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Wan F, Qiu F, Deng Y, Hu H, Zhang Y, Zhang JY, Kuang P, Tian H, Wu D, Min H, Li J, Xu J, Zhou J. Knockdown of YTHDF2 initiates ERS-induced apoptosis and cancer stemness suppression by sustaining GLI2 stability in cervical cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 46:101994. [PMID: 38776708 PMCID: PMC11141453 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer ranks fourth in women in terms of incidence and mortality. The RNA-binding protein YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein F2 (YTHDF2) contributes to cancer progression by incompletely understood mechanisms. We show how YTHDF2 controls the fate of cervical cancer cells and whether YTHDF2 could be a valid target for the therapy of cervical cancer. Sphere formation and alkaline phosphatase staining assays were performed to evaluate tumor stemness of cervical cancer cells following YTHDF2 knockdown. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. The compounds 4PBA and SP600125 were used to investigate the correlation between JNK, endoplasmic reticulum stress, tumor stemness, and apoptosis. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) revealed that GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2) might be the target of YTHDF2. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were employed to investigate the association between the GLI2 mRNA and YTHDF2. Nude mouse xenografts were generated to assess the effects of YTHDF2 knockdown on cervical cancer growth in vivo. Knockdown of YTHDF2 up-regulated the expression of GLI2, leading to JNK phosphorylation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. These processes inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and their tumor cell stemness and promotion of apoptosis. In conclusion, the knockdown of YTHDF2 significantly affects the progression of cervical cancer cells, making it a potential target for treating cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujian Wan
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Fengwu Qiu
- Hubei Institute of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Blood Center, No.8 Baofeng Road, Qiaokou District,Wuhan, Hubei 430081, PR China
| | - Yang Deng
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Yingjie Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Jia-Yu Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Pei Kuang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Haoyu Tian
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Dewang Wu
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Hang Min
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
| | - Jiapeng Li
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China.
| | - Jing Xu
- Hubei Institute of Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Blood Center, No.8 Baofeng Road, Qiaokou District,Wuhan, Hubei 430081, PR China.
| | - Jun Zhou
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, College of Life and Health Sciences, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China.
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DeVito NC, Nguyen YV, Sturdivant M, Plebanek MP, Howell K, Yarla N, Jain V, Aksu M, Beasley G, Theivanthiran B, Hanks BA. Gli2 Facilitates Tumor Immune Evasion and Immunotherapeutic Resistance by Coordinating Wnt Ligand and Prostaglandin Signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.31.587500. [PMID: 38617347 PMCID: PMC11014473 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.31.587500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutic resistance to immune checkpoint blockade has been commonly linked to the process of mesenchymal transformation (MT) and remains a prevalent obstacle across many cancer types. An improved mechanistic understanding for MT-mediated immune evasion promises to lead to more effective combination therapeutic regimens. Herein, we identify the Hedgehog transcription factor, Gli2, as a key node of tumor-mediated immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance during MT. Mechanistic studies reveal that Gli2 generates an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment through the upregulation of Wnt ligand production and increased prostaglandin synthesis. This pathway drives the recruitment, viability, and function of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) while also impairing type I conventional dendritic cell, CD8 + T cell, and NK cell functionality. Pharmacologic EP2/EP4 prostaglandin receptor inhibition and Wnt ligand inhibition each reverses a subset of these effects, while preventing primary and adaptive resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, respectively. A transcriptional Gli2 signature correlates with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in stage IV melanoma patients, providing a translational roadmap to direct combination immunotherapeutics in the clinic. SIGNIFICANCE Gli2-induced EMT promotes immune evasion and immunotherapeutic resistance via coordinated prostaglandin and Wnt signaling.
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Hu L, Gao M, Jiang H, Zhuang L, Jiang Y, Xie S, Zhang H, Wang Q, Chen Q. Triptolide inhibits epithelial ovarian tumor growth by blocking the hedgehog/Gli pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:11131-11151. [PMID: 37851362 PMCID: PMC10637820 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205110] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most predominant subtype of ovarian cancer (OC), involves poor prognosis and exhibits high aggression. Triptolide (TPL), like other Chinese herbs, has historically played a significant role in modern medicine. The screening system based on Gli-dependent luciferase reporter activity assessed the effects of over 800 natural medicinal materials on hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway activity and discovered that TPL had an excellent inhibitory effect on Hh signaling pathway activity. However, the significance and mechanism of TPL involvement in regulating the Hh pathway have not been well explored. Thus, this work aimed to understand better how TPL affects the Hh pathway activity, which, in turn, influences the biological behavior of EOC. Our findings observed that Smo agonist SAG-induced EOC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were drastically reversed by TPL in a concentration-dependent pattern. Further evidence suggested that TPL promotes the degradation of Gli1 and Gli2 to inhibit the activity of the Hh signaling pathway by relying on Gli1 and Gli2 ubiquitination. Our in vivo studies also confirmed that TPL could significantly inhibit the tumor growth of EOC. Taken together, our results revealed that one of the antitumor mechanisms of TPL was the targeted inhibition of the Hh/Gli pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanyan Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Mai Gao
- Huankui Academy of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330036, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Huifu Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Zhuang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Siqi Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, P.R. China
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Fassio A, Atzeni F, Rossini M, D’Amico V, Cantatore F, Chimenti MS, Crotti C, Frediani B, Giusti A, Peluso G, Rovera G, Scolieri P, Raimondo V, Gatti D. Osteoimmunology of Spondyloarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14924. [PMID: 37834372 PMCID: PMC10573470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914924] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the development of bone damage in the context of spondyloarthritis (SpA) are not completely understood. To date, a considerable amount of evidence indicates that several developmental pathways are crucially involved in osteoimmunology. The present review explores the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between inflammatory dysregulation, structural progression, and osteoporosis in this diverse family of conditions. We summarize the current knowledge of bone biology and balance and the foundations of bone regulation, including bone morphogenetic protein, the Wnt pathway, and Hedgehog signaling, as well as the role of cytokines in the development of bone damage in SpA. Other areas surveyed include the pathobiology of bone damage and systemic bone loss (osteoporosis) in SpA and the effects of pharmacological treatment on focal bone damage. Lastly, we present data relative to a survey of bone metabolic assessment in SpA from Italian bone specialist rheumatology centers. The results confirm that most of the attention to bone health is given to postmenopausal subjects and that the aspect of metabolic bone health may still be underrepresented. In our opinion, it may be the time for a call to action to increase the interest in and focus on the diagnosis and management of SpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Fassio
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy; (M.R.); (D.G.)
| | - Fabiola Atzeni
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Reumatologia Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico “G. Martino” di Messina, 35128 Messina, Italy; (F.A.); (V.D.)
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy; (M.R.); (D.G.)
| | - Valeria D’Amico
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Reumatologia Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico “G. Martino” di Messina, 35128 Messina, Italy; (F.A.); (V.D.)
| | - Francesco Cantatore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Reumatologia Universitaria, Polic. “Riuniti” di Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Maria Sole Chimenti
- Dipartimento di Medicina dei Sistemi, Reumatologia, Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Chiara Crotti
- UOC Osteoporosi e Malattie Metaboliche dell’Osso Dipartimento di Reumatologia e Scienze Mediche ASST-G. Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neuroscience Sciences, Rheumatology University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Andrea Giusti
- SSD Malattie Reumatologiche e del Metabolismo Osseo, Dipartimento delle Specialità Mediche, ASL3, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Giusy Peluso
- UOC di Reumatologia-Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Guido Rovera
- Ospedale S. Andrea, Divisione Reumatologia, 13100 Vercelli, Italy;
| | - Palma Scolieri
- Ambulatorio di Reumatologia Ospedale Nuovo Regina Margherita ASL ROMA1, 00153 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Davide Gatti
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Verona, 37124 Verona, Italy; (M.R.); (D.G.)
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c-Jun phosphorylated by JNK is required for protecting Gli2 from proteasomal-ubiquitin degradation by PGE2-JNK signaling axis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119418. [PMID: 36581088 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway includes canonical and non-canonical activation manners. In colorectal cancer, we have previously shown that PGE2-JNK could initiate non-canonical activation of the Hh signaling pathway. In this study, we showed that c-Jun, a classic substrate of JNK, increased Gli2 protein stability after phosphorylated by PGE2. Suppressing the function of c-Jun or JNK indicated that c-Jun prevents Gli2 from protease degradation caused by PGE2-JNK. Moreoer, we revealed that less ubiquitination of Gli2 was detected in colorectal cancer cells treated with PGE2 while suppression of c-Jun restored the ubiquitination of Gli2. In addition, we observed that suppression of c-Jun significantly decreased Gli2 expression no matter when Gli2 remained in phosphorylation or non-phosphorylation state. These phenomena were recapitulated, when the endpoint of Gli2 expression was replaced by Gli2 ubiquitination. Furthermore, we demonstrated that restricting c-Jun function ablated the PGE2-provoked Hh activity and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. These results elucidated that the evasion of Gli2 with phosphorylation from proteasomal-ubiquitin degradation needed the cooperation of phosphorylated c-Jun by kinase JNK, which contributed to promoting Hh activation and the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. This study provides a theoretical foundation to target PGE2 downstream for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Wang J, Cui B, Li X, Zhao X, Huang T, Ding X. The emerging roles of Hedgehog signaling in tumor immune microenvironment. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1171418. [PMID: 37213270 PMCID: PMC10196179 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1171418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is pervasively involved in human malignancies, making it an effective target for cancer treatment for decades. In addition to its direct role in regulating cancer cell attributes, recent work indicates that it has an immunoregulatory effect on tumor microenvironments. An integrated understanding of these actions of Hh signaling pathway in tumor cells and tumor microenvironments will pave the way for novel tumor treatments and further advances in anti-tumor immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the most recent research about Hh signaling pathway transduction, with a particular emphasis on its role in modulating tumor immune/stroma cell phenotype and function, such as macrophage polarity, T cell response, and fibroblast activation, as well as their mutual interactions between tumor cells and nonneoplastic cells. We also summarize the recent advances in the development of Hh pathway inhibitors and nanoparticle formulation for Hh pathway modulation. We suggest that targeting Hh signaling effects on both tumor cells and tumor immune microenvironments could be more synergistic for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Institute of Geriatrics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baiping Cui
- Institute of Geriatrics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- Institute of Geriatrics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Zhao
- Institute of Geriatrics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Taomin Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Taomin Huang, ; Xiaolei Ding,
| | - Xiaolei Ding
- Institute of Geriatrics, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Taomin Huang, ; Xiaolei Ding,
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7
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ABT-737 suppresses aberrant Hedgehog pathway and overcomes resistance to smoothened antagonists by blocking Gli. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:188. [PMID: 36071246 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Abnormally activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been linked to multiple types of cancers including medulloblastoma (MB). Current Hh-targeted drug development projects mainly focus on antagonizing the upstream oncoprotein Smoothened (Smo). However, the effectiveness of Smo inhibitors is compromised by primary and acquired resistance, which is caused by mutations of Smo or other downstream components. Here, we conducted a cellular screening of small-molecule compounds and identified ABT-737 as a selective Hh inhibitor resulting in active suppression of human Hh-dependent MB cells. Mechanistically, ABT-737 suppressed Hh signals far-downstream of Smo and Sufu at Gli transcriptional effector level. In line with this, ABT-737 potentially inhibited wild-type and drug-resistant mutant Smo. More importantly, ABT-737 also delayed the growth of drug-refractory Hh-dependent MB xenografts derived from genetically engineered mouse model in vivo. These findings identify ABT-737 as a therapeutical substance for cancers with excessive Hh signaling activity, especially for those with primary or acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors in clinic.
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Luo J, Wang J, Yang J, Huang W, Liu J, Tan W, Xin H. Saikosaponin B1 and Saikosaponin D inhibit tumor growth in medulloblastoma allograft mice via inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway. J Nat Med 2022; 76:584-593. [PMID: 35171398 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-022-01603-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), accounting for nearly 10% of all childhood brain tumors, are implicated with aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Saikosaponin B1 (SSB1) and Saikosaponin D (SSD), two bioactive constituents of Radix Bupleuri, are reported to have many biological activities including anticancer activities. In our work, we evaluated the inhibition of SSB1 and SSD on MB tumor growth in allograft mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. The associated biological activity was investigated in Shh Light II cells, an Hh-responsive fibroblast cell line, using the Dual-Glo® Luciferase Assay System. First, SSB1 (IC50, 241.8 nM) and SSD (IC50, 168.7 nM) inhibited GLI-luciferase activity in Shh Light II cells stimulated with ShhN CM, as well as Gli1 and Ptch1 mRNA expression. In addition, both compounds suppressed the Hh signaling activity provoked by smoothened agonist (SAG) or excessive Smoothened (SMO) expression. Meanwhile, SSB1 and SSD did not inhibit glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) luciferase activity activated by abnormal expression of downstream molecules, suppressor of fuse (SUFU) knockdown or GLI2 overexpression. Consequently, SSB1 (30 mg/kg, ip) and SSD (10 mg/kg, ip) displayed excellent in vivo inhibitory activity in MB allografts, and the tumor growth inhibition ratios were approximately 50% and 70%, respectively. Our findings, thus, identify SSB1 and SSD significantly inhibit tumor growth in MB models by inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway through targeting SMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqiu Liu
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hong Xin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
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