1.Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 signaling to improve bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis
Haihui HAN ; Lei RAN ; Xiaohui MENG ; Pengfei XIN ; Zheng XIANG ; Yanqin BIAN ; Qi SHI ; Lianbo XIAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1905-1912
BACKGROUND:Although researchers have noted that fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 shows great potential in rheumatoid arthritis bone destruction,there is a lack of reviews related to the potential mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in rheumatoid arthritis bone destruction. OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively analyze the mechanism of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis by reviewing the relevant literature at both home and abroad. METHODS:We searched the CNKI database using the Chinese search terms"fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,rheumatoid arthritis,bone destruction,bone cells,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,chondrocytes,macrophages,synovial fibroblasts,T cells,vascular endothelial cells."PubMed database was searched using the English search terms"fibroblast growth factor receptor 1,rheumatoid arthritis,bone destruction,osteocytes,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,chondrocytes,macrophages,synovial fibroblasts,T cells,endothelial cells."The search period focused on April 1992 to January 2024.After screening the literature by reading titles,abstracts,and full texts,a total of 82 articles were finally included for review according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 was found to be widely expressed in bone tissue-associated cells,including osteoblasts,osteoclasts,and osteoclasts.Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 affects bone remodeling and homeostasis by regulating the function of these cells,as well as promoting the onset and progression of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 is involved in the inflammatory response of synovial fibroblasts and macrophages and regulates angiogenesis of endothelial cells in synovial tissues.Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 promotes bone destruction in several ways.Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 may be a potential causative agent of bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis and provides a reference for further research on its therapeutic targets.
2.N-glycosylation Modifications of Immunoglobulins G in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Yao-Zhou LIU ; Zheng BIAN ; Chun-Cui HUANG ; Yan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2205-2216
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, primarily characterized by systemic inflammation and hyperactivation of both B and T lymphocytes. Key immunological features include increased consumption of complement components, sustained overproduction of type I interferons (IFN-I), and persistent production of a broad spectrum of autoantibodies, such as anti-dsDNA antibodies. However, the use of autoantibodies as biomarkers for the early detection of SLE is associated with a high false-positive rate, suggesting that antibody characteristics evolve during disease progression.N-glycosylation is a critical post-translational modification of antibodies that significantly influences their structure and receptor-binding properties, thereby modulating biological activities and functions. In particular, glycosylation patterns affect the antibody’s affinity for Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs), subsequently regulating various antibody-mediated immune responses. Numerous studies have investigated the impact of individual monosaccharides—such as sialic acid, fucose, and N-acetylglucosamine, which constitute N-glycans—on the immunological functions of antibodies. This review systematically summarizes the aberrant immunoglobulin G (IgG) N-glycosylation patterns observed in SLE patients, with a focus on correlations between disease progression or complications and quantitative alterations in individual glycan components. We first review how different types of N-glycosylation modifications affect the biological activity and functional properties of IgG, particularly regarding the effects of specific monosaccharides—such as sialic acid, fucose, and galactose—on FcγR binding affinity and the resulting downstream immune functions. We then summarize the differential expression of IgGN-glycans and glycosyltransferase genes between SLE patients and healthy controls, and outline the associations between glycosylation changes and SLE-related pathological responses. In response to the inconsistencies and limitations in current research, we propose potential explanations from the perspectives of study methodologies, participant characteristics, and variations in N-glycan structures, aiming to provide a constructive reference for future studies. Given the close relationship between antibody glycosylation and SLE, this review highlights the potential of IgG N-glycosylation patterns as promising biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring. In terms of therapy, we discuss how IgG glycosylation can enhance the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment and introduce emerging therapeutic strategies that aim to modulate endogenous IgG N-glycans as a novel glycan-based approach for SLE management. In summary, N-glycans are essential structural components of antibodies that regulate immune responses by modulating antibody-receptor interactions. Aberrant glycosylation is closely associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including SLE. However, due to the structural diversity of N-glycans and the complexity of glycosylation processes, the precise roles of IgGN-glycosylation in SLE pathophysiology remain incompletely understood. Moreover, therapeutic strategies targeting IgG glycosylation are still in early development and have not yet reached clinical application. Continued progress in glycan analysis technologies and other biological tools, along with interdisciplinary collaboration, will be essential for advancing this field.
3.Mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu Prescription in Alleviating Renal Fibrosis in 5/6 Nephrectomy Rats Based on AMPK/mTOR Pathway
Wanqing WANG ; Yashi WANG ; Hui GAO ; Linlin ZHENG ; Dong BIAN ; Cun FENG ; Xiaona WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):90-97
ObjectiveBased on the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, this study aimed to observe the effect of the Huazhuo Jiedu prescription on renal fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomy rats and explore its underlying mechanism. MethodsA total of 67 SPF-grade male SD rats were used, of which 11 were randomly selected as the normal group. A chronic renal failure (CRF) model was established using 5/6 nephrectomy. The successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned to the model group, losartan potassium group (4.5 mg·kg-1), and low- (1.175 g·kg-1), medium- (2.35 g·kg-1) and high-dose (4.7 g·kg-1) Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups, with 9 rats per group. Each group received an equivalent volume of saline or the corresponding concentration of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription by gavage once daily for 8 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining were used to observe renal tissue pathological changes. Transmission electron microscopy examined renal ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) detected expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Western blot analyzed expression levels of microtubule-associated protein Ⅰ light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ), Beclin1, p62, AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), mTOR, and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited glomerular shrinkage, mesangial and interstitial thickening, and tubular vacuolar degeneration, with no evident autophagosomes or autophagolysosome structures. Expression levels of α-SMA and TGF-β1 were significantly increased (P0.01), while p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3Ⅱ were significantly decreased (P0.01), and p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 were significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the medium- and high-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups and the losartan potassium group showed varying degrees of pathological improvement. Autophagosomes with double- or multiple-layer membranes and autophagolysosomes with monolayer membranes containing undegraded organelles were observed. Renal α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein expression levels were markedly reduced (P0.05, P0.01), p-mTOR/mTOR and p62 were significantly decreased (P0.05, P0.01), and p-AMPK/AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3Ⅱ expression levels were significantly increased (P0.05, P0.01). ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription may improve renal fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomy rats by regulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and enhancing autophagy.
4.Ameliorative effect and mechanism of curcumin on diabetes model rats with depression
Hongyan ZHANG ; Yuping ZHANG ; Yanjiao ZHANG ; Jingjing ZHENG ; Rui BIAN ; Wenhui LI ; Weidong REN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(8):942-947
OBJECTIVE To study the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of curcumin on diabetes model rats with depression based on cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway. METHODS The diabetes model rat with depression was established by high fat and high sugar diet+intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin+chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, positive control group (0.18 g/kg metformin and 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine, gavage), curcumin low-dose and high-dose groups (30, 60 mg/kg, gavage) and curcumin high-dose+CREB inhibitor group [60 mg/kg curcumin (gavage)+5 mg/kg CREB inhibitor 666-15 (intraperitoneal injection)], with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 healthy rats were selected as the normal group. Each group was given a corresponding intervention for 4 weeks, the fasting blood glucose level of rats was detected, and the depression of rats was assessed. The levels of corticosterone (CORT) and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin- 1β (IL-1β), IL-6] in serum, and the levels of norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in hippocampal tissue were determined. The pathological changes and neuronal apoptosis were observed in the hippocampal tissue of rats in each group; the expression levels of CREB, BDNF mRNA and protein in hippocampal tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal group, the hippocampal tissue of rats in the model group was severely damaged, and neurons were scattered, while the fasting blood glucose, the forced swimming immobility time, the tail suspension immobility time, serum levels of CORT, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and neuron apoptosis indexes were all increased or prolonged significantly (P<0.05). The levels of NE and 5-HT, the number of surviving neurons, and the expression levels of CREB and BDNF mRNA and protein in hippocampal tissue were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the 的model group, the damage to hippocampal tissue was relieved in the positive control group and curcumin groups, while the above indexes were improved significantly (P<0.05). The improvement effect of curcumin high-dose group was better than that of curcumin low-dose group (P<0.05). CREB inhibitor could significantly reverse the ameliorative effect of high-dose curcumin on the model rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can improve the depression of diabetes model rats with depression, and relieve neuronal damage and inflammatory response, the mechanism of which may be associated with activating CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.
5.Mechanism and strategies of hypoxia-inducible factor-mediated resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in hepato-cellular carcinoma
Xiaoying GE ; Dan ZHENG ; Xue JIANG ; Leilei BAO ; Jun BIAN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(10):1280-1284
The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has been an important advance in the systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, but their sustained anti-angiogenic therapy leads to increased tumor hypoxia, accelerates the development of a hypoxic microenvironment and promotes the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), thereby inducing drug resistance of tumor patients to TKI. This paper summarizes the mechanism of action of HIF mediating TKI resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma in aspects of metabolic reprogramming, abnormal expressions of cancer and cancer-associated genes, and ferroptosis, and sorts resistance response strategies to provide reference for clinical solutions to TKI resistance issues. As results show, HIF/ glycolysis axis inhibitors (isoflavonoid genistein, simvastatin, etc.) can improve TKI resistance based on metabolic reprogramming mechanism; oncogene-targeted inhibitors combined with TKI (the combination of capsaicin and sorafenib) can improve TKI resistance based on abnormal expression of cancer and cancer-related genes; fatty acid synthase inhibitor (orlistat) can improve TKI resistance based on ferroptosis mechanism.
6.Relationship between hand and wrist bone age assessment method and application to male children
Zhen BIAN ; Yuan GUO ; Xuemin LYU ; Naijun WAN ; Qianqian WANG ; Zheng YANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(12):1136-1142
Objective:To explore the interrelationship among three simplified hand and wrist bone age assessment methods and to establish corresponding bone ages for each substage in male children.Methods:This retrospective case series study included 169 left hand and wrist X-rays from 152 male children who underwent bone age assessments at the Pediatric Orthopedics and Pediatrics Departments,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,Capital Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023. The age at the time of X-ray was (13.7±2.0) years (range:9.1 to 17.9 years). Reasons for bone age assessment included evaluating the progress of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in 36 cases, predicting limb length discrepancies in 28 cases, and predicting the height of healthy adolescents in 88 cases. Bone age was first graded using the Chinese hand-wrist bone age assessment method. Three simplified hand and wrist bone age assessment methods were then applied:Sanders simplified skeletal maturity staging system(Sanders stage), the distal radius and ulna classification (DRU), and e thumb ossification composite index (TOCI). Somers′delta correlation test was used to analyze the relationship among the results of the three simplified methods. The bone age and standard deviation for each sub-stage were calculated, and gender differences in bone age for the same sub-stage were compared with previous study.Results:The DRU, TOCI and Sanders stages showed a strong correlation when assessing bone age in male children, with Somers′delta correlation coefficients ranging from 0.881 to 0.876 (all P<0.01). The sub-stages with the smallest standard deviations (shorter duration) in each of the three classifications can serve as a quick reference for determining precise bone age, included proximal thumb epiphysis covered, without sesamoid (12.0 years);proximal thumb epiphysis covered with sesamoid or distal radial covered (13.0 years), early capping of the thumb epiphysis, radial epiphysis medial side capping(13.5 years), all phalangeal epiphyses capping (14.0 years), distal phalangeal physes beginning to close (14.5 years), all distal phalangeal physes closed (15.0 years), middle or proximal phalangeal physes beginning to close (15.5 years), all digital epiphyses closed (16.5 years), and nearly complete distal radius fusion with a notch (17.5 years). On average, the bone ages of males were 2 years behind those of females in the same substage. Conclusions:The DRU, TOCI, and Sanders stages can be applied to male children, and it is showed good correlation between them. The subtypes with shorter duration can be used as a quick assessment method to determine the bone age.
7.Sialyltransferase ST3GAL6 silencing reduces α2,3-sialylated glycans to regulate autophagy by decreasing HSPB8-BAG3 in the brain with hepatic encephalopathy
LI XIAOCHENG ; XIAO YAQING ; LI PENGFEI ; ZHU YAYUN ; GUO YONGHONG ; BIAN HUIJIE ; LI ZHENG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2024;25(6):485-498,中插1-中插2
End-stage liver diseases,such as cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by hepatitis B,are often combined with hepatic encephalopathy(HE);ammonia poisoning is posited as one of its main pathogenesis mechanisms.Ammonia is closely related to autophagy,but the molecular mechanism of ammonia's regulatory effect on autophagy in HE remains unclear.Sialylation is an essential form of glycosylation.In the nervous system,abnormal sialylation affects various physiological processes,such as neural development and synapse formation.ST3 β-galactoside α2,3-sialyltransferase 6(ST3GAL6)is one of the significant glycosyltransferases responsible for adding α2,3-linked sialic acid to substrates and generating glycan structures.We found that the expression of ST3GAL6 was upregulated in the brains of mice with HE and in astrocytes after ammonia induction,and the expression levels of α2,3-sialylated glycans and autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)and Beclin-1 were upregulated in ammonia-induced astrocytes.These findings suggest that ST3GAL6 is related to autophagy in HE.Therefore,we aimed to determine the regulatory relationship between ST3GAL6 and autophagy.We found that silencing ST3GAL6 and blocking or degrading α2,3-sialylated glycans by way of Maackia amurensis lectin-Ⅱ(MAL-Ⅱ)and neuraminidase can inhibit autophagy.In addition,silencing the expression of ST3GAL6 can downregulate the expression of heat shock protein β8(HSPB8)and Bcl2-associated athanogene 3(BAG3).Notably,the overexpression of HSPB8 partially restored the reduced autophagy levels caused by silencing ST3GAL6 expression.Our results indicate that ST3GAL6 regulates autophagy through the HSPB8-BAG3 complex.
8.Research Advances of Anticoagulation on Venous thromboembolism Associated with Gastric Cancer
Xingyue ZHENG ; Lian LI ; Liuyun WU ; Qinan YIN ; Lizhu HAN ; Yang LEI ; Yuan BIAN
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(2):228-233
Patients with gastric cancer are at high risk for venous thromboembolism(VTE)and bleeding,and patients who develop VTE are often associated with poor outcomes,making it clinically challenging to identify and manage the risk of thrombosis in patients with gastric cancer.Risk factors for VTE in gastric cancer patients include age,obesity,surgery,chemotherapy,etc.It is essential to identify high-risk patients and adopt aggressive prevention strategies.The main strategy to prevent and treat VTE is the use of anticoagulant drugs.This article discusses guidelines and recent studies for the prevention and treatment of VTE in patients with gastric cancer to help clinicians make individualized decisions for their patients and maximize clinical outcomes for their patients.
9.Research Advances on Prophylactic Anticoagulant Therapy for Primary Membranous Nephropathy
Lian LI ; Xingyue ZHENG ; Liuyun WU ; Qinan YIN ; Lizhu HAN ; Yang LEI ; Yuan BIAN
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(3):418-423
Patients with primary membranous nephropathy(PMN)tend to develop thrombosis,especially in the early phase of the disease.The pathogenesis of thrombosis is multifactorial,with hypoalbuminemia being widely regarded as an inde-pendent risk factor.Other factors include proteinuria,M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody,and D-dimer.Although prophy-lactic anticoagulation therapy is frequently used in clinical practice to prevent thrombosis in PMN patients,there are still many un-resolved issues regarding the optimal prevention of thrombosis in this condition.The timing of prophylactic anticoagulation,the threshold of serum albumin level,and the choice of treatment regimen are still lacking consensus.This article reviewed the relevant literature on these topics,aiming to establish a standard for thrombosis prevention and treatment for this population in the future and provide guidance for clinical practice.
10.Correlation analysis of miR-4500,NGF expressions with preoperative magnetic resonance signs in breast cancer
Fan YANG ; Jing CHEN ; Bin ZHENG ; Jiao-Jiao LI ; Li ZHANG ; Gui-Feng BIAN ; Ya-Jing BIAN ; Xiao-Yan LANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(1):47-50
Objective To analyze the correlations of the expressions of miR-4500 and nerve growth factor(NGF)in breast cancer patients with preoperative magnetic resonance(MR)signs.Methods A total of 105 patients with breast cancer admitted to our hospital were selected,the mRNA expression levels of miR-4500 and NGF in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of patients were detected by qRT-PCR,and the positive expression rates of NGF in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry method.The correlations of the expressions of miR-4500 and NGF in breast cancer tissues with clinicopathological features and MR signs of patients were analyzed.The targeting relationship between miR-4500 and NGF was predicted by the bioinformatics website,and the correla-tion between the expressions of the two was analyzed.Results Compared with the adjacent tissues,the expression level of miR-4500 in breast cancer tissue decreased(P<0.05),while the level of NGF mRNA and the positive expression rate of NGF increased(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in age,pathological type,tumor classification,parenchymal background,apparent diffusion coefficient or enhancement curve among different expressions of miR-4500 and NGF(P>0.05).The histological grade,lymph node metastasis,tumor diameter,tumor morphology,ring-like enhancement,and peritu-moral brain edema were related to the expressions of miR-4500 and NGF(P<0.05).The bioinformatics website prediction showed that miR-4500 and NGF had binding sites,and the expressions of miR-4500 and NGF mRNA in breast cancer tissues were negatively correlated(r=-0.576,P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of miR-4500 in breast cancer tissue is low,and the expression of NGF is high,which are correlated with the preoperative MR signs in patients,providing a molecu-lar basis for MR signs.

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