JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY
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2026
·Vol. 78
·期 2
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IF 3.7
Wang Baoying,Liu Hui,Zhang Changjing,Yan Xiangli,Xu Erping,Bai Ming,Li Yucheng
ObjectivesFormononetin (FMN) is known for its significant neuroprotective effects, this study aims to investigate the antidepressant potential and underlying mechanisms of FMN.MethodsAntidepressant efficacy was evaluated in corticosterone (CORT)-induced depression models. In vivo, CORT-exposed mice received FMN to assess behavioral and hippocampal changes (dendritic spine density, synaptic markers: MAP-2/GAP-43). In silico, network pharmacology and molecular docking predicted FMN’s binding affinity and enriched pathways. In vitro, HT22 cells pretreated with FMN (10 μM, 6 h) were subjected to CORT injury, with mechanistic validation via ERα antagonist (MPP) and ERK inhibitor (PD98059).Key findingsFMN alleviated depressive-like behaviors and preserved hippocampal integrity in mice. Bioinformatics analysis revealed FMN’s strong binding to ER subtypes and enrichment in estrogen/MAPK pathways. In vitro, FMN pretreatment activated the ERK-CREB-BDNF axis in CORT-injured HT22 cells, enhancing neuronal survival and synaptic function. The activation was ERα/ERK-dependent, as evidenced by the abolition of protective effects following pharmacological inhibition with MPP (ERα antagonist) or PD98059 (ERK inhibitor). Concomitantly, in vivo FMN treatment restored hippocampal p-ERK/ERK ratios in mice, directly corroborating the ERK-CREB-BDNF pathway activation and highlighting its efficacy in reversing CORT-induced signaling deficits.ConclusionFMN exerts antidepressant effects via ERα-mediated neurotrophic signaling (ERK-CREB-BDNF), offering a mechanistic foundation for natural antidepressant development.
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Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2025
·
IF 4.8
Junhui Yu,Ningning Shao,Jianming Yang,Long Yang,Kaiwen Hong,Yuzhu Chen,Xiaoming Zhao,Hongzhi Yu,Tao Zhang,Jinrui Dong
Introduction Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic liver disease associated with oxidative stress and ferroptosis, leading to liver injury and fibrosis. Garlic, renowned for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, is commonly used in traditional medicine. Ultrafine powder technology enhances the physicochemical properties of natural products, improving their bioavailability and efficacy. This study explores the protective effects of ultrafine garlic powder (UGP) on NASH and its underlying mechanisms. Methods In this study, UGP was prepared by high-speed particle collision technology and compared with traditional garlic powder (TGP). Results UGP exhibited a particle size (d(0.5) of approximately 4 μm) that is 30 times smaller than TGP, showing significantly smaller particle size and lower contact angle (UGP=59.775°vs TGP=83.545°). UGP also demonstrated improved solubility and dispersibility, along with an enrichment of key organosulfur compounds such as allicinAllicin, Alliin, SAC, and GSAC. In vitro, UGP significantly reduced palmitic acid-induced ROS production (n=4, p< 0.0001), prevented mitochondrial dysfunction (n=4, p=0.0035), and thereby reduced hepatic stellate cell activation. UGP lowered intracellular Fe2+ levels in hepatocytes from 68.72% to 34.48% (n=4) and significantly protected hepatocytes from erastin-induced ferroptosis (cell viability: UGP treatment 23.46% vs erastin stimulation 53.91%, n = 4, p <0.0001).In the acute liver fibrosis model induced by methionine- and choline-deficient diet supplemented with 60 kcal% fat (CDHF), UGP significantly improved liver histology. Compared to the model group, the liver/body weight ratio of mice was significantly restored (n=4, p<0.0001), and histopathological staining showed a substantial improvement in liver damage. Biochemically, UGP significantly reduced the levels of liver collagen, triglycerides, and cholesterol (n = 6, p < 0.0001). Fibrosis-related mRNA and pro-inflammatory mRNA expression were significantly decreased. Western blot results showed that UGP significantly inhibited the activation of p-ERK signaling. In the chronic liver fibrosis model induced by a diet with 60 kcal% fat (HFD), UGP demonstrated similar therapeutic effects. RNA-seq analysis revealed that UGP modulated key pathways, including fatty acid metabolism and the MAPK signaling pathway, and suppressed ROS production, further highlighting its therapeutic potential in NASH treatment. Discussion Taken together, these data suggest that UGP alleviates NASH by inhibiting hepatocyte ferroptosis and modulating ERK-dependent oxidative stress, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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营养科学
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氧化应激研究
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天然产物
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分子生物学
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Cancer Cell International
·
2026
·
IF 7
Ni Jie,Gao Aidi,Chen Ying,He Chao,Wang Xixi,Savelyeva Natalia,Dong Xin,Wang Yiqiang,Wang Mu
Background Despite significant advances in the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) over the past two decades, therapeutic intervention for patients at advanced or metastatic stages remains a clinical hurdle. Emerging evidence highlights aberrant CD70 expression during tumor progression, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target in advanced ccRCC. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CD70-mediated metastatic processes remain poorly defined. Methods CD70 was knocked out or overexpressed in three ccRCC cell lines, and its role in tumor progression was assessed using in vitro migration and invasion assays, as well as in vivo tumorigenesis and metastasis models . Mass spectrometry-based proteomics was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins and potential pathway dysregulation following CD70 depletion. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays confirmed the CD70-NF1 interaction, and NF1 knockdown in CD70-knockout cells was conducted to reverse the effects of CD70 depletion on Ras/ERK signaling, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related features. Expression of EMT-related marks were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results CD70 was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues and correlated with poor survival outcomes. CD70 knockout markedly inhibited in vitro cell migration and invasion, as well as in vivo tumor growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, CD70 depletion was associated with increased neurofibromin 1 (NF1) expression in ccRCC cells; CD70 knockout resulted in robust NF1 induction, which in turn suppressed Ras/ERK signaling and downstream EMT-related molecular alterations. Notably, NF1 knockdown largely reversed the inhibitory effects of CD70 knockout on these key molecular and functional phenotype changes. Conclusions Our findings uncover a novel CD70-NF1-Ras/ERK axis that contributes to ccRCC progression and metastasis, involving suppression of NF1 and subsequent activation of the Ras/ERK signaling pathway, which further promotes EMT and enhances metastatic capacity. These insights provide a mechanistic foundation for targeting CD70 as a potential therapeutic strategy in advanced ccRCC. Notably, we propose that CD70-targeted therapy may be more effective when combined with agents blocking adaptive escape pathways (e.g., Ras/ERK inhibitors), a hypothesis generated by mechanistic rescue and pharmacologic inhibition in vitro, which require further preclinical validation to confirm synergistic efficacy and clinical viability.
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Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2023
·
IF 5.6
Li Yuan-Ce,Zhang Qi,Zhang Hong-Yang,Wang Yan-Wen,Sun Yu-Mei,Yang Bi-Juan,Yin Jun-Lin
Introduction: Artesunate, a derivative of artemisinin, has anti-malarial effects, and in recent years has also been reported to have anti-tumor activity. However, its anti-tumor mechanisms are not well understood. Methods: In this study, we focused on the targeting of Hsp90 by artesunate to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, which we examined using immunoprecipitation, a proliferation assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, a tumor xenograft animal model, and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, to examine the tumor-suppressive effects of artesunatein nude mice, we used artesunate-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. Results: The binding of artesunate to Hsp90 was found to reduce the expression of its client proteins AKT, ERK, p-AKT, p-ERK, and EGFR, thereby blocking the cell cycle at the G0/G1 → S stage in lymphoma cells and inducing apoptosis. In addition, the results of tumor xenograft experiments revealed that artesunate reduced the expression of AKT and ERK proteins in tumor tissues, inhibited tumor proliferation, and reduced tumor size and weight. Furthermore, nanoparticle encapsulation was demonstrated to enhance the anti-cancer activity of artesunate. Discussion: We thus established that artesunate inhibits the proliferation of lymphoma cells by targeting the Hsp90 protein, and we accordingly believe that this compound has potential for development as a novelanti-tumor drug.
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NEUROSCIENCE
·
2023
·
IF 3.3
Lu-Lu Lin,Gui-Jun Song,Hui Zhang,Yan Yin,Shi-Meng Xin,Li Ding,Yu Li
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and neuroinflammation. G-protein-coupled receptor 34 (Gpr34) was found highly expressed in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. However, its role in AD remains unclear. Herein, the role of Gpr34 as well as its molecular mechanism was explored. Data in GSE85162 were analyzed and the differently expressed genes in the hippocampus tissues of APP/PS1 mouse model of AD were subjected to GO, KEGG and GSEA enrichment analyses. APP/PS1 mice were used as an animal model of AD and the cognitive impairment was evaluated by a water maze test. The level of Gpr34 in hippocampus and BV-2 cells as well as the activation of ERK/NF-κB signal was determined by quantitative real-time PCR, western blot or immunofluorescence. Our results showed that, in BV-2 cells exposed to Aβ 1-42 , Gpr34 knockdown decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS and suppressed the activation of ERK/NF-κB signal. Moreover, the Gpr34-overexpression-induced activation of ERK/NF-κB signal and up-regulated levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS were abolished by FR180204, an ERK inhibitor. On the other hand, the in vivo study showed that Gpr34 knockdown ameliorated the cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice, decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, the activation of microglia and ERK/NF-κB signal. In conclusion, Gpr34 knockdown relieved cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice and suppressed neuroinflammation and microglial activation, maybe via the ERK/NF-κB signal. It is indicated that the high level of Grp34 in hippocampus may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.
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PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2022
·
IF 6.656
Ying-kun Zhi,Jing Li,Lang Yi,Rui-li Zhu,Jin-fang Luo,Qing-ping Shi,Sha-sha Bai,Yan-wu Li,Qun Du,Jia-zhong Cai,Liang Liu,Pei-xun Wang,Hua Zhou,Yan Dong
Background Sinomenine (SIN) is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used for decades in China to treat arthritis . In a previous study, SIN acted on α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) to inhibit inflammatory responses in macrophages, which indicates a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of SIN. However, the level of α7nAChR was increased in the inflammatory responses and was downregulated by SIN in vitro, so the underlying mechanisms of SIN acting on α7nAChR remain unclear. Purpose To analyze the role of α7nAChR in inflammation and the effect and mechanism of SIN regulation of α7nAChR. Methods The effects of SIN on α7nAChR in endotoxemic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophages were observed. Nicotine (Nic) was used as a positive control, and berberine (Ber) was used as a negative control targeting α7nAChR. The antagonists of α7nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (BTX) and mecamylamine (Me), were used to block α7nAChR. In RAW264.7 macrophage cells in vitro , α7nAChR short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to knock down α7nAChR. Macrophage polarization was analyzed by the detection of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1. U0126 was used to block ERK phosphorylation. The cytokines α7nAChR, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1 were detected. Results SIN decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and the expression of α7nAChR increased by LPS in endotoxemic mice. The above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. In the α7nAChR shRNA transfected RAW264.7 cells, compared with the control, α7nAChR was knocked down, and M1 phenotype markers (including TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) were significantly downregulated, whereas M2 phenotype markers (including IL-10, Arg-1, and Fizz1) were significantly upregulated when stimulated by LPS. SIN inhibited the expression of p-ERK1/2 and the transcription factor Egr-1 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells, and the above effects of SIN were attenuated by BTX. The expression of α7nAChR was suppressed by U0126, which lessened the expression of p-ERK1/2 and Egr-1. Conclusions SIN acts on α7nAChR to inhibit inflammatory responses and downregulates high expression of α7nAChR in vivo and in vitro . The increase of α7nAChR expression is correlated with inflammatory responses and participates in macrophage M1 polarization. SIN downregulates α7nAChR via a feedback pathway of α7nAChR/ERK/Egr-1, which contributes to inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization and inflammatory responses.
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CLINICAL SCIENCE
·
2022
·Vol. 136
·期 4
·291-307
·
IF 6.876
Liang Liping,Liu Le,Zhou Wanyan,Yang Chenghai,Mai Genghui,Li Haolin,Chen Ye
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is majorly associated with dysregulation of the dynamic cross-talk among microbial metabolites, intestinal epithelial cells, and macrophages. Several studies have reported the significant role of butyrate in host–microbiota communication. However, whether butyrate provides anti-inflammatory profiles in macrophages, thus contributing to UC intestinal mucus barrier protection, has currently remained elusive. In the current study, we found that butyrate increased mucin production and the proportion of mucin-secreting goblet cells in the colon crypt in a macrophage-dependent manner by using clodronate liposomes. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro studies were conducted, validating that butyrate facilitates M2 macrophage polarization with the elevated expressions of CD206 and arginase-1 (Arg1). In macrophages/goblet-like LS174T cells co-culture systems, butyrate-primed M2 macrophages significantly enhanced the expression of mucin-2 (MUC2) and SPDEF (goblet cell marker genes) than butyrate alone, while blockade of WNTs secretion or ERK1/2 activation significantly decreased the beneficial effect of butyrate-primed macrophages on goblet cell function. Additionally, the adoptive transfer of butyrate-induced M2 macrophages facilitated the generation of goblet cells and mucus restoration following dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) insult. Taken together, our results revealed a novel mediator of macrophage–goblet cell cross-talk associated with the regulation of epithelial barrier integrity, implying that the microbial metabolite butyrate may serve as a candidate therapeutic target for UC.
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INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
·
2021
·
IF 3.342
M.A. Abo-Kadoum,Mohammed Assad,Moure UAE,Stech A.E. Nzaou,Zhen Gong,Asmaa Moaaz,Samson Teweldebrhan,Adel Eltoukhy,Ai Xuefeng,Yu Chen,Jianping Xie
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) survival and virulence largely reside on its ability to manipulate the host immune response . We have previously shown that M. tuberculosis Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) Rv2140c regulates diverse phosphorylation events in M. smegmatis . However, its role during infection is unknown. In this report, we show that Rv2140c can mimic the mammalian RKIP function. Rv2140c inhibit the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) via decreasing the phosphorylation capacity of upstream mediators MEK1, ERK1/2, and IKKα/β, thus leading to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. This effect can be reversed by RKIP inhibitor locostatin. Furthermore Rv2140c mediates apoptosis associated with activation of caspases cascades. This modulation enhances the intracellular survival of M. smegmatis within macrophage. We propose that Rv2140c is a multifunctional virulence factor and a promising novel anti-Tuberculosis drug target.
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PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2020
·
IF 4.268
Xiaotian Qi,Jing Liu,Xiaoyu Li,Mengyue Fan,Nana Huang,Rong Sun
Background Despite granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is widely used in clinical, cancer chemotherapy induced neutropenia (CCIN) infection and infection-related mortality is high for lack of functionally mature neutrophils . Generating functional neutrophils is new therapeutic approaches to reduce CCIN-associated infection and mortality. Saikosaponin a (SSA) is one of the major bioactive components of Radix Bupleuri (RB) and exerts immunoregulatory effects. Purpose The present study aims to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of SSA in CCIN therapy. Methods SSA was applied both in vitro and in vivo to assess the efficacy of CCIN therapy. The differentiation of neutrophils was measured by Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay and Giemsa staining assay. The neutrophil differentiation related real-time transcription factors were detected by quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western Blot . Bacteria killing assay was used to assess the ability of fighting infection. Network pharmacology was employed to explore the mechanism network, and the predicted pathways were validated by Western Blot. Results We found that SSA contributed to generate functional mature neutrophils which capable of fighting infection both in vitro and in vivo . Network pharmacology prediction showed 55 pathways were predicted involved in SSA against CCIN. Further validation showed that CBL-ERK1/2 pathway was activated by SSA, which could upregulate PU.1 and CEBPβ expression leading to neutrophil differentiation. Conclusions Our findings suggest a natural regimen SSA regenerates microbicidal neutrophils to effectively reduce CCIN-associated infection via activating CBL-ERK1/2 pathway, providing a rationale for future therapeutic approaches.
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FASEB JOURNAL
·
2020
·Vol. 34
·期 6
·8402-8415
·
IF 4.966
Xingquan Xu,Rongliang Wang,Rui Wu,Wenjin Yan,Tianshu Shi,Qing Jiang,Dongquan Shi
Bone loss is a severe complication of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Trehalose was intermittently administered in bile duct-ligated (BDL) male rats, a PBC-related osteoporosis model, for 4 weeks to reduce osteoporosis. Femoral bones were assessed ex vivo by micro computed tomography (CT) and histomorphometry. The potential mechanisms related to the reduction of osteoporosis were explored by evaluating the effect of trehalose on osteoblast autophagy, osteogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and ERK phosphorylation. The results demonstrated that trehalose reduced osteoporosis of BDL rats and decreased osteoblast-mediated osteoclast differentiation by enhancing osteoblast autophagy to regulate osteoprotegerin (OPG) secretion. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) increased the expression of OPG and OPG /receptor activator genes for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) ratio, and reduced osteoblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting autophagy flux and inducing autophagosome formation. Furthermore, trehalose increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in MC3T3-E1 cells, and the ERK inhibitor PD98059 reversed the upregulation of OPG gene and reduction of trehalose-induced osteoclastogeneis. The treatment with HCQ markedly increased the ERK phosphorylation. The correlation between autophagosome formation and ERK phosphorylation was confirmed in autophagy proteins (ATG) 4B or ATG5-deficient cells. Thus, trehalose could decrease osteoblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis and reduce PBC-related bone loss by regulating ERK phosphorylation via autophagosome formation.
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EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
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2020
·Vol. 30
·期 7
·932-942
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IF 3.368
Aimin Liu,Buxin Zhang,Wei Zhao,Yuanhui Tu,Qingxing Wang,Jing Li
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal hyperproliferation and differentiation. The object of this study is to explore the role of microRNA-215-5p in psoriasis-like inflammation. The expression of miR-215-5p was found to be down-regulated in pro-inflammatory factor-stimulated HaCaT cells and imiquimod (IMQ)-treated skin tissues. Overexpression of miR-215-5p suppressed the proliferation and cell cycle progression of HaCaT cells. Further, miR-215-5p agomir alleviated the disease severity, pathological features and Ki67 positive cells in IMQ-treated mice. Luciferase assay confirmed that miR-215-5p could bind to the 3′UTR of DYRK1A. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that miR-215-5p negatively regulates DYRK1A, which further inhibited EGFR and its downstream signalling pathways, AKT and ERK. Collectively, our results provide evidence that overexpression of miR-215-5p inhibits the proliferation of HaCaT cells and alleviates psoriasis-like inflammation partly by DYRK1A mediated inhibition of the EGFR signalling pathway. miR-215-5p may serve as a novel small molecule for therapeutic intervention in psoriasis.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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皮肤科
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炎症性疾病
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微小RNA研究
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ONCOLOGY REPORTS
·
2017
·Vol. 38
·期 6
·3668-3676
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IF 2.662
Yulin Jiang,Feihu Ji,Yifeng Liu,Mengjia He,Zhiqian Zhang,Junhong Yang,Nian Wang,Changli Zhong,Qianni Jin,Xiangsen Ye,Tingmei Chen
Breast cancer is a common cause of cancer‑related deaths in women. Treatment with cisplatin exhibits some therapeutic efficacy. However, treatment optimization is required, and the mechanisms underlying the cisplatin's proapoptotic effects remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that cisplatin induced apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer cells. Autophagy induced by cisplatin played a protective role in breast cancer cells, which impaired its proapoptotic effect. Mechanistically, for the first time, we found that cisplatin treatment activated the MAPK signaling pathway and promoted autophagy via the ERK signaling pathway. Notably, we found that nuclear translocation of yes-associated protein (YAP) was regulated by cisplatin-induced autophagy, and we identified YAP as a survival input that promoted survival in cisplatin-treated breast cancer cells. These findings revealed that administration of cisplatin along with an autophagy inhibitor is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating breast cancer.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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细胞生物学
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分子生物学
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