1.Effect of Jingangwan on p38 MAPK,JNK,and IL-1 Content in Osteoporosis Model Rats
Lin-ling SHEN ; Kuan RONG ; Zi-feng YE ; Juan AN ; Hao-ming KUANG ; Jian-jun KUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(9):29-35
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Jingangwan on the expression of osteoclast, c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), and interleukin-1(IL-1) in the osteoporosis model rats, explore the mechanism of Jingangwan in the treatment of osteoporosis, and determine the optimal dosing concentration of Jingangwan. MethodFifty-six rats of SPF grade were randomized into a blank group,a sham operation group,a model group, model group,high-, medium-, and low-dose Jingangwan groups (0.72, 0.36, 0.18 g·kg-1·d-1, ig),and an estradiol valerate group (0.009 g·kg-1·d-1, ig), with eight rats in each group. The rats in the model group, the blank group, and the sham operation group received 3 mL of normal saline, respectively. Samples were collected 12 weeks after drug administration. The number of osteoclasts was observed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Serum levels of JNK, p38 MAPK, and IL-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK and JNK were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultThe TRAP staining results showed that compared with the model group, the estradiol valerate group and the Jingangwan groups could inhibit the formation of osteoclasts to different degrees. As revealed by ELISA results, compared with the model group and the sham operation group, the model group showed increased serum levels of p38 MAPK, JNK, and IL-1 (P<0.01), while compared with the model group, all the groups with drug intervention showed decreased levels of p38 MAPK, JNK, and IL-1 (P<0.01). The serum levels of JNK and IL-1 in the high-dose Jingangwan group were lower than those in the estradiol valerate group (P<0.05). Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased relative mRNA expression of p38 MAPK and JNK in the thighbone (P<0.01), while compared with the model group, all the groups with drug intervention showed decreased relative mRNA expression of p38 MAPK and JNK in the thighbone (P<0.01). ConclusionJingangwan can inhibit the formation of osteoblasts,reduce the diameter of the bone marrow cavity,improve bone quality,suppress the production of inflammatory factors,affect the metabolism of the MAPK signaling pathway,and blunt p38 MAPK and JNK activities to inhibit the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and regulate bone metabolism, thereby preventing osteoporosis. Therefore,Jingangwan may be of application value in maintaining bone health and treating osteoporosis.
2.Development of a highly-specific
Zhen CHEN ; Wakana MORI ; Jian RONG ; Michael A SCHAFROTH ; Tuo SHAO ; Richard S VAN ; Daisuke OGASAWARA ; Tomoteru YAMASAKI ; Atsuto HIRAISHI ; Akiko HATORI ; Jiahui CHEN ; Yiding ZHANG ; Kuan HU ; Masayuki FUJINAGA ; Jiyun SUN ; Qingzhen YU ; Thomas L COLLIER ; Yihan SHAO ; Benjamin F CRAVATT ; Lee JOSEPHSON ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Steven H LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(6):1686-1695
As a serine hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is principally responsible for the metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to the formation of arachidonic acid (AA). Dysfunction of MAGL has been associated with multiple CNS disorders and symptoms, including neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, epileptogenesis, nociception and neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of MAGL provides a promising therapeutic direction for the treatment of these conditions, and a MAGL positron emission tomography (PET) probe would greatly facilitate preclinical and clinical development of MAGL inhibitors. Herein, we design and synthesize a small library of fluoropyridyl-containing MAGL inhibitor candidates. Pharmacological evaluation of these candidates by activity-based protein profiling identified
3.Research progress of clinical application of posterior scleral reinforcement
International Eye Science 2021;21(5):832-835
Posterior sclera reinforcement(PSR), also known as posterior sclera strengthening or posterior sclera bandage, is a kind of operation to fix biological or non-biological materials to the posterior sclera, with the aim to strengthen sclera and improve the blood circulation of the choroid and retina by using the traction of materials or the immune inflammatory stimulation, thereby delaying the continuous extension of the axis and improving visual function. The main indications of PSR include pathologic myopia(PM)and its related complications. In addition, PSR can also help to improve blood circulation at the posterior pole of the eye in patients with retinitis pigmentosa(RP), especially in conjunction with superficial temporal artery ligation. After more than half a century's development, PSR has been currently considered as one of the few and effective methods to treat PM and RP, but as a more traumatic operation, the stability of its clinical effect varies greatly, so there is still room for improvement in surgical procedures and materials used.
4.Recent developments on PET radiotracers for TSPO and their applications in neuroimaging.
Lingling ZHANG ; Kuan HU ; Tuo SHAO ; Lu HOU ; Shaojuan ZHANG ; Weijian YE ; Lee JOSEPHSON ; Jeffrey H MEYER ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Neil VASDEV ; Jinghao WANG ; Hao XU ; Lu WANG ; Steven H LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(2):373-393
The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is predominately localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane in steroidogenic cells. Brain TSPO expression is relatively low under physiological conditions, but is upregulated in response to glial cell activation. As the primary index of neuroinflammation, TSPO is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of numerous neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In this context, numerous TSPO-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have been developed. Among them, several radioligands have advanced to clinical research studies. In this review, we will overview the recent development of TSPO PET tracers, focusing on the radioligand design, radioisotope labeling, pharmacokinetics, and PET imaging evaluation. Additionally, we will consider current limitations, as well as translational potential for future application of TSPO radiopharmaceuticals. This review aims to not only present the challenges in current TSPO PET imaging, but to also provide a new perspective on TSPO targeted PET tracer discovery efforts. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the translation of TSPO in clinical studies of neuroinflammation associated with central nervous system diseases.
5.Expression and significance of follicular helper T cells and galactose-deficient IgA1 in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
Bin WANG ; Fu-Rong SHAO-KUAN ; Chen DONG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2020;22(5):473-477
OBJECTIVE:
To study the role of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) in the pathogenesis of childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and the correlation between them.
METHODS:
A total of 36 children with newly-diagnosed HSP were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: HSP nephritis (HSPN) group with 11 children and non-HSPN group with 25 children according to the presence or absence of HSPN. Another 15 children who underwent physical examination at the outpatient service were enrolled as the healthy control group. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportion of Tfh cells (CD4CXCR5ICOS) in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-21 (IL-21) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood and the serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of serum Gd-IgA1 concentration with Tfh cells and related factors expression in the children with HSP.
RESULTS:
Both the HSPN and non-HSPN groups had significantly higher proportion of Tfh cells and expression levels of IL-21 and IL-6 in peripheral blood than the healthy control group (P<0.05). The HSPN group had significant increases in the above indices compared with the non-HSPN group (P<0.05). Both the HSPN and non-HSPN groups had significantly higher serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 than the healthy control group (P<0.05). The HSPN group had significantly higher serum levels of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 than the non-HSPN group (P<0.05). In the children with HSP, serum Gd-IgA1 level was positively correlated with Tfh cells proportion and IL-21 and IL-6 levels (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Tfh cells and related cytokines and serum Gd-IgA1 are involved in the development of HSP/HSPN. Tfh cells may mediate the increased production of Gd-IgA1.
Child
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Galactose
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Humans
;
Immunoglobulin A
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Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch
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Receptors, CXCR5
;
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
6.Research status of rhoptry protein of Toxoplasma gondii and its nucleic acid vaccine
Rong MA ; Hui SUN ; Ge YAN ; Qing-Kuan WEI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2018;30(1):94-98
At present,there are no ideal drugs and measures in the treatment and prevention of toxoplasmosis.The develop-ment of safe,convenient,and strong protective nucleic acid vaccine is an important strategy for prevention and control of toxo-plasmosis.The rhoptry protein(ROP)is a large class of proteins secreted by Toxoplasma gondii.ROPs play an important role in the invasion of host cells,the formation of parsitophorous vacuole(PV)and the regulation of proliferation by T.gondii.Thus, ROPs become the most promising candidates of vaccine.In this paper,we summarize the important members of the ROPs,the expression vector and the immunogenicity and immunoprotection of the nucleic acid vaccine in animal experiments.
7.Construction and expression of multi-gene recombinant plasmid pEG-FP-N1-HBsAg-ROP2
Rong MA ; Ting XIAO ; Jin LI ; Hui SUN ; Chao XU ; Bing-Cheng HUANG ; Kun YIN ; Gui-Hua ZHAO ; Yong CUI ; Song ZHU ; Gong-Zhen LIU ; Ge YAN ; Qing-Kuan WEI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2018;30(2):184-188
Objective To construct pEGFP-N1-HBsAg-ROP2 recombinant expression plasmid and transfect HEK293T cells for expression,and pay a way for Toxoplasma gondii nucleic acid vaccine development. Methods According to the HBsAg gene sequence and pcDNA3-p30-ROP2 recombinant plasmid restriction sites,the HBsAg gene was amplified by PCR.The HB-sAg gene was cloned into the pcDNA3-p30-ROP2 and instead of p30 gene.The HBsAg-ROP2 fragment was amplified by PCR and digested with HindⅢand KpnⅠto clone into the pEGFP-N1 eukaryotic expression vector and construct the recombinant pEGFP-N1-HBsAg-ROP2.The expression vector was transfected into HEK293T cells based on the identification of PCR amplifi-cation,restriction endonucleases and sequencing.Results The PCR product of HBsAg was about 700 bp,which was consis-tent with the theoretical value.Two bands of about 5.4 kb and 1.9 kb were obtained after double enzyme digestion with pcDNA3-HBsAg-ROP2 recombinant plasmid.The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-HBsAg-ROP2 was double-digested to generate an empty vector fragment of about 4.7 kb and a band of about 1.9 kb of HBsAg-ROP2 fragment.The results of sequencing showed that the sequence was 99.84% identical with the published sequence in GenBank.The target plasmid was successfully transfect-ed into HEK293T cells,and the expression was correct,the protein concentration was 3.08 mg/ml.Conclusion The recombi-nant plasmid pEGFP-N1-HBsAg-ROP2 is successfully constructed and expressed efficiently.
8.Evaluation of implementation effect of schistosomiasis control program in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2015
Liang SHI ; Jian-Feng ZHANG ; Yi-Xin HUANG ; De-Rong HANG ; Jie MIN ; Jun GE ; Chao-Yong XIE ; Lian-Heng ZHANG ; Lin WANG ; Yin-Ping ZUO ; Jing ZHOU ; Xuan ZHANG ; Yi-Qing XIE ; Bo-Chao SUN ; Gui-Sheng DING ; Jian-Feng CHEN ; Dao-Kuan SUN ; Wei LI ; Kun YANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2018;30(6):615-618
Objective To evaluate the actual effect of the schistosomiasis control program in Jiangsu Province from 2010 to 2015. Methods A total of 67 schistosomiasis-endemic counties in 10 cities were selected, and a combination of retrospective investigation and on-site investigation was adopted to collect and record the epidemic data of the counties from 2010 to 2015, and a retrospective survey database of epidemic situation was established. The effects of integrated control strategies with both Oncomelania hupensis snail control and infection source control were evaluated. Results From 2010 to 2015, 2 465 911 persons who lived in endemic areas were detected for schistosomiasis, with 16 974 positive cases of blood examinations, and 8 positive cases of fecal examinations. Totally 5 145 people with advanced schistosomiasis were treated and 40 460 people with the history of schistosome cercarial-infested water contact received the expanded chemotherapy. A total of 127 636 cattle raised in the endemic areas were detected, and 51 619 cattle (head-times) with the history of cercarial-infested water contact also received the expanded chemotherapy. The area with snails control by molluscicides was 18 604.84 hm2. By the end of 2015, schistosomeinfected snails had not been found and there was no zoological schistosome infection for 5 consecutive years, and in addition, there had been no acute schistosome-infected persons for 6 consecutive years in the whole province. The area with snails dropped to 1 977.18 hm2, with a decreasing rate of 55.24% compared with that in 2010. Conclusion After the implementation of the plan for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Jiangsu Province (2010–2015), the prevention and control of schistosomiasis has achieved remarkable effects and realized the goal of the plan.
9.Survey of schistosomiasis KAP and influencing factors of behaviors among residents in Jiangsu Province
rong De HANG ; xin Yi HUANG ; bao Yao LIU ; Xu ZHANG ; qing YI XIE ; gang Wei YIN ; Kai TANG ; heng Lian ZHANG ; kuan Dao SUN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2017;29(5):574-578
Objective To understand the schistosomiasis control knowledge,attitude,and practice(KAP),and influenc-ing factors of behaviors among residents in Jiangsu Province,so as to provide the evidence for making effective health education and health promotion models. Methods The probability proportionate to size sampling(PPS)and multi-stage sampling meth-ods were adopted to sample the research objects. A questionnaire survey of schistosomiasis control KAP was conducted in the res-idents of 16 to 69 years old in schistosomiasis endemic areas of Jiangsu Province,and the results were statistically analyzed. Re-sults The total awareness rate of the participants was 95.98%for schistosomiasis control knowledge. The correct rates of atti-tude and practice were 89.06%and 77.43%,respectively. The awareness/correct rates of knowledge,attitude and practice re-duced in turns significantly(χ2=1282.96,P<0.01). The knowledge awareness rate of fishermen and boatmen was 90.98%, but their attitude correct rate was only 53.81%(χ2=120.52,P<0.01). The unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that with the education level increasing,their practice correct rate rose,and the participants with the college degree or above had a higher correct rate compared to illeterate ones(OR=6.411,95%CI:4.896-8.395). The practice correct rate of the fisher-men and boatmen was only 5.1%of the rate of the farmers(OR=0.051,95%CI:0.029-0.091). Conclusions The total aware-ness rate of basic knowledge of schistosomiasis prevention and control in the residents of Jiangsu Province has reached the re-quirements in the"National Schistosomiasis Control Long-term Planning Outline(2004-2015)",but the correct rate of behav-iors is low. The education level,occupation and residential areas affect the health behaviors of schistosomiasis prevention and control. Therefore,it is necessary to carry out targeted health promotion activities to promote the formation of healthy lifestyle and behaviors.
10. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells ameliorates dermal fibrosis in a mouse model of scleroderma
Wei CHEN ; Wei CHEN ; Wei CHEN ; Zhi-Kuan XIA ; Man-Hui ZHANG ; Gui-Chun DING ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Zheng-Xu WANG ; Rong-Ya YANG
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2017;10(1):52-56
Objective To investigate the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for limited cutaneous scleroderma (LS) in mouse models. Methods ADSCs were isolated from pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice and LS was induced in wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice via daily injection of bleomycin (0.1 mL × 300 μg/mL) for 4 weeks; then the ADSCs were subcutaneously injected into the dorsal area in the model treatment group, and 100 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution was injected into the same site in the model control group. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to track the cells using an in vivo imaging system on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after transplantation. All mice were sacrificed and histologic analyses were performed after 4 weeks, and the skin thickness, collagen deposition and the total content of hydroxyproline were evaluated. Additionally, immunohistochemistry were performed to compare the tissue expression and distribution of TGF-β1 and VEGF between the ADSCs treatment group and the treatment control group. Results WT C57BL/6 LS mouse model were successfully established and GFP in vivo fluorescence imaging showed that the translated ADSCs survived at the local for at least 4 weeks. Compared with the control group, the ADSCs treatment group significantly attenuated bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis, reduced the skin thickness and the total content of hydroxyproline (P < 0.05). The ADSCs treatment group displayed significantly lower levels of TGF-β1 and higher levels of VEGF than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions ADSCs may provide a feasible and practical treatment for autoimmune diseases such as LS and ameliorate dermal fibrosis.

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