1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Investigating Molecular Mechanisms of Qijia Rougan Prescription and Its Key Effect or Ingredients Against Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Macrophage M2 Polarization
Li WEN ; Quansheng FENG ; Cen JIANG ; Baixue LI ; Dong WANG ; Jike LI ; Xia LI ; Fei WAN ; Yanfeng ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):155-165
ObjectiveBased on the regulation of macrophage M2 polarization, this study aims to explore the molecular mechanism and action targets of the Qijia Rougan prescription and its key effector ingredients in anti-fibrosis, thereby providing a basis and reference for the development of new drugs for hepatic fibrosis. MethodsA rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of 40%CCl4, followed by oral administration of Qijia Rougan granules. The volume of collagen fibers was detected using Masson staining, the fibrosis markers Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA were detected using immunohistochemistry, the proportion of M2 macrophages was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of M2 macrophage phenotype markers CD163 and CD206 were detected using immunofluorescence double staining. Western blot was used to detect the levels of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor subunit B (PDGFB), interleukin-10 (IL-10), phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 (p-JAK1), and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (p-STAT6). Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of JAK1, STAT6, Arginase 1(Arg1), and Fizz1. Based on the theory of serum pharmacology, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and WENN analysis were used to obtain the active ingredients of Qijia Rougan prescription. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to analyze the effector ingredients and their targets. The identified effector ingredients were interfered with IL-4-induced M2 polarization of RAW264.7 macrophage in vitro to validate the targets. ResultsQijia Rougan prescription significantly reduced the content of fibrosis markers α-SMA and Collagen Ⅰ, as well as collagen fiber content (P<0.05). It decreased the proportion of M2 macrophages and the levels of related cytokines IL-10, TGF-β and PDGFB, and up-regulated the levels of p-JAK1 and p-STAT6 (P<0.05). A total of 1 214 compounds were identified from Qijia Rougan prescription, medicated serum and blank serum, and 29 ingredients were finalized by Venn analysis, including 15 blood-entry prototypes and 14 drug metabolites. Molecular docking showed that enoxolone and berberine bound more strongly to JAK1, with binding free energies of -9.6 kcal·mol-1(1 cal≈4.184 J) and -9.1 kcal·mol-1, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that JAK1-enoxolone and JAK1-berberine exhibited stable simulation trajectories within 100 ns, with essentially identical conformations and high protein overlap before and after simulation. Their binding free energies were -25.18 5.0.81 kcal·mol-1 and -27.39 7.0.85 kcal·mol-1, respectively. The number of hydrogen bonds formed between JAK1 and enoxolone ranges from 0 to 5, and most of the time can be maintained at 2-3. In vitro intervention with enoxolone or berberine significantly reduced p-JAK1 and p-STAT6 levels (P<0.05). ConclusionQijia Rougan prescription inhibits M2 macrophage polarization in hepatic fibrosis. Enoxolone and berberine are the key effector ingredients of Qijia Rougan prescription to inhibit macrophage M2 polarization through targeting JAK1 and modulating the JAK1/STAT6 signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating hepatic fibrosis. This study provides a basis for prescription optimization, clinical application and new drug development, as well as a reference for monolithic anti-hepatic fibrosis research.
3.Liraglutide may alleviate acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing autophagy
Guo-jing XING ; Wen-bin LI ; Long-long LUO ; Li-fei WANG ; Yuan DENG ; Zhen WANG ; Zhao-jie ZHANG ; Xiao-hui YU ; Jiu-cong ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1867-1875
Aim To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide(LIRA)on acetaminophen(APAP)-in-duced hepatotoxicity at the in vivo level and to reveal the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the Control,LIRA(200 μg·kg-1),APAP(500 mg·kg-1),LIRA+APAP,LIRA+APAP+3-methylade-nine(3-MA,30 mg·kg-1)groups,with eight mice in each group.The mice were administered for three con-secutive days,and the materials were taken after 24 h.The general condition and body weight of mice in each group were recorded,and liver morphology was ob-served.Serum ALT and AST levels,as well as SOD ac-tivity,MDA,and GSH content in liver homogenates,were measured using biochemical assay kits.The levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in serum were detected by ELISA.Liver pathological changes were assessed by HE staining,while mitochon-drial and autophagosome structures in liver tissues were observed using transmission electron microscopy.The number of PCNA-positive cells in liver tissues was e-valuated using immunohistochemical staining.The pro-tein expression levels of LC3Ⅱ,p62,Bax,Bcl-2,PC-NA,and CyclinD1 in liver tissues were determined by Western blot.Results LIRA pretreatment can im-prove the general condition of mice with acetamino-phen-induced liver injury(AILI),reduce serum ALT and AST levels,and effectively ameliorate the appear-ance and morphology of the liver as well as the patho-logical damage to liver tissue.Simultaneously,the lev-els of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1βare significantly decreased;SOD activity and GSH con-tent are significantly increased,while MDA content is significantly reduced.Transmission electron microsco-py observations reveal the presence of numerous auto-phagosomes in the cytoplasm of liver tissue.Immuno-histochemical staining results indicate a significant in-crease in the number of PCNA-positive cells.Further-more,the expression of LC3Ⅱ,Bcl-2,PCNA,and Cy-clinD1 proteins in liver tissue is significantly upregulat-ed,while the expression of p62 and Bax proteins is significantly downregulated.However,after interven-tion with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the aforemen-tioned protective effects of LIRA are significantly.Conclusions LIRA pretreatment can significantly im-prove liver injury in AILI mice.Its protective mecha-nism may be related to enhancing autophagy in hepato-cytes,thereby reducing oxidative stress,inflammatory response and apoptosis in liver of AILI mice.
4.Construction of CD8+T cell-associated Risk Model in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Bulk and Single-cell RNA-seq Data
Xin-Tong ZHANG ; Jian-Jun ZHU ; Jin WU ; Hao WU ; Fan LU ; Wen-Tao ZHANG ; Jing-Jia CHANG ; Ting TANG ; Zhi-Gao OU ; Feng-Feng JIA ; Li LI ; Peng-Fei YU ; Ming LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1511-1528
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),which is essentially primary liver cancer,is closely related to CD8+T cell immune infiltration and immune suppression.We constructed a CD8+T cells related risk score model to pre-dict the prognosis of HCC patients and provided therapeutic guidance based on the risk score.Using integrated bulk RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)datasets,we identified stable CD8+T cell signatures.Based on these signatures,a 3-gene risk score model,comprised of KLRB1,RGS2,and TN-FRSF1B was constructed.The risk score model was well validated through an independent external validation co-hort.We divided patients into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the risk score and compared the differ-ences in immune microenvironment between these two groups.Compared with low-risk patients,high-risk patients have higher M2-type macrophage content(P<0.0001)and lower CD8+T cells infiltration(P<0.0001).High-risk patients predict worse response to immunotherapy treatment than low-risk patients(P<0.01).Drug sensitivity a-nalysis shows that PI3K-β inhibitor AZD6482 and TGFβRII inhibitor SB505124 may be suitable therapies for high-risk patients,while the IGF-1R inhibitor BMS-754807 or the novel pyrimidine-based anti-tumor metabolic drug Gemcitabine could be potential therapeutic choices for low-risk patients.Moreover,expression of these 3-gene mod-el was verified by immunohistochemistry.In summary,the establishment and validation of a CD8+T cell-derived risk model can more accurately predict the prognosis of HCC patients and guide the construction of personalized treatment plans.
5.Surveillance and early warning index system for schistosomiasis in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin
Sanhong JIANG ; Yibiao ZHOU ; Shizhu LI ; Dandan LIN ; Qingwu JIANG ; Liyong WEN ; Shengming LI ; Fei HU ; Benjiao HU ; Jie ZHOU ; Chunli CAO ; Jing XU ; Jianwen XIE ; Changming WU ; Xiaolan YAN ; Weimin XU ; Jun GE ; Guanghui REN ; Xiaoli LIU
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2025;44(4):259-264
Under the current situation of "low prevalence and low infection" of schistosomiasis in China, and to provide a basis for achieving the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis by 2030 proposed by the Healthy China Action (2019 - 2030) as scheduled, the Hunan Provincial Corps Hospital of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force established a schistosomiasis monitoring and early warning index system based on the previous studies on schistosomiasis early warning index system and the recent literature analysis, combined with the current potential risk factors affecting the transmission and prevalence of schistosomiasis, and organized two rounds of expert consultation and carried out project promotion meetings. The experts reached a consensus on the comprehensiveness and practicability of the index system, aiming to lay a solid foundation for construction of China's schistosomiasis prevention and control early warning system.
6.Chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Dendrobium formosum and their biological activities
Li-hang CHI ; Hui-qin CHEN ; Sheng-zhuo HUANG ; Fei WU ; Wen-li MEI ; Xi-qiang SONG ; Hao-fu DAI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(2):467-473
AIM To study the chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Dendrobium formosum Roxb.ex Lindl.and their biological activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from the stems and leaves of D.formosum was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their inhibitory activities onα-glucosidase were determined by PNPG method,and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by RAW264.7 model.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as coniferyl p-coumarate(1),(-)-pinoresinol(2),2,5,7-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene(3),naringenin(4),spiropreussomerin A(5),7-hydroxy-14-de-O-methyl-lasiodiplodin(6),(4S,5S,6Z,8E)-5-hydroxydeca-6,8-dien-4-olide(7),(6S,9R)-blumenol C(8),p-hydroxybenzoic acid(9),m-hydroxybenzoic acid(10),p-hydroxy benzenepropanoic acid(11),5,7-dihydroxy-isobenzofuran(12),2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol(13),β-sitostenone(14),β-sitosterol(15).The IC50 values of compounds 1 and 4 on α-glucosidase inhibition were(65.60±3.31)and(98.95±2.53)μmol/L,respectively.Compound 3 presented inhibitory activity on NO production in RAW 264.7 cells,with IC50 value of(3.97±0.12)μmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 5-6,8 and 12 are isolated from Orchidacae family for the first time,and 2-15 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1 and 4 have α-glucosidase inhibitory activities,and 3 has anti-inflammatory activity.
7.Research progress on regulation of hemoglobin hypoxia adaptation by erythrocyte protein complexes
Ying-fei ZHANG ; An-peng ZHAO ; Rong WANG ; Wen-bin LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1020-1025
The red blood cell membrane is an important place for signaling,material transport,energy exchange and other life activities inside and outside the erythrocyte,and its function is mainly realized by the protein complexes on the membrane sur-face.Glycoproteins,integrins,signaling proteins,channel pro-teins and other proteins that constitute the erythrocyte membrane protein complexes interact with each other through direct physi-cal effects or regulatory factor-mediated mechanisms,playing a role in regulating oxygen transport,maintaining cellular morphol-ogy and stability,participating in the regulation of signaling,as well as supporting the cytoskeleton and other functions.Hemo-globin is the mediator of oxygen transport and delivery in blood erythrocytes,and regulating its conformational changes can in-crease the efficiency of oxygen supply to alleviate hypoxia in plateau hypoxia.This review describes the composition,func-tion,interaction mechanism,and adaptive regulation of hemoglo-bin to hypoxia in erythrocyte membrane protein complexes,with the aim of providing new reference for the prevention of hypoxia symptoms,the formulation of therapeutic regimens and the devel-opment of anti-hypoxia drugs.
8.The role and research progress of m6A modification in sepsis and its induced multi-organ dysfunction disease
Lu-lu ZHANG ; Rui GONG ; Jin-yi ZHAO ; Fei MU ; Yan-ping YIN ; Wang-ting LI ; Ling-ling ZHENG ; Yu-ping TANG ; Jing-wen WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):421-427
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction disease caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.It has com-plex pathophysiological changes,and in severe cases,it can rap-idly develop into septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction or multiple organ failure.At present,the pathological mechanism of sepsis and its induced organ dysfunction is complex and the in-fluencing factors are numerous.So far,there is still a lack of specific and effective treatment strategies.RNA modify-N6-methyladenosine(m6 A)is one of the most common post-tran-scriptional modifications on eukaryotic RNAs.It is involved in the regulation of the occurrence and development of a variety of inflammatory diseases,including sepsis,and even multiple organ dysfunction induced by sepsis by affecting the metabolism of RNAs.It includes cardiac dysfunction,acute lung injury(ALI)and acute kidney injury(AKI).Therefore,this article will dis-cuss the effect of m6A modification on the function of immune cells,and its important role in sepsis and its induced multiple or-gan dysfunction diseases by regulating inflammatory signals,py-roptosis,mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis.This will provide new therapeutic targets and strategies for the clinical prevention and treatment of sepsis and its induced multiple organ dysfunc-tion diseases.
9.Clinical Efficacy of Tianma Xiongling Zhixuan Tablets in Treating Patients with Hypertension of the Type of Hyperactivity of Liver Yang or Combined with Phlegm and Blood Stasis,and Analysis of Plasma Metabolomics
Zhi-xiang CHEN ; Jun-liu HU ; Man WANG ; Fei-ying WANG ; Yao-wu CHEN ; Mao-wen WANG ; Meng-li JI ; Hui-hui LIU ; Jian-min FAN ; Wen ZHANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2138-2153
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets in treating hypertension patients with liver yang hyperactivity or comorbid phlegm-stasis syndrome and explore its therapeutic mechanisms through plasma metabolomics.Methods:Thirty-six hypertension patients(4 dropouts)diagnosed with liver yang hyperactivity or phlegm-stasis syndrome were enrolled as the treatment group from June 2022 to September 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine,while 30 healthy volunteers with balanced constitutions were recruited as the blank group.Plasma samples were collected from patients pre-and post-treatment and from healthy volunteers.Clinical outcomes,including syndrome scores,office blood pressure(BP),and 24-hour ambulatory BP,were recorded.Plasma metabolomic profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS).Results:Compared with baseline,Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets significantly reduced traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores(P<0.01),office systolic/diastolic BP(P<0.01),and 24-hour ambulatory BP parameters(24-hour mean BP,daytime/nighttime mean BP;all P<0.01).Metabolomic analysis identified 45 differential metabolites between the blank group and pretreatment patients,and 64 metabolites altered post-treatment(VIP>1,P<0.05).Enrichment analysis of 16 overlapping endogenous metabolites revealed that Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets primarily modulated arachidonic acid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism pathways.Conclusion:Tianma Xionglin Zhixuan Tablets demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in hypertension patients with liver yang hyperactivity or phlegm-stasis syndrome,potentially mediated through regulation of arachidonic acid and sphingolipid metabolism.
10.Development of dynamic multi-time-point clinical prediction models for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks
Wen LI ; Xue-Fei ZHANG ; Xiao-Ri HE ; Tao WANG ; Jing-Tao HU ; Wen LI ; Qing-Yi DONG ; Xiao-Yun GONG ; Yong-Hui YANG ; Ping-Yang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(12):1464-1474
Objective To develop dynamic prediction models based on multiple postnatal time points to support early diagnosis and individualized intervention for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks.Methods Clinical data of 472 preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2016 and November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Multivariable logistic regression was applied to develop five independent prediction models at postnatal days 1,7,14,21,and 28.The performance of the models was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Results Baseline characteristics such as gestational age and birth weight differed significantly between the BPD group(n=147)and the non-BPD group(n=325)(P<0.05).Predictors of BPD evolved across time points:on day 1,key predictors included gestational age,birth weight,Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology II(SNAP-II),invasive mechanical ventilation,and fraction of inspired oxygen>30%;by day 7,additional variables emerged,including fasting duration>2 days,mean feeding advancement rate<8.5 mL/(kg·d),neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,apnea of prematurity,and positive sputum culture;from day 14 onward,nutrition-and treatment-related indicators were incorporated additionally.The models demonstrated good discrimination at postnatal days 1,7,14,21,and 28,with AUCs of 0.917,0.927,0.939,0.944,and 0.968,respectively,and good calibration(Hosmer-Lemeshow P>0.05).Internal validation showed AUCs ranging from 0.899 to 0.958,indicating robust performance.Conclusions Dynamic postnatal prediction models incorporating indicators spanning perinatal factors,respiratory support,nutritional management,and therapeutic interventions demonstrate high predictive performance and facilitate dynamic risk assessment for BPD in preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks.

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