1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Application and Prospects of Simultaneous Multicomponent Extraction Technology in Biological Samples
Kun-Peng ZHANG ; Zi-Hong YE ; Zhi-Chao XUE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1400-1414
With the rapid development of the biopharmaceutical field, the efficient and simultaneous extraction of multiple biological components from biological samples has become a critical process for advancing scientific research. The ability to simultaneously extract various molecular components such as metabolites, DNA, RNA, and proteins is pivotal for multi-omics studies, which aim to comprehensively understand the molecular mechanisms of biological systems. Traditional methods often extract these components separately, leading to challenges such as sample loss, time consumption, contamination, and inconsistencies across different data types. In contrast, simultaneous extraction techniques address these issues by maintaining the consistency of each biological component’s physiological state, improving data reliability and facilitating integration across omic platforms. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in simultaneous extraction technologies, focusing on methods such as methanol/chloroform extraction, TRIzol reagent extraction, and modified Folch extraction, which have shown significant promise in improving the efficiency and integrity of biological sample preparation. These methods offer various advantages, such as reduced sample volume requirements, decreased contamination risk, and enhanced extraction consistency, which are crucial for studies involving small sample sizes or precious clinical specimens. Among these, methanol/chloroform extraction stands out for its simplicity, low cost, and ability to extract a wide range of biological molecules. However, it does face limitations, such as its inefficiency in extracting lipids and potential RNA contamination. On the other hand, the TRIzol reagent method has become a widely adopted technique due to its ability to simultaneously isolate RNA, proteins, and metabolites from the same sample. Despite its effectiveness, the TRIzol method has limitations in RNA quality, especially when handling complex samples or those with high protein content. Modified Folch extraction, which combines liquid-liquid extraction with commercial kits, offers a highly efficient way to extract polar metabolites, lipids, RNA, DNA, and proteins from small tissue samples. This method has proven advantageous in terms of extraction yield, especially for challenging or rare samples, although it requires precise handling to avoid cross-contamination between phases. The integration of automated platforms, microfluidics, and high-throughput systems is another exciting avenue for improving simultaneous extraction. Automation facilitates large-scale, reproducible sample processing with minimal human error, while microfluidics provides high precision in sample handling and enables real-time monitoring of extraction efficiency. These innovations not only enhance the speed and reproducibility of sample preparation but also open new possibilities for single-cell analysis, where sample volumes are often limited, and extraction efficiency is critical. In addition to the technical aspects, the review also highlights the importance of optimizing extraction protocols for specific sample types, such as clinical tissues, plants, and microorganisms. For example, the challenge of extracting multiple components from cancer tissues, where sample degradation and contamination risks are high, can be mitigated by carefully selecting extraction reagents and minimizing sample handling steps. Similarly, in plant studies, where metabolite diversity is vast, the simultaneous extraction methods must be optimized to account for the unique composition of plant tissues, which often include complex secondary metabolites and cell wall components. Looking forward, the development of more efficient and standardized simultaneous extraction methods will be crucial for advancing multi-omics research. There is a growing need for protocols that can be tailored to specific research needs, ensuring both reproducibility and flexibility in diverse applications. Additionally, combining these extraction methods with high-resolution analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing will further enhance the potential of multi-omics studies to provide comprehensive insights into biological systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, their application in personalized medicine, environmental research, and agriculture holds great promise for addressing critical scientific challenges. In conclusion, while simultaneous extraction technologies have made significant strides, several challenges remain in optimizing extraction efficiency, ensuring reproducibility, and reducing costs. Future research should focus on refining extraction protocols, developing innovative extraction reagents, and expanding the scope of these methods to cater to a broader range of biological samples. Ultimately, the continued integration of these advanced techniques will revolutionize the way biological samples are prepared, analyzed, and understood in the context of multi-omics research.
3.Application and Prospects of Simultaneous Multicomponent Extraction Technology in Biological Samples
Kun-Peng ZHANG ; Zi-Hong YE ; Zhi-Chao XUE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1400-1414
With the rapid development of the biopharmaceutical field, the efficient and simultaneous extraction of multiple biological components from biological samples has become a critical process for advancing scientific research. The ability to simultaneously extract various molecular components such as metabolites, DNA, RNA, and proteins is pivotal for multi-omics studies, which aim to comprehensively understand the molecular mechanisms of biological systems. Traditional methods often extract these components separately, leading to challenges such as sample loss, time consumption, contamination, and inconsistencies across different data types. In contrast, simultaneous extraction techniques address these issues by maintaining the consistency of each biological component’s physiological state, improving data reliability and facilitating integration across omic platforms. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in simultaneous extraction technologies, focusing on methods such as methanol/chloroform extraction, TRIzol reagent extraction, and modified Folch extraction, which have shown significant promise in improving the efficiency and integrity of biological sample preparation. These methods offer various advantages, such as reduced sample volume requirements, decreased contamination risk, and enhanced extraction consistency, which are crucial for studies involving small sample sizes or precious clinical specimens. Among these, methanol/chloroform extraction stands out for its simplicity, low cost, and ability to extract a wide range of biological molecules. However, it does face limitations, such as its inefficiency in extracting lipids and potential RNA contamination. On the other hand, the TRIzol reagent method has become a widely adopted technique due to its ability to simultaneously isolate RNA, proteins, and metabolites from the same sample. Despite its effectiveness, the TRIzol method has limitations in RNA quality, especially when handling complex samples or those with high protein content. Modified Folch extraction, which combines liquid-liquid extraction with commercial kits, offers a highly efficient way to extract polar metabolites, lipids, RNA, DNA, and proteins from small tissue samples. This method has proven advantageous in terms of extraction yield, especially for challenging or rare samples, although it requires precise handling to avoid cross-contamination between phases. The integration of automated platforms, microfluidics, and high-throughput systems is another exciting avenue for improving simultaneous extraction. Automation facilitates large-scale, reproducible sample processing with minimal human error, while microfluidics provides high precision in sample handling and enables real-time monitoring of extraction efficiency. These innovations not only enhance the speed and reproducibility of sample preparation but also open new possibilities for single-cell analysis, where sample volumes are often limited, and extraction efficiency is critical. In addition to the technical aspects, the review also highlights the importance of optimizing extraction protocols for specific sample types, such as clinical tissues, plants, and microorganisms. For example, the challenge of extracting multiple components from cancer tissues, where sample degradation and contamination risks are high, can be mitigated by carefully selecting extraction reagents and minimizing sample handling steps. Similarly, in plant studies, where metabolite diversity is vast, the simultaneous extraction methods must be optimized to account for the unique composition of plant tissues, which often include complex secondary metabolites and cell wall components. Looking forward, the development of more efficient and standardized simultaneous extraction methods will be crucial for advancing multi-omics research. There is a growing need for protocols that can be tailored to specific research needs, ensuring both reproducibility and flexibility in diverse applications. Additionally, combining these extraction methods with high-resolution analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing will further enhance the potential of multi-omics studies to provide comprehensive insights into biological systems. As these technologies continue to evolve, their application in personalized medicine, environmental research, and agriculture holds great promise for addressing critical scientific challenges. In conclusion, while simultaneous extraction technologies have made significant strides, several challenges remain in optimizing extraction efficiency, ensuring reproducibility, and reducing costs. Future research should focus on refining extraction protocols, developing innovative extraction reagents, and expanding the scope of these methods to cater to a broader range of biological samples. Ultimately, the continued integration of these advanced techniques will revolutionize the way biological samples are prepared, analyzed, and understood in the context of multi-omics research.
4.Activation of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)ergic Neural Circuit in Salicylate-Induced Tinnitus: the Inferior Colliculus to the Medial Geniculate Body
Xu-Yuan PENG ; Jiang WANG ; Ming-Yue GONG ; Li-Yuan ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zhi-Bin CHEN ; Zheng-Quan TANG ; Lei CHENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):55-69
Objectives:
. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Methods:
. Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model.
Results:
. Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Conclusion
. These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
5.Interpretation of 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension
Yu CHENG ; Yiheng ZHOU ; Yao LÜ ; ; Dongze LI ; Lidi LIU ; Peng ZHANG ; Rong YANG ; Yu JIA ; Rui ZENG ; Zhi WAN ; Xiaoyang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):31-40
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) released the "2024 ESC guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension" on August 30, 2024. This guideline updates the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension." One notable update is the introduction of the concept of "elevated blood pressure" (120-139/70-89 mm Hg). Additionally, a new systolic blood pressure target range of 120-129 mm Hg has been proposed for most patients receiving antihypertensive treatment. The guideline also includes numerous additions or revisions in areas such as non-pharmacological interventions and device-based treatments for hypertension. This article interprets the guideline's recommendations on definition and classification of elevated blood pressure and hypertension, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment, diagnosing hypertension and investigating underlying causes, preventing and treating elevated blood pressure and hypertension. We provide a comparison interpretation with the 2018 "Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension" and the "2017 ACC/AHA guideline on the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults."
6.Recommendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody for Alzheimer's disease(2025)
Nan ZHI ; Jinwen XIAO ; Rujing REN ; Binyin LI ; Jintao WANG ; Jieli GENG ; Wenwei CAO ; Yaying SONG ; Hualong WANG ; Shuguang CHU ; Guoping PENG ; Jun LIU ; Xiaoyun LIU ; Fang YUAN ; Wen WANG ; Ronghua DOU ; Xia LI ; Ling YUE ; Wenshi WEI ; Xiaoling PAN ; Xiangyang ZHU ; Dian HE ; Weinü FAN ; Jingping SHI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Qin CHEN ; Cuibai WEI ; Xiaochun CHEN ; Gang WANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(9):1133-1140
In recent years,significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.In line with global advancements,two anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies have been approved and successfully launched in China for clinical use.Lecanemab and Donanemab were officially used in June 2024 and April 2025 in China,respectively.In order to standardize the rational and safe application of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease in China,this article integrates recom-mendations from the clinical trials and real-world experience from the author's team and domestic peers to further update the recom-mendations for the clinical use of anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody based on the 2024 version.It includes indications for therapy,pre-treatment evaluation and preparation,administration protocols and safety measures during treatment,and post-treatment monitor-ing strategies.
7.Research Progress on Electrochemical Sensing Techniques for Detection of Telomerase Activity
Hai-Tang YANG ; Peng-Hua SHU ; Wen-Lin LIU ; Wen-Bo MA ; Zi-Jun YANG ; Zhi-Feng DENG ; Xin-Yun ZHANG ; Wei WEI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):864-874
The telomere structure in the cell nucleus is crucial for maintaining the stability and functions of chromosomes.Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase,which catalyzes the elongation of telomeres using its own RNA as a template,thereby counteracting the shortening of telomeres caused by chromosome replication and cell division.Due to its overexpression in over 85%of malignant tumor cells,telomerase has emerged as a highly promising biomarker and a novel target for cancer therapy.In recent years,given the importance of precise quantification of telomerase activity in guiding medical diagnosis and treatment strategies,researchers have developed various high-performance telomerase detection techniques.Among these,electrochemical biosensing technique has cause much attention due to its high sensitivity,operational convenience,rapid response,and ease of miniaturization.This paper focused on the latest advances in electrochemical sensing technique for detection of telomerase activity,aiming to provide inspiration for designing novel telomerase activity detection strategies by elucidating three unique properties of telomerase primer extension products.
8.Construction of CD8+T cell-associated Risk Model in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Bulk and Single-cell RNA-seq Data
Xin-Tong ZHANG ; Jian-Jun ZHU ; Jin WU ; Hao WU ; Fan LU ; Wen-Tao ZHANG ; Jing-Jia CHANG ; Ting TANG ; Zhi-Gao OU ; Feng-Feng JIA ; Li LI ; Peng-Fei YU ; Ming LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1511-1528
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),which is essentially primary liver cancer,is closely related to CD8+T cell immune infiltration and immune suppression.We constructed a CD8+T cells related risk score model to pre-dict the prognosis of HCC patients and provided therapeutic guidance based on the risk score.Using integrated bulk RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)datasets,we identified stable CD8+T cell signatures.Based on these signatures,a 3-gene risk score model,comprised of KLRB1,RGS2,and TN-FRSF1B was constructed.The risk score model was well validated through an independent external validation co-hort.We divided patients into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the risk score and compared the differ-ences in immune microenvironment between these two groups.Compared with low-risk patients,high-risk patients have higher M2-type macrophage content(P<0.0001)and lower CD8+T cells infiltration(P<0.0001).High-risk patients predict worse response to immunotherapy treatment than low-risk patients(P<0.01).Drug sensitivity a-nalysis shows that PI3K-β inhibitor AZD6482 and TGFβRII inhibitor SB505124 may be suitable therapies for high-risk patients,while the IGF-1R inhibitor BMS-754807 or the novel pyrimidine-based anti-tumor metabolic drug Gemcitabine could be potential therapeutic choices for low-risk patients.Moreover,expression of these 3-gene mod-el was verified by immunohistochemistry.In summary,the establishment and validation of a CD8+T cell-derived risk model can more accurately predict the prognosis of HCC patients and guide the construction of personalized treatment plans.
9.Effect of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 on proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts induced by high glucose
Zhi-yan LIU ; Li-chan LIN ; Zhen-yu LIU ; Ji-ming SHA ; Peng LIU ; Sui MAO ; Yun-sen ZHANG ; Rui LI ; Ye ZHANG ; Hui TAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):235-241
Aim To investigate the effect of N6-methy-ladenosine(m6A)demethylase ALKBH5 on the prolif-eration and migration of cardiac fibroblasts(CFs)in-duced by high glucose.Methods Primary CFs were isolated from neonatal mouse hearts and identified u-sing optical and confocal microscopy.Cell activation was induced using a high-glucose medium(33 mmol·L-1 glucose).An ALKBH5 overexpression model was established by transfecting CFs with an ALKBH5 ex-pression vector in a high-glucose medium.The expres-sion of ALKBH5 in CFs was assessed through immuno-fluorescence staining,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Changes in m6A levels were evaluated using Dot blot a-nalysis.Additionally,Alterations in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and collagenⅠ,a pivotal fibrosis indicator,were measured using Western blot.The proliferation and migration ability of CFs were assessed through EdU staining and Transwell migration assay,respectively.Results Following treatment with high glucose,the expression of ALKBH5 in CFs notably decreased,while m6A level increased.This was accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the fi-brosis marker collagen Ⅰ.Additionally,there was a sig-nificant improvement in the ability of proliferation and migration.Overexpression of ALKBH5 resulted in a significant decrease in the expressions of PCNA and collagen Ⅰ,leading to the inhibition of both proliferation and migration in CFs.Conclusion Overexpression of ALKBH5 suppresses the expression of PCNA and colla-gen Ⅰ,consequently reducing the proliferation and mi-gration of CFs,potentially through m6A methylation modification.
10.Establishment of near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative models for moisture and index components in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces
Xun LU ; Zhe ZHANG ; Geng-zhi ZHAN ; Lu-yao CAI ; Cun-yu LI ; Yun-feng ZHENG ; Tuan-jie WANG ; Yu JIN ; Guo-ping PENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3184-3190
AIM To establish the near-infrared spectroscopy quantitative models for moisture,23-acetylalismol B and 23-acetylalismol C in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces.METHODS The near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)data were collected in 95 batches of decoction pieces,after which drying method was adopted in the content determination of moisture,HPLC was applied to determining the contents of 23-acetylalismol B and 23-acetylalismol C,the quantitative models were established by partial least squares method combined with feature extraction algorithms.RESULTS The model training determination coefficients were 0.952 6,0.958 1 and 0.920 8,along with the prediction determination coefficients of 0.930 0,0.905 2 and 0.906 4,the residual prediction deviations(PRD)of 4.00,3.58 and 3.46,and the root mean square error ratios of prediction values to calibration values(RMSEP/RMSEC)of 1.15,1.11 and 1.06,respectively.CONCLUSION The quantitative models based on NIRS exhibit good prediction effects,which can be used for the rapid quality detection of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail