1.Mechanism of circRNA_0076631 mediated diabetic retinopathy by regulating pyroptosis
Yanyan ZHANG ; Yanyan WANG ; Xueli SHAO ; Quanyong YI ; Yahui XI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):351-358
AIM: To investigate the role of pyroptosis in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and to explore the regulatory mechanism by which circular RNA(circRNA)and its targeted microRNA(miRNA)mediate pyroptosis in DR, providing new therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of DR.METHODS: A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced model of type 1 diabetes in SD rats was established. The expression of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related factors were measured in retinal tissues. CCK-8 and tube formation assays were used to detect the effect of different concentration of glucose on cell proliferation and angiogenic abilities of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs). The expression levels of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related markers were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, with additional experiments conducted following circRNA_0076631 knockdown to assess its effect on pyroptosis markers. Previous bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays identified a shared binding site among circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and caspase-1. To clarify the interaction between these molecules, co-transfection experiments using circRNA_0076631 inhibitors(ASO-circRNA_0076631), miR-214 overexpression transfection reagent, and miR-214 inhibitors(AMO-miR-214)were conducted to elucidate the regulatory pathway involved in DR.RESULTS: Both the diabetic rat model and D-glucose-treated HRMECs showed significantly elevated expression of circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β), while miR-214 expression was reduced(all P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pyroptosis-related factors caspase-1 was reduced after the overexpression of miR-214, and it was upregulated after the inhibition of miR-214(all P<0.05). Knockdown of circRNA_0076631 reduced the mRNA expression of pyroptosis markers caspase-1(P<0.05). Co-transfection experiments revealed that the inhibition circRNA_0076631 suppressed pyroptosis(all P<0.05), but this suppression was reversed upon co-transfection with miR-214 inhibitors, leading to increased mRNA expression of the pyroptosis marker caspase-1(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of DR, and circRNA_0076631 may regulate pyroptosis by modulating miR-214, which in turn influences the expression of caspase-1 in the pyroptosis signaling pathway, thereby contributing to DR progression. The circRNA_0076631 may serve as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of DR.
2.Mechanism of circRNA_0076631 mediated diabetic retinopathy by regulating pyroptosis
Yanyan ZHANG ; Yanyan WANG ; Xueli SHAO ; Quanyong YI ; Yahui XI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):351-358
AIM: To investigate the role of pyroptosis in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and to explore the regulatory mechanism by which circular RNA(circRNA)and its targeted microRNA(miRNA)mediate pyroptosis in DR, providing new therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of DR.METHODS: A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced model of type 1 diabetes in SD rats was established. The expression of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related factors were measured in retinal tissues. CCK-8 and tube formation assays were used to detect the effect of different concentration of glucose on cell proliferation and angiogenic abilities of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs). The expression levels of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related markers were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, with additional experiments conducted following circRNA_0076631 knockdown to assess its effect on pyroptosis markers. Previous bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays identified a shared binding site among circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and caspase-1. To clarify the interaction between these molecules, co-transfection experiments using circRNA_0076631 inhibitors(ASO-circRNA_0076631), miR-214 overexpression transfection reagent, and miR-214 inhibitors(AMO-miR-214)were conducted to elucidate the regulatory pathway involved in DR.RESULTS: Both the diabetic rat model and D-glucose-treated HRMECs showed significantly elevated expression of circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β), while miR-214 expression was reduced(all P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pyroptosis-related factors caspase-1 was reduced after the overexpression of miR-214, and it was upregulated after the inhibition of miR-214(all P<0.05). Knockdown of circRNA_0076631 reduced the mRNA expression of pyroptosis markers caspase-1(P<0.05). Co-transfection experiments revealed that the inhibition circRNA_0076631 suppressed pyroptosis(all P<0.05), but this suppression was reversed upon co-transfection with miR-214 inhibitors, leading to increased mRNA expression of the pyroptosis marker caspase-1(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of DR, and circRNA_0076631 may regulate pyroptosis by modulating miR-214, which in turn influences the expression of caspase-1 in the pyroptosis signaling pathway, thereby contributing to DR progression. The circRNA_0076631 may serve as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of DR.
3.Anti-ulcerative Colitis Mechanism of Huaihuasan and Active Ingredients of Its Component Drugs: A Review
Xueli XU ; Jiacheng GU ; Zuowu XI ; Yanyan WANG ; Kexin DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):295-305
Huaihuasan, first recorded in Experiential Prescriptions for Universal Relief (Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang), is a classic prescription for the treatment of ''hematochezia due to intestinal wind''. In 2018, it was included by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as one of the first 100 classic prescriptions. This formula consists of four ingredients, i.e., Sophorae Flos, Platycladi Cacumen, Schizonepetae Spica, and Aurantii Fructus. It is known for its ability to clear the intestines, dispel wind, cool the blood, and stop bleeding. In modern clinical practice, Huaihuasan, often with modifications, is widely used to treat various digestive tract diseases, including ulcerative colitis (UC), with significant long-term effects. UC is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease. Currently, Western medicine primarily treats UC with glucocorticoids, aminosalicylates, and immunosuppressants, which have good short-term efficacy but numerous adverse reactions, high recurrence rates, and the need for lifelong medication. Modern clinical studies have shown that Huaihuasan can significantly improve symptoms of UC, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, reduce disease activity scores (Sutherland), promote intestinal mucosal healing, alleviate anxiety and depression, and significantly improve the quality of life of patients. Pharmacological studies have shown that the main active components of Huaihuasan include quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, naringenin, and volatile oils. These compounds exert their effects by inhibiting inflammatory responses and protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier. They also exhibit antioxidant properties and regulate various signaling pathways, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), and the KRAS-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. These multi-target pathways improve UC symptoms, inhibit inflammation-cancer transition, and help maintain intestinal homeostasis. However, the precise mechanism of action has not yet been systematically elucidated. This paper reviews the research progress on Huaihuasan and main ingredients from its component drugs, focusing on their effects against UC. It also discusses current research limitations and suggests strategies for improvement, aiming to provide a reference for further studies on Huaihuasan in the treatment of UC and the development of new drugs.
4.Summary and analysis of the 2024 national intercomparison of individual dose monitoring
Yu WANG ; Yifan YU ; Qing ZHAO ; Ran JIA ; Qinjian CAO ; Xueli HOU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(5):746-750
Objective Based on the “excellent” performance achieved by our institution in the 2024 national intercomparison of monitoring individual dose from external exposure, this paper systematically summarizes key technical elements and optimization experiences in instrument calibration, operational protocols, and data analysis, aiming to provide methodological references and practical support for continuously enhancing the accuracy and reliability of individual dose monitoring. Methods As a participant in the intercomparison activity, our laboratory strictly followed the technical protocol formulated by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Results In the 2024 national intercomparison of monitoring individual dose from external exposure, the measurement results met the criteria of single-group performance
5.Unmet needs of patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: three case reports and a literature review.
Xian LI ; Ru LUO ; Jiaming XU ; Xueli JIN ; Weiqin WANG ; Xibin XIAO ; Wenbin QIAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(5):493-502
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is classified as an independent subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification (Turner et al., 2010). The 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO 2022) classification of hematolymphoid tumors retains this subtype (Alaggio et al., 2022). IVLBCL, which is characterized by neoplastic lymphocyte proliferation within the lumen of small blood vessels, tends to invade organs, such as the nervous system, skin, bone marrow (BM), and lung (D'Angelo et al., 2019; Satoh et al., 2019; Vásquez et al., 2019; Fukami et al., 2020).
Humans
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy*
;
Vascular Neoplasms/therapy*
6.Downregulation of Neuralized1 in the Hippocampal CA1 Through Reducing CPEB3 Ubiquitination Mediates Synaptic Plasticity Impairment and Cognitive Deficits in Neuropathic Pain.
Yan GAO ; Yiming QIAO ; Xueli WANG ; Manyi ZHU ; Lili YU ; Haozhuang YUAN ; Liren LI ; Nengwei HU ; Ji-Tian XU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2233-2253
Neuropathic pain is frequently comorbidity with cognitive deficits. Neuralized1 (Neurl1)-mediated ubiquitination of CPEB3 in the hippocampus is critical in learning and memory. However, the role of Neurl1 in the cognitive impairment in neuropathic pain remains elusive. Herein, we found that lumbar 5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in male rat-induced neuropathic pain was followed by learning and memory deficits and LTP impairment in the hippocampus. The Neurl1 expression in the hippocampal CA1 was decreased after SNL. And this decrease paralleled the reduction of ubiquitinated-CPEB3 level and reduced production of GluA1 and GluA2. Overexpression of Neurl1 in the CA1 rescued cognitive deficits and LTP impairment, and reversed the reduction of ubiquitinated-CPEB3 level and the decrease of GluA1 and GluA2 production following SNL. Specific knockdown of Neurl1 or CPEB3 in bilateral hippocampal CA1 in naïve rats resulted in cognitive deficits and impairment of synaptic plasticity. The rescued cognitive function and synaptic plasticity by the treatment of overexpression of Neurl1 before SNL were counteracted by the knockdown of CPEB3 in the CA1. Collectively, the above results suggest that the downregulation of Neurl1 through reducing CPEB3 ubiquitination and, in turn, repressing GluA1 and GluA2 production and mediating synaptic plasticity impairment in hippocampal CA1 leads to the genesis of cognitive deficits in neuropathic pain.
Animals
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Male
;
Neuralgia/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Down-Regulation/physiology*
;
Ubiquitination/physiology*
;
Neuronal Plasticity/physiology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
CA1 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism*
;
Cognitive Dysfunction/metabolism*
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
;
Receptors, AMPA/metabolism*
7.Intelligent design of nucleic acid elements in biomanufacturing.
Jinsheng WANG ; Zhe SUN ; Xueli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(3):968-992
Nucleic acid elements are essential functional sequences that play critical roles in regulating gene expression, optimizing pathways, and enabling gene editing to enhance the production of target products in biomanufacturing. Therefore, the design and optimization of these elements are crucial in constructing efficient cell factories. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides robust support for biomanufacturing by accurately predicting functional nucleic acid elements, designing and optimizing sequences with quantified functions, and elucidating the operating mechanisms of these elements. In recent years, AI has significantly accelerated the progress in biomanufacturing by reducing experimental workloads through the design and optimization of promoters, ribosome-binding sites, terminators, and their combinations. Despite these advancements, the application of AI in biomanufacturing remains limited due to the complexity of biological systems and the lack of highly quantified training data. This review summarizes the various nucleic acid elements utilized in biomanufacturing, the tools developed for predicting and designing these elements based on AI algorithms, and the case studies showcasing the applications of AI in biomanufacturing. By integrating AI with synthetic biology and high-throughput techniques, we anticipate the development of more efficient tools for designing nucleic acid elements and accelerating the application of AI in biomanufacturing.
Artificial Intelligence
;
Synthetic Biology
;
Nucleic Acids/genetics*
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Algorithms
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Gene Editing
;
Promoter Regions, Genetic
;
Biotechnology/methods*
8.Role of the iNOS/IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance
Meina Jin ; Xueli Zhou ; Haibo Li ; Wei Bai ; Chuxuan Jia ; Li Gao ; Lijue Ren ; Qingyu Chen ; Rui Wang ; Hua Li ; Cuiying Wei
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):210-217
Objective :
To pathological changes and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 serine 307(p-IRS1ser 307), phosphorylated protein kinase B serine 473(p-AKTser 473), glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), and gluconeogenic synthase(GS) proteins were observed in the liver of rats under the condition of chronic intermittent hypoxia-replicated oxygen in control. And to explore the role of iNOS/IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance.
Methods :
Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group(NC group) and an experimental group(CIH group), with 20 rats in each group. The NC group was placed in a normoxic environment for 12 weeks, while the CIH group was first subjected to intermittent hypoxia for 8 weeks, and then resumed normoxic rearing until the 12th week. Fasting blood glucose(FBG) and fasting insulin(FINS) were measured at baseline, week 8 and week 12, and liver tissues were taken for pathology and measurement of iNOS, p-IRS1ser 307, p-AKTser 473, GSK3β and GS levels, to compare the differences between groups.
Results:
t baseline, there was no significant difference in liver pathology between the two groups, and the observed indexes were not statistically significant(P>0.05); at 8 weeks, compared with the NC group, liver pathology in the CIH group showed significant disorganization of hepatic blood sinusoids and hepatocyte cords, obvious hepatocyte edema, smaller nuclei, increased lymphocyte infiltration, and a small number of fat vacuoles, significantly higher levels of FBG, FINS, insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR), iNOS mRNA, p-IRS1ser 307 protein, GSK-3β protein levels, and decreased p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein levels, all of which were statistically significant(allP<0.05). IRS1ser 307 protein, GSK-3β protein levels were increased, p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein levels were decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(allP<0.05); at 12 weeks, no lymphocyte infiltration was seen in the CIH group compared with that of the NC group and fat vacuoles significantly increased, and there was no improvement in the other pathological damage that had already occurred, and the levels of p-AKTser 473 protein significantly increased. AKTser 473 protein level significantly increased, p-IRS1ser 307 protein and GS protein levels were significantly reduced, all of which were statistically significant(allP<0.05), and the rest of the observational indexes were not statistically significant. Pearson′s correlation analysis showed that HOMA-IR of CIH group was significantly positively correlated with the levels of iNOS mRNA, p-IRS1ser 307 protein, and GSK-3β protein at 8 weeks(r=0.874, 0.817,0.872;allP<0.05), and significantly negatively correlated with the levels of p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein(r=-0.886,-0.879;allP<0.05).
Conclusion
Chronic intermittent hypoxia can lead to hepatic pathological damage that cannot be reversed even by reoxygenation interventions and may mediate the development of insulin resistance by upregulating the IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway through the upregulation of iNOS mRNA expression.
9.Preparation process for initiating extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital: best evidence summary
Pengcheng WANG ; Di WANG ; Xueli JI ; Li ZHANG ; Xihua HUANG ; Yangchun ZHANG ; Na MA ; Weinan ZHANG ; Xufeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(5):365-371
Objective:To retrieve, evaluate and integrate the evidence related to the preparation process for initiating extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital, so as to provide reference for clinical implementation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Methods:According to the evidence-based nursing method and the 6S evidence model, guidelines, clinical decisions, expert consensus, systematic review and other literatures related to the preparation process for initiating extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital were searched from National Guideline Clearinghouse, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and other websites, UpToDate, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang and other databases. The retrieval date limit was from the establishment of the database to May 20, 2023. Researchers assessed the quality of the included articles, and extracted and summarized the evidence that met the quality standards.Results:A total of 11 articles were included, including 2 guidelines, 6 expert consensuses, 1 systematic review and 2 quasi-experimental studies. A total of 18 pieces of evidences were summarized from 6 aspects, including medical conditions, team building, materials management, operation mechanism, pre-initiating treatment and initiating judgment.Conclusions:This study summarizes the evidence of preparation process for initiating extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital, which can provide reference for promoting the implementation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Future studies still need to focus on team building, personnel training and assessment, and optimisation of the management system, so as to improve the efficiency and readiness of treatment.
10.Cancer cell membrane-coated bacterial ghosts for highly efficient paclitaxel delivery against metastatic lung cancer.
Dandan LING ; Xueli JIA ; Ke WANG ; Qiucheng YAN ; Bochuan YUAN ; Lina DU ; Miao LI ; Yiguang JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):365-377
Chemotherapy is one of the major approaches for the treatment of metastatic lung cancer, although it is limited by the low tumor delivery efficacy of anticancer drugs. Bacterial therapy is emerging for cancer treatment due to its high immune stimulation effect; however, excessively generated immunogenicity will cause serious inflammatory response syndrome. Here, we prepared cancer cell membrane-coated liposomal paclitaxel-loaded bacterial ghosts (LP@BG@CCM) by layer-by-layer encapsulation for the treatment of metastatic lung cancer. The preparation processes were simple, only involving film formation, electroporation, and pore extrusion. LP@BG@CCM owned much higher 4T1 cancer cell toxicity than LP@BG due to its faster fusion with cancer cells. In the 4T1 breast cancer metastatic lung cancer mouse models, the remarkably higher lung targeting of intravenously injected LP@BG@CCM was observed with the almost normalized lung appearance, the reduced lung weight, the clear lung tissue structure, and the enhanced cancer cell apoptosis compared to its precursors. Moreover, several major immune factors were improved after administration of LP@BG@CCM, including the CD4+/CD8a+ T cells in the spleen and the TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-4 in the lung. LP@BG@CCM exhibits the optimal synergistic chemo-immunotherapy, which is a promising medication for the treatment of metastatic lung cancer.


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