1.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
2.Polypeptide-based Nanocarriers for Oral Targeted Delivery of CAR Genes to Pancreatic Cancer
Feng XIN ; Jian REN ; Zhao-Zhen LI ; Quan FANG ; Rui-Jing LIANG ; Lan-Lan LIU ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):431-441
ObjectivePancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a limited response to current treatments due to its dense fibrotic stroma and highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In recent years, advancements in cellular immunotherapy, particularly chimeric antigen receptor macrophage (CAR-M) therapy, have offered new hope for pancreatic cancer treatment. Although CAR-M therapy demonstrates dual potential in directly killing tumor cells and remodeling the immune microenvironment, it still faces challenges such as complex in vitro preparation processes and low in vivo targeting and delivery efficiency. Therefore, developing strategies for efficient and targeted in vivo delivery of CAR genes has become crucial for overcoming current therapeutic limitations. This study aims to develop an orally administrable nano-gene delivery system for the targeted delivery of CAR genes to pancreatic tumor sites. MethodsCore nano-gene particles (PNP/pCAR) were constructed by loading plasmid DNA encoding CAR (pCAR) with cationic polypeptides (PNP). Subsequently, PNP/pCAR was surface-modified with β-glucan to prepare the targeted nanoparticles (βGlus-PNP/pCAR). The loading efficiency of PNP for pCAR was quantitatively assessed by gel retardation assay. The particle size, Zeta potential, morphology, and storage stability of PNP/pCAR were characterized using a Malvern particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. At the cellular level, RAW 264.7 macrophages were selected. The cytotoxicity of PNP/pCAR was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability of the nanoparticles were assessed via flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Transfection efficiency was quantitatively evaluated by detecting the expression of the reporter gene GFP using flow cytometry. At the in vivo level, an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model was established. Cy7-labeled βGlus-PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were administered orally, and the fluorescence distribution in mice was dynamically monitored at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h post-administration using a small animal in vivo imaging system. Forty-eight hours after oral gavage, the mice were euthanized, and pancreatic tumor tissues were collected for further analysis of intratumoral fluorescence signals using the imaging system. Additionally, βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP nanoparticles loaded with the reporter gene (GFP) were administered orally. Forty-eight hours post-administration, pancreatic tumor tissues were harvested to prepare frozen sections, and GFP expression was observed and analyzed under a fluorescence microscope. ResultsThe PNP carrier exhibited a high loading capacity for pCAR. The successfully prepared PNP/pCAR nanoparticles were regular spheres with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately (120±10) nm and a Zeta potential of about +(6±1) mV. They maintained good structural stability after incubation in PBS buffer for 7 d. Cell experiments demonstrated that PNP/pCAR exhibited no significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells while being efficiently internalized and effectively escaping lysosomal degradation. The transfection positive rate of PNP/pCAR-GFP in RAW 264.7 cells reached (25±3)%, surpassing that of Lipofectamine 2000-loaded pCAR-GFP (Lipo/pCAR-GFP), which was (20±1)%.In vivo experiments revealed that, compared to unmodified PNP/pCAR, βGlus-PNP/pCAR exhibited strongerin situ pancreatic tumor targeting ability after oral administration. Furthermore, oral administration of βGlus-PNP/pCAR-GFP resulted in significant GFP protein expression detectable within pancreatic tumor tissues. ConclusionThis study successfully constructed and validated an orally administrable, pancreatic cancer-targeting polypeptide-based nano-gene delivery system. It provides an important technological foundation in delivery systems and experimental basis for the subsequent development of in situ CAR-M-based therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
3.TCM Syndrome Distribution Patterns and Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Comorbid with Metabolically Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Dingqi LI ; Liang HUANG ; Baixue LI ; Rui ZHAO ; Zhenglong ZHENG ; Yichen PENG ; Yu LIANG ; Caiying HE ; Jingdong CUI ; Zilin XIONG ; Xiyang LIU ; Quansheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):259-270
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) comorbid with metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and analyze their correlation with clinical characteristics and the progression of liver fibrosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study method was employed, and 506 patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD who attended the Hepatology Outpatient Department of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from June 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled. General information, traditional Chinese medicine syndromes information, laboratory indicators, and imaging examination results were collected using case report forms (CRF). Tongue images of patients were acquired using a tongue diagnosis instrument, and tongue feature parameters were extracted using computer image processing technology. Frequency analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis, and other methods were used to explore syndrome categories and distribution patterns. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in clinical characteristics among different syndromes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsThe main traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD were mainly dominated by damp-heat accumulation syndrome, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome, with damp-heat accumulation syndrome accounting for the highest proportion (41.89%). Compared with those without damp-heat accumulation syndrome, patients with damp-heat accumulation syndrome had significantly lower tongue proper H value, tongue coating H value, and tongue coating a* value (P<0.05), significantly higher tongue coating b* value (P<0.05), significantly increased levels of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and glucose (GLU), increased CAP values (P<0.05), a higher proportion of males (P<0.05), and a younger age (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), diabetes, and damp-heat accumulation syndrome are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis (P<0.05), and that damp-heat accumulation syndrome is predominantly distributed in liver fibrosis stage F0-F1. ConclusionDamp-heat accumulation syndrome is a typical syndrome in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD, which is significantly associated with enhanced inflammatory response, metabolic disorders, and early liver fibrosis, and is a key link in disease progression. Clinical attention and early intervention are needed.
4.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
5.Characteristics of brain glymphatic system changes in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment based on perivascular spaces and DTI-ALPS index assessment
Xiaoqin CHENG ; Guoqiang FEI ; Shen ZHAO ; Rui HUA ; Feng SHI ; Xiaoli PAN ; Ziyi HE ; Sirui LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):479-485
Objective To explore the characteristics and correlation between perivascular spaces (PVS) and diffusion tensor image analysis along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS) index in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 118 participants, including cognitive normal (CN) healthy controls and aMCI patients, recruited from the Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from September 2020 to September 2022. All participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). An automatic segmentation algorithm was used to quantify PVS metrics in the brain, and DTI-ALPS index was calculated based on DTI. Differences in DTI-ALPS index and PVS metrics between the CN and aMCI groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors influencing aMCI. Correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships among DTI-ALPS index, PVS metrics, and cognitive scores. Results A total of 80 CN healthy controls and 38 aMCI patients were included. The DTI-ALPS index was significantly lower in the aMCI group compared with the CN group (1.28±0.18 vs 1.37±0.21, P=0.018), while differences in PVS metrics between groups were not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that DTI-ALPS index was an independent factor affecting aMCI (OR=0.097, 95%CI 0.011–0.833, P=0.033). Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between DTI-ALPS index and MMSE score (r=0.210, P=0.023) as well as PVS length in the centrum semiovale (r=0.216, P=0.019). Conclusions The DTI-ALPS index may serve as an imaging biomarker for identifying early cognitive impairment, and patients with aMCI exhibit abnormal DTI-ALPS indices, suggesting that brain glymphatic system dysfunction may occur prior to morphological changes.
6.A Pneumatic Micro-valve with Sandwich Structure Based on Micro-electro-mechanical System
Shao-Jie MA ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Chen ZHU ; Zhi-Rui LI ; Bin ZHAO ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(5):758-764
In this study,an ON/OFF type micro-valve with a sandwich(glass-silicon-glass)structure was designed and fabricated based on the micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS)technique.The deformable membrane of this micro-valve was prepared on the silicon on insulator(SOI)substrate and sealed using Si-Si bonding and anodic bonding methods.The micro-valve had high-temperature stability and was suitable for integration with other gas chromatography components.The deformable membrane with a thickness of 10 μm was processed on the top silicon of the SOI substrate.The flow control of the micro-valve could be achieved by changing the driving pressure applied to the deformable membrane to deform it.Compared with polymer membranes,the deformable membrane prepared on the top layer silicon of SOI had better temperature stability and could be released using the deep reactive ion etching technique after silicon-silicon bonding,avoiding deformation during the preparation process.In addition,due to the small gap between the membrane and the inlet/outlet holes,the dead volume of the microvalve was very small.The test results indicated that the micro-valve achieved flow control and ON/OFF functions with good repeatability.
7.A Monolithic Integrated Gas Chromatography Chip with Gas Chromatographic Column and Helium Discharge Ionization Detector
Yu-Chen ZHU ; Shao-Jie MA ; Wen-Bo LI ; Zhi-Rui LI ; Bin ZHAO ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1064-1071
A monolithic integrated gas chromatography chip,consisting of a micro gas chromatography column(μGCC)and a micro helium discharge ionization detector(μHDID)was proposed.The chip was fabricated using micro electromechanical system(MEMS)technique,and its sensitivity was improved from two aspects.On one hand,open tubular column was selected as the separation device,and the auxiliary helium channel width of μHDID was modulated based on the microchannel width of the μGCC to match the flow rates of μHDID and μGCC.On the other hand,the electrode structure inside the μHDID collection zone was optimized,a bias electrode group around the collection electrode was constructed,and the ion collection efficiency was improved.After coating HKUST-1 as the stationary phase,the monolithic integrated gas chromatography chip could achieve baseline separation and detection of light hydrocarbon gas mixture(methane,ethane,propane,andn-butane),with a detection limit for propane as low as 25 pg.The chip could carried out test under temperature-programmed conditions,with a resolution of 9.24 for ethane and propane.
8.A Micro Gas Chromatographic Column with Large Surface Area Based on Anodization
Shao-Jie MA ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Chen ZHU ; Bo-Xin CHEN ; Zhi-Rui LI ; Bin ZHAO ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1607-1614
A micro gas chromatographic column with mesoporous surface micro column array prepared by anodization method was proposed.A porous support layer with a characteristic pore size of about 30 nm inside the chromatographic column was prepared in situ using anodization method,and a uniform alumina stationary phase was deposited on the mesoporous support layer using atom layer deposition(ALD)technique.The existence of a mesoporous support layer increased surface area of the chromatographic column,thereby increasing the total amount of stationary phase loading and enhancing column capacity,which facilitated chromatographic separation.The test results showed that the porous support layer significantly reduced the longitudinal molecular diffusion and mass transfer resistance of the micro gas chromatographic column,and significantly increased the number of theoretical plates(n-nonane increased by 290.2%).Furthermore,column efficiency of the chromatographic column was less affected by flow rate,which was conducive to rapid separation of heavy hydrocarbon mixtures.
9.Bibliographical cataloging for ancient TCM books
Hongtao LI ; Weina ZHANG ; Lin TONG ; Jingpeng DENG ; Qian ZHAO ; Honglei WANG ; Naiying LIU ; Mei SHI ; Qiang LIU ; Ying LIN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Lili FENG ; Mingrui ZHANG ; Yanqiu LUO ; Guangkun CHEN ; Yan DONG ; Bin LI ; Sihong LIU ; Bing LI ; Chen LI ; Meng LI ; Rui WANG ; He LU
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(6):729-740
With reference to the Information and Documentation-Resource Description (GB/T 3792-2021) and Bibliographical Description for Ancient Chinese Books (GB/T 3792.7-2008) and other cataloging standards and rules, drawing on the practical experience of cataloging ancient TCM books, Bibliographical Cataloging for Ancient TCM Books was formulated. This standard specifies the entry items and their order of ancient TCM books, cataloging identifier, cataloging text, cataloging information source, and cataloging item details. The standard can provide standardized and unified guiding principles and methods for the work of ancient TCM books, and promote the sharing and utilization of ancient TCM books.
10.The expression of YTHDF2 in cervical lesions and its relationship with prognosis based on bioinformatics
Yushu PENG ; Nan TIAN ; Xinlin FENG ; Rui ZHANG ; Zhaoxia RAN ; Jintao WANG ; Weihong ZHAO ; Zhiqiang TIAN ; Ling DING
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):280-287
Objective:To investigate the role of YTHDF2 in cervical lesions and its potential molecular mechanism.Methods:Gene expression data of cervical tissue were obtained from the GEO database to analyze the expression of YTHDF2 mRNA and perform pathway enrichment analysis. Patients with cervical lesions diagnosed by thinprep cytologic test in Gynecological Outpatient Department of Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Jiexiu, Shanxi Province, were selected as the research subjects. Data of cervical lesions and cervical exfoliated cells were collected. HPV infection status was detected by flow-through hybridization, and the expression of YTHDF2 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of YTHDF2 in cervical lesions and the mediating role of HPV infection in the relationship between YTHDF2 and squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) were evaluated. YTHDF2-related genes were screened from multiple datasets in the GEO and ENCORI databases, and their expression, immune infiltration, and survival analysis were performed to assess the association between YTHDF2 and prognosis. Results:Compared with normal cervical tissue, YTHDF2 was highly expressed in cervical lesion tissue ( P<0.05). A total of 3 672 differentially expressed genes were screened from the dataset GSE49339. Gene Ontology analysis showed that YTHDF2 was mainly involved in transcription regulation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that YTHDF2 might be related to HPV infection and other signaling pathways. In the mediation analysis, χ2 test results showed that the expression level of YTHDF2 was significantly different among groups ( χ2=22.47, P<0.001). Trend χ2 test further showed that the expression level of YTHDF2 was upregulated with the degree of cervical precancerous lesions (trend χ2=10.26, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high YTHDF2 expression increased the risk of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions ( OR=3.15, 95% CI: 1.93-5.15) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions ( OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.01-3.39). Mediation effect analysis revealed a partial mediating effect of HPV infection between YTHDF2 and SIL, accounting for 32.02% of the total effect. Twelve YTHDF2 related genes were screened by the intersection of multiple datasets. The immune infiltration analysis results showed that YTHDF2 and related genes KLF4, E2F3 and HOXC6 were associated with immune infiltration (all P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that low expression of KLF4 ( HR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.30-0.94) and high expression of RHOB ( HR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.04-3.13) were risk factors for the prognosis of cervical cancer. Conclusion:YTHDF2 is highly expressed in cervical lesions and may have been involved in the regulation of HPV infection-related pathways and its downstream related genes are related to immune infiltration and prognosis of cervical cancer, providing a theoretical basis for the study of mechanisms related to cervical lesions.

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