EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
·
2023
·
IF 2.4
Rui DAI,Yun XIANG,Rui FANG,Hai-Han ZHENG,Qing-Song ZHAO,Yan WANG
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in the respiratory system of children caused by abnormal immunity that responses to common antigens. Lonicerin exerts anti-inflammatory activity in other inflammatory models through targeting enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) that is related to asthma. We sought to explore the role and mechanism of lonicerin in regulating allergic airway inflammation. Mice were intraperitoneally injected 10 μg ovalbumin (OVA) on postnatal day 5 (P5) and P10, and then inhaled 3% aerosolized OVA for 10 min every day on P18–20, to establish asthmatic mice model. Lonicerin (10 or 30 mg/kg) was given to mice by intragastric administration on P16–P20. Notably, the administration of lonicerin amended infiltration of inflammatory cells and mucus hypersecretion. OVA-specific IgE level, inflammatory cell count and inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic mice were reduced after lonicerin treatment. Moreover, it suppressed the activity of EZH2 and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB) as evidenced by decreasing tri-methylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 and reducing nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. In a word, Lonicerin may attenuate asthma by inhibiting EZH2/NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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呼吸医学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
·
2022
·Vol. 68
·期 3
·778-790
·
IF 3.487
Gu Dan,Cao Ting,Yi Shijie,Liu Ya,Fan Chao
Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) features chronic, non-infectious inflammation of the colon. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) has been indicated to be related to various inflammation-related diseases. However, its association with UC remains largely unclear. Aims Here, we investigate the role of IGFBP5 in colonic mucosal epithelial cell injury in UC. Methods Differentially expressed genes in the colonic tissues of UC mice were screened using the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and IGFBP5 was identified. UC mice were developed using dextran sulfate sodium, and IGFBP5 expression in the colonic tissues of UC mice was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. The effects of IGFBP 5 in vivo and in vitro were investigated by intraperitoneal injection of adeno-associated virus into UC mice or by transfection with an IGFBP5 overexpression plasmid into lipopolysaccharide-treated colonic mucosal epithelial cells. The mechanisms causing IGFBP5 deletion in UC were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and ChIP-qPCR and verified by rescue experiments. Results IGFBP5 was reduced in UC. IGFBP5 impaired the NFκB pathway in the colonic tissue of UC mice and ameliorated inflammatory infiltration and colonic mucosal cell injury. IGFBP5 depletion was associated with H3K27me3 modification, which was induced by EZH2. CTCF was responsible for recruiting EZH2 to the promoter region of IGFBP5. CTCF inhibition repressed UC progression by reducing H3K27me3 modification via the discouragement of the enrichment of EZH2 in the IGFBP5 promoter. Conclusions CTCF modulates H3K27me3 modification of the IGFBP5 promoter by recruiting EZH2, thereby downregulating IGFBP5 to accentuate colonic mucosal epithelial cell injury in UC mice.
研究领域:
免疫学
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分子生物学
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胃肠病学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
IMMUNOBIOLOGY
·
2024
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IF 2.5
Dan Gu,Ting Cao,Shijie Yi,Xiaoqian Li,Ya Liu
Background We have previously found that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is correlated with inflammatory infiltration and mucosal cell injury in ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aims to analyze the role of X-inactive specific transcript (XIST), a possible interactive long non-coding RNA of EZH2, in UC and to explore the mechanisms. Methods C57BL/6N mice were treated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and mouse colonic mucosal epithelial cells were treated with DSS and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for UC modeling. The UC-related symptoms in mice, and the viability and apoptosis of mucosal epithelial cells were determined. Inflammatory injury in animal and cellular models were assessed through the levels of ACS, occludin, IL-1β, IL-18, TNF-α, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Molecular interactions between XIST, EZH2, and GABA type A receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) were verified by immunoprecipitation assays, and their functions in inflammatory injury were determined by gain- or loss-of-function assays. Results XIST was highly expressed in DSS-treated mice and in DSS + LPS-treated mucosal epithelial cells. It recruited EZH2, which mediated gene silencing of GABARAP through H3K27me3 modification. Silencing of XIST alleviated body weight loss, colon shortening, and disease active index of mice and reduced inflammatory injuries in their colon tissues. Meanwhile, it reduced apoptosis and inflammation in mucosal epithelial cells. However, these alleviating effects were blocked by either EZH2 overexpression or GABARAP knockdown. Rescue experiments identified caspase-11 as a key effector mediating the inflammatory injury following GABARAP loss. Conclusion This study suggests that the XIST-EZH2 interaction-mediated GABARAP inhibition activates caspase-11-dependent inflammatory injury in UC.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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免疫学
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胃肠病学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
OncoTargets and Therapy
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2021
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IF 4.147
Jie Wu,Lulu Sun,Tingting Liu,Gang Dong
Background Cancer cells could show the characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs) through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EZH2 was associated with EMT. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) could enhance gene transfection efficiency. Here, we explored the effect of UTMD-mediated shEZH2 on liver CSCs. Methods EZH2 expression in liver cancer and the overall survival of liver cancer patients were analyzed by bioinformatics. Liver CSCs (CD133 + HuH7) were sorted by flow cytometry. After transfection of shEZH2 through UTMD (UTMD-shEZH2) or liposome (LIP-shEZH2), the viability, proliferation, sphere formation, migration, and invasion of CD133 + HuH7 cells were detected by MTT, colony formation, tumor-sphere formation, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. A mice subcutaneous-xenotransplant tumor model was established by injecting CD133 + HuH7 or CD133 − HuH7 cells into the limbs of mice. Tumor weight and volume were documented. The expressions of EZH2, EMT-related factors, and STAT3/PI3K/AKT pathway-related factors in CD133 + HuH7 cells or tumor tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot, or immunohistochemical. Results EZH2 was high-expressed in liver cancer, and the patients with high expression of EZH2 had a poor survival. CD133 + HuH7 cells had higher EZH2 expression, higher viability, and stronger sphere-forming and tumor-forming abilities than CD133 − HuH7 cells. ShEZH2 inhibited the viability, proliferation, sphere formation, migration, and invasion of CD133 + HuH7 cells, decreased the weight and volume of the xenotransplant tumor, inhibited the expressions of EZH2, Vimentin, N-Cadherin, Twist-1, p-STAT3, p-PI3K, and p-AKT, and increased E-Cadherin expression. UTMD-shEZH2 caused a stronger effect on CD133 + HuH7 cells than LIP-shEZH2. Conclusion UTMD-mediated shEZH2 inhibited the stemness and EMT of liver CSCs in vitro and in vivo through regulating the STAT3/PI3K/AKT pathway.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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癌症研究
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
·
2023
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IF 6.7
Xinxin Li,Cheng Wang,Shang Li,Fucheng Yin,Heng Luo,Yonglei Zhang,Zhongwen Luo,Yifan Chen,Siyuan Wan,Lingyi Kong,Xiaobing Wang
Currently available PARP inhibitors are mainly used for the treatment of BRCA-mutated triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), with a narrow application range of approximately 15% of patients. Recent studies have shown that EZH2 inhibitors have an obvious effect on breast cancer xenograft models and can promote the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to PARP inhibitors. Here, a series of new dual-target PARP1/EZH2 inhibitors for wild-BRCA type TNBC were designed and synthesized. SAR studies helped us identify compound 12e , encoded KWLX-12e , with good inhibitory activity against PARP1 (IC 50 = 6.89 nM) and EZH2 (IC 50 = 27.34 nM). Meanwhile, KWLX-12e showed an optimal cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells (IC 50 = 2.84 μM) and BT-549 cells (IC 50 = 0.91 μM), with no toxicity on normal breast cell lines. KWLX-12e also exhibited good antitumor activity with the TGI value of 75.94%, more effective than Niraparib plus GSK126 (TGI = 57.24%). Mechanistic studies showed that KWLX-12e achieved synthetic lethality indirectly by inhibiting EZH2 to increase the sensitivity to PARP1, and induced cell death by regulating excessive autophagy. KWLX-12e is expected to be a potential candidate for the treatment of TNBC.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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癌症生物学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2024
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IF 18.5
Lei Cao,Dongsheng Tang,Zhen Yu,Yue Shen,Yang Wang,Yue-Qin Li,Juan Chen,Zhao-Qian Liu,Ji-Ye Yin,Haihua Xiao,Xiang-Ping Li
Endogenous T cell activation relies on recognizing tumor-specific antigens. However, tumor cells often alter phenotypes to evade immune surveillance, resulting in immune escape and drug resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) activates anti-tumor immune responses by generating reactive oxygen species, which induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunogenic cell death. The clinical application of PDT is limited by immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Notably, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) regulates expression of immune-related genes in tumor and immune cells through H3K27 methylation. Consequently, targeting EZH2-mediated epigenetic silence provides an effective strategy to enhance the anti-tumor immune effect of PDT. In this study, a nano-delivery system (NP2) is designed to demonstrate PDT and epigenetic reprogramming effects. NP2 can reverse epigenetic silence, enhance MHC-I expression, and induce release of CXCL9-10 via EZH2i. Meanwhile, NP2 has a significant effect on PDT, inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress that resulted in immunogenic cell death and subsequent activation of the immune cascade. In a mouse model of in situ breast cancer, the combination of PDT activation and epigenetic reprogramming through EZH2i showed synergistic effects on remolding, and triggering a robust anti-tumor immune response in vivo. This study provides a novel idea for improving the immunosuppressive environment in clinical individualized immunotherapy.
研究领域:
癌症生物学
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免疫学
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纳米技术
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Small
·
2023
·
IF 13.3
Yunshu Lu,Fenfen Gu,Yuwei Ma,Ruonan Li,Yi Luo,Xianhong Da,Lan Jiang,Xiang Li,Yan Liu
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer, currently lacks a targeted therapy and has a high clinical recurrence rate. The present study reports an engineered magnetic nanodrug based on Fe 3 O 4 vortex nanorods coated with a macrophage membrane loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and Enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2) siRNA. This novel nanodrug displays excellent tissue penetration and preferential tumor accumulation. More importantly, it significantly increases tumor suppression compared to chemotherapy, suggesting the synergistic activity of the combination of doxorubicin and EZH2-inhibition. Importantly, owing to tumor-targeted delivery, nanomedicine shows an excellent safety profile after systemic delivery, unlike conventional chemotherapy. In summary, chemotherapy and gene therapy are combined into a novel magnetic nanodrug carrying doxorubicin and EZH2 siRNA, which shows promising clinical application potential in TNBC therapy.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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纳米技术
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药学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
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2017
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IF 7.786
Zhi-qiang Yuan,Wei-liang Chen,Ben-gang You,Yang Liu,Shu-di Yang,Ji-zhao Li,Wen-jing Zhu,Xiao-feng Zhou,Chun Liu,Xue-nong Zhang
Malignant proliferation and metastasis in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) are great challenges for effective clinical treatment through conventional chemotherapy. The combinational therapy strategy of RNA interfering (RNAi) technology and chemotherapeutic agents have been reported to be promising for effective cancer therapy. In this study, based on multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs), the simultaneous delivery of etoposide (ETP) and anti-Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) siRNA for the effective treatment of orthotopic lung tumor was achieved. The NPs exhibited pH/redox dual sensitivity verified by particle size changes, morphological changes, and in vitro release of drugs. Confocal microscopy analysis confirmed that the NPs exhibited endosomal escape property and on-demand intracellular drug release behavior, which can protect siRNA from degradation and facilitate the chemotherapeutic effect respectively. In vitro tumor cell motility study demonstrated that EZH2 siRNA loaded in NPs can decrease the migration and invasion capabilities of tumor cells by downregulating the expression of EZH2 mRNA and protein. In particular, an antiproliferation study revealed that the co-delivery of siRNA and ETP in the multifunctional NPs can induce a synergistic therapeutic effect on NSCLC. In vivo targeting evaluation showed that cRGDyC-PEG modification on NPs exhibited a low distribution in normal organs and an obvious accumulation in orthotopic lung tumor. Furthermore, targeted NPs co-delivering siRNA and ETP showed superior inhibition on tumor growth and metastasis and produced minimal systemic toxicity. These findings indicated that multifunctional NPs can be utilized as a co-delivery system, and that the combination of EZH2 siRNA and ETP can effectively treat NSCLC.
研究领域:
药学
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纳米技术
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肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
·
2025
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IF 4.2
Wen Xin,Peng Yuefeng,Yang Wenqing,Zhu Yuzhong,Yu Fan,Geng Li,Wang Xianfeng,Wang Xiaoyan,Zhang Xiaodong,Tang Yi,Feng Lei,Zhou Tingting,Jia Hongliang,Yang Liu
Transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) channel, a Ca 2+ -permeable ion channel widely expressed in vasculature, has been reported to be involved in various cardiovascular disorders. However, the pathophysiological function of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-derived TRPC1 in hypertension and hypertensive cardiovascular remodeling remains to be defined. In this study, we found increased TRPC1 expression in both angiotensin II (AngII)-treated VSMCs and aortas from AngII-infused mice. VSMC-specific TRPC1 deficiency strikingly attenuated AngII-induced vasoconstriction, hypertension, vascular remodeling, and cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, AngII activated enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) to stimulate TRPC1 expression, induced calcium influx and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK-ERK), which in turn triggered VSMC proliferation and migration and exacerbated hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling. Treatment with EZH2 inhibitor reduced VSMC proliferation and migration and alleviated vasoconstriction and hypertension in AngII-infused mice. Together, we revealed the pathogenic role of the EZH2-TRPC1-MEK/ERK pathway in AngII-induced hypertension and cardiovascular damage. TRPC1 or EZH2 inhibition may represent a desirable therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension. Key messages
AngII activates AT1R-EZH2-TRPC1 pathway in VSMCs and aortas of hypertensive mice.
TRPC1 promotes VSMC proliferation and migration via MEK/ERK signaling.
Inhibition of TRPC1 or EZH2 alleviates hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling.
研究领域:
心血管病学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Cancer & Metabolism
·
2025
·
IF 5.3
Wu Qilong,Zhu Xiaotong,Wan Xinxin,Lu Xinjie,Chen Jiayan,Ying Zhe,Li Yan,Hu Xing,Lu Jiahai,Lou Yongliang,Li Xiang
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a globally prevalent malignancy that poses a substantial threat to human health. Despite advancements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, CRC remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the incomplete elucidation of its pathological mechanisms. Glutamine, an abundant amino acid, exerts pivotal roles in energy production, redox homeostasis, macromolecular biosynthesis, and signal transduction within cancer cells. Elucidating the role of glutamine in CRC pathogenesis is therefore of profound significance. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in glutamine metabolism in CRC, employing both human CRC cell models and murine models. Our findings demonstrated that Cdk5 knockdown accelerated glutamine uptake while suppressing the proliferation of CRC cells. Further exploration of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that Cdk5 physically interacts with EZH2. Besides, Cdk5 phosphorylates EZH2 at specific sites, and then the PRC2 complex (centered around EZH2) catalyzes the production of H3K27me3, an inhibitory marker, to regulate the expression of genes involved in glutamine metabolism. At the same time, we also found that modulation of the Cdk5-EZH2 axis alters the epigenetic landscape of genes associated with glutamine transporters and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes, resulting in reduced mitochondrial activity, impaired glutamine utilization in the TCA cycle, and decreased ATP production—collectively impacting the global glutamine metabolic processes in CRC cells. In in vivo experiments utilizing a murine CRC model, we established five experimental groups. Results showed that Dinaciclib treatment suppressed tumor growth in the CRC model, with this inhibitory effect being further potentiated upon combination with glutamine deprivation. These findings not only uncover the intricate interplay between Cdk5, EZH2, and glutamine metabolism in CRC but also offer novel insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of CRC and identify potential therapeutic targets.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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癌症代谢
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分子生物学
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表观遗传学
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细胞信号传导
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
·
2023
·
IF 3.5
Xinye Chen,Cheng Wang,Dehua Lu,Heng Luo,Shang Li,Fucheng Yin,Zhongwen Luo,Ningjie Cui,Lingyi Kong,Xiaobing Wang
Aberrant expression of EZH2 is frequently observed in cancers, and the EZH2 inhibitors are only effective in hematological malignancies and almost noneffective against solid tumors. It has been reported that the combination of EZH2 and BRD4 inhibitors may be a promising strategy to treat solid tumors being insensitive to EZH2 inhibitors. Thus, a series of EZH2/BRD4 dual inhibitors were designed and synthesized. The optimized compound 28 , encoded as KWCX-28 , was the most potential compound by the SAR studies. Further mechanism studies showed that KWCX-28 inhibited HCT-116 cells proliferation (IC 50 = 1.86 µM), induced HCT-116 cells apoptosis, arrested cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and resisted the histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) upregulation. Therefore, KWCX-28 was a potential dual EZH2/BRD4 inhibitors for treating solid tumors.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Clinical Epigenetics
·
2025
·Vol. 18
·期 1
·12
·
IF 4.4
Yu Chao,Yao Liyuan,Du Xinyu,Yu Jianjun,Wang Yanjin,Hou Xiying,Shen Fengchen,Liu Na,Zhuang Shougang
Background Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase that catalyzes the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3), has been implicated in promoting renal fibrogenesis. Nevertheless, its precise role and underlying mechanisms remain incompletely defined. Methods To investigate the role of EZH2 in partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT) and renal fibrosis, we utilized a mouse model with renal tubular cell-specific EZH2 deletion and administered gambogic acid (GA), a selective EZH2 degrader, following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). In vitro, mouse renal epithelial cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 and treated with either EZH2-specific siRNA or GA to assess the effects on EMT and Notch1/3 signaling. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were conducted to evaluate the binding of EZH2 and H3K27me3 to the promoters of Notch1 and Notch3. Results Compared with wild-type controls, mice with tubular cell-specific EZH2 deletion exhibited significantly reduced renal fibrosis, characterized by decreased expression of fibronectin, collagen III, vimentin, and Snail, while preserving E-cadherin levels in injured kidneys. Pharmacological degradation of EZH2 with GA produced comparable antifibrotic effects. UUO injury markedly upregulated Notch1, Notch3, the Notch intracellular domain, Hes1, Hey2, and Jagged-1; these increases were significantly suppressed by either EZH2 deletion or GA treatment. Similarly, in vitro, GA or EZH2-specific siRNA inhibited the expression of Notch signaling molecules in TGF-β1–treated renal epithelial cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed direct binding of EZH2 and H3K27me3 to the Notch1 and Notch3 promoters. UUO injury enhanced EZH2 binding while reducing H3K27me3 enrichment at these sites, effects reversed by GA treatment. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that epithelial EZH2 contributes to pEMT in renal tubular cells and promotes renal fibrosis, at least in part through activation of Notch signaling. Targeting EZH2 may hold potential as a therapeutic approach for chronic kidney disease.
研究领域:
肾脏病学
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分子生物学
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表观遗传学
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信号转导
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纤维化研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子