1.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Research progress in small molecule inhibitors of complement factor B
Shuai WEN ; Yao ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Xing LI ; Yi MOU ; Zheng-yu JIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):37-47
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 The alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of several diseases including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerular disease (C3G) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement factor B (CFB) is a trypsin-like serine protein that circulates in the human bloodstream in a latent form. As a key node of the alternative pathway, it is an important target for the treatment of diseases mediated by the complement system. With the successful launch of iptacopan, the CFB small molecule inhibitors has become a current research hotspot, a number of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies are actively developing CFB small molecule inhibitors. In this paper, the research progress of CFB small molecule inhibitors in recent years is systematically summarized, the representative compounds and their activities are introduced according to structural types and design ideas, so as to provide reference and ideas for the subsequent research on CFB small molecule inhibitors. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Application of Engineered Exosomes in Tumor-targeted Therapy
Jia-Lu SONG ; Yi-Xin JIN ; Xing-Yu MU ; Yu-Huan JIANG ; Jing WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1140-1151
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Tumors are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle secreted from multivesicular bodies, with particle sizes ranging from 40 to 160 nm. They regulate the tumor microenvironment, proliferation, and progression by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Compared with other drug delivery systems, exosomes derived from different cells possess unique cellular tropism, enabling them to selectively target specific tissues and organs. This homing ability allows them to cross biological barriers that are otherwise difficult for conventional drug delivery systems to penetrate. Due to their biocompatibility and unique biological properties, exosomes can serve as drug delivery systems capable of loading various anti-tumor drugs. They can traverse biological barriers, evade immune responses, and specifically target tumor tissues, making them ideal carriers for anti-tumor therapeutics. This article systematically summarizes the methods for exosome isolation, including ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), immunoaffinity capture, and microfluidics. However, these methods have certain limitations. A combination of multiple isolation techniques can improve isolation efficiency. For instance, combining ultrafiltration with SEC can achieve both high purity and high yield while reducing processing time. Exosome drug loading methods can be classified into post-loading and pre-loading approaches. Pre-loading is further categorized into active and passive loading. Active loading methods, including electroporation, sonication, extrusion, and freeze-thaw cycles, involve physical or chemical disruption of the exosome membrane to facilitate drug encapsulation. Passive loading relies on drug concentration gradients or hydrophobic interactions between drugs and exosomes for encapsulation. Pre-loading strategies also include genetic engineering and co-incubation methods. Additionally, we review approaches to enhance the targeting, retention, and permeability of exosomes. Genetic engineering and chemical modifications can improve their tumor-targeting capabilities. Magnetic fields can also be employed to promote the accumulation of exosomes at tumor sites. Retention time can be prolonged by inhibiting monocyte-mediated clearance or by combining exosomes with hydrogels. Engineered exosomes can also reshape the tumor microenvironment to enhance permeability. This review further discusses the current applications of exosomes in delivering various anti-tumor drugs. Specifically, exosomes can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel to reduce side effects and increase drug concentration within tumor tissues. For instance, exosomes loaded with doxorubicin can mitigate cardiotoxicity and minimize adverse effects on healthy tissues. Furthermore, exosomes can encapsulate proteins to enhance protein stability and bioavailability or carry immunogenic cell death inducers for tumor vaccines. In addition to these applications, exosomes can deliver nucleic acids such as siRNA and miRNA to regulate gene expression, inhibit tumor proliferation, and suppress invasion. Beyond their therapeutic applications, exosomes also serve as tumor biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. The detection of exosomal miRNA can improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing prostate and pancreatic cancers. Despite their promising potential as drug delivery systems, challenges remain in the standardization and large-scale production of exosomes. This article explores the future development of engineered exosomes for targeted tumor therapy. Plant-derived exosomes hold potential due to their superior biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and abundant availability. Furthermore, the integration of exosomes with artificial intelligence may offer novel applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Fangji Fuling Decoction Alleviates Sepsis by Blocking MAPK14/FOXO3A Signaling Pathway.
Yi WANG ; Ming-Qi CHEN ; Lin-Feng DAI ; Hai-Dong ZHANG ; Xing WANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):230-242
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To examine the therapeutic effect of Fangji Fuling Decoction (FFD) on sepsis through network pharmacological analysis combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			A sepsis mouse model was constructed through intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by 250 ng/mL LPS to establish an in vitro cell model. Network pharmacology analysis identified the key molecular pathway associated with FFD in sepsis. Through ectopic expression and depletion experiments, the effect of FFD on multiple organ damage in septic mice, as well as on cell proliferation and apoptosis in relation to the mitogen-activated protein kinase 14/Forkhead Box O 3A (MAPK14/FOXO3A) signaling pathway, was analyzed.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			FFD reduced organ damage and inflammation in LPS-induced septic mice and suppressed LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation in vitro (P<0.05). Network pharmacology analysis showed that FFD could regulate the MAPK14/FOXO signaling pathway during sepsis. As confirmed by in vitro cell experiments, FFD inhibited the MAPK14 signaling pathway or FOXO3A expression to relieve LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation (P<0.05). Furthermore, FFD inhibited the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway to inhibit LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis in the lung tissue of septic mice (P<0.05).
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSION
		                        			FFD could ameliorate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice by inhibiting the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Mice
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		                        			Animals
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		                        			Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Wolfiporia
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		                        			Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology*
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		                        			Sepsis/complications*
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		                        			Signal Transduction
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		                        			Inflammation/drug therapy*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Oxygen Radioisotopes
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5. Effects of metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid on promoting transdifferentiation of pancreatic OL cells into pancreatic β cells
Chao-Feng XING ; Min-Yi TANG ; Qi-Hua XU ; Shuai WANG ; Zong-Meng ZHANG ; Zi-Jian ZHAO ; Yun-Pin MU ; Fang-Hong LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):31-38
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Aim To investigate the role of metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in promoting the transdifferentiation of pancreatic α cells to β cells. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ) for five consecutive days to establish a type 1 diabetes (T1DM) mouse model. After two weeks, they were randomly divided into model groups and 97% EPA diet intervention group, 75% fish oil (50% EPA +25% DHA) diet intervention group, and random blood glucose was detected every week; after the model expired, the regeneration of pancreatic β cells in mouse pancreas was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The islets of mice (obtained by crossing GCG 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6. Down-regulation of METTL5 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of triple-negative breast cancer cells through Wnt/6-catenin signaling pathway
Kun-Lin WU ; Hui-Hao ZHANG ; Kun-Lin WU ; Xiu-Ying LIAO ; Hui-Hao ZHANG ; Qian-Yi YAN ; De-Xing WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):285-291
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Aim To investigate the role and potential mechanism of methyltransferase-like 5 (METTL5) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) . Methods The expression of METTL5 in TNBC tumor tissues and cell lines was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. After shRNA targeting METTL5 (shRNAMETTL5) was transfected into TNBC cells, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Wnt/p-catenin signaling-related key proteins. A xenograft tumor model was constructed to verify the effect of METTL5 knockdown on the growth of TNBC cells and Wnt/p-catenin signaling activity in vivo. Results The expression of METTL5 was up-regulated in TNBC tumor tissues and cell lines (P < 0. 01) . Knockdown of METTL5 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells and reduced the expression of Wnt/p-catenin signaling molecules (3-catenin, cyclin Dl, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and MMP-7 (all P < 0. 01) . Knockdown of METTL5 reduced tumor growth and Wnt/pcatenin signaling activity in vivo. Conclusions Knockdown of METTL5 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells, which may be related to the inhibition of Wnt/p-catenin signaling pathway. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7. Optimization and identification of a low density and high purity method for primary hippocampal neuron culture from fetal rats
Peng SU ; Xing-Yi WANG ; Jing-Yan LIANG ; Tian-Qing XIONG ; Jing-Yan LIANG ; Tian-Qing XIONG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(1):113-119
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Objective To establish a low density, high purity and high stability in vitro culture method of primary hippocampal neurons of fetal rats by co-culturing hippocampal and cortical cells, so as to obtain higher purity and better vitality of primary hippocampal neurons disease. Methods The fetal rat hippocampal tissue was isolated from 16-18 days pregnant SD rats, then cut and digested by 0.125% trypsin. The obtained cell suspension was filtered by 200 mesh cell sieve, and then the obtained cell suspensions were then inoculated into the inner layer and outer ring of the culture plate in a surrounding form. They were co-cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 10% horse serum. After 4-6 hours of cell adhesion, the culture medium was changed to maintenance medium (Neurobasal+2% B27+0.5 mmol/L glutamine). Then the cell viability was detected with CCK-8 kit and the purity of hippocampal neurons was detected by immunofluorescent staining. Results Hippocampal neurons grew well and formed crisscross neural networks after 5 days. And it could survive for 3 weeks. The purity of hippocampal neurons was up to 98%. Conclusion The method of co-culturing hippocampal and cortical cells can obtain high-purity, high activity, high survival rate, and high stability primary hippocampal neurons from fetal rats, which can provide certain experimental conditions for the study of hippocampal neuron related diseases in the nervous system and is worthy of promotion and application. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8. Retinal microstructure and developmental characteristics in Zebrafish
Li-Ping FENG ; Jun-Yong WANG ; Jin-Xing LIN ; Yi-Lin XU ; Xun CHEN ; Xiao-Ying WANG ; Yi-Lin XU ; Xun CHEN ; Xiao-Ying WANG ; Yi-Lin XU ; Xun CHEN ; Da-Hai LIU
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(1):105-112
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Objective To study the microscopic structure and morphological characteristics of Zebrafish eyeball and retina at different developmental stages, and to lay a foundation for visual research model. Methods Select eight groups of zebrafish at different ages, with six fish in each group, 48 fish in total. Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the eyeball structure of Zebrafish at different developmental stages, and the thickness of retinal each layer was measured to analyze the temporal and spatial development pattern. The morphological characteristics of various cells in the retina and the way of nerve connection were observed from the microscopic and ultrastructural aspects, especially the structural differences between rod cells and cone cells. Results The retina of Zebrafish can be divided into ten layers including retinal pigment epithelial layer, rod cells and cone cells layer, outer limiting membrane, outer nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, ganglion cell layer, nerve fiber layer, inner limiting membrane. Rod cells had a smaller nucleus and a higher electron density than cone cells. Photoreceptor terminals were neatly arranged in the outer plexiform layer, forming neural connections with horizontal cells and bipolar cells, and several synaptic ribbons are clearly visible within them. In Zebrafish retina, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer are the earliest developed. With the growth and development of Zebrafish, the thickness of rod cells and cone cells layer and retinal pigment epithelial layer gradually increases, and the retinal structure was basically developed in about 10 weeks. Conclusion The retinal structure of Zebrafish is typical, with obvious stratification and highly differentiated nerve cells. There are abundant neural connections in the outer plexiform layer. The ocular development characteristics of Zebrafish are similar to those of most mammals. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Clinical Characteristics of Stasis-Toxin Pathogenesis in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer of Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation Syndrome and the Interventional Mechanism of Adjuvant Therapy with Bufei Huayu Decoction
Fang WANG ; Xing-Yi YANG ; Cong SUN ; Shi-Han WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):68-77
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of stasis-toxin pathogenesis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)of blood stasis and qi stagnation type,and to explore the interventional mechanism of adjuvant therapy with Bufei Huayu Decoction.Methods Seventy-eight patients with NSCLC of blood stasis and qi stagnation type admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine of Liu'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to September 2022 were selected as the NSCLC group,and 71 volunteers who underwent physical examination during the same period served as the healthy control group.The clinical characteristics of stasis-toxin pathogenesis in the NSCLC group were observed,and the differences in the indicators of coagulation function were compared between NSCLC group and the healthy control group.According to the therapy,the NSCLC patients were divided into Bufei Huayu Decoction group(40 cases)and conventional treatment group(38 cases).The conventional treatment group was treated with conventional chemotherapy,while Bufei Huayu Decoction group was treated with Bufei Huayu Decoction together with conventional chemotherapy.Three weeks constituted one course of treatment,and the treatment lasted for 2 courses.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,coagulation function,immune function,serum nitric oxide(NO),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)level in Bufei Huayu Decoction group and conventional treatment group were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy of the two groups and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared during the treatment period.Results(1)NSCLC patients were classified into the clinical stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ and the pathological types of squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma,had the high proportion of KPS scores lower than 70,and were scored with high TCM syndrome scores,suggesting that the illness condition of patients with NSCLC was serious.Compared with the healthy control group,plasminogen time(PT)and thrombin time(TT)in NSCLC patients were significantly shortened,and levels of fibrinogen(FIB)and D-dimer(D-D)were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).(2)After 6 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate and total stability rate of Bufei Huayu Decoction group were 32.50%(13/40)and 85.00%(34/40),which were significantly superior to those of the conventional treatment group[versus 13.16%(5/38)and 60.53%(23/38)],and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After 3 weeks of treatment,obvious improvement was presented in the scores of all the TCM symptoms of fatigue,chest distress and shortness of breath,stabbing pain in the chest,and blood stasis in the vessels and collaterals of Bufei Huayu Decoction group and in the scores of the fatigue,chest distress and shortness of breath of the conventional treatment group when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).After 6 weeks of treatment,all of the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment and after three weeks of treatment(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that except for the scores of chest distress and shortness of breath after 3 weeks of treatment,the effect on improving all of the TCM syndrome scores in Bufei Huayu Decoction group was significantly superior to that in the conventional treatment group after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)After 6 weeks of treatment,the levels of coagulation function indicators of PT,TT,FIB and D-D in the Bufei Huayu Decoction group were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),while only FIB and D-D in the conventional treatment group were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that Bufei Huayu Decoction group had stronger effect on improving the levels of PT,FIB and D-D than the conventional treatment group(P<0.05).(5)After 6 weeks of treatment,the serum NO and VEGF levels in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the effect on lowering serum NO and VEGF levels of the Bufei Huayu Decoction group was significantly superior to that of the conventional treatment group(P<0.01).(6)After 6 weeks of treatment,the immune function parameters of CD3+,CD4+ levels and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the Bufei Huayu Decoction group were increased(P<0.05)and CD8+level was decreased(P<0.05)as compared with those before treatment,whereas CD3+,CD4+ levels and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the conventional treatment group were decreased(P<0.05)and CD8+ level was increased(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the effect of Bufei Huayu Decoction group on the increase of CD3+,CD4+ levels and CD4+/CD8+ ratio and the effect on the decrease of CD8+ level were significantly superior to those of the conventional treatment group(P<0.01).(7)In terms of the quality of life,the KPS scores of patients in the two groups after 6 weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the effect of Bufei Huayu Decoction group on the increase of KPS scores was significantly superior to that of the conventional treatment group(P<0.01).(8)During the course of treatment,the incidence of adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal reactions and alopecia in the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05),while the incidence of hepatic and renal impairment,bone marrow suppression,and toxicity of oral mucosa in Bufei Huayu Decoction group was significantly lower than that of the conventional treatment group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),suggesting that Bufei Huayu Decoction group reduced the adverse reactions induced by chemotherapy to a certain extent.Conclusion Patients with NSCLC of blood stasis and qi stagnation type generally have advanced disease progression and high blood coagulation,which is consistent with the stasis-toxin pathogenesis in TCM.The use of Bufei Huayu Decoction against the stasis-toxin pathogenesis can significantly improve patients'TCM syndrome scores and coagulation function,down-regulate the levels of serum NO and VEGF,and improve the immune function,which brings about the enhancement of clinical efficacy and quality of life,and the reduction of adverse reactions caused by chemotherapy,with a high safety.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Construction of nursing quality evaluation index system for pediatric orthopedics
Nan WANG ; Wei JIN ; Yanzhen HU ; Jie HUANG ; Dan ZHAO ; Juan XING ; Changhong LI ; Yanan HU ; Yi LIU ; Xuemei LU ; Zheng YANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(9):655-664
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To construct a representative index system for evaluating pediatric orthopedic nursing quality, providing a basis for hospital pediatric orthopedic nursing quality assessment and monitoring.Methods:From April to July 2023, using the "structure-process-outcome" three-dimensional quality structure model as the theoretical framework, a literature review was conducted, and an item pool was formulated. Through two rounds of Delphi method expert consultations, the hierarchical analysis method was finally employed to determine the indicators and their weights at each level.Results:The effective recovery rates of the questionnaire of the two rounds of expert consultations were 100% (20/20), the authority coefficients of experts were 0.87 and 0.88, the coefficients of variation were 0.00 to 0.27 and 0.00 to 0.24. The Kendell harmony coefficients of the second and third indicators in the two rounds of inquiry were 0.140, 0.166 and 0.192, 0.161(all P<0.05). The final pediatric orthopedic nursing quality evaluation index system included 3 primary indicators, 21 secondary indicators and 83 tertiary indicators. Among the primary indicators, the weight of process quality was the highest at 0.493 4, followed by outcome quality at 0.310 8, and the lowest was structural quality at 0.195 8. In the secondary indicators, "assessment criteria of limb blood circulation" had the highest weight at 0.099 8. Conclusions:The constructed pediatric orthopedic nursing quality evaluation index system covers key aspects and is more operationally feasible. It provides better guidance for nursing interventions and quality control.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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