1.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
2.Role of SPINK in Dermatologic Diseases and Potential Therapeutic Targets
Yong-Hang XIA ; Hao DENG ; Li-Ling HU ; Wei LIU ; Xiao TAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):417-424
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type (SPINK) is a skin keratinizing protease inhibitor, which was initially found in animal serum and is widely present in plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses, and they act as key regulators of skin keratinizing proteases and are involved in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and inflammation, primarily through the inhibition of deregulated tissue kinin-releasing enzymes (KLKs) in skin response. This process plays a crucial role in alleviating various skin problems caused by hyperkeratinization and inflammation, and can greatly improve the overall condition of the skin. Specifically, the different members of the SPINK family, such as SPINK5, SPINK6, SPINK7, and SPINK9, each have unique biological functions and mechanisms of action. The existence of these members demonstrates the diversity and complexity of skin health and disease. First, SPINK5 mutations are closely associated with the development of various skin diseases, such as Netherton’s syndrome and atopic dermatitis, and SPINK5 is able to inhibit the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby effectively preventing the metastasis of melanoma cells, which is important in preventing the invasion and migration of malignant tumors. Secondly, SPINK6 is mainly distributed in the epidermis and contains lysine and glutamate residues, which can act as a substrate for epidermal transglutaminase to maintain the normal structure and function of the skin. In addition, SPINK6 can activate the intracellular ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways through the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and protease receptor-2 (EphA2), which can promote the migration of melanoma cells, and SPINK6 further deepens its role in stimulating the migration of malignant tumor cells by inhibiting the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway. This process further deepens its potential impact in stimulating tumor invasive migration. Furthermore, SPINK7 plays a role in the pathology of some inflammatory skin diseases, and is likely to be an important factor contributing to the exacerbation of skin diseases by promoting aberrant proliferation of keratinocytes and local inflammatory responses. Finally, SPINK9 can induce cell migration and promote skin wound healing by activating purinergic receptor 2 (P2R) to induce phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor and further activating the downstream ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In addition, SPINK9 also plays an antimicrobial role, preventing the interference of some pathogenic microorganisms. Taken as a whole, some members of the SPINK family may be potential targets for the treatment of dermatological disorders by regulating multiple biological processes such as keratinization metabolism and immuno-inflammatory processes in the skin. The development of drugs such as small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies has great potential for the treatment of dermatologic diseases, and future research on SPINK will help to gain a deeper understanding of the physiopathologic processes of the skin. Through its functions and regulatory mechanisms, the formation and maintenance of the skin barrier and the occurrence and development of inflammatory responses can be better understood, which will provide novel ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.
3.Surveillance results of common diseases among primary and secondary school students in Yichang City in 2019 - 2022
Yi LIANG ; Zaoxia WANG ; Chi HU ; Xiaoyan MING ; Man XIAO ; Qian WU ; Zhongcheng YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):98-101
Objective To investigate the prevalence of common diseases among primary and secondary school students in Yichang City from 2019 to 2022, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective intervention measures in the future. Methods By random cluster sampling , 7 schools in urban areas and 5 schools in suburban counties were selected to screen common diseases such as myopia, dental caries, obesity and abnormal spinal curvature. Descriptive epidemiological methods were employed for statistical analysis. Results A total of 17 023 primary and secondary school students were screened from 2019 to 2022. The overall detection rate of common diseases from high to low was myopia (54.12%), caries (36.75%), overweight (15.17%), obesity (11.88%), malnutrition (5.80%), and abnormal spinal curvature (3.49%). The detection rates of myopia and abnormal curvature of the spine showed an increasing trend with years and school stages, while the detection rates of malnutrition and dental caries showed a decreasing trend with years and school stages. The detection rates of overweight and obesity showed no trend difference with years, and the detection rates of obesity showed a decreasing trend with school stages. The rates of myopia, overweight and obesity were higher in urban areas than those in suburban counties, and the rate of dental caries was higher in suburban counties than that in urban areas. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and malnutrition in boys was higher than that in girls. The prevalence of myopia and dental caries in girls was higher than that in boys. The above differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion Myopia, dental caries, obesity, and abnormal curvature of the spine are the current focus of the prevention and treatment of common diseases in students. There are great differences between different regions, school stages, and genders. The “tripartite linkage” of schools, families, and communities should be achieved with the joint efforts of the education and health departments to actively take targeted intervention measures to reduce the prevalence.
4.The Application of Adeno-asscociated Virus in Lipid Metabolism Research and Lipid-lowering Gene Therapy
Zi-Yang YAN ; Qian-Ru WANG ; Xiao-Fei HUANG ; Chun-Yu CAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2073-2081
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, usually result from atherosclerosis, has the highest mortality rate globally. Lipid metabolism disorder is the main cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which not only lead to acute diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, acute pancreatitis, but also chronic kidney disease. In recent years, the advancement of gene therapy technologies has provided novel means for lipid metabolism study, and has also made it possible to cure patients with congenital lipid metabolism abnormalities. Adeno-associatd virus has a wide host range, high safety, low immunogenicity, and especially the ability of long-term stable expression in vivo, making it the preferred delivery tool for gene therapy of monogenic genetic diseases. Alipogene triprivec, also known as Glybera, was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2012. It is the first gene therapy drug that uses recombinant AAV1 vector to directly deliver a highly active LPL protein S447X mutant to muscle cells for the treatment of patients with hereditary LPL deficiency. To enhance the targeted transduction efficiency of AAV carriers, recombinantAAV8.TBG.hLDLR utilizes the tissue tropsim of AAV8 to liver, meanwhile utilizes a liver specific thyroxine binding globulin promoter to control gene transcription, thereby achieving liver cell specific high expressionof human low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR). In patients with familial hypercholesterolemia,AAV8.TBG.hLDLR treatment effectively lower the level of plasma LDL for a long time, thus preventing the occurrence of atherosclerosis.Proprotein convert subunit kexin 9 (PCSK9) is secreted by liver cells. PCSK9 binds and transports LDLR to lysosomes for degradation, preventing the circulation and regeneration of LDLR, leading to accelerated degradation of LDLR and finally resulting in the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma. Using AAV to deliver Cas9 of Staphylococcus aureus and gRNA targeting the Pcsk9 gene can knock out Pcsk9 in mouse liver, leading to a long-term significant decrease in plasma cholesterol levels in mice. Hepatocyte specific angiopoietin related protein 3 (Angptl3) is an endogenous inhibitor of LPL. Using the AAV9 mediated AncBE4max system and the dCas9 mediated single base gene editing system to introduce early termination codons, the knockout of Angptal3 in liver cells was achieved with an average knockout efficiency of 63.3%. After 2-4 weeks of administration in mice, the Angptl3 protein was completely undetectable in the peripheral blood, and serum triglycerides and total cholesterol decreased by 58% and 61%, respectively. Ring finger containing protein 130 (RNF130) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Research has shown that overexpression of RNF130 using AAV2/8 leads to ubiquitination degradation and redistribution of LDLR on the cell membrane, significantly reducing LDLR expression on liver cells and increasing plasma LDLC levels, while knocking out Rnf130 gene using the AAV-CRISPR system results in the opposite effect. This AAV mediated RNF130 function study proves that RNF130 is a posttranslational regulatory protein of LDLR and plays an important role in the regulation of serum LDLC. As mentioned above, recently, various lipid-lowering gene therapy drugs carried by different serotypes of adeno-associated virus have been applied in clinic or are undergoing clinical trials, and adeno-associated virus has emerging to be an important tool for lipid metabolism research.This article reviews the new progress of adeno-associated virus vectors in lipid metabolism study and lipid-lowering gene therapy.
5.Tumor Therapy: Targeted Substances Metabolism Reprogramming Induces Tumor Ferroptosis
Jin-Ping ZHANG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Mo WANG ; Xin-Yue WANG ; Xiao-Qin MOU ; Xi ZHENG ; Chuang CHENG ; Jing HE ; Li-Li ZOU ; Xiao-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1540-1550
There are huge differences between tumor cells and normal cells in material metabolism, and tumor cells mainly show increased anabolism, decreased catabolism, and imbalance in substance metabolism. These differences provide the necessary material basis for the growth and reproduction of tumor cells, and also provide important targets for the treatment of tumors. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by an imbalance of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and lipid membrane antioxidant systems in cells, resulting in excessive accumulation of lipid peroxide, causing damage to lipid membrane structure and loss of function, and ultimately cell death. The regulation of ferroptosis involves a variety of metabolic pathways, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and iron metabolism. In order for tumor cells to grow rapidly, their metabolic needs are more vigorous than those of normal cells. Tumor cells are metabolically reprogrammed to meet their rapidly proliferating material and energy needs. Metabolic reprogramming is mainly manifested in glycolysis and enhancement of pentose phosphate pathway, enhanced glutamine metabolism, increased nucleic acid synthesis, and iron metabolism tends to retain more intracellular iron. Metabolic reprogramming is accompanied by the production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of the antioxidant system. The state of high oxidative stress makes tumor cells more susceptible to redox imbalances, causing intracellular lipid peroxidation, which ultimately leads to ferroptosis. Therefore, in-depth study of the molecular mechanism and metabolic basis of ferroptosis is conducive to the development of new therapies to induce ferroptosis in cancer treatment. Ferroptosis, as a regulated form of cell death, can induce ferroptosis in tumor cells by pharmacologically or genetically targeting the metabolism of substances in tumor cells, which has great potential value in tumor treatment. This article summarizes the effects of cellular metabolism on ferroptosis in order to find new targets for tumor treatment and provide new ideas for clinical treatment.
6.The Effect of Mitochondrial Damage in Chondrocytes on Osteoarthritis
Zhen-Wei LI ; Jing-Yu HOU ; Yu-Ze LIN ; Zhi-Qi ZHANG ; Shang-Yi LIU ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Kang-Quan SHOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1576-1588
The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) is related to a variety of factors such as mechanical overload, metabolic dysfunction, aging, etc., and is a group of total joint diseases characterized by intra-articular chondrocyte apoptosis, cartilage fibrillations, synovial inflammation, and osteophyte formation. At present, the treatment methods for osteoarthritis include glucosamine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, etc., which are difficult to take effect in a short period of time and require long-term treatment, so the patients struggle to adhere to doctor’s advice. Some methods can only provide temporary relief without chondrocyte protection, and some even increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal disease. In the advanced stages of OA, patients often have to undergo joint replacement surgery due to pain and joint dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the development of OA. It is possible to improve mitochondrial biogenesis, quality control, autophagy balance, and oxidative stress levels, thereby exerting a protective effect on chondrocytes in OA. Therefore, compared to traditional treatments, improving mitochondrial function may be a potential treatment for OA. Here, we collected relevant literature on mitochondrial research in OA in recent years, summarized the potential pathogenic factors that affect the development of OA through mitochondrial pathways, and elaborated on relevant treatment methods, in order to provide new diagnostic and therapeutic ideas for the research field of osteoarthritis.
7.Functional and oncologic outcomes of partial nephrectomy for cystic renal cell carci-noma:A single-center retrospective study
Fan SHU ; Yichang HAO ; Zhanyi ZHANG ; Shaohui DENG ; Hongxian ZHANG ; Lei LIU ; Guoliang WANG ; Xiao-Jun TIAN ; Lei ZHAO ; Lulin MA ; Shudong ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(4):667-672
Objective:To investigate the postoperative renal function and oncologic outcomes of cystic renal cell carcinoma with partial nephrectomy,and to compared the single-center data on surgical out-comes with the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)database.Methods:This was a retrospective study that included the patients with cystic renal cell carcinoma who underwent partial ne-phrectomy in the Department of Urology,Peking University Third Hospital(PUTH)from 2010 to 2023.The clinical data and depicting baseline characteristics were collected.Renal dynamic imaging and the Chinese Coefficients for Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration(C-CKD-EPI)formulae were used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR).The renal function curves over time were then plotted,and the patients were followed-up to record their survival status.Cases of cystic renal cell carcinoma in the SEER database between 2000 and 2020 were included,propensity score matching(PSM)was performed to balance the differences between SEER cohort and PUTH cohort,and the cancer-specific survival(CSS)curves for both groups were plotted and statistical differences were calcu-lated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:A total of 38 and 385 patients were included in the PUTH cohort and SEER cohort,respectively,and 31 and 72 patients were screened in each cohort after PSM.Of the baseline characteristics,only tumor size(P=0.042)was found to differ statistically between the two groups.There was no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts in terms of CSS after PSM(P=0.556).The median follow-up time in the SEER cohort was 112.5(65,152)months and a 10-year survival rate of 97.2%,while the PUTH cohort had a median follow-up of 57.0(20,1 172)months and a 10-year survival rate of 100.0%.There was no statistically significant difference between eGFR determined by preoperative renal dynamic imaging and the results of the C-CKD-EPI formulae based on creatinine estimation(P=0.073).There was a statistically significant difference in eGFR among the preoperative,short-term postoperative,and long-term postoperative(P<0.001),which was characterized by the presence of a decline in renal function in the short-term postoperative period and the recovery of renal function in the long-term period.Conclusion:Partial nephrectomy for cystic renal cell carcinoma is safe and feasible with favorable renal function and oncologic outcomes.
8.Homocysteine levels are associated with diabetes mellitus in Chinese with H-type hypertension
Dejian FU ; Wanbao GONG ; Xiaomin BAO ; Bo YANG ; Feng WANG ; Yubing QIAO ; Yuanjiang WU ; Guangzhen CHEN ; Weixun SUN ; Qiongzhi XIAO ; Wenbo ZOU ; Ning FANG
Nutrition Research and Practice 2024;18(4):511-522
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:
The study examined the association between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus in patients with H-type hypertension and assessed the possible effect modifiers.
SUBJECTS/METHODS:
This cross-sectional study included 1,255 eligible participants in the ‘H-type Hypertension Management and Stroke Prevention Strategic International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Project’ among rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between homocysteine and diabetes mellitus.
RESULTS:
The mean level of total homocysteine (tHcy) in the diabetes mellitus population was 19.37 μmol/L, which was significantly higher than the non-diabetic patients (18.18 μmol/L). When tHcy was analyzed as a continuous variable, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35; per interquartile range). When tHcy was stratified according to the quintile, the ORs for diabetes were 2.86 (95% CI, 1.22–6.69) in the highest quintile (tHcy ≥ 20.60 μmol/L) compared to the reference group (tHcy < 12.04 μmol/L). When tHcy was grouped by 15 μmol/L and 20 μmol/L, patients with tHcy ≥ 20 μmol/L had a significantly (P = 0.037) higher risk of diabetes (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.04–3.96) than in those with tHcy < 15 μmol/L. Subgroup analysis showed that the tHcy-diabetes association was unaffected by other variables.
CONCLUSION
In this study of rural Chinese people with H-type hypertension, the tHcy levels showed a positive association with diabetes mellitus. This independent association is unaffected by other potential risk factors.
10.Research Progress of High-intensity Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.
Lei-Juan CHI ; Hong-Jun LIU ; Chao-Jun YANG ; Xiao-Juan MIN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2023;45(1):149-154
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS),with increasing mortality year by year,has become a major public health problem in China.Exercise rehabilitation as an important part of the out-of-hospital rehabilitation for the patients with heart diseases can further reduce the mortality of patients on the basis of drug treatment.The available studies have proved that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective and efficient than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) such as walking and jogging on chronic cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure,stable coronary heart disease,and hypertension and has high security.According to the latest research,HIIT can reduce the platelet response,mitigate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury,and increase the exercise compliance of ACS patients more significantly than MICT.Moreover,it does not increase the risk of thrombotic adverse events or malignant arrhythmia.Therefore,HIIT is expected to become an important part of exercise prescription in out-of-hospital cardiac rehabilitation strategy for the patients with ACS.
Humans
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Cardiac Rehabilitation
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High-Intensity Interval Training
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Acute Coronary Syndrome
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Heart Failure
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Blood Platelets


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