1.Artesunate Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the SLC7A11-GPX4Pathway via the p300-p53 Axis
Xinyan HUANG ; Wenxi WANG ; Songzhao ZHANG ; Lili LI ; Jihui HUANG
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):365-377
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is increasing rapidly. This study discussed the effects of artesunate (ART) on CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MTT assessed cell viability and analyzed the IC50 value (69.26 μM). Accordingly, human CSCC cells (A431) were cultured in vitro, and treated with 70 μM ART, Ferrostatin-1, oe-SLC7A11, and C646, with cell biological behavior assessed.The potential targets of ART were predicted. p53 acetylation and protein stability and ART-p300 binding were examined. Thymusless nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with A431 cells, and treated with ART and C646. ART-treated A431 cells showed weakened proliferation, migration, lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidized glutathione/glutathione ratio, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and active Fe2+ levels, which could be reversed by suppressing ferroptosis. ART promoted p53 acetylation and protein stability and curbed the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by targeting p300. ART stimulated ferroptosis via the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway, thereby repressing CSCC cell proliferation and migration, which were counteracted by p300 inhibition. ART regulated the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by up-regulating the p300-p53 axis, thereby hindering tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, ART inhibits CSCC proliferation and migration by modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway through the p300-p53 axis.
2.Artesunate Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the SLC7A11-GPX4Pathway via the p300-p53 Axis
Xinyan HUANG ; Wenxi WANG ; Songzhao ZHANG ; Lili LI ; Jihui HUANG
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):365-377
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is increasing rapidly. This study discussed the effects of artesunate (ART) on CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MTT assessed cell viability and analyzed the IC50 value (69.26 μM). Accordingly, human CSCC cells (A431) were cultured in vitro, and treated with 70 μM ART, Ferrostatin-1, oe-SLC7A11, and C646, with cell biological behavior assessed.The potential targets of ART were predicted. p53 acetylation and protein stability and ART-p300 binding were examined. Thymusless nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with A431 cells, and treated with ART and C646. ART-treated A431 cells showed weakened proliferation, migration, lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidized glutathione/glutathione ratio, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and active Fe2+ levels, which could be reversed by suppressing ferroptosis. ART promoted p53 acetylation and protein stability and curbed the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by targeting p300. ART stimulated ferroptosis via the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway, thereby repressing CSCC cell proliferation and migration, which were counteracted by p300 inhibition. ART regulated the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by up-regulating the p300-p53 axis, thereby hindering tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, ART inhibits CSCC proliferation and migration by modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway through the p300-p53 axis.
3.Artesunate Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the SLC7A11-GPX4Pathway via the p300-p53 Axis
Xinyan HUANG ; Wenxi WANG ; Songzhao ZHANG ; Lili LI ; Jihui HUANG
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(2):365-377
The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is increasing rapidly. This study discussed the effects of artesunate (ART) on CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway. MTT assessed cell viability and analyzed the IC50 value (69.26 μM). Accordingly, human CSCC cells (A431) were cultured in vitro, and treated with 70 μM ART, Ferrostatin-1, oe-SLC7A11, and C646, with cell biological behavior assessed.The potential targets of ART were predicted. p53 acetylation and protein stability and ART-p300 binding were examined. Thymusless nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with A431 cells, and treated with ART and C646. ART-treated A431 cells showed weakened proliferation, migration, lactate dehydrogenase levels, oxidized glutathione/glutathione ratio, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and active Fe2+ levels, which could be reversed by suppressing ferroptosis. ART promoted p53 acetylation and protein stability and curbed the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by targeting p300. ART stimulated ferroptosis via the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway, thereby repressing CSCC cell proliferation and migration, which were counteracted by p300 inhibition. ART regulated the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway by up-regulating the p300-p53 axis, thereby hindering tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, ART inhibits CSCC proliferation and migration by modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway through the p300-p53 axis.
4.Glutamate Receptor Antagonists Attenuate Stereotyped Behaviors via Modulating BDNF Levels in Obsessive-complusive Disorder Model Mice
Weijie WANG ; Yuchong LUO ; Dongmiao HUANG ; Chen YANG ; Jihui YUE ; Xianglan WANG ; Shenglin WEN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):475-485
ObjectiveTo explore whether fluoroethylnormemantine (FENM), an NMDA receptor antagonist, could improve compulsive-like behaviors and to investigate its underlying mechanisms in the RU24969-induced obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) mouse model. MethodsThirty-two mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Saline (n=8), RU24969 (n=8), RU+FENM (n=8), and FENM (n=8). Mice received FENM or an equivalent volume of saline for pre-treatment, followed by RU24969 or saline for model induction 30 minutes later. Behavioral tests were performed 1 hour after modeling, and serum samples were collected to measure the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Evans Blue dye was intravenously injected to assess dye content in brain tissue, thereby evaluating potential blood-brain barrier damage. ResultsFENM treatment significantly improved repetitive stereotyped circling behavior (F=39.850, P<0.001) and alleviated persistent motor activity (F=50.200, P<0.001) in RU24969 model mice. Additionally, FENM treatment significantly increased serum BDNF level in RU24969-induced OCD mice (F=18.930, P<0.001). ConclusionsFENM , an NMDA receptor antagonist, may alleviate compulsive behaviors in OCD mice by modulating BDNF levels , thereby exerting anti-compulsive effects. Neither the RU24969 model nor FENM treatment significantly affectes blood-brain barrier integrity.
5.Succinylation of tumor suppressor PPP2R1A K541 by HAT1 converses the role in modulation of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis remodeling to display oncogene function.
Guang YANG ; Yufei WANG ; Hongfeng YUAN ; Huihui ZHANG ; Lina ZHAO ; Chunyu HOU ; Pan LV ; Jihui HAO ; Xiaodong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5294-5311
Metabolic reprogramming plays a central role in tumors. However, the key drivers modulating reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we try to identify the mechanism by which histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) confers reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis in liver cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis was hardly observed in HAT1-knockout mice. Multi-omics identified that HAT1 modulated gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis in liver. Protein phosphatase 2 scaffold subunit alpha (PPP2R1A) promoted gluconeogenesis and inhibited lipogenesis by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) serine 90 dephosphorylation to suppress the tumor growth. HAT1 succinylated PPP2R1A at lysine 541 (K541) to block the assembly of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme and interaction with PCK1, resulting in the depression of dephosphorylation of PCK1. HAT1-succinylated PPP2R1A contributed to the remodeling of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis by PCK1 serine 90 phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of gluconeogenic enzyme activity and activating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) nuclear accumulation-induced lipogenesis gene expression, which enhanced the tumor growth. In conclusion, succinylation of PPP2R1A lysine 541 by HAT1 converses the role in modulation of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis remodeling through PCK1 S90 phosphorylation to support liver cancer. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which post-translational modifications (PTMs) confer the conversion of tumor suppressor function to oncogene.
6.New acylphloroglucinol-sesquiterpenoid adducts with antiviral activities from Dryopteris atrata.
Jihui ZHANG ; Jinghao WANG ; Wei TANG ; Xi SHEN ; Jinlin CHEN ; Huilin OU ; Qianyi SITU ; Yaolan LI ; Guocai WANG ; Yubo ZHANG ; Nenghua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(3):377-384
Seven novel acylphloroglucinol-sesquiterpenoid adducts, designated as dryatraols J-P (1-7), were isolated from the rhizomes of Dryopteris atrata (Wall. ex Kunze) Ching. The structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic data, calculated 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Diastereotopic Probability Assignment Plus (13C NMR-DP4+) probability analysis, and ECD calculations. These structures represent a rare subclass of carbon skeleton of acylphloroglucinol-sesquiterpenoid adducts with a furan ring connecting the acylphloroglucinol and sesquiterpenoid moieties. Notably, compounds 1-6 are the first reported examples of acylphloroglucinol-sesquiterpenoid adducts with dimeric acylphloroglucinol incorporated into the aristolane- or rulepidanol-type sesquiterpene, while compound 7 features a hydroxylated monomeric acylphloroglucinol motif. A preliminary evaluation of their antiviral activities revealed that compounds 1-6 exhibited more potent activities against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with IC50 values ranging from 0.75 to 3.12 μmol·L-1 compared to the positive control (ribavirin).
Antiviral Agents/isolation & purification*
;
Phloroglucinol/isolation & purification*
;
Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Dryopteris/chemistry*
;
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Rhizome/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
7.Design of anterolateral thigh perforator flap aided by three-dimensional printing technique for repairing irregular extremity wounds
Chengwei GE ; Guodong JIANG ; Kai WANG ; Zhigang CHE ; Junnan CHENG ; Zhicheng TENG ; Song YUAN ; Jihui JU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(9):946-953
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of three-dimensional(3D) flap model accurately designed before the operation in repairing irregular wounds of limbs with anterolateral thigh(ALT) perforator flap.Methods:The data of patients with ALT flaps designed with 3D printing technology to repair irregular soft tissue defects of limbs in Suzhou Ruihua Orthopedic Hospital from January to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. After the wound was scanned by 3D scanner before surgery, the wound model was printed. The ALT flap was precisely designed and harvested for covering the wound according to the body surface projection of the perforator vessel in the anterolateral femoral region located by color Doppler ultrasound before surgery. The survival of the flap, the healing of the donor and recipient sites and the occurrence of complications were observed and followed up after the operation. The effect of wound repair was evaluated by the comprehensive efficacy evaluation scale of the skin flap. The total score was 100 points, which was divided into excellent (90-100 points), good (75-89 points), fair (60-74 points) and poor (< 60 points).Results:A total of 34 patients were enrolled, including 26 males and 8 females, aged 18-75 years, with an average age of 45.5 years. Injury sites: wrist in 17 cases, foot in 10 cases, ankle in 7 cases. The operation time was 2.0-4.5 h (mean 3.3 h), and all donor sites were sutured directly. Vascular crisis occurred in 2 cases after skin flap transplantation. After surgical exploration, the transplanted skin flap survived, and the other skin flaps survived successfully. All 34 patients were followed up for 6 to 10 months, with an average of 8 months. All the donor sites of the skin flap healed primarily, and the wound healing time of the recipient site was 10-44 days, with an average of 20 days. At the last follow-up, the skin flap was good in color and texture, and the sensation returned to S1 and S2 grades. There were scars left in the donor site, no cicatricial contracture, pain and other discomfort, and no other serious complications. The results of flap evaluation were 80-91 points, with an average of 86 points. Among them, 25 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good, 3 cases were fair, and the excellent and good rate was 91%(31/34).Conclusion:The application of 3D printing technology assisted the design of ALT perforator flap to repair irregular wounds of limbs can significantly reduce the intraoperative design time of the flap, which is in line with the concept of precise design and incision of the flap, and has good clinical effect, and can effectively reduce the trauma and complications of the donor site.
8.Application and research progress of patient-derived organoids in the multimodality treatment of pancreatic cancer
Hongwei WANG ; Xiaoqing MA ; Song GAO ; Jihui HAO
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(7):710-713
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant tumors with a 5-year survival rate of 13%. Difficulty in early diagnosis,high tumor heterogeneity,high rate of drug resistance,and lack of effective new drugs are the main reasons for the poor therapeutic effect. Traditional cell line models cannot simulate the tumor environment in vitro and cannot reflect the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer,while animal models have a long culture process and cannot be used for high-throughput screening. Pancreatic cancer organoids can be continuously expanded and cultured in vitro,which can realistically reflect the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer and allow high-throughput drug screening,making it an ideal tool for individualized precision diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. According to recent studies on the evaluation of clinical drug efficacy using pancreatic cancer organoids,the drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer organoids is highly consistent with the clinical efficacy,demonstrating the feasibility of drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer organoids in guiding clinical therapy,comfirming the ability to discover potential therapeutic drugs through high-throughput drug screening of pancreatic cancer organoids. At the same time,this review reveals the importance of pancreatic cancer organoids as a model of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment for the development of new drugs and tumor microenvironment research. and the role of pancreatic cancer organoids as a model that can reflect the specific microenvironment of pancreatic cancer for new drug discovery and microenvironmental evaluation. Pancreatic cancer organoids and organ-on-chips are powerful tools for precision companion therapy and new drug discovery.
9.Design of anterolateral thigh perforator flap aided by three-dimensional printing technique for repairing irregular extremity wounds
Chengwei GE ; Guodong JIANG ; Kai WANG ; Zhigang CHE ; Junnan CHENG ; Zhicheng TENG ; Song YUAN ; Jihui JU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(9):946-953
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of three-dimensional(3D) flap model accurately designed before the operation in repairing irregular wounds of limbs with anterolateral thigh(ALT) perforator flap.Methods:The data of patients with ALT flaps designed with 3D printing technology to repair irregular soft tissue defects of limbs in Suzhou Ruihua Orthopedic Hospital from January to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. After the wound was scanned by 3D scanner before surgery, the wound model was printed. The ALT flap was precisely designed and harvested for covering the wound according to the body surface projection of the perforator vessel in the anterolateral femoral region located by color Doppler ultrasound before surgery. The survival of the flap, the healing of the donor and recipient sites and the occurrence of complications were observed and followed up after the operation. The effect of wound repair was evaluated by the comprehensive efficacy evaluation scale of the skin flap. The total score was 100 points, which was divided into excellent (90-100 points), good (75-89 points), fair (60-74 points) and poor (< 60 points).Results:A total of 34 patients were enrolled, including 26 males and 8 females, aged 18-75 years, with an average age of 45.5 years. Injury sites: wrist in 17 cases, foot in 10 cases, ankle in 7 cases. The operation time was 2.0-4.5 h (mean 3.3 h), and all donor sites were sutured directly. Vascular crisis occurred in 2 cases after skin flap transplantation. After surgical exploration, the transplanted skin flap survived, and the other skin flaps survived successfully. All 34 patients were followed up for 6 to 10 months, with an average of 8 months. All the donor sites of the skin flap healed primarily, and the wound healing time of the recipient site was 10-44 days, with an average of 20 days. At the last follow-up, the skin flap was good in color and texture, and the sensation returned to S1 and S2 grades. There were scars left in the donor site, no cicatricial contracture, pain and other discomfort, and no other serious complications. The results of flap evaluation were 80-91 points, with an average of 86 points. Among them, 25 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good, 3 cases were fair, and the excellent and good rate was 91%(31/34).Conclusion:The application of 3D printing technology assisted the design of ALT perforator flap to repair irregular wounds of limbs can significantly reduce the intraoperative design time of the flap, which is in line with the concept of precise design and incision of the flap, and has good clinical effect, and can effectively reduce the trauma and complications of the donor site.
10.Therapeutic potential of exosome derived from remote ischemic conditioning in alleviating neurologic dysfunction after cardiac arrest in a rat model
Heng ZHAI ; Jihui WANG ; Xi CHEN ; Yang ZHANG ; Shuqun HU ; Jun WANG ; Yigen PENG ; Ningjun ZHAO ; Xianliang YAN ; Chenglei SU ; Tie XU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(7):991-998
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of exosomes derived from remote ischemic conditioning on neurological dysfunction after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a rat model of cardiac arrest and the relationship with glycocalyx protection.Methods:Exosomes were isolated from the blood of healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats using ultracentrifugation after undergoing remote ischemic conditioning for use as intervention drugs. Nanoparticle tracking analysis technology was used for exosome detection. Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups ( n=12 each) :Sham group, Control group and Exosome group. Cardiac arrest was induced by asphyxia for 7 min in the Control and Exosome groups. Placebo or exosomes (1×10 10 Particles) were infused intravenously at 5 min after the rats had returned of spontaneous circulation. Neuropsychological deficit score (NDS), open field test, Y maze and Morris water maze were used to assess neurological outcomes. The levels of plasma Hyaluronic acid (HA) and syndecan-1 (Sdc-1) were detected by Elisa. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by Western blot. Results:After undergoing remote ischemic conditioning, the plasma levels of exosomes were elevated in rats compared to normal rats. Compared with the control group, the behavioral experiment of rats in the exosomes group were significantly improved, as evidenced by an increase in horizontal locomotor distance (5.86±2.89 vs. 17.53±5.51, P< 0.05), an increase in the correct rate of spontaneous alternation (13.29±15.07 vs. 42.63±10.25, P< 0.05), and a shortening of avoidance latency (25.83±8.54 vs. 13.49±4.55, P< 0.05). Plasma HA and Sdc-1 levels were significantly lower 24 h after resuscitation (HA: 26.34±9.83 vs. 14.84±6.26, P< 0.05; Sdc-1: 0.05±0.03 vs. 0.02±0.02, P<0.05), along with significantly lower MMP-2/9 levels in hippocampal tissue. Conclusions:Exosomes extracted from the plasma of rats undergoing remote ischemic conditioning can improve neurological dysfunction after cardiac arrest in rats, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of metalloproteinases and the reduction of endothelial glycocalyx degradation.

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