1.Proteomics-based Investigation of Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Verbenalin on Lung Injury in Mice Infected with Human Coronavirus-229E
Qiyue SUN ; Shanshan GUO ; Shuangrong GAO ; Lei BAO ; Zihan GENG ; Shuran LI ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Jingsheng ZHANG ; Xian LIU ; Rui XIE ; Xiaolan CUI ; Jing SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):69-78
ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacological effects of verbenalin on both in vitro and in vivo infection models of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) and to preliminarily explore the antiviral mechanism of verbenalin through proteomic analysis. MethodsIn vitro, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) for cell proliferation and viability assessment was used to establish a model of HCoV-229E-induced injury in human lung adenocarcinoma cells(A549). A549 cells were divided into five groups: normal group, model group, and three verbenalin treatment groups (125, 62.5, and 31.25 μmol·L-1). The cell protective activity of verbenalin was evaluated through cell viability assay and immunofluorescence staining. In vivo, 30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, chloroquine group, and high-dose, low-dose verbenalin groups (40 and 20 mg·kg-1), with six mice per group. An HCoV-229E-induced mouse lung injury model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of verbenalin. Lung injury was assessed by detecting the lung index and lung inhibition rate. The severity of pulmonary inflammation cytokines was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the lung morphology and structure were analyzed by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological changes in lung tissue. Additionally, four-dimensional data-independent acquisition (4D-DIA) proteomics was employed to preliminarily explore the potential mechanisms of verbenalin in treating HCoV-229E-induced lung injury in mice, through differential protein expression screening, functional annotation, enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction network analysis. ResultsThe A549 cells were infected with HCoV-229E at the original viral titer for 36 hours to establish an in vitro infection model. The maximum non-toxic concentration of verbenalin was 125 μmol·L-1, and the half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was 288.8 μmol·L-1. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant decrease in cell viability (P<0.01), a significant increase in the proportion of dead cells (P<0.01), mitochondrial damage, and a significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.01). After treatment with different concentrations of verbenalin (125, 62.5, and 31.25 μmol·L-1), cell viability was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the proportion of dead cells was reduced (P<0.01), with mitochondrial membrane potential restored (P<0.01). In vivo experiments further confirmed the therapeutic effect of verbenalin on HCoV-229E-infected mice. Compared to the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in the lung index (P<0.01), severe lung tissue injury, lung volume enlargement, and a significant increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (P<0.01). In contrast, in the verbenalin treatment groups, these pathological changes were significantly improved, with a reduction in the lung index (P<0.01), alleviation of lung tissue injury, reduced lung volume enlargement, and a significant decrease in inflammatory cytokine expression (P<0.01). Proteomics analysis revealed that, compared to the normal group, the model group showed enrichment in several antiviral immune-related signaling pathways, including the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the verbenalin treatment group showed enrichment in several signaling pathways related to inflammatory response and autophagy (P<0.05), suggesting that verbenalin may exert its antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating these pathways. ConclusionVerbenalin demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in both in vitro and in vivo HCoV-229E infection models, with its mechanism likely related to the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway and mitochondrial autophagy.
2.Mechanism of Lizhong decoction in treating cold-damp diarrhea through network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments
Hao ZHANG ; Wen-wen MI ; Rong-xia GUO ; Chun NIU ; Bao-xia CHEN ; Peng JI ; Yan-ming WEI ; Fang YANG ; Zhen-he LI ; Yong-li HUA
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1552-1561
Aim To explore the key components and mechanisms of Lizhong decoction in treating rats with cold-damp diarrhea based on network pharmacology,molecular docking technology and animal experiments.Methods By literature review and database collec-tion,the components of Lizhong decoction,therapeutic targets,and the mapping with diarrhea disease targets were conducted to construct an intersection target pro-tein-protein interaction network for screening core tar-gets,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to build an"active component-target-pathway"network,followed by molecular docking vali-dation.Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into the normal control group(K),model group(DG),Lizhong decoction group(LZDG),and Pulsatilla decoction group(BTDG).Subsequently,a rat cold-damp diar-rhea model was established using Senna combined with low-temperature high-humidity environment,and the rats were intervened with Lizhong decoction and Pul-satilla decoction.HE staining was used to detect path-ological changes in intestinal tissue,ELISA was em-ployed to measure the levels of peripheral blood IL-6,IL-10,IL-1 β,and TNF-α,and western blot was used to determine the expression of colon tight junction pro-teins.Results Network pharmacology initially identi-fied 125 compounds in Lizhong decoction,5 186 drug target components,438 disease targets,and 60"drug-disease"shared targets.GO and KEGG enrichment a-nalysis showed that signaling pathways such as IL-17 and TNF were highly enriched.Molecular docking in-dicated that the core components of the drug had good binding activity with corresponding key targets.Liz-hong decoction could effectively improve the clinical symptoms of rats with cold-damp diarrhea,and com-pared with the DG group,the diarrhea rate,diarrhea in-dex,and other related indicators also gradually de-creased to normal levels.Compared with the DG group,the LZDG group showed reduced inflammation levels and a recovery in energy metabolism levels.Conclusion It can regulate targets such as MMP9 and IL-17 signaling pathways through multi-components like Calycosin and formononetin to exert its therapeutic effect on cold-damp diarrhea.
3.New insights and research directions of tomographic imaging technology in the diagnosis and treatment of lens trauma
Wen XU ; Geng WANG ; Yong WANG ; Xuemin LI ; Guangbin ZHANG ; Xiangjia ZHU ; Haiying JIN ; Lixia LUO ; Wei FAN ; Yune ZHAO ; Jiangyue ZHAO ; Ayong YU ; Haike GUO ; Yongzhen BAO ; Yongxiang JIANG ; Ce SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(3):204-210
Lens injury is an important etiological factor in the reduction of visual function following ocular trauma.Currently, there are no clear standards for the classification of lens injury, and comprehensive diagnostic tools are lacking.This deficiency leads to numerous controversies and challenges in critical areas, such as diagnosis and preoperative evalution, timing of surgery, surgical strategy, and assessment of postoperative prognosis.Tomographic imaging technology, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography, has introduced a new dimension to the evaluation of lens injury, which is crucial for assessing the transparency, texture, location, morphology, and integrity of the lens, as well as the zonules and nearby intraocular structures.However, the use of tomographic imaging technology is somewhat limited due to the limitations of relying on a single method.With the ongoing advancement of imaging technologies and the rapid development of big data and artificial intelligence, tomographic imaging will become an increasingly essential tool in the future management of lens injury.Our expert group reviewed the epidemiological characteristics and classification of lens injury and the major challenges currently faced in the diagnosis and treatment of lens injury, and provided expert recommendations mainly focusing on the application, shortcomings and limitations of current tomographic imaging technology in the diagnosis and treatment of lens injury, and future development directions.
4.Clinical characteristics analysis of two Chinese siblings with Susac syndrome and literature review
Hui DONG ; Yulan LI ; Xiaoli XU ; Shulei LIU ; Shuyi LIU ; Han XIE ; Yuan WU ; Xingzhi CHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Chen XING ; Chunying GUO ; Jun WANG ; Ye WU ; Xinhua BAO
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(11):856-860
Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestation, therapy, and prognosis of Susac syndrome and enhance the understanding of this disease.Methods:A case summary was made.The clinical data of two siblings with Susac syndrome treated at Children′s Medical Center, Peking University First Hospital in January 2024 were summarized.Reported cases of pediatric Susac syndrome were reviewed.Results:The onset of the disease in the two siblings was at the age of 3.00 and 6.75 years, with recurrent headaches, tinnitus, hearing loss and encephalopathy symptoms.Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple cerebral microbleeding and microinfarction lesions, " snowball like" in the corpus callosum and diffuse white matter edema in the brain.Audiometry revealed sensorineural hearing loss.In one case, ophthalmic fluorescein angiography revealed ischemic changes due to branch retinal artery occlusions.No pathogenic variants were detected in gene testing.This child was diagnosed with Susac syndrome, and the symptoms were improved after treatment with Corticosteroids and Rituximab.No relapse was observed during the 9-month follow-up.A total of 20 pediatric cases of Susac syndrome were retrieved, including 18 reported previously and 2 cases from this study.There were 2 boys and 18 girls, with the age of onset ranging from 2.5 to 17.0 years.The common initial symptoms included headache (19 cases), vertigo and tinnitus or hearing loss (9 cases), and vision impairment or visual field defect (4 cases). The symptoms were improved after immunotherapy.Conclusions:With a low incidence, Susac syndrome is rare in children and difficult to diagnose.There may be a genetic predisposition in such disease.Early diagnosis and immunotherapy can low the relapse and improve the prognosis.
5.Engineered plant extracellular vesicles: Emerging nanoplatforms for combinational cancer immunotherapy.
Fucai CHEN ; Rongrong BAO ; Wanyi YANG ; Yijing LU ; Jiaxin GUO ; Wenjing CHEN ; Jiale LI ; Kuanhan FENG ; Wen ZHANG ; Liuqing DI ; Liang FENG ; Ruoning WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):5663-5701
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), describe a group of nanoparticles released by plants. These particles are characterized by a lipid bilayer structure containing various proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and unique metabolites. Although the study on PDEVs is relatively new, having only been around for ten years, they have shown promising development prospects in both basic research and clinical transformation areas. Evidence suggests that PDEVs have excellent application prospects in regulating inflammation and treating tumors. Their distinctive, vesicle-mimicking architecture and stellar biocompatibility render them prime candidates for ferrying various anti-cancer agents, including RNA, proteins, and conventional chemotherapy drugs. Increasingly, studies have shown that PDEVs can be engineered as an innovative platform for combination cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, this paper provides an extensive summary of current developments in engineering methods and strategies for PDEVs in cancer treatment and combined cancer immune therapeutics. The essential characteristics of PDEVs, including the biogenesis process and components, as well as their anti-tumor activity and mechanism, are summarized. Finally, the in vivo safety of PDEVs as delivery vectors and the challenges of scale-up production and clinical transformation are discussed.
6.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
7.Research progress on the role and mechanism of high mobility group box protein 1 after spinal cord injury
Xin XUE ; Chang-zheng YIN ; Jin-hui CHEN ; Lu-rong HUANG ; Xin ZHENG ; Yi-min LI ; Guo-bao XIAO ; Ping ZHANG ; Jian-hua ZHAO
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):918-923
High mobility group box protein 1(HMGB1)is one of the most widely expressed protein member in the HMGs family,which is well known for its involvement in the body inflammatory response.Previous researches have found that it plays a significant role in cell migration,immune identification and neuroprotection.Spinal cord injury is a disease that causes severe damage to the nervous system,and neural circuits are disrupted after a spinal cord injury,which leads to many conditions including ischemia and hypoxia,inflammatory responses,demyelinating lesions,and glial scar formation that are detrimental to nerve regeneration and repair,making it one of the most difficult diseases to treat in the modern spinal surgery field.HMGB1 is upregulated after spinal cord injury,thereby regulating neuroinflam-matory responses,and participating in the neuronal apoptosis,promoting neuronal regeneration,and inducing neural stem cell differentiation and migration,which plays an important role in the process of neural function recovery.This paper summarizes the structure and function of HMGB1,as well as its role in spinal cord injury,in order to provide direction for founding therapeutic target for neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury.
8.Current status and standardization issues analysis of outcome indicators in randomized controlled trials of treating vascular dementia with acupuncture
Liang BAO ; Xuechun DING ; Zhenfeng ZHANG ; Zhenggang LU ; Chunning LI ; Wenshuai XU ; Qiucheng GUO ; Fei LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(10):1470-1480
Objective To analyze the current status of outcome measures in randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of acupuncture treatment for vascular dementia(VD)and promote the development of a standardized set of outcome measures.Methods Chinese and English literature databases were searched,including the Chinese Medical Periodical Full-Text Database,the Chinese Biology Medicine disc,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Data,VIP Database,PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,MEDLINE,Web of Science,Chinese Clinical Trials Registry,and the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry.Two researchers independently screened RCT literature on acupuncture treatment for VD between January 1,2015 and January 1,2025,risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool.Extract basic study information,intervention measures,diagnostic criteria for both Chinese and Western medicine,TCM syndromes,and outcome measures.Summarize the indicator domains of RCT studies on acupuncture treatment for VD,and analyze the basic information and outcome measures of the included studies.Results A preliminary search identified 2,898 articles,of which 93 RCTs were ultimately included.These studies involved 84 outcome measures,covering six indicator domains:symptoms/signs(23.81%),traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes(3.57%),medical checkups(60.71%),quality of life(5.95%),safety assessment(4.76%),and prognosis follow-up(1.19%).A total of 91(97.85%)RCTs reported treatment duration,ranging from 2 to 24 weeks;72(77.42%)RCTs used clinical efficacy as the outcome indicator;11 studies(11.83%)reported safety assessments and adverse events.Conclusion Currently,the RCT study design for acupuncture treatment of VD lacks unified standards and has numerous methodological issues.These include insufficient description of sample size estimation processes,strong reliance on subjective rating scales,ambiguous definitions of primary and secondary outcome measures,incomplete integration of Chinese and Western medical indicators,and insufficient reflection of individualized syndrome differentiation and treatment characteristics.In addition,safety assessments and follow-up mechanisms remain relatively weak.Future research should focus on the essential nature of VD,establish a core set of indicators aligned with the clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine,promote the scientific and standardized development of acupuncture research for VD,and provide more compelling evidence-based support for clinical practice.
9.Research Progress on Programmed Cell Death in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia
Yi LIANG ; Chou DING ; Jing-yao GUO ; Xu ZHOU ; Bao-qing ZHANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(10):1750-1760
Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)was a respiratory disease caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP),with a complex and diverse pathogenesis involving multiple modes of cell death.Recent studies showed that programmed cell death(PCD)was associated with MPP.PCD includes cell apoptosis,necrotic apoptosis,autophagy,pyroptosis,extracellular capture network,iron death,and copper death.Therefore,it was of great significance to have a deep understanding of various PCD mechanisms and their relationship with MMP,and to analyze the role of PCD in the occurrence and development mechanism of MMP.This article aims to elucidate the latest developments in PCD research in MPP,to analyze the specific role of PCD in disease progression,and to explore their potential as therapeutic targets.In order to provide theoretical basis and practical direction for optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of MPP,and also to indicate the direction for the development of new target drugs.
10.New insights and research directions of tomographic imaging technology in the diagnosis and treatment of lens trauma
Wen XU ; Geng WANG ; Yong WANG ; Xuemin LI ; Guangbin ZHANG ; Xiangjia ZHU ; Haiying JIN ; Lixia LUO ; Wei FAN ; Yune ZHAO ; Jiangyue ZHAO ; Ayong YU ; Haike GUO ; Yongzhen BAO ; Yongxiang JIANG ; Ce SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(3):204-210
Lens injury is an important etiological factor in the reduction of visual function following ocular trauma.Currently, there are no clear standards for the classification of lens injury, and comprehensive diagnostic tools are lacking.This deficiency leads to numerous controversies and challenges in critical areas, such as diagnosis and preoperative evalution, timing of surgery, surgical strategy, and assessment of postoperative prognosis.Tomographic imaging technology, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography, has introduced a new dimension to the evaluation of lens injury, which is crucial for assessing the transparency, texture, location, morphology, and integrity of the lens, as well as the zonules and nearby intraocular structures.However, the use of tomographic imaging technology is somewhat limited due to the limitations of relying on a single method.With the ongoing advancement of imaging technologies and the rapid development of big data and artificial intelligence, tomographic imaging will become an increasingly essential tool in the future management of lens injury.Our expert group reviewed the epidemiological characteristics and classification of lens injury and the major challenges currently faced in the diagnosis and treatment of lens injury, and provided expert recommendations mainly focusing on the application, shortcomings and limitations of current tomographic imaging technology in the diagnosis and treatment of lens injury, and future development directions.

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