1.siRNA micelleplexes-mediated glutamine metabolism re-engineering for vascular normalization-boosted photo-immunotherapy.
Yunfei YI ; Zhangwen PENG ; Yuanqi LIU ; Huisong HAO ; Liu YU ; Simin WEN ; Shengjie SUN ; Jianlin SHI ; Meiying WU ; Lin MEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2237-2252
Among tumor microenvironment (TME), the entire metabolic characteristics of tumor-resident cells are reprogrammed to benefit the expansion of tumor cells, which count on glutamine in large part to fuel the tricarboxylic acid cycle for energy generation and anabolic metabolism support. Endothelial cells that are abducted by tumor cells to form a pathological tumor vascular network for constructing the hypoxic immunosuppressive TME, also rely on glutaminolysis as the "engine" of angiogenesis. Additionally, the glutamine metabolic preference benefits the polarization of TAMs towards pro-tumoral M2 phenotype as well. Herein, we developed a type of siRNA micelleplexes (MH@siGLS1) to reverse immunosuppressive TME by targeting glutaminolysis within tumor-resident cells for tumor vasculature normalization- and TAMs repolarization-enhanced photo-immunotherapy. Tumor cell starvation and antioxidant system destruction achieved by MH@siGLS1-mediated glutaminolysis inhibition could promote photodynamic therapy efficacy, which was available to trigger immunogenic cell death for adaptive antitumor immune responses. Meanwhile, glutaminolysis inhibition of tumor endothelial cells and TAMs could realize tumor vascular normalization and TAMs repolarization for antitumor immunity amplification. This study provides a unique perspective on cancer treatments by focusing on the interrelations of metabolic characteristics and the biofunctions of various cell types within TME.
2.Residual cell types,molecular expression profiles and quality assessment of in vitro cultured human thymic slices
Wanqing GUAN ; Guihua LUO ; Jingxuan HAN ; Qun XIANG ; Yunfei AN ; Lu ZHAO ; Jianhong MI ; Zeqing FENG ; Yuzhang WU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(9):893-903
Objective To analyze the composition and function of residual cells in pre-transplantation human thymic slices by single-cell transcriptomics sequencing(scRNA-seq),and established a quality assessment method for thymic slices based on the expression levels of molecular markers in the culture supernatant.Methods The discarded thymus from 18 patients with congenital heart disease undergoing surgical treatment in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University from May 2023 to January 2024 were collected and prepared into thymic slices.After the slices were cultured in vitro for 14 d,scRNA-seq was employed to identify the residual cell types,and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis was performed to analyze the biological function of the residual cells.Then based on the literature concerning thymic slice culture,the molecular markers indicating thymocyte function were screened out.ELISA was applied to detect the changes in protein levels of molecular markers in the supernatant.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted and assess the value of the molecular markers in the supernatant in evaluating the quality of thymic slices with area under the curve(AUC).Then,the qualified and unqualified thymic slices determined by our obtained molecular markers were transplanted subcutaneously into male nude mice(6~8 weeks old,weighing 14~17 g),respectively,and the male nude mice without transplantation of the thymic slices served as control group.Flow cytometry and histologic analysis were utilized to observe the immune reconstitution after transplantation.Results ① scRNA-seq identified 11 cell types in thymic slices,dominated with epithelial cells,fibroblasts,and T cells.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that epithelial cells were involved in enrichment entries related to chemotaxis,epithelial cell development,cell matrix adhesion and tight junction;fibroblasts were involved in enrichment entries related to extracellular matrix,epithelial cell proliferation,negative regulation of cell migration,and regulation of actin cytoskeleton;T cells were mainly related to T cell differentiation,regulation of T cell activation,T cell apoptosis,and T cell receptor signaling.② Molecular markers,CCL19,CCL21,CXCL12,CXCL16,IL16 and SELL were identified to indicate thymocyte function.Compared with the levels of the first day,the protein secretions of CCL19,CCL21,CXCL12 and CXCL16 were significantly increased during in vitro culture(P<0.05),while the protein secretions of IL16 and L-selectin(protein form of SELL)were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The combined predictor Pre1 from subset of cytokines(IL16 and L-selectin)had the highest value in the quality assessment of thymic slices after 1 d of culture(AUC=0.883),and the combined predictor Pre2 from subset of cytokines(CCL19,CCL21,CXCL12 and CXCL16)had the highest value in the quality assessment after 14 d of culture(AUC=0.948).③ Transplantation in nude mice indicated that the qualified thymic slices could develop to thymus structure in vivo,and effectively increase the proportion of T cells in peripheral blood(P<0.01),while the unqualified thymic slices could not obtain the reconstitution of T cell development.Conclusion The main residual component cells in thymic slices are epithelial cells,fibroblasts and T cells.IL16 and L-selectin can be used as potential indicators to determine the quality of donor thymic samples.CCL19,CCL21,CXCL12 and CXCL16 can effectively evaluate the quality of thymic slices before transplantation.
3.Study on characteristics and drug resistance of neonatal sepsis caused by different pathogenic bacteria
Yunfei GAO ; Shuhua ZHAO ; Ruilai LIU ; Xufang LI ; Zitian WANG ; Yue ZHANG ; Hong SHA ; Jing HE ; Xiaoyu YANG ; Na WU
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(3):211-216
Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance of neonatal sepsis(NS)caused by different Gram-staining pathogens.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on confirmed NS cases admitted to the Neonatal Ward of the Pediatric Department at The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University,from June 1,2014,to May 31,2024.Patients were divided into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups based on blood or cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)culture results.Clinical characteristics,pathogen distribution,and antibiotic resistance were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 98 cases were included,with 81 in the Gram-positive group and 17 in the Gram-negative group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that NS cases with a high neutrophil percentage( OR=0.933,95% CI:0.899-0.969)or hemorrhagic symptoms/signs( OR=0.059,95% CI:0.008-0.458)were less likely to have Gram-positive pathogens detected in blood or CSF cultures( P<0.05).Common Gram-positive pathogens included Staphylococcus epidermidis with 35 strains(33.65%)and Staphylococcus hominis with 22 strains(21.15%).The predominant Gram-negative pathogen was Escherichia coli with 14 strains(13.46%).Gram-positive pathogens exhibited high resistance to oxacillin(91.30%),erythromycin(90.91%),and penicillin G(90.00%),but low resistance to tigecycline(0),linezolid(0),and vancomycin(0).Gram-negative pathogens showed high resistance to ampicillin(92.31%),cefazolin(90.00%),and ampicillin/sulbactam(75.00%),but low resistance to amikacin(6.25%),latamoxef(0),and ertapenem(0).The incidence of concurrent purulent meningitis was lower in the Gram-positive group than in the Gram-negative group(9.88% vs.47.06%, χ2=11.628, P<0.05),and there was significant difference. Conclusion:NS cases with high neutrophil percentages or hemorrhagic symptoms/signs are less likely to be caused by Gram-positive pathogens.Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis are common Gram-positive pathogens,while Escherichia coli is the predominant Gram-negative pathogen in NS.Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens exhibit resistance to specific antibiotics.NS caused by Gram-positive pathogens is less likely to be complicated by purulent meningitis compared to those caused by Gram-negative pathogens.
4.Mental health status and its influencing factors among residents in Zhuhai
Ning WEI ; Jingju QUAN ; Yixuan WU ; Yongyong TENG ; Chun MAO ; Jiaju HUANG ; Yunfei KE ; Yajun SUN
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(5):457-463
Background Currently,there has been a gradual increase in the incidence of mental diseases,becoming a problem that has attracted great concern of the general public.Zhuhai is a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,and the local government have attached great importance to the mental health of residents.The systematic study on the mental health has focused largely on pregnant women and medical workers,yet few are on the adult residents.Objective To investigate the prevalence and its influencing factors of anxiety and depression among adult residents in Zhuhai,so as to provide references for formulating targeted psychological intervention strategies.Methods From September 1 to December 1,2021,a cohort of 5 600 permanent residents aged 18 years and above in Zhuhai were selected through multistage sampling.All participants were subjected to complete Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item(PHQ-9),Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item(GAD-7)and National Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire based on Wenjuanxing software.Then Logistic regression was employed to identify the factors associated with anxiety and depression among the residents.Results Among the 5 600 residents,depressive symptoms were detected in 842(15.04%)residents and anxiety symptoms in 579(10.34%)residents.Logistic regression analysis yielded that female gender(OR=1.488),living in Doumen district(OR=1.942),junior college/undergraduate level(OR=3.602),postgraduate and above(OR=5.904),irregular meal pattern(OR=3.320),comorbid chronic diseases(OR=3.244),disqualification of self-assessment(OR=3.414)and disqualification of mental health skill(OR=2.131)were risk factors for depression symptoms,whereas age≥25 years old(of all age groups OR<1),monthly per capita income>20 000 yuan(OR=0.438)and exercising≥3 times a week(OR=0.431)were protective factors for depression symptoms.Age of 25~34 years old(OR=2.051),living in Jinwan district(OR=1.729)or Doumen district(OR=1.901),junior college/undergraduate level(OR=2.955),postgraduate and above(OR=6.662),irregular meal pattern(OR=2.741),comorbid chronic diseases(OR=3.535),disqualification of self-assessment(OR=3.325)and disqualification of mental health skill(OR=1.838)were risk factors for anxiety symptoms,while monthly per capita income of 6 001~9 000 yuan(OR=0.665)and exercising≥3 times a week(OR=0.572)were protective factors for anxiety symptoms.Conclusion The mental health status of adult residents in Zhuhai is affected by various factors,including gender,age,region of residence,education level,meal pattern,exercise frequency and chronic diseases.
5.The Miao medicine Sidaxue alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in rats possibly by downregulating matrix metalloproteinases
Yunfei LI ; Jingyi YANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Caixia ZHANG ; Yuxiang WEI ; Yiying WANG ; Ning WU ; Jianfei SUN ; Zunqiu WU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):739-747
Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of Sidaxue, a traditional Miao herbal medicine formula, on articular bone and cartilage destruction and synovial neovascularization in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of Sidaxue at low, moderate and high doses (10, 20, and 40 g/kg, respectively) for 21 days, with Tripterygium glycosides (GTW) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb plantar regions by arthritis index scoring. Pathologies in joint synovial membrane of the rats were observed with HE staining, and serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were detected with ELISA. The expressions of NF-κB p65, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP2 and MMP9 at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the important target proteins in the pathways correlated with the therapeutic effects of topical Sidaxue treatment for RA, and the core target proteins were screened by topological analysis. Results Treatment with GTW and Sidaxue at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, improved cartilage and bone damage and reduced neovascularization in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of Sidaxue showed a dose dependence. Both GTW and Sidaxue treatments significantly lowered TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB p65, MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovial tissues of CIA rats (P<0.05). Network pharmacological analysis identified MMPs as the core proteins associated with topical Sidaxue treatment of RA. Conclusion Sidaxue alleviates articular bone and cartilage damages and reduces synovial neovascularization in CIA rats possibly by downregulating MMPs via the TNF-α/IL-1β/NF-κB-MMP1, 2, 9 signaling pathway, and MMPs probably plays a key role in mediating the effect of Sidaxue though the therapeutic pathways other than oral administration.
6.The Miao medicine Sidaxue alleviates rheumatoid arthritis in rats possibly by downregulating matrix metalloproteinases
Yunfei LI ; Jingyi YANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Caixia ZHANG ; Yuxiang WEI ; Yiying WANG ; Ning WU ; Jianfei SUN ; Zunqiu WU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(4):739-747
Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of Sidaxue, a traditional Miao herbal medicine formula, on articular bone and cartilage destruction and synovial neovascularization in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of Sidaxue at low, moderate and high doses (10, 20, and 40 g/kg, respectively) for 21 days, with Tripterygium glycosides (GTW) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb plantar regions by arthritis index scoring. Pathologies in joint synovial membrane of the rats were observed with HE staining, and serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were detected with ELISA. The expressions of NF-κB p65, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP2 and MMP9 at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using real-time PCR and Western blotting. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the important target proteins in the pathways correlated with the therapeutic effects of topical Sidaxue treatment for RA, and the core target proteins were screened by topological analysis. Results Treatment with GTW and Sidaxue at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, improved cartilage and bone damage and reduced neovascularization in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of Sidaxue showed a dose dependence. Both GTW and Sidaxue treatments significantly lowered TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB p65, MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovial tissues of CIA rats (P<0.05). Network pharmacological analysis identified MMPs as the core proteins associated with topical Sidaxue treatment of RA. Conclusion Sidaxue alleviates articular bone and cartilage damages and reduces synovial neovascularization in CIA rats possibly by downregulating MMPs via the TNF-α/IL-1β/NF-κB-MMP1, 2, 9 signaling pathway, and MMPs probably plays a key role in mediating the effect of Sidaxue though the therapeutic pathways other than oral administration.
7.Effects of advanced platelet-rich fibrin/chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel on full-thickness skin defect wound healing in diabetic rats
Haoyi XUN ; Xiaowei SU ; Fangchao HU ; Xiangyu LIU ; Yushou WU ; Tian LIU ; Ran SUN ; Hongjie DUAN ; Yunfei CHI ; Jiake CHAI
Chinese Journal of Burns 2024;40(5):451-460
Objective:To prepare advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF)/chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel (hereinafter referred to as composite hydrogel) and explore the effects of composite hydrogel on full-thickness skin defect wound healing in diabetic rats.Methods:This study was an experimental study. The composite hydrogel with porous mesh structure and thermosensitive characteristics was successfully prepared, containing A-PRF with mass concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L. Diabetic model was successfully established in male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 weeks by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and 4 full-thickness skin defect wounds were established on the back of each rat (finally the model was successfully established in 36 rats). Three wounds of each rat were divided into blank group (no drug intervention), positive control group (dropping recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage stimulating factor gel), and chitosan hydrogel group (dropping chitosan hydrogel solution). Thirty rats were collected, and the remaining one wound of each rat (totally 30 wounds) was divided into 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups, with 6 wounds in each group, which were dropped with composite hydrogel solution containing 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L A-PRF, respectively. Taking the remaining six rats, the remaining one wound from each rat was dropped with composite hydrogel solution containing 100 g/L A-PRF. On 14 d after injury, 6 rats with one wound dropped with composite hydrogel containing 100 g/L A-PRF were selected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the inflammation, hemorrhage, or necrosis of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. On 10 d after injury, 6 rats with one wound dropped with composite hydrogel containing 15 g/L A-PRF were selected to observe the blood perfusion of wounds in the four groups (with sample size of 6). On 7 and 14 d after injury, the wound healing rates in the eight groups were calculated. On 14 d after injury, the wound tissue in the eight groups was taken for HE and Masson staining to observe the formation of new epithelium and collagen formation, respectively; the positive expressions of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the percentages of positive areas were calculated; the protein expressions of CD31 and VEGFA were detected by Western blotting; the mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method (with all sample sizes of 4).Results:On 14 d after injury, no obvious inflammation, hemorrhage, or necrosis was observed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney in the 6 rats. On 10 d after injury, the blood perfusion volume of wound in 15 g/L composite hydrogel group was significantly more than that in blank group, positive control group, and chitosan hydrogel group, respectively (with P values all <0.05). On 7 and 14 d after injury, the wound healing rates of blank group were (26.0±8.9)% and (75.0±1.8)%, which were significantly lower than those of positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups, respectively ((45.8±3.2)%, (49.8±3.7)%, (51.2±2.9)%, (68.5±2.4)%, (68.8±1.5)%, (72.7±2.1)%, (75.0±3.7)% and (79.1±1.9)%, (77.2±1.7)%, (82.3±1.3)%, (89.6±1.9)%, (89.8±1.3)%, (87.3±1.1)%, (87.9±1.3)%), P<0.05; the wound healing rates of positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group were significantly lower than those of 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups ( P<0.05). On 14 d after injury, the wound epithelialization degrees of 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups were higher than those of the other 4 groups, the new microvascular situation was better, and the collagen was more abundant and arranged more neatly. On 14 d after injury, the percentages of CD31 and VEGFA positive areas in wounds in positive control group and the percentage of VEGFA positive area in wounds in chitosan hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in blank group ( P<0.05), the percentage of VEGFA positive area in wounds in 10 g/L composite hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in blank group, chitosan hydrogel group, and positive control group (with P values all <0.05), and the percentages of CD31 and VEGFA positive areas in wounds in 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups were significantly higher than those in blank group, positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group ( P<0.05). On 14 d after injury, the protein and mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in chitosan hydrogel group, positive control group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in blank group ( P<0.05); the protein expression of VEGFA in wound tissue in 10 g/L composite hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in positive control group ( P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in 10 g/L composite hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in positive control group and chitosan hydrogel group ( P<0.05); the protein and mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups were significantly higher than those in blank group, positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group ( P<0.05); the mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in chitosan hydrogel group were significantly lower than those in positive control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The composite hydrogel has high biological safety, can improve wound blood perfusion, effectively promote the formation of blood vessels and collagen in wound tissue, thus promoting the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in diabetic rats. 15 g/L is the optimal mass concentration of A-PRF in composite hydrogel.
8.Discussion on acceptance limit of drug metabolites in quality standard
Yunfei LIU ; Lingbo WANG ; Xiulan WU ; Jia YU ; Hao ZHOU ; Lihong YANG
Drug Standards of China 2024;25(5):526-528
This paper discussed how to set the limit of impurities in the quality standard when the impurities in small-molecular innovative drugs were metabolites.Firstly,through the analysis and interpretation of each relevant guideline,in combination with the review cases of FDA and EMA,found out the conditions for qualification of im-purity,and then establ ish the acceptable limit of impurities based on the test results of multiple batches,the incre-ments of production process and storage process.
9.Expert consensus on the construction, evaluation and application of bone organoids (version 2024)
Jian WANG ; Long BAI ; Xiao CHEN ; Yuanyuan LIU ; Guohui LIU ; Zhongmin SHI ; Kaili LIN ; Chuanglong HE ; Jing WANG ; Zhen GENG ; Weiyang SHI ; Wencai ZHANG ; Fengjin ZHOU ; Qiang YANG ; Lili YANG ; Zhiwei WANG ; Haodong LIN ; Yunfei ZHANG ; Fuxin WEI ; Wei CHEN ; Wenguo CUI ; Fei LUO ; Jun FEI ; Hui XIE ; Jian LUO ; Chengtie WU ; Xuanyong LIU ; Yufeng ZHENG ; Changsheng LIU ; Jiacan SU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(11):974-986
Bone organoids can simulate the complex structure and function of the bone tissues, which makes them a frontier technology in organoid researches. Bone organoids show a tremendous potential of applications in bone disease modeling, bone injury repair, and medicine screening. Although advancements have been made so far in constructing bone organoids with functional structures like mineralization, bone marrow, trabecular bone, callus, woven bone, etc, the researches in this field are confronted with numerous challenges such as lack of standardized construction strategies and unified evaluation criteria, which limits their further promotion and application. To standardize researches in bone organoids, the Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatric Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the Youth Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Surgeon Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine organized related experts to formulate Expert consensus on the construction, evaluation, and application of bone organoids ( version 2024) based on an evidence-based approach. A total of 17 recommendations were put forth, aiming to standardize researches and clinical applications of bone organoids and enhance their value in scientific research and clinical practice.

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