1.Chemical constituents from the stems of Fritillaria unibracteata
Min LI ; Yahui MI ; Haimin KUAI ; Xiaolong HU ; Hao WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):160-165
Chemical investigation of the stems of Fritillaria unibracteata P.K. Hsiao & K.C. Hsia resulted in the isolation of nine compounds, by means of silica gel column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Based on spectroscopic and chemical evidence, these compounds were identified as: 27-hydroxychlorogenone (1), sieboldogenin (2), (3β, 25S)-spirost-5-ene-3,17,27-triol (3), laxogenin (4), tigogenone (5), cerevisterol (6), ergosterol peroxide (7), stigmaterol (8), and β-sitosterol (9). Compound 1 was a new compound, and compounds 2-9 were isolated from the stems of Fritillaria unibracteata for the first time. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1−9 on A549 cells were determined using the MTT method. The results show that compound 6 exhibits moderate inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of (14.16 ± 1.11) μmol/L.
2.Comparative efficacy of botulinum toxin injection versus extraocular muscle surgery in acute acquired comitant esotropia
Tianyi LIU ; Yue ZHOU ; Pengzhou KUAI ; Yangchen GUO ; Xiaobo HUANG ; Yong WANG ; Xin CAO
International Eye Science 2025;25(11):1721-1727
AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin A(BTXA)injection versus strabismus surgery in the treatment of acute acquired comitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS:Patient records of AACE cases treated at First People's Hospital of Nantong from January 2019 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients were categorized into either strabismus surgery or BTXA injection groups based on treatment modality. Further stratification was performed according to preoperative deviation angles [>35 prism diopters(PD)vs ≤35 PD] and age(≥18 years adult group vs <18 years adolescent group). The baseline patient characteristics were collected, deviation angles at multiple timepoints before and after treatment were measured, and stereopsis test results were documented. Through comparative analysis of therapeutic outcomes across subgroups, we systematically evaluated the efficacy of different treatment approaches.RESULTS:A total of 43 AACE patients were included. At the final follow-up, both the surgery and BTXA injection groups showed a statistically significant decrease in deviation angle compared to pretreatment measurements(P<0.001). Significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of the cure rate of strabismus and the recovery rate of stereopsis(P<0.05). For patients with deviations >35 PD, surgery yielded significantly better outcomes than injection therapy in postoperative angle, success rate, and stereopsis recovery(P<0.05). Similarly, in patients aged ≥18 years, surgical treatment was superior to injections in reducing strabismus angle, improving success rates, and restoring stereopsis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Both BTXA injection and strabismus surgery demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in AACE. Surgical treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to BTXA injection therapy, particularly in patients with deviations >35 PD and those aged ≥18 years. For patients with angles ≤35 PD or under 18 years, BTXA injection remains a viable treatment option.
3.GRK2 inhibits Flt-1+ macrophage infiltration and its proangiogenic properties in rheumatoid arthritis.
Xuezhi YANG ; Yingjie ZHAO ; Qi WEI ; Xuemin ZHU ; Luping WANG ; Wankang ZHANG ; Xiaoyi LIU ; Jiajie KUAI ; Fengling WANG ; Wei WEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):241-255
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with a complex etiology. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) infiltration are associated with RA severity. We have reported the deletion of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) reprograms macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype by recovering G-protein-coupled receptor signaling. However, as more GRK2-interacting proteins were discovered, the GRK2 interactome mechanisms in RA have been understudied. Thus, in the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model, we performed genetic GRK2 deletion using GRK2f/fLyz2-Cre+/- mice. Synovial inflammation and M1 polarization were improved in GRK2f/fLyz2-Cre+/- mice. Supporting experiments with RNA-seq and dual-luciferase reporter assays identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) as a new GRK2-interacting protein. We further confirmed that fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1), which promoted macrophage migration to induce angiogenesis, was inhibited by GRK2-PPARγ signaling. Mechanistically, excess GRK2 membrane recruitment in CIA MDMs reduced the activation of PPARγ ligand-binding domain and enhanced Flt-1 transcription. Furthermore, the treatment of mice with GRK2 activity inhibitor resulted in significantly diminished CIA pathology, Flt-1+ macrophages induced-synovial inflammation, and angiogenesis. Altogether, we anticipate to facilitate the elucidation of previously unappreciated details of GRK2-specific intracellular signaling. Targeting GRK2 activity is a viable strategy to inhibit MDMs infiltration, affording a distinct way to control joint inflammation and angiogenesis of RA.
4.Significance and successful construction of stable transfection of MH7A cells with lower TRAF2 expression using lentiviral vector
Luying CHEN ; Liping JIANG ; Weikang WANG ; Shujun ZUO ; Jiajie KUAI ; Yang MA ; Chenchen HAN ; Wei WEI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(2):193-199
Objective To construct a stable synovial cell line MH7A from rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients using lentiviral vectors that interfere with the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2(TRAF2),and to study the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signaling in MH7A abnormal proliferation.Methods Based on the design principles of human TRAF2 gene sequence and shRNA sequence,three pairs of TRAF2 shRNA interference se-quences were designed and synthesized.The primers were annealed by PCR,and a linear vector was obtained by double enzyme digestion PLKO.1-puro.The linearized vector was connected to the annealed primers through Solu-tion I,and the connected products were introduced into receptive cells.The plates were coated,and positive colo-nies were selected for sequencing.Three different recombinant plasmids of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus were constructed,and lentivirus packaging plasmids was used to package logarithmic growth phase HEK 293T cells.Vi-rus solution was collected to infect MH7A cells.At the same time,puromycin was used to screen MH7A stable transgenic strains with low TRAF2 expression.CCK-8 method,Western blot,and qPCR were used to detect the proliferation function of MH7A induced by TNF-α and low expression of TRAF2,as well as downstream signal TRAF2,P65 protein expression and mRNA levels.Results PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1),PLKO.1-TRAF2-shR-NA(2),and PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(3)lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were successfully constructed.The three TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were respectively introduced into the lentivirus packaging plasmid of HEK 293T to obtain virus solution.After infecting MH7A cells with the virus solution,they were treated with puromycin(2.00 μ G/mL)screening and obtaining MH7A stable transgenic plants after 2 days.Through qPCR and Western blot results,it was found that the expression of TRAF2 mRNA and protein in PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A stably transfected cells was significantly reduced compared to the negative control group.The results of CCK-8 and Western blot showed that after knocking down TRAF2 in MH7A,the proliferation of MH7A cells with low TRAF2 expression induced by TNF-α and the phosphorylation level of P65 were significantly reduced.Conclusion A sta-ble transgenic strain of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A cells was successfully constructed to investigate the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signal activation in mediating abnormal proliferation of RA synovial cells.
5.Research progress on localization method of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Yu-Qi WANG ; Guo-Hu KUAI ; Wei JIANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(2):183-186
Since 1947,the treatment of Parkinson's disease(PD)has ushered in the era of minimally invasive surgery,and deep brain stimulation(DBS)has been gradually recognized and applied for the treatment of advanced PD.With the continuous improvement and progress of science and technology,clinicians have higher and higher requirements on the accuracy of DBS nuclei positioning.The localization methods of DBS nuclei mainly include anatomical and physiological aspects,corresponding to imaging localization methods and microelectrode signal localization methods respectively.In recent 80 years,the accuracy of DBS has been continuously improved,and it has become an effective method for the treatment of advanced PD.This paper summarizes the development of DBS positioning and the principle of positioning operation.
6.Inhibition of Gpx4-mediated ferroptosis by curcumin attenuates acute lung injury in rats with sepsis
Lei WANG ; Xin KUAI ; Qingsong LI ; Yongning LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(10):2116-2120
Objective:To investigate the involvement of ferroptosis mediated by glutathione peroxidase 4(Gpx4)in acute lung injury in rats with sepsis,as well as the intervention mechanism of curcumin(Cur).Methods:Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups,with 8 rats in each group:Sham group,Sepsis group and Cur group.The rat model of acute lung injury in sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).The Sham group only underwent laparotomy and closure.Both Sepsis group and Cur group underwent CLP,Cur group was injected with curcumin(200 mg/kg)intraperitoneally 1 hour after modeling,and the administra-tion was repeated 24 hours later.The lung tissues of the rats were sampled 48 hours after surgery,and the wet/dry weight of lung tissue ratio(W/D)of lung tissues in each group was measured.Morphological changes of lung tissues were observed by HE staining.The con-tents of GSH,MDA,and Fe2+and the levels of inflammatory factors including TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β in the lung tissues were mea-sured using test kits.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and the key regulatory protein of ferroptosis Gpx4.Apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells was detected by TUNEL method.Ultrastructural changes of alveolar epithelial cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results:Compared with the Sham group,lung tissues in the Sepsis group showed an increased W/D(P<0.05),significantly higher levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β and contents of MDA and Fe2+(P<0.05),decreased content of GSH,up-regulated expression of Nrf2,and down-regulated expression of Gpx4(P<0.05),the type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells were seen to be edematous,congested,and infiltrated with inflammatory cells via light microscopy,and ferroptosis signs such as mitochondrial crinkling,thickened bilayer membrane density,and reduced or broken cristae were seen via transmission electron microscopy.Compared with Sepsis group,lung tissues in the Cur group showed decreased W/D(P<0.05),lower levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β,lower contents of MDA and Fe2+,increased content of GSH,down-regulated expression of Nrf2,and up-regulated expression of Gpx4(P<0.05),the pathological changes of lung tissues were significantly reduced.Conclusion:Curcumin reduces sepsis-induced acute lung injury in rats,and the mechanism is related to inhibiting inflamma-tory response and GPX4-mediated ferroptosis.
7.Curcumin attenuates cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the inflammatory response and GPX4-mediated ferroptosis
Xin KUAI ; Lifeng WANG ; Yongning LI ; Qingsong LI
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2023;32(9):1200-1205
Objective:Based on the regulatory effect of curcumin (Cur) on inflammation and iron death, to explore the mechanism of Cur protecting against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).Methods:A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by the modified suture-occluded method. The modeled SD rats were randomly divided into the Sham group, CIRI group and Cur group. The neurobehavioral score of rats was measured by the Longa method. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the brain tissue of rats in each group. Furthermore, the contents of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fe 2+, as well as the levels of the inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the ischemic cerebral cortex, were detected by corresponding testing kits. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a key regulatory protein of ferroptosis in the cerebral cortex. In addition, neuronal apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and ultrastructural changes in neurons in the cerebral cortex were observed under a transmission electron microscope. Results:Compared with the CIRI group, the Cur group showed decreased neurobehavioral scores, significantly reduced contents of MDA, Fe 2+, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (all P<0.05), but obviously increased content of GSH and protein expression of GPX4 (both P<0.05). Further pathological examination revealed edema, rupture and necrosis of neurons in the CIRI group, while mild edema and a small number of necrotic cells were observed in the Cur group only. The results of TUNEL staining indicated that the rate of neuronal apoptosis in the Cur group was lower than that in the CIRI group, with a statistically significant difference between groups [(23.6±3.5)% vs. (36.8±4.2)%; P<0.05]. In addition, under the transmission electron microscope, the CIRI group had a reduced volume of mitochondria, thickened double-layer membrane structure, and decreased or disappeared mitochondrial cristae, while the Cur group showed partial margination of nuclear chromatin and alleviated damage to mitochondria. Conclusions:Cur could attenuate CIRI, and its neuroprotective mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the inflammatory response and GPX4-mediated ferroptosis.
8.Eukaryotic expression,purification and activity identification of human His-GRK2 recombinant protein
Liping Jiang ; Luying Chen ; Jiajie Kuai ; Fengling Wang ; Hao Li ; Yanling Guan ; Yang Ma ; Chenchen Han ; Wei Wei
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2023;58(2):179-184
Objective:
To construct a human G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 ( GRK2) eukaryotic expression system.
Methods:
The primers were designed ,and the His-GRK2 target gene was amplified by PCR using the Pans-EGFP-GrK2 (full-length) gene as the template.The His-GRK2 target gene was connected to the pcDNA3.1EGFP eukaryotic expression vector. The pcDNA3. 1-EGFP-His-GRK2 plasmid was transfected into HEK 293T cells.48 h later,the expression of GRK2 protein was detected by Western blot,and the GRK2 protein was purified by nickel chelated magnetic bead method.The purification of GRK2 protein was detected by Coomassie bright blue staining and Western blot,and the activity of GRK2 protein was detected by His pull down.
Results :
The results of double enzyme digestion and sequencing showed that pcDNA3. 1-EGFP-His-GRK2 eukaryotic expression plasmid was successfully constructed.Western blot analysis showed that the molecular weight of GRK2 protein was about 80 ku,indicating that GRK2 protein was successfully expressed in HEK 293T cells (t = 6. 433,P = 0. 003) .GRK2 protein was purified by nickel chelated magnetic beads.His pull down experiment results showed that GRK2 was bound to prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4) ,suggesting that GRK2 protein had biological activity (t = 13. 5,P = 0. 000 2) .
Conclusion
The pcDNA3.1-EGFP-His-GRK2 eukaryotic expression plasmid was correctly sequenced and the GRK2 recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed.The GRK2 recombinant plasmid was successfully expressed in eukaryotic cells HEK 293T and the protein expressed was biologically active.
9.Leydig cell tumor of ovary with hyperandrogenism: a case report and literature review
Lina WANG ; Wenyan TIAN ; Dan KUAI ; Huiying ZHANG ; Yingmei WANG ; Menghua YUAN ; Qing HE ; Wenjing SONG ; Fengxia XUE
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2023;39(8):710-713
Ovarian Leydig cell tumor(LCT), also known as ovarian testicular stromal cell tumor, is a rare sex cord stromal tumor, accounting for about 0.1% of all ovarian tumors. LCT is often accompanied by clinical manifestations of elevated androgen, and the imaging manifestations sometimes lack specificity. The diagnosis requires histopathological examination. Surgery is the primary treatment method, and postoperative prognosis is generally favorable. This paper retrospectively analyzes the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with LCT in our hospital combining relevant literature, explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment progress of LCT, aiming to improve disease management.
10.Perfluorooctyl bromide nanoemulsions holding MnO2 nanoparticles with dual-modality imaging and glutathione depletion enhanced HIFU-eliciting tumor immunogenic cell death.
Xinping KUAI ; Yuefei ZHU ; Zheng YUAN ; Shengyu WANG ; Lin LIN ; Xiaodan YE ; Yiping LU ; Yu LUO ; Zhiqing PANG ; Daoying GENG ; Bo YIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(2):967-981
Tumor-targeted immunotherapy is a remarkable breakthrough, offering the inimitable advantage of specific tumoricidal effects with reduced immune-associated cytotoxicity. However, existing platforms suffer from low efficacy, inability to induce strong immunogenic cell death (ICD), and restrained capacity of transforming immune-deserted tumors into immune-cultivated ones. Here, an innovative platform, perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) nanoemulsions holding MnO2 nanoparticles (MBP), was developed to orchestrate cancer immunotherapy, serving as a theranostic nanoagent for MRI/CT dual-modality imaging and advanced ICD. By simultaneously depleting the GSH and eliciting the ICD effect via high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, the MBP nanomedicine can regulate the tumor immune microenvironment by inducing maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and facilitating the activation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. The synergistic GSH depletion and HIFU ablation also amplify the inhibition of tumor growth and lung metastasis. Together, these findings inaugurate a new strategy of tumor-targeted immunotherapy, realizing a novel therapeutics paradigm with great clinical significance.


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