1.Nucleic Acid-driven Protein Degradation: Frontiers of Lysosomal Targeted Degradation Technology
Han YIN ; Yu LI ; Yu-Chuan FAN ; Shuai GUO ; Yuan-Yu HUANG ; Yong LI ; Yu-Hua WENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):5-19
Distinct from the complementary inhibition mechanism through binding to the target with three-dimensional conformation of small molecule inhibitors, targeted protein degradation technology takes tremendous advantage of endogenous protein degradation pathway inside cells to degrade plenty of “undruggable” target proteins, which provides a novel route for the treatment of many serious diseases, mainly including proteolysis-targeting chimeras, lysosome-targeting chimeras, autophagy-targeting chimeras, antibody-based proteolysis-targeting chimeras, etc. Unlike proteolysis-targeting chimeras first found in 2001, which rely on ubiquitin-proteasome system to mainly degrade intracellular proteins of interest, lysosome-targeting chimeras identified in 2020, which was act as the fastly developing technology, utilize cellular lysosomal pathway through endocytosis mediated by lysosome-targeting receptor to degrade both extracellular and membrane proteins. As an emerging biomedical technology, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras utilize nucleic acids as certain components of chimera molecule to replace with ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor or protein of interest, exhibiting broad application prospects and potential clinical value in disease treatment and drug development. This review mainly introduced present progress of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras technology, including its basic composition, its advantages compared with antibody or glycopeptide-based lysosome-targeting chimeras, and focused on its chief application, in terms of the type of lysosome-targeting receptors. Most research about the development of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras focused on those which utilized cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor as the lysosome-targeting receptor. Both mannose-6-phosphonate-modified glycopeptide and nucleic aptamer targeting cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor, even double-stranded DNA molecule moiety can be taken advantage as the ligand to lysosome-targeting receptor. The same as classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, asialoglycoprotein receptor can also be used for advance of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. Another new-found lysosome-targeting receptor, scavenger receptor, can bind dendritic DNA molecules to mediate cellular internalization of complex and lysosomal degradation of target protein, suggesting the successful application of scavenger receptor-mediated nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras. In addition, this review briefly overviewed the history of lysosome-targeting chimeras, including first-generation and second-generation lysosome-targeting chimeras through cation-independent mannose-6-phosphonate receptor-mediated and asialoglycoprotein receptor-mediated endocytosis respectively, so that a clear timeline can be presented for the advance of chimera technique. Meantime, current deficiency and challenge of lysosome-targeting chimeras was also mentioned to give some direction for deep progress of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Finally, according to faulty lysosomal degradation efficiency, more cellular mechanism where lysosome-targeting chimeras perform degradation of protein of interest need to be deeply explored. In view of current progress and direction of nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras, we discussed its current challenges and development direction in the future. Stability of natural nucleic acid molecule and optimized chimera construction have a great influence on the biological function of lysosome-targeting chimeras. Discovery of novel lysosome-targeting receptors and nucleic aptamer with higher affinity to the target will greatly facilitate profound advance of chimera technique. In summary, nucleic acid-driven lysosome-targeting chimeras have many superiorities, such as lower immunogenicity, expedient synthesis of chimera molecules and so on, in contrast to classical lysosome-targeting chimeras, making it more valuable. Also, the chimera technology provides new ideas and methods for biomedical research, drug development and clinical treatment, and can be used more widely through further research and optimization.
2.Causal relationship between circulating inflammatory cytokines and bone mineral density based on two-sample Mendelian randomization
Shuai CHEN ; Jie JIN ; Huawei HAN ; Ningsheng TIAN ; Zhiwei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1556-1564
BACKGROUND:Many recent studies have shown a close relationship between inflammatory cytokines and osteoporosis and bone mineral density(BMD).However,the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD has not been fully revealed. OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS:The single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines were selected from the open database of genome-wide association studies(GWAS)as instrumental variables.The GWAS data about BMD were from the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis Consortium,involving a total of 32 735 individuals of European ancestry.Inverse variance weighting was used as the primary analysis to evaluate the causal effect.Weighted median,MR Egger regression,simple mode,and weighted mode methods were used to supplement the explanation.We used the MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO method to conduct a pleiotropy test,the Cochran's Q test was used to determine whether there was heterogeneity in the results,and the leave-one-out method was used to evaluate the stability of the results.In addition,to more accurately assess the causality,the Bonferroni-corrected test was used to identify inflammatory cytokines that have a strong causal relationship with BMD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to the results of the inverse variance weighting method,we found a positive causal relationship between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD[β=0.075,95%confidence interval(CI):0.033-0.117,P=0.000 5),while a negative causal relationship between interleukin-17 and lumbar spine BMD(β=-0.083,95%CI:-0.152 to-0.014,P=0.018).There might be a negative causal relationship between tumor necrosis factor b and femoral neck BMD(β=-0.053,95%CI:-0.088 to-0.018,P=0.003),while a positive causal relationship between basic fibroblast growth factor and femoral neck BMD(β=0.085,95%CI:0.016-0.154,P=0.015).There might be a negative causal relationship between macrophage inflammatory protein-1a and total body BMD(β=-0.056,95%CI:-0.105 to-0.007,P=0.025).There was a negative causal relationship between interleukin-5(β=-0.019,95%CI:-0.031 to-0.006,P=0.004),stromal cell-derived factor-1a(β=-0.022,95%CI:-0.038 to-0.005,P=0.010),hepatocyte growth factor(β=-0.021,95%CI:-0.041 to-0.002,P=0.030),interleukin-4(β=-0.016,95%CI:-0.032 to-0.001,P=0.034)and heel BMD,while a positive causal relationship between nerve growth factor(β=0.019,95%CI:0.002-0.036,P=0.033),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(β=0.011,95%CI:0.000-0.022,P=0.050),and heel BMD.Meanwhile,after the Bonferroni-corrected test,there was a strong positive causal effect between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD(P=0.000 5).And consistent directional effects for all analyses were observed in MR Egger,weighted median,simple mode,and weighted mode methods.(2)Sensitivity analyses revealed no heterogeneity,pleiotropy,or outliers for the causal effect of circulating inflammatory cytokines on BMD.
3.Analysis of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapeutic effect and intestinal flora characteristics in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Shuai LI ; Xue HAN ; Wenjing MA ; Rong XU ; Changmin WANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(4):505-508,512
Objective To analyze the therapeutic effect of anti-programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)/pro-grammed death ligand 1(PD-L1)and the characteristics of intestinal flora in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 81 NSCLC patients admitted to the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2020 to January 2022 were taken as the research object.According to the patients'immunotherapy response,the patients were divided into non-response group and response group.The differences in clinical data and intestinal flora distribution between the two groups were compared,and the correlation between PFS and intestinal flora a diversity index was analyzed by Spearman correlation.Results The proportion of smoking patients in response group was significantly lower than that in non-re-sponse group,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.648,P=0.031).Chao1 index,ACE index and shannon wiener index patients in non-response group were lower than those in response group,while Simpson diversity index was higher than that in response group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Chao1 index,ACE index and shannon wiener index were positively correlated with PFS(r=0.526,0.579 and 0.539,all P<0.05),while Simpson diversity index was negatively correlated with PFS(r=-0.867,P<0.001).The principal coordinate analysis was used to analyze the β diversity structure of intestinal flora.The first principal component contribution rate was 70.36%,and the second principal component contribution rate was 16.63%.Conclusion The diversity and distribution of intestinal flora in NSCLC patients are related to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.The higher the diversity of intestinal flora,the more sensitive the anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
4.Transarterial infusion chemotherapy combined with lipiodol chemoembolization for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer
Xiaolong DING ; Shuai WANG ; Yaozhen MA ; Meipan YIN ; Tao LIU ; Shuiling JIN ; Xiaobing LI ; Chunxia LI ; Xinwei HAN ; Gang WU
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2024;33(2):186-190
Objective To discuss the clinical safety,feasibility and efficacy of transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy(TAI)combined with lipiodol chemoembolization in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer(CRC).Methods The clinical data of 37 patients with advanced CRC,who received TAI combined with lipiodol chemoembolization at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University of China between June 2016 and December 2022,were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical efficacy was evaluated,the progression-free survival(PFS)and the serious complications were recorded.Results A total of 55 times of TAI combined with lipiodol chemoembolization procedures were successfully accomplished in the 37 patients.The mean used amount of lipiodol emulsion was 2.9 mL(0.8-10 mL).No serious complications such as bleeding and intestinal perforation occurred.The median follow-up time was 24 months(range of 3-48 months).The postoperative one-month,3-month,6-month and 12-month objective remission rates(ORR)were 67.6%(25/37),67.6%(25/37),64.9%(24/37)and 56.8%(21/37)respectively,and the postoperative one-month,3-month,6-month and 12-month disease control rates(DCR)were 91.9%(34/37),91.9%(34/37),89.2%(33/37)and 81.1%(30/37)respectively.The median PFS was 16 months(range of 2-47 months).As of the last follow-up,22 patients survived and 15 patients died of terminal stage of tumor.Conclusion Preliminary results of this study indicate that TAI combined with lipiodol chemoembolization is clinically safe and effective for advanced CRC,and it provide a new therapeutic method for patients with advanced CRC.
5.Standardized construction of Party branches of university-affiliated public hospitals based on SWOT
Shengwang HAN ; Qian ZHANG ; Gang LIU ; Cui LI ; Shuai SHI ; Zhixin GENG
Modern Hospital 2024;24(2):195-198
Amid ongoing reforms in the healthcare system and the pursuit of high-quality development in public hospi-tals,the significance of party building in leading the standardization of hospital party branches has become increasingly promi-nent.Taking a university's affiliated hospital as an example,this study comprehensively analyzes the current situation of Party building on the standardized construction of party branches within university-affiliated public hospitals using the SWOT method.Meanwhile,this paper proposes targeted strategies by assessing the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and challenges of party building leadership.These strategies are intended to refine the framework for the role of Party building in advancing the standard-ized construction of Party branches in university-affiliated public hospitals.
6.Progress in the study of the pregnane X receptor in drug resistance in breast cancer
Xiaoxu HAN ; Nan ZHANG ; Shuai LIU
Journal of International Oncology 2024;51(9):590-594
The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a crucial regulator of cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) expression. It is involved in oxidative stress, steroid and bile acid metabolism, inflammatory response, apoptosis, cell proliferation and other biological behaviors, and also participates in the metabolism, transport and clearance of chemotherapy drugs. After activation, PXR can affect chemotherapy drug resistance of breast cancer through genetic variation and epigenetic modification, regulation of apoptosis, and participation in phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. It may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer resistance.
7.Structure-activity Omics of Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Corydalis Rhizoma in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Xinpeng QIN ; Ying MENG ; Sicong LIU ; Ying ZHENG ; Yongrui BAO ; Shuai WANG ; Tianjiao LI ; Ling HAN ; Wei ZOU ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):136-145
ObjectiveTo explain the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Corydalis Rhizoma by the means of structure-activity omics. MethodOn the basis of the previous in vitro screening study, we studied the in vivo efficacy of the alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma. With the targets as a bridge, the structures of chemical components in Corydalis Rhizoma were connected with the efficacy. The molecular docking of the alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma with the targets of inflammation and pain was carried out. According to the docking scores and the differences in the structural nucleus of Corydalis Rhizoma alkaloids, a study of structure-activity omics was carried out to summarize the rules of their connection. ResultThe alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma had good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in vivo, involving 53 chemical components and 73 targets. There were 3 074 targets associated with inflammation and pain, and 42 targets of direct action were shared by the chemical components and the disease. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) and molecular docking analysis predicted that the main active components of Corydalis Rhizoma were tetrahydropalmatine and palmatine, and the core targets were prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutamate receptor metabotropic 5 (GRM5), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4), and fusion oncoproteins (FOS). According to the differences of mother nucleus, the 53 alkaloid components of Corydalis Rhizoma were classified into 8 categories, including protoberberine, berberine, and aporphine, which had high binding affinities with PTGS2, GRM5 and other targets. The relationship between the structures of Corydalis Rhizoma alkaloids and docking scores in each group showed the same law. In protoberberine, appropriate substituents with hydroxyl, alkoxy or methyl groups on the A and D rings of the parent ring were conducive to enhancing the binding activities with the two targets. In berberine, the structure containing a methyl group on position 13 had strong binding affinities with the two targets. It is hypothesized that the methyl fragment changes the binding mode between the component structure and amino acid residues, which greatly improves the binding affinity. ConclusionThis study employs the method of structure-activity omics to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma, and the structure-activity omics provides new ideas for revealing the pharmacodynamic substances of traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Aurantii Fructus in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Sicong LIU ; Xinpeng QIN ; Bing QI ; Xi LUO ; Tianjiao LI ; Yongrui BAO ; Shuai WANG ; Ling HAN ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):154-161
ObjectiveTo explain the pharmacodynamic substances of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids that exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects using a structure-activity omics approach. MethodOn the basis of the previous in vitro pharmacological screening conducted by the research team, an in vivo pharmacological study of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids was carried out. Core targets of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic active components of flavonoids of Aurantii Fructus were identified using various network databases, including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING). Computer-aided virtual screening technology was used to dock different types of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids with core targets. The key core targets with high binding activity were selected based on the comprehensive scores of each target and the active structures. Using these targets as bridges, the structures of one or more types of chemical components in Aurantii Fructus were closely linked to pharmacological effects. The structure-activity relationship between the clear pharmacodynamic compounds and their effects was explored through the binding patterns of various structures with pharmacodynamic targets. ResultAurantii Fructus flavonoids demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, which could improve symptoms and significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)(P<0.05). Twelve active components of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids were identified and categorized into nine dihydroflavonoids and three flavonoids based on their structures of the parent nuclei. Through Venn analysis, 167 anti-inflammatory and analgesic targets for Aurantii Fructus were identified. Based on degree value and molecular docking comprehensive scores, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3) were selected for further structural analysis. Structural analysis revealed that components containing glycoside structures exhibited higher binding activity with anti-inflammatory and analgesic targets. ConclusionThis study utilized a structure-activity omics approach based on in vivo pharmacodynamic experiments to analyze the material basis of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids. The structure-activity omics approach provides new ideas and methods for elucidating the pharmacodynamic substances of Chinese medicine.
9.Construction and application of a risk index of Echinococcus infection based on the classification of echinococcosis lesions
Chuizhao XUE ; Canjun ZHENG ; Yan KUI ; Yue SHI ; Xu WANG ; Baixue LIU ; Weiping WU ; Shuai HAN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(3):259-271
Objective To investigate the feasibility of constructing the risk index of Echinococcus infection based on the classification of echinococcosis lesions, so as to provide insights into the management of echinococcosis. Methods The imaging data of echinococcosis cases were collected from epidemiological surveys of echinococcosis in China from 2012 to 2016, and the detection of incident echinococcosis cases was captured from the annual echinococcosis prevention and control reports across provinces (autonomous regions) and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in China from 2017 to 2022. After echinococcosis lesions were classified, a risk index of Echinococcus infection was constructed based on the principle of discrete distribution marginal probability and multi-group classification data tests. The correlation between the risk index of Echinococcus infection and the detection of incident echinococcosis cases was evaluated in the provinces (autonomous regions and corps) from 2017 to 2022, and the correlations between the short and medium-term risk indices and between the medium and long-term risk indices of Echinococcus infection were examined using a univariate linear regression model. Results A total of 4 014 echinococcosis cases in China from 2012 to 2016 were included in this study. The short-, medium- and long-term risk indices of E. granulosus infection varied in echinococcosis-endemic provinces (autonomous regions and corps) of China (χ2 = 4.12 to 708.65, all P values < 0.05), with high short- (0.058), medium- (0.137) and long-term risk indices (0.104) in Tibet Autonomous Region, and the short-, medium- and long-term risk indices of E. multilocularis infection varied in echinococcosis-endemic provinces (autonomous regions and corps) of China (χ2 = 6.74 to 122.60, all P values < 0.05), with a high short-term risk index in Sichuan Province (0.016) and high medium- (0.009) and long-term risk indices in Qinghai Province (0.018). There were no significant correlations between the risk index of E. granulosus infection and the detection of incident cystic echinococcosis cases during the study period (t = −0.518 to 2.265, all P values > 0.05), and strong correlations were found between the risk indices of E. multilocularis infection and the detection of incident alveolar echinococcosis cases (including mixed type) in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, during the period from 2017 through 2020, from 2017 through 2021, from 2017 through 2022 (all r values > 0.7, t = 2.521 to 3.692, all P values < 0.05). Linear regression models were established between the risk index of E. multilocular infection and the detection of alveolar echinococcosis cases (including mixed type), and the models were all statistically significant (b = 0.214 to 2.168, t = 2.458 to 3.692, F = 6.044 to 13.629, all P values < 0.05). The regression coefficients for the correlations between the medium- and short-term, and between the long- and medium-term risk indices of E. granulosus infection were 2.339 and 0.765, and the regression coefficients for the correlations between the medium- and short-term, and between the long- and medium-term risk indices of E. multilocular infection were 0.280 and 1.842, with statistical significance seen in both the regression coefficients and regression models (t = 16.479 to 197.304, F = 271.570 to 38 928.860, all P values < 0.05). Conclusions The risk index of Echinococcus infection has been successfully established based on the classification of echinococcosis lesions, which may provide insights into the prevention and control, prediction, diagnosis and treatment, and classified management of echinococcosis.
10.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Paeoniae Radix Alba in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Bing QI ; Xi LUO ; Ying ZHENG ; Ying MENG ; Shuai WANG ; Yongrui BAO ; Tianjiao LI ; Ling HAN ; Xinying SHU ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):169-175
ObjectiveTo elucidate the active compounds for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba from structure-activity omics. MethodOn the basis of the previous in vitro efficacy study by our research group, a mouse model of foot swelling was induced by methyl aldehyde and used to study the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of total glycosides of Paeoniae Radix Alba in vivo. The core targets of the active compounds for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes (STRING). Molecular docking was conducted for the total glucosides of Paeoniae Radix Alba with the core targets, and the key core targets with high binding affinity were screened out according to the comprehensive score of each target and active structure. The structure-activity relationship was analyzed with targets as a bridge through the combination of compound structures and pharmacological effects. ResultThe total glucosides of Paeoniae Radix Alba had good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in vivo. The core targets of 23 active components of Paeoniae Radix Alba were epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53), and proto-oncogene transcription factor (JUN). According to the structure of the parent nucleus, there were 16 pinane monoterpene glycosides, 4 pinene monoterpene glycosides, 2 monoterpene lactone glycosides, and 1 monoterpene ketone. The key core targets screened out by molecular docking were EGFR and STAT3. The structure-activity analysis of the active compound structures and the key core targets showed that the introduction of ketone group and benzene ring group on the parent nucleus affected the binding activity. ConclusionThis study analyzed the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of total glycosides of Paeoniae Radix Alba from structure-activity omics, providing new ideas and methods for revealing the pharmacodynamic substances in traditional Chinese medicine.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail