1.Induction of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by polyphyllin 9 through regulating the Fas/FasL sig-naling pathway and the inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice
Minna YAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Kai GAO ; Ruili LI ; Ying YIN ; Chao GUO ; Yunyang LU ; Haifeng TANG ; Jingwen WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2238-2243
OBJECTIVE To investigate the induction of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by polyphyllin 9 (PP9) through the regulation of the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) signaling pathway, and its inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice. METHODS Based on the screening of cell lines and intervention conditions, HepG2 cells were selected as the experimental subject to investigate the effects of 2 μmol/L and 4 μmol/L PP9 treatment on cell colony formation activity, apoptosis rate, as well as the protein expressions of Fas, FasL, cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3. Additionally, Fas inhibitor KR- 33493 was introduced to investigate the underlying mechanism of PP9’s anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity. Using HepG2 cell tumor-bearing nude mice model as the object, and 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg) as the positive control, the effects of 10 mg/kg PP9 on tumor volume, tumor mass, and the protein expressions of the nuclear proliferation-associated antigen Ki-67 and cleaved caspase-3 in tumor-bearing nude mice were investigated. RESULTS Compared with the control group, 2, 4 μmol/L PP9 significantly decreased the number of clones and the clone formation rate of cells, but significantly increased the apoptosis rate, the protein expressions of Fas, FasL, cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, the combination of Fas inhibitor KR-33493 could significantly reverse the effect of PP9 on the up-regulation of proteins related to the Fas/FasL signaling pathway (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the tumor volume (on day 27), mass and protein expression of Ki- 67 in nude mice of the PP9 group were significantly decreased, while the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS PP9 can induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells by activating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway. Meanwhile, PP9 can also effectively inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice.
2.Era value and new directions of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating osteoporosis from perspective of "bone health program".
Yi-Li ZHANG ; Chuan-Rui SUN ; Kai SUN ; Ai-Li XU ; Hao SHEN ; He YIN ; Ling-Hui LI ; Li-Guo ZHU ; Xu WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):569-574
Facing the requirements of promoting the healthy China initiative and improving people's health, the "bone health program" was proposed in 2024. In-depth development of a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prevention and control system is of strategic significance to the implementation of the "bone health program". Focusing on osteoporosis(OP), a representative disease affecting people's bone health, this paper concludes that accelerating the research on the prevention and control of OP by TCM is conducive to enhancing the knowledge and awareness of OP among the public, and it is beneficial to revealing the evolutionary pattern of OP and improving the understanding and management of this disease. Additionally, it can provide an overall framework for and strengthen the systematicity and completeness of the research on the prevention and treatment of OP by TCM. Meanwhile, it can help to explore new research paradigms and optimize the existing research model, so as to promote innovative breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of bone health-related diseases by TCM. Under the overall layout of the "bone health program", importance should be attached to the early prevention and the innovation of very early diagnosis and intervention of OP. Emphasis should be put on the discovery of the target network of disease and treatment mechanism for revealing the core pathogenesis of OP and the therapeutic mechanism of TCM. In addition to local lesions of the bone and its clinical outcomes, attention should be paid to the development of multiple metabolic complications. The fusion of advanced interdisciplinary technologies should be promoted for OP and its complications, and thus a research and development system based on clinical application scenarios and driven by big data can be built. The measures above will facilitate the progress in the prevention and treatment of OP and other bone diseases by TCM and provide new momentum for enriching and deepening the research connotation of the "bone health program".
Osteoporosis/therapy*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
China
;
Bone and Bones/drug effects*
3.IMM-H007 promotes hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism by activating AMPKα to attenuate hypercholesterolemia.
Jiaqi LI ; Mingchao WANG ; Kai QU ; Yuyao SUN ; Zequn YIN ; Na DONG ; Xin SUN ; Yitong XU ; Liang CHEN ; Shuang ZHANG ; Xunde XIAN ; Suowen XU ; Likun MA ; Yajun DUAN ; Haibo ZHU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4047-4063
Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. 2',3',5'-Tri-O-acetyl-N 6-(3-hydroxyphenyl) adenosine (IMM-H007), a novel AMPK agonist, has shown protective effects in metabolic diseases. However, its impact on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in hypercholesterolemia remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects and specific mechanisms by which IMM-H007 regulates cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism. To achieve this goal, we used Apoe -/- and Ldlr -/- mice to establish a hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis model. Additionally, hepatocyte-specific Ampka1/2 knockout mice were subjected to a 5-week high-cholesterol diet to establish hypercholesterolemia, while atherosclerosis was induced via AAV-PCSK9 injection combined with a 16-week high-cholesterol diet. Our results demonstrated that IMM-H007 improved cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in mice with hypercholesterolemia. Mechanistically, IMM-H007 modulated the AMPKα1/2-LDLR signaling pathway, increasing cholesterol uptake in the liver. Furthermore, IMM-H007 activated the AMPKα1-FXR pathway, promoting the conversion of hepatic cholesterol to bile acids. Additionally, IMM-H007 prevented hepatic steatosis by activating the AMPKα1/2-ATGL pathway. In conclusion, our study suggests that IMM-H007 is a promising therapeutic agent for improving hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis through the activation of AMPKα.
4.Construction of a Prognostic Model for Lysosome-dependent Cell Death in Gastric Cancer Based on Single-cell RNA-seq and Bulk RNA-seq Data.
Peng NI ; Kai Xin GUO ; Tian Yi LIANG ; Xin Shuang FAN ; Yan Qiao HUA ; Yang Ye GAO ; Shuai Yin CHEN ; Guang Cai DUAN ; Rong Guang ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):416-432
OBJECTIVE:
To identify prognostic genes associated with lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD) in patients with gastric cancer (GC).
METHODS:
Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using The Cancer Genome Atlas - Stomach Adenocarcinoma. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the key module genes associated with LDCD score. Candidate genes were identified by DEGs and key module genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed for the selection of prognostic genes, and risk module was established. Subsequently, key cells were identified in the single-cell dataset (GSE183904), and prognostic gene expression was analyzed. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the wound healing assay.
RESULTS:
A total of 4,465 DEGs, 95 candidate genes, and 4 prognostic genes, including C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18, were identified in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated the excellent predictive power of the risk model. Three key cell types (B cells, chief cells, and endothelial/pericyte cells) were identified in the GSE183904 dataset. C19orf59 and TNFAIP2 exhibited predominant expression in macrophage species, whereas TNFAIP2 evolved over time in endothelial/pericyte cells and chief cells. Functional experiments confirmed that interfering with C19orf59 inhibited proliferation and migration in GC cells.
CONCLUSION
C19orf59, BATF2, TNFAIP2, and TNFSF18 are prognostic genes associated with LDCD in GC. Furthermore, the risk model established in this study showed robust predictive power.
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
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Humans
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Prognosis
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Lysosomes/physiology*
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RNA-Seq
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Cell Death
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Single-Cell Analysis
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Cell Proliferation
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Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis
6.Immunogenic evaluation of pseudorabies virus gB protein expressed in the baculovirus-insect cell system.
Jin WANG ; Kai WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Shuzhen TAN ; Shiqi SUN ; Huichen GUO ; Shuanghui YIN ; Jiaqiang NIU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2694-2706
Pseudorabies (PR) is an infectious disease caused by the pseudorabies virus (PRV), affecting various domesticated and wild animals. Since pigs are the only natural hosts of PRV, PR poses a serious threat to the pig farming industry. Currently, PR is primarily prevented through vaccination with inactivated vaccines or genetically modified attenuated live vaccines. Developing safe and effective genetically engineered vaccines would facilitate the eradication and control of PR. In this study, the PRV vaccine strain Bartha-K61 was used as the reference strain. The gB protein was expressed via the baculovirus-insect cell expression system. Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis confirmed that the gB protein could form a trimeric structure. The purified gB protein was used to immunize mice, and the immune effect was evaluated by a challenge test. The results showed that the gB antigen induced a strong immune response in mice, with the serum-neutralizing antibody titer above 1:70. The lymphocyte stimulation index reached more than 1.29, and the level of (interferon gamma, IFN-γ) release was higher than 100 pg/mL. After immunization, mice were challenged with the virus at a dose of 104 TCID₅₀/mL, 200 μL per mouse, and the clinical protection rate was 100%. Immunohistochemistry, histopathological section, and tissue viral load results showed that the pathological damage and viral load in the gB-immunized group were significantly lower than those in the PBS group. In summary, the gB protein obtained in this study induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, laying a foundation for developing a recombinant gB protein subunit vaccine.
Animals
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Mice
;
Baculoviridae/metabolism*
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Viral Envelope Proteins/biosynthesis*
;
Herpesvirus 1, Suid/genetics*
;
Pseudorabies/immunology*
;
Swine
;
Pseudorabies Vaccines/genetics*
;
Antibodies, Viral/blood*
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Insecta/cytology*
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Female
;
Viral Vaccines/immunology*
7.Clinical experience of extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical cystectomy in 340 cases
Ke WANG ; Zhaofeng LI ; Zongliang ZHANG ; Kai ZHAO ; Xinbao YIN ; Guanqun ZHU ; Zhenlin WANG ; Han YANG ; Xueyu LI ; Xuechuan YAN ; Qinglei WANG ; Zaiqing JIANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(9):762-765
Radical cystectomy combined with pelvic lymph node dissection is the standard procedure for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer and complex non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Our department has routinely carried out laparoscopic radical cystectomy(ELRC)through the extraperitoneal approach in 340 cases.This article summarizes the establishment of the peritoneal space,the expansion of the peritoneal space,the operation steps of bladder resection and lymph node dissection through the peritoneal channel,and how to shorten the operation time and reduce the difficulty of the operation.During the surgery,the bladder is removed periperitoneally without destroying the peritoneum to preserve the functions of peritoneum support,secretion,protection and lubrication,which has little impact on the abdominal organs,reduces the incidence of complications,and provides favorable conditions for subsequent treatment.
8.Value of serum AFP, CEA and CA19-9 detection in opportunistic screening for liver cancer in Chinese population: a meta-analysis
He TONG ; Jian YIN ; Yaoyu AN ; Kai ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(4):245-253
Objective:To evaluate the value of detection of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in opportunistic screening of liver cancer in Chinese population with a meta-analysis.Methods:Literatures on combined screening of liver cancer by AFP, CEA and CA19-9 were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Database, Chongqing VIP database, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library from the establishment of the databases to June 2023. The Quality Assessment Tool of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. Stata 17.0 statistical software was used for meta-analysis, and Deeks funnel plot was used to analyze publication bias.Results:A total of 24 literatures met the inclusion criteria, including 1 471 patients with liver cancer and 2 150 controls. The overall sensitivity of AFP in liver cancer diagnosis (screening) was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.66-0.75), the total specificity was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80-0.90), and the area under summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve (AUC) was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.78-0.85). The total sensitivity of CEA in liver cancer diagnosis (screening) was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.40-0.56), the total specificity was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79-0.89), and the AUC of sROC was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.70-0.77). The total sensitivity of CA19-9 in liver cancer diagnosis (screening) was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.50-0.61), the total specificity was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.85), and the AUC was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.65-0.73). AFP has the highest sensitivity and specificity among the three. The overall sensitivity of combined detection of AFP, CEA and CA19-9 for liver cancer diagnosis (screening) was increased to 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.92), the overall specificity was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.70-0.82), and the AUC was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.88-0.93). No publication bias was found in either individual or combined test of the biomarkers. Conclusions:Detection of AFP alone has high sensitivity and specificity, and it is a tumor marker that can be used for the opportunistic screening of liver cancer. When combined tests of AFP, CEA and CA19-9 are used to screen liver cancer, the results should be interpreted more carefully.
9.Value of serum CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 detection in opportunistic screening for gastric cancer: a meta-analysis
Jian YIN ; Sirui QIU ; Kai ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(4):271-278
Objective:To evaluate the application value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and CA72-4 detection in the opportunistic screening (healthy physical examination) of gastric cancer based on a meta-analysis.Methods:A published literature searching up to May 2023 was performed in databases of CNKI, Wanfang Databases, VIP, PubMed, Cochran and Embase for studies on CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 detection and diagnosis of gastric cancer. The Quality Evaluation Tool of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. Stata17.0 statistical software was used for meta-analysis.Results:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 23 studies with 5 287 gastric cancer patients and 6 129 controls were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of serum CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 as a diagnostic marker for gastric cancer were 0.42, 0.45 and 0.52, and 0.94, 0.91 and 0.95, respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve for discriminating gastric cancer was 0.82, 0.77 and 0.87, respectively. The sensitivity of combined (parallel) diagnosis of gastric cancer with the three biomarkers increased to 0.66 (95% CI: 0.54-0.76), the specificity decreased to 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81-0.89), and the area under the curve basically remained unchanged at 0.86 (95% CI: 0.83-0.89). Conclusions:Due to poor sensitivity, the application effects of serum CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 as biomarkers for gastric cancer screening and physical examination are limited.
10.Expert consensus on the rational application of the biological clock in stomatology research
Kai YANG ; Moyi SUN ; Longjiang LI ; Zhangui TANG ; Guoxin REN ; Wei GUO ; Songsong ZHU ; Jia-Wei ZHENG ; Jie ZHANG ; Zhijun SUN ; Jie REN ; Jiawen ZHENG ; Xiaoqiang LV ; Hong TANG ; Dan CHEN ; Qing XI ; Xin HUANG ; Heming WU ; Hong MA ; Wei SHANG ; Jian MENG ; Jichen LI ; Chunjie LI ; Yi LI ; Ningbo ZHAO ; Xuemei TAN ; Yixin YANG ; Yadong WU ; Shilin YIN ; Zhiwei ZHANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(4):455-460
The biological clock(also known as the circadian rhythm)is the fundamental reliance for all organisms on Earth to adapt and survive in the Earth's rotation environment.Circadian rhythm is the most basic regulatory mechanism of life activities,and plays a key role in maintaining normal physiological and biochemical homeostasis,disease occurrence and treatment.Recent studies have shown that the biologi-cal clock plays an important role in the development of oral tissues and in the occurrence and treatment of oral diseases.Since there is cur-rently no guiding literature on the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,researchers mainly conduct research based on pub-lished references,which has led to controversy about the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,and there are many confusions about how to rationally apply the research methods of circadia rhythms.In view of this,this expert consensus summarizes the characteristics of the biological clock and analyzes the shortcomings of the current biological clock research in stomatology,and organizes relevant experts to summarize and recommend 10 principles as a reference for the rational implementation of the biological clock in stomatology research.

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