INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 4.7
Huan Chen,Jin Liu,Jia Zhang,Yuqian Chen,Yan Wang,Yuanjie Qiu,Huizhong Hu,Limin Chai,Qianqian Zhang,Qingting Wang,Manxiang Li
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is recognized as a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family that is involved in the airway inflammation and airway remodeling of asthma. However, the underlying mechanisms of BRD4 in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) proliferation and airway remodeling remain unclear. Primary cultured rat ASMCs and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced rat asthma models were applied to address these issues in the present study. We showed that transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) increased the protein expression of ubiquitin specific peptidase 22 (USP22), which deubiquitinated BRD4 therefore increased its expression, and then resulted in the upregulation of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) and osteopontin (OPN) leading to ASMCs proliferation. We further confirmed that induction of TGF-β1 sequentially upregulated USP22, BRD4, GLI1 and OPN leading to airway remodeling in OVA-induced rat asthma models, targeting TGF-β1/USP22/BRD4/GLI1/OPN pathway axis effectively attenuated airway remodeling and asthma development. Our study provides novel sights to understand the role of TGF-β1/USP22/BRD4/GLI1/OPN axis in airway remodeling, and targeting this pathway might have potential value for the prevention and treatment of asthma.
研究领域:
医学
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分子生物学
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免疫学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOMATERIALS
·
2025
·
IF 12.9
Shiman Lu,Zhaoqing Shi,Chendi Ding,Wenyan Wang,Weilang Zhang,Li Huang,Jiachan Lin,Xinpei Wang,Ran Luo,Xiaowei Zeng,Wenhu Zhou,Hongzhong Chen,Qiangsong Wang,Lin Mei
The targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategy modulates tumor growth pathways by degrading proteins of interest (POIs) and has reshaped anti-tumor drug research and development. Recently, the emergence of photodegradation-targeting chimeras (PDTACs) and laser irradiation at specific sites enables precise spatiotemporal controllability of TPD. Capitalizing on the advances of PDTACs, herein, we report a nanoplatform for efficiently delivering PDTAC molecule for photodegradation of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) proteins, the key activators of oncogenic transcription. The PDTAC molecule, named as PPa-JQ1, is synthesized through the covalent attachment of the BRD4-targeting ligand JQ1-acid, to the photosensitizer pyropheophorbide-a (PPa), utilizing a 1,6-hexanediamine linker. The PPa-JQ1 is further encapsulated by human serum albumin (HSA) to obtain the HSA@PPa-JQ1 nanoplatform, which facilitates targeted and efficacious delivery to melanoma lesions. Both in vitro and in vivo therapeutic outcomes demonstrate that HSA@PPa-JQ1 can efficiently generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to degrade BRD4 upon light irradiation, which eventually induces tumor death. Our study represents the first case to validate the anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy of PDTACs by systemic administration, providing the foundation for further application of PDTACs.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药学
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纳米技术
·
光化学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ANTI-CANCER DRUGS
·
2021
·Vol. 33
·期 1
·e145
·
IF 2.248
Liu Dan,Wang Yaya,Li Haiming,Peng Sida,Tan Huo,Huang Zhenqian
Multiple myeloma is a frequent hematologic malignancy. Bortezomib is the first-line drug for multiple myeloma chemotherapy. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role and mechanism of circular RNA chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 3 (circ-CCT3) in bortezomib resistance of multiple myeloma . The levels of circ-CCT3, microRNA-223-3p ( miR-223-3p ), and bromodomain-containing 4 (BRD4) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR or western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to measure the half-inhibitory concentration of bortezomib and cell viability. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, proliferation and migration were determined by flow cytometry, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, and wound healing assay. The levels of relevant proteins were checked via western blot. The binding association between miR-223-3p and circ-CCT3/BRD4 was validated via a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Circ-CCT3 and BRD4 were upregulated, while miR-223-3p was downregulated in bortezomib -resistant multiple myeloma patients and cells. Silencing of circ-CCT3 enhanced the sensitivity of bortezomib -resistant multiple myeloma cells to bortezomib . Circ-CCT3 knockdown weakened bortezomib resistance via modulating miR-223-3p . Moreover, miR-223-3p increased bortezomib sensitivity by inhibiting BRD4. Downregulation of circ-CCT3 attenuated bortezomib resistance of multiple myeloma via regulating miR-223-3p /BRD4 pathway, which provided a new potential target for multiple myeloma chemoresistance.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
·
血液学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
·
2022
·
IF 7.31
Chao Sun,Lei Wang,Dan-dan Du,Jian-bo Ji,Xiao-xia Yang,Bing-fang Yu,Peng-fei Shang,Xiu-Li Guo
Downregulated DSC2 involved in the metastasis of cancers. Unfortunately, its role on the development of gastric cancer (GC) and the potential mechanisms remain unclear. Bioinformatics analysis, Western blot, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the DSC2 levels of human GC and normal stomach tissues. The role of DSC2 and the downstream signaling in gastric carcinogenesis were explored by using GC specimens, GC cells with different DSC2 expression, inhibitors, and mouse metastasis models. We found that the level of DSC2 decreased significantly in GC tissues and cells. Recovered DSC2 inhibited the invasion and migration of GC cells both in culture and in xenografts. Mechanistically, DSC2 could not only decrease Snail level and nuclear BRD4 level by forming DSC2/BRD4, but also inhibit nuclear translocation of β-catenin. We concluded that DSC2 inhibited the metastasis of GC, and the underlying mechanisms were closely related to the regulation on nuclear translocation of BRD4 and β-catenin. Our results suggest that DSC2 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for GC.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TISSUE & CELL
·
2025
·
IF 2.5
Xiaoxue Zhao,Bingyu Zhang,Sining Duan,Tengfei Wu,Xiaojiao Yang,Yuxiang Liu
Growing evidence demonstrated the involvement of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). The nature compound Wedelolactone (Wed) exhibits anti-ferroptosis effects. The current study aims to explore the impact of Wed on MIRI and reveal whether Wed could protect cardiomyocytes from ferroptosis. Rats underwent cardiac IR operation, and H9c2 cardiomyocytes were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). Rats or cell in Wed-treated group were subdivided into 2 different dose regimens: low and high. Wed intervention alleviated myocardial infarction and left ventricle dysfunction, and diminished the levels of biochemical markers for cardiac injury caused by cardiac IR. The content of Fe 2+ and MDA, 4-HNE expression, and ROS production were increased in infarct zone, as well as GSH content, GSH-Px activity, and the levels of ferroptosis-related proteins were reduced. Treatment with Wed reversed the aforementioned changes. Similar results were observed in vitro experiments. Molecular docking analysis showed good binding affinity between Wed and the target protein METTL3. In OGD/R-induced H9c2 cells, Wed downregulated METTL3 protein expression and further blocked METTL3-mediated m 6 A modification of BRD4 mRNA. Overexpression of METTL3 reversed the antagonistic effect of Wed on cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. Collectively, our findings uncovered that Wed showed anti-ferroptosis effects in cardiomyocytes through downregulating the METTL3/BRD4 axis, thereby ameliorating MIRI.
研究领域:
药理学
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心脏病学
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分子生物学
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生物化学
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生物医学研究
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CANCER RESEARCH
·
2024
·
IF 12.5
Qiang Yulong,Fan Jiachen,Xie Chuanshuai,Yan Leilei,Song Xiaofei,Zhang Nan,Lin Yan,xiong jie,Zhang Wei,Liu Yu,Wei Lei,Li Yu,Chen Shizhen,Liang Kaiwei,Li Feng
The BET family member BRD4 is a bromodomain-containing protein that plays a vital role in driving oncogene expression. Given their pivotal role in regulating oncogenic networks in various cancer types, BET inhibitors (BETis) have been developed, but the clinical application has been impeded by dose-limiting toxicity and resistance. Understanding the mechanisms of BRD4 activity and identifying predictive biomarkers could facilitate the successful clinical use of BETis. Herein, we showed that KDM5C and BRD4 cooperate to sustain tumor cell growth. Mechanistically, KDM5C interacted with BRD4 and stimulated BRD4 enhancer recruitment. Moreover, binding of the BRD4 C-terminus to KDM5C stimulated the H3K4 demethylase activity of KDM5C. The abundance of both KDM5C-associated BRD4 and H3K4me1/3 determined the transcriptional activation of many oncogenes. Notably, depletion or pharmacological degradation of KDM5C dramatically reduced BRD4 chromatin enrichment and significantly increased BETi efficacy across multiple cancer types in both tumor cell lines and patient-derived organoid models. Furthermore, targeting KDM5C in combination with BETi suppressed tumor growth in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, this work reveals a KDM5C-mediated mechanism by which BRD4 regulates transcription, providing a rationale for incorporating BETi into combination therapies with KDM5C inhibitors to enhance treatment efficacy.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
·
癌症研究
·
表观遗传学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
·
2023
·
IF 7.3
Zhuang Li,Yahui Huang,Jie Tu,Wanzhen Yang,Na Liu,Wei Wang,Chunquan Sheng
Over the past several decades, invasive fungal infections, especially candidiasis, have caused dramatic morbidity and mortality due to ineffective antifungal drugs and severe drug resistance. Herein, new BRD4–histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were designed to restore the susceptibility of Candida albicans (C. albicans) to fluconazole (FLC). Interestingly, several compounds showed excellent selectivity against fungal HDACs. In particular, compound B2 showed excellent synergistic effect with FLC against resistant C. albicans (FICI = 0.063) with high selectivity against fungal HDACs (SI = 1653) and low cytotoxicity. Compound B2 effectively synergized with FLC and prevented biofilm formation and morphological transition in resistant C. albicans, potentiating the antifungal activity of FLC in vivo and significantly reducing kidney fungal loads. Thus, this drug combination is promising in the treatment of resistant C. albicans infections.
研究领域:
微生物学
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药理学
·
传染病学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
·
2025
·
IF 3.9
Weikang Sun,Ke Ren,Jingjing Li,Mengyu Zhang,Qishen Jiang,Lingling Wang,Erguang Li
(199 words) The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway is required for herpes simplex virus 1 lytic infection and reactivation from latency. JNK signaling regulates cellular processes in response to stress through transcriptional regulation. However, the mechanisms by which JNK regulates HSV-1 infection are less defined. We show here that HSV-1 infection triggers BRD4 transition from chromosome association to transcriptional regulation for viral infection. Specifically, HSV-1 infection induces JNK activation which mediates redistribution of BRD4, an epigenetic reader protein, from chromatin-targeting to association with proteins of transcriptional regulation. BRD4 transitions to viral infection regulation by complexing with P-TEFb, a positive transcription elongation factor, and association with viral DNA. Genetic ablation or perturbation of JNK with chemical inhibitors or siRNA leads to impediment of BRD4 release and inhibition of HSV-1 infection. Both chemotherapeutic agents and irradiation are known to promote JNK activation and HSV reactivation. We show further that JNK agonist or chemotherapeutic agents known to activate JNK have the ability to enhance HSV-1 infection. Our study reveals a novel mechanism by which JNK regulates HSV-1 infection through stress-induced BRD4 function transition from host chromosome association to viral gene expression. The work links recurrent HSV infection by chemotherapeutic agents to JNK activation.
研究领域:
病毒学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞信号传导
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表观遗传学
·
转录调控
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Applied Materials Today
·
2020
·
IF 8.352
Qiongcong Xu,Liying Wang,Tong Tong,Xitai Huang,Chensong Huang,Fuxi Li,Qiao Su,Yichih Tien,Jun Wu,Wei Zhao,Xiaoyu Yin
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most common and aggressive biliary tract diseases with limited therapeutic strategies and poor prognosis. Various therapeutic agents have been demonstrated effective in preclinical models, but high dose requirement and toxicity to normal cells limit their clinical applications. Considering the high concentration of glutathione (GSH) in GBC, we developed a GSH-responsive nanoparticle (NP) system based on biodegradable poly(disulfide amide) (Cys-8E Polymer) for targeted delivery of a BRD4 inhibitor (JQ1), which is known as a promising therapeutic agent for GBC treatment. JQ1-loaded Cys-8E nanoparticles ( [email protected] NPs) possessed a high JQ1 loading, preferable stability and redox-responsive release behavior. Additionally, the NPs showed good targeted delivery into GBC tumor spheroids and GBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors. Specifically, the intracellular GSH in tumors could trigger the release of JQ1, which induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of GBC cells. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that [email protected] NPs enhanced the effect of JQ1 through inhibiting NF-κB pathway. Importantly, [email protected] NPs significantly suppressed GBC tumor growth in the PDX model of early recurrence. No obvious systemic toxicity and organ damages were observed after treatment with [email protected] NPs. Our results demonstrate the promising therapeutic applications of [email protected] NPs for adjuvant therapy in GBC treatment.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药学
·
分子生物学
·
纳米技术
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
·
2024
·
IF 5.3
Xixi Chen,Fang Li,Binghui Cui,Qingyi Yan,Caisheng Qiu,Zengyan Zhu,Lijuan Wen,Weiliang Chen
It has been reported that proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) can effectively degrade intracellular oncogenic proteins, providing an ideal strategy for cancer treatment. ARV825, a bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4)-PROTAC, has demonstrated the capacity to enhance the antitumor effect of the classic chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel (DTX). However, there are three major challenges to the broader in vivo application of ARV825: poor solubility, poor permeability, and off-target effects. Additionally, the efficient co-delivery of ARV825 and DTX to tumor tissues for a synergistic therapeutic effect remains unresolved. In this study, liposomes were utilized as co-delivery vehicles for ARV825 and DTX to effectively address these issues. The well-established liposomes significantly improved the solubility of both ARV825 and DTX while maintaining a sustained release profile in blood-mimetic conditions. The co-loaded liposomes accumulated in tumor tissues via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. After internalization, ARV825 effectively degraded intracellular BRD4 proteins and downregulated the expression of both Bcl-2 and PD-L1 proteins, thereby increasing tumor cell apoptosis and enhancing the tumor immune response. This, in turn, augmented the antitumor effect of DTX in vivo without undesired side effects. In conclusion, BRD4-PROTAC may serve as a promising synergistic agent alongside the conventional chemotherapeutic agent DTX, with liposomes functioning as effective co-delivery vehicles.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
药学
·
免疫学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
·
2022
·
IF 14.903
Lujing Geng,Tong Lu,Huaqing Jing,Yue Zhou,Xiaoyang Liang,Jiao Li,Nan Li
Ferroptosis (FPT), a novel form of programmed cell death, is characterized by overwhelming iron/reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO). However, the insufficiency of endogenous iron and ROS level limited the FPT therapeutic efficacy to a large extent. To overcome this obstacle, the bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD 4 )-inhibitor (+)-JQ1 (JQ1) and iron-supplement ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)-loaded gold nanorods (GNRs) are encapsulated into the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to form matchbox-like [email protected] /ZIF-8 for the amplified FPT therapy. The existence of matchbox (ZIF-8) is stable in physiologically neutral conditions but degradable in acidic environment, which could prevent the loaded agents from prematurely reacting. Moreover, GNRs as the drug-carriers induce the photothermal therapy (PTT) effect under the irradiation of near-infrared II (NIR-II) light owing to the absorption by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), while the hyperthermia also boosts the JQ1 and FAC releasing in the tumor microenvironment (TME). On one hand, the FAC-induced Fenton/Fenton-like reactions in TME can simultaneously generate iron (Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ ) and ROS to initiate the FPT treatment by LPO elevation. On the other hand, JQ1 as a small molecule inhibitor of BRD 4 protein can amplify FPT through downregulating the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), thus inhibiting the ROS elimination and leading to the LPO accumulation. Both in vitro and in vivo studies reveal that this pH-sensitive nano-matchbox achieves obvious suppression of tumor growth with good biosafety and biocompatibility. As a result, our study points out a PTT combined iron-based/BRD 4 -downregulated strategy for amplified ferrotherapy which also opens the door of future exploitation of ferrotherapy systems.
研究领域:
癌症研究
·
纳米技术
·
治疗学
·
生物医学工程
·
材料科学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Nature Communications
·
2026
·Vol. 17
·期 1
·4573
·
IF 18.1
Zhao Qirui,Xu Tongtong,Du Zuchao,Lu Xiaoqing,Zhang Yan,Peng Linjia,Gao Zixuan,Wang Weicheng,Zhu Binyu,Liu Zhigang,Yang Guangjie,Zhao Hui,Song Zhiming,Lou Qiankun,Li Jiaming,Ren Zhiguang,Yu Zhe,Wang Wei,Liu Yanlei,Liang Hui,de la Fuente Jesus M.,Cui Daxiang
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease with limited disease-modifying therapies. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic dysregulation contributes to cartilage degeneration, but effective strategies to selectively target these pathways remain lacking. Here we show that the BRD4/Nav1.7 axis drives inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction in OA. Integrated single-cell and transcriptomic analyses identify BRD4 as a key regulator that enhances Nav1.7 transcription, promoting mitochondrial impairment and catabolic activation in chondrocytes. To therapeutically target this pathway, we develop a biomimetic hydrogel system incorporating chondrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles for cartilage-specific delivery of a BRD4 proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), a molecule designed to induce selective protein degradation. This nanoplatform enables efficient intra-articular delivery, immune evasion and targeted retention in cartilage. Treatment suppresses inflammatory responses, restores mitochondrial function and reduces cartilage degeneration and pain behaviors in two mouse models of OA. These findings establish targeted BRD4 degradation as a disease-modifying strategy and provide a precision nanotherapeutic platform for OA.
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
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