1.Persistent accumulation of therapy-induced senescent cells: an obstacle to long-term cancer treatment efficacy.
Jingjing LUO ; Tongxu SUN ; Zhenghui LIU ; Yangfan LIU ; Junjiang LIU ; Shimeng WANG ; Xueke SHI ; Hongmei ZHOU
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):59-59
In the ever-evolving landscape of cancer therapy, while cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy aim to eradicate malignant cells, they also inadvertently trigger cellular senescence in both cancerous and microenvironmental tissues. Therapy-induced senescence (TIS) can act as a barrier against tumor growth by halting cell proliferation in the short term, but the long-term persistence of therapy-induced senescent (TISnt) cells may pose a significant challenge in cancer management. Their distinct characteristics, like senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), metabolic dysregulation, and immune evasion, make them exhibit remarkable heterogeneity to orchestrate the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in therapy resistance. However, how these TISnt cells functioning differently in cancer progression, and the intricate mechanisms by which they remodel the senescence-associated immunosuppressive microenvironment present challenges for improving anticancer therapy. Therefore, this review summarizes the heterogeneous TISnt cell phenotypes contributing to an accumulated senescent state, outlines their multidimensional interactions in the senescent microenvironment, and discusses current senescence-targeting strategies. Building on the current understanding of TIS, we propose potential avenues for improving TIS-targeting methodologies in the context of head and neck cancer, a representative heterogeneous malignancy, which can substantially enhance the efficacy of the "one-two punch" sequential treatment approach for head and neck cancer.
Humans
;
Cellular Senescence/drug effects*
;
Tumor Microenvironment
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Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype
2.Major Vault Protein in Macrophages Reprograms Immune Microenvironment and Inhibits Occurrence and Development of Liver Cancer
Shimeng ZHOU ; Mengmeng LI ; Shouyu WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(2):118-126
Objective To explore the role and molecular mechanism of major vault protein (MVP) in tumor-associated macrophages in the occurrence and development of liver cancer. Methods The expression of MVP in macrophages was analyzed by bioinformatics method and multi-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. Mice with MVP deficiency in macrophages were constructed by Cre/LoxP recombinant enzyme system. The proliferation and migration abilities of tumor cells were detected by cloning formation and Transwell migration assays. The effect of MVP in macrophages on tumorigenesis and development was investigated by mouse primary liver cancer model and subcutaneous tumor transplantation model. The effect of MVP on the tumor microenvironment was investigated by multi-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. The effect of MVP on CD8+ T cells was detected by cell co-culture, flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISA. Results The high expression of MVP in tumor-associated macrophages. The downregulation of the expression of MVP in tumor-associated macrophages compared with para-carcinoma tissues. MVP deficiency in macrophages promoted the proliferation and migration of tumor cells (P<0.05), promoted the development of tumor in vivo (P<0.05), formed an immunosuppressive microenvironment and weakened CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity (P<0.05). Conclusion MVP deficiency in macrophages can promote the occurrence and development of liver cancer by suppressing the function of CD8+ T cells.
3.Research progress on the management strategies of recurrent factors of erosive oral lichen planus
LI Jia ; LI Xiaoying ; WANG Shimeng ; LIU Fan
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(7):597-603
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory disease and potentially malignant disorder of the oral mucosa. Clinical manifestations include bilateral symmetrical distributions of pearly white reticular streaks, and its subtype erosive oral lichen planus (EOLP) is often accompanied by local congestion, erosion, obvious pain, and other symptoms, which affects the patient's eating and swallowing. Oral hygiene and environmental factors, lifestyle and dietary factors, psychological factors, medication factors, and systemic disease factors all contribute to the recurrence of EOLP lesions, which increases the cancer potential of this condition. Therefore, measures to prevent the recurrence and cancerous transformation of EOLP have attracted much attention. In the clinical treatment strategy for EOLP, attention should be given to its influencing factors for comprehensive management. Patients should be provided with multidisciplinary and multifaceted oral comprehensive management measures across the following strategies: maintaining a good oral hygienic environment, dietary therapies and healthy living habits, psychological therapies, systemic/local therapeutic guidance, and active follow-up and treatment of systemic diseases. This article provides multidisciplinary and multifaceted comprehensive oral management measures for patients with the goal of cancer prevention, minimizing recurrence, and improving the quality of life of patients.
4.Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation of BPS and BPF on signaling pathways of male reproductive system damage
Yu SHI ; Jingzhi LI ; Hongqiang CHEN ; Shimeng ZHOU ; Na WANG ; Jia CAO ; Li YIN ; Wenbin LIU
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(2):460-470
Objective:To investigate the pathways involved in bisphenol S(BPS)and bisphenol F(BPF)induced male reproductive injury by bioinformatics methods and experimental verification.Methods:Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to screen the genes related to male reproductive system diseases associated with BPF and BPS from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database(CTD).Functional enrichment using Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed to predict potential signaling pathways and key genes.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to assess the cell viability in various groups treated with different concentrations of BPS and BPF(1×10-3,1×10-2,1×10-1,1×100,1×101,and 1×102 μmol·L-1).TM3 cells were divided into control group(0.1%DMSO),different doses of BPS groups,and different doses of BPF groups.The cells were treated with 20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 of BPS and BPF for 72 h,respectively.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting method were used to detect the expression levels of key genes mRNA and proteins in various groups.Results:The bioinformatics analysis results revealed that 507 and 447 male systemic disease genes related to BPS and BPF were screened by CTD,respectively.The GO enrichment analysis results showed that the selected genes were primarily enriched in biological processes(BP)such as reproductive system development and reproductive structure development.The KEGG pathway analysis results indicated that these genes were significantly enriched in signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT),hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1),and cellular senescence(P<0.001).The CCK-8 method results showed that compared with control group,the cell viabilities in 1× 102 μmol·L-1 BPF and BPS groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the viabilities of TM3 cells in other groups had no significant changes(P>0.05).After BPS treatment,compared with control group,the expression levels of PI3K,AKT,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),and CREB-binding protein(CBP)mRNA in low,medium,and high doses of BPS groups were decreased(P<0.05),the expression levels of PI3K protein were decreased(P<0.05),the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein(Bax)protein were increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of serine protease inhibitor clade B,member 10(SERPINB10)mRNA were increased(P<0.01);the expression levels of Bax and intraflagellar transport 80 homolog(IFT80)mRNA in the cells in medium and high doses of BPS groups were increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)mRNA and protein in low and high doses of BPS groups were decreased(P<0.05);the expression levels of additional sex combs like 2(ASXL2)mRNA in low and medium doses of BPS groups were decreased(P<0.01).After BPF treatment,compared with control group,the expression levels of Bcl-2,HIF-1α,and structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1B(SMC1B)mRNA in low,medium,and high doses of BPF groups were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of IFT80 mRNA(P<0.01)and Bax protein(P<0.01)were increased;the expression levels of PI3K,AKT,and ring finger protein 130(RNF130)mRNA in low and high doses of BPF groups were decreased(P<0.05);the expression level of CBP mRNA in medium dose of BPF group was decreased(P<0.05),while the expression level of RNF130 mRNA was increased(P<0.05);the expression levels of PI3K and Bcl-2 proteins in high dose of BPF group were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:BPF and BPS may cause cell cytotoxicity and impair male reproductive health through PI3K/AKT and HIF-1 signaling pathways.RNF130 and SMC1B may be important targets for their induction of male reproductive toxicity.
5.Targeting cAMP in D1-MSNs in the nucleus accumbens, a new rapid antidepressant strategy.
Yue ZHANG ; Jingwen GAO ; Na LI ; Peng XU ; Shimeng QU ; Jinqian CHENG ; Mingrui WANG ; Xueru LI ; Yaheng SONG ; Fan XIAO ; Xinyu YANG ; Jihong LIU ; Hao HONG ; Ronghao MU ; Xiaotian LI ; Youmei WANG ; Hui XU ; Yuan XIE ; Tianming GAO ; Guangji WANG ; Jiye AA
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):667-681
Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.
6.Anticancer Mechanism of Hesperidin and Its Derivatives: A Review
Xiurong TIAN ; Hao WANG ; Penglong YU ; Shimeng LYU ; Yonghua LI ; Xianglin JIANG ; Qin YANG ; Wubin LYU ; Xia LIU ; Yuexiang MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):259-270
This article reviews relevant literature on the prevention and treatment of cancer with hesperidin published in the past 10 years by searching electronic databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wanfang, and PubMed, and summarizes the research progress on the anticancer mechanism of hesperidin. Hesperidin has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, immune-regulatory, anti-radiation, neuroprotective and cardiovascular protective properties and so on. Its anticancer mechanisms mainly include inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, reducing angiogenesis, inhibiting invasion and migration of cancer cells, regulating immunity and autophagy, and exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. As a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, hesperidin manifests chemo-preventive and therapeutic effects across various cancers, contingent upon its multifaceted anticancer mechanisms. Furthermore, this article summarizes the synergistic effects of hesperidin in combination with cisplatin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel. It elucidates that hesperidin can enhance the cytotoxicity of these anticancer drugs against cancer cells while mitigating drug resistance and adverse side effects. Nonetheless, the clinical use is somewhat constrained due to its poor water solubility and limited bioavailability. Therefore, this article also outlines the current strategies for enhancing hesperidin's bioavailability, including structural modification, combination with other chemical substances, and utilization of nano drug carriers.The discovery of derivatives of hesperidin not only preserves the anticancer efficacy of hesperidin, but also effectively overcomes the shortcomings of poor water solubility and low bioavailability of hesperidin, effectively predicting the good application prospects of hesperidin and its derivatives.
7.Down-regulation of DNA key protein-FEN1 inhibits OSCC growth by affecting immunosuppressive phenotypes via IFN-γ/JAK/STAT-1.
Shimeng WANG ; Xiangjian WANG ; Jun SUN ; Jin YANG ; Deyang WU ; Fanglong WU ; Hongmei ZHOU
International Journal of Oral Science 2023;15(1):17-17
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) escape from the immune system is mediated through several immunosuppressive phenotypes that are critical to the initiation and progression of tumors. As a hallmark of cancer, DNA damage repair is closely related to changes in the immunophenotypes of tumor cells. Although flap endonuclease-1 (FEN1), a pivotal DNA-related enzyme is involved in DNA base excision repair to maintain the stability of the cell genome, the correlation between FEN1 and tumor immunity has been unexplored. In the current study, by analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics of FEN1, we demonstrated that FEN1 overexpressed and that an inhibitory immune microenvironment was established in OSCC. In addition, we found that downregulating FEN1 inhibited the growth of OSCC tumors. In vitro studies provided evidence that FEN1 knockdown inhibited the biological behaviors of OSCC and caused DNA damage. Performing multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC), we directly observed that the acquisition of critical immunosuppressive phenotypes was correlated with the expression of FEN1. More importantly, FEN1 directly or indirectly regulated two typical immunosuppressive phenotype-related proteins human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) and programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1), through the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)/janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator transcription 1 (STAT1) pathway. Our study highlights a new perspective on FEN1 action for the first time, providing theoretical evidence that it may be a potential immunotherapy target for OSCC.
Humans
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology*
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DNA
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Down-Regulation
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Flap Endonucleases/metabolism*
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Head and Neck Neoplasms
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Interferon-gamma/metabolism*
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Mouth Neoplasms/pathology*
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Phenotype
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
;
Tumor Microenvironment
;
Janus Kinases/metabolism*
8.Nomogram based on clinical, ultrasonic and BRAF V600E gene for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2023;46(1):63-68
Objective:To Constructing a nomogram based on clinical, ultrasound and BRAF V600E gene for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods:The clinical data of 287 patients with PTC (374 malignant nodules) from December 2019 to December 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, there were 205 nodes with cervical lymph node metastasis and 169 nodes without cervical lymph node metastasis. The echo type, capsule, boundary, shape, number, diameter, location, cystic and solid properties, aspect ratio, blood flow signal, echo distribution, ultrasonic classification, microcalcification and enlarged lymph nodes were observed by ultrasound. The mutation of BRAF V600E gene was detected by fluorescence polymerase chain reaction. The nomograph model for predicting neck lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC was constructed and validated by R3.6.3 software.Results:Univariate analysis result showed that gender, age, microcalcifications, aspect ratio, morphology, blood flow signal, diameter, echo distribution, enlarged lymph nodes, ultrasound classification and BRAF V600E gene were the risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC ( P<0.05 or <0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that age (<40 years old), ultrasonic classification (≥4a) and diameter (>1 cm) were independent risk factors for cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC ( OR = 2.847, 1.436 and 2.475; 95% CI 1.827 to 4.436, 1.075 to 1.918 and 1.505 to 4.069; P<0.01 or <0.05). The age, ultrasonic classification and diameter were included as predictors for constructing the nomogram model. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis result shows that the area under the curve predicted by the nomogram model for neck lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC was 0.692 (95% CI 0.631 to 0.753). Conclusions:Nomogram based on age, ultrasonic classification and diameter is of high value in predicting neck lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC.
9.Preparation and Study on in vitro Transdermal Characteristics of Tetramethylpyrazine Pellicle
Ying WANG ; Yanan HE ; Yihao CHE ; Shimeng YUAN ; Hairong ZHAO ; Xiumei WU ; Zhibin YANG
China Pharmacy 2020;31(2):160-164
OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily optimize the preparation technology of Ligustrazine pellicle ,and to study its in vitro percutaneous permeation characteristics. METHODS :With the amounts of PVA- 124,ethyl alcohol ,glycerin,tween-80 and azone as factors ,single factor experiment was used to optimize the Ligustrazine pellicle matrix formulation ;modified scoring standard was used to evaluate the film formation time ,film formation ability ,ductility,uniformity and the presence of bubble. On the basis of the optimal matrix formulation ,the pellicle with different loading amount of ligustrazine (300,250,200,150,100,50 mg/mL) was prepared and its maximum loading amount was investigated. HPLC method was adopted to determine the content of ligustrazine,and methodology investigation was conducted. Isolated back skin of rats were collected ,the percutaneous permeation test was conducted for high ,medium and low loading amount (100,75,50 mg/mL)of Ligustrazine pellicle. At 15,30,45,60, 75,90,120,150,180 min,the sample was taken and the permeation rate of ligustrazine was calculated. RESULTS :When the amounts of PVA- 124,ethyl alcohol,glycerin,tween-80 and azone were 2.5 g,7.0 mL,1.97 mL,0.07 mL,0.28 mL(in terms of 50 mL formulation amount ),the optimal matrix formulation of Ligustrazine pellicle was obtained. The maximum drug loading amount of ligustrazine was 100 mg/mL. The linear ranges of ligustrazine was 3.125-100 μg/mL. The specificity,precision, reproducibility,recovery and stability investigation of content determination method of ligustrazine were all in line with the requirements(RSD<2%). The permeation rate of high ,medium and low loading amount of Ligustrazine pellicle were 608.42, 384.19,158.20 μg(/ cm2·h). CONCLUSIONS :According to the optimized formulation ,the prepared Ligustrazine pellicle had a short film forming time ,stable and re liable quality ; the drug-loading amount was up to 100 mg/mL. The pellicle with drug-loading amount of 75 mg/mL had reached the penetration rate range of effective plasma concentration of ligustrazine treatment.
10.Expression and clinical significance of lncRNA H19 and lncRNA MEG3 in serum of patients with gastric cancer
Yan WANG ; Jijun ZHU ; Yunyun LIU ; Shimeng LI ; Yuxin WANG ; Minpeng XIE ; Xiaoyan WANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2020;22(11):1619-1623,1627
Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 and lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) in the serum of patients with gastric cancer (GC).Methods:A total of 87 GC patients admitted to the First People′s Hospital of Suqian (July 2017 to August 2018) were selected as the GC group, 51 patients with benign tumors as the benign tumor group, and 40 healthy people with physical examination as the healthy control group. The expression levels of lncRNA H19 and lncRNA MEG3 in serum were measured; the relationship between the expression levels of the two and clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with GC was analyzed.Results:The levels of serum lncRNA H19 in healthy control group, benign tumor group and GC group were gradually increased, and lncRNA MEG3 level was gradually decreased ( P<0.05); the serum lncRNA H19 level in GC group was related to tumor invasion depth, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis. The level of lncRNA MEG3 was related to the degree of differentiation, TNM stage and lymph node metastasis ( P<0.05). Among the 87 GC patients , 63 patients were followed up for 13-32 months with an average of (23.54±4.18)months. Kaplan Meier survival curve showed that the overall survival rate of high serum lncRNA H19 group and low serum lncRNA MEG3 level group was significantly lower than that of low serum lncRNA H19 level group and high serum lncRNA H19 level group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that lncRNA H19 ( HR=3.442, 95% CI=0.089-23.421) was an independent prognostic factor for GC patients, and lncRNA MEG3 ( HR=4.386, 95% CI=0.934-20.596) was a protective factor ( P<0.05); receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of serum lncRNA H19+ lncRNA MEG3 [area under curve (AUC)=0.922, 95% CI=0.861-0.962] were higher than those of serum lncRNA H19 (AUC=0.840, 95% CI=0.771-0.904) and lncRNA MEG3 (AUC=0.830, 95% CI=0.753-0.890). Conclusions:The level of serum lncRNA H19 in GC patients is significantly increased, and the level of lncRNA MEG3 is significantly reduced, which is closely related to tumor occurrence, development and prognosis. Combined detection of the two can enhance the diagnostic value of GC.


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