1.Jieduan Niwan Formula regulates AMPK to alleviate mitochondrial damage in HepG2 cells
Ruimin MA ; Hanjing WANG ; Wenxin ZHANG ; Chongyang MA ; Qiuyun ZHANG ; Yuqiong DU
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(2):193-204
Objective:
To investigate the regulatory effect of Jieduan Niwan Formula (JDNWF) drug-containing serum on AMPK-mediated mitochondrial quality control in D-GalN-induced HepG2 cells.
Methods:
Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control and JDNWF-containing serum groups, 10 rats per group. The JDNWF-containing serum group was gavaged with JDNWF (21.7 g/kg), whereas the blank control group was gavaged with saline. Blood was collected to prepare JDNWF-containing and blank control serum. Cell viability, mitochondrial damage indicators, and MQC pathway protein expression levels were evaluated to determine the optimal volume fraction of JDNWF. HepG2 cells were divided into control, D-GalN, DMSO, AMPK inhibitor, JDNWF drug-containing serum, and JDNWF drug-containing serum plus AMPK inhibitor groups, and corresponding drug interventions were administered to each group. Cells were collected after the interventions, and the CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability, the 2′-7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescent probe was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, JC-1 was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential, thiobarbituric acid was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, WST-8 was used to measure superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of mitochondrial quality control-related proteins, including p-AMPK, AMPK, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM, MFN2, and DRP1.
Results:
5% JDNWF drug-containing serum most significantly restored cell viability, mitochondrial damage markers, and MQC pathway protein expression in the model group. Therefore, it was chosen for intervention in subsequent experiments. Compared to the control group, the cell viability of the D-GalN, DMSO, and AMPK inhibitor groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). In contrast, the heterogeneity of mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS, and MDA levels was significantly increased (P<0.01), and SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The p-AMPK, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM, MFN2, and DRP1 protein expression levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). After JDNWF drug-containing serum intervention, compared to the DMSO group, cell viability significantly increased (P<0.01), mitochondrial membrane potential heterogeneity, ROS, and MDA levels significantly decreased (P<0.01), SOD activity significantly increased (P<0.01), and p-AMPK, PGC-1α, NRF1, TFAM, and MFN2 protein expression levels significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas DRP1 protein expression significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared to the JDNWF drug-containing serum group, the cell viability in the JDNWF plus AMPK inhibitor group significantly decreased (P<0.01), mitochondrial membrane potential heterogeneity and ROS levels significantly increased (P<0.01), MDA levels significantly increased (P<0.05), SOD activity significantly decreased (P<0.05), p-AMPK, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM protein expression levels significantly decreased (P<0.01), MFN2 protein expression significantly decreased (P<0.05), and DRP1 protein expression significantly increased (P<0.01).
Conclusion
JDNWF drug-containing serum may restore mitochondrial function and improve D-GalN-induced HepG2 cell injury by regulating AMPK-mediated mitochondrial quality control.
2.ALKBH5 exacerbates psoriatic dermatitis in mice by promoting angiogenesis.
Chengfang ZHANG ; Fei LI ; Bao CHAI ; Jian JIANG ; Yinlian ZHANG ; Xuemei LI ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Yuqiong HUANG ; Zilin JIN ; Yixuan Wang WAN ; Suwen LIU ; Nan YU ; Hongxiang CHEN
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(4):653-664
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and its pathogenesis is largely modulated by abnormal angiogenesis. Previous research has indicated that AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), an important demethylase affecting N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, plays a role in regulating angiogenesis in cardiovascular and eye diseases. Our present study found that ALKBH5 was upregulated and co-localized with cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) in the skin of IMQ group compared with control group. ALKBH5-deficient mice decreased IMQ-induced psoriatic dermatitis and exhibited histological improvements, including decreased epidermal thickness, hyperkeratosis, numbers of dermal capillary vessels and inflammatory cell infiltration. ALKBH5-KO mice alleviated angiogenesis in psoriatic lesions by downregulating the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Additionally, the expression of ALKBH5 was significantly upregulated in IL-17A-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which further promoted the expression of angiogenesis-related cytokines and endothelial cell proliferation. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were suppressed in ALKBH5 knockdown group, whereas ALKBH5 overexpression promoted these processes. The regulation of angiogenesis in HUVECs by ALKBH5 was facilitated through the AKT-mTOR pathway. Collectively, ALKBH5 plays a pivotal role in psoriatic dermatitis and angiogenesis, which may offer a new potential targets for treating psoriasis.
Animals
;
Psoriasis/chemically induced*
;
Mice
;
Humans
;
Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics*
;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
;
AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Signal Transduction
;
Male
;
Skin/blood supply*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Angiogenesis
3.Identification of PLATZ gene family in Camellia sinensis and expression analysis of this gene family under high temperature and drought stresses.
Xiaoshu YI ; Anru ZHENG ; Chengzhe ZHOU ; Caiyun TIAN ; Cheng ZHANG ; Yuqiong GUO ; Xuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2897-2912
The plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) family is composed of plant-specific zinc finger-like transcription factors, which play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. In this study, to gain a better understanding of the PLATZ gene in C. sinensis and elucidate its response under drought and high temperature conditions, the PLATZ gene family of the C. sinensis cultivar 'Tieguanyin' was systematically identified, and a total of 12 CsPLATZ family members were identified. Expasy online and other bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the members of the PLATZ gene family in terms of protein physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, cis-acting elements, gene structures, and intra- and inter-species collinearity. The results of phylogenetic analysis classified the CsPLATZ family members into 2 subfamilies. The conserved domains and gene structures of PLATZ family members within the same subfamily had a high degree of consistency, whereas a certain degree of diversity was observed among the subfamilies. Twelve PLATZ genes were unevenly distributed across 7 chromosomes of C. sinensis and the promoter regions of these genes had multiple cis-acting elements related to hormone and stress responses. The collinearity analysis showed that there were 4 pairs of duplication events in the CsPLATZ gene family, all of which were segmental duplications. Based on this gene family, C. sinensis had a closer evolutionary relationship with A. thaliana than with O. sativa. The transcriptome analysis showed that the expression levels of CsPLATZ family members varied in different tissue samples of C. sinensis. 6 genes (CsPLATZ-1, CsPLATZ-2, CsPLATZ-3, CsPLATZ-4, CsPLATZ-6, and CsPLATZ-8) with high expression in shoots, young leaves, and roots were selected for high temperature and drought stress treatments, and their expression was quantified by qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the six genes might play important roles in the response to drought stress. In addition, CsPLATZ-2 and CsPLATZ-8 might have important functions in the response to high temperature stress. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the biological functions of PLATZ genes and their possible roles in the growth, development, and stress responses of C. sinensis.
Droughts
;
Camellia sinensis/physiology*
;
Phylogeny
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Plant Proteins/genetics*
;
Stress, Physiological/genetics*
;
Multigene Family
;
Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Hot Temperature
;
Genes, Plant
4.Strolling through the glorious years of Alveolar Surgery, bravely stepping onto the path of practice and innovation
Yiming WANG ; Yang XUE ; Jihong ZHAO ; Jian PAN ; Duohong ZOU ; Nianhui CUI ; Wei ZHANG ; Qizhang WANG ; Zhizheng LI ; Yuqiong ZHOU ; Kaijin HU
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(4):301-311
This article summarizes and organizes relevant publications in journals, along with a review of medical history, systematically summarizing the development process of dental alveolar surgery in China. The initial establishment phase (1935—1952) marked the starting point of Chinese Alveolar Surgery. Despite the impact of wars, it laid the foundation for subsequent research and practice. During the early development phase (1953—1966), the "Chinese Journal of Stomatology" was founded, which promoted the development of Alveolar Surgery. Research focused on tooth extraction methods and complications. Tooth Transplantation and Preprosthetic Surgery gradually began to take off. The stagnant phase (1967—1977) occurred due to the interruption of international exchanges, leading to an almost complete halt in the development of Alveolar Surgery. Entering the rapid catch-up phase (1978—1985), Alveolar Surgery scholars in China began striving to overcome the stagnation of the previous decade. While some progress was made, no significant innovative achievements emerged. In the scientific development phase (1986—2010), clinical research, basic experiments, and paper writing in modern Chinese Alveolar Surgery began to adhere to scientific standards with the rise of experimental medicine. The exploration and innovation stage (2011—2023) is the current development phase, during which Chinese Aveolar Surgery has reached its peak, making substantial progress in technology, clinical practices, and basic research, gradually reaching or even surpassing international advanced levels. Looking back at the development history in China, we can find the wisdom and hard work of the older generation of Alveolar Surgery scholars. However, contemporary challenges and issues, such as standardizing technology, promoting clinical practices, and talent cultivation, need to be addressed by present-day Alveolar Surgery professionals as they forge ahead.
5.Visual analysis of neonatal hospice care based on Web of Science database
Sishan JIANG ; Tingwei LUO ; Na ZHANG ; Yuqiong XIANG ; Qingqing XIA ; Zhiqiang ZHANG ; Lihui ZHU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(4):487-494
Objective:To conduct visual analysis of neonatal hospice care based on Web of Science database and explore the research hotspots and frontiers, so as to provide reference for the development of neonatal hospice care in China.Methods:The literatures related to neonatal hospice care included in the core collection of Web of Science from 1991 to 2023 were retrieved and screened. CiteSpace 6.1.R6 was used for visual analysis from the aspects of author, country/region, institution, journal co-citation frequency, keyword knowledge map and so on.Results:A total of 1 452 articles were included, and the number of articles was on the rise. The United States, the United Kingdom and Canada occupied the core position of neonatal hospice care related research. Research hotspots included hospice care for different stages and types of diseases, key links in neonatal intensive care unit hospice care, innovation in neonatal hospice care service models, the needs and psychological support strategies of family members and medical staff. The forefront of research focused on the role and challenges of healthcare professionals in hospice care, disease diagnosis and ethical dilemmas related to decision-making.Conclusions:China can learn from international research hotspots and frontiers to explore the applicability of different hospice service models, enrich research types, strengthen guidance at the level of laws and policies, improve education and training systems and build a neonatal hospice service system that conforms to national conditions and culture in China.
6.Genetic analysis of a fetus with Coffin-Siris syndrome 2 due to a novel variant of ARID1A gene
Yuqiong CHAI ; Jieqiong WANG ; Yaxin WANG ; Pai ZHANG ; Jiapei JIN ; Ya′nan WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1255-1258
Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of a fetus with Coffin-Siris syndrome2 (CSS2).Methods:A fetus with abnormal ultrasound findings detected at Luoyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in July 2023 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Whole exome sequencing was carried out on fetal tissue and parental peripheral blood samples, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and pathogenicity analysis. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Luoyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Ethics No. LYFY-YCCZ-2023011).Results:Color Doppler ultrasound at 16 + gestational weeks revealed bilateral ventriculomegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia in the fetus. Trio-WES found that the fetus has harbored a heterozygous c. 553C>T (p.Gln185Ter) variant of the ARID1A gene, which was verified by Sanger sequencing to have a de novo origin. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 553C>T (p.Gln185Ter) variant of the ARID1A gene was classified as pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM2_Supporting). Conclusion:The fetus was diagnosed with CSS type 2, and the heterozygous c. 553C>T (p.Gln185Ter) variant of the ARID1A gene probably underlay its brain malformations.
7.Influence of thyroid function on the fetal fraction during second trimester of pregnancy.
Yuqiong ZHANG ; Longwei QIAO ; Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2023;40(10):1191-1196
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the influence of thyroid function on the fetal fraction (FF) during the second trimester of pregnancy.
METHODS:
A total of 1 861 pregnant women undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and thyroxine function testing at 12 ~ 26 gestational weeks at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University/Suzhou Municipal Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were selected as the study subjects. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression models were used to assess the correlation between free thyroxine 4 (FT4) levels and FF.
RESULTS:
Univariate linear regression analysis indicated that the FF is correlated to the level of FT4 (b = 0.035, P < 0.001). The median fetal FF was 10.78% (IQR: 8.2%, 13.82%), and this has increased along with the level of FT4 from 10.58% at <= 12.0 pmol/L to 11.77% at > 16.0 pmol/L. After further adjustment of gestational age and body mass index (BMI), the FF showed an increase trend along with the increase of FT4 levels, and a trend test also showed a statistical significance (Ptrend < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Maternal FF can be affected by the level of free thyroxine during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Pregnancy
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
;
Thyroid Gland
;
Thyroxine
;
Fetus
;
Gestational Age
8.Study on the current status and influencing factors of medical staff′s cognition and attitude towards clinical research ethics
Na ZHANG ; Tingwei LUO ; Hongwen QIN ; Lihui ZHU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG ; Sishan JIANG ; Qingqing XIA ; Yuqiong XIANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2023;36(5):369-376
Objective:To understand the cognition and attitude of medical staff towards medical ethics review, analyze possible influencing factors, to put forward relevant suggestions for strengthening ethical management in the future.Methods:From November 2021 to May 2022, a self-designed questionnaire and general data questionnaire on the cognition and attitude of medical staff to ethical issues in clinical research were used to investigate 408 medical staff from two first-class ternary hospitals in Hunan Province, data was analyzed to explore the respondents′ cognition and attitude, as well as related influence factors.Results:The average cognitive score of medical staff was 65.41, and the average attitude score was 91.83. Many possible influence actors regarding the cognition were identified, including degree, technical title, professional field, number of clinical research projects engaged as investigators, number of clinical research projects conducted as principle investigators, whether the hospital has established an ethics committee, and research ethics training experiences. While the influence factors of attitude were experiences of conducting and engaging in clinical research, the construction of hospital ethics committee and research ethics trainings.Conclusions:Medical staffs have the willingness to explore more research ethics knowledge, while their cognition of research ethics should be improved. Root-cause analysis should be conducted to identify influencing factors for improvement. The research management department should strengthen the publicity and training of clinical research ethics of medical staff, to improve their clinical research ethics knowledge literacy, and ensure the well-functioning of clinical research ethics review.
9.Research progress on the safety of home chemotherapy medication in children with cancer
Tingwei LUO ; Qingqing SONG ; Na ZHANG ; Dongya LI ; Qian TANG ; Yuqiong XIANG ; Lihui ZHU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2023;29(17):2366-2371
Cancer is the leading cause of death in children. With the development of family participatory care, it has become a trend to use home chemotherapy for children with cancer in stable stages. Therefore, this article introduces the current situation of home chemotherapy medication safety, elaborates on the influencing factors of family chemotherapy medication safety for cancer children from two aspects including oral chemotherapy and intravenous chemotherapy, and proposes intervention measures to optimize the family chemotherapy medication process for cancer children, improve their home chemotherapy medication ability and effectively ensure the medication safety of cancer children.
10.RNA Methylome Reveals the m6A-mediated Regulation of Flavor Metabolites in Tea Leaves under Solar-withering.
Chen ZHU ; Shuting ZHANG ; Chengzhe ZHOU ; Caiyun TIAN ; Biying SHI ; Kai XU ; Linjie HUANG ; Yun SUN ; Yuling LIN ; Zhongxiong LAI ; Yuqiong GUO
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics 2023;21(4):769-787
The epitranscriptomic mark N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is the predominant internal modification in RNA, is important for plant responses to diverse stresses. Multiple environmental stresses caused by the tea-withering process can greatly influence the accumulation of specialized metabolites and the formation of tea flavor. However, the effects of the m6A-mediated regulatory mechanism on flavor-related metabolic pathways in tea leaves remain relatively uncharacterized. We performed an integrated RNA methylome and transcriptome analysis to explore the m6A-mediated regulatory mechanism and its effects on flavonoid and terpenoid metabolism in tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves under solar-withering conditions. Dynamic changes in global m6A level in tea leaves were mainly controlled by two m6A erasers (CsALKBH4A and CsALKBH4B) during solar-withering treatments. Differentially methylated peak-associated genes following solar-withering treatments with different shading rates were assigned to terpenoid biosynthesis and spliceosome pathways. Further analyses indicated that CsALKBH4-driven RNA demethylation can directly affect the accumulation of volatile terpenoids by mediating the stability and abundance of terpenoid biosynthesis-related transcripts and also indirectly influence the flavonoid, catechin, and theaflavin contents by triggering alternative splicing-mediated regulation. Our findings revealed a novel layer of epitranscriptomic gene regulation in tea flavor-related metabolic pathways and established a link between the m6A-mediated regulatory mechanism and the formation of tea flavor under solar-withering conditions.
RNA/metabolism*
;
Epigenome
;
Plant Proteins/metabolism*
;
Plant Leaves/metabolism*
;
Camellia sinensis/metabolism*
;
Flavonoids
;
Terpenes/metabolism*
;
Tea/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant


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