1.Research progress of acetylation in the pathogenesis of MASLD
Li YAN ; Fengyu JU ; Xin SHEN ; Ye YU ; Wenhui WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(1):31-39
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and its intricate pathogenesis presents challenges in the development of new drugs. As a common way of post-translational modification, acetylation regulates protein stability, enzyme activity, and subcellular localization, occurring extensively in MASLD-associated processes such as lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress. In this paper, we comprehensively review the mechanism of acetylation in MASLD, analyze the expression levels of acetylases in liver tissues of MASLD patients from the gene expression omnibus (GEO), discuss the changes in relevant enzyme expression and mechanisms in animal models, and further explore the feasibility of targeting acetylation for MASLD treatment, in the hope of offering a new perspective for advancing drug discovery in the field of MASLD.
2.Gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk: an observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Yuanyue ZHU ; Linhui SHEN ; Yanan HUO ; Qin WAN ; Yingfen QIN ; Ruying HU ; Lixin SHI ; Qing SU ; Xuefeng YU ; Li YAN ; Guijun QIN ; Xulei TANG ; Gang CHEN ; Yu XU ; Tiange WANG ; Zhiyun ZHAO ; Zhengnan GAO ; Guixia WANG ; Feixia SHEN ; Xuejiang GU ; Zuojie LUO ; Li CHEN ; Qiang LI ; Zhen YE ; Yinfei ZHANG ; Chao LIU ; Youmin WANG ; Shengli WU ; Tao YANG ; Huacong DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Tianshu ZENG ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yiming MU ; Weiqing WANG ; Guang NING ; Jieli LU ; Min XU ; Yufang BI ; Weiguo HU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):79-89
This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans
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Mendelian Randomization Analysis
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Gallstones/complications*
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Female
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Male
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Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Risk Factors
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Aged
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Adult
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Neoplasms/etiology*
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Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*
3.Clinical study of intracranial hypotension targeted body posture combined with pharmacotherapy in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma
Jiayu CHEN ; Zhe WANG ; Di ZANG ; Ruizhe ZHENG ; Xiangru YE ; Zengxin QI ; Zeyu XU ; Zhiqiang LI ; Chengfeng SUN ; Liangjun SHEN ; Luoping SHENG ; Fulin XU ; Ruyong YE ; Kaiyu ZHOU ; Weijun TANG ; Yueqing HU ; Dapeng SHI ; Yuquan WANG ; Xizhen WU ; Ying WANG ; Qilin ZHANG ; Feili LIU ; Guo YU ; Yiping LU ; Yirui SUN ; Ning ZHANG ; Feng HUANG ; Xialong GU ; Han ZHANG ; Jian DING ; Yongyan BI ; Haolan DU ; Jing ZHANG ; Hailong JI ; Ding DING ; Wei ZHANG ; Xuehai WU
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(3):212-218
Objective:To compare the efficacy of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy and pharmacotherapy alone in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH).Methods:Firstly, retrospective case series study was conducted. Thirty cases of CSDH that had received body posture combined with pharmacotherapy at Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from December 2016 to October 2020 were studied retrospectively. Twenty-seven patients were male, and 3 patients were female. The age of patients ( M(IQR)) was 66(16) years (range:28 to 84). Nineteen patients had unilateral hematoma, and 11 patients had bilateral hematoma. All patients received pharmacotherapy and body posture therapy that was to raise their lower limbs 20 to 30 cm with leg lift pad and get abdominal compressed with customized abdominal belt in supine position. Patients were required to maintain the body posture as much as possible, with the maximum to 16 to 18 hours per day. Patients with unilateral hematoma should tilt the head to the affected side and avoid tilting it to the opposite side. For patients with bilateral hematoma, there was no need for head lateralization. Patient were treated with oral dexamethasone and atorvastatin simultaneously. The preliminary efficacy of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy was determined by hematoma improvement rate which was analyzed by Clopper-Pearson method. Then, the multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial had carried out in 9 medical centers from August 2020 to November 2021. The stratified block randomization method was adopted. Patients were randomized in a ratio of 1∶1 to either receive pharmacotherapy alone(the control group) or body posture combined with pharmacotherapy(the experiment group) for 3 months and followed up for 6 months. Effective treatment was defined as complete absorption of hematoma, or the hematoma volume decreased by more than 10 ml and Markwalder grading scale score had improved by more than 1 point compared to the baseline. The efficacy rate and surgery conversion rate at 3 months and recurrence at 6 months were observed. Comparison between groups was performed with paired sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, corrected χ2 test, or Fisher exact probability method. Logistic regression was used to compare the effective rate and operation rate between the two groups. Results:In the respective study, 30 patients completed follow-up 13 to 353 days after treatment. At the last follow-up, the incidence of almost complete absorption or significantly absorption of hematoma (hematoma volume was significantly reduced accompanied by symptom improvement) was 93.3%. The 95% CI for the incidence that analyzed by the Clopper-Pearson method was 77.9% to 99.2%. One hundred and six patients were enrolled in the multicenter study. Fifty-five patients underwent body posture combined with pharmacotherapy. The age was 74(17) years (range:26 to 92). Thirty-nine patients were males and 16 were females. Fifty-one patients underwent pharmacotherapy alone. The age was 69(12) years (range:48 to 84). Thirty-seven patients were males and 14 were females. The length of body posture recorded in diary card was (15.7±2.3) hours(range:7.6 to 19.3 hours). The efficacy rate in the body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group and pharmacotherapy alone group were 83.6% (46/55) and 56.9% (29/51), respectively at 3 months. The result of the logistic regression analysis showed that the efficacy of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group was better than that of pharmacotherapy alone group ( OR=3.88,95% CI:1.57 to 9.58, P=0.003). Surgery rate in the body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group and pharmacotherapy alone group were 5.5% (3/55) and 21.6% (11/51) respectively. The result of Logistic regression showed that the pharmacotherapy alone group was more likely to be converted to surgery ( OR=0.21,95% CI:0.05 to 0.80, P=0.023). At the 6 months, no recurrence of cases was found in the body posture combined with pharmacotherapy group. However, the recurrence rate of pharmacotherapy alone group was 6.3% (3/48), there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The effect of body posture combined with pharmacotherapy for chronic subdural hematoma is better than that of pharmacotherapy alone.
4.The clinical characteristics and microbial distribution of sepsis-induced myocardial injury
Sun YU ; Chunyang XU ; Hongwei YE ; Shun WEN ; Liang YANG ; Caiyun YANG ; Shiqi LU ; Meili SHEN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(2):173-179
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of sepsis-induced myocardial injury and microbial distribution.Methods:It was a retrospective observational study conducted from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 in the Department of Emergency Intensive Care Medicine, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University. Patients meeting the sepsis 3.0 criteria were included, excluding those with underlying cardiovascular diseases or incomplete data. Patients were categorized into myocardial injury (SIMI) and non-myocardial injury (Non-SIMI) groups based on troponin levels. General patient information, laboratory results, microbial findings, and prognostic indicators were collected. Differences in clinical parameters between the two groups were compared. Factors showing statistical differences in univariate analysis were further analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for SIMI. Conduct propensity score matching among Pulmonary infection patients who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage high-throughput sequencing to compare microbial distribution between groups. Bracken was used to estimate species-level abundance from Kraken2 results, and α and β diversity analyses were conducted on the metagenomic samples.Results:A total of 179 patients were included in the study, with 98 (54.4%) in the Non-SIMI group and 81 (45.5%) in the SIMI group. There were 69 deaths overall (38.5%), with 23 (23.7%) in the Non-SIMI group and 46 (56.8%) in the SIMI group (χ 2=20.347, P<0.01). The 28-day survival curve indicated survival rates in the SIMI group were significantly lower compared to the Non-SIMI group (Log Rank χ 2=21.270, P<0.01). Univariate analysis revealed that fungal infection rate ( P=0.007), C-reactive protein ( P=0.021), procalcitonin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and lactate levels were higher in the SIMI group compared to the Non-SIMI group (all P<0.01), prothrombin time was prolonger ( P<0.01) and APACHEⅡ scores were higher ( P<0.01), while serum albumin, base excess, and platelet levels were lower (all P<0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that fungal infection ( OR=3.441, P=0.015) was a risk factor for SIMI, whereas base excess and platelets were protective factors ( OR=0.845, 0.988, both P<0.01). Comparison of bronchoalveolar lavage high-throughput sequencing results in the pulmonary infection subgroup showed the relative abundance of Haemophilus paraininfluenzae in Non-SIMI group was higher than SIMI group among the top 20 species ( P=0.013). There were no statistically significant differences in microbial αand β-diversity between the two groups. Conclusions:The incidence of SIMI is relatively highamong sepsis patients and it affects their prognosis. Risk factors for SIMI include fungal infection, decreased platelet count, and reduced base excess levels. Among patients with pulmonary infections, there is a lower risk of SIMI associated with Haemophilus influenzae infection.
5.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):189-207
Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
6.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
7.Independent and Interactive Effects of Air Pollutants, Meteorological Factors, and Green Space on Tuberculosis Incidence in Shanghai.
Qi YE ; Jing CHEN ; Ya Ting JI ; Xiao Yu LU ; Jia le DENG ; Nan LI ; Wei WEI ; Ren Jie HOU ; Zhi Yuan LI ; Jian Bang XIANG ; Xu GAO ; Xin SHEN ; Chong Guang YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):792-809
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases.
METHODS:
TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases.
RESULTS:
Increased TB risk was linked to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall, whereas NO 2, SO 2, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM 2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM 10 ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO 2 ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO 2 ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM 2.5 on TB.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology*
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Humans
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Air Pollutants/analysis*
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Tuberculosis/epidemiology*
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Incidence
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Meteorological Concepts
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Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
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Environmental Exposure
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Air Pollution
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Middle Aged
8.Rapid Analysis of Cyanide Based on a Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe Using Gold Nanoclusters-Fluorescein
Tai-Shen HE ; Zhong-Jiang LÜ ; Yi-Ming SUN ; Yu-Yang LI ; Yi YE ; Yao LIN ; Lin-Chuan LIAO
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):340-347
Objective To establish a rapid analysis method for cyanide based on a ratiometric fluores-cent probe,providing a quantitative strategy for on-site visual and rapid detection of cyanide.Methods A dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent probe(AuNCs-FL)was constructed by using bovine serum al-bumin(BSA)-stabilized gold nanoclusters(AuNCs,fluorescence emission at 660 nm)as the responsive signal unit and fluorescein(FL,emission at 515 nm)as the internal reference.Results The etching effect of cyanide on AuNCs resulted in fluorescence quenching at 660 nm,while the fluorescence inten-sity of FL at 515 nm remained unchanged,enabling a rapid response analysis of cyanide shift from red to green fluorescence.The developed probe enabled rapid analysis of cyanide within 3 min,with a limit of detection(LOD)of 3.4 mg/L and a visual detection range of 10-100 mg/L.Conclusion The AuNCs-FL fluorescent probe is structurally simple,low-cost,and easy to operate,delivering rapid and accurate results.It also avoids the interference from sulfides encountered in commercial cyanide test kits,making it suitable for the on-site rapid detection of suspected powder samples in cyanide poisoning cases.
9.Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals Shen-Bai-Jie-Du decoction retards colorectal tumorigenesis by regulating the TMEM131-TNF signaling pathway-mediated differentiation of immunosuppressive dendritic cells.
Yuquan TAO ; Yinuo MA ; Limei GU ; Ye ZHANG ; Qinchang ZHANG ; Lisha ZHOU ; Jie PAN ; Meng SHEN ; Xuefei ZHUANG ; Linmei PAN ; Weixing SHEN ; Chengtao YU ; Dan DONG ; Dong ZHANG ; Tingsheng LING ; Yang SUN ; Haibo CHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3545-3560
Colorectal tumorigenesis generally progresses from adenoma to adenocarcinoma, accompanied by dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A randomized controlled trial has confirmed the efficacy and safety of Shen-Bai-Jie-Du decoction (SBJDD) in preventing colorectal tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the dynamic evolution of the TME and validated cell infiltration with multiplex immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Bulk RNA sequencing was utilized to assess the underlying mechanisms. Our results constructed the mutually verifiable single-cell transcriptomic atlases in Apc Min/+ mice and clinical patients. There was a marked accumulation of CCL22+ dendritic cells (DCs) and an enhanced immunosuppressive action, which SBJDD and berberine reversed. Combined treatment with cholesterol and lipopolysaccharide induced characteristic gene expression of CCL22+ DCs, which may represent "exhausted DCs". Intraperitoneal injection of these DCs after SBJDD treatment eliminated its therapeutic effects. TMEM131 derived CCL22+ DCs generation by TNF signaling pathway and may be a potential target of berberine in retarding colorectal tumorigenesis. These findings emphasize the role of exhausted DCs and the regulatory mechanisms of SBJDD and berberine in colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that the multi-component properties of SBJDD may help restore TME homeostasis and offer novel cancer therapy.
10.Inhibition of WAC alleviates the chondrocyte proinflammatory secretory phenotype and cartilage degradation via H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3 coregulation.
Peitao XU ; Guiwen YE ; Xiaojun XU ; Zhidong LIU ; Wenhui YU ; Guan ZHENG ; Zepeng SU ; Jiajie LIN ; Yunshu CHE ; Yipeng ZENG ; Zhikun LI ; Pei FENG ; Qian CAO ; Zhongyu XIE ; Yanfeng WU ; Huiyong SHEN ; Jinteng LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4064-4077
Several types of arthritis share the common feature that the generation of inflammatory mediators leads to joint cartilage degradation. However, the shared mechanism is largely unknown. H2BK120ub1 was reportedly involved in various inflammatory diseases but its role in the shared mechanism in inflammatory joint conditions remains elusive. The present study demonstrated that levels of cartilage degradation, H2BK120ub1, and its regulator WW domain-containing adapter protein with coiled-coil (WAC) were increased in cartilage in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients as well as in experimental RA and OA mice. By regulating H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3, WAC regulated the secretion of inflammatory and cartilage-degrading factors. WAC influenced the level of H3K27me3 by regulating nuclear entry of the H3K27 demethylase KDM6B, and acted as a key factor of the crosstalk between H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3. The cartilage-specific knockout of WAC demonstrated the ability to alleviate cartilage degradation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mice. Through molecular docking and dynamic simulation, doxercalciferol was found to inhibit WAC and the development of cartilage degradation in the CIA and CIOA models. Our study demonstrated that WAC is a key factor of cartilage degradation in arthritis, and targeting WAC by doxercalciferol could be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating cartilage destruction in several types of arthritis.

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