1.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
2.Exercise Regulates Structural Plasticity and Neurogenesis of Hippocampal Neurons and Improves Memory Impairment in High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mice
Meng-Si YAN ; Lin-Jie SHU ; Chao-Ge WANG ; Ran CHENG ; Lian-Wei MU ; Jing-Wen LIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):995-1007
ObjectiveObesity has been identified as one of the most important risk factors for cognitive dysfunction. Physical exercise can ameliorate learning and memory deficits by reversing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cortex in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we aimed to determine whether 8 weeks of treadmill exercise could alleviate hippocampus-dependent memory impairment in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and investigate the potential mechanisms involved. MethodsA total of sixty 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-30 g, were randomly assigned to 3 distinct groups, each consisting of 20 mice. The groups were designated as follows: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet with exercise (HFD-Ex). Prior to the initiation of the treadmill exercise protocol, the HFD and HFD-Ex groups were fed a high-fat diet (60% fat by kcal) for 20 weeks. The mice in the HFD-Ex group underwent treadmill exercise at a speed of 8 m/min for the first 10 min, followed by 12 m/min for the subsequent 50 min, totally 60 min of exercise at a 0° slope, 5 d per week, for 8 weeks. We employed Y-maze and novel object recognition tests to assess hippocampus-dependent memory and utilized immunofluorescence, Western blot, Golgi staining, and ELISA to analyze axon length, dendritic complexity, number of spines, the expression of c-fos, doublecortin (DCX), postsynaptic density-95 (PSD95), synaptophysin (Syn), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and the number of major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) positive cells. ResultsMice with HFD-induced obesity exhibit hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, and treadmill exercise can prevent memory decline in these mice. The expression of DCX was significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group (P<0.001). Treadmill exercise increased the expression of c-fos (P<0.001) and DCX (P=0.001) in the hippocampus of the HFD-induced obese mice. The axon length (P<0.001), dendritic complexity (P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P<0.001) in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise increased the axon length (P=0.002), dendritic complexity(P<0.001), the number of spines (P<0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (P=0.001) of the hippocampus in the HFD-induced obese mice. Our study found a significant increase in MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of HFD-induced obese mice compared to the control group. Treadmill exercise was found to reduce the number of MHC-II positive cells (P<0.001) and the concentration of IL-1β (P<0.001) in the hippocampus of obese mice induced by a HFD. ConclusionTreadmill exercise led to enhanced neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by increasing the axon length, dendritic complexity, dendritic spine numbers, and the expression of PSD95 and DCX, decreasing the number of MHC-II positive cells and neuroinflammation in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, we speculate that exercise may serve as a non-pharmacologic method that protects against HFD-induced hippocampus-dependent memory dysfunction by enhancing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus of obese mice.
3.Application of Engineered Exosomes in Tumor-targeted Therapy
Jia-Lu SONG ; Yi-Xin JIN ; Xing-Yu MU ; Yu-Huan JIANG ; Jing WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1140-1151
Tumors are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle secreted from multivesicular bodies, with particle sizes ranging from 40 to 160 nm. They regulate the tumor microenvironment, proliferation, and progression by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Compared with other drug delivery systems, exosomes derived from different cells possess unique cellular tropism, enabling them to selectively target specific tissues and organs. This homing ability allows them to cross biological barriers that are otherwise difficult for conventional drug delivery systems to penetrate. Due to their biocompatibility and unique biological properties, exosomes can serve as drug delivery systems capable of loading various anti-tumor drugs. They can traverse biological barriers, evade immune responses, and specifically target tumor tissues, making them ideal carriers for anti-tumor therapeutics. This article systematically summarizes the methods for exosome isolation, including ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), immunoaffinity capture, and microfluidics. However, these methods have certain limitations. A combination of multiple isolation techniques can improve isolation efficiency. For instance, combining ultrafiltration with SEC can achieve both high purity and high yield while reducing processing time. Exosome drug loading methods can be classified into post-loading and pre-loading approaches. Pre-loading is further categorized into active and passive loading. Active loading methods, including electroporation, sonication, extrusion, and freeze-thaw cycles, involve physical or chemical disruption of the exosome membrane to facilitate drug encapsulation. Passive loading relies on drug concentration gradients or hydrophobic interactions between drugs and exosomes for encapsulation. Pre-loading strategies also include genetic engineering and co-incubation methods. Additionally, we review approaches to enhance the targeting, retention, and permeability of exosomes. Genetic engineering and chemical modifications can improve their tumor-targeting capabilities. Magnetic fields can also be employed to promote the accumulation of exosomes at tumor sites. Retention time can be prolonged by inhibiting monocyte-mediated clearance or by combining exosomes with hydrogels. Engineered exosomes can also reshape the tumor microenvironment to enhance permeability. This review further discusses the current applications of exosomes in delivering various anti-tumor drugs. Specifically, exosomes can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel to reduce side effects and increase drug concentration within tumor tissues. For instance, exosomes loaded with doxorubicin can mitigate cardiotoxicity and minimize adverse effects on healthy tissues. Furthermore, exosomes can encapsulate proteins to enhance protein stability and bioavailability or carry immunogenic cell death inducers for tumor vaccines. In addition to these applications, exosomes can deliver nucleic acids such as siRNA and miRNA to regulate gene expression, inhibit tumor proliferation, and suppress invasion. Beyond their therapeutic applications, exosomes also serve as tumor biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. The detection of exosomal miRNA can improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing prostate and pancreatic cancers. Despite their promising potential as drug delivery systems, challenges remain in the standardization and large-scale production of exosomes. This article explores the future development of engineered exosomes for targeted tumor therapy. Plant-derived exosomes hold potential due to their superior biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and abundant availability. Furthermore, the integration of exosomes with artificial intelligence may offer novel applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine.
4.Mechanism of Lijin manipulation regulating scar formation in skeletal muscle injury repair in rabbits
Kaiying LI ; Xiaoge WEI ; Fei SONG ; Nan YANG ; Zhenning ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Jing MU ; Huisheng MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1600-1608
BACKGROUND:Lijin manipulation can promote skeletal muscle repair and treat skeletal muscle injury.However,the formation of fibrosis and scar tissue hyperplasia are closely related to the quality of skeletal muscle repair.To study the regulatory effect of Lijin manipulation on the formation of fibrosis and scar tissue hyperplasia is helpful to explain the related mechanism of Lijin manipulation to improve the repair quality of skeletal muscle injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of Lijin manipulation to improve the repair quality of skeletal muscle injury in rabbits,thereby providing a scientific basis for clinical treatment. METHODS:Forty-five healthy adult Japanese large-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group and Lijin group,with 15 rats in each group.Gastrocnemius strike modeling was performed in both model group and Lijin group.The Lijin group began to intervene with tendon manipulation on the 3rd day after modeling,once a day,and 15 minutes at a time.Five animals in each group were killed on the 7th,14th and 21st days after modeling.The morphology and inflammatory cell count of gastrocnemius were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,the collagen fiber amount was observed by Masson staining,the expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in gastrocnemius was detected by ELISA.The protein and mRNA expressions of paired cassette gene 7,myogenic differentiation factor,myoblastogenin,alpha-actin,transforming growth factor beta 1,and type Ⅰ collagen were detected by western blot and RT-PCR,respectively,and the expression of type Ⅰ collagen protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining showed that compared with the model group,inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber content decreased in the Lijin group(P<0.01),and the muscle fibers gradually healed.ELISA results showed that compared with the model group,the expression of interleukin-6 in the Lijin group continued to decrease(P<0.05),and the expression of interleukin-10 increased on the 7th day after modeling(P<0.05)and then showed a decreasing trend(P<0.05).Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that compared with the model group,the protein and mRNA expressions of paired cassette gene 7,myogenic differentiation factor,myoblastogenin in the Lijin group were significantly increased on the 14th day after modeling(P<0.05),but decreased on the 21st day(P<0.05);the protein and mRNA expressions of alpha-actin,transforming growth factor beta 1,and type Ⅰ collagen in the Lijin group were significantly decreased compared with those in the model group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of type Ⅰ collagen in the Lijin group was significantly lower than that in the model group(P<0.05).To conclude,Lijin manipulation could improve the repair quality of skeletal muscle injury by inhibiting inflammation,promoting the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells,and reducing fibrosis.
5.Comparison of nutritional risk assessment in patients with digestive tract tumors during perichemotherapy assessed by different nutritional risk screening methods
Cong HAN ; Ai-Bin LIU ; Wei CHEN ; Zai-Hu MU ; Xiao-Jun JING ; Yan-Hong WENG
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(2):90-94
Objective:To compare the application of Micronutritional Risk Assessment(MNA),Universal Screening Tool for Malnutrition(MUST)and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002(NRS2002)in nutritional risk assessment among patients with digestive tract tumors during perichemotherapy,based on the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition(GLIM)standard.Methods:A prospective cross-section study was conducted,including 114 patients with digestive tract tumors hospitalized by Department of General Surgery,Huangshan Shoukang Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021.All patients were evaluated by GLIM assessment,the correlation between GLIM and MNA,MUST and NRS 2002 screening results was compared,and the consistency among different methods was compared.Patients were divided into malnourished group(nutritional risk group)or normal nourished group according to the results of the three tools.The differences in single anthropometric or test indicators between the groups were compared.Results:According to GLIM,the proportion of malnutrition was 36.8%.The proportion of malnutrition evaluated by MNA,MUST,and NRS2002 were 63.2%,47.4%,and 32.5%,respectively.The sensitivity and negative predictive value of MNA in assessing nutrition-related risks were the highest,while the specificity,Jorden index,Kappa value and positive predictive value of NRS2002 were the highest.There were statistical differences in levels of body mass index,hemoglobin(Hb),triglyceride,total cholesterol,albumin,prealbumin(P-ALB),blood creatinine,lymphocyte counts,and hospitalization costs between two groups assessed by three different tools(P<0.05).Levels of Hb and P-ALB were statistically different between the two groups of the three screening tools.Conclusion:Based on GLIM evaluation results,MNA and other nutritional screening tools are applicable to the assessment of nutritional risks of patients with gastrointestinal cancer during perichemotherapy due to the joint evaluation of measurement indicators.The MNA is more recommended with the highest detection rate and sensitivity for nutritional risks assessment.
6.Analyzing Promotion Effect of Rare Earth Species Located in Ce-HY on Polyethylene Upgrading
Xue-Ting WU ; Jing XU ; Xiao-Wei MU ; Long TIAN ; Xiao WANG ; Shu-Yan SONG ; Hong-Jie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(5):794-803
The continuous accumulation of plastic waste such as polyethylene in the environment has caused serious environmental pollution issues.Considering the high similarity in the molecular structure of petroleum and polyolefin,it is feasible to apply rare earth-zeolite catalysts in polyolefin plastic upcycling,which is commonly used in fluid catalytic cracking(FCC)in the field of petroleum refining.In this study,Ce-modified HY(Ce-HY)zeolites were synthesized and characterized by a series of analytical methods,such as high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM),Fourier infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),etc.When introducing 5% Ce species into HY zeolites,the 5Ce-HY showed excellent catalytic performance in the catalytic cracking of low-density polyethylene(LDPE),which achieved 98.4% LDPE conversion with 91.5% selectivity of gaseous alkanes at 300℃,and 75.4% of them were isoparaffins.In addition,the effect of the location of rare earth species in Y zeolites on the catalytic performance was explored by fine X-ray diffraction(XRD)in the range of 11°-13°and in situ-Raman analyses.The Ce species located in the supercage of Y zeolites were more important,which enhanced the adsorption capacity and accessibility of substrate molecules,thus facilitating the entire catalytic cracking process.This method could be used to detect the location of rare earth elements in Y zeolites to understand the mechanism of rare earth catalysis.
7.Effect of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules on Relieving Influenza Virus Pneumonia by Suppressing TLR/NF-κB Pathway in Respiratory Epithelial Cells
Zihan GENG ; Lei BAO ; Shan CAO ; Qiang ZHU ; Jun PAN ; Shuran LI ; Ronghua ZHAO ; Jing SUN ; Yanyan BAO ; Shaoqiu MU ; Xiaolan CUI ; Shanshan GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):61-68
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu capsules (SFJD) in alleviating influenza A (H1N1) virus pneumonia and focus on its effect on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway in respiratory epithelial cells. MethodsA mouse model of viral pneumonia was established via the A/PR/8/34 (PR8) strain of influenza A virus. Mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a PR8 infection (PR8) group, and an SFJD group (8.4 g·kg-1), with 10 mice in each group. The day of infection was designated as day 1. The SFJD group was administered intragastrically at a volume of 20 mL·kg-1 daily, while the normal and PR8 groups were given an equal volume of deionized water. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was performed on day 5, and the mice were dissected to collect their lungs, after which the lung index was calculated to verify the therapeutic effect of SFJD. Single-cell sequencing was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes in respiratory epithelial cells. Multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of TLR, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) proteins in epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive cells, and the proportion of respiratory epithelial cells expressing TLR pathway proteins was calculated. Respiratory epithelial cells were then sorted by flow cytometry, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of TLR, MyD88, TRAF6, Toll-interleukin receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF), inhibitor of κB kinase α (IKKα), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the sorted epithelial cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lung tissue. ResultsAt the transcriptional level, SFJD reversed the expression of TLR signaling pathway genes in respiratory epithelial cells, downregulating multiple TLR signaling pathway-related genes (P<0.01). At the protein level, SFJD significantly reduced the proportion of respiratory epithelial cells expressing TLR3 (P<0.05), the expression levels of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TRIF, TRAF6, IKKα, and NF-κB in epithelial cells(P<0.05, P<0.01), as well as the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in lung tissue (P<0.01). ConclusionSFJD may alleviate viral pneumonia by suppressing the expression of TLR in respiratory epithelial cells and their subsequent signaling cascades.
8.Suggestions on the implementation of consensus method in the formulation of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical practice guidelines.
Nan DING ; Xiaodong WU ; Nanqi ZHAO ; Dongxiao MU ; Jing HU ; Guofeng DONG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(2):237-241
Consensus method is not only a common technical approach to the formulation of the acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines, but also an important way to form the recommended treatment protocols of acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines. Based on the theory of implementation science, the paper explores the influencing factors of consensus-reaching to acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines, and puts forward methodological suggestions on the consensus method performed in the formulation of acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines, so as to advance the rational application of consensus method and enhance the scientificity and transparency of acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines.
Moxibustion/standards*
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Humans
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Acupuncture Therapy/standards*
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Consensus
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
9.Role of medical experience in the formulation of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical practice guidelines.
Nanqi ZHAO ; Xiaodong WU ; Dongxiao MU ; Nan DING ; Jing HU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(3):375-378
From the perspective of evidence integration and utilization in guidelines, based on the carrier variety, medical experience is composed of the literature on the practical experience of medical scholars recorded in the ancient and modern time, and the individual opinions in the expert consensus. These two types of carrier for medical experience play the different roles in the key steps during formulating the acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines. Three values are summarized, named being conductive to centering the key clinical questions and strongly representing these questions; being used as a basis to judge the clinical applicability of the recommended regimens; and facilitating the recommendation.
Humans
;
Moxibustion/standards*
;
Acupuncture Therapy/standards*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
10.Current status and reflections on the development of acupuncture-moxibustion technical specification in China.
Nan DING ; Xiaodong WU ; Nanqi ZHAO ; Dongxiao MU ; Jing HU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(4):535-540
Acupuncture-moxibustion technical specifications are a crucial component of the acupuncture-moxibustion standardization system. This study reviews the current development status of acupuncture-moxibustion technical specifications in China, and analyzes their classifications and characteristics. It is found that the scope and classification of acupuncture technical specifications remain unclear in academic circles, and the development process faces numerous difficulties and challenges. Therefore, this study proposes the need for a systematic approach to the planning and management of acupuncture technical specifications based on a clear definition of acupuncture techniques and categories. Additionally, it suggests conducting methodological research on the development of acupuncture technical specifications and promoting the rational application of the consensus method in this process.
China
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Moxibustion/methods*
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Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation*
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Humans
;
Acupuncture/standards*

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