1.Current status, opportunities, and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy for solid tumors
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(1):1-8
[摘 要] 嵌合抗原受体自然杀伤细胞(CAR-NK细胞)疗法作为一种新兴的细胞免疫治疗策略,凭借其高安全性和“现货化”制备的独特优势,展现出比CAR-T细胞疗法更为广阔的临床应用潜力。本文深入论述了CAR-NK细胞的抗肿瘤机制,详细剖析了其靶向识别机制、固有杀伤活性,以及通过特异性受体优化以增强其在肿瘤微环境中的适应能力的最新进展。对CAR-NK细胞的多种细胞来源,包括外周血、脐带血、诱导多能干细胞(iPSC)及NK-92细胞等的优势与挑战进行了深入讨论,并总结了其在肿瘤免疫微环境中面临的持久性不足、免疫抑制,以及抗原异质性等主要瓶颈,提出了CAR-NK细胞治疗实体瘤的优势、局限性及未来发展与临床应用的方向。
2.Analysis of xenobiotics in colon and immune tissues of ulcerative colitis mice after administration of Sini San by LC-MS
Yanfang CAO ; Yali WANG ; Anhui WANG ; Yongshun CHEN ; Sihan LI ; Kai FENG ; FENG YANG ; Rui SONG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):73-79
Dysregulation of immune response is currently recognized as one of the important pathological factors in ulcerative colitis (UC). Based on the confirmation that the Sini San (SNS) can significantly improve the colon inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium sulfate (DSS) in mice, the present work systematically studied the xenobiotics in the colon and mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus of UC mice after administration of SNS by high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-IT-TOF-MS). The results showed that, in addition to the colon, some components and their metabolites in SNS could be distributed in immune tissues, and it was found that the quality of relatively low-abundance and weakly responsive components such as saikosaponin a, paeoniflorin, and glycyrrhizic acid had the characteristics of efficient transmission to the colon and lymphoid organs. These components were very likely to be the source of pharmacodynamic substances of SNS. The findings of this study lay a foundation for the study of the efficacy and molecular mechanism of the components against ulcerative colitis, and also provide a scientific basis for the rational clinical application of SNS, which is expected to promote the secondary development of its preparations.
3.Clinical observation of electroacupuncture combined with Qingyi Xianxiong Decoction in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome due to severe acute pancreatitis
Lantian ZHANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Yingya CAO ; Yanfang ZHANG ; Yuting LI ; Ya WU ; Na LI ; Bei WANG ; Jianbo YU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2022;34(12):1296-1300
Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture combined with Qingyi Xianxiong Decoction on the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods:From February 2021 to April 2022, 120 patients with ARDS caused by SAP who were admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Tianjin Nankai Hospital and whose syndrome differentiation belonged to the syndrome of knot chest were selected. They were randomly divided into pure traditional Chinese medicine group and acupuncture medicine group, with 60 cases in each group. The pure traditional Chinese medicine group was received Qingyi Xianxiong Decoction on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, and the acupuncture medicine group was received electric acupuncture treatment on the basis of the pure traditional Chinese medicine group. The two groups continued to be treated for 7 days. The primary outcome was the ventilator-free days within 28 days after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and the secondary outcome measures were mechanical ventilation time, the length of ICU stay, total lenth of hospital stay, time of intra-abdominal pressure recovery, scores of organ function, oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), serum inflammatory factors, blood amylase, urine amylase, etc. Results:Compared with the pure traditional Chinese medicine group, the ventilator-free days in the acupuncture medicine group within 28 days after admission to the ICU were significantly longer [day: 22.10±2.29 vs. 20.97±2.31, P < 0.05, odds ratio ( OR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.053-1.460, P < 0.05]. The time of mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, total length of hospital stay, and recovery time of intra-abdominal pressure were significantly shortened [mechanical ventilation time (days): 5.90±2.29 vs. 7.03±2.31, the length of ICU stay (days): 8.07±1.89 vs. 12.08±2.23, total length of hospital stay (days): 19.55±6.82 vs. 22.28±5.19, recovery time of intra-abdominal pressure (days): 6.05±1.81 vs. 8.45±1.76, all P < 0.05]. The Murray score and bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score of the two groups after 7 days of treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, while PaO 2/FiO 2 was significantly higher than those before treatment, and the Murray score of the acupuncture medicine group after 7 days of treatment was significantly lower than that of the pure traditional Chinese medicine group [score: 0.50 (0.33, 0.75) vs. 1.00 (1.00, 1.33), P < 0.05], PaO 2/FiO 2 was significantly higher than that in the pure traditional Chinese medicine group [mmHg (1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa): 390.75±27.73 vs. 330.02±42.34, P < 0.05]. With the prolongation of treatment time, the levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amylase and urine amylase in both groups after treatment continued to decrease, and the levels of the inflammatory factors in the acupuncture medicine group after 7 days of treatment were significantly lower than those in the pure traditional Chinese medicine group [TNF-α (ng/L): 38.20±10.00 vs. 45.35±5.09, IL-6 (ng/L): 0.95±0.44 vs. 7.42±1.39, CRP (mg/L): 8.55±2.79 vs. 36.20±13.97, all P < 0.05]. Subgroup analysis showed that biliary system disease was a risk factor for the duration of mechanical ventilation ≥ 7 days in the treatment of ARDS with acupuncture and medicine ( OR = 2.728, 95% CI was 1.293-5.754). Conclusion:Compared with the pure traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture combined can better reduce the clinical symptoms of patients with ARDS caused by SAP, promote the recovery of patients, and reduce systemic inflammatory reaction, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
4.Endoplasmic reticulum stress and NOD-like receptor protein 3 involves in intestinal mucosal injury induced by severe heat stroke
Yan CAO ; Yanfang PEI ; Maiying FAN ; Zhongwei ZHANG ; Zhenyuan LI ; Xiaotong HAN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2021;30(9):1088-1094
Objective:To observe whether endoplasmic reticulum stress and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation were involved in severe heat stroke induced intestinal mucosal injury and to investigate the potential protective effect of the endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA).Methods:Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomly (random number) assigned to 3 groups: the control group, heat stroke group (HS), and 4-PBA pretreatment group (4-PBA+HS, 4-PBA 120 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection). Mice in the control group were placed at room temperature, while mice in the HS group and 4-PBA+HS group were placed in a prewarmed chamber [temperature (35.5±0.5) °C, humidity (60.0±5.0)%]. A rectal temperature (Tc) that reached 42 °C was considered to indicate severe heat stroke. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in intestinal homogenate were analyzed by a colorimetric method, serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were assessed by ELISA, intestinal histopathology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, intestinal ultrastructure was observed by electron microscopy, and the protein expression of GRP78, CHOP, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 were analyzed by Western blot. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test and LSD- t multiple comparison test if homogeneous variance, or analyzed by Welch test and Dunnett's T3 multiple comparison test if heterogeneous variance. Results:The concentration of MDA in the HS group was increased ( t=14.243, P<0.01), while SOD was decreased compared with that in the control group ( t=7.781, P<0.01), and the concentrations of serum IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly elevated ( t=12.664, P<0.01; t=16.240, P<0.01). Under light microscopy, extensive destruction of small intestinal villi and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the intestines of mice with severe heat stroke. Transmission electron microscopy showed that endoplasmic reticulum structures were significantly expanded, and mitochondria were vacuolated in the intestines of mice with severe heat stroke. Compared with those in the control group, the protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 in the small intestine were elevated in the HS group ( t=14.824, P <0.01; t=12.667, P<0.01; t=9.298, P<0.01; and t=6.588, P=0.001). Compared with those in the HS group, mice in the 4-PBA pretreatment group exhibited reduced concentrations of MDA ( t=9.167, P<0.01), increased SOD ( t=6.077, P<0.01) , and reduced serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels ( t=4.889, P= 0.001; t=5.693, P<0.01). In addition, 4-PBA pretreatment significantly alleviated the pathological disruption and ultrastructural damage to small intestine tissues. Moreover, 4-PBA pretreatment reduced GRP78, CHOP , NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 protein expression ( t=9.080, P<0.01; t=7.152, P<0.01; t=4.249, P=0.005; t=3.650, P=0.011). Conclusions:Endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP3 inflammasome are involved in intestinal mucosal injury induced by severe heat stroke. 4-PBA plays a protective role by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
5.Rnf20 deficiency in adipocyte impairs adipose tissue development and thermogenesis.
Xiaojuan LIANG ; Cong TAO ; Jianfei PAN ; Lilan ZHANG ; Lulu LIU ; Ying ZHAO ; Yiping FAN ; Chunwei CAO ; Jiali LIU ; Jin ZHANG ; Sin Man LAM ; Guanghou SHUI ; Wanzhu JIN ; Wei LI ; Jianguo ZHAO ; Kui LI ; Yanfang WANG
Protein & Cell 2021;12(6):475-492
RNF20, an E3 ligase critical for monoubiquitination of histone H2B at lysine 120 (H2Bub), has been implicated in the regulation of various cellar processes; however, its physiological roles in adipocytes remain poorly characterized. Here, we report that the adipocyte-specific knockout of Rnf20 (ASKO) in mice led to progressive fat loss, organomegaly and hyperinsulinemia. Despite signs of hyperinsulinemia, normal insulin sensitivity and improved glucose tolerance were observed in the young and aged CD-fed ASKO mice. In addition, high-fat diet-fed ASKO mice developed severe liver steatosis. Moreover, we observed that the ASKO mice were extremely sensitive to a cold environment due to decreased expression levels of brown adipose tissue (BAT) selective genes, including uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1), and impaired mitochondrial functions. Significantly decreased levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparγ) were observed in the gonadal white adipose tissues (gWAT) from the ASKO mice, suggesting that Rnf20 regulates adipogenesis, at least in part, through Pparγ. Rosiglitazone-treated ASKO mice exhibited increased fat mass compared to that of the non-treated ASKO mice. Collectively, our results illustrate the critical role of RNF20 in control of white and brown adipose tissue development and physiological function.
6.Hemorrhoid elimination agent relieves constipation and hemostasis after hemorrhoidectomy
Fangyan GUO ; Weiling CHEN ; Yanfang CAO ; Guangju CAO ; Yuandi LIU ; Xiuli HUANG
Modern Hospital 2020;20(2):293-295
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of hemorrhoid elimination agent made by our hospital for the treatment of constipation, blood in stool, pain in defecation, anal burning sensation and abdominal distension after hemorrhoids surgery. Methods A number of 120 patients from January 2017 to June 2019 undergo hemorrhoid surgery in the department of anorectal surgery in our hospital were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into the experimental group and the control group by the random digit table. The experimental group took hemorrhoid elimination agent orally, and the control group took paraffin oil orally. The two groups were compared in terms of the clinical efficacy, symptom and sign scores before and after treatment and adverse reactions. Results The total clinical effective rate of patients in the experimental group was 95%,and the total effective rate in the control group was 81.6% . Compared withpre-treatment, the fecal character score in the experimental group was significantly improved after treatment, and the incidence of hematochezia was significantly reduced after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in fecal character score and incidence of hematochezia before and after treatment in the control group(P>0.05). After treatment, the score of symptoms and signs in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of hematocele in the experimental group was 5 %,while that in the control group was 21.67%,with significant difference between them(P<0.05). Conclusion With obvious effect and high safety, hemorrhoid elimination agent can effectively relieve constipation and hemostasis after hemorrhoidectomy, which is worthy of promotion in clinic.
7.Brain Imaging Study on the Pathogenesis of Depression & Therapeutic Effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Qi MENG ; Aixia ZHANG ; Xiaohua CAO ; Ning SUN ; Xinrong LI ; YunQiao ZHANG ; Yanfang WANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2020;17(7):688-694
Objective:
Predefining the most effective treatment for patients with depressive disorders remains a problem. We will examine the differential brain regions of gray matter (GM) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and the relationship between changes in their volume and the efficacy of early antidepressant treatment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods:
159 never-medicated patients with first-episode MDD and 53 normal control subjects (NCs) were enrolled. The brains were scanned by MRI and measured with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)s, and the non-responder group and responder group were obtained. The patients were analyzed by voxel-based morphological (VBM) and SPSS software. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed for the difference between the responder group and the non-responder group in the differential brain regions, and Pearson correlations were computed between volume size and HAMD score reduction rate.
Results:
Smaller GM volume of the right superior temporal gyrus (STG), and the orbital parts of the right medial frontal gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus were observed in MDD versus the NCs. The non-responder group demonstrated a significant volume reduction at the right STG compared with the responders, but no corresponding change in orbital part of right medial frontal gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus. ROC analysis showed that Accuracy=71.2%. There was a positive correlation between the STG gray matter volume and the HAMD-17 score reduction rate (r=0.347, p=0.002).
Conclusion
The study results confirmed the local changes in brain structure in MDD and may initially predict the early treatment response produced by SSRIs as antidepressants.
8.Effects of ethyl pyruvate on proliferation activity of vascular endothelial cells after heat stress
Yanfang PEI ; Yan CAO ; Maiying FAN ; Xiaotong HAN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2020;29(10):1328-1332
Objective:To investigate the effect of ethyl pyruvate on proliferation activity of vascular endothelial cells after heat stress.Methods:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were placed in incubators with different temperatures (39 ℃, 41 ℃, 43 ℃) for heat shock for 4 h, or placed into the incubator with the same temperature at 43 ℃ and received heat shock for different times (2 h, 3 h, 4 h), and the control group were always placed in 37 ℃ incubator. Then the morphological changes of the cells were observed under an inverted microscope, and the cell proliferation activity was detected by the cell counting - 8 (CCK-8) kit. According to the above experimental results, the optimal intervention temperature (43 ℃) and time point (4 h) of heat stress were selected. After that, ethyl pyruvate (EP) with a concentration of 10 μmol/L was used for intervention (HS+EP group), and the cell proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8.Results:With the increasing of the heat stress temperature or the extension of exposure time, the cell morphology gradually changed under the inverted microscope, and the cells in 43 ℃ incubator for 4 h was the most obvious; and the cell proliferation activity of HUVECs decreased gradually, and the most significant decrease occurred in the group that exposure for 4 h in 43 ℃ ( F=25.79, P < 0.001 vs. control group). In addition, the cell proliferation activity of HUVECs in the HS+EP group was significantly higher than that in the HS group ( P < 0.001). Conclusions:EP can reduce significantly the effect of heat stress on the proliferation activity of HUVECs, and help to alleviate the changes of vascular endothelial cell activity caused by heat stress.
9.Efficacy comparison of the second generation TKI combined with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy in the treatmeat of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Suping ZHANG ; Dingming WAN ; Zhongxing JIANG ; Weijie CAO ; Xue LI ; Li LI ; Xinsheng XIE ; Rong GUO ; Yanfang LIU ; Ling SUN
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2020;41(6):346-350
Objective:To compare the efficacy of the second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib combined with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)or chemotherapy in the treatment of Ph + acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL). Methods:A total of 56 Ph + ALL patients received dasatinib from January 2014 to June 2018. According to whether or not allo-HSCT was performed, they were divided into transplantation group(n=22)and chemotherapy group(n=34). The total survival rate(OS), disease-free survival rate(DFS), relapse and non-recurrence mortality(NRM)were compared between two groups. Results:The 2-year OS, DFS and cumulative recurrence rates were 69.1 % vs 47.8 %, 62.2 % vs 43.1 % and 14.6 % vs 44.1 % in transplantation and chemotherapy groups respectively. Significant inter-group differences existed in 2-year DFS, DFS and cumulative recurrence rates. The value of NRM was higher in transplantation group than that in chemotherapy group(18.6 % vs 14.1 %). However, the difference was statistically insignificant( P=0.476). Conclusions:The efficacy of dasatinib plus allo-HSCT is superior to that of dasatinib plus chemotherapy in the treatment of Ph + ALL.
10.Therapeutic efficacy and safety of domestic bortezomibˉbased chemotherapy in treatment of multiple myeloma
Haohao HAN ; Lijie HAN ; Feifei WU ; Silin GAN ; Jie MA ; Shengmei CHEN ; Chong WANG ; Yanfang LIU ; Haizhou XING ; Zhongxing JIANG ; Xinsheng XIE ; Yingmei LI ; Weijie CAO ; Ling SUN ; Hui SUN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2019;28(5):268-272
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of domestic bortezomibˉbased chemotherapy for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods The clinical data of 60 MM patients treated with domestic bortezomibˉbased chemotherapy regimen (the observation group) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April 2018 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, which were compared with 112 MM patients treated with original treatment regimen (the control group) at the same hospital from November 2010 to November 2014. According to the disease stage, the patients were divided into newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) group and relapsed refractory MM (RRMM) group, and efficacy and adverse reactions of domestic bortezomib were evaluated. Results The total response rate (ORR) of the observation group was 71.7% (43/60), severe complete response (sCR) + complete response (CR) rate was 16.7% (10/60), very good partial response (VGPR) rate was 18.3% (11/60), and partial response (PR) rate was 36.7% (22/60). The ORR of NDMM group (45 cases) and RRMM group (15 cases) was 82.2% (37/45) and 40.0% (6/15), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2= 9.877, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between ISS stage Ⅰ+Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ [ORR: 75.7% (28/37) vs. 65.2% (15/23), respectively; χ2=0.764, P >0.05]. ORR and CR rates in the NDMM group and RRMM group of the observation group and the control group were not statistically different (all P>0.05). In the treatment of bortezomibˉbased chemotherapy, the common adverse reaction was peripheral neuropathy, mostly belonging to grade 1-2. Other side effects included hematocytopenia, gastrointestinal events and herpes zoster, which could be alleviated or restored to normality after supportive treatments. One patient died of pulmonary infection, respiratory failure and septic shock during the intermittent period of chemotherapy. Conclusion ORR of domestic bortezomibˉbased chemotherapy in treatment of the patients with MM is high, and the incidence of adverse reactions shows no significant increase compared with original drugs.

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