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.Effect of Wenshen Tongluo Zhitong formula on mouse H-type bone microvascular endothelial cell/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system
Shijie ZHOU ; Muzhe LI ; Li YUN ; Tianchi ZHANG ; Yuanyuan NIU ; Yihua ZHU ; Qinfeng ZHOU ; Yang GUO ; Yong MA ; Lining WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):8-15
BACKGROUND:Bone relies on the close connection between blood vessels and bone cells to maintain its integrity.Bones are in a physiologically hypoxic environment.Therefore,the study of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in hypoxic environment is closer to the microenvironment in vivo. OBJECTIVE:To explore the influence of Wenshen Tongluo Zhitong(WSTLZT)formula on H-type bone microvascular endothelial cell/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system in hypoxia environment and its related mechanism. METHODS:Enzyme digestion method and flow sorting technique were used to isolate and identify H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells.Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and obtained by bone marrow adhesion method.H-type bone microvascular endothelial cell/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell hypoxic co-culture system was established using Transwell chamber and anoxic culture workstation.WSTLZT formula powder was used to intervene in each group at a mass concentration of 50 and 100 μg/mL.The angiogenic function of H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells in the co-culture system was evaluated by scratch migration test and tube formation test.The osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the co-cultured system was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.The protein and mRNA expression changes of PDGF/PI3K/AKT signal axis related molecules in H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells in the co-cultured system were detected by Western Blotting and q-PCR,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal oxygen group,the scratch mobility and new blood vessel length of H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells were significantly higher(P<0.05);the osteogenic differentiation capacity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was higher(P<0.05);the expression of PDGF/PI3K/AKT axis-related molecular protein and mRNA increased(P<0.05)in the hypoxia group.(2)Compared with the hypoxia group,scratch mobility and new blood vessel length were significantly increased in the H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells(P<0.05);bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells had stronger osteogenic function(P<0.05);the expression of PDGF/PI3K/AKT axis-related molecular proteins and mRNA further increased(P<0.05)after treatment with different dose concentrations of WSTLZT formula.These findings conclude that H-type angiogenesis and osteogenesis under hypoxia may be related to the PDGF/PI3K/AKT signaling axis,and WSTLZT formula may promote H-type vasculo-dependent bone formation by activating the PDGF/PI3K/AKT signaling axis,thereby preventing and treating osteoporosis.
3.Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification Unraveled The Mechanism of Pachymic Acid in The Treatment of Neuroblastoma
Hang LIU ; Yu-Xin ZHU ; Si-Lin GUO ; Xin-Yun PAN ; Yuan-Jie XIE ; Si-Cong LIAO ; Xin-Wen DAI ; Ping SHEN ; Yu-Bo XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2376-2392
ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.
4.Analysis of cardiovascular disease prevention indicators among residents with intra-urban migration in Central China
HUANG Tianshu ; TIAN Yuan ; ZHANG Xingyi ; LI Chenhui ; ZHAO Yun ; ZHAO Dongyuan ; CHEN Xianhua ; ZHU Mengyao ; JIAO Guanqi ; GUO Dongmin ; LI Xi ; CUI Jianlan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(5):451-456
Objective:
To investigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention status among residents with intra-urban migration in Central China, so as to provide insights into targeted prevention and control of CVD.
Methods:
Basic data of residents aged 35 to 75 years who participated in Early Screening and Comprehensive Intervention Project for CVD high-risk populations in Central China from September 2015 to August 2020 were collected. According to birth place, type of registered residence and current residence, residents were divided into four groups: local residents in old urban area, local residents in new urban area, other urban migrants and other rural migrants. The status of CVD primary and secondary prevention, were analysed by using a robust Poisson regression model.
Results:
A total of 76 513 residents were recruited, including 29 420 males (38.45%) and 47 093 females (61.55%), and had a mean age of (56.36±9.84) years. There were 45 087 (58.93%) local residents in old urban area, 23 868 (31.19%) local residents in new urban area, 5 668 (7.41%) other urban migrants and 1 890 (2.47%) other rural migrants. After adjusting for variables such as age, gender and educational level, the results of robust Poisson regression analysis showed that compared with local residents in old urban area, local residents in new urban area had lower compliance rates of non- or moderate-drinking (RR=0.987, 95%CI: 0.975-1.000) and healthy diet (RR=0.535, 95%CI: 0.365-0.782), lower proportion of using aspirin as primary prevention in CVD high-risk population (RR=0.616, 95%CI: 0.511-0.741), lower awareness (RR=0.873, 95%CI: 0.782-0.974) and control rates (RR=0.730, 95%CI: 0.627-0.849) of hypertension; other urban migrants had higher compliance rate of non-smoking (RR=1.045, 95%CI: 1.017-1.075); other rural migrants had lower proportion of using aspirin as primary prevention in CVD high-risk population (RR=0.826, 95%CI: 0.707-0.966).
Conclusion
The CVD primaryprevention among local residents in new urban area is relatively poor among four groups of residents in Central China, and key interventions are needed.
5.Giant chronic left ventricular pseudoaneurysm following myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries: A case report
Wanwan ZOU ; Enze BIAN ; Qikun ZHU ; Song YANG ; Weizhong ZHUANG ; Huiming GUO ; Yun TENG ; Qiang GAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(12):1865-1866
A 55-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to "recurrent chest pain for 8 months, with worsening symptoms for 2 weeks". After admission, comprehensive relevant examinations led to the consideration of a giant chronic left ventricular pseudoaneurysm caused by myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries. Surgical treatment was performed at our hospital. We discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this patient.
6.Untargeted metabolomics methods to study the pattern of metabolites in the serum of brucellosis patients
Jingyi LU ; Mengting PANG ; Qingru YUN ; Zhenxin LI ; Yuanke YANG ; Yingbo XIE ; Meng GAO ; Xiaokui GUO ; Yongzhang ZHU ; Yaoxia KANG
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(2):87-93
Objective:To study the changes in serum small molecule metabolites after brucella infection in humans using untargeted metabolomics methods, and screening representative biomarkers. Methods:A total of 109 serum samples collected from January 2019 to December 2021 at the Brucellosis Clinic of the Baotou Center for Disease Control and Prevention were divided into acute phase group ( n = 40), chronic phase group ( n = 35) of brucellosis, and healthy group ( n = 34) based on clinical diagnosis. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology was used to test serum samples and screen for differential metabolites. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive ability of differential metabolites for brucellosis. Enriched pathways were screened using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway to identify metabolic pathways significantly affected. Results:A total of 17 differential metabolites were screened between the acute phase group and the healthy group, and 12 differential metabolites were screened between the chronic phase group and the healthy group. There were a total of 5 differential metabolites (oleamide, linoleamide, stearamide, palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid) statistically significant among the three groups ( F = 16.84, 17.52, 14.31, 13.01, 20.76, P < 0.05). KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites in the acute phase group were enriched in metabolic pathways such as ether lipid metabolism, glycerophosphate metabolism, sphingolipid signal and sphingolipid metabolism. The differential metabolites in the chronic phase group were enriched in metabolic pathways such as glycerophosphate metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, protein digestion and absorption metabolism. Conclusion:Untargeted metabolomics methods can screen out serum small molecule metabolites that undergo changes after brucella infection in the human body, including oleamide, linoleamide, stearamide, palmitoleic acid, α-linolenic acid can serve as potential biomarkers to distinguish brucellosis patients from healthy people.
7.Investigation and analysis of the current status of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt treatment for portal hypertension in China
Haozhuo GUO ; Meng NIU ; Haibo SHAO ; Xinwei HAN ; Jianbo ZHAO ; Junhui SUN ; Zhuting FANG ; Bin XIONG ; Xiaoli ZHU ; Weixin REN ; Min YUAN ; Shiping YU ; Weifu LYU ; Xueqiang ZHANG ; Chunqing ZHANG ; Lei LI ; Xuefeng LUO ; Yusheng SONG ; Yilong MA ; Tong DANG ; Hua XIANG ; Yun JIN ; Hui XUE ; Guiyun JIN ; Xiao LI ; Jiarui LI ; Shi ZHOU ; Changlu YU ; Song HE ; Lei YU ; Hongmei ZU ; Jun MA ; Yanming LEI ; Ke XU ; Xiaolong QI
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2024;58(4):437-443
Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.
8.Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets Improves Precancerous Lesions of Gastric Cancer in Rats via Regulating PI3K-Akt-eNOS Pathway
Hai-Yang HUANG ; Shao-Wen ZHONG ; Yun AN ; Yu-Xin WANG ; Shu-Min ZHU ; Jie GAO ; Xiao-Min LU ; Ming-Guo DONG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):709-718
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets on rats with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC).Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the folic acid group and the Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets group,with 10 rats in each group.In addition to the normal group,the other three groups of rats were prepared by gavage with Ranitidine Aqueous Solution combined with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG)solution drinking method for the preparation of PLGC model.After successful modeling,drugs were administered accordingly for 7 weeks.The changes in body mass of rats during modeling and drug administration were recorded,the gross view of the stomach was observed and scored pathologically,the coefficients of spleen and liver were determined,the pathological changes in gastric tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure serum gastrin(GAS),motilin(MTL)and glucagon(GC),Alisin Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff's(AB-PAS)staining was used to observe the thickness of the mucosal layer of gastric tissues,the expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt),phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt),and endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)proteins in gastric tissues were detected by protein immunoblotting(Western Blot),and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)protein in gastric tissues was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the normal group,the body mass of rats in the model group grew slowly during the experimental period,gastric macroscopic pathological scores were significantly increased(P<0.01),splenic coefficient and hepatic coefficient were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the gastric tissues showed cuprocyte hyperplasia and intestinal chemotaxis,gastric tissues'inflammation scores were significantly increased(P<0.01),the serum GAS content was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the MTL,GC contents were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the thickness of the mucous membrane layer of gastric tissue was significantly reduced(P<0.05),the protein expression levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and eNOS were reduced(P<0.01),and the protein expression level of VEGFA was reduced(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the above indexes of the Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets group and the folic acid group were all significantly improved(P<0.05 or P<0.01),among which,the Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets group had a better improvement effect in the proliferation of cup cells and intestinal chemotaxis in gastric tissues,the content of serum GAS,and the thickness of the mucous layer in gastric tissues.Conclusion The mechanism of the improvement of PLGC in rats by Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets may be related to the activation of the PI3K-Akt-eNOS pathway,which in turn promotes the angiogenesis and repair of gastric damaged tissues.
9.A novel chalcone derivative C13 inhibits the growth of human gastric cancer cells through suppressing ErbB4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Peng TAN ; Yun-feng ZHANG ; Long-yan WANG ; Hui-ming HUANG ; Fei WANG ; Xue-jiao WEI ; Zhu-guo WANG ; Jun LI ; Zhong-dong HU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):957-964
3ʹ-Hydroxy-4ʹ-methoxy-2-hydroxy-5-bromochalcone (hereinafter referred to as C13) is a novel chalcone derivative obtained in the process of structural modification of DHMMF, the antitumor active compound of
10.Expert consensus on perioperative basic prevention for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in elderly patients with hip fracture (version 2024)
Yun HAN ; Feifei JIA ; Qing LU ; Xingling XIAO ; Hua LIN ; Ying YING ; Junqin DING ; Min GUI ; Xiaojing SU ; Yaping CHEN ; Ping ZHANG ; Yun XU ; Tianwen HUANG ; Jiali CHEN ; Yi WANG ; Luo FAN ; Fanghui DONG ; Wenjuan ZHOU ; Wanxia LUO ; Xiaoyan XU ; Chunhua DENG ; Xiaohua CHEN ; Yuliu ZHENG ; Dekun YI ; Lin ZHANG ; Hanli PAN ; Jie CHEN ; Kaipeng ZHUANG ; Yang ZHOU ; Sui WENJIE ; Ning NING ; Songmei WU ; Jinli GUO ; Sanlian HU ; Lunlan LI ; Xiangyan KONG ; Hui YU ; Yifei ZHU ; Xifen YU ; Chen CHEN ; Shuixia LI ; Yuan GAO ; Xiuting LI ; Leling FENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(9):769-780
Hip fracture in the elderly is characterized by high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality and has been recognized as a public health issue threatening their health. Surgery is the preferred choice for the treatment of elderly patients with hip fracture. However, lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has an extremely high incidence rate during the perioperative period, and may significantly increase the risk of patients′ death once it progresses to pulmonary embolism. In response to this issue, the clinical guidelines and expert consensuses all emphasize active application of comprehensive preventive measures, including basic prevention, physical prevention, and pharmacological prevention. In this prevention system, basic prevention is the basis of physical and pharmacological prevention. However,there is a lack of unified and definite recommendations for basic preventive measures in clinical practice. To this end, the Orthopedic Nursing Professional Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association and Nursing Department of the Orthopedic Branch of the China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care organized relevant nursing experts to formulate Expert consensus on perioperative basic prevention for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in elderly patients with hip fracture ( version 2024) . A total of 10 recommendations were proposed, aiming to standardize the basic preventive measures for lower extremity DVT in elderly patients with hip fractures during the perioperative period and promote their subsequent rehabilitation.


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