1.SOCS3 ameliorates Parkinson's disease neuropathology by suppressing NF-κB signaling-mediated microglial inflammation
Fangya ZUO ; Dan FENG ; Yun LIU ; Fenfen LIU ; Xiuhong GUO ; Yuqi LIU ; Lanlan CHEN ; Yujie WANG ; Jinyong TIAN
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(21):2611-2620
Objective To investigate the mechanism by which suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)regulates microglial inflammation through nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB),providing novel mechanistic insights into microglial involvement in Parkinson's disease(PD)pathogenesis.Methods ① Ten male C57BL/6 mice(12 weeks old,weighing 20~25 g)were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg MPTP to establish a PD model.Rotarod test was used to assess motor function.Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA-1)in the substantia nigra.RT-qPCR was utilized to measure the mRNA level of SOCS3 in the substantia nigra.Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess NF-κB p65 subunit expression.The expression of SOCS3,NF-κB and p-NF-κB was measured with Western blotting.② Microglial cell line BV2 was stimulated with 1 000 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for 6 h to establish an inflammatory model.Subsequently,SOCS3 was knocked down.NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 was used to treat the cells.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to measure the expression of SOCS3 at mRNA and protein levels.Western blotting was also applied to detect the expression of NF-κB and p-NF-κB,and ELISA was conducted to measure TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the culture supernatant.Immunofluorescence assay was carried out to localize NF-κB(nuclear vs cytoplasmic).③ A co-culture system of BV2 microglia and N2a neuroblastoma cells was established to investigate the regulatory effects of microglia on neuronal cells.MTT assay and TUNEL staining were used respectively to determine cell viability and apoptosis of N2a cells.Results ① Compared to the control mice,the PD mouse model exhibited reduced rotarod fall latency,down-regulation in TH and SOCS3(P<0.01),up-regulation in IBA-1 and increased p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio(P<0.01).② In BV2 cells,LPS stimulation increased TNF-α,IL-1β,and p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio(P<0.01),while down-regulated SOCS3 expression(P<0.01).SOCS3 knockdown in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells further increased the p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio(P<0.01),increased nuclear localization of NF-κB,and elevated TNF-α and IL-1β levels(P<0.01).BAY 11-7082 treatment in these SOCS3-knockdown,LPS-stimulated cells resulted in reduced p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio,TNF-α,and IL-1β(P<0.01),and decreased NF-κB nuclear distribution.③ LPS-stimulated BV2 cells reduced cell viability and increased cell apoptosis in N2a cells(P<0.01).SOCS3 knockdown in BV2 cells exacerbated the reduction in N2a cell viability(P<0.01)and the increase in cell apoptosis in N2a cells(P<0.01).BAY 11-7082 treatment of these SOCS3-knockdown BV2 microglia attenuated the reduction in N2a cell viability and decreased apoptosis in N2a cells(P<0.01).Conclusion SOCS3 inhibits microglia inflammatory response through down-regulation of NF-kB activity,and in turn attenuates neuronal cell death and ameliorates PD nerve injury.
2.Neferine attenuates parkinson's disease via modulating microglial pyroptosis mediated by ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway
Fenfen LIU ; Dan FENG ; Yun LIU ; Fangya ZUO ; Xiuhong GUO ; Yuqi LIU ; Lanlan CHEN ; Yujie WANG ; Jinyong TIAN
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(23):2933-2942
Objective To demonstrate that neferine(Nef)alleviates Parkinson's disease(PD)by inhibiting microglial pyroptosis mediated through the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/Caspase-1 pathway.Methods BV2 microglial cells were divided into:control group,lipopolysaccharides(LPS)-adenosine triphosphate(ATP)group,and LPS-ATP+Nef group.Pyroptosis was induced by 1 μg/mL LPS+5 mmol/L ATP,with 2 mmol/L Nef pretreatment.Eighteen 10-12-week-old male C57BL/6 mice(22~25 g)were randomly assigned to:control(n=6),1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)(n=6),and MPTP+Nef(n=6)groups.Detection methods included:flow cytometry for pyroptosis,Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)for viability,2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)for ROS,commercial kits for malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),ELISA/Western blot for interleukin-1β(IL-1β)/IL-18,immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry for NLRP3/Caspase-1,tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)immunohistochemistry,hematoxylin-eosin staining for neuropathology,and modified neurological severity score(mNSS).Results Versus control,LPS-ATP group showed decreased viability(P=0.002),increased pyroptosis(P<0.001),elevated ROS(P<0.001)/MDA(P<0.001)/IL-1β(P<0.001)/IL-18(P<0.001),upregulated NLRP3(P<0.001)/Caspase-1(P<0.001),and reduced GSH(P<0.001)/SOD(P<0.001).Nef treatment reversed these effects(all P<0.05).According to the results of murine studies,compared with the control group,the MPTP group had increased mNSS(P<0.001)/tissue ROS(P<0.001),downregulated TH(P<0.001),upregulated NLRP3(P<0.001)/Caspase-1(P<0.001).Nef treatment significantly attenuated the MPTP-induced deleterious effects(P<0.05).Histopathological analysis revealed that control group exhibited uniformly distributed hippocampal neurons with distinct nuclear morphology;MPTP group showed neuronal swelling,interstitial edema,and nuclear atrophy;MPTP+Nef group demonstrated ameliorated neuronal damage.Conclusion Nef inhibits microglial pyroptosis via ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis,ameliorating PD neuroinflammation and pathology.
3.Relationship between reflux laryngitis and the success rate of type Ⅰ tympanoplasty for otitis media
Jie WU ; Lingyi PENG ; Mingxing TANG ; Nan ZENG ; Lue ZHANG ; Quanming ZHANG ; Jing HU ; Shuyue GUO ; Xiangbin ZUO ; Qiong YANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(3):158-163
OBJECTIVE Aimed at investigating whether reflux pharyngitis is an independent risk factor for the failure of type Ⅰ tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media.This is achieved by analyzing the relationship between the postoperative tympanic membrane healing in patients who underwent type Ⅰ tympanoplasty and pharyngolaryngeal reflux finding score(RFS).METHODS Patients who underwent type Ⅰ tympanoplasty in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Nanshan People's Hospital,Shenzhen,China,from January 2023 to July 2024 were retrospectively included.All the patients received preoperative perfect nasal endoscopy,laryngoscopy,evaluation by the RFS questionnaire,preoperative otoscopy for tympanoplasty,pure tone hearing threshold,and temporal bone thin-layer CT examination.Postoperative otoscopic examination was performed to observe tympanic membrane healing and followed up for 3 months.The patients were divided into surgery success group and failure group based on the criterion of whether a complete tympanic membrane was formed by endoscopic examination within 3 months.The RFS scores of the two groups were statistically analyzed.RESULTS A total of 135 patients with an average age of 44.78 years(±12.22 years)took part in this study,with 60 males and 75 females included,and 68 left ears and 67 right ears involved.There were 120 patients in the surgery success group,and 15 patients in the failure group.Statistical analysis revealed that the RFS score of the patients in the tympanoplasty failure group was remarkably higher than that of the patients in the tympanoplasty success group.Moreover,there were significantly more cases with suspected reflux pharyngitis in the surgery failure group(P=0.007).Reflux-induced tympanic membrane lesion and reperforation mostly occurred in the central part of the tympanic membrane graft.CONCLUSION Reflux pharyngitis has been implicated with tympanoplasty failure,and thus may be a causative factor.Additionally,the RFS can be used to screen patients with chronic suppurative otitis media for suspected reflux pharyngitis.Findings from this work indicate that perioperative anti-reflux therapy,combined with dietary and lifestyle counselling for the patients who suffer from reflux pharyngitis and are about to undergo the tympanoplasty surgery may improve surgical success rate.
4.Construction and phenotypic study of heterozygous knockout mice of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2
Weikang Wang ; Shujun Zuo ; Jintao Gu ; Fuyuan Guo ; Haozhou Guo ; Chenchen Han ; Wei Wei
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1291-1296
Objective :
To generate heterozygous TRAF2 knockout mice, the CRISPR/Cas9 technology was successfully employed. These mice were served as a valuable model to explore the pathological mechanisms underlying inflammatory and immune disorders mediated by abnormal TNF-α-TRAF2 signaling and to develop new therapeutic targets.
Methods :
A vector targeting the knockout of the TRAF2 gene was constructed. Lead RNA and Cas9 Mrna were introduced into the fertilized eggs of C57BL/6JGpt mice through microinjection to mediate the TRAF2 gene mutation in mice. The mouse tail protein was extracted and the genotype of the F0 generation was determined by PCR and Western blot. TRAF2+/- mice were successfully obtained. F0 generation mice were backcrossed with C57BL/6JGpt wild-type mice to obtain stable TRAF2+/- mice for propagation and subsequent experiments. The body weight of TRAF2+/- mice was detected; Western blot was used to detect the expression of TRAF2 in the spleen, liver and kidney tissues of TRAF2+/- mice. The development of spleen, liver and kidney tissues in TRAF2+/- mice was detected by HE staining.
Results :
PCR identification using specific primers demonstrated that TRAF2+/- mice exhibited a target band at 679 bp. Western blot analysis results indicated that, compared with the WT group, the expression of TRAF2 in the tail protein of TRAF2+/- mice was significantly reduced(P+/- mice had a lower body weight compared to their littermate WT mice(P+/- mice was decreased(P+/- mice and WT mice.
Conclusion
The successful construction of TRAF2+/- mice has provided an important animal model for exploring the role of TRAF2 in developmental regulation, revealing the mechanism of inflammatory immune diseases mediated by abnormal TNF-α-TRAF2 signaling, and screening related drug targets.
5.Role of Toll-like receptors in persistent infection of cervical high-risk human papillomavirus based on "latent pathogen theory".
Dan-Dan HONG ; Ting-Ting SHANG ; Hong-Yu GUO ; Wen-Ting ZUO ; Rui SUN ; Wen-Wen XU ; Qing-Ling REN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1974-1979
Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus(HR-HPV) is the primary etiological factor in cervical lesions and cervical cancer. Toll-like receptors(TLRs), as important pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system, play a key role in the persistence of cervical HR-HPV infection. The "latent pathogen theory" in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) holds that latent pathogens have both "latent" and "triggered" characteristics, which closely resemble the persistent infection and latent pathogenic potential of cervical HR-HPV. Guided by the "latent pathogen theory" and using contemporary immunological techniques, this paper explores the bidirectional immunomodulatory effects of TLRs in the persistence of cervical HR-HPV infection and their relationship with latent pathogens. The results indicate that TLRs play a crucial role in immune recognition and modulation. Dysregulation and overactivation of TLRs can induce chronic inflammation, allowing cervical HR-HPV to persist and evade immune detection. TLR dysfunction, coupled with a deficiency in healthy Qi that prevents the expulsion of pathogens, is a critical factor in the pathogenicity of latent pathogens. Restoring healthy Qi to modulate the immune functions of TLRs emerges as an important strategy for clearing cervical HR-HPV infection. By harmonizing the spleen and kidney and regulating immune balance, it is possible to reverse cervical HR-HPV infection, providing a scientific basis for clinical research.
Humans
;
Toll-Like Receptors/genetics*
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Female
;
Papillomavirus Infections/genetics*
;
Papillomaviridae/immunology*
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Persistent Infection/genetics*
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Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/immunology*
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
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Cervix Uteri/immunology*
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Human Papillomavirus Viruses
6.Adolescent anxiety and non-suicidal self-injury behavior: the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of social support
Juexi LI ; Liyuan LI ; Yuxuan GUO ; Xiaoqiang XIAO ; Peiqi TANG ; Ting PU ; Haixi ZUO ; Ting YANG ; Xiaoxia FAN ; Bo ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):357-363
BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior among adolescents has become a global public health concern. Anxiety and depression are considered key factors influencing NSSI behavior, while social support may play a protective role in alleviating emotional and behavioral issues. However, existing research has primarily focused on the direct impact of individual factors on NSSI behavior, with insufficient exploration of the combined effects of anxiety, depression and social support. ObjectiveTo investigate the direct effect of anxiety on NSSI, the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of social support in relationship between anxiety and NSSI behavior, thus to provide references for the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior among adolescents. MethodsIn February 2022, a total of 40 820 students in grades 7 to 12 across 10 middle schools in a district of Chengdu were selected as participants, and they were assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 item (GAD-7), Patient's Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-9 item (PHQ-9), Social Support Scale for Urban Students (SSSUS) and Adolescent Self-Harm Scale (ASHS). Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlations between scale scores among adolescents with NSSI behaviors. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using Process 3.5 in SPSS, and the significance was tested with bootstrapping. The interaction was visualized by using simple slope analysis. ResultsAmong 34 534 (84.60%) valid respondents, 542 adolescents (1.57%) reported engaging in NSSI behavior. Significant differences in gender, GAD-7 scores, PHQ-9 scores, and SSSUS scores were observed between NSSI behavior group and non-NSSI group (χ²/t=62.889, 71.120, 94.365, -41.464, P<0.01).Adolesents with NSSI showed positive correlations between GAD-7 scores and both ASHS and PHQ-9 scores (r=0.158, 0.166, P<0.01). PHQ-9 scores were positively correlated with ASHS scores (r=0.364, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with SSSUS scores (r=-0.290, P<0.01). SSSUS scores were negatively correlated with ASHS scores (r=-0.247, P<0.01). Depression partially mediated the relationship between anxiety and NSSI behavior, with an effect size of 0.544 (95% CI: 0.162~0.944), accounting for 35.79% of the total effect. Social support moderated the relationship between depression and NSSI bahavior, with an effect value of -0.082 (95% CI: -0.135~-0.029). ConclusionAnxiety not only directly influences NSSI bahavior among adolescents, also indirectly exacerbates it through depression, while social support mitigates the impact of depression on NSSI behavior. [Funded by Youth Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (number, 82401812); Project of Health Commission of Sichuan Province (number, 24LCYJPT18)]
7.Intratumoral injection of two dosage forms of paclitaxel nanoparticles combined with photothermal therapy for breast cancer.
Lina SUN ; Cuiling ZUO ; Baonan MA ; Xinxin LIU ; Yifei GUO ; Xiangtao WANG ; Meihua HAN
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):156-165
OBJECTIVE:
In order to enhance the efficacy of anti-breast cancer, paclitaxel nanoparticles (PTX NPs) and polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy NPs) were combined with photothermal therapy and chemotherapy. At the same time, the two dosage forms of PTX NPs and PTX NPs gel were compared.
METHODS:
PTX NPs were prepared by self-assembly method, and then the cytotoxicity in vitro was investigated by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and other methods, and the efficacy and side effects in vivo were further investigated.
RESULTS:
The average hydrated diameter, PDI and electric potential of PTX NPs were (210.20 ± 1.57) nm, (0.081 ± 0.003) mV and (15.80 ± 0.35) mV, respectively. MTT results showed that the IC50 value of PTX NPs on 4 T1 cells was 0.490 μg/mL, while that of PTX injection was 1.737 μg/mL. The cell inhibitory effect of PTX NPs was about 3.5 times higher than that of PTX injection. The tumor inhibition rates of PTX NPs and gel were 48.64% and 56.79%, respectively. Together with local photothermal stimulation, the tumor inhibition rate of the PTX NPs reached 91.05%, surpassing that of the gel under the same conditions (48.98%), moreover, the organ index and H&E staining results of PTX NPs showed a decrease in toxicity.
CONCLUSION
This combination therapy can significantly enhance the effect of anti-breast cancer, and the synergistic effect of chemotherapy and light and heat provides a feasible and effective strategy for the treatment of tumor.
8.Cognition status quo of wild mushroom poisoning and its influencing factors among students in Guizhou Province
ZHOU Qianqian, ZUO Peipei, TIAN Jigui, WU Anzhong, GUO Hua, ZHU Shu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):335-338
Objective:
To assess the awareness and associated factors of wild mushroom poisoning among students in Guizhou Province, so as to provide a scientific foundation for wild mushroom poisoning prevention and control among students.
Methods:
By a multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method, 1 162 students from Guizhou Province were selected in May 2024. The questionnaire survey was administered to evaluate knowledge regarding wild mushroom poisoning. Data were analyzed employing the χ 2 test and Logistic regression model.
Results:
Among the nine questions assessing awareness of wild mushroom poisoning, only three had the awareness rate exceeding 70%. Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that students who "actively learn about the prevention of wild mushroom poisoning" ( OR=0.48, 95%CI =0.26-0.92) and "spread knowledge about wild mushroom poisoning to others" ( OR=0.47, 95%CI =0.33-0.69) scored higher on the wild mushroom poisoning knowledge questions ( P <0.05). Conversely, students with a habit of consuming wild mushrooms ( OR=1.52, 95%CI =1.15-2.02) scored lower ( P < 0.05 ). 42.3% of the students suggested that scientific dissemination and publicity about wild mushrooms should be intensified.
Conclusions
The awareness rate of wild mushroom poisoning knowledge among students in Guizhou Province requires further attention. Comprehensive knowledge should be disseminated systematically through various channels to further improve students awareness of the prevention and control of wild mushroom poisoning.
9.New uses of halofuginone to treat cancer.
Runan ZUO ; Xinyi GUO ; Xinhao SONG ; Xiuge GAO ; Junren ZHANG ; Shanxiang JIANG ; Vojtech ADAM ; Kamil KUCA ; Wenda WU ; Dawei GUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(3):101080-101080
The small-molecule alkaloid halofuginone (HF) is obtained from febrifugine. Recent studies on HF have aroused widespread attention owing to its universal range of noteworthy biological activities and therapeutic functions, which range from parasite infections and fibrosis to autoimmune diseases. In particular, HF is believed to play an excellent anticancer role by suppressing the proliferation, adhesion, metastasis, and invasion of cancers. This review supports the goal of demonstrating various anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of HF. In the studies covered in this review, the anticancer molecular mechanisms of HF mainly included transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad-3/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), serine/threonine kinase proteins (Akt)/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1)/wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin, the exosomal microRNA-31 (miR-31)/histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) signaling pathway, and the interaction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and immune cells. Notably, HF, as a novel type of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent inhibitor that is often combined with prolyl transfer RNA synthetase (ProRS) and amino acid starvation therapy (AAS) to suppress the formation of ribosome, further exerts a significant effect on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, the combination of HF with other drugs or therapies obtained universal attention. Our results showed that HF has significant potential for clinical cancer treatment.
10.Cloning and functional analysis of GmMAX2b involved in disease resistance.
Jiahui FU ; Lin ZUO ; Weiqun HUANG ; Song SUN ; Liangyu GUO ; Min HU ; Peilan LU ; Shanshan LIN ; Kangjing LIANG ; Xinli SUN ; Qi JIA
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2803-2817
The plant F-box protein more axillary growth 2 (MAX2) is a key factor in the signal transduction of strigolactones (SLs) and karrinkins (KARs). As the main component of the SKP1-CUL1-FBX (SCF) complex ubiquitin ligase E3, MAX2 is responsible for specifically recognizing the target proteins, suppressor of MAX2 1/SMAX1-like proteins (SMAX1/SMXLs), which would be degraded after ubiquitination. It can thereby regulate plant morphogenesis and stress responses. There exist homologous genes of MAX2 in the important grain and oil crop soybean (Glycine max). However, its role in plant defense responses has not been investigated yet. Here, GmMAX2b, a homologous gene of MAX2, was successfully cloned from stressed soybean. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were two MAX2 homologous genes, GmMAX2a and GmMAX2b, with a similarity of 96.2% in soybean. Their F-box regions were highly conserved. The sequence alignment and cluster analysis of plant MAX2 homologous proteins basically reflected the evolutionary relationship of plants and also suggested that soybean MAX2 might be a multifunctional protein. Expression analysis showed that plant pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment induced the expression of GmMAX2b in soybean, which is consistent with that of MAX2 in Arabidopsis. Ectopic expression of GmMAX2b compensated for the susceptibility of Arabidopsis max2-2 mutant to pathogen, indicating that GmMAX2b positively regulated plant disease resistance. In addition, yeast two hybrid technology was used to explore the potential target proteins of GmMAX2b. The results showed that GmMAX2b interacted with SMXL6 and weakly interacted with SMXL2. In summary, GmMAX2b is a positive regulator in plant defense responses, and its expression is induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment. GmMAX2b might exert its effect through interaction with SMXL6 and SMXL2. This study expands the theoretical exploration of soybean disease resistant F-box and provides a scientific basis for future soybean disease resistant breeding.
Glycine max/metabolism*
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Disease Resistance/genetics*
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Plant Diseases/immunology*
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Plant Proteins/genetics*
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Cloning, Molecular
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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F-Box Proteins/genetics*
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Arabidopsis/genetics*
;
Phylogeny


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