1.Celastrol directly targets LRP1 to inhibit fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk and ameliorates psoriasis progression.
Yuyu ZHU ; Lixin ZHAO ; Wei YAN ; Hongyue MA ; Wanjun ZHAO ; Jiao QU ; Wei ZHENG ; Chenyang ZHANG ; Haojie DU ; Meng YU ; Ning WAN ; Hui YE ; Yicheng XIE ; Bowen KE ; Qiang XU ; Haiyan SUN ; Yang SUN ; Zijun OUYANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):876-891
Psoriasis is an incurable chronic inflammatory disease that requires new interventions. Here, we found that fibroblasts exacerbate psoriasis progression by promoting macrophage recruitment via CCL2 secretion by single-cell multi-omics analysis. The natural small molecule celastrol was screened to interfere with the secretion of CCL2 by fibroblasts and improve the psoriasis-like symptoms in both murine and cynomolgus monkey models. Mechanistically, celastrol directly bound to the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) β-chain and abolished its binding to the transcription factor c-Jun in the nucleus, which in turn inhibited CCL2 production by skin fibroblasts, blocked fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and ameliorated psoriasis progression. Notably, fibroblast-specific LRP1 knockout mice exhibited a significant reduction in psoriasis like inflammation. Taken together, from clinical samples and combined with various mouse models, we revealed the pathogenesis of psoriasis from the perspective of fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and provided a foundation for LRP1 as a novel potential target for psoriasis treatment.
2.Exploring the construction of a digitised whole-process management platform for paediatric Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials
Hongyang ZHANG ; Zijun YAN ; Jinxia WANG ; Ziyang CAO ; Min CHEN ; Lin ZOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2025;38(5):425-430
Objective:To explore the construction requirements and solutions for a digital full-process management platform for Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) in pediatrics in China.Methods:By reviewing literature, the current status and highlights of pediatric IIT digital management systems in Europe and the United States were analyzed. The challenges faced in building a digital full-process management platform for pediatric IIT in China were summarized. The exploration and implementation achievements of our hospital in platform construction were introduced, and future construction priorities were proposed based on practical considerations.Results:The construction and application of digital full-process management platforms for pediatric IIT in Europe and the United States were relatively mature, providing comprehensive digital support for pediatric IIT research, ranging from project management to research design implementation, multi-center data interoperability, and personnel training. In China, the pediatric IIT digital management platform was still under construction, with main challenges including the formulation of construction plans based on hospital-specific conditions, data standardization, and remote recruitment and follow-up platforms.Conclusions:Considering the current status of pediatric IIT digital full-process management systems both domestically and internationally, efforts should be made to further strengthen data standardization, remote subject management, and digital pediatric IIT training from both policy and technical perspectives. This will provide one-stop services and management for projects and researchers, promoting the development of pediatric medical research.
3.Effects of myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling on connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation and electrical conduction
Yuting SONG ; Chunlei WEN ; Yi LI ; Xue BAI ; Hong GAO ; Tingju HU ; Zijun WANG ; Xu YAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(29):6212-6218
BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that decreased expression of connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation after myocardial hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion was closely associated with decreased cardiac conduction velocity and reperfusion arrhythmia.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of changes in membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 2 and collagen type Ⅳ on the expression of connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation and electrical conduction in the myocardial extracellular matrix after hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion.METHODS:Sixteen Langendorff extracorporeal cardiac perfusion models were successfully established from SD rats and randomly divided into a control group(n=8)and a hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group(n=8).The control group was balanced perfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 15 minutes and then continued to be perfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 90 minutes.The hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group was balanced perfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 15 minutes,and then the heart was arrested for 60 minutes by injection of 4 ℃ Thomas solution.During the cardiac arrest,the periphery was protected by 4 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution.Half-volume 4 ℃ Thomas solution was reperfused 30 minutes after the arrest.After stopping the arrest,the heart was reperfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 30 minutes.The occurrence of arrhythmias,rebeating time,and the duration of arrhythmias were recorded from the immediate time point to the end of the reperfusion period.Conduction velocity,absolute inhomogeneity,and inhomogeneity index were measured using the Mapping Lab multi-channel electrophysiological mapping system at the time of balanced perfusion for 15 minutes(T1),reperfusion for 15 minutes/continuous perfusion for 90 minutes(T2),and reperfusion for 30 minutes/continuous perfusion for 105 minutes(T3).The relative expression levels of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 2,collagen type Ⅳ,connexin 43,and its Ser368 phosphorylation in ventricular tissue were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)No arrhythmia occurred in the control group.There were six cases of arrhythmia in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group during reperfusion.Rebeating time and duration of arrhythmias were(25.38+12.02)and(158.67±67.68)seconds,respectively.(2)The conduction sochronal diagrams at T1,T2,and T3 in the control group were uniform and regular in direction,and the conduction velocity at T2 and T3 was not different from that at T1(P>0.05).The conduction isochronal diagrams at T2 and T3 in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group were uneven and irregular in direction,and the conduction velocity was slower than that at T1(P<0.01).The conduction velocity at T2 and T3 in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group was slower than that in the control group(P<0.01).Conduction dispersion was greater in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group than that in the control group at T2 and T3(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the control group,the protein expressions of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the protein expression levels of type Ⅳ collagen,connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)The results indicate that after hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion,myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling may mediate the downregulation of myocardial connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation,slowed conduction velocity and increased conduction dispersion,thereby increasing the risk of arrhythmia.
4.Prediction of PD-1 monoclonal antibody human pharmacokinetic characteristics based on PK in cynomolgus monkeys
Yanjun XU ; Zijun HAN ; Liang WANG ; Fang YANG ; Beilei LOU ; Shaoyu YAN ; Jiman ZHU ; Lihui BAI ; Yong GAO
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(2):109-117
OBJECTIVE To establish a population pharmacokinetic(PopPK)model to predict the PK characteristics of GLS-010 in humans.METHODS Fifty-eight cynomolgus monkeys were used,18 of which were randomly divided into three groups and received a single intravenous infusion of GLS-010 at doses of 2,6,and 18 mg·kg-1,respectively.The rest were randomly assigned to four groups and received multiple intravenous infusions of GLS-010 at doses of 0,5,25,and 100 mg·kg-1,respectively,once a week(quaque week,qw)for five consecutive weeks.Blood samples were collected before and after administration.The concentrations of GLS-010 in the monkey serum were measured using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,while those of anti-drug antibodies(ADA)in the cynomolgus monkey serum were determined by ultra-sensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.The PK data on GLS-010 in cynomolgus monkeys was obtained,and the drug-time curves were plotted.A PopPK model was constructed using non-compartmental analysis and evaluated by goodness-of-fit plots and visual predictive checks.The constructed PopPK model was used to predict the PK characteristics in humans,which were finally compared with actual Phase Ⅰ clinical study results for validation.RESULTS The predictive results of the PopPK model were highly consistent with the actual Phase Ⅰ clinical study results.The model was able to predict the human PK characteristics under various dosing regimens,including 1 mg·kg-1 quaque 2 weeks(q2w),4 mg·kg-1(q2w),240 mg(q2w),240 mg(q3w),and 10 mg·kg-1(q2w).The predicted maximum plasma concentrations(Cmax)were 24.8,99.1,85.0,85.0,and 247.8 mg·L-1,respectively,and the AUC0-336h was 4 902.0,20 060.0,17 147.7,22 145.7(AUC0-504h),and 50 817.6 mg·h·L-1,respectively.The safety risks for the corresponding dosing regimens were 47.3,11.6,13.5,10.5,and 4.6,respectively.The predicted receptor occupancy at steady state(ROss)at Cmax,average plasma concentration(Cavg),and minimum plasma concentration(Cmin)were 38.8%,72.7%,69.4%,64.1%and 87.2%,29.1%,63.8%,60.0%,49.8%and 82.1%,21.9%,55.5%,51.3%,36.3%and 76.7%,respectively.CONCLUSION The PopPK model can effectively predict the human PK characteristics under different dosing regimens with high consistency with actual Phase Ⅰ clinical study results,which can serve as an important reference for selection of safe and effective doses for first-in-human research.
5.Effects of myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling on connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation and electrical conduction
Yuting SONG ; Chunlei WEN ; Yi LI ; Xue BAI ; Hong GAO ; Tingju HU ; Zijun WANG ; Xu YAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(29):6212-6218
BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that decreased expression of connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation after myocardial hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion was closely associated with decreased cardiac conduction velocity and reperfusion arrhythmia.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of changes in membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 2 and collagen type Ⅳ on the expression of connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation and electrical conduction in the myocardial extracellular matrix after hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion.METHODS:Sixteen Langendorff extracorporeal cardiac perfusion models were successfully established from SD rats and randomly divided into a control group(n=8)and a hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group(n=8).The control group was balanced perfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 15 minutes and then continued to be perfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 90 minutes.The hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group was balanced perfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 15 minutes,and then the heart was arrested for 60 minutes by injection of 4 ℃ Thomas solution.During the cardiac arrest,the periphery was protected by 4 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution.Half-volume 4 ℃ Thomas solution was reperfused 30 minutes after the arrest.After stopping the arrest,the heart was reperfused with 37 ℃ Krebs-Henseleit solution for 30 minutes.The occurrence of arrhythmias,rebeating time,and the duration of arrhythmias were recorded from the immediate time point to the end of the reperfusion period.Conduction velocity,absolute inhomogeneity,and inhomogeneity index were measured using the Mapping Lab multi-channel electrophysiological mapping system at the time of balanced perfusion for 15 minutes(T1),reperfusion for 15 minutes/continuous perfusion for 90 minutes(T2),and reperfusion for 30 minutes/continuous perfusion for 105 minutes(T3).The relative expression levels of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 2,matrix metalloproteinase 2,collagen type Ⅳ,connexin 43,and its Ser368 phosphorylation in ventricular tissue were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)No arrhythmia occurred in the control group.There were six cases of arrhythmia in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group during reperfusion.Rebeating time and duration of arrhythmias were(25.38+12.02)and(158.67±67.68)seconds,respectively.(2)The conduction sochronal diagrams at T1,T2,and T3 in the control group were uniform and regular in direction,and the conduction velocity at T2 and T3 was not different from that at T1(P>0.05).The conduction isochronal diagrams at T2 and T3 in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group were uneven and irregular in direction,and the conduction velocity was slower than that at T1(P<0.01).The conduction velocity at T2 and T3 in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group was slower than that in the control group(P<0.01).Conduction dispersion was greater in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group than that in the control group at T2 and T3(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the control group,the protein expressions of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 in the hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the protein expression levels of type Ⅳ collagen,connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)The results indicate that after hypothermic ischemia-reperfusion,myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling may mediate the downregulation of myocardial connexin 43 and its Ser368 phosphorylation,slowed conduction velocity and increased conduction dispersion,thereby increasing the risk of arrhythmia.
6.Prediction of PD-1 monoclonal antibody human pharmacokinetic characteristics based on PK in cynomolgus monkeys
Yanjun XU ; Zijun HAN ; Liang WANG ; Fang YANG ; Beilei LOU ; Shaoyu YAN ; Jiman ZHU ; Lihui BAI ; Yong GAO
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(2):109-117
OBJECTIVE To establish a population pharmacokinetic(PopPK)model to predict the PK characteristics of GLS-010 in humans.METHODS Fifty-eight cynomolgus monkeys were used,18 of which were randomly divided into three groups and received a single intravenous infusion of GLS-010 at doses of 2,6,and 18 mg·kg-1,respectively.The rest were randomly assigned to four groups and received multiple intravenous infusions of GLS-010 at doses of 0,5,25,and 100 mg·kg-1,respectively,once a week(quaque week,qw)for five consecutive weeks.Blood samples were collected before and after administration.The concentrations of GLS-010 in the monkey serum were measured using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,while those of anti-drug antibodies(ADA)in the cynomolgus monkey serum were determined by ultra-sensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.The PK data on GLS-010 in cynomolgus monkeys was obtained,and the drug-time curves were plotted.A PopPK model was constructed using non-compartmental analysis and evaluated by goodness-of-fit plots and visual predictive checks.The constructed PopPK model was used to predict the PK characteristics in humans,which were finally compared with actual Phase Ⅰ clinical study results for validation.RESULTS The predictive results of the PopPK model were highly consistent with the actual Phase Ⅰ clinical study results.The model was able to predict the human PK characteristics under various dosing regimens,including 1 mg·kg-1 quaque 2 weeks(q2w),4 mg·kg-1(q2w),240 mg(q2w),240 mg(q3w),and 10 mg·kg-1(q2w).The predicted maximum plasma concentrations(Cmax)were 24.8,99.1,85.0,85.0,and 247.8 mg·L-1,respectively,and the AUC0-336h was 4 902.0,20 060.0,17 147.7,22 145.7(AUC0-504h),and 50 817.6 mg·h·L-1,respectively.The safety risks for the corresponding dosing regimens were 47.3,11.6,13.5,10.5,and 4.6,respectively.The predicted receptor occupancy at steady state(ROss)at Cmax,average plasma concentration(Cavg),and minimum plasma concentration(Cmin)were 38.8%,72.7%,69.4%,64.1%and 87.2%,29.1%,63.8%,60.0%,49.8%and 82.1%,21.9%,55.5%,51.3%,36.3%and 76.7%,respectively.CONCLUSION The PopPK model can effectively predict the human PK characteristics under different dosing regimens with high consistency with actual Phase Ⅰ clinical study results,which can serve as an important reference for selection of safe and effective doses for first-in-human research.
7.Exploring the construction of a digitised whole-process management platform for paediatric Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials
Hongyang ZHANG ; Zijun YAN ; Jinxia WANG ; Ziyang CAO ; Min CHEN ; Lin ZOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Science Research Management 2025;38(5):425-430
Objective:To explore the construction requirements and solutions for a digital full-process management platform for Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) in pediatrics in China.Methods:By reviewing literature, the current status and highlights of pediatric IIT digital management systems in Europe and the United States were analyzed. The challenges faced in building a digital full-process management platform for pediatric IIT in China were summarized. The exploration and implementation achievements of our hospital in platform construction were introduced, and future construction priorities were proposed based on practical considerations.Results:The construction and application of digital full-process management platforms for pediatric IIT in Europe and the United States were relatively mature, providing comprehensive digital support for pediatric IIT research, ranging from project management to research design implementation, multi-center data interoperability, and personnel training. In China, the pediatric IIT digital management platform was still under construction, with main challenges including the formulation of construction plans based on hospital-specific conditions, data standardization, and remote recruitment and follow-up platforms.Conclusions:Considering the current status of pediatric IIT digital full-process management systems both domestically and internationally, efforts should be made to further strengthen data standardization, remote subject management, and digital pediatric IIT training from both policy and technical perspectives. This will provide one-stop services and management for projects and researchers, promoting the development of pediatric medical research.
8.Construction and clinical practice of vector management strategy for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia by blocking etiological characteristics
Xinhua XIA ; Ying WANG ; Pengbo YAN ; Yanling SUN ; Meimei SI ; Lie QIN ; Yuxia WANG ; Yanan LI ; Ling CHEN ; Zijun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(4):283-288
Objective:To establish an environmental management strategy for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia from the perspective of etiological characteristics and to verify its application effect.Methods:Based on a sampling survey, this study constructed preventive management strategies for ventilator-associated pneumonia by blocking pathogen characteristics from the perspective of both colonization and infection management in patients. From July 2021 to June 2023, a non-synchronous randomized controlled study was conducted, including a control group of 59 cases and an experimental group of 57 cases from ICU of Tianjin Teda Hospital, all of them were mechanically ventilated patients. The effectiveness of the strategy was confirmed.Results:In the control group, there were 35 males and 24 females, with an average age of (46.97 ± 18.84) years. In the experimental group, there were 39 males and 18 females, with an average age of (47.49 ± 13.85) years. During the study period, there were 9 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the control group and 2 cases in the experimental group, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (exact odds ratio=0.031). The duration of mechanical ventilation in the experimental group (122.41 ± 18.36) h, which was shorter than that in the control group (187.62 ± 18.05) h, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=19.28, P<0.05). The length of ICU stay in the experimental group was (8.38 ± 0.79) d, in the control group was (10.99 ± 1.10) d, the difference between them was statistically significant ( t=14.66, P<0.05). On the 7th day, there were 7 cases of positive pathogenic bacteria in sputum culture in the experimental group, which was significantly different from the 29 cases in the control group ( χ2=16.73, P<0.05). Conclusions:The vector management strategy for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia by blocking etiological characteristics can reduce the incidence of VAP, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and reduce the pathogen load in the sputum of mechanically ventilated patients on the 7th day.
9.Increased functional connectivity of amygdala subregions in patients with drug-naïve panic disorder and without comorbidities.
Ping ZHANG ; Xiangyun YANG ; Yun WANG ; Huan LIU ; Limin MENG ; Zijun YAN ; Yuan ZHOU ; Zhanjiang LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(11):1331-1338
BACKGROUND:
Amygdala plays an important role in the neurobiological basis of panic disorder (PD), and the amygdala contains different subregions, which may play different roles in PD. The aim of the present study was to examine whether there are common or distinct patterns of functional connectivity of the amygdala subregions in PD using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and to explore the relationship between the abnormal spontaneous functional connectivity patterns of the regions of interest (ROIs) and the clinical symptoms of PD patients.
METHODS:
Fifty-three drug-naïve, non-comorbid PD patients and 70 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analyses were conducted using the bilateral amygdalae and its subregions as the ROI seed. Two samples t test was performed for the seed-based Fisher's z -transformed correlation maps. The relationship between the abnormal spontaneous functional connectivity patterns of the ROIs and the clinical symptoms of PD patients was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis.
RESULTS:
PD patients showed increased rsFC of the bilateral amygdalae and almost all the amygdala subregions with the precuneus/posterior cingulate gyrus compared with the HC group (left amygdala [lAMY]: t = 4.84, P <0.001; right amygdala [rAMY]: t = 4.55, P <0.001; left centromedial amygdala [lCMA]: t = 3.87, P <0.001; right centromedial amygdala [rCMA]: t = 3.82, P = 0.002; left laterobasal amygdala [lBLA]: t = 4.33, P <0.001; right laterobasal amygdala [rBLA]: t = 4.97, P <0.001; left superficial amygdala [lSFA]: t = 3.26, P = 0.006). The rsFC of the lBLA with the left angular gyrus/inferior parietal lobule remarkably increased in the PD group ( t = 3.70, P = 0.003). And most of the altered rsFCs were located in the default mode network (DMN). A significant positive correlation was observed between the severity of anxiety and the rsFC between the lSFA and the left precuneus in PD patients ( r = 0.285, P = 0.039).
CONCLUSIONS
Our research suggested that the increased rsFC of amygdala subregions with DMN plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. Future studies may further explore whether the rsFC of amygdala subregions, especially with the regions in DMN, can be used as a biological marker of PD.
Humans
;
Panic Disorder
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*
;
Amygdala
;
Gyrus Cinguli
;
Comorbidity
10.Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Linjing ZHANG ; Yingying ZHAO ; Lili LIU ; Zheng GONG ; Mingsheng ZHANG ; Jianhua LIU ; Zijun DONG ; Jingyi HU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhanfeng YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):268-273
This article reviews the clinical studies about the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in recent years. AR is a common and frequently occurring disease in the department of otolaryngology. The common manifestations of AR include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal itching. AR, belonging to the category of rhinitis, is a dominant disease in the TCM treatment of otorhinolaryngologic diseases and head and neck diseases. The ancient literature has laid a solid theoretical basis on the etiology and pathogenesis of AR. According to the ancient literature, the theoretical basis, and their own experience, modern doctors classified the causes of AR into the disorders in Zang-fu organs and six meridians. Most of the explanations focus on the disorders in Zang-fu organs, especially the lung, spleen, and kidney. The clinical studies in this field mainly involve TCM treatment alone, integrated TCM and Western medicine treatment, and TCM external treatment. These therapies have good efficacy in the clinical treatment of AR. Among them, TCM treatment alone has significant advantages in alleviating the symptoms and nasal signs, declining the scores of related scales, and reducing the eosinophil count (EOS) of nasal secretions, with definite long-term efficacy. Integrated TCM and Western medicine treatment can complement with each other. The TCM external treatment methods include acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint catgut embedding, acupoint application, and nasal irrigation with TCM, which are safe, simple, acceptable by patients and have good therapeutic effect. Finally, the clinical research status of TCM treatment of AR was summarized, and suggestions were put forward from three aspects: standardizing the clinical research protocol of TCM, encouraging pure TCM research, and exploring the mechanism of TCM treatment on the basis of frontier research achievements. This review aims to provide higher-level evidence for subsequent clinical research and promote the research on dominant AR diseases.

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