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.Current Understanding of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Qing LI ; Ying DENG ; Li XIAO ; Jing LU ; Min AI ; Yasha ZHOU ; Yuhui QIN ; Qinghua PENG ; Yijing YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1567-1573
This paper has summarized current studies on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) from two perspectives, which were disease mechanism insights from western medicine, and etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic principles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). From the perspective of western medicine, the understanding of RP has evolved from an early single-factor explanation focusing on pathogenic gene mutations to a more comprehensive, multifactorial model involving genetic abnormalities, photoreceptor cell degeneration, retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, microenvironmental imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. In TCM, RP is considered to be a disorder manifested in the eyes but rooted in dysfunction of the zang-fu (脏腑) organs. Its pathogenesis is primarily associated with congenital insufficiency, liver-kidney depletion, impaired spleen function of transportation and transformation, and stasis obstructing the meridians. The core pathological mechanism can be summarized as "deficiency complicated by stasis", emphasizing holistic imbalance, dynamic disease progression, and syndrome differentiation and treatment. The differences and complementarities between the two medical systems in understanding disease progression are further discussed. RP is proposed to be more appropriately regarded as a complex disease characterized by long-term progression, stage-dependent evolution, and persistent decompensation. Western medicine contributes to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RP and provides the foundation for targeted therapeutic interventions, whereas TCM offers a holistic perspective for understanding disease evolution through the assessment of overall functional status, disease-stage stratification, and long-term syndrome-based regulation.
3.Current Understanding of Retinitis Pigmentosa in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Qing LI ; Ying DENG ; Li XIAO ; Jing LU ; Min AI ; Yasha ZHOU ; Yuhui QIN ; Qinghua PENG ; Yijing YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(14):1567-1573
This paper has summarized current studies on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) from two perspectives, which were disease mechanism insights from western medicine, and etiology, pathogenesis and therapeutic principles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). From the perspective of western medicine, the understanding of RP has evolved from an early single-factor explanation focusing on pathogenic gene mutations to a more comprehensive, multifactorial model involving genetic abnormalities, photoreceptor cell degeneration, retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, microenvironmental imbalance, and vascular insufficiency. In TCM, RP is considered to be a disorder manifested in the eyes but rooted in dysfunction of the zang-fu (脏腑) organs. Its pathogenesis is primarily associated with congenital insufficiency, liver-kidney depletion, impaired spleen function of transportation and transformation, and stasis obstructing the meridians. The core pathological mechanism can be summarized as "deficiency complicated by stasis", emphasizing holistic imbalance, dynamic disease progression, and syndrome differentiation and treatment. The differences and complementarities between the two medical systems in understanding disease progression are further discussed. RP is proposed to be more appropriately regarded as a complex disease characterized by long-term progression, stage-dependent evolution, and persistent decompensation. Western medicine contributes to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RP and provides the foundation for targeted therapeutic interventions, whereas TCM offers a holistic perspective for understanding disease evolution through the assessment of overall functional status, disease-stage stratification, and long-term syndrome-based regulation.
4.Association of CRP and interleukin-6 levels with cardiac function in patients with myocardial infarc-tion
Zhi-min ZHAO ; Yan LU ; Wan-qing WANG ; Wei-yang LI
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(2):250-255
Objective:To investigate the levels of C reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin(IL)-6 in patients with myocardial infarction(MI)and their association with cardiac function.Methods:We enrolled 140 MI patients ad-mitted to Sanya Harbin Medical University Hongsen Hospital Co.,Ltd between January 2020 and December 2022,as MI group.According to coronary stenotic severity,they were divided into mild group(n=62),moderate group(n=41)and severe group(n=37),and 75 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination simultaneously were selected as control group.Serum CRP,IL-6,cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB)levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer,and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was assessed by echocardiography.Above-mentioned indexes were compared between MI group and control group,and among groups of different coronary disease severity.Pearson/Spearman correlation was used to analyze the asso-ciation of serum CRP and IL-6 levels with Gensini score,cTnⅠ,CK-MB levels,and LVEF in MI patients.Diag-nostic value of serum CRP and IL-6 levels for MI was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:Compared with participants in control group,those in MI group had significant higher serum CRP,IL-6,cTnⅠ and CK-MB,and significant lower LVEF(P<0.001 all).Serum CRP,IL-6,cTnⅠ and CK-MB levels sig-nificantly increased,and LVEF significant decreased in the order of mild group,moderate group and severe group(P<0.01 all).Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum CRP and IL-6 levels were positively cor-related with Gensini score,cTnⅠ,and CK-MB levels(r=0.496~0.646,P<0.001all),and negatively correlated with LVEF(r=-0.530,-0.572,P<0.001 all)in MI patients.ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of CRP combined IL-6 diagnosing MI was 0.856(95%CI 0.802~0.900),which was significantly higher than those of CRP(AUC=0.770,95%CI 0.708~0.824)and IL-6(AUC=0.793,95%CI 0.733~0.845)alone(Z=3.295,2.877,P<0.01 all).Conclusion:Serum CRP and IL-6 levels rise in MI patients,and they are closely associated with increased severity of coronary artery disease and reduced cardiac function.
5.Establishment of quantitative models for effective components in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture
Zi-fang FENG ; Min-min HU ; Xiao-wei CHEN ; Wen-ming ZHANG ; Li-hong GU ; Ping QIN ; Yi PENG ; Zhen-hua BIAN ; Qing-you YANG ; Tu-lin LU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3177-3184
AIM To establish the quantitative models for gallic acid,mononucleoside,loganin,resveratrol,and rhein in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture.METHODS HPLC was adopted in the content determination of various effective components,after which the near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)data were collected in 128 batches of samples and pretreatment was conducted,competitive adaptive reweighting sampling(CARS)algorithm was used for screening wavelength,partial least square method(PLS)regression analysis was performed.RESULTS There were no significant differences between the predicted values obtained by PLS models and measured values obtained by HPLC for various effective components(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The quantitative models established by NIRS combined with chemometrics display good predictive performance,which can be used for the rapid determination of effective components in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture,and provide a reference for the rapid monitoring of other traditional Chinese medicine preparations in production processes.
6.Association of CRP and interleukin-6 levels with cardiac function in patients with myocardial infarc-tion
Zhi-min ZHAO ; Yan LU ; Wan-qing WANG ; Wei-yang LI
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(2):250-255
Objective:To investigate the levels of C reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin(IL)-6 in patients with myocardial infarction(MI)and their association with cardiac function.Methods:We enrolled 140 MI patients ad-mitted to Sanya Harbin Medical University Hongsen Hospital Co.,Ltd between January 2020 and December 2022,as MI group.According to coronary stenotic severity,they were divided into mild group(n=62),moderate group(n=41)and severe group(n=37),and 75 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination simultaneously were selected as control group.Serum CRP,IL-6,cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB)levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer,and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was assessed by echocardiography.Above-mentioned indexes were compared between MI group and control group,and among groups of different coronary disease severity.Pearson/Spearman correlation was used to analyze the asso-ciation of serum CRP and IL-6 levels with Gensini score,cTnⅠ,CK-MB levels,and LVEF in MI patients.Diag-nostic value of serum CRP and IL-6 levels for MI was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:Compared with participants in control group,those in MI group had significant higher serum CRP,IL-6,cTnⅠ and CK-MB,and significant lower LVEF(P<0.001 all).Serum CRP,IL-6,cTnⅠ and CK-MB levels sig-nificantly increased,and LVEF significant decreased in the order of mild group,moderate group and severe group(P<0.01 all).Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum CRP and IL-6 levels were positively cor-related with Gensini score,cTnⅠ,and CK-MB levels(r=0.496~0.646,P<0.001all),and negatively correlated with LVEF(r=-0.530,-0.572,P<0.001 all)in MI patients.ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of CRP combined IL-6 diagnosing MI was 0.856(95%CI 0.802~0.900),which was significantly higher than those of CRP(AUC=0.770,95%CI 0.708~0.824)and IL-6(AUC=0.793,95%CI 0.733~0.845)alone(Z=3.295,2.877,P<0.01 all).Conclusion:Serum CRP and IL-6 levels rise in MI patients,and they are closely associated with increased severity of coronary artery disease and reduced cardiac function.
7.Tongfeng-Qingli mixture attenuates hyperuricemia in rats by modulating uric acid transporter and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Tingting ZHANG ; Xiang DANG ; Qing YANG ; Peng YANG ; Ling YUAN ; Hao QI ; Yuqi DANG ; Min ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(5):984-994
AIM:To explore the therapeutic effect of Tongfeng-Qingli mixture(TFQLM)and its mechanism in hyperuricemic(HUA)rats based on uric acid(UA)transporter and Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and acti-vator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.METHODS:(1)In vivo experiment:36 male SD rats were random-ly divided into control(CON)group,model(MOD)group,benzbromarone(BEN)group,low-dose TFQLM(TFQLM-L)group,medium-dose TFQLM(TFQLM-M)group,and high-dose TFQLM(TFQLM-H)group,with 6 rats in each group.In all groups except CON group,HUA was induced in rats by giving hypoxanthine(HP)combined with potassium oxybate(OP)for 35 consecutive days.The rats in CON group were given sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage.A fully automatic biochemistry analyzer was used to detecte serum UA,serum creatinine(SCr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels.The xanthine oxidase(XOD)and adenosine deaminase(ADA)levels in the liver were detected by ELISA kits.The histopathological changes of kidneys were observed by HE staining.Immunohistochemistry was performed to de-tect urate transporter 1(URAT1)and glucose transporter 9(GLUT9),organic anion transporter 1(OAT1)and OAT3 ex-pression in the kidney.Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of URAT1,GLUT9,OAT1,OAT3,interleu-kin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),JAK2,p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3 and repressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)in the kidney.(2)In vitro experiments:HUA cellular model was established by UA stimulation in HK2 cells,and the protein levels of URAT1,GLUT9,OAT1,OAT3,IL-6,TNF-α,JAK2,p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3,and SOCS3 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with MOD group,serum UA,SCr and BUN levels of the rats in all TFQLM groups were reduced(P<0.05).The XOD and ADA levels in liver tissues were significantly reduced(P<0.05).The protein levels of URAT1,GLUT9,IL-6,TNF-α,JAK2,p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3 and SOCS3 were decreased(P<0.05),and OAT1 and OAT3 protein expression was increased(P<0.05)in kidneys and HK2 cells.CONCLUSION:By establishing rat and HK2 cell HUA models,it is hypothesized that TFQLM may reduce UA levels and attenuate renal inflammation in HUA rats,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of UA transport proteins and inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
8.Ion Unidirectional Ejection Simulation Study of An Extremely Miniature Hyperbolic Linear Ion Trap
Yun-Fan HE ; Zhuo-Qing YANG ; Yan WANG ; Jiu-Wen SUN ; Yun-Na SUN ; Lu-Yue ZHU ; Di ZHANG ; Feng-Dan WANG ; Min LIU ; Gui-Fu DING ; Jin-Yuan YAO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):885-893
With the increasing demand for dynamic,real-time and rapid qualitative analysis of chemical composition in areas such as emergency response and space exploration,chip-scale mass spectrometers have attracted significant attention.These devices are expected to drive the integration of mass spectrometry with micro/nano-fabrication and intelligent sensing technologies,fostering profound innovation and breakthroughs in analytical chemistry.As an excellent mass analyzer,the ion trap exhibits numerous advantages,and its miniaturization creates favorable conditions for the high-density integration of miniature mass spectrometers.However,the reduction in ion storage capacity may compromise its sensitivity and dynamic range,rendering the study of ion unidirectional ejection in highly miniaturized ion traps of significant practical importance.In this work,a research was conducted on achieving efficient ion unidirectional ejection while maintaining high mass resolution in the extremely miniature hyperbolic linear ion trap(M-HLIT)with a field radius of 1 mm,and an electric field compensation method was proposed,which combined asymmetric electrode stretching and unbalanced RF voltage to achieve high-precision optimization of the electric field composition.Simulations showed that in an ideal structure,this method achieved 100%unidirectional ejection efficiency with the mass resolution of 518,significantly outperforming traditional asymmetric structure method(365)and unbalanced voltage method(321).Following the introduction of ion ejection slots,further optimization through bidirectional stretching and electrical parameters improved the resolution to 790 while maintaining a unidirectional ejection efficiency of 93%.This method eliminated the requirement for additional excitation voltage,offering an ideal solution for the miniature mass analyzer with high detection performance of chip-level mass spectrometers.
9.Study of Reference Materials for Quantitative Analysis of Gene Copy Numbers of Lentiviral Vectors
Yin-Bo HUO ; Jia-Qi YANG ; Qing TAO ; Wen LIANG ; Li XU ; Lan-Ying LI ; Xiao-Lei ZUO ; Juan YAN ; Min DING ; Ai-Wen MA ; Gang LIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(9):1555-1565
Lentiviral vectors(LVs)are key gene delivery tools for integrating target genes into the host genome,but they may also pose risks of insertional mutagenesis.The vector copy number(VCN)in cells is critical for determining the safety of gene modification.However,the reliability and accuracy of its quantification process are influenced by multiple factors.Developing cell reference materials with specific vector copy numbers represents a viable approach to enhance the reliability and consistency of measurement results,enabling quality control of the quantification process and traceability of outcomes.However,the preparation of such reference materials faces challenges in cell sample design,preparation protocols,and advanced quantification techniques.In this study,T lymphocyte cell line Jurkat-based reference materials with LV gene copy numbers of 1 and 2 copy/cell were developed.A high-precision duplex digital polymerase chain reaction(dPCR)method was established to quantify the LV gene and endogenous genes simultaneously.Additionally,the results of dPCR were cross-validated through next-generation sequencing and flow cytometric analysis.Ultimately,confocal microscopy characterization results showed that the developed cell reference materials had intact morphology.The quantification result of VCN-1 was(1.07±0.11)copy/cell,and that of VCN-2 was(2.09±0.21)copy/cell.These cell reference materials demonstrated compliance with stability and homogeneity requirements,and could be applied for quality control throughout the VCN measurement workflow and metrological traceability,improving the accuracy,comparability,and validity of copy number measurements.
10.Establishment of quantitative models for effective components in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture
Zi-fang FENG ; Min-min HU ; Xiao-wei CHEN ; Wen-ming ZHANG ; Li-hong GU ; Ping QIN ; Yi PENG ; Zhen-hua BIAN ; Qing-you YANG ; Tu-lin LU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3177-3184
AIM To establish the quantitative models for gallic acid,mononucleoside,loganin,resveratrol,and rhein in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture.METHODS HPLC was adopted in the content determination of various effective components,after which the near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)data were collected in 128 batches of samples and pretreatment was conducted,competitive adaptive reweighting sampling(CARS)algorithm was used for screening wavelength,partial least square method(PLS)regression analysis was performed.RESULTS There were no significant differences between the predicted values obtained by PLS models and measured values obtained by HPLC for various effective components(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The quantitative models established by NIRS combined with chemometrics display good predictive performance,which can be used for the rapid determination of effective components in Yishen Xiezhuo Mixture,and provide a reference for the rapid monitoring of other traditional Chinese medicine preparations in production processes.

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