1.The Ferroptosis-inducing Compounds in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Xin-Die WANG ; Da-Li FENG ; Xiang CUI ; Su ZHOU ; Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Zhi-Qiang GAO ; Li-Li ZOU ; Jun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):804-819
Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System Xc--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.
2.The influence of Kruppel-like factor 16 on the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells
Zhi ZHENG ; Xiaosheng YAN ; Yixuan DING ; Jiongdi LU ; Wentong MEI ; Fei LI
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2024;24(5):358-363
Objective:To investigate the influence of Kruppel-like factor 16 (KLF16) on the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells.Methods:Immunohistochemical images of KLF16 were collected from 171 pancreatic cancer tissues and their matched paracarcinoma normal pancreas tissues and 8 pancreatic cancer tissues only in GEPIA database. The expression of KLF16 protein was detected by immunohistochemical imaging software. The protein and mRNA expressions of pancreatic cancer cell lines AsPC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 KLF16 were detected by Western blot and quantitative fluorescence PCR. By knockdown or exogenous overexpression of KLF16, the two cells were divided into blank control group (NC group), negative control group (siRNA-NC group), downexpression KLF16 group (siKLF16 group), overexpression control group (OE-NC group) and ovexpression KLF16-OE group (KLF16-OE group). CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and transwell chamber were used to detect cell proliferation and migration.Results:The KLF16 protein expression level (4.02±1.26 vs 1.73±1.07) and positive expression rate (91.6% vs 13.5%) in pancreatic cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in paracancer normal pancreas tissues, with statistical significance ( P<0.05). After downregulating KLF16 expression and culturing for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, the A450 values of both AsPC-1 (0.19±0.02 vs 0.23±0.03, 0.24±0.06 vs 0.36±0.06, 0.45±0.09 vs 0.78±0.10, 0.69±0.04 vs 0.88±0.07) and MIA PaCa-2 cells (0.20±0.03 vs 0.22±0.02, 0.29±0.05 vs 0.31±0.04, 0.47±0.06 vs 0.78±0.10, 0.71±0.02 vs 0.90±0.07) and colony counts [(36±4.32) per well vs (118.51±10.01) per well, (13.6±2.62) per well vs (83.1±9.11) per well], and the number of migrated cells [(16.67±2.05) vs (46.67±5.91), (19.67±1.69) vs (55±4.89)] all decreased significantly. However, after up-regulating the expression of KLF16 and culturing for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the A450 value of both AsPC-1 (0.21±0.05 vs 0.20±0.04, 0.48±0.03 vs 0.31±0.04, 0.91±0.09 vs 0.72±0.03, 1.28±0.10 vs 1.05±0.02) and MIA PaCa-2 cells (0.20±0.01 vs 0.19±0.05, 0.44±0.03 vs 0.30±0.04, 0.89±0.06 vs 0.72±0.03, 1.19±0.05 vs 1.01±0.10), and the number of cell colonies [(189±6.37)/per hole vs (108±9.62)/ per hole, (141±12.56)/ per hole vs (80.69±10.32)/ per hole]], migration cell numbers [(79±4.89) per hole vs (50.33±4.11) per hole, (79.66±3.85) per hole vs (51±4.08) per hole] all increased significantly. Conclusions:KLF16 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer. The up-regulated expression of KLF16 in pancreatic cancer cell lines can promote the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells.
3.Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke depression
Xiangzhu FAN ; Chenchen LI ; Ziwei CAO ; Xiaolu HE ; Fei LI ; Zhi ZHANG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;32(5):374-379
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is an important mental complication of stroke, affecting nearly 1/3 of stroke patients, seriously affecting patients' functional recovery and quality of life, and is associated with increased mortality of stroke patients. Traditional antidepressant treatments include medication and psychotherapy, but there may be problems with adverse reactions, tolerance, or limited effectiveness. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as a non-invasive neuroregulatory technique, offers a new treatment option for patients with PSD. This article reviews the application of rTMS in the treatment of PSD and its possible mechanism.
4.Preliminary study on delaying aging induced thymus degeneration in SAMP6 mice with Bazi Bushen capsule
Zhao-Dong LI ; Yin-Xiao CHEN ; Bo-Yang GONG ; Zhe XU ; Zhi-Xian YU ; Yue-Xuan SHI ; Yan-Fei PENG ; Yu-Hong BIAN ; Yun-Long HOU ; Xiang-Ling WANG ; Shu-Wu ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1186-1192
Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P<0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P<0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P<0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P<0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P<0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P<0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.
5.Application of single-port thoracoscopic surgery for non-small cell lung cancer in the elderly
Zhi-Qiang WU ; Yong-Qiang WEI ; Hong-Li WAN ; Xiao-Fei ZENG ; Hong WANG ; Xian-Bo WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(12):1089-1092
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of single-port thoracoscopic surgery for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods The clinical data of 93 patients with NSCLC who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy was collected,the patients were divided into uniportal operation group(40 cases,received single-port thoracoscopic surgery)and single-operation port operation group(53 cases,received single-operation port thoracoscopic surgery)according to the operation methods.The operation time,the amount of blood loss,the number of lymph node dissection,chest drainage volume 3 days after surgery,duration of indwelling drainage tube,postoperative hospital stay,visual analogue scale(VAS)score of postoperative pain,and incidence of postoperative complications of patients between the two groups were compared.The cumulative survival rate between the two groups was compared.Results The operation were successfully completed in both groups.There was no statistically significant difference in terms of operation time,the amount of blood loss,the number of lymph node dissection,chest drainage volume 3 days after surgery,duration of indwelling drainage tube,or postoperative hospital stay of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There was significant difference in VAS score of postoperative pain of patients between the two groups(P<0.05).There was no early death within 1 months after surgery in both groups.There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).After 4 to 30 months of follow-up,there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy for elderly patients with NSCLC has high safety and feasibility,with less trauma,faster recovery and less postoperative pain.
6.D-shant atrial shunt device implantable in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure:one case report and literature review
Shu-Na XIAO ; Wen-Jie GAO ; Xiao-Ke SHANG ; Chang-Dong ZHANG ; Yu-Cheng ZHONG ; Ying ZHI ; Lin-Li QIU ; Yan-Fei DONG ; Yan HE ; Wei TIAN ; Wen-Wen TANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(8):472-477
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of implantable D-shant atrial shunt device in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)and right heart failure.A 53-year-old female patient diagnosed with severe idiopathic PAH and right heart failure,her WHO FC grade was Ⅳ.The right heart catheter and implantation of D-shant atrial shunt device were performed under local anesthesia on November 30,2021.A 6 mm×4 cm peripheral artery balloon was selected to dilate the atrial septum and a D-shant atrial shunt device with a fixed 4 mm diameter orifice was implanted into the heart.The clinical symptoms and hemodynamics of the patient was improved after the intervention.Implantation of atrial shunt device as a palliative therapy to established a right to left shunt is another strategy for treating patients with severe PAH in late period,which has good effectiveness and safety.It could be the last replacement therapy to improve symptoms and prolonged lives to drug resistant and severe PAH patients.
7.LncRNA MEG8 mediates immune escape in colorectal cancer cells by regulating MICA/B via targeting miR-15a-5p
Zhi LI ; Di WU ; Fei TIAN ; Jie LIU ; Xingming XIE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(6):1217-1221,1227
Objective:To explore mechanism of long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 8(LncRNA MEG8)mediates immune escape in colorectal cancer(CRC)cells by regulating MICA/B via targeting miR-15a-5p.Methods:RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect expressions of MEG8,miR-15a-5p,MICA,MICB,NKG2D protein in CRC tissue and cell lines;dual luciferase experiment was used to verify regulatory relationship of MEG8 on miR-15a-5p;NC,MEG8,miR-NC and miR-15a-5p were respectively or co-transfected into SW480 and SW620 cells by liposome transfection,and recorded as NC group,MEG8 group,MEG8+miR-NC group,MEG8+miR-15a-5p group;NK cells were cocultured with SW480 and SW620 cells respectively;ELISA was used to detect TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in coculture medium;CCK-8,EdU staining,Transwell assay were used to detect cell prolifera-tion,migration and invasion ability;RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect MEG8,miR-15a-5p,MICA,MICB,NKG2D protein levels in cells.Results:Compared with adjacent cancer tissues or normal colon epithelial cells,MEG8,MICA,MICB,NKG2D mRNA and protein levels in CRC tissues and cell lines were decreased,while miR-15a-5p level was increased(P<0.05).MEG8 targeting regulated miR-15a-5p.In cocultivation system,compared with NC group,MICA,MICB,NKG2D protein levels,TNF-α,IFN-γ levels in cocultured supernatant in MEG8 group were significantly increased,after 1 d,2 d,and 3 d of cell culture,OD value,EdU positive rate,number of migrating and invading cells were significantly decreased(P<0.05);overexpression of miR-15a-5p could partially reverse effects of overexpression of MEG8 on MICA,MICB,NKG2D,TNF-α,IFN-γ levels in cells,prolifera-tion,invasion and metastasis ability(P<0.05).Conclusion:MEG8 promotes NK cell activity and inhibits CRC cell immune escape by regulating MICA and MICB expressions via targeting miR-15a-5p.
8.Prediction and identification of B-cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 E protein
Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Jun LIU ; Zi-Yang ZOU ; Xi-Long KANG ; Li SONG ; Xin-An JIAO ; Chuang MENG ; Zhi-Ming PAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(9):807-813
This work was aimed at predicting and verifying B-cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 E protein through bioinformatics methods,and clarifying the dominant B cell epitopes with mouse polyclonal antibody serum prepared through SARS-CoV-2 re-combinant E protein immunization and human positive serum vaccinated with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.The structural and B-cell linear epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 E protein were predicted with SOPMA,Expasy,SWISS-MODEL,IEDB database,and Bepid-2.0 software.Candidate epitopes were expressed as GST-tagged recombinant protein fragments in an E.coli sys-tem,and their immunoreactivity with mouse and human poly-clonal positive serum against SARS-CoV-2 E protein was de-tected by western blotting and indirect ELISA,respectively.The epitope prediction results showed that E protein contained linear B cell epitopes Ser6-Val14 and Tyr57-Pro71,and the conformational epitopes of Glu8-Val12,Leu39-Tyr59,and Ser60-Leu65.The GST tagged recombinant E protein fragments of E1 and E3,containing Ser6-Val14 and Tyr57-Pro71 epitopes,respectively,as well as E2 without an epitope sequence as a control,were expressed in an E.coli expression system and successfully purified with an Ni-NTA column.Western blotting and indirect ELISA analysis indicated that all mouse and human SARS-CoV-2 positive sera positively reacted with only E1 and E3 proteins,but negatively reacted with E2 protein,thus indicating that the corresponding epitope prediction with Ser6-Val14 and Tyr57-Pro71 was correct.This study successfully predicted and preliminarily identified two linear B cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 E protein,thus providing a reference for the preparation of new coronavirus vaccines and the analysis of immune response characteristics.
9.Molecular characterization of Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri imported cases in Chongqing
Yan TAN ; Fei LUO ; Zhi-Feng LI ; Yao XIANG ; Jing-Ru XU ; Jiao-Jiao CAI ; Ying-Li LI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(9):814-822
This study was aimed at understanding the molecular characteristics of Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodi-um ovale wallikeri imported cases in Chongqing,to provide data to support monitoring and control efforts.In a retrospective analysis,26 Plasmodium ovale archival blood samples were characterized with respect to five molecular markers(Cox1,Cytb,Tra,Dhfr,and K13)from 2013 to 2023.PCR amplification of partial fragments of the Cox1,Cytb,and Tra genes of Plas-modium ovale was performed to distinguish the two subspecies.The drug-resistance Dhfr and K13 genes of Plasmodium ovale were amplified with PCR assays followed by DNA sequencing,and the sequences were aligned.The differentiation of 26 cases of Plasmodium ovale(14 cases of curtisi subspecies and 12 cases of wallikeri subspecies)according to ssrRNA was consistent with the classification results of Cox1,Cytb,and TRA genes.Thirteen single nucleotide dimorphism sites were identified in Cox 1,including the 145 and 153 loci,with only variations in amino acids M176I and I288V at loci 528 and 862,and N337H mutation in one sample.Twelve base substitutions were found among Cytb gene subspecies,with only the M248I mutation in amino acid 248.A total of 49 nucleotide dimorphism sites in Tra gene,resulting in 18 amino acid mutations,were identified be-tween the two subspecies.In the curtisi type sample,the poc1 type had more PINTINPINTIN and TITPIS amino acid units than the poc2 type.The mutation rate of the Dhfr gene was rel-atively high:25%of the samples showed S58R mutations.The K13 gene subspecies was not homozygous,and one sample was heterozygous.This study confirmed the dimorphism and mutation sites between Plasmodium ovale curtisi and wallikeri sub-species in Cox1,Cytb,Tra,Dhfr,and K13 gene fragments of imported Plasmodium ovale in Chongqing,thus enriching knowledge regarding gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium ovale curtisi and wallikeri imported cases.
10.The Identification Idea of Antibodies Against Ku and Other High-Frequency Antigens
Fei-Fei ZHANG ; Jing-Wei LI ; Wei SHEN ; Yi HE ; Hong YUAN ; Li TIAN ; Zhi-Jun YE
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):875-882
Objective:This study was aimed to provide ideas for identifying the antibodies to high-frequency antigens by analyzing a female case of high-frequency antigen antibody(anti-Ku)using serological and sequencing method.Methods:The methods for identification of blood group,erythrocyte antigen,screening and identification of antibody were used to detect the blood type and antibody in the proband.The proband's serum and reagent screening cells treated with Sulfhydryl reagent were applied to judge the type and characteristics of this antibodies when reacted with the regaent screening cells or proband's serum respectively.Gene sequencing was used to determine the genotype of the proband's blood group.Results:The proband's red blood cells were determined as O type RhD positive,whose serum showed strong positive reaction to antibody-screening cells and antibody identification cells with the same intensity in saline and IAT medium,however,the self-cells showed negative effect.The Direct Antihuman Globulin of proband's red blood cells also showed weak positive reaction,and the other blood types were CcEe,Jk(a+b-),P1-,Le(a-b-),Lu(a-b+),K-,k-,Kp(a-b-).Serum of the proband treated with 2-ME still react with three groups of screening cells in IAT medium.The reaction intensity of proband's serum was also unchanged with the cells modified with papain and bromelain,but showed negative effect when the cells were treated with sulfhydryl agents including DTT and 2-ME.Gene sequencing revealed that the KEL genotype of the patient was KEL*02N.24.This patient had a rare K0 phenotype.Conclusion:The rare Kell-null blood group(also known as K0)were identified by serological and molecular tests in the proband who produced both IgG and IgM type of antibody to high-frequency antigen(anti-Ku).These two methods are of great significance in the identification of this rare blood group as well as the antibody to high frequency antigen.

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