2.Enhanced radiotheranostic targeting of integrin α5β1 with PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody): A strategy for prolonged tumor retention with fast blood clearance.
Siqi ZHANG ; Xiaohui MA ; Jiang WU ; Jieting SHEN ; Yuntao SHI ; Xingkai WANG ; Lin XIE ; Xiaona SUN ; Yuxuan WU ; Hao TIAN ; Xin GAO ; Xueyao CHEN ; Hongyi HUANG ; Lu CHEN ; Xuekai SONG ; Qichen HU ; Hailong ZHANG ; Feng WANG ; Zhao-Hui JIN ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Kuan HU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):692-706
Peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting integrin α5β1 show promise for precise tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, current peptide-based radioligands that target α5β1 demonstrate inadequate in vivo performance owing to limited tumor retention. The use of PEGylation to enhance the tumor retention of radiopharmaceuticals by prolonging blood circulation time poses a risk of increased blood toxicity. Therefore, a PEGylation strategy that boosts tumor retention while minimizing blood circulation time is urgently needed. Here, we developed a PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody) for PR_b, an α5β1 targeting peptide. PEGibody generation involved PEGylation and self-assembly. [64Cu]QM-2303 PEGibodies displayed spherical nanoparticles ranging from 100 to 200 nm in diameter. Compared with non-PEGylated radioligands, [64Cu]QM-2303 demonstrated enhanced tumor retention time due to increased binding affinity and stability. Importantly, the biodistribution analysis confirmed rapid clearance of [64Cu]QM-2303 from the bloodstream. Administration of a single dose of [177Lu]QM-2303 led to robust antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, [64Cu]/[177Lu]QM-2303 exhibited low hematological and organ toxicity in both healthy and tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, this study presents a PEGibody-based radiotheranostic approach that enhances tumor retention time and provides long-lasting antitumor effects without prolonging blood circulation lifetime. The PEGibody-based radiopharmaceutical [64Cu]/[177Lu]QM-2303 shows great potential for positron emission tomography imaging-guided targeted radionuclide therapy for α5β1-overexpressing tumors.
3.l-5-11CGlutamine PET imaging noninvasively tracks dynamic responses of glutaminolysis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Yiding ZHANG ; Lin XIE ; Masayuki FUJINAGA ; Yusuke KURIHARA ; Masanao OGAWA ; Katsushi KUMATA ; Wakana MORI ; Tomomi KOKUFUTA ; Nobuki NENGAKI ; Hidekatsu WAKIZAKA ; Rui LUO ; Feng WANG ; Kuan HU ; Ming-Rong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):681-691
Inhibiting glutamine metabolism has been proposed as a potential treatment strategy for improving non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, effective methods for assessing dynamic metabolic responses during interventions targeting glutaminolysis have not yet emerged. Here, we developed a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging platform using l-[5-11C]glutamine ([11C]Gln) and evaluated its efficacy in NASH mice undergoing metabolic therapy with bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide (BPTES), a glutaminase 1 (GLS1) inhibitor that intervenes in the first and rate-limiting step of glutaminolysis. PET imaging with [11C]Gln effectively delineated the pharmacokinetics of l-glutamine, capturing its temporal-spatial pattern of action within the body. Furthermore, [11C]Gln PET imaging revealed a significant increase in hepatic uptake in methionine and choline deficient (MCD)-fed NASH mice, whereas systemic therapeutic interventions with BPTES reduced the hepatic avidity of [11C]Gln in MCD-fed mice. This reduction in [11C]Gln uptake correlated with a decrease in GLS1 burden and improvements in liver damage, indicating the efficacy of BPTES in mitigating NASH-related metabolic abnormalities. These results suggest that [11C]Gln PET imaging can serve as a noninvasive diagnostic platform for whole-body, real-time tracking of responses of glutaminolysis to GLS1 manipulation in NASH, and it may be a valuable tool for the clinical management of patients with NASH undergoing glutaminolysis-based metabolic therapy.
4.Fibroblast activation protein targeting radiopharmaceuticals: From drug design to clinical translation.
Yuxuan WU ; Xingkai WANG ; Xiaona SUN ; Xin GAO ; Siqi ZHANG ; Jieting SHEN ; Hao TIAN ; Xueyao CHEN ; Hongyi HUANG ; Shuo JIANG ; Boyang ZHANG ; Yingzi ZHANG ; Minzi LU ; Hailong ZHANG ; Zhicheng SUN ; Ruping LIU ; Hong ZHANG ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Kuan HU ; Rui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4511-4542
The activation proteins released by fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment regulate tumor growth, migration, and treatment response, thereby influencing tumor progression and therapeutic outcomes. Owing to the proliferation and metastasis of tumors, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is typically highly expressed in the tumor stroma, whereas it is nearly absent in adult normal tissues and benign lesions, making it an attractive target for precision medicine. Radiolabeled agents targeting FAP have the potential for targeted cancer diagnosis and therapy. This comprehensive review aims to describe the evolution of FAPI-based radiopharmaceuticals and their structural optimization. Within its scope, this review summarizes the advances in the use of radiolabeled small molecule inhibitors for tumor imaging and therapy as well as the modification strategies for FAPIs, combined with insights from structure-activity relationships and clinical studies, providing a valuable perspective for radiopharmaceutical clinical development and application.
5.Mechanism of action of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets for treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on metabolomics and intestinal flora.
Qing-Xia LIN ; Chun-Mei NIE ; Run-Li CHE ; Kuan RONG ; Lin CHEN ; Jian-Hua HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2024;49(23):6417-6428
In order to elucidate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets on knee osteoarthritis, this study created a knee osteoarthritis model using 0.2 mL 40 g·L~(-1) papain and randomly divided the rats into the model group, high-dose and low-dose groups of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets, and celecoxib group. All groups were given the drug for four weeks, with the diameter of their knee joint being measured during this period. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Senna solid green staining were utilized to observe the pathology of knee joint tissue in SD rats. The initial therapeutic impact of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets on knee osteoarthritis in rats was assessed by monitoring the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the plasma. Using a combination of non-targeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA techniques, researchers determined the variations in endogenous molecules and intestinal flora in rats and identified potential biomarkers. The results showed that Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets improved the diameter of knee joint swelling, ameliorated the pathological damage of cartilage tissue, and reduced the plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in rats with knee osteoarthritis. Metabolomics analysis identified 22 potential biomarkers associated with the modulatory effects of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, corticosterone, methylmalonic acid, and other biomarkers, which were mainly involved in eight metabolic pathways, including tryptophan metabolism, vitamin K metabolism, steroid synthesis, and so on. The results of intestinal flora showed a decrease in the diversity of intestinal flora in the model group, an increase in the diversity of intestinal flora, and an improvement in the microecology of intestinal flora. Significant differences were found in Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Helicobacter, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides. Finally, the results of the combined analysis showed that 22 biomarkers were correlated with five genera. The above results indicate that Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets can improve the tissue morphology and structure of knee joints, reduce the level of plasma inflammatory factors, regulate the diversity of intestinal flora, and balance the metabolic pathways of steroid synthesis, vitamin K metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism to exert a therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Osteoarthritis, Knee/genetics*
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Metabolomics
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Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage*
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Male
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Tablets
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Humans
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Interleukin-1beta/blood*
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Interleukin-6/blood*
6.Effect of Jingangwan on p38 MAPK,JNK,and IL-1 Content in Osteoporosis Model Rats
Lin-ling SHEN ; Kuan RONG ; Zi-feng YE ; Juan AN ; Hao-ming KUANG ; Jian-jun KUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(9):29-35
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Jingangwan on the expression of osteoclast, c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), and interleukin-1(IL-1) in the osteoporosis model rats, explore the mechanism of Jingangwan in the treatment of osteoporosis, and determine the optimal dosing concentration of Jingangwan. MethodFifty-six rats of SPF grade were randomized into a blank group,a sham operation group,a model group, model group,high-, medium-, and low-dose Jingangwan groups (0.72, 0.36, 0.18 g·kg-1·d-1, ig),and an estradiol valerate group (0.009 g·kg-1·d-1, ig), with eight rats in each group. The rats in the model group, the blank group, and the sham operation group received 3 mL of normal saline, respectively. Samples were collected 12 weeks after drug administration. The number of osteoclasts was observed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Serum levels of JNK, p38 MAPK, and IL-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK and JNK were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultThe TRAP staining results showed that compared with the model group, the estradiol valerate group and the Jingangwan groups could inhibit the formation of osteoclasts to different degrees. As revealed by ELISA results, compared with the model group and the sham operation group, the model group showed increased serum levels of p38 MAPK, JNK, and IL-1 (P<0.01), while compared with the model group, all the groups with drug intervention showed decreased levels of p38 MAPK, JNK, and IL-1 (P<0.01). The serum levels of JNK and IL-1 in the high-dose Jingangwan group were lower than those in the estradiol valerate group (P<0.05). Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased relative mRNA expression of p38 MAPK and JNK in the thighbone (P<0.01), while compared with the model group, all the groups with drug intervention showed decreased relative mRNA expression of p38 MAPK and JNK in the thighbone (P<0.01). ConclusionJingangwan can inhibit the formation of osteoblasts,reduce the diameter of the bone marrow cavity,improve bone quality,suppress the production of inflammatory factors,affect the metabolism of the MAPK signaling pathway,and blunt p38 MAPK and JNK activities to inhibit the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and regulate bone metabolism, thereby preventing osteoporosis. Therefore,Jingangwan may be of application value in maintaining bone health and treating osteoporosis.
7.Development of a highly-specific
Zhen CHEN ; Wakana MORI ; Jian RONG ; Michael A SCHAFROTH ; Tuo SHAO ; Richard S VAN ; Daisuke OGASAWARA ; Tomoteru YAMASAKI ; Atsuto HIRAISHI ; Akiko HATORI ; Jiahui CHEN ; Yiding ZHANG ; Kuan HU ; Masayuki FUJINAGA ; Jiyun SUN ; Qingzhen YU ; Thomas L COLLIER ; Yihan SHAO ; Benjamin F CRAVATT ; Lee JOSEPHSON ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Steven H LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(6):1686-1695
As a serine hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is principally responsible for the metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to the formation of arachidonic acid (AA). Dysfunction of MAGL has been associated with multiple CNS disorders and symptoms, including neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, epileptogenesis, nociception and neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of MAGL provides a promising therapeutic direction for the treatment of these conditions, and a MAGL positron emission tomography (PET) probe would greatly facilitate preclinical and clinical development of MAGL inhibitors. Herein, we design and synthesize a small library of fluoropyridyl-containing MAGL inhibitor candidates. Pharmacological evaluation of these candidates by activity-based protein profiling identified
8.Research progress of clinical application of posterior scleral reinforcement
International Eye Science 2021;21(5):832-835
Posterior sclera reinforcement(PSR), also known as posterior sclera strengthening or posterior sclera bandage, is a kind of operation to fix biological or non-biological materials to the posterior sclera, with the aim to strengthen sclera and improve the blood circulation of the choroid and retina by using the traction of materials or the immune inflammatory stimulation, thereby delaying the continuous extension of the axis and improving visual function. The main indications of PSR include pathologic myopia(PM)and its related complications. In addition, PSR can also help to improve blood circulation at the posterior pole of the eye in patients with retinitis pigmentosa(RP), especially in conjunction with superficial temporal artery ligation. After more than half a century's development, PSR has been currently considered as one of the few and effective methods to treat PM and RP, but as a more traumatic operation, the stability of its clinical effect varies greatly, so there is still room for improvement in surgical procedures and materials used.
9.Recent developments on PET radiotracers for TSPO and their applications in neuroimaging.
Lingling ZHANG ; Kuan HU ; Tuo SHAO ; Lu HOU ; Shaojuan ZHANG ; Weijian YE ; Lee JOSEPHSON ; Jeffrey H MEYER ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Neil VASDEV ; Jinghao WANG ; Hao XU ; Lu WANG ; Steven H LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(2):373-393
The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is predominately localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane in steroidogenic cells. Brain TSPO expression is relatively low under physiological conditions, but is upregulated in response to glial cell activation. As the primary index of neuroinflammation, TSPO is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In this context, numerous TSPO-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have been developed. Among them, several radioligands have advanced to clinical research studies. In this review, we will overview the recent development of TSPO PET tracers, focusing on the radioligand design, radioisotope labeling, pharmacokinetics, and PET imaging evaluation. Additionally, we will consider current limitations, as well as translational potential for future application of TSPO radiopharmaceuticals. This review aims to not only present the challenges in current TSPO PET imaging, but to also provide a new perspective on TSPO targeted PET tracer discovery efforts. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the translation of TSPO in clinical studies of neuroinflammation associated with central nervous system diseases.
10.Expression and significance of follicular helper T cells and galactose-deficient IgA1 in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
Bin WANG ; Fu-Rong SHAO-KUAN ; Chen DONG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2020;22(5):473-477
OBJECTIVE:
To study the role of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) in the pathogenesis of childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and the correlation between them.
METHODS:
A total of 36 children with newly-diagnosed HSP were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: HSP nephritis (HSPN) group with 11 children and non-HSPN group with 25 children according to the presence or absence of HSPN. Another 15 children who underwent physical examination at the outpatient service were enrolled as the healthy control group. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of Tfh cells (CD4CXCR5ICOS) in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-21 (IL-21) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood and the serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of serum Gd-IgA1 concentration with Tfh cells and related factors expression in the children with HSP.
RESULTS:
Both the HSPN and non-HSPN groups had significantly higher proportion of Tfh cells and expression levels of IL-21 and IL-6 in peripheral blood than the healthy control group (P<0.05). The HSPN group had significant increases in the above indices compared with the non-HSPN group (P<0.05). Both the HSPN and non-HSPN groups had significantly higher serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 than the healthy control group (P<0.05). The HSPN group had significantly higher serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 than the non-HSPN group (P<0.05). In the children with HSP, serum Gd-IgA1 level was positively correlated with Tfh cells proportion and IL-21 and IL-6 levels (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Tfh cells and related cytokines and serum Gd-IgA1 are involved in the development of HSP/HSPN. Tfh cells may mediate the increased production of Gd-IgA1.
Child
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Galactose
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin A
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Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch
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Receptors, CXCR5
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

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