Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Objective To determine ferulic acid and paeoniflorin in Ankong Zhongzi Wan by HPLC under dual wavelength ultraviolet detection. Methods Ferulic acid and paeoniflorin were separated by Waters SymmetryShield-C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) with gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was 230 nm and 323 nm. Results The linear relationship of ferulic acid and paeoniflorin was good in the range of 0.058 2-0.582 4 μg (r=0.999 4) and 1.664-16.64 μg (r=0.999 6), and the average recovery rate was 97.77% (RSD=1.88%) and 98.84% (RSD=1.96%), respectively. Conclusion The method is accurate and quick for determining the two effective components in Ankong Zhongzi Wan, and can be used for its quality control.

To explore the synergistic action of Kangshen Tablet (KT), which has the functions of nourishing kidney, invigorating spleen, eliminating stasis and turbidity, in maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal failure (CRF).Eighty cases of CRF were randomly allocated to Group A (maintenance hemodialysis alone) and Group B (KT combined with maintenance hemodialysis).Serum creatine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, average times of hemodialysis per week, adequacy of hemodialysis, nutrition status, cellular immune function, survival rate and serum electrolyte levels were observed.After treatment, SCr and BUN levels were decreased, average times of hemodialysis per week reduced, adequacy of hemodialysis raised, nutrition status improved, cellular immune function promoted, survival rate increased and hyperphospheremia decreased in Group B (P

【Objective】To observe the effect of Sicaotang Decoction which is mainly composed of kidney-nourishing,toxicity-removing and blood-activating herbal medicines on parameters associated with mesenteric proliferation,fibronectin(FN),and Bcl-2 gene expression in lupus nephritis(LN).【Methods】 Sixty LN patients were equally randomized into two groups.The two groups received treatment with hormones and cyclophosphamide,and group Areceived Sicaotang Decoction additionally.The changes of Bcl-2 and Fas expression in CD4+ and CD8+ of T lymphocyte subtypes,serum fibronectin(FN),serum and urine collagen Ⅳ(CⅣ) as well as score of blood stasis were observed.【Results】Sicaotang Decoction reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and Fas expression in CD4+ and CD8+,relieved the proliferation of mesenteric cells,and decreased Bcl-2 positive rate,serum FN level,serum and urine CⅣ levels and score of blood stasis(P