1.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
2.Research progress on strategies for toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement of triptolide
Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Ying DING ; Shanshan XU ; Long WANG ; Shanshan HAN ; Yaping XING ; Meng ZHANG ; Wenhao LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1496-1501
Triptolide (TP), the core active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii , exhibits remarkable pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects, and holds broad application prospects in the treatment of major diseases such as autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. However, TP has a narrow therapeutic window and causes multi-organ toxicities including liver, kidney and reproductive toxicities, which severely restrict its safe clinical application and new drug development. Therefore, toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement has become a core scientific problem urgently to be solved in this field. This paper systematically reviews the four core strategies for TP toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement, including structural modification, dosage form improvement, herbal compatibility, and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them, structural modification optimizes the toxic and efficacy characteristics of TP from the molecular structure level, with typica l derivatives including (5 R )-5-hydroxy triptolide, ZT01, PG490-88, etc. Dosage form modification achieves toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement via targeted and sustained-controlled drug release of diverse delivery systems. It includes triptolide preparations such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microemulsion gels and liquid crystals, possessing favorable clinical transformation potential. The herbal compatibility and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine conform to the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and have a profound clinical application foundation, but their mechanisms of action are insufficiently elucidated, and they lack unified standardized specifications and high-quality evidence-based proof. In the future, we should rely on multi-omics technology to elucidate the toxic and efficacy mechanisms, integrate technologies to optimize preparations, improve the evaluation system and promote clinical transformation.
3.Current status and influencing factors of work readiness in patients returning to work after lung cancer surgery
Yuanyuan YIN ; Xingxia LONG ; Jie ZHANG ; Yanli, JI ; Ying ZHU ; Lijun HE ; Mei YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1079-1084
Objective To investigate the current status of work readiness and its influencing factors among patients returning to work after lung cancer surgery. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on young and middle-aged postoperative lung cancer patients who were treated at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to September 2023 and returned to their jobs. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, readiness for return-to-work scale (RRTW), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors affecting the work readiness of patients returning to work. Results A total of 219 patients were included, with 59 males and 160 females aged 18-60 years. Among the postoperative lung cancer patients returning to work, 73.1% were in the active maintenance stage of return-to-work readiness with a RRTW score of (17.59±1.48) points, and 26.9% were in the uncertain maintenance stage with a RRTW score of (16.22±1.50) points. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged≤30 years (OR=52.381), employees of enterprises and institutions (OR=7.682), agricultural, pastoral, fishery, forestry laborers (OR=15.665), positive coping (OR=5.043), those with higher self-efficacy (OR=1.157) and engaged in physically demanding work (OR=2.449) had higher return-to-work readiness, while patients with≥2 children (OR=0.055), self-payment (OR=0.044), and those working more than 40 hours per week (OR=0.122) had lower return-to-work readiness. Conclusion The return-to-work readiness of young and middle-aged postoperative lung cancer patients needs to be improved, and occupation, job nature, main coping styles, general self-efficacy and other factors are associated with return-to-work readiness.
4.Impact of atmospheric particulate matter on daily hospital admissions of patients with chronic kidney disease:a time series analysis
Ruikai WU ; Ying ZHANG ; Long MA ; Haofeng YANG ; Deqi SU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(6):775-783
Objective To investigate the correlation and lag effect between atmospheric particulate matter and the risk of hospitalization for chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods The daily hospitalization data for CKD in 9 hospitals in Urumqi from Jan.1,2019,to Dec.31,2020,and the air pollution and meteorological data during the same period were collected.The relationship between PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations and CKD incidence was analyzed after controlling for long-term trends,meteorological factors,and potential confounding factors such as the"day of the week effect"by using the generalized additive model(GAM).The effects of single-day lag of 0-7 d(lag0-lag7)and cumulative lag of 0-7 d(lag01-lag07)were analyzed,and subgroup analyses were conducted for gender,age,and season.On the basis of the single pollutant model,other pollutants were included(at most 2 pollutants were included at a time),and a double pollutant model was constructed to evaluate the stability of the model.Results For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration,the highest risk of CKD hospitalization occured when lagged alone at lag2(relative risk[RR]=1.014,95%confidence interval[CI]1.006-1.023)and lagged cumulatively at lag04(RR=1.018,95%CI 1.007-1.029).For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration,the risk of CKD hospitalization was highest when lagged alone at lag0 and lagged cumulatively at lag07(RR=1.012,95%CI 1.007-1.017;RR=1.024,95%CI 1.016-1.032).In gender stratification,for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration,the cumulative lag at lag04 indicated that males had the highest risk of CKD hospitalization(RR=1.023,95%CI 1.008-1.038);for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration,the highest risk of CKD hospitalization was observed in males when lagged alone at lag0(RR=1.013,95%CI 1.006-1.020),and in females when lagged alone at lag1(RR=1.013,95%CI 1.006-1.020).In age stratification,for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration,the risk of CKD hospitalization was highest in people 65 years old with single-day lag at lag3 and cumulative lag at lag04(RR=1.016,95%CI 1.007-1.026;RR=1.022,95%CI 1.010-1.035);for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration,the cumulative lag at lag07 indicated that individuals aged<65 years old and ≥65 years old had the highest risk of CKD hospitalization(RR=1.027,95%CI 1.017-1.037;RR=1.015,95%CI 1.001-1.028).In seasonal stratification,for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration during the cold season,the risk of CKD hospitalization was highest when lagged alone at lag3 and lagged cumulatively at lag07(RR=1.020,95%CI 1.011-1.029;RR=1.025,95%CI 1.011-1.038).For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration during the cold season,the risk of CKD hospitalization was highest when lagged alone at lag2(RR=1.013,95%CI 1.007-1.019).For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration during the warm season,the risk of CKD hospitalization was highest when lagged alone at lag7(RR=1.015,95%CI 1.006-1.024).In the dual pollutant model,the effects of PM2.5 adjusting PM10,SO2,O3 and CO,and PM10 adjusting NO2,SO2,O3,and CO on the risk of CKD hospitalization were still significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The increase in atmospheric particulate matter concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 can lead to an increased risk of CKD,and there is a lag effect.Men,people under the age of 65 years old,and those in cold seasons(heating periods)are more sensitive to exposure to PM2.5 and PM10.
5.Characteristics of resistance and virulence factors of hypervirulent carba-penem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Hainan Province
Tianjiao LI ; Wenfang LONG ; Ying CHEN ; Pei ZHANG ; Ying CHEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(9):1222-1228
Objective To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)in a hospital in Hainan Province,explore the differences in the distribution of resistance genes and virulence factors between hypervirulent CRKP(hv-CRKP)and non-hv-CRKP,analyze the clinical significance,and provide basis for optimizing treatment and prevention strategies.Methods CRKP strains isolated from a hospi-tal in Hainan Province from July 2023 to June 2024 were collected retrospectively.Their resistance phenotypes were detected by antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Carbapenemase genes(KPC-2,NDM-1,IPM)and virulence factors(rmpA/rmpA2,iucA,iroB,etc.)were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Department source,speci-men distribution,and resistance-virulence characteristics were analyzed.Results A total of 76 strains of CRKP were isolated,with an overall isolation rate of 7.7%(76/985).The strains were mainly distributed in the intensive care unit(ICU)(28.9%)and neurosurgery ICU(23.6%),with the highest proportion of strains isolated from re-spiratory tract specimens(60.5%).The resistance genes were mainly KPC-2(72.4%)and NDM-1(21.1%),and the virulence factors mrkD(type Ⅲ pili,85.5%)and fim H(type Ⅰ pili,84.2%)were commonly presented.Among 76 strains of CRKP,39 strains(51.3%)met the criteria for hv-CRKP and all carried KPC-2 gene(100%).The detection rates of resistance genes and virulence factors rmpA2(97.4%),iucA(100%),and iroB(89.7%)were all higher than those of non-hv-CRKP strains(KPC-2,43.2%;rmpA2,0;iucA,8.1%;iroB,13.5%).The main characteristics of hv-CRKP was the combination of KPC-2 resistance gene and rmpA2+iucA+iutA+iroB virulence factors(64.1%).Antimicrobial resistance phenotype of hv-CRKP was different from non-hv-CRKP.hv-CRKP presented higher susceptibility rates to aminoglycosides and compound sulfamethoxazole than non-hv-CRKP.Conclusion The proportion of hv-CRKP and non-hv-CRKP strains in this hospital is comparable.hv-CRKP is characterized by carrying the KPC-2 resistance gene in combination with rmpA2+iucA+iutA+iroB virulence factors,and the proportion of strains carrying multiple virulence factors is higher than that of non-hv-CRKP.Both are generally resistant to β-lactams and quinolones.hv-CRKP has lower resistance rates to aminoglycosides and com-pound sulfamethoxazole than non-hv-CRKP.Its advantage of aminoglycoside susceptibility provides a new treatment option.It is recommended to guide differential medication through molecular typing and strengthen infection control measures in ICU to curb the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
6.Expert consensus on clinical treatment of acute radiation syndrome from external irradiation
Li LIANG ; Long YUAN ; Changlin YU ; Qingjie LIU ; Yulong LIU ; Wenfeng YANG ; Jin WANG ; Weixu HUANG ; Ying LIU ; Cuiping LEI ; Huifang CHEN ; Ximing FU ; Baoshan CAO ; Mopei WANG ; Zhaohui ZHANG ; Yu XIAO ; Yamei CHEN ; Quanfu SUN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(9):827-839
China emerges as a major country in nuclear energy development and the application of nuclear and radiologic technology. The diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation syndrom (ARS) caused by external irradiation represent a core function in the country′s medical rescue of nuclear and radiological emergencies. Clinically, ARS manifests hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and central nervous system syndromes, with specific clinical manifestations, signs, severity, and prognosis strongly correlated with radiation dose. China has established a number of national and provincial centers for treating radiation-induced damage. Nevertheless, most medical staff have limited experience in ARS treatment. This consensus presents a summary of recent experience in treating ARS of China. In combination with recommendations from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), this consensus proposes key evidence of critical clinical issues of ARS, covering all links in the rescue of external irradiation-induced ARS. Initially, clinical diagnosis, syndromes, and severe degrees should be determined based on clinical symptoms and dose estimates. It is necessary to normalize clinical treatment measures for hematopoietic recovery, gastrointestinal injury treatment, infection control, symptomatic treatment, and multi-organ function preservation. To this end, this consensus offers cautions. This consensus provides principles of treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, psychological intervention, and follow-up. Additionally, it highlights multidisciplinary collaboration. It is recommended that this consensus be applied in relevant treatment centers.
7.Ablation of macrophage transcriptional factor FoxO1 protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced acute kidney injury.
Yao HE ; Xue YANG ; Chenyu ZHANG ; Min DENG ; Bin TU ; Qian LIU ; Jiaying CAI ; Ying ZHANG ; Li SU ; Zhiwen YANG ; Hongfeng XU ; Zhongyuan ZHENG ; Qun MA ; Xi WANG ; Xuejun LI ; Linlin LI ; Long ZHANG ; Yongzhuo HUANG ; Lu TIE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3107-3124
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FoxO1 in macrophages in the pathogenesis of AKI. We observed a significant upregulation of FoxO1 in kidney macrophages following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FoxO1 inhibitor AS1842856-encapsulated liposome (AS-Lipo), mainly acting on macrophages, effectively mitigated renal injury induced by I/R injury in mice. By generating myeloid-specific FoxO1-knockout mice, we further observed that the deficiency of FoxO1 in myeloid cells protected against I/R injury-induced AKI. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of FoxO1's pivotal role in macrophage chemotaxis, inflammation, and migration. Moreover, the impact of FoxO1 on the regulation of macrophage migration was mediated through RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARHGEF1), indicating that ARHGEF1 may serve as a potential intermediary between FoxO1 and the activity of the RhoA pathway. Consequently, our findings propose that FoxO1 plays a crucial role as a mediator and biomarker in the context of AKI. Targeting macrophage FoxO1 pharmacologically could potentially offer a promising therapeutic approach for AKI.
8.Status of Clinical Practice Guideline Information Platforms
Xueqin ZHANG ; Yun ZHAO ; Jie LIU ; Long GE ; Ying XING ; Simeng REN ; Yifei WANG ; Wenzheng ZHANG ; Di ZHANG ; Shihua WANG ; Yao SUN ; Min WU ; Lin FENG ; Tiancai WEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):462-471
Clinical practice guidelines represent the best recommendations for patient care. They are developed through systematically reviewing currently available clinical evidence and weighing the relative benefits and risks of various interventions. However, clinical practice guidelines have to go through a long translation cycle from development and revision to clinical promotion and application, facing problems such as scattered distribution, high duplication rate, and low actual utilization. At present, the clinical practice guideline information platform can directly or indirectly solve the problems related to the lengthy revision cycles, decentralized dissemination and limited application of clinical practice guidelines. Therefore, this paper systematically examines different types of clinical practice guideline information platforms and investigates their corresponding challenges and emerging trends in platform design, data integration, and practical implementation, with the aim of clarifying the current status of this field and providing valuable reference for future research on clinical practice guideline information platforms.
9.Feasibility study of using clinical trial individual-level data sample bank as external control to support drug and device development:taking transcatheter aortic valve replacement device as an example
Xiao-ying LIN ; Chi-lie DANZENG ; Duo-er WANG ; Ying-xuan ZHU ; Ye LU ; Fan GAO ; Yuan-xin LI ; Meng-zhu SU ; Zi-long ZHANG ; Min CHEN ; Qi-ze LI ; Ru JIANG ; Yan-yan ZHAO ; Yang WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):459-466
Objective To explore the feasibility and corresponding implementation methods of constructing a sample resource bank based on individual-level data of completed clinical trials and using it to construct external controls for drug/device clinical trials.Methods Taking the pre-marketing clinical trial of transcatheter active valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis as an example,the individual-level databases of multiple trials were standardized to form a sample bank.The original data of any trial in the sample bank were selected as the experimental group,and the remaining samples were selected as the control group.The potential confounding was handled by using the propensity score matching and stratification methods to clarify the process of constructing external controls based on the sample bank of individual-level data of clinical trials.Results This study included individual-level data of single-group trials of 4 TAVR devices,with a total of 569 subjects(59.2%male).The number of subjects in Trials 1 to 4 was 120,120,163,and 166,respectively.Propensity score matching enabled the matching of 113,117,125,and 147 subjects with comparable or similar characteristics from individual-level data from other trials,respectively,demonstrating a high matching success rate.The PS score distribution plot after stratification showed that the proportions of subjects in the experimental and control groups in strata 1 to 5 in scheme 1 were 4/103,11/103,22/92,32/87,and 51/64,respectively.For all constructed external controlled trials,a certain number of control samples with similar baseline characteristics to the experimental groups were distributed within each propensity score stratum.The results of the simulation test also reflected the potential differences between different devices in the 12-month all-cause mortality rate.Conclusions The sample bank constructed with individual-level data from clinical trials,as a high-quality data source,can serve as a source of external control for single-arm trials in the same field,and as a useful supplement to the external control scenario of real-world evidence to support drug and device development.At the same time,targeted research on research methods and bias control measures in related fields is also needed.
10.Correlations of PTTG1 and UBE2C with prognosis of liver cancer based on bioinformatics analysis
Lichao CAO ; Ying BA ; Fang CHEN ; Long XU ; Chendi YU ; Xiaoping LU ; Hezi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science 2025;43(1):50-58
Objective To explore the T/NK cell-related differentially expressed genes(T/NK-DEGs)related to the prognosis of liver cancer based on the single-cell RNA-seq data,gene expression data and clinical information in the GEO and TCGA databases,and construct the prognostic model of liver cancer.Methods The single-cell RNA-seq data and gene expression matrices of liver cancer were obtained from the GEO database.The TCGA-LIHC cohorts,including mRNA expression data,clinical information,survival infor-mation,and somatic mutation data,were obtained from the TCGA database.Based on the two databases,the prognostic model of liver cancer patients was constructed by the bioinformatics method,and the performance of the model was predicted.Results Two T/NK-DEGs,PTTG1 and UBE2C,were identified to be associated with the prognosis of liver cancer and a prognostic model of liver cancer was constructed based on them.According to the risk score,the patients were divided into the high-risk score group and low-risk score group,in which the patients with high-risk score had a worse prognosis than those with low-risk score.The areas under the receiv-er operating characteristics(ROC)curve(AUCROC)of the prognostic model at 1-year,3-year and 5-year time points were 0.685,0.647 and 0.594,respectively.The higher risk score was correlated with the advanced pathological stage(Ⅰstage,Ⅱstage,andⅢstage)and T-stage(T1,T2,and T3)(P<0.05).The prognostic model was able to predict the proportion of tumor infiltrating immune cells,and the sensitivity of immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs in patients with liver cancer.Conclusion The constructed prog-nostic model in this study has an important role in the prediction of individualized survival and clinical treatment response of patients with liver cancer.

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