Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025090
Ovarian aging is a natural process characterized by a decline in both the quantity and quality of oocytes, which subsequently leads to diminished fertility, particularly in women over the age of 35. Given the societal trend toward postponing childbirth, it is imperative to understand the molecular mechanisms that underpin ovarian aging to address infertility issues. Melatonin (MT) is recognized for its therapeutic potential in mitigating ovarian aging; however, the specific epigenetic mechanisms involved, particularly concerning m6A methylation, remain inadequately defined. Our investigation demonstrates that MT mitigates ovarian aging in murine models, significantly decreasing m6A methylation levels. In vitro analyses of ovarian granulosa (KGN) cells reveals a marked increase in YTHDF2 expression, with differentially methylated genes being notably enriched in the polyubiquitination pathway. Further examination shows that YTHDF2 enhances the expression of the E3 ligase UBE3C by modulating the m6A methylation of UBE3C mRNA, thereby reducing the expression of the P53 senescence factor and alleviating the effects of ovarian aging.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024159
Biological development and genetic information transfer are governed by genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional mechanisms. RNA methylation, the attachment of methyl (–CH3) groups to RNA molecules, is a posttranscriptional modification that has gained increasing attention in recent years because of its role in RNA epitranscriptomics. RNA modifications (RMs) influence various aspects of RNA metabolism and are involved in the regulation of diverse biological processes and diseases. Neural cell types emerge at specific stages of brain development, and recent studies have revealed that neurodevelopment, aging, and disease are tightly linked to transcriptome dysregulation. In this review, we discuss the roles of N6-methyladenine (m6A) and 5-methylcytidine (m5C) RNA modifications in neurodevelopment, physiological functions, and related diseases.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024106
Acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) represents a primary cause of treatment failure in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) is recently found to play a pivotal role in determining anti-cancer treatment response. However, the role and mechanism of CCL2 in the development of EGFR-TKIs resistance have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we focus on the function of CCL2 in the development of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC cells. Our results show that CCL2 is aberrantly upregulated in EGFR-TKIs-resistant NSCLC cells and that CCL2 overexpression significantly diminishes sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs. Conversely, CCL2 suppression by CCL2 synthesis inhibitor, bindarit, or CCL2 knockdown can reverse this resistance. CCL2 upregulation can also lead to enhanced migration and increased expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells, which could also be rescued by CCL2 knockdown or inhibition. Furthermore, our findings suggest that CCL2-dependent EGFR-TKIs resistance involves the AKT-EMT signaling pathway; inhibition of this pathway effectively attenuates CCL2-induced cell migration and EMT marker expression. In summary, CCL2 promotes the development of acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance and EMT while activating AKT signaling in NSCLC. These insights suggest a promising avenue for the development of CCL2-targeted therapies that prevent EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC.
Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs•2026•DOI: 10.7501/j.issn.0253-2670.2026.16.20261611
This study establishes a multi-dimensional quality evaluation system for the standard decoction of Viticis Negundo Folium (VNF) by integrating characteristic chromatogram, network pharmacology, and quantitative analysis to identify quality markers (Q-Markers) for bronchitis treatment. UPLC analysis using a Cortecs C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm) with acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid gradient elution (0–9 min, 3%–16% A; 9–21 min, 16%–20% A; 21–22 min, 20%–65% A; 22–23 min, 65% A; 23–29 min, 65%–95% A) at 270 nm, 35 °C, 0.3 mL/min, and 2 μL injection volume resolved nine characteristic peaks, with four identified as p-hydroxybenzoic acid, isoorientin, isovitexin, and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (AG). Network pharmacology predicted key targets (MMP2, RELA, HDAC1, SERPINE1) and pathways (cellular senescence, AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, EB virus infection) linked to bronchitis. Quantitative analysis of 15 batches revealed average contents in standard decoction of 18.98, 9.13, 4.72, and 1.64 mg/g for the four compounds, respectively, with transfer rates from decoction pieces of 118.83%, 24.61%, 54.75%, and 19.81%. The method is accurate, reliable, and demonstrates uniform and stable quantity transfer, providing a basis for quality control and mechanistic elucidation of VNF standard decoction.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21288
BACKGROUND: As crucial stabilizers of the knee joint, the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament play essential roles in restricting valgus and varus movements, respectively. However, the mechanical differences between the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament, the microstructure characteristics, and the effect of elastin degradation on their mechanical properties remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To compare the mechanical differences between the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament, quantify the structural characteristics of the collagen fiber alignment, and investigate the effect of elastin degradation on the mechanical properties of both ligaments. METHODS: Left medial collateral ligaments and lateral collateral ligaments were harvested from adult pigs, frozen, and thawed. Quasi-static uniaxial tensile tests were performed to measure the mechanical properties of the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament, and the effects of repeated stretching on their mechanical properties were compared. Second harmonic generation imaging using a two-photon microscope was used to quantify the collagen fiber structure of the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament. After repeated stretching, the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament were incubated in elastase solution for 12 hours, followed by uniaxial tensile tests to determine the effect of elastin treatment on ligament mechanical properties. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Quasi-static uniaxial tensile tests showed that the high-tension elastic modulus of the medial collateral ligament was higher than that of the lateral collateral ligament (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the low-tension elastic modulus between the two groups (P > 0.05). Repeated stretching significantly reduced the low-tension elastic modulus of both the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament. (2) Elastase treatment significantly reduced the low-tension and high-tension elastic moduli of both the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament, and the decrease in the high-tension elastic modulus of the lateral collateral ligament was greater than that of the medial collateral ligament. After elastase treatment, both the low-tension and high-tension elastic moduli of the medial collateral ligament were higher than those of the lateral collateral ligament (P < 0.05). (3) Two-photon imaging showed that the collagen fibers of the medial collateral ligament maintained a crimped structure, and its fiber waviness was significantly higher than that of the lateral collateral ligament. (4) These results indicate that the medial collateral ligament has stronger elastic properties than the lateral collateral ligament, and elastase treatment has a greater effect on the mechanical properties of the lateral collateral ligament. These mechanical results may be related to the more crimped collagen fiber arrangement in the medial collateral ligament.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21316
BACKGROUND: The therapeutic potential of Toddalia asiatica in rheumatoid arthritis has garnered increasing attention, yet its mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the underlying mechanisms of Toddalia asiatica in treating rheumatoid arthritis using bioinformatics combined with molecular dynamics simulation. METHODS: Active ingredients of Toddalia asiatica and their targets were retrieved. Drug targets were intersected with rheumatoid arthritis-related targets, followed by enrichment analysis of the overlapping genes. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to validate the binding mechanisms of core active ingredients with key targets. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Through literature retrieval, 22 core active ingredients of Toddalia asiatica and their key targets against rheumatoid arthritis were identified. Enrichment analysis indicated that Toddalia asiatica may exert therapeutic effects by modulating disease-related signaling pathways (including cancer, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases) as well as biological pathways related to metabolism, immunity, and inflammation. Meanwhile, the main components Dihydrochelerythrine and 8-Methoxychelerythrine specifically target phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), respectively, suggesting that Toddalia asiatica may exert anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects through synergistic multi-pathway regulation.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21360
BACKGROUND: In recent years, the application of kidney organoid technology in acute kidney injury has gradually become a research hotspot. Traditional animal models have species differences from humans, and physiological and pathological processes of their kidneys cannot fully represent the human situation. Kidney organoid technology forms 3D kidney models through stem cell culture, which can simulate the complex structure and function of human kidneys. It has shown great potential in disease modeling and mechanism exploration of acute kidney injury, prediction of drug nephrotoxicity, and exploration of regeneration and repair mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application progress of kidney organoids in acute kidney injury research, providing new technical means and research strategies for the prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury. METHODS: Literature related to organoids and acute kidney injury was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases. Chinese search terms included "acute kidney injury, organoid, pluripotent stem cells, 3D bioprinting, kidney-on-a-chip, regenerative medicine, kidney transplantation"; English search terms included "acute kidney injury, organoid, pluripotent stem cells, 3D bioprinting, kidney-on-a-chip, regenerative medicine, kidney transplantation". All retrieved literature were original research articles and relevant reviews, with the search time limit from database inception to April 2025. Finally, 99 articles were screened for analysis and summary. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The cell sources for inducing kidney organoid formation reported in the literature mainly include pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and urine-derived stem cells. These induced kidney organoids play important roles in in vitro drug screening, kidney development, and disease modeling. (2) 3D bioprinting and kidney-on-a-chip technology are emerging techniques for constructing kidney organoids. 3D bioprinting can precisely and specifically construct complex multicellular structures, while kidney-on-a-chip technology has characteristics such as high gas permeability, sensitivity, and low cost, which can extend organoid lifespan, increase biocompatibility, and are suitable for preclinical drug development and toxicity screening. (3) The combination of gene editing technology with kidney organoid models brings new perspectives and tools for kidney disease research, drug development, and regenerative medicine. It can construct kidney organoids with specific reporter genes or sensitive indicators, and amplify and classify specific kidney cell types in kidney organoids. (4) Kidney organoids show unique advantages in disease simulation, drug evaluation, and exploration of regenerative therapeutic strategies for acute kidney injury. They can serve as in vitro models to study the toxicity mechanisms of drugs such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, and red yeast rice supplements that cause acute kidney injury, screen high-throughput drugs and therapeutic targets, and also play an important role in the field of renal transplantation regenerative medicine.