1.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.
2.Application of Aromatic Inhalation Therapy in Preventing Respiratory Infectious Diseases Based on the Theory of "Aromatics Acting on the Spleen"
Xinxin WU ; Yue ZHANG ; Xiaolei LI ; Haoyue LI ; Fang ZHANG ; Nanjiang YU ; ZHAOJING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):432-436
Aromatic inhalation therapy is a key traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approach for preventing respiratory infectious diseases. Its foundational theory, "aromatics acting on the spleen", is deeply rooted in TCM principles and supported by modern medical research. The theory posits that the aromatic properties of medicinals primarily act on the spleen, and the aromatic inhalation therapy achieved its protective effects by modulation of the spleen and spleen channel to enhance the regulation of wei qi, striae and interstices. In TCM, the spleen is considered the mother of the lungs, with the function of nurturing lung; it is also seen as the source of wei qi, responsible for external defense; and the root of healthy qi, forming the foundation of acquired (postnatal) constitution. Thus, preventive strategies for respiratory infectious diseases focus on strengthening the spleen. From a modern medical perspective, the spleen's role in regulating lung immune responses, the shared immune functions of the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa, and the spleen's overall immune modulation provide scientific evidence for using aromatic inhalation therapy to prevent respiratory infections. Additionally, aromatic inhalation therapy offers several advantages, including direct action, rapid onset, minimal side effects, controllable risks, convenience, and ease of dissemination, making it a practical and effective preventive measure for respiratory infectious diseases.
3.Overview of the Research on Mechanisms and Application of Essential Oil of Aromatic Chinese Medicinals in Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Disease
Wan Ling LI ; Xinxin WU ; Xiaolei LI ; Mingzhao HAO ; Fang ZHANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Haoyue LI ; Jing ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(6):638-644
Aromatic Chinese medicinal essential oils are volatile oils extracted from aromatic Chinese herbs, which can prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases through multiple synergistic mechanisms including pathogen inhibition, immune regulation, and inflammatory response regulation. Essential oils are primarily used externally on the body to prevent infections and alleviate symptoms through methods like inhalation, smearing, topical application, bathing, gargling or as a suppository. They can also be utilized in the environment for disinfection and air purification, through methods like diffusion, vaporization, or spraying. The external application of essential oils extracted from Chinese aromatic herbs has the advantages of convenience, quick absorption, and simultaneous influence on both the body and mind. However, there are still challenges and deficiencies in aspects such as the positioning of functions, indications, safety, and the research on the mechanism of action. It has been proposed to combine the theory of aromatic Chinese medicinals with the characteristics of essential oils, and formulate prescriptions of Chinese medicinal essential oils under the principles of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation, and prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases efficiently, accurately, and safely, thereby expanding the clinical application of aromatic Chinese medicinals and the preventive theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
4.Treatment of Renal Injury in Wilson Disease Based on Pathogenesis of Latent Toxin in Kidney Collaterals
Ke DIAO ; Wenming YANG ; Xiang LI ; Yue YANG ; Yulong YANG ; Zhihong RAO ; Shuzhen FANG ; Yufeng DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):132-139
Hepatolenticular degeneration, also known as Wilson disease (WD), is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, leading to copper metabolism disorders. Gene mutations result in impaired synthesis of copper-binding protein, and abnormal excretion of copper through bile leads to pathological deposition of copper in various organs, ultimately causing multi-organ damage. The insidious onset and low specificity of symptoms make it difficult to diagnose this disease. On the basis of existing studies and the theory of latent toxin, this paper proposes that latent toxin in kidney collaterals is the main pathogenesis of renal injury in WD. It is pointed out that health Qi deficiency and latent pathogen are the premises for the occurrence of this disease, and the transformation of latent pathogen into toxin is the ley pathological process. Toxin damaging kidney collaterals is the ultimate result. According to the pathogenesis, this paper proposes the treatment principle of reinforcing healthy Qi and resolving toxin and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. This review provides new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of renal injury in WD with traditional Chinese medicine.
5.Clinical Efficacy of Gandouling Decoction Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Dysphagia in Wilson Disease with Combined Phlegm and Stasis
Zhihong RAO ; Wenming YANG ; Yue YANG ; Xiang LI ; Peng HUANG ; Yulong YANG ; Ke DIAO ; Shuzhen FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):155-162
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandouling decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in the treatment of dysphagia in Wilson disease (WD) with combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA total of 80 WD patients with dysphagia due to combined phlegm and stasis treated in the Department of Encephalopathy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 40 patients in each group. In addition, 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal group. The control group was treated with basic copper drainage combined with NMES. The observation group was treated with Gandouling Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. Each course of treatment lasted for 8 days, and the patients were treated for a total of 4 courses. All subjects underwent video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and after treatment. During the examination, contrast agents with 4 different characters were used for the swallowing action, and the passing time was recorded. The TCM syndrome score, water swallow test score, standard swallowing assessment (SSA) score, and 24-h urinary copper level before and after treatment were analyzed. ResultsWhen performing VFSS, the passing time of contrast agents of different characters in the oral stage was longer in the WD group than in the normal group (P<0.01), while it had no significant difference in the pharyngeal stage. After treatment, the passing time in the oral stage shortened in the control and observation groups (P<0.01), and the observation group outperformed the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, both the control and observation groups showed declines in TCM syndrome score and SSA score (P<0.01) and an increase in water swallow test score (P<0.01), and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). In addition, the treatment in the control and observation groups elevated the 24-h urinary copper level (P<0.01), and the elevation in the observation group was more obvious than that in the control group (P<0.01). Neither group showed obvious adverse reaction. ConclusionGandouling decoction combined with NMES can significantly ameliorate dysphagia in WD patients with the syndrome of combined phlegm and stasis regarding the TCM syndrome score, water swallow test score, and SSA score, demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high safety.
6.Mechanism of Shenqi guben formula in improving cancer-related fatigue by regulating IL-17 signaling pathway
Xin LI ; Chongkai FANG ; Yue HUANG ; Yaoxuan LI ; Haifu HUANG ; Xianlin WU ; Zhesheng CHEN ; Meng LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(14):1722-1729
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Shenqi guben formula (SQGB) in improving cancer-related fatigue (CRF) based on network pharmacology and cellular experiments. METHODS Active components of SQGB and CRF-related targets were identified on the basis of databases such as the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology platform. An in vitro CRF cell model was established by inducing A549 cells with interleukin-17 (IL-17). Cells were treated with low (1.0 mg/mL) or high (1.5 mg/mL) concentrations of SQGB. The effects on cell viability, migration, apoptosis, inflammatory factors, mRNA expression, apoptosis-related proteins and key proteins 011) of IL-17 signaling pathway were evaluated using scratch assay, flow cytometry, ELISA, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS SQGB contained 84 active components acting on 209 potential CRF targets. Among E-these, quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin were identified as the core components of the compound. Core targets included tumor protein p53, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). IL-17, TNF and phosphatidylinositol-3- kinase-serine/threonine protein kinase (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways were identified as crucial pathways. Compared with IL-17 intervention group, the cell migration rate, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein expression, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the supernatant, mRNA expression of IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA), TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as the protein expression of IL-17RA and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 subunit (p65), and phosphorylated (p)-p65/p65 ratio in IL-17+SQGB low- and high- quality concentration groups were all significantly decreased or down-regulation (P<0.05); the apoptosis rate, expression levels of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 protein, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, the expression level of p-p38 protein, and the p- p38/p38 ratio were all significantly increased or up-regulated (P<0.05). Moreover, the improvement effects of these indicators were mostly better in the high-quality concentration groups compared to the low-quality concentration groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS SQGB ameliorates CRF by regulating the IL-17 signaling pathway, inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors, and activating p38 MAPK-dependent apoptosis pathway.
7.Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the process of CA19-9 production and dynamics of the immune microenvironment between CA19-9 (+) and CA19-9 (-) PDAC
Deyu ZHANG ; Fang CUI ; Kailian ZHENG ; Wanshun LI ; Yue LIU ; Chang WU ; Lisi PENG ; Zhenghui YANG ; Qianqian CHEN ; Chuanchao XIA ; Shiyu LI ; Zhendong JIN ; Xiaojiang XU ; Gang JIN ; Zhaoshen LI ; Haojie HUANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(20):2415-2428
Background::Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the main types of malignant tumor of the digestive system, and patient prognosis is affected by difficulties in early diagnosis, poor treatment response, and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) has been widely used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of PDAC patients. Nevertheless, the production mechanism and potential role of CA19-9 in PDAC progression have not yet been elucidated.Methods::We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on six samples pathologically diagnosed as PDAC (three CA19-9-positive and three CA19-9-negative PDAC samples) and two paracarcinoma samples. We also downloaded and integrated PDAC samples (each from three CA19-9-positive and CA19-9-negative patients) from an online database. The dynamics of the proportion and potential function of each cell type were verified through immunofluorescence. Moreover, we built an in vitro coculture cellular model to confirm the potential function of CA19-9. Results::Three subtypes of cancer cells with a high ability to produce CA19-9 were identified by the markers TOP2A, AQP5, and MUC5AC. CA19-9 production bypass was discovered on antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (apCAFs). Importantly, the proportion of immature ficolin-1 positive (FCN1+) macrophages was high in the CA19-9-negative group, and the proportion of mature M2-like macrophages was high in the CA19-9-positive group. High proportions of these two macrophage subtypes were associated with an unfavourable clinical prognosis. Further experiments indicated that CA19-9 could facilitate the transformation of M0 macrophages into M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusions::Our study described CA19-9 production at single-cell resolution and the dynamics of the immune atlas in CA19-9-positive and CA19-9-negative PDAC. CA19-9 could promote M2 polarization of macrophage in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.
8.The neuroprotective effect of Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula on vascular dementia model rats based on regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis by PGAM5-Drp1 axis
Ding ZHANG ; Zhi-Han HU ; Chun-Ying SUN ; Xiao-Dong ZHU ; Fang-Cun LI ; Ming-He JIANG ; Hong-Ling QIN ; Wei CHEN ; Yue-Qiang HU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2158-2164
Aim To observe the effects of Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula(WFJZF)on rats with vascular de-mentia and investigate its possible mechanism of ac-tion.Methods Thirty-six healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group,model group,donepezil group,and low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups of Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula,with six rats per group.Except for the sham group,the other groups were prepared as VaD models,and each group was gavaged with the corresponding drugs after suc-cessful modeling,and tests were performed after three weeks of treatment.Behavioral,hippocampal CA1 area morphology,neural dendrites and mitochondrial chan-ges were observed in all groups of rats,and phospho-glycerate mutase 5(PGAM5),dynamics-related pro-teins1(Drp1),opticatrophyprotein-1(OPA1),and other proteins were detected in each group.Results Compared with the sham group,rats in the model group and each intervention group had prolonged es-cape latency(P<0.05),a shorter number of travers-als across the platforms(P<0.05),a sparse morphol-ogy of hippocampal neurons,a reduction in the number of secondary dendritic spines,and a rupture of the out-er membrane of the mitochondria;the expression of the PGAM5 and Drp1 proteins in hippocampal tissues was elevated(P<0.05),and the expression of the OPA1 and Mfn1/2 protein expression decreased(P<0.05);compared with the model group,donepezil group and Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula high-dose group of rats had shorter evasion latency(P<0.05),increased number of times to traverse the platform(P<0.05),increased number of hippocampal neurons,tightly packed,more secondary dendritic structures,and reduced mitochon-drial damage;the expression of PGAM5 and Drp1 pro-teins was reduced(P<0.05),and the expression of OPA1 and Mfn1/2 proteins was elevated(P<0.05).Conclusions Wenfei Jiangzhuo formula can regulate the PGAM5-Drp1 signaling axis to improve the balance of mitochondrial homeostasis,thus improving the cog-nitive condition of the brain and exerting cerebroprotec-tive effects.
9.Key points and standard status of quality evaluation of oromucosal drug delivery preparations
Liuliu YANG ; Mingyan LI ; Junqi ZHANG ; Bing WANG ; Yue SHANG ; Fang CHEN
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(3):220-226
Oromucosal drug delivery preparations offer advantages such as convenient administration,suitability for patients with dysphagia,rapid onset of action,and avoidance of first-pass metabolism in the liver.The 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,EP11.0,BP2022,USP44-NF39,and JP18 all include relevant standards for the quality control of different oromucosal drug delivery systems.This article compares the differences in general re-quirements for oromucosal formulations among different countries and provides an overview of inspection items for marketed oral mucosal formulations and those documented in pharmacopoeias both domestically and internationally.Foreign pharmacopoeias include a wide range of oromucosal drug delivery formulations,with more refined quality control measures for systemic action.These findings can serve as a reference for the improvement and enhancement of standards for oromucosal drug delivery systems in China.
10.Evaluation of life cycle management system on patients'prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Ruo-Yun LIU ; Ran LIU ; Mei-Fang DAI ; Yue-Miao JIAO ; Yang LI ; San-Shuai CHANG ; Ye XU ; Zhi-Nan LU ; Li ZHAO ; Cheng-Qian YIN ; Guang-Yuan SONG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(6):311-316
Objective With the widespread of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis(AS),the life-cycle management has become a major determinant of prognosis.Methods A total of 408 AS patients who underwent successfully TAVR from June 2021 to August 2023 were consecutively enrolled in Hospital Valve Intervention Center.Patients were assigned to the Usual Care(UC)group between June 2021 and October 2022,while patients were assigned to the Heart Multi-parameter Monitoring(HMM)group between November 2022 and August 2023.The primary endpoint was defined as composite endpoint within 6 months post-TAVR,including all-cause death,cardiovascular death,stroke/transient ischemic attack,conduction block,myocardial infarction,heart failure rehospitalization,and major bleeding events.Secondary endpoints were the time interval(in hours)from event occurrence to medical consultation or advice and patient satisfaction.Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Results The incidence of primary endpoint in HMM group was significantly lower than that in UC group(8.9%vs.17.7%,P=0.016),the driving event was the rate of diagnosis and recognition of conduction block.The average time intervals from event occurrence to receiving medical advice were 3.02 h in HHM group vs.97.09 h in UC group(P<0.001).Using cardiac monitoring devices and smart healthcare platforms provided significant improving in patients long-term management(HR 0.439,95%CI 0.244-0.790,P=0.006).Conclusions The utilization of cardiac monitoring devices and smart healthcare platforms effectively alerted clinical events and improved postoperative quality of life during long-term management post TAVR.

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