1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Mechanical stability of intertrochanteric fracture of femur with different internal fixation systems
Xi CHEN ; Tao TANG ; Tongbing CHEN ; Qing LI ; Wen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1783-1788
BACKGROUND:Intertrochanteric fracture of femur has various fracture types and fixation methods,and the mechanical stability of each fixation system is quite different.It is of scientific clinical significance to use finite element analysis method to carry out biomechanical research on various fixation systems. OBJECTIVE:To compare and analyze the mechanical stability of various internal fixations applied to femoral intertrochanteric fracture A031-A2.1 by finite element method. METHODS:Based on the validated finite element model of femur(Intact),the model was cut and made into A031-A2.1 intertrochanteric fracture of femur.Different internal fixation systems were implanted by simulating clinical operation methods,and fixation models of proximal femoral nail antirotation,dynamic hip screw,percutaneous compression plate and proximal femoral locking plate were established respectively.All nodes under the distal femur of the four groups of models were constrained,and compression loads of 700,1 400 and 2 100 N were applied to the femoral head.Von Mises stress distribution and compression stiffness of each group of models were observed through calculation and analysis,and mechanical stability of each group was compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Through calculation and analysis,after calculating the compression stiffness by comparing the deformation of each model,the compression stiffness of each model under various loads showed the trend:physiological group>proximal femoral nail antirotation group>proximal femoral locking plate group>percutaneous compression plate group>dynamic hip screw group.The compressive stiffness of the complete physiological group model was significantly higher than that of all surgical group models.(2)The stress index was observed.Due to the stress shielding effect,the stress peak value of each fixed group was higher than that of physiological group,and the maximum peak value was concentrated on each internal fixation.Proximal femoral nail antirotation group had the smallest stress peak,while dynamic hip screw group had the highest stress.The stress distribution trend showed physiological group
3.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
4.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
5.Interventional Treatment Strategy for Different Types of Pulmonary Artery Lesions in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Xin LI ; Tao YANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Qin LUO ; Qing ZHAO ; Qixian ZENG ; Sicheng ZHANG ; Zhihui ZHAO ; Zhihong LIU
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(2):190-196
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is characterised by the persistent obstruction of the proximal pulmonary arteries by organized thrombi and peripheral microvascular disease,which can lead to right-sided heart failure and mortality.Pulmonary endarterectomy enables complete removal of visible obstructive elements within the pulmonary arteries and is recommended for operable patients.Nevertheless,over 40%of patients are precluded from pulmonary endarterectomy because of factors such as surgically inaccessible lesions,compromised general health status,or concurrent comorbidities or still with residual pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy.For inoperable patients or those with residual pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy,balloon pulmonary angioplasty is an effective therapeutic option,which could significantly improve the hemodynamic,exercise tolerance and outcome of the patients.With the emerging accumulation of clinical experience and evidence,2022 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guidelines of pulmonary hypertension recommend balloon pulmonary angioplasty as an alternative therapeutic option for these patients.However,different types of lesions may have their own lesion characteristics,the strategy and device of balloon pulmonary angioplasty should thus be individually considered for different lesions,in fact,the success rate of treatment and the incidence rate of complications are varied significantly.Therefore,the aim of this review is to comprehensively summarize the existing studies on balloon pulmonary angioplasty treatment strategies for different types of lesions and the management of complications to provide guidance and reference for clinicians.
6.Clinical features and prognosis of seven cases with juvenile dermatomyositis associated interstitial lung disease
Xuan ZHANG ; Tao XU ; Chengcheng LIN ; Xiangrong LIU ; Yibing WANG ; Guangmei CUI ; Lili SUN ; Qing SUN
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(8):601-605
Objective:To analyze the clinical features,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of children with juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM) complicated with interstitial lung disease(ILD).Methods:The clinical manifestations,laboratory examination,treatment and prognosis of 7 children with JDM-ILD who were hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology and Immunology,Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from December 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 7 cases,4 were male and 3 were female.The age of onset was 1.8-10.0 years(mean age 5.6 years),the occurrence time of pulmonary involvement was 0.6-4.0 months(mean time 2.0 months),and the follow-up time was 1.8-4.0 years.All the 7 cases had typical rash and different degrees of myasthenia.Four cases were accompanied by skin mucosal ulceration and 4 cases had fever during the course of the disease.Of the 7 cases,2 were accompanied by macrophage activation syndrome,and 1 of them had nervous system involvement,including convulsion and coma.All the children had increased creatase of varying degrees,and only 1 case had increased creatine kinase.Five cases had positive anti- melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5(MDA5)antibody and 4 cases had positive anti- Ro-52 antibody.Interleukin-6 was increased in 5 cases,interferon-γ was increased in 3 cases,and tumor necrosis factor-α was increased in 2 cases.Electromyography showed myogenic injury,MRI showed different degrees of myositis.Chest high-resolution CT showed ground glass shadow,rope shadow,consolidation shadow,pleural thickening,mesh shadow,etc.Four cases had limited lung function or mixed ventilation function restriction.All 7 cases received methylprednisolone pulse treatment combined with immunosuppressant treatment,and 5 cases received immunoglobulin treatment.Pulmonary lesions improved in 5 cases and partially improved in 1 case.One case died due to macrophage activation and multiple organ failure.Conclusion:The respiratory symptoms of JDM-ILD are obscure,and the incidence of ILD is high in children with anti-MDA5 antibody positive.High-resolution CT contributes to early diagnosis.Reasonable early application of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants could improve the survival rate and quality of life.
7.Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Risk Factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Adults of Different Age Groups
Jia ZHU ; Tao-mei ZHANG ; Qing-liu TAN ; Cong-hui CHEN ; Ya-nan MA
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2472-2477
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic risk factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)in adults across different age groups,providing evidence for age-stratified management strategies.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 80 MPP patients admitted to the Respiratory Department of a hospital between January 2023 and December 2024.Patients were divided into three groups based on age:young adults(18-40 years),middle-aged adults(41-60 years),and elderly adults(≥ 61 years).Demographic features,clinical indicators,and mixed infections were analyzed.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for disease severity.Results:The severity rate was significantly higher in the elderly group(41.2%)compared to the young adult group(7.1%)and middle-aged group(20.0%)(P=0.022).Elderly patients also exhibited significantly higher rates of underlying diseases(chronic lung disease:35.3%vs.3.6%in young adults),elevated inflammatory markers(C-reactive protein:68.3±19.5 mg/L vs.32.5±8.4 mg/L in young adults),mixed infections(52.9%vs.14.3%),and prolonged hospital stays(8.61±2.22 days vs.5.01±1.11 days)(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis identified age(OR=1.79 per 10 years),chronic lung disease(OR=3.25),blood urea nitrogen ≥6 mmol/L(OR=2.44),and mixed infections(OR=4.26)as independent risk factors for severe MPP(P<0.05).Conclusion:Clinical manifestations and prognoses of MPP in adults vary significantly across age groups.Elderly patients are characterized by high mixed infection rates,intense inflammatory responses,and renal function impairment,necessitating individualized monitoring and intervention strategies.
8.Latent class analysis and its influencing factors of medication compliance in patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity
Yancheng JIANG ; Qing WANG ; Ting ZHOU ; Yingnan SONG ; Juan ZHANG ; Jiang XIE ; Ling LUO ; Meiyi TAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(19):1449-1457
Objective:To explore the potential categories and influencing factors of medication compliance in patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity, and provide a reference for formulating targeted intervention measures.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was adopted. From March to October 2024, the patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity in the First Hospital Affiliated with Hunan Normal University (Hunan Provincial People′s Hospital) were selected by convenience sampling method as research objects. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and Medication Literacy Questionnaire. The latent class analysis was used to explore the characteristics and classifications of medication compliance in cardiometabolic multimorbidity, and unordered multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of different latent classes.Results:A total of 421 subjects were included, consisting of 291 males and 130 females, aged (64.28±9.74) years old. The overall medication adherence score was 6.00 (5.00, 8.00) points, which could be divided into four categories: overall good adherence group (24.47%, 103/421), subjective perception-poor adherence group (15.91%, 67/421), forgetfulness-poor adherence group (37.53%, 158/421), and overall poor adherence group (22.09%, 93/421). The results showed that when taking the overall good adherence group as a reference, the inability to obtain pharmaceutical information from social media, medication literacy scores, social support scores were the influencing factors for the subjective perception-poor adherence group ( OR=4.210, 0.516, 0.733, all P<0.05). Occupational characteristics (employees in public institutions or government-affiliated institutions), age, social support scores were the influencing factors for the forgetfulness-poor adherence group( OR=0.173, 1.155, 0.781, all P<0.05). Occupational characteristics (employees in public institutions or government-affiliated institutions), failure to receive medication guidance from medical staff, medication literacy scores and social support scores were the influencing factors for the overall poor adherence group( OR values were 0.136-5.275, all P<0.05). When taking the overall poor adherence group as a reference, failure to receive medication guidance from medical staff and medication literacy scores were the influencing factors for the subjective perception-poor adherence group ( OR=0.310, 1.752, both P<0.05). Failure to receive medication guidance from medical staff, age, medication literacy scores and social support scores were the influencing factors for the forgetfulness-poor adherence group ( OR values were 0.315-2.554, all P<0.05). Conclusions:There is significant heterogeneity in medication adherence among patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Healthcare professionals should consider individual characteristics in clinical practice and provide targeted, precise interventions to improve adherence in different patient categories.
9.Analysis of the Current Application Status and Enlightenment of Artificial Intelligence in Post-marketing Pharmacovigilance in China
Tao WANG ; Lin ZHANG ; Qing WANG ; Pengcheng LIU ; Chuanyong SHEN
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):560-564
Objective Pharmacovigilance,as an essential component of post-marketing drug regulation,plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of public medication use.In recent years,Artificial intelligence(AI)technology,with its powerful data processing and analysis capabilities,has shown tremendous potential in the field of Pharmacovigilance.This article introduced and analyzed the application background of AI technology in Pharmacovigilance,its exploration and current status both internationally and within China,highlighted its application in the country,as well as the associated problems and challenges from the perspective of post-marketing regulation.It aims to provide reference for post-marketing regulation in China.Currently,China's exploration and application of AI in pharmacovigilance have just begun,and efforts should be intensified and the pace accelerated.Regulatory agencies should actively develop and implement regulatory standards or relevant guidelines for AI technologies throughout the product lifecycle,strengthen personnel training,talent cultivation,and introduction,actively promote close cooperation among regulatory agencies,pharmaceutical companies,research institutes,and universities,and jointly promote the innovative application of AI technology in the field of drug regulation.
10.Construction Method of Drug Adverse Reaction Knowledge Graph Based on Knowledge-Driven Technology Path
Wei REN ; Yan XU ; Qing WANG ; Zitong PEI ; Tao WANG ; Ying LIU ; Yexiang ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):565-569
Objective In view of the potential threat of adverse drug reaction(ADR)to patients'health and the limitations of traditional monitoring methods,this study investigates the construction method of an ADR knowledge graph based on a knowledge-driven technology path to promote the intelligent upgrading of pharmacovigilance field.Methods In this study,an adverse drug reaction knowledge base was established,and the data within the knowledge base were preprocessed.The BERT-CRF model was utilized to identify and extract the relevant entities,relationships and attribute information,and knowledge alignment was carried out by combining the rule method and statistical method.The knowledge fusion data was stored in the Neo4j graph database to construct the knowledge graph.Results Based on the established knowledge base,this study explored the method of constructing knowledge graph of adverse drug reaction by knowledge-driven technology,laying the groundwork for data mining and the development of intelligent auxiliary system tools based on knowledge graph.Conclusions The study on the construction method of an ADR knowledge graph based on a knowledge-driven technology path provides a new perspective and technical path for the intelligent upgrading of pharmacovigilance field.It holds important theoretical and practical significance for improving drug safety,protecting patients'health,and promoting the healthy development of pharmaceutical industry.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail