ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids （MA） in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by protein interaction analysis （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analyses were performed through Bioinformatics （DAVID） database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone （CORT） once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control （0.9% normal saline）， model （CORT， 20 mg·kg^-1）， positive control （fluoxetine hydrochloride， 3.6 mg·kg^-1）， and MA （10， 5， and 2.5 mg·kg^-1） groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and norepinephrine （NE） in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 （Cx43）. ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained， including 84 common targets， among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes， 15 cell components， and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group， CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the brain tissue （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein （CREB） and BDNF （P<0.05） and the protein levels of protein kinase （PRKACA）， phosphorylation （p）-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05） in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group， high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming （P<0.05） and tail suspension （P<0.01） tests， raised the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF （P<0.01） and protein levels of PRKACA， p-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05）. ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway， improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function， and reducing neuroinflammation.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms associated with Mahoniae Caulis alkaloids （MA） in ameliorating depression by network pharmacology， molecular docking， and animal experiments. MethodsThe component targets of MA were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction and TCMIP database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. The depression targets were collected through TCMIP， Genecards， HPO， DrugBank and OMIM database. Protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed by protein interaction analysis （STRING） database. Gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） analyses were performed through Bioinformatics （DAVID） database. The docking of components and targets was performed by AGFR. The mouse model of depression was established by intraperitoneal injection of corticosterone （CORT） once a day for 35 consecutive days. Sixty mice were randomly allocated into control （0.9% normal saline）， model （CORT， 20 mg·kg^-1）， positive control （fluoxetine hydrochloride， 3.6 mg·kg^-1）， and MA （10， 5， and 2.5 mg·kg^-1） groups. Each group was administrated with corresponding medicine or normal saline once a day for 28 consecutive days. The depression-like behavior of mice was observed. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl dUTP transferase nick end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the prefrontal cortex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to assess the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and norepinephrine （NE） in mice. The mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） pathway-related factors and inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time PCR. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of cAMP pathway-related factors and connexin 43 （Cx43）. ResultsA total of 434 component targets and 545 depression targets were obtained， including 84 common targets， among which 10 core targets were screened out. GO analysis predicted 34 biological processes， 15 cell components， and 11 molecular functions. The KEGG pathways were mainly related to gap junction and cAMP signaling pathway. The core components had good binding affinity with the core targets. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the control group， CORT prolonged the immobility time of mice in forced swimming and tail suspension tests （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the brain tissue （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein （CREB） and BDNF （P<0.05） and the protein levels of protein kinase （PRKACA）， phosphorylation （p）-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05） in the brain tissue. Compared with the model group， high-dose MA reduced the immobility time of mice in forced swimming （P<0.05） and tail suspension （P<0.01） tests， raised the serum levels of NE， BDNF， and 5-HT （P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA level of NF-κB （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the mRNA level of BDNF （P<0.01） and protein levels of PRKACA， p-CREB/CREB， BDNF， and Cx43 （P<0.05）. ConclusionMA alleviates the CORT-induced depressive behavior of mice. It may play an antidepressant role by regulating cAMP signaling pathway and gap junction pathway， improving synaptic plasticity and gap junction function， and reducing neuroinflammation.

Objective:To establish quality control products for 2019-nCoV detection, and provide reliable control materials for the quality evaluations of the 2019-nCoV detection kit based on fluorescence PCR.Methods:Virus strain was diluted to concentrations of 10 6, 10 5, 10 4, 10 3, 10 2 copies/ml which were used as positive control products. The mean value, standard deviation, coefficient of variability (CV) and tendency of the Ct values were calculated. The homogeneity and stability of the quality control products were tested. Results:Within the concentration gradients, Ct value and concentration of the control products were linearly related. In homogeneity test, the CVs of the quality control products with concentrations of 10 6, 10 5, 10 4, 10 3, 10 2 and 0 copies/ml were 4.60%, 2.67%, 2.22%, 2.04% and 2.50% respectively. In stability test, there was no significant linear trend with extended test time at 4 ℃. Conclusion:Evaluations of homogeneity and stability indicated that the quality control products were established successfully. And the products can be used for evaluation of 2019-nCoV detection kit based on fluorescence PCR.

Objective To construct a eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP N1/IL-37b of full-length and mature IL-37b,and to detect the expression of both full-length and mature IL-37b in RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage cell line. Methods To construct the eukaryotic vectors of full-length and mature IL-37b by using plasmid pUBC/IL-37b as a template containing the coding region of IL-37b full-length gene. To detect the expression of IL-37b by western blot and confocal microscopy after transfected the recombinant plasmid into RAW 264.7 cells, and to detect the inhibition of full-length and mature IL-37b on IL-6 production by real-time PCR. Results Eukaryotic vectors pEGFP N1/IL-37b expressed full-length and mature IL-37b after transfection in cells, which inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 production. Conclusions Eukaryotic vectors of full-length and mature IL-37b can be successfully constructed,and lays a foundation for further study of anti-inflammation functions and mechanisms of IL-37b.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Smad ubiquitination-related factor 2 (Smurf2)neddylation. Methods The Smurf2 protein level was tested by overexpression of Nedd8,while the method of immunoprecipitation(IP) and Western blotting were used to analyz Smurf2-Nedd8 modification.The GST-pulldown experiment was conducted to prove protein interactions.The protein was obtained by grinding mouse tissue and Western blotting was used to test the protein expression level.Results Over expression of Nedd8 could lead to the down regulation of the Smurf2′s protein level.Smurf1 and Smurf2 could interact in the GST-pulldown experiment. Smurf1 could enhance Smurf2-Nedd8 modification.The Smurf2′s protein level was up-regulated in mouse tissue of Smurf1 C426A.Conclusion There is some relationship and also difference between Smurf1 and Smurf2.Smurf1 can enhance Smurf2-Nedd8 modification.

Objective To investigate the expression of recombinant IL-37b protein and removal of the endotoxin, and identify its biological activity.Methods The prokaryotic expression vector pET28/IL-37b was constructed and to transform Escherichia coli (E.coli) Rosetta.After induction with IPTG, the recombinant protein was purified through Ni2+-NTA gel column and identified by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie brilliant blue staining.Then, the endotoxin protein was removed and was treated with LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.The culture supernatant was collected.The expression of IL-6 was detected by ELISA and the biological activity of the protein was identified.Results The recombinant IL-37b with high purity was expressed and the endotoxin produced by prokaryotic expression was reduced, and it was identified to have good biological activity.Conclusions In this study a recombinant IL-37b protein with high biological activity is successfully obtained.

Objective To establish lentiviral expression vectors for Smurf1 silencing and assess the effects of Smurf1 silencing on cell migration.Methods HeLa and A549 cells were infected with lentiviral expression vectors for Smurf1 silencing respectively.After 7 days,the stable cell lines with Smurf1 silencing were obtained after puromycin-resistance screening,enrichment and expansion.The intracellular gene and protein levels of Smurf1 were detected by qPCR and western blot.Transwell assay was used to assess the effect of Smurf1 silencing on cell migration.Results The stable cell lines with Smurf1 silencing are constructed successfully.Silencing of Smurf1 down-regulated cell migration rate detected by Transwell assay.Conclusion Smurf1 promotes cell migration.

Objective To establish a patient-derived xenografts (PDX) mouse model of liver cancer (LC) and to explore its role in precision medicine.Methods PDX model was established by subcutaneous implantation of tumor tissues in NCG mice.The morphological structure of tumor tissue was exaimed using HE staining.Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with tumor cell suspension from the PDX models.The xenograft mice were randomly divided into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) group, sorafenib group and negative control group.The tumor volume and body weight of the tumor-bearing mice were measured regularly, the tumor inhibition rate was calculated and the curative effect was evaluated.Results The success rate was 33.3% (6/18) in the establishment of liver cancer PDX mouse model, and the model well retained the characteristics of the primary tumor.In one case of PDX mouse model, the tumor inhibition rates of 5-FU and sorafenib group were 63.7% and 29.6%, with a statistically significant differece between them (P< 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the sorafenib group and negative control group, consistent with clinical observation.Conclusions The PDX mouse model of liver cancer can maintain the histological structure of primary tumor, and can be applied to precision medicine for patients with liver cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect of Smad3 on cell migration of A549 and HeLa cells.Methods Primers for pCMV-Myc-Smad3 plasmid construction and siRNA targeting Smad 3 were designed and synthesized .pCMV-Myc-Smad3 plasmid was constructed with molecular cloning techniques .Overexpression of Smad 3 with Myc-tag or silencing of endogenous Smad3, and then scratch assay was used to detect the migration ability of A 549 and HeLa cells in vitro. Results pCMV-Myc-Smad3 plasmid was successfully constructed .Overexpression of Smad 3 significantly up-regulated the migration rate of A549 and HeLa cells.Conversely, in the same cells, silencing of endogenous Smad3 or treatment with Smad3 inhibitor, SIS3, down-regulated the migration rate .Conclusions Smad3 promotes cell migration of A549 and HeLa cells.

Objective To establish a C57BL/6 mouse model of intestinal infection induced by S.Typhimurium.Methods In order to improve the infectious sensitivity of S.Typhimurium, C57BL/6 mice were intragastrically given 5% (w/v) NaHCO3.Then mice were challenged with S.Typhimurium.The health condition, survival and body weight of mice were observed from day 0 to day 7 after the bacterial infection.The pathological changes were also examined.Results the mice challenged with S.Typhimurium showed decreased body weight and typical clinical signs, including in appetence, piloerection and low survival rate.Macroscopic dissection revealed that intestinal hyperemia and swelling were founded in the mice challenged with S.Typhimurium.Histopathology showed intestinal epithelial and mucosal damages.Conclusions We have successfully established a C57BL/6 mouse model of S.Typhimurium infection.This model may be of crucial significance for studying the biological functions of associated immunological molecules or cytokines in the process of inflammatory bowel disease induced by S.Typhimurium.