ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of topical treatment of allergic contact dermatitis （ACD） mice with Portulacae Herba based on the nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 70 6-week-old specific pathogen free （SPF） female Kunming mice were adaptively fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group， model group， compound dexamethasone acetate cream group （2.075×10^-2 g·g^-1）， blank matrix cream group， low-dose Portulacae Herba cream group （0.1 g·g^-1）， high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group （0.2 g·g^-1）， and Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group （0.2 g·g^-1 + 30 mg·kg^-1 ML385）， with 10 mice in each group. One day before the experiment， the mice were shaved on the neck and back. Except for the blank group， the mice in the other groups were treated with 2，4-dinitrochlorobenzene （DNCB） to establish an ACD model. After respective administration， the skin lesion of the mice was scored， and the histopathological changes of the skin were stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity， and malondialdehyde （MDA） in serum of mice. The expression of Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins in mouse skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）， Western blot， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the mice in the model group had an increased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， severe pathological damage to skin tissue， increased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in their serum （P<0.01）， and decreased content of SOD （P<0.01）. In addition， the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α （IκBα） in skin tissue were up-regulated （P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of phosphorylated （p）-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group and the blank matrix cream group， the mice treated with Portulacae Herba had a decreased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， reduced pathological damage to skin tissue， decreased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in their serum （P<0.01）， and increased content of SOD （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and IκBα in skin tissue were down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group， the high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group had a decreased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， alleviated pathological damage to skin tissue， decreased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in the serum of mice （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and increased content of SOD （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and IκBα and the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in skin tissue were up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionPortulacae Herba can improve DNCB-induced ACD skin damage in mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Frostbite is the most common cold injury and is caused by both immediate cold-induced cell death and the gradual development of localized inflammation and tissue ischemia. Delayed healing of frostbite often leads to scar formation, which not only causes psychological distress but also tends to result in the development of secondary malignant tumors. Therefore, a rapid healing method for frostbite wounds is urgently needed. Herein, we used a mouse skin model of frostbite injury to evaluate the recovery process after frostbite. Moreover, single-cell transcriptomics was used to determine the patterns of changes in monocytes, macrophages, epidermal cells, and fibroblasts during frostbite. Most importantly, human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived skin organoids combined with gelatin-hydrogel were constructed for the treatment of frostbite. The results showed that skin organoid treatment significantly accelerated wound healing by reducing early inflammation after frostbite and increasing the proportions of epidermal stem cells. Moreover, in the later stage of wound healing, skin organoids reduced the overall proportions of fibroblasts, significantly reduced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition by regulating the integrin α5β1-FAK pathway, and remodeled the extracellular matrix (ECM) through degradation and reassembly mechanisms, facilitating the restoration of physiological ECM and reducing the abundance of ECM associated with abnormal scar formation. These results highlight the potential application of organoids for promoting the reversal of frostbite-related injury and the recovery of skin functions. This study provides a new therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from disfigurement and skin dysfunction caused by frostbite.
Animals ; Organoids/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Wound Healing ; Frostbite/metabolism* ; Skin/pathology* ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cicatrix/pathology* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Male

ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects and mechanism of Portulaca oleracea cream on skin pruritus and barrier function in allergic contact dermatitis （ACD） mice. METHODS Low-concentration and high-concentration P. oleracea creams were prepared， with the P. oleracea extract solution （1 g/mL， calculated by crude drug） concentrations of 10% and 20%. Sixty BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into blank group， model group， Mometasone furoate cream group （positive control）， blank matrix cream group， P. oleracea low-concentration and high-concentration cream groups. Except for blank group， ACD model was induced in each group using 2，4-dinitrochlorobenzene solution. The blank group and model groups received normal saline， while the remaining groups were treated with their respective creams， once a day， at a dose of approximately 0.5 g per application， continuously for 14 days. At 24 h post-final administration， skin lesions of mice were observed and scored； pathological changes of skin tissue were observed； serum levels of immunoglobulin E（IgE） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were quantified. mRNA expression of MAS-related G protein-coupled receptors （including MrgprA3， MrgprC11， and MrgprD） in dorsal root ganglion （DRG） was assessed； while protein expressions of skin barrier function-related proteins Claudin-1 and Occludin in skin tissues were determined. RESULTS Compared with blank group， mice in the model group exhibited severe skin damage， characterized by loss of epidermal architecture， hyperkeratosis of the skin tissue， and the infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. The skin injury scores， as well as the serum levels of IgE and TNF-α， and the mRNA expression levels of MrgprA3， MrgprC11， and MrgprD in DRG， were all significantly elevated compared to the blank group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； in contrast， the protein expression levels of Claudin-1 and Occludin in the skin tissue were markedly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， mice in P. oleracea low-concentration and high- concentration cream groups demonstrated significant alleviation of skin damage， as evidenced by reduced epidermal hyperplasia， mitigated spongiosis in the dermis， and decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells； these quantitative indicators were almost significantly reversed （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No significant differences were observed in the aforementioned skin injuries， pathological alterations， or quantitative indicators between the blank matrix cream group and the model group. CONCLUSIONS P. oleracea may ameliorate skin lesions and restore skin barrier function of ACD mice， the mechanism of which may be associated with downregulating mRNA expressions of MrgprA3， MrgprC11 and MrgprD in DRG， and up-regulating the protein expressions of Claudin-1 and Occludin in skin tissue.

Objective:To discuss the role of M2 macrophages in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and cisplatin(DDP)resistance in the non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),and to clarify the regulatory mechanism of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods:The human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells were selected and differentiated into M0 macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate(PMA)induction,followed by M2 macrophage polarization through interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-13 stimulation.Western blotting and immunofluorescence methods were used to detect the protein expression levels of CD163,CD86,and arginase-1(Arg-1)in M0 and M2 macrophages.The human NSCLC A549 cells were co-cultured non-contactly with M0 or M2 macrophages in Transwell chambers,and the cells were divided into A549+M0 group(A549 cells co-cultured with M0 macrophages),A549+M2 group(A549 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages),and A549+M2+BAY11-7082 group(A549 cells co-cultured with M2 macrophages and treated with 10 mmol·L-1 NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082).Wound healing assay was used to detect the wound healing rate of the A549 cells in various groups;Transwell assay was used to detect the number of invasion A549 cells in various groups;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect the inhibitory rate of proliferation and half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value of the A549 cells after treated with DDP in the co-culture system;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of vimentin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,transcription factor Snail,phosphorylated P65(p-P65),P-glycoprotein(P-gp),and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)proteins in the A549 cells in various groups.Results:The Western blotting results showed that compared with M0 group,the expression levels of CD163 and Arg-1 proteins in the macrophages in M2 group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression level of CD86 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The immunofluorescence results showed that compared with M0 group,the expression of CD163 protein in the macrophages in M2 group was enhanced and the expression of CD86 protein was weakened.The wound healing assay results showed that at 24 and 48 h of culture,compared with A549+M0 group,the wound healing rate of the A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly increased(P<0.05);in the co-culture system,compared with A549+M0 group,the wound healing rate of the A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with A549+M2 group,the wound healing rate of the A549 cells in A549+M2+BAY11-7082 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Transwell assay results showed that compared with A549+M0 group,the number of invasion A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with A549+M2 group,the number of invasion A549 cells in A549+M2+BAY11-7082 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);in the co-culture system,compared with A549+M0 group,the number of invasion A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The CCK-8 assay results showed that after treated with 2.50,5.00,10.00,20.00,and 40.00 mg·L-1 DDP,compared with A549+M0 group,the inhibitory rate of proliferation of the A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the IC50 value was significantly increased(P<0.01);in the co-culture system,compared with A549+M0 group,the inhibitory rate of proliferation of the A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the IC50 value was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with A549+M2 group,the inhibitory rate of proliferation of the A549 cells in A549+M2+BAY11-7082 group was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the IC50 value was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with A549+M0 group,the expression level of E-cadherin proteins in the A549 cells in A549+M2 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of N-cadherin,vimentin,and Snail proteins were significantly increased(P<0.05);in the co-culture system,compared with A549+M0 group,the expression levels of vimentin,Snail,N-cadherin,and p-P65 proteins in the A549 cells in A549+M2 group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression level of E-cadherin proteins was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with A549+M2 group,the expression levels of vimentin,N-cadherin,and p-P65 proteins in the A549 cells in A549+M2+BAY11-7082 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the expression level of E-cadherin proteins was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with A549+M0 group,the expression levels of P-gp and PD-L1 proteins in the A549 cells in A549+M2 group were significantly increased(P<0.05);in the co-culture system,compared with A549+M0 group,the expression levels of P-gp and PD-L1 proteins in the A549 cells in A549+M2 group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with A549+M2 group,the expression levels of P-gp and PD-L1 proteins in the A549 cells in A549+M2+BAY11-7082 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:The M2 macrophages can regulate EMT in the NSCLC cells to promote the invasion and metastasis of tumor,and modulate the expressions of P-gp and PD-L1 to enhance DDP resistance,which is associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

Objective To investigate the effects of Zhongfengting granule on plasma metabolites in acute cerebral ischemia MCAO model rats by non-targeted metabolomics techniques,and to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of Zhongfengting granule.Methods 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group and Chinese medicine group,with 8 rats in each group.Model group and Chinese medicine group were treated with middle cerebral artery thrombus method to establish the MCAO rat model,and the medicine was administered on the same day after the successful modeling.The Chinese medicine group was given(22.68 g·kg-1)Zhongfengting granule solution by gavage,and the blank group and model group were given equal volume normal saline for 7 days.After administration,blood was collected intravenously.Plasma samples from blank group,model group and Chinese medicine group were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatogre-quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer,and differential metabolites were screened by multivariate statistical analysis.The metabolic pathways of the differentiated metabolites were analyzed based on KEGG database.Results Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the content of 22 potential biomarkers in the rat model of acute cerebral ischemia had significant changes,and the above-mentioned 22 potential biomarkers were significantly reversed by Zhongfengting granule(P<0.05).The enrichment results of metabolic pathways showed that Zhongfengting granule mainly affected phenylalanine metabolism,tyrosine metabolism,ascorbic acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism.Conclusion Metabolites and metabolic pathways in MCAO model rats with acute cerebral ischemia are changed,and the different metabolites and metabolic pathways can be reversed by Zhongfengting granule,which mainly involve phenylalanine metabolism and regulate energy metabolism.

Objective The causal relationship between immune cells and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)risk was investigated using a two-sample Mendelian randomization method.Methods The datasets including 731 immune cells and HCC were obtained from the GWAS database and Finngen database,respectively.The stability and reliability of Mendelian randomization studies were evaluated by the MR-Egger regression,MR PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,and leave one out test.The inverse variance weighting,MR-Egger,weigh-ted median,simple mode and weighted mode were used to investigate the causal relationship between immune cells and HCC.Results A total of 4 immune cells were found to have a potential causal relationship with HCC,and the results were stable.The CD3+CD39+Treg,CD80+granulocyte and CD4+Treg were protective factors for HCC(OR=0.910,95%CI:0.852-0.972;OR=0.919,95%CI:0.865-0.975;OR=0.924,95%CI:0.873-0.978),while CD45+CD33+HLA-DR+CD14+marrow cells were a risk factor for HCC(OR=1.116,95%CI:1.033-1.204).Conclusion The CD3+CD39+Treg,CD80+granulocytes,and CD4+Treg are negatively associated with the risk of HCC,while CD45+CD33+HLA-DR+CD14+marrow cells are positively associated with the risk of HCC.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary pathogen causing acute lower respiratory tract infections in neonates. Since the adjustment of COVID-19 prevention policies in December 2022, RSV infection rates have increased among children in multiple regions. Neonates' immature immune systems render them particularly vulnerable, with preterm infants facing higher infection risks than term infants, and severe cases potentially progressing to acute respiratory failure. Currently, no specific antiviral therapy exists for RSV, with management relying primarily on supportive care. This review synthesizes current knowledge on RSV epidemiology, risk factors for severe disease, early clinical recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, providing clinical guidance for early identification and management of severe RSV infections in neonates.