1.PARylation promotes acute kidney injury via RACK1 dimerization-mediated HIF-1α degradation.
Xiangyu LI ; Xiaoyu SHEN ; Xinfei MAO ; Yuqing WANG ; Yuhang DONG ; Shuai SUN ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Jie WEI ; Jianan WANG ; Chao LI ; Minglu JI ; Xiaowei HU ; Xinyu CHEN ; Juan JIN ; Jiagen WEN ; Yujie LIU ; Mingfei WU ; Jutao YU ; Xiaoming MENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4673-4691
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a specific form of post-translational modification (PTM) predominantly triggered by the activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). However, the role and mechanism of PARylation in the advancement of acute kidney injury (AKI) remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrated the significant upregulation of PARP1 and its associated PARylation in murine models of AKI, consistent with renal biopsy findings in patients with AKI. This elevation in PARP1 expression might be attributed to trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3). Furthermore, a reduction in PARylation levels mitigated renal dysfunction in the AKI mouse models. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that PARylation mainly occurred in receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), thereby facilitating its subsequent phosphorylation. Moreover, the phosphorylation of RACK1 enhanced its dimerization and accelerated the ubiquitination-mediated hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) degradation, thereby exacerbating kidney injury. Additionally, we identified a PARP1 proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), A19, as a PARP1 degrader that demonstrated superior protective effects against renal injury compared with PJ34, a previously identified PARP1 inhibitor. Collectively, both genetic and drug-based inhibition of PARylation mitigated kidney injury, indicating that the PARylated RACK1/HIF-1α axis could be a promising therapeutic target for AKI treatment.
2.Engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 targeted delivery of extracellular PD-L1-mFc fragment for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Yuhong WANG ; Lin HU ; Lei WANG ; Chonghai ZHANG ; Wenhao SHEN ; Hongli YANG ; Min LI ; Xin ZHANG ; Mengmeng XU ; Muxing ZHANG ; Kai YANG ; Xiaopeng TIAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(11):6019-6033
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disorder involving complex immune regulation, where balancing localized and systemic immunosuppression is a key challenge. This study aimed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy by engineering the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN). We removed endogenous plasmids pMUT1 and pMUT2 from wild-type EcN and expressed the mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa)-mFc fusion protein on the bacterial surface using a cytolysin A (ClyA) fragment. This modification stabilized mPD-L1 (19‒238 aa) protein expression and promoted its recruitment to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The engineered strain, EcNΔpMUT1/2-ClyA-mPD-L1-mFc (EcN-ePD-L1-mFc), features conditional ePD-L1-mFc expression under the araBAD promoter, enhancing gut-targeted release and reducing systemic side effects. This strain improved treatment targeting and efficiency by enabling direct ePD-L1-mFc interaction with immune cells at inflammation sites. OMVs from this strain induced Treg proliferation, inhibited effector T cell proliferation in vitro, and significantly improved intestinal inflammation and colonic epithelial barrier repair in vivo. Additionally, the bacterium restored intestinal microbiota balance, increasing Lactobacillaceae and reducing Bacteroides. This study highlights the engineered bacterium's potential for targeted intestinal immune modulation and offers a novel local IBD treatment approach with promising clinical prospects.
3.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
4.Study on bacterial endotoxin limit value and the detection methodological investigation for the active pharmaceutical ingredient of pentetic acid
Juan SHEN ; Ying TIAN ; Ming NI ; Ju LIU ; Mengmeng YU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(12):607-609
Objective To explore and establish the bacterial endotoxin limit value and testing method of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of pentetic acid, and conduct methodological investigation. Methods Three batches of pentetic acid were used to establish the method for the determination of bacterial endotoxin, and interference test was conducted simultaneously. The sample was dissolved with commercially available alkaline regulator to a concentration of 4 mg/ml or lower, and then diluted with water for bacterial endotoxin test. Limulus reagent with sensitivity of 0.125 EU/ml or higher was selected and redissolved with commercially available magnesium ion buffer solution. And the endotoxin test was performed by gel method. Results The endotoxin limit of API of pentetic acid was determined as: less than 0.125 EU/mg. Conclusion The method established could be used for the control of bacterial endotoxin in API of pentetic acid.
5.Safety of early antiplatelet therapy for non-cardioembolic mild stroke patients with thrombocytopenia
Dongjuan XU ; Huan ZHOU ; Mengmeng HU ; Yilei SHEN ; Hongfei LI ; Lianyan WEI ; Jing XU ; Zhuangzhuang JIANG ; Xiaoli SHAO ; Zhenhua XI ; Songbin HE ; Min LOU ; Shaofa KE
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2024;53(2):175-183
Objective:To investigate the safety of early antiplatelet therapy for non-cardioembolic mild stroke patients with thrombocytopenia.Methods:Data of acute ischemic stroke patients with baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score≤3 and a platelet count<100×109/L were obtained from a multicenter register.Those who required anticoagulation or had other contraindications to antiplatelet therapy were excluded.Short-term safety outcomes were in-hospital bleeding events,while the long-term safety outcome was a 1-year all-cause death.The short-term neurological outcomes were evaluated by modified Rankin scale(mRS)score at discharge.Results:A total of 1868 non-cardioembolic mild stroke patients with thrombocytopenia were enrolled.Multivariate regression analyses showed that mono-antiplatelet therapy significantly increased the proportion of mRS score of 0-1 at discharge(OR=1.657,95%CI:1.253-2.192,P<0.01)and did not increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage(OR=2.359,95%CI:0.301-18.503,P>0.05),compared with those without antiplatelet therapy.However,dual-antiplatelet therapy did not bring more neurological benefits(OR=0.923,95%CI:0.690-1.234,P>0.05),but increased the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding(OR= 2.837,95%CI:1.311-6.136,P<0.01)compared with those with mono-antiplatelet therapy.For patients with platelet counts≤75×109/L and>90×109/L,antiplatelet therapy significantly improved neurological functional outcomes(both P<0.05).For those with platelet counts(>75-90)×109/L,antiplatelet therapy resulted in a significant improvement of 1-year survival(P<0.05).For patients even with concurrent coagulation abnormalities,mono-antiplatelet therapy did not increase the risk of various types of bleeding(all P>0.05)but improved neurological functional outcomes(all P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the occurrence of bleeding events,1-year all-cause mortality risk,and neurological functional outcomes between aspirin and clopidogrel(all P>0.05).Conclusions:For non-cardioembolic mild stroke patients with thrombocytopenia,antiplatelet therapy remains a reasonable choice.Mono-antiplatelet therapy has the same efficiency as dual-antiplatelet therapy in neurological outcome improvement with lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
6.A study of airborne pollen detection and allergic rhinitis visits in Cangzhou,China
Weiwei LIU ; Boshen WEN ; Xiaoming SU ; Yan HUANG ; Mengmeng SHEN ; Yujing JIA ; Bin WANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024;31(10):652-656
OBJECTIVE To explore the distribution of airborne pollen in Cangzhou,to analyze the correlation between pollen characteristics,meteorological factors and the rate of allergic rhinitis visits,and to provide a reference basis for the precise prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis in Cangzhou.METHODS The gravity deposition method was applied to collect daily airborne pollen from the monitoring sites in Cangzhou from March to October 2022 and record the pollen species and quantities.We also collected information on allergic rhinitis patients who visited the ENT Department of Cangzhou Central Hospital during the same period and meteorological data(daily maximum temperature,minimum temperature,maximum relative humidity,maximum precipitation,and maximum wind speed at ground level)during the same period,and analyzed the relationship between the number of AR patients'visits,the amount of pollen,and the meteorological factors.RESULTS 1.A total of 229 pollen exposures were collected from March to October 2022,totaling 19 368 pollen grains,of which 18 750 grains of pollen could be identified in 19 families and 618 grains were difficult to identify the families.2.There were two peaks of pollen during the period,in April and September respectively.Spring pollen to tree-based category,to the pine family,willow willow family,Xylariaceae(ash)most often;summer pollen volume has declined,but still tree-based category;fall pollen to herbaceous category,to the Asteraceae Artemisia,mulberry,Gramineae most often.3.The pollen concentration in Cangzhou City was negatively correlated with maximum humidity,maximum precipitation,maximum temperature,and minimum temperature.Maximum wind speed at ground level was positively correlated with pollen concentration.4.Pollen concentration was positively correlated with the number of visits.The correlation analysis between daily medical visits from June to October and air pollen concentration showed a significant positive correlation,while the results from March to May showed no significant correlation.CONCLUSION The peak of airborne pollen dispersal in April and September in Cangzhou.Spring and summer pollen is dominated by tree species,and the dominant pollen is Pinaceae,Willow genus of Populus,and Xylariaceae(ash genus);fall pollen is dominated by herbaceous species,and the dominant pollen is Artemisia,Asteraceae,Mulberry,and Gramineae.Meteorological factors are important factors affecting pollen concentration.Within a certain range,the lower the maximum humidity,the lowest maximum precipitation,the lower the highest or the lowest temperature,the higher the pollen concentration,and the pollen concentration is more affected by the lowest temperature.There is a correlation between pollen concentration and the number of AR patients'visits from June to October,which can be used as an environmental early warning indicator of the prevalence of AR.
7.Venous thromboembolism in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in China: a report from the Chinese Children's Cancer Group-ALL-2015.
Mengmeng YIN ; Hongsheng WANG ; Xianmin GUAN ; Ju GAO ; Minghua YANG ; Ningling WANG ; Tianfeng LIU ; Jingyan TANG ; Alex W K LEUNG ; Fen ZHOU ; Xuedong WU ; Jie HUANG ; Hong LI ; Shaoyan HU ; Xin TIAN ; Hua JIANG ; Jiaoyang CAI ; Xiaowen ZHAI ; Shuhong SHEN ; Qun HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2023;17(3):518-526
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a complication in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The Chinese Children's Cancer Group-ALL-2015 protocol was carried out in China, and epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and risk factors associated with VTE were analyzed. We collected data on VTE in a multi-institutional clinical study of 7640 patients with ALL diagnosed in 20 hospitals from January 2015 to December 2019. First, VTE occurred in 159 (2.08%) patients, including 90 (56.6%) during induction therapy and 108 (67.92%) in the upper extremities. T-ALL had a 1.74-fold increased risk of VTE (95% CI 1.08-2.8, P = 0.022). Septicemia, as an adverse event of ALL treatment, can significantly promote the occurrence of VTE (P < 0.001). Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) accounted for 75.47% (n = 120); and, symptomatic VTE, 58.49% (n = 93), which was more common in patients aged 12-18 years (P = 0.023), non-CRT patients (P < 0.001), or patients with cerebral thrombosis (P < 0.001). Of the patients with VTE treated with anticoagulation therapy (n = 147), 4.08% (n = 6) had bleeding. The VTE recurrence rate was 5.03% (n = 8). Patients with VTE treated by non-ultrasound-guided venous cannulation (P = 0.02), with residual thrombus (P = 0.006), or with short anticoagulation period (P = 0.026) had high recurrence rates. Thus, preventing repeated venous puncture and appropriately prolonged anticoagulation time can reduce the risk of VTE recurrence.
Humans
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Child
;
Venous Thromboembolism/etiology*
;
East Asian People
;
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/epidemiology*
;
Risk Factors
;
Thrombosis/chemically induced*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Anticoagulants/adverse effects*
;
Recurrence
8.High-throughput screening of SARS-CoV-2 main and papain-like protease inhibitors.
Yi ZANG ; Mingbo SU ; Qingxing WANG ; Xi CHENG ; Wenru ZHANG ; Yao ZHAO ; Tong CHEN ; Yingyan JIANG ; Qiang SHEN ; Juan DU ; Qiuxiang TAN ; Peipei WANG ; Lixin GAO ; Zhenming JIN ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Cong LI ; Ya ZHU ; Bo FENG ; Bixi TANG ; Han XIE ; Ming-Wei WANG ; Mingyue ZHENG ; Xiaoyan PAN ; Haitao YANG ; Yechun XU ; Beili WU ; Leike ZHANG ; Zihe RAO ; Xiuna YANG ; Hualiang JIANG ; Gengfu XIAO ; Qiang ZHAO ; Jia LI
Protein & Cell 2023;14(1):17-27
The global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has infected over 109 million people, leading to over 2 million deaths up to date and still lacking of effective drugs for patient treatment. Here, we screened about 1.8 million small molecules against the main protease (Mpro) and papain like protease (PLpro), two major proteases in severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 genome, and identified 1851Mpro inhibitors and 205 PLpro inhibitors with low nmol/l activity of the best hits. Among these inhibitors, eight small molecules showed dual inhibition effects on both Mpro and PLpro, exhibiting potential as better candidates for COVID-19 treatment. The best inhibitors of each protease were tested in antiviral assay, with over 40% of Mpro inhibitors and over 20% of PLpro inhibitors showing high potency in viral inhibition with low cytotoxicity. The X-ray crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in complex with its potent inhibitor 4a was determined at 1.8 Å resolution. Together with docking assays, our results provide a comprehensive resource for future research on anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development.
Humans
;
Antiviral Agents/chemistry*
;
COVID-19
;
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
;
High-Throughput Screening Assays
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Protease Inhibitors/chemistry*
;
SARS-CoV-2/enzymology*
;
Viral Nonstructural Proteins
9.A case report of leprosy reaction combined with bullous pemphigoid after treatment of paucibacillary leprosy
Youji TAN ; Mengmeng WANG ; Guoli SHEN ; Yanmin WANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2022;34(4):376-377
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of leprosy-related neuritis with bullous pemphigoid after treatment of paucibacillary leprosy. MethodsThe treatment of leprosy reaction combined with bullous pemphigoid of a cured case of leprosy was analysed. ResultsFive years after standard treatment for leprosy, erythema and vesicles appeared in the limbs without obvious inducement, and the disease became more and more severe. With clinical diagnosis and pathological examination, pemphigoid was confirmed, and the patients were given hormone treatment for leprosy reaction and anti-immunotherapy, as well as symptomatic supportive treatment. ConclusionLeprosy reaction and pemphigoid are both related to immunity, but the occurrence of both at the same time is relatively rare, so in the clinical process we should attach great importance to early detection, early diagnosis and prompt treatment to prevent further harm to the patient.
10.Stem cell microencapsulation maintains stemness in inflammatory microenvironment.
Yajun ZHAO ; Yilin SHI ; Huiqi YANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Lanbo SHEN ; Shengben ZHANG ; Yue LIU ; Jie ZHU ; Jing LAN ; Jianhua LI ; Shaohua GE
International Journal of Oral Science 2022;14(1):48-48
Maintaining the stemness of the transplanted stem cell spheroids in an inflammatory microenvironment is challenging but important in regenerative medicine. Direct delivery of stem cells to repair periodontal defects may yield suboptimal effects due to the complexity of the periodontal inflammatory environment. Herein, stem cell spheroid is encapsulated by interfacial assembly of metal-phenolic network (MPN) nanofilm to form a stem cell microsphere capsule. Specifically, periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) spheroid was coated with FeIII/tannic acid coordination network to obtain spheroid@[FeIII-TA] microcapsules. The formed biodegradable MPN biointerface acted as a cytoprotective barrier and exhibited antioxidative, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, effectively remodeling the inflammatory microenvironment and maintaining the stemness of PDLSCs. The stem cell microencapsulation proposed in this study can be applied to multiple stem cells with various functional metal ion/polyphenol coordination, providing a simple yet efficient delivery strategy for stem cell stemness maintenance in an inflammatory environment toward a better therapeutic outcome.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
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Capsules/pharmacology*
;
Cell Differentiation
;
Cell Encapsulation
;
Cells, Cultured
;
Ferric Compounds/pharmacology*
;
Osteogenesis/physiology*
;
Periodontal Ligament
;
Polyphenols/pharmacology*
;
Stem Cells
;
Tannins/pharmacology*

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