1.BRD4 regulates m6A of ESPL1 mRNA via interaction with ALKBH5 to modulate breast cancer progression.
Haisheng ZHANG ; Linlin LU ; Cheng YI ; Tao JIANG ; Yunqing LU ; Xianyuan YANG ; Ke ZHONG ; Jiawang ZHOU ; Jiexin LI ; Guoyou XIE ; Zhuojia CHEN ; Zongpei JIANG ; Gholamreza ASADIKARAM ; Yanxi PENG ; Dan ZHOU ; Hongsheng WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1552-1570
The interaction between m6A-methylated RNA and chromatin modification remains largely unknown. We found that targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) by siRNA or its inhibitor (JQ1) significantly decreases mRNA m6A levels and suppresses the malignancy of breast cancer (BC) cells via increased expression of demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Mechanistically, inhibition of BRD4 increases the mRNA stability of ALKBH5 via enhanced binding between its 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) with RNA-binding protein RALY. Further, BRD4 serves as a scaffold for ubiquitin enzymes tripartite motif containing-21 (TRIM21) and ALKBH5, resulting in the ubiquitination and degradation of ALKBH5 protein. JQ1-increased ALKBH5 then demethylates mRNA of extra spindle pole bodies like 1 (ESPL1) and reduces binding between ESPL1 mRNA and m6A reader insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), leading to decay of ESPL1 mRNA. Animal and clinical studies confirm a critical role of BRD4/ALKBH5/ESPL1 pathway in BC progression. Further, our study sheds light on the crosstalks between histone modification and RNA methylation.
2.Discovery of orally active and serine-targeting covalent inhibitors against hCES2A for ameliorating irinotecan-triggered gut toxicity.
Ya ZHANG ; Yufan FAN ; Yunqing SONG ; Guanghao ZHU ; Xinjuan LI ; Jian HUANG ; Xinrui GUO ; Changhai LUAN ; Dongning KANG ; Lu CHEN ; Zhangping XIAO ; Zhaobin GUO ; Hairong ZENG ; Dapeng CHEN ; Zhipei SANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5312-5326
Human carboxylesterase 2A (hCES2A) plays pivotal roles in prodrug activation and hydrolytic metabolism of ester-bearing chemicals. Targeted inhibition of intestinal hCES2A represents a feasible strategy to mitigate irinotecan-triggered gut toxicity (ITGT), but the orally active, selective, and efficacious hCES2A inhibitors are rarely reported. Here, a novel drug-like hCES2A inhibitor was developed via three rounds of structure-based drug design (SBDD) and structural optimization. Initially, donepezil was identified as a moderate hCES2A inhibitor from 2000 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs. Following two rounds of SBDD and structural optimization, a donepezil derivative (B7) was identified as a strong reversible hCES2A inhibitor. Subsequently, nine B7 carbamates were rationally designed, synthesized and biologically assayed. Among all synthesized carbamates, C3 showed the most potent time-dependent inhibition on hCES2A (IC50 = 0.56 nmol/L), excellent specificity and favorable drug-like properties. C3 could covalently modify the catalytic serine of hCES2A with high selectivity, while this agent also showed favorable safety profiles, high intestinal exposure, and impressive effects for ameliorating ITGT in both human intestinal organoids and tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, this study showcases a rational strategy for developing drug-like and serine-targeting covalent inhibitors against target serine hydrolase(s), while C3 emerges as a promising orally active drug candidate for ameliorating ITGT.
3.Efficacy Evaluation of Qishen Yizhi Formula in Improving the Learning and Memory Ability of D-Galactose Induced Suba-cute Aging Mice
Yang CHEN ; Ziqiang ZHU ; Yunqing LU ; Jiani ZHENG ; Cheng CAO ; Jiaxiang TONG ; Xuan LI ; Sheng GUO ; Hongjie KANG ; Jinao DUAN ; Yue ZHU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(2):145-152
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of Qishen Yizhi formula on improving learning and memory ability in D-galactose subcutaneous injection induced subacute aging mice.METHODS Subacute aging mice model mice were developed by D-galactose subcutaneous injection and then treated with positive drug donepezil(2 mg·kg-1·d-1)and Qishen Yizhi formula water extracts in low(1.33 g·kg-1·d-1)and high dose group(2.67 g·kg-1·d-1).The learning and memory abilities of mice were evaluated using Morris water maze and Y maze tests;HE staining was used to examine hippocampal damage in model mice;TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis of mouse hippocampal tissue;ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of oxidative stress factors and inflammatory fac-tors in the mouse hippocampus tissue;Western blot was used to detect the expression of signaling pathway proteins related to apoptosis,oxidative stress and inflammatory stress in the hippocampus of mice.RESULTS The water extract of Qishen Yizhi formula signifi-cantly shortened the latency and distance of model mice for reaching the platform in the water maze test(P<0.01),and significantly increased the number of crossing the platform(P<0.01);increased the exploration time and number of the Y maze new arm in model mice(P<0.05);inhibited the TUNEL fluorescence expression in the hippocampus of model mice(P<0.01);upregulated the activity of the oxidative stress factor superoxide dismutase(SOD)(P<0.05)and glutathione(GSH)content(P<0.05),and downregulated malondialdehyde(MDA)content(P<0.05);reduced interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)expression levels(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased the expression of apoptosis signaling pathway proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Caspase-3(P<0.05),upregulated the expression of oxidative stress signaling pathway proteins Nrf2 and HO-1(P<0.05),and downregulated the expression of inflammatory stress signaling pathway proteins p-NF-κB and NF-κB(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Qishen Yizhi for-mula can improve the learning and memory ability of subacute aging model mice injected with D-galactose,which may be related to its inhibitory effect on hippocampal oxidative stress and inflammatory stress.
4.Exploration of Anti-depression Mechanism of Kai-Xin-San via Regulation of Neurogenesis of Hippocampus on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Induced Mice
Jiani ZHENG ; Lingxin HUANG ; Yunqing LU ; Xuan LI ; Yang CHEN ; Jiaxiang TONG ; Ziqiang ZHU ; Jinao DUAN ; Lejun LI ; Yue ZHU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(1):19-30
Objective To explore the anti-depression mechanism of Kai-Xin-San(KXS)via regulation of neurogenesis in hippocampus of depression-like mice.Methods The extracts of KXS were prepared and the anti-depression effects of KXS were evaluated by behavioral tests on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)induced depression-like mice.Evaluating depression-like behavior in CUMS mice through sucrose preference test,forced swimming test,tail suspension test,and other methods.Neurogenesis in hippocampus were determined by immunofluorescence assay.In addition,effects of KXS on regulating nestin expression and Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway were explored by western blotting analysis.Amounts of cortisol,corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and nerve growth factor(NGF)were determined by ELISA tests.Mouse primary neural stem cells(NSC)was used to evaluate the effect of KXS on promoting its proliferation by immunofluorescence assay.In addition,effects of KXS on regulating nestin and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were also explored by Western blotting analysis.Results KXS significantly ameliorated the depression-like behaviors in presence of increased sucrose preference rate and decreased immobile time of tail suspension and forced swimming.KXS significantly promoted the neurogenesis in the hippocampus and expressions of nestin,reduced the expressions of cortisol,CRF,ACTH,increased the expressions of BDNF,NGF,and regulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.KXS also promoted the proliferation of NSCs and expressions of nestin,enhanced the translocation of b-catenin into nucleus,and regulated the expressions of proteins of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Conclusion KXS promoted neurogenesis in hippocampus and regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway,which might contribute to its antidepressant effect.
5.Efficacy Evaluation and Mechanism Research of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi Formula in Improving the Learning and Memory Ability of Aβ1-42 Hippocampus Injection Mice
Ziqiang ZHU ; Yunqing LU ; Jiani ZHENG ; Cheng CAO ; Yang CHEN ; Jiaxiang TONG ; Xuan LI ; Sheng GUO ; Jin'ao DUAN ; Yue ZHU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(1):40-47
Objective Evaluation of the effect and mechanism research of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula on improving learning and memory ability in mice injected with Aβ1-42 in hippocampus.Methods Alzheimer's disease model mice were constructed by injecting β amyloid peptide 1-42 into hippocampus and treated with water extracts of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula.The cognitive abilities of mice were assessed using Morris water maze and Y maze tests,which measure learning and memory capabilities.HE staining was used to observe the damage and TUNEL method was used to determine apoptosis of hippocampus.Detection of the expression of oxidative factors,inflammatory factors,and related antioxidant proteins and apoptotic proteins in the hippocampal tissue of a mouse model of dementia.Results Both high-dose and low-dose groups of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula significantly improved cognitive dysfunction in mice injected with Aβ1-42 in hippocampus,and attenuated the damage and apoptosis of the hippocampus.It also inhibited oxidative stress and downregulated the expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-a,increased the expression of antioxidant proteins Nrf2 and HO-1,and regulated the expressions of apoptotic proteins Caspase-9,Caspase-3,Bax and Bcl-2.Conclusion Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula improves the learning and memory abilities of mice injected with Aβ1-42 in hippocampus,which might be related to the attenuation of oxidative stress and neuronal inflammation of hippocampus.
6.Research progress and prospect of metabonomics in glaucoma
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2023;41(2):178-182
Metabonomics is an important component of systems biology.It reveals the essential metabolic characteristics of the activities of organisms using qualitative and quantitative detection and analysis of the dynamics of all endogenous low-molecular-weight metabolites within an organism before and after stimulation such as pathophysiological stimuli or genetic modification.Therefore, it provides insight into the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diseases.Metabonomics relies on chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and other analytical chemistry techniques to obtain data.The examination specimens are usually body fluids including blood, tear, aqueous humor and tissues such as trabecular meshwork, vitreous body, retina, etc.Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease characterized by optic disc damage and visual field defect.Previous animal and human studies have provided some preliminary results on metabolites associated with glaucoma.Metabonomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics constitute a bioinformatics system.Joint multi-omics research will be the direction of future development.On the basis of an overview of metabonomics, this paper reviewed the research progress of metabonomics in glaucoma based on different tissues and body fluid specimens.
7.Anatomical morphology of the aortic valve in Chinese aortic stenosis patients and clinical results after downsize strategy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Guannan NIU ; Ben Walid ALI ; Moyang WANG ; Hasan JILAIHAWI ; Haitong ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Yunqing YE ; Xinmin LIU ; Jing YAO ; Qinghao ZHAO ; Yubin WANG ; Zheng ZHOU ; Lizhi ZHANG ; Xinshuang REN ; Yunqiang AN ; Bin LU ; Thomas MODINE ; Yongjian WU ; Guangyuan SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2022;135(24):2968-2975
Background::The study aimed to describe the aortic valve morphology in Chinese patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS), and the impact of sizing strategies and related procedural outcomes.Methods::Patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR were consecutively enrolled from 2012 to 2019. The anatomy and morphology of the aortic root were assessed. "Downsize" strategy was preformed when patients had complex morphology. The clinical outcomes of patients who performed downsize strategy were compared with those received annular sizing strategy. The primary outcome was device success rate, and secondary outcomes included Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 clinical outcomes variables based on 1-year follow-up.Results::A total of 293 patients were enrolled. Among them, 95 patients (32.4%) had bicuspid aortic valve. The calcium volume (Hounsfield Unit-850) of aortic root was 449.90 (243.15-782.15) mm 3. Calcium is distributed mostly on the leaflet level. Downsize strategy was performed in 204 patients (69.6%). Compared with the patients who performed annular sizing strategy, those received downsize strategy achieved a similar device success rate (82.0% [73] vs. 83.3% [170], P= 0.79). Aortic valve gradients (downsize strategy group vs. annular sizing group, 11.28 mmHg vs. 11.88 mmHg, P = 0.64) and percentages of patients with moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation 2.0% (4/204) vs. 4.5% (4/89), P = 0.21) were similar in the two groups at 30 days after TAVR. These echocardiographic results were sustainable for one year. Conclusions::Chinese TAVR patients have more prevalent bicuspid morphology and large calcium volume of aortic root. Calcium is distributed mostly on the leaflet level. Compare with annular sizing strategy, downsize strategy provided a non-inferior device success rate and transcatheter heart valve hemodynamic performance in self-expanding TAVR procedure.
8.Pharmaceutical care for severe and critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Saiping JIANG ; Lu LI ; Renping RU ; Chunhong ZHANG ; Yuefeng RAO ; Bin LIN ; Rongrong WANG ; Na CHEN ; Xiaojuan WANG ; Hongliu CAI ; Jifang SHENG ; Jianying ZHOU ; Xiaoyang LU ; Yunqing QIU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2020;49(2):158-169
Severe and critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were usually with underlying diseases, which led to the problems of complicated drug use, potential drug-drug interactions and medication errors in special patients. Based on ( 6), and -19: , we summarized the experience in the use of antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, vascular active drugs, antibacterial, probiotics, nutrition support schemes in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. It is also suggested to focus on medication management for evaluation of drug efficacy and duration of treatment, prevention and treatment of adverse drug reactions, identification of potential drug-drug interactions, individualized medication monitoring based on biosafety protection, and medication administration for special patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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adverse effects
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therapeutic use
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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therapeutic use
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Antiviral Agents
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adverse effects
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therapeutic use
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Betacoronavirus
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isolation & purification
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Coronavirus Infections
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drug therapy
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Critical Illness
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Drug Therapy
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Humans
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Nutritional Support
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Pandemics
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Pneumonia, Viral
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drug therapy
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Probiotics
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administration & dosage
9.Inhibitory effects of DC vaccine sensitized with MAGE-3 combined with CpG ODN on bladder cancer BIU-87 cells
LI Xiuzhen ; XUE Qingjie ; LU Hai ; NIE Shangdan ; WANG Hui ; LI Yunqing ; ZHAO Longyu ; TAN Wenbing
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2018;25(9):891-897
Objective: To investigate the role of CpG ODN (CpG oligodeoxynucleotide) adjuvant in enhancing the anti-bladder cancer response induced by MAGE-3 (melanoma antigen gene -3) antigen and its molecular mechanism. Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from HLA-A2 type peripheral blood of healthy donors by Ficoll method to prepare mature DC by conventional means. DC surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. MTT assay was used to detect the promotion effect of DCs sensitized by different means (MAGE-3, CpGODN, MAGE-3+CpG ODN, irrelevant control antigen) on the proliferation of T lymphocytes and the killing effect of CTL on BIU-87 tumor cells. The tumor mass of nude mice bearing BIU-87 bladder cell xenograft were examined on Day 7 and 11 after CpG ODN+MAGE-3 sensitized DC treatment. The expression of Bcl-2/Bax protein was detected by Western blotting while the proliferation level of xenograft cells was detected by MTT assay. Results: DCs sensitized by CpG ODN combined with MAGE-3 antigenic peptides could promote the proliferation of T lymphocytes and significantly enhance the killing effect of CTLon target BIU-87 cells (P< 0.05). Compared with other sensitized DCs, in vivo experiments showed that 7 and 11 days after treatment, both the tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced (all P<0.05), and the proliferation ability of xenograft tumor was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with other sensitization means, CpG ODN+MAGE-3 especially exhibited obvious inhibitive effect on tumor growth on Day 11, and significantly promoted the proliferation of splenic monocytes of tumor bearing mice (P<0.01); moreover, Bcl-2 expression in xenograft tissues significantly decreased(P<0.01)while Bax expression significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01)on Day 3 after treatment. Conclusion: CpG ODN can promote the inhibitory effect of MAGE-3 sensitized DC on bladder cancer BIU-87 cells, which will provide experimental basis for clinical application of DC vaccine in bladder cancer treatment.
10.Prevention problems and effect analysis of pressure ulcers in 134 patients with aortic dissection surgery
Manqing YANG ; Yunqing CHENG ; Changqing LU ; Ruixin FAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2015;(18):2145-2147
Objective To explore the skin management methods for preventing pressure ulcers in the patients with aortic dissection surgery. Methods Totals of 134 cases of patients with aortic dissection surgery were implemented the standardized and personalized skin management methods for preventing pressure ulcers. The“Waterlow patients pressure sore risk assessment scale”was applied in assessing the skin condition of preoperative and postoperative patients. The prevention methods according to the risk factors of pressure ulcer,including the targeted health education,improve the compliance of prevention methods;using the silicone gel pad,water gel or foam dressing to decompress the pressurized parts during the operation,when the operation time was over 2 hours, lifted patients' head and foot every half hour and changing stress points;during the postoperative time turning-over and using the air bed. Results The scores of pressure ulcer were(10. 43 ±2. 79)and(13. 93 ±3. 28)before and after surgery. All the 134 patients did not have pressure ulcer before surgery. One day after the operation, 3 patients had phaseⅠpressure ulcer,with an incidence of 2. 24% . Within the 3 cases of pressure ulcer patients, 1 patient was emaciation,2 patients had long operation time(11. 5 and 14. 5 hours,respectively),whose pressure ulcer scores were 22 to 23 belong to the risk level. Conclusions Patients with aortic dissection during perioperative period have a high risk of pressure sores. The implementation of specific preventive measures can effectively reduce the incidence of pressure sores. Long procedure and partial compression caused by fixed position are the greatest difficulties in preventing the pressure sores,and they are also the problems needed to be solved in the future.

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