1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Effect and mechanism of high-glucose environment on osteoblast function and bone quality in mice
Zhi-Kang GUO ; Xue LI ; Rui WANG ; Xi-Xiu XIE ; Tao-Jin FENG ; Yi LI ; Peng-Bin YIN ; Li-Jun XU ; Li-Xia ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(10):1306-1314
Objective To explore the effects of different glucose concentrations on the synthesis and secretion of bone collagen in osteoblasts and the impact of diabetes on bone quality in mice.Methods(1)Primary osteoblasts were extracted from the skulls of neonatal mice via collagenase digestion and cultured in four groups under different glucose concentrations:normal glucose(5.5 mmol/L),moderate glucose(11.5 mmol/L),moderate-high glucose(16.5 mmol/L),and high glucose(25 mmol/L).EdU staining was performed to evaluate cell proliferation,while the Transwell assay was used to assess cell migration.Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were performed to detect and quantitatively analyze the content of type Ⅰ collagen(Col-1).Alizarin red S(ARS)staining and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining were applied to assess the effects of different glucose concentrations on osteogenic differentiation.(2)Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and model group(5 in each group).The model group was fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks followed by streptozotocin(STZ)injection to establish a diabetic mouse model.The osteogenic differentiation capacity of primary osteoblasts from both groups was assessed.(3)Micro-computed tomography(Micro-CT)was employed to analyze femoral bone mineral density(BMD),bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV),trabecular number(Tb.N),and trabecular separation(Tb.Sp).Three-point bending test was conducted to evaluate mechanical parameters including maximum load,Young's modulus,fracture energy,and stiffness.RT-qPCR was employed to assess the expression of osteogenic differentiation genes(Alp,Opn,Col1a1,and Lox).Masson staining and Mallory staining were used to evaluate Col-1 content in trabecular bone.Results(1)EdU and Transwell assay results demonstrated that with the gradual increase in glucose concentration,the proliferation and migration abilities of osteoblasts were significantly decreased(P<0.001),and the protein expression levels of Col-1 and lysyl oxidase(LOX)were significantly reduced(P<0.01 or P<0.001).ARS and ALP staining revealed that calcium salt deposition and ALP activity in osteoblasts were significantly decreased with increasing glucose concentration(P<0.05 or P<0.001).(2)Compared with control group,mice in model group exhibited typical"three polies and one weight loss"symptoms(polyuria,polydipsia,polyphagia,and weight loss)of diabetes,and ARS and ALP staining showed a significant reduction in osteoblasts(P<0.001).(3)Micro-CT and three-point bending test results indicated that,compared with control group,mice in model group showed microarchitectural deterioration of bone,decreased Tb.N,increased Tb.Sp,and significantly reduced maximum load,Young's modulus,fracture energy,and stiffness(P<0.05).RT-qPCR results showed that the relative mRNA expression levels of osteogenic differentiation genes(Alp,Opn,Col1a1,and Lox)were significantly decreased in model group compared with control group(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Masson and Mallory staining indicated a significant reduction in collagen content in model group compared with control group(P<0.01).Conclusions High-glucose environment inhibits osteoblast proliferation,differentiation,and migration.Diabetic mice exhibit reduced bone quality and increased bone fragility,potentially mediated by decreased lysyl oxidase and collagen levels.
3.Mechanism by which sanguis draconis flavones regulating ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis to ameliorate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Chao-Xia ZHU ; Zhi-Ying LI ; Xiao-Fei LÜ ; Qian ZHAO ; Bao-Cang CHENG ; Hui-Jie YANG ; Li-Ping ZHOU ; Li-Min ZENG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):673-680
Objective To explore the mechanism by which the sanguis draconis flavones(SDF)regulates the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)pathway to mediate cell pyroptosis and improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats.Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into the control group(Ctrl),the CIRI group,the low-dose SDF group(SDF-L),the high-dose SDF group(SDF-H),and the SDF-H+ROS/TXNIP pathway activator,trimethylamine oxide(TMAO)group(SDF-H+TMAO).Among them,except for the control group,the remaining rats all needed to establish the CIRI rat model by the modified suture method.Zea Longa scoring was performed on rats from each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18 and oxidative stress-related factors superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px).Flow cytometry was used to measure the ROS levels.Cerebral edema was detected.Cerebral infarction was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of brain tissue.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of pyrolytic effector protein dermolin D(GSDMD).Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the ROS/TXNIP pathway.Results Compared with the control group,a large area of cerebral infarctions were observed in the brain tissue of the CIRI group,accompanied by mild hemorrhage and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells.Neuronal cells underwent degeneration and necrosis,with sparse and disordered arrangement.The phenomena of nuclear condensation and nucleolus lysis were obvious.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-related punctate protein(ASC),and Caspase-1 increased,while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CIRI group,the pathological damage of brain tissues in the SDF-L group and the SDF-H group was significantly improved.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,NLRP3,ASC,and Caspase-1 decreased.The activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased(P<0.05);TMAO treatment partially reversed the improvement effect of SDF on CIRI in rats.Conclusion SDF ameliorates cerebral CIRI in rats by inhibiting ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis.
4.Heart-sparing strategy for breast cancer radiotherapy based on nnU-Net: regional optimization and automatic segmentation
Jinghan HUANG ; Maidina BATUER ; Chuanghui ZHOU ; Zhi ZHANG ; Limei DENG ; Yuan XU ; Junyuan ZHONG ; Linghong ZHOU ; Xia LI ; Genggeng QIN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(4):355-362
Objective:To investigate the feasibility and optimal expansion width of replacing the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) with the region of heart sparing (RHS) to reduce cardiac radiation dose during breast cancer radiotherapy.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 88 patients with left-sided breast cancer who underwent radiotherapy at 2 centers: Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University (50 cases for the training set, 15 cases for the internal test set) and Ganzhou Hospital of Nanfang Hospital (23 cases for the external test set) from March 2022 to January 2024. All patients had left-sided invasive ductal carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastasis, and had undergone modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. Based on simulation CT images, 2 radiation oncologists delineated the LADCA and 8 RHSs. The RHSs were delineated by expanding the LADCA contour by 0.5 cm increments, totaling 8 expansions. The RHS widths were defined as 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 cm. The nnU-Net model was trained for 3D automatic segmentation of the LADCA and RHSs. Model performance was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), relative volume error (RVE), sensitivity, specificity, and 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95). Additionally, the minimum, maximum, and average relative dose variations (RDV) as well as V5% and V20% indicators were calculated for the LADCA and each RHS. Correlation analysis was performed using the least squares regression, with the slope and coefficient of determination ( R2) employed to evaluate the accuracy of the model fitting, the relationship between the LADCA and RHS, and the degree of their correlation, thereby assessing the substitutive effect of the RHS for the LADCA. Results:The DSC for the LADCA was 0.415, while the DSCs for RHS widths of 0.5 cm and 4.0 cm were 0.718 and 0.835, respectively. Overall, the automatic segmentation performance improved with increasing RHS width. The DSC, RVE, sensitivity, specificity, and HD95 for the external test set were largely consistent with those of the internal test set, demonstrating the model's good robustness across different datasets. All RDVmin values were negative, while RDVmax and RDVmean showed a positive correlation with RHS width. RDVmean increased from 39.01% to 75.89% as the RHS width increased. In the correlation analysis, the slopes for RHS widths of 1.5 cm and 2.0 cm were 0.95 and 1.05, respectively, with R2 values and coefficients of variation of 0.79 and 0.73, and 21.11% and 24.03%, respectively. Conclusions:The automatic segmentation model trained on nnU-Net can accurately segment RHSs. Based on geometric and dosimetric indicators, a 1.5 cm-wide RHS is the most suitable substitute for the LADCA, effectively limiting the radiation dose to the LADCA without compromising target dose coverage.
5.Construction of A Mouse Model of Liver Cancer Resistant to PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody and Analysis of Its Metabolic Changes
Xin-ru NIU ; Xia WANG ; Zhi-ting SHU ; Zi-lan XU ; Xiao-li QIU ; Wei DAI ; Liang-qian ZHANG ; Xiang-liang DENG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(12):1931-1941,1954
Objective:To establish a mouse model of liver cancer resistant to PD-1 monoclonal antibody and analyze the changes in its metabolomics to explore the potential mechanism of drug resistance.Methods:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control and treatment groups after being loaded with tumor,and a normal group was additionally set up.The normal and control groups were injected with saline,and the treatment group was injected with PD-1 monoclonal antibody,after which the mice in the treatment group were screened for drug resistant and response groups.Observed the drug-resistant situation,body mass,tumor growth and survival rate of mice in each group,calculate the spleen index.The pathological features of tumor tissues were observed by HE staining method.Serum metabolites were detected by non-targeted metabolomics.Finally,a bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was conducted between the differential serum metabolites and tumor size.Results:The tumor-bearing mouse model with PD-1 monoclonal antibody resistance was successfully established,and the drug resistance rate of the mice was 50%.Compared with the normal and response groups,mice in the resistant group showed an increase in body weight,a significant increase in tumor volume,a decrease in survival rate,and a significant increase in splenic index.There was less lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor tissue.Metabolomics analysis showed that the serum levels of glutamic acid and aspartic acid increased and malic acid decreased in the resistant mice compared with the response group,and these changes were closely related to the arginine biosynthesis pathway.Conclusions:The tumor-bearing mouse model with PD-1 monoclonal antibody resistance was successfully established.The changes in its peripheral serum metabolomics mainly involve arginine metabolism and the related changes of aspartate,malate and glutamate.
6.Analysis of risk factors for high-risk colorectal adenoma:focusing on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and multiple metabolic abnormalities
Long-yun WU ; Xiao-ling LI ; Zhi-yi HAN ; Qiao-yun XIA ; Jing-yuan XU ; Pei-ying TIAN ; Xiao-lan LU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):216-224
Objective To retrospectively analyze the association between metabolic factors and high-risk colorectal adenoma(CRA).Methods The medical records of patients aged 18-75 years who underwent their initial colonoscopy at Karamay Central Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Jul 2000 to Mar 2017 were collected.The comparison between normal colonoscopy(NC)and high-risk CRA patients was conducted using an unpaired t-test,while chi-square test was used for categorical variables.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression and Logistic regression were utilized to analyze the association between metabolic factors and high-risk CRA.Results A total of 1 798 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled and divided into normal colonoscopy(NC)findings group(n=972)and high-risk CRA group(n=826).The high-risk CRA group exhibited significantly lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in comparison to the NC group,while uric acid and fibrosis 4(FIB-4)index levels were significantly higher than those observed in the NC group(all P<0.05).Based on LASSO regression analysis,we identified 12 variables that potentially influence the occurrence of high-risk CRA,including age,gender,smoking history,alcohol consumption history,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),hypertension,coronary artery disease,hyperglycemia,hypercholesterolemia,low levels of HDL-C,elevated alanine aminotransferase,and elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase.Multivariate analysis revealed that individuals aged over 50 years,male gender,cigarette and alcohol consumption,low HDL-C levels,history of NAFLD and hypertension were identified as independent risk factors associated with high-risk CRA(P<0.05).In addition,without or with adjusting for age,sex,smoking,and drinking history,patients with a high TG/HDL-C ratio(the ratio≥2.68)had a significantly higher risk of high-risk CRA than those with a low TG/HDL-C ratio(the ratio<2.68)[odds ratios(ORs)were1.430 and 1.235 respectively,all P<0.05)].Without or with adjusting variables,the ORs for NAFLD patients with FIB-4 index>2.67 were 1.849(P=0.466)and 1.435(P=0.707),respectively.Conclusion A significant association exists between metabolic factors and high-risk CRA.Independent risk factors for high-risk CRA include older age(≥50 years),male,smoking history,alcohol consumption history,low levels of HDL-C,and a history of NAFLD and hypertension.Individuals exhibiting a TG/HDL-C ratio exceeding 2.68 manifest a significantly heightened susceptibility to the development of high-risk CRA.Therefore,elderly males with one or more aforementioned metabolic abnormalities should be considered a priority population for colorectal screening.
7.Application of targeted degradomics in target identification of natural products
Yue-ying YANG ; Zhi-qi ZHANG ; Yang LIU ; Jing LIANG ; Hua LI ; Wen XU ; Li-xia CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1040-1046
Natural products are an important source for innovative drugs,but unclear molecular targets and mechanisms limit their further development and application.The authors proposed a new method for the target identification of natural products based on proteolysis-targeting chimera(PROTAC)technology and quantitative proteomics,and established the targeted degradomics(TGDO) technology for the identification of weak-affinity tar-gets.This article summarizes the standardized workflow and the application of TGDO for target identification of natural products.
8.Establishment of a rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic assay for avian influenza virus subtype H5N6
Hui LI ; Li LIU ; Yi-sheng ZHOU ; Zhi-hong ZHANG ; Qian-qian SI ; Ru-xia WANG ; Zhi-qiang DENG ; Yi-bing FAN ; Liang JIN ; Jie SUN ; Chun-hua YANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):243-248,283
In view of the characteristics of H5N6 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)that it has both high pathogenicity and the risk of cross-species transmission,posing a serious threat to the poultry farming industry and public health security,in order to effectively prevent and control the spread of H5N6 avian influenza,a rapid,sensitive and specific detection technolo-gy was established in this study.The specific monoclonal antibodies against the neuraminidase N6 protein of avian influenza A virus subtype H5N6 were obtained through hybridoma and monoclonal antibody technology.These antibodies were coupled and labeled with carboxyl-functionalized fluorescent quantum dots,along with previously prepared specific antibodies against the hemagglutinin H5 protein.A rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic detection method for the H5N6 subtype of avian influ-enza virus was established according to the principle of double-antibody sandwich immunochromatography.This method a-chieved a detection sensitivity of 1 ng/mL for recombinant hemagglutinin H5 subtype protein and 0.1 ng/mL for recombinant neuraminidase N6 subtype protein.Moreover,the method exhibited no cross-reactivity with other influenza subtypes or patho-gens,such as Newcastle disease(ND),infectious bronchitis(IB),and infectious laryngotracheitis(ILT),thus demonstrating good specificity.The method effectively identified the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5 subtype and directly distin-guished the H5N6 subtype with good accuracy.The fluorescent quantum dot immunochromatographic typing detection method established herein met the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy requirements for H5N6 subtype detection,and can be further used for rapid detection of the H5 and H5N6 subtypes of avian influenza virus.
9.FRMD4A promotes autophagy in placental trophoblast cells in preeclampsia
Wen-xia LI ; Xiao-ye WANG ; Zhi-hui LI ; Li-juan HUANG ; Ke-ping QIANG ; Qi-peng ZHAO ; Yan-hua WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2268-2274
Aim To investigate the role of FRMD4A in autophagy of placental trophoblast cells in preeclampsia(PE).Methods The placental tissues and clinical data of normal pregnancy and PE were obtained,and the histopathological changes were observed by HE staining.An in vitro model of hypoxia-induced HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells was established.The expres-sions of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 in placental tissues and hypoxic cell models were analyzed by Western blot.The expression of FRMD4A was detected by qRT-PCR,Western blot and immunofluorescence,and the correlation between the expression level of FRMD4A and the clinical characteristics of the subjects was ana-lyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Hypoxia induced trophoblast cells were transfected with si-FRMD4A,and the expression of LC3 B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62 was analyzed by Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the expression of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ in PE placental tissues and hypoxia-induced trophoblast models was significantly upregulated,while the expression of p62 was significantly downregulated.Meanwhile,the ex-pression of FRMD4A increased significantly.Moreo-ver,its expression was positively correlated with the maternal systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pres-sure,and platelet count,but negatively correlated with the neonatal weight(P<0.01).In addition,hypoxia-induced trophoblast cells transfected with si-FRMD4A showed a significant decrease in LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and an increase in p62 expression.Conclusions The expres-sion of FRMD4A is upregulated in PE placenta and hy-poxia-induced trophoblast cell model.Interfering with it can significantly hinder the autophagy process of trophoblast cells,suggesting that it may serve as a po-tential molecular target to participate in the pathologi-cal process of PE.
10.Effects of TREM2 on synaptic plasticity induced by cocaine addiction
Rui-ke XU ; Zhi-wen WANG ; Jiao-jiao OUYANG ; Qi DU ; Li-hua LI ; Shi-jun HONG ; Yan-xia PENG ; Gen-meng YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2341-2347
Aim To investigate the role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloidcells 2(TREM2)in syn-aptic plasticity induced by cocaine addiction.Methods C57BL/6J mice and Trem2 knockout mice were uti-lized in this study to evaluate the alterations in postsyn-aptic density protein 95(PSD-95)and synapsin 1(SYN1)within the cortex and hippocampus of co-caine-addicted mice by using immunological tech-niques.Results HE staining and Nissl staining showed increased neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cortex of mice after cocaine addiction.The results of immunohistochemistry and fluorescence of PSD-95 and SYN1 were consistent with the expression trend of Western blot.In the wild type mouse model,the ex-pression level of PSD-95 in the hippocampus and cortex was lower than that in the saline group,and the ex-pression of SYN1 was higher than that in the saline group.In the knockout mouse model,the expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN1 in the hippocampus and cortex were significantly higher than those in the saline group after cocaine addiction.The expression levels of PSD-95 and SYN1 in the hippocampus and cortex of cocaine knockout mice were higher than those of co-caine wild type mice.Conclusion Cocaine addiction can change the synaptic plasticity,and TREM2 plays a regulatory role in the synaptic plasticity of hippocampus and cortex in mice with cocaine injury.TREM2 is ex-pected to be a new target for studying the mechanism of cocaine addiction.

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