AIM: To investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of the main active components of Dalitong extract in SD rats after oral administration using UPLC-MS / MS. METHODS: An UPLC-MS / MS method was established to simultaneously detect tetrahydropalmatine, nobiletin and costunolide in the plasma and tissues of SD rats. The method was applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and tissue distribution. RESULTS: After a single oral administration, the three active components were rapidly absorbed into the body, with a peak concentration (Cmax) of (13.73 ± 7.50), (27.01 ± 17.69) and (6.73 ± 29.94) ng / mL for tetrahydropalmatine, nobiletin, and costunolide, respectively. The time to reach the peak concentration (Tmax) was (1.40 ± 0.93), (0.63 ± 0.28) and (2.38 ± 8.81) h, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was (80.43±40.03), (41.30±28.69) and (303.90 ± 136.69) ng · h · mL

Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.

Objective:To investigate the influence of COX-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the infiltration and immune response of conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1).Methods:Clinicopathological data from 111 HCC patients undergoing radical hepatectomy at Peking University People's Hospital from Jan 2016 to Jun 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to evaluate the cDC1 infiltration and COX-2 expression in tumor tissues. Patients were divided into two groups based on cDC1 infiltration: cDC1 enrichment and cDC1 depletion, and the correlation between COX-2 expression and cDC1 infiltration was analyzed. Single-cell sequencing of HCC tumor tissues was used to further investigate the correlation between PTGS2, the encoding gene of COX-2, and cDC1 infiltration. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) were utilized for in vitro generation of cDC1. HSC-derived cDC1s were sorted by FACS and cocultured with HCC cell line SNU423. Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, was used to suppress the COX-2 expression in HCC cell line SNU423. The functions of cDC1 were explored by FITC-dextran uptake assay, flow cytometry, and Luminex multiplex cytokine assay. Results:COX-2 expression was significantly higher in the cDC1 depletion group ( n=73) compared to the cDC1 enrichment group ( n=38) ( P=0.004 2). Patients with higher PTGS2 expression had significantly lower proportion of cDC1. Increased cDC1 infiltration in the HCC tumor microenvironment correlated with improved patient overall survival rates ( P=0.037) and disease-free survival rates ( P=0.048). Results from FITC-dextran uptake assay, flow cytometry, and Luminex assay indicated that cDC1 co-cultured with HCC showed significantly reduced antigen uptake function, co-stimulatory molecule expression, and cytokine secretion, but partially abrogated with celecoxib treatment. Conclusions:The intratumoral infiltration of cDC1 is positively correlated with favorable prognosis in HCC patients. Elevated COX-2 expression in HCC impedes the intratumoral accumulation of cDC1 and compromises their immune response capabilities. COX-2 inhibitors hold promise for enhancing cDC1 function in HCC.

To construct a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain expressing SpaA and CbpB of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae for oral administration, we constructed the recombinant plasmid pDG1730-CBJA by fusion PCR and seamless cloning. The plasmid was introduced into B. subtilis KC strain by natural transformation, and the recombinant strain KC-spaA-cbpB was screened out on the plate containing spectinomycin (spe^r) and confirmed by PCR and starch degradation test. The SpaA and CbpB expressed by KC-spaA-cbpB were detected by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay, and the genetic stability of the recombinant strain in mice was determined. The plasmid pMAD-∆spe^r with knockout of spe^r was constructed and transformed into KC-spaA-cbpB. The spe^r-deleted mutant strain KC-spaA-cbpB: : ∆spe^r was screened and identified, and its immunogenicity in a mouse model was evaluated by oral immunization. The results showed that the recombinant strain KC-spaA-cbpB was stable in mice, expressing SpaA on the cell surface and CbpB on the spore surface. KC-spaA-cbpB: : ∆spe^r expressed SpaA and CbpB. The mice vaccinated with the spores of KC-spaA-cbpB: : ∆spe^r had higher levels of SpaA and CbpB-specific IgG in the serum that those vaccinated with the wild-type spores 42 days after vaccination by gavage (P < 0.01). The protective rate of mice immunized with the recombinant spores was 67.5%. The results indicated that a recombinant B. subtilis strain expressing SpaA and CbpB of E. rhusiopathiae was successfully constructed, and the recombinant strain laid a foundation for the development of oral live vector vaccines for swine erysipelas.
Animals ; Bacillus subtilis/immunology* ; Mice ; Erysipelothrix/immunology* ; Bacterial Proteins/immunology* ; Bacterial Vaccines/genetics* ; Erysipelothrix Infections/prevention & control* ; Immunization ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids/genetics* ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; Administration, Oral ; Antigens, Bacterial

Objective:To investigate the expression level between AT-Rich Interaction Domain 1A(ARID1A) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and the correlation with tumor microenvironment.Methods:The clinicopathological and survival data of 110 ICC patients undergoing radical hepatectomy in Peking University People's Hospital from Jan 2015 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of ARID1A , programmed cell death 1 ligand 1( PD-L1) in tumor tissues , programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) and cluster of differentiation 8(CD8) in the microenvironment. The relationship between ARID1A expression and PD-L1, PD-1, CD8 protein expression was analyzed.Results:Twenty seven patients did not express ARID1A, absence of ARID1A was associated with high PD-L1, PD-1 and CD8 expression ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed ARID1A expression, preoperative CEA level,preoperative CA19-9 level, lymph node metastasis and tumor number were independent risk factors. Conclusion:Absent expression of ARID1A suggests poor prognosis of ICC patients, high expression of PD-L1,PD-1 and CD8 protein in ICC tumor microenvironment with ARID1A-deficient expression suggests a possible prognosis benefit by using anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1 and other immunotherapy regimens.

Objective:To evaluate the risk of HBV recurrence after liver transplantation in patients with end-stage hepatitis B related liver disease, and to explore the indications for antiviral therapy withdrawal.Methods:The data of HBV DNA, cccDNA in liver puncture tissues and peripheral blood in 31 patients after liver transplantation was retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 31 patients, 15 (48%) had detectable and quantified HBV DNA in liver biopsy tissue, while their HBV related serological indicators were negative, suggesting an occult HBV infection in some patients. The study found 15 out of 19 cases who were taking Entecavir were cccDNA negative (78.9%), compared to 5 out of 12 cases (41.6%) in Lamivudine regiment ( P=0.03). Conclusions:Hidden HBV infection can be detected by amplifying cccDNA and HBV DNA in liver puncture tissue by using ddPCR. Entecavir is superior to lamivudine in the clearance of cccDNA.

To explore the pharmacogenomic markers that affect the platinum-based chemotherapy response in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), we performed a two-cohort of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including 34 for WES-based and 433 for microarray-based analyses, as well as two independent validation cohorts. After integrating the results of two studies, the genetic variations related to the platinum-based chemotherapy response were further determined by fine-mapping in 838 samples, and their potential functional impact were investigated by eQTL analysis and in vitro cell experiments. We found that a total of 68 variations were significant at P < 1 × 10^-3 in cohort 1 discovery stage, of which 3 SNPs were verified in 262 independent samples. A total of 541 SNPs were significant at P < 1 × 10^-4 in cohort 2 discovery stage, of which 8 SNPs were verified in 347 independent samples. Comparing the validated SNPs in two GWAS, ADCY1 gene was verified in both independent studies. The results of fine-mapping showed that the G allele carriers of ADCY1 rs2280496 and C allele carriers of rs189178649 were more likely to be resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy. In conclusion, our study found that rs2280496 and rs189178649 in ADCY1 gene were associated the sensitivity of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations,imaging features and prognosis of mixed liver cancer.Methods The clinical and pathological data of 26 patients with combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) pathologically diagnosed after liver resection were retrospectively analyzed,and the relevant factors affecting the prognosis were statistically analyzed.Results Of the 26 cHCC-CC patients,19 were on background of chronic viral hepatitis,including 17 chronic viral hepatitis B and 2 chronic viral hepatitis C.There were 18 cases having AFP≥20ng/ml,9 cases were with carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) ≥ 37U/ml,and 5 cases with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) ≥5ng/ml.The 1-,3-,and 5-year postoperative survival rates were 68.8％,34.4％,and 17.4％.Multivariate analysis showed that serum CA199≥37U/ ml(x2 =5.687,P =0.019) was an independent risk factor for patients' survival.Conclusion Most cHCC-CC is found in association with chronic viral hepatitis.Serum CA199 ≥37U/ml is an independent risk factor affecting patients survival.

To study the interaction between C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and Riemerella anatipestifer (RA), we cloned duck C4BPα, conducted prokaryotic expression and prepared the polyclonal antibody by immunizing mice. Then indirect immunofluorescence assay and dot blotting hybridization assay were used to verify the interaction between C4BP and RA. The full length of duck C4BPα nucleotide sequence was 1 230 bp, with the highest similarity to chicken C4BPα (82.1%). Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that duck C4BPα and chicken C4BPα were on the same phylogenetic tree branch and the genetic evolution relationship between them was the closest. C4BPα was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant proteins existed in intracellular soluble form. The titer of polyclonal antibody was more than 1:10 000 and polyclonal antibodies could specifically recognize the recombinant proteins. The results of indirect immunofluorescence assay and dot blot hybridization assay showed that RA could interact with duck C4BP. The results provide a basis to further reveal the pathogenesis of RA.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Complement C4b-Binding Protein ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ducks ; classification ; genetics ; microbiology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Mice ; Phylogeny ; Riemerella ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the expression of EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and to explore the relationship between EpCAM expression level and HCC recurrence.Methods 83 HCC tissue samples were collected and analyzed retrospectively.EpCAM was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and the correlation between EpCAM and clinicopathological features,prognosis and recurrence were analyzed retrospectively from patients undergoing liver transplantation in Peking University People's Hospital from 2000 to 2010.Results Log-rank univariate survival analysis showed that the 5-year overall survival (41.2％ vs.73.3％,x2 =4.935,P =0.026) and 5-year disease free survival (41.2％ vs.73.3％,x2 =4.634,P =0.031)of HCC patients with high EpCAM expression level was significantly lower than that with low expression level of EpCAM.COX multivariate survival analysis showed patients with high EpCAM expression had a higher risk of recurrence(HR =2.860,95％ CI:1.012-8.083) and death (HR =2.909,95％ CI:1.030-8.217)after liver transplantation than those with low EpCAM expression,which was an independent predictor of 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease free survival recurrence (P =0.044).Furthermore,EpCAM expression level was highly related to tumor distant metastasis (P =0.01).Conclusion There was positive relation between high expression of EpCAM and high HCC recurrence after liver transplantation,suggesting that EpCAM can be a predictor for HCC recurrence and long-term survival of patients with HCC after transplantation.