1.Influenza A virus infection activates TLR3-mediated necroptosis
Weijie LI ; Congying HUANG ; Ziling ZENG ; Xiang LI ; Jia XU ; Tian GONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinyan ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Yuanjia HU ; Haiyu XU ; Lijuan SONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):40-49
Background: Influenza A virus (IAV) is a negative-sense RNA virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and is the etiological agent of a highly contagious acute respiratory disease that can lead to acute lung injury. Objective: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of IAV infection, an integrative research approach combining gene expression profiling, multinetwork analysis, and in vivo experimental validations was employed. Methods: First, a series of network-based analyses were performed, including protein-protein interaction network construction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and subsequent gene set enrichment analysis, to identify the major underlying mechanisms of IAV infection. Following gene expression analysis, core targets, both direct and indirect regulators, were screened. An IAV (H1N1) strain A/PR/8/34-induced acute lung injury mouse model was constructed for in vivo validations. Batch one included two groups to evaluate findings from the multi-network analysis: Mock (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females) and IAV (n = 10; 5 males and 5 females). Batch two included three groups to assess the role of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in IAV infection: Mock (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), IAV (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females), and TLR3 inhibitor (n = 6; 3 males and 3 females). Body weight was measured on days 0, 3, and 5 after infection. On day 5, lung tissues were collected to assess viral load and histopathological changes. Key targets were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining, both in sera and lung tissues. Results: IAV infection was significantly associated with dysregulation of the immune-inflammation system, such as the LTR, nucle-otide-binding oligomerization domain-(NOD) like receptor, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor, and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis further indicated that the TLR and necroptosis signaling pathways played crucial roles in the progression of IAV infection (TLR signaling pathway normalized enrichment score = 2.3941, P = 1.00 × 10 −10; necroptosis normalized enrichment score = 1.9421, P = 6.21 × 10 −7). Among the core targets, TLR3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) may regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level (all P < 0.05). In vivo validation using an IAV (PR8) infected acute lung injury mouse model demonstrated increased viral load and lung index, alveolar structural damage, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunofluorescence staining exhibited large gaps in Lamin B1 staining and breaches in Emerin signals following IAV-PR8 infection. Expression levels of TLR3, p-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)/RIPK3, and p-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)/MLKL proteins in lung tissues, as well as proinflammatory factors and mediators in sera, were significantly elevated after IAV infection. Moreover, enhanced neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase) and citrullinated histone H3 (a neutrophil extracellular trap-specific marker), both established indicators of neutrophil extracellular trap formation, were observed. Notably, treatment with a TLR3 inhibitor significantly ameliorated IAV-induced acute lung injury by regulating necroptosis-related targets. Conclusion: Our study provides network-based in vivo evidence that TLR3-receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis may underlie IAV-induced acute lung injury and could serve as a potential therapeutic target in severe influenza cases.
2.Expression and prognostic value of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in patients with cirrhotic ascites and intra-abdominal infection
Feng WEI ; Xinyan YUE ; Xiling LIU ; Huimin YAN ; Lin LIN ; Tao HUANG ; Yantao PEI ; Shixiang SHAO ; Erhei DAI ; Wenfang YUAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):914-920
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression level of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhotic ascites, and to investigate its correlation with clinical features and inflammatory markers and its role in the diagnosis of infection and prognostic evaluation. MethodsA total of 110 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were hospitalized in The Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of intra-abdominal infection, they were divided into infection group with 72 patients and non-infection group with 38 patients. The patients with infection were further divided into improvement group with 38 patients and non-improvement group with 34 patients. Clinical data and laboratory markers were collected from all patients. Serum and ascites samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure the level of TREM-1. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between indicators. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of each indicator, and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsThe level of TREM-1 in ascites was significantly positively correlated with that in serum (r=0.50, P<0.001). Compared with the improvement group, the non-improvement group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-2.391, P=0.017) and serum (Z=-2.544, P=0.011), and compared with the non-infection group, the infection group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-3.420, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in the level of TREM-1 in serum between the two groups (P>0.05). The level of TREM-1 in serum and ascites were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (r=0.288, 0.344, 0.530, 0.510, 0.534, 0.454, 0.330, and 0.404, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that when PCT, CRP, and serum or ascitic TREM-1 were used in combination for the diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites with infection, the AUCs were 0.715 and 0.740, respectively. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP (odds ratio [OR]=1.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001 — 1.038, P=0.043) and serum TREM-1 (OR=1.002, 95%CI: 1.000 — 1.003, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection, and the combination of these two indicators had an AUC of 0.728 in predicting poor prognosis. ConclusionThe level of TREM-1 is closely associated with the severity of infection and prognosis in patients with cirrhotic ascites, and combined measurement of TREM-1 and CRP/PCT can improve the diagnostic accuracy of infection and provide support for prognostic evaluation.
3.Artesunate Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the SLC7A11-GPX4Pathway via the p300-p53 Axis
Xinyan HUANG ; Wenxi WANG ; Songzhao ZHANG ; Lili LI ; Jihui HUANG
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):365-377
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is increasing rapidly. This study discussed the effects of artesunate (ART) on CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MTT assessed cell viability and analyzed the IC50 value (69.26 μM). Accordingly, human CSCC cells (A431) were cultured in vitro, and treated with 70 μM ART, Ferrostatin-1, oe-SLC7A11, and C646, with cell biological behavior assessed.The potential targets of ART were predicted. p53 acetylation and protein stability and ART-p300 binding were examined. Thymusless nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with A431 cells, and treated with ART and C646. ART-treated A431 cells showed weakened proliferation, migration, lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidized glutathione/glutathione ratio, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and active Fe2+ levels, which could be reversed by suppressing ferroptosis. ART promoted p53 acetylation and protein stability and curbed the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by targeting p300. ART stimulated ferroptosis via the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway, thereby repressing CSCC cell proliferation and migration, which were counteracted by p300 inhibition. ART regulated the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by up-regulating the p300-p53 axis, thereby hindering tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, ART inhibits CSCC proliferation and migration by modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway through the p300-p53 axis.
4.In situ tumor cell engineering reverses immune escape to enhance immunotherapy effect.
Shujun LIU ; Shijun YUAN ; Meichen LIU ; Jinhu LIU ; Shunli FU ; Tong GAO ; Shuang LIANG ; Xinyan HUANG ; Xinke ZHANG ; Yongjun LIU ; Zipeng ZHANG ; Na ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):627-641
The underlying cause of low response rates to existing immunotherapies is that tumor cells dominate tumor immune escape through surface antigen deficiency and inducing tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Here, we proposed an in situ tumor cell engineering strategy to disrupt tumor immune escape at the root by restoring tumor cell MHC-I/tumor-specific antigen complex (MHC-I/TSA) expression to promote T-cell recognition and by silencing tumor cell CD55 to increase the ICOSL+ B-cell proportion and reverse the TIME. A doxorubicin (DOX) and dual-gene plasmid (MAC pDNA, encoding both MHC-I/ASMTNMELM and CD55-shRNA) coloaded drug delivery system (LCPN@ACD) with tumor targeting and charge/size dual-conversion properties was prepared. LCPN@ACD-induced ICD promoted DC maturation and enhanced T-cell activation and infiltration. LCPN@ACD enabled effective expression of MHC-I/TSA on tumor cells, increasing the ability of tumor cell recognition and killing. LCPN@ACD downregulated tumor cell CD55 expression, increased the proportion of ICOSL+ B cells and CTLs, and reversed the TIME, thus greatly improving the efficacy of αPD-1 and CAR-T therapies. The application of this in situ tumor cell engineering strategy eliminated the source of tumor immune escape, providing new ideas for solving the challenges of clinical immunotherapy.
5.Artesunate Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the SLC7A11-GPX4Pathway via the p300-p53 Axis
Xinyan HUANG ; Wenxi WANG ; Songzhao ZHANG ; Lili LI ; Jihui HUANG
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):365-377
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is increasing rapidly. This study discussed the effects of artesunate (ART) on CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MTT assessed cell viability and analyzed the IC50 value (69.26 μM). Accordingly, human CSCC cells (A431) were cultured in vitro, and treated with 70 μM ART, Ferrostatin-1, oe-SLC7A11, and C646, with cell biological behavior assessed.The potential targets of ART were predicted. p53 acetylation and protein stability and ART-p300 binding were examined. Thymusless nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with A431 cells, and treated with ART and C646. ART-treated A431 cells showed weakened proliferation, migration, lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidized glutathione/glutathione ratio, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and active Fe2+ levels, which could be reversed by suppressing ferroptosis. ART promoted p53 acetylation and protein stability and curbed the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by targeting p300. ART stimulated ferroptosis via the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway, thereby repressing CSCC cell proliferation and migration, which were counteracted by p300 inhibition. ART regulated the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by up-regulating the p300-p53 axis, thereby hindering tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, ART inhibits CSCC proliferation and migration by modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway through the p300-p53 axis.
6.Artesunate Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the SLC7A11-GPX4Pathway via the p300-p53 Axis
Xinyan HUANG ; Wenxi WANG ; Songzhao ZHANG ; Lili LI ; Jihui HUANG
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):365-377
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is increasing rapidly. This study discussed the effects of artesunate (ART) on CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MTT assessed cell viability and analyzed the IC50 value (69.26 μM). Accordingly, human CSCC cells (A431) were cultured in vitro, and treated with 70 μM ART, Ferrostatin-1, oe-SLC7A11, and C646, with cell biological behavior assessed.The potential targets of ART were predicted. p53 acetylation and protein stability and ART-p300 binding were examined. Thymusless nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with A431 cells, and treated with ART and C646. ART-treated A431 cells showed weakened proliferation, migration, lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidized glutathione/glutathione ratio, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and active Fe2+ levels, which could be reversed by suppressing ferroptosis. ART promoted p53 acetylation and protein stability and curbed the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by targeting p300. ART stimulated ferroptosis via the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway, thereby repressing CSCC cell proliferation and migration, which were counteracted by p300 inhibition. ART regulated the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by up-regulating the p300-p53 axis, thereby hindering tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, ART inhibits CSCC proliferation and migration by modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway through the p300-p53 axis.
7.Establishment of an atopic dermatitis model in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene
Xiaotao NIU ; Jiaqian ZUO ; Yujie HUANG ; Wenqin REN ; Xinyan SHU ; Peng SHU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):216-224
Objective In this study,2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB)was used to induce the establishment of an atopic dermatitis(AD)model in BALB/c homozygous mice to simulate the skin inflammatory complications in patients with clinical malignancies.Methods BALB/c mice were divided into different groups:negative control group(NC group),model group(MODEL group),atopic dermatitis group(AD group),and dexamethasone group(DEX group).After the mice in MODEL group and DEX group were inoculated with S-180 tumor cells in the axilla,MODEL group,AD group and DEX group were stimulated with DNCB on the dorsal skin and the ear to establish an animal model of atopic dermatitis in tumor-bearing mice.Changes in body weight were observed and recorded,the dorsal skin condition of mice was assessed after the last administration of the drug,the spleen was taken to calculate the spleen coefficient,the difference in the mass of mouse ear slices was determined to calculate the degree of auricular swelling and the rate of inhibition of swelling,and histopathological tests were performed on the dorsal skin tissues to detect the levels of IgE,TNF-α,IL-4,and IL-17 in the serum using an ELISA assay.Results Compared with the NC group,the skin of mice in the MODEL and AD groups showed erythematous,papular,scaly and mossy changes,accompanied by weight loss,and a significant increase in splenic coefficient and auricular swelling.Pathologic findings showed an incomplete skin structure,a significant increase in skin thickness,a large infiltration of inflammatory cells,and an increase in the number of mast cells.Serum levels of IgE,TNF-α,IL-4 and IL-17 were increased.Compared with the MODEL group,the DEX group showed an improvement in all the assays.Conclusions DNCB excitation can successfully establish an animal model of AD in hormonal mice,which is drug-controllable,which provides a useful scientific tool for conducting scientific research related to malignant tumors and skin inflammation.
8.Analysis of one case of suspected leukemic reaction caused by inosine injection
Yixin HUANG ; Qinwen ZHU ; Yifan WU ; Xinyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(4):480-484
A 34-year-old female patient with multiple injuries in a car accident was admitted to hospital and received inosine injection.After 11 days,leukemioid reaction mainly characterized by"abnormal increase in white blood cell count"occurred,and the white blood cell count reached up to 38.26×109·L-1.Considering that inosine injection was the cause,the white blood cell count gradually decreased to 15.84×109·L-1 after the drug was stopped.Naranjo's assessment scale was used to evaluate the association of adverse reactions,with a score of 6,and the result was"very likely to be relevant".The cases reported in this paper belong to new adverse reactions caused by inosine injection,suggesting that inosine injection as an adjunct should pay attention to drug safety.If there is an abnormal increase in white blood cell count,it is necessary to be alert to the possibility of"leukemioid reaction"and stop the drug in time if necessary.
9.Whole exome sequencing identified new candidate genes for prostate cancer
Youjie GONG ; Na YU ; Qing CHEN ; Xinyan YANG ; Sizheng TAO ; Jing SHEN ; Yan HUANG ; Zhihou MA ; Jie GAO ; Haoming HUA ; Hongqun WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(10):1345-1351
Purpose Discover new prostate cancer-related single nucleotide variants.Methods Tissue wax blocks from 21 prostate cancer patients who underwent radical surgery and had relatively complete clinical data were collected for somatic mutation detection to analyze new mutated genes associated with prostate cancer.The levels of cor-responding proteins in the urine of prostate cancer patients were tested according to the results of the selected genes.Results All 21 prostate cancer patients showed obvious somatic mutations,and the mutation types were dominated by C>T and G>A.The number of somatic mutations was 521,of which 27 genes had high mutation proportions(≥2 ca-ses),including ZSWIM6(5/21),FOXA1(4/21),SPTA1(2/21),FAM47C(2/21),FLG2(2/21),PRSS3(2/21),TP53(2/21),FLG(2/21),UBR4(2/21),and the mutations occurring in ZSWIM6 were all deletion muta-tions,and the mutations occurring in FOXA1 were missense mutations,deletion mutations,and deletion insertion mu-tations.The urinary levels of UPF1,SPTA1,and IDH1 proteins of the 10 prostate cancer patients were significantly different than those of the healthy controls.Correlation analysis showed that FOXA1 was positively correlated with UBR4(r=0.669,P=0.001),SPTA1 was positively correlated with FLG2(r=1.000,P<0.001),FAM47C was positively correlated with PRSS3(r=1.000,P<0.001),and there was a significant positive correlation between TP53 and FLG(r=1.000,P<0.001).ZSWIM6 and FOXA1 were not correlated with biochemical recurrence.SP-TA1 mutation affected progression-free survival(PFS)[(66.0±0)months vs(30.0±7.8)months,P=0.008].FAM47C was positively correlated with PFS[(66.0±0)months vs(19.0±0)months,P<0.001].ZNF676 was correlated with PFS[(66.0±0)months vs(26.0±5.0)months,P=0.008].FLG2 was correlated with PFS[(66.0±0)months vs(30.0±7.8)months,P=0.008].PRSS3 was correlated with PFS[(66.0±0)months vs(19.0±0)months,P<0.001].Conclusion All 21 prostate cancer patients harbored somatic mutations,including ZSWIM6(5/21)and FOXA1(4/21)mutations.SPTA1,FAM47C,ZNF676,FLG2,and PRSS3 may be associated with prognosis.
10.Development and validation of a dampness constitution prediction model based on clinical laboratory indicators
Xixi XIE ; Chunmin KANG ; Xinyan CHEN ; Haibiao LIN ; Xiaobin WU ; Xianzhang HUANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(7):930-937
Objective:To develop a clinical predictive model for dampness constitution based on laboratory testing indicators.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1 355 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the Health Examination Center of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 1 st, 2022 to October 31 st, 2023. Basic information and blood routine, blood glucose, liver function, lipid metabolism, and kidney function test results of 1 355 apparently healthy individuals were collected. According to the diagnostic criteria for dampness constitution in traditional Chinese medicine, they were divided into a dampness constitution group (683 cases, including 394 with phlegm-dampness constitution and 289 with damp-heat constitution) and a non-dampness constitution group (672 cases). Among them, there were 547 males and 136 females in the dampness constitution group, with an age of 38.0 (32.0, 45.0) years; and there were 355 males and 317 females in the non-dampness constitution group, with an age of 33.0 (27.0, 41.0) years. A total of 1 355 apparently healthy individuals were randomly divided into a training set ( n=948) and a validation set ( n=407) using computer-generated random numbers in a 7∶3 ratio. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors associated with dampness constitution. Utilizing these identified risk factors, a predictive model was constructed and subsequently visualized. The model′s predictive accuracy, consistency, and clinical utility were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Results:Among 1 355 subjects, there were statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) in gender, age, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose, some indicators of renal function, some indicators of blood routine, liver function, and four indicators of lipid metabolism between the dampness constitution group and the non-dampness constitution group. Gender ( OR=0.434,95 %CI 0.253-0.738), Cr ( OR=0.981,95 %CI 0.967-0.996), BMI ( OR=1.366,95 %CI 1.290-1.450), and LDL-C ( OR=1.388,95 %CI 1.014-1.897) were independent risk factors for dampness constitution ( P<0.05). A nomogram was subsequently developed based on these identified risk factors. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of the training set and validation set were 0.810 (95 %CI 0.783-0.837) and 0.804 (95 %CI 0.762-0.846), respectively. Conclusion:Gender,BMI,Cr and LDL-C were risk factors for the development of dampness constitution, and the clinical predictive model has clinical application value in predicting the risk of dampness constitution.

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