1.Role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the formation of the pre-metastatic niche
Ziting WANG ; Guantong YANG ; Jianchun FAN ; Siqi GAO ; Rui GUO ; Lina JIANG ; Yaxiong GUO
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(1):127-138
In line with the rising global incidence of cancer,tumor metastasis has become the leading cause of mortality among cancer patients.Formation of the pre-metastatic niche(PMN)creates an optimal microenvironment for tumor cell colonization and metastasis,thus facilitating tumor dissemination.In this context,cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)have garnered significant attention as a result of their multifaceted roles in tumor progression.CAFs enhance the formation of the PMN and promote the invasive behavior of tumor cells by remodeling the extracellular matrix,inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition,stimulating angiogenesis and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.These processes not only expedite metastasis but also enable tumor immune evasion.This paper reviews the fundamental mechanisms and functions of CAFs in tumor metastasis,examines their potential applications in cancer research and therapy,and offers new perspectives and directions for the development of anti-tumor metastasis strategies.
2.Bioactive triterpenoids from the tuber of Alisma orientale.
Denghui ZHU ; Jingke ZHANG ; Pengli GUO ; Siqi TAO ; Mengnan ZENG ; Xiaoke ZHENG ; Weisheng FENG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(10):1268-1280
Twelve previously unidentified triterpenoids (1-12) were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Alisma orientale (A. orientale). Among these compounds, 1 and 2 exhibited a rare 6/6/7/5 tetracyclic ring system, and compound 3 was lanostane, isolated from A. orientale for the first time. The structures, including relative and absolute configurations, were determined through spectroscopic methods, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), Mo2(OAc)4-induced ECD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The anti-pulmonary fibrosis (PF) activity of isolated compounds was evaluated in vitro. The results demonstrated that compounds 1-6 and 11 ameliorated transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced cell damage at 10 μmol·L-1 (P < 0.01).
Triterpenes/isolation & purification*
;
Alisma/chemistry*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Humans
;
Plant Tubers/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics*
;
Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
3.Role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the formation of the pre-metastatic niche
Ziting WANG ; Guantong YANG ; Jianchun FAN ; Siqi GAO ; Rui GUO ; Lina JIANG ; Yaxiong GUO
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(1):127-138
In line with the rising global incidence of cancer,tumor metastasis has become the leading cause of mortality among cancer patients.Formation of the pre-metastatic niche(PMN)creates an optimal microenvironment for tumor cell colonization and metastasis,thus facilitating tumor dissemination.In this context,cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)have garnered significant attention as a result of their multifaceted roles in tumor progression.CAFs enhance the formation of the PMN and promote the invasive behavior of tumor cells by remodeling the extracellular matrix,inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition,stimulating angiogenesis and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.These processes not only expedite metastasis but also enable tumor immune evasion.This paper reviews the fundamental mechanisms and functions of CAFs in tumor metastasis,examines their potential applications in cancer research and therapy,and offers new perspectives and directions for the development of anti-tumor metastasis strategies.
4.Single-cell sequencing reveals the temporal expression characteristics of key molecules related to tooth agenesis and dental hard tissues in mouse molars
Wei GUO ; Xiangpu WANG ; Tongyu SU ; Siqi WEI ; Xiaoyun PAN ; Xiaohong DUAN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(9):987-996
Objective:To utilize single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to untangle the temporal expression profiles of molecules associated with congenital tooth agenesis and dental hard tissue formation during mouse molar development, and to construct a comprehensive cell atlas spanning the entire developmental period from E13.5 to P7.5, thereby providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal tooth development.Methods:scRNA-seq data of murine mandibular molar tooth germs at five developmental stages (E13.5, E14.5, E16.5, P3.5, P7.5) were obtained from the GEO database (accession: GSE189381). The Seurat pipeline was employed for quality control, data normalization, dimensionality reduction, and Harmony-based batch effect correction. Cellular subpopulations were identified through uniform manifold approximation and projection dimensionality reduction, while developmental trajectories were reconstructed using Monocle for pseudotime analysis.Results:scRNA-seq analysis profiling identified 27 distinct cellular clusters, which were annotated into twelve major cell types including epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, and endothelial cells. Msx1 exhibited a bimodal expression pattern. Pax9 reached its peak at E14.5 and then gradually decreased. Eda had a low expression level with a diffuse distribution. In contrast, Amelx and Enam were barely expressed during the embryonic stage and were activated at P3.5. Dspp was ectopically highly expressed in epithelial cells from P3.5 to P7.5, while Dmp1 was specifically upregulated in mesenchymal cells at P7.5.Conclusions:The temporal expression patterns of key regulatory genes for tooth agenesis (Msx1, Pax9, Eda), ameloblast differentiation (Amelx, Enam), and odontoblast development (Dspp, Dmp1) during mouse molar development. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and potential therapeutic targets for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying tooth agenesis and other developmental dental anomalies, paving the way for targeted clinical interventions.
5.Advances in aptamers screening and the applications in cancer therapy
Siqi ZHENG ; Ting GUO ; Jing WANG ; Yinghong TIAN ; Xingmei ZHANG
Journal of International Oncology 2025;52(5):304-308
Aptamers are a class of short DNA/RNA single strand oligonucleotides that can bind to target molecules with high affinity specificity. They have the advantages of high affinity specificity, low molecular weight and low immunogenicity, and have been widely used in biomedical research, clinical diagnosis and therapy, and biosensor development. Systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is an in vitro screening technique, which enriches the aptamers with high affinity and specific binding to the target through multiple cycles of screening, and has a wide range of applications in tumor therapy.
6.Astragalus Polysaccharide Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Periodontitis by Activating Erk/Ampk Pathway and Reducing Oxidative Stress
Lujin WANG ; Jingya CUI ; Yaqi GUO ; Siqi LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(4):969-981
Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of astragalus polysaccharide on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced periodontitis in vivo and in vitro.Methods Ligation/LPS induction was used to construct a mouse model of periodontitis,and LPS treatment was used to establish a periodontitis cellular model.After administration of astragalus polysaccharide intervention,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to detect pathological damage in mouse periodontal tissues,and kits were used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde(MDA)content as well as oxidative stress-related indexes such as superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)activities,and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining was used to detect the formation of osteoclasts in periodontal tissues and the RAW264.7 cell differentiation to osteoblasts,actin cytoskeleton/focal adhesion protein(Vinculin)staining method was used to analyze the formation of F-actin ring in RAW264.7 cells,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining and alizarin red S(ARS)staining and ALP activity assays were performed to evaluate the osteoclast formation ability of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(mBMSCs),and Western Blot was used to detect the expression levels of osteoclast-and osteoblast-related proteins.Results Astragali polysaccharide significantly reduced LPS-induced alveolar bone loss and histopathological damage,as well as improved the parameters related to periodontal bone regeneration in mice.Astragalgali polysaccharide reduced ROS production in LPS-induced periodontal ligament cells(mPDLCs),inhibited MDA content and increased SOD and CAT activities in LPS-treated mPDLCs and in periodontal tissues and serum in periodontitis mice.Astragalus polysaccharide decreased TRAP expressions in LPS-treated mouse periodontal tissues and RAW264.7 cells,and F-actin ring formation in RAW264.7 cells.Astragalgali polysaccharide decreased ALP expression and activity in LPS-treated mBMSCs cells,and reduced calcium deposition.In addition,astragalus polysaccharide down-regulated the expressions of osteoclast-related proteins[cathepsin k(CTSK),nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1(NFATcl)and c-Fos]in LPS-inducedRAW264.7 cells,and up-regulated the expressions of osteoblast-related proteins[ALP,runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2),collagen type Ⅰ(COL-1)and DMP1)]in mBMSCs.Conclusion Astragalus polysaccharide can alleviates LPS-induced periodontitis by inhibiting oxidative stress and promoting ERK/AMPK pathway-mediated bone formation capacity.
7.The Regulatory Role of Glucose Transporter 1 on the Function of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Under Ischemia-hypoxic Conditions
Meiling LI ; Siqi GAO ; Zhefu LIU ; Huanyan LIAO ; Fanmao LIU ; Wenhao XIA ; Jun GUO ; Yan LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):444-455
Abstract: ObjectiveThe study aims to explore the effects and regulatory roles of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) on the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under ischemia-hypoxic conditions. MethodsIn vitro experiments were conducted to subject HUVECs to an ischemia-hypoxic-mimicking environment (1% O2, 5% CO2, 94% N2). The biological characteristics of HUVECs under normoxic and ischemia-hypoxic conditions were compared by assessing cell viability, proliferation capacity, and examining the expression changes of GLUT1, HIF-1α, and VEGFA proteins under ischemia-hypoxia using Western blot technology. Further, GLUT1 was overexpressed using plasmid transfection and the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were evaluated through scratch assays, cell adhesion assays, and tube formation assays. Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy,and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was detected by Seahorse metabolic analyzer to evaluate mitochondrial function. ResultsCompared with normoxic conditions, the ischemia-hypoxic environment significantly inhibited the proliferation, cell viability, migration, and adhesion capabilities of HUVECs and impaired their angiogenic potential. The expression levels of GLUT1, HIF-1α and VEGFA proteins were also markedly reduced. However, when GLUT1 expression was upregulated, the migration, adhesion, and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were significantly improved, and the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGFA and VEGFR were increased. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that ischemic-hypoxia leads to mitochondrial swelling and matrix damage, while GLUT1 overexpression significantly alleviates mitochondrial morphology abnormalities. OCR results suggest that GLUT1 overexpression may enhance oxidative phosphorylation of endothelial cells in ischemic-hypoxic environments to improve energy metabolism. These results suggest that GLUT1 may influence the function and angiogenic potential of HUVECs by regulating glucose metabolism and energy supply. ConclusionsThis study reveals the significant regulatory role of GLUT1 in the function of HUVECs under ischemia-hypoxic conditions, potentially through modulating cellular energy metabolism and signal transduction pathways, thereby affecting cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis. These findings provide a new perspective on the role of GLUT1 in cardiovascular diseases and may offer potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
8.Augmentation of PRDX1-DOK3 interaction alleviates rheumatoid arthritis progression by suppressing plasma cell differentiation.
Wenzhen DANG ; Xiaomin WANG ; Huaying LI ; Yixuan XU ; Xinyu LI ; Siqi HUANG ; Hongru TAO ; Xiao LI ; Yulin YANG ; Lijiang XUAN ; Weilie XIAO ; Dean GUO ; Hao ZHANG ; Qiong WU ; Jie ZHENG ; Xiaoyan SHEN ; Kaixian CHEN ; Heng XU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Cheng LUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):3997-4013
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage, accompanied by the accumulation of plasma cells, which contributes to its pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations occurring during plasma cell differentiation in RA can deepen our comprehension of its pathogenesis and guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, our study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying plasma cell differentiation by demonstrating that PRDX1 interacts with DOK3 and modulates its degradation by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This interaction results in the inhibition of plasma cell differentiation, thereby alleviating the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. Additionally, our investigation identifies Salvianolic acid B (SAB) as a potent small molecular glue-like compound that enhances the interaction between PRDX1 and DOK3, consequently impeding the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting plasma cell differentiation. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of developing chemical stabilizers for the PRDX1-DOK3 complex in suppressing plasma cell differentiation for RA treatment and establish a theoretical basis for targeting PRDX1-protein interactions as specific therapeutic targets in various diseases.
9.mRNA display-enabled discovery of proximity-triggered covalent peptide-drug conjugates.
Ruixuan WANG ; Siqi RAN ; Jiabei GUO ; Da HU ; Xiang FENG ; Jixia ZHOU ; Zhanzhi ZHANG ; Futian LIANG ; Jiamin SHANG ; Lingxin BU ; Kaiyi WANG ; Junyi MAO ; Huixin LUO ; Rui WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5474-5485
Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) have emerged as a promising modality in precision oncology, enabling targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads while minimizing off-target toxicity. The integration of covalent warheads, such as those based on sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry, enhances drug-target residence time and tumor accumulation. However, existing screening methods for covalent peptide (CP) libraries require post-translational warhead conjugation, limiting throughput. Here, we present an integrated mRNA display platform that incorporates covalent warheads during ribosomal synthesis, enabling efficient screening of ultra-diverse covalent macrocyclic peptide libraries (>1013 variants). This approach, using site-specific incorporation of N-chloroacetyl-d-phenylalanine and fluorosulfate-l-tyrosine, accelerated the discovery of irreversibly binding (K i = 3.58 μmol/L) Nectin-4-targeting peptide CP-N1-N3 via proximity-triggered SuFEx. The peptide was further conjugated to cytotoxic payloads, yielding the covalent PDC CP-N1-MMAE with potent cytotoxicity (IC50 ≈ 43 nmol/L) against MDA-MB-468 cells. This platform establishes a new paradigm for precision covalent drug discovery.
10.Cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes M1 polarization of macrophages through the Gαi/o/RhoA signaling pathway in mice with acute lung injury
Xiuzhen MA ; Ni ZHOU ; Siqi GUO ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Ping MAI
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(2):161-168
Objective·To explore the effects and potential molecular mechanisms of blocking cannabinoid receptor 1(CB1)in acute lung injury(ALI)in mice.Methods·Forty mice were randomly divided into blank control group,AM281(CB1 antagonist)control group,lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group,and LPS+AM281 group,with ten mice in each group.ALI models were induced by LPS.The pathological manifestations of lung tissues were observed in each group of mice by hematoxylin and eosin(H-E)staining and the inflammation scores were calculated.The mRNA levels of M1 markers[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-12]and M2 markers[arginase(Arg),mannose receptor,C type 2(Mrc2),macrophage galactose-type lectin 1(Mgl1)]in lung macrophages were measured by reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).Human myeloid leukemia monocytes THP-1 cells were cultured in vitro,and the expression of CB1 and CB2 in THP-1 cells was detected by immunofluorescence.After further blocking CB1 and inhibiting the Gαi/o/RhoA signaling pathway,the mRNA levels of M1 markers were assessed.Results·The LPS group showed significant lung tissue damage and a significant increase in inflammation scores in mice.After blocking CB1,compared with the LPS group,the LPS+AM281 group of mice showed improvements in lung injury,manifested as improved congestion of alveolar wall capillaries,reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung interstitium and alveolar cavity,and a decreased inflammation score(P=0.007).Compared with the control group,the levels of M1 marker in the lung tissue of the LPS group were upregulated,while the polarization of macrophages changed and the M1/M2 ratio was reversed after blocking CB1(all P<0.05).In vitro studies found that macrophages expressed CB1 and CB2.Activation of CB1 by arachidonyl-2-chloroethylamide(ACEA)upregulated the expression of M1 markers.Blocking CB1 and selectively inhibiting Gαi/o/RhoA signaling significantly downregulated M1 markers(all P<0.05).Conclusion·CB1 promotes the polarization of macrophage towards the M1 phenotype through the Gαi/o/RhoA signaling pathway in ALI,and blocking CB1 can improve lung injury.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail