1.PES1 Repression Triggers Ribosomal Biogenesis Impairment and Cellular Senescence Through p53 Pathway Activation
Chang-Jian ZHANG ; Yu-Fang LI ; Feng-Yun WU ; Rui JIN ; Chang NIU ; Qi-Nong YE ; Long CHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1853-1865
ObjectiveThe nucleolar protein PES1 (Pescadillo homolog 1) plays critical roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle regulation, yet its involvement in cellular senescence remains poorly understood. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the functional consequences of PES1 suppression in cellular senescence and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulatory role. MethodsInitially, we assessed PES1 expression patterns in two distinct senescence models: replicative senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and doxorubicin-induced senescent human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Subsequently, PES1 expression was specifically downregulated using siRNA-mediated knockdown in these cell lines as well as additional relevant cell types. Cellular proliferation and senescence were assessed by EdU incorporation and SA-β-gal staining assays, respectively. The expression of senescence-associated proteins (p53, p21, and Rb) and SASP factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8) were analyzed by Western blot or qPCR. Furthermore, Northern blot and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate pre-rRNA processing and nucleolar morphology. ResultsPES1 expression was significantly downregulated in senescent MEFs and HepG2 cells. PES1 knockdown resulted in decreased EdU-positive cells and increased SA‑β‑gal-positive cells, indicating proliferation inhibition and senescence induction. Mechanistically, PES1 suppression activated the p53-p21 pathway without affecting Rb expression, while upregulating IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 production. Notably, PES1 depletion impaired pre-rRNA maturation and induced nucleolar stress, as evidenced by aberrant nucleolar morphology. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that PES1 deficiency triggers nucleolar stress and promotes p53-dependent (but Rb-independent) cellular senescence, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining nucleolar homeostasis and regulating senescence-associated pathways.
2.Effect of recombinant glycoprotein hormone beta5/alpha2 on promoting lipolysis via regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and its mechanism
Ai-Jun QIAN ; Geng-Miao XIAO ; Zhuang LI ; Xue TIAN ; Xiao-Hong LIU ; Yu-Ping SONG ; Zheng-Gang ZHAO ; Zi-Jian ZHAO ; Fang-Hong LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1272-1278
Aim To investigate the effect of recombi-nant glycoprotein hormone β5/α2(rCGH)on lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes,and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured and induced to differentiate into mature adipo-cytes,then treated with different concentrations of rCGH for 24 h in vitro.Cell viability of 3T3-L1 adipo-cytes was evaluated by CCK-8 assay,the levels of in-tracellular triglyceride(TG)and glycerol in the culture supernatant were measured by enzymatic method,and the changes of lipid droplets were observed by oil red O staining.The expression levels of HSL and ATGL lipo-lytic proteins in adipocytes were detected by Western blot.To carry out the intervention experiment with dif-ferent concentrations of rCGH with or without the PKA inhibitor,H89,on the mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes,the cultured cells were divided into the control group,H89 pre treatment group,1 μmol·L-1 rCGH group,and(1 μmol·L-1 rCGH+H89)combined intervention group.The contents of intracellular TG and free glycer-ol were measured by enzymatic method,and the ex-pression of CREB and lipolysis-related proteins was de-tected using Western blot.Results Different concen-trations of rCGH(0.25,0.5,1,and 2 μmol·L-1)had no significant effect on the cell viability of adipo-cytes(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the treatment with rCGH significantly decreased the size of lipid droplets and intracellular TG content,while significantly elevated glycerol concentration in cell supernatant.rCGH treatment also stimulated the protein expression of p-HSL,ATGL,and p-PKA.In addition,the addition of a PKA inhibitor,H89,atten-uated the effects of rCGH on free glycerol level,intra-cellular TG content,and the expression of p-HSL,p-PLIN1,and p-CREB.Conclusions rCGH enhances the lipolysis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up-regulating the activities of HSL,ATGL and PKA,promoting glycerol release,inhibiting TG synthesis and lipid accumula-tion,and its mechanism of action is related to the acti-vation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.
3.mfat-1 gene therapy prevents and ameliorates multiple sclerosis in mice
Min-Yi TANG ; Xin-Yun BI ; Shuai WANG ; Chao-Feng XING ; Xiao-Li WU ; Zi-Jian ZHAO ; Fang-Hong LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1930-1936
Aim To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of the mfat-1 gene therapy on exper-imental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.Meth-ods mfat-1 gene therapy was used to render the host endogenous capability of producing ω-3 PUFAs,con-comitantly reduce the levels of ω-6 PUFAs,and change the proportion of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs.Then,the levels of PUFAs in blood were analyzed by gas chromatography.The neurological deficits in mice were evaluated by neurological dysfunction score.HE staining and LFB staining of mouse spinal cord slices were used to ob-serve central nervous system inflammation infiltration and demyelinating lesions.Flow cytometry microsphere microarray technology was used to detect the content of cytokines in serum.Results The mfat-1 gene therapy could significantly raise the proportion of ω-3/ω-6 PU-FAs(P<0.05),markedly delay the incubation period and peak period and reduce neurological dysfunction scores(P<0.05),and improve inflammation and de-myelination of spinal cords(P<0.05).It could also greatly increase the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-17 in serum(P<0.05).Conclusion The pro-portion of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs in blood circulation en-hanced by mfat-1 gene therapy can effectively prevent and treat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.
4.Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Astragalus ultrafiltration extract improves radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by regulating NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway
Chun-Zhen REN ; Jian-Fang YUAN ; Chun-Ling WANG ; Xiao-Dong ZHI ; Qi-Li ZHANG ; Qi-Lin CHEN ; Xin-Fang LYU ; Xiang GAO ; Xue WU ; Xin-Ke ZHAO ; Ying-Dong LI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(11):2124-2131
Aim To investigate the mechanism of py-roptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and the intervention effect of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Astragalus ultrafiltration extract(RAS-RA)in radiation-induced pulmonary fi-brosis.Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into five groups,with ten rats in each group.Ex-cept for the blank control group,all other groups of rats were anesthetized and received a single dose of 40 Gy X-ray local chest radiation to establish a radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis rat model.After radiation,the rats in the RAS-RA intervention groups were orally administered doses of 0.12,0.24 and 0.48 g·kg-1 once a day for 30 days.The average weight and lung index of the rats were observed after 30 days of contin-uous administration.Hydroxyproline(HYP)content in lung tissue was determined by hydrolysis method.The levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum were detected by ELISA.Lung tissue pathological changes were ob-served by HE and Masson staining.Ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission e-lectron microscopy.The expression levels of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway-related proteins and fibrosis-related proteins in lung tissue were detec-ted by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the HYP content in lung tissue and the levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum significantly in-creased in the model group(P<0.01).HE and Mas-son staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition.Transmission electron mi-croscopy revealed increased damaged mitochondria,disordered arrangement,irregular morphology,shallow matrix,outer membrane rupture,mostly fractured and shortened cristae,mild expansion,increased electron density of individual mitochondrial matrix,mild sparse structure of lamellar bodies,partial disorder,unclear organelles,and characteristic changes of pyroptosis.Western blot analysis showed increased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,CoL-Ⅰ,α-SMA,and CoL-Ⅲ proteins(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the RAS-RA intervention group showed signifi-cant improvement in body mass index and lung index of rats,decreased levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β inflammatory factors(P<0.01),improved mitochondrial structure,reduced degree of fibrosis,and decreased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,and α-SMA proteins in lung tissue(P<0.01).Conclusion RAS-RA has an inhibitory effect on radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of pyroptosis through the regu-lation of the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.
5.Surveillance of antifungal resistance in clinical isolates of Candida spp.in East China Invasive Fungal Infection Group from 2018 to 2022
Dongjiang WANG ; Wenjuan WU ; Jian GUO ; Min ZHANG ; Huiping LIN ; Feifei WAN ; Xiaobo MA ; Yueting LI ; Jia LI ; Huiqiong JIA ; Lingbing ZENG ; Xiuhai LU ; Yan JIN ; Jinfeng CAI ; Wei LI ; Zhimin BAI ; Yongqin WU ; Hui DING ; Zhongxian LIAO ; Gen LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Hongwei MENG ; Changzi DENG ; Feng CHEN ; Na JIANG ; Jie QIN ; Guoping DONG ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Wei XI ; Haomin ZHANG ; Rong TANG ; Li LI ; Suzhen WANG ; Fen PAN ; Jing GAO ; Lu JIANG ; Hua FANG ; Zhilan LI ; Yiqun YUAN ; Guoqing WANG ; Yuanxia WANG ; Liping WANG
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2024;24(4):402-409
Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33%of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86%)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21%).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51%),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46%),Candida tropicalis(13.98%),Candida glabrata(10.34%),and other Candida species(0.79%).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62%).Only 2.97%of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61%and a resistance rate of 9.42%to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90%to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01%and a resistance rate of 7.99%to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27%and 48.24%to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90%to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55%and 26.24%to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60%and 21.99%to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36%to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.
6.Characteristics of gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with infectious diarrhea
Wen-Peng GU ; Di LYU ; Xiao-Fang ZHOU ; Sen-Quan JIA ; Xiao-Nan ZHAO ; Yong ZHANG ; Yong-Ming ZHOU ; Jian-Wen YIN ; Li HUANG ; Xiao-Qing FU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(5):408-414
This study investigated the characteristics of gut microbiota imbalance in patients with infectious diarrhea caused by various pathogenic infections,and the role of Bacteroides in maintaining homeostasis in the intestinal environment.The gut microbiota in patients with diarrhea caused by pathogenic infections,such as viral and bacterial infections,was determined through full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.Patients with diarrhea were grouped and analyzed according to the presence of single bacterial infection,single viral infection,mixed infection,or Clostridioides difficile infection.Bacteroides had the highest absolute number and relative abundance in the gut microbiota in healthy people,whereas patients with infectious diar-rhea showed lower relative abundance of Bacteroides at each phylum/order/family/genus taxonomic level.Alpha diversity anal-ysis indicated no significant differences among groups.NMDS and PCoA indicated formation of distinct clusters in the control group compared with the different infectious diarrhea groups.The diversity of the gut microbiota was higher in the control group than the infectious diarrhea groups.Patients with infec-tious diarrhea caused by different pathogens showed differing predominant gut microbiota.Bifidobacterium predominated in the single viral infection group,Streptococcus predominated in the single bacterial infection group,and Lachnoclostridium predominated in the mixed infection group.Escherichia and Klebsiella were the major gut microbiota in the C.difficile infection group.Meanwhile,the dominant gut microbiota in the healthy population was Bacteroides.COG function prediction revealed that the healthy control group formed a distinct cluster from the different infection groups.The functions of defense mechanisms,cell wall synthesis,protein modification,cellular differentiation,and replication and recombination were signifi-cantly diminished in all infectious diarrhea groups.In general,patients with infectious diarrhea caused by different pathogens showed dysbiosis,with diminished gut microbiota diversity and the emergence of related biomarkers.Our findings indicated that Bacteroides has a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of the human intestinal environment,thus providing new ideas for the subsequent treatment of infectious diarrhea and research in other fields.
7.Short-term Effect of Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine and"7+3"Regimen in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Elder Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Xia-Xia LIU ; Xiao-Ling WEN ; Ruo-Qi LI ; Xia-Lin ZHANG ; Tian-Bo ZHANG ; Chun-Xia DONG ; Mei-Fang WANG ; Jian-Hua ZHANG ; Lin-Hua YANG ; Rui-Juan ZHANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(1):96-103
Objective:To compare the short-term effect and adverse reaction of venetoclax(VEN)combined with azacitidine(AZA)versus"7+3"regimen in newly diagnosed elder patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022,the clinical data of seventy-nine newly diagnosed elder patients with AML at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and the Shanxi Bethune Hospital were retrospectively analyzed,including VEN+AZA group(41 cases)and"7+3"group(38 cases).The propensity score matching(PSM)method was used to balance confounding factors,then response,overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS)and adverse reactions between the two groups were compared.Results:The ORR of VEN+AZA group and"7+3"group was 68%and 84%,respectively,and the CRc was 64%and 72%,respectively,the differents were not statistically significant(P>0.05).In the VEN+AZA group,there were 5 non-remission(NR)patients,4 with chromosome 7 abnormality(7q-/-7),and 1 with ETV6 gene mutation.Median followed-up time between the two groups was 8 months and 12 months,respectively,and the 6-months OS was 84%vs 92%(P=0.389),while 6-months PFS was 84%vs 92%(P=0.258).The main hematological adverse reactions in two groups were stage Ⅲ-Ⅳmyelosuppression,and the incidence rate was not statistically different(P>0.05).The median time of neutrophil recovery in two groups was 27(11-70)d,25(14-61)d(P=0.161),and platelet recovery was 27(11-75)d,25(16-50)d(P=0.270),respectively.The infection rate of VEN+AZA group was lower than that of"7+3"group(56%vs 88%,P=0.012).The rate of lung infections of two groups was 36%and 64%,respectively,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.048).Conclusion:The short-term effect of VEN+AZA group and"7+3"regimens in eldrly AML patients are similar,but the VEN+AZA regimen had a lower incidence of infection.The presence of chromosome 7 abnormality(7q-/-7)may be a poor prognostic factor for elderly AML patients treated with VEN+AZA.
8.Correlation of miR-155 Expression with Drug Sensitivity of FLT3-ITD+Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line and Its Mechanism
Ling-Yan WANG ; Pei-Fang JIANG ; Jia-Zheng LI ; Yan-Xin CHEN ; Jian-Da HU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(2):395-401
Objective:To investigate the correlation of miR-155 expression with drug sensitivity of FLT3-ITD+acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cell line and its potential regulatory mechanism.Methods:By knocking out miR-155 gene in FLT3-ITD+AML cell line MV411 through CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,monoclonal cells were screened.The genotype of these monoclonal cells was validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing.The expression of mature miRNA was measured by RT-qPCR.The treatment response of doxorubicin,quizartinib and midostaurin were measured by MTT assay and IC50 of these drugs were calculated to identify the sensitivity.Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze change of mRNA level in MV411 cells after miR-155 knockout,gene set enrichment analysis to analyze change of signaling pathway,and Western blot to verify expressions of key molecules in signaling pathway.Results:Four heterozygotes with gene knockout and one heterozygote with gene insertion were obtained through PCR screening and Sanger sequencing.RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of mature miR-155 in the monoclonal cells was significantly lower than wild-type clones.MTT results showed that the sensitivity of MV411 cells to various anti FLT3-ITD+AML drugs increased significantly after miR-155 knockout compared with wild-type clones.RNA sequencing showed that the mTOR signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway were inhibited after miR-155 knockout.Western blot showed that the expressions of key molecules p-mTOR,Wnt5α and β-catenin in signaling pathway were down-regulated.Conclusion:Drug sensitivity of MV411 cells to doxorubicin,quizartinib and midostaurin can be enhanced significantly after miR-155 knockout,which is related to the inhibition of multiple signaling pathways including mTOR and Wnt signaling pathways.
9.Clinical Features and Prognosis of Patients with CD5+Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Xiu-Juan HUANG ; Jian YANG ; Xiao-Fang WEI ; Yuan FU ; Yang-Yang ZHAO ; Ming-Xia CHENG ; Qing-Fen LI ; Hai-Long YAN ; You-Fan FENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):750-755
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with CD5+diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL).Methods:The clinical data of 161 newly treated DLBCL patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2013 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to CD5 expression,the patients were divided into CD5+group and CD5-group.The clinical characteristics and prognosis of the two groups were statistically analyzed.Results:The median age of patients in CD5+group was 62 years,which was higher than 56 years in CD5-group(P=0.048).The proportion of women in CD5+group was 62.96%,which was significantly higher than 41.79%in CD5-group(P=0.043).The proportion of patients with IPI score>2 in CD5+group was 62.96%,which was higher than 40.30%in CD5-group(P=0.031).Survival analysis showed that the median overall survival and progression-free survival time of patients in CD5+group were 27(3-77)and 31(3-76)months,respectively,which were both shorter than 30(5-84)and 32.5(4-83)months in CD5-group(P=0.047,P=0.026).Univariate analysis showed that advanced age,positive CD5 expression,triple or double hit at initial diagnosis,high IPI score and no use of rituximab during chemotherapy were risk factors for the prognosis of DLBCL patients.Further Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that these factors were also independent risk factors except for advanced age.Conclusion:CD5+DLBCL patients have a worse prognosis than CD5-DLBCL patients.Such patients are more common in females,with advanced age and high IPI score,which is a special subtype of DLBCL.
10.Protective Effect of Endogenous ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Against Cisplatin-Induced Myelosuppression
Qi-Hua XU ; Zong-Meng ZHANG ; Chao-Feng XING ; Han-Si CHEN ; Ke-Xin ZHENG ; Yun-Ping MU ; Zi-Jian ZHAO ; Fang-Hong LI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(5):1601-1607
Objective:To investigate the protective effect of endogenous ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA)against cisplatin-induced myelosuppression and the mechanism of reducing apoptosis in bone marrow nucleated cells using mfat-1 transgenic mice.Methods:The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups:wild-type mice normal control group,mfat-1 transgenic mice normal control group,wild-type mice model group and mfat-1 transgenic mice model group.The mice in the model group were injected intraperitoneally with 7.5 mg/kg cisplatin on day 0 and day 7 to construct a myelosuppression model,while the mice in the normal control group were injected intraperitoneally with an equal amount of saline,and their status was observed and their body weight was measured daily.Peripheral blood was taken after 14 day for routine blood analysis,and the content and proportion of PUFA in peripheral blood were detected using gas chromatography.Bone marrow nucleated cells in the femur of mice were counted.The histopathological changes in bone marrow were observed by histopathological staining.The apoptosis of nucleated cells and the expression level changes of apoptosis-related genes in the bone marrow of mice were detected by flow cytometry and fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results:Compared with wild-type mice,mfat-1 transgenic mice showed significantly increased levels of ω-3 PUFA in peripheral blood and greater tolerance to cisplatin.Peripheral blood analysis showed that endogenous ω-3 PUFA promoted the recovery of leukocytes,erythrocytes,platelets and haemoglobin in peripheral blood of myelosuppressed mice.The results of HE staining showed that endogenous ω-3 PUFA significantly improved the structural damage of bone marrow tissue induced by cisplatin.Flow cytometry and PCR showed that,compared with wild-type mice model group,the apoptosis rate of bone marrow nucleated cells in mfat-1 transgenic mice was significantly reduced(P<0.001),and the expression of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expressions of pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bak mRNA were significantly reduced(P<0.001,P<0.05).Conclusion:Endogenous ω-3 PUFA can reduce cisplatin-induced apoptosis in bone marrow nucleated cells,increase the number of peripheral blood cells and exert a protective effect against cisplatin-induced myelosuppression by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes.

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