1.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
2.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
3.Application of Recombinant Collagen in Biomedicine
Huan HU ; Hong ZHANG ; Jian WANG ; Li-Wen WANG ; Qian LIU ; Ning-Wen CHENG ; Xin-Yue ZHANG ; Yun-Lan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):395-416
Collagen is a major structural protein in the matrix of animal cells and the most widely distributed and abundant functional protein in mammals. Collagen’s good biocompatibility, biodegradability and biological activity make it a very valuable biomaterial. According to the source of collagen, it can be broadly categorized into two types: one is animal collagen; the other is recombinant collagen. Animal collagen is mainly extracted and purified from animal connective tissues by chemical methods, such as acid, alkali and enzyme methods, etc. Recombinant collagen refers to collagen produced by gene splicing technology, where the amino acid sequence is first designed and improved according to one’s own needs, and the gene sequence of improved recombinant collagen is highly consistent with that of human beings, and then the designed gene sequence is cloned into the appropriate vector, and then transferred to the appropriate expression vector. The designed gene sequence is cloned into a suitable vector, and then transferred to a suitable expression system for full expression, and finally the target protein is obtained by extraction and purification technology. Recombinant collagen has excellent histocompatibility and water solubility, can be directly absorbed by the human body and participate in the construction of collagen, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, cell growth, wound healing and site filling, etc., which has demonstrated significant effects, and has become the focus of the development of modern biomedical materials. This paper firstly elaborates the structure, type, and tissue distribution of human collagen, as well as the associated genetic diseases of different types of collagen, then introduces the specific process of producing animal source collagen and recombinant collagen, explains the advantages of recombinant collagen production method, and then introduces the various systems of expressing recombinant collagen, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, and finally briefly introduces the application of animal collagen, focusing on the use of animal collagen in the development of biopharmaceutical materials. In terms of application, it focuses on the use of animal disease models exploring the application effects of recombinant collagen in wound hemostasis, wound repair, corneal therapy, female pelvic floor dysfunction (FPFD), vaginal atrophy (VA) and vaginal dryness, thin endometritis (TE), chronic endometritis (CE), bone tissue regeneration in vivo, cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer (BC) and anti-aging. The mechanism of action of recombinant collagen in the treatment of FPFD and CE was introduced, and the clinical application and curative effect of recombinant collagen in skin burn, skin wound, dermatitis, acne and menopausal urogenital syndrome (GSM) were summarized. From the exploratory studies and clinical applications, it is evident that recombinant collagen has demonstrated surprising effects in the treatment of all types of diseases, such as reducing inflammation, promoting cell proliferation, migration and adhesion, increasing collagen deposition, and remodeling the extracellular matrix. At the end of the review, the challenges faced by recombinant collagen are summarized: to develop new recombinant collagen types and dosage forms, to explore the mechanism of action of recombinant collagen, and to provide an outlook for the future development and application of recombinant collagen.
4.Effect of multi-mode pre-rehabilitation on patients undergoing Jinling procedure
Li-Yun LI ; Yang YANG ; Xiang-Hong YE ; Ting SUN ; Fei-Long GUO ; Jia-Huan LIU ; Cui-Li WU
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(3):165-170
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of multimodal prehabilitation in patients with refractory functional constipation undergoing Jinling procedure(modified Duhamel surgery).Methods:In this prospective randomized controlled trial,80 patients with refractory functional constipation scheduled for Jinling procedure at the Department of General Surgery,the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command between January 2020 and December 2021 were enrolled.Participants were randomly assigned to either the observation group(n=40,multimodal prehabilitation)or control group(n=40,routine nursing care).Outcome measures included:time to first flatus,time to first ambulation,defecation volume on postoperative day 5,length of hospitalization,nutritional markers(hemoglobin,albumin,total protein at postoperative day 7),anxiety/depression scores(Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale,HADS),and total complication rates.Results:Compared to controls,the first ventilation time(48.02±6.15)h,first ambulation time(49.92±5.58)h,defecation volume on the fifth day(234.50±51.03)mL,hospital stay(13.15±2.64)d,anxiety score(43.68±3.45)points,depression score(43.81±1.58)points,and the total incidence of postoperative complications(15%)were significantly lower in the observation group(all p values<0.05).By contrast,the serum levels of hemoglobin(115.60±11.60)g/l,albumin(41.19±5.79)g/L and total protein(61.64±4.94)g/L on day 7 post-operatively were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Multimodal prehabilitation enhances postoperative intestinal recovery,reduces complications,improves nutritional status,and shortens hospital stays in refractory functional constipation patients undergoing Jinling procedure,supporting its clinical adoption.
5.Honey-processed Hedysari Radix regulating the colon of spleen qi deficiency rats study on the GPR41/GPR43 mediated mitogen-activated protein kinases signal pathway
Er-dan XIN ; Guo-feng LI ; Tian-tian BIAN ; Yu-gui ZHANG ; Fei-yun GAO ; Ting LIU ; Zhuan-hong ZHANG ; Yue-feng LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(2):215-219
Objective To explore the mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix in the regulation of intestinal immunity in rats with spleen qi deficiency,which was based on G protein-coupled receptor 41(GPR41)/GPR43-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Methods The three-factor composite modeling method of eating disorder,diarrhea and fatigue was used to establish a model of spleen qi deficiency,and the rats were randomly divided into model,honey-processed Hedysari Radix,probiotics and blank groups with 15 rats per group.The honey-processed Hedysari Radix group was given by gavage 12.6 g·kg-1 aqueous extract of honey-processed Hedysari Radix.The probiotics group was given 0.625 g·kg-1 bifidobacterium triple viable solution by gavage.The blank and model groups were given the same dose of distilled water by gavage.Four groups were treated for 15 d with once a day.The expression levels of GPR41,GPR43,P38 MAPK,c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)and extracellular regulatory protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in colon tissues were detected by Western blotting.Results The relative expression levels of GPR41 in the blank,model,honey-processed Hedysari Radix and probiotics groups were 0.95±0.07,0.45±0.03,0.84±0.19 and 0.86±0.20;the relative expression levels of GPR43 were 1.17±0.11,0.41±0.06,0.66±0.03 and 0.57±0.01;the phosphorylated ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratios were 0.16±0.01,0.43±0.01,0.39±0.01 and 0.36±0.02;the phosphorylated JNK/JNK ratios were 0.58±0.05,1.47±0.10,0.90±0.11 and 0.90±0.11;the phosphorylated P38 MAPK/P38 MAPK ratios were 1.77±0.33,3.19±0.03,2.01±0.17 and 2.23±0.59,respectively.Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes were statistically significant in the honey-processed Hedysari Radix and probiotics groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion The mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix regulating intestinal immunity in rats with spleen qi deficiency is related to the regulation of GPR41/GPR43 mediated MAPK signaling pathway.
6.Construction of a Clinical Early Warning Model for Bladder Spasm Occurred after TURP in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Based on LASSO Regression
Hong-jin WANG ; Xiao-yun WU ; Yun-fang LIU ; Qing-na CUI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(19):3091-3097
Objective:To construct a clinical early warning model for bladder spasm occurred after transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP)in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)based on LASSO regression.Methods:The clinical data of 139 patients with BPH who underwent TURP treatment in Yellow River Sanmenxia Hospital from January 2022 to June 2024 were prospectively selected,and they were divided into spasm group(39 cases)and non-spasm group(100 cases)according to whether bladder spasm occurred after surgery.The characteristics of bladder spasm occurred after TURP in patients with BPH were statistically analyzed,and the general data between the two groups were compared.LASSO regression was used to screen the characteristic variables related to bladder spasm occurred after TURP,multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of bladder spasm after TURP.The prediction model of bladder spasm after TURP was constructed,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the efficacy of the prediction model.Results:The incidence of bladder spasm after TURP was 28.06%.There were significant differences in age,history of diabetes,operation time,temperature of irrigating fluid,traction tension of urinary catheter,prostate volume and postoperative hospital stay between non-spasm group and spasm group(P<0.05).LASSO regression showed that operation time,age,traction tension of urinary catheter,temperature of irrigating fluid,history of diabetes were important characteristics of bladder spasm occurred after TURP.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that old age,history of diabetes and long operation time were independent risk factors of bladder spasm occurred after TURP(P<0.05).ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the risk prediction model for bladder spasm occurred after TURP was 0.885(95%CI:0.752-0.921).Conclusions:Old age,history of diabetes and long operation time are independent risk factors of bladder spasm occurred after TURP,the clinical warning model based on LASSO regression has a certain value in predicting the risk for bladder spasm occurred after TURP,which helps to identify high-risk patients early.
7.The effects and mechanisms of chlorogenic acid on neutrophil function and neutrophil extracellular traps formation
Yun YANG ; Ya LIU ; Cui WANG ; Chun-hong PENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):101-107
Aim To investigating the effects and mech-anisms of chlorogenic acid(CGA)on neutrophil(NEU)function and the formation of neutrophil extra-cellular traps(NETs).Methods NEU was isolated and purified from mouse bone marrow by using density gradient centrifugation method;NEU were cultivated with CGA,and the suitable concentration of CGA with NEU were explored through CCK-8 method;To observ-ing the impact of CGA on the function of NEU,we measured the migration ability of NEU,and the levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO),neutrophil elastase(NE),and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9);The histone H3 of NETs and the DNA skeleton of NEU were stained with immunofluorescence,and the cell-free DNA(cf-DNA)released by NEU was detected to ob-serve the structure of NETs;In addition,the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)were also examined to determine whether CGA affects the production of ROS during the release of NETs from NEU.Results There was a significant inhibitory effect on the activity of NEU at a concentration of 100,200,400 μmol·L-1 of CGA(P<0.01);When compared with the blank group,the effects of CGA(100,200,400 μmol·L-1)on the migration ability of NEU and the ability to se-crete MPO,NE,and MMP-9 were increased(P<0.05),the release of histone H3,DNA backbone and cf-DNA was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the ROS produced by the cells was also significantly in-creased(P<0.01).And the above effects are concen-tration-dependent within a certain range.Conclusion CGA can enhance the function of NEU and promote the formation of NETs,which may be related to the in-crease of intracellular ROS levels.
8.Potential value of HPV integration testing in a triage management for HPV-positive women
Jingjing LI ; Wenyan GUAN ; Chengzhuo CHU ; Yiqiang CHEN ; Siyuan LIU ; Guanghao PENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Qiao WENG ; Ying HONG ; Yun GU
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;60(10):788-797
Objective:To investigate the dynamic characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) genomic integration during cervical lesion progression and the clinical value of HPV integration detection in stratify HPV-positive women, and to explore its molecular mechanisms in cervical carcinogenesis.Methods:A prospective cohort study was designed to enroll high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) positive women who underwent cervical cancer screening in Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School and Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from July 2022 to July 2024. Cervical exfoliated cells samples were collected, and HPV whole genome targeted capture and high-throughput sequencing technology were used. The HPV integration patterns, host gene functional region distribution and pathway enrichment characteristics of 157 samples with different cervical lesions grades were analyzed, including 31 cases of normal cervix, 40 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ, 32 cases of CIN Ⅱ, 42 cases of CIN Ⅲ, and 12 cases of cervical cancer.Results:HR-HPV integration was detected in 80.2% (126/157) of the 157 HR-HPV positive samples. The incidence of HR-HPV integration in cervical cancer patients was 12/12, which was higher than that in normal women (77%, 24/31). The incidence of HPV16 integration was significantly higher in high-grade lesions, and the incidence of HPV16 integration was 43% (18/42) in CIN Ⅲ patients and 8/12 in cervical cancer patients ( P<0.001). A total of 14 438 integration events were detected in 126 samples with HPV integration. The integration sites were mainly distributed in the host intergenic region (51.0%, 7 359/14 438) and intronic region (38.1%, 5 494/14 438), and the integration frequency of viral L1 gene was the highest (28.4%, 4 498/16 781). Functional enrichment analysis showed that HPV integration-related host genes were significantly enriched in transport of small molecules,cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway, and purine ribonucleotide biosynthetic process, which synergistically drove carcinogenesis through multiple mechanisms. Conclusions:HPV integration events are significantly associated with the progression of cervical lesions. HPV integrated detection based on cervical exfoliated cells is expected to optimize the current screening strategy, reduce excessive intervention of HPV positive women and facilitate their accurate triage management.
9.The therapeutic effects of newly formulated Tadalafil tablets on rats with pulmonary fibrosis through promoting histone acetylation
Xiao-qing LIU ; Jie GAO ; Yu-heng LIAO ; Jia-xiu LEI ; Zheng-gang ZHAO ; Fang-hong LI ; Yun-ping MU ; Zi-jian ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2143-2150
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of a newly developed Tadalafil tablet on pulmonary fi-brosis induced by paraquat(PQ)in rats,as well as its impact on histone acetylation levels in epithelial cells.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:the control group(control),the model group(PQ),the Tadalafil new tablet treatment group(N-Tad,1 mg·kg-1),and the positive control drug treatment group(Cialis,5 mg·kg-1).The model group and treatment group rats were intraperitoneally injected with PQ(30 mg·kg-1).Two hours after the initial treatment,the rats in the treatment group re-ceived N-Tad or Cialis via gavage,while the control and model groups were administered an equal volume of physiological saline by gavage once daily for 28 days.The weight gain rate and lung tissue index for each group of rats were calculated.Additionally,the effects of N-Tad treatment on lung tissue structural damage and collagen deposition in rats with PQ-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis were observed using HE stai-ning,Masson trichrome staining,and immunohisto-chemical techniques.By employing the Western blot technique,the effects of Tadalafil intervention on the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin(E-Cad),the stromal marker fibronectin(Fn),and the histone acetylation marker acetylated histones(Ac-his-tones)in A549 cells were observed.Results Com-pared to the control group,rats with PQ-induced pul-monary fibrosis exhibited a significant decrease in the rate of body weight growth,an increase in lung tissue index(P<0.05),and a notable increase in the expression and distribution of the fibrosis marker alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in lung tissue.The structure of the lung tissue was disrupted,accompanied by the deposition of interstitial collagen fibers.Both N-Tad and Cialis treatments could significantly enhance the rate of weight gain,decrease the lung tissue index,inhibit the expression of α-SMA,and reduce the depo-sition of interstitial collagen in the lung tissue of rats with pulmonary fibrosis.Notably,low-dose N-Tad treatment was comparable to high-dose Cialis treat-ment.At the cellular level,Tadalafil significantly in-hibited the high expression of Fn induced by transfor-ming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)in A549 cells.It also upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and sig-nificantly increased the levels of acetylated histones(P<0.05).Conclusions N-Tad promotes histone acetylation in alveolar epithelial cells,significantly in-hibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition,increases E-cadherin expression,and improves lung tissue structur-al damage and collagen deposition caused by PQ.Ad-ditionally,it offers the advantage of a lower effective dose compared to Cialis,providing a new option for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
10.Newly formulated Tadalafil tablets alleviates liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells
Wen-bin FENG ; Jian-qin YANG ; Li-mei LI ; Jia-xiu LEI ; Fan LIU ; Zi-jian ZHAO ; Yun-ping MU ; Fang-hong LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):290-297
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of newly formulated Tadalafil tablets on liver fibrosis in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)and its impact on the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).Methods Liver fibrosis model was estab-lished by intraperitoneally injecting 20%CCl4 corn oil solution twice a week for eight weeks.After four weeks of modeling,the treatment group was administered ei-ther the newly formulated Tadalafil tablets(1.0 mg·kg-1)or the Cialis(2.5 mg·kg-1)via gavage for the remaining four weeks.We assessed the effects of Tadalafil on collagen deposition,tissue structural dam-age,and HSCs activation markers in the fibrotic liver of mice using serum biochemical analysis,histopathologi-cal staining,and Western blotting following the treat-ment period.LX-2 cells were cultured and treated with tadalafil after TGF β1 stimulation,and the effects of tadalafil on LX-2 cell activation were assessed via Western blot.Results Compared to the normal mice,the model group mice exhibited a significantly higher liver-specific index,increased liver function indicators,and notable hepatocyte necrosis.Additionally,liver lobules were damaged,accompanied by severe infiltra-tion of inflammatory cells.Both smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and fibronectin(Fn)were elevated,serving as markers of HSCs activation.As a result of treatment with the newly formulated Tadalafil tablets,liver tissue damage was significantly reduced,transaminase levels decreased,necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced,and collagen fiber deposition was allevia-ted,and α-SMA and Fn expression was reduced.It was worth noting that low-dose newly formulated Tadalafil tablets were found to be as effective as high-dose Cia-lis.In a cellular model,Tadalafil significantly inhibited the activation of LX-2 cells and reduced the expression of proteins related to cell activation.Conclusions The newly formulated Tadalafil tablets can significantly inhibit HSCs activation,reduce extracellular matrix(ECM)deposition,improve liver fibrosis and liver function damage caused by CCl4.This new formulation offers a significant advantage over Cialis in terms of ef-fectiveness,with a lower effective dose.

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