1.Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Sleep Deprivation-induced Acceleration of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Si-Ru YAN ; Ming-Yang CAI ; Ya-Xuan SUN ; Qing HUO ; Xue-Ling DAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2474-2485
Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with mounting evidence demonstrating its multifaceted role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through diverse molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms. SD is refined within the broader spectrum of sleep-wake and circadian disruption, emphasizing that both acute total sleep loss and chronic sleep restriction destabilize the homeostatic and circadian processes governing glymphatic clearance of neurotoxic proteins. During normal sleep, concentrations of interstitial Aβ and tau fall as cerebrospinal fluid oscillations flush extracellular waste; SD abolishes this rhythm, causing overnight rises in soluble Aβ and tau species in rodent hippocampus and human CSF. Orexinergic neurons sustain arousal, and become hyperactive under SD, further delaying sleep onset and amplifying Aβ production. At the molecular level, SD disrupts Aβ homeostasis through multiple converging pathways, including enhanced production via beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) upregulation, coupled with impaired clearance mechanisms involving the glymphatic system dysfunction and reduced Aβ-degrading enzymes (neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme). Cellular and histological analyses revealed that these proteinopathies are significantly exacerbated by SD-induced neuroinflammatory cascades characterized by microglial overactivation, astrocyte reactivity, and sustained elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) through NF‑κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of neurotoxicity. The synaptic and neuronal consequences of chronic SD are particularly profound and potentially irreversible, featuring reduced expression of critical synaptic markers (PSD95, synaptophysin), impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), dendritic spine loss, and diminished neurotrophic support, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, which collectively contribute to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Mechanistic investigations identify three core pathways through which SD exerts its neurodegenerative effects: circadian rhythm disruption via BMAL1 suppression, orexin system hyperactivity leading to sustained wakefulness and metabolic stress, and oxidative stress accumulation through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species overproduction. The review critically evaluates promising therapeutic interventions including pharmacological approaches (melatonin, dual orexin receptor antagonists), metabolic strategies (ketogenic diets, and Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lifestyle modifications (targeted exercise regimens, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), and emerging technologies (non-invasive photobiomodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Current research limitations include insufficient understanding of dose-response relationships between SD duration/intensity and AD pathology progression, lack of long-term longitudinal clinical data in genetically vulnerable populations (particularly APOE ε4 carriers and those with familial AD mutations), the absence of standardized SD protocols across experimental models that accurately mimic human chronic sleep restriction patterns, and limited investigation of sex differences in SD-induced AD risk. The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of multimodal AD prevention strategies and highlights the urgent need for clinical trials evaluating sleep-focused interventions in at-risk populations. The review proposes future directions focused on translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine approaches, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to identify SD-vulnerable individuals, chronotherapeutic strategies aligned with circadian biology, and multi-omics integration across sleep, proteostasis and immune profiles may delineate precision-medicine strategies for at-risk populations. By systematically examining these critical connections, this analysis positions sleep quality optimization as a viable strategy for AD prevention and early intervention while providing a comprehensive roadmap for future mechanistic and interventional research in this rapidly evolving field.
2.Short-Term Efficacy of Low-Dose Venetoclax Combined with CHG Priming Regimen in Patients with AML and High-Risk MDS Ineligible for Intensive Chemotherapy.
Yu-Ze YANG ; Mei ZHOU ; Ya-Ru XU ; Wen-Yan XU ; Jie SUN ; Yuan-Yuan ZHU ; Yuan LI ; Zhen-Xing GUO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):660-665
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG (cytarabine+homoharringtonine+G-CSF) priming regimen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.
METHODS:
The data of 14 patients with AML or high-risk MDS admitted to the department of hematology/oncology of the First Hospital of Tsinghua University and 2 cooperative institutions from July 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen and the early induction (one course) efficacy and adverse reactions were observed.
RESULTS:
Among the 14 patients, 10 were males and 4 were females, with a median age of 69.5 (46-83) years. After 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy, the complete remission (CR) rate was 64.3% (9/14) and overall response rate (ORR) was 78.6% (11/14). Among the 10 patients with adverse prognosis according to cytogenetics and molecular genetics, the CR rate was 50.0% (5/10), and ORR was 70.0% (7/10). In 7 patients with TP53 mutation, the CR rate was 42.9% (3/7) and ORR was 71.4% (5/7). In the 6 patients with complex karyotype, CR rate was 33.3% (2/6) and ORR was 66.7% (4/6). While the CR rate and ORR of 8 non-complex karyotype patients were both 87.5% (7/8), and the difference in CR rate between patients with complex karyotype and non-complex karyotype was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The adverse reactions of chemotherapy were tolerable, without early treatment-related deaths.
CONCLUSION
Low-dose venetoclax combined with CHG priming regimen can be used as an effective treatment for AML and high-risk MDS patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, and it is safe and worthy of clinical application.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
;
Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Sulfonamides/therapeutic use*
;
Middle Aged
;
Myelodysplastic Syndromes/drug therapy*
;
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Cytarabine/administration & dosage*
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Homoharringtonine/therapeutic use*
3.miR-142a-3p Reduces Autophagy in TCMK-1 Cells and Enhances Pyroptosis by Targeting ATG16L1
Xing ZHAO ; Fei YU ; Rui-Yang YUAN ; Ya-Ru YANG ; Jia-Yan LIU ; Hai-Mai DING ; Xue-Ming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(7):1031-1039
The incidence rate of kidney diseases in China has always remained high.At present,the clinical treat-ment mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment to delay the progression of the disease,and there is a lack of eco-nomical and effective treatment methods.MicroRNA plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence and devel-opment of diseases.This study aims to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-142a-3p in adriamycin(ADR)-induced renal tubular epithelial cell(TCMK-1)injury,with a focus on its potential as a therapeutic target for ADR nephropathy.First,cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 kit,and a mouse renal tubular epithelial cell model induced by ADR was established.Subsequently,alterations in miR-142a-3p and its target gene ATG16L1 mRNA levels were quantified using RT-qPCR.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of autophagy marker proteins and pyroptosis marker proteins.Monodansylcadaverin(MDC)staining was performed and the autophagy of cells was detected by flow cytometry.The results showed that the relative expression of miR-142a-3p in TCMK-1 cells induced by ADR was increased and the relative expression of its target gene ATG16L1 was decreased(P<0.0001).Western blotting results showed that the levels of p62(P<0.001)and pyroptosis-related proteins(P<0.001)were increased,while the protein levels of autophagy-related proteins were decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that there was no difference in the mean fluorescence intensity of autoph-agosomes between the ADR group and the autophagosome inhibitor group(3-MA group)(P>0.05),indicating that after ADR induction,cell autophagy was inhibited and pyroptosis was enhanced.When the expression of miR-142a-3p was inhibited by transfecting miR-142a-3p inhibitor,the relative expression level of the target gene ATG16L1 was restored(P<0.001).Western blotting showed that the protein level of p62(P<0.01)and pyropto-sis-related proteins(P<0.01)were decreased,and the protein level of autophagy-related proteins was restored(P<0.001).Flow cytometry results further indicated that cell autophagy was restored(P<0.0001).In conclusion,ADR targets A TG1 6L1 through miR-142a-3p to reduce the autophagy level of TCMK-1,and simultaneously activates GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.
4.Study of debridement effects of multi shapes of plasma scalpels in explosion injury model
Hong-ye ZHENG ; Yu LI ; Zi-heng XU ; Yu-fan WEI ; Bo-ya ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Li ZHU ; Xi-ru LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(2):31-38
Objective To explore the debridement effects of 3 types of plasma scalpels for the animal model of explosion injury,and to compare them with the steel scalpel and high-frequency electrosurgical scalpel.Methods Firstly,blast wounds were constructed in the right inguinal regions of 9 Landrace pigs by high-pressure gas impact combined with preset metal shrapnel.Secondly,debridement was carried out in experimental groups with wide-,arrow-or needle-type plasma scalpel and in control groups with steel and high-frequency electrisurgical scalpel,with the operating temperature and debridement time recorded during the procedure and trauma specimens analyzed pathologically after the debridement;comparisons were performed among the five types of scalpels in terms of debridement effect,and among the four ones in terms of maximum operating temperature and depth of tissue thermal damage under electrocutaneous cutting and electrocoagulation modes with the steel scalpel excluded because it did not generate any heat.GraphPad Prism 9.5.1 software was used for statistical analysis.Results There were no significant differences in debridement effect found between the three plasma scalpels and the steel and high-frequency electrosurgical scalpels(P>0.05).The three types of plasma scalpels had the maximum operating temperature lower significantly than that of the high-frequency electrosurgical scalpel during debridement(P<0.05).Under electrosection and electrocoagulation modes the three plasma scalpels had the depths of tissue thermal damage statistically less than that by the high-frequency electrosurgical scalpel under electrosection and electrocoagulation modes(P<0.05).The depths of tissue thermal damage by the four scalpels under electrocoagulation mode were obviously greater than those under electrosection mode(P<0.05).Conclusion Multi shapes of plasma scalpels behave well in debridement with low operating temperature,little tissue thermal damage and high efficiency for wound protection and the same efficacy with the steel scalpel and high-frequency electrosur-gical scalpel.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):31-38]
5.Research on coagulation effect of cold atmospheric plasma jet device and its mechanism of action
Yan LI ; Hong-ye ZHENG ; Ao-xi XU ; Ya-jun ZHAO ; Shan-shan JIN ; Xu ZHANG ; Yu-fan WEI ; Yi-heng ZHANG ; Li ZHU ; Xi-ru LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):20-27
Objective To investigate the coagulation effect of a cold atmospheric plasma(CAP)jet device with helium as the working gas and to study its coagulation mechanism preliminarily.Methods A CAP jet device treatment group,a helium airflow treatment group,a hot air treatment group(60℃)and a natural coagulation group were formed according to the treatment modes of the blood samples,with 10 μL of blood samples involved in each group,in order to validate the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vitro;the coagulation mechanism of the CAP jet device was explored by its application to the treatment of anticoagulated whole blood,platelet-rich plasma and platelet-depleted plasma;the coagulation effect of the CAP jet device in vivo was verified with a mouse liver punctate hemorrhage model and a rabbit mesenteric hemorrhage model.Results The CAP jet device can significantly accelerate the coagulation of anticoagulated blood droplets,and the coagulation time of anticoagulated blood droplets in the CAP jet device-treated group was shortened from 28 min in the natural coagulation group to(23±1.56)s,with the difference statistically significant(P<0.05),and the CAP jet device treatment group gained advantages significantly over the helium airflow treatment group(P<0.05)and the hot air(60℃)treatment group(P<0.05)in coagulation-promoting effect;the procoagulant effect of the CAP jet device rose with the increase of platelet content in blood droplets,and the coagulation effect of platelet-rich blood droplets was significantly better than that of whole blood(P<0.05),while no coagulation was observed in platelet-poor droplets.The CAP jet device could rapidly stop hemostasis of punctate hemorrhage in mouse liver and mesenteric hemorrhage in rabbits without delayed hemorrhage occurring within 10 min,and no obvious structural abnormality of the liver and thermal damage of the tissue were found microscopically.Conclusion The CAP jet device plays procoagulant and hemostatic effects in vivo and in vitro,and its effect is not dependent on temperature and airflow evaporation effects and is considered to be related to platelet activation,with low thermal damage to living tissue.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):20-27]
6.circHERC4_041 Inhibits the Fibrotic Phenotype of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Encoding Protein
Yuan GAO ; Chuan-Meng ZHOU ; Hua-Yan WU ; Ya WANG ; Ru-Shi WU ; Pei-Ying GUAN ; Jun-Tao FANG ; Jin-Dong XU ; Yu-Peng LIU ; Zhi-Qin HU ; Zhi-Xin SHAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):393-403
A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P<0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P<0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.
7.ML210 inhibits glioma cells by regulating the GPX4 mediated ferroptosis pathway
Ning TIAN ; Yan-lin JIANG ; Dong-shan YA ; Xiao-xia LI ; Bing GUO ; Ru-jia LIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):686-694
Aim To study the role and mechanism of ML210 in glioma.Methods The cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay.The percentage of dead cells was detected by SYTOXstaining.The role of ferroptosis-signaling pathway in gliomas was detected bygenomics.Cell proliferation was observed by EdU staining and clone formation assay.Cell migration ability was detec-ted by scratch healing assay.The apoptosis was detec-ted by flow cytometry.Cell mitochondrial function was assesses by JC-1 staining.The mechanism of action of ML210 was detected by molecular docking coupled with immunoblotting assay(Western blot).The levels of ROS,MDA were observed by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,ML210 treatment dose-dependently decreased glioma cell viability,in-hibited cell proliferation,migration,and increased cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction,which were reversed by ferroptosis antagonists.Gene microarray screening showed that 688 genes of the ferroptosissig-naling pathway were aberrant and 10 signaling path-ways were altered in gliomas.Molecular docking re-sults showed that ML210 binding to GPX4 significantly inhibited the protein expression level of GPX4 and pro-moted the elevation of ROS and MDA levels.Conclu-sions ML210 produces anti-glioma cells via GPX4-mediated ferroptosis pathway.
8.miR-142a-3p Reduces Autophagy in TCMK-1 Cells and Enhances Pyroptosis by Targeting ATG16L1
Xing ZHAO ; Fei YU ; Rui-Yang YUAN ; Ya-Ru YANG ; Jia-Yan LIU ; Hai-Mai DING ; Xue-Ming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(7):1031-1039
The incidence rate of kidney diseases in China has always remained high.At present,the clinical treat-ment mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment to delay the progression of the disease,and there is a lack of eco-nomical and effective treatment methods.MicroRNA plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence and devel-opment of diseases.This study aims to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-142a-3p in adriamycin(ADR)-induced renal tubular epithelial cell(TCMK-1)injury,with a focus on its potential as a therapeutic target for ADR nephropathy.First,cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 kit,and a mouse renal tubular epithelial cell model induced by ADR was established.Subsequently,alterations in miR-142a-3p and its target gene ATG16L1 mRNA levels were quantified using RT-qPCR.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of autophagy marker proteins and pyroptosis marker proteins.Monodansylcadaverin(MDC)staining was performed and the autophagy of cells was detected by flow cytometry.The results showed that the relative expression of miR-142a-3p in TCMK-1 cells induced by ADR was increased and the relative expression of its target gene ATG16L1 was decreased(P<0.0001).Western blotting results showed that the levels of p62(P<0.001)and pyroptosis-related proteins(P<0.001)were increased,while the protein levels of autophagy-related proteins were decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that there was no difference in the mean fluorescence intensity of autoph-agosomes between the ADR group and the autophagosome inhibitor group(3-MA group)(P>0.05),indicating that after ADR induction,cell autophagy was inhibited and pyroptosis was enhanced.When the expression of miR-142a-3p was inhibited by transfecting miR-142a-3p inhibitor,the relative expression level of the target gene ATG16L1 was restored(P<0.001).Western blotting showed that the protein level of p62(P<0.01)and pyropto-sis-related proteins(P<0.01)were decreased,and the protein level of autophagy-related proteins was restored(P<0.001).Flow cytometry results further indicated that cell autophagy was restored(P<0.0001).In conclusion,ADR targets A TG1 6L1 through miR-142a-3p to reduce the autophagy level of TCMK-1,and simultaneously activates GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.
9.circHERC4_041 Inhibits the Fibrotic Phenotype of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Encoding Protein
Yuan GAO ; Chuan-Meng ZHOU ; Hua-Yan WU ; Ya WANG ; Ru-Shi WU ; Pei-Ying GUAN ; Jun-Tao FANG ; Jin-Dong XU ; Yu-Peng LIU ; Zhi-Qin HU ; Zhi-Xin SHAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):393-403
A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P<0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P<0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.
10.ML210 inhibits glioma cells by regulating the GPX4 mediated ferroptosis pathway
Ning TIAN ; Yan-lin JIANG ; Dong-shan YA ; Xiao-xia LI ; Bing GUO ; Ru-jia LIAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):686-694
Aim To study the role and mechanism of ML210 in glioma.Methods The cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay.The percentage of dead cells was detected by SYTOXstaining.The role of ferroptosis-signaling pathway in gliomas was detected bygenomics.Cell proliferation was observed by EdU staining and clone formation assay.Cell migration ability was detec-ted by scratch healing assay.The apoptosis was detec-ted by flow cytometry.Cell mitochondrial function was assesses by JC-1 staining.The mechanism of action of ML210 was detected by molecular docking coupled with immunoblotting assay(Western blot).The levels of ROS,MDA were observed by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,ML210 treatment dose-dependently decreased glioma cell viability,in-hibited cell proliferation,migration,and increased cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction,which were reversed by ferroptosis antagonists.Gene microarray screening showed that 688 genes of the ferroptosissig-naling pathway were aberrant and 10 signaling path-ways were altered in gliomas.Molecular docking re-sults showed that ML210 binding to GPX4 significantly inhibited the protein expression level of GPX4 and pro-moted the elevation of ROS and MDA levels.Conclu-sions ML210 produces anti-glioma cells via GPX4-mediated ferroptosis pathway.

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