1.Construction of Organoid-on-a-chip and Its Applications in Biomedical Fields
Rui-Xia LIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Xiao LI ; Yi LIU ; Long HUANG ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):293-308
Organoid-on-a-chip technology represents a promising interdisciplinary advancement that merges two cutting-edge biomedical platforms: stem cell-derived organoids and microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip systems. Organoids are self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that mimic the key structural and functional features of in vivo organs. However, traditional organoid culture systems are often static, lacking dynamic environmental cues and suffering from limitations such as batch-to-batch variability, low stability, and low throughput. Organ-on-a-chip platforms, by contrast, utilize microfluidic technologies to simulate the dynamic physiological microenvironment of human tissues and organs, enabling more controlled cell growth and differentiation. By integrating the advantages of organoids and organ-on-a-chip technologies, organoid-on-a-chip systems transcend the limitations of conventional 3D culture models, offering a more physiologically relevant and controllable in vitro platform. In organoid-on-a-chip systems, stem cells or pre-formed organoids are cultured in micro-engineered environments that mimic in vivo conditions, enabling precise control over fluid flow, mechanical forces, and biochemical cues. Specifically, these platforms employ advanced strategies including bio-inspired 3D scaffolds for structural support, precise spatial cell patterning via 3D bioprinting, and integrated biosensors for real-time monitoring of metabolic activities. These synergistic elements recreate complex extracellular matrix signals and ensure high structural fidelity. Based on structural complexity, organoid-on-a-chip systems are classified into single-organoid and multi-organoid types, forming a trajectory from unit biomimicry to systemic simulation. Single-organoid chips focus on highly biomimetic units by integrating vascular, immune, or neural functions. Multi-organoid chips simulate inter-organ crosstalk and systemic homeostasis, advancing complex disease modeling and PK/PD evaluation. This emerging technology has demonstrated broad application potential in multiple fields of biomedicine. Organoid-on-a-chip systems can recapitulate organ developmentin vitro, facilitating research in developmental biology. They mimic organ-specific physiological activities and mechanisms, showing promising applications in regenerative medicine for tissue repair or replacement. In disease modeling, they support the reconstruction of models for neurodegenerative, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic diseases, and cancers. These platforms also enable in vitro drug testing and pharmacokinetic studies (ADME). Patient-derived chips preserve genetic and pathological features, offering potential for precision medicine. Additionally, they reduce species differences in toxicology, providing human-relevant data for environmental, food, cosmetic, and drug safety assessments. Despite progress, organoid-on-a-chip systems face challenges in dynamic simulation, extracellular matrix (ECM) variability, and limited real-time 3D imaging, requiring improved materials and the integration of developmental signals. Current bottlenecks also include the high technical threshold for automation and the lack of standardized validation frameworks for regulatory adoption. Meanwhile, the concept of a “human-on-a-chip” has been proposed to mimic whole-body physiology by integrating multiple organoid modules. This approach enables systemic modeling of drug responses and toxicity, with the potential to reduce animal testing and revolutionize drug development. Future advancements in bio-responsive hydrogels and flexible biosensors will further empower these platforms to bridge the gap between bench-side research and personalized clinical interventions. In conclusion, organoid-on-a-chip technology offers a transformative in vitro model that closely recapitulates the complexity of human tissues and organ systems. It provides an unprecedented platform for advancing biomedical research, clinical translation, and pharmaceutical innovation. Continued development in biomaterials, microengineering, and analytical technologies will be essential to unlocking the full potential of this powerful tool.
2.Construction of Organoid-on-a-chip and Its Applications in Biomedical Fields
Rui-Xia LIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Xiao LI ; Yi LIU ; Long HUANG ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):293-308
Organoid-on-a-chip technology represents a promising interdisciplinary advancement that merges two cutting-edge biomedical platforms: stem cell-derived organoids and microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip systems. Organoids are self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that mimic the key structural and functional features of in vivo organs. However, traditional organoid culture systems are often static, lacking dynamic environmental cues and suffering from limitations such as batch-to-batch variability, low stability, and low throughput. Organ-on-a-chip platforms, by contrast, utilize microfluidic technologies to simulate the dynamic physiological microenvironment of human tissues and organs, enabling more controlled cell growth and differentiation. By integrating the advantages of organoids and organ-on-a-chip technologies, organoid-on-a-chip systems transcend the limitations of conventional 3D culture models, offering a more physiologically relevant and controllable in vitro platform. In organoid-on-a-chip systems, stem cells or pre-formed organoids are cultured in micro-engineered environments that mimic in vivo conditions, enabling precise control over fluid flow, mechanical forces, and biochemical cues. Specifically, these platforms employ advanced strategies including bio-inspired 3D scaffolds for structural support, precise spatial cell patterning via 3D bioprinting, and integrated biosensors for real-time monitoring of metabolic activities. These synergistic elements recreate complex extracellular matrix signals and ensure high structural fidelity. Based on structural complexity, organoid-on-a-chip systems are classified into single-organoid and multi-organoid types, forming a trajectory from unit biomimicry to systemic simulation. Single-organoid chips focus on highly biomimetic units by integrating vascular, immune, or neural functions. Multi-organoid chips simulate inter-organ crosstalk and systemic homeostasis, advancing complex disease modeling and PK/PD evaluation. This emerging technology has demonstrated broad application potential in multiple fields of biomedicine. Organoid-on-a-chip systems can recapitulate organ developmentin vitro, facilitating research in developmental biology. They mimic organ-specific physiological activities and mechanisms, showing promising applications in regenerative medicine for tissue repair or replacement. In disease modeling, they support the reconstruction of models for neurodegenerative, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic diseases, and cancers. These platforms also enable in vitro drug testing and pharmacokinetic studies (ADME). Patient-derived chips preserve genetic and pathological features, offering potential for precision medicine. Additionally, they reduce species differences in toxicology, providing human-relevant data for environmental, food, cosmetic, and drug safety assessments. Despite progress, organoid-on-a-chip systems face challenges in dynamic simulation, extracellular matrix (ECM) variability, and limited real-time 3D imaging, requiring improved materials and the integration of developmental signals. Current bottlenecks also include the high technical threshold for automation and the lack of standardized validation frameworks for regulatory adoption. Meanwhile, the concept of a “human-on-a-chip” has been proposed to mimic whole-body physiology by integrating multiple organoid modules. This approach enables systemic modeling of drug responses and toxicity, with the potential to reduce animal testing and revolutionize drug development. Future advancements in bio-responsive hydrogels and flexible biosensors will further empower these platforms to bridge the gap between bench-side research and personalized clinical interventions. In conclusion, organoid-on-a-chip technology offers a transformative in vitro model that closely recapitulates the complexity of human tissues and organ systems. It provides an unprecedented platform for advancing biomedical research, clinical translation, and pharmaceutical innovation. Continued development in biomaterials, microengineering, and analytical technologies will be essential to unlocking the full potential of this powerful tool.
3.PPARα activation alleviates lithocholic acid-induced liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis
Hang-Fei Liang ; Chuo-Ying Mai ; Xuan Li ; Jia-Ning Tian ; Hai-Guo Su ; Min Huang ; Jian-Hong Fang ; Hai-Tao Wang ; Xiao Yang ; Hui-Chang Bi
Liver Research 2026;10(2):177-188
Background and aims
The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown.
Methods
The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation.
Results
Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways.
Conclusions
PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.
4.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
5.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
6.Development and reliability and validity test of the Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Jiaxin YOU ; Rong XU ; Tian XIA ; Haishan HUANG ; Xiao LU ; Hong LIU ; Yan HUANG ; Qinghua LIU ; Xuna BIAN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2371-2377
Objective To develop the Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients and evaluate its reliability and validity,and to provide a specific assessment tool for evaluating ego-depletion in self-management.Methods Guided by the self-control strength model,the initial scale was constructed through literature review,semi-structured interviews,2 rounds of expert consultation,and a pilot survey.A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 460 patients with Type 2 Diabetes from the endocrinology department of a tertiary hospital in Wuhan,Hubei Province,between April and July 2024.They were randomly divided into 2 subsets for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results A total of 451 valid questionnaires were collected.Exploratory factor analysis extracted 6 common factors,with a cumulative variance contribution of 73.231%.In confirmatory factor analysis,an item was deleted due to failing to meet the standardized loading value criterion.The revised Ego Depletion Scale for Type 2 Diabetes Patients comprised 6 dimensions and 22 items.The total Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.911;split-half reliability was 0.744;the content validity index was 0.860.Correlation coefficients between the total score and scores of each dimension of the scale and the total score of the Self-Regulatory Fatigue Scale ranged from 0.558 to 0.946(P<0.001).Conclusion The scale exhibits robust reliability and validity,serving as a scientifically instrument for assessing ego depletion in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
7.Development and application research of a lung rehabilitation education game software for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on health belief model
Jianlan REN ; Kaili MA ; Daiying ZHANG ; Xuemei HE ; Min HUANG ; Hong XIONG ; Yanhua CHEN ; Huaju TIAN ; Lu XIAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(5):525-531
Objective Taking into account the physical and mental characteristics of patients with COPD,we develop and implement a lung rehabilitation education game software,aiming to explore more effective health education practices for COPD.Methods Drawing on the Health Belief Model theory,the game content was developed by semi-structured interviews,brainstorming sessions,and expert consultations,and it was implemented via a WeChat mini program.Patients with COPD from the respiratory department of a tertiary general hospital of Luzhou city between March and October 2023 were conveniently selected as the study subjects.Among them,40 patients from July to October 2023 were designated as an experimental group,and another 40 from March to June 2023 constituted a control group.The experimental group was provided with routine health education combined with pulmonary rehabilitation games,whereas the control group received standard health education.After the intervention,the researchers compared the COPD knowledge questionnaire scores and pulmonary rehabilitation adherence between the 2 groups,and assessed the satisfaction of both patients and nurses with the software.Results No sample detachment.The score of the COPD knowledge questionnaire in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=5.361,P<0.001).The proportion of patients in the experimental group with good adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation(85%)was significantly higher than it in the control group(25%),(x2=29.091,P<0.001).The patients'overall satisfaction rate with the game was 95%,with operational effectiveness receiving the highest satisfaction rating at 97%.Conclusion The pulmonary rehabilitation education game for patients with COPD can improve their knowledge of COPD,enhance their compliance with pulmonary rehabilitation.Patients have high satisfaction with the software.The software enriches the clinical health education methods,which can be used in clinical practice.
8.RICH1 regulates myocardial fibrosis through TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway
Lu-xuan WAN ; Ying-qing HU ; Yuan-yuan LIU ; Yong-song TANG ; Jun-yi HUANG ; Zi-xuan ZHANG ; Xiao-xiao MAO ; Xin-wen NIE ; Zhan-hong REN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2089-2096
Aim To reveal the mechanism of CIP4 homologs protein 1(RICH1)are involved in the regu-lation of myocardial fibrosis.Methods Mouse cardiac fibroblasts(MCFs)cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1)to induce the formation of a myocardial fibrosis cell model;the level of the target protein was detected by Western blotting;and the RICH1 gene was detected by transfection of the cells with plasmid.The RICH1 gene was overexpressed(RICH 1 OE)using plasmid transfection;the RICH1 gene was silenced using siRNA fragment(siRICH1);and the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3 a1,and Acta2,were de-tected using RT-qPCR.Results RICH1 was signifi-cantly down-regulated in TGF-β1-treated MCFs;the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1,and Acta2,were down-regu-lated in the RICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group;and in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group,myocardial fibrosis marker genes,such as Col1 a1,Col3a1 and Acta2 were up-regulated at the expression level;phosphorylated SMAD2(p-SMAD2)and phosphorylated SMAD3(p-SMAD3)levels were down-regulated in the siRICH1 OE+TGF-β1 group.p-SMAD2 and P-SMAD3 levels were upregulated in the siRICH1+TGF-β1 group.Conclusion RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis;RICH1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced myo-cardial fibrosis by negatively regulating the SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.
9.Clinical Study of Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Patients with Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Xiao-ling LIU ; Hong-he ZHANG ; Jun-ling YE ; Xiu-ying ZHENG ; Zi-yan PENG ; Dan-ni HUANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(11):1847-1854,1878
Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)combined with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy(MBCT)in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome(AWS).Methods:The 120 patients with AWS who were observed in this study were all male patients admitted to our hospital from June 2021 to June 2024,the patients were divided into group A(conventional treatment,40 cases),group B(group A combined with rTMS,40 cases),and group C(group B combined with MBCT,40 cases)according to random number table method.The clinical efficacy,self-control ability[Modified Clinical Institution Alcohol Dependence Withdrawal Assessment Scale(CIWA-Ar)score,Visual Analog Scale of Psychological Craving for Alcohol(VAS)score and Pennsylvania Alcohol Craving Scale(PACS)score],anxiety and depression degree assessment[Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)score,Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)score]and quality of life[36 Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)Score],relapse rate and readmission rate were compared among the three groups.Results:The total effective rate of group A,group B and group C increased successively(P<0.05).The CIWA-Ar,PACS and VAS scores in group B and group C after treatment were lower than those in group A,and group C was lower than that in group B(P<0.05).The HAMD and HAMA scores of group B and group C after treatment were lower than those in group A,and group C was lower than that in group B(P<0.05).The SF-36 score of group B and group C after treatment was higher than those in group A,and group C was higher than that in group B(P<0.05).Relapse rate and readmission rate in groups B and C were lower than those in group A,and group C was lower than that in group B(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of rTMS combined with MBCT in patients with AWS can improve clinical efficacy and quality of life,alleviate anxiety and depression,improve patients' self-control ability,reduce relapse rate and readmission rate,with definite effects.
10.Effect of Asperisochroman B on oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced neuronal damage
Xiao-ting HONG ; Xue-zhen LI ; Han HUANG ; Xiao-xue ZOU ; Yu-qin ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1311-1317
Aim To explore the protective effect of the isochroman compound Asperisochroman B(AB)on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)injury of neurons based on the PI3K/AKT/Foxo1 path-way and to reveal the related mechanism.Methods Primary neurons were cultured and the OGD/R model was constructed.The primary neurons were divided in-to the blank control group,OGD/R group,and AB low,medium,and high concentration(3,10,30 μmol·L-1)groups.The effects of AB on primary neurons were determined by CCK-8 assay,lactate dehydrogen-ase(LDH)release assay,and Hoechst 33342 stai-ning.The expression levels of PI3K,AKT,and Foxo1-related proteins were detected by Western blot.After intervention with the PI3K inhibitor(LY294002)and re-modeling and intervention with high concentra-tion of AB(30 μmol·L-1),the expression of PI3K/Foxo1 pathway-related proteins was detected by West-ern blot.Results Compared with the OGD/R group,AB could significantly increase the cell survival rate of primary neurons and reduce the release of LDH.The results of Hoechst 33342 and immunofluorescence stai-ning showed that AB reduced apoptosis after OGD/R injury.Western blot results showed that compared with the OGD/R group,after AB intervention,the expres-sion levels of Bcl-2 and NeuN proteins in neurons sig-nificantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression level of Bax protein significantly decreased(P<0.01).At the same time,it upregulated the expres-sion levels of p-AKT and PI3K proteins,promoted Foxo1 phosphorylation,and downregulated the expres-sion of Foxo1.Compared with the high-dose AB group,LY294002 could inhibit the changes of the a-bove indicators and reverse the protective effect of AB on OGD/R-injured primary neurons.Conclusions AB can alleviate oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygen-ation-induced neuronal injury,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the PI3K/AKT/Foxo1 signaling pathway.


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