1.Plant-derived Exosome-like Nanovesicles in Biomedical Applications
Xu LIU ; Si-Rui LIU ; Jia-Yu MA ; Yu-Ting MOU ; Ting-Yu SHI ; Sheng HUANG ; Tian-Li SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1609-1621
Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs), characterized by a natural lipid bilayer membrane, have rapidly emerged as a prominent research frontier in medicine owing to their unique biological properties and robust therapeutic potential. This review comprehensively examines the biological profiles, mechanistic functions, and recent engineering advancements of PELNs. In terms of composition, PELNs are uniquely enriched in plant-specific glycolipids, phosphatidylserine, secondary metabolites, and highly stable 2'-O-methylated miRNAs. This distinct molecular makeup endows them with exceptional biocompatibility, negligible immunogenicity, and the capacity for cross-species molecular communication. Mechanistically, PELNs demonstrate profound anti-inflammatory efficacy by suppressing the NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways. They also serve as potent immune modulators, driving macrophage M1/M2 polarization and regulating T cell activity. Additionally, PELNs exhibit promising antitumor capabilities, targeting malignancies via reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, TRAIL pathway activation, and tumor microenvironment remodeling. Crucially, the plant miRNAs encapsulated within PELNs remain highly stable in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing them to selectively alter gene expression in specific gut microbiota communities. This interaction deeply influences host immunity and metabolism, highlighting the vital role in cross-species regulation. Advancements in bioengineering have further expanded the clinical utility of PELNs. Targeted delivery efficiency can be significantly amplified via surface functionalization (e.g., folate and RGD sequences) and state-of-the-art drug loading technologies such as sonication and electroporation. Consequently, engineered PELNs surpass traditional synthetic nanocarriers in penetrating natural physiological barriers, particularly for oral and transdermal drug administration. Despite these advantages, clinical translation is currently hindered by the lack of standardized isolation protocols, challenges in scalable manufacturing, and the need for robust quality control frameworks. Looking forward, the integration of multi-omics approaches and AI-driven “molecular fingerprinting”—coupled with the design of synthetic biomimetic vesicles—will be instrumental in overcoming these bottlenecks, ultimately establishing PELNs as a next-generation platform for precision medicine and targeted nanotherapeutic delivery.
2.Zheng Gan Decoction inhibits diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway
Tianli SONG ; Yimin WANG ; Tong SUN ; Xu LIU ; Sheng HUANG ; Yun RAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):799-809
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Zheng Gan Decoction(ZGF)on tumor progression in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine(DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and explore the possible mechanism.Methods Seventy SD rats were subjected to regular intraperitoneal injections of DEN(50 mg/kg)for 12 weeks to induce HCC tumorigenesis,with another 10 rats receiving saline injections as the normal control.After successful modeling,the rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10)for daily treatment with distilled water(model group),Huaier Granules(4 g/kg;positive control group),or ZGF at low,medium,and high doses(2,4,and 8 g/kg,respectively)via gavage for 17 weeks.Body weight changes of the rats were monitored,and after completion of the treatments,the rats were euthanized for measurement of liver,spleen and thymus indices and morphological and histopathological examinations of the liver tissues using HE staining.The expressions of YAP,p-YAP,MST1,LATS1 and p-LATS1 in the liver tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal control rats,the rat models with DEN-induced HCC exhibited much poorer general condition with a significantly reduced survival rate,increased body weight and liver and spleen indices,and a lowered thymus index.ZGF treatment obviously reduced liver and spleen indices,increased the thymus index,and improved pathologies of the liver tissues of the rat models.Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed a dose-dependent reduction of YAP expression and an increment of p-YAP expression in ZGF-treated rats,which also exhibited significantly upregulated hepatic expressions of MST1,LATS1 and p-LATS1.Conclusion ZGF inhibits DEN-induced HCC in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP pathway via upregulating MST1 and LATS1 expression,which promotes YAP phosphorylation and degradation to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of the tumor cells.
3.Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP19A1 gene at rs700519 and rs4646 loci and risk of Breast cancer.
Xiaoying HE ; Sheng XU ; Ruijuan HENG ; Yong ZHOU ; Pan QI ; Yu SONG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(5):587-591
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs700519 and rs4646 loci of cytochrome P450 19A1 (CYP19A1) gene with risk of Breast cancer.
METHODS:
Two hundred patients with breast cancer treated at Xinxiang Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2024 and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled as the study group and control group, respectively. The genotypes of the CYP19A1 gene at the rs700519 and rs4646 loci were determined by direct sequencing. The general data, distribution of CYP19A1 genotypes and alleles were compared between the two groups. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xinxiang Central Hospital (Ethics No. 2021-182).
RESULTS:
No significant difference was found in age, body mass index, times of conception and proportion of menopause between the two groups (P > 0.05). The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele at the rs700519 locus, and the CC genotype and C allele at the rs4646 locus in the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The frequencies of AA genotype at the rs700519 locus and CC genotype at the rs4646 locus in patients with breast cancer at stages III-IV were significantly higher than those at stage I-II (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Polymorphisms of CYP19A1 gene at the rs700519 and rs4646 loci are associated with susceptibility of breast cancer. The AA and CC genotypes at the two loci may increase the risk for breast cancer.
Humans
;
Female
;
Breast Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Aromatase/genetics*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Adult
;
Genotype
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Alleles
;
Gene Frequency
;
Risk Factors
;
Aged
4.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
;
Perfusion/methods*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Brain Injuries/etiology*
;
Swine
;
Male
;
Hypothermia, Induced/methods*
5.Clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment of nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (version 2025)
Haipeng SI ; Le LI ; Junjie NIU ; Wencan ZHANG ; Fuxin WEI ; Jinqiu YUAN ; Qiang YANG ; Hongli WANG ; Guangchao WANG ; Shihong CHEN ; Yunzhen CHEN ; Xiaoguang CHENG ; Jianwen DONG ; Shiqing FENG ; Rui GU ; Yong HAI ; Tianyong HOU ; Bo HUANG ; Xiaobing JIANG ; Lei ZANG ; Chunhai LI ; Nianhu LI ; Hua LIN ; Hongjian LIU ; Peng LIU ; Xinyu LIU ; Sheng LU ; Shibao LU ; Chunshan LUO ; Lvy CHAOLIANG ; Lvy WEIJIA ; Xuexiao MA ; Wei MEI ; Chunyang MENG ; Cailiang SHEN ; Chunli SONG ; Ruoxian SONG ; Jiacan SU ; Honglin TENG ; Hui SHENG ; Beiyu WANG ; Bingwu WANG ; Liang WANG ; Xiangyang WANG ; Nan WU ; Guohua XU ; Yayi XIA ; Jin XU ; Youjia XU ; Jianzhong XU ; Cao YANG ; Maowei YANG ; Zibin YANG ; Xiaojian YE ; Hailong YU ; Xijie YU ; Hua YUE ; Zhili ZENG ; Xinli ZHAN ; Hui ZHANG ; Peixun ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhenlin ZHANG ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Tengyue ZHU ; Qiang LIU ; Huilin YANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(10):932-945
Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.
6.Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP19A1 gene at rs700519 and rs4646 loci and risk of breast cancer
Xiaoying HE ; Sheng XU ; Ruijuan HENG ; Yong ZHOU ; Pan QI ; Yu SONG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(5):587-591
Objective:To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs700519 and rs4646 loci of cytochrome P450 19A1 ( CYP19A1) gene with risk of breast cancer. Methods:Two hundred patients with breast cancer treated at Xinxiang Central Hospital between January 2019 and January 2024 and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled as the study group and control group, respectively. The genotypes of the CYP19A1 gene at the rs700519 and rs4646 loci were determined by direct sequencing. The general data, distribution of CYP19A1 genotypes and alleles were compared between the two groups. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xinxiang Central Hospital (Ethics No.2021-182). Results:No significant difference was found in age, body mass index, times of conception and proportion of menopause between the two groups ( P>0.05). The frequencies of AA genotype and A allele at the rs700519 locus, and the CC genotype and C allele at the rs4646 locus in the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). The frequencies of AA genotype at the rs700519 locus and CC genotype at the rs4646 locus in patients with breast cancer at stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ were significantly higher than those at stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Polymorphisms of CYP19A1 gene at the rs700519 and rs4646 loci are associated with susceptibility of breast cancer. The AA and CC genotypes at the two loci may increase the risk for breast cancer.
7.Disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under the hierarchical medical system based on medical internet of things
Huanying WANG ; Fengli SI ; Yiqun JIANG ; Peng WU ; Xiaobo SONG ; Bangfeng ZHAO ; Chunfeng SHENG ; Xun XU ; Fan LI ; Tingting WU
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2025;24(8):978-984
Objective:To evaluate the impact of implementing a regional hierarchical medical management model based on the medical internet of things (medical IoT) on the frequency of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, as well as related medical expenses, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:This retrospective study included COPD patients enrolled in the regional hierarchical medical management system based on Medical IoT across 21 community health service centers in Songjiang District, Shanghai, between July 2017 and May 2018. Utilizing patient data from the year prior to enrollment as the baseline, changes in the number of emergency visits, hospitalizations, and associated medical costs during the first and second years of management were compared. Changes for patients receiving drug treatment were also analyzed.Results:A total of 973 COPD patients were enrolled. The mean age was 75.2±17.0 years, and 64.34% (626/973) were male. Compared to baseline, all COPD patients in the first year of management showed significant reductions: emergency visits decreased by 33.67%, total emergency costs by 45.60%, hospitalizations by 27.15%, and total hospitalization costs by 25.42%. In the second year, reductions were: emergency visits by 28.08%, total emergency costs by 36.10%, hospitalizations by 35.26%, and total hospitalization costs by 18.13% (all P<0.05). Among patients receiving drug therapy, reductions in the first year were: emergency visits by 39.66%, total emergency costs by 47.54%, hospitalizations by 25.19%, and total hospitalization costs by 28.40%. In the second year, reductions were: emergency visits by 46.98%, total emergency costs by 45.99%, hospitalizations by 41.98%, and total hospitalization costs by 24.94% (all P<0.05). No significant differences were observed before and after management for patients without drug treatment. Conclusion:The implementation of the regional hierarchical medical management model based on Medical IoT significantly reduced the frequency of emergency visits and hospitalizations, as well as related costs, for COPD patients.
8.Zheng Gan Decoction inhibits diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway.
Tianli SONG ; Yimin WANG ; Tong SUN ; Xu LIU ; Sheng HUANG ; Yun RAN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):799-809
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the inhibitory effect of Zheng GanDecoction (ZGF) on tumor progression in a rat model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the possible mechanism.
METHODS:
Seventy SD rats were subjected to regular intraperitoneal injections of DEN (50 mg/kg) for 12 weeks to induce HCC tumorigenesis, with another 10 rats receiving saline injections as the normal control. After successful modeling, the rats were randomized into 5 groups (n=10) for daily treatment with distilled water ( model group), Huaier Granules (4 g/kg; positive control group), or ZGF at low, medium, and high doses (2, 4, and 8 g/kg, respectively) via gavage for 17 weeks. Body weight changes of the rats were monitored, and after completion of the treatments, the rats were euthanized for measurement of liver, spleen and thymus indices and morphological and histopathological examinations of the liver tissues using HE staining. The expressions of YAP, p-YAP, MST1, LATS1 and p-LATS1 in the liver tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Compared with the normal control rats, the rat models with DEN-induced HCC exhibited much poorer general condition with a significantly reduced survival rate, increased body weight and liver and spleen indices, and a lowered thymus index. ZGF treatment obviously reduced liver and spleen indices, increased the thymus index, and improved pathologies of the liver tissues of the rat models. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed a dose-dependent reduction of YAP expression and an increment of p-YAP expression in ZGF-treated rats, which also exhibited significantly upregulated hepatic expressions of MST1, LATS1 and p-LATS1.
CONCLUSIONS
ZGF inhibits DEN-induced HCC in rats by activating the Hippo/YAP pathway via upregulating MST1 and LATS1 expression, which promotes YAP phosphorylation and degradation to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of the tumor cells.
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Diethylnitrosamine
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy*
;
YAP-Signaling Proteins
;
Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Hippo Signaling Pathway
;
Male
;
Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism*
;
Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism*
9.Comparison of treatment regimens for unresectable stage III epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) mutant non-small cell lung cancer.
Xin DAI ; Qian XU ; Lei SHENG ; Xue ZHANG ; Miao HUANG ; Song LI ; Kai HUANG ; Jiahui CHU ; Jian WANG ; Jisheng LI ; Yanguo LIU ; Jianyuan ZHOU ; Shulun NIE ; Lian LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1687-1695
BACKGROUND:
Durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) failed to bring survival benefits to patients with epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) mutations in PACIFIC study (evaluating durvalumab in patients with stage III, unresectable NSCLC who did not have disease progression after concurrent chemoradiotherapy). We aimed to explore whether locally advanced inoperable patients with EGFR mutations benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and the optimal treatment regimen.
METHODS:
We searched the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases from inception to December 31, 2022 and performed a meta-analysis based on a Bayesian framework, with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoints.
RESULTS:
A total of 1156 patients were identified in 16 studies that included 6 treatment measures, including CRT, CRT followed by durvalumab (CRT-Durva), TKI monotherapy, radiotherapy combined with TKI (RT-TKI), CRT combined with TKI (CRT-TKI), and TKI combined with durvalumab (TKI-Durva). The PFS of patients treated with TKI-containing regimens was significantly longer than that of patients treated with TKI-free regimens (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.66). The PFS of TKI monotherapy was significantly longer than that of CRT (HR = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.50-0.87) but shorter than RT-TKI (HR = 1.78, 95% CI, 1.17-2.67). Furthermore, the PFS of RT-TKI or CRT-TKI were both significantly longer than that of CRT or CRT-Durva. RT-TKI ranked first in the Bayesian ranking, with the longest OS (60.8 months, 95% CI = 37.2-84.3 months) and the longest PFS (21.5 months, 95% CI, 15.4-27.5 months) in integrated analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
For unresectable stage III EGFR mutant NSCLC, RT and TKI are both essential. Based on the current evidence, RT-TKI brings a superior survival advantage, while CRT-TKI needs further estimation. Large randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to explore the appropriate application sequences of TKI, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ; No. CRD42022298490.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy*
;
ErbB Receptors/genetics*
;
Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Mutation/genetics*
;
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Chemoradiotherapy
;
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use*

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail