1.Research progress on the molecular mechanism and therapeutic targets of ferroptosis in acute kidney injury
Yang ZHANG ; Fanyi HE ; Kongchun SUN ; Rui YANG ; Xuezhi YU ; Ling ZHANG ; Ruixiang CHEN ; Baochun SHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(2):315-321
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common and severe nephropathy syndromes in clinical practice and also one of the most common serious complications after organ transplantation, with high incidence and fatality. Iron is an essential trace element in the body. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death induced by the accumulation of iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, and its occurrence is closely related to iron metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and multiple signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis plays a key role in the occurrence and development of AKI and provides therapeutic targets for AKI. This article summarizes the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in AKI, as well as the compounds that play an important role in the prevention and treatment of AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis, providing new ideas for the future treatment and research of AKI.
2.Combination of AAV-delivered tumor suppressor PTEN with anti-PD-1 loaded depot gel for enhanced antitumor immunity.
Yongshun ZHANG ; Lan YANG ; Yangsen OU ; Rui HU ; Guangsheng DU ; Shuang LUO ; Fuhua WU ; Hairui WANG ; Zhiqiang XIE ; Yu ZHANG ; Chunting HE ; Cheng MA ; Tao GONG ; Ling ZHANG ; Zhirong ZHANG ; Xun SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):350-364
Recent clinical studies have shown that mutation of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene in cancer cells may be associated with immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and poor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Therefore, efficiently restoring PTEN gene expression in cancer cells is critical to improving the responding rate to ICB therapy. Here, we screened an adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid for efficient PTEN gene delivery into B16F10 tumor cells. We demonstrated that intratumorally injected AAV6-PTEN successfully restored the tumor cell PTEN gene expression and effectively inhibited tumor progression by inducing tumor cell immunogenic cell death (ICD) and increasing immune cell infiltration. Moreover, we developed an anti-PD-1 loaded phospholipid-based phase separation gel (PPSG), which formed an in situ depot and sustainably release anti-PD-1 drugs within 42 days in vivo. In order to effectively inhibit the recurrence of melanoma, we further applied a triple therapy based on AAV6-PTEN, PPSG@anti-PD-1 and CpG, and showed that this triple therapy strategy enhanced the synergistic antitumor immune effect and also induced robust immune memory, which completely rejected tumor recurrence. We anticipate that this triple therapy could be used as a new tumor combination therapy with stronger immune activation capacity and tumor inhibition efficacy.
3.The Regulatory Function of ADAR1-mediated RNA Editing in Hematological Malignancies
Xing-Yu WAN ; Huan-Ping GUO ; Rui-Hao HUANG ; Xiao-Qi WANG ; Ling-Yu ZENG ; Tao WU ; Lin XIA ; Xi ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(2):300-308
RNA editing, an essential post-transcriptional reaction occurring in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), generates informational diversity in the transcriptome and proteome. In mammals, the main type of RNA editing is the conversion of adenosine to inosine (A-to-I), processed by adenosine deaminases acting on the RNAs (ADARs) family, and interpreted as guanosine during nucleotide base-pairing. It has been reported that millions of nucleotide sites in human transcriptome undergo A-to-I editing events, catalyzed by the primarily responsible enzyme, ADAR1. In hematological malignancies including myeloid/lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma, dysregulation of ADAR1 directly impacts the A-to-I editing states occurring in coding regions, non-coding regions, and immature miRNA precursors. Subsequently, aberrant A-to-I editing states result in altered molecular events, such as protein-coding sequence changes, intron retention, alternative splicing, and miRNA biogenesis inhibition. As a vital factor of the generation and stemness maintenance in leukemia stem cells (LSCs), disordered RNA editing drives the chaos of molecular regulatory network and ultimately promotes the cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition and drug resistance. At present, novel drugs designed to target RNA editing(e.g., rebecsinib) are under development and have achieved outstanding results in animal experiments. Compared with traditional antitumor drugs, epigenetic antitumor drugs are expected to overcome the shackle of drug resistance and recurrence in hematological malignancies, and provide new treatment options for patients. This review summarized the recent advances in the regulation mechanism of ADAR1-mediated RNA editing events in hematologic malignancies, and further discussed the medical potential and clinical application of ADAR1.
4.16S rDNA Sequencing Reveals Effect of Tanreqing Injection on Pulmonary Flora in Rat Model of COPD
Qian LUO ; Rui FU ; Bo PENG ; Weiya CHEN ; Xiaolu WEI ; Tengfei CHEN ; Ling SONG ; Yunhang GAO ; Guangping ZHANG ; Hongping HOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):98-103
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Tanreqing injection (TRQ) on the pulmonary flora in the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodWistar rats were randomized into control, model, and TRQ groups. The rats in other groups except the control group were treated by smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide for the modeling of COPD. The TRQ group was intraperitoneally injected with TRQ (2 g·kg-1). At the end of the experiment, after blood collection from the abdominal aorta of the rats, the lung tissue was collected for hematoxylin-eosin and picric sirius red staining to reveal the pathological changes. The lung lavage fluid was collected, and the diversity and relative abundance of lung flora in different groups were analyzed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. ResultThe lungs of the control group were normal, and those of the model group showed neutrophil infiltration, telangiectasia, lung hemorrhage and emphysema in individual cases, and thickening of collagen fibers in the trachea. Compared with the model group, the TRQ group showed significantly improved lungs and recovered collagen fibers. The MLI analysis showed that compared with the control group, the model group showcased increased alveolar space (P<0.01), which was reduced in the TRQ group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed increased wall thickness (P<0.01), and the increase was attenuated in the TRQ group (P<0.01). TRQ increased the Simpson index and altered the α diversity of pulmonary flora. The results of principal co-ordinate analysis showed that TRQ changed the β diversity and reduced the β diversity index of pulmonary flora. At the genus level, the model group showed increased relative abundance of g_Bacillus and g_Brevundimonas and decreased relative abundance of g_Pseudomonas, compared with the control group. After treatment with TRQ, the relative abundance of g_Stenotrophomonas increased, and that of g_Bacillus decreased. The LEfSe of differential taxa between groups showed that the modeling increased the relative abundance of g_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and TRQ treatment increased the relative abundance of g_Rhodococcus and g_Stenotrophomonas. ConclusionTRQ can regulate the diversity of pulmonary flora and restore the balance of bacterial genera in the rat model of COPD, which may be one of the mechanisms of the prevention and treatment of COPD with TRQ.
5.The taste correction process of ibuprofen oral solution based on the combination of electronic tongue technology and artificial taste comprehensive evaluation
Rui YUAN ; Yun-ping QU ; Yan WANG ; Ya-xuan ZHANG ; Wan-ling ZHONG ; Xiao-yu FAN ; Hui-juan SHEN ; Yun-nan MA ; Jin-hong YE ; Jie BAI ; Shou-ying DU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(8):2404-2411
This experiment aims to study the taste-masking effects of different kinds of corrigent used individually and in combination on ibuprofen oral solution, in order to optimize the taste-masking formulation. Firstly, a wide range of corrigent and the mass fractions were extensively screened using electronic tongue technology. Subsequently, a combination of sensory evaluation, analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-fuzzy mathematics evaluation, and Box-Behnken experimental design were employed to comprehensively assess the taste-masking effects of different combinations of corrigent on ibuprofen oral solution, optimize the taste-masking formulation, and validate the results. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (ethical code: 2024BZYLL0102). The results showed that corrigent fractions and types were screened separately through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, a Box-Behnken response surface design combined with AHP and fuzzy mathematics evaluation was used to fit a functional model:
6.The Uptake and Distribution Evidence of Nano-and Microplastics in vivo after a Single High Dose of Oral Exposure
Tao HONG ; Wei SUN ; Yuan DENG ; Da Jian LYU ; Hong Cui JIN ; Long Ying BAI ; Jun NA ; Rui ZHANG ; Yuan GAO ; Wei Guo PAN ; Sen Zuo YANG ; Jun Ling YAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(1):31-41
Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.
7.Inhibitory effects of toosendanin on in vitro and in vivo growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating CDCA5 expression
Zhi-Cheng ZHANG ; Li-Xia SU ; Rui-Ling MENG ; Wen-Juan GUAN ; Hong-Qian LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(7):994-998
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of toosendanin on the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating the expression of cell division cycle associated protein 5(CDCA5).Methods The expression of CDCA5 in different lung tissues was analyzed in TCGA database.The expression level of CDCA5 in BEAS-2B cells and A549 cells was detected by Western blot.The effect of different concentrations of toosendanin on the viability of A549 cells was determined by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay.The A549 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group(normal cells cultured normally),toosendanin group(normal cells cultured with 40 μmol·L-1 toosendanin),toosendanin+pcDNA group(cells transfected with pcDNA empty vector and cultured with 40 μmol·L-1 toosendanin),and toosendanin+CDCA5 group(cells transfected with CDCA5 overexpression vector and cultured with 40 μmol·L-1 toosendanin).After 48 h of cultivation,the proliferation and apoptosis of each group of cells were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry,and the expression of proliferation and apoptosis related proteins in each group of cells was detected by Western blot.The BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into sh-NC and sh-CDCA5 stable transfected cell lines with nude mouse xenograft models.Daily intraperitoneal injection of 0.9%NaCl and 40μmol·L-1 toosendanin solution was given to observe and record the changes in tumor tissue volume and body mass.Results The results of CCK-8 showed that after 48 hours,the survival rates of A549 cells treated with 10,20,30,40,50,60 and 70 μmol·L-1 toosendanin were(80.74±8.71)%,(72.96±6.53)%,(61.01±4.86)%,(51.20±3.13)%,(42.10±5.94)%,(38.93±3.18)%and(33.48±2.94)%,respectively.Toosendanin significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells.The proliferation rates of cells in the control group,toosendanin group,toosendanin+pcDNA group,and toosendanin+CDCA5 group were(100.00±4.19)%,(49.18±6.70)%,(55.75±5.74)%,and(77.66±7.48)%,respectively;the expression levels of CDCA5 protein were 1.08±0.11,0.44±0.04,0.43±0.05 and 0.99±0.10,respectively.The expression levels of CDCA5 protein in tumor tissues of nude mice in the sh-NC group,sh-CDCA5 group,toosendanin+sh-NC group,and toosendanin+sh-CDCA5 group were 1.04±0.14,0.42±0.04,0.56±0.08 and 0.32±0.04,respectively.Compared with the sh-NC group,the tumor blocks formed by nude mice in other groups were significantly smaller,and the tumor volume and weight were significantly lower(all P<0.05).Compared with the toosendanin+sh-NC group,the toosendanin+sh-CDCA5 group had more significant inhibitory effect on tumor formation,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Toosendanin can inhibit the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,which is mainly related to the inhibition of CDCA5 expression.
8.Development of drug clinical trials in short stature children in China
Guan-Dong ZHANG ; Yu YANG ; Rui-Ling ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(16):2405-2408
Objective To analyze the registration status of domestic drug clinical trials for short stature children and the marketing status of growth hormone drugs in China during 2013-2023.Methods The website of National Medical Products Administration was searched to abtain the date and statistical analysis was conducted.Results A total of 31 drug clinical trials involving short stature children were registered in the platform,and the trial stages were mainly on phase Ⅱ and Ⅲ,with a total of 21(67.74%,21/31).The group leader was relatively focused on specialized hospital,which was closely related to the academic level,clinical trial experience and professional authority of the main investigators.Based on the duration of treatment for short stature,83.87%(26/31)of registered projects had clinical trials lasting for more than 52 weeks.The research trend was long-acting growth hormone(64.52%,20/31).Sponsors and researchers had high insurance awareness and enthusiasm for clinical trials,especially the protection of subjects.At present,growth hormone products from seven domestic and foreign enterprises had been approved for marketing in China.The growth hormone products were the most abundant category of biotechnology drugs that had been marketed so far.Conclusion It is expected that there will be more convenient ways of administration and better release characteristics of long-acting growth hormone products in the future,which will reduce treatment costs and enable short stature children to obtain an ideal healthy height.
9.Determination of 83 kinds of Pharmaceuticals and Biomarkers in Wastewater via Solid Phase Extraction Coupled with Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Rui-Ling ZHANG ; Xin LIU ; Shi-Zhen ZHAO ; Gan ZHANG ; Peng-Ran GUO
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(8):1192-1199,中插21-中插34
Wastewater-based epidemiology(WBE)can effectively assess population health status,but it is lack of analytical methods which can simultaneously analyze a number of pharmaceuticals and biomarkers in wastewater.In this work,a method including sample pretreatment and instrumental detection for quantifying 83 kinds of pharmaceuticals and biomarkers in the influent of wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)was established by sing solid phase extraction-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(SPE-UPLC-MS/MS).The water sample(200 mL)with 83 kinds of target compounds was divided into two aliquots,which were then enriched and purified using HLB columns at pH=6.7 and pH=2 respectively,followed by elution with 6 mL of methanol and 6 mL of methanol containing 2%(V/V)formic acid,respectively,and then dried by nitrogen blown,concentrated,and finally redissolved to 0.5 mL,filtered through a nylon filter(0.22 μm).The target compounds in the samples were determined using UPLC-MS/MS in electrospray ionization under both positive and negative ion multiple reaction monitoring modes,with quantification using the internal standard method.The method exhibited good linearity(r>0.996)for the 83 kinds of target compounds in the concentration range of 0.1-500 ng/mL,and intra-day and inter-day precisions were 1.2%-16.5%.The recoveries of target substances in pure water and influent samples from a WWTP were 51.6%-166.6%and 56.4%-150.1%,respectively,with relative standard deviations of 0.2%-31.9%and 0.3%-20.9%,respectively.The method detection limits of target compounds were 0.02-7.72 ng/L.This method was applied to determine pharmaceuticals and biomarkers in the influent samples of a WWTP in Guangzhou,and 54 kinds of pharmaceuticals and 4 kinds of biomarkers were detected.The concentrations of acetaminophen and erythromycin were the highest among the pharmaceuticals,1.6-3.4 μg/L and 0.6-1.1 μg/L,respectively.The concentration of caffeine was the highest among the biomarkers,i.e.,33.3-43.9 μg/L.This method had high sensitivity,good stability and accuracy,and was suitable for detection of pharmaceuticals and biomarkers in the influent of WWTP,which could provide analytical method support for conducting studies on WBE.
10.Clinical and genetic analysis of three children with Hyperekplexia
Rui HAN ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Tianming JIA ; Dan XU ; Ling GAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(6):720-724
Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of three children with Hyperekplexia.Methods:Three children who were diagnosed with Hyperekplexia at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2018 and March 2020 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the three children were collected. All children were subjected to whole exome sequencing. Pathogenicity of candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.Results:The three children were all males, and had presented exaggerated startle reflexes and generalized stiffness in response to unexpected auditory or tactile stimulation, or had frequent traumatic falls following exaggerated startle. All children had shown positive nose-tapping reflex, though EEG and cranial MRI exams were all negative. Whole exome sequencing revealed that two children had harbored homozygous variants of the GLRB gene, of which the c. 1017_c.1018insAG (p.G340Rfs*14) was unreported previously. The third child had harbored compound heterozygous variants of the GLRA1 gene, among which the c.1262T>A (p.IIe421Asn) variant showed an unreported autosomal recessive inheritance. All children had responded well to clonazepam treatment. Conclusion:Patients with Hyperekplexia have typical clinical manifestations. Early clinical identification and genetic analysis can facilitate their diagnosis.

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