1.Ablation of macrophage transcriptional factor FoxO1 protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced acute kidney injury.
Yao HE ; Xue YANG ; Chenyu ZHANG ; Min DENG ; Bin TU ; Qian LIU ; Jiaying CAI ; Ying ZHANG ; Li SU ; Zhiwen YANG ; Hongfeng XU ; Zhongyuan ZHENG ; Qun MA ; Xi WANG ; Xuejun LI ; Linlin LI ; Long ZHANG ; Yongzhuo HUANG ; Lu TIE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3107-3124
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FoxO1 in macrophages in the pathogenesis of AKI. We observed a significant upregulation of FoxO1 in kidney macrophages following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FoxO1 inhibitor AS1842856-encapsulated liposome (AS-Lipo), mainly acting on macrophages, effectively mitigated renal injury induced by I/R injury in mice. By generating myeloid-specific FoxO1-knockout mice, we further observed that the deficiency of FoxO1 in myeloid cells protected against I/R injury-induced AKI. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of FoxO1's pivotal role in macrophage chemotaxis, inflammation, and migration. Moreover, the impact of FoxO1 on the regulation of macrophage migration was mediated through RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARHGEF1), indicating that ARHGEF1 may serve as a potential intermediary between FoxO1 and the activity of the RhoA pathway. Consequently, our findings propose that FoxO1 plays a crucial role as a mediator and biomarker in the context of AKI. Targeting macrophage FoxO1 pharmacologically could potentially offer a promising therapeutic approach for AKI.
2.Phosphatidic acid-enabled MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration: Translational implication in liver failure.
Jiawen ZHOU ; Xinyue SUN ; Xuelian CHEN ; Huimin LIU ; Xiulian MIAO ; Yan GUO ; Zhiwen FAN ; Jie LI ; Yong XU ; Zilong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):256-272
Liver regeneration following injury aids the restoration of liver mass and the recovery of liver function. In the present study we investigated the contribution of megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1), a transcriptional modulator, to liver regeneration. We report that both MKL1 expression and its nuclear translocation correlated with hepatocyte proliferation in cell and animal models of liver regeneration and in liver failure patients. Mice with MKL1 deletion exhibited defective regenerative response in the liver. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that MKL1 interacted with E2F1 to program pro-regenerative transcription. MAPKAPK2 mediated phosphorylation primed MKL1 for its interaction with E2F1. Of interest, phospholipase d2 promoted MKL1 nuclear accumulation and liver regeneration by catalyzing production of phosphatidic acid (PA). PA administration stimulated hepatocyte proliferation and enhanced survival in a MKL1-dependent manner in a pre-clinical model of liver failure. Finally, PA levels was detected to be positively correlated with expression of pro-regenerative genes and inversely correlated with liver injury in liver failure patients. In conclusion, our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration. Screening for small-molecule compounds boosting MKL1 activity may be considered as a reasonable approach to treat acute liver failure.
3.Role of NF-κB Signaling Pathway in "Reflux Esophagitis-esophageal Cancer" and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention:A Review
Mingyao XU ; Liqun LI ; Xin LIU ; Zhiwen SHEN ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Jiaqi YIN ; Zhu LIU ; Sheng XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):221-233
Reflux esophagitis is an inflammatory disease of esophageal mucosa damage caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Its incidence is on the rise, and it has become an important precancerous disease of esophageal cancer. Studies have shown that the continuous inflammatory response stimulates the esophageal mucosa, causing abnormal proliferation of esophageal epithelial cells and damage to esophageal mucosal tissue, which eventually leads to the occurrence of heterogeneous hyperplasia and even carcinogenesis. The nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway is one of the most classical inflammatory and cancer signaling pathways. It has been found that abnormal activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway is crucial to the development and prognosis of reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer. It is widely involved in the proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammatory response of esophageal epithelial cells and tumor cells, accelerating the transformation of reflux esophagitis to esophageal cancer and making it a potential target for the treatment of reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer. Currently, there is no specific treatment for reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer, and large side effects often appear. Therefore, finding a promising and safe drug remains a top priority. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine scholars have conducted a lot of research on NF-κB signaling pathway, and the results indicate that NF-κB signaling pathway is an important potential target for traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer, but there is a lack of comprehensive and systematic elaboration. Therefore, this paper summarized the relevant studies in recent years, analyzed the relationship among NF-κB signaling pathway, reflux esophagitis, esophageal cancer, and transformation from inflammation to cancer, and reviewed the research literature on the regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer, so as to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer.
4.Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine intervening in esophageal cancer by microRNA regulation
Zhiwen SHEN ; Liqun LI ; Mingyao XU ; Xin LIU ; Jing HUANG ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Jiaqi YIN ; Sheng XIE
China Pharmacy 2024;35(8):1016-1022
Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system with an extremely poor prognosis. MicroRNA (miRNA) is an important regulator in tumor occurrence and development, and can participate in malignant biological behaviors such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis. Traditional Chinese medicine has the characteristics of accurate curative effects, wide range of effects, and few side effects. The review uses miRNA as the entry point to systematically elaborate on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine-mediated miRNA intervening in EC. The results showed that active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (including curcumin, Tussilago farfara polysaccharides, Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharides and ophiopogonin B) and Dougen guanshitong oral liquid could up-regulate the expressions of miRNAs such as miRNA-532-3p (miR-532-3p), miR-551b-3p, miR-99a, miR-34a, miR-199a-3p and miR-377; and the active ingredients/parts of traditional Chinese medicine (including chrysin and Actinidia arguta extract), and Chinese herbal formulas (including Chaihu shugan san combined with Xuanfu daizhe decoction and Modified jupi zhuru decoction) could down-regulate the expressions of miRNAs such as miR-199a-3p, miR-451 and miR-21, which could regulate the expressions of signaling pathways (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, etc.) or their downstream protein(zinc-finger and homeobox protein 1, etc.) or enzymes(thymidine kinase-1, etc.), inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of EC cells and induce apoptosis, thereby ultimately achieving the purpose of preventing the disease from aggravating.
5.PTGS2 affects prognosis of colon cancer patients through regulation of cell proliferation and antioxidant capacity
Yangzhige HE ; Xu JIANG ; Zhiwen ZHANG ; Yiyi GONG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(11):1522-1529
Objective To investigate the effect and potential molecular mechanism of PTGS2 on the prognosis of colon cancer patients.Methods The transcriptomic and proteomic data of pan-cancer were collected from TCGA,HPA,UALCAN and other databases,and the expression pattern and prognostic value of PTGS2 were analyzed by combining the clinical data such as staging,histology,survival time and so on.Based on GSEA,the biological functions which were significantly activated in patients with high expression of PTGS2 were iden-tified and the colon cancer cell line SW480 was used as an example for in vitro validation.PTGS2 over-expressing cell strains were constructed,and the effect on cell proliferation was determined by CCK8 method.Different concen-trations of H2O2 were used to form gradient oxidative stress,and the changes in cell antioxidant capacity were detected.The regulatory mechanism was preliminarily verified by Western blot.Results The transcription and expression of PTGS2 were found to be significantly up-regulated in colon cancer patients(P<0.05),and the increased expression of PTGS2 was associated with an increased mortality risk(P<0.05).Data analysis and in vitro experiments showed that over-expression of PTGS2 may promote the proliferation of colon cancer cells by activating the mTOR pathway.The antioxidant effect of cells was regulated by up-regulating oxidative stress regulatory proteins SOD2 and NRF2.Conclusions PTGS2 is a potential risk factor for colon cancer and its over-expression promotes cell proliferation,enhances cell antioxidant effect and is associated with poor progno-sis of colon cancer patients.
6.Construction of Three-Dimensional Finite Element Model of Hallux Valgus Foot and its Biomechanical Analysis of the First and Second Rays
Yanli GENG ; Zhiwen YUAN ; Bokai XUAN ; Min XU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(2):272-277
Objective To establish a finite element model of the hallux valgus foot and study the stress and displacement changes in the first and second rays of the hallux valgus under different tensile forces.Methods Foot CT images of a patient with hallux valgus were imported into Mimics to reconstruct a three-dimensional(3D)skeletal model of the foot.The 3-matic software was used to mesh the reconstructed model and generate the volume mesh.The optimized model was imported into ANSYS for finite element analysis.The relationship between the tensile forces and the stress/displacement of the first and second rays of the hallux valgus was verified by changing the size and direction of the tensile forces.Results Tensile forces of different magnitudes and directions were applied to the first proximal phalanx.When the force was less than 12 N,with an increase in tension,the displacement of the first phalange changed more significantly.For every 2 N increase in tension,the displacement increased by approximately 1 mm.When the force was greater than 12 N,with an increase in tension,the stress on the first phalange increased,whereas the displacement only changed slightly.In addition,when the magnitude of the force remained unchanged at 12 N and the direction of the force changed at intervals of 15°,the stress and stress distributions of the first and second rays changed with direction,and the displacement also changed accordingly.When the direction of the force was perpendicular to that of the second phalanx,the displacement of the first phalanx increased.Conclusions Finite element analysis technology can vividly and accurately analyze the stress and displacement changes of the first and second rays of hallux valgus under different tensile forces,and it lays a foundation for the design of hallux valgus orthoses.
7.Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes in Patients with Gout: A Retrospective Analysis of Matched Large Cohorts
Zhichang ZHANG ; Hanzhi YANG ; Zhiwen XU ; Jialun CHI ; Quanjun CUI
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2024;16(4):542-549
Background:
Gout is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis in the world. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has emerged as a widely sought-after and highly effective surgical procedure for advanced hip diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of gout on primary THA outcomes in large cohorts. This study aimed to address this gap by primarily investigating complications following THA in patients with or without gout.
Methods:
Patients with records of gout in the 2 years leading up to their primary THA and who also have at least 2 years of follow-up were identified using a national insurance database and compared to a 5:1 matched control. A total of 32,466 patients with gout and 161,514 patients without gout undergoing THA were identified. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done for medical complications up to 90 days and surgical complications up to 2 years. In addition, 90-day emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient readmission were also documented.
Results:
Patients with gout demonstrated higher rates of medical complications including deep vein thrombosis, transfusion, acute kidney injury, and urinary tract infection than non-gout patients (p < 0.001). Gout patients also showed higher rates of pulmonary embolism (p = 0.017). Increased incidences of surgical complications were identified in gout patients, specifically wound complications and periprosthetic joint infection (p < 0.001). There was an increased risk of revision for gout patients up to 90 days (p = 0.003), 1 year (p = 0.027), and 2 years (p = 0.039). There was also an increased risk of dislocation for gout patients up to 90 days (p = 0.022) and 1 year (p = 0.047), but not at 2 years. No significant difference was observed in aseptic loosening or periprosthetic fracture. Additionally, gout patients also demonstrated a higher likelihood of 90-day ED visits and readmission (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Primary THA in gout patients is associated with increased risks of multiple medical and surgical complications. Our findings provide insights into the planning and expectation of THA for patients with gout. These insights have the potential to benefit the decision-making process for gout patients considering THA.
8.From treatment to whole course management: envisioning comprehensive management of Talaromycosis marneffei
Cunwei CAO ; Tiantian LI ; Kaisu PAN ; Zhiwen JIANG ; Nanfang MO ; Qian PANG ; Lan HUANG ; Meilan XU ; Yidan WU ; Guoqun LIU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2023;44(12):1993-1998
Talaromycosis marneffei has been increasing in recent years. Our understanding of this disease has gradually deepened through extensive basic and clinical research, but there are still many limitations. In this article, by incorporating the latest research advancements, we discuss important issues in managing Talaromycosis marneffei trends, aiming to guide effective prevention and control of the disease, improving public health, and reducing the healthcare burden.
9.Study progress on traditional Chinese medicine monomer intervening in pancreatic cancer by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Mingyao XU ; Jing HUANG ; Zhiwen SHEN ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Xin LIU ; Jiaqi YIN ; Zhu LIU ; Liqun LI ; Sheng XIE
China Pharmacy 2023;34(19):2427-2432
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most destructive malignant tumors; the pathogenesis of this disease is complex and is closely related to genetic susceptibility, chronic pancreatitis, and gene mutations in signaling pathways. The phosphoinositide 3- kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway is a classical cancer signaling pathway that is aberrantly activated in pancreatic cancer cells. In recent years, it has been found that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers show special activity in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and can be potential drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Based on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, this paper summarizes the mechanism of TCM monomer intervening in pancreatic cancer and finds that TCM monomer of alkaloids (sinomenine, dictamnine, dauricine, etc.), terpenoids (saikosaponin A, linderalactone, isoalantolactone, etc.), phenols (6-gingerol, curcumin, pterostilbene, etc.), flavonoids (fisetin, kaempferol, quercetin, etc.) and quinones (β-hydroxyisovaleryl shikonin, rhein, lucidone, etc.) can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells, regulate autophagy and apoptosis, and then inhibit the pathological process of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
10.Role of Autophagy-apoptosis Balance in Colorectal Cancer and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Mingyao XU ; Sheng XIE ; Liqun LI ; Xin LIU ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Zhiwen SHEN ; Chengning YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(23):207-217
Colorectal cancer (CRC), a malignant tumor of the digestive system, originates from the colorectal mucosa epithelium and is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to an advanced stage. With high incidence around the globe and the increasingly younger patients, this disease poses a serious threat to the health and lives of the patients. Although the pathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood, it is generally believed that it is associated with autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammation. Autophagy and apoptosis as two types of programmed cell death are subject to complex interactive regulation, and the imbalance between them is closely related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of a variety of diseases. Studies have shown that autophagy-apoptosis balance plays a key role in CRC. On the one hand, autophagy and apoptosis coordinate with each other to inhibit CRC cell growth. On the other hand, autophagy can antagonize apoptosis to promote CRC cell growth. In clinical practice, surgery is often combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat CRC, which can control the progression of CRC to a certain extent but has serious adverse effects and poor long-term results. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proved to be effective in the treatment of CRC. Studies have shown that numerous herbal active components can promote CRC cell death by regulating the autophagy-apoptosis balance, thereby blocking the progression of this disease. The process of autophagy-apoptosis balance in regulating cell activities has similar theoretical connotations with the Yin and Yang theory of TCM. Applying TCM in regulating autophagy-apoptosis balance at various stages of CRC has become a frontier, while the comprehensive elaboration remains to be conducted. By reviewing the relevant studies in recent years, this paper introduces the correlation between the Yin and Yang theory and the autophagy-apoptosis balance, the role of autophagy-apoptosis balance in CRC, and the research progress in the application of 27 Chinese herbal active components such as flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and phenols capable of regulating autophagy-apoptosis balance in the treatment of CRC. The active components in Chinese medicines can recover the autophagy-apoptosis balance in CRC by acting on microtuble-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), Beclin-1, and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)to regulate multiple signaling pathways such as protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)and reavtive oxygen species(ROS)/ c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), thus balancing Yin and Yang. This review aims to provide a reference for the treatment of CRC and the development of new drugs.

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