"Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century—A Vision and Strategy"proposed by the National Research Council of US has brought innovative directives and objectives for toxicity evaluation and risk assessment,pushing forward the next generation of toxicity testing and risk assessment.In this initiative,the concept of adverse outcome pathways(AOPs)has emerged as a prominent methodology,capturing the attention of toxicologists and researchers due to its promising applications in recent years.The quantitative AOP(qAOP)is an extension of the adverse outcome pathway,which is built upon the foundational qualitative adverse outcome pathway model and leverages mathematical frame-works to depict dose-response and/or response-response relationships.This article reviews the princi-ples and advancement surrounding qAOP,introduceds two prevalent methodologies for constructing qAOP,Bayesian network models and regression models,and demonstrates diverse applications of qAOP.Actual cases are used to underscore the transformative role of qAOP in contemporary toxicology and risk assessment practices.

Renal fibrosis, especially tubulointerstitial fibrosis, is the most common pathway of all chronic kidney diseases progressing to end-stage renal diseases. Several adaptive reactions occur in renal tubular epithelial cells after chronic injury, such as changes in glycolipid metabolism, unfolded protein response, autophagy and senescence, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Maladaptive repair mechanisms can induce tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This article will discuss the molecular mechanism of these adaptive responses of renal tubular epithelial cells driving renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and provide a basis for exploring new drug targets for renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Retrograde adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are capable of infecting the axons of projection neurons and serve as a powerful tool for the anatomical and functional characterization of neural networks. However, few retrograde AAV capsids have been shown to offer access to cortical projection neurons across different species and enable the manipulation of neural function in non-human primates (NHPs). Here, we report the development of a novel retrograde AAV capsid, AAV-DJ8R, which efficiently labeled cortical projection neurons after local administration into the striatum of mice and macaques. In addition, intrastriatally injected AAV-DJ8R mediated opsin expression in the mouse motor cortex and induced robust behavioral alterations. Moreover, AAV-DJ8R markedly increased motor cortical neuron firing upon optogenetic light stimulation after viral delivery into the macaque putamen. These data demonstrate the usefulness of AAV-DJ8R as an efficient retrograde tracer for cortical projection neurons in rodents and NHPs and indicate its suitability for use in conducting functional interrogations.
Animals ; Haplorhini ; Axons ; Motor Neurons ; Interneurons ; Macaca ; Dependovirus/genetics* ; Genetic Vectors

Objective To discuss the clinical application of coronary CT angiography(CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR)in evaluating the risk stratification of the coronary artery stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque quantitative parameters.Methods A total of 122 patients,who received CCTA examination at the Xuzhou Municipal Central Hospital of China,were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into non-ischemia group(CT-FFR＞0.8,n=66)and ischemia group(CT-FFR0.8,n=56).The characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between plaque characteristics and ischemic lesions.Results There were 218 vessels having a CT-FFR＞0.8 and 174 vessels having a CT-FFR ≤0.8.Statistically significant differences in the total plaque volume,calcified plaque volume,plaque length,and stenosis ratio＞50％existed between the two groups(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that the total plaque volume,calcified plaque volume,plaque length,and stenosis ratio＞50％were the risk factors for myocardial ischemia.Conclusion CT-FFR can be used for the risk stratification of coronary stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics,which can evaluate the local myocardial blood supply condition from the anatomical stenosis and functional level so as to optimize the diagnosis and treatment measures.

Objective:To investigate the effects of 30% ethanol elution fraction of Artemisia absinthium extract with macroporous resin (AAEM-30%) on the dendritic cell (DC) and immunity of mice. Methods:AAEM-30% was obtained from the alcoholic extracts of A. absinthium by AB-8 macroporous resin, and its polysaccharide, flavonoid, and terpenoid contents were determined. The expressions of AAEM-30% on DC surface molecular cluster of differentiation (CD) 40, CD80 and CD86 were detected in vitro by flow cytometry, and the expressions of DC cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of AAEM-30% on the immune function of ICR mice was measured in vivo with different doses (50 and 100 mg/kg) and different administration methods (subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, and gavage). Results:The contents of polysaccharides, flavonoids, and terpenoids in AAEM-30% were 24.30%, 22.50% and 28.19%, respectively. AAEM-30% significantly enhanced the expression of CD40, and CD86 and the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α (all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, no statistically significant differences were found in the body mass of mice compared with the three administration methods (all P>0.05). The thymus index in the 50 and 100 mg/kg AAEM-30% intraperitoneal injection groups and the spleen index in the 50 mg/kg AAEM-30% gavage group were increased (all P<0.05). CD19 + cells increased in the 100 mg/kg AAEM-30% intraperitoneal injection group ( P<0.01) and in the 50 mg/kg AAEM-30% gavage group ( P<0.05). The CD11b + and CD11c + counts increased in the 100 mg/kg AAEM-30% gavage group ( P<0.05). The number of CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes was increased by both gavage and intraperitoneal administration (all P<0.05). Conclusions:AAEM-30% can promote the maturation of DC and enhanced the immunity of mice without obvious side effects.

Cervical cancer is the fourth-ranked malignant tumor of female cancer in the world, and it seriously threatens women’s health. The main treatment options for patients with cervical cancer are surgery or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. With the development of medical research, researchers are committed to exploring more effective and specific treatment options in order to increase the treatment options for cervical cancer and improve the treatment effect. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology is a method in which the Cas9 protein uses guide RNA (gRNA) to target the target gene and achieve precise editing of the target gene. At present, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has become a promising and powerful gene editing tool, a new and effective targeted therapy that has been applied in the treatment of various tumors. The research progress of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the treatment of cervical cancer is mainly reviewed in terms of action targets, combination therapy strategies, and related drug resistance gene screening in order to provide new strategies for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Nanometer materials have attracted much attention in the nanomedical field due to their unique physicochemical properties. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles have many advantages, such as non-toxicity, unique biomolecular protection, good biodegradability, and good biocompatibility. It has been widely studied as an ideal delivery system for biomacromolecules. In this review paper, the synthesis methods of calcium phosphate nanoparticles were summarized, including the conventional hydrothermal/solvothermal method and the aqueous wet chemical precipitation method. Moreover, the ways of binding calcium phosphate nanoparticles to biomacromolecule antigens were discussed from the perspectives of covalent and non-covalent binding, and their application in biomacromolecule delivery systems was described. The above review comments have important reference value for understanding the potential and application prospects of calcium phosphate nanoparticles in nanomedicine.

Fucoidan is a kind of sulfated polysaccharide with various biological activities that mainly exists in the cell walls of brown algae. It is also found in marine invertebrates such as sea cucumbers and sea urchins. Fucoidan has received a lot of attention due to its tumor-killing and immune-boosting properties. Moreover, the combination of fucoidan with chemotherapeutic drugs not only improves antitumor efficacy but also reduces the side effects of these drugs. The function of fucoidan is closely correlated with its structure, molecular weight, degree of sulfation, monosaccharide component, algae source, and time of collection. In this review, the antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of fucoidan are reviewed from the aspects of promoting cell apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, inhibiting angiogenesis and cell migration, and activating immune cells, to provide theoretical guidance for the development and clinical application of fucoidan.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) on dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function through solute carrier family 1 member 2 (Slc1a2).Methods:Mouse bone marrow-derived DCs were transfected with Slc1a2-specific siRNA and an overexpression Slc1a2 eukaryotic expression vector. The real-time fluorescence quantitation (RT-PCR) and Western Blot methods were used to detect knockdown and overexpression efficiency. The expression of surface molecules (CD40, CD80) and major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ (MHCⅡ) of DCs was detected by flow cytometry. ELISA was used to detect the secretion of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12, IL-6, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The effects of knockdown of Slc1a2 on DC maturation and function and the effects of overexpression of Slc1a2 on DC maturation and function were reflected by the above assay results. A mixed lymphocyte culture assay was used to investigate the effect of Slc1a2 on T cell proliferation, and an ELISA was used to detect the lavel of IL-17A. Changes in the relative fluorescence intensity of FITC in DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry to investigate the ability of Slc1a2 overexpression on antigen phagocytosis. Finally, DCs were pretreated with an NF-κB inhibitor, toluoylphenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), and the effect of TPCK on the expression of Slc1a2 in DCs and DC maturation was examined.Results:Slc1a2 expression was found to be high in DC treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) ( P<0.001). The knockdown of Slc1a2 decreased DC maturation and ability to stimulate the proliferation of CD4 + T cells ( P<0.001) and inhibited IL-17 secretion ( P<0.01). Overexpression of Slc1a2 promoted DC maturation and ability to stimulate the proliferation of CD4 + T cells(all P<0.01) Pretreatment of DC with the NF-κB inhibitor TPCK inhibited the expression of Slc1a2 at mRNA and protein levels induced by LPS. Conclusions:NF-κB regulates Slc1a2 expression, which affects the maturation and function of DC.

Objective:To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of Glycyrrhiza uralensis ethanol extract(GUEE) on the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and the adjuvant effect of GUEE on OVA in na?ve BALB/c mice and an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. Methods:GUEE was prepared, and the effects of different concentrations of GUEE on the maturation of DCs and the secreted cytokines as well as the effects of GUEE on bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DC maturation were examined in vitro. The effect of GUEE on the morphology of mouse bone marrow derived DCs was observed using microscopy. Molecular expression levels on the surface of DCs were detected using flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the supernatant of DCs cultures were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The maturation status of DCs was detected by flow cytometry by injecting different concentrations of GUEE into the paws of mice and isolating the draining lymph nodes 24 h later. The naive BALB/c mice were co-immunized with OVA, and the changes in regulatory T cells (Treg) were detected by flow cytometry. An OVA-protein-induced mouse asthma model was established to investigate whether GUEE as a tolerogenic adjuvant has an antigen-specific therapeutic effect on asthmatic mice. Pulmonary pathological changes were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and PAS staining. OVA-specific antibodies in serum and the frequencies of Tregs, CD4 + IFN-γ + and CD4 + IL-4 + T cells in the spleen were detected by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Results:GUEE suppressed DCs maturation induced by LPS both in vitro and in vivo (all P<0.05), and reduced proinflammatory cytokine production, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α in the absence or presence of LPS (all P<0.05). Moreover, co-immunization with OVA and GUEE increased the amount of Tregs in na?ve BALB/c mice ( P<0.05). In OVA-induced asthmatic mice, OVA and GUEE co-immunization and GUEE alone treatment substantially ameliorated the inflammation of lung tissues, decreased the levels of IgG 1 and the amount of CD4 + IL-4 + T cells, and increased the amount of Tregs (all P<0.05). Conclusions:GUEE alone or as the tolerogenic adjuvant can ameliorate allergic diseases through inhibition of DC maturation and type 2 helper T cell responses and induction of Tregs.