1.JMJD1C forms condensate to facilitate a RUNX1-dependent gene expression program shared by multiple types of AML cells.
Qian CHEN ; Saisai WANG ; Juqing ZHANG ; Min XIE ; Bin LU ; Jie HE ; Zhuoran ZHEN ; Jing LI ; Jiajun ZHU ; Rong LI ; Pilong LI ; Haifeng WANG ; Christopher R VAKOC ; Robert G ROEDER ; Mo CHEN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(5):338-364
JMJD1C (Jumonji Domain Containing 1C), a member of the lysine demethylase 3 (KDM3) family, is universally required for the survival of several types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells with different genetic mutations, representing a therapeutic opportunity with broad application. Yet how JMJD1C regulates the leukemic programs of various AML cells is largely unexplored. Here we show that JMJD1C interacts with the master hematopoietic transcription factor RUNX1, which thereby recruits JMJD1C to the genome to facilitate a RUNX1-driven transcriptional program that supports leukemic cell survival. The underlying mechanism hinges on the long N-terminal disordered region of JMJD1C, which harbors two inseparable abilities: condensate formation and direct interaction with RUNX1. This dual capability of JMJD1C may influence enhancer-promoter contacts crucial for the expression of key leukemic genes regulated by RUNX1. Our findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for the non-catalytic function of JMJD1C in transcriptional regulation, underlying a mechanism shared by different types of leukemias.
Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics*
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Humans
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology*
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Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/chemistry*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
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Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating/genetics*
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Cell Line, Tumor
2.Application of PROTACs in antiviral drugs
Miaoxia PU ; Shuangshuang ZHANG ; Haifeng WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHU ; Shuangxi GU
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):667-677
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have shown considerable therapeutic potential across diverse fields such as cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, with numerous candidates already progressing into clinical trials. More recently, their application in antiviral therapy has been rapidly gaining momentum. This review systematically outlines the mechanistic foundations and design principles of PROTACs, highlights recent advances targeting coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and influenza viruses, and critically assesses key challenges—particularly the limited diversity of E3 ligase ligands, suboptimal oral bioavailability, and the lack of integrated platforms for druggability evaluation. Looking ahead, innovations in ligand discovery, pathway modulation, delivery technologies, and conditionally activated PROTAC designs are anticipated to overcome these barriers, ushering in a new era of precise and effective antiviral therapeutics.
3.Correlations of brain network functional connectivity alterations with cerebrospinal fluid pathological markers in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Chengbing GONG ; Zhengyang ZHU ; Jingxian XU ; Wenting SONG ; Haifeng CHEN ; Ruomeng QIN ; Hui ZHAO ; Yun XU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(1):18-26
Objective:To explore the correlations of brain network functional connectivity (FC) alterations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathological biomarkers in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods:A total of 39 patients with cognitive impairment, admitted to Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2020 to December 2022 were recruited; 23 patients were with AD and 16 with non-AD. Clinical data were compared between the 2 groups. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were collected, and FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks were compared by independent component analysis. Correlations of FC differences between brain networks and FC differences within brain networks with concentrations of β-amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ 1-42) and Tau protein in CSF were analyzed. Results:Compared with the non-AD group, AD group had significantly lower Aβ 1-42 in CSF ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between the left frontoparietal network (lFPN) and anterior default mode network (aDMN) and between the visual network (VN) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as FC alterations in lFPN, were significantly increased in AD group ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the non-AD group, FC alterations between lFPN and cerebellar network (CEN), and FC alterations in aDMN, sensorimotor network (SMN) and VN were significantly decreased in AD group ( P<0.05). In AD group, FC in SMN was positively correlated with total Tau and phosphorylated-Tau181 in CSF ( P<0.05); FC between VN and PCC was positively correlated with total Tau in CSF ( P<0.05). CSF Aβ 1-42 was positively correlated with FC alterations in aDMN and VN, but negatively correlated with FC in FPN ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In AD patients, characteristic changes in FC within and between multiple brain networks are noted, which are related to changes of Tau protein and Aβ 1-42 in CSF.
4.Dihydroartemisinin promotes radiotherapy sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells by activating chloride channels
Shiqing LIU ; Congran ZHOU ; Xinwei TANG ; Hanfen ZHOU ; XueKe LI ; Xi-Uying HOU ; Haifeng YANG ; Linyan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2024;40(2):255-264
AIM:To investigate the role of ClC-3 chloride channel in the promotion of radio sensitization of na-sopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells by dihydroartemisinin(DHA).METHODS:MTT was used to detect the inhibito-ry effect of DHA on the viability of CNE-2Z cells and normal nasopharyngeal epithelial NP69-SV40T cells,the radio sensi-tization effect of DHA on CNE-2Z cells was detected by cloning assay,the expression of ClC-3 protein was detected by Western blot,the expression of ClC-3 protein was down-regulated by siRNA technology,and the chlorine current of cells was recorded by whole cell patch-clamp technology.RESULTS:(1)Compared with NP69-SV40T cells,DHA selective-ly inhibited the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells,with IC10 values of(13.020±4.831)μmol/L and(5.244±1.050)μmol/L,respectively(P<0.01).(2)The results of clonal formation experiments showed that DHA had a radio sensitizing effect on CNE-2Z cells,with a radio sensitization ratio of 1.9.(3)DHA could activate the chlorine channel of CNE-2Z cells and produce an outward chlorine current,but had no effect on the chlorine channel of NP69-SV40T cells.(4)DHA promoted the expression of ClC-3 chloric channel protein in CNE-2Z cells(P<0.01).(5)Chlorine channel blocker NPPB could in-hibit the radio sensitizing effect of DHA on CNE-2Z cells by 1.84 times,and also inhibited the chlorine current activated by DHA.(6)the down-regulation of CNE-2Z ClC-3 protein could inhibit the radio sensitization effect of DHA on CNE-2Z cells by 4.19 times,and the activation of chlorine current by DHA on CNE-2Z cells was no longer produced.CONCLU-SION:DHA has a radio sensitizing effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells,which is likely to be related to the activation of ClC-3 chloride channel.
5.Expression and prognostic significance of nuclear matrix protein 4 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Jinhai LI ; Huawei ZHAI ; Guangzheng SUN ; Haifeng ZHANG ; Minghui ZHU ; Yu CAI ; Shenghua PAN ; Shuqun LI
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2024;30(2):87-92
Objective:To investigate the expression of nuclear matrix protein 4 (NMP4) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its relationship with clinicopathological features and survival prognosis of patients.Methods:The clinical data of 100 HCC patients who were treated with radical resection of liver cancer in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 63 males and 37 females, aged (58.5±10.4) years old. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of NMP4 protein in HCC cancer tissue and the corresponding adjacent normal tissue. According to the expression of NMP4 in HCC tissues, 100 patients were divided into two groups: the NMP4-positive expression group ( n=62) and the NMP4-negative expression group ( n=32). Univariate analysis was performed on the relationship between NMP4 expression and clinical pathological features as well as overall survival of HCC patients. Cox multivariate analysis was performed on the factors influencing postoperative prognosis of HCC patients. Results:Immunohistochemistry results showed that NMP4 was primarily expressed in the nucleus, the positive expression rate of NMP4 in HCC tissues was higher than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues [62.0% (62/100) vs. 8.0%(8/100)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=2.12, P=0.003). Univariate analysis revealed that the overall survival of HCC patients was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, tumor length, BCLC stage, number of tumor foci, vascular tumor thrombus and expression of NMP4 (all P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that low differentiation, high BCLC stage (stage C), number of tumor foci (≥3), and positive expression of NMP4 were independent risk factors affecting postoperative survival and recurrence-free survival of HCC patients. The median overall survival and median recurrence-free survival of HCC patients in the NMP4-positive expression group were 22.3 months and 11.5 months, respectively. In contrast, that in the NMP4-negative expression group were 40.6 months and 19.4 months, respectively. The cumulative survival rate and recurrence-free survival rate of HCC patients in the NMP4-positive expression group were lower than those in the NMP4-negative expression group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Positive NMP4 expression was closely correlated with malignant biological progression and poor prognosis of HCC patients.
6.A Case Report of Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment of a Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Multi-Organ Involvement
Hua ZHENG ; Yunfei ZHI ; Lujing YING ; Lan ZHU ; Mingliang JI ; Ze LIANG ; Jiangshan WANG ; Haifeng SHI ; Weihong ZHANG ; Mengsu XIAO ; Yushi ZHANG ; Kaifeng XU ; Zhaohui LU ; Yaping LIU ; Ruiyi XU ; Huijuan ZHU ; Li WEN ; Yan ZHANG ; Gang CHEN ; Limeng CHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2024;3(1):79-86
Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)is a rare genetic disease that can lead to benign dysplasia in multiple organs such as the skin, brain, eyes, oral cavity, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and bones. Its main symptoms include epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, skin depigmentation, and facial angiofibromas, whilst incidence is approximately 1 in 10 000 to 1 in 6000 newborns. This case presents a middle-aged woman who initially manifested with epilepsy and nodular depigmentation. Later, she developed a lower abdominal mass, elevated creatinine, and severe anemia. Based on clinical features and whole exome sequencing, the primary diagnosis was confirmed as TSC. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed that the lower abdominal mass originated from the uterus. CT-guided biopsy pathology and surgical pathology suggested a combination of leiomyoma and abscess. With the involvement of multiple organs and various complications beyond the main diagnosis, the diagnostic and therapeutic process for this patient highlights the importance of rigorous clinical thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare and challenging diseases.
7.Evolutionary trend analysis and knowledge structure mapping of endothelial dysfunction in sepsis:a bibliometrics study
Wei JUEXIAN ; Mo HENGZONG ; Zhang YUTING ; Deng WENMIN ; Zheng SIQING ; Mao HAIFENG ; Ji YANG ; Jiang HUILIN ; Zhu YONGCHENG
World Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;15(5):386-396
BACKGROUND:A pathophysiological feature of septic organ failure is endothelial dysfunction in sepsis(EDS).The physiological and pathological mechanism of sepsis is considered to be vascular leakage caused by endothelial dysfunction.These pathological changes lead to systemic organ injury.However,an analysis using bibliometric methods has not yet been conducted in the field of EDS.This study was conducted to provide an overview of knowledge structure and research trends in the field of EDS. METHODS:Based on previous research,a literature search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection(WoSCC)for publications associated with EDS published between the year 2003 and 2023.Various types of data from the publications,such as citation frequency,authorship,keywords and highly cited articles,were extracted.The"Create Citation Report"feature in the WoSCC was employed to calculate the Hirsch index(h-index)and average citations per item(ACI)of authors,institutions,and countries.To conduct bibliometric and visualization analyses,three bibliometric tools were used,including R-bibliometrix,CiteSpace(co-citation analysis of references),and VOSviewer(co-authorship analysis of institutions,co-authorship analysis of authors,co-occurrence analysis of keywords). RESULTS:After excluding invalid records,the study finaly included 4,536 publications with 135,386 citations.Most of these publications originated in the USA,China,Germany,Canada,and Japan.Harvard University emerged as the most prolific institution,while professor Jong-Sup Bae and his research team at Kyungpook National University emerged as authors with the greatest influence.The"protein C","tissue factor","thrombin","glycocalyx","acute kidney injury","syndecan-1"and"biomarker"were identified as prominent areas of research.Future research may focus on molecular mechanisms(such as as vascular endothelial[VE]-cadherin regulation)and therapeutic interventions to enhance endothelial repair and function. CONCLUSION:Our findings show a growing interest in EDS research.Key areas for future research include signaling pathways,molecular mechanisms,endothelial repair,and interactions between endothelial cells and other cell types in sepsis.
8.Efficacy and safety of percutaneous CT/ultrasound-guided bipolar radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of small renal mass under local anesthesia
Yifan SUN ; Haifeng HUANG ; Wei WANG ; Fan ZHANG ; Shengjie ZHANG ; Guanchen ZHU ; Hongqian GUO
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(9):809-814
Objective To compare and analyze the efficacy and risks of percutaneous CT/ultrasound-guided bipolar radiofrequency ablation(RFA)under local anesthesia with robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy(RAPN)for the treatment of sporadic small renal mass.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 93 consecutive patients with T1a stage small renal mass during Mar.2019 and Oct.2021.Among them,51 underwent RAPN,and 42 underwent RFA.General information,tumor characteristics,perioperative and follow-up data were collected and statistically analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in general information and tumor characteristics between the two groups(P>0.05).The operation time[(96.0±20.0)min vs.(113.5±24.1)min,P<0.001],hospital stay[(3.5±0.8)day vs.(6.9±1.8)day,P<0.001],and hospital costs[(2.4±0.7)ten thousand yuan vs.(6.6±0.4)ten thousand yuan,P<0.001]were significantly decreased in the RFA group than in the RAPN group.There were no significant differences in the incidence of perioperative complications and long-term disease-free survival rate between the two groups(P>0.05).However,the difference between one-year postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and preoperative eGFR was significantly lower in the RFA group than in the RAPN group[-2.3(-4.7-1.3)mL/(min·1.73 m2)vs.-5.0(-9.1 2.8)mL/(min·1.73 m2),P=0.003],and the reduction of one-year postoperative creatinine and preoperative creatinine was slightly lower in the RFA group than in the RAPN group[4.0(-0.2-5.5)μmol/L vs.4.5(1.8-9.2)μmol/L,P=0.122].Conclusion RFA can achieve comparable disease-free survival rate as RAPN in the treatment of T1a renal tumor,and can effectively preserve renal function,reduce medical costs,save medical resources,and lower the incidence of perioperative complications.
9.Monitoring and analysis on host animals of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Henan Province from 2019 to 2022
Dongxiao LI ; Wei FAN ; Lin ZHU ; Xiao HU ; Yi LI ; Hongxia MA ; Haifeng WANG ; Ying YE ; Jia SU ; Xueyong HUANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(1):18-24
Objective:To investigate the distribution and hantavirus (HV) carrying state in host animals of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Henan Province from 2019 to 2022.Methods:Host animal monitoring was carried out at the monitoring sites of HFRS in Henan Province. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect hantavirus in rat lungs. The types of hantavirus were analyzed. The positive samples were sequenced and then sequence homology and variation were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 308 rodents were captured from 2019 to 2022, 16 specimens of rat lungs tested positive for hantavirus nucleic acid. The positive rate of HV was 1.22% (16/1 308). According to type, the positive rate of HV in Apodius agrarius was the highest (68.75%, 11/16). According to distribution, the positive rate of HV in field samples was the highest (2.50%, 12/480), and the positive rate of HV in residential samples was 0.53% (4/759). The typing results of 16 positive samples showed that all viruses were hantavirus type Ⅰ (hantaan virus). The positive samples were sequenced and eight S gene fragments (GenBank number: OQ681444-OQ681451) and six M gene fragments (OQ681438-OQ681443) were obtained. The S and M gene fragments were similar to the Shaanxi 84FLi strain and Sichuan SN7 strain. Phylogenetic analysis of S and M gene fragments showed that they all belonged to the hantaan virus-H5 subtype. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that, compared with the hantaan virus vaccine strain 84FLi, the 74th amino acid encoded by eight S fragments was replaced by aspartamide with serine. Tryptophan was replaced by glycine at the 14th position of Gn region in XC2022047, and isoleucine was replaced by alanine at the 359 position of XC2022022 and XC2022024.Conclusion:The hantavirus carried by host animals in Henan Province from 2019 to 2022 belongs to the type Ⅰ (hantaan virus), and Apodemus agrarius is still the dominant host animal of the hantaan virus. Compared with the vaccine strains, amino acid sites are replaced in the immune epitopes of the S and M gene fragments.
10.Value of SHOX2 and RASSF1A Gene Methylation in Alveolar Lavage Fluid in Patients with Pulmonary Nodules or Masses in the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Dongping ZHU ; Haifeng LI ; Junfei FENG ; Qiuheng TANG ; Jing LENG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2024;45(3):106-111
Objective The diagnostic efficacy of the two gene methylation indexes was verified by lung biopsy or postoperative disease examination results.Methods A prospective study was conducted to collect 99 patients diagnosed with pulmonary nodules and masses in the Third People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from March 2019 to March 2020.After bronchoscopy and BALF samples were collected,regular follow-up,lung puncture biopsy and post-operative disease examination were performed.Results Ninety-nine patients with pulmonary nodules and masses were divided into lung cancer group(n = 50)and benign lung disease group(n = 49)after pathological diagnosis.The age of patients in the lung cancer group was(62.64±9.71)years,and that of the benign lung disease group was(60.48±13.69)years,and there was a statistical difference between the two groups(P = 0.032).In the diagnosis of lung cancer,the sensitivity and specificity of SHOX2 and RASSF1A genes alone were found to be 72%and 58%,respectively,and 92.3%and 95.9%,respectively.The combined test of the two genes showed a higher sensitivity in the diagnosis of lung cancer,0.84,compared to 0.102 in the benign disease group(P<0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of the two genes could be increased to 84%when methylation was combined.Conclusion The methylation test of SHOX2 and RASS1A gene in alveolar lavage fluid has a good value in the diagnosis of lung cancer patients with pulmonary nodules and masses and SHOX2 combined with RASSF1A can be an important supplementary tool for early diagnosis of lung cancer when imaging and histological diagnosis are unclear.

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