1.Targeting WEE1: a rising therapeutic strategy for hematologic malignancies.
Hao-Bo LI ; Thekra KHUSHAFA ; Chao-Ying YANG ; Li-Ming ZHU ; Xing SUN ; Ling NIE ; Jing LIU
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(5):839-854
Hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, are hazardous diseases characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Dysregulated cell cycle resulting from genetic and epigenetic abnormalities constitutes one of the central events. Importantly, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), complexed with their functional partner cyclins, play dominating roles in cell cycle control. Yet, efforts in translating CDK inhibitors into clinical benefits have demonstrated disappointing outcomes. Recently, mounting evidence highlights the emerging significance of WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1) to modulate CDK activity, and correspondingly, a variety of therapeutic inhibitors have been developed to achieve clinical benefits. Thus, WEE1 may become a promising target to modulate the abnormal cell cycle. However, its function in hematologic diseases remains poorly elucidated. In this review, focusing on hematologic malignancies, we describe the biological structure of WEE1, emphasize the latest reported function of WEE1 in the carcinogenesis, progression, as well as prognosis, and finally summarize the therapeutic strategies by targeting WEE1.
Humans
;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/physiology*
;
Hematologic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Cell Cycle Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Nuclear Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
;
Molecular Targeted Therapy
;
Animals
2.Mechanism of Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction in promoting AChR clustering and improving neuromuscular junction function in EAMG mice based on Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway.
Jia-Hui WANG ; Ru-Ge LIU ; Han-Bin LIU ; Jia-Hao WEI ; Jie ZHANG ; Xue-Ying LIU ; Feng GAO ; Jun-Hong YANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4325-4332
This study investigated the mechanism by which Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction promotes acetylcholine receptor(AChR) clustering in myasthenia gravis through the Agrin/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4(LRP4)/muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinases(MuSK) signaling pathway. A total of 114 female C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group, modeling group, and solvent control group. The normal group and the solvent control group were immunized with phosphate-buffered saline(PBS), while the modeling group was established as an experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG) model using the murine-derived AChR-α subunit R97-116 peptide fragment. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups, and the prednisone group. After four weeks of continuous treatment, muscle strength was assessed using Lennon scores and grip strength tests. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted on differentiated C2C12 myotubes incubated with a drug-containing serum to observe the number of AChR clusters. The integrity of AChR on myofilaments in mouse gastrocnemius muscles was further assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was applied to examine pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscles of EAMG mice treated with Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction. Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway in both C2C12 myotubes and mouse gastrocnemius muscles. The results demonstrated that compared to the model group, the prednisone group exhibited a significant decrease in the body weights of mice, whereas no significant differences in the body weights of mice were observed among the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups. All treatment groups showed significantly improved grip strength and Lennon scores. Additionally, the formula promoted AChR clustering on myotubes and enhanced AChR integrity in gastrocnemius myofilaments and reduced inflammatory infiltration between muscle tissue and fibrous hyperplasia. Furthermore, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction upregulated the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, and p-MuSK in C2C12 myotubes and increased the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, MuSK, p-MuSK, LRP4, and docking protein 7(Dok-7)in gastrocnemius tissue. In conclusion, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction may promote AChR clustering by targeting key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway, thereby improving neuromuscular junction function and enhancing muscle strength.
Animals
;
Agrin/genetics*
;
Mice
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Receptors, Cholinergic/genetics*
;
Female
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics*
;
Neuromuscular Junction/metabolism*
;
Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental/physiopathology*
;
Humans
;
LDL-Receptor Related Proteins
3.Mechanism of DYRK1A in Cytarabine Resistance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):648-652
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the role of DYRK1A in the cytarabine (Ara-C) resistance mechanism of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.
METHODS:
Overexpression and silencing of DYRK1A gene in THP-1 cells were used to observe whether the sensitivity of THP-1 cells to Ara-C was altered. RT-PCR was used to detect the changes in mRNA expression of related genes during Ara-C transport or metabolism. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect SAMHD1 expression after regulating DYRK1A expression in Ara-C treated cells. Co-IP technology was used to detect the interaction between Cyclin L2, DYRK1A, and SAMHD1.
RESULTS:
Overexpression of DYRK1A decreased Ara-C sensitivity in THP-1 cells while silencing DYRK1A increased it. Overexpression and silencing of DYRK1A did not affect Ara-C transport or metabolic gene expression. Overexpression of DYRK1A could increase the expression of SAMHD1 protein in cells, while silencing DYRK1A reduced SAMHD1 expression. Cyclin L2 interacted with DYRK1A and SAMHD1 in THP-1 cells.
CONCLUSION
DYRK1A is involved in Ara-C resistance in AML cells, and its mechanism may be related to increased expression of SAMHD1 by interacting with Cyclin L2.
Humans
;
Cytarabine/pharmacology*
;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
;
Dyrk Kinases
;
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
SAM Domain and HD Domain-Containing Protein 1
;
Cell Line, Tumor
4.A Case Report of Coexistence of EGFR and ROS-1 Gene Mutations in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
Juan ZHAO ; Jiaofeng YU ; Ye FU ; Yan ZHAO ; Mingli ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(6):482-486
Lung cancer represents one of the most prevalent malignant tumors globally, and its treatment has entered the era of targeted therapy. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation is a common type of genetic mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while c-ros oncogene 1 receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS-1) fusion mutation is a rare mutation site. Currently, there are few case reports on the coexistence of EGFR and ROS-1 gene mutations. This study reports a case of NSCLC with coexisting EGFR and ROS-1 gene mutations, aiming to provide relevant treatment strategies for clinical practice.
.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/enzymology*
;
Lung Neoplasms/enzymology*
;
ErbB Receptors/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics*
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Female
5.Local abaloparatide administration promotes in situ alveolar bone augmentation via FAK-mediated periosteal osteogenesis.
Ruyi WANG ; Yuan LI ; Bowen TAN ; Shijia LI ; Yanting WU ; Yao CHEN ; Yuran QIAN ; Haochen WANG ; Bo LI ; Zhihe ZHAO ; Quan YUAN ; Yu LI
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):63-63
Insufficient alveolar bone thickness increases the risk of periodontal dehiscence and fenestration, especially in orthodontic tooth movement. Abaloparatide (ABL), a synthetic analog of human PTHrP (1-34) and a clinical medication for treating osteoporosis, has recently demonstrated its potential in enhancing craniofacial bone formation. Herein, we show that intraoral submucosal injection of ABL, when combined with mechanical force, promotes in situ alveolar bone thickening. The newly formed bone is primarily located outside the original compact bone, implying its origin from the periosteum. RNA sequencing of the alveolar bone tissue revealed that the focal adhesion (FA) pathway potentially mediates this bioprocess. Local injection of ABL alone enhances cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the alveolar periosteum; when ABL is combined with mechanical force, the FAK expression is upregulated, in line with the accomplishment of the ossification. In vitro, ABL enhances proliferation, migration, and FAK phosphorylation in periosteal stem cells. Furthermore, the pro-osteogenic effects of ABL on alveolar bone are entirely blocked when FAK activity is inhibited by a specific inhibitor. In summary, abaloparatide combined with mechanical force promotes alveolar bone formation via FAK-mediated periosteal osteogenesis. Thus, we have introduced a promising therapeutic approach for drug-induced in situ alveolar bone augmentation, which may prevent or repair the detrimental periodontal dehiscence, holding significant potential in dentistry.
Osteogenesis/drug effects*
;
Periosteum/cytology*
;
Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein/administration & dosage*
;
Animals
;
Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Alveolar Process/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Phosphorylation
;
Rats
;
Male
;
Humans
;
Focal Adhesion Kinase 1/metabolism*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
6.Effects of Xihuang Pills on angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of p rostate cancer based on FAK/Src/ERK pathway.
Yan LONG ; Xin-Jun LUO ; Bo ZOU ; Xin-Jun DAI ; Fang-Zhi FU ; Biao WANG ; Li-Tong WU ; Yong-Rong WU ; Qing ZHOU ; Xue-Fei TIAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2024;49(23):6378-6388
Based on the focal adhesion kinase(FAK)/steroid receptor coactivator(Src)/extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK) pathway, this study explored the effects of Xihuang Pills on angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis in prostate cancer. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze and identify the active ingredients of Xihuang Pills. Bioinformatics techniques, including R language and Perl programs, were employed to analyze the interactions between prostate cancer-related targets and the potential targets of Xihuang Pills. A subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of prostate cancer was established in nude mice using PC3 cells to verify the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of Xihuang Pills. In vitro cellular experiments, including cell proliferation assays(CCK-8), Transwell assays, scratch assays, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot, were used to detect the effects of Xihuang Pills on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of prostate cancer cells, as well as on FAK/Src/ERK pathway-related targets. LC-MS/MS identified 99 active ingredients in Xihuang Pills, including gallic acid, gentisic acid, artemisinin, corilagin, phenylbutazone-glucoside, thujic acid, and arecoic acid B. Network pharmacological analysis of the active ingredients in Xihuang Pills revealed that the FAK/Src/ERK signaling pathway was a key pathway in its anti-prostate cancer effects. In vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that Xihuang Pills significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PC3 and LNCaP cells, suppressed the growth of PC3 subcutaneous tumors, and reduced the protein expression levels related to the FAK/Src/ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, the inhibition of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis by regulating the FAK/Src/ERK pathway is one of the mechanisms by which Xihuang Pills exert anti-prostate cancer effects.
Humans
;
Male
;
Prostatic Neoplasms/enzymology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
src-Family Kinases/genetics*
;
Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism*
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Focal Adhesion Kinase 1/genetics*
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects*
;
Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Angiogenesis
7.Research Progress of ALK Activation Pattern Changes and Targeted Therapy in Advanced Lung Cancer.
Aojiao WEI ; Bo JIANG ; Yurong HUANG ; Mengyun LIU ; Jing YAN ; Yuanyuan ZHAO ; Wenjie HE
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;27(12):940-946
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in China and even in the world, and it is also the main cause of cancer death. Patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene alterations have the opportunity to receive molecularly targeted therapies. The inhibitors of anaplastic lymphoma kinase, such as ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) significantly prolong the survival of patients. ALK gene variant types include point mutation, amplification, fusion/rearrangement, and ALK fusion is more common than other types. However, the effect of different types of gene changes in molecular targeted therapy is different. Therefore, this paper introduced the relevant contents of different variants of ALK gene, focused on the research progress of targeted therapy, and proposed the future development direction.
.
Humans
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
;
Molecular Targeted Therapy
;
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
8.PHPS1 enhances PD-L1 serine phosphorylation by regulating ROS/SHP-2/AMPK activity to promote apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.
Jinhong ZHANG ; Xin LIU ; Jian LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(12):2469-2476
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the mechanism of PHPS1 for promoting apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and the role of AMPK in regulating tumor angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions.
METHODS:
Human oral squamous cell carcinoma Ca9-22 cells cultured in hypoxic conditions (1% O2) were inoculated subcutaneously in 16 nude mice, which were divided into control group and PHPS1 group (n=8) for treatment with 10% DMSO and 10% PHPS1 respectively. Tumor growth in the mice was monitored till 14 days after the treatment, and the xenografts were examined pathologically using HE staining. In Ca9-22 cells cultured in 1% O2, the effect of PHPS1, compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), and their combination on expressions of SHP-2, AMPK, HIF-1α, PD-L1, caspase-8, caspase-3 and BAX were evaluated using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
In the tumor-bearing nude mice, PHPS1 treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth and neovascularization. HE staining showed significantly reduced tumor angiogenesis in PHPS1-treated mice. In Ca9-22 cells in hypoxic cultures, PHPS1 treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of SHP-2, HIF-1α, PD-L1, ERK2, STAT3 and VEGF and increased the expression of AMPK. The inhibitory effects of PHPS1 on HIF-1α and PD-L1 were obviously attenuated by the addition of compound C. PHPS1 also enhanced the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8 and Bax proteins and increased the phosphorylation levels of PD-L1 and S195 in Ca9-22 cells, and these effects were effectively attenuated by compound C.
CONCLUSIONS
PHPS1 can enhance PD-L1 serine phosphorylation by regulating SHP-2/AMPK activity to promote apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells under hypoxic conditions.
Animals
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B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Mouth Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Mice, Nude
;
Humans
;
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
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Phosphorylation
;
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11/metabolism*
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Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
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Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism*
;
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
9.Chinese Medical Association guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (2023 edition).
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2023;45(7):539-574
To standardize the prevention and clinical management of lung cancer, improve patients' survival outcomes, and offer professional insight for clinicians, the Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association has summoned experts from departments of pulmonary medicine, oncology, thoracic surgery, radiotherapy, imaging, and pathology to formulate the Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in China (2023 edition) through consensus meetings. Updates in this edition include 1) cancer screening: deletion of high-risk traits of lung cancer based on epidemiological investigations in the Caucasian population, while preserving features confirmed by research on the Chinese population. Advice on screening institutions is also added to raise awareness of the merits and demerits of lung cancer screening through detailed illustrations. 2) Principles of histopathologic evaluation: characteristics of four types of neuroendocrine tumors (typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma) are reviewed. 3) Surgical intervention: more options of resection are available for certain peripheral lesions based on several clinical studies (CALGB140503, JCOG0802, JCOG1211). 4) neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy: marked improvement in the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy are reviewed; more options for consolidation immunotherapy after radiochemotherapy have also emerged. 5) Targeted and immune therapy: tyrosine kinase inhibitors of sensitive driver mutations such as EGFR and ALK as well as rare targets such as MET exon 14 skipping, RET fusion, ROS1 fusion, and NTRK fusion have been approved, offering more treatment options for clinicians and patients. Furthermore, multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors have been granted for the treatment of NSCLC and SCLC, resulting in prolonged survival of late-stage lung cancer patients. This guideline is established based on the current availability of domestically approved medications, recommendations of international guidelines, and present clinical practice in China as well as integration of the latest medical evidence of pathology, genetic testing, immune molecular biomarker detection, and treatment methods of lung cancer in recent years, to provide recommendations for professionals in clinical oncology, radiology, laboratory, and rehabilitation.
Humans
;
Lung Neoplasms/therapy*
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy*
;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/therapeutic use*
;
Early Detection of Cancer
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins
;
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
;
Carcinoid Tumor
10.Effect of moxibustion on immune function homeostasis in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome based on SCF/c-kit signaling pathway.
Kui-Wu LI ; Hao-Ran CHU ; Jing-Ru RUAN ; Jiao-Jiao WANG ; Jin-Yu CHEN ; Shan-Shan ZHU ; Ling ZOU ; Lu-Min LIAO ; Ting-Ting TONG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2023;43(2):177-185
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of moxibustion on the stem cell factor (SCF)/tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit) signaling pathway and immune function in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for IBS-D.
METHODS:
Among 52 young rats born from 6 healthy pregnant SPF rats, 12 rats were randomly selected into the normal group, and the remaining 40 rats were treated with the three-factor combination method of maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress to establish the IBS-D rat model. Thirty-six rats with successful IBS-D model were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, and a medication group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with suspension moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37); the rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of rifaximin suspension (150 mg/kg). All the treatments were given once a day for 7 consecutive days. The body mass, loose stool rate (LSR), the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were measured before acetic acid enema (35 days old), after modeling (45 days old), and after intervention (53 days old). After intervention (53 days old), HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colon tissue, and spleen and thymus coefficients were measured; ELISA method was used to detect serum inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor a [TNF-a], interleukin [IL]-10, IL-8), T-lymphocyte subsets (CD+4, CD+8, CD+45), value of CD+4/CD+8 and immune globulin (IgA, IgG, IgM); real-time PCR method and Western blot method was used to detect the expression of SCF, c-kit mRNA and protein in colon tissue; immunofluorescence staining method were used to detect positive expression of SCF and c-kit.
RESULTS:
After intervention, compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were decreased (P<0.01), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were increased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were decreased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group and the medication group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+8, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were increased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the medication group, in the moxibustion group, the level of serum CD+4 was decreased (P<0.05), the value of CD+4/CD+8 was increased (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). The expression of SCF and c-kit mRNA was positively correlated with the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 and IL-10 (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with remaining indexes (P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion could reduce visceral hypersensitivity, improve symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D rats, and its mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of SCF/c-kit signaling pathway and improvement of IBS-D immune function.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy*
;
Moxibustion/methods*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Interleukin-10
;
Interleukin-8
;
Maternal Deprivation
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
;
Diarrhea
;
Signal Transduction
;
Homeostasis
;
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
;
Immunity
;
Immunoglobulin A
;
Immunoglobulin M

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