1.Adar3 promotes macrophage M2 polarization and alleviates viral myocarditis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Mengying ZHANG ; Zhi LI ; Weiya PEI ; Shujun WAN ; Xueqin LI ; Kun LYU ; Xiaolong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(9):769-777
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of RNA-Specific adenosine deaminase 3 (Adar3) in regulating macrophage polarization during Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis (VM). Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from mice were cultured in vitro and induced into M1/M2 macrophages using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin 4 (IL-4), respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Adar1, Adar2, and Adar3 in each group of cells were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Specific siRNAs targeting the Adar3 gene were designed, synthesized, and transiently transfected into M2 macrophages. The mRNA levels of M2 polarization-related marker genes-including arginase 1 (Arg1), chitinase 3-like molecule 3 (YM1/Chi3l3), and resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα/FIZZ1)-were detected by qRT-PCR. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the signaling pathways affected by Adar3. The expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were further validated using qRT-PCR and Western blot. The adeno-associated virus overexpressing Adar3 was designed, synthesized, and injected into mice via tail vein. Three weeks later, a myocarditis mouse model was established. After an additional week, the phenotype and function of cardiac macrophages, as well as multiple indicators of VM (including echocardiography, body weight, histopathology and serology) were examined. Additionally, the protein levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed. Results Compared to M0-type macrophages, the expression level of Adar3 was significantly increased in M2-type macrophages. After transfection of Adar3 siRNA, the mRNA levels of Arg1, YM1 and FIZZ1 in M2 macrophages were downregulated. RNA sequencing revealed 149 upregulated genes and 349 downregulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and subsequent validation experiments indicated that Adar3 modulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Adar3 overexpression alleviated the cardiac dysfunction of VM mice. The proportion of M1 macrophages in the heart decreased, while the proportion of M2 macrophages increased. At the same time, the Adar3 overexpression activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion Adar3 promotes macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby alleviating VM.
Animals
;
Adenosine Deaminase/metabolism*
;
Macrophages/immunology*
;
Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics*
;
Myocarditis/immunology*
;
Mice
;
Coxsackievirus Infections/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Mice, Inbred BALB C
;
Enterovirus B, Human/physiology*
;
beta Catenin/genetics*
2.ADAR1 Regulates the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 Pathway to Drive the Proliferation and Migration of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.
Li ZHANG ; Xue PAN ; Wenqing YAN ; Shuilian ZHANG ; Chiyu MA ; Chenpeng LI ; Kexin ZHU ; Nijia LI ; Zizhong YOU ; Xueying ZHONG ; Zhi XIE ; Zhiyi LV ; Weibang GUO ; Yu CHEN ; Danxia LU ; Xuchao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(9):647-657
BACKGROUND:
Double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase 1 (ADAR1) binds to double-stranded RNA and catalyzes the deamination of adenosine (A) to inosine (I). The functional mechanism of ADAR1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of ADAR1 in NSCLC and to elucidate its potential role in regulating tumor cell proliferation and migration.
METHODS:
Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and cBioPortal were analyzed to assess the correlation between high ADAR1 expression and clinicopathological features as well as prognosis in lung cancer. We performed Western blot (WB), cell proliferation assays, Transwell invasion/migration assays, and nude mouse xenograft modeling to examine the phenotypic changes and molecular mechanisms induced by ADAR1 knockdown. Furthermore, the ADAR1 p150 overexpression model was utilized to validate the proposed mechanism.
RESULTS:
ADAR1 expression was significantly elevated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (LUAD: P=3.70×10-15, LUSC: P=0.016). High ADAR1 expression was associated with poor prognosis (LUAD: P=2.03×10-2, LUSC: P=2.81×10-2) and distant metastasis (P=0.003). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated that elevated ADAR1 was associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway activation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, and cell adhesion. ADAR1 and MMP-9 levels showed a strongly positive correlation (P=6.45×10-34) in 10 lung cancer cell lines, highest in H1581. Knockdown of ADAR1 in H1581 cells induced a rounded cellular morphology with reduced pseudopodia. Concomitantly, it suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and in vivo tumorigenesis. It also suppressed ERK phosphorylation and downregulated cellular Finkel-Biskis-Jinkins murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (c-FOS), MMP-9, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Conversely, ADAR1 p150 overexpression in PC9 cells enhanced ERK phosphorylation and increased c-FOS and MMP-9 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
High ADAR1 expression is closely associated with poor prognosis and distant metastasis in NSCLC patients. Mechanistically, ADAR1 may promote proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis in lung cancer cells via the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 axis.
Humans
;
Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology*
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Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
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Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/physiopathology*
;
Cell Movement
;
Animals
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Mice
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Female
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Male
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics*
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Middle Aged
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MAP Kinase Signaling System
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Mice, Nude
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics*
3.Intracellular concentration of ADA2 is a marker for monocyte differentiation and activation.
Liang DONG ; Bingtai LU ; Wenwen LUO ; Xiaoqiong GU ; Chengxiang WU ; Luca TROTTA ; Mikko SEPPANEN ; Yuxia ZHANG ; Andrey V ZAVIALOV
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(2):359-375
Adenosine, a critical molecule regulating cellular function both inside and outside cells, is controlled by two human adenosine deaminases: ADA1 and ADA2. While ADA1 primarily resides in the cytoplasm, ADA2 can be transported to lysosomes within cells or secreted outside the cell. Patients with ADA2 deficiency (DADA2) often suffer from systemic vasculitis due to elevated levels of TNF-α in their blood. Monocytes from DADA2 patients exhibit excessive TNF-α secretion and differentiate into pro-inflammatory M1-type macrophages. Our findings demonstrate that ADA2 localizes to endolysosomes within macrophages, and its intracellular concentration decreases in cells secreting TNF-α. This suggests that ADA2 may function as a lysosomal adenosine deaminase, regulating TNF-α expression by the cells. Interestingly, pneumonia patients exhibit higher ADA2 concentrations in their bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), correlating with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Conversely, cord blood has low ADA2 levels, creating a more immunosuppressive environment. Additionally, secreted ADA2 can bind to apoptotic cells, activating immune cells by reducing extracellular adenosine levels. These findings imply that ADA2 release from monocytes during inflammation, triggered by growth factors, may be crucial for cell activation. Targeting intracellular and extracellular ADA2 activities could pave the way for novel therapies in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Humans
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Adenosine Deaminase/deficiency*
;
Monocytes/cytology*
;
Cell Differentiation
;
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Biomarkers/metabolism*
;
Macrophages/metabolism*
;
Pneumonia/metabolism*
4.Advances in the catalytic promiscuity of nitrilases.
Hongjuan DIAO ; Xinfan LIN ; Renchao ZHENG ; Yuguo ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):131-147
As important biocatalysts, nitrilases can efficiently convert nitrile groups into acids and ammonia in a mild and eco-friendly manner, being widely used in the synthesis of important pharmaceutical intermediates. Early studies reported that nitrilases only had the hydrolysis activity of catalyzing the formation of corresponding carboxylic acid products from nitriles, showing catalytic specificity. However, recent studies have shown that some nitrilases exhibit the hydration activity for catalyzing the formation of amides from nitriles, showing catalytic promiscuity. The catalytic promiscuity of nitrilases has dual effects. On the one hand, the presence of amide by-products increases the difficulties and costs of subsequent separation and purification of carboxylic acid products. On the other hand, however, if the catalytic reaction pathways of nitrilases can be precisely regulated to reshape enzyme functions, the reactions catalyzed by nitrilases can be broadened to provide new ideas for the biosynthesis of high-value amides, which is crucial for the development of artificial enzymes and biocatalysis. This review summarized the research progress in the catalytic promiscuity of nitrilases and discussed the key regulatory factors that may affect the catalytic promiscuity of nitrilases from the evolutionary origin, catalytic domains, and catalytic mechanisms, hoping to provide reference and inspiration for the application of nitrilases in biocatalysis.
Aminohydrolases/chemistry*
;
Biocatalysis
;
Nitriles/chemistry*
;
Substrate Specificity
;
Catalytic Domain
;
Catalysis
5.Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) involved in the regulation of B cell immune senescence.
Jiaping XIAO ; Jun LI ; Xinsheng YAO
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2023;39(5):474-478
The humoral immune response of B cells is the key to the protection of specific immunity, and immune aging reshapes its production and function. The decreased B cell immune function is an indicator of immune senescence. The impaired humoral immune function mediated by antibody secreted by B cells leads to a decline in the response of elderly individuals to the vaccine. These people are therefore more susceptible to infection and deterioration, and have a higher incidence of tumors and metabolic diseases. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is an enzyme that triggers immunoglobulin class conversion recombination (CSR) and somatic high frequency mutation (SHM). It decreases during immune senescence and is considered to be a biomarker of decreased B cell function in aging mice and humans. Understanding the inherent defects of B-cell immune senescence and the regulation mechanism of AID in the aging process can provide new research ideas for the susceptibility, prevention and treatment of diseases in the elderly.
Animals
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Humans
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Mice
;
Aging/metabolism*
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B-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
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Cytidine Deaminase/metabolism*
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Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin
6.Analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria due to a novel variant of ADAR gene.
Ke YANG ; Qiaofang HOU ; Yuwei ZHANG ; Guiyu LOU ; Na QI ; Bing KANG ; Bing ZHANG ; Shixiu LIAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2022;39(1):64-67
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH).
METHODS:
PCR and Sanger sequencing were carried out for the proband, and suspected variant was validated by Sanger sequencing in the pedigree.
RESULTS:
The proband was found to harbor a novel variant of c.1352delA (p.N451Mfs*13) of the ADAR (NM_001111) gene. The same variant was found in her affected mother and sister, but not in her unaffected father, uncle, and 100 healthy individual.
CONCLUSION
The novel variant of the ADAR gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of DSH in this pedigree.
Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
;
China
;
Female
;
Humans
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Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Pigmentation Disorders/congenital*
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
7.Analysis of ADAR gene variant in a Chinese pedigree affected with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria.
Changyin WANG ; Siman XIA ; Zhengjun CUI ; Xinjian LIU ; Kun QIAN ; Qian LI ; Xin ZONG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2022;39(2):202-204
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical features and genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with hereditary dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH).
METHODS:
Peripheral blood samples of the proband and his mother were collected and subjected to PCR and Sanger sequencing.
RESULTS:
The patient has conformed to the typical pattern of DSH and manifested with hyperpigmentation, hypo- and hyperpigmentation spots on the back of hands, feet and face. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the proband and his mother have both harbored heterozygous splicing variant c.2762+1G>T in exon 9 of the ADAR gene, which was unreported previously. The same variant was not detected among 100 healthy controls. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2+PP4).
CONCLUSION
The c.2762+1G>T variant of the ADAR gene probably underlay the DSH in this pedigree. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of ADAR gene mutations.
Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
;
China
;
Humans
;
Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Pigmentation Disorders/congenital*
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
8.Association of maternal MTHFD1 and MTHFD2 gene polymorphisms with congenital heart disease in offspring.
Qian CHEN ; Peng HUANG ; Xin-Li SONG ; Yi-Ping LIU ; Meng-Ting SUN ; Ting-Ting WANG ; Sen-Mao ZHANG ; Jia-Bi QIN
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2022;24(7):797-805
OBJECTIVES:
To study the association of maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) gene polymorphisms with congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring.
METHODS:
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted. The mothers of 683 children with CHD alone who attended Hunan Children's Hospital, from November 2017 to March 2020 were enrolled as the case group, and the mothers of 740 healthy children who attended the same hospital during the same period and did not have any deformity were enrolled as the control group. A questionnaire survey was performed to collect related exposure data, and then venous blood samples (5 mL) were collected from the mothers to detect MTHFD1 and MTHFD2 gene polymorphisms. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of MTHFD1 and MTHFD2 gene polymorphisms with CHD. The four-gamete test in Haploview 4.2 software was used to construct haplotypes and evaluate the association between haplotypes and CHD. The generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method and logistic regression analysis were used to examine gene-gene interaction and its association with CHD.
RESULTS:
The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that maternal MTHFD1 gene polymorphisms at rs11849530 (GA vs AA: OR=1.49; GG vs AA: OR=2.04) andat rs1256142 (GA vs GG: OR=2.34; AA vs GG: OR=3.25) significantly increased the risk of CHD in offspring (P<0.05), while maternal MTHFD1 gene polymorphisms at rs1950902 (AA vs GG: OR=0.57) and MTHFD2 gene polymorphisms at rs1095966 (CA vs CC: OR=0.68) significantly reduced the risk of CHD in offspring (P<0.05). The haplotypes of G-G-G (OR=1.86) and G-A-G (OR=1.35) in mothers significantly increased the risk of CHD in offspring (P<0.05). The gene-gene interaction analyses showed that the first-order interaction between MTHFD1 rs1950902 and MTHFD1 rs2236222 and the second-order interaction involving MTHFD1 rs1950902, MTHFD1 rs1256142, and MTHFD2 rs1095966 might be associated with risk of CHD (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal MTHFD1 and MTHFD2 gene polymorphisms and their haplotypes, as well as the interaction between MTHFD1 rs1950902 and MTHFD1 rs2236222 and between MTHFD1 rs1950902, MTHFD1 rs1256142, and MTHFD2 rs1095966, are associated with the risk of CHD in offspring.
Aminohydrolases/genetics*
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Child
;
Female
;
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
;
Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (NADP)/genetics*
;
Minor Histocompatibility Antigens/genetics*
;
Mothers
;
Multifunctional Enzymes/genetics*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Risk Factors
9.The Auxiliary Diagnostic Value of Serum Adenosine Deaminase in Acute Leukemia at Clinical Test.
Pei LIU ; Chun-Mei YANG ; Ning YE ; Shi-Lei DONG ; Meng LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2021;29(4):1119-1122
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the auxiliary diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) in acute leukemia (AL) at clinical test.
METHODS:
123 AL patients hospitalized in Zhejiang hospital from November 2018 to March 2020 were enrolled as the observation group, and 98 healthy people in the same period were randomly enrolled as the control group. AL patients were divided into two groups: 77 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients for AML group and 46 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients for ALL group. The levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and homocysteine (Hcy) in serum of the patients were detected, and the correlation of ADA with these items was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the clinical diagnostic value of ADA, Yoden index was used to confirm the best cut-off point.
RESULTS:
The serum ADA level in AL patients was significant higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation of ADA with Hcy, ALT, AST, GGT, LDH in AML group (r = 0.47, r = 0.28, r = 0.37, r = 0.22, r = 0.55); and also there was a significant positive correlation of ADA with GGT in ALL group (r = 0.54). In AML group, the maximum area under ROC curve was 0.761 (P = 0.00), 95% confidence interval was 0.682-0.841, sensitivity was 54.50%, specificity was 98.90%, and the best cut-off point was 17.1 U/L. In ALL group, the maximum area under ROC curve was 0.785, 95% confidence interval was 0.694-0.877, sensitivity was 65.90%, specificity was 84.00%, and the best cut-off point was 13.45 U/L.
CONCLUSION
The detection of ADA in serum can be used as an auxiliary examination in patients with AL, which can provide a certain value for the diagnosis of the disease.
Adenosine Deaminase
;
Humans
;
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis*
;
ROC Curve
;
Retrospective Studies
10.Analysis of ADAR1 gene variants in two pedigrees affected with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria.
Qian MA ; Jinlin WU ; Xiangdong KONG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2020;37(11):1233-1235
OBJECTIVE:
To detect variants of ADAR1 gene in two Chinese pedigrees affected with dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH).
METHODS:
Clinical data and peripheral blood samples of the pedigrees were collected. All exons of the ADAR1 gene were amplified by PCR and subjected to Sanger sequencing. Suspected pathogenic variants were validated among other members of the pedigrees and 100 unrelated healthy controls.
RESULTS:
For pedigree 1, Sanger sequencing has identified a heterozygous missense variant c.3002G>C (p.Asp968His) in exon 11 of the ADAR1 gene in the proband and his father. For pedigree 2, a novel nonsense variant c.3145C>T (p.Gln1049Ter) was identified in exon 12 of the ADAR1 gene in the proband and his son, which were previously unreported and absent among the healthy controls.
CONCLUSION
The c.3002G>C (p.Asp968His) and c.3145C>T (p.Gln1049Ter)variants of the ADAR1 gene probably underlay the DSH in the two pedigrees.
Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Pigmentation Disorders/genetics*
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*

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