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.Spatio-temporal and etiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Jining from 2014 to 2023
Xihong SUN ; Hua ZHEN ; Yanju TONG ; Yinghui YU ; Ying YUE ; Jingjing JIANG ; Xin GONG ; Wei LIU ; Wenguo JIANG ; Yumin LIANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(9):967-974
We analyzed the epidemiological features and spatial distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in Jining city from 2014 to 2023,to provide a reference for further development of targeted prevention and control strategies and measures.Descrip-tive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis cases in Jining from 2014 to 2023.The spatial regional correlation of brucellosis incidence in Jining and the clustering patterns of local areas were studied through spatial autocorrelation analysis with townships as the basic unit.A total of 3 520 cases of brucellosis were reported in Jining from 2014 to 2023,and the average annual incidence rate was 4.23/100 000,thus indicating a fluctuating trend overall.Reported cases peaked from March to August,and a sex ratio of 2.71 males to 1 female was observed.The 40-59 year age group had the most reported cases(50.39%).The incidence of brucellosis in Jining showed an imbalanced spatial distribution.Brucellosis incidence showed a spatially clustered distribution(Moran's I>0,P<0.05).Hotspots were distributed primarily in Sishui,Qufu,and Zoucheng.A total of one class Ⅰ clustering area and one class Ⅱ clustering area were detected in the spatial and temporal scans,and were located in Sishui,Qufu,and Liangshan county.After pathogenic AMOS-PCR typing analysis,64 Brucella isolates collected from Jinan City from 2022 to 2024 were all of the sheep strain,and sheep biovar 3 was predominant(70.31%).In 2014-2023,although Jining City experienced a high incidence of brucellosis,a downward trend was observed.Brucellosis showed a spatial clustering pattern concentrated in the northeastern region.Therefore,awareness and education must be strengthened among brucellosis practitioners in cluster areas,to en-hance case surveillance,improve the level of protection,and achieve early detection and treatment.
3.Effects of Jiedu Yizhi Formula on neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Jie WANG ; Jian LIU ; Xiao-ting ZHU ; Yun-qiang LI ; Xin-yue ZHANG ; Fan LI ; Jia-li WU ; Wei LI ; Ming-quan LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(6):1843-1852
AIM To investigate the mechanism of Jiedu Yizhi Formula on cognitive function and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease(AD).METHODS 50 APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into the model group,the donepezil group,and the low-dose,moderate-dose,and high-dose Jiedu Yizhi Formula group(1.78,3.56 and 7.12 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group,in contrast to the 10 WT mice of the blank group.Following anesthesia administration and 8-week oral gavage regimen with respective drugs,all mice underwent final tissue sample collection.The mice had their learning and memory ability assessed by Morris water maze and nesting behavior scores;their pathology of brain tissue and Aβ expression observed using HE,Nissl and IHC staining;their polarization of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors in hippocampal tissue detected by IF and ELISA;their hippocampal expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group had lower scores in total swimming distance,frequency in crossing the platform,residence time in the target quadrant,and nesting behavior scores(P<0.05,P<0.01);prolonged evasion latency(P<0.01);more disorganized arrangement of pyramidal cells,solidification and deep staining,unclear demarcation,irregular cell shapes,reduction of Nyctinidia,and increased Aβ deposition in the brain tissue(P<0.01);elevated expression of hippocampal microglia M1-type markers CD16/32 and lba-1(P<0.01);decreased levels of M2-type marker CD206(P<0.05);elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β(P<0.01);decreased expressions of IL-13 and IL-4(P<0.01);and decreased levels of PI3K,Akt and mTOR mRNA,and reduced p-PI3K,p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expressions(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the donepezil group and the Jiedu Yizhi Formula groups showed statistically significant improvements in the aforementioned indexes(P<0.05,P<0.01),with the magnitude of improvement being higher in the high-dose Jiedu Yizhi Formula group.CONCLUSION Jiedu Yizhi Formula suppresses microglia Ml-type polarization while enhancing M2-type polarization via activation the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,which subsequently reduces inflammatory cytokine secretion.This mechanism attenuates Aβ deposition in brain tissues and ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in AD mouse models.
4.The expression and clinical significance of follicular helper T cells, B cells and their subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Xin ZHANG ; Wei KONG ; Zhuoyang JIA ; Yue SUN
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(6):826-831
Objective:To study the expression of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, B cells and their subsets in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to preliminarily explore the relationship between Tfh cells and their subsets and the occurrence and development of SLE.Methods:A total of 38 SLE patients who were hospitalized in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 and 23 healthy volunteers matched by age and gender were included. The expression of Tfh cells, B cells, their subsets and cytokines in the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers and SLE patients was analyzed by flow cytometry. The clinical data of SLE patients were collected to evaluate the correlation between Tfh cells and their subsets and disease activity.Results:The proportions of Tfh cells, primary B cells, memory B cells and plasma blasts in the peripheral blood of SLE patients and the level of interleukin-21 (IL-21) were significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers (all P<0.05). Among them, Tfh cells were mainly characterized by an increase in the proportion of Tfh17 cell subsets, and the proportion of Tfh17 cells was positively correlated with the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), primary B cells, and plasmatocytes ( r=0.592, 0.300, 0.379, all P<0.05). The proportion of Tfh cells was also positively correlated with SLEDAI-2K ( r=0.469, P<0.05). The proportions of Tfh cells and Tfh17 cells in the peripheral blood of SLE patients with medium to high disease activity were significantly higher than those in the low disease activity group (all P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment for SLE patients with medium to high disease activity, the proportions of Tfh ( P=0.04) and Tfh17 cells ( P=0.003) in the peripheral blood decreased compared with before. Conclusions:The disorder of Tfh cells and B cell subsets is involved in the occurrence and development of SLE. Peripheral blood Tfh17 cells can be used as biomarkers for evaluating the disease activity of SLE patients.
5.Effect of donepezil combined with hypoxia on CYP3A4 and its safety-evaluation
Xiao-xia HAN ; Yue-xin LI ; Wei TENG ; Fang WANG ; Hai-ying HONG ; Ze-shuai YI ; Ying SONG ; Yu-yan ZHOU ; Bao-xin LI ; Pan FAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2354-2361
Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nisms of donepezil on the expression and enzymatic ac-tivity of cytochrome P450 3A4(CYP3A4),elucidate the synergistic impact of hypoxia on CYP3A4 function,and reveal its potential association with drug-induced cardiotoxicity,particularly QT interval prolongation.Methods Western blot,co-immunoprecipitation,and gene knockdown techniques were employed to evaluate the effects of donepezil and hypoxia on CYP3A4 pro-tein expression.CYP3A4 enzymatic activity was as-sessed using an in vitro incubation system with rat liver microsomes combined with high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),and the half-maximal inhib-itory concentration(IC50)was determined.Results Donepezil(10 μmol·L-1)and hypoxia reduced CYP3A4 protein expression to 31.75%and 45.90%of the control levels,respectively.Both interventions activated the gp78-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome path-way,significantly increasing CYP3A4 ubiquitination levels by 2.1-fold compared to the control group,thereby promoting proteasomal degradation.Donepezil inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with an IC50 of 83.4μmol·L-1,and hypoxia synergistically enhanced this inhibitory effect,reducing the IC50 to 20.79 μmol·L-1.Conclusion Donepezil downregulates CYP3A4 function through dual mechanisms involving ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation and direct enzymatic inhibition.Hypoxia potentiates this effect,leading to impaired metabolism of CYP3A4 substrate drugs,ele-vated plasma drug concentrations(1.6-2.3-fold in-crease compared to normal metabolic conditions),and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation and other forms of cardiotoxicity.
6.Prognostic Significance of Endothelial Activation and Stress Index in Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Xin-Yue ZHOU ; Zhi-Qin YANG ; Jin HU ; Feng-Yi LU ; Qian-Nan HAN ; Huan-Huan ZHAO ; Wen-Xia GAO ; Yu-Han MA ; Hu-Jun LI ; Zhen-Yu LI ; Kai-Lin XU ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1051-1056
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of endothelial activation and stress index(EASIX)for the prognosis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma(MCL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess prognosis and compare the clinical features of patients diagnosed with MCL who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2010 to June 2023,had therapeutic indications and received standard treatment.Results:A total of 66 patients were included and divided into high EASIX group and low EASIX group,according to a cutoff value of 0.97 determined by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prealbumin<0.2 g/L,high EASIX,and ECOG PS score ≥2 were independent risk factors influencing overall survival(OS)in MCL patients.The median OS of patients in the high and low EASIX group was 13.0 and 37.5 months,and the median progression-free survival was 8.8 and 26.0 months,respectively.The proportions of patients with ECOG PS score ≥2 and prealbumin<0.2 g/L at onset significantly increased in the high EASIX group compared to those in the low EASIX group.Conclusion:At the time of initial diagnosis,EASIX can serve as an independent prognostic indicator impacting OS in patients with MCL.Furthermore,patients in the high EASIX group experience a poorer prognosis and shorter survival duration compared with those in the low EASIX group.
7.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
8.Regulation of ferroptosis susceptibility in acute myeloid leukemia cells by enolase ENO1
Jia-qi WAN ; Yue LI ; Xin-tong YANG ; Hong-wei PENG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1711-1719
Aim To investigate the expression of al-pha-enolase 1(ENO1)in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia(AML)and its impact on prognosis,as well as to assess the influence of ENO1 on the antitumor effects of FLT3 inhibitors.Methods Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases were analyzed to compare the expression differences of ENO1 in various tumors and normal tissues.ENO1 knockdown cells were con-structed using the AML cell line MOLM13.The impact of ENO1 on AML cell proliferation,apoptosis,and drug sensitivity was evaluated through CCK-8 assays,flow cytometry,drug synergy experiments,transcriptome se-quencing,and lipid peroxide and reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS)levels were detected.Results The ex-pression level of ENO1 was significantly elevated in FLT3 internal tandem duplication mutation(FLT3-ITD)positive AML patients and was associated with poor prognosis.Knockdown of ENO1 significantly in-hibited AML cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.Inhibition of ENO1 significantly increased the chemo-sensitivity of AML cells to FLT3 inhibitors.Transcrip-tome sequencing analysis revealed differential expres-sion of genes in the NADPH oxidase-related pathway following ENO1 knockdown,and a positive correlation between ENO1 and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)expression.Inhibition of ENO1 significantly increased the levels of lipid peroxides and ROS induced by FLT3 inhibitors.Conclusions High expression of ENO1 is significantly associated with poor prognosis in FLT3(+)AML.Inhibition of ENO1 can enhance the anti-tumor effects of FLT3 inhibitors by regulating the an-tioxidant defense capacity of AML cells,providing a new target and therapeutic strategy for the treatment of FLT3/ITD(+)AML.
9.The novel compound Austocystin R induces cycle arrest and autophagy in triple-negative breast cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Xin-yue GONG ; Min WEI ; Xiao-qin YU ; Yun-lei XU ; Yi-fan BAI ; Cheng-xiong LIU ; Fan CHENG ; Kun ZOU ; Jian-feng CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1651-1658
Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.
10.Spatio-temporal and etiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Jining from 2014 to 2023
Xihong SUN ; Hua ZHEN ; Yanju TONG ; Yinghui YU ; Ying YUE ; Jingjing JIANG ; Xin GONG ; Wei LIU ; Wenguo JIANG ; Yumin LIANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(9):967-974
We analyzed the epidemiological features and spatial distribution characteristics of human brucellosis in Jining city from 2014 to 2023,to provide a reference for further development of targeted prevention and control strategies and measures.Descrip-tive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis cases in Jining from 2014 to 2023.The spatial regional correlation of brucellosis incidence in Jining and the clustering patterns of local areas were studied through spatial autocorrelation analysis with townships as the basic unit.A total of 3 520 cases of brucellosis were reported in Jining from 2014 to 2023,and the average annual incidence rate was 4.23/100 000,thus indicating a fluctuating trend overall.Reported cases peaked from March to August,and a sex ratio of 2.71 males to 1 female was observed.The 40-59 year age group had the most reported cases(50.39%).The incidence of brucellosis in Jining showed an imbalanced spatial distribution.Brucellosis incidence showed a spatially clustered distribution(Moran's I>0,P<0.05).Hotspots were distributed primarily in Sishui,Qufu,and Zoucheng.A total of one class Ⅰ clustering area and one class Ⅱ clustering area were detected in the spatial and temporal scans,and were located in Sishui,Qufu,and Liangshan county.After pathogenic AMOS-PCR typing analysis,64 Brucella isolates collected from Jinan City from 2022 to 2024 were all of the sheep strain,and sheep biovar 3 was predominant(70.31%).In 2014-2023,although Jining City experienced a high incidence of brucellosis,a downward trend was observed.Brucellosis showed a spatial clustering pattern concentrated in the northeastern region.Therefore,awareness and education must be strengthened among brucellosis practitioners in cluster areas,to en-hance case surveillance,improve the level of protection,and achieve early detection and treatment.

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