Role of Histone Methyltransferase in Fibrosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Fibrosis， a tumor-like lesion between benign tissue and malignant tumor， mostly occurs in the liver， kidney， heart， lung， bone marrow and other organs and tissues. It can affect almost every organ and eventually induce multiple organ failure and cancers， seriously endangering human life. It will be of great importance to prevent cancer if the disease can be opportunely blocked in the fibrotic stage. The pathogenesis of fibrosis is still not completely clear. It is of great clinical significance to study the occurrence， development， and mechanism of fibrosis as well as to screen new therapeutic targets. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 （EZH2） is mainly located in the nucleus and involved in the formation of the polycomb repressive complex 2. EZH2 is a methyltransferase which makes the lysine on position 27 of histone H3 （H3K27me3） undergo trimethyl modification induces gene silencing through classical or nonclassical actions， so as to inhibit or activate transcription. EZH2 plays a critical role in cell growth， proliferation， differentiation， and apoptosis， which is regulated by different targets and signaling pathways. EZH2 regulates the transformation of myofibroblasts and participates in the fibrosis of multiple organs. Recent studies have shown that EZH2 plays a role in fibrosis-related pathophysiological processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition， oxidative stress， and inflammation. EZH2 as the target of fibrosis， EZH2 inhibitors， and EZH2-related traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formula and active compounds have gradually become hot research directions. EZH2 may be a powerful target for organ fibrosis. Exploring the structure， function， and distribution of EZH2， the role of EZH2 in fibrosis， the EZH2 inhibitors， and TCM formulas and active components targeting EZH2 has great meanings. This paper reviews the research progress in EZH2 and fibrosis， providing new ideas for the diagnosis， treatment， and drug development of fibrosis.

The lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 facilitates neointimal hyperplasia by regulating the HDAC3-SRF axis

Coronary restenosis is an important cause of poor long-term prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease. Here, we show that lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 expression in the nucleus is significantly elevated in serum- and PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and in tissues of carotid artery injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia. Smyd2 overexpression in VSMCs (Smyd2-vTg) facilitates, but treatment with its specific inhibitor LLY-507 or SMYD2 knockdown significantly inhibits VSMC phenotypic switching and carotid artery injury-induced neointima formation in mice. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that SMYD2 knockdown represses the expression of serum response factor (SRF) target genes and that SRF overexpression largely reverses the inhibitory effect of SMYD2 knockdown on VSMC proliferation. HDAC3 directly interacts with and deacetylates SRF, which enhances SRF transcriptional activity in VSMCs. Moreover, SMYD2 promotes HDAC3 expression via tri-methylation of H3K36 at its promoter. RGFP966, a specific inhibitor of HDAC3, not only counteracts the pro-proliferation effect of SMYD2 overexpression on VSMCs, but also inhibits carotid artery injury-induced neointima formation in mice. HDAC3 partially abolishes the inhibitory effect of SMYD2 knockdown on VSMC proliferation in a deacetylase activity-dependent manner. Our results reveal that the SMYD2-HDAC3-SRF axis constitutes a novel and critical epigenetic mechanism that regulates VSMC phenotypic switching and neointimal hyperplasia.

Knockdown of ACC1 promotes migration of esophageal cancer cell / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) knockdown on the migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) KYSE-450 cell and underlying mechanism. Methods: Lentiviral transfection was conducted to establish sh-NC control cell and ACC1 knocking down cell (sh-ACC1). Human siRNA HSP27 and control were transfected by Lipo2000 to get si-HSP27 and si-NC. The selective acetyltransferase P300/CBP inhibitor C646 was used to inhibit histone acetylation and DMSO was used as vehicle control. Transwell assay was performed to detect cell migration. The expression of HSP27 mRNA was examined by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the expressions of ACC1, H3K9ac, HSP27 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins E-cadherin and Vimentin were detected by western blot. Results: The expression level of ACC1 in sh-NC group was higher than that in sh-ACC1 group (P<0.01). The number of cell migration in sh-NC group was (159.00±24.38), lower than (361.80±26.81) in sh-ACC1 group (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in sh-NC group were statistically significant compared with sh-AAC1 group (P<0.05). The migrated cell number in sh-NC+ si-NC group was (189.20±16.02), lower than (371.60±38.40) in sh-ACC1+ si-NC group (P<0.01). The migrated cell number in sh-NC+ si-NC group was higher than that in sh-NC+ si-HSP27 group (152.40±24.30, P<0.01), and the migrated cell number in sh-ACC1+ si-NC group was higher than that in sh-ACC1+ si-HSP27 group (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in sh-NC+ si-NC group were significantly different from those in sh-ACC1+ si-NC and sh-NC+ si-HSP27 groups (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in sh-ACC1+ si-NC group were significantly different from those in sh-ACC1+ si-HSP27 group (P<0.01). After 24 h treatment with C646 at 20 μmmo/L, the migrated cell number in sh-NC+ DMSO group was (190.80±11.95), lower than (395.80±17.10) in sh-ACC1+ DMSO group (P<0.01). The migrated cell number in sh-NC+ DMSO group was lower than that in sh-NC+ C646 group (256.20±23.32, P<0.01). The migrated cell number in sh-ACC1+ DMSO group was higher than that in sh-ACC1+ C646 group (87.80±11.23, P<0.01). The protein expressions of H3K9ac, HSP27, E-cadherin and Vimentin in sh-NC+ DMSO group were significantly different from those in sh-ACC1+ DMSO group and sh-NC+ C646 group (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of H3K9ac, HSP27, E-cadherin and Vimentin in sh-ACC1+ DMSO group were significantly different from those in sh-ACC1+ C646 group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Knockdown of ACC1 promotes the migration of KYSE-450 cell by up-regulating HSP27 and increasing histone acetylation.

Advances in histone epigenetic enzyme inhibitors based on proteomics / 药学学报

As an important component of nucleosomes on the chromatin of eukaryotic cells, histones play an important role in the development and progression of tumour diseases by regulating epigenetic post-translational modifications such as acetylation and methylation. In addition, development of inhibitors targeting methyltransferase and deacetylase provides novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics can reveal the global changes of histone modifications under the action of drugs during disease progression, which in turn provides important support for revealing drug action mechanism, drug resistance mechanism, and investigating novel drug combination strategies. This article focuses on the progress and status of proteomic research on a variety of histone modifying enzyme inhibitors, including methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors, which will help to understand the current and further utilization of proteomics in studying histone modifications.

Effects and mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human glioma cells / 中国药房

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 on the proliferation and apoptosis in human glioma U87 and U251 cells. METHODS Using human glioma U87 and U251 cells as subjects， the proliferation and apoptosis， as well as the expression of histone deacetylase 1（HDAC1） protein and apoptosis-related proteins [B cell lymphoma-2（Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） and cleaved caspase-3] were detected after being treated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rh2. RESULTS The concentrations of 10，20，30，40，50，60，70，80 μmol/L ginsenoside Rh2 could generally significantly increase the proliferation inhibition rate of U87 and U251 cells （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， and the half inhibitory concentrations of this component after 48 hours of action were 51.34 and 55.84 μmol/L， respectively；30，50 μmol/L ginsenoside Rh2 could increase the total apoptotic rate of both types of cells， reduced the protein expressions of HDAC1 and Bcl-2， and increased the protein expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Ginsenoside Rh2 has a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of glioma cells and promotes the apoptosis of cells， which may be through reducing the expression of HDAC1 protein and activating the Bcl-2 family protein-mediated apoptosis pathway.

Effect of surgery under propofol anesthesia during mid-pregnancy on cognitive function and hippocampal HDAC2-CREB-NR2B signaling pathway in offspring rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of surgery under propofol anesthesia during mid-pregnancy on the cognitive function and hippocampal histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2)-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 2B subunit (NR2B)-containing NMDA receptor (NR2B) signaling pathway in the offspring rats.Methods:Thirty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats at 14 days of gestation were divided into 3 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: propofol anesthesia group (P group), surgery under propofol anesthesia group (S group) and control group (C group). In S group, propofol 20 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein, and then propofol was continuously infused at a rate of 20 mg·kg -1·h -1 to maintain anesthesia for 4 h, and exploratory laparotomy was performed. Group P received no exploratory laparotomy and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group S. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. The learning and memory of the offspring rats was assessed using Morris water maze test on postnatal day 30. The expression of HDAC2, phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB), NR2B, brain-derived neurotriphic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated tyrosine kinase B (p-TrkB) in offspring′s hippocampi was evaluated by Western blot. Apoptosis in hippocampal neurons was detected by TUNEL staining. Results:Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the time spent in the second quadrant was shortened, the expression of HDAC2 was up-regulated, the expression of p-CREB, NR2B, BDNF and p-TrkB was down-regulated, and the apoptosis rate of the hippocampal neurons was increased in P and S groups ( P<0.05). Compared with P group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the time spent in the second quadrant was shortened, the expression of HDAC2 was up-regulated, the expression of p-CREB, NR2B, BDNF and p-TrkB was down-regulated, and the apoptosis rate of the hippocampal neurons was increased in S group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Surgery under propofol anesthesia during mid-pregnancy can decrease the cognitive function of offspring rats, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of HDAC2-CREB-NR2B signaling pathway and the promotion of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons.

Research progress of histone lactylation in immunomodulation after traumatic brain injury / 中华创伤杂志

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major reason for temporary or permanent dyskinesia and cognitive impairment of the organism. Generally, TBI induces subsequent neuroinflammation to assist cell debris removal and tissue repair and regeneration after injury. However, overactivation or long-term activation of immune cells will exacerbate nerve damage or death, cause cognitive dysfunction, and ultimately lead to neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, secondary damage caused by persistent inflammation is a key component of TBI pathological process. As the main metabolite of anaerobic glycolysis, lactate is increased after TBI and participates in brain inflammation as an important immune regulatory molecule rather than a metabolic waste. Importantly, histone lysine lactylation as a novel type of histone post-translational modifications (HPTM) derived from lactate allows lactate to participate in the regulation of complex immunopathophysiological processes of the central nervous system after TBI. Further study on the process of histone lactylation and its immune regulation mechanism during TBI may provide new insights for early intervention and improvement of TBI prognosis. Thus, the authors reviewed the role of histone lactylation in the immune regulation of TBI, so as to further elucidate the mechanism of TBI and the explore new warning and prevention measures from the perspective of HPTM.

Relationship between histone deacetylase gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bai and Han populations in Dali of Yunnan Province / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the relationship between histone deacetylase (HDAC) gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Bai and Han populations in Dali of Yunnan province.Methods:A total of 148 patients with T2DM of Bai and Han nationalities who received treatment in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture People's Hospital from May 2019 to March 2021 were included in the T2DM group. An additional 100 healthy controls of Bai and Han nationalities who concurrently received physical examination in the same hospital from May 2019 to December 2020 were included in the normal control group. The susceptibility genes of T2DM were detected using the Taqman MGB probe method. The susceptibility gene loci were amplified using polymerase chain reaction. The whole sequence of susceptibility gene was sequenced.Results:There were no significant differences in the distribution frequencies of rs2530223 genotype, rs11741808 genotype, rs2547547 genotype, and rs1741981 genotype between Bai and Han populations (all P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in blood lipid level between four loci ( t = -1.06, -0.19, 0.39, -2.12, -2.04, 0.16, 1.47, < 0.01, -0.16, -3.17, -2.93, 0.69, -2.58, -2.33, all P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance between different states (all P < 0.05). The frequency distributions of each genotype and each allele did not differ significantly between healthy control people of Bai nationality and T2DM patients of Bai nationality and between healthy control people of Han nationality and T2DM patients of Han nationality (all P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the polymorphism was not an independent risk factor for T2DM. Conclusion:The relationships between HDAC gene polymorphism and T2DM, obesity and dyslipidemia differ between Bai and Han populations.

Novel insights into histone lysine methyltransferases in cancer therapy:From epigenetic regulation to selective drugs / 药物分析学报

The reversible and precise temporal and spatial regulation of histone lysine methyltransferases(KMTs)is essential for epigenome homeostasis.The dysregulation of KMTs is associated with tumor initiation,metastasis,chemoresistance,invasiveness,and the immune microenvironment.Therapeutically,their promising effects are being evaluated in diversified preclinical and clinical trials,demonstrating encouraging outcomes in multiple malignancies.In this review,we have updated recent understandings of KMTs'functions and the development of their targeted inhibitors.First,we provide an updated overview of the regulatory roles of several KMT activities in oncogenesis,tumor suppression,and im-mune regulation.In addition,we summarize the current targeting strategies in different cancer types and multiple ongoing clinical trials of combination therapies with KMT inhibitors.In summary,we endeavor to depict the regulation of KMT-mediated epigenetic landscape and provide potential epigenetic targets in the treatment of cancers.

Epigenetic drug library screening reveals targeting DOT1L abrogates NAD+synthesis by reprogramming H3K79 methylation in uveal melanoma / 药物分析学报

Uveal melanoma(UM)is the most frequent and life-threatening ocular malignancy in adults.Aberrant histone methylation contributes to the abnormal transcriptome during oncogenesis.However,a comprehensive understanding of histone methylation patterns and their therapeutic potential in UM remains enigmatic.Herein,using a systematic epi-drug screening and a high-throughput transcriptome profiling of histone methylation modifiers,we observed that disruptor of telomeric silencing-1-like(DOT1L),a methyltransferase of histone H3 lysine 79(H3K79),was activated in UM,especially in the high-risk group.Concordantly,a systematic epi-drug library screening revealed that DOT1 L inhibitors exhibited salient tumor-selective inhibitory effects on UM cells,both in vitro and in vivo.Combining Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation(CUT&Tag),RNA sequencing(RNA-seq),and bioinformatics analysis,we identified that DOT1 L facilitated H3K79 methylation of nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase(NAPRT)and epigenetically activated its expression.Importantly,NAPRT served as an oncogenic accel-erator by enhancing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD+)synthesis.Therapeutically,DOT1L inhi-bition epigenetically silenced NAPRT expression through the diminishment of dimethylation of H3K79(H3K79me2)in the NAPRT promoter,thereby inhibiting the malignant behaviors of UM.Conclusively,our findings delineated an integrated picture of the histone methylation landscape in UM and unveiled a novel DOT1L/NAPRT oncogenic mechanism that bridges transcriptional addiction and metabolic reprogramming.

Epigenetic mechanism of myopia / 中华实验眼科杂志

Myopia has become a serious public health problem, but its pathogenesis is still unclear, and effective interventions are relatively scarce.It is recognized that myopia is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, in which epigenetics may play a key role.Epigenetics refers to the changes in gene expression and function that do not involve DNA sequence variation.Mainly including DNA methylation, non-coding RNA (microRNA, long non-coding RNA and circular RNA, etc.), histone modification and mRNA modification, epigenetic modifications interact to form a complex regulatory network in the pathophysiological process of myopia.By controlling the process of scleral matrix remodeling, eye cell proliferation and retinal development, the morphological characteristics of the eye are jointly regulated, ultimately affecting the onset and development of myopia.Epigenetics has provided new targets of myopia intervention and has become a hotspot in the field.In this paper, we reviewed the current findings of myopia epigenetics to provide a reference for related research.

Effect of trichostatin A on lipopolysaccharide-induced injury and apoptosis of human microvascular endothelial cell / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To investigate the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A(TSA) on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced injury and apoptosis of human microvascular endothelial cell(HMEC).Methods:HMECs were used as research cells to establish LPS-induced septic cell model, which were divided into three groups according to different treatments: control group (150 μL of phosphate buffer), LPS group (150 μL of 5 μg/mL LPS), LPS+ TSA group (150 μL of 5 μg/mL LPS and 500 μg/L TSA). After cells of each group were cultured for 24 h and 48 h, the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in the culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the apoptosis rate of HMECs was detected by Annexin V-FTTC/PI staining, then comparison between different groups were made.Results:Compared with the control group, LDH concentration in LPS group increased significantly at 24 h[(4.67±1.27) ng/L vs. (11.57±0.83) ng/L ] and 48 h[(7.93±0.80) ng/L vs. (12.72±0.89) ng/L ]; Compared with LPS group, LDH concentration in LPS + TSA group decreased significantly at 24 h[(6.01±0.29) ng/L ] and 48 h[(5.96±0.27) ng/L ], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the apoptosis rates of HMEC cells in LPS group were significantly higher at 24 h[(0.92±0.89)% vs. (1.66±0.09)% ] and 48 h[(1.09±0.14)% vs. (5.01±0.16)%]; Compared with LPS group, the apoptosis rate of HMEC cells in LPS + TSA group significantly decreased at 24 h[(1.36±0.01)% ] and 48 h[(4.19±0.23)% ], the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:TSA has the protective effect of reducing cell injury and apoptosis in sepsis.

Progress of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in hematological tumors / 白血病·淋巴瘤

The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase, which is widely studied in histone methylation modification. It can promote epigenetic gene silencing and mediate the occurrence of tumors through a variety of regulatory mechanisms. The gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations of EZH2 have been confirmed in many cancers. At present, with the extensive attention paid to the regulatory role of EZH2 in epigenetic mechanism, the exact way in which EZH2 imbalance affects the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies remains to be clarified. This article reviews the pathogenetic role of EZH2 in hematological tumors, and hope to find new targets for the prevention and treatment of hematological tumors.

The engagement of histone lysine methyltransferases with nucleosomes: structural basis, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic implications

Histone lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs) deposit methyl groups onto lysine residues on histones and play important roles in regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. The structures and functions of HKMTs have been extensively investigated in recent decades, significantly advancing our understanding of the dynamic regulation of histone methylation. Here, we review the recent progress in structural studies of representative HKMTs in complex with nucleosomes (H3K4, H3K27, H3K36, H3K79, and H4K20 methyltransferases), with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of nucleosome recognition and trans-histone crosstalk by these HKMTs. These structural studies inform HKMTs' roles in tumorigenesis and provide the foundations for developing new therapeutic approaches targeting HKMTs in cancers.

Hedgehog pathway orchestrates the interplay of histone modifications and tailors combination epigenetic therapies in breast cancer

Epigenetic therapies that cause genome-wide epigenetic alterations, could trigger local interplay between different histone marks, leading to a switch of transcriptional outcome and therapeutic responses of epigenetic treatment. However, in human cancers with diverse oncogenic activation, how oncogenic pathways cooperate with epigenetic modifiers to regulate the histone mark interplay is poorly understood. We herein discover that the hedgehog (Hh) pathway reprograms the histone methylation landscape in breast cancer, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This facilitates the histone acetylation caused by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and gives rise to new therapeutic vulnerability of combination therapies. Specifically, overexpression of zinc finger protein of the cerebellum 1 (ZIC1) in breast cancer promotes Hh activation, facilitating the switch of H3K27 methylation (H3K27me) to acetylation (H3K27ac). The mutually exclusive relationship of H3K27me and H3K27ac allows their functional interplay at oncogenic gene locus and switches therapeutic outcomes. Using multiple in vivo breast cancer models including patient-derived TNBC xenograft, we show that Hh signaling-orchestrated H3K27me and H3K27ac interplay tailors combination epigenetic drugs in treating breast cancer. Together, this study reveals the new role of Hh signaling-regulated histone modifications interplay in responding to HDAC inhibitors and suggests new epigenetically-targeted therapeutic solutions for treating TNBC.

Entinostat, a class I selective histone deacetylase inhibitor, plus exemestane for Chinese patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

Entinostat plus exemestane in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) advanced breast cancer (ABC) previously showed encouraging outcomes. This multicenter phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of entinostat plus exemestane in Chinese patients with HR + ABC that relapsed/progressed after ≥1 endocrine therapy. Patients were randomized (2:1) to oral exemestane 25 mg/day plus entinostat (n = 235) or placebo (n = 119) 5 mg/week in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the independent radiographic committee (IRC)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). The median age was 52 (range, 28-75) years and 222 (62.7%) patients were postmenopausal. CDK4/6 inhibitors and fulvestrant were previously used in 23 (6.5%) and 92 (26.0%) patients, respectively. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the entinostat and placebo groups. The median PFS was 6.32 (95% CI, 5.30-9.11) and 3.72 (95% CI, 1.91-5.49) months in the entinostat and placebo groups (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.98; P = 0.046), respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 154 (65.5%) patients in the entinostat group versus 23 (19.3%) in the placebo group, and the most common grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs were neutropenia [103 (43.8%)], thrombocytopenia [20 (8.5%)], and leucopenia [15 (6.4%)]. Entinostat plus exemestane significantly improved PFS compared with exemestane, with generally manageable toxicities in HR + ABC (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03538171).

Trichostatin C attenuates TNFα-induced inflammation in endothelial cells by up-regulating Krüppel-like factor 2 / 药学学报

Krüppel-like transcription factor 2 (KLF2) plays a key regulatory role in endothelial inflammation, thrombosis, angiogenesis and macrophage inflammation and polarization, and up-regulation of KLF2 expression has the potential to prevent and treatment atherosclerosis. In this study, trichostatin C (TSC) was obtained from the secondary metabolites of rice fermentation of Streptomyces sp. CPCC 203909 as a KLF2 up-regulator by using a high throughput screening model based on a KLF2 promoter luciferase reporter assay. TSC significantly inhibited the adhesion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) induced monocytes (THP-1) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blot results showed that TSC decreased TNFα induced the protein expression increase of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and thereby inhibited endothelial inflammation. The results of histone deacetylase (HDAC) overexpression and molecular docking experiments showed that TSC upregulated the expression of KLF2 by inhibiting subtypes of HDAC 4/5/7. In conclusion, this study suggests that TSC up-regulates the expression of KLF2 through inhibiting HDAC 4/5/7 and thus inhibits TNFα induced endothelial inflammation, and it has the potential to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.

HDAC3-a key target for preventing organ ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国药理学通报

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) plays an important role in chromatin remodeling, which in turn regulates gene transcription, so HDAC3 is involved in the pathophysiology of various diseases through epigenetic regulation. Organ ischemia-reperfusion injury (I R I) is a pathophysiological process that leads to the development of a variety of diseases such as delayed neuronal necrosis, irreversible shock, myocardial infarction, acute organ failure and organ transplant rejection. In this paper we review the pathophysiological function of HDAC3 and its role in the development of IRI in human parenchymal organs, and also explore the therapeutic value of HDAC3 in IRI.

Role of epigenetic regulation of biological clock genes in tumors / 中国药理学通报

The circadian clock is regulated at the molecular level by transcriptional-translational feedback loop of clock genes, which ensures that a variety of physiological processes have a-round 24 h circadian rhythms, including cell metabolism, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and tumorigenesis, to maintain the homeostasis. Thus, the disturbance of circadian clock will disrupt homeostasis, causing various diseases, including neoplasm, metabolic syndrome, Parkinson's disease, COPD and cardiovascular diseases. Disturbance of circadian clock is closely related with tumorigenesis, and acts on various molecules and pathways leading to tumorigenesis, including oncogene and tumor suppressor gene, cell cycle, metabolic reprogramming, immune escape, endocrine disruption, alteration of gastrointestinal microbiome. This review focuses on changes in clock genes expression which disrupt cell cycle and may play a role in tumorigenesis, and epi-geneties, an important way to regulate gene expression, which can alter clock gene expression, thus playing an important role in the process of " the alternation of clock gene expression-disruption of cell cycle-tumorigenesis".

Mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Decoction alleviating inflammatory response after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by activating SIRT1 in hippocampus of rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the inhibitory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on the inflammatory response in the hippocampus of brain tissues of CIRI rats by regulating SIRT1 and the underlying mechanism. Methods The middle cerebral artery embolization (MCAO) model was prepared in rats and divided into sham operation group (Sham), model group (MCAO/R), Buyang Huanwu Decoction group (BYHWT),and BYHWT + SIRT1 inhibitor group (BYHWT + EX527). Zea Longa was used to detect the neurological function score of rats in each group; TTC staining was used to determine the volume of cerebral infarction; HE staining was used to observe the pathological damage of the hippocampus; Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of SIRT1 and IL-6; immunohistochemistry was used to detect TNF-α, IL-1β expression level. Results Compared with the sham group,the neurological function score of the MCAO/R group increased (P < 0.05); the volume of cerebral infarction increased (P < 0.05); the nerve cells in hippocampus were severely damaged, arranged disorderly, and the nucleus was broken; Western blot showed that the expression of SIRT1 decreased, IL-6 expression increased (P <0.05); immunohistochemistry showed that TNF-α,IL-1β expression increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the MCAO/R group, the neurological function score of the BYHWT group decreased (P <0.05); the volume of cerebral infarction decreased (P < 0.05); the damage of nerve cells in hippocampus was reduced; Western blot showed that the expression of SIRT1 increased and IL-6 expression decreased (P < 0.05); immunohistochemistry showed that TNF-α, IL-1β expression decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the BYHWT group, the neurological function score of the BYHWT + EX527 group increased (P < 0.05); the volume of cerebral infarction was raised (P <0.05); the damage of nerve cells in hippocampus was aggravated; Western blot showed that the expression of SIRT1 decreased and IL-6 expression increased (P < 0.05); immunohistochemistry showed that TNF-α, IL-1β expression increased (P < 0.05). Conclusions Preliminary discussion of Buyang Huanwu Decoction can activate SIRT1 in hippocampus of rat brain tissues to reduce the inflammatory response after CIRI and play a role in brain protection.