1.The SMAD-Pathway Mediates HMGB1-Induced Proliferation and Metastatic Progression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
De-De LIAN ; Xue Mei LI ; Yu-Xi JIA ; Ming-Wei ZHOU ; Xiang-Ru CHEN ; Yang-Yang TIAN ; Min LI ; Ming-Hui SUN ; Ye ZHAO ; Hong-Jun LI ; Qing-Ling ZHANG
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):51-58
Background:
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context.
Objective:
This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Methods:
We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration.
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT.
Conclusion
These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.
2.Biomimetic nanoparticle delivery systems b ased on red blood cell membranes for disease treatment
Chen-xia GAO ; Yan-yu XIAO ; Yu-xue-yuan CHEN ; Xiao-liang REN ; Mei-ling CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):348-358
Nanoparticle delivery systems have good application prospects in the field of precision therapy, but the preparation process of nanomaterial has problems such as short
3.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
4.Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Dominant Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zihan WANG ; Yanyu CHEN ; Yong CUI ; Qingwen TAO ; Mei MO ; Ke XUE ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Yuan XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):263-269
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a refractory autoimmune disease, is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, which led to a consensus on "the advantages, challenges, interdisciplinary approaches, and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges, such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages, difficulty in achieving treatment targets, multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy, and the lack of management strategies for special populations, all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema, aversion to cold and cold limbs, fatigue, dry mouth, restlessness, and heat sensation in the palms and soles, thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine, slow disease progression, reduce relapse rates, address multi-organ involvement, and prevent or treat complications. Additionally, they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, prevent the side effects of Western medications, help reduce hormone use, and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations, contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However, evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited, and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research, strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research, and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine, incorporating multi-omics technologies, individualized stratification, and other precision medicine concepts, in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae, thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.
5.Effects of Exercise Training on The Behaviors and HPA Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorder Rats Through The Gut Microbiota
Xue-Mei CHEN ; Yin-Hua LI ; Jiu-Gen ZHONG ; Zhao-Ming YANG ; Xiao-Hui HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1511-1528
ObjectiveThe study explores the influence of voluntary wheel running on the behavioral abnormalities and the activation state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rats through gut microbiota. MethodsSD female rats were selected and administered either400 mg/kg of valproic acid (VPA) solution or an equivalent volume of saline via intraperitoneal injection on day 12.5 of pregnancy. The resulting offspring were divided into 2 groups: the ASD model group (PASD, n=35) and the normal control group (PCON, n=16). Behavioral assessments, including the three-chamber social test, open field test, and Morris water maze, were conducted on postnatal day 23. After behavioral testing, 8 rats from each group (PCON, PASD) were randomly selected for serum analysis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) concentration, to evaluate the functional state of the HPA axis in rats. On postnatal day 28, the remaining 8 rats in the PCON group were designated as the control group (CON, n=8), and the remaining 27 rats in the PASD group were randomly divided into 4 groups: ASD non-intervention group (ASD, n=6), ASD exercise group (ASDE, n=8), ASD fecal microbiota transplantation group (FMT, n=8), and ASD sham fecal microbiota transplantation group (sFMT, n=5). The rats in the ASD group and the CON group were kept under standard conditions, while the rats in the ASDE group performed 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running intervention starting on postnatal day 28. The rats in the FMT group were gavaged daily from postnatal day 42 with 1 ml/100 g fresh fecal suspension from ASDE rats which had undergone exercise for 2 weeks, 5 d per week, continuing for 4 weeks. The sFMT group received an equivalent volume of saline. After the interventions were completed, behavioral assessments and HPA axis markers were measured for all groups. ResultsBefore the intervention, the ASD model group exhibited significantly reduced social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, and exploratory interest, as well as impaired spatial learning, memory, and navigation abilities compared to the normal control group (P<0.05). Serum concentration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) in the PASD group were significantly higher than those in the PCON group (P<0.05). Following 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running, the ASDE group showed significant improvements in social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, exploratory interest, spatial learning, memory, and navigation skills compared to the ASD group (P<0.05), with a significant decrease in serum CORT concentration (P<0.05), and a downward trend in CRH and ACTH concentration. After 4 weeks of fecal microbiota transplantation in the exercise group, the FMT group showed marked improvements in social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, exploratory interest, as well as spatial learning, memory, and navigation abilities compared to both the ASD and sFMT groups (P<0.05). In addition, serum ACTH and CORT concentration were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and CRH concentration also showed a decreasing trend. ConclusionExercise may improve ASD-related behaviors by suppressing the activation of the HPA axis, with the gut microbiota likely playing a crucial role in this process.
6.Role and mechanism of TDO2 mediated apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in Cis-AKI
Qian-qian LIN ; Xue-mei ZONG ; Yue-lan CHEN ; Wen-li WANG ; Yue-ye WANG ; Shang-xue YAN ; Wei WEI ; Yan CHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):475-482
Aim To investigate the role of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2)in cisplatin-acute kidney in-jury(Cis-AKI)and to explore the mechanism of TDO2 in relation to apoptosis in tubular epithelial cells(TECs)to investigate the mechanism of TDO2 associ-ated with apoptosis.Methods An AKI model was es-tablished by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin(Cis).Colorimetric assay was used to detect CRE and BUN levels,and PAS staining was employed to observe renal injury in mice.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect TDO2 protein expression and distribution and macrophage(F4/80+)infiltration;immunofluores-cence was used to detect the co-localization of TDO2 with the tubular marker LTL;TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis in mouse kidney;flow cytome-try was used to detect overexpression of human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells(HK2)and apoptosis after administration of the TDO2 inhibitor 680C91;Western blot was used to detect TDO2 and NF-κB pathway protein levels in HK2 cells after over-expression and inhibition of TDO2.Results In the o-verall animal experiments,Cis-AKI mice showed signif-icantly higher levels of CRE and BUN and obvious tu-bular damage compared with the control group;at the same time,the renal tissues of Cis-AKI mice showed increased expression of F4/80,and the proportion of apoptotic cells in kidney cells was increased.Immuno-histochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that the expression of TDO2 increased,mainly localized in TECs.In cellular experiments,HK2 cells overexpress-ing TDO2 increased the proportion of apoptosis,and the expression of TDO2,p-IKBα,and p-p65 proteins was elevated,and p-IKBα/IκBα and p-p65/p65 were ele-vated;furthermore,the proportion of apoptosis was re-duced by the administration of 680C91,and the expres-sion of p-IκBα,and p-p65 proteins decreased,and the expression of p-IKBα/IKBα,and p-p65/p65 de-creased.Conclusions Elevated TDO2 in TECs is in-volved in the pathological mechanism of Cis-AKI,which may be related to its induction of apoptosis in TECs and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and consequently renal injury.
7.Simultaneous content determination of eleven constituents in Bunao Soft Capsules by HPLC
Ting CHEN ; Xue-mei WANG ; Shuai-yin LI ; Xi-xiang LI ; Ya-li ZHOU ; Xiao-feng LI ; Shou-yuan YANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2144-2148
AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural,chlorogenic acid,caffeic acid,strychnine,paeoniflorin,ferulic acid,paeoniflorin Ⅰ,epimedium glycoside,psoralen,isopsoralen and glycyrrhetinic acid in Bunao Soft Capsules.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Waters Symmetry C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 230,280 nm.RESULTS Eleven constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r>0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 98.47%-103.30%with RSDs of 1.13%-2.80%.CONCLUSION This simple and reliable method can be used for the quality control of Bunao Soft Capsules.
8.Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spine fracture and dislocation (version 2025)
Dongmei BIAN ; Ke SUN ; Ningbo CHEN ; Caixia BAI ; Miao WANG ; Yafeng QIAO ; Fei WANG ; Hong WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Mei YAN ; Meng BAI ; Linjuan ZHANG ; Liyan ZHAO ; Yaqing CUI ; Xue JIANG ; Leling FENG ; Ning NING ; Junqin DING ; Lan WEI ; Yonghua ZHAI ; Yu ZENG ; Zengmei ZHANG ; Jiqun HE ; Fenggui BIE ; Hong CHEN ; Zengyan WANG ; Li LI ; Li ZHANG ; Yaying ZHOU ; Bing SHAO ; Ying WANG ; Caixia XIE ; Yanfeng YAO ; Jingjing AN ; Wen SHI ; Xiongtao LIU ; Xiaoyan AN ; Ning NAN ; Lan LI ; Xiaohui GOU ; Qiaomei LI ; Xiuting WU ; Yuqin ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Fusen XIANG ; Xu XU ; Na MEI ; Jiao ZHOU ; Shan FAN ; Qian WANG ; Shuixia LI
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(2):138-147
Spine fracture and dislocation are common traumatic spinal conditions that often require surgical intervention due to compromised spinal stability. Surgical approaches include anterior, posterior, and combined anterior-posterior spinal procedures. According to the specific surgical requirements, patients may be placed in the prone position or repositioned between prone and supine positions during surgery. Intraoperative repositioning has become an essential step in patient positioning. However, during repositioning, patients with spinal fracture and dislocation are at increased risk for complications such as hemodynamic instability, nerve injury, and pressure injuries to the skin and soft tissue. Notably, due to the instability of the spinal cord, even minor manipulations can further exacerbate the damage, potentially leading to severe outcomes like paraplegia. Although the current clinical guidelines provide instructive recommendations for standard position, there remains no specific protocols for intraoperative repositioning in patients with spine fracture and dislocation. With a concern for the lack of clinical studies on positioning techniques, risk prevention, and operational norms for special patients, no applicable guidelines or standards are available. A consensus was required to provide clinical reference, meet the requirements of surgical treatment, and minimize the safety risks of patients caused by improper placement of positions. Professional Committee of Operating Room Nursing of Shaanxi Nursing Association organized experts in nursing management and operating room nursing from major hospitals across China to formulate Expert consensus on intraoperative repositioning for patients with spinal fracture and dislocation ( version 2025). The consensus provides 11 recommendations covering pre-repositioning preparation, intraoperative maneuvers, and post-repositioning observation, aiming to provide references for clinical standardization of the intraoperative repositioning process and protection of patients′ safety.
9.Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of adult patients with phytosterolemia presenting with Thrombocytopenia
Yanjie HU ; Wenlan CHEN ; Mei XUE ; Yajie DING ; Heng MEI ; Yadan WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(3):238-243
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult patients with phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on eight adult patients with phytosterolemia who visited Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from December 2020 to December 2023.Results:① The participants consisted of 2 (25%) male and 6 (75%) female patients, with a median age at diagnosis of 55 years (range: 29-66 years). The median duration from the discovery of thrombocytopenia to diagnosis was 10 years (range: 0.2-50 years). ② Compared with the normal control group (30 healthy adult volunteers) and the immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) control group (20 patients with ITP), patients with phytosterolemia exhibited significantly higher mean platelet volume and large platelet ratio. Peripheral blood smears revealed that the mean platelet diameter and the proportion of large platelets (diameter> 4 μm) were significantly higher in patients with phytosterolemia than those in the normal and ITP control groups ( P<0.01). ③ After a low-plant-sterol diet and ezetimibe treatment, five patients demonstrated decreased serum sitosterol and campesterol levels, increased hemoglobin concentration and platelet counts, and reduced platelet volume. Conclusion:Adult-onset phytosterolemia presenting with thrombocytopenia as the initial manifestation is prone to misdiagnosis. The presence of hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly, increased large platelets and schistocytes on peripheral blood smears, and xanthomas are crucial diagnostic indicators. Restricting dietary plant sterol intake and using ezetimibe to inhibit sterol absorption effectively lowers serum plant sterol levels and improves hematological abnormalities.
10.Association of tumor cells at the cardiac myxoma stalk invading into the elastic fiber layer between heart walls with tumor recurrence: a preliminary study
Jiaqi XUE ; Dong CHEN ; Jianfeng SHANG ; Shaoshuai MEI ; Zhe ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(3):266-270
Objective:To analyze the pathological features of recurrent cardiac myxoma to provide a reference basis for clinical treatment and postoperative follow-up.Methods:The pathological data of cardiac myxoma patients who underwent cardiac myxoma surgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing, China from 2002 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the grouping criteria, the cases were divided into the recurrence group ( n=6) and control group ( n=73). Results:In the recurrence group, there were 3 females and 3 males with a median age of 47 years. In the control group, there were 49 females and 24 males, with a median age of 53 years. Cardiac myxoma usually occurred in the left atrium. In the recurrence group, 5 cases occurred in the left atrium and 1 case in the right atrium. In the control group, 68 cases occurred in the left atrium, 4 cases in the right atrium, and 1 case in bilateral atria. Among the 6 cases in the recurrence group, the recurrence time was 1-7 years, with average 4.8 years. In the univariate analysis of recurrent cardiac myxoma pathology, disruption of elastic fiber layer and tumor cells of the tumor stalk invading into the myocardium through the elastic fiber layer were statistically associated with recurrence of cardiac myxoma ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that the invasion of tumor cells through the elastic fiber layer of the heart wall into the myocardium was an independent risk factor for recurrence ( Odds Ratio=0.999, P<0.05). Conclusion:During the pathologic diagnosis, assessing the relationship between tumor cells in the stalk of cardiac myxoma and elastic fiber layer can help estimate the recurrence risk of cardiac myxoma, and thus guide clinical treatment and postoperative follow-up.

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