1.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
2.P4HA1 mediates YAP hydroxylation and accelerates collagen synthesis in temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma.
Xueru LI ; Gangfeng YU ; Xiao ZHONG ; Jiacheng ZHONG ; Xiangyu CHEN ; Qinglong CHEN ; Jinjiang XUE ; Xi YANG ; Xinchun ZHANG ; Yao LING ; Yun XIU ; Yaqi DENG ; Hongda LI ; Wei MO ; Yong ZHU ; Ting ZHANG ; Liangjun QIAO ; Song CHEN ; Fanghui LU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(16):1991-2005
BACKGROUND:
Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a significant challenge in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Collagen remodeling has been shown to be a critical factor for therapy resistance in other cancers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of TMZ chemoresistance by GBM cells reprogramming collagens.
METHODS:
Key extracellular matrix components, including collagens, were examined in paired primary and recurrent GBM samples as well as in TMZ-treated spontaneous and grafted GBM murine models. Human GBM cell lines (U251, TS667) and mouse primary GBM cells were used for in vitro studies. RNA-sequencing analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to explore the mechanisms involved in collagen accumulation. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to assess the role of the collagen regulators prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) and yes-associated protein (YAP) in sensitizing GBM cells to TMZ.
RESULTS:
This study revealed that TMZ exposure significantly elevated collagen type I (COL I) expression in both GBM patients and murine models. Collagen accumulation sustained GBM cell survival under TMZ-induced stress, contributing to enhanced TMZ resistance. Mechanistically, P4HA1 directly binded to and hydroxylated YAP, preventing ubiquitination-mediated YAP degradation. Stabilized YAP robustly drove collagen type I alpha 1 ( COL1A1) transcription, leading to increased collagen deposition. Disruption of the P4HA1-YAP axis effectively reduced COL I deposition, sensitized GBM cells to TMZ, and significantly improved mouse survival.
CONCLUSION
P4HA1 maintained YAP-mediated COL1A1 transcription, leading to collagen accumulation and promoting chemoresistance in GBM.
Temozolomide
;
Humans
;
Glioblastoma/drug therapy*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*
;
YAP-Signaling Proteins
;
Hydroxylation
;
Dacarbazine/pharmacology*
;
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism*
;
Transcription Factors/metabolism*
;
Collagen/biosynthesis*
;
Collagen Type I/metabolism*
;
Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism*
;
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use*
3.Development of oral preparations of poorly soluble drugs based on polymer supersaturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery technology.
Xu-Long CHEN ; Jiang-Wen SHEN ; Wei-Wei ZHA ; Jian-Yun YI ; Lin LI ; Zhang-Ting LAI ; Zheng-Gen LIAO ; Ye ZHU ; Yue-Er CHENG ; Cheng LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4471-4482
Poor water solubility is the primary obstacle preventing the development of many pharmacologically active compounds into oral preparations. Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems(SNEDDS) have become a widely used strategy to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs by inducing a supersaturated state, thereby improving their apparent solubility and dissolution rate. However, the supersaturated solutions formed in SNEDDS are thermodynamically unstable systems with solubility levels exceeding the crystalline equilibrium solubility, making them prone to drug precipitation in the gastrointestinal tract and ultimately hindering drug absorption. Therefore, maintaining a stable supersaturated state is crucial for the effective delivery of poorly soluble drugs. Incorporating polymers as precipitation inhibitors(PPIs) into the formulation of supersaturated self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems(S-SNEDDS) can inhibit drug aggregation and crystallization, thus maintaining a stable supersaturated state. This has emerged as a novel preparation strategy and a key focus in SNEDDS research. This review explores the preparation design of SNEDDS and the technical challenges involved, with a particular focus on polymer-based S-SNEDDS for enhancing the solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. It further elucidates the mechanisms by which polymers participate in transmembrane transport, summarizes the principles by which polymers sustain a supersaturated state, and discusses strategies for enhancing drug absorption. Altogether, this review provides a structured framework for the development of S-SNEDDS preparations with stable quality and reduced development risk, and offers a theoretical reference for the application of S-SNEDDS technology in improving the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Solubility
;
Administration, Oral
;
Polymers/chemistry*
;
Drug Delivery Systems/methods*
;
Humans
;
Emulsions/chemistry*
;
Biological Availability
;
Animals
;
Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage*
4.Rutaecarpine Attenuates Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Gouty Inflammation via Inhibition of TNFR-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathways.
Min LI ; Zhu-Jun YIN ; Li LI ; Yun-Yun QUAN ; Ting WANG ; Xin ZHU ; Rui-Rong TAN ; Jin ZENG ; Hua HUA ; Qin-Xuan WU ; Jun-Ning ZHAO
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):590-599
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro.
METHODS:
In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets.
RESULTS:
RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding.
CONCLUSION
RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals
;
NF-kappa B/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Inflammation/complications*
;
Uric Acid
;
Quinazolines/therapeutic use*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Gout/chemically induced*
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
Cytokines/metabolism*
;
THP-1 Cells
;
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Lipopolysaccharides
;
Quinazolinones
5.Histaminergic Innervation of the Ventral Anterior Thalamic Nucleus Alleviates Motor Deficits in a 6-OHDA-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.
Han-Ting XU ; Xiao-Ya XI ; Shuang ZHOU ; Yun-Yong XIE ; Zhi-San CUI ; Bei-Bei ZHANG ; Shu-Tao XIE ; Hong-Zhao LI ; Qi-Peng ZHANG ; Yang PAN ; Xiao-Yang ZHANG ; Jing-Ning ZHU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(4):551-568
The ventral anterior (VA) nucleus of the thalamus is a major target of the basal ganglia and is closely associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Notably, the VA receives direct innervation from the hypothalamic histaminergic system. However, its role in PD remains unknown. Here, we assessed the contribution of histamine to VA neuronal activity and PD motor deficits. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed reduced VA activity in PD patients. Optogenetic activation of VA neurons or histaminergic afferents significantly alleviated motor deficits in 6-OHDA-induced PD rats. Furthermore, histamine excited VA neurons via H1 and H2 receptors and their coupled hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, inward-rectifier K+ channels, or Ca2+-activated K+ channels. These results demonstrate that histaminergic afferents actively compensate for Parkinsonian motor deficits by biasing VA activity. These findings suggest that targeting VA histamine receptors and downstream ion channels may be a potential therapeutic strategy for PD motor dysfunction.
Animals
;
Histamine/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Oxidopamine/toxicity*
;
Rats
;
Ventral Thalamic Nuclei/physiopathology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Parkinson Disease/metabolism*
;
Neurons/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Optogenetics
6.Advances in methods and techniques for the study of polysaccharide in vivo processes and immunomodulatory mechanisms
Chi-yun ZHU ; Ping XIAO ; Yue-yue FANG ; Meng-ting LAI ; Jin-ao DUAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):322-335
In recent years, polysaccharides have received much attention because of their high safety and good immunological activity. The study of polysaccharide
7.Nucleophosmin acetylation and construction and expression of its modified sites mutants in breast cancer
Jing-Wei HAO ; Ting PAN ; Yue LI ; Wen-Bin ZHU ; Wen-Bo DUAN ; Li-Kun LIU ; Li-Ling YUE ; Yun-Long LIU ; Xiu-Li GAO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(2):196-202
Objective To determine the acetylation level of nucleophosmin(NPM)in female breast cancer and to discuss its function through mutation of modified lysine sites.To construct positive and negative NPM mutants on its acetylated lysine sites and to express them in breast cancer cells.Methods Acetylation level and acetylated lysine sites of NPM in three breast cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were detected by acetylome technology;NPM mutants were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis PCR,specific PCR products were digested by DpnI and transformed into Escherichia coli(E.coli)to obtain specific plasmids for mutants;The accuracy of mutants were verified by double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing;The mutants were expressed in BT-549 cells by transient transfection and verified by RT-PCR method.Protein expression and acetylation level of NPM were validated by Western blotting;Function of NPM acetylation was analyzed by proteomic detection and bioinformatic analysis.Results The 27th and 32nd lysine of NPM were highly acetylated in breast cancer tissues,which were 2.76 and 2.22 times higher than those in adjacent normal tissues,respectively;The NPM mutants showed the same molecular weight as that of wild type NPM and contained expected mutation sites;Corresponding NPM mRNA levels of BT-549 cells transfected with NPM mutants were significantly increased.With the increase of wild type NPM expression level,NPM acetylation level increased,while decreased after 27th lysine underwent negative mutation.NPM acetylation can significantly change the expression levels of 101 proteins in BT-549 cells,which are enriched in regulation of cellular macromolecule biosynthesis,DNA-template transcription,RNA biosynthesis and RNA metabolism process.Conclusion NPM is highly acetylated in breast cancer and can play a key role in cellular macromolecule biosynthesis,DNA-templated transcription,RNA biosynthesis and RNA metabolism process.
8.Evaluation of the treatment effect on sinus elevation and implant restoration in cases with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis after tooth extraction
ZHU Yunying ; LIU Yun ; XU Ting ; LIU Zhenzhen ; CAO Shaoping ; WANG Zhangsong ; WU Donghui
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2024;32(3):202-208
Objective:
To investigate the clinical effects of sinus elevation surgery and implant restorationdue to insufficient bone massafter tooth extraction in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) and to provide a reference for use in clinical practice.
Methods:
This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. Forty-five teeth were extracted from patients with OMS in the maxillary posterior area (the study group). Sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction in the study group. Forty-eight teeth were extracted from patients without "OMS" in the maxillary posterior area (the control group), and sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction inthe control group. In the study group, 13 cases of discontinuous maxillary sinus floor bone and residual alveolar bone height of the maxillary sinus floor less than 4 mm were addressed with lateral wall sinus elevation, and the other 32 cases were addressed with crest-approach sinus elevation. In the control group, 8 cases of residual alveolar bone height less than 4 mm in the maxillary sinus floor were addressed with lateral wall sinus,and the other 40 cases were addressed with crest approach sinus elevation. Restorations were placed 6 to 8 months after surgery. The patients were followed up 21 days, 3 months, and 8 months after implantation and every 6 months after the placement of the restorations. The sinus bone gain (SBG), apical bone height (ABL) and marginal bone loss (MBL) were statistically analyzed 24 months after the restoration.
Results:
The average preoperative mucosal thickness in the 45 patients in the study group was (1.556 ± 0.693) mm, which was significantly larger than that in the control group (1.229 ± 0.425) mm (P<0.001). There were no perforations in either group. Twenty-four months after restoration, there was no significant difference in the SBG, ABH or MBL between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion
After the extraction of teeth from patients with OMS, the inflammation of the maxillary sinus decreased, and the bone height and density in the edentulous area were restored to a certain degree. The effects of sinus floor lifting surgery and implant restoration do not differ between patients with and without OMS.
9.Evaluation of the treatment effect on sinus elevation and implant restoration in cases with odontogenic maxil-lary sinusitis after tooth extraction
Yunying ZHU ; Yun LIU ; Ting XU ; Zhenzhen LIU ; Shaoping CAO ; Zhangsong WANG ; Donghui WU
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2024;(3):202-208
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of sinus elevation surgery and implant restorationdue to in-sufficient bone massafter tooth extraction in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis(OMS)and to provide a refer-ence for use in clinical practice.Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee,and in-formed consent was obtained from the patients.Forty-five teeth were extracted from patients with OMS in the maxillary posterior area(the study group).Sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction in the study group.Forty-eight teeth were extracted from patients without"OMS"in the maxillary posterior area(the control group),and sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction inthe control group.In the study group,13 cases of discontinuous maxillary sinus floor bone and residual alveolar bone height of the maxillary sinus floor less than 4 mm were addressed with lateral wall sinus elevation,and the other 32 cases were addressed with crest-approach sinus elevation.In the control group,8 cases of residual alveolar bone height less than 4 mm in the maxillary sinus floor were addressed with lateral wall sinus,and the other 40 cases were addressed with crest approach sinus elevation.Restora-tions were placed 6 to 8 months after surgery.The patients were followed up 21 days,3 months,and 8 months after im-plantation and every 6 months after the placement of the restorations.The sinus bone gain(SBG),apical bone height(ABL)and marginal bone loss(MBL)were statistically analyzed 24 months after the restoration.Results The average preoperative mucosal thickness in the 45 patients in the study group was(1.556±0.693)mm,which was significantly larger than that in the control group(1.229±0.425)mm(P<0.001).There were no perforations in either group.Twenty-four months after restoration,there was no significant difference in the SBG,ABH or MBL between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion After the extraction of teeth from patients with OMS,the inflammation of the maxillary sinus de-creased,and the bone height and density in the edentulous area were restored to a certain degree.The effects of sinus floor lifting surgery and implant restoration do not differ between patients with and without OMS.
10.Evaluation of the treatment effect on sinus elevation and implant restoration in cases with odontogenic maxil-lary sinusitis after tooth extraction
Yunying ZHU ; Yun LIU ; Ting XU ; Zhenzhen LIU ; Shaoping CAO ; Zhangsong WANG ; Donghui WU
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2024;(3):202-208
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of sinus elevation surgery and implant restorationdue to in-sufficient bone massafter tooth extraction in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis(OMS)and to provide a refer-ence for use in clinical practice.Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee,and in-formed consent was obtained from the patients.Forty-five teeth were extracted from patients with OMS in the maxillary posterior area(the study group).Sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction in the study group.Forty-eight teeth were extracted from patients without"OMS"in the maxillary posterior area(the control group),and sinus elevation and implantation were performed due to insufficient bone height in the implant area 6-8 months after tooth extraction inthe control group.In the study group,13 cases of discontinuous maxillary sinus floor bone and residual alveolar bone height of the maxillary sinus floor less than 4 mm were addressed with lateral wall sinus elevation,and the other 32 cases were addressed with crest-approach sinus elevation.In the control group,8 cases of residual alveolar bone height less than 4 mm in the maxillary sinus floor were addressed with lateral wall sinus,and the other 40 cases were addressed with crest approach sinus elevation.Restora-tions were placed 6 to 8 months after surgery.The patients were followed up 21 days,3 months,and 8 months after im-plantation and every 6 months after the placement of the restorations.The sinus bone gain(SBG),apical bone height(ABL)and marginal bone loss(MBL)were statistically analyzed 24 months after the restoration.Results The average preoperative mucosal thickness in the 45 patients in the study group was(1.556±0.693)mm,which was significantly larger than that in the control group(1.229±0.425)mm(P<0.001).There were no perforations in either group.Twenty-four months after restoration,there was no significant difference in the SBG,ABH or MBL between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion After the extraction of teeth from patients with OMS,the inflammation of the maxillary sinus de-creased,and the bone height and density in the edentulous area were restored to a certain degree.The effects of sinus floor lifting surgery and implant restoration do not differ between patients with and without OMS.


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