1.Strategies of HIV-1 Vaccines Based on mRNA Platforms
Pei LIU ; Zhong-Yue FANG ; Xin-Xin CHEN ; Shao-Wei LI ; Ying GU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):826-839
Since its emergence in the 1980s, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused a global pandemic, posing a severe threat to human life and health as well as social development. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively curbs HIV transmission and antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly extends the lifespan of patients, vaccines remain a pivotal tool for blocking transmission and ending the pandemic. The high genetic variability of HIV-1, the glycan shield of its envelope glycoproteins, and the long-term persistence of latent reservoirs have repeatedly led to bottlenecks in traditional vaccine strategies. In recent years, mRNA technology has offered a novel approach to addressing these challenges, leveraging advantages such as sequence programmability, short production cycles, native conformational expression of antigens, and self-adjuvant effects. In recent years, mRNA vaccine technology has emerged as a transformative solution to longstanding vaccinology challenges, characterized by its sequence programmability, rapid production cycles, native conformational antigen expression, and intrinsic self-adjuvanting properties. Unlike traditional platforms reliant on pathogen culture or recombinant proteins, mRNA vaccines can be expeditiously designed and updated based solely on viral genomic sequences. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA facilitates endogenous antigen expression and presentation, simultaneously eliciting potent humoral and cellular immune responses. Within this landscape, self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) further extends in vivo antigen expression to enhance the persistence of immune responses. Moreover, the LNP delivery system not only protects mRNA from degradation and mediates endosomal escape but also synergizes with mRNA to optimize immune activation via self-adjuvant effects. Importantly, mRNA platforms circumvent the pre-existing immunity associated with viral vectors and the genomic integration risks of DNA vaccines, positioning them as a cornerstone for global pandemic preparedness. This review systematically delineates recent advances in mRNA technology for HIV-1 vaccine development, focusing on four pivotal research frontiers. First, mRNA innovations building upon the RV144 trial optimize antigens through codon modification and multivalent designs to induce more durable and broad-spectrum immunity. Second, particulate mRNA vaccine strategies, utilizing virus-like particles (VLPs) and ferritin nanoparticles, achieve in situ antigen self-assembly, significantly enhancing B cell activation and reducing infection risks in non-human primate models. Third, germline-targeting mRNA vaccines address the low-affinity barrier of broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAp) precursors, efficiently activating rare precursor B cells and promoting affinity maturation. Fourth, therapeutic mRNA vaccines offer unique advantages for an HIV functional cure; combining immunogens with mRNA-encoded adjuvants potentiates cellular immunity, while LNP-mediated “shock-and-kill” strategies specifically activate latent reservoirs to guide immune clearance. Comparative analyses with traditional platforms reveal that mRNA technology redefines antigen production and presentation, simulating chronic infection through sustained expression and enabling dual-pathway presentation via endogenous synthesis. Furthermore, we explore the mechanistic innovations of mRNA vaccines in inducing bNAps: sustained in vivo production prolongs the activation window for precursor B cells and maintains germinal center (GC) reactions; endogenously expressed antigens adopt native conformations to expose conserved epitopes; and self-adjuvanting effects modulate the functions of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and follicular helper T cells (Tfh), driving somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. We also address critical clinical translation challenges, including immune durability, adaptability to special populations, and large-scale LNP manufacturing, while proposing targeted optimization strategies. In conclusion, this review establishes a theoretical framework for utilizing mRNA technology to overcome HIV-1 immune escape, transitioning from a descriptive paradigm to a problem-solving-based synthesis of evidence. By integrating preclinical and early clinical data, we bridge the gap between basic design and translational verification. mRNA technology is poised to become a central pillar inHIV-1 prevention and therapy, providing a robust toolset to achieve the global goal of ending the AIDS pandemic and offering a blueprint for vaccine development against other recalcitrant infectious diseases.
2.Clinical Experience of XUAN Guowei in Treating Melasma from the Perspective of "Kidney Deficiency with Vigorous Fire,and Scorching the Collaterals to form Stasis"
Jiafen LIANG ; Yue PEI ; Shuqing XIONG ; Hongyi LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1821-1824
This paper summarizes professor XUAN Guowei's clinical experience in treating melasma from the perspective of kidney deficiency with vigorous fire, and scorching the collaterals to form stasis. It is proposed that the core pathogenesis of melasma is kidney deficiency with vigorous fire, along with the scorching of collaterals to form stasis, for which the the core therapeutic principle is enriching the kidney and subduing fire, combined with invigorating blood and dissolving stasis. In clinical practice, the self-formulated Xiaoban Decoction (消斑汤) is utilized as the foundational formula, complemented by external therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion, acupoint injection, and the external application of Chinese herbal medicine. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on daily care and regulation, including strict sun protection, maintaining a joyful mood, ensuring adequate sleep, and following a healthy diet. This paper aims to provide a clinical reference for the treatment of melasma with traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Autophagy in erectile dysfunction: focusing on apoptosis and fibrosis.
Pei-Yue LUO ; Jun-Rong ZOU ; Tao CHEN ; Jun ZOU ; Wei LI ; Qi CHEN ; Le CHENG ; Li-Ying ZHENG ; Biao QIAN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):166-176
In most types of erectile dysfunction, particularly in advanced stages, typical pathological features observed are reduced parenchymal cells coupled with increased tissue fibrosis. However, the current treatment methods have shown limited success in reversing these pathologic changes. Recent research has revealed that changes in autophagy levels, along with alterations in apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins, are linked to the progression of erectile dysfunction, suggesting a significant association. Autophagy, known to significantly affect cell fate and tissue fibrosis, is currently being explored as a potential treatment modality for erectile dysfunction. However, these present studies are still in their nascent stage, and there are limited experimental data available. This review analyzes erectile dysfunction from a pathological perspective. It provides an in-depth overview of how autophagy is involved in the apoptotic processes of smooth muscle and endothelial cells and its role in the fibrotic processes occurring in the cavernosum. This study aimed to develop a theoretical framework for the potential effectiveness of autophagy in preventing and treating erectile dysfunction, thus encouraging further investigation among researchers in this area.
Male
;
Humans
;
Autophagy/physiology*
;
Apoptosis/physiology*
;
Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology*
;
Fibrosis
;
Penis/pathology*
;
Animals
;
Endothelial Cells/pathology*
;
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology*
4.Risk factors and construction of a risk prediction model for readmission due to hyperbilirubinemia in neonates with ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Pei-Xian YUE ; Hong-Ling CAO ; Rong LI
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(7):834-841
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the readmission rate and risk factors for readmission due to hyperbilirubinemia in neonates with ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (ABO-HDN), and to construct a risk prediction model for readmission.
METHODS:
Neonates diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia due to ABO-HDN and hospitalized in the neonatal department between January 2021 and December 2023 were enrolled. Based on readmission status, neonates were divided into a readmission group and a control group. Clinical characteristics related to hyperbilirubinemia and risk factors for readmission were analyzed. Subsequently, a prediction model for readmission was constructed, and its predictive performance was evaluated.
RESULTS:
A total of 483 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia due to ABO-HDN were included. The readmission rate was 13.0% (63 cases). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that earlier age at phototherapy initiation, longer duration of phototherapy, occurrence of rebound hyperbilirubinemia, and higher levels of serum total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin at discharge were independent risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia readmission in ABO-HDN neonates (OR=2.373, 4.840, 6.475, 5.033, 1.336 respectively; P<0.05). A risk prediction model for ABO-HDN hyperbilirubinemia readmission was constructed based on these 5 risk factors. Model evaluation demonstrated good predictive performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Age at phototherapy initiation, duration of phototherapy, occurrence of rebound hyperbilirubinemia, and serum total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin levels at discharge are significant influencing factors for readmission due to hyperbilirubinemia in neonates with ABO-HDN. Close monitoring during discharge planning and follow-up management for such neonates is crucial to reduce readmission rates.
Humans
;
Infant, Newborn
;
ABO Blood-Group System
;
Risk Factors
;
Patient Readmission
;
Male
;
Female
;
Logistic Models
;
Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal/therapy*
;
Erythroblastosis, Fetal
;
Bilirubin/blood*
5.Curative Efficacy Analysis of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia with ASXL1 Mutation.
Ya-Jie SHI ; Xin-Sheng XIE ; Zhong-Xing JIANG ; Ding-Ming WAN ; Rong GUO ; Tao LI ; Xia ZHANG ; Xue LI ; Yu-Pei ZHANG ; Yue SU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):720-725
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the efficacy and apoptosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with ASXL1 mutation.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 80 AML patients with ASXL1 mutation treated in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics of the patients were summarized, and the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of allo-HSCT for the patients were analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among the 80 patients, 38 were males and 42 were females, and the median age was 39(14-65) years. There were 17 patients in low-risk group, 25 patients in medium-risk group and 38 patients in high-risk group. ASXL1 mutation co-occurred with many other gene mutations, and the frequent mutated genes were TET2 (71.25%), NRAS (18.75%), DNMT3A (16.25%), NPM1 (15.00%), CEBPA (13.75%). Among medium and high-risk patients, 29 underwent allo-HSCT, while 34 received chemotherapy. The 2-year overall survival (OS) rate and disease-free survival (DFS) rate of the allo-HSCT group were 72.4% and 70.2%, while those of the chemotherapy group were 44.1% and 34.0%, respectively. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that age at transplantation >50- years and occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease after transplantation were poor prognostic factors for OS and DFS in transplantation patients.
CONCLUSION
Allo-HSCT can improve the prognosis of AML patients with ASXL1 mutation.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Mutation
;
Adult
;
Repressor Proteins/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Aged
;
Nucleophosmin
;
Young Adult
;
Transplantation, Homologous
;
Prognosis
;
Survival Rate
6.Evolution-guided design of mini-protein for high-contrast in vivo imaging.
Nongyu HUANG ; Yang CAO ; Guangjun XIONG ; Suwen CHEN ; Juan CHENG ; Yifan ZHOU ; Chengxin ZHANG ; Xiaoqiong WEI ; Wenling WU ; Yawen HU ; Pei ZHOU ; Guolin LI ; Fulei ZHAO ; Fanlian ZENG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Jiadong YU ; Chengcheng YUE ; Xinai CUI ; Kaijun CUI ; Huawei CAI ; Yuquan WEI ; Yang ZHANG ; Jiong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5327-5345
Traditional development of small protein scaffolds has relied on display technologies and mutation-based engineering, which limit sequence and functional diversity, thereby constraining their therapeutic and application potential. Protein design tools have significantly advanced the creation of novel protein sequences, structures, and functions. However, further improvements in design strategies are still needed to more efficiently optimize the functional performance of protein-based drugs and enhance their druggability. Here, we extended an evolution-based design protocol to create a novel minibinder, BindHer, against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It not only exhibits super stability and binding selectivity but also demonstrates remarkable properties in tissue specificity. Radiolabeling experiments with 99mTc, 68Ga, and 18F revealed that BindHer efficiently targets tumors in HER2-positive breast cancer mouse models, with minimal nonspecific liver absorption, outperforming scaffolds designed through traditional engineering. These findings highlight a new rational approach to automated protein design, offering significant potential for large-scale applications in therapeutic mini-protein development.
7.Effect of mild hypercapnia during the recovery period on the emergence time from total intravenous anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial
Lan LIU ; Xiangde CHEN ; Qingjuan CHEN ; Xiuyi LU ; Lili FANG ; Jinxuan REN ; Yue MING ; Dawei SUN ; Pei CHEN ; Weidong WU ; Lina YU
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;78(3):215-223
Background:
Intraoperative hypercapnia reduces the time to emergence from volatile anesthetics, but few clinical studies have explored the effect of hypercapnia on the emergence time from intravenous (IV) anesthesia. We investigated the effect of inducing mild hypercapnia during the recovery period on the emergence time after total IV anesthesia (TIVA).
Methods:
Adult patients undergoing transurethral lithotripsy under TIVA were randomly allocated to normocapnia group (end-tidal carbon dioxide [ETCO2] 35–40 mmHg) or mild hypercapnia group (ETCO2 50-55 mmHg) during the recovery period. The primary outcome was the extubation time. The spontaneous breathing-onset time, voluntary eye-opening time, and hemodynamic data were collected. Changes in the cerebral blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
Results:
In total, 164 patients completed the study. The extubation time was significantly shorter in the mild hypercapnia (13.9 ± 5.9 min, P = 0.024) than in the normocapnia group (16.3 ± 7.6 min). A similar reduction was observed in spontaneous breathing-onset time (P = 0.021) and voluntary eye-opening time (P = 0.008). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the adjusted ETCO2 level was a negative predictor of extubation time. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity was significantly increased after ETCO2 adjustment for mild hypercapnia, which rapidly returned to baseline, without any adverse reactions, within 20 min after extubation.
Conclusions
Mild hypercapnia during the recovery period significantly reduces the extubation time after TIVA. Increased ETCO2 levels can potentially enhance rapid recovery from IV anesthesia.
8.Effect of mild hypercapnia during the recovery period on the emergence time from total intravenous anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial
Lan LIU ; Xiangde CHEN ; Qingjuan CHEN ; Xiuyi LU ; Lili FANG ; Jinxuan REN ; Yue MING ; Dawei SUN ; Pei CHEN ; Weidong WU ; Lina YU
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;78(3):215-223
Background:
Intraoperative hypercapnia reduces the time to emergence from volatile anesthetics, but few clinical studies have explored the effect of hypercapnia on the emergence time from intravenous (IV) anesthesia. We investigated the effect of inducing mild hypercapnia during the recovery period on the emergence time after total IV anesthesia (TIVA).
Methods:
Adult patients undergoing transurethral lithotripsy under TIVA were randomly allocated to normocapnia group (end-tidal carbon dioxide [ETCO2] 35–40 mmHg) or mild hypercapnia group (ETCO2 50-55 mmHg) during the recovery period. The primary outcome was the extubation time. The spontaneous breathing-onset time, voluntary eye-opening time, and hemodynamic data were collected. Changes in the cerebral blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
Results:
In total, 164 patients completed the study. The extubation time was significantly shorter in the mild hypercapnia (13.9 ± 5.9 min, P = 0.024) than in the normocapnia group (16.3 ± 7.6 min). A similar reduction was observed in spontaneous breathing-onset time (P = 0.021) and voluntary eye-opening time (P = 0.008). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the adjusted ETCO2 level was a negative predictor of extubation time. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity was significantly increased after ETCO2 adjustment for mild hypercapnia, which rapidly returned to baseline, without any adverse reactions, within 20 min after extubation.
Conclusions
Mild hypercapnia during the recovery period significantly reduces the extubation time after TIVA. Increased ETCO2 levels can potentially enhance rapid recovery from IV anesthesia.
9.Expression and prognostic value of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in patients with cirrhotic ascites and intra-abdominal infection
Feng WEI ; Xinyan YUE ; Xiling LIU ; Huimin YAN ; Lin LIN ; Tao HUANG ; Yantao PEI ; Shixiang SHAO ; Erhei DAI ; Wenfang YUAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):914-920
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression level of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in serum and ascites of patients with cirrhotic ascites, and to investigate its correlation with clinical features and inflammatory markers and its role in the diagnosis of infection and prognostic evaluation. MethodsA total of 110 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were hospitalized in The Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled, and according to the presence or absence of intra-abdominal infection, they were divided into infection group with 72 patients and non-infection group with 38 patients. The patients with infection were further divided into improvement group with 38 patients and non-improvement group with 34 patients. Clinical data and laboratory markers were collected from all patients. Serum and ascites samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure the level of TREM-1. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between indicators. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of each indicator, and the Delong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsThe level of TREM-1 in ascites was significantly positively correlated with that in serum (r=0.50, P<0.001). Compared with the improvement group, the non-improvement group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-2.391, P=0.017) and serum (Z=-2.544, P=0.011), and compared with the non-infection group, the infection group had a significantly higher level of TREM-1 in ascites (Z=-3.420, P<0.001), while there was no significant difference in the level of TREM-1 in serum between the two groups (P>0.05). The level of TREM-1 in serum and ascites were significantly positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (r=0.288, 0.344, 0.530, 0.510, 0.534, 0.454, 0.330, and 0.404, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that when PCT, CRP, and serum or ascitic TREM-1 were used in combination for the diagnosis of cirrhotic ascites with infection, the AUCs were 0.715 and 0.740, respectively. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CRP (odds ratio [OR]=1.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001 — 1.038, P=0.043) and serum TREM-1 (OR=1.002, 95%CI: 1.000 — 1.003, P=0.016) were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with cirrhotic ascites and infection, and the combination of these two indicators had an AUC of 0.728 in predicting poor prognosis. ConclusionThe level of TREM-1 is closely associated with the severity of infection and prognosis in patients with cirrhotic ascites, and combined measurement of TREM-1 and CRP/PCT can improve the diagnostic accuracy of infection and provide support for prognostic evaluation.
10.Effect of mild hypercapnia during the recovery period on the emergence time from total intravenous anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial
Lan LIU ; Xiangde CHEN ; Qingjuan CHEN ; Xiuyi LU ; Lili FANG ; Jinxuan REN ; Yue MING ; Dawei SUN ; Pei CHEN ; Weidong WU ; Lina YU
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;78(3):215-223
Background:
Intraoperative hypercapnia reduces the time to emergence from volatile anesthetics, but few clinical studies have explored the effect of hypercapnia on the emergence time from intravenous (IV) anesthesia. We investigated the effect of inducing mild hypercapnia during the recovery period on the emergence time after total IV anesthesia (TIVA).
Methods:
Adult patients undergoing transurethral lithotripsy under TIVA were randomly allocated to normocapnia group (end-tidal carbon dioxide [ETCO2] 35–40 mmHg) or mild hypercapnia group (ETCO2 50-55 mmHg) during the recovery period. The primary outcome was the extubation time. The spontaneous breathing-onset time, voluntary eye-opening time, and hemodynamic data were collected. Changes in the cerebral blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound.
Results:
In total, 164 patients completed the study. The extubation time was significantly shorter in the mild hypercapnia (13.9 ± 5.9 min, P = 0.024) than in the normocapnia group (16.3 ± 7.6 min). A similar reduction was observed in spontaneous breathing-onset time (P = 0.021) and voluntary eye-opening time (P = 0.008). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the adjusted ETCO2 level was a negative predictor of extubation time. Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity was significantly increased after ETCO2 adjustment for mild hypercapnia, which rapidly returned to baseline, without any adverse reactions, within 20 min after extubation.
Conclusions
Mild hypercapnia during the recovery period significantly reduces the extubation time after TIVA. Increased ETCO2 levels can potentially enhance rapid recovery from IV anesthesia.

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