1.Effect of the ribosome biogenesis factor BMS1 on proliferation of neuroblastoma cells
Jinxin GUO ; Anna JIA ; Shijia ZHAN ; Yao ZHANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Yongli GUO ; Yan CHANG
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):296-305
Objective To elucidate the functional role and underlying mechanisms of the ribosome biogenesis factor BMS1 in neuroblastoma(NB)cellular proliferation.Methods We utilized the R2 genomics analysis and visualization platform to analyze the correlation between BMS1 expression levels and clinical characteristics of NB children.The BMS1 mRNA level in three human neuroblastoma cells SK-N-BE(2),BE(2)-C,IMR-32 and two normal cells hTERT RPE-1,IMR-90 was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Two distinct small interfering RNA(siRNA)sequences were used to target BMS1 mRNA in NB cells SK-N-BE(2)and BE(2)-C,with normal cells hTERT RPE-1 serving as controls.We used RT-qPCR to quantify the mRNA levels of BMS1 and two key neuroblastoma-associated molecules(MYCN and p53).After transfection with siRNA,cellular proliferation was detected by various experimental approaches:crystal violet staining,real-time cell analysis(RTCA),colony-forming unit assay and immunofluorescence.Results By analyzing two independent neuroblastoma clinical cohorts(GSE85047/NRC-283 and Westermann-144 datasets),it was found that the BMS1 mRNA level in MYCN-amplified NB was significantly higher than that in MYCN-non-amplified NB(P<0.05).Furthermore,the overall survival rate of NB children in the BMS1 high-expression group was decreased(P<0.05).Consistent with these clinical observations,the BMS1 mRNA level in NB cells SK-N-BE(2),BE(2)-C and IMR-32 was significantly higher than that in normal cells hTERT RPE-1,IMR-90(P<0.05).The targeted transient knockdown of BMS1 in NB cell lines SK-N-BE(2)and BE(2)-C resulted in decreased intracellular MYCN mRNA expression levels(P<0.05),significantly reduced cell proliferation capacity and colony-forming ability(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence revealed that the expression of Ki-67,a proliferation marker,was decreased(P<0.05).At the molecular level,RT-qPCR showed that the p53 mRNA level was significantly elevated in the BMS1-knockdown groups(si BMS1-1#and si BMS1-2#)compared with the control group(P<0.05).However,transient knockdown of BMS1 had no significant impact on the proliferative capacity of normal cells hTERT RPE-1.Conclusion BMS1 expression was up-regulated in MYCN-amplified NB and negatively correlated with the prognosis of the NB children.Mechanistically,interfering with BMS1 expression may transcriptionally activate p53 in NB cells,thereby inhibiting their proliferative ability,while having minimal impact on normal cells growth kinetics.These findings suggest that BMS1 serves as an important proliferation driver in NB and is expected to be a promising therapeutic target for NB children,particularly MYCN-amplified pediatric patients.
2.Olfactory domain family protein 3 promotes the proliferation of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro
Yao ZHANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Anna JIA ; Shijia ZHAN ; Jinxin GUO ; Yan CHANG ; Yongli GUO
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(2):168-175
Objective To explore the function of olfactomedin domain family protein 3(OLFM3)in neuroblastoma(NB).Methods The relationship between the expression of OLFM3 mRNA and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene neuroblastoma derived homolog(MYCN)amplification status and the prognosis of patients in NB clin-ical samples were clarified by using R2 Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform.Depmap database was used to examine the expression level of OLFM3 in different tumors cell lines and to identify the correlation between OLFM3 expression and MYCN amplification status in various NB cell lines.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the knockdown level of OLFM3.Cell proliferation was monitored using crystal violet staining and real?time cellular analysis.The colony formation ability of NB cells was assessed using colony?forming unit assay.Results Analysis of R2 database revealed higher level of OLFM3 expression in MYCN?amplified NB clinical samples(P<0.001).Patients with high OLFM3 expression showed a significantly lower overall survival probability compared to those with low OLFM3 expression(P<0.05).Analysis with Depmap database revealed that the expres?sion level of OLFM3 was higher in NB than that in other kind of tumor.The expression level of OLFM3 was signifi?cantly higher in the MYCN?amplified cell lines than in the MYCN?non?amplified cell lines(P<0.01).In MYCN?am?plified NB cells,knockdown of OLFM3 inhibited cells proliferation(P<0.001)and colony formation(P<0.001),but there was no noticeable changes observed in MYCN?non?amplified cells.Conclusions OLFM3 specifically pro?motes the proliferation of MYCN?amplified NB cells,but has a less effect on MYCN?non?amplified cells,indicating it is a potential biomarker for high?risk MYCN?amplified NB.
3.Targeting IRG1 in tumor-associated macrophages for cancer therapy.
Shuang LIU ; Lin-Xing WEI ; Qian YU ; Zhi-Wei GUO ; Chang-You ZHAN ; Lei-Lei CHEN ; Yan LI ; Dan YE
Protein & Cell 2025;16(6):478-483
4.Effect of the ribosome biogenesis factor BMS1 on proliferation of neuroblastoma cells
Jinxin GUO ; Anna JIA ; Shijia ZHAN ; Yao ZHANG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Yongli GUO ; Yan CHANG
Journal of Capital Medical University 2025;46(2):296-305
Objective To elucidate the functional role and underlying mechanisms of the ribosome biogenesis factor BMS1 in neuroblastoma(NB)cellular proliferation.Methods We utilized the R2 genomics analysis and visualization platform to analyze the correlation between BMS1 expression levels and clinical characteristics of NB children.The BMS1 mRNA level in three human neuroblastoma cells SK-N-BE(2),BE(2)-C,IMR-32 and two normal cells hTERT RPE-1,IMR-90 was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Two distinct small interfering RNA(siRNA)sequences were used to target BMS1 mRNA in NB cells SK-N-BE(2)and BE(2)-C,with normal cells hTERT RPE-1 serving as controls.We used RT-qPCR to quantify the mRNA levels of BMS1 and two key neuroblastoma-associated molecules(MYCN and p53).After transfection with siRNA,cellular proliferation was detected by various experimental approaches:crystal violet staining,real-time cell analysis(RTCA),colony-forming unit assay and immunofluorescence.Results By analyzing two independent neuroblastoma clinical cohorts(GSE85047/NRC-283 and Westermann-144 datasets),it was found that the BMS1 mRNA level in MYCN-amplified NB was significantly higher than that in MYCN-non-amplified NB(P<0.05).Furthermore,the overall survival rate of NB children in the BMS1 high-expression group was decreased(P<0.05).Consistent with these clinical observations,the BMS1 mRNA level in NB cells SK-N-BE(2),BE(2)-C and IMR-32 was significantly higher than that in normal cells hTERT RPE-1,IMR-90(P<0.05).The targeted transient knockdown of BMS1 in NB cell lines SK-N-BE(2)and BE(2)-C resulted in decreased intracellular MYCN mRNA expression levels(P<0.05),significantly reduced cell proliferation capacity and colony-forming ability(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence revealed that the expression of Ki-67,a proliferation marker,was decreased(P<0.05).At the molecular level,RT-qPCR showed that the p53 mRNA level was significantly elevated in the BMS1-knockdown groups(si BMS1-1#and si BMS1-2#)compared with the control group(P<0.05).However,transient knockdown of BMS1 had no significant impact on the proliferative capacity of normal cells hTERT RPE-1.Conclusion BMS1 expression was up-regulated in MYCN-amplified NB and negatively correlated with the prognosis of the NB children.Mechanistically,interfering with BMS1 expression may transcriptionally activate p53 in NB cells,thereby inhibiting their proliferative ability,while having minimal impact on normal cells growth kinetics.These findings suggest that BMS1 serves as an important proliferation driver in NB and is expected to be a promising therapeutic target for NB children,particularly MYCN-amplified pediatric patients.
5.Discovery of highly potent phosphodiesterase-1 inhibitors by a combined-structure free energy perturbation approach.
Zhe LI ; Mei-Yan JIANG ; Runduo LIU ; Quan WANG ; Qian ZHOU ; Yi-You HUANG ; Yinuo WU ; Chang-Guo ZHAN ; Hai-Bin LUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(12):5357-5369
Accurate receptor/ligand binding free energy calculations can greatly accelerate drug discovery by identifying highly potent ligands. By simulating the change from one compound structure to another, the relative binding free energy (RBFE) change can be calculated based on the theoretically rigorous free energy perturbation (FEP) method. However, existing FEP-RBFE approaches may face convergence challenges due to difficulties in simulating non-physical intermediate states, which can lead to increased computational costs to obtain the converged results. To fundamentally overcome these issues and accelerate drug discovery, a new combined-structure RBFE (CS-FEP) calculation strategy was proposed, which solved the existing issues by constructing a new alchemical pathway, smoothed the alchemical transformation, increased the phase-space overlap between adjacent states, and thus significantly increased the convergence and accelerated the relative binding free energy calculations. This method was extensively tested in a practical drug discovery effort by targeting phosphodiesterase-1 (PDE1). Starting from a PDE1 inhibitor (compound 9, IC50 = 16.8 μmol/L), the CS-FEP guided hit-to-lead optimizations resulted in a promising lead (11b and its mesylate salt formulation 11b-Mesylate, IC50 = 7.0 nmol/L), with ∼2400-fold improved inhibitory activity. Further experimental studies revealed that the lead showed reasonable metabolic stability and significant anti-fibrotic effects in vivo.
6.Role and mechanism of cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2 in the malignant progres-sion of neuroblastoma
Yao ZHANG ; Jinxin GUO ; Shijia ZHAN ; Enyu HONG ; Hui YANG ; Anna JIA ; Yan CHANG ; Yongli GUO ; Xuan ZHANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(3):495-504
Objective:To investigate the function and underlying mechanism of cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2(CSRP2)in neuroblastoma(NB).Methods:The correlation between the expression level of CSRP2 mRNA and the prognosis of NB children in NB clinical samples was analyzed in R2 Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform.The small interfering RNA(siRNA)targeting CSRP2 or CSRP2 plasmid were transfected to NB cell lines SK-N-BE(2)and SH-SY5Y.Cell proliferation was observed by crystal violet staining and real-time cellular analysis.The ability of colony formation of NB cells was ob-served by colony-forming unit assay.Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67.Flow cytometry analysis for cell cycle proportion was used with cells stained by propidium iodide(PI).Annexin V/7AAD was used to stain cells and analyze the percentage of cell apoptosis.The ability of cell migration was determined by cell wound-healing assay.The level of protein and mRNA expression of CSRP2 in NB primary tumor and NB cell lines were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR).Results:By analyzing the NB clinical sample databases,it was found that the expression levels of CSRP2 in high-risk NB with 3/4 stages in international neuroblas-toma staging system(INSS)were significantly higher than that in low-risk NB with 1/2 INSS stages.The NB patients with high expression levels of CSRP2 were shown lower overall survival rate than those with low expression levels of CSRP2.We detected the protein levels of CSRP2 in the NB samples by Western blot,and found that the protein level of CSRP2 in 3/4 INSS stages was significantly higher than that in 1/2 INSS stages.Knockdown of CSRP2 inhibited cell viability and proliferation of NB cells.Overexpression of CSRP2 increased the proliferation of NB cells.Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of sub-G1,G0/G1 and S phase cells and Annexin V positive cells were increased after CSRP2 deficiency.In the cell wound-healing assay,the healing rate of NB cells was significantly attenuated after knockdown of CSRP2.Further mechanism studies showed that the proportion of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and the phospho-rylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2(ERK1/2)were significantly decreased after CSRP2 knockdown.Conclusion:CSRP2 is highly expressed in high-risk NB with 3/4 INSS stages,and the expression levels of CSRP2 are negatively correlated with the overall survival of NB patients.CSRP2 significantly increased the proliferation and cell migration of NB cells and inhibited cell apoptosis via the activation of ERK1/2.All these results indicate that CSRP2 promotes the progression of NB by activating ERK1/2,and this study will provide a potential target for high-risk NB therapy.
7.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
8.Regulatory effect of C12ORF66 on viability of MYCN amplified high-risk neuroblastoma cells
Anna JIA ; Shijia ZHAN ; Xuan ZHANG ; Jinxin GUO ; Yongbo YU ; Yongli GUO ; Yan CHANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(3):288-294
Objective To explore the effect of open reading frame 66(C12ORF66)located at chromosome 12 on the viability of MYCN amplified NB cell lines.Methods DDatasets GSE16476 and GSE49710 in R2 database were analyzed for expression level of C12ORF66 in MYCN amplified and MYCN non-amplified NB cells and its potential correlation with the prognosis of pediatric patients.C12ORF66 mRNA expression level in normal tissue immortalized cell lines,MYCN amplified and MYCN non-amplified cell lines were detected by RT-qRCR.Transient or stable knockdown of C12ORF66 cell lines were constructed to compare the difference in real time cellular analysis(RTCA),colony formation,Ki67 positive cells between the control group and the C12ORF66 knockdown group.Results By analyzing R2 datasets,C12ORF66 level in MYCN amplified samples was significantly higher than that in MYCN non-amplified samples,and the expression of C12ORF66 was negatively correlated with the prognosis of pediatric patients(P<0.05).C12ORF66 highly expressed in MYCN-amplified BE(2)-C and SK-N-BE(2)cell lines than in MYCN non-amplified CHLA-255 and SH-SY5Y cell lines(P<0.001).Transient or stable knockdown of C12ORF66 resulted in significant slow down of proliferation of MYCN amplified NB cells(P<0.001),the colony formation ability was significantly reduced(P<0.001),and the proportion of Ki67 positive cells was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions C12ORF66 was highly expressed in MYCN amplified clinical NB samples and cell lines which is believed to be correlated with poor prognosis of pediatric patients.C12ORF66 knockdown signifi-cantly inhibits cell viability of NB cells.
9.Clinical effects of Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction on patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy
Jian-En GUO ; Jia-Hua ZHANG ; Yuan ZHANG ; Pin-Chuan JI ; Zhi-Xu GAO ; Zhan-Hua GAO ; Li-Ping AN ; Jia-Qi YANG ; Bai CHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(5):1514-1519
AIM To explore the clinical effects of Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction on patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy.METHODS Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned into control group(42 cases)for 12-week administration of Irbesartan Tablets,and observation group(41 cases)for 12-week administration of Shuilu Erxian Pills,Modified Didang Decoction and Irbesartan Tablets.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose indices(FBG,HbA1c),blood lipid indices(TC,TG),renal function indices(BUN,Scr,24 h UTP,eGFR),inflammatory factors(IL-1β,hs-CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-18,TGF-β1),immune function indices(lymphocyte,neutrophil,CD8+,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+)and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the observation group displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose indices,blood lipid indices,BUN,Scr,24 h UTP,inflammatory factors,CD8+(P<0.05),reduced lymphocyte,neutrophil(P<0.05),and increased eGFR,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+(P<0.05),which were more obvious than those in the control group(except for HbA1c,TG,SCr,24 h UTP,lymphocyte,neutrophil)(P<0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy,Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction can safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms,whose mechanism may contribute to the reduction of inflammatory levels and improvement of immune functions.
10.Herbal Textual Research on Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Zijing XUE ; Xinxin CHANG ; Dan ZHANG ; Long GUO ; Yuguang ZHENG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):103-115
By reviewing ancient materia medica, medical and prescription books, combined with modern literature, the textual research of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix has been conducted to verify the name, origin, producing area, harvesting and processing methods. Through textual research, the results show that the mainstream name of this herb recorded in the past dynasties is Fangji, which is also called Hanzhong Fangji because it is produced in Hanzhong city, and after the Tang dynasty, it was gradually divided into Hanfangji and Mufangji, and there is the saying that Han Zhushuiqi, Mu Zhufengqi. The names of Fenfangji and Guangfangji were first seen in the republic of China. In addition, Fenfangji was once distributed in Hankou, so it was also known as "Hanfangji", which is easily confused with the traditional Hanzhong Fangji for short. Based on the original research, it is concluded that Aristolochia heterophylla(Hanzhong Fangji)is the mainstream of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix used in the Qing dynasty and before, and the application history of Cocculus orbiculatus can be traced back to before the Tang dynasty. After the Ming dynasty, Stephania tetrandra gradually became another main origin, and in the Republic of China, A. fangchi was used as a medicine for Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, but in modern times it was banned because it contained aristolochic acid as a toxic ingredient, and S. tetrandra has become the mainstream legal origin. The traditional production area of Hanzhong Fangji is Hanzhong, Shaanxi province, while today the mainstream of S. tetrandra is manly produced in Jiangxi and other places. Based on the quality evaluation research, the quality of Hanzhong Fangji is better with the radial texture of section used as radial solution, yellow solid and fragrant. Fenfangji with solid quality, white inside, powdered enough, less fiber and radiating texture is better. From the harvesting and processing research, the root of Fangji is mostly harvested in spring and autumn, and the outer bark should be removed in some literature. Before the Ming dynasty, this herb was dried in the shade, and after the Ming dynasty, it was dried in the sun. The modern production processing of Fangji is to harvest it in autumn, wash it, remove the rough bark, dry it to half dry, cut it into sections, and then cut it longitudinally if it is large, and dry it. Based on the results, combined with current studies on the toxicity of aristolochic acid and influencing factors such as commercial circulation, it is suggested that S. tetrandra should be used as the origin of Fangji, the processed products are selected according to the prescription requirements, and those without specified requirements can be processed by referring to the raw products in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

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