1.The SMAD-Pathway Mediates HMGB1-Induced Proliferation and Metastatic Progression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
De-De LIAN ; Xue Mei LI ; Yu-Xi JIA ; Ming-Wei ZHOU ; Xiang-Ru CHEN ; Yang-Yang TIAN ; Min LI ; Ming-Hui SUN ; Ye ZHAO ; Hong-Jun LI ; Qing-Ling ZHANG
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):51-58
Background:
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context.
Objective:
This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Methods:
We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration.
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT.
Conclusion
These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.
2.Compound Chaijin Jieyu formula modulates TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway to suppress central oxidative stress and ameliorate hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairment in depression
Lian-mei XUE ; De-guo LIU ; Qing-ping ZHANG ; Zi-rong LI ; Qian LIU ; Yi SHU ; Xiu-wen HUANG ; Li-dan LAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1972-1981
Aim To explore the mechanism by which the compound Chaijin Jieyu formula(CCJJY)regulates the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway to inhibit central oxidative stress and improve hippocampal synaptic plasticity damage in depression.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the control group,chronic unpredictable mild stress group,sleep deprivation group,chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with sleep deprivation group,positive drug group(venlafax-ine+melatonin),low-dose group of CCJJY,medium dose group of CCJJY,and high-dose group of CCJJY,with nine rats in each group.Except for the control group,a rat model of depression complicated with in-somnia was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with sleep deprivation.Depres-sion-like and sleep behaviors in rats were evaluated through weight,food intake,water maze,and pento-barbital sodium tests.ELisa was used to detect ROS,AANAT,and HPLC-EC was used to detect 5-HT con-tent,while Western blot/RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-1β,TLR4,NLRP3,PSD-95,and SYN related proteins and mRNA.HE and Golgic stai-ning were used to observe the pathological changes in the third ventricle,hippocampus,and neuronal synap-ses.Results Compared with the control group,the depression-like behaviors of the model group rats were significant.The expression of IL-1β,TLR4,and NL-RP3 in the hippocampus increased,while the expres-sion of PSD-95 and SYN decreased.Activation of NL-RP3 inflammasomes led to "sleeve like" pathological changes in the third ventricle,with hippocampal neu-rons undergoing apoptosis and significant damage to neuronal synaptic plasticity.Compared with the model group,after intervention with CCJJY,the expression of ROS,IL-1β,TLR4,and NLRP3 decreased,while the expression of AANAT,5-HT,PSD-95,and SYN in-creased.Pathological damage to the third ventricle and hippocampal neurons was repaired.Conclusion The CCJJY improves hippocampal synaptic plasticity dam-age in depression by regulating the TLR4/NLRP3 sig-naling pathway to inhibit central oxidative stress.
3.Compound Chaijin Jieyu formula modulates TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway to suppress central oxidative stress and ameliorate hippocampal synaptic plasticity impairment in depression
Lian-mei XUE ; De-guo LIU ; Qing-ping ZHANG ; Zi-rong LI ; Qian LIU ; Yi SHU ; Xiu-wen HUANG ; Li-dan LAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1972-1981
Aim To explore the mechanism by which the compound Chaijin Jieyu formula(CCJJY)regulates the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway to inhibit central oxidative stress and improve hippocampal synaptic plasticity damage in depression.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the control group,chronic unpredictable mild stress group,sleep deprivation group,chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with sleep deprivation group,positive drug group(venlafax-ine+melatonin),low-dose group of CCJJY,medium dose group of CCJJY,and high-dose group of CCJJY,with nine rats in each group.Except for the control group,a rat model of depression complicated with in-somnia was established using chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with sleep deprivation.Depres-sion-like and sleep behaviors in rats were evaluated through weight,food intake,water maze,and pento-barbital sodium tests.ELisa was used to detect ROS,AANAT,and HPLC-EC was used to detect 5-HT con-tent,while Western blot/RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-1β,TLR4,NLRP3,PSD-95,and SYN related proteins and mRNA.HE and Golgic stai-ning were used to observe the pathological changes in the third ventricle,hippocampus,and neuronal synap-ses.Results Compared with the control group,the depression-like behaviors of the model group rats were significant.The expression of IL-1β,TLR4,and NL-RP3 in the hippocampus increased,while the expres-sion of PSD-95 and SYN decreased.Activation of NL-RP3 inflammasomes led to "sleeve like" pathological changes in the third ventricle,with hippocampal neu-rons undergoing apoptosis and significant damage to neuronal synaptic plasticity.Compared with the model group,after intervention with CCJJY,the expression of ROS,IL-1β,TLR4,and NLRP3 decreased,while the expression of AANAT,5-HT,PSD-95,and SYN in-creased.Pathological damage to the third ventricle and hippocampal neurons was repaired.Conclusion The CCJJY improves hippocampal synaptic plasticity dam-age in depression by regulating the TLR4/NLRP3 sig-naling pathway to inhibit central oxidative stress.
4.Construction and Evaluation of a Rat Model of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Hui LIAN ; Yanling JIANG ; Jia LIU ; Yuli ZHANG ; Wei XIE ; Xiaoou XUE ; Jian LI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(2):130-146
Objective By simulating the etiology of abnormal uterine bleeding-ovulatory dysfunction(AUB-O)and establishing a rat model of abnormal uterine bleeding(AUB),this study aims to provide an experimental platform for investigating pathological mechanisms and developing therapeutic drugs for AUB.Methods After acclimation,24 adult(10-week-old)female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(6 rats)and a model group(18 rats).The normal control group was housed in a barrier environment,while the model group underwent bilateral ovariectomy via dorsal approach in the same environment and rested for one week before starting to receive modeling drugs.In the model group,from Days 1 to 3 of modeling,each rat received a daily subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mg estradiol into the dorsal region.From Days 4 to 7,a daily subcutaneous injection of 5.0 mg progesterone was administered.On Day 6,rats received bilateral injections of 0.5 mL soybean oil per uterine cavity(total 1.0 mL)via the same dorsal surgical incision.On Day 8,mifepristone(10 mg/kg)was administered via oral gavage.The estrous cycle stage and its dynamic changes were continuously monitored during modeling.Uterine bleeding was recorded during the 48-hour observation period post-modeling.Serum and uterine tissue samples were collected from the model group at 0,12,24,36,and 48 h after mifepristone administration,while the normal control group was sampled at 36 h.The samples were subjected to HE staining,serum sex hormone ELISA,immunohistochemistry,TUNEL apoptosis staining,Western blotting,transcriptome sequencing,and bioinformatics analysis for comprehensive evaluation of the AUB rat model.Results The AUB rats exhibited uterine bleeding,endometrial detachment and injury,incomplete uterine restoration,inflammatory cell infiltration in the endometrium,enhanced tissue apoptosis,and structural damage of the stroma,glands,and vasculature.Compared with the normal control group,the levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol,and luteinizing hormone(LH)were significantly increased in the AUB rats(P<0.05).The vascular density of the endometrium was significantly reduced(P<0.05).The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)was qualitatively observed to be markedly enhanced at the site of endometrial detachment but significantly decreased around the stromal blood vessels(P<0.01).Matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)expression was qualitatively observed to be strongly upregulated at the site of endometrial injury but significantly reduced in the non-detached stroma and glands(P<0.01).Endometrial stromal cell apoptosis was significantly enhanced(P<0.01).The expression levels of fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)and endothelin-1(ET-1)in uterine tissues were significantly decreased(P<0.05).After comparing the transcriptome sequencing results of uterine tissues between AUB and normal rats,a total of 4 723 differentially expressed genes were identified,including 2 191 up-regulated genes and 2 532 down-regulated genes.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in pathways related to inflammation,immune apoptosis,cell signal transduction,proliferation and differentiation,and muscle contraction,among others.Conclusion An AUB rat model can be successfully established using a sequential administration protocol of estrogen,progesterone,and mifepristone to simulate the etiology of AUB-O.In this model,endometrial injury is associated with inflammation and apoptosis,with pathological manifestations influenced by abnormal vasoconstriction and impaired endometrial regeneration.This rat model closely recapitulates pathological characteristics of non-structural AUB observed in clinical practice,making it a validated experimental platform for exploring the pathological mechanisms and therapeutic interventions of non-structural AUB.
5.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
6.Study on the current situation and influencing factors of nutritional risk in children in PICU
Lian-Ye LI ; Ying-Jie DUAN ; Guang-Yu LI ; Qi LI ; Mao MAO ; Yu TIAN ; Dong-Xue LÜ ; Wei ZHANG ; Xin-Hui LIU
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(1):23-28
Objective:To investigate the nutritional risk status of children in PICU and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From July 2021 to February 2023,all children aged 1 to 18 years admitted to PICU of Beijing Children's Hospital were investigated by using the pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Scoring tool(PYMS)and the clinical data questionnaire.Results:A total of 492 children in PICU were enrolled.The first nutritional risk screening results showed that there were 32 cases of no/low nutritional risk(6.5%),76 cases of medium risk(15.4%),and 384 cases of high risk(78.1%).The incidence of medium/high nutritional risk was as high as 93.5%.The PYMS score of nutritional risk in PICU was(2.61±1.42).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that weight,fever time before admission,white blood cells,body mass index,primary diagnosis,father's education,and diet before illness were the main influencing factors of nutritional risk of children in PICU(P<0.05).Conclusion:Children in PICU are in a state of high nutritional risk.It is suggested that children in PICU should carry out nutritional screening in a standardized manner,identify children with high nutritional risk and its influencing factors early.To actively conduct nutritional assessment and nutritional intervention could improve the clinical outcome of children in PICU.
7.Comparison of treatment regimens for unresectable stage III epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
Xin DAI ; Qian XU ; Lei SHENG ; Xue ZHANG ; Miao HUANG ; Song LI ; Kai HUANG ; Jiahui CHU ; Jian WANG ; Jisheng LI ; Yanguo LIU ; Jianyuan ZHOU ; Shulun NIE ; Lian LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1687-1695
BACKGROUND:
Durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) failed to bring survival benefits to patients with epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) mutations in PACIFIC study (evaluating durvalumab in patients with stage III, unresectable NSCLC who did not have disease progression after concurrent chemoradiotherapy). We aimed to explore whether locally advanced inoperable patients with EGFR mutations benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and the optimal treatment regimen.
METHODS:
We searched the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from inception to December 31, 2022 and performed a meta-analysis based on a Bayesian framework, with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoints.
RESULTS:
A total of 1156 patients were identified in 16 studies that included 6 treatment measures, including CRT, CRT followed by durvalumab (CRT-Durva), TKI monotherapy, radiotherapy combined with TKI (RT-TKI), CRT combined with TKI (CRT-TKI), and TKI combined with durvalumab (TKI-Durva). The PFS of patients treated with TKI-containing regimens was significantly longer than that of patients treated with TKI-free regimens (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.66). The PFS of TKI monotherapy was significantly longer than that of CRT (HR = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.50-0.87) but shorter than RT-TKI (HR = 1.78, 95% CI, 1.17-2.67). Furthermore, the PFS of RT-TKI or CRT-TKI were both significantly longer than that of CRT or CRT-Durva. RT-TKI ranked first in the Bayesian ranking, with the longest OS (60.8 months, 95% CI = 37.2-84.3 months) and the longest PFS (21.5 months, 95% CI, 15.4-27.5 months) in integrated analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
For unresectable stage III EGFR mutant NSCLC, RT and TKI are both essential. Based on the current evidence, RT-TKI brings a superior survival advantage, while CRT-TKI needs further estimation. Large randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to explore the appropriate application sequences of TKI, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ; No. CRD42022298490.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy*
;
ErbB Receptors/genetics*
;
Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Mutation/genetics*
;
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Chemoradiotherapy
;
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use*
8.Value of lung ultrasound monitoring in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Lei ZUO ; Yi HUANG ; Lian XUE ; Meng JU ; Wenqi CUI ; Sihan WANG ; Dan SU ; Xin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(3):203-209
Objective:To evaluate the lung ultrasound characteristics of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children and to investigate the value of lung ultrasound monitoring in clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 62 children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Xi'an Chest Hospital from 7 November to 30 November 2023 was performed,and the characteristic parameters of bedside lung ultrasound and their related clinical data were collected. Pathological lung ultrasound features such as interrupted pleural line,well-spaced B-lines,coalescent B-lines,small subpleural patchy pulmonary consolidation,large pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion in 12 scan areas of both lungs were observed. The maximum upper and lower diameters,right and left diameters,and anterior and posterior diameters of the large pulmonary consolidations were measured,and the changes in the above signs before and after treatment were measured and compared.Results:In sixty-two children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia,including 32 males and 30 females,with a mean age of(8.18 ± 2.05)years old and a mean hospital stay of(8.79 ± 2.93)days,lung ultrasound showed interrupted pleural line,well-spaced B-lines,coalescent B-lines,small subpleural patchy pulmonary consolidation,large pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion,with the incidence of 93.5%(58 /62),33.9%(21/62),32.3%(20/62),59.7%(37/62),66.1%(41/62)and 17.7%(11/62),respectively,in which the large pulmonary consolidations presented rich blood supply were more common in the L6 and L4 areas,while the pleural effusions were more common in the L6 area.The signs of interrupted pleural line,coalescent B-lines,large pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion were significantly improved after treatment compared with before treatment(all P<0.05). The upper and lower diameters,left and right diameters,and anterior and posterior diameters of large pulmonary consolidations were significantly reduced after treatment compared with before treatment[(4.19 ± 2.42)cm vs.(2.84 ± 2.31)cm, t=2.613, P=0.011;(2.80 ± 1.82)cm vs.(1.96 ± 1.62)cm, t=2.226, P=0.029;(3.41 ± 2.11)cm vs.(2.12 ± 1.82)cm, t=2.972, P=0.004].With the process of treatment,the dynamic observation of lung ultrasound showed that the well-spaced B-lines/coalescent B-lines gradually decreased until they completely disappeared or a small number of B-lines remained,and the area of the large pulmonary consolidation showed a dynamic downward trend(all P<0.001),and the area of large pulmonary consolidations gradually decreased until they completely disappeared or only small subpleural patchy pulmonary consolidations and well-spaced/coalescent B-lines remained,and at the same time,the pleural effusion gradually absorbed until it disappeared. Conclusions:Lung ultrasound can detect the distribution area of lung lesions,morphology and blood supply characteristics of children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia,as well as the dynamic changes after treatment,and lung ultrasound can dynamically monitor and evaluate the progression and regression of the disease in real time,providing a reliable imaging evidence for clinical practice.
9.Research progress of an immune checkpoint molecule VISTA in hematological tumors
Zi-Jun TANG ; Han-Xue ZHENG ; Hao XIONG ; Lian-Sheng ZHANG ; Li-Juan LI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):672-678
Research on immune checkpoints such as programmed death protein-1(PD-1)and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4(CTLA-4)has provided new directions for tumor treatment.V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation(VISTA)is an emerging immune checkpoint within the B7 family.Functioning as both a ligand and a receptor,VISTA is an inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule expressed in tumor cells,myeloid cells and T lymphocytes.It plays a crucial role in regulating autoimmunity,inflammatory response and tumor immunity.The non-redundant interactions between VISTA and other immune checkpoints,such as PD-1,may offer new therapeutic strategies and serve as a new target for overcoming immunotherapy resistance.This review summarizes the recent research progress on VISTA in hematological tumors,aiming to provide new insights into its application in the treatment of these malignancies.
10.GPSM2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer to affect patient prognosis by promoting tumor cell proliferation.
Xue SONG ; Yue CHEN ; Min ZHANG ; Nuo ZHANG ; Lugen ZUO ; Jing LI ; Zhijun GENG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Yueyue WANG ; Lian WANG ; Jianguo HU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(2):229-238
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the association between GPSM2 expression level and gastric cancer progression and analyze the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2.
METHODS:
We analyzed GPSM2 expression levels in gastric cancer tumors based on data from the GEPIA database and the clinical data of 109 patients. Public databases enrichment analysis were used to assess the impact of GPSM2 expression level on survival outcomes and the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2. We further observed the effects of GPSM2 knockdown and overexpression on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of MGC803 cells using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and immunoblotting and on the growth of MGC803 cell xenografts in nude mice.
RESULTS:
Bioinformatic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the clinical specimens both revealed high GPSM2 expressions in gastric cancer (P<0.01). A high GPSM2 expression was significantly correlated with T3-4 stages, N2-3 stages, a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level ≥5 μg/L, and a carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level ≥37 kU/L (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis identified high GPSM2 expression as an independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival of the patients (P<0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that GPSM2 was involved in cell cycle regulation. In MGC803 cells, GPSM2 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and G1/S transition and xenograft growth in nude mice. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that GPSM2 executed its biological functions by regulating the p53 signaling pathway, which was confirmed by the results of immunoblotting experiments showing suppression of p53 signaling pathway activity in GPSM2-over expressing MGC803 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
GPSM2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer to affect patient prognosis by promoting tumor cell proliferation and G1/S transition possibly via inhibiting the p53 pathway.
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Prognosis
;
Animals
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice
;
Apoptosis
;
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism*
;
Cell Movement

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