1.Amyloid-like fibrils derived from β-sheets of gp120 contribute to the neuronal pathology of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Chan YANG ; Ruyu WANG ; Chen CHENG ; Jiaqi YU ; Kunyu LU ; Haobin LI ; Jinshen WANG ; Guodong HU ; Hao YANG ; Jianfu HE ; Hao SU ; Qingping ZHAN ; Suiyi TAN ; Tong ZHANG ; Shuwen LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2273-2277
2.A novel C-3-substituted oleanolic acid benzyl amide derivative exhibits therapeutic potential against influenza A by targeting PA-PB1 interactions and modulating host macrophage inflammation.
Kunyu LU ; Jianfu HE ; Chongjun HONG ; Haowei LI ; Jiaai RUAN ; Jinshen WANG ; Haoxing YUAN ; Binhao RONG ; Chan YANG ; Gaopeng SONG ; Shuwen LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4156-4173
The influenza A virus (IAV), renowned for its high contagiousness and potential to catalyze global pandemics, poses significant challenges due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Given the critical role of RNA polymerase in IAV replication, it stands out as a promising target for anti-IAV therapies. In this study, we identified a novel C-3-substituted oleanolic acid benzyl amide derivative, A5, as a potent inhibitor of the PAC-PB1N polymerase subunit interaction, with an IC50 value of 0.96 ± 0.21 μmol/L. A5 specifically targets the highly conserved PAC domain and demonstrates remarkable efficacy against both laboratory-adapted and clinically isolated IAV strains, including multidrug-resistant strains, with EC50 values ranging from 0.60 to 1.83 μmol/L. Notably, when combined with oseltamivir, A5 exhibits synergistic effects both in vitro and in vivo. In a murine model, dose-dependent administration of A5 leads to a significant reduction in IAV titers, resulting in a high survival rate among treated mice. Additionally, A5 treatment inhibits virus-induced Toll-like receptor 4 activation, attenuates cytokine responses, and protects against IAV-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. In summary, A5 emerges as a novel inhibitor with high efficiency and broad-spectrum anti-influenza activity.
3.m6A modification regulates PLK1 expression and mitosis.
Xiaoli CHANG ; Xin YAN ; Zhenyu YANG ; Shuwen CHENG ; Xiaofeng ZHU ; Zhantong TANG ; Wenxia TIAN ; Yujun ZHAO ; Yongbo PAN ; Shan GAO
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1559-1572
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, while the mechanism of m6A in regulating mitosis remains underexplored. Here, we found that the total m6A modification level in cells increased during mitosis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and m6A dot blot assays. Silencing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) or METTL14 results in delayed mitosis, abnormal spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation defects by the immunofluorescence. By analyzing transcriptome-wide m6A targets in HeLa cells, we identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a key gene modified by m6A in regulating mitosis. Specifically, through immunoblotting and RNA pulldown, m6A modification inhibits PLK1 translation via YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1, thus mediating cell cycle homeostasis. Demethylation of PLK1 mRNA leads to significant mitotic abnormalities. These findings highlight the critical role of m6A in regulating mitosis and the potential of m6A as a therapeutic target in proliferative diseases such as cancer.
Humans
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Polo-Like Kinase 1
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Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism*
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
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Mitosis/physiology*
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HeLa Cells
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Adenosine/genetics*
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Methyltransferases/metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
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RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
4.Research progress in changes of intestinal flora after spinal cord injury and their effects on spinal neuroinflammation
Haixia CHEN ; Hongru LI ; Jingyi LIU ; Zhifang XU ; Shuwen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Yang CHEN ; Yu LUO ; Yinjie CUI
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(6):1751-1756
The gut microbiota is a vast microbial ecosystem,specifically present in the organism and plays an important regulatory role in the body's health or disease state together with its metabolites.After spinal cord injury,the complex pathophysiology at the site of trauma makes axonal regeneration difficult,and the autonomic motor dysfunction induced by spinal cord injury disrupts gastrointestinal function and causes gut microbiota imbalance.The previous clinical outcomes of neurorepair strategies after spinal cord injury have not been ideal.The dysregulated gut microbiota and neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury are closely associated with the prognosis of the patients.The potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota may influence the neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury may include the activation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue and disruption of the intestinal barrier by the imbalanced microbiota,and gut microbiota and its metabolites such as lipopolysaccharides(LPS),short chain fatty acids(SCFAs),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and tryptophan,as well as immune cells,inflammatory factors,and neurotransmitters the local inflammatory response in the spinal cord through the circulatory system.This paper revews the studies on the changes in gut microbiota after spinal cord injury and their effects on the spinal cord neuroinflammation,providing new targets and new ideas for improving the neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury.
5.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis for low-abundance protein polypeptides in vivo:research progress
Shuwen GENG ; Wen YANG ; Junqin MAO ; Tingting ZHOU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2024;45(10):1296-1303
Protein polypeptides are a class of bioactive substances that play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of various functions of the organism.Rapid and accurate detection of their levels could help in the diagnosis of diseases,the monitoring of drug therapy and the research and development of medicines,which is of great significance in the fields of clinical medicine,biology and pharmacy.Conventional protein polypeptides detection methods,such as Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,still have problems like low sensitivity or difficulty in determining more than 1 analyte simultaneously.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)has the advantages of specificity,sensitivity and high throughput.However,low ionization efficiency of macromolecules and strong biological matrix effects limit the feasibility of direct detection of protein polypeptides by LC-MS,which has led to the development of signal conversion and amplification strategies based on LC-MS technology.In this review,we summarized the research progress of sample pretreatment methods and signal conversion and amplification strategies for quantification of protein polypeptides in vivo based on LC-MS in recent years,providing a reference for developing specific high-sensitivity detection methods for low-abundance protein polypeptides in complex samples based on LC-MS technology.
6.Ultra-fast scanning scheme based on deep learning reconstruction for cervical MR examination
Xianfeng RAO ; Shuwen YANG ; Jing CHEN ; Zhengwen KANG ; Jianwei CHEN ; Zetao WU ; Tong WANG ; Bo WANG ; Qiusheng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(6):843-847
Objective To explore the feasibility and diagnostic value of ultra-fast scanning scheme based on deep learning-based reconstruction(DLR)for cervical MR examination.Methods Thirty-six subjects were prospectively enrolled and underwent both conventional scheme(scan time:6 min 14 s)and ultra-fast scheme(2 min)cervical spine MR scanning to acquire encompassing sagittal T1WI,sagittal adipose suppression T2WI and axial T2WI.The ultra-fast MRI were reconstructed using DLR method.The subjective and objective evaluations on imaging qualities of different MRIs were compared,along with the inter-observer agreement for diagnosing intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation.Results Compared with conventional MRI,artifacts in ultra-fast DLR images significantly reduced(P<0.05).The subjective evaluation results of MRI had good agreement(all Kappa≥0.60).Compared with conventional MRI,the sagittal T1WI,T2WI and axial T2WI obtained with ultra-fast DLR showed significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the spinal cord,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)and vertebral body,as well as the spinal cord/CSF contrast(all P<0.001).The Kappa value of 2 physicians for diagnosing intervertebral disc degeneration based on ultra-fast DLR and conventional scheme images was 0.94 and 1.00,respectively,of intervertebral disc herniation was 0.96 and 0.98,respectively.Conclusion Compared with conventional scanning scheme,using ultra-fast DLR scheme in cervical MR examination could shorten scanning time while achieve similar image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
7.Hearing loss and microvascular complications in diabetes
Mingyu LIU ; Jia LI ; Wenbin TAN ; Yongxin LU ; Pengxin ZHANG ; Huang CHEN ; Hongmei LI ; Shuwen LI ; Kaixuan ZHU ; Liu YANG ; Xuesong JIANG ; Jiaqi XI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(8):654-659
Objective:To investigate the correlation between hearing loss and microvascular complications in diabetes.Methods:This cross-sectional study conducted the data from 572 patients with diabetes hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command from September 2022 to July 2023. All participants underwent electrical audiometry and acoustic immittance in the ENY department. Based on the audiometric results, participants were categorized into normal hearing group and hearing loss group. Additionally, 572 non-diabetic patients from the outpatient department were enrolled as the non-diabetic group. The general information and laboratory results were collected and compared using t test, rank sum test or χ2 test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of diabetic hearing loss with diabetic kidney disease(DKD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Results:Among 572 patients with diabetes, 429 suffered from hearing loss and 143 were normal. χ2 test showed significant differences in combined DKD and DPN between two groups, but not in DR. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified DKD and DPN as risk factors for hearing loss, but no correlation was found with DR. Conclusion:Diabetic patients with DKD or DPN should be monitored for potential hearing loss. Early screening and treatment are crucial to prevent severe hearing impairment.
8.Electroacupuncture improves gastrointestinal dyskinesia in rats with functional dyspepsia via PLC/IP3 pathway
Deqian YANG ; Qi CHEN ; Shuwen JIN ; Paidi XU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(16):2284-2290
Objective This study aims to determine whether electroacupuncture regulates the phospholipase C(PLC)/inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate(PLC/IP3)pathway in platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-positive(PDGFRα+)cells,thereby improving gastrointestinal motility disorders in functional dyspepsia(FD).Methods 40 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,electroacupuncture group,U73122(PLC inhibitor)group,and U73122+electroacupuncture group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,all rats were subjected to multi-factor stress intervention to establish the FD model.After successful modeling,the U73122 group was given intraperitoneal injection of inhibitor,the electroacupuncture group was acupunctured at Zusanli and Taichong points,and the U73122+electroacupuncture group was injected with inhibitor 2 hours before acupunc-ture.Ten days later,gastrointestinal motility was tested;immunoblotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of PDGFRα,PLC,P-PLC,IP3;immunofluorescence was used to detect the average fluorescence density and co-localization expression of PDGFRα and PLC,IP3;electron microscope was used to observe the gap junction(GJ)situation in the gastric antrum area.Results After modeling,the gastrointestinal motility of rats was weakened,the protein expression levels of PDGFRα,PLC,and IP3 were significantly reduced,GJ widened,and cell morphol-ogy changed;compared with the model group,the gastrointestinal motility of rats in the electroacupuncture group,U73122 group,and U73122+electroacupuncture group was significantly improved,the expression levels of PDGFRα,PLC,P-PLC,IP3 increased,GJ was slightly tight,and cell morphology recovered;there was no significant difference in the expression levels of PDGFRα,PLC,P-PLC,IP3 in the gastric antrum of U73122 group and U73122+electroacupuncture group;PDGFRα,PLC,and IP3 had fluorescence co-localization.Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve gastrointestinal dyskinesia in FD rats by activating the PLC/IP3 pathway in PDGFRα+cells.
9.Generation and immunogenicity evaluation of a recombinant classical swine fever virus C-strain expressing p54 protein of African swine fever virus
Shuwen LI ; Xiaoke YANG ; Xiangyu GUAN ; Guangzhu ZHANG ; Shujian HUANG ; Yongfeng LI ; Huaji QIU
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(10):2094-2100,2122
African swine fever(ASF)is a virulent,hemorrhagic disease of swine caused by African swine fever virus(ASFV),which seriously affects the healthy development of Chinese pig indus-try.The genome of ASFV is large and encodes more than 165 proteins.Among them,the p54 pro-tein is encoded by the E183L gene,which has various functions such as participating in viral as-sembly,inducing apoptosis and inducing immune response.The conventional Chinese vaccine(C-strain)is a safe and effective attenuated vaccine developed by Chinese scientists.It can efficiently protect against attacks from various genotypes of classical swine fever virus(CSFV).The aim of this study was to investigate whether C-strain can express ASFV p54 protein serve as a delivery vector for ASF genetically engineered vaccines.An infectious clone of pHCLV-p54 was constructed by homologous recombination,the recombinant virus rHCLV-p54 was rescued by transfecting it into SK6 cells by blind passaging.Its genetic stability and growth curve were determined in vitro,while rabbits were immunized to evaluate its immunity effect.The results showed that the E183L gene remained genetically stable in the recombinant virus,indicating that the E183L gene could be stably inherited in recombinant viruses,but the inserted exogenous gene affected the replication of the C-strain.The results of the rabbit immunization test showed that the recombinant virus rHCLV-p54 was able to induce ASFV-specific antibodies.The above results indicated that we have successfully constructed a recombinant C-strain that stably expresses the ASFV p54 protein.In summary,the recombinant virus rHCLV-p54 has a good immunogenicity and is warranted for fur-ther evaluation as a vaccine candidate.
10.Study on the developmental function of CT14 using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans
Shuwen YANG ; Juan CHEN ; Qin YANG ; Ming LEI ; Chenhui HUANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(7):871-882
Objective·To investigate the effects of the cancer-testis antigen 14(CT14)on embryonic and larval development in nematodes by using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans(C.elegans),aiming to uncover its potential functions and mechanisms during development.Methods·Transgenic C.elegans strains were constructed by using microinjection for the inducible expression of human CT14(HsCT14),a truncated mutant of CT14(HsCT14?CIR)lacking CT14-specific intermediate region(CIR),and a green fluorescent protein(GFP)control.The impacts of full-length and truncated mutant CT14 on nematode embryonic and larval development were analyzed and compared.Additionally,transgenic C.elegans strains with inducible expression of CT14 from various primates,including the crab-eating macaque(Macaca fascicularis)and mouse lemur(Microcebus murinus),were also constructed to assess the effects on egg hatching and larval-to-adult transformation rates.The differential gene expression in nematode embryos induced by CT14 was analyzed by Smart-seq transcriptome sequencing,with further insights gained through KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes)and GSEA(Gene Set Enrichment Analysis),to explore the involved biological processes and pathways.Results·The induced expression of HsCT14 and its truncated mutant HsCT14?CIR significantly reduced the hatching rate of nematode eggs,with a more pronounced effect observed in HsCT14-expressing strains.Differential interference contrast(DIC)microscopy imaging revealed significant morphological abnormalities in embryos expressing HsCT14 during the comma stage.Nematodes expressing HsCT14 or HsCT14?CIR exhibited developmental arrest in larvae and substantially lower larval-to-adult transformation rates compared to the GFP control.The impact was more pronounced in nematodes expressing HsCT14 than those with HsCT14?CIR.The expression of Macaca fascicularis CT14(MfCT14)exhibited significant effects on the hatching rate and adult transformation rate,similar to that of HsCT14,while the expression of Microcebus murinus CT14(MmCT14)displayed significantly reduced impact compared to HsCT14 and MfCT14.Smart-seq results indicated that CT14 expression affected various biological processes in nematode embryos,related to ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling and DNA replication.Conclusion·Ectopic expression of the cancer-testis antigen CT14 significantly disrupts both embryonic and larval developments in C.elegans,with the CIR sequence substantially enhancing this effect.It suggests that CT14 may play an important regulatory role in biological development by affecting gene expression in multiple pathways,including chromatin remodeling.

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