1.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
2.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
3.The correlation between cyclic vomiting syndrome and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in children
Ningning LI ; Lin SONG ; Jian WANG ; Lan HE ; Yutang REN ; Lina JI ; Xiwei XU
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(1):27-32
Objective:To summarize the clinical symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome(CVS)in children and investigate its association with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO).Methods:A total of 89 children who were diagnosed as CVS and improved lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) in the Pediatric Department of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected as CVS group.Simultaneously,50 healthy children with physical examination in our hospital were selected as the control group. According to the results of LHBT,the children with CVS were divided into SIBO group (LHBT positive) and non-SIBO group (LHBT negative). The clinical data of children in each group were compared.Results:Among the 89 CVS patients,there were 42 males and 47 females,with a mean age of(7.50±3.54)years.Common accompanying symptoms included excessive sleepiness(76 cases,85.39%),anorexia(62 cases,69.66%),constipation(55 cases,61.80%),abdominal pain(34 cases,38.20%)and so on. There were no significant differences in age and gender between children in CVS group and control group ( P>0.05). The body mass index of CVS group was lower than that of control group.The positive rate of LHBT was higher than that of the control group (56.18% vs. 8.00%),the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05),and the concentrations of hydrogen and methane in CVS group were higher than those of the control group at different time points( P<0.05).Among 89 children with CVS,there were 50 cases in SIBO group and 39 cases in non-SIBO group. There were no significant differences in gender,age and body mass index between the two groups ( P>0.05). The constipation rate and moderate/severe disease rate in SIBO group were higher than those in non-SIBO group (88.00% vs. 28.21%,94.00% vs. 43.59%),and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of SIBO in children with CVS is higher,and SIBO may play a key role in CVS. CVS children with SIBO have higher disease severity.
4.Assessment of nutritional status of 160 cases of cyclic vomiting syndrome in children
Yanyan DU ; Jian WANG ; Lin SONG ; Ningning LI ; Lan HE ; Xiwei XU
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(3):191-196
Objective:To assess the nutritional status and risk of children with cyclic vomiting syndrome(CVS)and to provide a clinical evidence for nutritional support.Methods:A total of 160 children diagnosed with CVS and 160 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled in the study,who were admitted to Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from April 2021 to February 2024.Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric indices(height,weight,and body mass index),and it was expressed in standard deviation score(Z score).Nutritional risk screening tool STRONGkids was applied to nutritional risk screening,and the laboratory assessment(albumin,pre-albumin,hemoglobin,urea nitrogen and creatinine)were measured.Results:Among the 160 cases,there were 73 males and 87 females,including 18 cases of mild seizures and 142 cases of moderate and severe seizures,with the average onset age of(47.54±2.96)months and an average diagnosis age of(74.89±3.68)months.The average duration from the first attack to diagnosis was(27.35±2.36)months,and the average course of the disease was(41.35±2.63)months.The malnutrition rate of children in CVS was 36.9%(59/160),of which 18.1%(29/160)was severely malnourished.There was a statistically significant difference in the weight-for-age Z-score(WAZ),height-for-age Z-score(HAZ),and body mass index-for-age Z-score(BAZ)between the CVS group and the control group( P<0.001).We found a statistically significant difference in laboratory indicators(albumin,pre-albumin,hemoglobin,urea nitrogen and creatinine)between the two groups(all P<0.001)and hemoglobin was positively correlated with WAZ,HAZ and BAZ( r=0.346,0.250,0.277,all P<0.01).Using the STRONGkids nutritional risk screening tool,there were 43 cases with moderate nutritional risk and 117 cases with high nutritional risk,and children with high nutritional risk were likely to have lower WAZ,HAZ and BAZ than the children with moderate nutritional risk,and there was a significant difference in WAZ,HAZ,BAZ,hemoglobin,and creatinine between the two groups( P<0.05).And there was a correlation between the degree of CVS attack and nutritional risk grouping( r=0.543, P<0.001). Conclusion:Children with CVS have a high incidence of malnutrition,and the serum albumin,prealbumin,hemoglobin,urea nitrogen and creatinine levels are of great value for nutritional assessment.The STRONGkids score method helps to evaluate nutritional risk in children with CVS.
5.Application of Artificial Intelligence Bone Marrow Cell Recogni-tion and Analysis System in Auxiliary Diagnosis of Hematological Disease
Yan HUANG ; Yun-Ke WAN ; Jian-Lan LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1203-1208
Objective:To investigate the clinical application value of artificial intelligence(AI)-based bone marrow cell recognition and analysis system in the diagnosis of hematological diseases.Methods:The bone marrow smears of hematological patients who were admitted to The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.A total of 115 bone marrow smears with clear diagnosis and typical cell morphology characteristics were selected,including 20 cases of immune thrombocytopenia(ITP),11 cases of iron deficiency anemia(IDA),17 cases of megaloblastic anemia(MA),20 cases of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML),17 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL),23 cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL),and 7 cases of acute myeloid leukemia unclassified(AML-M2).The samples were analyzed by manual microscopic examination,AI automatic recognition,and manual correction after AI recognition.Results:The images captured by the AI device were clear,and the cell morphological structures were distinct.The average experimental diagnostic efficiency parameters of the bone marrow nucleated cells classified in this system were calculated.The sensitivity was 74.90%,specificity was 99.03%,and accuracy was 98.29%.In the comparison between the AI recognition group and the manual examination group,the data of IDA,ITP,MA,and CML diseases were all greater than 0.85 in ICC correlation coefficient,with excellent consistency;the data of APL,AML-M2,and ALL three diseases were between 0.6 and 0.85 in ICC correlation coefficient,with moderate consistency.However,after manual review and correction,the ICC correlation coefficient between the data of the AI correction group and the data from the manual examination group was greatly improved.Conclusion:The AI bone marrow cell recognition and analysis system has the characteristics of high accuracy,high specificity,good sensitivity and fast detection.When used in combination with manual review,it can improve the detection efficiency of bone marrow cells morphological analysis and meet the needs of clinical work.
6.Exploration and Practice of the"E+C"Blended Learning in the Animal Molecular Biology
Yu-Lan JIN ; Li-Jian LUO ; Xue-Qiu CHEN ; Xiao-Feng WU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(11):1729-1736
The Animal Molecular Biology course is a crucial and foundational course for both Animal Medicine and Animal Science majors.Apart from teaching fundamental principles of molecular biology,the course provides updated applications of these principles in the field of animal science research.Im-portantly,it plays a fundamental role in cultivating students'research capabilities.With the rise of over-whelming information and their optimal utilization,the demand for integrating digital education with tradi-tional teaching methods is increasing.Based on the five years of teaching practice,this paper summarizes four highlights of the course:the construction of teaching resource,the restructuring of teaching syllabus,the adjustment of classroom teaching hours,and the improvement of assessment methodology.It focuses on Electronic-Learning"E(E-Learning)",offline classroom intensive teaching"C(Classroom)",and post-class extension to construct a blended teaching model that integrates Electronic-Learning and Class-room teaching,namely the"E+C"blended teaching model.Offline classroom teaching emphasizes the combination of theory and knowledge systems,while online Electronic-Learning mainly focuses on popular science and interesting aspects to stimulate students' interests and enthusiasm in learning.Over five years of practice,the"E+C"blended model has been proven to exert a good teaching effect.Students have reported significant gains from the course,with tightly connected and strongly complementary class-room teaching and E-Learning,which greatly aids in mastering professional knowledge.It also cultivates intrinsic motivation for learning and enhances the sense of accomplishment in acquiring knowledge,sig-nificantly improving teaching effectiveness.
7.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.
8.Research progress on the impact of internet gaming disorder on adolescent brain structure and function
Hong-Yao YI ; Xiao-Fan YUAN ; Rong-Lan ZHANG ; Hong CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Jian LI ; Hong CHEN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(3):364-370
With the rapid development of the Internet,the problem of internet gaming disorder(IGD)among adolescents has gradually become prominent.IGD has caused serious harm to their physical and mental health,and it is difficult to withdraw and treat.In 2019,the World Health Organization(WHO)officially listed Gaming Disorder(GD)in the diagnostic category and included it in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases.In China,the number of adolescent internet users has approached 200 million,and the number of IGD patients is relatively large.It is urgent to make breakthroughs in the cognition and treatment of IGD.Domestic and foreign studies have shown that IGD's physical and psychological harm to adolescents is related to the abnormal activation and functional connection damage of structures such as the prefrontal lobe,limbic system,and striatum,which in turn causes neurocognitive disorders,executive dysfunction,difficulty in emotional regulation,abnormal reward and punishment feedback,behavioral abnormalities and other functional disorders;therefore,this article aims to systematically review the research literature on IGD in recent years,and use neurophysiological imaging research method to sort out the changes in the brain structure and function of adolescents with IGD,in order to improve the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease,and assist in further clinical diagnosis,treatment,application and research design.
9.Effects of remimazolam versus propofol sedation on pulmonary ventilation in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy
Lan ZHANG ; Yingcong QIAN ; Yongheng HOU ; Jianping YANG ; Jian LI
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(9):1157-1161
Objective:To compare the effects of remimazolam and propofol sedation on pulmonary ventilation in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy.Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 90 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ to Ⅲ patients, aged 18-70 yr, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective fiberoptic bronchoscopy and/or treatment under sedation at the Endoscopy Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between November 2021 and December 2022, were divided into 2 groups ( n=45 each) using a random number table: remimazolam group (group R) and propofol group (group P). After intravenous injection of sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg, an initial dose of remimazolam 0.075 mg/kg and propofol 0.9 mg/kg was intravenously injected in group R and group P, respectively. When necessary, additional single doses of remimazolam 0.025 mg/kg or propofol 0.3 mg/kg were administered until the bispectral index value reached 60–80 and the Modified Observer′s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score was ≤3 (successful sedation). Electrical impedance tomography was conducted immediately after entering the operating room, immediately after successful sedation, immediately after completion of bronchoscopy the procedure, and immediately upon awakening to calculate the tidal impedance variation, center of ventilation, and global inhomogeneity index. The time to successful sedation, emergence time, the lowest SpO 2 during sedation, and occurrence of adverse events such as respiratory depression, injection pain, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, bradycardia and dizziness were recorded. Results:Compared with group P, the tidal impedance variation was significantly increased immediately after the procedure, the global inhomogeneity index was decreased immediately after the procedure and upon awakening, the emergence time was prolonged, the lowest SpO 2 was elevated, and the incidence of hypotension and injection pain was decreased in group R ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with propofol sedation, remimazolam sedation has a smaller impact on pulmonary ventilation in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
10.Feixin decoction alleviates hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in mice by regulating NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and inhibiting pyroptosis of pulmo-nary artery smooth muscle cells
Junlan TAN ; Xianya CAO ; Runxiu ZHENG ; Jian YI ; Feiying WANG ; Lingling ZHOU ; Silin XIE ; Xia LI ; Lan SONG ; Aiguo DAI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(1):36-45
AIM:This study aims to investigate the effects of Feixin decoction(FXD)on pyroptosis of pulmo-nary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMCs)by modulating nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)pathway,and to explore how FXD attenuates hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(HPH)in mice.METHODS:A mouse model of HPH was established using the Sugen 5416 combined hypoxia(SuHx)method.Sixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,SuHx group,sildenafil group,and low-,medium-and high-dose FXD groups,with 10 mice in each group.Five weeks after treatment,echocardiographic pa-rameters,including pulmonary artery acceleration time(PAT),pulmonary artery ejection time(PET),right ventricular anterior wall thickness at diastole(RVAWd)and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE),were measured.Right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)was assessed via right heart catheterization.Right ventricular hypertrophy in-dex(RVHI)was determined by weighing the hearts.Histological examination using HE staining was conducted to observe pathological changes in small pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle,while Masson staining was used to assess fibrosis in the right ventricular wall.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect co-localized expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)with NLRP3,N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D(N-GSDMD)and caspase-1 in the pulmonary arteries.Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the protein levels of NF-κB,p-NF-κB,NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),N-GSDMD,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18 and cleaved caspase-1 in lung tissues.Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of PASMCs.RE-SULTS:Compared with control group,the mice in SuHx group exhibited elevated RVSP and RVHI(P<0.01),de-creased right heart function(P<0.01),increased right ventricular wall fibrosis,and pulmonary vascular remodeling(P<0.01).There was also increased co-localized expression of α-SMA with NLRP3,N-GSDMD and caspase-1 in small pul-monary arteries(P<0.01),as well as elevated levels of p-NF-κB,NLRP3,ASC,N-GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and cleaved caspase-1 in lung tissues(P<0.01),indicating induced pyroptosis of PASMCs.Compared with SuHx group,FXD treat-ment significantly reduced RVSP and RVHI,improved right ventricular function,and attenuated right ventricular wall fi-brosis and pulmonary vascular remodeling(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Treatment with FXD also decreased the co-localized ex-pression of α-SMA with NLRP3,N-GSDMD and caspase-1 in small pulmonary arteries(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and down-regulated the protein expression of p-NF-κB,NLRP3,ASC,N-GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and cleaved caspase-1 in lung tis-sues(P<0.05 or P<0.01),thereby attenuating the pyroptosis of PASMCs.CONCLUSION:FXD attenuates pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular dysfunction in a mouse model of HPH.This effect may be attributed to its inhibi-tion of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway,which subsequently reduces the pyroptosis of PASMCs.

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