1.Assessment of ochratoxin A exposure in the diets of pregnant women in Shanghai
Kailin LI ; Renjie QI ; Hua CAI ; Xia SONG ; Jingjin YANG ; Danping QIU ; Zhenni ZHU ; Yi HE ; Baozhang LUO ; Hong LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):181-186
ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination status of ochratoxin A (OTA) in commercially available food products in Shanghai, and to assess OTA exposure levels and the associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks among pregnant women by integrating dietary consumption data of this population. MethodsThe levels of OTA contamination in 1 520 food samples collected in Shanghai from 2022 to 2023 were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An exposure assessment model was developed based on the dietary consumption levels of pregnant women from the 2016‒2017 Shanghai Pregnant Women Dietary Monitoring Survey to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) of OTA, the margin of exposure for non-carcinogenic toxicity (MOE1), and the margin of exposure for carcinogenic toxicity (MOE2). An MOE1 greater than 200 and an MOE2 greater than 10 000 indicate that the non-carcinogenic toxicity and carcinogenic toxicity resulting from exposure are negligible, respectively. For samples with OTA contamination levels below the limit of detection (LOD), which accounted for more than 80% of the samples, the OTA levels were assigned values of 0 and LOD, respectively, for subsequent calculations. ResultsThe detection rates of OTA in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, and alcohol samples collected in 2022 were 2.03%, 0, 0, and 0, respectively. The OTA detection rates in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and alcohol samples collected in 2023 were 2.50%, 0.39%, 2.47%, 1.67%, and 13.33%, respectively. For pregnant women in Shanghai in 2022, simulation results indicated that when assigning a value of 0 and the LOD, theP50 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.05 and 0.72 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively, and the P95 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.25 and 2.40 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively. For pregnant women in Shanghai in 2023, the P50 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.04 and 1.00 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively, and the P95 values of EDI for dietary OTA exposure were 0.23 and 2.67 ng·(kg·d)-1, respectively, both substantially below the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for OTA [17 ng·(kg·d)-1]. The EDI for dietary OTA exposure in 100.0% of Shanghai pregnant women was lower than the TDI, indicating an overall low level of dietary OTA exposure among this population. For 100.0% of pregnant women, the MOE₁ for dietary OTA exposure exceeded 200. When assigned a value of 0, the MOE₂ for 100.0% of pregnant women in both 2022 and 2023 exceeded10 000. When assigned the LOD value, 72.3% and 81.8% of pregnant women in 2022 and 2023, respectively, had an MOE₂ exceeding 10 000. ConclusionFrom 2022 to 2023, samples of cereals, nuts, dried fruits, beans, and alcohol sold in Shanghai exhibited varying degrees of OTA contamination. The overall EDI of OTA exposure among pregnant women in Shanghai remained at a low level. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with OTA exposure were generally low and at controllable levels.
2.Clinical Efficacy of Yishen Jiangtang Decoction Combined with Conventional Western Medicine Treatment for Diabetic Kidney Disease with Pattern of Qi-Yin Deficiency Combined with Dampness-heat and Blood Stasis
Yunjie YANG ; Yasheng DENG ; Kaiying HE ; Qi ZHANG ; Yongxin YU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Zhuang HAN ; Qiwei CHEN ; Yi WEI ; Qiu CHEN ; Jing WU ; Mingqian JIANG ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU ; Lixiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):157-167
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis, and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis (RF). MethodsA single-center, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group (conventional Western medicine treatment) and an experimental group (Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment), with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores, TCM syndrome efficacy, and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3, as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1, with renal function, proteinuria, and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition, safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study (38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group). ① Baseline data: The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age, with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed reductions in BUN, SCr, UACR, FBG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01) and increases in eGFR level (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above (P<0.05). Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%, which was higher than that (57.89%) in the control group (P<0.05). Regarding overall clinical efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%, which was higher than that (50.00%) in the control group (P<0.05). ③ Mechanism outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3, and TGF-β1 and urinary level of TGF-β1 after treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group (P<0.05). The serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3,and TGF-β1 and the urinary level of TGF-β1 in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN, SCr, UACR, and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR (P<0.05). ④ Safety outcomes: Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions, and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.
3.Clinical Efficacy of Yishen Jiangtang Decoction Combined with Conventional Western Medicine Treatment for Diabetic Kidney Disease with Pattern of Qi-Yin Deficiency Combined with Dampness-heat and Blood Stasis
Yunjie YANG ; Yasheng DENG ; Kaiying HE ; Qi ZHANG ; Yongxin YU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Zhuang HAN ; Qiwei CHEN ; Yi WEI ; Qiu CHEN ; Jing WU ; Mingqian JIANG ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU ; Lixiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):157-167
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment in managing stage G3A3 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the patients with the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis, and to explore its mechanism of inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-apoptosis axis and delaying renal fibrosis (RF). MethodsA single-center, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 78 patients diagnosed with stage G3A3 DKD and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis and treated in the Department of Nephrology and the Department of Endocrinology of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2025 to February 2026 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio into a control group (conventional Western medicine treatment) and an experimental group (Yishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment), with 39 patients in each group. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Basic demographic data and medical history were collected before and after treatment. The two groups before and after treatment were compared in terms of the following parameters: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to measure serum glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), serum cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), and serum and urinary transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels before and after treatment. TCM symptom scores, TCM syndrome efficacy, and overall clinical efficacy were evaluated before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlations of serum levels of GRP78 and Caspase-3, as well as serum and urinary levels of TGF-β1, with renal function, proteinuria, and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators in patients with DKD. In addition, safety indicators were also monitored. ResultsA total of 75 patients completed the study (38 in the control group and 37 in the experimental group). ① Baseline data: The two groups were comparable in terms of sex and age, with no statistically significant difference. ② Efficacy outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed reductions in BUN, SCr, UACR, FBG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and TCM symptom scores (P<0.01) and increases in eGFR level (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group outperformed the control group in altering the indicators above (P<0.05). Regarding TCM syndrome efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 83.78%, which was higher than that (57.89%) in the control group (P<0.05). Regarding overall clinical efficacy, the total response rate in the experimental group was 78.38%, which was higher than that (50.00%) in the control group (P<0.05). ③ Mechanism outcomes: Compared with baseline levels, both groups showed declined serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3, and TGF-β1 and urinary level of TGF-β1 after treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, the experimental group showed greater declines than the control group (P<0.05). The serum levels of GRP78, Caspase-3,and TGF-β1 and the urinary level of TGF-β1 in DKD patients showed positive correlations with BUN, SCr, UACR, and FBG and negative correlations with eGFR (P<0.05). ④ Safety outcomes: Neither group showed drug-related adverse reactions, and laboratory safety parameters remained within normal ranges. ConclusionYishen Jiangtang decoction combined with conventional Western medicine treatment may safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, correct glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and protect the renal function in patients with stage G3A3 DKD and the pattern of Qi-Yin deficiency combined with dampness-heat and blood stasis. The mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the ERS-apoptosis axis and delay of the RF process.
4.Targeted Protein Degradation-mediated Regulation of Tumor Angiogenesis for Anticancer Therapy
Yi-Ning ZHAO ; Shi-Yu SONG ; Ying-Qiu QI ; Li WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(10):2596-2608
Tumor angiogenesis is a core pathological driver of malignant growth, invasion, and metastasis, and represents a major obstacle to effective anticancer therapy. Conventional antiangiogenic agents, including neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are constrained by drug resistance, on-target toxicity, and the compensatory activation of alternative pro-angiogenic pathways. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a promising strategy that may overcome these limitations. Unlike traditional inhibitors that operate through an occupancy-driven mechanism, degraders function through an event-driven catalytic mechanism in which a single degrader molecule can catalytically promote the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal or lysosomal degradation of multiple molecules of the same target protein, thereby eliminating the target protein together with all of its functions rather than merely blocking a single active site. This review systematically delineates the pathophysiological basis of tumor angiogenesis, encompassing the angiogenic switch driven by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), the aberrant structural and functional features of the tumor vasculature, and the self-reinforcing vicious cycles that sustain malignant progression. We then categorize the principal TPD modalities, with particular emphasis on proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs), and describe their design principles and mechanisms of action. PROTACs recruit E3 ubiquitin ligases to direct intracellular targets to the ubiquitin-proteasome system for degradation, whereas LYTACs engage lysosome-targeting receptors to route extracellular and membrane proteins to the lysosome, thereby expanding the degradable target space beyond the intracellular proteome. We further summarize recent advances in the application of TPD to antiangiogenic intervention at four distinct levels. First, at the signaling initiation level, degradation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) by aptamer-engineered PROTACs, antibody-based LYTACs, and small-molecule VEGFR2 degraders blocks the upstream trigger of the angiogenic cascade. Second, at the signal transduction level, degradation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF), phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) interrupts intracellular signaling cascades and transcriptional responses. Third, at the microenvironment level, degradation of proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases curtails the pro-angiogenic signals secreted by tumor-associated macrophages. Fourth, multi-target synergistic strategies, exemplified by bispecific degraders that simultaneously target human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and VEGF-A, represent a preliminary exploration of cooperative intervention. Representative degraders reviewed herein elicit diverse antiangiogenic phenotypes, ranging from the direct inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation to reductions in microvessel density and the suppression of vasculogenic mimicry. Finally, we discuss the major challenges that remain, including the precise matching of degradation kinetics with the vascular normalization window, target selectivity and tissue specificity, and the activation of compensatory networks and the emergence of resistance. Since the application of TPD in this setting remains at an early stage, the clinical translation of these approaches will require careful optimization of degradation efficiency, spatiotemporal control, and delivery strategies. We also envision future directions toward immunotherapy-based combination regimens and precision-degradation approaches guided by single-cell and spatial transcriptomics. In our view, TPD should not be regarded merely as a substitute for conventional antiangiogenic drugs, but rather as a molecular tool capable of systematically remodeling the tumor vascular microenvironment. When precise control of degradation efficiency and spatiotemporal regulation are integrated with a thorough understanding of the heterogeneity and compensatory capacity of tumor vessels, the full clinical potential of this strategy can be realized.
5.Research progress on role of necroptosis in chronic kidney disease
Ping QIU ; Shuo HUANG ; Qi-han LUO ; Qing MA ; Fu-zhe CHEN ; Zi-yi SHAN ; Yi-ming LIU ; Chang-yu LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):816-820
Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is a chronic disease characterized by renal structural damage and dysfunction.At present,there is still a lack of effective therapeutic drugs and prevention and treatment methods for CKD in clinical practice.More and more studies have shown that necroptosis,as a new type of programmed cell death,plays a vital role in the onset and progression of CKD.Targeting key molecules in the necroptosis pathway,such as RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL,the development of small molecule inhibitors has become an emerging strategy for the treatment of CKD,and has shown significant potential to pro-tect the kidneys and alleviate renal fibrosis in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models.Therefore,this article summarizes the re-search progress of the mechanism of necroptosis in recent years,and focuses on the potential role of necroptosis in the pathogene-sis of CKD and the therapeutic potential of targeting this path-way,providing a new perspective and research direction for the prevention and treatment of CKD in the future.
6.Novel araucarene diterpenes from Agathis dammara exert hypoglycemic activity by promoting pancreatic β cell regeneration and glucose uptake.
Zhewei YU ; Yi ZHANG ; Wenhui WANG ; XinYi WU ; Shunzhi LIU ; Yanlin BIN ; Hongsheng LI ; Bangping CAI ; Zheng WANG ; Meijuan FANG ; Rong QI ; Mingyu LI ; Yingkun QIU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(4):492-503
In this study, araucarene diterpenes, characterized by a pimarene skeleton with a variably oxidized side chain at C-13, were investigated. A total of 16 araucarene diterpenoids and their derivatives were isolated from the woods of Agathis dammara, including 11 previously unreported compounds: dammaradione (1), dammarones D-G (2, 5, 14, 15), dammaric acids B-F (8-12), and dammarol (16). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS) and one-dimensional/two-dimensional (1D/2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), while their absolute configurations were determined through the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) exciton chirality method and Snatzke's method. The hypoglycemic activity of all isolated compounds was evaluated using a transgenic zebrafish model, and a structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted. Araucarone (3) and dammaric acid C (9), serving as representative compounds, demonstrated significant hypoglycemic effects on zebrafish. The primary mechanism involves the promotion of pancreatic β cell regeneration and glucose uptake. Specifically, these compounds enhance the differentiation of pancreatic endocrine precursor cells (PEP cells) into β cells in zebrafish.
Zebrafish
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Animals
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Diterpenes/isolation & purification*
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Insulin-Secreting Cells/cytology*
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Glucose/metabolism*
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Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification*
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Molecular Structure
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Structure-Activity Relationship
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Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
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Regeneration/drug effects*
7.Research progress on role of necroptosis in chronic kidney disease
Ping QIU ; Shuo HUANG ; Qi-han LUO ; Qing MA ; Fu-zhe CHEN ; Zi-yi SHAN ; Yi-ming LIU ; Chang-yu LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):816-820
Chronic kidney disease(CKD)is a chronic disease characterized by renal structural damage and dysfunction.At present,there is still a lack of effective therapeutic drugs and prevention and treatment methods for CKD in clinical practice.More and more studies have shown that necroptosis,as a new type of programmed cell death,plays a vital role in the onset and progression of CKD.Targeting key molecules in the necroptosis pathway,such as RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL,the development of small molecule inhibitors has become an emerging strategy for the treatment of CKD,and has shown significant potential to pro-tect the kidneys and alleviate renal fibrosis in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models.Therefore,this article summarizes the re-search progress of the mechanism of necroptosis in recent years,and focuses on the potential role of necroptosis in the pathogene-sis of CKD and the therapeutic potential of targeting this path-way,providing a new perspective and research direction for the prevention and treatment of CKD in the future.
8.Rituximab combined with intensive immunochemotherapy for sporadic adult Burkitt lymphoma: efficacy and prognosis analyse
Changming DONG ; Hesong ZOU ; Wen ZHANG ; Wei LIU ; Yi WANG ; Huimin LIU ; Ting XIE ; Heng LI ; Qi WANG ; Wenyang HUANG ; Shuhua YI ; Gang AN ; Lugui QIU ; Dehui ZOU
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(2):134-139
Objective:To explore the therapeutic efficacy and prognostic factors of combined rituximab and intensive chemotherapy for sporadic adult Burkitt lymphoma (BL) .Methods:This retrospective study examined the clinical and survival data of 30 patients newly diagnosed with BL between July 2011 and February 2023 at the Blood Diseases Hospital. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the log-rank test was used for univariate analysis of prognostic factors.Results:The median age of the 30 patients was 43 years (24 - 66 years), and the male to female ratio was 3: 2. Extranodal invasion was present in 80% of the patients, with involvement of the bone marrow in 53.3% and central nervous system in 10.0%. The Ann Arbor stage was Ⅲ and Ⅳ in 86.7%. According to the number of Burkitt Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (BL-IPI) risk factors, patients were classified as low risk (0) in 20.0%, intermediate risk (1) in 43.3%, and high risk (≥2) in 36.7%. All patients were treated with an induction regimen of rituximab combined with intensive chemotherapy, with objective and complete response rates of 80.0% and 76.7%, respectively. The median follow-up was 49 months (6-153 months), and the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were both (76.7±7.7) %. All patients with limited stage ( n=4) achieved continuous complete remission (CCR). Patients who had high risk, advanced stage sensitive to induction therapy ( n=10) sequentially received first-line autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) as consolidation therapy; 9 patients achieved CCR, whereas 1 patient with central nervous system invasion developed early disease progression and died. The BL-IPI low, intermediate, and high risk groups had respective 5-year PFS rates of (83.3±15.2) %, 100.0%, and (45.5±15.0) % ( P=0.0069) and OS rates of (83.3±15.2) %, 100.0%, and (45.5±15.0) % ( P=0.0075). The main adverse effects of induction therapy were myelosuppression and secondary infections, which were effectively managed by appropriate symptomatic treatment. Univariate analysis demonstrated that worse PFS was associated with BL-IPI score ≥2 ( HR=4.90, 95% CI 1.02-23.45, P=0.0329) ; extranodal invasion at ≥2 sites ( HR=12.62, 95% CI 2.59-61.62, P=0.0021) ; and failure to achieve first complete response (CR1) after induction therapy ( HR=31.86, 95% CI 4.19-242.20, P<0.0001) . Conclusions:Intensive immunochemotherapy regimens were effective and well-tolerated by adult patients with highly aggressive BL. Treatment efficacy was ideal in patients with limited-stage disease, whereas prognosis was unsatisfactory in patients with high-risk BL-IPI. Sequential first-line auto-HSCT consolidation therapy may further improve outcomes in patients with high-risk advanced-stage disease who are sensitive to induction therapy. BL-IPI score ≥2, extranodal invasion at ≥2 sites, and failure to achieve CR1 after induction therapy were adverse prognostic factors in adult patients with BL.
9.Genetic evolution characteristics and their influence on disease transmission in sandflies in various environments in China
Lei CUI ; Ya-qi HE ; Zheng-bin ZHOU ; Yuan FANG ; Zhong-qiu LI ; Yuan-yuan LI ; Li-min YANG ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):501-507
This study analyzed the genetic evolutionary characteristics of sandflies and their effects on the spread of kala-azar in various environments in endemic provinces in China,to provide a scientific basis for kala-azar disease prevention and control.Sand-flies were collected in kala-azar endemic areas such as southern Xinjiang,the large hilly areas of southern Gansu,the northern Sich-uan and Taihang Mountains,and surrounding small hills.The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome b gene fragments of mito-chondrial DNA were amplified to identify sandfly species.The COI and Cytb gene sequences of sandflies from southern Xinjiang and Si-chuan recorded in NCBI were also collected.The intraspecific and interspecific genetic differences of sandflies were calculated in MEGA11.0,and a phylogenetic tree was constructed through the neighbor-joining method,for analysis of the genetic and evolutionary characteristics of sandfly populations and their effects on disease transmission.A total of 155 sandflies were collected from nine sam-pling sites in seven provinces of China;the species included Phlebotomus chinensis,Phlebotomus wui,and Sergentomyia squamirostris.Five sandfly species belonging to two genera were collected:P.chinensis,P.wui,and Phlebotomus alexandri in the genus Phleboto-mus,and S.squamirostris in the genus Sergentomyia.Genetic evolution analysis based on COI and Cytb gene sequences indicated intra-specific genetic distances of 0-0.062 and 0-0.056,respectively,and interspecific genetic distances of 0.126-0.176 and 0.110-0.171,respectively.The phylogenetic tree indicated that P.wui,P.alexandri,Phlebotomus longiductus,and S.squamirostris clus-tered into one branch.The sequences of P.chinensis in the large and small hilly areas clustered into two geographical clades.In the small hilly areas,the sequences of P.chinensis aggregates showed small genetic differences,the pathogen infection was consistent,and the cases showed an epidemic spread trend.Large genetic differences at the molecular level were observed among sandflies in dif-ferent ecological regions,thus indicating key effects on leishmaniasis transmission.On the basis of these findings,prevention and con-trol strategies should be adapted to local conditions,and precise and effective prevention and control measures should be formulated according to the genetic evolution characteristics of sandflies in different regions,to better control the transmission of Kala-azar.
10.Construction and Identification of a Macrophage-specific Colgalt1 Gene Knockout Mouse Model
Pei-Pei QIU ; Xiao-Jiao SUN ; WANG-LEI ; Zhi-Qi WANG ; Chu-Xiao YI ; Zhen-Ming LIU ; Ji-Guo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1214-1222
Aberrant expression of Colgalt1 is closely associated with tumorigenesis and tumor progres-sion;however,the mechanism by which it regulates macrophages to influence tumor development remains poorly understood.This study aimed to establish a macrophage-specific Colgalt1 gene knockout mouse model to delve into the mechanisms through which Colgalt1 modulates macrophage function and subse-quently affects the occurrence and progression of tumor-related diseases.Initially,Colgalt1flox+mice were generated using gene editing techniques,followed by crossing with Lyz2-Cre+mice,which exhibit tissue-specific expression in the myeloid lineage(including monocytes and mature macrophages).Through this strategy,mice with the genotype Colgalt1-/-Lyz2-Cre+were successfully obtained,achieving conditional knockout of the Colgalt1 gene in macrophages.Colgalt1flox/flox Lyz2-Cre-mice were used as control.PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were employed to identify the Flox and Cre genotypes of the knockout mice.RT-qPCR and Western Blot techniques were utilized to detect the expression levels of Colgalt1 in BMDMs from knockout mice at both the mRNA and protein levels,respectively.Western Blot results re-vealed a significant downregulation of Colgaltl expression in BMDMs from knockout mice compared to controls(P<0.01).RT-qPCR results demonstrated a significant reduction in Colgalt1 mRNA levels in BMDMs from knockout mice compared to contro1s(P<0.001),while no significant differences in Col-galt1 mRNA expression were observed in liver,lung,or spleen tissues between the two groups.Addition-ally,immunohistochemistry was employed to detect Colgalt1 expression in liver-specific macrophages,re-vealing an absence of Colgalt l-positive staining in liver macrophages from knockout mice.HE staining was used to observe cellular morphology in liver tissues from both groups of mice,showing no significant differences in cellular morphology or obvious pathological changes in tissues and organs.Moreover,the o-verall survival of the mice was not affected.Finally,RT-qPCR was used to assess the expression of mac-rophage-related inflammatory factors in BMDMs from both groups of mice.The results indicated that com-pared to controls,knockout mice exhibited downregulated expression of TNF-α(P<0.05)and signifi-cantly upregulated expression of IL-10(P<0.01),Arginase1(P<0.001),and CD206(P<0.001)in BMDMs,suggesting an anti-inflammatory trend and M2 polarization of macrophages following Colgalt 1 knockout.In summary,this study successfully established a macrophage-specific Colgalt1 gene knockout mouse model,providing a more reliable experimental animal model for in-depth exploration of the specific roles of Colgalt1 in macrophage functional regulation and the pathogenesis of tumor-related diseases.This model holds promise for identifying novel therapeutic targets and strategies for tumors and other diseases.

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