1.Dual Targeting of TBK1 and JAK-STAT1 Pathways by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate Suppresses Type I Interferon-driven Inflammation
Liang LI ; Qi-Huan SHENG ; Huan LIU ; Wen-Hao YANG ; Jia-Lin SHI ; Ying-Jie SUN ; Rui JING ; Wei-Hua MAI ; Zhi-Min LI ; Xiao-Li XIE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1969-1983
ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.
2.Spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of an animal plague epidemic in marmot foci in the Qilian-Altun Mountains of Gansu Province,2014-2023
Ding-sheng WANG ; Xiao-jie ZHOU ; Wen-jing AN ; Jin-xiao XI ; Da-qin XU ; Li-min GUO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):668-674
This study was analyzed the spatial-temporal distribution and aggregation characteristics of Yersinia pestispositive host animals and vector pathogens in marmot natural foci in the Qilian-Altun mountains,Gansu Province,to provide a scientific basis for precise plague prevention and control.Y.pestissurveillance data for marmot natural foci in Qilian-Altun Mountains of Gansu Province from 2014 to 2023 were obtained from the Disease Control and Prevention Center of Gansu Province.Origin 2024 software was used for data visualization and presentation.Global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses and trend analyses were conducted in ArcGIS 10.8 software,with townships as the spatial scale.Cumulatively,440 strains of Y.pestis were isolated from the natural marmot foci in the Qilian-Altun mountainsof Gansu Province from 2014 to 2023.Most strains was isolated from marmots(345 strains,78.41%),and the remainder were isolated from vectors.Temporal distribution analysis indicated that the highest number of detected bacteria was reported in July and August(both 121 strains,27.50%).Regional distribution analysis revealed that Aksai County reported the highest number of detected bacteria(255 strains,57.95%).Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a spatially clustered distribution of the number of bacteria detected annually in the townships containing natural foci,except in2014,2016,and 2021-2023.The strongest spatial clustering was observed in 2020(Moran's I=0.521 2,Z=14.397 0,P<0.001).Local spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated a"high-high"aggregation area in the natural foci every year from 2014 to 2023,primarily in Hongliuwan Town of Aksai County and Dangchengwan Town of Subei County.The distribution of the"low-low"aggregation area was essentially consistent with the low activity area of the Yersinia pestisepidemic.The trend in annual total bacterial count gradually increased from east to west,and peaked in the western part of the epidemic focus.Clear spatial aggregation characteristics of the number of Y.pestis were detected in the marmot natural foci in the Qilian-Altun mountains at the townshiplevel as a whole in Gansu Province from 2014 to 2023.The aggregation area was mainly in the western section of Qilian Mountain to the Altun mountain section of the epidemic source area.Monitoring and prevention and control efforts should be focused in this key area,with prevention and control measures tailored to the local conditions,and classified guidance to decrease the risk of plague occurrence and spread.
3.Single nucleotide polymorphism typing of Yersinia pestis in natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake
Sheng LI ; Juan JIN ; Jian HE ; Xiao-yan YANG ; Ji-xiang BAI ; You-quan XIN ; Li ZHANG ; Xiao-lu ZHANG ; Wen-qi DU ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):592-596
This study was aimed at determining the molecular characteristics of Yersinia pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake through single nucleotide polymorphism technology,to lay a foundation for molecular epidemiological and source-tracing analysis of Y.pestis in this area.Using the whole genome sequencing technology,we obtained the whole genome sequences of 84 representative Y.pestis strains.Using the sequences of Y.pestis and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP32953 from the NCBI database as references,we compared and analyzed the 2 298 SNP loci of these strains.From 1957 to 2020,84 representative strains of Y.pestis from the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake were divided into two clades:1.IN2 and 3.ANT1.The 1.IN2 clade was the characteristic population of Y.pestis throughout all epidemic years in this area.Additionally,analysis of the SNP distribution and hosts in the region indicated that the 1.IN2 clade was located in five counties except Wulan,whereas the 3.ANT1 clade was isolated from Himalayan marmot and dog in two counties.In conclusion,the population structure of SNP of Y.pestis in the natural plague foci around Qinghai Lake is relatively simple,and SNP analysis of Y.pestis provided a scientific basis for tracing plague epidemic sources and formulating plague prevention and control measures in this area.
4.Effects of Auricular Point Compression and Exercise Therapy on Glycolipid Metabolism,Oxidative Stress and Sleep Quality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Poor Glycemic Control
Li-ping XU ; Chun-sheng LIU ; Wen-ming MAO ; Qin-qin QIU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(17):2776-2782,2767
Objective:To observe the effects of auricular point compression and exercise therapy on glycolipid metabolism,oxidative stress and sleep quality in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with poor glycemic control.Methods:This study was a single-center randomized controlled study,86 T2DM patients with poor glycemic control who were treated in our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024 were divided into control group(received conventional treatment,n=43)and observation group(received auricular point compression and exercise therapy,n=43)by using the random number table method.The clinical efficacy,blood lipid indexes,blood glucose indexes,oxidative stress indexes and sleep quality were compared between the two groups.Results:The total clinical effective rate,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)of the observation group after treatment were higher than those of the control group,and the fasting blood glucose(FBG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),triglycerides(TG),reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA)and Pittsburgh sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular point compression and exercise therapy can regulate glycolipid metabolism in T2DM patients with poor glycemic control,improve the degree of oxidative stress and sleep quality.
5.The clinical outcomes analysis of drug-coated balloon de novo coronary lesions left with untreated dissection
Zhi-yuan CHENG ; Wen-rui MA ; Zi-lei PAN ; Chang-sheng NAI ; Shang CHANG ; Li LIANG ; Yao-jun ZHANG ; Qian LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(10):568-573
Objective To investigate the clinical prognosis of untreated residual coronary artery dissection treated with drug coated balloon(DCB).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and imaging data of patients with primary coronary artery lesions(2.5-4.0 mm)treated with DCB under angiography guidance at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital,Xuzhou New Health Geriatric Hospital,and Peixian Guotai Hospital from September 2017 to April 2023.According to the observation of coronary artery dissection through angiography,the patients were divided into a dissection group and a non dissection group.The main endpoint of this study was the major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)during a 12-month follow-up.Results A total of 381 patients were enrolled in the three research centers,with 30 cases(30 lesions)in the dissection group and 351 cases(367 lesions)in the non dissection group.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,gender,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,diabetes,smoking,previous myocardial infarction,previous percutaneous coronary intervention,coronary artery bypass grafting and other baseline clinical characteristics(all P>0.05).Except for the reference vessel diameter(P=0.049)and DCB pressure(P=0.032),there was no statistically significant difference in the characteristics of coronary angiography lesions between the two groups of patients(both P>0.05).During a 12-month follow-up,there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in the incidence of MACE between the dissection group and the non dissection group after DCB treatment for primary coronary artery lesions in situ.Conclusions Untreated residual dissection after DCB treatment of de novo coronary lesions does not lead to an increase in clinical MACE.
6.Metabolomic analysis of Agrimonia pilosa intervention in proliferation and apoptosis of H1299 cells based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS technology
Ze-hua TONG ; Wen-jun GUO ; Meng LI ; Ya-juan XU ; Hong-ming ZHANG ; Ze-yu DOU ; Sheng-xu XIE ; Wei-fang WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):970-978
Aim To investigate the effects of Agrimonia pilosa(AP)on the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)H1299 cells using non-targeted metabolomics and other methods,and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.Meth-ods Taking H1299 cells as the research object,the effect of AP on cell proliferation and apoptosis was de-tected through CCK-8 method,colony formation,LDH,Hoechst 33258 staining,AO/EB staining,flow cytometry detection,RT qPCR and other experiments.The main differential metabolites were detected by the metabolomics method of ultra-high phase liquid chro-matography and mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Orbi-trap MS),and related metabolic pathways were ana-lyzed.Results Compared with the control group,AP treatment was able to significantly inhibit the prolifera-tion and colony formation of H1299 cells,while the re-lease of LDH increased in a dose-dependent manner.Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that H1299 cells underwent crumpling and increased nuclear fragmentation after AP administration,blocked in G0/G1 phase,up-regulated apoptotic genes caspase-3 and Bax,and down-regulated apoptosis-inducing effects of Bcl-2.Metabolomics anal-ysis screened 35 differential metabolites,which were PC(O-30∶1),D-Glutamic acid,PE(18∶0/15∶0),etc.The main metabolic pathways involved includ-ed amino acid metabolism,glycerophospholipid metabo-lism and purine metabolism so on.Conclusions AP may exert its pharmacological effects by interfering with multiple metabolic pathways in H1299 cells,inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.
7.Analysis of Chemical Components of Suanzaoren Decoction and Components Absorbed into Blood of Female Rats Based on UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS
Ziyang KONG ; Liang WU ; Wen LI ; Jie HAN ; Chenmin SHENG ; Yuheng LIAN ; Lingdong MENG ; Yunan ZHAO ; Yaoyao BIAN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(3):375-382
OBJECTIVE To analyze the blood components of Suanzaoren Decoction after oral administration using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS technology.METHODS Female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were used as experimental subjects,and Suanza-oren Decoction was administered orally.Serum samples were collected,and the aqueous extract of Suanzaoren Decoction and the serum were analyzed using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS technology to identify the prototype components and metabolites absorbed into the blood by comparing and analyzing with the LuMet-TCM database.RESULTS It showed that a total of 458 components were iden-tified in the aqueous extract of Suanzaoren Decoction,and 26 chemical components were identified in the blood,including 23 prototype components and 3 metabolites.CONCLUSION The prototype components absorbed into the blood discovered in this study may be the active ingredients of Suanzaoren Decoction,providing a reference for the research on the pharmacodynamic material basis of Suanza-oren Decoction.
8.Analysis of Chemical Components of Suanzaoren Decoction and Components Absorbed into Blood of Female Rats Based on UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS
Ziyang KONG ; Liang WU ; Wen LI ; Jie HAN ; Chenmin SHENG ; Yuheng LIAN ; Lingdong MENG ; Yunan ZHAO ; Yaoyao BIAN
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(3):375-382
OBJECTIVE To analyze the blood components of Suanzaoren Decoction after oral administration using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS technology.METHODS Female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were used as experimental subjects,and Suanza-oren Decoction was administered orally.Serum samples were collected,and the aqueous extract of Suanzaoren Decoction and the serum were analyzed using UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS technology to identify the prototype components and metabolites absorbed into the blood by comparing and analyzing with the LuMet-TCM database.RESULTS It showed that a total of 458 components were iden-tified in the aqueous extract of Suanzaoren Decoction,and 26 chemical components were identified in the blood,including 23 prototype components and 3 metabolites.CONCLUSION The prototype components absorbed into the blood discovered in this study may be the active ingredients of Suanzaoren Decoction,providing a reference for the research on the pharmacodynamic material basis of Suanza-oren Decoction.
9.Study on the effectiveness and safety of a novel intravascular shock wave balloon for pre-treatment of severe coronary artery calcification lesions
Rui-tao ZHANG ; Zhen-yu TIAN ; Yong ZENG ; Guo-sheng FU ; Li XU ; Jian LIU ; Jian-ping LI ; Zhi-hui ZHANG ; Xin-qun HU ; Xiang CHENG ; Wen LU ; Ming CUI ; Yi-da TANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(2):61-70
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)balloon—Vesscrack shockwave balloon—for vascular preparation before stent implantation in patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC).Methods This was a prospective,single-arm,multicenter study conducted in China from June 2022 to October 2022.Patients with severe CAC were treated with the Vesscrack shockwave balloon for lesion preparation,followed by drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation.Of these,33 patients underwent optical coherence tomography(OCT).The primary endpoint was procedural success,defined as successful stent implantation with residual stenosis≤30%and the absence of in-hospital major adverse events,including cardiac death,target vessel-related myocardial infarction,or target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 170 patients[mean age:(65.9±7.9)years,116 males]were enrolled.After treatment with IVL and DES,the minimum lumen diameter increased significantly compared to baseline[(2.34±0.40)mm vs.(0.95±0.33)mm,P<0.001],the degree of stenosis was significantly reduced[(13.24±6.60)%vs.(65.18±10.59)%,P<0.001].Procedural success was achieved in 100%of cases,and device success was 98.8%.The 30-day patient-related cardiovascular clinical composite endpoint(POCE)rate was 0.0,with no target lesion failure,no confirmed or potential thrombotic events were observed.The shockwave energy generator demonstrated excellent stability and ease of use.Among the 33 patients assessed with OCT,after IVL intervention,the maximum calcified area of the lumen[(3.51±1.51)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P<0.001],and the minimum lumen area within the target lesion[(3.08±1.04)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P<0.001],and after DES intervention,the luminal area of the largest calcified site[(6.59±1.64)mm2 vs.(2.85±1.80)mm2,P<0.001]and the minimum luminal area within the target lesion[(6.19±1.45)mm2 vs.(2.02±0.75)mm2,P<0.001]were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusions The Vesscrack shockwave balloon is effective and safe for vascular preparation in patients with severe CAC prior to stent implantation.It achieves significant calcified plaque modification,high procedural success rates,and minimal complications.
10.Role and mechanism of RNF8 in regulating proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma
Xiao-hang NIU ; Li-zhu JIANG ; Sheng-yong LUO ; Wen-bin LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1305-1311
Aim To investigate the role of RNF8 in the proliferation,invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma and in the promotion of epithelial-mesenchy-mal transition(EMT);to clarify the regulatory mecha-nism of RNF8 on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of RNF8 and RhoA in human hepatocel-lular carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues;Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression levels of RNF8 and RhoA in human normal hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinoma cells.RNF8 was overex-pressed in HepG2 cells,and siRNA interference was used to downregulate the expression of RNF8.The cell experimental groups were as follows:control group(Control,normal HepG2 cells),RNF8 overexpression group,RNF8 low expression group(siRNA RNF8),RNF8 overexpression+Rhosin(20 μmol·L-1,RhoA blocker)group.The cell proliferation ability was detected by CCK-8 method;the cell migration ability was detected by scratch test;the cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell test;finally,the expression levels of RNF8,RhoA,PCNA,CyclinD1,N-cadherin,vimentin,Slug,and E-cadherin proteins and mRNA were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR.Results The expression of RNF8 and RhoA in liver cancer tissues and liver cancer cells significantly increased;after RNF8 knockdown,the proliferation,migration,in-vasion and EMT of liver cancer cells were significantly inhibited,while overexpression of RNF8 significantly increased the proliferation,migration,invasion ability of liver cancer cells and promoted EMT.RhoA showed a positive correlation with knockdown and overexpression of RNF8.When RNF8 was overexpressed and RhoA blocker was given at the same time,the phenomenon of overexpression of RNF8 increasing the proliferation,mi-gration,invasion ability and promoting EMT of liver cancer cells was significantly reversed.Conclusions RNF8 can promote the proliferation,migration,invasion and EMT of liver cancer cells,and at the same time promote the expression of RhoA.RNF8 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating RhoA to promote EMT.

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