1.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
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.
2.Mechanism of Gushining Granules in Attenuating Dexamethasone-induced Apoptosis of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Activating PI3K/Akt/Bad Signalling Pathway
Chengyu CHU ; Lei ZHU ; Long LIANG ; Feng WANG ; Xuejian YU ; Wenwu LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):115-122
ObjectiveTo establish steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) cell model by using dexamethasone (DEX)-induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and demonstrate that Gushing Granules (GSNs) exert an improving effect by activating the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/B-lymphoma-2 gene related promoter (PI3K/Akt/Bad) signalling pathway. MethodsFirstly, SD rats were orally administered with drugs at a dose of 0.9 g·kg-1 to prepare GSN-containing serum, and CCK-8 screening was used to determine the optimal dosage and duration of action. Then, BMSCs were cultured and treated with 1×10-6 mol·L-1 DEX, 10% GSN-containing serum, and inhibitor LY294002 of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway for 24 hours to model and group SANFH cells. Cell viability and proliferation were detected by using CCK-8 assay kit and EdU staining kit. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay kit was employed to detect ALP expression. In order to detect the PI3K/Akt/Bad signalling pathway and protein and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as apoptosis regulatory factors B-cell lymphoma-2 gene (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), osteocalcin (OCN), and Collagen Ⅰ, we used Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsThe CCK-8 assay kit determined that the optimal dosage for GSN-containing serum is 10%, and the duration of action is 48 hours. After modelling and grouping the cells in each group, the detection results showed that the SANFH model group had significantly lower cell viability, cell proliferation, and ALP expression, as well as protein and mRNA expressions of PI3K, Akt, Bad, Bcl-2, OCN, and Collagen I compared to the blank group. The nucleic acid and protein levels of the Bax index and the cell apoptosis rate detected by flow cytometry significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). After treatment with GSN-containing serum, cell viability, cell proliferation, and ALP expression, as well as expressions of PI3K, Akt, Bad, Bcl-2, OCN, and Collagen Ⅰ nucleic acids and proteins were significantly increased, while the nucleic acid and protein levels of the Bax index and the cell apoptosis rate detected by flow cytometry significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the GSN drug-containing serum group, the simultaneous treatment with the inhibitor LY294002 and GSN drug-containing serum reversed the improvement effect of GSN. Specifically, the cell viability, cell proliferation, ALP expression, and the nucleic acid and protein levels of PI3K, Akt, Bad, Bcl-2, OCN, and Collagen Ⅰ were all significantly decreased, while the nucleic acid and protein levels of the Bax index and the cell apoptosis rate detected by flow cytometry were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionGSNs antagonize DEX-induced apoptosis of BMSCs by activating the PI3K/Akt/Bad signalling pathway, providing a scientific theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of SANFH with GSNs.
3.Prevalence and influencing factors of school bullying experienced by primary and middle school students
ZHU Yunjiao ; GU Fang ; MENG Jia ; LI Juanjuan ; SHEN Yu ; GAO Lei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):1-6
Objective:
To investigate the situation and influencing factors of school bullying experienced by primary and middle school students, so as to provide the basis for formulating school bullying intervention measures and promoting students' physical and mental health development.
Methods:
All the counties (cities, districts) in Zhejiang Province were stratified to urban and suburban areas, primary, junior high and senior high school students were selected using a stratified cluster sampling method. Basic information, lifestyle and school bullying were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting school bullying experienced by primary and middle school students were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
Totally 137 846 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.17%. There were 72 526 males (52.61%) and 65 320 females (47.39%). There were 47 561 primary school students (34.50%), 47 701 junior high school students (34.61%) and 42 584 senior high school students (30.89%). A total of 3 987 students suffered from school bullying, accounting for 2.89%. The proportions of being maliciously teased, being intentionally excluded from group activities/isolated, being teased about physical defects or appearance, being hit/kicked/pushed/shoved/locked in a room, being threatened, and being extorted for money were 2.04%, 1.18%, 1.11%, 0.86%, 0.84% and 0.83%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the students who were males (OR=1.122, 95%CI: 1.048-1.202), lived in suburban areas (OR=1.322, 95%CI: 1.233-1.418), lived in areas with medium (OR=1.086, 95%CI: 1.006-1.173) or underdeveloped (OR=1.298, 95%CI: 1.191-1.415) economic level, had higher academic levels (junior high school, OR=1.380, 95%CI: 1.270-1.499; senior high school, OR=1.210, 95%CI: 1.083-1.351), lived on campus (OR=1.489, 95%CI: 1.372-1.616), engaged in fights (OR=6.029, 95%CI: 5.585-6.509), attempted to smoke (OR=1.320, 95%CI: 1.128-1.545), drank (OR=1.735, 95%CI: 1.575-1.912), were scolded and beaten by parents (OR=1.972, 95%CI: 1.822-2.135) and were obese (OR=1.240, 95%CI: 1.132-1.360) were more likely to experience school bullying.
Conclusion
The harm of school bullying to the physical and mental health of primary and middle school students should be taken seriously, and active policy measures should be adopted to strengthen intervention.
4.Prevalence and influencing factors of heart disease in adults aged ≥80 years old in China:based on the 8th round of CLHLS data
Tongtong LIU ; Boyang YU ; Menglan ZHU ; Lei YUAN ; Lulu ZHANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(6):760-766
Objective To investigate the prevalence and the risk factors of heart disease(HD)in adults aged ≥80 years old in China based on the data from the 8th round of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS).Methods A total of 7 675 adults aged ≥80 years old were enrolled from the 8th round of CLHLS dataset.Chi-square tests were employed to examine associations between cardiovascular disease and demographic characteristics,socioeconomic status,social support,lifestyle factors,and health indicators.Logistic regression models were developed to analyze significant predictors of heart disease in the elderly.Results The prevalence of heart disease was 16%(n=1 228)in 7 675 elderly people.Aged 90-99 years old(odds ratio[OR]=0.816),≥100 years old(OR=0.641),female(OR=0.833),and low body mass index(BMI)(<18.5 kg/m2,OR=0.778)were the protective factors for cardiovascular disease in the elderly;and high BMI(24.0 to 27.9 kg/m2,OR=1.209),rural residence(OR=2.384),health examination(OR=1.164),dysfunction of daily living activities(OR=1.401),hypertension(OR=2.143),diabetes mellitus(OR=1.719),and history of cerebrovascular accident(OR=2.080)were risk factors.Conclusion Male,overweight,rural residence,health examination,dysfunction of daily living activities,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,and a history of cerebrovascular accident are the risk factors for heart disease in the elderly.
5.Research progress and thinking on mental health inequality
Shaojie YU ; Juanfang ZHU ; Jinhai SUN ; Lei YUAN
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(7):922-930
Mental health inequality is a major manifestation of health inequality in the psychological dimension,and it has become a realistic problem to challenge common social progress.The aim of this study is to review the domestic and international research on the measurement and decomposition of mental health inequality.The authors mainly discussed 3 aspects:socio-economic and demographic inequalities in mental health,and the impact of acute major infectious diseases on mental health inequality.They also summarized the commonly used indicators and research methods.This paper reviews the selection of data indicators,research subjects,and research perspectives,so as to provide evidence for further research on mental health inequality in China.
6.Advances of Metal-Organic Framework Stationary Phases for Gas Chromatographic Separations
Yan JIN ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Chen ZHU ; Bin ZHAO ; Lei LI ; Dan ZHENG ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(1):1-13
Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)are porous materials composed of metal ions or metal clusters and organic ligands by coordination,which have the advantages of large specific surface area,good thermal stability and adjustable pore size,and have a promising application in gas chromatographic separation.In recent years,MOFs materials have been used as stationary phases for gas chromatography mainly including ZIF,MIL,UiO-66,HKUST-1,IRMOFs,etc.Based on the molecular sieve effect,van der Waals forces,hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions,the pore size,pore microenvironment,unsaturated metal site and special functional group of the MOFs stationary phase materials can be specifically designed and regulated.MOFs materials as stationary phases have unique separation performance for n-alkanes and their isomers,aromatic compounds and their isomers,alcohols/ketones/aldehydes and their isomers,and chiral compounds.The combination of organic polymers and novel nanomaterials with MOFs materials can improve the separation performance and stability of MOFs.Therefore,MOFs materials are expected to be the promising stationary phase that can be applied to gas separation in complex environments.In this article,the research advances of various stationary phases based on MOFs for gas chromatography in recent years were reviewed.The separation performance and separation mechanism of MOFs stationary phases for mixed gas samples were discussed,and the development trends in the future were prospected.
7.Gentiopicroside Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Suppressing Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Vascular Endothelial Cells via SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway.
Zhu-Qing LI ; Feng ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Li WANG ; Xiao-Qiang SUN ; Chao LI ; Xue-Mei YIN ; Chun-Lei LIU ; Yan-Xin WANG ; Xiao-Yu DU ; Cheng-Zhi LU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(2):118-130
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the protective effects of gentiopicroside (GPS) against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in endothelial cells, aiming to reduce atherosclerosis.
METHODS:
Eight-week-old male ApoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10 per group): the vehicle group and the GPS treatment group. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. GPS (40 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage to the GPS group, while the vehicle group received an equivalent volume of the vehicle solution. At the end of the treatment, blood and aortic tissues were collected for assessments of atherosclerosis, lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and molecular expressions related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ROS production, and apoptosis. Additionally, in vitro experiments on human aortic endothelial cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were conducted to evaluate the effects of GPS on NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and ROS production, specifically examining the role of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. SIRT1 and Nrf2 inhibitors were used to confirm the pathway's role.
RESULTS:
GPS treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions in the en face aorta (P<0.01), as well as in the thoracic and abdominal aortic regions, and markedly decreased sinus lesions within the aortic root (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, GPS reduced oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1 β and IL-18, in lesion areas (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro, GPS inhibited ox-LDL-induced NLRP3 activation, as evidenced by reduced NLRP3 (P<0.01), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, cleaved-caspase-1, and cleaved-gasdermin D expressions (all P<0.01). GPS also decreased ROS production, apoptosis, and pyroptosis, with the beneficial effects being significantly reversed by SIRT1 or Nrf2 inhibitors.
CONCLUSION
GPS exerts an antiatherogenic effect by inhibiting ROS-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Iridoid Glucosides/therapeutic use*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
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Animals
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Atherosclerosis/metabolism*
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Inflammasomes/drug effects*
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Male
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Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Humans
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Endothelial Cells/pathology*
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Mice
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Lipoproteins, LDL
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
8.N 6-Methyladenosine modification of circDcbld2 in Kupffer cells promotes hepatic fibrosis via targeting miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis.
Sai ZHU ; Xin CHEN ; Lijiao SUN ; Xiaofeng LI ; Yu CHEN ; Liangyun LI ; Xiaoguo SUO ; Chuanhui XU ; Minglu JI ; Jianan WANG ; Hua WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Xiaoming MENG ; Cheng HUANG ; Jun LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):296-313
Kupffer cells (KCs), as residents and sentinels of the liver, are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis (HF). However, the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in KCs to HF have not been determined. In this study, the expression levels of circRNAs, microRNAs, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in KCs from a mouse model of HF mice were investigated using microarray and circRNA-Seq analyses. circDcbld2 was identified as a candidate circRNA in HF, as evidenced by its up-regulation in KCs. Silver staining and mass spectrometry showed that Wtap and Igf2bp2 bind to cirDcbld2. The suppression of circDcbld2 expression decreased the KC inflammatory response and oxidative stress and inhibited hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation, attenuating mouse liver fibrogenesis. Mechanistically, Wtap mediated the N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation of circDcbld2, and Igf2bp2 recognized m6A-modified circDcbld2 and increased its stability. circDcbld2 contributes to the occurrence of HF by binding miR-144-3p/Et-1 to regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. These findings indicate that circDcbld2 functions via the m6A/circDcbld2/miR-144-3p/Et-1 axis and may act as a potential biomarker for HF treatment.
9.Autophagy in Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Controls Oligodendrocyte Numbers and Myelin Integrity in an Age-dependent Manner.
Hong CHEN ; Gang YANG ; De-En XU ; Yu-Tong DU ; Chao ZHU ; Hua HU ; Li LUO ; Lei FENG ; Wenhui HUANG ; Yan-Yun SUN ; Quan-Hong MA
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):374-390
Oligodendrocyte lineage cells, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs), are essential in establishing and maintaining brain circuits. Autophagy is a conserved process that keeps the quality of organelles and proteostasis. The role of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells remains unclear. The present study shows that autophagy is required to maintain the number of OPCs/OLs and myelin integrity during brain aging. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells increases the number of OPCs/OLs in the developing brain while exaggerating the loss of OPCs/OLs with brain aging. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells impairs the turnover of myelin basic protein (MBP). It causes MBP to accumulate in the cytoplasm as multimeric aggregates and fails to be incorporated into integral myelin, which is associated with attenuated endocytic recycling. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells impairs myelin integrity and causes demyelination. Thus, this study shows autophagy is required to maintain myelin quality during aging by controlling the turnover of myelin components.
Animals
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Autophagy/physiology*
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Oligodendroglia/metabolism*
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Myelin Sheath/physiology*
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Aging/pathology*
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Myelin Basic Protein/metabolism*
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Cell Lineage/physiology*
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Mice
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Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Brain/cytology*
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Cells, Cultured
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Cell Count
10.Correction to: Autophagy in Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Controls Oligodendrocyte Numbers and Myelin Integrity in an Age-dependent Manner.
Hong CHEN ; Gang YANG ; De-En XU ; Yu-Tong DU ; Chao ZHU ; Hua HU ; Li LUO ; Lei FENG ; Wenhui HUANG ; Yan-Yun SUN ; Quan-Hong MA
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):547-548


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