1.Discovery and proof-of-concept study of a novel highly selective sigma-1 receptor agonist for antipsychotic drug development.
Wanyu TANG ; Zhixue MA ; Bang LI ; Zhexiang YU ; Xiaobao ZHAO ; Huicui YANG ; Jian HU ; Sheng TIAN ; Linghan GU ; Jiaojiao CHEN ; Xing ZOU ; Qi WANG ; Fan CHEN ; Guangying LI ; Chaonan ZHENG ; Shuliu GAO ; Wenjing LIU ; Yue LI ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Mingmei WANG ; Na YE ; Xuechu ZHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5346-5365
Sigma-1 receptor (σ 1R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ 1R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ 1R in relation to σ 2R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ 1R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.
2.PKM2, the "K+ sink" in the tumor interstitial fluid.
Wenjing NA ; Wenfeng ZENG ; Kai SONG ; Youwang WANG ; Luoyang WANG ; Ziran ZHAO ; Lingtao JIN ; Ping ZHU ; Wei LIANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(4):303-308
3.Advances and Challenges in the Research of Integration Methods of Animal Experimental Evidence
Qingyong ZHENG ; Tengfei LI ; Jianguo XU ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Zhichao MA ; Na WANG ; Molan LI ; Wenjing YANG ; Peirun WU ; Haidong WANG ; Jinhui TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2024;44(5):567-576
Integrating evidence from animal experiments is a critical component of biomedical research, providing essential prior information for in-depth investigations of disease mechanisms and new drug development. Animal models have played an irreplaceable role in simulating human diseases. However, the integration of evidence from animal experiments has faced numerous challenges, including insufficient emphasis, significant heterogeneity in study designs, high publication bias, and discrepancies with clinical research practices. This paper first identifies existing issues in the original research evidence from animal experiments, such as the selection and applicability of animal models, considerations in the design of experimental studies, and factors influencing the translation of animal experimental evidence. It then discusses various methods for integrating this evidence, including systematic review and meta-analysis, overview of systematic review/umbrella review, scoping review, and evidence mapping, while highlighting recent advancements in their application. Finally, the paper addresses the main challenges currently encountered in the integration of evidence from animal experiments and proposes targeted improvement strategies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of translating research outcomes into clinical practice and promoting the advancement of evidence-based medicine. By continuously optimizing original experimental research protocols and evidence integration practices, this work aims to establish a more efficient and scientific environment for the synthesis of evidence from animal experiments, ultimately contributing to clinical trials and human health.
4.Clinical features of and influencing factors of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Wenjing JIANG ; Xuhui WANG ; Zhihan XU ; Xuedi ZHANG ; Zhongqi WANG ; Ping ZHOU ; Na LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(4):317-322
Background Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)are common psychological disorders with similar clinical symptoms,but the differences between the two need further clarification.Objective To explore the clinical features of and influencing factors of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in patients with OCD,so as to provide references for further relevant clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 195 patients with OCD were selected as the research subjects,who received treatment at the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2022 to December 2023 and met the diagnostic criteria for OCD in the International Classification of Diseases,tenth edition(ICD-10).Evaluation was conducted by using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS),Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+(PDQ-4+),Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised(OCI-R),Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI)and Sheehan Disability Scale(SDS).In accordance with the score of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale in PDQ-4+,patients were divided into the OCD group with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder(n=58)and the OCD group without obsessive-compulsive personality disorder(n=137).Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were adopted to examine the correlation between clinical features and the score of the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between OCD patients with and without obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in the age,family history of mental illness,time without treatment,hoarding and ranking dimension scores in OCI-R,OCI-R total score,score of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale in PDQ-4,and BDI score(P≤0.05).OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in the time without treatment,OCI-R total score,hoarding and ranking dimension scores in OCI-R and BDI score are all positively correlated with the score of the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale(r=0.120,0.526,0.364,0.492,0.414,P<0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that time without treatment(β=0.132,P<0.05),hoarding dimension score(β=0.283,P<0.05)and ranking dimension score in OCI-R(β=0.418,P<0.05)were the influencing factors of OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.Conclusion OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may have longer untreated periods,more pronounced functional impairments in hoarding and sorting and more severe depressive symptoms.Untreated time,hoarding symptoms and sorting symptoms may be influencing factors for OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
5.Oxamate alleviates silicotic fibrosis in mice by inhibiting senescence of alveolar type II epithelial cells
Wenjing LIU ; Na MAO ; Yaqian LI ; Xuemin GAO ; Zhongqiu WEI ; Ying ZHU ; Hong XU ; Fuyu JIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(7):760-767
Background The senescence of alveolar type II epithelial cells is an important driving factor for the progression of silicotic fibrosis, and the regulatory effects of oxamate on the senescence of alveolar type II epithelial cells is still unclear. Objective To explore whether lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor oxamate can alleviate silicotic fibrosis in mice by inhibiting senescence of alveolar type II epithelial cellsMethods This study was divided into two parts: in vivo experiments and in vitro experiments. In the first part, forty SPF C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into four groups with 10 in each group: control group, silicosis model group, low-dose oxamate treatment group, and high-dose oxamate treatment group. The silicotic mouse model was established by intratracheal instillation of 50 μL SiO2 suspension (100 mg·mL−1). The treatment models were prepared by intraperitoneal injection of 100 μL oxamate (225 mmol·L−1 and
6.Gastric cancer cell-derived exosome miR-382-5p induced by Helicobacter pylori inhibits macrophage autophagy and promotes M2 polarization by targeting PTEN
Wenjing LI ; Kaiyun GUO ; Junzi LUO ; Yunxing HE ; Jie DUAN ; Na WANG ; Kunning WANG ; Yixin ZENG ; Xinyi LUO ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(6):1153-1159
Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of the gastric cancer cells-derived exosome miR-382-5p in-duced by Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)on the autophagy and polarization of macrophages,providing new clues for further elucidating the carcinogenic mechanism of H.pylori.Methods:Ultracentrifugation and exosome extraction kit were used to extract the exosomes re-leased by the H.pylori stimulated group and the blank control group AGS cells cells,then transmission electron microscopy(TEM),nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA)and Western blot were employed to identify exosomes.qRT-PCR was used to detect the expres-sion of miR-382-5p in H.pylori induced AGS-derived exosomes.miR-382-5p mimic was transfected into THP-1 macrophages,then the expressions of autophagy markers(LC3Ⅱ,p62,and Beclin-1)were evaluated by Western blot,the number of autophagosomes was detected by immunofluorescence.The expression levels of PTEN protein,downstream proteins PI3K,AKT,mTOR and its phosphory-lated proteins p-PI3K,p-AKT,p-mTOR were detected by Western blot.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression levels of macrophage phenotypic molecules CD206 and HLA-DR.ELISA was used to detect the secretion of cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10 and Arginase1 in macrophage supernatants.Results:The extracted exosomes were consistent with exosome morphology and highly ex-pressed the surface marker proteins CD9,CD63 and TSG101.Compared with the blank control group,the expression level of exosom-al miR-382-5p in H.pylori-infected group was significantly increased.miR-382-5p mimic transfection resulted in decreased expression of LC3 Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in macrophages,increased expression of P62 and decreased number of autophagosomes.Moreover,the protein expression level of PTEN was significantly decreased in the miR-382-5p mimic transfection group,while the expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR were significantly increased.miR-382-5p mimic transfection also resulted in increased expression of mac-rophage M2 type marker protein CD206 and decreased expression of M1 type marker protein HLA-DR,as well as increased expres-sions of IL-10 and Arginine1,whereas decreased expression of IL-6 and TNF-α.Pretreatment with the pathway inhibitor BEZ235 par-tially reverses the effects of miR-382-5p on macrophage autophagy and polarization.Conclusion:H.pylori-induced gastric cancer cells-derived exosomal miR-382-5p suppresses macrophage autophagy and induces M2 polarization through down-regulation of PTEN ex-pression and activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
7.Bioinformatics analysis of the impact of immune infiltration in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Wenting WANG ; Na LIANG ; Wenjing HA ; Shaomin PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(11):997-1005
Objective:To investigate the potential biomarkers associated with immune cells in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI).Methods:The RIRI gene expression profile dataset GSE20521 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened.The GSE20521 gene set was subjected to Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI), yielding information pertaining to enriched pathways and immune cell infiltration.The Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Pearson correlation analysis were employed to identify the hub modules and candidate genes exhibiting the strongest correlation with immune infiltration.Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of candidate genes was constructed, and key genes were screened using CytoHubba plugin.Results:The significant GSEA enrichment pathways in the RIRI group including the interferon-γ (IFN-γ), apoptosis, tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB, IFN-α, complement pathway, interleukin-6 (IL-6)-(signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)(STAT3) and IL2-STAT5 signaling pathways, as well as inflammatory response.Compared with the normal control group, the results of ImmuCellAI evaluation revealed significant increases in the proportions of cDC2 cells, monocyte-derived DC cells, M2 macrophages, and CD8_Tc cells and decreases in the proportions of pDC cells, CD4_T cells, CD4_Tm cells, helper T cells, regulatory T cells, follicular B cells, and eosinophils in the RIRI group (all at P<0.05).A total of 144 DEGs were obtained between the two groups of samples.Taking the intersection of DEGs and hub module genes, 140 candidate genes were obtained.GO analysis showed significant enrichment of positive regulation of cytokine production, leukocyte mediated immunity, wound healing, adaptive immune response, niacinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex, and chemokine binding, etc.KEGG analysis enriched 50 pathways, including phagosome, pertussis, leishmaniasis tuberculosis, and complement and coagulation cascades.Three key genes were finally obtained, namely Cd68, Tlr2 and Hmox1, which were screened by PPI and different CytoHubba algorithms. Conclusions:The bioinformatics analysis reveals a distinct immune microenvironment in the retina of the RIRI group and normal control group, suggesting a correlation between RIRI and infiltration of multiple immune cell types.
8.Intervention effect of physical exercise on silicotic mice
Fuyu JIN ; Xiaojing WANG ; Wenjing LIU ; Yaqian LI ; Xuemin GAO ; Wenchen CAI ; Na MAO ; Heliang LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(9):997-1004
Background Pneumoconiosis is the most serious occupational disease in China, and silicosis accounts for about half of it. Any intervention effect of physical exercise as the key and core of lung rehabilitation training on silicosis is still unclear. Objective To explore potential intervention effect of physical exercise on silicotic mice. Methods Forty SPF C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups, 10 in each group, including a control group, a physical exercise group, a silicosis model group, and a silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group. Silicotic mouse model was established by using 50 μL SiO2 suspension (200 mg·mL−1). A treadmill was used to prepare mice receiving physical exercise at 0° inclination, 12.3 m·min−1, 60 min·d−1, 5 d·week−1 for 4 weeks. Pathological morphology of lung tissues was evaluated after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining; deposition of collagen in lung tissues was evaluated after Van Gieson (VG) staining; expression of p-protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) was detected by immunofluorescence staining; expressions of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (p21) and p-p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress signal factors [p-inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (p-IRE-1α), p-PERK, and p-eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (p-eIF-2α)], senescence signal factors (p-p53, p21, and p16), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal factors [p-p38, p-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK), and p-stress-activated protein kinase (p-JNK)] were detected by Western blotting. Results After designed acute SiO2 exposure, the images of micro computed tomography (CT) showed high density shadows in lung tissues of the silicotic mice and less shadows in lung tissues of the physical exercise intervention mice. After HE staining, the proportions of silicotic nodule area in lung tissues was (18.67±3.89) % in the silicosis model group, and significantly decreased to (8.78±1.05) % in the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group (P<0.05). After VG staining, the proportion of collagen fiber area of lung tissues was (10.37±2.18) % in the silicosis model group, and significantly decreased to (4.35±0.89) % in the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group (P<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that in the silicosis model group, the expression of p-PERK increased at the location of silicotic nodules, while in the silicotic model + physical exercise intervention group, the expression of p-PERK decreased. The immunohistochemical staining results showed that the expression of p21 and p-p38 increased in the lung tissues of the silicosis model group; the expression of p21 and p-p38 decreased in the lung tissues of the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group. The results of Western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the expression levels of p-IRE-1α (0.11±0.03), p-PERK (0.95±0.40), p-eIF-2α (3.53±0.91), p-p53 (1.78±0.07), p21 (1.98±0.10), p16 (1.26±0.17), p-p38 (0.41±0.09), p-ERK (0.42±0.05), and p-JNK (3.20±1.23) of the silicosis model group were all upregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the silicosis model group, the expression levels of p-IRE-1α (0.03±0.01), p-PERK (0.31±0.12), p-eIF-2α (0.30±0.06), p-p53 (0.76±0.08), p21 (0.18±0.11), p16 (0.70±0.24), p-p38 (0.03±0.00), p-ERK (0.19±0.03), and p-JNK (0.46±0.21) of the silicosis model + physical exercise intervention group were downregulated (P<0.05). Conclusion Physical exercise may alleviate pulmonary fibrosis in silicotic mice, and inhibit abnormal expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress signal, MAPK signal, and senescent signal.
9.The influence of age on renal outcomes in patients with stage 2-4 chronic kidney disease
Xingtong DONG ; Qi PANG ; Na LIN ; Wen LI ; Wenjing FU ; Aihua ZHANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2023;25(12):1789-1793
Objective:To evaluate the correlation between age and renal outcomes in patients with stage 2-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the impact of age on CKD outcomes in kidney diseases of different etiologies.Methods:A prospective cohort study included 470 patients with stage 2-4 CKD. The Kaplan Meier method was used to analyze the differences in CKD outcomes among different age groups. The independent risk factors for CKD progression were analyzed using a multivariate Cox regression model. We adjusted for baseline differences in risk factors for CKD outcomes between two age groups using propensity score matching (PSM).Results:Among 470 patients, 39 cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) events (all starting dialysis) and 51 deaths were observed. The Kaplan Meier survival curve ( P=0.039) and Cox regression univariate survival analysis ( P=0.043) both showed that <60 years old is a risk factor for CKD patients to progress to ESRD. In multivariate Cox regression, age remained an independent risk factor for the progression of CKD patients (hazard ratio 0.386, 95% CI: 0.163-0.916; P=0.031). For kidney diseases with different causes, in patients with hypertensive kidney damage ( P=0.024) and primary glomerulonephritis ( P=0.047), the cumulative incidence rate of ESRD in patients <60 years old was higher than that in patients ≥60 years old. There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality rates between patients aged <60 and ≥60 years old ( P=0.646). Conclusions:Elderly patients with stage 2-4 CKD have a lower ESRD risk than younger patients. This discovery helps nephrologists and decision-makers optimize the management of elderly CKD patients.
10.Effects of heart rate control on short-term prognosis of heart failure in hospitalized elderly patients
Na WEI ; Man LI ; Hanyu SHI ; Xiaohong KAN ; Xuejiao JING ; Shoucai WU ; Jinran WANG ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Yunling XIAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2022;41(9):1037-1041
Objective:To examine the effects of heart rate control during hospitalization on short-term prognosis of heart failure in elderly patients.Methods:As a prospective study, 150 elderly patients with heart failure were selected from the Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University.The subjects were divided into an experimental group and a control group by digitally generated random numbers, with 75 individuals in each group.Both groups received conventional anti-heart failure therapy during hospitalization, but patients from the control group had doses of heart rate control drugs adjusted every 2-4 weeks, with no special requirement for the heart rate before hospital discharge.In contrast, patients from the experimental group were given heart rate control drugs with timely dose adjustment to achieve more proactive heart rate control, aiming for a rate <70 beat/min, as long as heart failure symptom improvement and good volume management could be maintained.Values of cardiac function indexes were compared between the two groups at discharge and 6 months after discharge.Heart failure readmission rates within 6 months, cardiovascular disease mortality rates and the incidences of composite endpoint events after readmission due to heart failure aggravation were compared between the two groups.Treatment safety was also evaluated.Results:There was no statistical difference in blood pressure, heart rate, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-pro-BNP), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD), or left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDD)between the two groups at admission( P>0.05), and there was no statistical difference in the average length of hospitalization between the two groups( P>0.05). The experimental group had a lower average heart rate and diastolic pressure than the control group at discharge and 6 months latter[at discharge: (61.6±4.2)beat/min(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs.(78.0±7.1)beat/min, (62.1±10.4)mmHg vs.(66.1±10.2)mmHg; at 6 months: (64.7±12.1)beat/min vs.(71.8±11.2)beat/min, (62.8±11.2)mmHg vs.(68.6±10.2)mmHg; P<0.05 or P<0.01]. NT-pro-BNP in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group at discharge[(1 706±1 408)ng/L vs.(2 806±3 812)ng/L, P<0.05]. The absolute values of changes in LVEF(ΔLVEF), LVESD(ΔLVESD)and LVEDD(ΔLVEDD)after 6 months in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group[ΔLVEF: (0.08±0.09) vs.(0.02±0.09), P<0.05; ΔLVESD: (-5.82±7.44)mm vs.(-1.63±6.07)mm, P<0.01; ΔLVEDD: (-2.76±5.52)mm vs.(-0.86±4.44)mm, P<0.05]. The rate of readmission and the incidence of composite endpoint events within 6 months in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group[21.3%(16 cases) vs.36.0%(27 cases), P<0.05]; 25.3%(19 cases) vs.44.0%(33 cases), P<0.05.There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the two groups( P>0.05). Conclusions:For elderly patients with heart failure, proactive active heart rate control during hospitalization and a rate <70 beat/min before discharge will improve cardiac function indexes and lower the rate of readmission with exacerbation of heart failure, cardiovascular disease mortality and the incidence of composite end-point events after readmission.This strategy has good safety and is beneficial for short-term prognosis.

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