Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B最新文献

{"title":"How do mechanical forces impact macrophages in the processes of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction?","authors":"Dan Yu, Chenlu Xu, Jinpeng Jiang, Wenyi Shen, Huiyong Zhu","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400183","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400183","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Macrophages are sensitive cells to various external mechanical forces in the environment, such as stretch, shear, and pressure. Mechanical forces can be recognized by mechanical signal receptors on the cell surface, such as cell adhesion molecules and ion channels, and transformed into intracellular biological signals, in turn activating different signaling pathways and thereby regulating the phagocytosis, migration, and polarization of macrophages. The phenomenon in which macrophages transform into different activated phenotypes and perform different functions under varying environmental stimuli is also known as macrophage polarization. In this review, we discuss the roles of mechanically sensitive integrins and ion channels in the mechanical signal sensing of macrophages. We expound on several downstream signaling pathways closely related to integrins and ion channels, such as the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) pathways, which have made good research progress. In addition, we summarize some in vitro experiments on the regulation of macrophage polarization by external mechanical forces, some current cell models for macrophages in vitro, and some commonly used force application devices, with the aim to provide convenience for future in vitro research on macrophages. This paper offers a deep understanding of the mechanical sensitivity and conduction mechanisms of macrophages, which can provide new ideas for the treatment of human diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"27 2","pages":"129-148"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12885616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146142679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emerging roles of the metabolite succinate in bone-related diseases.","authors":"Zuping Wu, Qiaoli Dai, Ying Wang, Na Wu, Chenyu Wang, Jiejun Shi","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400406","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400406","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bone-related diseases, including osteoporosis (OP), osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fracture, and periodontitis, significantly impact human health. Succinate, primarily known as a metabolic intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, has emerged as a regulator of cellular functions beyond its metabolic role. Under stress, succinate accumulates in mitochondria and acts as a signaling molecule, modulating cellular processes. Notably, succinate activates angiogenesis and inflammation by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Moreover, it influences various pathophysiological processes by interacting with the succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1), thereby impacting immune response, inflammation, cancer metastasis, and bone homeostasis. The multifaceted roles of succinate as a signaling molecule vary depending on its cellular location and concentration. Recent metabolomic analyses have revealed elevated succinate levels in bone-related diseases, indicating its potential association with these conditions. The objective of this review is to elucidate the impacts of succinate on different bone-related diseases and to discuss potential therapeutic targets and drug molecules based on its mechanisms of action.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"26 12","pages":"1137-1155"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12768567/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145906280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PICK1 modulates the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by regulating TLR4.","authors":"Kaiqiang Li, Yimin Yang, Yaling Wang, Jing Jin, Qianni Wang, Lina Peng, Aibo Xu, Xuling Luo, Wei Yang, Peng Xu, Bingyu Chen, Ke Hao, Zhen Wang","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400167","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400167","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) interacts with a variety of membrane proteins and receptors involved in nervous system diseases and multiple cancers. However, the role of PICK1 in gastric cancer remains unclear. In the present work, we explored the expression and interactions of PICK1 with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in gastric cancer. Clinical data analysis showed that PICK1 expression decreases and is predictive of worse outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. High PICK1 levels attenuate the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, which is dependent on the TLR4/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) signaling pathway. Furthermore, in vitro experiments demonstrated that PICK1 affects the trafficking and degradation of TLR4 and promotes TLR4 degradation via autophagy in gastric cancer cells. Molecular dynamics simulations highlighted the binding strength and stability of the TLR4-PICK1 complex. Our study provides new insights into the cellular and pathological functions of PICK1 in gastric cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"27 1","pages":"58-72"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12848559/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146064529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimized substrate selection for enhanced orchid growth based on high-throughput lysimetric arrays.","authors":"Jia Yao, Xubo Ke, Xinyue Gu, Zhihan Jiang, Zhengzheng Ying, Chenze Lu, Chongbo Sun, Pei Xu","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2500195","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2500195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Orchids are highly valued ornamental plants whose growth conditions directly impact the economic returns of the horticultural industry. The substrate, acting both as a physical support and a nutrient reservoir, is critical for orchid development. Therefore, the careful selection of an appropriate growth substrate is of paramount importance. However, existing research on the relationship between orchid growth and substrate properties relies mainly on manual measurements of physiological indicators, with limited application of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) platforms. In this study, we evaluated three distinct substrate types, peat soil mixed with perlite, pine bark, and river sand, which were applied to two orchid species, <i>Cymbidium goeringii</i> and <i>Cymbidium faberi</i>. Using the high-throughput Plantarray lysimetric system, we continuously recorded environmental parameters (photosynthetically active radiation, humidity, and temperature) as well as key growth metrics (biomass accumulation, canopy conductance, and transpiration rate). This platform enabled precise and rapid quantification of orchid growth indicators. The results show that the type of substrate significantly affects orchid growth. Under controlled conditions, mixed substrates that provide balanced nutrition and excellent drainage enhanced orchid growth compared to other substrates. Additionally, when the data obtained from the HTP platform were compared with those from traditional manual measurements, the automated system showed higher reliability and accuracy. This study not only provides practical guidance for selecting cultivation substrates for orchids, but also establishes a robust scientific framework for integrating advanced phenotyping technologies into orchid cultivation practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"27 5","pages":"437-449"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13183488/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147973359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel bacterial strain for the removal of ammonia nitrogen from wastewater: <i>Pseudomonas oleovorans</i> QS-7.","authors":"Hao Qiu, Min Liao, Xiaomei Xie, Xinyue Lu, Feng Yuan, Zhe Luo, Chunlin Fan","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400257","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Excessive ammonia nitrogen has been demonstrated to cause a serious hazard to water environments. Bacteria performing simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) can be effective biological instruments to remove ammonia nitrogen completely from effluents. For the first time, <i>Pseudomonas oleovorans</i> QS-7 with SND function, isolated from the biogas treatment system of a pig farm, was found to efficiently remove ammonia nitrogen. Through the determination of key enzymes and functional genes related to the nitrogen metabolism of strain QS-7, combined with nitrogen balance measurements of the nitrogen metabolic process, it was speculated that the SND pathway of the novel strain is N H 4+ →NH₂OH→ N O 2- → N O 3- → N O 2- →NO→N₂O→N₂. QS-7 exhibited 98.6% ammonia nitrogen removal and a maximum ammonia degradation rate of 9.2 mg/(L·h) at 18 h in 100 mg/L ammonia nitrogen solution. This strain also has a certain capacity to remove nitrate and nitrite nitrogen; the maximum removal efficiencies were 54.22% and 73.93%, respectively, in systems with 100 mg/L of nitrate or nitrite nitrogen as the sole nitrogen source. Nitrogen metabolic balance analysis for QS-7, using ammonia (100 mg/L) as the sole nitrogen source, demonstrated that assimilation (56.1%) is the main mode of nitrogen removal, followed by conversion to N₂ (43.6%). Meanwhile, N O 2- was not detected, and almost no NO<i>_x</i> was produced, which indicates that the nitrogen removal process of QS-7 is environmentally friendly. The optimal environmental conditions for QS-7 were found to be sodium citrate as the carbon source, C/N=10, pH=7.0, 150 r/min, and 30 ℃. The above results indicate that QS-7 may provide a material and conceptual basis for the advancement of SND technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"27 3","pages":"236-249"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12996865/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147474382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent research advances in the biological function and molecular mechanism of methylmalonic acid.","authors":"Zi'ang Wang, Wenhui Cheng, Teng Wang, Yidi Zhang, Xin'e Shi, Yuqi Lv, Jianjun Jin","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400202","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400202","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The abnormal accumulation of methylmalonic acid (MMA), the leading cause of methylmalonic acidemia, can cause irreversible damage to the brain, kidney, and cardiovascular system. In addition, the accumulation of MMA in the blood has recently been associated with the occurrence of cancer, restricted bodily movement, and growth retardation. In this review, recent studies on the relationship between the metabolic abnormality of MMA and disease occurrence were summarized, concerning the brain, kidney, cardiovascular system, cancer, and skeletal muscles. It provides a theoretical basis and reference for further research and the treatment of MMA-related pathophysiological changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"27 3","pages":"225-235"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12996862/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147474441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Roles of Wnt ligands and receptors in oral squamous cell carcinoma.","authors":"Muhammad Tufail, Caiyun He, Canhua Jiang, Ning Li","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400251","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400251","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) poses significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence highlights the critical involvement of Wingless/Int-1 (Wnt) ligands and receptors in OSCC pathogenesis. Dysregulated Wnt signaling pathways contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and therapy resistance by promoting cellular proliferation, epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Targeting Wnt signaling presents a promising therapeutic avenue, yet its complex interplay with other signaling pathways requires a deeper understanding to implement effective intervention. This study sheds light on the current knowledge of the roles of Wnt ligands and receptors in OSCC, emphasizing their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Future research directions involve elucidating context-specific Wnt signaling dynamics and exploring combination therapies to improve clinical outcomes for OSCC patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"27 2","pages":"105-128"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12885610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146142689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From 2D to 3D: transforming malignant bone tumor research with advanced culture models.","authors":"Zhengcheng He, Haitao Huang, Jiale Fang, Huiping Liu, Xudong Yao, Hongwei Wu","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400288","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CS), and Ewing sarcoma (ES) represent primary malignant bone tumors and pose significant challenges in oncology research and clinical management. Conventional research methods, such as two-dimensional (2D) cultured tumor cells and animal models, have limitations in recapitulating the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and often fail to translate into effective clinical treatments. The advancement of three-dimensional (3D) culture technology has revolutionized the field by enabling the development of in vitro constructed bone tumor models that closely mimic the in vivo TME. These models provide powerful tools for investigating tumor biology, assessing therapeutic responses, and advancing personalized medicine. This comprehensive review summarizes the recent advancements in research on 3D tumor models constructed in vitro for OS, CS, and ES. We discuss the various techniques employed in model construction, their applications, and the challenges and future directions in this field. The integration of advanced technologies and the incorporation of additional cell types hold promise for the development of more sophisticated and physiologically relevant models. As research in this field continues to evolve, we anticipate that these models will play an increasingly crucial role in unraveling the complexities of malignant bone tumors and accelerating the development of novel therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"26 11","pages":"1059-1075"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12640748/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145588268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polarizing macrophages derived from human THP-1 cells in vitro: methods and protocols.","authors":"Pengfei Li, Lin Chen, Wei Yuan, Xingqiang Li, Xuesong Feng","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400516","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Macrophages derived from the human THP-1 cell line have been widely used as substitutes for primary macrophages in various macrophage-related studies. However, difficulties still exist in establishing THP-1 macrophage models. This research presents techniques for generating different phenotypes of activated macrophages derived from THP-1 cells by introducing specific stimuli and provides some potential markers to confirm each type of activated macrophage. It is hoped to provide novel and useful methods for scientific research and to help researchers explore this field more intuitively and effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"26 11","pages":"1132-1136"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12640744/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145588183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Acinetobacter</i> sp. ME1: a multifunctional bacterium for phytoremediation utilizing melanin production, heavy metal tolerance, and plant growth promotion.","authors":"Soo Yeon Lee, Kyung-Suk Cho","doi":"10.1631/jzus.B2400522","DOIUrl":"10.1631/jzus.B2400522","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microorganisms inhabiting soils contaminated with heavy metals produce melanin, a dark brown pigment, as a survival strategy. In this study, a melanin-producing bacterium, <i>Acinetobacter</i> sp. ME1, with heavy metal tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits, was isolated from abandoned mine soil. Strain ME1 exhibited growth at concentrations of Zn up to 250 mg/L, Cd and Pb up to 100 mg/L, and Cr up to 50 mg/L. It had the ability to produce the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores along with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase and protease activities. Additionally, it showed antioxidant activity, including catalase and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities. The optimal conditions for melanin production by ME1 were a pH of 7 and a temperature of 35 ℃. At 1000 mg/L, ME1-extracted melanin exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity of (25.040±0.007)%, a sun protection factor of 15.200±0.260, and 19.6% antibacterial activity against the plant pathogen <i>Xanthomonas campestris</i>. Furthermore, its adsorption capacity was (0.235±0.073) mg/g melanin for Zn and (0.277±0.008) mg/g melanin for Ni. In plants of <i>Brassica chinensis</i> grown under conditions of hydroponic cultivation with single heavy metal contamination of Cd, Zn, Pb, or Cr, the removal efficiency of each heavy metal was improved by 0.1‒1.8 times after 3 d following inoculation with the strain ME1 compared to the plants grown under the same conditions without inoculation. In addition, ME1 inoculation improved the removal efficiency of each heavy metal by 0.1‒1.0 times under multiple heavy metal contamination conditions. These findings suggest that <i>Acinetobacter</i> sp. ME1 could be used to enhance phytoremediation efficiency in heavy metal-contaminated soils. Moreover, the melanin it produces also holds promise in cosmetics, household products, and medical applications due to its photoprotective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":17797,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B","volume":"26 11","pages":"1103-1120"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12640746/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145588185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}