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.Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Modulating Effect of Chinese Medicine: A Review
Enguo ZOU ; Tianyu HUANG ; Mulan WANG ; Chenliang ZHA ; Qin GONG ; Weifeng ZHU ; Yulin FENG ; Liangji LIU ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(10):280-289
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), as a progressive lung disease, has a poor prognosis and no reliable and effective therapies. IPF is mainly treated by organ transplantation and administration of chemical drugs, which are ineffective and induce side effects, failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore, developing safer and more effective drugs has become an urgent task, which necessitates clear understanding of the pathogenesis of IPF. The available studies about the pathogenesis of IPF mainly focus on macrophage polarization, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), oxidative stress, and autophagy, while few studies systematically explain the principles and links of the pathogeneses. According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory, Qi deficiency and blood stasis and Qi-Yang deficiency are the key pathogeneses of IPF. Therefore, the Chinese medicines or compound prescriptions with the effects of replenishing Qi and activating blood, warming Yang and tonifying Qi, and eliminating stasis and resolving phlegm are often used to treat IPF. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that such medicines play a positive role in inhibiting macrophage polarization, restoring redox balance, inhibiting EMT, and regulating cell autophagy. However, few studies report how Chinese medicines regulate the pathways in the treatment of IPF. By reviewing the latest articles in this field, we elaborate on the pathogenesis of IPF and provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of the active ingredients or compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines in regulating IPF. Combining the pathogenesis of IPF with the modulating effects of Chinese medicines, we focus on exploring systemic treatment options for IPF, with a view to providing new ideas for the in-depth study of IPF and the research and development of related drugs. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Hapln1 promotes dedifferentiation and proliferation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by promoting versican-based GDF11 trapping
Hao DING-JUN ; Qin YUE ; Zhou SHI-JIE ; Dong BU-HUAI ; Yang JUN-SONG ; Zou PENG ; Wang LI-PING ; Zhao YUAN-TING
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(3):335-347
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1(Hapln1)supports active cardiomyogenesis in zebrafish hearts,but its regulation in mammal cardiomyocytes is unclear.This study aimed to explore the potential regulation of Hapln1 in the dedifferentiation and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and its therapeutic value in myocardial infarction with human induced pluripotent stem cell(hiPSC)-derived car-diomyocytes(CMs)and an adult mouse model of myocardial infarction.HiPSC-CMs and adult mice with myocardial infarction were used as in vitro and in vivo models,respectively.Previous single-cell RNA sequencing data were retrieved for bioinformatic exploration.The results showed that recombinant human Hapln1(rhHapln1)promotes the proliferation of hiPSC-CMs in a dose-dependent manner.As a physical binding protein of Hapln1,versican interacted with Nodal growth differentiation factor(NODAL)and growth differentiation factor 11(GDF11).GDF11,but not NODAL,was expressed by hiPSC-CMs.GDF11 expression was unaffected by rhHapln1 treatment.However,this molecule was required for rhHapln1-mediated activation of the transforming growth factor(TGF)-β/Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein(SMAD)2/3 signaling in hiPSC-CMs,which stimulates cell dedifferentiation and proliferation.Recombinant mouse Hapln1(rmHapln1)could induce cardiac regeneration in the adult mouse model of myocardial infarction.In addition,rmHapln1 induced hiPSC-CM proliferation.In conclusion,Hapln1 can stimulate the dedifferentiation and proliferation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by promoting versican-based GDF11 trapping and subsequent activation of the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway.Hapln1 might be an effective hiPSC-CM dedifferentiation and proliferation agent and a po-tential reagent for repairing damaged hearts.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.CiteSpace knowledge map of research hotspots and frontiers of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in psoriasis in recent ten years.
Hui-Qin ZOU ; Xue-Yan ZHEN ; Jun-Tang YAN ; Hui-Shang FENG ; Jian-Qiu LU ; Sheng-Yun DING ; Su-Mei HAO ; Ying-Hua HUANG ; Rong-Ting XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(11):3110-3117
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aimed to investigate the development status of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention in psoriasis in recent ten years, analyze the research hotspots, and summarize the development trends to provide reference materials for scholars in this field. Taking the available literature related to the field of TCM intervention in psoriasis as the research object, the trends, contents, and source publications were statistically analyzed based on bibliometrics. The research cooperation and co-occurrence of keywords in this field were studied by the knowledge map analysis method based on CiteSpace. The total number of Chinese papers was 2 993 and English papers 285. In terms of publication trend, the annual publication of English papers was low but showed an obvious upward trend, while the increase in Chinese papers fluctuated and tended to be flat. In terms of the content of Chinese papers published, TCM ranked first according to the discipline(2 415). In English papers, the number of publications in pharmacology and pharmaceutical science was the highest(87). Literature source analysis showed that the Chinese and English journals with the most publications were China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy and Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, respectively. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine published the most dissertations in China(99). The authors with the most publications in Chinese and English were LI Bin(Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine) and LU Chuan-jian(Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine). As revealed by the CiteSpace analysis of the research cooperation network, there were four mature and stable core teams in this field, but the cooperation intensity between different teams was weak. According to the keywords co-occurrence knowledge graph constructed by CiteSpace, the current hot keywords in this field are as follows: psoriasis, blood-heat syndrome, blood-stasis syndrome, fire needle, blood-dryness type, imiquimod, TCM bath, etiology and pathogenesis, cytokines, cupping therapy, etc. In summary, Chinese scholars have conducted active exploration and research in the field of TCM intervention in psoriasis in recent ten years. The overall development trend is good, and the breadth and depth of the research are constantly extending. It is suggested that relevant research should be free from discipline restrictions and strive for interdisciplinary integration.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Medicine, Chinese Traditional
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Psoriasis/drug therapy*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Formula improves glucolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating FoxO1/MTP/APOB signaling pathway.
Yi-Xin XIANG ; Ya-Lan HUANG ; Min ZHOU ; Jun-Ju ZOU ; Xiu LIU ; Zi-Yu LIU ; Fan XIAO ; Rong YU ; Qin XIANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(16):4438-4445
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Qinggan Formula(ZGJTQG) on the glucolipid metabolism of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). NAFLD was induced by a high-fat diet(HFD) in MKR mice(T2DM mice), and a model of T2DM combined with NAFLD was established. Forty mice were randomly divided into a model group, a metformin group(0.067 g·kg~(-1)), and high-and low-dose ZGJTQG groups(29.64 and 14.82 g·kg~(-1)), with 10 mice in each group. Ten FVB mice of the same age were assigned to the normal group. Serum and liver tissue specimens were collected from mice except for those in the normal and model groups after four weeks of drug administration by gavage, and fasting blood glucose(FBG) and fasting insulin(FINS) levels were measured. The levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) were detected by the single reagent GPO-PAP method. Very low-density lipoprotein(VLDL) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate ami-notransferase(AST) were determined by the Reitman-Frankel assay. The pathological changes in the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) and Western blot were adopted to detect the mRNA and protein expression of forkhead transcription factor O1(FoxO1), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein(MTP), and apolipoprotein B(APOB) in the liver. The results showed that high-dose ZGJTQG could signi-ficantly reduce the FBG and FINS levels(P<0.05, P<0.01), improve glucose tolerance and insulin resistance(P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviate the liver damage caused by HFD which was reflected in improving liver steatosis, and reduce the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL, VLDL, ALT, and AST(P<0.05, P<0.01) in T2DM mice combined with NAFLD. The findings also revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of FoxO1, MTP, and APOB in the liver was significantly down-regulated after the intervention of high-dose ZGJTQG(P<0.05, P<0.01). The above study showed that ZGJTQG could effectively improve glucolipid metabolism in T2DM combined with NAFLD, and the mechanism was closely related to the regulation of the FoxO1/MTP/APOB signaling pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Mice
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Liver
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Signal Transduction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
6.Virtual Autopsy Morphological Features of Drowning.
Jun-Qi JIAN ; Dong-Hua ZOU ; Zheng-Dong LI ; Jian-Hua ZHANG ; Zhi-Qiang QIN ; Ning-Guo LIU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2022;38(1):53-58
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVES:
		                        			To explore the application value of virtual autopsy to obtain key evidence information on drowned corpses and its application value of virtual autopsy in the diagnosis of drowning.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			In this study, 7 corpses were selected as the research objects. The image data of corpses were collected by computed tomography (CT) before conventional autopsy. The characteristics of corpses were observed through image reading, combined with virtual measurement indexes, and compared with 15 non-drowned corpses.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			The postmortem CT of drowning showed the more fluid in respiratory tract than the non-drowning, and ground-glass opacities in the lung. The statistical volume of fluid in the sinus (maxillary sinus and sphenoid sinus) was (10.24±4.70) mL in drowning cases and (2.02±2.45) mL in non-drowning cases. The average CT value of fluid in the sinus, left atrial blood and gastric contents in drowning cases were (15.91±17.20), (52.57±9.24) and (10.33±12.81) HU, respectively, which were lower than those in non-drowning cases (P<0.05).
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			The comprehensive consideration of multiple characteristic image manifestations and the virtual measurement indexes are helpful to the forensic pathological diagnosis of drowning. Virtual autopsy can be used as an auxiliary method in the forensic diagnosis of drowning.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Autopsy/methods*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cadaver
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Drowning/diagnostic imaging*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Forensic Pathology/methods*
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		                        			Humans
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		                        			Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
7.Determination of ribose and phosphorus contents in Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide by a quantitative NMR method using a single internal standard.
Chun-Jun QIN ; Jing HU ; Wei TONG ; Teng-Teng ZHANG ; Guang-Zong TIAN ; Xiao-Peng ZOU ; Jian-Kai LIU ; Jian YIN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2022;20(8):633-640
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			The ribose and phosphorus contents in Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide (CPS) are two important chemical indexes for the development and quality control of Hib conjugate vaccine. A quantitative 1H- and 31P-NMR method using a single internal standard was developed for simultaneous determination of ribose and phosphorus contents in Hib CPS. Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) was successfully utilized as an internal standard in quantitative 1H-NMR method for ribose content determination. The ribose and phosphorus contents were found to be affected by the concentration of polysaccharide solution. Thus, 15-20 mg·L-1 was the optimal concentration range of Hib CPS in D2O solution for determination of ribose and phosphorus contents by this method. The ribose and phosphorus contents obtained by the quantitative NMR were consistent with those obtained by traditional chemical methods. In conclusion, this quantitative 1H- and 31P-NMR method using a single internal standard shows good specificity, accuracy and precision, providing a valuable approach for the quality control of Hib glycoconjugate vaccines.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Haemophilus Vaccines
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Haemophilus influenzae type b
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Phosphorus
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Polysaccharides, Bacterial
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Ribose
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.Differential mRNA Expressions in HCMV infected HUVECs.
Chang Ning LYU ; Ji Chen LI ; Qi AN ; Min ZHANG ; Yan Jun ZONG ; Zhong Fa YANG ; Xiang Yu ZOU ; Fu Jun PENG ; Qin WANG ; Zhi Jun LIU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2022;35(10):888-898
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			The aim was to identify the gene expressions of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to study its possible pathogenic mechanism on atherosclerosis using microarray technology.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			The gene expression differences in HCMV AD169 strain-infected HUVECs were studied by the microarray technology to explore the potential molecular mechanism of HCMV infection. The qPCRs were performed to verify the transcriptome results.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			A total of 2,583 differentially expressed genes, including 407 down-regulated genes and 2,176 up-regulated genes, were detected by the systematic bioinformatics analysis. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that the significantly differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in regulating protein kinase activity, inflammatory response, ubiquitination, protein phosphorylation, cell metabolism, and exosomes, among which 12 genes had significant changes and were screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and verified by qPCR. The experimental qPCR results were consistent with the microarray results.
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			The GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the regulation of protein kinase activity, inflammatory response, ubiquitination, protein phosphorylation, and cell metabolism played important roles in the process of endothelial cell infection. Furthermore, 12 genes were involved in the process of HCMV infection of endothelial cells and contributed to the current understanding of the infection and pathogenic mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cytomegalovirus/genetics*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Atherosclerosis
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Protein Kinases
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			RNA, Messenger
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
9.Long-term outcomes of fully covered self-expanding metal stent for benign refractory pancreatic stenosis (with video)
Jun CAO ; Yonghua SHEN ; Ruhua ZHENG ; Xiaoliang ZHOU ; Zhengyan QIN ; Lei WANG ; Xiaoping ZOU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2022;39(6):447-452
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the safety and long-term outcomes of fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) placement in patients with benign refractory pancreatic stenosis.Methods:Data of 18 patients with benign refractory pancreatic stenosis who underwent endoscopic treatment with FCSEMS in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between March 2013 and July 2020 were collected. The technical success, clinical success, adverse events and long-term outcomes were analyzed.Results:FCSEMS placement was successful in all 18 patients, with technical success rate of 100.0% (18/18). After stenting, the visual analogue scale (VAS) significantly decreased [2.00 (1.75, 3.00) VS 6.00 (5.00, 7.00), Z=-3.572, P<0.001]. The VAS decreased by more than 50% in 15 cases, and the clinical success rate was 83.3% (15/18). Stent-related adverse events included intolerable pain in 3 patients, stented-induced de novo stricture in 2 patients, and distal migration of stent in 2 patients. The stents were successfully removed in all patients after 137.5 (59.0, 417.0) days. There was significant reduction in terms of decreased upstream ductal dilatation after stent removal [9.1 (6.7, 14.1) mm VS 11.0 (7.6, 16.2) mm, Z=10.508, P<0.001]. After stent removal, 10 of the 14 patients maintained the response to pancreatic stenting and 4 recurred during the follow-up of 37-1 246 days. Conclusion:FCSEMS placement appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of benign refractory pancreatic stenosis and can provide persistent improvement in the stricture.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Chemical synthesis of a synthetically useful L-galactosaminuronic acid building block.
Chun-Jun QIN ; Hong-Li HOU ; Mei-Ru DING ; Yi-Kuan QI ; Guang-Zong TIAN ; Xiao-Peng ZOU ; Jun-Jie FU ; Jing HU ; Jian YIN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2022;20(5):387-392
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Most bacterial cell surface glycans are structurally unique, and have been considered as ideal target molecules for the developments of detection and diagnosis techniques, as well as vaccines. Chemical synthesis has been a promising approach to prepare well-defined oligosaccharides, facilitating the structure-activity relationship exploration and biomedical applications of bacterial glycans. L-Galactosaminuronic acid is a rare sugar that has been only found in cell surface glycans of gram-negative bacteria. Here, an orthogonally protected L-galactosaminuronic acid building block was designed and chemically synthesized. A synthetic strategy based on glycal addition and TEMPO/BAIB-mediated C6 oxidation served well for the transformation of commercial L-galactose to the corresponding L-galactosaminuronic acid. Notably, the C6 oxidation of the allyl glycoside was more efficient than that of the selenoglycoside. In addition, a balance between the formation of allyl glycoside and the recovery of selenoglycoside was essential to improve efficiency of the NIS/TfOH-catalyzed allylation. This synthetically useful L-galactosaminuronic acid building block will provide a basis for the syntheses of complex bacterial glycans.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Carbohydrates
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Glycosides
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oligosaccharides
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxidation-Reduction
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Polysaccharides/chemistry*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
            
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