1.Effects of Modified Buyang Huanwu Tang on Mice with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Regulating PINK1/Parkin Signaling Pathway-mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy
Li GUO ; Hengwen CHEN ; Cun ZHAN ; Zhenzhen YING ; Zuomin WU ; Shaoju JIN ; Shangmei CAO ; Shengming HUANG ; Jin WANG ; Xiaotao YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):34-43
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modified Buyang Huanwu Tang on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) in mice via the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1/E3 ubiquitin ligase (PINK1/Parkin) signaling pathway-mediated mitophagy, and to explore the underlying mechanism by which modified Buyang Huanwu Tang improves CI/RI. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12 per group): Sham-operated group, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose modified Buyang Huanwu Tang groups (8.84, 17.68, 35.36 g·kg-1·d-1), and an aspirin group (13.00 mg·kg-1·d-1). Neurological deficit scores were assessed using the Zea-Longa method. Cerebral infarct volume ratio was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological changes and neuronal injury in brain tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Mitochondrial ultrastructure in brain tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B, LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ), and p62 in brain tissues were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group, the MCAO/R model group showed significantly increased neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarct volume ratios (P<0.01). Severe cortical injury on the infarct side was observed, characterized by decreased neuronal density, cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, a marked reduction in Nissl bodies, dissolution of Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm of some pyramidal neurons, and blurred cellular boundaries. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased significantly (P<0.01). Mitochondria exhibited cristae membrane rupture and matrix vacuolation, with rupture of the outer mitochondrial membrane and formation of autophagosomes, the number of which increased significantly. Serum SOD activity decreased significantly (P<0.01), while MDA content increased significantly (P<0.01). In infarcted brain tissues of model mice, the relative mRNA expression and protein levels of PINK1, Parkin and LC3B were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), whereas p62 mRNA and protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), showing statistical significance. Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed significantly decreased neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarct volume ratios (P<0.01). Neuronal density increased significantly, cytoplasmic vacuolation was alleviated, nuclear morphology tended to be more regular and clearer, Nissl body density increased significantly with reduced dissolution and improved contour clarity. The mitochondrial cristae structure was partially restored, with some mitochondria showing autophagosome encapsulation, and the degree of mitochondrial damage was alleviated. Serum SOD activity increased significantly (P<0.01), while MDA content decreased significantly. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while p62 mRNA and protein expression in the low- and medium-dose modified Buyang Huanwu Tang groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), showing statistical significance. ConclusionModified Buyang Huanwu Tang can upregulate the protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and downregulate p62 protein expression, suggesting that it may improve CI/RI by regulating the expression of proteins related to the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway. Regulation of the mitophagy pathway may be one of the mechanisms by which modified Buyang Huanwu Tang alleviates CI/RI in mice.
2.Harnessing Machine Learning for Personalized Care of Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Yen-Ting GUO ; Ching-Ting TAN ; Chen-Chi WU ; Chun-Ying WANG ; Chein-Yu HUANG ; Tzu-Hsiang YANG ; Ting-Yi LEE ; Ting-Hua YANG ; Tien-Chen LIU ; Pey-Yu CHEN ; Pei-Hsuan LIN
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(2):194-204
Objectives:
. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a significant cause of hearing loss. Intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) is commonly used as an initial or salvage treatment; however, the lack of a standardized treatment protocol has resulted in variability in clinical practice. In addition, no efficient prediction model currently exists to support personalized management. Therefore, this study aimed to develop tailored management strategies for ISSNHL using a machine-learning model.
Methods:
. This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2020, with data analysis performed between January 2021 and March 2024. Patients were selected based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria for ISSNHL, along with relevant medication and procedure codes. Patients with pure-tone audiogram results not meeting ISSNHL criteria, better initial hearing in the affected ear, an identifiable etiology, no post-treatment audiogram, or delayed treatment (>6 weeks) were excluded. We included 770 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who received ITSI. The primary outcome was the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction performance. Recovery status was determined using the last pure-tone audiogram. Modeling was conducted on the Quanta for Medical Care AI platform using five machine-learning algorithms and a nested cross-validation framework, in which feature selection and hyperparameter tuning were performed in the inner folds and model performance was evaluated in the outer folds.
Results:
. A random forest classifier outperformed the other models in predicting hearing outcomes, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.788. Time to ITSI was the most influential treatment-related factor, with ITSI administered within 10 days of hearing loss being associated with better outcomes. This model can be used to provide personalized prognostic estimates under different treatment protocols.
Conclusion
. The machine-learning-based prediction model facilitates personalized treatment strategies and timely treatment adjustments for ISSNHL, thereby optimizing the likelihood of complete recovery.
3.Morphological identification of Lispe pumila (Diptera: Muscidae)
Shun-fang HUANG ; Ying SU ; Zi-dong CHENG ; Guo-sheng LIAN ; Ming-jian KE
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):141-143
In March 2024, three male and two female specimens of the genus Lispe were intercepted on cargo ships inbound for Wan Zai Port under Gongbei Customs. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis, the specimens were identified as Lispe pumila. In this study, we describe the morphological features, diagnostic characteristics, and geographical distribution of L. pumila, with the aim of providing a reference for the identification of this species when intercepted at ports.
4.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
5.Toosendanin enhances the efficacy of cytosine arabinoside against acute myeloid leukemia by regulating autophagy via the mTORC1 signaling pathway
Xianfeng OUYANG ; Jianhua KANG ; Ying GUO ; Yan HUANG ; Wei JIANG ; Jianguo YAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(17):2264-2271
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of toosendanin in enhancing the antileukemic activity of cytosine arabinoside against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway.METHODS Female NSG immunodeficient mice were used to establish an AML model via a single γ-ray irradiation followed by a single tail-vein injection of a U937 cell suspension. The effects of cytosine arabinoside (2.5 mg/kg), toosendanin (1.0 mg/kg), and cytosine arabinoside+toosendanin (2.5 mg/kg+1.0 mg/kg) on body weight, survival time, peripheral blood routine indicators, histopathological morphology, and the expressions of autophagy-related proteins were explored. Using U937 cells as the subject, the effects of cytosine arabinoside (1 μmol/L), toosendanin (160 nmol/L), and cytosine arabinoside+toosendanin (1 μmol/L+160 nmol/L) on the expressions of autophagy-related proteins, mTORC1 signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNAs were investigated. The targeting relationship between toosendanin and the selective autophagy ligand 1 (also known as p62) was validated, and the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, as well as molecular docking, were performed. A p62 -knockdown U937 stable cell line was constructed, and the underlying mechanism of toosendanin-induced sensitization was verified.RESULTS Animal experiments confirmed that the combination of toosendanin and cytosine arabinoside significantly improved body weight, survival time and peripheral blood routine indicators in AML mice ( P <0.05), alleviated pathological changes such as leukemic cell infiltration and focal necrosis in bone marrow, liver, and spleen tissues, and modulated the expressions of autophagy-related proteins. Cell experiments confirmed that toosendanin could reverse cytosine arabinoside-induced activation of the autophagy cascade (manifested by downregulation of the protein expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B and Beclin-1, upregulation the protein expression of p62), and might inhibit the expression of the downstream Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) complex (including ULK1, ULK2, autophagy-related protein 13, and FAK family interacting protein of 200 kDa) by activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway ( P <0.05). The sensitizing effect of toosendanin was associated with the inhibition of autophagy and the regulation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway; it could stably bind to p62 via hydrophobic interactions. Mechanism verification experiments indicated that upon p62 knockdown, toosendanin was no longer able to activate the mTORC1 signaling pathway or inhibit autophagy.CONCLUSIONS Toosendanin may enhance chemo-sensitivity of AML cells to cytosine arabinoside by directly targeting the p62 protein, which subsequently activates the mTORC1 signaling pathway, and thereby suppresses cytosine arabinoside-induced protective autophagy.
6.Exploring Mechanism of Luoshi Neiyi Prescription in Treating Endometriosis Based on Ferroptosis and Serum Metabolomics
Haixia PAN ; Yingqiao ZHONG ; Ting MAO ; Ziyi DENG ; Meilin WU ; Lei HUANG ; Siyang CHEN ; Yong GUO ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):201-212
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Luoshi Neiyi prescription treats endometriosis (EMs) through regulating ferroptosis, and to screen key metabolites and analyze their association with ferroptosis. MethodsClinical samples of normal endometrium from patients without EMs and eutopic and ectopic endometrium from EMs patients (10 cases each) were collected and divided into control group, eutopic group, and EMs group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ectopic lesions of EMs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), GPX4 and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues, as well as serum levels of Fe2+, GPX4 and GSH. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor (TFR) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In the in vitro experiment, primary stromal cells were isolated from ectopic lesions of EMs patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum for intervention. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured, and Real-time PCR was applied to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. In the animal experiments, an EM rat model was established, and the rats were randomly assigned to the sham operation group, EMs group, low-dose Luoshi Neiyi Formula group (7.87 g·kg-1), high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription group (15.74 g·kg-1), and danazol group (42 mg·kg-1). Untargeted metabolomics detection and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on serum samples from patients and rats. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between differential metabolites and ferroptosis indicators. The correlations between differential metabolites in patient endometrium and serum and key ferroptosis indicators (GPX4, Fe2+, MDA, GSH) as well as ferroptosis-related mRNAs (GPX4, SLC7A11, FTH1) were analyzed, and correlation heatmaps were generated accordingly. ResultsCompared with normal eutopic endometrium, ectopic lesions in EMs patients showed glandular disorganization and stromal fibrosis. In ectopic endometrium, the contents of MDA, ROS, and Fe2+ decreased, while GPX4 level increased, and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). In serum, the levels of GPX4 and Fe2+ were elevated, whereas the GSH level declined, suggesting abnormalities in ferroptosis-related pathways in ectopic lesions (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Luoshi Neiyi prescription-containing serum, the intracellular ROS level in ectopic endometrial stromal cells was elevated, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated, and TFR mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis revealed 1104 and 198 differential metabolites in EMs patients and EMs rats, respectively, compared with their corresponding control groups, and both low-dose and high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription were found to regulate this metabolic disturbance, with the core regulatory pathways mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the glycerophospholipids including PI(16∶0/17∶0) and PI[18∶2(9Z,12Z)] were negatively correlated with GPX4 and positively correlated with MDA, while 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was positively correlated with GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 q<0.05). ConclusionLuoshi Neiyi prescription may systematically ameliorate disease-associated metabolic dysregulation via modulation of the serum arginine and proline metabolism pathway, and may regulate ferroptosis in ectopic lesions through a mechanism potentially linked to the serum glycerophospholipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Luoshi Neiyi prescription.
7.Exploring Mechanism of Luoshi Neiyi Prescription in Treating Endometriosis Based on Ferroptosis and Serum Metabolomics
Haixia PAN ; Yingqiao ZHONG ; Ting MAO ; Ziyi DENG ; Meilin WU ; Lei HUANG ; Siyang CHEN ; Yong GUO ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):201-212
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Luoshi Neiyi prescription treats endometriosis (EMs) through regulating ferroptosis, and to screen key metabolites and analyze their association with ferroptosis. MethodsClinical samples of normal endometrium from patients without EMs and eutopic and ectopic endometrium from EMs patients (10 cases each) were collected and divided into control group, eutopic group, and EMs group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe ectopic lesions of EMs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), GPX4 and glutathione (GSH) in endometrial tissues, as well as serum levels of Fe2+, GPX4 and GSH. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, transferrin receptor (TFR) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). In the in vitro experiment, primary stromal cells were isolated from ectopic lesions of EMs patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the optimal concentration of drug-containing serum for intervention. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured, and Real-time PCR was applied to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. In the animal experiments, an EM rat model was established, and the rats were randomly assigned to the sham operation group, EMs group, low-dose Luoshi Neiyi Formula group (7.87 g·kg-1), high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription group (15.74 g·kg-1), and danazol group (42 mg·kg-1). Untargeted metabolomics detection and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted on serum samples from patients and rats. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between differential metabolites and ferroptosis indicators. The correlations between differential metabolites in patient endometrium and serum and key ferroptosis indicators (GPX4, Fe2+, MDA, GSH) as well as ferroptosis-related mRNAs (GPX4, SLC7A11, FTH1) were analyzed, and correlation heatmaps were generated accordingly. ResultsCompared with normal eutopic endometrium, ectopic lesions in EMs patients showed glandular disorganization and stromal fibrosis. In ectopic endometrium, the contents of MDA, ROS, and Fe2+ decreased, while GPX4 level increased, and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). In serum, the levels of GPX4 and Fe2+ were elevated, whereas the GSH level declined, suggesting abnormalities in ferroptosis-related pathways in ectopic lesions (P<0.05, P<0.01). After intervention with Luoshi Neiyi prescription-containing serum, the intracellular ROS level in ectopic endometrial stromal cells was elevated, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 was downregulated, and TFR mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis revealed 1104 and 198 differential metabolites in EMs patients and EMs rats, respectively, compared with their corresponding control groups, and both low-dose and high-dose Luoshi Neiyi prescription were found to regulate this metabolic disturbance, with the core regulatory pathways mainly involving arginine and proline metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that the glycerophospholipids including PI(16∶0/17∶0) and PI[18∶2(9Z,12Z)] were negatively correlated with GPX4 and positively correlated with MDA, while 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was positively correlated with GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 q<0.05). ConclusionLuoshi Neiyi prescription may systematically ameliorate disease-associated metabolic dysregulation via modulation of the serum arginine and proline metabolism pathway, and may regulate ferroptosis in ectopic lesions through a mechanism potentially linked to the serum glycerophospholipid and steroid metabolism pathways. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Luoshi Neiyi prescription.
8.Treadmill Exercise Attenuates Hippocampal Neuroinflammation and Ameliorates Cognitive Dysfunction in Methamphetamine-Addicted Mice: Transcriptomic Screening Identifies NLRC5 as a Candidate Molecule
Guo-Si YING ; Qiu-Yue HUANG ; Ji-Sheng XU ; Xue-Jie ZHANG ; Ya-Rui DANG ; Xue LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2820-2834
ObjectiveTreadmill exercise intervention was evaluated for its effects on addictive behavior, learning and memory, and hippocampal neuroinflammation in methamphetamine (MA)-addicted mice, and transcriptomic screening was performed to identify candidate molecules involved in exercise-mediated attenuation of MA-related neuronal injury. MethodsTwo-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control (C), exercise control (CE), methamphetamine (M), and methamphetamine plus exercise (ME). Mice in the M and ME groups received intraperitoneal injections of MA (1 mg/kg) once daily for 7 consecutive days to establish the addiction model, whereas mice in the C and CE groups received equal volumes of saline. Subsequently, mice in the CE and ME groups underwent treadmill exercise at 12 m/min for 60 min/d for 2 weeks. Conditioned place preference (CPP), the Y-maze, and the Morris water maze (MWM) were used to assess addictive behavior, spatial recognition memory, and spatial learning and memory, respectively. Hippocampal neuronal ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and microglia-related responses were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining for ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) in the hippocampal CA1 region. Previously generated and publicly available RNA-seq data from brain tissue of the C, M, and ME groups were reanalyzed, with three biological samples per group. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were re-screened using the criteria of P<0.05 and fold change>1.5 or <0.67, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (Nlrc5) was further validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of NLRC5, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‑κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin. ResultsTreadmill exercise significantly attenuated MA-induced conditioned place preference and improved learning and memory performance in both the Y-maze and MWM tests. Exercise increased exploration time and distance in the novel arm of the Y-maze, shortened escape latency, and increased the number of platform crossings in the MWM. Average swimming speed during the probe trial did not differ significantly among groups, suggesting that the MWM differences were not attributable to obvious differences in swimming performance. TEM revealed that MA exposure induced mitochondrial swelling, disrupted cristae, reduced organelle abundance, and nuclear envelope abnormalities in hippocampal neurons, whereas these ultrastructural changes were alleviated after exercise. Immunofluorescence staining showed that MA increased Iba-1 fluorescence intensity in the hippocampal CA1 region, while treadmill exercise significantly reduced this change. Transcriptomic analysis identified 160 DEGs associated with MA exposure and 58 DEGs associated with exercise intervention, with 9 overlapping DEGs. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MA-related DEGs were enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Among the overlapping DEGs, Nlrc5, which was downregulated after MA exposure and restored following exercise intervention, was selected as a candidate gene for further validation. RT-qPCR confirmed that treadmill exercise reversed the MA-induced decrease in Nlrc5 mRNA expression. Western blot analysis further showed that treadmill exercise increased NLRC5, PSD-95, and synaptophysin protein expression while reducing NF-κB and IL-1β expression. ConclusionTwo weeks of treadmill exercise attenuated MA-induced conditioned place preference and ameliorated learning and memory impairment, alleviated hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuronal ultrastructural damage, and restored the expression of synapse-related proteins. Transcriptomic screening combined with molecular validation demonstrated that exercise intervention was accompanied by restoration of NLRC5 expression, reduced NF‑κB and IL-1β expression, and increased PSD-95 and synaptophysin expression. These findings suggest that NLRC5 may represent a candidate molecule involved in exercise-mediated amelioration of MA-related neuronal injury. However, the present results mainly demonstrate coordinated changes in NLRC5 expression, inflammatory indicators, and cognitive outcomes rather than a direct causal relationship, and the specific role of NLRC5 requires further functional validation.
9.NAT10 inhibition alleviates astrocyte autophagy by impeding ac4C acetylation of Timp1 mRNA in ischemic stroke.
Li YANG ; Xiaotong LI ; Yaxuan ZHAO ; Hao CHEN ; Can WANG ; Angrong WU ; Xintong GUO ; Yue HUANG ; Qihui WANG ; Lingyun HAO ; Xiaowen LI ; Ying JI ; Jin BAN ; Guangtian WANG ; Junli CAO ; Zhiqiang PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2575-2592
Although a single nucleotide polymorphism for N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified in patients with early-onset stroke, the role of NAT10 in ischemic injury and the related underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that NAT10, the only known RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification "writer", is increased in the damaged cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke and the peri-infarct cortex of mice subjected to photothrombotic (PT) stroke. Pharmacological inhibition of NAT10 with remodelin on Days 3-7 post-stroke or astrocytic depletion of NAT10 via targeted virus attenuates ischemia-induced infarction and improves functional recovery in PT mice. Mechanistically, NAT10 enhances ac4C acetylation of the inflammatory cytokine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) mRNA transcript, which increases TIMP1 expression and results in the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and progression of astrocyte autophagy. These findings demonstrate that NAT10 regulates astrocyte autophagy by targeting Timp1 ac4C after stroke. This study highlights the critical role of ac4C in the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and proposes a promising strategy to improve post-stroke outcomes via NAT10 inhibition.
10.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.


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