整合网络药理学、转录组学和实验验证以探究芪黄健脾滋肾颗粒治疗干燥综合征的作用机制。
Integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and experimental validation to explore the mechanism of Qihuang Jianpi Zishen granules against Sjögren's syndrome.
作者信息
Wang Haikun, Ma Zichuang, Wu Na, Wang Xin, Yang Xinmeng
机构信息
Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Bozhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Bozhou, China.
College of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
出版信息
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):21176. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-03653-w.
This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Qihuang JianPi ZiShen granule (QJZG) in treating Sjögren's syndrome (SS) using a combination of network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and experimental validation. We conducted differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and utilized GeneCards along with other databases to identify potential therapeutic targets for SS. Concurrently, the active ingredients of QJZG and their associated targets were extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. Network pharmacology was then employed to predict the therapeutic targets and biological pathways through which QJZG may exert its effects on SS. To validate these predictions, we performed immune infiltration analysis and molecular docking studies, followed by transcriptomic sequencing and in vitro experiments for further confirmation. A total of 1,570 SS-related targets were identified, along with 70 active ingredients of QJZG and 253 associated targets, 99 of which overlapped with the SS-related targets. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed hub targets, including IL-1β, TNF, and IL-6. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis highlighted significant pathways such as the "TNF signaling pathway" and "Apoptosis". Immune infiltration analysis suggested that IL-1β, TNF, and IL-6 play critical roles in the pathogenesis and progression of SS. Molecular docking studies demonstrated strong binding affinities between the core ingredients of QJZG and hub targets. Transcriptomic sequencing confirmed that QJZG modulates SS through the TNF signaling pathway. In vitro experiments showed that QJZG, at a concentration of 4 mg/mL, exerted the most pronounced effects on human salivary gland (HSG) cells. Furthermore, treatment of interferon-γ-induced HSG cells with QJZG led to varying degrees of recovery in both inflammatory and apoptotic processes. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analyses further revealed that QJZG influences SS by modulating the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and apoptotic-related cytokines. The results suggest that the therapeutic effects of QJZG in treating SS may be mediated through the TNF signaling and apoptosis pathways. This is likely achieved by downregulating pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, which in turn alleviates inflammation-induced damage to the salivary glands.
本研究旨在结合网络药理学、转录组学和实验验证,探讨芪黄健脾滋肾颗粒(QJZG)治疗干燥综合征(SS)的治疗作用的分子机制。我们进行了差异表达分析、加权基因共表达网络分析,并利用GeneCards及其他数据库来确定SS的潜在治疗靶点。同时,从中药系统药理学数据库和分析平台中提取QJZG的活性成分及其相关靶点。然后采用网络药理学预测QJZG可能对SS发挥作用的治疗靶点和生物学途径。为了验证这些预测,我们进行了免疫浸润分析和分子对接研究,随后进行转录组测序和体外实验以进一步确认。共鉴定出1570个与SS相关的靶点,以及QJZG的70种活性成分和253个相关靶点,其中99个与SS相关靶点重叠。蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用网络分析揭示了关键靶点,包括IL-1β、TNF和IL-6。京都基因与基因组百科全书通路富集分析突出了“TNF信号通路”和“凋亡”等重要通路。免疫浸润分析表明,IL-1β、TNF和IL-6在SS的发病机制和进展中起关键作用。分子对接研究表明QJZG的核心成分与关键靶点之间具有很强的结合亲和力。转录组测序证实QJZG通过TNF信号通路调节SS。体外实验表明,浓度为4mg/mL的QJZG对人唾液腺(HSG)细胞的作用最为明显。此外,用QJZG处理干扰素-γ诱导的HSG细胞,在炎症和凋亡过程中均导致不同程度的恢复。实时定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和蛋白质印迹分析进一步表明,QJZG通过调节IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6和凋亡相关细胞因子的表达来影响SS。结果表明,QJZG治疗SS的治疗作用可能是通过TNF信号通路和凋亡途径介导的。这可能是通过下调促炎因子如IL-1β、TNF-α和IL-6来实现的,进而减轻炎症对唾液腺的损伤。