1.Society of Critical Care Medicine 2024 Guidelines on Adult ICU Design: An Interpretation
Hui ZHANG ; Jianhua SUN ; Wanchen ZHAO ; Lingli XIE ; Cong MA ; Yifan FANG ; Jing CAI ; Na GUO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):421-428
This article provides a systematic interpretation and review of the
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.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.
4.Effects of Danzhi Jiangtang capsules on myocardial injury of db/db mice based on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis
Nuo-bing RUAN ; Jin-ju LI ; Qi XU ; Jia-wen JING ; Jia-rong GAO ; Zhao-hui FANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):786-792
Aim To investigate the possible mechanism of the myocardial protective effect of Danzhi Jiangtang capsules(DJC)on db/db mice based on NLRP3 in-flammasome-mediated pyroptosis.Methods The db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,DJC low,medium,and high dose groups,and the met-formin group,and the db/m mice were taken as the blank group.The administration lasted for eightweeks.At the end of drug administration,blood glucose,blood lipids,cardiac enzymes and inflammatory factors were detected in each group of mice.HE and Masson stai-ning was performed to observe the morphology and fi-brosis of myocardial tissue.TUNEL staining was per-formed to detect apoptosis.RT-qPCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of ANP,BNP and β-MHC,and Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,cleaved-caspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-NT in myocardial tis-sue.Results DJC could alleviate myocardial patho-logical damage,reduce collagen deposition and apopto-sis,reduce the levels of blood glucose,blood lipid,myo-cardial enzyme and inflammatory factors in db/db mice.DJC could reduce the mRNA expressions of ANP,BNP and β-MHC,and the protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,cleavedcaspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-NT in myocardial tissues.Conclusion DJC attenuates myocardial injury in db/db mice,prob-ably by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflamma-somes,attenuating cardiomyocyte pyroptosis,and amel-iorating the inflammatory state.
5.Mechanism of hedysarum polybotrys polysaccharide in improving diabetic gastroparesis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Qian GUO ; Rong-ke LI ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhao-hui WEI ; Sheng-fang WAN ; Jing SHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1158-1166
Aim To investigate the key targets and mechanisms of diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)by in-tegrating network pharmacology and molecular docking technology with animal experiments,and to specifically focus on exploring the effects of hedysarum polybotrys polysaccharide(HPS)on DGP through animal experi-mentation to validate its potential as a treatment for di-abetic gastroparesis.Methods The chemical constit-uents of HPS were analyzed,and the active chemical components of Radix Astragali were identified using the TCMSP database.The Swisstarget database was utilized to screen for HPS active ingredient targets,while DGP-related targets were identified from disease databases such as TTD,GeneCards,Drugbank,and DisGeNET.The STRING database was used to construct the PPI network,and Cytoscape 3.10.1 software was employed for network topology analysis and selection of key tar-gets.Subsequently,a compound-target-pathway net-work diagram was constructed.Key targets underwent GO function(biological function,molecular function,and cellular function)and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using the Metascape database.Molecular doc-king was performed using Pymol 2.5 and AutoDock software.DGP rat model was established to observe the histopathological changes in small intestine after eight weeks of HPS intervention through HE staining.Addi-tionally,Western blot was conducted to detect the ex-pression of AGEs,RAGE,and NF-κB in eggs.The re-sults revealed a total of 302 key targets.Results A total of 302 key targets which were further analyzed for gene GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment.CUL3,YWHAZ,and NTRK1 were predicted as the key targets with critical pathways including the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,viral carci-nogenesis,hepatitis B,and alcoholism signaling path-way among others.Furthermore,in vivo experiments confirmed that HPS could improve small intestine histo-pathology in DGP rats,resulting in significant protective effects on this organ.It also reduced the expression of AGEs,RAGE,and NF-κB protein,hence achieving its purpose of treating DGP.Conclusion HPS has the characteristics of multi-component,multi-target and multi-pathway action,which may affect the regulatory role of AGE-RAGE signaling pathway on DGP,and provide new ideas for the subsequent clinical improve-ment of DGP.
6.FTO regulates resistance of triple-negative breast cancer to adriamycin through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Jin-min WU ; Yu-hang QI ; Jing-yi FANG ; Wei-zhi MU ; Zhao-lin CHEN ; Zhao-yi YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2334-2341
Aim To explore the effect of FTO on adria-mycin resistance in triple-negative breast cancer through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods The MDA-MB-231/ADR drug-resistant cell line was constructed using a method of gradually increasing adriamycin concentra-tion with intermittent induction.The half-inhibitory concentration(IC50)of adriamycin for MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231/ADR cells and the expression of FTO were compared.After knocking down FTO in MDA-MB-231/ADR cells,CCK-8,qRT-PCR,colony formation assay,transwell,flow cytometry,and Western blot were used to assess the changes in the IC50 of adri-amycin,cell proliferation,migration,invasion,apopto-sis,and the expression of related proteins.Results FTO was highly expressed in MDA-MB-231/ADR cells.After FTO knockdown,the IC50 value of adriamy-cin in MDA-MB-231/ADR cells decreased,and the a-bilities of proliferation,migration and invasion were weakened.In the FTO knockdown group,the expres-sion levels of Bax,cleaved-caspase3,GSK-3 β proteins and the apoptosis rate significantly increased,while the expression levels of Bcl-2,Wnt5a,β-catenin,c-myc,cyclin D1,and P-gp proteins decreased.Conclusion FTO may inhibit the apoptosis of MDA-MB-231/ADR cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,al-ter P-gp expression,and thereby enhance the resistance of MDA-MB-231/ADR cells to adriamycin.
7.Establishment of animal model of blood stasis syndrome in diabetic kidney disease and metabonomic analysis
Qian GUO ; Sheng-fang WAN ; Rong-ke LI ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhao-hui WEI ; Zi-hui ZHONG ; Jing SHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):592-599
Aim To establish an animal model of diabetic kidney disease(DKD)integrating blood stasis syndrome and syndrome evaluation indicators.Methods Twenty-five SD rats were ran-domly divided according to body weight into a control group(8 rats)and a modeling group(17 rats).The modeling group was fed a high-sugar and high-fat diet for four weeks and induced to form diabetic rats by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg-1 streptozocin.The modeling rats were randomly divided into the DKD group and blood stasis syndrome combination group accord-ing to 24-hour urinary protein(24-hUP).The blood stasis syn-drome combination group was induced to replicate the DKD blood stasis syndrome model by injecting 10%high molecular weight D-glucoside three times at a dose of 0.05 mg·kg-1 via tail vein.The model was evaluated based on random blood glu-cose level,24-hUP level,syndrome assessment,pathological staining etc,and differential metabolites were selected using metabolomics.Results The comprehensive evaluation of syn-drome manifestations and pathological staining in the combined model of blood stasis syndrome in rats demonstrated successful replication.Utilizing the technique of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,22 differential metabolites were identified,with associated pathways showing a certain relevance to blood stasis syndrome in DKD.Conclusions The successful replica-tion of an animal model combining the syndrome of blood stasis in DKD has been achieved in this study.Evaluation of indicators and results from metabolomics studies consistently demonstrate a correlation with the syndrome of blood stasis in DKD.
8.Emerging breakthroughs and future prospects of Claudin18.2 in targeted therapy and immuno-therapy for gastric cancer
Jiayu JIANG ; Zhen FANG ; Kexin ZHENG ; Baoshan CAI ; Yulong ZHAO ; Zhaodong LIU ; Changqing JING ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(3):343-349
Gastric cancer, a highly malignant tumor, has seen a persistent rise in global incidence in recent years. Claudin 18.2, a protein with highly specific expression in gastric cancer, has emerged as a prominent research target in therapeutic development. The overexpression of Claudin 18.2 in gastric cancer cells and its abnormal surface exposure provide novel opportunities for targeted and immunotherapeutic interventions. Therapeutic approaches targeting Claudin 18.2 have shown promising initial results in clinical trials, primarily including monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The authors systematically summarize the biological characteristics, mechanism of action, clinical research progress, and future treatment prospects and challenges of Claudin 18.2.
9.miR-204-3p affects silica dust-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in a rat silicosis model
Jing YU ; Fang CHEN ; Wenxuan HU ; Yangyang PI ; Xi ZHANG ; Luning WANG ; Ping ZHAO ; Faxuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):40-47
Objective To explore the role of miR-204-3p in silicosis and to elucidate the mechanism by which it affects silicosis fibers by regulating silica dust-induced alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in rats.Methods Forty SD rats were divided randomly into 4 groups:Control,Silicosis,AAV-Control,and AAV-miR-204-3p groups.The pathology of lung tissue damage was detected by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Relative expression levels of miR-204-3p and EMT marker genes in lung tissues from rats in each group were analyzed by real-time fluorescence reverse transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR),and protein expression levels of EMT-related markers in lung tissues were detected by Western blot.Results The alveolar structure was damaged,the lung septa showed interstitial fibrosis,and expression levels of mesenchymal markers were elevated in the Silicosis group compared with the Control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).The alveolar structure was more complete,the EMT process was alleviated,fibrosis was improved,and mesenchymal marker expression was reduced in the AAV-miR-204-3p group compared with the AAV-Control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusions Free silica dust induces EMT in rat lung tissue.Overexpression of miR-204-3p can attenuate the EMT process induced by free silica dust in rats,and may thus affect silicosis fibrosis.
10.miR-204-3p affects silica dust-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in a rat silicosis model
Jing YU ; Fang CHEN ; Wenxuan HU ; Yangyang PI ; Xi ZHANG ; Luning WANG ; Ping ZHAO ; Faxuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(3):40-47
Objective To explore the role of miR-204-3p in silicosis and to elucidate the mechanism by which it affects silicosis fibers by regulating silica dust-induced alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in rats.Methods Forty SD rats were divided randomly into 4 groups:Control,Silicosis,AAV-Control,and AAV-miR-204-3p groups.The pathology of lung tissue damage was detected by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Relative expression levels of miR-204-3p and EMT marker genes in lung tissues from rats in each group were analyzed by real-time fluorescence reverse transcription quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR),and protein expression levels of EMT-related markers in lung tissues were detected by Western blot.Results The alveolar structure was damaged,the lung septa showed interstitial fibrosis,and expression levels of mesenchymal markers were elevated in the Silicosis group compared with the Control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).The alveolar structure was more complete,the EMT process was alleviated,fibrosis was improved,and mesenchymal marker expression was reduced in the AAV-miR-204-3p group compared with the AAV-Control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusions Free silica dust induces EMT in rat lung tissue.Overexpression of miR-204-3p can attenuate the EMT process induced by free silica dust in rats,and may thus affect silicosis fibrosis.

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