near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence signal under laser irradiation.(2)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs had low cytotoxicity and high phototoxicity.The results of flow cytometry and calcein/propidium iodide staining showed that nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs had an obvious photothermal killing effect on human prostate cancer cells.(3)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs successfully achieved near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence imaging of mouse blood vessels and the maximum enrichment time of the tumor was 12 hours.The vessel widths of the hind leg and single blood vessels of abdomen were estimated to be 0.63 mm and 0.42 mm.The tumor volume of mice was significantly smaller after 14 days of treatment.(4)The results show that nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs can achieve near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy of prostate cancer effectively,which may provide a new method for early diagnosis and combined treatment of prostate cancer.
5.Mechanism of calcium-sensing receptor regulating macrophage polariza-tion in hypertensive rats
Xiaofang YANG ; Lijuan HE ; Na TANG ; Lamei WANG ; Yuanyuan QU ; Hua ZHONG ; Qiang ZHANG ; Fengmei DENG ; Bin TANG ; Dongmei XI ; Fang HE
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(4):625-636
AIM:To explore the role and mechanism of calcium-sensing receptor(CaSR)in regulating macro-phage polarization in hypertensive rats.METHODS:Male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats were categorized into WKY group,SHR group,SHR+R568(CaSR agonist)group,and SHR+NPS2143(CaSR inhibitor)group.The thoracic aorta was isolated,and the expression of CaSR and macrophage polarization markers in the aorta was observed through immunofluorescence staining.The primary peritoneal macrophages of SHR and WKY rats were aseptically extracted following anesthesia.After intervention with R568 and NPS2143,the expression levels of M1 and M2 markers of peritoneal macrophages were observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA.The concentration of Ca2+in peritoneal macrophages was mea-sured by immunofluorescence.Western blot was employed to identify the expression of CaSR and nucleotide-binding oligo-merization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome components.Following anesthesia,vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)were isolated from SHR using an adherent method.Subsequently,a co-culture system was estab-lished with macrophage supernatant.The optimal action time for this co-culture system was determined through CCK-8 as-say.RESULTS:Compared with SHR group,activation of CaSR resulted in a significant decrease in the protein expres-sion of M1 polarization markers(P<0.05)and a concomitant increase in the protein expression of M2 polarization markers in the aorta(P<0.05).Compared with SHR group,administration of R568 led to a significant decrease in the protein ex-pression of M1 polarization markers(P<0.05)and a concomitant increase in the protein expression of M2 polarization markers(P<0.05)in peritoneal macrophages.Additionally,there was a notable reduction in the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components(P<0.05).Furthermore,the fluorescence intensity of intracellular Ca2+was significantly en-hanced following R568 treatment(P<0.05).After administration of MCC950,an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor,the re-sults were consistent with those observed following R568 treatment,demonstrating statistical significance(P<0.05).This effect was reversed by the combined intervention of U73122,a phospholipase C(PLC)inhibitor(P<0.05).Compared with the control(0 h),the 24-h peritoneal macrophage supernatant exhibited the strongest capacity to enhance the viabili-ty of VSMCs after 24 h of culture(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In hypertensive rats,the CaSR inhibits NLRP3 inflamma-some activation via the PLC-Ca2+signaling pathway,thereby mediating an increase in macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype and a decrease towards the M1 phenotype.
6.Full genome analysis of G4P23porcine rotavirus and its pathogenicity in suckling mice and piglets
Hui DENG ; Ran TAO ; Nan HAN ; Jianxin WANG ; Xuefan SU ; Chen WANG ; Xi CHENG ; Xianyu BIAN ; Jiapeng SONG ; Xuejiao ZHU ; Xuehan ZHANG ; Hongbo XIAO ; Jinzhu ZHOU ; Bin LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(9):902-909
To perform the phylogenetic characterization of an isolated porcine rotavirus(PoRV)and investigate its pathogenicity in suckling mice and piglets.A G4P[23]genotype PoRV strain JSJR2023 was successfully isolated from the diarrheic piglet feces through propagation in MA104 cells.The viral proliferation kinetics were analyzed using TCID50 assays,followed by complete genome sequencing through Sanger sequencing platforms.Comprehensive genotyping and phylogenetic reconstruction were conducted using MEGA7.0 with maximum likelihood algorithms.Pathogenicity was assessed in the following animal models:5-day-old C57BL/6 mice and 3-day-old piglets.Multidimensional evaluation included clinical monitoring(diarrhea scoring,growth parameters),virological detection,and histopathological analysis of intestinal tissues.The virus strain JSJR2023 could replicate efficiently in MA104 cells,achieving peak titers of 107.5 TCID50/mL.Whole genome genotype analysis showed that the strain belonged to G4-P[23]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VP3 and NSP4 genes of JSJR2023 strain were most closedrelated to human species rotaviruses,suggesting genetic reassortment between human and porcine RV strains.The animal experiments in suckling mice showed that the JSJR2023 strain infection caused diarrhea symptoms,intestinal edema and congestion,and shedding of intestinal villus epithelial cells.The pathogenicity experiments in piglets showed that compared with the control group,the challenged group of pig-lets had severe diarrhea symptoms,accompanied by reduced appetite and listlessness.Post-mortem examination revealed that the intes-tines were significantly thinner,congested,and filled with yellow watery contents.The challenged piglets showed typical pathological changes such as thinning of the intestinal wall and shortening and shedding of intestinal villi.In conclusion,this study successfully iso-lated a human-porcine recombinant G4P[23]PoRV strain and established the infection models in suckling mice and piglets,providing important tools for investigating the pathogenic mechanism of PoRV,evaluating vaccines and developing antiviral drug.
7.Liraglutide may alleviate acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing autophagy
Guo-jing XING ; Wen-bin LI ; Long-long LUO ; Li-fei WANG ; Yuan DENG ; Zhen WANG ; Zhao-jie ZHANG ; Xiao-hui YU ; Jiu-cong ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1867-1875
Aim To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide(LIRA)on acetaminophen(APAP)-in-duced hepatotoxicity at the in vivo level and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Control,LIRA(200 μg·kg-1),APAP(500 mg·kg-1),LIRA+APAP,LIRA+APAP+3-methylade-nine(3-MA,30 mg·kg-1)groups,with eight mice in each group.The mice were administered for three con-secutive days,and the materials were taken after 24 h.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were recorded,and liver morphology was ob-served.Serum ALT and AST levels,as well as SOD ac-tivity,MDA,and GSH content in liver homogenates,were measured using biochemical assay kits.The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA.Liver pathological changes were assessed by HE staining,while mitochon-drial and autophagosome structures in liver tissues were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The number of PCNA-positive cells in liver tissues was e-valuated using immunohistochemical staining.The pro-tein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ,p62,Bax,Bcl-2,PC-NA,and CyclinD1 in liver tissues were determined by Western blot.Results LIRA pretreatment can im-prove the general condition of mice with acetamino-phen-induced liver injury(AILI),reduce serum ALT and AST levels,and effectively ameliorate the appear-ance and morphology of the liver as well as the patho-logical damage to liver tissue.Simultaneously,the lev-els of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1βare significantly decreased;SOD activity and GSH con-tent are significantly increased,while MDA content is significantly reduced.Transmission electron microsco-py observations reveal the presence of numerous auto-phagosomes in the cytoplasm of liver tissue.Immuno-histochemical staining results indicate a significant in-crease in the number of PCNA-positive cells.Further-more,the expression of LC3Ⅱ,Bcl-2,PCNA,and Cy-clinD1 proteins in liver tissue is significantly upregulat-ed,while the expression of p62 and Bax proteins is significantly downregulated.However,after interven-tion with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the aforemen-tioned protective effects of LIRA are significantly.Conclusions LIRA pretreatment can significantly im-prove liver injury in AILI mice.Its protective mecha-nism may be related to enhancing autophagy in hepato-cytes,thereby reducing oxidative stress,inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of AILI mice.
8.A comparative analysis of the effects of metaraminol and norepi-nephrine on sublingual microcirculation in patients experiencing sep-tic shock at high altitudes
Zongzhao HE ; Hao WANG ; Xing ZHENG ; Bin SUN ; Li DENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(9):1200-1207
AIM:To compare the effects and effi-cacy of methoxyamine and norepinephrine on sub-lingual microcirculation in patients with high-alti-tude septic shock.METHODS:A total of forty-six patients with septic shock from the Xining area of Qinghai Province were randomized into two groups:the M-hydroxylamine group(Group M,n=22)and the norepinephrine group(Group N,n=24).Baseline data as well as the incidence of acute kid-ney injury(AKI),distal limb necrosis/ischemia,and 28-day survival rates were documented.Sublingual microcirculation parameters were monitored and recorded at four time points:before treatment(T0),24 hours post-treatment(T1),48 hours post-treatment(T2),and 72 hours post-treatment(T3)using side-flow dark-field(SDF)imaging.The pa-rameters included total vascular density(TVD),per-fused vascular density(PVD),perfused vessel ratio(PPV),microvascular flow index(MFI),and hetero-geneity index(HI).Additionally,changes in heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Cr),and lac-tate(Lac)levels were also recorded.RESULTS:There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of baseline data,incidence of AKI,distal limb necrosis/ischemia,and 28-day sur-vival rate.Additionally,there were no significant differences in HR,MAP,and Lac indices between the two groups at any time point.However,within-group comparisons showed that HR,MAP,and Lac indices improved over the course of treatment,with statistically significant differences.The BUN level at the T3 time point was significantly lower in the mehydroxyamine group compared to the nor-epinephrine group(P<0.05).Similarly,Cr levels were significantly lower at both T2 and T3 time points(P<0.05).There were no significant differenc-es in sublingual microcirculation indices between the two groups at any time point.However,TVD,PVD,PPV,MIF,and HI in both groups improved over the course of treatment,with statistically sig-nificant differences.CONCLUSION:Both methoxy-amine and norepinephrine can enhance both the macrocirculation and sublingual microcirculation in patients with septic shock at high altitudes.Addi-tionally,methoxyamine leads to a faster recovery of creatinine levels within 72 hours.
9.Expression of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles,Cav-1,and S1P1 in children with Kawasaki disease and their association with coronary artery injury
Bin DENG ; Ailian WANG ; Boli CHENG ; Jiahao CHEN ; Yun HE ; Chonghai LIU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(13):2094-2099
Objective To explore the expression of peripheral blood Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasomes,serum caveolin-1(Cav-1),and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1(S1P1)in children with Kawasaki disease(KD),and to elucidate their associations with coronary artery lesion(CAL).Methods A total of 223 children diagnosed with KD were recruited from our hospital between March 2023 and December 2024 and served as the KD study group.These children were classified into the CAL group(n=71)and the non-CAL group(n=152)based on their CAL status.Additionally,223 healthy children who underwent physical examinations at our hospital were selected as the healthy control group.Clinical data,levels of routine laboratory test indices,peripheral blood NLRP3 inflammasomes,serum Cav-1,and S1P1 were compared among the groups.Risk factors for CAL in children with KD were analyzed,and the diagnostic value of peripheral blood NLRP3 inflammasomes,serum Cav-1,and S1P1 levels for CAL in children with KD was evaluated.Results The levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC in peripheral blood and messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA)of serum Cav-1 were significantly higher in the KD study group than in the healthy control group(P<0.05).Conversely,the serum level of S1P1 was significantly lower in the KD study group compared to the healthy control group(P<0.05).In the CAL group,the levels of peripheral blood white blood cell count(WBC),NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC mRNA,serum C-reactive protein(CRP),and Cav-1 were all higher than those in the non-CAL group(P<0.05),while the serum level of S1P1 was lower than that in the non-CAL group(P<0.05).The levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC mRNA in peripheral blood,along with serum Cav-1 and S1P1,were identified as independent risk factors for CAL in children with KD(P<0.05).The results of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis indicated that the combined test of the levels of NLRP3,caspase-1,ASC mRNA in peripheral blood,serum Cav-1,and S1P1 for diagnosing CAL in children with KD had an area under the curve(AUC)value of 0.926.This value was significantly higher than that of each individual index(0.844,0.785,0.821,0.843,0.833,P<0.05).Conclusions The levels of NLRP3 inflamma-tory vesicles in peripheral blood and serum Cav-1 were highly expressed in children with KD,whereas the serum S1P1 was poorly expressed.These indices may be involved in the development process of CAL in children with KD.Moreover,the combination of these indices is more beneficial for the diagnosis of CAL in children with KD.
10.Full genome analysis of G4P23porcine rotavirus and its pathogenicity in suckling mice and piglets
Hui DENG ; Ran TAO ; Nan HAN ; Jianxin WANG ; Xuefan SU ; Chen WANG ; Xi CHENG ; Xianyu BIAN ; Jiapeng SONG ; Xuejiao ZHU ; Xuehan ZHANG ; Hongbo XIAO ; Jinzhu ZHOU ; Bin LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(9):902-909
To perform the phylogenetic characterization of an isolated porcine rotavirus(PoRV)and investigate its pathogenicity in suckling mice and piglets.A G4P[23]genotype PoRV strain JSJR2023 was successfully isolated from the diarrheic piglet feces through propagation in MA104 cells.The viral proliferation kinetics were analyzed using TCID50 assays,followed by complete genome sequencing through Sanger sequencing platforms.Comprehensive genotyping and phylogenetic reconstruction were conducted using MEGA7.0 with maximum likelihood algorithms.Pathogenicity was assessed in the following animal models:5-day-old C57BL/6 mice and 3-day-old piglets.Multidimensional evaluation included clinical monitoring(diarrhea scoring,growth parameters),virological detection,and histopathological analysis of intestinal tissues.The virus strain JSJR2023 could replicate efficiently in MA104 cells,achieving peak titers of 107.5 TCID50/mL.Whole genome genotype analysis showed that the strain belonged to G4-P[23]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VP3 and NSP4 genes of JSJR2023 strain were most closedrelated to human species rotaviruses,suggesting genetic reassortment between human and porcine RV strains.The animal experiments in suckling mice showed that the JSJR2023 strain infection caused diarrhea symptoms,intestinal edema and congestion,and shedding of intestinal villus epithelial cells.The pathogenicity experiments in piglets showed that compared with the control group,the challenged group of pig-lets had severe diarrhea symptoms,accompanied by reduced appetite and listlessness.Post-mortem examination revealed that the intes-tines were significantly thinner,congested,and filled with yellow watery contents.The challenged piglets showed typical pathological changes such as thinning of the intestinal wall and shortening and shedding of intestinal villi.In conclusion,this study successfully iso-lated a human-porcine recombinant G4P[23]PoRV strain and established the infection models in suckling mice and piglets,providing important tools for investigating the pathogenic mechanism of PoRV,evaluating vaccines and developing antiviral drug.

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