1.eIF3a function in immunity and protection against severe sepsis by regulating B cell quantity and function through m6A modification.
Qianying OUYANG ; Jiajia CUI ; Yang WANG ; Ke LIU ; Yan ZHAN ; Wei ZHUO ; Juan CHEN ; Honghao ZHOU ; Chenhui LUO ; Jianming XIA ; Liansheng WANG ; Chengxian GUO ; Jianting ZHANG ; Zhaoqian LIU ; Jiye YIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1571-1588
eIF3a is a N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader that regulates mRNA translation by recognizing m6A modifications of these mRNAs. It has been suggested that eIF3a may play an important role in regulating translation initiation via m6A during infection when canonical cap-dependent initiation is inhibited. However, the death of animal model studies impedes our understanding of the functional significance of eIF3a in immunity and regulation in vivo. In this study, we investigated the in vivo function of eIF3a using eIF3a knockout and knockdown mouse models and found that eIF3a deficiency resulted in splenic tissue structural disruption and multi-organ damage, which contributed to severe sepsis induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ectopic eIF3a overexpression in the eIF3a knockdown mice rescued mice from LPS-induced severe sepsis. We further showed that eIF3a maintains a functional and healthy immune system by regulating B cell function and quantity through m6A modification of mRNAs. These findings unveil a novel mechanism underlying sepsis, implicating the pivotal role of B cells in this complex disease process regulated by eIF3a. Furthermore, eIF3a may be used to develop a potential strategy for treating sepsis.
2.A critical role for Phocaeicola vulgatus in negatively impacting metformin response in diabetes.
Manyun CHEN ; Yilei PENG ; Yuhui HU ; Zhiqiang KANG ; Ting CHEN ; Yulong ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Qing LI ; Zuyi YUAN ; Yue WU ; Heng XU ; Gan ZHOU ; Tao LIU ; Honghao ZHOU ; Chunsu YUAN ; Weihua HUANG ; Wei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2511-2528
Metformin has been demonstrated to attenuate hyperglycaemia by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms through which the microbiome mediates metformin monotherapy failure (MMF) are unclear. Herein, in a prospective clinical cohort study of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients treated with metformin monotherapy, metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples revealed that Phocaeicola vulgatus abundance was approximately 12 times higher in nonresponders than in responders. P. vulgatus rapidly hydrolysed taurine-conjugated bile acids, leading to ceramide accumulation and reversing the improvements in glucose intolerance conferred by metformin in high-fat diet-fed mice. Interestingly, C22:0 ceramide bound to mitochondrial fission factor to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and impair hepatic oxidative phosphorylation in P. vulgatus-colonized hyperglycaemic mice, which could be exacerbated by metformin. This work suggests that metformin may be unsuitable for P. vulgatus-rich T2DM patients and that clinicians should be aware of metformin toxicity to mitochondria. Suppressing P. vulgatus growth with cefaclor or improving mitochondrial function using adenosylcobalamin may represent simple, safe, effective therapeutic strategies for addressing MMF.
3.Visual Analysis on the Literature of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for the Treatment of Simple Obesity
Linbeini ZHAO ; Jinling LONG ; Qianrong KE ; Zewu ZHOU ; Honghao PENG ; Baishu CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(4):938-945
Objective To analyze the research progress of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of simple obesity,thus to provide reference for further research in this field.Methods The relevant literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform in the past 24 years were retrieved,and analysis of authors,institutions,and keywords were carried out by CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software,and visualization maps were drawn.Results A total of 889 valid articles were included,and the number of annual publications tended to be stable;the authors in this field were Zhou Zhongyu and Chen Xia as the core author team;the most involved research institution in the institutional cooperation map was the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine;the high-frequency keywords mainly concentrated on"acupuncture therapy","acupuncture and muxibustion therapy","simple obesity","acupoint catgut embedding therapy",etc.;the keyword clusters covered a total of 13 items,namely"electroacupuncture","acupuncture","acupuncture and moxibustion","acupoint catgut embedding",etc.Conclusion There are many studies on acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of simple obesity,and the hot spots of the study are focused on small-sample clinical observation,literature research,and research on the mechanism of action.In the future,researchers can conduct further high-quality studies as well as research on the application and mechanism of action of specific acupuncture therapies,with the aim of developing the preferable therapeutic approaches of acupuncture for the treatment of simple obesity.
4.Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis through Lung-Spleen-Kidney Regulation via Acupuncture Based on the Theory of"Body Fluid and Blood Sharing the Same Origin"
Zewu ZHOU ; Qianrong KE ; Honghao PENG ; Beini ZHAOLIN ; Yue HU ; Boshu CHEN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(8):1970-1976
Based on the theory of"body fluid and blood sharing the same origin",this paper reveals that the core pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis(AD)lies in the abnormal distribution and transformation of body fluid and blood,which is closely related to dysfunction of the lung,spleen,and kidney.Integrating modern medical research on immune regulation and skin barrier function,we propose that in the early stage of AD,due to deficient endowment,acquired loss of nutrition,insufficiency of the spleen and kidney,and failure of the lung-defense system to protect,external pathogens stagnate in the fleshy exterior.This leads to dysfunction of the lung's governance over the skin,impaired distribution of body fluid,obstruction of qi and blood circulation,and stagnation in the skin,resulting in exudative dampness.The dampness stagnates and transforms into heat.Acupuncture should primarily focus on clearing the lung,dispersing stagnation,distributing body fluid,and unblocking collaterals.In the middle and late stages,as lung disease affects the spleen and kidney,acupuncture should emphasize supplementing and tonifying the spleen and kidney,nourishing blood,and moistening dryness,while simultaneously addressing both the root and the branch.For intractable pruritus,fire needling or pricking-collateral cupping can be employed to control itching and reduce recurrence.
5.Establishment and verification of reference intervals for blood cell ratios in apparently healthy people
Jingzhu NAN ; Xu ZHANG ; Hui YUAN ; Xuemei WEI ; Shuai ZHANG ; Chen WANG ; Xiujuan LI ; Honghao LU ; Xiaoran SHEN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(19):2396-2402,2407
Objective To establish the reference intervals of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),mono-cyte to lymphocyte ratio(MLR)and platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR)in different genders and age groups in northern Chinese adults.Methods The data were analyzed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Stand-ards Institute C28-A3.Outliers were checked and judged according to the Dixon method.Subgroups were di-vided according to gender or age factors,and reference intervals were established for different subgroups.Ref-erence intervals were expressed as two-sided 95%percentiles.Results The reference intervals of NLR,MLR and PLR were 0.90-3.82,0.09-0.33 and 71.20-246.87,respectively.The results showed that NLR and PLR in men were lower than those in women(P<0.001),while MLR in men was significantly higher than that in women(P<0.001).Linear trend plots showed that NLR,MLR and PLR changed significantly in dif-ferent genders and age groups.In men,NLR and MLR increased with age,while PLR gradually increased and reached the peak before 50 years old,and gradually decreased after 50 years old.In women,NLR and MLR showed the lowest values at 50-<60 years old,while PLR reached the peak at about 50 years old.The refer-ence intervals established by the model set were verified,and the percentages beyond the reference intervals were less than 10%in different genders and age groups.Conclusion The reference intervals of NLR,MLR and PLR in different genders and age groups of healthy adults in northern China are established in the study.
6.Multi-evidence Integration Methodology for Traditional Chinese Medicine: the MERGE Framework
Honghao LAI ; Zhe WANG ; Ying LI ; Wenjing TANG ; Beibei WANG ; Peidong SUN ; Mingyao SUN ; Jiajie HUANG ; Zhipan XIAO ; Ying LI ; Chen ZHAO ; Hongcai SHANG ; Kehu YANG ; Jie LIU ; Long GE
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(1):172-182
In the era of evidence-based medicine, it is necessary to explore the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) based on standardized technical methods and operating procedures in order to achieve the modernization and internationalization of TCM and benefit all humanity. The proposal of a three-pronged evidence system combining TCM theory, human experience and experimental evidence marks an important progress in the thinking method of the TCM evaluation system. The multi-evidence body integrated through appropriate methods provides a strong support for the clinical guideline recommendations and evidence-based health decision-making in TCM. Based on the current methodological progress of international evidence synthesis and grading, this paper proposes a novel approach for integrating multi-evidence in TCM: the MERGE framework. The aim is to establish a solid foundation for the development of this methodology and provide guidance for the advancement of evidence-based medicine framework in TCM.
7.Inhibition of Tumoral VISTA to Overcome TKI Resistance via Downregulation of the AKT/mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 Pathways in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Kexin AI ; Mu CHEN ; Zhao LIANG ; Xiangyang DING ; Yang GAO ; Honghao ZHANG ; Suwan WU ; Yanjie HE ; Yuhua LI
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2024;32(5):582-600
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment landscape for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, TKI resistance poses a significant challenge, leading to treatment failure and disease progression. Resistance mechanisms include both BCR::ABL1-dependent and BCR::ABL1-independent pathways. The mechanisms underlying BCR::ABL1 independence remain incompletely understood, with CML cells potentially activating alternative signaling pathways, including the AKT/mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 pathways, to compensate for the loss of BCR::ABL1 kinase activity. This study explored tumoral VISTA (encoded by VSIR) as a contributing factor to TKI resistance in CML patients and identified elevated tumoral VISTA levels as a marker of resistance and poor survival. Through in vitro and in vivo analyses, we demonstrated that VSIR knockdown and the application of NSC-622608, a novel VISTA inhibitor, significantly impeded CML cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by attenuating the AKT/ mTOR and JAK2/STAT5 pathways, which are crucial for CML cell survival independent of BCR::ABL1 kinase activity. Moreover, VSIR overexpression promoted TKI resistance in CML cells. Importantly, the synergistic effect of NSC-622608 with TKIs offers a potent therapeutic avenue against both imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant CML cells, including those harboring the challenging T315I mutation. Our findings highlight the role of tumoral VISTA in mediating TKI resistance in CML, suggesting that inhibition of VISTA, particularly in combination with TKIs, is an innovative approach to enhancing treatment outcomes in CML patients, irrespective of BCR::ABL1 mutation status. This study not only identified a new pathway contributing to TKI resistance but also revealed the possibility of targeting tumoral VISTA as a means of overcoming this significant clinical challenge.
8.Establishment of animal model of smoke inhalation injury combined with decompression sickness
Guosheng WU ; Honghao LAI ; Ruiyong CHEN ; Guangsheng LIU ; Min LIU ; Ying HE
Journal of Navy Medicine 2024;45(12):1261-1265
Objective To explore animal model and evaluation indices of inhalation injury combined with decompression sickness(DSC),so as to lay a foundation for the studies on damage effect,mechanism,prevention,and military medical service of this disease.Methods A total of 16 SD rats with similar physiological states were selected and randomly divided into four groups,including control group,DCS group,smoke inhalation injury(SII)group,and combined injury group(DCS after SII induced by a self-made device).Arterial blood gas,wet-dry ratio of lung tissue(W/D),and inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)like interleukin(IL)-1β IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were measured at 24 hours after modeling.And pulmonary histopathological staining was performed.Results The partial pressure of oxygcn in the combined injury group was lower than those in the other groups,while the partial pressure of arterial oxygen in the combined injury group was higher than those in the other groups(P<0.05).The results of pulmonary histopathology showed the thickening of the interlobular septa and the leakage and massive accumulation of inflammatory cells.The symptoms of acute lung injury in the combined injury group were more severe than those in the DCS and SII groups.The W/D and inflammatory cytokines in the combined injury group were significantly higher than those in the DCS group and SII group(P<0.05).Conclusion The animal model of SII combined with DCS has been successfully established.Pulmonary injury in the combined injury model is more severe than that in the single injury models.
9.Role of Oxidative Stress in Ulcerative Colitis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment: A Review
Bo CHEN ; Xitong SUN ; Xinqian DONG ; Wei WANG ; Hongquan SONG ; Jiting ZHAO ; Ya ZHENG ; Honghao ZHANG ; Qingxin LUAN ; Kangning ZHAO ; Hualiang DENG ; Zhen SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(16):264-273
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a commonly seen digestive system disease with unclear pathogenesis. The condition is complex and variable, often chronic, and has a long treatment period with no specific cure. Currently, the treatment of UC often involves the use of corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, and biologics in western medicine, which provide fast-acting and definite efficacy in the short term. However, with prolonged medication, some patients may develop drug resistance and worsening of the disease, leading to the occurrence of colon cancer. Research has found that oxidative stress is one of the important pathogenic factors in UC and influences its onset and development. Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between oxidative products and the antioxidant system in the body, characterized by overexpression of oxidative products such as malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), or deficiency of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). It is worth noting that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a unique characteristic medicine of China, has achieved significant efficacy in the treatment of UC. Studies have shown that TCM effectively inhibits the occurrence of UC by suppressing the accumulation of metabolites and antagonizes the development of UC by enhancing the antioxidant system. Therefore, using TCM to regulate the oxidative balance as a diagnostic and therapeutic approach may be a new method and direction for the treatment of UC in the future. Based on the above research, this article summarized the mechanisms of key pathogenic proteins in oxidative stress and the occurrence and development of UC, and compiled the effective ingredients of Chinese medicine, single drugs, prescriptions, and acupuncture and moxibustion in regulating upstream and downstream target proteins of oxidative stress. These interventions can reduce pathological damage to the intestinal mucosa, lower the colon injury index, enrich the intestinal microbiota, increase colon length, and improve clinical symptoms of UC. The article is expected to expand the application of TCM in the treatment of UC and provide a reliable scientific theoretical basis.
10.Genome-wide analysis identify novel germline genetic variations in ADCY1 influencing platinum-based chemotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer.
Chenxue MAO ; Juan CHEN ; Ting ZOU ; Yuankang ZHOU ; Junyan LIU ; Xi LI ; Xiangping LI ; Min LI ; Pinhua PAN ; Wei ZHUO ; Yang GAO ; Shuo HU ; Desheng XIAO ; Lin WU ; Zhan WANG ; Heng XU ; Wen YANG ; Yingjie XU ; Haihua XIAO ; Kazuhiko HANADA ; Wei ZHANG ; Honghao ZHOU ; Jiye YIN ; Zhaoqian LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(3):1514-1522
To explore the pharmacogenomic markers that affect the platinum-based chemotherapy response in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), we performed a two-cohort of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including 34 for WES-based and 433 for microarray-based analyses, as well as two independent validation cohorts. After integrating the results of two studies, the genetic variations related to the platinum-based chemotherapy response were further determined by fine-mapping in 838 samples, and their potential functional impact were investigated by eQTL analysis and in vitro cell experiments. We found that a total of 68 variations were significant at P < 1 × 10-3 in cohort 1 discovery stage, of which 3 SNPs were verified in 262 independent samples. A total of 541 SNPs were significant at P < 1 × 10-4 in cohort 2 discovery stage, of which 8 SNPs were verified in 347 independent samples. Comparing the validated SNPs in two GWAS, ADCY1 gene was verified in both independent studies. The results of fine-mapping showed that the G allele carriers of ADCY1 rs2280496 and C allele carriers of rs189178649 were more likely to be resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. In conclusion, our study found that rs2280496 and rs189178649 in ADCY1 gene were associated the sensitivity of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.

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