1.Matrix Stiffness-mediated Regulation of Vascular Regeneration During Tissue Repair
Kang-Bo WANG ; Wei-Ke LI ; Jing LONG ; Ying-Xiong WANG ; Ru-Fei GAO ; Zhen-Yin CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2269-2282
Tissue repair requires the reconstruction of functional vascular networks to restore oxygen and nutrient delivery, eliminate metabolic waste, and maintain tissue homeostasis. Although biochemical factors such as growth factors and cytokines have been extensively studied in vascular regeneration, increasing evidence indicates that mechanical signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM) are equally important regulators of angiogenesis. Matrix stiffness, as a major biomechanical property of the tissue microenvironment, provides critical information that influences endothelial cell (EC) behavior and vascular remodeling through mechanotransduction. However, the biological effects of matrix stiffness are not universally defined as either pro- or anti-angiogenic, but are highly dependent on tissue context, cellular composition, disease progression, and the dynamic changes occurring during tissue repair. Therefore, understanding how matrix stiffness regulates vascular regeneration is essential for developing more precise strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the regulation of angiogenesis by matrix stiffness during tissue repair from multiple perspectives. First, we discuss the direct effects of matrix stiffness on EC behaviors, including differentiation, morphological remodeling, migration, proliferation, barrier maintenance, and vascular network formation. ECs sense mechanical alterations in the surrounding matrix through various mechanosensitive structures, including integrins, focal adhesion complexes, and mechanosensitive ion channels such as Piezo1 and TRPV proteins. These mechanical signals are subsequently transmitted through intracellular pathways involving FAK, RhoA/ROCK, MAPK, and Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling, leading to cytoskeletal reorganization and transcriptional regulation. Through these mechanisms, matrix stiffness regulates endothelial functional states and determines the balance between regenerative vascular formation and pathological vascular remodeling. Beyond the direct regulation of ECs, we further highlight the importance of stiffness-mediated intercellular communication within the regenerative microenvironment. Matrix stiffness can regulate the behavior and secretory profiles of vascular-associated cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and macrophages, thereby indirectly affecting endothelial function through paracrine mechanisms. Changes in matrix mechanics influence the secretion of angiogenic factors, inflammatory cytokines, and extracellular vesicles from these cells, creating a mechanical regulation network that coordinates vascular regeneration. This perspective extends the traditional concept of matrix stiffness from a physical support structure to an active regulatory signal that integrates multiple cellular responses during tissue repair. Furthermore, we discuss the tissue-specific effects of matrix stiffness in vascular regeneration across different organs, including the aorta, lung, liver, and heart. Although excessive matrix stiffening is frequently associated with fibrosis and vascular dysfunction, the consequences of mechanical changes vary considerably among tissues. Moderate stiffness alterations may support endothelial activation and vascular stabilization in certain regenerative contexts, whereas persistent pathological stiffening can promote inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and impaired vascular repair. These findings emphasize that the biological meaning of “soft” and “stiff” microenvironments should be interpreted according to specific tissue and experimental conditions rather than as universal mechanical classifications. Finally, we summarize current challenges and future perspectives in this field. A major limitation is the lack of standardized mechanical characterization among different studies, as stiffness measurements are influenced by material properties, testing methods, and experimental conditions, limiting direct comparison across research systems. Moreover, most existing models fail to fully reproduce the dynamic and viscoelastic properties of native ECM during tissue regeneration. Future studies should combine advanced biomaterials with standardized mechanical analysis, organoid models, and multi-omics approaches to establish more accurate mechanical regulatory maps. Overall, this review proposes that matrix stiffness is not merely a structural feature of tissues, but an active biological signal that regulates vascular regeneration through coordinated mechanotransduction and multicellular interactions. A deeper understanding of stiffness-mediated vascular regulation will provide new theoretical insights and therapeutic opportunities for improving tissue repair outcomes.
2.Establishment of HPLC characteristic chromatograms and content determination of nine constituents for Yixin Fumai Granules
Xin-ru CHI ; Zheng-wei CHEN ; Jie LI ; Ai-ying WU ; Li-hua YIN ; Hong-bing LIU ; Jing-guang LU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):1-6
AIM To establish the HPLC characteristic chromatograms for Yixin Fumai Granules,and to determine the contents of sodium danshensu,protocatechualdehyde,chlorogenic acid,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,ferulic acid,rosalinic acid,salvianolic acid A,salvianolic acid B,schisandrol A.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Acutfex PA-C18 column(4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 210,250,280,320 nm.Subsequently,cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed.RESULTS There were 11 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatograms for 15 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.980.Nine constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 6),whose average recoveries were 97.60%-107.02%with the RSDs of 0.78%-1.87%.Various batches of samples were clustered into 4 categories,2 principal components demonstrated the accumulative variance contribution rate of 89.454%.CONCLUSION This sensitive and reproducible method can provide a reference for the quality evaluation and control of Yixin Fumai Granules.
3.Electrochemical Sensor Based on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanobowl-Modified Electrode for Nitrofurantoin Detection
Yao-Juan HU ; Rui-Ying GUO ; Hui-Ru TANG ; Hui-Lin LI ; Feng-Yun HE ; Chang-Li ZHANG ; Chang-Yun CHEN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1127-1137
Nitrofurantoin(NFT)is a nitrofuran antibiotic commonly used as a veterinary drug to treat bacterial infections in animals.However,due to the low solubility and bioaccumulation properties,NFT is prone to leave excessive residues in animal-derived foods and water systems,posing serious threats to human health and ecosystems.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop an efficient and rapid detection method for NFT.In this work,nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials with unique bowl-like structures(N-CNBs)were synthesized via a hydrothermal-carbonization method.The morphology,surface structure,and specific surface area of N-CNBs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy(TEM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The N-CNB modified glassy carbon electrode(N-CNB/GCE)was prepared,and the electrochemical test revealed that the N-CNB/GCE exhibited higher conductivity and larger electrochemical active surface area compared to bare GCE and nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanosphere-modified electrode(N-HCNS/GCE).Additionally,the N-CNB/GCE demonstrated superior electrocatalytic activity toward NFT.An NFT electrochemical sensor was constructed based on N-CNB/GCE.The detection conditions of the sensor were optimized,and differential pulse voltammetry(DPV)was employed for NFT detection under optimal experimental conditions.The established NFT electrochemical sensor had a wide linear range of 0.4-500 μmol/L,a low detection limit(S/N=3)of 0.015 μmol/L and high selectivity,with excellent stability and reproducibility.The practical feasibility of this sensor was confirmed by analysis of NFT in milk and tap water samples,with spiked recoveries ranging from 94.2%to 108.9%.
4.Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome caused by microdeletion of chromosome 19p13.3: a case report and literature review.
Cui-Yun LI ; Ying XU ; Ru-En YAO ; Ying YU ; Xue-Ting CHEN ; Wei LI ; Hui ZENG ; Li-Ting CHEN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):854-858
This article reports a child with cardioaciocutaneous syndrome (CFCS) caused by a rare microdeletion of chromosome 19p13.3, and a literature review is conducted. The child had unusual facies, short stature, delayed mental and motor development, macrocephaly, and cardiac abnormalities. Whole-exome sequencing identified a 1 040 kb heterozygous deletion in the 19p13.3 region of the child, which was rated as a "pathogenic variant". This is the first case of CFCS caused by a loss-of-function mutation reported in China, which enriches the genotype characteristics of CFCS. It is imperative to enhance the understanding of CFCS in children. Early identification based on its clinical manifestations should be pursued, and genetic testing should be performed to facilitate diagnosis.
Humans
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Chromosome Deletion
;
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19/genetics*
;
Ectodermal Dysplasia/genetics*
;
Facies
;
Failure to Thrive/genetics*
;
Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics*
5.Maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation: the chain mediating roles of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness.
Ying-Yan ZHONG ; Yu-Ting LI ; Jian-Hua CHEN ; Ru-Meng CHEN ; En-Zhao CONG ; Yi-Feng XU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(11):1317-1325
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation, and to examine the chain mediating roles of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional online survey was administered by school psychologists to 4 157 mother-adolescent pairs from middle schools in Shanghai and Henan, China. Measures included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Children's Depression Inventory. Using Bootstrap method to examine the chain mediating effect of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness on the relationship between maternal depression symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms was 17.68% (735/4 157); among adolescents, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.49% (644/4 157), and suicidal ideation was 28.19% (1 172/4 157). Adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were positively correlated with maternal depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and ineffectiveness (all P<0.01). Childhood trauma significantly mediated the association between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms (95%CI: 0.046 9-0.077 2). The chain mediation of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness in the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation was also significant (95%CI: 0.000 7-0.001 3).
CONCLUSIONS
Higher maternal depressive symptom levels are associated with a greater likelihood of adolescents' exposure to childhood trauma, which increases adolescents' ineffectiveness and, in turn, is associated with suicidal ideation. This chain effect has important implications for social interventions targeting adolescent depression.
Humans
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Suicidal Ideation
;
Adolescent
;
Female
;
Depression/etiology*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Mothers/psychology*
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Male
;
Child
;
Adult
6.Endothelial Cell Integrin α6 Regulates Vascular Remodeling Through the PI3K/Akt-eNOS-VEGFA Axis After Stroke.
Bing-Qiao WANG ; Yang-Ying DUAN ; Mao CHEN ; Yu-Fan MA ; Ru CHEN ; Cheng HUANG ; Fei GAO ; Rui XU ; Chun-Mei DUAN
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(9):1522-1536
The angiogenic response is essential for the repair of ischemic brain tissue. Integrin α6 (Itga6) expression has been shown to increase under hypoxic conditions and is expressed exclusively in vascular structures; however, its role in post-ischemic angiogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that mice with endothelial cell-specific knockout of Itga6 exhibit reduced neovascularization, reduced pericyte coverage on microvessels, and accelerated breakdown of microvascular integrity in the peri-infarct area. In vitro, endothelial cells with ITGA6 knockdown display reduced proliferation, migration, and tube-formation. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ITGA6 regulates post-stroke angiogenesis through the PI3K/Akt-eNOS-VEGFA axis. Importantly, the specific overexpression of Itga6 in endothelial cells significantly enhanced neovascularization and enhanced the integrity of microvessels, leading to improved functional recovery. Our results suggest that endothelial cell Itga6 plays a crucial role in key steps of post-stroke angiogenesis, and may represent a promising therapeutic target for promoting recovery after stroke.
Animals
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism*
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Mice
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Integrin alpha6/genetics*
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Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Stroke/pathology*
;
Vascular Remodeling/physiology*
;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
;
Mice, Knockout
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Signal Transduction/physiology*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
;
Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology*
7.Research progress on the role of apolipoprotein A1 binding protein in angiogenesis and cardiovascular diseases
Yun XIAO ; Siyang YU ; Kun HUANG ; Jiawei CHEN ; Ru YING
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(8):714-720
Angiogenesis is a key link in the development of atherosclerotic plaques.Inhibiting angiogenesis con-tributes to plaque stabilization and reduces the risk of related cardiovascular events.Apolipoprotein A1 binding protein(A1 BP),an important secretory protein,has been shown in a growing body of research to play a significant role in the reg-ulation of angiogenesis.This article aims to elucidate the mechanisms of action of A1 BP on angiogenesis and cardiovascu-lar diseases,thereby providing new perspectives for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
8.Circadian and non-circadian regulation of the male reproductive system and reproductive damage: advances in the role and mechanisms of clock genes.
Meng-Chao HE ; Ying-Zhong DAI ; Yi-Meng WANG ; Qin-Ru LI ; Si-Wen LUO ; Xi LING ; Tong WANG ; Jia CAO ; Qing CHEN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):712-720
Recently, male reproductive health has attracted extensive attention, with the adverse effects of circadian disruption on male fertility gradually gaining recognition. However, the mechanism by which circadian disruption leads to damage to male reproductive system remains unclear. In this review, we first summarized the dual regulatory roles of circadian clock genes on the male reproductive system: (1) circadian regulation of testosterone synthesis via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes; (2) non-circadian regulation of spermatogenesis. Next, we further listed the possible mechanisms by which circadian disruption impairs male fertility, including interference with the oscillatory function of the reproductive system, i.e., synchronization of the HPT axis, crosstalk between the HPT axis and the HPA axis, as well as direct damage to germ cells by disturbing the non-oscillatory function of the reproductive system. Future research using spatiotemporal omics, epigenomic assays, and neural circuit mapping in studying the male reproductive system may provide new clues to systematically unravel the mechanisms by which circadian disruption affects male reproductive system through circadian clock genes.
Male
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Circadian Clocks/physiology*
;
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/physiology*
;
Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiology*
;
Testis/physiology*
;
Testosterone/biosynthesis*
;
CLOCK Proteins
;
Infertility, Male/physiopathology*
9.Heart Yin deficiency and cardiac fibrosis: from pathological mechanisms to therapeutic strategies.
Jia-Hui CHEN ; Si-Jing LI ; Xiao-Jiao ZHANG ; Zi-Ru LI ; Xing-Ling HE ; Xing-Ling CHEN ; Tao-Chun YE ; Zhi-Ying LIU ; Hui-Li LIAO ; Lu LU ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Shi-Hao NI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1987-1993
Cardiac fibrosis(CF) is a cardiac pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM). When the heart is damaged by adverse stimuli, cardiac fibroblasts are activated and secrete a large amount of ECM, leading to changes in cardiac fibrosis, myocardial stiffness, and cardiac function declines and accelerating the development of heart failure. There is a close relationship between heart yin deficiency and cardiac fibrosis, which have similar pathogenic mechanisms. Heart Yin deficiency, characterized by insufficient Yin fluids, causes the heart to lose its nourishing function, which acts as the initiating factor for myocardial dystrophy. The deficiency of body fluids leads to stagnation of blood flow, resulting in blood stasis and water retention. Blood stasis and water retention accumulate in the heart, which aligns with the pathological manifestation of excessive deposition of ECM, as a tangible pathogenic factor. This is an inevitable stage of the disease process. The lingering of blood stasis combined with water retention eventually leads to the generation of heat and toxins, triggering inflammatory responses similar to heat toxins, which continuously stimulate the heart and cause the ultimate outcome of CF. Considering the syndrome of heart Yin deficiency, traditional Chinese medicine capable of nourishing Yin, activating blood, and promoting urination can reduce myocardial cell apoptosis, inhibit fibroblast activation, and lower the inflammation level, showing significant advantages in combating CF.
Humans
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Fibrosis/drug therapy*
;
Animals
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Yin Deficiency/metabolism*
;
Myocardium/metabolism*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
10.Metabolomics and pharmacokinetics of Corni Fructus in ameliorating myocardial ischemic injury.
Xiang-Feng LIU ; Yu WU ; Chao-Yan YANG ; Hua-Wei LIAO ; Yan-Fen CHEN ; Xin HE ; Ying-Fang WANG ; Jin-Ru LIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1363-1376
This study aims to investigate the ameliorating effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on the myocardial ischemic injury and the pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components of CF. The mouse model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia was established and administrated with the aqueous extract of CF. The general efficacy of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury was evaluated based on the cardiac histopathology and the levels of myocardial injury markers: creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTn-I). The metabolomics analysis was carried out for the heart and serum samples of mice to screen the biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury and then the predicted biomarkers were submitted to metabolic pathway enrichment. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for morroniside, loganin, and cornuside Ⅰ in mouse heart and serum samples to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of these components. The pharmacokinetic parameters were then integrated on the basis of self-defined weighting coefficients to simulate an integrated pharmacokinetic profile of CF iridoid glycosides in the heart and serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia. The results indicated that CF reduced the pathological damage to cardiac cells and tissue(hematoxylin-eosin staining) and lowered the levels of CK-MB and cTn-I in the serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia(P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis screed out 31 endogenous metabolites in the heart and 35 in the serum as biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury. These biomarkers were altered by modeling and restored by CF. Six metabolic pathways in the heart and 5 in the serum were enriched based on these metabolic markers. The main integrated pharmacokinetic parameters of CF iridoid glycosides were T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.52±0.05) h in the heart and T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.56±0.50) h in the serum. Both concentration-time curves showed a double-peak phenomenon. In conclusion, CF demonstrated the cardioprotective effect by regulating metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis. The integrated pharmacokinetics reflect the general pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components in CF.
Animals
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Cornus/chemistry*
;
Mice
;
Metabolomics
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Male
;
Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Troponin I/metabolism*
;
Myocardium/pathology*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism*

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