1.The Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Application Progress of Autophagy Activators
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):371-383
Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular self-regulatory mechanism, which primarily occurs in the lysosomes or vacuoles of mammalian and yeast cells and plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and metabolic balance. When cells encounter stress conditions like nutrient deprivation, physical or chemical stimuli, infections, and oxidative stress, or when damaged or aging organelles accumulate in the cytoplasm, the autophagic process is activated. This process degrades and recycles damaged proteins and organelles, removes potentially harmful substances, in which the degradation products are used for energy supply and macromolecule resynthesis, thereby help maintain the cellular homeostasis. Autophagy activators are compounds or drugs that can promote the cellular self-clearance process (such as mTOR inhibitors, AMPK activators, SIRT1 activators, lysosome enhancers, etc.). They enhance autophagy activity by acting on autophagy-related signaling pathways or proteins, thereby regulating cellular and metabolic processes, and consequently exerting an impact on the organism. With the deepening of research, more and more small molecule compounds with autophagic activity have been discovered. As autophagy activators, these small molecule compounds have shown great application potential in the treatment of malignant tumors, nervous system diseases, metabolic diseases, etc. Some related drugs have even entered the clinical trial stage and achieved good efficacy. This article discusses the mechanisms of various types of autophagy activators and their potential applications in diseases, aiming to provide a reference for the further development and application of autophagy activators in diseases.
2.Unraveling the Heterogeneity of CD8+ T-Cell Subsets in Liver Cirrhosis: Implications for Disease Progression
Kepu ZHENG ; Leiyang DAI ; Shengning ZHANG ; Yingpeng ZHAO ; Wang LI ; Yang GAO ; Yuanyi MANG ; Lingfeng JIAO ; Yu TANG ; Jianghua RAN
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):410-426
Background/Aims:
Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear.
Methods:
This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis.
Results:
Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer.
Conclusions
In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.
3.Unraveling the Heterogeneity of CD8+ T-Cell Subsets in Liver Cirrhosis: Implications for Disease Progression
Kepu ZHENG ; Leiyang DAI ; Shengning ZHANG ; Yingpeng ZHAO ; Wang LI ; Yang GAO ; Yuanyi MANG ; Lingfeng JIAO ; Yu TANG ; Jianghua RAN
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):410-426
Background/Aims:
Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear.
Methods:
This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis.
Results:
Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer.
Conclusions
In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.
4.Unraveling the Heterogeneity of CD8+ T-Cell Subsets in Liver Cirrhosis: Implications for Disease Progression
Kepu ZHENG ; Leiyang DAI ; Shengning ZHANG ; Yingpeng ZHAO ; Wang LI ; Yang GAO ; Yuanyi MANG ; Lingfeng JIAO ; Yu TANG ; Jianghua RAN
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):410-426
Background/Aims:
Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear.
Methods:
This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis.
Results:
Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer.
Conclusions
In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.
5.Unraveling the Heterogeneity of CD8+ T-Cell Subsets in Liver Cirrhosis: Implications for Disease Progression
Kepu ZHENG ; Leiyang DAI ; Shengning ZHANG ; Yingpeng ZHAO ; Wang LI ; Yang GAO ; Yuanyi MANG ; Lingfeng JIAO ; Yu TANG ; Jianghua RAN
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):410-426
Background/Aims:
Liver cirrhosis involves chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis.Among various immune cells, CD8+ T cells are considered a major contributor to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the exact molecular pathways governing CD8+ T-cell-mediated effects in cirrhosis remain unclear.
Methods:
This study analyzed transcriptomic and single-cell sequencing data to elucidate CD8+ T-cell heterogeneity and implications in cirrhosis.
Results:
Weighted gene co-expression analysis of bulk RNA-seq data revealed an association between cirrhosis severity and activated T-cell markers like HLA and chemokine genes. Furthermore, single-cell profiling uncovered eight CD8+ T-cell subtypes, notably, effector memory (Tem) and exhausted (Tex) T cells. Tex cells, defined by PDCD1, LAG3, and CXCL13 expression, were increased in cirrhosis, while Tem cells were decreased. Lineage tracing and differential analysis highlighted CXCL13+ Tex cells as a terminal, exhausted subtype of cells with roles in PD-1 signaling, glycolysis, and T-cell regulation. CXCL13+ Tex cells displayed T-cell exhaustion markers like PDCD1, HAVCR2, TIGIT, and TNFRSF9. Functional analysis implicated potential roles of these cells in immunosuppression. Finally, a CXCL13+ Tex-cell gene signature was found that correlated with cirrhosis severity and poorer prognosis of liver cancer.
Conclusions
In summary, this comprehensive study defines specialized CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in cirrhosis, with CXCL13+ Tex cells displaying an exhausted phenotype associated with immune dysregulation and advanced disease. Key genes and pathways regulating these cells present potential therapeutic targets.
6.Nanomedicine strategies for cuproptosis: Metabolic reprogramming and tumor immunotherapy.
Ruixuan ZHANG ; Yunfei LI ; Hui FU ; Chengcheng ZHAO ; Xiuyan LI ; Yuming WANG ; Yujiao SUN ; Yingpeng LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4582-4613
Cuproptosis, a recently discovered form of regulated cell death involving copper ion metabolism, has emerged as a promising approach for tumor therapy. This pathway not only directly eliminates tumor cells but also promotes immunogenic cell death (ICD), reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) and initiating robust anti-tumor immune responses. However, translating cuproptosis-based therapies into clinical applications is hindered by challenges, including complex metabolic regulation, TME heterogeneity, and the precision required for effective drug delivery. To address these limitations, nanoparticles offer transformative solutions by providing precise delivery of cuproptosis-inducing agents, controlled drug release, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy through simultaneous modulation of metabolic pathways and immune responses. This review systematically discusses recent advancements in nanoparticle-based cuproptosis delivery systems, highlighting nanoparticle design principles and their synergistic effects when integrated with other therapeutic modalities such as ICB, PTT, and CDT. Furthermore, we explore the potential of cuproptosis-based nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment by emphasizing strategies for TME stratification and therapeutic optimization tailored to patient profiles. By integrating current insights from metabolic reprogramming, tumor immunotherapy, and nanotechnology, this review aims to facilitate the clinical translation of cuproptosis nanomedicine and significantly contribute to the advancement of precision oncology.
7.LncRNA MALAT1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation and invasion by regulating NEAT1 related exosomes secretion
Yuanyi MANG ; Li LI ; Jianghua RAN ; Shengning ZHANG ; Laibang LI ; Yingpeng ZHAO ; Yang GAO ; Jiaojiao ZHAO ; Xiangle HE
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2022;28(4):289-294
Objective:To investigate the correlations between expression of long noncoding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) and their functions on exosome secretion, proliferation and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:We used small interfering RNA of MALAT1 (si-MALAT1) to knockdown MALAT1 in HuH-7. At the meanwhile, cells which were transfected with si-NC were used as the negative control group. Expression of NEAT1, cell proliferation and invasion function were detected these two groups. HuH-7 cells were transfected with lentivirus NEAT1 over expressing vector (lv-NEAT1) or negative control (lv-control). Expression of exosomes secretion related genes were analyzed between lv-NEAT1 and lv-control groups. Cells of lv-NEAT1 were knockdown MALAT1 expression using si-MALAT1, which could be si-MALAT1+ lv-NEAT1 group. exosomes secretion was detected in si-NC, si-MALAT1 and si-MALAT1+ lv-NEAT1 group. We treated cells (si-MALAT1 group) with exosomes from cells with lv-NEAT1 or lv-control to divide cells as si-MALAT1+ exosomes of lv-NEAT1 cells and si-MALAT1+ exosomes of lv-control groups. Cell proliferation and invasion of cells were detected in two groups.Results:Low expression of NEAT1 were found in MALAT1 knockdown cells compared with si-NC group [(0.72±0.02) vs. (0.98±0.01), P<0.05]. Cells with MALAT1 knockdown shown diminished proliferation [(0.66±0.03) vs. (0.98±0.04), P<0.05)] and invasion [(88.33±7.26) vs. (147.70±13.62), P<0.05)]. Compared with si-NC group, CD9 and CD63 expression were decreased in exosomes of si-MALAT1 group. Compared with si-MALAT1 group, CD9 and CD63 expression was increased in exosomes of si-MALAT1+ lv-NEAT1 group. Compared with si-MALAT1+ exosomes of lv-control group, proliferation [(0.97±0.03) vs. (0.74±0.05), P<0.05)] and invasion [ (132.70±7.36) vs. (98.33±6.01), P<0.05) ] were increased in si-MALAT1+ exosomes of lv-NEAT1 group. Exosomes related genes expression including HSPA8 (5.53±0.31), SLC3A2 (0.32±0.07) and SLC7A5 (0.77±0.45) were changed in lv-NEAT1 group compared with lv-control group [(0.98±0.15), P<0.05]. Conclusion:MALAT1 induced exosomes secretion by NEAT1 and exosomes related genes regulation. This regulation might be related with increased proliferation and invasion function in HCC cells with MALAT1 and NEAT1 abnormal expression.
8.TCF-1 deficiency influences the composition of intestinal microbiota and enhances susceptibility to colonic inflammation.
Guotao YU ; Fang WANG ; Menghao YOU ; Tiansong XU ; Chunlei SHAO ; Yuning LIU ; Ruiqi LIU ; Min DENG ; Zhihong QI ; Zhao WANG ; Jingjing LIU ; Yingpeng YAO ; Jingjing CHEN ; Zhen SUN ; Shanshan HAO ; Wenhui GUO ; Tianyan ZHAO ; Zhengquan YU ; Qian ZHANG ; Yaofeng ZHAO ; Feng CHEN ; Shuyang YU
Protein & Cell 2020;11(5):380-386
9.Health economic evaluation of a 23 value pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination pilot programme among elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in China
Yingpeng QIU ; Kun ZHAO ; Xue LI ; Liwei SHI ; Wudong GUO ; Xueran QI ; Binyan SUI ; Rongmin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2016;50(12):1074-1078
Objective From the perspective of health economics, to evaluate 23 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination programme among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient. Methods In the pilot counties of the project of integrated care pathway for COPD patient (Hanbin district of Hanzhong city in Shanxi Province, Qianjian district of Qingqing city, Huandao district of Qindao city in Shangdong Province, Wen county of Jiaozuo city in Henan Province), information of insurance participants of New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCS) was collected by local NRCM information system, which included general information as well as records of medical care and medical fee. Nonprobability sampling method was applied to select a total of 860 objects, who were over 60 years old with local household registration, hospitalized within one recent year due to COPD acute exacerbation, and without vaccination of 23 voluntary pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine within 3 years. A quasi-experimental design without control group was adopted. Objects were vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine from January to December in 2013, then were followed up from January in 2014 for one year. Data of effectiveness and medical cost was collected by self-designed questionnaire and
10.Health economic evaluation of a 23 value pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination pilot programme among elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in China
Yingpeng QIU ; Kun ZHAO ; Xue LI ; Liwei SHI ; Wudong GUO ; Xueran QI ; Binyan SUI ; Rongmin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2016;50(12):1074-1078
Objective From the perspective of health economics, to evaluate 23 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination programme among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient. Methods In the pilot counties of the project of integrated care pathway for COPD patient (Hanbin district of Hanzhong city in Shanxi Province, Qianjian district of Qingqing city, Huandao district of Qindao city in Shangdong Province, Wen county of Jiaozuo city in Henan Province), information of insurance participants of New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCS) was collected by local NRCM information system, which included general information as well as records of medical care and medical fee. Nonprobability sampling method was applied to select a total of 860 objects, who were over 60 years old with local household registration, hospitalized within one recent year due to COPD acute exacerbation, and without vaccination of 23 voluntary pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine within 3 years. A quasi-experimental design without control group was adopted. Objects were vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine from January to December in 2013, then were followed up from January in 2014 for one year. Data of effectiveness and medical cost was collected by self-designed questionnaire and

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