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Lu L, Ma Y, Tao Q, Xie J, Liu X, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Xie X, Liu M, Jin Y. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) inhibitor AMSP-30 m attenuates CCl 4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the sonic hedgehog pathway. Chem Biol Interact 2025; 413:111480. [PMID: 40113123 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2025.111480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2025] [Accepted: 03/17/2025] [Indexed: 03/22/2025]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a passive and irreversible wound healing process caused by chronic liver injury. Research has shown that the upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis and HIF-1 α may be a promising target for the treatment of liver fibrosis. AMSP-30 m is a newly developed novel HIF-1α inhibitor by our group, which has strong anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we described the therapeutic effect and specific mechanism of AMSP-30 m on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in mice. Liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in mice and liver fibrosis induced by cobalt dichloride (CoCl2) in LX-2 cells (human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line) were studied. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E)and Masson's trichrome staining were used to observe pathological conditions. Western Blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect protein expression and localization in cells, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression. Biochemical detection kits were used to detect alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. The results demonstrated that AMSP-30 m significantly alleviated pathological symptoms, reduced ALT and AST levels, and inhibited the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I (COL1α1) in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. AMSP-30 m could significantly reduce the expression of HIF-1α and sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway related proteins (Smoothened (Smo), Shh, and glioma-associated oncogene-1 (Gli-1)) in CCl4 induced liver fibrosis mice. AMSP-30 m also played a similar role in the CoCl2-induced anoxic liver fibrosis model of LX-2 cells. Further experiments showed that Cyclopamine (a Shh inhibitor) could significantly inhibit the increase of α-SMA and COL1α1 resulting from HIF-1α but not significantly inhibit HIF-1α induced by CoCl2 in LX-2 cells. And the combination of Cyclopamine and AMSP-30 m further reduced the expression of α-SMA and COL1α1 induced by HIF-1α. In summary, this study demonstrates that the HIF-1α inhibitor AMSP-30 m exerts a robust anti-fibrotic effect by inhibiting the Shh pathway, which is identified as a critical underlying mechanism. These findings suggest a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Lu
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuchen Ma
- Pharmacy Department, Fuyang Cancer Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - Qing Tao
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yongkang Wu
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiuli Xie
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Mingming Liu
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Yong Jin
- Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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Xue C, Chu Q, Shi Q, Zeng Y, Lu J, Li L. Wnt signaling pathways in biology and disease: mechanisms and therapeutic advances. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2025; 10:106. [PMID: 40180907 PMCID: PMC11968978 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-025-02142-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2024] [Revised: 11/13/2024] [Accepted: 12/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2025] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is critically involved in orchestrating cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, survival, and cell fate determination during development. Given its pivotal role in cellular communication, aberrant Wnt signaling has been extensively linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases. This review offers an in-depth analysis of the Wnt pathway, detailing its signal transduction mechanisms and principal components. Furthermore, the complex network of interactions between Wnt cascades and other key signaling pathways, such as Notch, Hedgehog, TGF-β, FGF, and NF-κB, is explored. Genetic mutations affecting the Wnt pathway play a pivotal role in disease progression, with particular emphasis on Wnt signaling's involvement in cancer stem cell biology and the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, this review underscores the diverse mechanisms through which Wnt signaling contributes to diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndromes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Finally, a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic progress targeting Wnt signaling was given, and the latest progress in disease treatment targeting key components of the Wnt signaling pathway was summarized in detail, including Wnt ligands/receptors, β-catenin destruction complexes, and β-catenin/TCF transcription complexes. The development of small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and combination therapy strategies was emphasized, while the current potential therapeutic challenges were summarized. This aims to enhance the current understanding of this key pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingfei Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingmiao Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Juan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Chen S, Qin Z, Zhou S, Xu Y, Zhu Y. The emerging role of intestinal stem cells in ulcerative colitis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2025; 12:1569328. [PMID: 40201327 PMCID: PMC11975877 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1569328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2025] [Accepted: 03/14/2025] [Indexed: 04/10/2025] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease affecting the colon and rectum. Characterized by recurrent attacks, UC is often resistant to traditional anti-inflammatory therapies, imposing significant physiological, psychological, and economic burdens on patients. In light of these challenges, innovative targeted therapies have become a new expectation for patients with UC. A crucial pathological feature of UC is the impairment of the intestinal mucosal barrier, which underlies aberrant immune responses and inflammation. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs), which differentiate into intestinal epithelial cells, play a central role in maintaining this barrier. Growing studies have proved that regulating the regeneration and differentiation of ISC is a promising approach to treating UC. Despite this progress, there is a dearth of comprehensive articles describing the role of ISCs in UC. This review focuses on the importance of ISCs in maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier in UC and discusses the latest findings on ISC functions, markers, and their regulatory mechanisms. Key pathways involved in ISC regulation, including the Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog (HH), Hippo/Yap, and autophagy pathways, are explored in detail. Additionally, this review examines recent advances in ISC-targeted therapies for UC, such as natural or synthetic compounds, microbial preparations, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracts and compounds, and transplantation therapy. This review aims to offer novel therapeutic insights and strategies for patients who have long struggled with UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhang Qin
- The Fourth Hospital of Changsha (Changsha Hospital Affiliated with Hunan Normal University), Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sainan Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yin Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Jia J, Zhao H, Li F, Zheng Q, Wang G, Li D, Liu Y. Research on drug treatment and the novel signaling pathway of chronic atrophic gastritis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116912. [PMID: 38850667 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a global digestive system disease and one of the important causes of gastric cancer. The incidence of CAG has been increasing yearly worldwide. PURPOSE This article reviews the latest research on the common causes and future therapeutic targets of CAG as well as the pharmacological effects of corresponding clinical drugs. We provide a detailed theoretical basis for further research on possible methods for the treatment of CAG and reversal of the CAG process. RESULTS CAG often develops from chronic gastritis, and its main pathological manifestation is atrophy of the gastric mucosa, which can develop into gastric cancer. The drug treatment of CAG can be divided into agents that regulate gastric acid secretion, eradicate Helicobacter. pylori (H. pylori), protect gastric mucous membrane, or inhibit inflammatory factors according to their mechanism of action. Although there are limited specific drugs for the treatment of CAG, progress is being made in defining the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of the disease. Growing evidence shows that NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/ β-catenin, MAPK, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Hedgehog, and VEGF signaling pathways play an important role in the development of CAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhao Jia
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Binzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, PR China
| | - Huijie Zhao
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Binzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, PR China
| | - Fangfei Li
- Shum Yiu Foon Shum Bik Chuen Memorial Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Qiusheng Zheng
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Binzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, PR China; Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resource and Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, PR China
| | - Guoli Wang
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Binzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, PR China
| | - Defang Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Binzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, PR China; Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Phytomedicine Resource and Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, PR China.
| | - Ying Liu
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Binzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, PR China.
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Baratella E, Bussani R, Zanconati F, Marrocchio C, Fabiola G, Braga L, Maiocchi S, Berlot G, Volpe MC, Moro E, Confalonieri P, Cova MA, Confalonieri M, Salton F, Ruaro B. Radiological-pathological signatures of patients with COVID-19-related pneumomediastinum: is there a role for the Sonic hedgehog and Wnt5a pathways? ERJ Open Res 2021; 7:00346-2021. [PMID: 34435038 PMCID: PMC8381265 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00346-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), when air leaks into the mediastinum. An increased pneumomediastinum incidence, of up to 5–13%, was reported during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic [1, 2] and even occurred spontaneously without a history of mechanical ventilation [3], similarly to the previous severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-1 [4]. Almost half of the 30 consecutive COVID-19 patients who had prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation had full-thickness tracheal lesions and pneumomediastinum [5]. Although pronation and high positive end-expiratory pressure levels were presumed to be the putative causes of pneumomediastinum [5], the mechanism of this COVID-19 complication remains unknown. We hypothesise that sonic hedgehog (SHH) and Wnt5a signalling, crucial pathways in tracheal morphogenesis, and repair/regeneration of cartilage lesions in adulthood [6, 7], could play a role in pneumomediastinum-related COVID-19 tracheal lesions. Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of ARDS but is more common during #COVID19. The fibrous hyaline degeneration of the tracheal rings seen in this autoptic series is an original observation that has not been previously described in COVID-19 patients.https://bit.ly/3vxTQde
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Baratella
- Dept of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rossana Bussani
- Dept of Pathology, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Marrocchio
- Dept of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giudici Fabiola
- Biostatistics Unit, Dept of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Dept of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- Functional Cell Biology Unit, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Berlot
- Intensive Care Unit, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Edoardo Moro
- Intensive Care Unit, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Maria Assunta Cova
- Dept of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Barbara Ruaro
- Pulmonology Dept, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy
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