1.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
2.Effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction in the rat model.
Wei WANG ; Ying LIU ; Zi-Hao ZHOU ; Kun PANG ; Jing-Kai WANG ; Peng-Fei HUAN ; Jing-Ru LU ; Tao ZHU ; Zuo-Bin ZHU ; Cong-Hui HAN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(4):508-515
Stem cell treatment may enhance erectile dysfunction (ED) in individuals with cavernous nerve injury (CNI). Nevertheless, no investigations have directly ascertained the implications of varying amounts of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) on ED. We compare the efficacy of three various doses of HUC-MSCs as a therapeutic strategy for ED. Sprague-Dawley rats (total = 175) were randomly allocated into five groups. A total of 35 rats underwent sham surgery and 140 rats endured bilateral CNI and were treated with vehicles or doses of HUC-MSCs (1 × 10 6 cells, 5 × 10 6 cells, and 1 × 10 7 cells in 0.1 ml, respectively). Penile tissues were harvested for histological analysis on 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, 60 days, and 90 days postsurgery. It was found that varying dosages of HUC-MSCs enhanced the erectile function of rats with bilateral CNI and ED. Moreover, there was no significant disparity in the effectiveness of various dosages of HUC-MSCs. However, the expression of endothelial markers (rat endothelial cell antigen-1 [RECA-1] and endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]), smooth muscle markers (alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] and desmin), and neural markers (neurofilament [RECA-1] and neurogenic nitric oxide synthase [nNOS]) increased significantly with prolonged treatment time. Masson's staining demonstrated an increased in the smooth muscle cell (SMC)/collagen ratio. Significant changes were detected in the microstructures of various types of cells. In vivo imaging system (IVIS) analysis showed that at the 1 st day, the HUC-MSCs implanted moved to the site of damage. Additionally, the oxidative stress levels were dramatically reduced in the penises of rats administered with HUC-MSCs.
Male
;
Animals
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Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods*
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Rats
;
Penis/pathology*
;
Humans
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Umbilical Cord/cytology*
;
Peripheral Nerve Injuries/complications*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism*
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Actins/metabolism*
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I/metabolism*
3.Short-term clinical evaluation of the posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using LARS artificial ligament
Xingzuo CHEN ; Liqiang WANG ; Kexin WANG ; Xiaodong XU ; Huan YANG ; Yurun YANG ; Qianzheng ZHU ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(10):807-812
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL)recon-struction using ligament augmentation and reconstruction system(LARS)artificial ligament,and ana-lyze factors affecting the prognosis.Methods A total of 45 patients(31 males and 14 females,with an average age of 38.0±12.8 years)underwent PCL reconstruction using LARS artificial ligament in China-Japan Friendship Hospital in years from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.Their aver-age time from injury to surgery of 2.8±4.2 months.They were followed up for no less than 1 year about the stability of knee,Lysholm score and Tegner score,as well as the patient's satisfaction.Moreover,the effect of patient's age,time from injury to surgery,and complications of other ligament injuries of the knee on the final outcomes were analyzed.Results For all the 45 patients,the mean follow-up time was 35.0±14.1 months,with their satisfaction rate of 91.1%.There were 31 cases of 3° instability and 14 cases of 2° instability before surgery,which improved significantly as only 4 cas-es were of 2° instability,22 cases of 1° instability at the final follow-up(χ2=77.56,P<0.000).More-over,the average Lysholm and Tegner scores increased significantly from 37.2±15.2 and 0.9±0.9,to 85.3±12.7 and 4.4±1.3,respectively(t=16.34,P<0.000;t=15.72,P<0.000).What's more,the age of over 40 years had effect on the prognosis,while the time from injury to surgery and the com-plicated ligament injuries of the knee did not.Conclusion Using LARS artificial ligament as graft for PCL reconstruction can achieve satisfactory clinical results on the short-term.
4.Exploration on the Synovial Hyperplasia of Rheumatoid Arthritis from the Theory of"Yang Transforming Qi and Yin Forming Elements"
Xiaojun SU ; Huan WANG ; Wenju ZHU ; Qian HE ; Ying GUO ; Qiang BAO ; Huijun YANG ; Haidong WANG ; Xuemei TIAN ; Xiaotao YE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):24-27
Synovium is the target organ of rheumatoid arthritis.The excessive proliferation of synovial cells and insufficient apoptosis lead to synovial hyperplasia,which in turn causes damage to the surrounding tissues of the joint and bone destruction."Yang transforming qi and yin forming elements"is derived from Su Wen and is a highly summarized description of the functions of yin and yang,which runs through the entire course of the disease.This article elucidated the theoretical connotation of"yang transforming qi and yin forming elements"and its connection with synovial hyperplasia,proposing that the insufficiency of"yang transforming qi"is the root of synovial hyperplasia,while the excess of"yin forming elements"is the manifestation of synovial hyperplasia.Based on this,it put forward that"assisting yang qi as the priority,and according to the bias of pathogenic factors of yin,supplementing the method of reducing yin forming elements"is an important principle for treating this disease,which could provide new ideas for the treatment of the disease.
5.Exploration on the Synovial Hyperplasia of Rheumatoid Arthritis from the Theory of"Yang Transforming Qi and Yin Forming Elements"
Xiaojun SU ; Huan WANG ; Wenju ZHU ; Qian HE ; Ying GUO ; Qiang BAO ; Huijun YANG ; Haidong WANG ; Xuemei TIAN ; Xiaotao YE
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):24-27
Synovium is the target organ of rheumatoid arthritis.The excessive proliferation of synovial cells and insufficient apoptosis lead to synovial hyperplasia,which in turn causes damage to the surrounding tissues of the joint and bone destruction."Yang transforming qi and yin forming elements"is derived from Su Wen and is a highly summarized description of the functions of yin and yang,which runs through the entire course of the disease.This article elucidated the theoretical connotation of"yang transforming qi and yin forming elements"and its connection with synovial hyperplasia,proposing that the insufficiency of"yang transforming qi"is the root of synovial hyperplasia,while the excess of"yin forming elements"is the manifestation of synovial hyperplasia.Based on this,it put forward that"assisting yang qi as the priority,and according to the bias of pathogenic factors of yin,supplementing the method of reducing yin forming elements"is an important principle for treating this disease,which could provide new ideas for the treatment of the disease.
6.Effects of Quhan Zhufeng Mixture in Regulating NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of RA-FLS
Xiaojun SU ; Wenju ZHU ; Ying GUO ; Huan WANG ; Qian HE ; Zhiming ZHANG ; Xuemei TIAN ; Haili SHEN ; Jun MA ; Qiang BAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(7):119-126
Objective To explore the mechanism of Quhan Zhufeng Mixture on proliferation and apoptosis of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte(RA-FLS)based on NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.Methods RA-FLS cells were cultured in vitro,and were divided into ① blank serum group,methotrexate group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture low-,medium-and high-dosage groups;② blank serum group,AG490 group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.Different concentrations of drug-containing serum were used to intervene cells.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and mRNA expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspace-3,Caspace-9,N-myc downstream regulatory gene 2(NDRG2),Janus kinase 2(JAK2)and signal transduction and transcription activator 3(STAT3)were detected by RT-qPCR,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspace-3,Caspace-9,NDRG2,JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in cells.Results Compared with the blank serum group,cell survival rate in methotrexate group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture all dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.01),the apoptosis rate significantly increased(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Caspase-9 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression in methotrexate group and Quhan Zhufeng Mixture medium-and high-dosage groups significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the blank serum group,the mRNA and protein expression of NDRG2 significantly increased in Quhan Zhufeng Mixture all dosage groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly reduced in AG490 group and Quhan Zhufeng Mixture medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Conclusion Quhan Zhufeng Mixture can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of RA-FLS by regulating the activity of NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,playing a role in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
7.Short-term clinical evaluation of the posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using LARS artificial ligament
Xingzuo CHEN ; Liqiang WANG ; Kexin WANG ; Xiaodong XU ; Huan YANG ; Yurun YANG ; Qianzheng ZHU ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(10):807-812
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL)recon-struction using ligament augmentation and reconstruction system(LARS)artificial ligament,and ana-lyze factors affecting the prognosis.Methods A total of 45 patients(31 males and 14 females,with an average age of 38.0±12.8 years)underwent PCL reconstruction using LARS artificial ligament in China-Japan Friendship Hospital in years from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.Their aver-age time from injury to surgery of 2.8±4.2 months.They were followed up for no less than 1 year about the stability of knee,Lysholm score and Tegner score,as well as the patient's satisfaction.Moreover,the effect of patient's age,time from injury to surgery,and complications of other ligament injuries of the knee on the final outcomes were analyzed.Results For all the 45 patients,the mean follow-up time was 35.0±14.1 months,with their satisfaction rate of 91.1%.There were 31 cases of 3° instability and 14 cases of 2° instability before surgery,which improved significantly as only 4 cas-es were of 2° instability,22 cases of 1° instability at the final follow-up(χ2=77.56,P<0.000).More-over,the average Lysholm and Tegner scores increased significantly from 37.2±15.2 and 0.9±0.9,to 85.3±12.7 and 4.4±1.3,respectively(t=16.34,P<0.000;t=15.72,P<0.000).What's more,the age of over 40 years had effect on the prognosis,while the time from injury to surgery and the com-plicated ligament injuries of the knee did not.Conclusion Using LARS artificial ligament as graft for PCL reconstruction can achieve satisfactory clinical results on the short-term.
8.Effects of Quhan Zhufeng Mixture in Regulating NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of RA-FLS
Xiaojun SU ; Wenju ZHU ; Ying GUO ; Huan WANG ; Qian HE ; Zhiming ZHANG ; Xuemei TIAN ; Haili SHEN ; Jun MA ; Qiang BAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(7):119-126
Objective To explore the mechanism of Quhan Zhufeng Mixture on proliferation and apoptosis of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocyte(RA-FLS)based on NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.Methods RA-FLS cells were cultured in vitro,and were divided into ① blank serum group,methotrexate group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture low-,medium-and high-dosage groups;② blank serum group,AG490 group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.Different concentrations of drug-containing serum were used to intervene cells.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and mRNA expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspace-3,Caspace-9,N-myc downstream regulatory gene 2(NDRG2),Janus kinase 2(JAK2)and signal transduction and transcription activator 3(STAT3)were detected by RT-qPCR,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspace-3,Caspace-9,NDRG2,JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in cells.Results Compared with the blank serum group,cell survival rate in methotrexate group,Quhan Zhufeng Mixture all dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.01),the apoptosis rate significantly increased(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax and Caspase-9 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression in methotrexate group and Quhan Zhufeng Mixture medium-and high-dosage groups significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the blank serum group,the mRNA and protein expression of NDRG2 significantly increased in Quhan Zhufeng Mixture all dosage groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly reduced in AG490 group and Quhan Zhufeng Mixture medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Conclusion Quhan Zhufeng Mixture can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of RA-FLS by regulating the activity of NDRG2/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,playing a role in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
9.Predictive value of body composition indicators in evaluating the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Huimin ZHOU ; Tingting YANG ; Xiao HUANG ; Ying WANG ; Huan HE ; Qiumei ZHU ; Shunhua YANG ; Xiaoping ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2024;32(6):408-411
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of body composition indicators in evaluating the development risk of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Methods A total of 1431 pregnant women who were registered and underwent prenatal examinations in the Clinical Nutrition Department of Guizhou Hospital of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were selected in this study from January 2018 to September 2021.Among them,263 participants were diagnosed with GDM(GDM group),and 1168 healthy individuals underwent physical examinations were enrolled as Con group.Results The GDM detection rate was 18.38%(263/1431).Logistic regression analysis showed that age and percent body fat were risk factors for the development of GDM.The area under the ROC curve of percent body fat for GDM prediction was 0.732,with sensitivity,specificity of 67.7%,68.3%.Conclusions High percentage of body fat during pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of GDM in late pregnancy,and the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy can be predicted by the percentage of body fat index.
10.Prognostic Value of AGR for Prognosis in Patients with First-line Chemotherapy for Stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Ying GAO ; Zhengqiu ZHU ; Huan DAI
Journal of Medical Research 2024;53(6):151-154,159
Objective To explore the prognostic value of albumin/globulin(AGR)in patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)treated with first-line chemotherapy.Methods From January 2016 to December 2020,288 patients with ad-vanced NSCLC initially diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected.AGR critical value was deter-mined by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,patients were divided into high AGR group(n=104)and low AGR group(n=184).Survival curve was plotted using Kaplan-Meier method,overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were com-pared between the two groups.COX proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting prognosis of NSCLC pa-tients.Results The critical value of AGR was 1.5,the area under the curve of AGR was 0.693,the sensitivity was 76.8%,and the specificity was 58.3%.AGR was correlated with age,pathological type and curative effect(P<0.05).The high AGR group had longer PFS and OS than the low AGR group(9 months vs 5months,25months vs 19months).Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that low level of AGR was an independent risk factor for NSCLC patients(P<0.05).Conclusion AGR can be used as an effective prognos-tic indicator for patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC treated with first-line chemotherapy,and low levels of AGR suggest poor prognosis.

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