1.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
2.Oxidative Stress-related Signaling Pathways and Antioxidant Therapy in Alzheimer’s Disease
Li TANG ; Yun-Long SHEN ; De-Jian PENG ; Tian-Lu RAN ; Zi-Heng PAN ; Xin-Yi ZENG ; Hui LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2486-2498
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, functional impairment, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It represents the most prevalent form of dementia among the elderly population. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD. Notably, elevated levels of oxidative stress have been observed in the brains of AD patients, where excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause extensive damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, ultimately compromising neuronal structure and function. Amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) has been shown to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and calcium overload, thereby promoting the generation of ROS. This, in turn, exacerbates Aβ aggregation and enhances tau phosphorylation, leading to the formation of two pathological features of AD: extracellular Aβ plaque deposition and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These events ultimately culminate in neuronal death, forming a vicious cycle. The interplay between oxidative stress and these pathological processes constitutes a core link in the pathogenesis of AD. The signaling pathways mediating oxidative stress in AD include Nrf2, RCAN1, PP2A, CREB, Notch1, NF‑κB, ApoE, and ferroptosis. Nrf2 signaling pathway serves as a key regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, exerts important antioxidant capacity and protective effects in AD. RCAN1 signaling pathway, as a calcineurin inhibitor, and modulates AD progression through multiple mechanisms. PP2A signaling pathway is involved in regulating tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation processes. CREB signaling pathway contributes to neuroplasticity and memory formation; activation of CREB improves cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress. Notch1 signaling pathway regulates neuronal development and memory, participates in modulation of Aβ production, and interacts with Nrf2 toco-regulate antioxidant activity. NF‑κB signaling pathway governs immune and inflammatory responses; sustained activation of this pathway forms “inflammatory memory”, thereby exacerbating AD pathology. ApoE signaling pathway is associated with lipid metabolism; among its isoforms, ApoE-ε4 significantly increases the risk of AD, leading to elevated oxidative stress, abnormal lipid metabolism, and neuroinflammation. The ferroptosis signaling pathway is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and the subsequent release of lipid peroxidation products and ROS exacerbate oxidative stress and neuronal damage. These interconnected pathways form a complex regulatory network that regulates the progression of AD through oxidative stress and related pathological cascades. In terms of therapeutic strategies targeting oxidative stress, among the drugs currently used in clinical practice for AD treatment, memantine and donepezil demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy and can improve the level of oxidative stress in AD patients. Some compounds with antioxidant effects (such asα-lipoic acid and melatonin) have shown certain potential in AD treatment research and can be used as dietary supplements to ameliorate AD symptoms. In addition, non-drug interventions such as calorie restriction and exercise have been proven to exerted neuroprotective effects and have a positive effect on the treatment of AD. By comprehensively utilizing the therapeutic characteristics of different signaling pathways, it is expected that more comprehensive multi-target combination therapy regimens and combined nanomolecular delivery systems will be developed in the future to bypass the blood-brain barrier, providing more effective therapeutic strategies for AD.
4.GPR40 novel agonist SZZ15-11 regulates glucolipid metabolic disorders in spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKAy mice
Lei LEI ; Jia-yu ZHAI ; Tian ZHOU ; Quan LIU ; Shuai-nan LIU ; Cai-na LI ; Hui CAO ; Cun-yu FENG ; Min WU ; Lei-lei CHEN ; Li-ran LEI ; Xuan PAN ; Zhan-zhu LIU ; Yi HUAN ; Zhu-fang SHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(10):2782-2790
G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 40, as one of GPRs family, plays a potential role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. To study the effect of GPR40 novel agonist SZZ15-11 on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and its potential mechanism, spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKAy mice, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and murine mature adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells were used. KKAy mice were divided into four groups, vehicle group, TAK group, SZZ (50 mg·kg-1) group and SZZ (100 mg·kg-1) group, with oral gavage of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 50 mg·kg-1 TAK875, 50 and 100 mg·kg-1 SZZ15-11 respectively for 45 days. Fasting blood glucose, blood triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), non-fasting blood glucose were tested. Oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were executed. Blood insulin and glucagon were measured
5.Imaging features of severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses and efficacy and safety of intravascular interventional therapy in them
Tengfei LI ; Qi TIAN ; Shuailong SHI ; Jie YANG ; Ye WANG ; Zhen CHEN ; Yuncai RAN ; Baohong WEN ; Dong GUO ; Shaofeng SHUI ; Xinwei HAN ; Xiao LI ; Ji MA
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(1):42-47
Objective:To summarize the imaging features of severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses, and evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravascular interventional therapy in them.Methods:Thirty-seven patients with severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses clinically mainly manifested as intracranial hypertension and accepted endovascular intervention in Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2012 to September 2022 were chosen; their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and imaging features were summarized. Short-term efficacy was evaluated according to blood flow restoration degrees and pressure gradient reduction in the occlusive sinus and modified neurological symptoms before and after endovascular intervention. Hospitalized complications were observed; safety and long-term efficacy were evaluated according to postoperative clinical follow-up and imaging results 6-12 months after endovascular intervention.Results:(1) Preoperative brain MRI and (or) CT showed different degrees of swelling of the brain tissues, with the affected side as the target; mixed signals/density shadow could be seen in the blocked transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus; venous cerebral infarction or post-infarction cerebral hemorrhage could be combined in some patients. MRV, CTV and DSA showed poor or completely occluded transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus while normal in the contralateral side; obvious thrombus filling-defect was observed in the occluded venous sinus after mechanical thrombolysis. (2) Occlusive sinus blood flow was restored in all patients after endovascular intervention, and pressure gradient of the occlusive segment decreased from (16.6±3.3) mmHg before to (2.8±0.8) mmHg after endovascular intervention. Before discharge, clinical symptoms of all patients were significantly improved (modified Rankin scale [mRS] scores of 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 5 patients, 2 in 1 patient and 3 in 1 patient), and 2 patients had unilateral limb movement disorder (muscle strength grading III and IV, respectively). All patients received clinical follow-up for (9.6±3.0) months. At the last follow-up, neurological function obviously improved compared with that before endovascular intervention, without new neurosystem-related symptoms (mRS scores of 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 6, and 2 in 1 patient). In 34 patients received MRV or DSA follow-up, 28 had complete recanalization of occlusive sinus and 6 had partial recanalization, without obvious stenosis or recurrent occlusion.Conclusions:Severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thrombosis can cause local intracranial venous blood stasis, and then cause "increased regional venous sinus pressure", which is manifested as unilateral brain tissue swelling and even venous cerebral infarction or post-infarction cerebral hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and endovascular intervention can obviously improve the prognosis of these patients, enjoying good safety.
6.The Catalytic Mechanism and Activity Modulation of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase
Xu ZHANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Peng-Lin XU ; Tian-Ran LI ; Rui-Qing CHAO ; Zheng-Hao HAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(1):20-32
Manganese superoxide dismutase catalyzes the dismutation of two molecules of superoxide radicals to one molecule of oxygen and one molecule of hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation of superoxide anion to oxygen by Mn3+SOD proceeds at a rate close to diffusion. The reduction of superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide by Mn2+SOD can be progressed parallelly in either a fast or a slow cycle pathway. In the slow cycle pathway, Mn2+SOD forms a product inhibitory complex with superoxide anion, which is protonated and then slowly releases hydrogen peroxide out. In the fast cycle pathway, superoxide anion is directly converted into product hydrogen peroxide by Mn2+SOD, which facilitates the revival and turnover of the enzyme. We proposed for the first time that temperature is a key factor that regulates MnSOD into the slow- or fast-cycle catalytic pathway. Normally, the Mn2+ rest in the pent-coordinated state with four amino acid residues (His26, His74, His163 and Asp159) and one water (WAT1) in the active center of MnSOD. The sixth coordinate position on Mn (orange arrow) is open for water (WAT2, green) or O2• to coordinate. With the cold contraction in the active site as temperature decreases, WAT2 is closer to Mn, which may spatially interfere with the entrance of O2• into the inner sphere, and avoid O2•/Mn2+ coordination to reduce product inhibition. Low temperature compels the reaction into the faster outer sphere pathway, resulting in a higher gating ratio for the fast-cycle pathway. As the temperature increases in the physiological temperature range, the slow cycle becomes the mainstream of the whole catalytic reaction, so the increasing temperature in the physiological range inhibits the activity of the enzyme. The biphasic enzymatic kinetic properties of manganese superoxide dismutase can be rationalized by a temperature-dependent coordination model of the conserved active center of the enzyme. When the temperature decreases, a water molecule (or OH-) is close to or even coordinates Mn, which can interfere with the formation of product inhibition. So, the enzymatic reaction occurs mainly in the fast cycle pathway at a lower temperature. Finally, we describe the several chemical modifications of the enzyme, indicating that manganese superoxide dismutase can be rapidly regulated in many patterns (allosteric regulation and chemical modification). These regulatory modulations can rapidly and directly change the activation of the enzyme, and then regulate the balance and fluxes of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in cells. We try to provide a new theory to reveal the physiological role of manganese superoxide dismutase and reactive oxygen species.
7.Novel antibacterial drug target against Gram-negative bacteria: lipopolysaccharide transport protein LptDE and its inhibitors
Yue LI ; Guo-qing LI ; Yuan-yuan TIAN ; Cong-ran LI ; Xin-yi YANG ; Kai-hu YAO ; Xue-fu YOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):279-288
The outer membrane composed predominantly of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential biological barrier for most Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. Lipopolysaccharide transport protein (Lpt) complex LptDE is responsible for the critical final stage of LPS transport and outer membrane assembly. The structure and function of LptDE are highly conserved in most G- bacteria but absent in mammalian cells, and thus LptDE complex is regarded as an attractive antibacterial target. In recent 10 years, the deciphering of the three-dimensional structure of LptDE protein facilities the drug discovery based on such "non
8.Efficacy and safety of rituximab combined with chemotherapy for small B-cell lymphoma
Ran JI ; Yunbin LI ; Liwei TIAN ; Shanshan ZHAO ; Chen CHEN
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2024;33(6):339-342
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of rituximab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of small B-cell lymphoma.Methods:A retrospective series study was conducted. The clinical data of 44 small B-cell lymphoma patients with complete follow-up data who received rituximab combined with chemotherapy in Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital from January 2017 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients were also analyzed.Results:All the 44 patients with small B-cell lymphoma included 28 males and 16 females; the age was (62±13) years. Among the 44 patients, there were 27 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 7 cases of follicular lymphoma, 2 cases of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia, 3 cases of splenic marginal zone lymphoma, 1 case of lymph node marginal zone lymphoma and 1 case of hair-cell leukemia, 3 cases of unclassified B-cell chronic lymphocyte proliferative disease. Follow-up time [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 35.5 months (18.5 months, 52.0 months). The complete remission (CR) rate, partial remission rate and the objective remission rate was 61.36% (27/44), 29.55% (13/44) and 90.91% (40/44), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in CR rates in patients with different expression levels of β 2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase and ZAP-70 (all P < 0.05), while the differences in CR rates among patients with different age, gender and bone marrow infiltration were not statistically significant (all P >0.05). Until the last follow-up, the median overall survival (OS) time was not reached, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 65 months. The incidence of hematological adverse reactions was 27.27% (12/44), which was well tolerated. No serious non-hematological adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions:Rituximab combined with chemotherapy could improve the therapeutic effect, prolong PFS and OS time of patients with small B-cell lymphoma. The adverse reactions can be tolerated.
9.Predictive value of T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate for 1p/19q molecular features in lower-grade gliomas
Hanwei WANG ; Linlan ZENG ; Mimi ZHAO ; Xuan LI ; Qisheng RAN ; Jing TIAN ; Jie SUN ; Lizhao CHEN ; Shunan WANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(18):2121-2129
Objective To evaluate the predictive value of T2-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)signal suppression rate for the short arm of chromosome 1 and long arm of chromosome 19 (1p/19q)molecular features in lower-grade gliomas (LGG),and to construct and verify the predictive model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)tumor features and T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate.Methods Clincal and imaging data of the patients with pathologically confirmed supratentorial LGG (WHO grade 2~3)in our medical center from 2017 to 2021 were collected and retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of postoperative molecular pathology,they were divided into 1 p/19q-codeleted (1 p/19q-Codel)and 1 p/19q-noncodeleted (1 p/19q-Noncodel)groups.MRI tumor features were blindly assessed by 2 neuroradiologists.Five circular regions of interest were respectively delineated in the tumor area and the normal-appearing white matter in contralateral semioval center using the hot-spot method in order to calculate the T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate.The differences of clinical features,MRI tumor features and T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate were analyzed between the 2 groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen independent predictors and constructa predictive model and nomogram.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve,calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were applied to assess the model performance,and the model was internally validated by bootstrap method.Results A total of 146 supratentorial LGG patients were enrolled,including 68 being assigned into the 1 p/19q-Codel group and 78 into the 1 p/19q-Noncodel group.The T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate was 0.43 (0.28,0.62)in the 1 p/19q-Noncodel group,which was significantly higher than that in the 1 p/19q-Codel group[0.29 (0.24,0.35),P<0.001].Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate>0.374 (P<0.001),cortex infiltration (P=0.001) and calcification (P=0.004) were independent predictors for 1 p/19q status.The AUC value of T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate>0.374 in predicting 1 p/19q-Noncodel was 0.720,the sensitivity was 60.26% and the specificity was 83.82%.DeLong test indicated that T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate>0.374 was more effective than T2-FLAIR mismatch sign in predicting 1 p/19q molecular features (P<0.001).ROC curve analysis suggested that the predictive model established by T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate>0.374 combined with cortex infiltration and calcification had good performance,with an AUC value of 0.808,and the AUC value verified internally by bootstrap method was 0.807.At the same time,the calibration and goodness of fit of the model were good.Conclusion T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate can be used as a quantitative imaging marker to predict 1 p/19q-Noncodel LGG.The predictive model with T2-FLAIR signal suppression rate>0.374 combined with cortex infiltration and calcification can effectively predict 1 p/19q molecular features.
10.The rh-CSF1 improves mitochondrial function and cell apoptosis in neurons under oxygen-glucose deprivation
Rui LIU ; Kuan FAN ; Pengju ZHANG ; Yu TIAN ; Wei SI ; Shirong LI ; Lu WANG ; Ran GU ; Xiao HU
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2024;50(8):489-494
Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Colony Stimulating Factor-1(CSF1)inhibits apoptosis in neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD).Methods Primary rat cortical neurons were divided into the OGD damaged neuron model group(OGD group),the rh-CSF1 intervention group(rh-CSF1 group),and control group.The sample size for each group was 3.After intervention with recombinant human CSF1(rh-CSF1),neuronal apoptosis rate and intracellular ATP content,reactive oxygen species levels,mitochondrial membrane potential,and mitochondrial DNA copy number were measured.The content of malondialdehyde within mitochondria and the activity of superoxide dismutase were also assessed.Results Intervention with rh-CSF1 increased mitochondrial membrane potential(0.55±0.03 vs.0.43±0.06,P<0.01),mitochondrial DNA copy number(0.88±0.05 vs.0.72±0.06,P<0.05),ATP content[(15.70±0.99)mmol/mg vs.(11.70±1.00)mmol/mg,P<0.01)],and superoxide dismutase[(18.47±1.38)U/mg vs.(14.78±1.81)U/mg,P<0.05)]activity in neurons injured by OGD.It also reduced levels of rectivereactive oxygen species(3.64±0.21 vs.4.45±0.33,P<0.05)and malondialdehyde within mitochondria[(2.13±0.19)mmol/mg vs.(2.78±0.20)mmol/mg,P<0.05)],and inhibited neuronal apoptosis(10.12±0.78 vs.17.04±1.23,P<0.01)Conclusion rh-CSF1 may alleviate the damage in neurons induced by OGD by improving mitochondrial function,reducing oxidative stress,and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

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