1.A preliminary study on the mechanism of xenotransplantation-related coagulation dysfunction mediated by immune complexes - platelet FcγRⅡa (CD32a)
Liqiang ZHAO ; Quancheng WANG ; Chuheng GOU ; Hong ZHANG ; Xin HONG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Kefeng DOU
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):405-412
Objective To establish an "human serum - porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) - human platelets" in vitro model and explore the mechanism of xenotransplantation-related coagulation dysfunction mediated by immune complexes - platelet FcγRⅡa (CD32a) receptor. Methods Healthy human serum was co-incubated with PAEC to prepare the supernatant containing immune complexes, which was then used to stimulate healthy human platelets, or directly treated with the serum of xenogeneic liver transplant recipients. Flow cytometry was used to detect platelet activation markers CD62P and surface IgG binding levels, and the platelet adhesion function was evaluated by platelet-PAEC adhesion experiments. CD32a blocking antibody IV.3 and SYK blocker SKYIN 4 were used to clarify the signaling pathways. Results The supernatant from the co-incubation of healthy human serum and PAEC could significantly induce platelet activation and endothelial adhesion. The use of the serum from xenogeneic liver transplant recipients could also significantly induce platelet activation. Antibody IV.3 and SYK blocker SKYIN 4 could significantly inhibit these effects. Conclusions In xenotransplantation, the immune complexes formed by human serum antibodies and porcine endothelial antigens may induce abnormal platelet activation through the platelet CD32a receptor, which is an important mechanism of non-complement-dependent post-transplant coagulation dysfunction, providing a new target for the intervention of coagulation complications in xenotransplantation.
2.A method for the simultaneous determination of 12 antipsychotic drugs and their main metabolites in human serum
Xi CHEN ; Yanfang XIAO ; Yang DING ; Weitao HONG ; Lijun MAI ; Xuan ZENG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(2):140-148
BackgroundMonitoring the blood concentrations of antipsychotic drugs and their metabolites can guide the adjustment of clinical treatment plans, improving therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse effects. However, there is currently a lack of a method that can accurately and efficiently quantitatively detect multiple antipsychotic drugs and their metabolites. ObjectiveTo establish a ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous identification and quantitation of 12 antipsychotic drugs and their main metabolites in human serum. MethodsUsing UPLC-MS/MS technology, protein precipitation method was employed for sample pretreatment. An Agela Technologies Durashell C8 chromatographic column (50 mm×3.0 mm, 5 μm) was selected for chromatographic separation with gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min, and the total analysis time was 5 minutes. The column temperature was 40℃. The mass spectrometry detection was carried out in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, and the isotope internal standard method was used for quantification. ResultsThe relative standard deviation (RSD) of the internal standard normalization matrix effect factor for 12 antipsychotic drugs and their main metabolites at low and high quality concentrations was all less than 15%. The extraction recovery rate was 85% to 115%. They showed good linear relationships within their respective standard curve ranges (r>0.995). At low, medium, and high quality concentrations, the accuracy was 85.24% to 114.71%, and the RSD of intra-batch and inter-batch precision was all ≤14.15%, with good stability. ConclusionAll the analytical performance indicators of this method meet the verification requirements, providing an analytical means for the quantitative detection of antipsychotic drugs and their main metabolites in human serum. [Funded by The Third Batch of Science and Technology Projects in Chaozhou City in 2023 (number, 202303GY02)]
3.Targeting GYS1: From Metabolic Regulatory Mechanisms to Precision Therapeutic Strategies
Jia-Nan ZHAO ; Yu-Xuan LI ; Jie ZHU ; Hong LI ; Xiao-Feng JIN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1807-1825
Glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle, heart, brain, and other extrahepatic tissues, playing a central role in systemic energy homeostasis. The human GYS1 gene maps to chromosome 19q13.33, comprises 16 exons, and encodes a 737-amino-acid polypeptide that is highly conserved across mammals. GYS1 activity is subject to multilayered and precisely coordinated regulation. At the transcriptional level, the GYS1 promoter contains a hypoxia response element (HRE) that mediates HIF-1α-dependent induction under low-oxygen conditions, as well as a muscle-specific enhancer harboring MEF2 and MyoD binding sites that confers tissue-restricted expression. At the post-translational level, a hierarchical phosphorylation cascade serves as the primary activity switch: glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) sequentially phosphorylates four C-terminal serine residues following casein kinase II priming, while protein kinase A (PKA) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) provide parallel inhibitory inputs at both N- and C-terminal sites. Dephosphorylation and reactivation are mediated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) through tissue-specific glycogen-targeting regulatory subunits such as PPP1R3A and PPP1R3B, which anchor PP1 to glycogen particles and direct its activity toward GYS1. The allosteric activator glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) binds at the dimer interface, simultaneously enhancing catalytic efficiency and promoting dephosphorylation susceptibility, thereby establishing a feed-forward activation loop that couples substrate availability to glycogen synthesis. Beyond phosphorylation, GYS1 is regulated by ubiquitination (mediated by the E3 ligase PJA1), acetylation, O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification, and SUMOylation, which collectively modulate protein stability, subcellular localization, and protein-protein interactions. Epigenetic mechanisms, including CpG island methylation and histone acetylation dynamics, govern chromatin accessibility at the GYS1 locus, while muscle-specific microRNAs such as miR-1 and miR-206 fine-tune GYS1 expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of GYS1 has been identified as a central pathogenic driver in a spectrum of human diseases. In inherited glycogen storage disorders—including Lafora disease, adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD), and Pompe disease—loss of upstream regulatory control leads to GYS1 hyperactivation and the accumulation of structurally abnormal or excessive glycogen, resulting in progressive neurodegeneration, myopathy, and multiorgan dysfunction. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), impaired insulin signaling through the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β axis maintains GYS1 in a hyperphosphorylated inactive state in skeletal muscle, compromising postprandial glucose disposal and exacerbating hyperglycemia. In oncology, GYS1 exhibits context-dependent roles across multiple cancer types. In hepatocellular carcinoma, FMO2+ cancer-associated fibroblasts stabilize GYS1 by competitively inhibiting PJA1-mediated ubiquitination, and stabilized GYS1 subsequently activates NF‑κB/CCL19 signaling to promote tertiary lymphoid structure formation and enhance anti-PD-1 immunotherapy responsiveness. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, GYS1 promotes tumor progression through non-canonical NF‑κB pathway activation via the scaffold protein RPS27A. In triple-negative breast cancer, GYS1 has been identified as a trigger of disulfidptosis and an activator of NF-κB signaling through non-enzymatic facilitation of IκBα degradation. In colorectal cancer, mitochondrial fission deficiency drives AMPK-dependent GYS1 upregulation and glycogen accumulation as a compensatory survival mechanism, while in cervical cancer, GYS1-maintained glycogen reserves fuel the pentose phosphate pathway to generate NADPH for ROS clearance, thereby conferring cisplatin resistance in cancer stem cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting GYS1 have gained substantial momentum across these disease contexts. For glycogen storage disorders, antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs (e.g., ABX1100), and small-molecule inhibitors (e.g., MZ-101) have demonstrated preclinical and early clinical efficacy in reducing pathological glycogen accumulation. For T2DM, pharmacological activation of GYS1 through GSK3β inhibition or enhancement of PP1-mediated dephosphorylation is being explored to restore insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis. In cancer, GYS1-directed interventions—including targeted silencing to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and immune microenvironment modulation to enhance immunotherapy—represent emerging precision oncology approaches. This review provides a comprehensive and integrated account of GYS1 gene structure, tissue-specific distribution, regulatory networks, and pathogenic roles in metabolic disorders and malignancies, with the aim of establishing a theoretical framework for the development of GYS1-targeted precision therapies.
4.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.
5.Investigation of 90Sr radioactivity levels in drinking water and food around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant from 2012 to 2022
Lei ZHOU ; Yiyao CAO ; Hua ZOU ; Rui WANG ; Hong REN ; Peng WANG ; Shunfei YU ; Zhiqiang XUAN ; Zhongjun LAI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(5):449-453
Objective:To investigate the radioactivity levels and variation trends of 90Sr in drinking water and food around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in operation. Methods:From 2012 to 2022, the source, factory, and tap water was collected within 30 km around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant during the wet and dry seasons (i.e., May and October, respectively) each year to determine the 90Sr concentration in water. According to the dietary habits of local residents, four kinds of food, including rice, cabbage, mullet, and crucian carp, were collected to determine and analyze the 90Sr radioactivity concentration in food using the bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid extraction chromatographic method. Results:From 2012 to 2022, the 90Sr radioactivity concentrations in the source, factory, and tap water around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant ranged from 3.73 to 11.89 mBq/L, 2.95 to 9.83 mBq/L, and 3.12 to 8.70 mBq/L, respectively, showing nonsignificant fluctuations over the years. The 90Sr radioactivity concentrations in rice, cabbage, mullet, and crucian carp ranged from 0.02 to 0.46 Bq/kg (dry weight), 0.26 to 1.07 Bq/kg (fresh weight), 0.38 to 1.05 Bq/kg (fresh weight), and 0.08 to 1.32 Bq/kg (fresh weight), respectively, all below the national standard limits. Conclusions:From 2012 to 2022, the 90Sr radioactivity levels in drinking water and food around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant were at the background level and remained stable.
6.Research progress of phytochemicals in tumor immunotherapy
Xuan ZHANG ; Juan LI ; Chuanfeng FANG ; Hong TIAN ; Jiaren LIU
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;39(5):428-432
In recent years,the incidence and mortality of malignant tumors have been increasing year by year,becoming a se-rious challenge to global public health.Unlike traditional treatment methods,tumor immunotherapy activates the body's own immune system to against tumors,and has significant advantage such as minimal side effects,long-lasting efficacy,and strong targeting.Howev-er,immunotherapy also has issues such as frequent adverse reactions and high treatment costs.In order to enhance the efficacy of im-munotherapy,some phytochemicals are used in the field of immunotherapy as modulators.These phytochemicals not only increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to immune cells,but also reduce the expression of immune checkpoint proteins.Therefore,this article provides a review of phytochemicals that play an important role in tumor immunotherapy and their related mechanisms of action.
7.Important factors affecting depression:modulatory effects of Cx43 on neuroinflammation
Xuan ZENG ; Zi-han YAN ; Zhi-feng TIAN ; Hong-bin WANG ; Qi-di AI ; Mei-yu LIN ; Xuan LIU ; Nai-hong CHEN ; Song-wei YANG ; Yan-tao YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2027-2031
Numerous studies have shown that depression is main-ly associated with the abnormal expression of connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes(Astro)and its mediated dysfunction of gap junction(GJ).However,the molecular mechanism of post-translational modifications targeting Cx43 to regulate neuroin-flammation-associated depression is still unclear.Post-transla-tional modifications of Cx43 mainly include phosphorylation of specific amino acid sites by PKC,PKA,PKG,MAPK and PTK,and protein degradation of Cx43 through the K48/K63 polyubiq-uitylation and deubiquitination pathways,which ultimately lead to protein degradation through K48/K63 polyubiquitination and deubiquitination.These modifications are ultimately involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory responses through the associ-ation of GJ function.In this paper,we systematically review the role of Cx43 post-translational modifications in neuroinflamma-tion,with the aim of further exploring the potential application of targeting these modifications to modulate the inflammatory re-sponse mechanism in improving depressive symptoms.
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.Investigation of effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome via ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 pathway
Jing YAN ; Jie WENG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Xue LI ; Chao-nan KONG ; Hong-cun LIU ; Li-fang YANG ; Ming-guo JIANG ; Qiu-yan LIANG ; Li-ting HE
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2902-2911
AIM To investigate effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa How on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome(MS).METHODS KM mice were fed a high-fat diet and administered streptozotocin intraperitoneally to establish MS models.The MS mice were then randomly assigned to the model group,the metformin hydrochloride group,the lovastatin group,the ursolic acid group,and the high-,medium-and low-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction groups,with 10 mice in each group.Ten additional mice maitained on a normal diet served as the normal control group.After 4 weeks of intragastric administration,glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were measured.Hepatic pathological changes were assessed using HE staining and oil red O staining.Liver tissue mRNA expressions of ATF3,PEPCK,FXR,CYP7A1,HNF4ɑ,CYP8B1 and SRB1 were quantified by RT-qPCR.Hepatic protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ,PEPCK,FXR and CYP7A1 was analyzed by Western blot in MS mice.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the high-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction group exhibited significant glucose tolerance improvement(reduced OGTT-AUC,P<0.01);favorable serum lipid modulation in terms of increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01)and decreased TG,TC,LDL-C(P<0.01);reduced renal biomarkers(BUN,SCR)and hepatotoxic indicators of TBA,AST and ALT activities(P<0.01);alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation and histopathological damage;downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ and PEPCK,as well as CYP8B1 mRNA expression(P<0.01);and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of FXR and CYP7A1,along with SRB1 mRNA expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism dysregulation in MS mice by modulating the ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 signaling pathway,consequently eliciting hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic,hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects.
10.Clinicopathological,immunophenotypic,and HPV infection status analysis of cer-vical carcinoma with adenoid cystic carcinoma-like features
Xiangchao MENG ; Yingmei WANG ; Xuan LI ; Wenjing NI ; Yang QIN ; Hong XU ; Shujun ZENG ; Jing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(4):432-437,443
Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics,immunophenotype,high-risk human papillomavirus(hrHPV)infection status,treatment,and prognosis of cervical carcinoma exhibiting adenoid cystic car-cinoma(ACC)features.Methods Clinical data from 10 cases of cervical cancer with ACC features were collected.A retrospective analysis was proformed on the patients'clinicopathological data,histological features,and immunopheno-type(EnVision method),along with in situ hybridization detection of hrHPV E6/E7 mRNA covering 18 hrHPV types.Results The median age of the patients was 67.5 years,comprising 4 biopsy specimens and 6 surgical specimens.Except for 2 cases detected incidentally during physical examination,the remaining 8 cases presented with unexplained vaginal bleeding or contact bleeding.The mean tumor diameter was 4.5 cm(range:2.5 to 9.0 cm),and tumor stages were available for 8 patients(5 cases in stage Ⅰ and 1 case each in stages Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ).The follow-up period was 8 to 42 months,excluding 1 case lost to follow-up,2 cases(Ⅲ C1 and ⅣB)died within 1 year after surgery.Histologi-cally,4 cases exhibited pure ACC morphology,while 5 cases were mixed carcinomas(combined with squamous cell carcinoma,adenoid basal cell carcinoma,high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma,or carcinosarcoma,respectively).The characteristic ACC morphology manifested as cribriform,pseudo-glandular,tubular,trabecular,and/or solid pat-terns with one case mixed carcinoma's lymph node metastasis showing only ACC morphology.Immunohistochemically,all 10 tumors exhibited diffuse strong positivity for p16 and p63,a high Ki67 proliferation index(40%to 90%),and wild-type p53 expression,and in 50%of cases,only a minority of cells were positive for c-MYB.Additionally,SOX10 was positive in 8 of 9 cases and CD117 was positive in 7 of 10 cases,respectively.In situ hybridization for hrHPV E6/E7 mRNA confirmed the presence of transcriptionally active HPV infection in all cases.Conclusion Cervical cancer with ACC features is rare,and predominantly occurs in postmenopausal elderly women.It represents an HPV-associat-ed high-grade carcinoma in which clinical stage is a critical prognostic factor.Immunohistochemical staining for CD117 and SOX10 aids in the pathological diagnosis of this tumor type.


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