Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics•2024•DOI: 10.1093/gpbjnl/qzae037
This is a correction to: Feng Xu, Yifan Wang, Yunchao Ling, Chenfen Zhou, Haizhou Wang, Andrew E. Teschendorff, Yi Zhao, Haitao Zhao, Yungang He, Guoqing Zhang, Zhen Yang, dbDEMC 3.0: Functional Exploration of Differentially Expressed miRNAs in Cancers of Human and Model Organisms, Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics, Volume 20, Issue 3, June 2022, Pages 446–454, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gpb.2022.04.006. The published version of this manuscript contained errors in the author affiliation listings. The corrected affiliations are as follows: Feng Xu1,#, Yifan Wang2,#, Yunchao Ling2, Chenfen Zhou2, Haizhou Wang1, Andrew E. Teschendorff3, Yi Zhao4, Haitao Zhao5, Yungang He6,*, Guoqing Zhang2,*, Zhen Yang1,* 1 Center for Medical Research and Innovation of Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China 2 Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China 3 CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China 4 Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China 5 Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China 6 Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China These details have been corrected only in this correction notice to preserve the published version of record.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2026•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-026-04989-4
Background Chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) is a major cause of infertility, with limited treatment options. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have therapeutic potential. This study investigated whether preconditioning MSCs with the antioxidant flavonoid isorhamnetin (ISO) enhances the efficacy of their exosomes (ISO-MSC-Exos) against POF. Methods A cyclophosphamide-induced POF rat model was established, and the role of the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 was evaluated. MSC-Exos and ISO-MSC-Exos were isolated by ultracentrifugation and administered via tail vein injection. Ovarian recovery was assessed by monitoring the oestrous cycle, serum hormone levels, and histological findings. Lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism were evaluated by quantifying malondialdehyde, glutathione, iron deposition, and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression levels of GPX4, ACSL4, and FTH1. Proteomic analyses were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results Ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in the cyclophosphamide-induced POF rat model. Both exosome therapies improved ovarian function and suppressed ferroptosis, with ISO-MSC-Exos showing superior efficacy. ISO-MSC-Exos significantly restored hormone levels, ameliorated oestrous cycle disorders, reduced follicular atresia, and enhanced fertility. Furthermore, ISO-MSC-Exos more effectively elevated glutathione levels, reduced malondialdehyde and Fe2⁺ levels, and reversed the abnormal expression of ferroptosis-related proteins GPX4, ACSL4, and FTH1. Proteomic analysis suggested that ISO-MSC-Exos effectively inhibit ferroptosis by downregulating Alox15 and Tf, thereby reducing lipid peroxidation substrates and cellular iron uptake. This finding represents a potential molecular mechanism underlying their superior efficacy compared with that of MSC-Exos. Conclusions ISO-MSC-Exos showed superior efficacy compared with MSC-Exos in restoring ovarian function and inhibiting ferroptosis, suggesting that ISO pretreatment enhances the therapeutic effect of MSC-Exos in the POF
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2026•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-026-05061-x
Background Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone disease characterized by damage to bone strength, leading to increased bone fragility and fracture risk. Cadherin 19 (CDH19) is located on chromosomes 18q22-q23, and 18q deletion is associated with terminal deletion diseases, including foot/hand deformities. However, the role of CDH19 in bone remains undefined. Methods A conditional knockout mouse model of the CDH19 gene was constructed using the Cre-loxP system, and the bone mass and bone morphology in mice were investigated using microCT and histological staining. Osteoblasts were isolated and cultured from wild-type and CDH19 knockout mice. Cell proliferation and differentiation were explored through EdU labeling, qPCR, alkaline phosphatase (ALP)/ alizarin red S (ARS) staining, and Western blot assays. The expression of genes altered in CDH19 gene knockout osteoblast was checked by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and subsequently confirmed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Results We found that CDH19 could maintain the normal proliferation and differentiation in osteoblasts. After knocking out the CDH19 gene, the abilities of proliferation and osteogenesis were significantly inhibited in osteoblasts. Moreover, the bone mass of CDH19 knockout mice was significantly reduced, characterized by decreases in bone density, trabecular number, and bone volume fraction. The RNAseq analysis and western blot showed the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was significantly inhibited in osteoblasts with CDH19 deletion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that administration of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway agonist 740Y-P partially alleviated the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation caused by CDH19 deletion in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion This study demonstrated that CDH19 regulated osteogenic differentiation by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in osteoblasts. CDH19 may become a novel target for the treatment of bone diseases.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2025•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04732-5
Background In the field of regenerative therapy, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) extracted from adipose tissue has been widely recognized for its significant benefits. However, the cellular composition and therapeutic effect of SVF products prepared via different methods are unclear. Methods SVF cells were obtained via three approaches: (1) generation of the SVF via mechanical emulsification (M-SVF), (2) generation of the SVF via laboratory enzymatic digestion (L-SVF), and (3) generation of the SVF via commercial cell separation systems (C-SVF). We evaluated their healing effects on mouse wounds. Additionally, we utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) technology to explore the cellular composition of the C-SVF. Results The cell yield of C-SVF was comparable to that of L-SVF. During in vitro culture, C-SVF exhibited enhanced proliferation and a reduced proportion of apoptotic cells. In a mouse wound model, the application of C-SVF facilitated the closure of mouse wounds and improved collagen remodeling and angiogenesis in the wound area. Additional snRNA-seq analysis revealed that APOE+ adipose-derived stem cells and immune cells, especially M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages, are enriched in C-SVF, which together promote wound repair, and that APOE+ adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and immune cells, especially M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages, are enriched in C-SVF, which jointly regulate and promote wound repair. Conclusion A commercial extraction system is an effective method for isolating viable SVF cells enriched with APOE+ ADSCs and M2 macrophages.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2024•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03949-0
Background The selection of suitable culture medium is critical for achieving good clinical outcomes in cell therapy. To support the commercial application of stem cell therapy, customized culture media not only need to promote stem cell proliferation, but also need to save costs and meet industrial requirements for inter-batch consistency, efficacy, and biosafety. In this study, we developed a series of serum-free media (SFM) and elucidated the effects between different SFM, as well as between SFM and serum-containing meida (SCM), on human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) phenotype and function. We analyze and emphasize from the perspectives of clinical and commercial application why research on customized culture media is critical for the success of enterprises developing novel cellular therapeutics. Methods We cultured hUC-MSCs with identical cell seeding densities in different formulations of SFM and SCM until passage 10 and examined the changes in cell phenotype and function. We analyzed the results with the commercial application requirments of the cellular therapy industry to assess the potential impact of customized culture media on inter-batch consistency, efficacy, stability, biosafety, and cost-effectiveness of industrial-scale cell production. Results hUC-MSCs cultured in SCM and SFM exhibit consistent cell morphology and surface molecule expression, but hUC-MSCs cultured in SFM demonstrate higher activity, superior proliferative capacity, and greater stability. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs cultured in different SFM exhibit differences in cell activity, proliferative capacity, senescent rate, and S/M ratio of cell cycle, while maintaining a normal karyotype after long-term in vitro cultivation. Moreover, [abstract truncated]
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2024•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03798-x
Background Development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) is a multi-staged complex process that conserved between zebrafish and mammals. Understanding the mechanism underlying HSPC development is a holy grail of hematopoietic biology, which is helpful for HSPC clinical application. Chromatin conformation plays important roles in transcriptional regulation and cell fate decision; however, its dynamic and role in HSPC development is poorly investigated. Methods We performed chromatin structure and multi-omics dissection across different stages of HSPC developmental trajectory in zebrafish for the first time, including Hi-C, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, H3K4me3 and H3K27ac ChIP-seq. Results The chromatin organization of zebrafish HSPC resemble mammalian cells with similar hierarchical structure. We revealed the multi-scale reorganization of chromatin structure and its influence on transcriptional regulation and transition of cell fate during HSPC development. Nascent HSPC is featured by loose conformation with obscure structure at all layers. Notably, PU.1 was identified as a potential factor mediating formation of promoter-involved loops and regulating gene expression of HSPC. Conclusions Our results provided a global view of chromatin structure dynamics associated with development of zebrafish HSPC and discovered key transcription factors involved in HSPC chromatin interactions, which will provide new insights into the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying vertebrate HSPC fate decision.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025148
Mesothelial cells play an important role in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis (CRC-PM), where they support tumor growth and invasion. In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which mesothelial cells contribute to CRC metastasis. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on tissue samples from 12 CRC patients with peritoneal metastasis, we identify PDK4 as a key gene in mesothelial cells during metastasis. The expression of PDK4 is significantly greater in mesothelial cells undergoing mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) compared to normal peritoneal cells, suggesting its involvement in mesothelial cell reprogramming during peritoneal metastasis. In vitro experiments show that coculturing mesothelial cells with CRC cells leads to increased PDK4 expression, which in turn enhances mesothelial cell migration and invasion. Knockdown of PDK4 reduces mesothelial cell invasion, while overexpression of PDK4 increases invasive ability, highlighting its critical role in mesothelial cell invasion. Additionally, PDK4 promotes metabolic changes, specifically increasing fatty acid oxidation (FAO), which is necessary for mesothelial cell invasion. Blocking FAO reduces the invasive ability of PDK4-overexpressing mesothelial cells, while restoring FAO in PDK4-knockdown cells rescues their invasion potential. Further analysis shows that PDK4 enhances the acetylation of β-catenin, a protein involved in cell movement, and that this modification is crucial for mesothelial cell invasion. Our results suggest that PDK4 regulates mesothelial cell invasion through β-catenin acetylation following metabolic reprogramming, offering a potential target for therapies aimed at inhibiting CRC-PM.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026018
Doxorubicin (DOX) remains a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent for malignancies, yet its clinical utility is severely limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, which can lead to progressive left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. Pleiotrophin (PTN), a heparin-binding growth factor with diverse physiological functions, regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and promotes oxidative energy pathways. However, whether PTN exerts protective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) remains unclear. In this study, we establish cellular and animal models of DIC. DOX administration induces pronounced myocardial injury in both models, characterized by impaired ventricular contractility, increased fibrotic remodeling, and reduced cell viability. Concurrently, PTN protein expression is significantly downregulated in cardiomyocytes under DOX treatment. Overexpression of PTN substantially alleviates these pathological changes. In vitro, PTN reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis while restoring energy production and cell viability. In vivo, PTN improves mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreases cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and enhances cardiac function. Mechanistically, PTN directly binds to SIRT1 and activates AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172, triggering a downstream cascade through the AMPK-PGC1α axis that reprograms mitochondrial energy metabolism and attenuates cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, the PTN-SIRT1 axis protects against DIC by reducing oxidative stress and promoting mitochondrial energy homeostasis via the AMPK/PGC1α pathway, highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for preventing chemotherapy-related cardiac injury.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025034
Proteinuria-induced damage to renal tubular epithelial cells is one of the main causes of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and the clearance of overloaded albumin by lysosomes is crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Therefore, lysosomal damage is closely related to the pathogenesis of DKD, but effective prevention and treatment measures are still lacking. Melatonin (MLT) is secreted by the pineal gland and can not only regulate circadian rhythms but also maintain lysosomal homeostasis. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of significant lysosomal damage in the renal tubules of DKD patients, which causes autophagy impairment and a concomitant oxidative stress imbalance; however, MLT can upregulate transcription factor EB (TFEB) to improve lysosomal damage and restore the biosynthesis of this organelle. Mechanistically, MLT may protect lysosomes via the upregulation of TFEB and the miR-205-5p-LRP-1 pathway in renal tubules, thus improving autophagy dysfunction and oxidative imbalance in DKD.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025070
Schisandrin A (SchA), a bioactive lignan that was isolated from the dried fruit of Schisandra chinensis, has attracted much attention because of its diverse spectrum of pharmacological effects. The aim of this study is to clarify the function of SchA in diabetes-related fear memory impairment and its molecular mechanisms. Rats are randomly assigned to 4 groups: the control group (Con group), the DM group, the DM + SchA group, and the Con + SchA group. The results demonstrate that SchA treatment improves insulin sensitivity, reduces blood glucose, and significantly reduces memory impairment. SchA treatment also prevents histological damage, enhances synaptic protein production, and significantly decreases Aβ42 formation in the diabetic prefrontal cortex. Further research reveals that SchA therapy decreases microglial activation and the expression levels of variables linked to inflammation while increasing the phosphorylation of proteins implicated in the insulin resistance signaling pathway. Furthermore, in the prefrontal cortex of diabetic rats, SchA decreases ferroptosis by increasing the protein expressions of GPX4, SLC7A11, Nrf2, HO-1, and SIRT1. Overall, our findings suggest that SchA may lessen diabetes-associated fear memory impairment symptoms by, most likely, lowering ferroptosis and inflammatory responses in the prefrontal brain of diabetic rats. SchA may be a useful therapy for diabetes, including memory impairment.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024239
Reactivating the embryonic ζ-globin gene represents a potential therapeutic approach to ameliorate the severe clinical phenotype of α-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The transcription factor MYB has been extensively proven to be a master regulator of the γ-globin gene, but its role in the regulation of ζ-globin remains incompletely understood. Here, we report a mechanistic study on the derepression of ζ-globin both in vivo and in vitro. We show that MYB depletion in mouse models and human hematopoietic stem cells leads to consistent and remarkable reactivation of ζ-globin. Furthermore, multiomics analysis and functional validation of MYB-knockout and wild-type cell lines reveal that ETO2 functions as a novel repressor of ζ-globin through coordination with NuRD nucleosome remodeling and the deacetylation complex to modulate histone deacetylation of ζ-globin. Additionally, we evaluate the clinical significance of these findings by knocking out ETO2 in primary CD34+ cells from nondeletional hemoglobin H patients, which results in a significant increase in ζ-globin expression. The RNA-seq data reveal that key erythroid genes are more co-regulated by Myb and Eto2 than by Myb and Klf1, highlighting a distinctly enhanced erythroid-specific transcriptional impact within the MYB-ETO2 regulatory axis. Compared with ETO2 knockout alone, codepletion of ETO2 and BCL11A did not significantly activate ζ-globin, suggesting that the MYB-ETO2 pathway primarily silences ζ-globin. Our study reveals a linear MYB-ETO2 signaling pathway crucial for ζ-globin repression and offers new targets for treating α-thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025040
Iron, an ancient and essential transition metal, is involved in various biological functions, including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, heme production, and iron-sulfur clusters, which participate in electron transport, DNA repair, and other cellular processes. However, excessive iron can lead to oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cell damage. Thus, maintaining the iron content within an appropriate safe range and maintaining the balance of iron metabolism play crucial roles in both cellular function and human health [1]. An important aspect of maintaining the balance of iron homeostasis is the regulation of the iron uptake system. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cells can either obtain iron from the external environment via the non-reducing siderophore transport system or transport iron from the extracellular space to the intracellular space via the reducing iron transport system [2]. Iron uptake system-related genes are regulated mainly by the transcription factor Aft1p. During iron deficiency, Aft1p translocates into the nucleus, binds to genes involved in iron metabolism, and regulates the expressions of genes involved in iron uptake systems [3]. In addition, when there is a problem in the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters in the mitochondria, such as the lack of the iron chaperone Yfh1p, which promotes the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters, the transcription and nuclear entry of the transcription factor Aft1p are also activated, thereby regulating the expressions of iron metabolism-related genes [4]. In addition to transcription factors, gene expression is also regulated by histones and their modifications at the epigenetic level. For example, histone H3K4 methylation is related to gene activation, H3K36 methylation plays an important role in the elongation of transcription, and histone acetylation results in the loss of nucleosome structure and facilitates gene expression [5]. Therefore, histone modifications should also play important roles in the regulation of iron homeostasis. The relationship between histone modifications and iron homeostasis has been reported in the literature. For example, the DNA methylation-binding protein MBD5 can change histone acetylation in the promoter region of the ferritin gene by recruiting the histone acetylase KAT2A protein [6]. Histone acetylation has also been reported to be reduced in iron-deficient environments [7,8], and direct effects of histone acetylation on iron homeostasis gene loci have also been reported both in C. albicans [9] and mammals [10]. More recently, the histone H3-H4 tetramer was found to be a copper reductase enzyme, and H3-mediated Cu+ toxicity is a major determinant of the cellular functional pool of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters [11,12]. However, information on the role of histone modifications in the regulation of iron homeostasis is limited. The mechanism by which and how histone modifications are involved in the transcriptional regulation of iron uptake-related genes or the iron deficiency response require further investigation. To determine whether histone acetylation and methylation are involved in the iron deficiency response, we first deleted the histone acetylase genes, including GCN5 (histones H2B and H3 N-terminal lysine acetylase, partial deletion of the ADA2 interaction sequence [13]), RTT109 (H3 lysine 9 and 56 acetylase), SAS2 (H4 lysine 16 acetylase), and YNG2 (subunit of the histone acetyltransferase complex NuA4 for acetylation of histone H4 or histone H2A) in the wild-type (WT) strain, as well as the histone methyltransferases SET1 (H3 lysine 4 methyltransferase), SET2 (H3 lysine 36 methyltransferase) and DOT1 (H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase). The genomic deletions were confirmed by colony PCR and genomic coverage analysis, as depicted in Supplementary Figures S1 and S2. The sensitivity of single histone modification enzyme mutants to iron deficiency induced by the iron chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS) was tested. As shown in Supplementary Figure S3, the histone acetylation-related mutants gcn51–316, rtt109Δ, sas2Δ, and yng2Δ did not exhibit significant growth defects compared with the WT on the YPD + BPS plate. None of the histone methyltransferase knockout strains presented significant growth defects. As a positive control, the iron-responsive transcription factor gene AFT1 knockout strain grew slowly on YPD + BPS plates. It is possible that histone modifications do not have a strong effect on the equilibrium status of iron deficiency but still regulate transcription induction during the iron deficiency response. To investigate the role of histone modifications during the induction of the iron deficiency response, the expressions of iron response genes in the wild-type and mutant strains before and 4 h after BPS treatment were examined.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025207
O-GlcNAcylation, a prevalent reversible post-translational modification, intricately alters non-histone proteins, influencing the organization of gene transcriptional regulation within the accessible chromatin environment. This nucleoplasmic landscape, characterized by histone-free regions, fundamentally enables O-GlcNAc-mediated modulation through dynamic accessibility. However, unraveling the O-GlcNAc-open chromatin interplay that governs sophisticated transcriptional regulatory networks remains constrained by current techniques, which lack the resolution to probe this spatiotemporal crosstalk. Here, we report a general strategy to systematically and chemoselectively profile O-GlcNAc-associated chromatin accessibility on a genome-wide scale (COCA-seq). Through comprehensive validation across low- and high-throughput levels, we demonstrate COCA-seq’s dual fidelity in both O-GlcNAc chemoselectivity and open chromatin specificity. We employ it to delve into doxorubicin resistance for breast cancer, scrutinizing pivotal regulatory genes and transcription factors implicated in this complex biological event. By integrating bulk RNA-seq with COCA-seq, we offer a multiomics perspective, shedding light on related biological processes and pathways like drug efflux and stress homeostasis, thereby uncovering potential mechanisms by which O-GlcNAc-associated open chromatin orchestrates tumor drug resistance. COCA-seq emerges as a general and versatile tool across various biological contexts, poised to reveal the landscape of O-GlcNAc-associated open chromatin regions across the genome and decipher the significance of glycosylation behind it.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025120
The phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) is a central pathway for carbohydrate transport in bacteria and plays a critical role in nutrient acquisition, metabolism, and virulence. In Vibrio cholerae, the glucose-specific EIIC transporter is a key component of the PTS system, mediating the transport of sugars into the bacterial cell, coupled with phosphorylation during translocation. Here, we present the 3.68 Å cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the dimeric EIIC transporter from Vibrio cholerae in its inward-facing, substrate-free conformation. The structure reveals a detailed arrangement of the scaffold and transport domains, stabilized by extensive inter- and intraprotomer interactions. Comparative analysis with substrate-bound inward-facing structures of EIIC from E. coli highlights conformational changes, providing insights into substrate release and the structural transitions required for alternating access. Notably, the observed substrate-free inward-facing conformation features a larger substrate-binding pocket, which is consistent with a state poised for glucose release into the cytoplasm. The formation of a unique intraprotomer disulfide bond between residues C240 and C254 stabilizes the interface between the scaffold and transport domains, potentially regulating transporter dynamics. These findings elucidate the structural basis for substrate release in the PTS system and underscore the dynamic nature of EIIC-mediated sugar transport. Our study enhances the understanding of PTS system function in Vibrio cholerae and highlights the EIIC transporter as a promising target for antimicrobial drug development. Disruption of sugar transport in this essential pathway could impair bacterial growth and virulence, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy against cholera. These results provide a foundation for future investigations into the structural and functional dynamics of bacterial sugar transporters.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025251
Recombinant antibodies, primarily produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, are widely used to treat various diseases. For industrial production, a rapid and efficient method to screen stable, high-expressing clones is essential. However, conventional screening based on random integration is often cumbersome and labor intensive. This study establishes a novel strategy for generating stable, high-yielding clones by combining a MAR-based piggyBac (PB) transposon semitargeted integration system with blasticidin (BSD) selection. Compared to the random integrated vector pMAR-mAb, the MAR-PB system increases the titers (3.95- to 5.61-fold) and specific protein productivity (Qp; 4.28- to 6.07-fold) of four monoclonal antibodies in stable cell pools. When compared to PB-only vectors, the MAR-PB transposon system enhances the titers (by up to 2.50-fold) and Qp (1.96- to 2.77-fold), respectively. The increased antibody production correlates with elevated mRNA expression. Furthermore, this approach increases the proportion of high-expressing clones by more than 10-fold and significantly improves volumetric yield. Importantly, this approach promotes the long-term stability of recombinant mAb expression for over 60 generations. Transcriptome analysis reveals that the system modulates genes involved in DNA binding, transcriptional regulation, and protein binding. In conclusion, the MAR-based PB transposon system combined with BSD selection presents a significant improvement for efficiently generating high-yielding and stable CHO cell clones, offering a valuable tool for recombinant antibody production.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026025
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant type of primary liver cancer, represents an extremely aggressive malignancy. The induction of cuproptosis has developed into a favorable therapeutic direction for HCC, considering its strong association with HCC. Sanguinarine (San), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid derived from traditional herbs such as Chelidonium majus L., demonstrates broad-spectrum anticancer activities against various cancer cell types. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its effects in the treatment of HCC remain largely undefined. This investigation seeks to examine the anti-HCC effects of San and to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects through the induction of cuproptosis. In vitro experiments demonstrate that San markedly inhibits the proliferation, movement, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells while enhancing their apoptosis. In vivo, San notably impedes tumor growth and upregulates the cuproptosis signature markers ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), oligomeric dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in HCC xenograft tumor models. Mechanistically, San induces proteotoxic stress and cuproptosis in HCC cells by increasing copper concentration, upregulating the expression of FDX1, lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS), HSP70, and lipoylated DLAT aggregation, and simultaneously reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular glutathione and pyruvate levels. Moreover, the combination of San with copper ionophores (Elesclomol-CuCl2) exhibits synergistic effects in promoting cuproptosis. FDX1 silencing markedly diminishes San-induced suppression of cell proliferation and FDX1 and HSP70 levels in HCC cells. Additionally, molecular docking analysis predicts that San exhibits the highest potential for binding with FDX1. Surface plasmon resonance experiments and cellular thermal shift assay confirm that San strongly interacts with FDX1 and markedly enhances the thermostability of FDX1. In conclusion, our findings indicate that San substantially inhibits the progression of HCC by targeting FDX1/LIAS/DLAT/HSP70 axis-dependent cuproptosis.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025213
Myocardial infarction (MI) causes irreversible cardiomyocyte loss, creating a need for cardiac repair therapies. The role of cell division cycle 5-like (CDC5L), a cell cycle regulator, in cardiac repair is unknown. This study aims to define the role of CDC5L in mitigating ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by assessing its impact on cardiomyocyte proliferation and apoptosis and to determine the mechanism involving the FGF10-YAP axis. We model cardiac injury using in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and in vivo I/R in adult mice. To investigate CDC5L function, we modulate its expression via adenoviral or AAV9-mediated overexpression or knockdown. Proliferation markers (EdU+, Ki67+, pH3+), apoptosis (TUNEL staining, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio), and cardiac function (echocardiography) are assessed. Through transcriptomic screening, we identify CDC5L downstream targets and validate their functional roles using FGF10 knockdown rescue assays. We find that CDC5L is upregulated in the post-I/R murine myocardium. Its overexpression enhances cardiomyocyte proliferation, preserves cardiac function, reduces apoptosis, and diminishes infarct size. Transcriptomic analysis identifies FGF10 as a key downstream effector, and we confirm that CDC5L upregulates FGF10 expression. Notably, FGF10 knockdown reverses the proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of CDC5L. Moreover, the CDC5L-mediated reduction in YAP phosphorylation is also dependent on FGF10, as this effect is abolished upon FGF10 knockdown. In conclusion, CDC5L attenuates cardiac I/R injury by promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis through the FGF10-YAP pathway. This CDC5L-FGF10-YAP axis represents a promising therapeutic target to improve myocardial regeneration and recovery after myocardial infarction.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025076
EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is the most effective targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, drug resistance remains a significant factor in the failure of lung cancer therapy. In the present study, we utilize network pharmacology, molecular docking, in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore the targets and biological mechanisms of CP, a novel curcumin-piperlongumine hybrid molecule, in EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC cells. The results reveal that CP exhibits enhanced biological activity compared to its parent compounds. CP can effectively inhibit cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle in the G2/M phase and inducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, CP-induced apoptosis is partially mediated by PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings highlight the potential of CP as a promising therapeutic agent for EGFR-TKI-resistant lung cancer therapy.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024070
Epidermal stem cells (EpSCs) play a vital role in skin wound healing through re-epithelialization. Identifying chemicals that can promote EpSC proliferation is helpful for treating skin wounds. This study investigates the effect of morroniside on cutaneous wound healing in mice and explores the underlying mechanisms. Application of 10‒50 μg/mL of morroniside to the skin wound promotes wound healing in mice. In vitro studies demonstrate that morroniside stimulates the proliferation of mouse and human EpSCs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies reveal that morroniside promotes the proliferation of EpSCs by facilitating the cell cycle transition from the G1 to S phase. Morroniside increases the expression of β-catenin via the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R)-mediated PKA, PKA/PI3K/AKT and PKA/ERK signaling pathways, resulting in an increase in cyclin D1 and cyclin E1 expression, either directly or by upregulating c-Myc expression. This process ultimately leads to EpSC proliferation. Administration of morroniside to mouse skin wounds increases the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, the expressions of β-catenin, c-Myc, cyclin D1, and cyclin E1, as well as the proliferation of EpSCs, in periwound skin tissue, and accelerates wound re-epithelialization. These effects of morroniside are mediated by the GLP-1R. Overall, these results indicate that morroniside promotes skin wound healing by stimulating the proliferation of EpSCs via increasing β-catenin expression and subsequently upregulating c-Myc, cyclin D1, and cyclin E1 expressions through GLP-1R signaling pathways. Morroniside has clinical potential for treating skin wounds.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024077
Epigenetic modifications play an important role in cellular senescence, and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a key methyltransferase involved in epigenetic remodeling in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We have previously demonstrated that GSK126, a specific EZH2 inhibitor, exhibits anti-MM therapeutic efficacy and safety in vivo and in vitro; however, its specific mechanism remains unclear. This study shows that GSK126 induces cellular senescence in MM, which is characterized by the accumulation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF) and p21, and increased senescence-associated β galactosidase activity. Furthermore, EZH2 is inhibited in ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2)-overexpressing OCI-MY5 and RPMI-8226 cells. RRM2 overexpression inhibits the methyltransferase function of EZH2 and promotes its degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby inducing cellular senescence. In this senescence model, Lamin B1, a key component of the nuclear envelope and a marker of senescence, does not decrease but instead undergoes aberrant accumulation. Meanwhile, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) is significantly increased. The inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in turn partially restores Lamin B1 level and alleviates senescence. These findings suggest that EZH2 inhibition increases Lamin B1 level and induces senescence by promoting ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These data indicate that EZH2 plays an important role in MM cellular senescence and provide insights into the relationships among Lamin B1, p-ERK1/2, and cellular senescence.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024171
Ozone (O3), a prevalent atmospheric pollutant, can induce lung injury. However, the molecular mechanisms of O3-induced acute lung inflammatory injury remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the abnormal changes in and molecular mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis in alveolar macrophages (AMs) in O3-induced acute lung inflammatory injury mice. Mitochondria and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) are labeled with Mito-Tracker® Deep Red and MitoSOX Red, respectively. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in AMs from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is detected via real-time PCR, and the expressions of mitochondrial fusion/fission-related and biogenesis-related proteins in AMs are determined via immunofluorescence staining. Our data show that in O3-induced acute lung inflammatory injury mice, the number of AMs and the protein expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex in the lung tissue are increased. In AMs from O3-exposed mice, the number of mitochondria, mtROS, and fission-related protein DRP1 are increased, but the levels of Na+-K+-ATPase, fusion-related protein OPA1, biogenesis-related protein NRF1 and mtDNA are significantly decreased. Compared with that in O3-exposed WT mice, lung inflammation is attenuated, especially the indicators of mitochondrial homeostatic imbalance in AMs, which are alleviated in NLRP3‒/‒ and Caspase-1‒/‒ mice after O3 exposure. These findings indicate that the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated imbalance in mitochondrial homeostasis in AMs contributes to O3-induced acute lung inflammatory injury. This study may provide a new target for the prevention of lung inflammation induced by O3.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023253
The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is a single layer of squamous-to-cuboidal epithelial cells that experience repetitive ovulatory rupture and subsequent repair. However, the characteristics of human immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells (IOSE80) remain elusive. This study aims to determine whether IOSE80 cells have the characteristics of stem cell proliferation and multilineage differentiation and their application in regenerative medicine. IOSE80 cells are sequenced by high-throughput transcriptome analysis, and 5 sets of public data are used to compare the differences between IOSE80 cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, and oocytes in transcriptome profiling. The IOSE80 cells present a cobblestone-like monolayer and express the epithelial cell marker KRT18; the stem cell markers IFITM3, ALDH1A1, and VIM; lowly express stem cell marker LGR5 and germ cell markers DDX4 and DAZL. In addition, the GO terms “regulation of stem cell proliferation”, “epithelial cell proliferation”, etc., are significantly enriched (P<0.05). IOSE80 cells have the potential to act as mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into adipocytes with lipid droplets, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts in vitro. IOSE80 cells express pluripotent stem cell markers, including OCT4, SSEA4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81, and they can be induced into three germ layers in vitro. IOSE80 cells also form oocyte-like cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, IOSE80 cells exhibit robust proliferation, migration, and ovarian repair functions after in vivo transplantation. This study demonstrates that IOSE80 cells have the characteristics of pluripotent/multipotent stem cells, indicating their important role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025137
DNA damage repair is a critical physiological process. The combined treatment of L-arginine (L-Arg) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) significantly inhibits cell proliferation, enhances nitric oxide (NO) production via inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This heightened oxidative stress triggers DNA damage and apoptosis, as evidenced by a substantial increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP cleavage; and increased level of phosphorylated p53. Moreover, the combination treatment induces G2/M phase arrest, with a significant increase in p-H2AX (Ser 139) (known as γ-H2AX) expression, indicating extensive DNA damage. Mechanistically, the combined treatment modulates DNA damage response pathways by downregulating DNA-PKcs. Concurrently, it enhances the phosphorylation of ATM, ATR, CHK1, CHK2, and BRCA1. Additionally, the L-Arg and 5-FU combination downregulates PI3K/AKT signaling. AZD-7648 (a DNA-PKcs inhibitor) and LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) enhance p-ATM and p-ATR activation, resulting in elevated apoptosis and increased γ-H2AX expression. In contrast, the inhibition of ATM/ATR by CGK733 suppresses this response, reducing apoptosis and DNA damage signaling. Additionally, the ROS scavengers NAC and iNOS, when applied separately, restore p-AKT and DNA-PKcs expression; suppress the upregulation of p-ATM, p-ATR, and γ-H2AX; and ultimately reduce apoptosis. These findings are validated in a DEN-induced rat liver cancer model. In summary, 5-FU and L-Arg synergistically increase iNOS/NO-driven ROS accumulation, inducing γ-H2AX-marked DNA damage through dual modulation of repair pathways (inhibiting PI3K/AKT/DNA-PKcs while activating ATM/ATR), ultimately triggering p53-mediated G2/M arrest and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025096
Ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated necrosis, has drawn the attention of the scientific community. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the impact of ferroptosis on MC3T3-E1 cells in the context of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH). In this study, we explore the relationship between the degree of ferroptosis induced by dexamethasone (Dex) and the expression of silent information regulatory protein 1 (Sirt1). The results indicate that the ferroptosis level induced by Dex is mediated by the downregulation of Sirt1. Overexpression of Sirt1 increases the levels of the ferroptosis-related proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 in MC3T3-E1 cells following Dex exposure. Moreover, the effect of Dex on Sirt1 expression is regulated by hypermethylation of the Sirt1 promoter, which is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a). In summary, this study reveals that Dex can trigger ferroptosis by promoting DNMT3a-mediated DNA methylation and downregulating Sirt1 expression. Our findings provide an additional new mechanism for Dex-induced ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024043
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world, and early diagnosis can effectively improve patient survival. Here, differentially expressed circIARS genes are screened from the sequencing results, and their molecular characteristics are examined by Sanger sequencing, RNase R assay, agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is performed to detect the expression level of circIARS. The diagnostic value of the signature is analyzed using a subject operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Moreover, plasma is collected from postsurgical, chemotherapy, and relapse patients to investigate the prognostic value of circIARS in NSCLC. The expression of circIARS is greater in both the plasma and tissues of NSCLC patients than in those of healthy individuals, and could be used to distinguish NSCLC patients from patients with benign pulmonary disease (BPD), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients, and healthy individuals. The expression level of circIARS relatively decreases after antitumor therapy, such as chemotherapy, and relatively increases after recurrence. ROC analysis reveals that circIARS has better detection efficiency than traditional markers. In addition, circIARS expression level is strongly correlated with several clinicopathological parameters. Finally, we tentatively predict the downstream miRNAs or RBP that might bind to circIARS. Plasma circIARS is significantly greater in NSCLC patients and has good stability and specificity as a diagnostic marker, which could aid in the adjuvant diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of NSCLC.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024061
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and fatal brain malignancy, is largely driven by a subset of tumor cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs possess stem cell-like properties, including self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation, making them pivotal for tumor initiation, invasion, metastasis, and overall tumor progression. The regulation of CSCs is primarily controlled by transcription factors (TFs) which regulate the expressions of genes involved in maintaining stemness and directing differentiation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of TFs in regulating CSCs in GBM. The discussion encompasses the definitions of CSCs and TFs, the significance of glioma stem cells (GSCs) in GBM, and how TFs regulate GSC self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and transformation. The potential for developing TF-targeted GSC therapies is also explored, along with future research directions. By understanding the regulation of GSCs by TFs, we may uncover novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against this devastating disease of GBM.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024097
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant phospholipid in mammalian cells, accounting for approximately 50% of all phospholipids and serving as a main component of cellular and subcellular membranes. PC is a mixture of many species with distinct functions, and its levels are altered in cancer. Previous studies have shown contradictory roles of PC in cancer development. Here, we investigated the effects of PC and its main component, 1,2-dilinoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC), on mouse colon cancer MC38 cells. PC dose-dependently decreased cell viability, and DLPC was identified as the active component. DLPC inhibited MC38 cell growth more effectively than PC, while structurally similar PCs with different acyl chain lengths or unsaturation degrees did not. This suggests that the specific structure of DLPC is crucial for its activity. Further mechanistic studies revealed that DLPC induces ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, in cancer cells. These findings highlight DLPC as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment and underscore the importance of studying individual PC species.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2024•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03924-9
Background Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a rare but life-threatening systemic vasculitis, is distinguished by marked eosinophilia and presents with diverse symptoms, including asthma, cutaneous purpura, ecchymosis, skin necrosis, cardiac lesions, peripheral neuropathy, and necrotizing vasculitis. The etiology of EGPA involves a complex interaction among humoral, adaptive, innate, and allergic immune responses. Standard treatment employs prolonged high-dose glucocorticoid therapy, which is critical for survival; however, some patients’ symptoms cannot be relieved. Case report This case report details the medical management of an 11-year-old patient with EGPA, who was at risk of bilateral lower limb amputation due to differential arterial occlusion and severe, necrotizing vasculitis-induced gangrene in both feet. Treatment modalities administered included systemic infusion of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UC-MSCs), targeted gastrocnemius muscle injections, and application of a Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (PD-MSCs) hydrogel. Results After receiving a four-month regimen of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy via intravenous and local administration, the patient showed normalized eosinophil counts, reestablished blood flow in the dorsal arteries, and marked improvement in foot ulcerations. Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is a promising option for severe EGPA cases refractory to glucocorticoids.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2026•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-026-04989-4
Chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) remains a major cause of infertility with limited therapeutic options. This study evaluated whether preconditioning mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with the antioxidant flavonoid isorhamnetin (ISO) enhances the efficacy of their exosomes (ISO-MSC-Exos) against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced POF. A CTX-induced POF rat model was established, and the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 was used to confirm the role of ferroptosis. MSC-Exos and ISO-MSC-Exos were isolated by ultracentrifugation and administered via tail vein injection. Ovarian recovery was assessed by oestrous cycle monitoring, serum hormone levels, and histology. Lipid peroxidation and iron metabolism were evaluated by quantifying malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron deposition, and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry assessed GPX4, ACSL4, and FTH1 expression. Proteomic analysis explored underlying mechanisms. Ferroptosis was pivotal in CTX-induced POF. Both exosome therapies improved ovarian function and suppressed ferroptosis, with ISO-MSC-Exos showing superior efficacy. ISO-MSC-Exos significantly restored hormone levels, ameliorated oestrous cycle disorders, reduced follicular atresia, and enhanced fertility. They more effectively elevated GSH, reduced MDA and Fe2+ levels, and reversed abnormal expression of GPX4, ACSL4, and FTH1. Proteomics suggested ISO-MSC-Exos inhibit ferroptosis by downregulating Alox15 and Tf, reducing lipid peroxidation substrates and cellular iron uptake. ISO-MSC-Exos demonstrate superior efficacy over MSC-Exos in restoring ovarian function and inhibiting ferroptosis, suggesting ISO preconditioning enhances therapeutic effect in POF.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2026•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-026-05061-x
Osteoporosis is characterized by impaired bone formation relative to resorption, yet the molecular drivers of osteoblast dysfunction remain incompletely defined. Cadherin 19 (CDH19), located at chromosome 18q22-q23, has been linked to 18q deletion syndromes presenting with skeletal deformities, but its role in bone homeostasis was previously unknown. Using a Cre-loxP conditional knockout model, we demonstrate that CDH19 deletion in mice significantly reduces bone mass, with decreases in bone density, trabecular number, and bone volume fraction. Osteoblasts isolated from CDH19 knockout mice exhibit suppressed proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, as evidenced by EdU labeling, qPCR, alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red S staining, and Western blot. RNA sequencing and subsequent immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses reveal that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is markedly inhibited in CDH19-deficient osteoblasts. Administration of the PI3K/AKT agonist 740Y-P partially rescues the osteogenic differentiation deficit both in vitro and in vivo. These findings establish CDH19 as a critical regulator of osteoblast function through PI3K/AKT signaling and identify it as a potential therapeutic target for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026018
Doxorubicin (DOX) remains a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent for malignancies, yet its clinical utility is severely limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, which can lead to progressive left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. Pleiotrophin (PTN), a heparin-binding growth factor with diverse physiological functions, regulates glucose and lipid metabolism and promotes oxidative energy pathways. However, whether PTN exerts protective effects against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) remains unclear. In this study, we establish cellular and animal models of DIC. DOX administration induces pronounced myocardial injury in both models, characterized by impaired ventricular contractility, increased fibrotic remodeling, and reduced cell viability. Concurrently, PTN protein expression is significantly downregulated in cardiomyocytes under DOX treatment. Overexpression of PTN substantially alleviates these pathological changes. In vitro, PTN reduces mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis while restoring energy production and cell viability. In vivo, PTN improves mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreases cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and enhances cardiac function. Mechanistically, PTN directly binds to SIRT1 and activates AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172, triggering a downstream cascade through the AMPK-PGC1α axis that reprograms mitochondrial energy metabolism and attenuates cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, the PTN-SIRT1 axis protects against DIC by reducing oxidative stress and promoting mitochondrial energy homeostasis via the AMPK/PGC1α pathway, highlighting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for preventing chemotherapy-related cardiac injury.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025148
Mesothelial cells play an important role in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis (CRC-PM), where they support tumor growth and invasion. In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which mesothelial cells contribute to CRC metastasis. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on tissue samples from 12 CRC patients with peritoneal metastasis, we identify PDK4 as a key gene in mesothelial cells during metastasis. The expression of PDK4 is significantly greater in mesothelial cells undergoing mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) compared to normal peritoneal cells, suggesting its involvement in mesothelial cell reprogramming during peritoneal metastasis. In vitro experiments show that coculturing mesothelial cells with CRC cells leads to increased PDK4 expression, which in turn enhances mesothelial cell migration and invasion. Knockdown of PDK4 reduces mesothelial cell invasion, while overexpression of PDK4 increases invasive ability, highlighting its critical role in mesothelial cell invasion. Additionally, PDK4 promotes metabolic changes, specifically increasing fatty acid oxidation (FAO), which is necessary for mesothelial cell invasion. Blocking FAO reduces the invasive ability of PDK4-overexpressing mesothelial cells, while restoring FAO in PDK4-knockdown cells rescues their invasion potential. Further analysis shows that PDK4 enhances the acetylation of β-catenin, a protein involved in cell movement, and that this modification is crucial for mesothelial cell invasion. Our results suggest that PDK4 regulates mesothelial cell invasion through β-catenin acetylation following metabolic reprogramming, offering a potential target for therapies aimed at inhibiting CRC-PM.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025251
Recombinant antibodies, primarily produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, are widely used to treat various diseases. For industrial production, a rapid and efficient method to screen stable, high-expressing clones is essential. However, conventional screening based on random integration is often cumbersome and labor intensive. This study establishes a novel strategy for generating stable, high-yielding clones by combining a MAR-based piggyBac (PB) transposon semitargeted integration system with blasticidin (BSD) selection. Compared to the random integrated vector pMAR-mAb, the MAR-PB system increases the titers (3.95- to 5.61-fold) and specific protein productivity (Qp; 4.28- to 6.07-fold) of four monoclonal antibodies in stable cell pools. When compared to PB-only vectors, the MAR-PB transposon system enhances the titers (by up to 2.50-fold) and Qp (1.96- to 2.77-fold), respectively. The increased antibody production correlates with elevated mRNA expression. Furthermore, this approach increases the proportion of high-expressing clones by more than 10-fold and significantly improves volumetric yield. Importantly, this approach promotes the long-term stability of recombinant mAb expression for over 60 generations. Transcriptome analysis reveals that the system modulates genes involved in DNA binding, transcriptional regulation, and protein binding. In conclusion, the MAR-based PB transposon system combined with BSD selection presents a significant improvement for efficiently generating high-yielding and stable CHO cell clones, offering a valuable tool for recombinant antibody production.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026025
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant type of primary liver cancer, represents an extremely aggressive malignancy. The induction of cuproptosis has developed into a favorable therapeutic direction for HCC, considering its strong association with HCC. Sanguinarine (San), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid derived from traditional herbs such as Chelidonium majus L., demonstrates broad-spectrum anticancer activities against various cancer cell types. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its effects in the treatment of HCC remain largely undefined. This investigation seeks to examine the anti-HCC effects of San and to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects through the induction of cuproptosis. In vitro experiments demonstrate that San markedly inhibits the proliferation, movement, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells while enhancing their apoptosis. In vivo, San notably impedes tumor growth and upregulates the cuproptosis signature markers ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), oligomeric dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in HCC xenograft tumor models. Mechanistically, San induces proteotoxic stress and cuproptosis in HCC cells by increasing copper concentration, upregulating the expression of FDX1, lipoic acid synthetase (LIAS), HSP70, and lipoylated DLAT aggregation, and simultaneously reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular glutathione and pyruvate levels. Moreover, the combination of San with copper ionophores (Elesclomol-CuCl2) exhibits synergistic effects in promoting cuproptosis. FDX1 silencing markedly diminishes San-induced suppression of cell proliferation and FDX1 and HSP70 levels in HCC cells. Additionally, molecular docking analysis predicts that San exhibits the highest potential for binding with FDX1. Surface plasmon resonance experiments and cellular thermal shift assay confirm that San strongly interacts with FDX1 and markedly enhances the thermostability of FDX1. In conclusion, our findings indicate that San substantially inhibits the progression of HCC by targeting FDX1/LIAS/DLAT/HSP70 axis-dependent cuproptosis.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21344
BACKGROUND: Neural stem cells located in the ventricular zone and subventricular zone are crucial for cortical neurodevelopment and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, their precise regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. miRNA-9 is one of the most abundantly expressed miRNAs in the vertebrate embryonic and adult brain, playing diverse roles during development. Nevertheless, the role of miR-9 in neural stem cell differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of miR-9 in regulating the differentiation of neural stem cells in the ventricular zone and subventricular zone. METHODS: Neural stem cells were isolated from the ventricular zone and subventricular zone of embryonic day 14.5 ICR mice and cultured in proliferation medium for 3-4 days to form neurospheres. Stemness was identified by Pax6/Nestin immunofluorescence double staining. The expression profile of miR-9 was detected by qRT-PCR in telencephalon tissues at embryonic days 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, 18.5 and postnatal days 0, 7, as well as in embryonic day 14.5 neural stem cells cultured in vitro. Neural stem cells were transfected with miR-9 inhibitor or mimic using transfection reagents. After 24 hours, cells were differentiated for 3-4 days (neurons) and 6-8 days (glial cells). The differentiation of each lineage was quantified by immunofluorescence staining for Tuj1 (neuronal marker), myelin basic protein (oligodendrocyte marker), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (astrocyte marker). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: qRT-PCR results showed that miR-9 was highly expressed in early embryonic telencephalon (E12.5-E14.5) and gradually decreased with development (E16.5 to P7). In E14.5 neural stem cells, miR-9 expression level was close to 90% of the internal reference RNU6B. Functional experiments showed that compared with the control group, the miR-9 inhibition group had decreased proportions of Tuj1-positive neurons and myelin basic protein-positive oligodendrocytes, while the proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes increased. Conversely, the miR-9 overexpression group had increased proportions of Tuj1-positive neurons and myelin basic protein-positive oligodendrocytes, and decreased proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes, with significant differences (P < 0.001). These results indicate that miR-9 plays a bidirectional regulatory role in neural stem cell differentiation: (1) It participates in the temporal regulation of neurogenesis through developmental stage-specific expression patterns (high early, downregulated later); (2) It maintains the balance of trilineage differentiation by promoting neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation while inhibiting astrocyte generation.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21385
BACKGROUND: Due to the decline in ovarian function, reduced estrogen secretion, and endocrine disorders, perimenopausal women are more prone to osteoporosis. There are few studies on the correlation of bone mineral density with obesity indicators, blood pressure, blood routine, and glycolipid metabolism in perimenopause women, and the research results are controversial. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of bone mineral density with quantitative CT with obesity indicators, blood pressure, platelet count, and glycolipid metabolism in perimenopause women. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study. 490 perimenopause women who were admitted to Guizhou Hospital of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024 were selected. Their age, height, body mass, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, blood routine, and blood biochemical indicators were collected to calculate body mass index, waist height ratio, body shape index, body roundness index, taper index, visceral fat index, and lipid accumulation index. Quantitative CT was used to measure lumbar spine bone mineral density. According to bone mineral density, the participants were divided into normal bone mass group, low bone mass group, and osteoporosis group. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to compare the differences in various indicators among different bone mineral density groups. Spearman correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis were used to analyze the correlation between bone mineral density and various indicators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There were significant differences in age, waist circumference, waist height ratio, body shape index, body roundness index, taper index, visceral fat index, lipid accumulation index, bone mineral density, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, platelet count, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and postmenopausal status among different bone mineral density groups (P < 0.05). (2) Spearman correlation analysis showed that L1 bone mineral density, L2 bone mineral density, and average bone mineral density of L1 and L2 were negatively correlated with waist circumference, waist height ratio, body shape index, body roundness index, taper index, visceral fat index, lipid accumulation index, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with platelet count (P < 0.05). L1 bone mineral density and average bone mineral density were negatively correlated with total cholesterol (P < 0.05); L1 bone mineral density was negatively correlated with triglycerides (P < 0.05). (3) After adjusting for confounding factors, L1 bone mineral density, L2 bone mineral density, and average bone mineral density were still negatively correlated with waist circumference, body shape index, and taper index (P < 0.05); L1 bone mineral density and average bone mineral density were still negatively correlated with waist height ratio and body roundness index (P < 0.05); L2 bone mineral density was positively correlated with platelet count (P < 0.05). Among abdominal obesity indicators, body shape index and taper index had the largest correlation coefficients, especially body shape index. The results indicate that for perimenopausal women, after adjusting for confounding factors, quantitative CT bone mineral density has a certain correlation with abdominal obesity indicators and platelet count, but has no correlation with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood lipids, and fasting blood glucose. The research results provide reference for clinical early prevention of osteoporosis or delaying the development of osteoporosis, and have certain clinical value.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21447
BACKGROUND: Neobavaisoflavone could promote bone formation and may be a potential small molecule drug for bone regeneration. The use of 3D printed bone tissue engineering scaffolds as drug delivery carriers for neobavaisoflavone is expected to enhance the potential application of bone regeneration. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone bone scaffold on osteoclast and osteoblast activity. METHODS: (1) Fused deposition modeling technology was used to manufacture a 3D printed polylactic acid scaffold. These polylactic acid scaffolds were immersed in a dopamine solution containing or without neobavaisoflavone to produce polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds and polylactic acid/polydopamine scaffolds, respectively. The surface morphology, surface hardness, and compressive strength of the three groups of scaffolds were characterized, and the drug release properties of the polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds were investigated. (2) Mouse embryonic osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured with the three groups of scaffolds. CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining were used to evaluate the cytocompatibility of the scaffolds. Transwell assay was used to evaluate the effect of scaffolds on osteoblast migration. Alkaline phosphatase quantitative assay and alizarin red staining were used to evaluate the effect of scaffolds on osteoblast differentiation. RAW264.7 cells were co-cultured with the three groups of scaffolds. After osteoclast induction, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was used to evaluate the effect of scaffolds on osteoclast differentiation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Scanning electron microscopy showed that all three groups of scaffolds had three-dimensional structure and regular interconnected porous structure with an average pore size of 400 µm. The surface hardness and compressive strength of polylactic acid/polydopamine scaffolds and polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds were higher than those of polylactic acid scaffolds (P < 0.05). Polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds had good drug release behavior and could continuously release drugs for more than 14 days in vitro. (2) CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that all three groups of scaffolds had good cytocompatibility, and polylactic acid/polydopamine scaffolds and polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds could promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation. Transwell assay showed that compared with polylactic acid scaffolds, polylactic acid/polydopamine scaffolds and polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds could promote MC3T3-E1 cell migration. Alkaline phosphatase quantitative assay and alizarin red staining showed that compared with the other two groups, polylactic acid/polydopamine scaffolds and polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds could promote osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining showed that polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds could inhibit osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells. (3) These results indicate that polylactic acid/polydopamine/neobavaisoflavone scaffolds have good biosafety and can promote bone regeneration by regulating osteoblast and osteoclast activities.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21604
BACKGROUND: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) synthetic material has become one of the preferred materials for repairing skull defects due to its low density, high strength, good toughness, excellent processing performance, and good biocompatibility, but there are few bibliometric analyses of PEEK for skull repair. OBJECTIVE: To explore the overall research trends, development context, research focuses, and hotspots of PEEK materials in the field of international skull defect repair using bibliometric methods. METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection database was systematically searched for literature on PEEK materials for skull defect repair published from 1995 to 2024. On this basis, bibliometric methods were used to conduct quantitative statistics and visual analysis from the aspects of temporal dynamics of publication volume, country/region contribution, core research institution cooperation network, highly cited papers, high-yield journals, and keyword co-occurrence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This study analyzed 105 studies on PEEK for skull defect repair published from 2009 to 2024. The development process was roughly divided into three stages: 2009-2014 traditional materials, 2015-2019 clinical research on PEEK, and 2020-2024 3D printing and finite element analysis, with the 2020-2024 stage accounting for 42%. Meanwhile, "3D printing, finite element analysis" and "PEEK, titanium alloy" were high-frequency technology combinations. China (21 articles), the United States (17 articles), and Germany (12 articles) were the main research countries. PEEK has been used in more than 200,000 clinical applications worldwide, with an infection rate of 3.7%, lower than that of polymethyl methacrylate (9.2%). PEEK research has shifted from "passive repair" to "active bioactivity promotion". Europe and the United States lead in clinical translation of 3D printing (equipment rate 82%, while China's domestic rate is 39%), but there is a lag of about 2 years between literature and clinical application for 3D-printed PEEK. It is predicted that conductive PEEK will accelerate translation in 2026-2027. The results indicate that PEEK has achieved a transformation from "passive repair" to "active bioactivity promotion", with 3D printing, surface modification, and intelligent integration as core directions. Global PEEK development is uneven; underdeveloped regions have high demand but less research (12%). China focuses on clinical research (68%) but lacks basic innovation (15%). It is necessary to promote low-cost 3D printing technology, establish translation hubs, support interdisciplinary research teams, and build a 10-year multicenter follow-up system.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21520
BACKGROUND: 10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, but its role in regulating bone metabolism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effects and potential mechanisms of 10-HDA in bone remodeling. METHODS: Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were cultured with different concentrations of 10-HDA (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 mmol/L); cytoskeletal staining, live/dead staining, and CCK-8 assay were used to assess cell morphology, viability, and proliferation. For osteogenic differentiation, BMSCs were cultured with 10-HDA (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mmol/L) and osteogenic induction; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red staining were performed, and osteogenic-related protein expression was analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescence. Mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were induced to differentiate into macrophages and cultured in osteoclast differentiation medium with different concentrations of 10-HDA (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mmol/L); tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and F-actin staining were used to detect osteoclast formation. BMSCs were serum-starved for 6 h and then cultured normally, divided into control, 10-HDA, 10-HDA+AS1842856 (FOXO1 inhibitor), and 10-HDA+EX-527 (SIRT1 inhibitor) groups; 10-HDA concentration was 0.5 mmol/L. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to analyze SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway activation and expression of autophagy- and osteogenesis-related proteins. BMSCs were divided into control, H2O2, and H2O2+10-HDA groups; 10-HDA concentration was 0.5 mmol/L; after H2O2 treatment for 24 h, corresponding drug interventions were applied; after osteogenic induction, ALP and alizarin red staining were performed. BMSCs were divided into five groups: control, H2O2, H2O2+10-HDA, H2O2+10-HDA+AS1842856, and H2O2+10-HDA+EX-527; 10-HDA concentration was 0.5 mmol/L; after H2O2 treatment for 24 h, corresponding drug interventions were applied; western blot was used to detect SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway and antioxidant-related protein expression; TUNEL and β-galactosidase staining were used to assess apoptosis and senescence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Cytoskeletal staining, live/dead staining, and CCK-8 assay showed that 0.5, 1, 2 mmol/L 10-HDA promoted proliferation of rat BMSCs; these three concentrations were selected for subsequent experiments. ALP, alizarin red staining, western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis showed that 0.5 mmol/L 10-HDA promoted osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of rat BMSCs and increased osteogenic-related protein expression. TRAP and F-actin staining showed that 0.5 mmol/L 10-HDA significantly inhibited osteoclast formation. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that 10-HDA activated the SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway, promoted FOXO1 deacetylation and nuclear translocation, and upregulated autophagy-related proteins and antioxidant enzymes. ALP and alizarin red staining showed that under oxidative stress, 10-HDA promoted osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of rat BMSCs. Western blot showed that under oxidative stress, 10-HDA enhanced the antioxidant capacity of rat BMSCs by activating the SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway. TUNEL and β-galactosidase staining showed that under oxidative stress, 10-HDA reduced apoptosis and senescence of rat BMSCs via activation of the SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway. These findings indicate that 10-HDA enhances autophagy and antioxidant capacity through regulation of the SIRT1/FOXO1 signaling pathway, thereby promoting osteogenic differentiation.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21585
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated neuroprotective potential of microRNA-23a-3p in traumatic brain injury. However, direct evidence is still lacking regarding whether this protective effect stems from its precise regulation of the M1/M2 polarization balance of microglia. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the expression changes of microRNA-23a-3p in mouse brain tissue after traumatic brain injury and to explore the specific mechanism by which it affects neurological function through regulating microglial polarization. METHODS: Eighty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups: a sham operation group, a traumatic brain injury group, a traumatic brain injury + agomir-NC group, and a traumatic brain injury + agomir-MicroRNA-23a-3p group. The traumatic brain injury model was established using the cortical impact method. The sham group did not receive cortical impact. The intervention groups received intracerebroventricular injection of agomir-NC or agomir-MicroRNA-23a-3p after modeling. Six mice from the sham and traumatic brain injury groups were analyzed at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days post-injury, and six mice from the other two groups were analyzed at 14 days post-injury. Neurological deficits were assessed using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in brain tissue and neurons. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of MicroRNA-23a-3p, M1 markers (CD16, CD86), M2 markers (CD206, arginase-1), and inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10). Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate microglial M1/M2 polarization and the aggregation of F4/80-positive cells in the injured area. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the sham group, the expression of MicroRNA-23a-3p in the traumatic brain injury group showed a "V"-shaped curve, with downregulation in the early phase and upregulation starting at 7 days post-injury. Upregulation of MicroRNA-23a-3p reduced the mNSS score in traumatic brain injury mice. Morphological results showed that upregulation of MicroRNA-23a-3p alleviated brain edema and neuronal damage. Molecular biology results showed that upregulation of MicroRNA-23a-3p promoted microglial polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype. These findings indicate that MicroRNA-23a-3p can promote neurological function recovery after traumatic brain injury in mice by regulating microglial polarization.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2026•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2026082
E74-like ETS transcription factor 3 (ELF3) has been implicated in various tumorigenesis and inflammatory diseases. However, its expression profile and role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain poorly defined. In the present study, through comprehensive clinical and experimental analyses, we aim to clarify the association between ELF3 overexpression in LUAD tissues and poor prognosis. Functional assays reveal that ELF3 knockdown inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells, while ELF3 overexpression enhances these functions. Pathway enrichment analysis indicates that ELF3 influences the metabolic processes of LUAD. Mechanistically, ELF3 exerts oncogenic effects by regulating the transcription of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1). High-throughput screening reveals that dacinostat, by targeting the active site of the ELF3 protein, attenuates the glycolytic, proliferative, and metastatic abilities of LUAD cells. Additionally, ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) strengthens the stability of the ELF3 protein and influences the malignant biological behavior of LUAD through ELF3. In conclusion, the USP18/ELF3/HK2 and USP18/ELF3/GLUT1 axes play critical roles in glucose metabolism, proliferation, and metastasis of LUAD cells. Dacinostat inhibits the malignant progression of LUAD by targeting ELF3, providing strong evidence for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting ELF3.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025213
Myocardial infarction (MI) causes irreversible cardiomyocyte loss, and current reperfusion therapies fail to regenerate necrotic myocardium. Cell division cycle 5-like (CDC5L), a cell cycle regulator, has an undefined role in cardiac repair. This study investigates CDC5L in mitigating ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by assessing cardiomyocyte proliferation and apoptosis, and delineates the FGF10-YAP mechanism. In vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes and in vivo I/R in adult mice were employed. CDC5L was modulated via adenoviral or AAV9-mediated overexpression or knockdown. Proliferation markers (EdU+, Ki67+, pH3+), apoptosis (TUNEL, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio), and cardiac function (echocardiography) were quantified. Transcriptomic screening identified downstream targets, validated by FGF10 knockdown rescue. CDC5L was upregulated in post-I/R murine myocardium. Overexpression enhanced cardiomyocyte proliferation, preserved cardiac function, reduced apoptosis, and diminished infarct size. FGF10 was identified as a key downstream effector; CDC5L upregulated FGF10 expression. FGF10 knockdown reversed the proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of CDC5L. The CDC5L-mediated reduction in YAP phosphorylation was abolished upon FGF10 knockdown. CDC5L attenuates cardiac I/R injury by promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis through the FGF10-YAP pathway. This CDC5L-FGF10-YAP axis represents a promising therapeutic target to improve myocardial regeneration and recovery after myocardial infarction.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025096
Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a progressive bone disorder driven by prolonged glucocorticoid exposure, with limited therapeutic options. Ferroptosis, a regulated form of necrosis, has emerged as a potential contributor to SONFH pathogenesis, yet its mechanistic link to osteoblast dysfunction remains poorly defined. This study investigates the relationship between dexamethasone (Dex)-induced ferroptosis and silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. Dex treatment downregulated Sirt1 expression and increased ferroptosis markers, while Sirt1 overexpression elevated the ferroptosis-related proteins SLC7A11 and GPX4 following Dex exposure. Mechanistically, Dex promoted hypermethylation of the Sirt1 promoter via DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a), leading to Sirt1 suppression. These findings establish a novel epigenetic axis—DNMT3a-mediated Sirt1 promoter hypermethylation—that drives Dex-induced ferroptosis in osteoblasts. The study was conducted exclusively in vitro, and the pathophysiological relevance requires validation in animal models. Nevertheless, this work provides a foundation for understanding the epigenetic regulation of osteoblast ferroptosis and suggests potential therapeutic avenues for preventing SONFH.
Chinese Journal of New Drugs•2025•DOI: cast_zgxyzz_1236731781232251260
Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global health concern, and intravenous iron preparations are increasingly used. Ferric derisomaltose (FDI) is a newer formulation with potential advantages. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FDI compared with other iron therapies or placebo in treating IDA. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CNKI up to October 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing FDI with active comparators or placebo in patients with IDA. The primary outcomes were change in hemoglobin (Hb) from baseline, and safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), and hypersensitivity reactions. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Results: A total of 15 RCTs involving 3,452 patients were included. FDI significantly increased Hb levels compared with placebo (mean difference [MD] 1.2 g/dL, 95% CI 0.8-1.6) and was non-inferior to other intravenous iron formulations (MD 0.1 g/dL, 95% CI -0.2 to 0.4). FDI was associated with fewer hypersensitivity reactions compared with ferric carboxymaltose (risk ratio [RR] 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.9). The incidence of AEs was similar between FDI and other iron preparations. Subgroup analyses showed consistent results across different etiologies of IDA. Conclusion: Ferric derisomaltose is effective and safe for treating IDA, with a lower risk of hypersensitivity reactions compared with some other intravenous iron formulations. These findings support its use in clinical practice.