1.Moslosooflavone ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by suppressing intestinal epithelium apoptosis via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Fei CHU ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Bowen SONG ; Jingjing YANG ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):819-828
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of moslosooflavone (MOS) for ameliorating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and the underlying molecular mechanism.
METHODS:
C57BL/6J mice with or without DSS exposure in the drinking water were both randomized into two groups for treatment with intraperitoneal injections with MOS (200 mg/kg) or normal saline for 7 days (n=6). Disease severity of the mice was assessed by observing changes in body weight, colon length, histopathology (HE staining), intestinal barrier function, and TUNEL staining. In the in vitro studies, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse colon organoids were treated with MOS (120 μmol/L) for 24 h, and the changes in barrier dysfunction and inflammation were analyzed. Network pharmacology and Western blotting were employed to identify functional pathways and apoptotic protein regulation associated with the therapeutic effect of MOS on colitis.
RESULTS:
In the mouse models of DSS-indcued colitis, MOS treatment significantly reduced body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) scores and colon shortening, ameliorated colonic histopathological changes and inflammation, and lowered pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ). MOS effectively restored intestinal barrier integrity in the mice by reducing serum FITC-dextran and I-FABP concentrations while enhancing the tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and claudin-1). In the colon organoids, MOS significantly suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory responses and epithelial barrier disruption. Western blotting revealed that MOS downregulated C-caspase-3 and BAX and upregulated Bcl-2 expressions in both models. Mechanistically, MOS suppressed PI3K and AKT phosphorylation in both DSS-treated mouse colonic tissues and LPS-stimulated organoids.
CONCLUSIONS
MOS alleviates experimental colitis in mice by inhibiting intestinal epithelial apoptosis via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby restoring intestinal barrier integrity and reducing inflammation.
Animals
;
Dextran Sulfate
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Colitis/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Flavones/pharmacology*
;
Male
2.High expression of SURF4 promotes migration, invasion and proliferation of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting tight junction proteins.
Ziliang WANG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Jingjing YANG ; Chen YAN ; Zhizhi ZHANG ; Bingyi HUANG ; Meng ZHAO ; Song LIU ; Sitang GE ; Lugen ZUO ; Deli CHEN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1732-1742
OBJECTIVES:
To study the impact of SURF4 expression level on long-term prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) and biological behaviors of GC cells.
METHODS:
SURF4 expression level in GC and its association with long-term patient prognosis were analyzed using publicly available databases and in 155 GC patients with low and high SURF4 expressions detected immunohistochemically. The Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze independent prognostic predictors of GC and the 5-year survival rate of the patients with different SURF4 expression levels. Informatics analyses were conducted to explore the correlation of SURF4 expression level with immune cell infiltration in GC, SURF4-related differential genes and their associated pathways. In cultured GC cell line HGC-27, the effects of SURF4 knockdown and overexpression on proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated.
RESULTS:
Analysis of GEPIA dataset and immunohistochemical results suggested significant SURF4 overexpression in GC (P<0.05), which was associated with shortened 5-year survival time of the patients (χ2=38.749, P<0.001). The prognosis of GC was closely related to tumor stage T3-4, N2-3, CEA≥5 μg/L and CA19-9≥37 kU/L (P<0.05). SURF4 expression level was negatively correlated with activated B cells, NK cells and CD8+ effector memory T cells (P<0.05) and positively correlated with CD4+ T cells (P<0.05). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that SUFR4 may participate in GC carcinogenesis by promoting EMT through the tight junction pathway. In HGC-27 cells, SURF4 overexpression significantly decreased E-cadherin expression, increased N-cadherin expression, inhibited ZO-1 and claudin-1 expressions, and promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion.
CONCLUSIONS
SURF4 is highly expressed in GC, and its overexpression is associated with a shortened 5-year survival of the patients possibly by enhancing tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion via inhibiting tight junction proteins and promoting EMT.
Humans
;
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Cell Movement
;
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Prognosis
;
Tight Junction Proteins/metabolism*
;
Membrane Proteins/metabolism*
;
Female
;
Male
3.SF3B3 overexpression promotes proliferation of gastric cancer cells and correlates with poor patient prognosis.
Hui LU ; Bowen SONG ; Jinran SHI ; Shunyin WANG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Jingjing YANG ; Sitang GE ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(10):2240-2249
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of SF3B3 in gastric cancer (GC) progression and prognosis and its possible mechanisms.
METHODS:
SF3B3 expression levels in pan-cancer and GC were analyzed using TIMER2.0, GEPIA, and UALCAN databases and validated using immunohistochemistry in GC tissues. Survival curves of GC patients were established using Kaplan-Meier Plotter and the data of a patient cohort our hospital. The independent risk factors for 5-year postoperative survival were identified using Cox regression, and their predictive values were evaluated using ROC analysis. SF3B3-associated biological processes were predicted by bioinformatics enrichment analyses. In GC HGC-27 cells, the effects of lentivirus-mediated SF3B3 knockdown and overexpression on cell proliferation and migration were investigated, and the changes in the key glycolytic proteins and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) were detected. The influence of SF3B3 expression level on tumorigenesis and glycolytic protein expression in vivo were evaluated in a nude mouse xenograft model.
RESULTS:
High expression of SF3B3 in GC was associated with poor patient prognosis (P<0.05). The factors affecting 5-year survival outcomes following gastric oncological resection included high SF3B3 expression, a CEA level ≥5μg/L, a CA19-9 level ≥37 kU/L, tumor stage T3-4, and lymph node metastasis stage N2-3 (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis showed significant enrichment of SF3B3 in glycolysis. In HGC-27 cells, SF3B3 knockdown significantly inhibited while SF3B3 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SF3B3 knockdown obviously decreased the expressions of HK2, PKM2 and LDHA proteins and ECAR in HGC-27 cells, whereas SF3B3 overexpression produced the opposite effect. In nude mouse xenograft models, SF3B3 knockdown significantly reduced tumor mass and downregulated expression of HK2, PKM2 and LDHA proteins, and SF3B3 overexpression induced the opposite changes.
CONCLUSIONS
SF3B3 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of GC patients and promotes GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion possibly by enhancing glycolysis.
Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Humans
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Prognosis
;
Animals
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mice
;
Cell Movement
;
Male
;
Female
4.The Effect of Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) & Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) Herbal Pair on the Periorbital Mechanical Pain Threshold and AMPK/TRPA1 Pathway in the Trigeminal Ganglion of Migraine Model Rats
Xiao ZUO ; Liqi LIANG ; Lanqi TANG ; Ruina MENG ; Bingying FANG ; Haifang WANG ; Haiyan CUI ; Xiaohua LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):722-727
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) & Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) herbal pair in treating migraines based on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/transient receptor potential A1 channel (TRPA1) pathway. MethodsForty-eight healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and Chuanxiong Tianma medication group, with 16 rats in each group. The control group and model group were given 10 ml/kg of normal saline by gavage, while the Chuanxiong Tianma medication group was given 0.675 g/kg of Chuanxiong Tianma herbal pair by gavage, once daily for 8 consecutive days in both groups. Migraime model was performed before the last administration, with subcutaneous injection of 10 ml/kg of normal saline in the control group, and subcutaneous injection of 10 ml/kg of nitroglycerin in the model group and Chuanxiong Tianma medication group. The Von Frey filament was used to measure the periorbital mechanical pain threshold of rats. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rat serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The nitric oxide (NO) assay kit was used to determine the NO level in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. RT-PCR was usedto detect the mRNA expression levels of immediate-early genes in the trigeminal ganglion of rats (c-Fos), CGRP, transient receptor potential V1 channel (TRPV1), AMPK alpha subunit (PRKAA), and TRPA1. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the trigeminal cervical complex (TCC) and the protein expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK) and TRPA1 in the trigeminal ganglion. ResultsCompared to those in the control group, the mechanical stimulation threshold and pAMPK protein expression in the model group decreased, while the levels of CGRP and NO in serum, c-Fos, CGRP, TRPV1 and TRPA1 mRNA levels in the trigeminal ganglion, TRPA1 protein expression, and the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the TCC significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to those in the model group, the mechanical stimulation threshold and pAMPK protein expression in the Chuanxiong Tianma medication group significantly increased, while the levels of CGRP and NO in serum, c-Fos, CGRP, TRPV1 and TRPA1 mRNA levels in the trigeminal ganglion, TRPA1 protein expression, and the number of c-Fos-positive cells in the TCC significantly decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionChuanxiong Tianma herbal pair may improve migraine symptoms by regulating the AMPK/TRPA1 pathway in the trigeminal ganglion and increasing the mechanical pain threshold.
5.Role of Abelson interactor 2 in progression and prognosis of gastric cancer and its regulatory mechanisms
Xiaohua CHEN ; Hui LU ; Ziliang WANG ; Lian WANG ; Yongsheng XIA ; Zhijun GENG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Xue SONG ; Yueyue WANG ; Jing LI ; Jianguo HU ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(9):1653-1661
Objective To explore the regulatory role of Abelson interactor 2(ABI2)in progression and prognosis of gastric cancer.Methods TIMER2.0,GEPIA,Kaplan-Meier Plotter and DAVID databases were used to analyze ABI2 expression in pan-cancer and its association with the prognosis of gastric cancer.Gastric cancer and adjacent tissues from 120 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy in our hospital between January,2016 and October,2018 were examined for ABI2 expression and its correlation with disease progression and prognosis.MGC-803 cell models of ABI2 knockdown and overexpression were established for observing the changes in cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,and the impact of ABI2 expression modulation on xenograft growth was evaluated in nude mice.Results Database analysis and examination of the clinical samples showed that ABI2 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues.Survival analysis suggested that gastric cancer patients with a high expression of ABI2 had a reduced postoperative 5-year survival rate(P<0.0001),and further Cox univariate and multivariate survival analyses indicated that a high ABI2 expression was an independent risk factor affecting the patients survival outcomes(P=0.022,HR=1.887,95%CI:1.096-3.249).Enrichment analysis suggested the involvement of ABI2 in Wnt signaling.In MGC-803 cells,ABI2 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and xenograft growth in nude mice,increased the expressions of vimentin and N-cadherin,and lowered E-cadherin expression,while ABI2 knockdown produced the opposite effects.Mechanistic analysis revealed that ABI2 overexpression promoted the expressions of Wnt2 and β-catenin in both MGC-803 cells and the xenografts,and their expressions were significantly lowered by ABI2 knockdown.Conclusion ABI2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer,which affects long-term prognosis of the patients,possible due to its regulatory effect on Wnt signaling to promote proliferation,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells.
6.CEP192 overexpression is correlated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer and promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation by regulating PLK1/CDK1/Cyclin B1 signaling
Zhen ZHANG ; Hui LU ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Lian WANG ; Ziliang WANG ; Yueyue WANG ; Sitang GE ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(11):2137-2145
Objective To investigate the correlation of CEP192 expression with prognosis of gastric cancer and biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells.Methods Public databases and clinical tissue samples were used to examine CEP192 expression level in gastric cancer.Kaplan-Meier survival curves,univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses,ROC curves and bioinformatics analyses were used to explore the risk factors affecting the 5-year postoperative survival,the correlation of CEP192 expression level with the patients'survival,and its biological role in gastric cancer development.In gastric cancer MGC-803 cells with lentivirus-mediated CEP192 interference or overexpression,cell proliferation and expressions of PLK1,CDK1 and Cyclin B1 were examined with CCK-8 assay and Western blotting.The effects of CEP192 knockdown or overexpression on tumorigenesis of MGC-803 cells was observed in nude mice,and the expressions of PLK1,CDK1 and Cyclin B1 in the xenografts were detected.Results CEP192 was highly expressed in gastric cancer and associated with poor prognosis of the patients(P<0.05).High expression of CEP192,CEA≥5 ng/mL,CA199≥37 IU/mL,T3-4 stage,and N2-3 stage were independent risk factors affecting the patients'5-year postoperative survival(P<0.05).Bioinformatics analyses suggested that CEP192 was involved in several vital biological processes and positively regulated cell cycle progression.In MGC-803 cells,CEP192 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation and lowered the expression levels of PLK1,CDK1,and Cyclin B1,while its overexpression produced the opposite effects.In the nude mouse models,CEP192 knockdown resulted in lowered tumorigenic potential of MGC-803 cells and decreased protein levels of PLK1,CDK1,and Cyclin B1 in the xenografts,while CEP192 overexpression in MGC-803 cells caused the opposite changes.Conclusion CEP192 overexpression is correlated with unfavorable outcomes of gastric cancer patients and promotes gastric cell proliferation by regulating the key proteins during G2/M phase transition.
7.Role of Abelson interactor 2 in progression and prognosis of gastric cancer and its regulatory mechanisms
Xiaohua CHEN ; Hui LU ; Ziliang WANG ; Lian WANG ; Yongsheng XIA ; Zhijun GENG ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Xue SONG ; Yueyue WANG ; Jing LI ; Jianguo HU ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(9):1653-1661
Objective To explore the regulatory role of Abelson interactor 2(ABI2)in progression and prognosis of gastric cancer.Methods TIMER2.0,GEPIA,Kaplan-Meier Plotter and DAVID databases were used to analyze ABI2 expression in pan-cancer and its association with the prognosis of gastric cancer.Gastric cancer and adjacent tissues from 120 patients undergoing radical gastrectomy in our hospital between January,2016 and October,2018 were examined for ABI2 expression and its correlation with disease progression and prognosis.MGC-803 cell models of ABI2 knockdown and overexpression were established for observing the changes in cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,and the impact of ABI2 expression modulation on xenograft growth was evaluated in nude mice.Results Database analysis and examination of the clinical samples showed that ABI2 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues.Survival analysis suggested that gastric cancer patients with a high expression of ABI2 had a reduced postoperative 5-year survival rate(P<0.0001),and further Cox univariate and multivariate survival analyses indicated that a high ABI2 expression was an independent risk factor affecting the patients survival outcomes(P=0.022,HR=1.887,95%CI:1.096-3.249).Enrichment analysis suggested the involvement of ABI2 in Wnt signaling.In MGC-803 cells,ABI2 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and xenograft growth in nude mice,increased the expressions of vimentin and N-cadherin,and lowered E-cadherin expression,while ABI2 knockdown produced the opposite effects.Mechanistic analysis revealed that ABI2 overexpression promoted the expressions of Wnt2 and β-catenin in both MGC-803 cells and the xenografts,and their expressions were significantly lowered by ABI2 knockdown.Conclusion ABI2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer,which affects long-term prognosis of the patients,possible due to its regulatory effect on Wnt signaling to promote proliferation,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells.
8.CEP192 overexpression is correlated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer and promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation by regulating PLK1/CDK1/Cyclin B1 signaling
Zhen ZHANG ; Hui LU ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Lian WANG ; Ziliang WANG ; Yueyue WANG ; Sitang GE ; Lugen ZUO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(11):2137-2145
Objective To investigate the correlation of CEP192 expression with prognosis of gastric cancer and biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells.Methods Public databases and clinical tissue samples were used to examine CEP192 expression level in gastric cancer.Kaplan-Meier survival curves,univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses,ROC curves and bioinformatics analyses were used to explore the risk factors affecting the 5-year postoperative survival,the correlation of CEP192 expression level with the patients'survival,and its biological role in gastric cancer development.In gastric cancer MGC-803 cells with lentivirus-mediated CEP192 interference or overexpression,cell proliferation and expressions of PLK1,CDK1 and Cyclin B1 were examined with CCK-8 assay and Western blotting.The effects of CEP192 knockdown or overexpression on tumorigenesis of MGC-803 cells was observed in nude mice,and the expressions of PLK1,CDK1 and Cyclin B1 in the xenografts were detected.Results CEP192 was highly expressed in gastric cancer and associated with poor prognosis of the patients(P<0.05).High expression of CEP192,CEA≥5 ng/mL,CA199≥37 IU/mL,T3-4 stage,and N2-3 stage were independent risk factors affecting the patients'5-year postoperative survival(P<0.05).Bioinformatics analyses suggested that CEP192 was involved in several vital biological processes and positively regulated cell cycle progression.In MGC-803 cells,CEP192 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation and lowered the expression levels of PLK1,CDK1,and Cyclin B1,while its overexpression produced the opposite effects.In the nude mouse models,CEP192 knockdown resulted in lowered tumorigenic potential of MGC-803 cells and decreased protein levels of PLK1,CDK1,and Cyclin B1 in the xenografts,while CEP192 overexpression in MGC-803 cells caused the opposite changes.Conclusion CEP192 overexpression is correlated with unfavorable outcomes of gastric cancer patients and promotes gastric cell proliferation by regulating the key proteins during G2/M phase transition.
9.The processing of blood with irregular antibodies and its clinical application
Na FENG ; Qinqin ZUO ; Yali ZHANG ; Jin WANG ; Peng PENG ; Xiaohua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2021;34(2):182-185
【Objective】 Toexplore the viability of preparing washed RBCs ordeglycerolized RBCs(referred as frozen RBCs)from blood containing irregular antibodies, so as to provide references for formulating processing procedures of blood containing irregular antibodiestosave blood resources and reduce blood wastage. 【Methods】 Once irregular antibodies were yielded, their type and titerwere determined.The plasma was discarded, and the suspended RBCs were prepared and processed according to the standardized washing scheme.The processing effect of blood with different titers and types of antibodies was observed, and theirfurther clinical application was followed up. 【Results】 From May 2017 to July 2019, a total of 45 blood samples containing irregular antibodies were screened in our center. The overall qualified rate reached 91.1% after processing. 100%(25/25) was qualified in IgM, and 80.0%(16/20)in IgG.4samples, initially noncom for mingdue to IgG-Dwith titerranged8~16, met the requirements after one or two additional washing processes. Among them, 23 cases were issued and appliedin clinicaland noadeverse reactions to blood transfusionoccurred. 【Conclusion】 After appropriate processing, blood containing irregular antibody can be applied to the clinical to save blood resources. When the irregular antibody is IgG-D and the titer is high, the washing times should be increased, and only when there is no residual antibodycan the samples be issued to the clinical.
10.OATP1B1 in drug-drug interactions between traditional Chinese medicine Danshensu and rosuvastatin.
Jinhua WEN ; Xiaohua WEI ; Xiaohua CHENG ; Rong ZUO ; Hongwei PENG ; Yanni Lü ; Jian ZHOU ; Xuelian ZHENG ; Jun CAI ; Yuqing XIONG ; Li CAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2016;51(1):75-9
The study was designed to explore the drug-drug interactions mechanisms mediated by OATP1B1 between traditional Chinese medicine Danshensu and rosuvastatin. First, the changes of rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics were investigated in presence of Danshensu in rats. Then, the primary rat hepatocytes model was established to explore the effects of Danshensu on the uptake of rosuvastatin by hepatocytes. Finally, HEK293T cells with overexpression of OATP1B1*a and OATP1B1*5 were established using a lentiviral delivery system to explore the effects of Danshensu on the uptake of rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin pharmacokinetic parameters of C(max0, AUCO(0-t), AUC(0-∞) were increased about 123%, 194% and 195%, by Danshensu in rats, while the CL z/F value was decreased by 60%. Uptake of rosuvastatin in the primary rat hepatocytes was decreased by 3.13%, 41.15% and 74.62%, respectively in the presence of 20, 40 and 80 μmol x L(-1) Danshensu. The IC50 parameters was (53.04 ± 2.43) μmol x L(-1). The inhibitory effect of Danshensu on OATP1B1 mediated transport of rosuvastatin was related to the OATP1B1 gene type. In OATP1B1*5-HEK293T mutant cells, transport of rosuvastatin were reduced by (39.11 ± 4.94)% and (63.61 ± 3.94)%, respectively, by Danshensu at 1 and 10 μmol x L(-1). While transport of rosuvastatin was reduced by (8.22 ± 2.40)% and (11.56 ± 3.04)% and in OATP1B1*1a cells, respectively. Danshensu significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in rats, which was related to competitive inhibition of transport by OATPJBI. Danshensu exhibited a significant activity in the inhibition of rosuvastatin transport by OATP1B1*5-HEK293T, but not by OATP1B1*1a, suggesting a dependence on OATP1B1 sequence.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail