OBJECTIVE: To explore the synergistic effect of flumatinib (FLU) combined with histone deacetylase inhibitor chidamide (CHI) and underlying mechanism on Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph⁺ ALL) SUP-B15 cells. METHODS: CCK-8 method was used to examine the effects of FLU, CHI alone and combination therapy on the proliferation of SUP-B15 cells. Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and Western blot methods were performed to detect target gene expression. RESULTS: FLU combined with CHI significantly inhibited the proliferation, induced G₀/G₁ phase arrest, and increased the apoptosis rate in SUP-B15 cells compared with FLU and CHI alone. The 50 genes were identified by overlapping the two drugs' targets of action with Ph⁺ ALL oncogenic genes in the public databases, and p53 and c-Myc transcription factors and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways were enriched in the overlapped genes. The combination of FLU and CHI significantly reduced the mRNA level of BCR::ABL fusion gene, up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of p53, BAX, and Caspase-3, and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of c-Myc, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, and AKT2 compared with single-drug therapy. The analysis of GEO database and our center cohort showed that c-Myc, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, and AKT2 were significantly up-regulated while p53 was down-regulated in Ph⁺ ALL patients compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION FLU combined with CHI synergistically inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and induces cycle arrest by targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through the p53/c-Myc axis in Ph⁺ ALL.
Humans ; Aminopyridines/pharmacology* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Benzamides/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Drug Synergism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Signal Transduction ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To reprogram human placental fibroblasts (HPFs) into chemically induced epithelioid-like cells (ciEP-Ls) using a combination of small-molecule compounds. METHODS: HPFs cultured under normoxic conditions were identified using immunofluorescence assay, PCR and chromosomal karyotyping. Under hypoxic conditions (37 ℃, 5% O₂), HPFs were cultured in a medium containing small-molecule compounds C6TSEDRVAJZ (CHIR99021, 616452, TTNPB, SAG, EPZ5676, DZNep, Ruxolitinib, VTP50469, Afuresertib, JNK-IN-8, and EZM0414), and the cell morphology was observed daily. The expression levels of epithelial cell markers in the induced cells were detected by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and PCR. Chromosomal karyotyping of the induced cells was performed and the induction efficiency was calculated. RESULTS: Before induction, HPFs showed positive expressions of fibroblast surface markers CD34 and vimentin and were negative for epithelial surface markers. PCR results showed high expressions of fibroblast-specific genes S100A4 and COL1A1 in HPFs with a normal human diploid karyotype. After one day of induction, the HPFs underwent morphological changes from a multinodular spindle shape to a round or polygonal shape, which was morphologically characteristic of ciEP-Ls. On day 4 of induction, the cells exhibited high expressions of the epithelial cell markers E-cadherin and Lin28A. RT-qPCR results also showed that the cells expressed the epithelial markers Smad3, GLi3, PAX8, WT1, KRT19, and KRT18 with significantly down-regulated expressions of all the fibroblast surface markers and a normal human diploid karyotype. The reprogramming efficiency of HPFs into ciEP-Ls ranged from (64.53±2.8)% to (68.10±3.6)%. CONCLUSIONS The small-molecule compound combination C6TSEDRVAJZ is capable of inducing HPFs into ciEP-Ls under hypoxic conditions with a high induction efficiency.
Humans ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Pyrimidines/pharmacology* ; Placenta/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Pyrazoles/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology*

ADC189 is a novel drug of cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor. In our study, its antiviral efficacy was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, and compared with baloxavir marboxil and oseltamivir. A first-in-human phase I study in healthy volunteers included single ascending dose (SAD) and food effect (FE) parts. In the preclinical study, ADC189 showed potent antiviral activity against various types of influenza viruses, including H1N1, H3N2, influenza B virus, and highly pathogenic avian influenza, comparable to baloxavir marboxil. Additionally, ADC189 exhibited much better antiviral efficacy than oseltamivir in H1N1 infected mice. In the phase I study, ADC189 was rapidly metabolized to ADC189-I07, and its exposure increased proportionally with the dose. The terminal elimination half-life (T_1/2) ranged from 76.69 to 98.28 hours. Of note, food had no effect on the concentration, clearance, and exposure of ADC189. It was well tolerated, with few treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported and no serious adverse events (SAEs). ADC189 demonstrated excellent antiviral efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. It was safe, well-tolerated, and had favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics in healthy volunteers, supporting its potential for single oral dosing in clinical practice.
Humans ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Male ; Adult ; Mice ; Female ; Endonucleases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Influenza, Human/drug therapy* ; Young Adult ; Dibenzothiepins/pharmacology* ; Oseltamivir/pharmacology* ; Middle Aged ; Triazines/pharmacology* ; Thiepins/pharmacology* ; Influenza B virus/drug effects* ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/drug effects* ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Morpholines ; Pyridones

Objective To clarify the mechanism that HIV infection mediates mitochondrial damage of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes (CD4⁺ T cells) through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Methods From October 1st, 2022 to March 31st, 2023, 47 HIV-infected people who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 4 years were recruited, including 22 immune non-responders (INR) and 25 responders (IR); and 26 sex and age-matched control participants (HC) who were negative for HCV, HBV, and HIV infections. The immune parameters were analyzed by flow cytometry. Finally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HC or HIV patients were treated with MAPK pathway inhibitor SB203580, and the changes of mitochondrial function of CD4⁺ T cells were observed. Results Compared with HC group, the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells in PBMCs in INR group and IR group was significantly lower, and the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells in PBMCs in INR group was significantly lower than that in IR group. In addition, the proportion of naive (CD45RA⁺CD27⁺)T cells in PBMCs in INR group was significantly lower than that in HC group and IR group. Compared with HC group and IR group, the proportions of CD4⁺PD-1⁺, CD4⁺Av⁺ and CD4⁺MO⁺ in PBMCs in INR group and the proportions of CD45RA⁺CD27⁺PD-1⁺, CD45RA⁺CD27⁺Av⁺, CD45RA⁺CD27⁺MO⁺ in CD4⁺ T cell subsets increased significant. Compared with HC-con group, the basal respiration, maximal respiration and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) production of CD4⁺ T cells in HIV-con group decreased significantly, and JC-1 (green/red) in CD4⁺ T cells increased significantly. Compared with HIV-con group, the basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP production and respiratory potential of CD4⁺ T cells in HIV-SB203580 group increased significantly, and the JC-1 (green/red) in CD4⁺ T cells decreased significantly. Conclusion Abnormal activation of the MAPK signaling pathway is observed in HIV patients receiving ART treatment, especially in CD4⁺ T cells of INR patients, which may lead to impaired mitochondrial function and abnormal CD4⁺ T cell homeostasis.
Humans ; HIV Infections/immunology* ; Male ; Mitochondria/drug effects* ; Female ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Imidazoles/pharmacology* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology*

Sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids are important components in Tripterygium plants, possessing a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammation immunosuppression, anti-tumor, anti-virus, and deinsectization, and are of great research value. They are composed of highly oxidized dihydro-β-furansquiterpene and pyridine dicarboxylic acid through ester bonds. According to the structural characteristics of pyridine dicarboxylic acid fragments, they can be divided into various structural subtypes. Up to now, more than 110 sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids have been isolated and identified from Tripterygium plants. This study reviewed the structural features and spectral(i.e., UV, IR, MS, and NMR) characteristics of sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids and summarized the structural elucidation process in detail to provide references for their further research and development.
Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Molecular Structure ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Sesquiterpenes ; Tripterygium/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the combined pro-apoptosis effect of HSP90 inhibitor BIIB021 and chloroquine (CQ) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells bearing T315I mutation and its mechanism. METHODS: The p210-T315I cells were divided into 4 groups by different treatment: control, BIIB021, CQ, and BIIB021 + CQ. After treated with BIIB021 or/and CQ for 24 hours, Annexin V/PI binding assay was used to detect apoptosis rates of CML cells. DAPI staining was used to observe nuclear fragmentation, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of caspase 3, PARP (apoptosis related proteins) and p62, LC3-I/II (autophagy related proteins). P210-T315I cells were inoculated subcutaneously into mice and CML mouse models were established. The mice in treatment groups were injected with BIIB021 and/or CQ while mice in control group were treated with PBS and normal saline. The tumor volume of mice was measured every 4 days, and protein level of cleaved-caspase 3 and LC3-II in tumor tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The results showed that BIIB021 induced apoptosis of CML cells in a dose-dependent manner ( r=0.91). CQ could enhance the apoptosis-inducing effect of BIIB021. Flow cytometry analysis results showed that the apoptosis rate of p210-T315I cells in combination group was higher than that in BIIB021 or CQ only group (P<0.05). DAPI staining showed nuclear fragmentation in combination group could be observed more obviously. Western blot analysis showed that BIIB021 could induce LC3-I to convert to LC3-II and decrease p62 protein levels (P<0.05). Moreover, the combination group had higher expression of LC3-II, p62 (P<0.05), activated PARP and activated caspase 3 than BIIB021 only group (P<0.05). Besides, experiment in vivo showed the mean tumor volume in co-treatment group was lower than that in single drug group (P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry of tumor tissue also showed the protein level of cleaved-caspase 3 and LC3-II in combined group was higher than that in BIIB021 only group. CONCLUSION HSP90 inhibitor BIIB021 induced significant apoptosis of CML cells bearing T315I both in vivo and in vitro. CQ can enhance this effect probably by autophagy inhibition.
Adenine/analogs & derivatives* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chloroquine/therapeutic use* ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/pharmacology* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy* ; Mice ; Mutation ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Pyridines

Cabozantinib, mainly targeting cMet and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, is the second-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the lower response rate and resistance limit its enduring clinical benefit. In this study, we found that cMet-low HCC cells showed primary resistance to cMet inhibitors, and the combination of cabozantinib and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, rapamycin, exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect on the in vitro cell proliferation and in vivo tumor growth of these cells. Mechanically, the combination of rapamycin with cabozantinib resulted in the remarkable inhibition of AKT, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases, mTOR, and common downstream signal molecules of receptor tyrosine kinases; decreased cyclin D1 expression; and induced cell cycle arrest. Meanwhile, rapamycin enhanced the inhibitory effects of cabozantinib on the migration and tubule formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells and human growth factor-induced invasion of cMet inhibitor-resistant HCC cells under hypoxia condition. These effects were further validated in xenograft models. In conclusion, our findings uncover a potential combination therapy of cabozantinib and rapamycin to combat cabozantinib-resistant HCC.
Anilides/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Sirolimus/pharmacology* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of palbociclib on cell cycle progression and proliferation of human renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: Human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 was treated with 1, 5, 10, and 20 μmol/L of palbociclib, and the changes in cell proliferation and viability were examined by cell counting and CCK8 assay. EDU staining was used to assess the proliferation of HK-2 cells following palbiciclib treatment at different concentrations for 5 days. The effect of palbociclib on cell cycle distribution of HK-2 cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. SA-β-Gal staining and C12FDG senescence staining were used to detect senescence phenotypes of HK-2 cells after palbociclib treatment at different concentrations for 5 days. The relative mRNA expression levels of P16, P21, and P53 and the genes associated with senescence-related secretion phenotypes were detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of P16, P21 and P53 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Palbociclib inhibited HK-2 cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. Compared with the control cells, HK-2 cells treated with high-dose (10 μmol/L) palbociclib exhibited significantly suppressed cell proliferation activity, and the inhibitory effect was the most obvious on day 5 ( CONCLUSIONS Palbociclib induces HK-2 cell senescence by causing cell growth arrest and delaying cell cycle progression.
Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cellular Senescence ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Piperazines/pharmacology* ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*

The Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway is essential for cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. Gain and loss of function of Hh signalling are known to result in an array of craniofacial malformations. To determine the critical period for Hh pathway antagonist-induced frontal bone hypoplasia, we examined patterns of dysmorphology caused by Hh signalling inhibition. Pregnant mice received a single oral administration of Hh signalling inhibitor GDC-0449 at 100 mg•kg or 150 mg•kg body weight at preselected time points between embryonic days (E)8.5 and 12.5. The optimal teratogenic concentration of GDC-0449 was determined to be 150 mg•kg. Exposure between E9.5 and E10.5 induced frontal bone dysplasia, micrognathia and limb defects, with administration at E10.5 producing the most pronounced effects. This model showed decreased ossification of the frontal bone with downregulation of Hh signalling. The osteoid thickness of the frontal bone was significantly reduced. The amount of neural crest-derived frontal bone primordium was reduced after GDC-0449 exposure owing to a decreased rate of cell proliferation and increased cell death.
Administration, Oral ; Anilides ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bone Diseases, Developmental ; chemically induced ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Frontal Bone ; abnormalities ; Hedgehog Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; chemically induced ; Mice ; Micrognathism ; chemically induced ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) are common cystic lesions of odontogenic epithelial origin that can occur sporadically or in association with naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). OKCs are locally aggressive, cause marked destruction of the jaw bones and have a propensity to recur. PTCH1 mutations (at ∼80%) are frequently detected in the epithelia of both NBCCS-related and sporadic OKCs, suggesting that PTCH1 inactivation might constitutively activate sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling and play a major role in disease pathogenesis. Thus, small molecule inhibitors of SHH signalling might represent a new treatment strategy for OKCs. However, studies on the molecular mechanisms associated with OKCs have been hampered by limited epithelial cell yields during OKC explant culture. Here, we constructed an isogenic PTCH1 cellular model of PTCH1 inactivation by introducing a heterozygous mutation, namely, c.403C>T (p.R135X), which has been identified in OKC patients, into a human embryonic stem cell line using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) system. This was followed by the induction of epithelial differentiation. Using this in vitro isogenic cellular model, we verified that the PTCH1 heterozygous mutation causes ligand-independent activation of SHH signalling due to PTCH1 haploinsufficiency. This activation was found to be downregulated in a dose-dependent manner by the SHH pathway inhibitor GDC-0449. In addition, through inhibition of activated SHH signalling, the enhanced proliferation observed in these induced cells was suppressed, suggesting that GDC-0449 might represent an effective inhibitor of the SHH pathway for use during OKC treatment.
Anilides ; pharmacology ; Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome ; Hedgehog Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Odontogenic Cysts ; genetics ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Odontogenic Tumors ; genetics ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pyridines ; pharmacology