1.Identification of Cuproptosis-related Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Based on Bioinformatics and Machine Learning and Clinical Validation and Prediction of Potential Traditional Chinese Medicine
Guofang YU ; Chenling ZHAO ; Liwei TIAN ; Wenming YANG ; Ting DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):160-167
ObjectiveThis study aims to identify cuproptosis-related gene biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease(AD) using bioinformatics and machine learning methods, validate them at the clinical specimen level, and predict potential traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). MethodsDifferentially expressed genes in the AD group and normal group were obtained using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and intersections were taken with reported cuproptosis-related genes to obtain differentially expressed cuproptosis-related genes. Machine learning methods were applied to identify core differential genes of cuproptosis in AD. Peripheral blood's single nucleated cells from clinical AD patients were collected, and the relative gene expression was clinically verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). Potential TCM regulating cuproptosis for AD were predicted by COREMINE database. ResultsA total of 12 cuproptosis-related genes were obtained, mainly involved in pathways of tricarboxylic acid cycle, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, and carbon metabolism. Five core cuproptosis-related genes, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), glutaminase (GLS), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit beta (PDHB), full name nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 (NFE2L2), and dihydrolipoamide branched-chain transacylase E2 (DBT) were finally screened using four machine methods. Thirty cases each of normal and AD patients were collected clinically. Compared with those in the normal group, minimum mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were significantly decreased in the AD group (P<0.01), Homocysteine(Hcy), interleukin(IL)-6, C-reactive protein(CRP) , and β amyloid protein(Aβ) indexes were significantly increased (P<0.01), and malondialdehyde(MDA) indexes were decreased (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA relative expressions of NFE2L2 and DBT were up-regulated (P<0.05), and those of DLD, GLS, and PDHB were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). The TCM regulating cuproptosis-related genes for the treatment of AD were mainly based on the four Qi such as warmth, calmness, and cold, and the five flavors including bitterness, sweetness, and pungency, and it was attributed to the meridians of the liver, spleen, stomach, and kidney, with the efficacy of tonifying Qi, activating blood, eliminating phlegm, and resoling dampness. ConclusionDLD, GLS, NFE2L2, PDHB, and DBT can be used as novel diagnostic molecular markers for AD cuproptosis-related genes, and the corresponding potential therapeutic TCM can provide new ideas for the treatment of AD by TCM.
2.YOD1 regulates microglial homeostasis by deubiquitinating MYH9 to promote the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Jinfeng SUN ; Fan CHEN ; Lingyu SHE ; Yuqing ZENG ; Hao TANG ; Bozhi YE ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Li XIONG ; Liwei LI ; Luyao LI ; Qin YU ; Linjie CHEN ; Wei WANG ; Guang LIANG ; Xia ZHAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):331-348
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major form of dementia in the elderly and is closely related to the toxic effects of microglia sustained activation. In AD, sustained microglial activation triggers impaired synaptic pruning, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that aberrant expression of deubiquitinating enzymes is associated with regulating microglia function. Here, we use RNA sequencing to identify a deubiquitinase YOD1 as a regulator of microglial function and AD pathology. Further study showed that YOD1 knockout significantly improved the migration, phagocytosis, and inflammatory response of microglia, thereby improving the cognitive impairment of AD model mice. Through LC-MS/MS analysis combined with Co-IP, we found that Myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), a key regulator maintaining microglia homeostasis, is an interacting protein of YOD1. Mechanistically, YOD1 binds to MYH9 and maintains its stability by removing the K48 ubiquitin chain from MYH9, thereby mediating the microglia polarization signaling pathway to mediate microglia homeostasis. Taken together, our study reveals a specific role of microglial YOD1 in mediating microglia homeostasis and AD pathology, which provides a potential strategy for targeting microglia to treat AD.
4.Gandou Fumu Decoction improves liver steatosis by inhibiting hepatocyte ferroptosis in mice with Wilson's disease through the GPX4/ACSL4/ALOX15 signaling pathway.
Mengying ZHANG ; Chenling ZHAO ; Liwei TIAN ; Guofang YU ; Wenming YANG ; Ting DONG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(7):1471-1478
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Gandou Fumu Decoction (GDFMD) for improving Wilson's disease (WD) in tx-J mice.
METHODS:
With 6 syngeneic wild-type mice as the control group, 30 tx-J mice were randomized into WD model group, low-, medium- and high-dose GDFMD treatment groups, and Fer-1 treatment group. Saline (in control and model groups) and GDFMD (3.48, 6.96 or 13.92 g/kg) were administered by gavage, and Fer-1 was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 14 days. Oil red and HE staining were used to observe lipid deposition and pathological conditions in the liver tissue; ALT, AST, albumin, AKP levels were determined to assess liver function of the mice. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect hepatic protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4, ACSL4, ALOX15, FTH1, FLT, TFR1, FAS, SCD1, and ACOX1, and Fe2+, MDA, ROS, SOD, GSH and 4-HNE levels were analyzed to assess oxidative stress.
RESULTS:
The mouse models of WD showed obvious fatty degeneration in the liver tissue significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST and AKP, decreased albumin level, increased Fe2+, MDA, ROS, 4-HNE levels, decreased SOD and GSH levels (P<0.05), lowered protein expressions of ACOX1, GPX4, FTH1, FLT, FAS, and SCD1, and increased protein contents of TFR1, ACSL4 and ALOX15 in the liver. Treatment with GDFMD and Fer-1 improved liver histopathology and liver function of the mouse models, decreased the levels of Fe2+, MDA and ROS, increased SOD and GSH levels, and reversed the changes in hepatic protein expressions.
CONCLUSIONS
GDFMD improves liver steatosis in mouse models of WD possibly by inhibiting hepatocyte ferroptosis through the GPX4/ACSL4/ALOX15 signaling pathway.
Animals
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Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Hepatolenticular Degeneration/drug therapy*
;
Hepatocytes/metabolism*
;
Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase
;
Fatty Liver/metabolism*
;
Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase/metabolism*
;
Coenzyme A Ligases/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Male
5.New advances in the targeted therapy of EGFR exon20ins mutant advanced NSCLC
Chun YUAN ; Xuesong YU ; Mengchao WANG ; Shao ZHANG ; Yanbo HUANG ; Chaoran WANG ; Fanming KONG ; Liwei CHEN
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(6):382-387
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mutation is a rare subtype of mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with advanced NSCLC carrying the EGFR ex20ins mutation tend to have poor responses to traditional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, leading to a poor clinical prognosis. Significant progress has been made in the development of new drugs targeting the EGFR ex20ins mutation. The research on new drugs targeting EGFR ex20ins mutations has made significant progress. The main ones include new EGFR-TKIs (such as sunvozertinib, mobocertinib, and furmetinib, etc.), bispecific antibodies (such as amivantamab, JMT101, and GB263T, etc.), and emerging drugs such as AUY922. These agents have demonstrated promising efficacy in clinical trials, improving the objective response rate and progression-free survival of patients, and are expected to improve overall survival. An in-depth analysis of the mechanism of action and clinical trial progress of these novel targeted drugs for EGFR ex20ins-mutated NSCLC can offer new therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR ex20ins-mutated NSCLC.
6.Effects of GW501516 on the injury of pulmonary artery endothelial cells induced by hypoxia and its mechanism
Changgui CHEN ; Chunfeng YI ; Zhihua YU ; Dong WANG ; Liwei LI ; Liqun HE
China Pharmacy 2024;35(2):179-185
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors δ (PPARδ) agonist GW501516 on the injury of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) induced by hypoxia and its mechanism. METHODS The cytotoxic effects of GW501516 were observed by detecting the relative survival rate of PAECs; the protein expression of PPARδ was determined by Western blot assay. The cellular model of PAECs injury was established under hypoxic conditions; using antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as positive control, the effects of GW501516 on cell injury and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were investigated by detecting cell apoptotic rate, cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and ROS levels. Using nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) activator dimethyl fumarate (DMF) as positive control, PAECs were incubated with GW501516 and/or Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 under hypoxic conditions; the mechanism of GW501516 on PAECs injury induced by hypoxia was investigated by detecting cell injury (cell apoptosis, cell viability, LDH activity), the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS, the expressions of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and cleaved-caspase-3 (C-caspase-3) protein. RESULTS The results demonstrated that hypoxia inhibited the protein expression of PPARδ (P<0.05), while GW501516 promoted the protein expression of PPARδ in hypoxia- exposed PAECs without obvious cytotoxic effects. GW501516 inhibited the apoptosis of PAECs, improved cell viability, and reduced LDH activity and ROS levels. GW501516 could up-regulate the protein expression of HO-1 in PAECs and the levels of SOD, GPx and CAT, while down-regulated the levels of MDA and ROS by activating the Nrf2 pathway (P<0.05); but Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 could reverse the above effects of GW501516 (P<0.05). GW501516 exerted similar effects to Nrf2 activator DMF in down-regulating the expression of C-caspase-3 and inhibiting the injury of PAECs under conditions of hypoxia (P<0.05). Moreover, Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 reversed the 163.com inhibition effects of GW501516 on PAECs injury (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS GW501516 can relieve the hypoxia-induced injury of PAECs via the inhibition of oxidative stress, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating Nrf2.
7.Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus among acute respiratory infection cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023
Aili CUI ; Baicheng XIA ; Zhen ZHU ; Zhibo XIE ; Liwei SUN ; Jin XU ; Jing XU ; Zhong LI ; Linqing ZHAO ; Xiaoru LONG ; Deshan YU ; Bing ZHU ; Feng ZHANG ; Min MU ; Hui XIE ; Liang CAI ; Yun ZHU ; Xiaoling TIAN ; Bing WANG ; Zhenguo GAO ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Binzhi REN ; Guangyue HAN ; Kongxin HU ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):945-951
Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.
8.Relationship between the expression of lncRNA SNHG25 and miR-497-5p in glioma tissues and clinical features and prognosis
Xiaowei DUAN ; Ning ZHANG ; Jing WANG ; Liwei GAO ; Xiujie LIU ; Xiwang WANG ; Guoyuan YU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(12):1463-1468
Objective To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)small nucleolar RNA host gene(SNHG)25 and microRNA(miR)-497-5p in glioma tissues and their relationship with clinical features and prognosis.Methods A total of 157 glioma patients admitted to the hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected as the glioma group,and 100 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to craniocerebral injury in the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The ex-pression levels of lncRNA SNHG25 and miR-497-5p were detected in glioma tissues and normal brain tissues resected during operation.The patients were followed up for 3 years.The correlation between the expression levels of lncRNA SNHG25 and miR-497-5p was analyzed,and the relationship between the expression level of lncRNA SNHG25 and miR-497-5p and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients were analyzed.Re-sults Compared with the control group,the expression level of lncRNA SNHG25 in the glioma group was in-creased(P<0.05),and the expression level of miR-497-5p was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the maximum diameter of tumors<4 cm,World Health Organization(WHO)central nervous system tumor grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ,the expression level of lncRNA SNHG25 was increased and the expression level of miR-497-5p was decreased in glioma tissues with the maximum diameter of tumors ≥4 cm and WHO central nervous sys-tem tumor grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ(P<0.05).The expression level of lncRNA SNHG25 in glioma patients was nega-tively correlated with miR-497-5p(r=-0.370,P<0.05).The cumulative survival rate of lncRNA SNHG25 high expression group was lower than that of lncRNA SNHG25 low expression group(P<0.05),and the cu-mulative survival rate of miR-497-5p low expression group was lower than that of miR-497-5p high expression group(P<0.05).Grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ of WHO central nervous system tumor grade and high expression of lncRNA SNHG25 were risk factors for poor prognosis of glioma patients(P<0.05),while high expression of miR-497-5p was a protective factor(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of lncRNA SNHG25 is increased and the expression of miR-497-5p is decreased in glioma tissues,which is related to the maximum diameter of tumor and high WHO central nervous system tumor grade,and can lead to poor prognosis of glioma patients.
9.Epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus among acute respiratory infection cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023
Aili CUI ; Baicheng XIA ; Zhen ZHU ; Zhibo XIE ; Liwei SUN ; Jin XU ; Jing XU ; Zhong LI ; Linqing ZHAO ; Xiaoru LONG ; Deshan YU ; Bing ZHU ; Feng ZHANG ; Min MU ; Hui XIE ; Liang CAI ; Yun ZHU ; Xiaoling TIAN ; Bing WANG ; Zhenguo GAO ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Binzhi REN ; Guangyue HAN ; Kongxin HU ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):945-951
Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.
10.Clinical effects of modified arthroscopic lower trapezius tendon transfer with autologous hamstring tendon bridging for irreparable massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears
Dawei HAN ; Qingguo ZHANG ; Li YING ; Linlin SHA ; Yu HUI ; Liwei YING ; Junbo LIANG ; Xiaobo ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2024;44(14):947-955
Objective:To assess the efficacy of modified arthroscopic lower trapezius transfer with autologous hamstring tendon bridging for irreparable massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 59 patients (11 males and 48 females; mean age 66.70±6.10 years, range 55-79 years) treated between June 2019 and November 2022 for posterior superior irreparable massive rotator cuff tears. The treatment involved total arthroscopic oblique muscle transposition combined with partial rotator cuff repair. Shoulder mobility was measured in active supination, forward flexion, posterior external rotation, and abduction external rotation before surgery and at the final follow-up. The Constant-Murley shoulder function score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were assessed preoperatively, at 3 months, 6 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. MR examinations were conducted preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively to evaluate rotator cuff healing and retear rates.Results:All surgeries were successfully completed using an average of 3.2±0.5 anchor nails (range 3-5) per case. The mean follow-up period was 15.9±5.7 months (range 12-37 months). Significant improvements in shoulder mobility were observed postoperatively compared to preoperative measurements. The mean body external rotation angle increased from 12.0°±19.4° preoperatively to 35.3°±19.6° at the final follow-up ( P<0.05), and the mean abduction external rotation angle increased from 33.4°±22.4° to 43.4°±23.1° ( P<0.05). The mean preoperative abduction angle improved from 121.7°±47.9° to 136.4°±40.6° ( P<0.05), and the mean forward flexion supination angle improved from 117.6°±45.8° to 139.5°±33.7° ( P<0.05). Postoperative VAS scores significantly improved from 4.8±1.8 preoperatively to 0.3±0.8 at the final follow-up ( F=104.868, P<0.001). The ASES scores improved from 42.0±14.9 preoperatively to 71.7±14.6 at the final follow-up ( F=47.287, P<0.001). The Constant-Murley scores increased from 54.3±17.1 preoperatively to 76.4±13.0 at the final follow-up ( F=44.082, P<0.001). Postoperative complications included 2 complete tears and 7 partial tears (re-tear rate 15.3%). No serious complications such as shoulder joint infection, joint stiffness, or vascular nerve injury were observed. One patient developed a localized subcutaneous hematoma at the tendon extraction site, and another developed deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity, which improved with symptomatic anticoagulation. Conclusion:Modified arthroscopic lower trapezius transfer with autologous hamstring tendon bridging effectively reduces shoulder pain, improves shoulder joint activity and function scores, and is associated with a low rate of surgical complications for patients with irreparable massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.

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