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.Wound Repairing Mechanomedicine
Zhixing LAN ; Yuchen WANG ; Zhihao GAO ; Huicong DU ; Yuyao LIN ; Maoguo SHU ; Jing LI ; Tianjian LU ; Feng XU ; Hao LIU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(3):749-759
The application of mechanics in clinical wound healing has a long history;however,the systematic underlying mechanisms remain unclear.With recent advancements in biomechanics and mechanobiology,the principles regarding how mechanical factors influence the formation,progression,and healing of wounds have gradually been elucidated.Herein,based on progress in theories,technologies,and clinical practices concerning the interplay between mechanics and wound healing,this study introduces the concept of wound-repairing mechanomedicine.Relevant research is systematically reviewed from the perspectives of biomechanics,mechanobiology,and mechanotherapy.Additionally,potential future development directions are prospectively analyzed to provide novel insights into wound care and strategies for preventing scar formation.
4.Disease burden and trends in enteric infections in China,1990-2021:a One Health perspective
Jing TAN ; Fei WANG ; Shi-pan CHEN ; Xiao-chun LI ; Hong-xin JU ; Chun-xiao YANG ; Wen-qiang YIN ; Lan-hua LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):472-479
This study analyzed the burden and trends in enteric infections in China from 1990 to 2021 from a One Health perspec-tive.Data on mortality associated with enteric infections were extracted from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease(GBD)database.The analysis focused on assessing the mortality rates of enteric infectious diseases attributed to various etiologies and risk factors,along with the age and sex distribution,from 1990 to 2021.Average annual percentage change(AAPC)was used to assess the total changes in disease burden.The age-standardized mortality rate of intestinal infections in China decreased from 9.642/100 000 in 1990 to 0.439/100 000 in 2021,with an AAPC of-57.103%(95%CI:-57.118%to-57.088%).In 2021,Rotavirus,Norovirus,and Crypto-sporidium were the top three etiologies contributing to disease burden,with mortality rates of 1.020/100 000,0.040/100 000 and 0.079/100 000,respectively.A significant variation in etiology distribution was observed across age groups:Rotavirus,Shigella,and Crypto-sporidium dominated among children under 5 years of age,whereas Cryptosporidium,Norovirus,and Clostridioides difficile were more prevalent in older populations.Risk factor analysis indicated that unsafe water sources and poor sanitation accounted for 73.394%of all enteric disease-related deaths.In conclusion,the burden of enteric infections in China markedly declined from 1990 to 2021,and sig-nificant variations in the etiological spectrum and disease burden were observed across age groups.The persistent effects of unsafe wa-ter sources and poor sanitation underscore the need for targeted interventions to further decrease the burden of these diseases.Our find-ings highlight the success of public health interventions in decreasing the burden of enteric infections in China,while emphasizing the need for targeted measures to address disparities in high-risk populations and improve environmental sanitation.
5.Research progress of berberine in neuropsychiatric diseases
Pan-pan LI ; Rui LAN ; Wen-jing HU ; Meng-ya LI ; Shui-zhi JIAO ; Ya-han LIU ; Bao-qi WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1217-1222
Berberine is a kind of isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the roots and rhizomes of many medicinal plants,such as Coptis chinensis of Ranunculus family,Phellodendron chinensis of rutaceae family,and Berberine Sanacanthus family.In recent years,with the deepening of research,berberine has shown re-markable prevention and treatment effect in a variety of neuro-psychiatric disease models.This paper summarizes the research progress of berberine in neuropsychiatric diseases and provides theoretical support for further clinical prevention and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases.
6.Retrospecitve study on clinical treatment of 214 children with high altitude pulmonary edema
Xueyue WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Henghai NIE ; Chao CHEN ; Jing WANG ; Yifan LE ; Kaixiong LAN ; Xianjin BI ; Xiaoyang HONG ; Yun HAO ; Xiuping XU ; Liuxin DU
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(7):504-508
Objective:To analyse the clinical characteristics of 214 cases of paediatric high altitude pulmonary edema(HAPE)and the efficacy of dexamethasone in adjunctive therapy.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 214 pediatric cases of HAPE admitted to the Department of Paediatrics of the General Hospital of Tibetan Military between June 2015 to June 2017 and June 2019 to June 2021.Patients were divided into dexamethasone-treated group and dexamethasone-untreated group.Baseline data,clinical characteristics were collected to evaluate the treatment efficacy and drug side effects.Results:There were 107 children in each of the two groups with a median age of 8(5,11)years. The median age of the dexamethasone-treated group was 9(6,12)years and the mean age of the dexamethasone-untreated group was 7(3,10)years. The proportion of male children was 69.60%(149/214);the onset of illness was mostly concentrated within 72 hours,accounting for 97.20%(208/214)of the cases;83.18%(178/214)of the cases had symptoms of combined upper respiratory tract infection before entering the plateau. The most important clinical symptoms of the children were cough(86.92%,186/214),cyanosis(70.09%,150/214),and shortness of breath(66.36%,142/214). The proportion of auscultatory rhonchi was 83.18%(178/214),and all cases showed positive findings on chest radiography. After the dexamethasone regimen,the overall cure rate of the children was 94.39%,the average disappearance time of the symptoms and signs was(40.52±7.85)h,and the average hospital stay was(3.60±1.90)d. After treatment with the dexamethasone-free regimen,the overall cure rate was 92.52%,the mean time to disappearance of symptoms and signs was(42.10±7.62)h,and the mean length of stay in the hospital was(3.84±2.08)d. There was no significant difference in the cure rate,the disappearance time of symptoms and signs,and the average hospitalisation days between the two groups( P>0.05),but a total of 11 children in the dexamethasone-treated group experienced adverse drug reactions,and no children in the dexamethasone-untreated group experienced adverse drug reactions. Conclusion:Han Chinese male children,particularly those with upper respiratory infections,should be closely monitored for HAPE risk within three days of ascending to high altitudes. This study does not recommend the use of dexamethasone for pediatric HAPE due to the lack of therapeutic benefits and potential adverse effects.
7.Application progress of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist in post kidney transplantation diabetes mellitus
Yu XU ; Yang LIU ; Lan LI ; Weidong REN ; Jing SHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(5):785-791
Post transplantation diabetes mellitus(PTDM)is one of the common complications after kidney transplantation,with an incidence rate of 4%to 30%.The pharmacological treatment of PTDM after kidney transplantation faces many challenges.It is necessary to consider not only the blood glucose-lowering efficacy of the drugs themselves,but also the impact of the drugs on the function of the transplant kidney.At the same time,the interaction between antihyperglycemic drugs and immunosuppressive agents should be taken into account.Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist(GLP-1RA)have been widely used for blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Some GLP-1RA can also improve the renal and cardiovascular outcomes of patients,and they have multiple metabolic benefits,such as regulating the lipid and reducing body weight.Clinical studies have suggested that GLP-1RA can be used for blood glucose control in kidney transplant recipients with PTDM,with multiple benefits,including reducing the risk of kidney disease and adverse cardiovascular events,as well as improving metabolism.Moreover,no influence of GLP-1RA application on the blood concentration of immunosuppressive agents in kidney transplant recipients with PTDM has been found.Given the good application potential of GLP-1RA in the treatment of kidney transplant recipients with PTDM,this article reviews the current status and future prospects of GLP-1RA treatment for PTDM,analyzes the differences in effects of different GLP-1RA,and explores their potential mechanisms of action in renal protection and multiple metabolic benefits,providing a basis for clinical application.
8.Unlocking the dual role of autophagy:A new strategy for treating lung cancer
Fei TANG ; Jing-Nan ZHANG ; Xiao-Lan ZHAO ; Li-Yue XU ; Hui AO ; Cheng PENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(3):523-533
Lung cancer exhibits the highest incidence and mortality rates among cancers globally,with a five-year overall survival rate alarmingly below 20%.Targeting autophagy,though a controversial therapeutic strategy,is extensively employed in clinical practice.Current research is actively pursuing various therapeutic strategies using small molecules to exploit the dual function of autophagy.Nevertheless,the pivotal question of enhancing or inhibiting autophagy in cancer therapy merits further attention.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of autophagy in lung cancer.It also explores recent advances in targeting cytotoxic autophagy and inhibiting protective autophagy with small molecules to induce cell death in lung cancer cells.Notably,most autophagy-targeting drugs,primarily natural small molecules,have demonstrated that activating cytotoxic autophagy effectively induces cell death in lung cancer,as opposed to inhibiting protective autophagy.These insights contribute to identifying druggable targets and drug candidates for potential autophagy-related lung cancer therapies,offering promising approaches to combat this disease.
9.Successful simultaneous twin pregnancy in each horn of uterus didelphys: a case report
Xiaohui LAN ; Jing ZHAO ; Xinwen ZHANG ; Ying CAI
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(6):520-522
This paper reported a case of simultaneous twin pregnancy and successful delivery in each horn of uterus didelphys. The patient had a history of adverse pregnancies and was diagnosed with a uterus didelphys with double cervix through hysteroscopy, although the uterine cavity morphology was normal. This pregnancy was conceived naturally, with the last menstrual period on December 21, 2023. The patient underwent regular prenatal check-ups at Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital). Early pregnancy ultrasound confirmed simultaneous twin pregnancy in each horn of uterus didelphys. Multiple ultrasounds showed no fetal growth restriction or other abnormalities. At 37 weeks of gestation, the patient experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath due to polyhydramnios, and one fetus was in the cephalic position while the other was in the breech position, posing a high risk for vaginal delivery. Therefore, an elective cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks and one day of gestation, delivering a male infant weighing 3 260 g and a female infant weighing 2 400 g. The 1-,5-, and 10-minute Apgar scores were all 10 points, with favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes.
10.Design and application of novel protective ventilator circuit component
Wei-zhou WU ; Kang LU ; Jing-jie CAO ; Zhi-hua ZHAO ; Hai-tao LAN ; Zan-chao CHEN ; Qing-feng XUE
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(4):113-117
Objective To develop a novel protective ventilator circuit component and to verify its performance by water seal and anti-splash experiments.Methods A novel protective ventilator circuit component had a design scheme with the multifunctional joint,and consisted of a tee connection tube,an isolation sleeve and a stop sleeve,of which,the tee connection tube was made of polyethylene polymer material and the others were made of silicone material.The tee connection tube had a T-shaped structure with two standard connection ports,which was composed of an adapter,a sealing cap,a plug and a sealing ring;the isolation sleeve was in the shape of a cylinder with a raised bottom,which was inserted into the adapter;the stop sleeve was located in the isolation sleeve,with an inverted frustum of a cone at the bottom and a rounded hole in the middle of the inverted frustum.An open ventilator circuit tube was involved in the performance verification of the circuit component developed.In the water seal experiment,sputum aspiration was simulated and the heights of the liquid level drop in the L-shaped tubes were compared after sputum aspiration.In the anti-splash experiment,the infection rates on the surfaces of the sterile hole towels and gloves were calculated.Results Water seal experiment showed after sputum aspiration the open ventilator circuit tube had the liquid level at the L-shaped tube higher significantly than that of the circuit component;the anti-splash experiment indicated sputum aspiration resulted in the occurance of the splashing out of the secretion and 77.5%infection rate by the open ventilator circuit tube,while no splashing out and 0%infection rate by the circuit component developed.Conclusion The novel protective ventilator circuit component behaves well in sealing and anti-splashing,and thus is worthy of clinical application for sputum aspiration.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):113-117]

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