1.ZFX promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by regulating Nectin-4 expression through the PI3K/AKT pathway
LONG Yuanfeng1, 2 ; YANG Yan3 ; BIAN Yuhang1 ; DENG Yubin1 ; CHEN Qiaoling1 ; YANG Hang1 ; ZHANG Ruolan1 ; ZHAO Quanneng1 ; YANG Mi1 ; BIE Jun1 ; SONG Guiqin1 ; LIU Kang1
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(4):408-417
[摘 要] 目的:探讨X连锁锌指蛋白(ZFX)通过Nectin-4表达影响食管鳞状细胞癌(ESCC)进展的分子机制及其对PI3K/AKT信号通路的激活作用。方法:收集2022年8月至2023年7月在南充市中心医院手术切除的30对ESCC组织及癌旁组织标本。采用人食管上皮细胞HET-1A及ESCC细胞KYSE-30、KYSE-150、KYSE-410、KYSE-510和TE-1。基于2018年至2019年收集的6例ESCC配对标本转录组测序数据筛选Nectin-4,通过TIMER2.0数据库、RT-qPCR和WB法、免疫组织化学(IHC)检测ESCC组织及细胞中Nectin-4的表达水平。采用shRNA技术在KYSE-410和KYSE-510细胞中敲低Nectin-4,通过CCK-8、克隆形成、划痕愈合及Transwell实验检测敲低Nectin-4对细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响,采用WB法检测敲低Nectin-4对细胞PI3K/AKT通路及EMT相关蛋白表达水平的影响。通过生物信息学预测并结合双萤光素酶报告基因实验,鉴定并验证ZFX作为Nectin-4的上游转录调控因子。结果:综合分析显示,ESCC组织及细胞系中Nectin-4表达显著高于癌旁组织及HET-1A细胞(均P < 0.01)。功能研究表明,敲低Nectin-4显著抑制KYSE-410和KYSE-510细胞的增殖活性、克隆形成能力,以及迁移和侵袭能力(均P < 0.01)。机制方面,敲低Nectin-4时细胞中E-cadherin表达上调、N-cadherin下调(均P < 0.01),并抑制PI3K/AKT通路相关蛋白的磷酸化水平(P < 0.01)。结论: ZFX通过上调Nectin-4表达激活PI3K/AKT信号通路促进ESCC进展,为ESCC的治疗提供了潜在的新靶点。
2.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.
3.Mechanism of Lijin manipulation regulating scar formation in skeletal muscle injury repair in rabbits
Kaiying LI ; Xiaoge WEI ; Fei SONG ; Nan YANG ; Zhenning ZHAO ; Yan WANG ; Jing MU ; Huisheng MA
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1600-1608
BACKGROUND:Lijin manipulation can promote skeletal muscle repair and treat skeletal muscle injury.However,the formation of fibrosis and scar tissue hyperplasia are closely related to the quality of skeletal muscle repair.To study the regulatory effect of Lijin manipulation on the formation of fibrosis and scar tissue hyperplasia is helpful to explain the related mechanism of Lijin manipulation to improve the repair quality of skeletal muscle injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of Lijin manipulation to improve the repair quality of skeletal muscle injury in rabbits,thereby providing a scientific basis for clinical treatment. METHODS:Forty-five healthy adult Japanese large-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group and Lijin group,with 15 rats in each group.Gastrocnemius strike modeling was performed in both model group and Lijin group.The Lijin group began to intervene with tendon manipulation on the 3rd day after modeling,once a day,and 15 minutes at a time.Five animals in each group were killed on the 7th,14th and 21st days after modeling.The morphology and inflammatory cell count of gastrocnemius were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,the collagen fiber amount was observed by Masson staining,the expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in gastrocnemius was detected by ELISA.The protein and mRNA expressions of paired cassette gene 7,myogenic differentiation factor,myoblastogenin,alpha-actin,transforming growth factor beta 1,and type Ⅰ collagen were detected by western blot and RT-PCR,respectively,and the expression of type Ⅰ collagen protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining showed that compared with the model group,inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber content decreased in the Lijin group(P<0.01),and the muscle fibers gradually healed.ELISA results showed that compared with the model group,the expression of interleukin-6 in the Lijin group continued to decrease(P<0.05),and the expression of interleukin-10 increased on the 7th day after modeling(P<0.05)and then showed a decreasing trend(P<0.05).Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that compared with the model group,the protein and mRNA expressions of paired cassette gene 7,myogenic differentiation factor,myoblastogenin in the Lijin group were significantly increased on the 14th day after modeling(P<0.05),but decreased on the 21st day(P<0.05);the protein and mRNA expressions of alpha-actin,transforming growth factor beta 1,and type Ⅰ collagen in the Lijin group were significantly decreased compared with those in the model group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of type Ⅰ collagen in the Lijin group was significantly lower than that in the model group(P<0.05).To conclude,Lijin manipulation could improve the repair quality of skeletal muscle injury by inhibiting inflammation,promoting the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells,and reducing fibrosis.
4.Effect of wogonin on nerve injury in rats with diabetic cerebral infarction
Huanhuan WANG ; Panpan LIANG ; Jinshui YANG ; Shuxian JIA ; Jiajia ZHAO ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Qian XUE ; Aixia SONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2327-2333
BACKGROUND:Wogonin is a flavonoid extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis.Previous studies have shown that baicalein has protective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,and can also reduce blood sugar and complications in diabetic mice,but its role and mechanism in diabetic cerebral infarction remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of wogonin on nerve injury in rats with diabetic cerebral infarction and its mechanism. METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups:control group,model group,low-dose wogonin group,medium-dose wogonin group,high-dose wogonin group,and high-dose wogonin+Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)activator group.Except for the control group,the other rats were established with diabetes and cerebral ischemia models using intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and middle cerebral artery occlusion.Low,medium-and high-dose wogonin groups were intragastrically given 10,20,40 mg/kg wogonin,respectively;high-dose wogonin+RhoA activator group was intragastrically given 40 mg/kg wogonin and intraperitoneally injected 10 mg/kg lysophosphatidic acid;control group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline once a day for 7 consecutive days.Rats in each group were evaluated for neurological deficits and their blood glucose levels were measured after the last dose.TTC staining was applied to detect the volume of cerebral infarction.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to observe pathological changes in brain tissue.ELISA kit was applied to detect tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,malondialdehyde,and superoxide dismutase levels in brain tissue.Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of RhoA and Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK)2 in brain tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the neuronal structure of rats in the model group was severely damaged,with cell necrosis and degeneration,the neurological deficit score,blood glucose level,and infarct volume were significantly elevated(P<0.05),the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and malondialdehyde,and the protein expression of RhoA and ROCK2 in brain tissue were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the superoxide dismutase level was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-,medium-,and high-dose wogonin groups showed improved neuronal damage,reduced cell degeneration and necrosis,a significant reduction in neurological deficit score,blood glucose level,infarct volume,and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and malondialdehyde,and the protein expression of RhoA and ROCK2 in brain tissue,and an increase in the superoxide dismutase level(P<0.05).Compared with the high-dose wogonin group,the high-dose wogonin+RhoA activator group significantly weakened the improvement in the above indexes of rats with diabetic cerebral infarction(P<0.05).To conclude,wogonin can improve the blood glucose level in rats with diabetic cerebral infarction,reduce cerebral infarction and nerve injury,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
5.A practice guideline for therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid for solid organ transplants.
Shuang LIU ; Hongsheng CHEN ; Zaiwei SONG ; Qi GUO ; Xianglin ZHANG ; Bingyi SHI ; Suodi ZHAI ; Lingli ZHANG ; Liyan MIAO ; Liyan CUI ; Xiao CHEN ; Yalin DONG ; Weihong GE ; Xiaofei HOU ; Ling JIANG ; Long LIU ; Lihong LIU ; Maobai LIU ; Tao LIN ; Xiaoyang LU ; Lulin MA ; Changxi WANG ; Jianyong WU ; Wei WANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Ting XU ; Wujun XUE ; Bikui ZHANG ; Guanren ZHAO ; Jun ZHANG ; Limei ZHAO ; Qingchun ZHAO ; Xiaojian ZHANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Rongsheng ZHAO
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(9):897-914
Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C0), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug-drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage*
;
Drug Monitoring/methods*
;
Humans
;
Organ Transplantation
;
Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage*
;
Delphi Technique
6.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
7.Erratum: Author correction to "PRMT6 promotes tumorigenicity and cisplatin response of lung cancer through triggering 6PGD/ENO1 mediated cell metabolism" Acta Pharm Sin B 13 (2023) 157-173.
Mingming SUN ; Leilei LI ; Yujia NIU ; Yingzhi WANG ; Qi YAN ; Fei XIE ; Yaya QIAO ; Jiaqi SONG ; Huanran SUN ; Zhen LI ; Sizhen LAI ; Hongkai CHANG ; Han ZHANG ; Jiyan WANG ; Chenxin YANG ; Huifang ZHAO ; Junzhen TAN ; Yanping LI ; Shuangping LIU ; Bin LU ; Min LIU ; Guangyao KONG ; Yujun ZHAO ; Chunze ZHANG ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Cheng LUO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Changliang SHAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2297-2299
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.019.].
8.Early assessment of responsive neurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy in China: A multicenter, self-controlled study.
Yanfeng YANG ; Penghu WEI ; Jianwei SHI ; Ying MAO ; Jianmin ZHANG ; Ding LEI ; Zhiquan YANG ; Shiwei SONG ; Ruobing QIAN ; Wenling LI ; Yongzhi SHAN ; Guoguang ZHAO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):430-440
BACKGROUND:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the first cohort of people in China treated with a responsive neurostimulation system (Epilcure TM , GenLight MedTech, Hangzhou, China) for focal drug-resistant epilepsy in this study.
METHODS:
This multicenter, before-and-after self-controlled study was conducted across 8 centers from March 2022 to June 2023, involving patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were undergoing responsive neurostimulation (RNS). The study was based on an ongoing multi-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study. Efficacy was assessed through metrics including median seizure count, seizure frequency reduction (SFR), and response rate. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships of basic clinical factors and intracranial electrophysiological characteristics with SFR. The postoperative quality of life, cognitive function, depression, and anxiety were evaluated as well.
RESULTS:
The follow-up period for the 19 participants was 10.7 ± 3.4 months. Seizure counts decreased significantly 6 months after device activation, with median SFR of 48% at the 6th month (M6) and 58% at M12 ( P <0.05). The average response rate after 13 months of treatment was 42%, with 21% ( n = 4) of the participants achieving seizure freedom. Patients who have previously undergone resective surgery appear to achieve better therapeutic outcomes at M11, M12 and M13 ( β <0, P <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in patients' scores of quality of life, cognition, depression and anxiety following stimulation when compared to baseline measurements. No serious adverse events related to the devices were observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
The preliminary findings suggest that Epilcure TM exhibits promising therapeutic potential in reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. However, to further validate its efficacy, larger-scale randomized controlled trials are required.
REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200055247).
Humans
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Female
;
Male
;
Drug Resistant Epilepsy/therapy*
;
Adult
;
Young Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
China
;
Adolescent
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Quality of Life
;
Single-Blind Method
;
Seizures
;
Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods*
9.Gut microbiota and their metabolites in hemodialysis patients.
Junxia DU ; Xiaolin ZHAO ; Xiaonan DING ; Qinqin REN ; Haoran WANG ; Qiuxia HAN ; Chenwen SONG ; Xiaochen WANG ; Dong ZHANG ; Hanyu ZHU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):502-504
10.Utility of the China-PAR Score in predicting secondary events among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Jianxin LI ; Xueyan ZHAO ; Jingjing XU ; Pei ZHU ; Ying SONG ; Yan CHEN ; Lin JIANG ; Lijian GAO ; Lei SONG ; Yuejin YANG ; Runlin GAO ; Xiangfeng LU ; Jinqing YUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(5):598-600

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