1.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
2.Advances in role and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients in regulating balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune responses in asthma patients.
Ya-Sheng DENG ; Lan-Hua XI ; Yan-Ping FAN ; Wen-Yue LI ; Yong-Hui LIU ; Zhao-Bing NI ; Ming-Chan WEI ; Jiang LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):1000-1021
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving multiple inflammatory cells and cytokines. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving various cells and cytokines. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory suggests that the pathogenesis of asthma is closely related to the dysfunction of internal organs such as the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. In contrast, modern immunological studies have revealed the central role of T helper 1(Th1)/T helper 2(Th2) and T helper 17(Th17)/regulatory T(Treg) cellular immune imbalance in the pathogenesis of asthma. Th1/Th2 imbalance is manifested as hyperfunction of Th2 cells, which promotes the synthesis of immunoglobulin E(IgE) and the activation of eosinophil granulocytes, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.Meanwhile, Th17/Treg imbalance exacerbates the inflammatory response in the airways, further contributing to asthma pathology.Currently, therapeutic strategies for asthma are actively exploring potential targets for regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune responses. These targets include cytokines, transcription factors, key proteins, and non-coding RNAs. Precisely regulating the expression and function of these targets can effectively modulate the activation and differentiation of immune cells. In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients have shown unique potential and prospects in the field of asthma treatment. Based on this, the present study systematically summarizes the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM active ingredients in treating asthma by regulating Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune balance through literature review and analysis. These active ingredients, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, exert their effects through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of inflammatory cells, reducing the release of cytokines, and promoting the normal differentiation of immune cells. This study aims to provide a solid foundation for the widespread application and in-depth development of TCM in asthma treatment and to offer new ideas for clinical research and drug development of asthma.
Asthma/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Th2 Cells/drug effects*
;
Th17 Cells/drug effects*
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects*
;
Th1 Cells/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Cytokines/immunology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
3.Advances in pathogenesis of asthma airway remodeling and intervention mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.
Ya-Sheng DENG ; Jiang LIN ; Yu-Jiang XI ; Yan-Ping FAN ; Wen-Yue LI ; Yong-Hui LIU ; Zhao-Bing NI ; Xi MING
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2050-2070
Asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease with a high global prevalence, has a complex pathogenesis, in which airway remodeling plays a key role in the chronicity of the disease. Airway remodeling involves a series of pathophysiological changes, including airway epithelial damage, proliferation of mucous glands and goblet cells, subepithelial fibrosis, proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These complex pathological changes significantly increase airway resistance and responsiveness, forming an important pathological basis for refractory asthma. Currently, the regulatory mechanisms of airway remodeling focus on signaling pathways and regulatory targets. The signaling pathways include phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads, and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK). The regulatory targets include microRNAs(miRNAs), competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs), long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs), and circular RNAs(circRNAs). Key proteins involved in these processes include TGF-β1, silencing information regulator 2-related enzyme 1(SIRT1), chitinase 3-like protein 1(YKL-40), and adenosine deaminase-metalloproteinase 33(ADAM33). In recent years, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of asthma has become increasingly evident. Its active ingredients, extracts, and complexes can inhibit airway remodeling in asthma through multiple pathways, demonstrating a variety of effects, including anti-inflammatory actions, inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, attenuation of fibrosis and basement membrane thickening, reduction of mucus secretion, inhibition of vascular remodeling, modulation of immune imbalance, and antioxidative stress. This paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of asthma, offering theoretical support and innovative strategies for clinical research and drug development in the treatment of asthma.
Asthma/pathology*
;
Humans
;
Airway Remodeling/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Animals
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*
4.Research progress in machine learning in processing and quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces.
Han-Wen ZHANG ; Yue-E LI ; Jia-Wei YU ; Qiang GUO ; Ming-Xuan LI ; Yu LI ; Xi MEI ; Lin LI ; Lian-Lin SU ; Chun-Qin MAO ; De JI ; Tu-Lin LU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3605-3614
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are a core carrier for the inheritance and innovation of TCM, and their quality and safety are critical to public health and the sustainable development of the industry. Conventional quality control models, while having established a well-developed system through long-term practice, still face challenges such as relatively long inspection cycles, insufficient objectivity in characterizing complex traits, and urgent needs for improving the efficiency of integrating multidimensional quality information when confronted with the dual demands of large-scale production and precision quality control. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning can deeply analyze multidimensional data of the morphology, spectroscopy, and chemical fingerprints of decoction pieces by constructing high-dimensional feature space analysis models, significantly improving the standardization level and decision-making efficiency of quality evaluation. This article reviews the research progress in the application of machine learning in the processing, production, and rapid quality evaluation of TCM decoction pieces. It further analyzes current challenges in technological implementation and proposes potential solutions, offering theoretical and technical references to advance the digital and intelligent transformation of the industry.
Machine Learning
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
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Quality Control
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
5.Metabolic Characteristics of 18F-FDG in Different Types of Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Tumor-Bearing Nude Mice.
Xi CHEN ; Qin YAN ; Xiang QIN ; Li ZHANG ; Yue FENG ; Qian CHEN ; Si-Li LONG ; Wen-Jun LIU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):325-330
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the metabolic characteristics of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in myeloid leukemia by in vitro culture of myeloid leukemia cells and construction of tumor-bearing nude mouse model.
METHODS:
U937, THP-1, HL60 and K562 cells were cultured in vitro. The cells in logarithmic growth phase (l×10 5 cells/well) were added with 18F-FDG, and the uptake rate of 18F-FDG was measured at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after addation, respectively. The four kinds of cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the hind limbs of nude mice to establish a tumor-bearing nude mouse model. When the tumor size was about 500 mm3, 18F-FDG was injected through the tail vein of the mice, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed at 60 min after injection. The morphology of tumor-bearing cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in serial pathological sections.
RESULTS:
After co-incubation with 18F-FDG, the 18F-FDG uptake rates of U937 cells were significantly higher than THP-1, HL60 and K562 cells at 4 time points (all P <0.05), and THP-1 cells were higher than K562 cells (all P <0.05). The uptake rate of 18F-FDG by leukemia cells was rapid in the first 60 min, then tended to be stable. Pathological analysis showed that subcutaneous inoculation of U937, THP-1, HL60 and K562 cells could successfully establish tumor-bearing nude mouse models of myeloid leukemia. The 18F-FDG uptake value in U937 tumor-bearing nude mice was significantly higher than THP-1, HL60 and K562 tumor-bearing nude mice (all P <0.01). The 18F-FDG uptake values in THP-1 and HL60 tumor-bearing nude mice were significantly higher than that in K562 tumor-bearing nude mice (both P <0.01).
CONCLUSION
The tumor-bearing nude mouse model of myeloid leukemia can be successfully constructed by subcutaneous inoculation. The 18F-FDG uptake rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells is higher in cells cultured in vitro and tumor-bearing nude mouse model. 18F-FDG may have better clinical application value for AML.
Animals
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Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/metabolism*
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Mice, Nude
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Mice
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Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid/diagnostic imaging*
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HL-60 Cells
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K562 Cells
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Cell Line, Tumor
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U937 Cells
6.Effective Salvage Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Stem Cells with High-Dose Etoposide in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Who Failed Initial Mobilization with High-Dose Cyclophosphamide.
Yue-Qi WANG ; Shi-Hua ZHAO ; Yi MA ; Xi-Lin CHEN ; Shun-Zong YUAN ; Na-Na CHENG ; Guang-Ning SHI ; Wen-Rong HUANG ; Xiu-Bin XIAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1380-1385
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the safety and efficacy of high-dose etoposide (VP-16) combined with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) as salvage mobilization for peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients.
METHODS:
From April 2021 to May 2023, eight NDMM patients who had failed to yield sufficient PBSC during initial mobilization with high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) combined with rhG-CSF underwent salvage mobilization with 1.2 g/m2 etoposide combined with rhG-CSF 10 μg/(kg·d). The effects and adverse reactions of initial mobilization and salvage mobilization were analyzed.
RESULTS:
For salvage mobilization and initial mobilization, the numbers of PBSC collections were 16 and 18, respectively. The mean value of total collected CD34+ cells were (11.90±5.75)×106/kg and (1.67±0.75)×106/kg (P =0.0010) in salvage mobilization group and initial mobilization group, respectively. The proportion of patients with a total collection of CD34+ cell count≥2×106/kg were 100% and 37.5% (P =0.0625), and the proportion of patients with a total collection of CD34+ cell count≥5×106/kg were 87.5% and 0% (P =0.0156) in salvage mobilization group and initial mobilization group, respectively. For five patients who underwent high-dose CTX initial mobilization but had a total CD34+ cell count < 2×106/kg, successful collection was achieved through salvage mobilization with high-dose VP-16. Salvage mobilization with high-dose VP-16 was scheduled 2-3 weeks after failure of CTX mobilization. Adverse reactions of high-dose VP-16 mobilization did not increase compared to the initial mobilization with high-dose CTX.
CONCLUSION
As a salvage mobilization regimen, VP-16 1.2 g/m2 combined with rhG-CSF is safe and highly effective in NDMM patients who failed to initial mobilization with high-dose CTX combined with rhG-CSF.
Humans
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Multiple Myeloma/therapy*
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Etoposide/therapeutic use*
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/methods*
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Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use*
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Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
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Salvage Therapy
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Peripheral Blood Stem Cells
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Female
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Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
7.Association between PM 2.5 Chemical Constituents and Preterm Birth: The Undeniable Role of Preconception H19 Gene Variation.
Ya Long WANG ; Pan Pan SUN ; Xin Ying WANG ; Jun Xi ZHANG ; Xiang Yu YU ; Jian CHAI ; Ruo DU ; Wen Yi LIU ; Fang Fang YU ; Yue BA ; Guo Yu ZHOU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):1016-1022
8.Association between Serum Chloride Levels and Prognosis in Patients with Hepatic Coma in the Intensive Care Unit.
Shu Xing WEI ; Xi Ya WANG ; Yuan DU ; Ying CHEN ; Jin Long WANG ; Yue HU ; Wen Qing JI ; Xing Yan ZHU ; Xue MEI ; Da ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1255-1269
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the relationship between serum chloride levels and prognosis in patients with hepatic coma in the intensive care unit (ICU).
METHODS:
We analyzed 545 patients with hepatic coma in the ICU from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Associations between serum chloride levels and 28-day and 1-year mortality rates were assessed using restricted cubic splines (RCSs), Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves, and Cox regression. Subgroup analyses, external validation, and mechanistic studies were also performed.
RESULTS:
A total of 545 patients were included in the study. RCS analysis revealed a U-shaped association between serum chloride levels and mortality in patients with hepatic coma. The KM curves indicated lower survival rates among patients with low chloride levels (< 103 mmol/L). Low chloride levels were independently linked to increased 28-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates. In the multivariate models, the hazard ratio ( HR) for 28-day mortality in the low-chloride group was 1.424 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.041-1.949), while the adjusted hazard ratio for 1-year mortality was 1.313 (95% CI: 1.026-1.679). Subgroup analyses and external validation supported these findings. Cytological experiments suggested that low chloride levels may activate the phosphorylation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, promote the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and reduce neuronal cell viability.
CONCLUSION
Low serum chloride levels are independently associated with increased mortality in patients with hepatic coma.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Intensive Care Units
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Prognosis
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Chlorides/blood*
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Aged
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Coma/blood*
;
Adult
9.Pharmacokinetics of single-dose of Etripamil nasal spray in healthy adult Chinese subjects
Wei LIU ; Guo-Ying CAO ; Shu-Yan YU ; Yue-Wen XI ; Jing-Hui LUO ; Bo LIU ; Yu HE ; Tong-Yong FANG ; Xiao-Wen CHEN ; Yuan LI ; Jing ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1948-1952
Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics characteristics of single-dose of Etripamil nasal spray 70 mg in healthy adult Chinese subjects.Methods This was a single-center,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study.Twelve healthy adult Chinese subjects were randomized to receive single-dose of Etripamil nasal spray 70 mg(n=10)or placebo nasal spray(n=2).Blood and urine samples were collected prior and post dose.Etripamil in plasma and urine were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by WinNonlin non-compartmental model.Results Following the single-dose of Etripamil nasal spray 70 mg in healthy adult Chinese subjects,the peak concentration of Etripamil in plasma was quickly attained,with a Cmax of(66.76±56.61)ng·mL-1 and a median(range)tmax of 4.00(3.00-5.00)min.The plasma concentrations of Etripamil had fallen approximately 65%from peak value at 25 min after dosing,and close to 80%within 50 min.The AUC0-last and AUC0-∞ were(3 104.16±2 654.46)and(4 048.77±2 682.38)ng·min·mL-1,respectively.The urine excretion percentage of Etripamil during 24 h was(0.01±0.01)%.Among the 12 subjects who were treated with Etripamil or placebo,10 subjects reported a total of 29 treatment-emergent adverse events(TEAEs).All of the TEAEs were mild in severity.The most common TEAEs were rhinorrhoea and lacrimation increased.Conclusion Etripamil was quickly absorbed after intranasal administration,followed by rapid distribution and elimination(not primarily excreted by renal);Etripamil 70 mg was safe and well tolerated by the healthy Chinese adult subjects.
10.Identify the metabolites of total saponins of Platycodonis Radix in blood based on intestinal bacteria-mediated method
Xi-wa WU ; Xin-yu ZHANG ; Yuan-han ZHONG ; Xue-mei ZHANG ; Yu ZHOU ; Yan FENG ; Qian QIN ; Shou-wen ZHANG ; Guo-yue ZHONG ; Jin-xiang ZENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(11):3141-3152
The identification of the components absorbed in serum of platycosides in total saponins fraction of Platycodonis Radix

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