development-application-radiation-induced-skin-injury-animal-models

Development and Application of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury Animal Models Based on Strontium-90 &#946;-rays

Radiation-induced skin injury is a severe complication frequently encountered in nuclear accident emergencies or radiation-related occupations, ...

Sichuan University

Many functional activities of endometrium epithelium are energy consuming which are very important for maintaining intrauterine environment needed by early embryonic development and establishment of implantation window. Glucose is a main energy supplier and one of the main components of intrauterine fluid. Obviously, glucose transports in endometrium epithelium involve in for these activities but their functions have not been elucidated. In this research, we observed a spatiotemporal pattern of sodium glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) expression in the mouse endometrium. We also determined that progesterone can promote the expression of SGLT1 in the mouse endometrial epithelium in response to the action of oestrogen. Treatment with the SGLT1 inhibitor phlorizin or small interfering RNA specific for SGLT1 (SGLT1-siRNA) altered glucose uptake in primary cultured endometrial epithelial cells, which exhibited reduced ATP levels and AMPK activation. The injection of phlorizin or SGLT1-siRNA into one uterine horn of each mouse on day 2 of pregnancy led to an increased glucose concentration in the uterine fluid and decreased number of harvested normal blastocysts and decreased expression of integrin αVβ3 in endometrial epithelium and increased expression of mucin 1 and lactoferrin in endometrial epithelium and the uterine homogenates exhibited activated AMPK, a decreased ATP level on day 4, and a decreased number of implantation sites on day 5. In embryo transfer experiments, pre-treatment of the uterine horn with phlorizin or SGLT1-siRNA during the implantation window led to a decreased embryo implantation rate on day 5 of pregnancy, even when embryos from normal donor mice were used. In conclusion, SGLT1, which participates in glucose transport in the mouse endometrial epithelium, inhibition and/or reduced expression of SGLT1 affects early embryo development by altering the glucose concentration in the uterine fluid. Inhibition and/or reduced expression of SGLT1 also affects embryo implantation by influencing energy metabolism in epithelial cells, which consequently influences implantation-related functional activities.

Expression of SGLT1 in the Mouse Endometrial Epithelium and its Role in Early Embryonic Development and Implantation.

Cerulenin is a fungal metabolite and a specific inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FASN), which has shown a potential anticancer activity. 20-25% of breast cancer patients with ErbB2-overexpressing develop resistance to treatment. Therefore, it is urgent to find an effective new target for the treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer. Our previous study found that cerulenin inhibits the glycolysis and migration of SK-BR-3 cells, but the effect of cerulenin on other malignant phenotypes of breast cancer is still unknown. Furthermore, the mechanism by which cerulenin displays its inhibitory effects is not fully understood. In this study, we systematically investigate the inhibitory effects of cerulenin on proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells and its molecular mechanism. We found that cerulenin obviously suppresses the proliferation, migration, invasion as well as glycolysis. Through bioinformatic analyses, we found that PKM2 might be a target of cerulenin. In addition, ErbB2 and its signaling pathway upregulated PKM2 protein levels. Furthermore, we demonstrated that cerulenin downregulated the protein levels of ErbB2, PKM2 and EMT markers (MMP9, MMP2 and Snail2) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Finally, the inhibitory of cerulenin on colony formation, migration, invasion and glycolysis, as well as protein levels of EMT markers were rescued by replenishing with PKM2. These findings illustrated that cerulenin inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis by targeting ErbB2/PKM2 pathway in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells.

Cerulenin suppresses ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer by targeting ErbB2/PKM2 pathway.

Impaired spermatogenesis resulting from disturbed cholesterol metabolism due to intake of high-fat diet (HFD) has been widely recognized, however, the role of preprotein invertase subtilin 9 (PCSK9), which is a negative regulator of cholesterol metabolism, has never been reported. This study aims to reveal the role of PCSK9 on spermatogenesis induced by HFD in mice.

PCSK9 involves in the high-fat diet-induced abnormal testicular function of male mice.

Runt-related transcription factor-1 (RUNX1), a key member of the core-binding factor family of transcription factors, has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. There is an urgent need to fully understand the expression pattern of Runx1 in the heart and the mechanisms by which it is controlled under normal conditions and in response to disease. The expression of Runx1 is regulated at the transcriptional level by two promoters designated P1 and P2. Alternative usage of these two promoters creates differential mRNA transcripts diversified in distribution and translational potential. While the significance of P1/P2 promoter-switch in the transcriptional control of Runx1 has been highlighted in the embryogenic process, very little is known about the level of P1- and P2-specific transcripts in adult hearts, and the underlying mechanisms controlling the promoter-switch.

Age-related promoter-switch regulates Runx1 expression in adult rat hearts.

Cancer remains one of the leading health threats globally, with therapeutic resistance being a long-standing challenge across chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. In recent years, the association between epigenetic modification abnormalities and therapeutic resistance in tumors has garnered widespread attention, spurring interest in the development of approaches to target epigenetic factors. In this review, we explore the widespread dysregulation and crosstalk of various types of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA changes, which interact through complex regulatory networks in tumors. Clinically, single-targeted therapy based on epigenetic modification usually has its limited effect against cancer. However, the combination of epigenetic drugs with other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, shows potential for synergistically enhancing efficacy and reducing drug resistance. Therefore, we evaluate the possibility and potential mechanisms of targeting epigenetic modifications to overcome resistance in cancer therapy, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in moving epigenetic therapy into clinical practice. Moreover, the application of multi-omics technologies will aid in identifying core epigenetic factors from complex epigenetic networks, enabling precision treatment and overcoming therapeutic resistance in tumors. Furthermore, the development of spatial multi-omics technologies, by providing spatial coordinates of cellular and molecular heterogeneity, revolutionizes our understanding of the tumor microenvironment, offering new perspectives for precision therapy. In summary, the combined application of epigenetic therapies and the integration of multi-omics technologies herald a new direction for cancer treatment, holding the potential to achieve more effective personalized treatment strategies.

Targeting epigenetic regulators as a promising avenue to overcome cancer therapy resistance.

The  Conference 2025, part of the  Conference series, themed "Creating High-Impact International Journals," held at the Huangjiahu Campus of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine from August 23rd to 25th, 2025, and focused on frontier topics such as microbiology, medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, botany, and research career development. The event aimed to support the development of researchers and strengthen the impact of academic journals. Through invited reports, thematic seminars, and poster presentations, the conference highlighted hot topics including multi-omics technologies, microbe-host interactions, AI-assisted research, live biotherapeutic products, and the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. The event demonstrated the innovative momentum of interdisciplinary integration and technological convergence, providing an international platform for academic exchange and laying a foundation for building an innovative scientific research ecosystem and enhancing the global influence of Chinese academic journals.

 Conference 2025: Creating high-impact international journals.

Cancer remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Radiotherapy (RT), a cornerstone of oncological treatment for over a century, has achieved great success in various cancers. However, radioresistance remains the primary factor leading to the failure of radiotherapy. Histone modifications in cancer cells are known to play a pivotal role in regulating radiosensitivity by modulating chromatin structure, either by loosening or tightening it. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the link between aberrant histone modifications and radiation resistance across various cancer and normal tissue cells. Furthermore, we discuss the regulatory mechanisms of histone modifications and the enzymes on the recruitment of proteins that recognize histone modifications. Consequently, these processes substantially affect the radiosensitivity of tumors. In addition to cancer cells, we highlight the intricate interplay between histone modification and radiosensitivity, both within and beyond the cancer cells. Meanwhile, various drugs targeting histone modifications emerge as a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome radioresistance of tumors as well as radioprotection. The combination of histone modification inhibitors with radiotherapy presents a novel approach to enhance cancer treatment outcomes in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms through which histone modifications influence cancer radiosensitivity require further elucidation to identify novel targets for radiotherapeutic intervention.

How histone modifications influence cellular radiosensitivity: Pharmaceutically targeting epigenetic regulators as a promising avenue to overcome radioresistance.

Article	Year
Expression of SGLT1 in the Mouse Endometrial Epithelium and its Role in Early Embryonic Development and Implantation. Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)\| PubMed ID: 34460091	2021
Cerulenin suppresses ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer by targeting ErbB2/PKM2 pathway. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)\| PubMed ID: 36308575	2022
PCSK9 involves in the high-fat diet-induced abnormal testicular function of male mice. Reproduction (Cambridge, England)\| PubMed ID: 36745023	2023
Age-related promoter-switch regulates Runx1 expression in adult rat hearts. BMC cardiovascular disorders\| PubMed ID: 37936072	2023
Targeting epigenetic regulators as a promising avenue to overcome cancer therapy resistance. Signal transduction and targeted therapy\| PubMed ID: 40675967	2025
Conference 2025: Creating high-impact international journals. iMeta\| PubMed ID: 41472845	2025
How histone modifications influence cellular radiosensitivity: Pharmaceutically targeting epigenetic regulators as a promising avenue to overcome radioresistance. Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B\| PubMed ID: 41477347	2025

Jiawei Song

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