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.Mediating effect of psychological flexibility between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia on patients with lumbar disc herniation
Yanxin XU ; Lishan HUANG ; Jing CHEN ; Lin WANG ; Xuan REN ; Jiawen HUO ; Rui LI ; Aoxiang LUO
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(2):48-54
Objective To investigate the mediating effect of psychological flexibility on the relationship between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH),so as to provide references for relief from kinesiophobia of the patients.Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 256 patients with LDH as the research subjects from the Outpatient Department of Spinal Orthopaedics of a Grade IIIA hospital in Guangdong Province between May and December 2023.The subjects were surveyed with a general information questionnaire,the kinesiophobia assessment scale,psychological flexibility inventory for pain patients,and chronic pain self-efficacy scale.The mediation effect of psychological flexibility on pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia was analysed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS 3.5 macro.Results The scores for kinesiophobia,psychological flexibility and pain self-efficacy among the LDH patients were 31.66±4.73,55.26±11.06 and 68.14±17.48,respectively.Kinesiophobia was positively correlated with the psychological flexibility(r=0.545,P<0.001)and negatively correlated with the pain self-efficacy(r=-0.599,P<0.001).The psychological flexibility was negatively correlated with the pain self-efficacy(r=-0.510,P<0.001).Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between pain self-efficacy and kinesiophobia,with a mediating effect of-0.045,accounting for 27.78%of the total effect.Conclusion The patients who have LDH and under conservative treatment exhibit a high level of kinesiophobia and with a moderate levels of pain self-efficacy and psychological flexibility.The medical staff can improve the self-efficacy and psychological flexibility of patients,so as to reduce kinesiophobia level and its incidence.
4.Protective Ross Procedure Using Autologous Valved Conduit Made From Autologous Aorta and Autologous Pericardium for Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction:a Case Report
Lu RUI ; Jing ZHANG ; Ye LIN ; Kai MA ; Huaping JIANG ; Yang LIU ; Bowen ZHANG ; Shoujun LI
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(10):1030-1032
In recent years,the Ross procedure has been increasingly applied in the treatment of aortic valve disease in children and young patients.However,right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT)reconstruction in this procedure often relies on allogeneic or artificial materials,which may lead to complications such as calcification and valve dysfunction.This article reports a case of protective Ross procedure using completely autologous tissue to construct a right ventricular-pulmonary artery(RV-PA)conduit.The patient was an 11-year-old male who presented with severe aortic stenosis combined with regurgitation.During the operation,his dilated ascending aortic wall and fresh pericardium were used to construct an autologous valved conduit for RV-PA reconstruction.This innovative technique achieves RV-PA reconstruction without allogeneic tissue,provides a new technical approach for the Ross procedure.Short-term results are satisfactory and the medium-and long-term outcomes require further follow-up verification.
5.Effect of salidroside combined with rosavin on ischemic brain injury in rats
Wen-fang LAI ; Yu-ting JIANG ; Jing-quan CHEN ; Xue-rui ZHENG ; Hui-ling WU ; Qing-qing WU ; Yan CHEN ; Ya LIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2058-2065
Aim To study the mechanism of salidro-side combined with rosavin in rats with ischemic stroke.Methods The MCAO rats was established by using thread-embolic method.The rats were divided into the sham group,MCAO group,salidroside com-bined with rosavin group,and positive control group;the drug was given continuously for seven days.Western blot was used to detect apoptosis indicators.Proteomics was used to analyse differential proteins(DEPs).STEP receptor inhibitor was injected into the lateral ventricles,the rats were administered for seven days,then the apoptosis indicators were detected.Re-sults Salidroside combined with rosavin could reduce neurological function scores in MCAO rats and inhibit cell apoptosis.Quantitative proteomics identified 496 DEPs in brain tissue and discovered core proteins STEP,p38,and CRTC1.Salidroside combined with rosavin could promote the STEP and CRTC1 while in-hibiting p38 protein.After treatment with STEP inhibi-tor,those effects were reversed.Conclusion Salidro-side combined with rosavin can inhibit cell apoptosis in MCAO rats,which is closely related to the regulation of the STEP/p38/CRTC1 signaling pathway.
6.Analysis of factors influencing kinesiophobia in patients with conservative treatment of chronic pain caused by lumbar disc herniation based on random forest algorithm
Yanxin XU ; Lishan HUANG ; Jing CHEN ; Lin WANG ; Xuan REN ; Jiawen HUO ; Rui LI ; Aoxiang LUO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(7):506-514
Objective:To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of kinesiophobia in chronic pain patients undergoing conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), providing reference and basis for reducing the occurrence of kinesiophobia in this patient population.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to January 2024. A convenience sample of chronic pain patients undergoing conservative treatment for LDH in Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital was selected as the study population. Data were collected by the general information questionnaire, Numerical Rating Scale, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11, Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale, and Chronic Pain Self-efficacy Scale. A random forest model was constructed to rank variable importance, and binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of kinesiophobia.Results:The effective response rate of the questionnaire was 96.8% (270/279). Among 270 patients, there were 139 males and 131 females, 92 patients aged 18-40 years, 132 patients aged 41-60 years, and 46 patients aged >60 years old. The total kinesiophobia score for chronic pain patients undergoing conservative treatment for LDH was (31.00 ± 5.09) points, with a kinesiophobia prevalence of 79.6% (215/270). The random forest algorithm identified eight influencing factors: pain self-efficacy, psychological flexibility, physical exercise after low back pain onset, duration of pain, pain status, understanding of LDH, marital status, and pain intensity. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that physical exercise after low back pain onset ( OR=0.583, 95% CI 0.344-0.986), pain status ( OR=0.424, 95% CI 0.206-0.873), psychological flexibility ( OR=1.102, 95% CI 1.052-1.155), pain self-efficacy ( OR=0.923, 95% CI 0.895-0.953) were significant influencing factors of kinesiophobia in chronic pain patients undergoing conservative treatment for LDH (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The prevalence of kinesiophobia is high among chronic pain patients undergoing conservative treatment for LDH. Physical exercise after low back pain onset, pain status, psychological flexibility, and pain self-efficacy are significant influencing factors. Healthcare professionals should pay increased attention to kinesiophobia in chronic pain patients undergoing conservative treatment for LDH and implement targeted early interventions to reduce its occurrence.
7.Protective Ross Procedure Using Autologous Valved Conduit Made From Autologous Aorta and Autologous Pericardium for Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction:a Case Report
Lu RUI ; Jing ZHANG ; Ye LIN ; Kai MA ; Huaping JIANG ; Yang LIU ; Bowen ZHANG ; Shoujun LI
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(10):1030-1032
In recent years,the Ross procedure has been increasingly applied in the treatment of aortic valve disease in children and young patients.However,right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT)reconstruction in this procedure often relies on allogeneic or artificial materials,which may lead to complications such as calcification and valve dysfunction.This article reports a case of protective Ross procedure using completely autologous tissue to construct a right ventricular-pulmonary artery(RV-PA)conduit.The patient was an 11-year-old male who presented with severe aortic stenosis combined with regurgitation.During the operation,his dilated ascending aortic wall and fresh pericardium were used to construct an autologous valved conduit for RV-PA reconstruction.This innovative technique achieves RV-PA reconstruction without allogeneic tissue,provides a new technical approach for the Ross procedure.Short-term results are satisfactory and the medium-and long-term outcomes require further follow-up verification.
8.Multimodal MRI features of cerebral small vessel disease combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Jing WANG ; Hang PAN ; Yan-ling ZHENG ; Zi-wen LIANG ; Yu-lin WANG ; Qiu-guo OU ; Fan-ying GUAN ; Hai-yan TAO ; Lei SONG ; Rui TANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(8):689-692
Objective To analyze the imaging features of cerebral small vessel disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by multimodal MRI.Methods The clinical data of 160 patients with cerebral small vessel disease admitted to our hospital from January to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether they were complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus,they were divided into the diabetic group and the non-diabetic group,with 80 cases in each group.Both groups underwent multimodal MRI scans.And the severity of lacunar infarction,the severity of subcortical and periventricular white matter lesions,white matter integral and cerebral microbleeds of patients in the two groups were compared.Results The severity of lacunar infarction(χ2=34.076,P=0.001),subcortical white matter lesions(χ2=25.000,P=0.001),periventricular white matter lesions(χ2=22.895,P=0.001)and white matter integral(t=12.370,P=0.001)of patients in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the non-diabetic group.No cerebral microbleeds were detected in either group of patients.Conclusion Patients with cerebral small vessel disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus show characteristic multimodal MRI changes.The increase in the number of lacunar infarction lesions and the aggravation of white matter lesions can be used as the characteristic imaging basis for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus related cerebral small vessel disease.
9.Effect of salidroside combined with rosavin on ischemic brain injury in rats
Wen-fang LAI ; Yu-ting JIANG ; Jing-quan CHEN ; Xue-rui ZHENG ; Hui-ling WU ; Qing-qing WU ; Yan CHEN ; Ya LIN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2058-2065
Aim To study the mechanism of salidro-side combined with rosavin in rats with ischemic stroke.Methods The MCAO rats was established by using thread-embolic method.The rats were divided into the sham group,MCAO group,salidroside com-bined with rosavin group,and positive control group;the drug was given continuously for seven days.Western blot was used to detect apoptosis indicators.Proteomics was used to analyse differential proteins(DEPs).STEP receptor inhibitor was injected into the lateral ventricles,the rats were administered for seven days,then the apoptosis indicators were detected.Re-sults Salidroside combined with rosavin could reduce neurological function scores in MCAO rats and inhibit cell apoptosis.Quantitative proteomics identified 496 DEPs in brain tissue and discovered core proteins STEP,p38,and CRTC1.Salidroside combined with rosavin could promote the STEP and CRTC1 while in-hibiting p38 protein.After treatment with STEP inhibi-tor,those effects were reversed.Conclusion Salidro-side combined with rosavin can inhibit cell apoptosis in MCAO rats,which is closely related to the regulation of the STEP/p38/CRTC1 signaling pathway.
10.Usefulness of intraoperative choledochoscopy in laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis
Rui-Hui ZHANG ; Xiang-Nan WANG ; Yue-Feng MA ; Xue-Qian TANG ; Mei-Ju LIN ; Li-Jun SHI ; Jing-Yi LI ; Hong-Wei ZHANG
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2025;29(2):192-198
Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been a safe and viable alternative to conversion to laparotomy in cases of severe cholecystitis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of intraoperative choledochoscopy in LSC for the exploration of the gallbladder, cyst duct, and subsequent stone clearance of the cystic duct in cases of severe cholecystitis. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with severe cholecystitis received choledochoscopy-assisted laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (CALSC). A choledochoscopy was performed to explore the gallbladder cavity and/or cystic duct, and to extract stones using a range of techniques. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were subjected to analysis. No LSC was converted to open surgery, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were sustained. All stones within the cystic duct were removed by a combination of techniques, including high-frequency needle knife electrotomy, basket, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. A follow-up examination revealed the absence of residual bile duct stones, with the exception of one common bile duct stone, which was extracted via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In certain special cases, CALSC may prove to be an efficacious treatment for the management of severe cholecystitis. This technique allows for optimal comprehension of the situation within the gallbladder cavity and cystic duct, facilitating the removal of stones from the cystic duct and reducing the residue of the non-functional gallbladder remnant.

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