1.Nose-to-brain delivery of targeted lipid nanoparticles as two-pronged β-amyloid nanoscavenger for Alzheimer's disease therapy.
Yanyan XU ; Xiangtong YE ; Yanfeng DU ; Wenqin YANG ; Fan TONG ; Wei LI ; Qianqian HUANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Huile GAO ; Weiwei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2884-2899
Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and neuroinflammation, remains a formidable clinical challenge. Herein, we present an innovative nose-to-brain delivery platform utilizing lactoferrin (Lf)-functionalized lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) co-encapsulating α-mangostin (α-M) and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) siRNA (siB). This dual-modal therapeutic system synergistically combines the neuroprotective and microglia-reprogramming capabilities of α-M with the transcriptional silencing of BACE1 via siB, thereby simultaneously inhibiting Aβ production and enhancing its clearance. Fabricated via a microfluidic approach, the LNPs exhibited uniform particle size distribution, great encapsulation efficiency, and robust colloidal stability. Upon intranasal administration, Lf-functionalization enabled superior brain-targeting efficacy through receptor-mediated transcytosis. In vitro studies demonstrated that α-M reversed Aβ-induced low-density lipoprotein receptor downregulation, promoting microglial phagocytosis and autophagic degradation of Aβ, while siB effectively suppressed BACE1 expression, abrogating Aβ synthesis. In vivo investigations in APP/PS1 transgenic mice revealed remarkable cognitive recovery, substantial Aβ plaque reduction, and alleviation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This intricately designed LNP system, exploiting a non-invasive and efficient nose-to-brain delivery route, provides a biocompatible, synergistic, and transformative therapeutic strategy for the multifaceted management of AD.
2.TRIM4 modulates the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of hnRNPDL and weakens sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitor in ovarian cancer.
Xiaoxia CHE ; Xin GUAN ; Yiyin RUAN ; Lifei SHEN ; Yuhong SHEN ; Hua LIU ; Chongying ZHU ; Tianyu ZHOU ; Yiwei WANG ; Weiwei FENG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):121-133
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal malignancy affecting the female reproductive system. Pharmacological inhibitors targeting CDK4/6 have demonstrated promising efficacy across various cancer types. However, their clinical benefits in ovarian cancer patients fall short of expectations, with only a subset of patients experiencing these advantageous effects. This study aims to provide further clinical and biological evidence for antineoplastic effects of a CDK4/6 inhibitor (TQB4616) in ovarian cancer and explore underlying mechanisms involved. Patient-derived ovarian cancer organoid models were established to evaluate the effectiveness of TQB3616. Potential key genes related to TQB3616 sensitivity were identified through RNA-seq analysis, and TRIM4 was selected as a candidate gene for further investigation. Subsequently, co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays confirmed that TRIM4 binds to hnRNPDL and promotes its ubiquitination through RING and B-box domains. RIP assay demonstrated that hnRNPDL binded to CDKN2C isoform 2 and suppressed its expression by alternative splicing. Finally, in vivo studies confirmed that the addition of siTRIM4 significantly improved the effectiveness of TQB3616. Overall, our findings suggest that TRIM4 modulates ubiquitin-mediated degradation of hnRNPDL and weakens sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors in ovarian cancer treatment. TRIM4 may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors in ovarian cancer.
Humans
;
Female
;
Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Animals
;
Tripartite Motif Proteins/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology*
;
Ubiquitin/metabolism*
;
Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
;
Ubiquitination
;
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*
3.Decreased neurotensin induces ovulatory dysfunction via the NTSR1/ERK/EGR1 axis in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Dongshuang WANG ; Meiling ZHANG ; Wang-Sheng WANG ; Weiwei CHU ; Junyu ZHAI ; Yun SUN ; Zi-Jiang CHEN ; Yanzhi DU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):149-169
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the predominant cause of subfertility in reproductive-aged women; however, its pathophysiology remains unknown. Neurotensin (NTS) is a member of the gut-brain peptide family and is involved in ovulation; its relationship with PCOS is unclear. Here, we found that NTS expression in ovarian granulosa cells and follicular fluids was markedly decreased in patients with PCOS. In the in vitro culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes, the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) antagonist SR48692 blocked cumulus expansion and oocyte meiotic maturation by inhibiting metabolic cooperation and damaging the mitochondrial structure in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells. Furthermore, the ERK1/2-early growth response 1 pathway was found to be a key downstream mediator of NTS/NTSR1 in the ovulatory process. Animal studies showed that in vivo injection of SR48692 in mice reduced ovulation efficiency and contributed to irregular estrus cycles and polycystic ovary morphology. By contrast, NTS partially ameliorated the ovarian abnormalities in mice with dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS. Our findings highlighted the critical role of NTS reduction and consequent abnormal NTSR1 signaling in the ovulatory dysfunction of PCOS, suggesting a potential strategy for PCOS treatment.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology*
;
Female
;
Animals
;
Neurotensin/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Neurotensin/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Mice
;
Ovulation/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Granulosa Cells/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Oocytes/metabolism*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System
;
Signal Transduction
;
Follicular Fluid/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/analogs & derivatives*
4.Construction and fermentation optimization of a hydroxyectoine-producing Escherichia coli strain.
Hairui TONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Weiwei HUANG ; Qi ZHANG ; Yibin QIU ; Sha LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(9):3448-3458
Hydroxyectoine, a vital compatible solute, is widely utilized in cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical industries, and biologics. However, the current microbial fermentation methods for hydroxyectoine production face challenges including insufficient precursor supply and low yields. Therefore, developing engineering microbial strains capable of efficiently synthesizing hydroxyectoine is of great significance. In this study, we first constructed a high-yield ectoine-producing strain ECT04 by multi-copy integration of the ectoine synthesis genes ectABC into the pseudogene loci of Escherichia coli MG1655(DE3), achieving an ectoine titer of 6.03 g/L. Subsequently, we employed plasmids with varying copy numbers to express ectD from Chromohalobacter salexigens to enable the conversion for hydroxyectoine production. We further investigated the effects of promoter, co-substrate ɑ-ketoglutarate, Fe2+ concentration, and dissolved oxygen on hydroxyectoine synthesis. Through fed-batch fermentation in a 7-L bioreactor, we significantly enhanced the hydroxyectoine production efficiency, attaining a final titer of 8.58 g/L and a productivity of 0.24 g/(L·h). This work successfully achieved the de novo synthesis of hydroxyectoine in E. coli, laying a foundation for the efficient bioproduction of this compound.
Escherichia coli/genetics*
;
Fermentation
;
Amino Acids, Diamino/biosynthesis*
;
Bioreactors/microbiology*
;
Metabolic Engineering/methods*
;
Chromohalobacter/genetics*
;
Plasmids/genetics*
5.Expert Consensus on Perioperative Nursing Care for Follicular Unit Extraction(2025)
Chunhua ZHANG ; Weiwei BIAN ; Congmin WANG ; Lin SHEN ; Yong MIAO ; Na LIU ; Shan JIA ; Junhong AN ; Hongxia WANG ; Dongmei ZHANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1606-1613
To promote the standardization and normalization of perioperative care for follicular unit extraction(FUE) hair transplantation, ensure treatment efficacy, and align with advancements in the specialty, the Nursing Branch of the Chinese Association of Plastic and Aesthetics organized a panel of domestic experts. By integrating evidence-based medicine with clinical practice experience, and following thorough discussions, these experts developed the Clinical Practice
6.Exploration on Surrogate Outcome Measures in Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diabetic Kidney Disease
Can CAO ; Weiwei SUN ; Tong MA ; Yaoxian WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):790-794
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in alleviating the symptoms of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and slowing its progression. However, traditional clinical trials often use the occurrence of end-stage renal disease as the end point, requiring long-term follow-up, which increases trial complexity and costs, thereby limiting the feasibility of TCM clinical studies. This paper suggested that in clinical trials of TCM for DKD, both the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change rate (≥30%) and eGFR slope can serve as potential surrogate outcome measures. If the intervention course is short (<1 year), the eGFR change rate (≥30%) is recommended as a surrogate outcome measure, whereas in long-term interventional studies (≥1 year), the eGFR slope may be more appropriate. Furthermore, based on biochemical indicators such as eGFR slope and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) change rate, integrating TCM symptom evaluation, TCM syndrome evaluation, and quality of life scales can help develop internationally recognized patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for TCM clinical trials, which will be a key step in enhancing the evaluation system for the effectiveness of TCM in treating DKD.
7.Hygiene status and influencing factors of swimming venues: Based on surveillance data from 2010 to 2024 in Shanghai
Fengchan HAN ; Tian CHEN ; Ting PENG ; Shaofeng SUI ; Weiwei ZHENG ; Ling TONG ; Mingjing XU ; Ming ZHAN ; Yewen SHI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1225-1233
Background Swimming is becoming increasingly popular for its combined leisure and fitness benefits. However, polluted swimming pool water may pose various health risks. Previous studies have indicated that health indicators of swimming venues have lower qualification rates compared to other public places, highlighting the urgent need to optimize hygiene management measures. Objective To assess the overall hygiene status and identify the key factors influencing water quality in Shanghai’s swimming venues from 2010 to 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing water quality management. Methods Water quality was assessed in three stages (2010—2019, 2020—2022, and 2023—2024) based on the monitoring data of Shanghai’s swimming venues (2010—2024). The influences of monitoring stage, region, season, scale, day of week, and per capita attendance on water quality were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results From 2010 to 2024, water quality was monitored in
8.Bioinformatics identification and validation of aging key genes in hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Boyuan QIU ; Fei LIU ; Siwen TONG ; Zhixue OU ; Weiwei WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(26):5608-5620
BACKGROUND:Hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head is strongly associated with aging,but the regulatory targets and mechanisms are still unclear.Through bioinformatics combined with machine learning analysis and experimental verification,the key genes of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head mediated by cell senescence will be identified,which will provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head.OBJECTIVE:To screen and validate the senescence core genes of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head using bioinformatics analysis to explore its mechanism of action.METHODS:The GSE123568 dataset was obtained from the GPL15207 platform of the GEO database,which contained the gene expression profiles of peripheral serum samples of 30 hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head patients and 10 healthy controls.Data on 279 cellular senescence-related genes were obtained from the CellAge database.Differential analysis and weighted correlation network analysis(WGCNA)were performed on hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head gene profiles,and both were intersected with senescence-related genes and then concatenated to obtain hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head senescence potential genes,and GO and KEGG analyses were performed.The machine learning method screened out the pivotal genes,constructed nomogram model,and performed consensus clustering and immune infiltration analysis.Finally,clinical femoral samples were collected for validation by qPCR and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)41 potential genes were obtained,which were mainly enriched in biological processes such as aging and oxidative stress response,as well as FoxO and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways.(2)The pivotal genes catalase,connective tissue growth factor,forkhead box protein O3,insulin receptor substrate 2,and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 11 were obtained after machine learning identification,and the predictive ability of nomogram model was good.(3)The patients were classified into three groups,namely a,b and c,by the consensus clustering analysis.Catalase,forkhead box protein O3,insulin receptor substrate 2,and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 11 were differentially expressed among the three molecular subtypes(P<0.05).Results of immune infiltration showed that the abundance of immune cells,such as activated CD4+T cells,activated CD8+T cells,and eosinophils,differed among the three molecular subclasses(P<0.05).(4)The results of qPCR and western blot assay showed that the expression of catalase,connective tissue growth factor,forkhead box protein O3,and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 11 was lower in hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head group compared to the control group(P<0.05),and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 2 was elevated(P<0.05).(5)It is concluded that through in-depth analysis combined with bioinformatics and machine learning,and further experimental verification,five hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head age-related hub genes were finally identified.These genes are catalase,connective tissue growth factor,forkhead box o3,insulin receptor substrate 2,and serine/threonine kinase 11.These genes may provide potential molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the future by regulating the cellular aging process.
9.Bioinformatics identification and validation of aging key genes in hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Boyuan QIU ; Fei LIU ; Siwen TONG ; Zhixue OU ; Weiwei WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(26):5608-5620
BACKGROUND:Hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head is strongly associated with aging,but the regulatory targets and mechanisms are still unclear.Through bioinformatics combined with machine learning analysis and experimental verification,the key genes of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head mediated by cell senescence will be identified,which will provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head.OBJECTIVE:To screen and validate the senescence core genes of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head using bioinformatics analysis to explore its mechanism of action.METHODS:The GSE123568 dataset was obtained from the GPL15207 platform of the GEO database,which contained the gene expression profiles of peripheral serum samples of 30 hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head patients and 10 healthy controls.Data on 279 cellular senescence-related genes were obtained from the CellAge database.Differential analysis and weighted correlation network analysis(WGCNA)were performed on hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head gene profiles,and both were intersected with senescence-related genes and then concatenated to obtain hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head senescence potential genes,and GO and KEGG analyses were performed.The machine learning method screened out the pivotal genes,constructed nomogram model,and performed consensus clustering and immune infiltration analysis.Finally,clinical femoral samples were collected for validation by qPCR and western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)41 potential genes were obtained,which were mainly enriched in biological processes such as aging and oxidative stress response,as well as FoxO and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways.(2)The pivotal genes catalase,connective tissue growth factor,forkhead box protein O3,insulin receptor substrate 2,and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 11 were obtained after machine learning identification,and the predictive ability of nomogram model was good.(3)The patients were classified into three groups,namely a,b and c,by the consensus clustering analysis.Catalase,forkhead box protein O3,insulin receptor substrate 2,and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 11 were differentially expressed among the three molecular subtypes(P<0.05).Results of immune infiltration showed that the abundance of immune cells,such as activated CD4+T cells,activated CD8+T cells,and eosinophils,differed among the three molecular subclasses(P<0.05).(4)The results of qPCR and western blot assay showed that the expression of catalase,connective tissue growth factor,forkhead box protein O3,and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 11 was lower in hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head group compared to the control group(P<0.05),and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 2 was elevated(P<0.05).(5)It is concluded that through in-depth analysis combined with bioinformatics and machine learning,and further experimental verification,five hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head age-related hub genes were finally identified.These genes are catalase,connective tissue growth factor,forkhead box o3,insulin receptor substrate 2,and serine/threonine kinase 11.These genes may provide potential molecular targets for the prevention and treatment of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the future by regulating the cellular aging process.
10.Endovascular therapy combined with laparoscopic surgery for acute mesentery artery occlusion
Keqiang ZHAO ; Peng ZHANG ; Junlai ZHAO ; Tong ZHANG ; Zhanjiang CAO ; Yu YANG ; Chao JIANG ; Rongrong ZHU ; Weiwei WU
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;39(3):192-196
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of endovascular intervention combined with preoperative laparoscopic exploration in the treatment of patients with acute mesenteric artery ischemia.Methods:This was a prospective cohort study (NCT04686981). The study enrolled 31 patients with acute mesenteric artery ischemia from Oct 1, 2020 to Oct 1, 2022. Among them, 26 patients (84%) were male, with a mean age of (67±13) years and a mean time to onset of (21±8) hours. All patients underwent laparoscopic exploration in the hybrid operating room. If the presence of intestinal necrosis or suspected necrosis was clearly determined, the patient would undergo open surgery (mesenteric artery embolization, intestinal resection and intestinal double stoma) as the treatment by gastrointestinal surgeon. If intestinal necrosis or suspected necrosis was not found by laparoscopy, the patient would undergo endovascular intervention by vascular surgeon. The primary observational endpoints of this study were the proportion of patients who were not dependent on total parenteral nutrition and all-cause mortality within 30 days after operation. The secondary observational endpoints were the rate of mesenteric vascular patency within 30 days and the proportion of interventions that were converted to open surgery.Results:Six patients underwent open surgery and 25 patients underwent endovascular intervention, including 13 cases of thrombus reduction alone, 3 cases of stent implantation during the same period after reduction, and 9 cases of stent implantation alone. Twenty-four patients (77%) were completely weaned from the TPN within 30 days after the procedure, and all-cause mortality was observed in 3 cases (9.7%). The patency rate of the mesenteric artery within 30 days after the procedure was 82.1%. The rate of conversion to open surgery after intervention was 16%.Conclusions:Endovascular intervention combined with preoperative laparoscopic exploration can clarify intestinal ischemia in acute mesenteric patients as early as possible, and individualized treatment strategies for each patient by multidisciplinary care team can potentially improve the prognosis of such patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail