1.Research progress on strategies to target intestinal microbiota to improve drug resistance in tumor immunotherapy
Hui-ling LI ; Bi-qing LIU ; Ying-nan FENG ; Xin HU ; Lan ZHANG ; Xian-zhe DONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):260-268
A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.
2.Junctophilin-2 MORN-Helix Domain: Structural Basis for Membrane Binding and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-associated Mutations
Jing-Xin WANG ; Zhi-Wei LI ; Wei LIU ; Wen-Qing ZHANG ; Jian-Chao LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2103-2116
ObjectiveJunctophilin-2 (JPH2) is an essential structural protein that maintains junctional membrane complexes (JMCs) in cardiomyocytes by tethering the plasma membrane to the sarcoplasmic reticulum, thereby facilitating excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Mutations in JPH2 have been associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but the molecular mechanisms governing its membrane-binding properties and the functional relevance of its membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN) repeat motifs remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the structural basis of JPH2 membrane association and its implications for HCM pathogenesis. MethodsA recombinant N-terminal fragment of mouse JPH2 (residues1-440), encompassing the MORN repeats and an adjacent helical region, was purified under near-physiological buffer conditions.X-ray crystallography was employed to determine the structure of the JPH2 MORN-Helix domain. Sequence conservation analysis across species and junctophilin isoforms was performed to assess the evolutionary conservation of key structural features. Functional membrane-binding assays were conducted using liposome co-sedimentation and cell-based localization studies in COS7 and HeLa cells. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis targeting positively charged residues and known HCM-associated mutations, including R347C, was used to evaluate their effects on membrane interaction and subcellular localization. ResultsThe crystal structure of the mouse JPH2 MORN-Helix domain was resolved at 2.6 Å, revealing a compact, elongated architecture consisting of multiple tandem MORN motifs arranged in a curved configuration, forming a continuous hydrophobic core stabilized by alternating aromatic residues. A C-terminal α-helix further reinforced structural integrity. Conservation analysis identified the inner groove of the MORN array as a highly conserved surface, suggesting its role as a protein-binding interface. A flexible linker segment enriched in positively charged residues, located adjacent to the MORN motifs, was found to mediate direct electrostatic interactions with negatively charged phospholipid membranes. Functional assays demonstrated that mutation of these basic residues impaired membrane association, while the HCM-linked R347C mutation completely abolished membrane localization in cellular assays, despite preserving the overall MORN-Helix fold in structural modeling. ConclusionThis study provides structural insight into the membrane-binding mechanism of the cardiomyocyte-specific protein JPH2, highlighting the dual roles of its MORN-Helix domain in membrane anchoring and protein interactions. The findings clarify the structural basis for membrane targeting via a positively charged linker and demonstrate that disruption of this interaction—such as that caused by the R347C mutation—likely contributes to HCM pathogenesis. These results not only enhance current understanding of JPH2 function in cardiac E-C coupling but also offer a structural framework for future investigations into the assembly and regulation of JMCs in both physiological and disease contexts.
3.Advances in antitumor research of bifunctional small molecule inhibitors targeting heat shock protein 90
Hong-ping ZHU ; Xin XIE ; Rui QIN ; Wei HUANG ; Yan-qing LIU ; Cheng PENG ; Gu HE ; Bo HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(1):1-16
The heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) protein family is a cluster of highly conserved molecules that play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Hsp90 and its co-chaperones regulate a variety of pathways and cellular functions, such as cell growth, cell cycle control and apoptosis. Hsp90 is closely associated with the occurrence and development of tumors and other diseases, making it an attractive target for cancer therapeutics. Inhibition of Hsp90 expression can affect multiple oncogenic pathways simultaneously. Most Hsp90 small molecule inhibitors are in clinical trials due to their low efficacy, toxicity or drug resistance, but they have obvious synergistic anti-tumor effect when used with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, tubulin inhibitors or topoisomerase II (Topo II) inhibitors. To address this issue, the design of Hsp90 dual-target inhibitors can improve efficacy and reduce drug resistance, making it an effective tumor treatment strategy. In this paper, the domain and biological function of Hsp90 are briefly introduced, and the design, discovery and structure-activity relationship of Hsp90 dual inhibitors are discussed, in order to provide reference for the discovery of novel Hsp90 dual inhibitors and clinical drug research from the perspective of medicinal chemistry.
4.Clinical trial of indobufen combined with clopidogrel in treating elderly patients with coronary heart disease after PCI
Feng XIE ; Da-Wei LIU ; Chang-Qing YU ; Xin-Liang CHEN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(2):165-169
Objective To investigate the application value of indobufen combined with clopidogrel in elderly patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with aspirin contraindications.Methods Elderly patients with coronary heart disease with aspirin contraindications were selected as study subjects and divided into 2 groups by random number table method.The control group was given oral clopidogrel bisulfate tablet 75 mg,qd;the treatment group was additionally given oral indobufen tablet 200 mg,qd,and both groups were treated for 3 months.Cardiac function indexes,coagulation-fibrinolytic system indexes,platelet function indexes,vascular endothelial function indexes and microcirculation function indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment,and the incidence of MACE and adverse drug reactions were analyzed.Results In this trial,39 cases in both the treatment group and the control group were included in the statistical analysis.The total effective rate of treatment group and control group were 94.87%and 79.49%,respectively,and the total effective rate of treatment group were higher than that of control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)of treatment group and control group were(57.13±3.16)%and(55.65±3.01)%,and the left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(LVEDVI)were(61.29±3.46)and(63.78±3.12)mL·m-2,respectively;the cardiac index were(3.68±0.31)and(3.41±0.28)L·min-1·m-2,and the stroke output index(SVI)were(57.37±2.57)and(55.29±2.74)mL·m-2,respectively;plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1)levels were(46.29±4.18)and(49.37±5.24)ng·mL-1;antithrombin Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ)levels were(131.04±10.65)%and(120.95±9.73)%,respectively;tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA)levels were(0.54±0.09)and(0.46±0.10)U·mL-1;fibrinogen(FIB)levels were(3.52±0.61)and(4.03±0.59)g·L-1,respectively;PT were(15.43±0.65)and(14.92±0.57)s,respectively.Compared with control group,the above indexes in treatment group were statistically significant(all P<0.05).In the treatment group,there were 1 case of malignant arrhythmia in the cardiovascular adverse event(MACE),and in the control group,there were 2 cases of acute myocardial infarction,3 cases of malignant arrhythmia,2 cases of target vessel revascularization,and 1 case of acute thrombus in the stent.The incidence of MACE in the treatment group and the control group were 2.56%and 20.51%,respectively;the difference were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion In elderly patients with coronary heart disease contraindicated with aspirin after PCI,indobufen combined with clopidogrel can improve the cardiac function and microcirculation function,improve coagulation and fibrinolysis function,reduce vascular endothelial function injury,and reduce the incidence of MACE.
5.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
6.Cadmium promotes senescence of annulus fibrosus cells via activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Xin LIU ; Man HU ; Wenjie ZHAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Bo MENG ; Sheng YANG ; Qing PENG ; Liang ZHANG ; Jingcheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(8):1217-1222
BACKGROUND:Cadmium is a common environmental pollutant,which can damage multiple organs and tissues,such as the kidney and bone,but its effect on annulus fibrosus cells in the intervertebral disc has been less reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of cadmium chloride on the senescence of annulus fibrosus cells and the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODS:Annulus fibrosus cells from Sprague-Dawley rat intervertebral discs were harvested and passage 3 cells were intervened with different concentrations of cadmium chloride(0,1,5,10,20 μmol/L).Cell viability and proliferation were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay.Transcriptome sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis were performed on annulus fibrosus cells with or without cadmium chloride addition.Passage 3 annulus fibrosus cells were divided into control group,cadmium chloride group and LY294002 group.Cell proliferation rate was detected by EdU method,positive cell rate was detected by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining,and expressions of senescence-associated proteins(p16,p21 and p53)and p-Akt at protein and mRNA levels were measured by western blot,RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:5 μmol/L cadmium chloride could inhibit the proliferation of annulus fibrosus cells.Results from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis showed that the main signal transduction pathways included PI3K/Akt,cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways,which were related to cell senescence and proliferation.PI3K/Akt signaling pathways with significant differential expression were selected for validation.Compared with the control group,the EdU-positive rate was significantly decreased in the cadmium chloride group(P<0.05),while the β-galactosidase-positive rate,the expression of senescence-associated proteins(p16,p21 and p53)and p-Akt significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the cadmium chloride group,the EdU-positive rate and p-Akt expression were significantly decreased in the LY294002 group(P<0.05),while the β-galactosidase-positive rate and the expression of senescence-associated proteins(p16,p21 and p53)significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,cadmium chloride can regulate the senescence of annulus fibrosus cells by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,thereby inducing the occurrence and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration.
7.Trend of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Hainan Province from 2005 to 2019
LIANG Qiqing, TIAN Ye, ZUO Xin, QING Fenmei, LIU Yumei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(12):1766-1769
Objective:
To analyze the trends of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 7-18 in Hainan Province from 2005 to 2019, in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention strategies.
Methods:
Data were sourced from a total of 42 811 students in Hainan Province in 2005, 2010, 2014 and 2019 for physical fitness and health investigation, according to the criteria of Screening for Overweight and Obesity among School aged Children and Adolescents. The linear trend of overweight and obesity was compared by using the χ 2 test and χ 2 trend test, and with 2005 as the base period, the dynamic analysis was conducted to compare the growth and development rates of overweight and obesity.
Results:
The detection rates of overweight in children and adolescents aged 7-18 in Hainan Province were 4.7%, 5.1%, 6.7% and 10.8% in 2005, 2010, 2014 and 2019, respectively, while the detection rates of obesity were 2.7%, 2.4%, 2.5% and 6.8%, which showed an overall upward trend by year ( χ 2 trend =370.57 , 313.55, P <0.01). All differences in overweight and obesity detection rates across gender, ethnicity, and age groups were statistically significant for each year ( χ 2=9.56-290.95, P <0.01). And the detection rates of overweight and obesity increased linearly over year in different characteristic groups ( χ 2 trend =29.92-280.11, P <0.01). The annual growth rate of overweight detection rate was higher for girls (6.4%) than for boys (6.1%), higher for ethnic minorities (7.1%) than for Han (5.7%), and higher for the 16- 18 age group (8.4%) than for the 7-9 (3.6%), 10-12 (6.2%), and 13-15 age groups (7.7%). And the annual growth rate of obesity detection rate was higher for boys (8.1%) than for girls ( 5.7% ), higher for ethnic minorities (7.1%) than for Han ( 6.8% ), and higher for the 16-18 age group (77.2%) than for the 7-9 (2.8%), 10-12 (8.2%), and 13-15 (18.7%) age groups.
Conclusions
The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents aged 7-18 in Hainan Province continues to increase from 2005 to 2019, with differences in genders, ethnic and ages. Interventions should be implemented to reduce the incidence of overweight obesity in children and adolescents.
8.Precision diagnosis and treatment of antibody-mediated rejection
Junchao CAI ; Xin QING ; Lei ZHANG ; Lan ZHU ; Longshan LIU ; Puxun TIAN ; Gang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2024;45(1):1-17
Based upon the underlying mechanism and pathological evidence of tissue injury of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) , four etiological and symptomatic therapies were proposed for managing AMR, including etiological treatment of AMR including antibody-targeting, B cell or plasma cell-targeting therapies; strategies for preventing antibody-mediated endothelial damage: an inhibition of complement/antibody dependent cell-mediated pathways; anticoagulant & thrombolytic therapies for thrombotic microangiopathy secondary to endothelial damage ; anti-inflammatory therapies for acute/chronic vascular inflammation secondary to endothelial damage. Etiological treatment is essential for preventing and treating AMR while symptomatic measures, such as anticoagulant, thrombolytic and antiinflammatory therapies, are stressed. Finally the authors devised therapeutic strategies for AMR in 4 different patient groups of non-sensitized allograft recipients, sensitized allograft recipients, individuals with active AMR and those with chronic active AMR.
9.Synthesis of ornithine peptidomimetic efflux pump inhibitors and synergistic antibiotic activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Xi ZHU ; Xi-can MA ; Xin-tong ZHANG ; Yi-shuang LIU ; Ning HE ; Yun-ying XIE ; Dan-qing SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(6):1720-1729
In order to solve the problem of resistance of
10.Research progress in regulation and mechanism of transcription factors on tanshinones
Yan-hong BAI ; Lin-lin XIN ; Ting ZENG ; Feng-xia HAN ; Yong-qing ZHANG ; Gao-bin PU ; Xue CHEN ; Qian LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1218-1228
italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely recognized for its blood-activating and stasis-removing properties in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The synthesis and regulatory mechanism of tanshinones, the key active constituents of


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