Advances in drug resistance of triple negative breast cancer caused by pregnane X receptor

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide.Triplenegative breast cancer(TNBC),refers breast cancer negative for estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2,characterized by high drug resistance,high metastasis and high recurrence,treatment of which is a difficult problem in the clinical treatment of breast cancer.In order to better treat TNBC clinically,it is a very urgent task to explore the mechanism of TNBC resistance in basic breast cancer research.Pregnane X receptor(PXR)is a nuclear receptor whose main biological function is to participate in the metabolism,transport and clearance of allobiological agents in PXR.PXR plays an important role in drug metabolism and clearance,and PXR is highly expressed in tumor tissues of TNBC patients,which is related to the prognosis of breast cancer patients.This reviews synthesized the important role of PXR in the process of high drug resistance to TNBC chemotherapeutic drugs and related research progress.

pregnane X receptor and constitutive androstane receptor modulate differently CYp3A-mediated metabolism in earlyand late-stage cholestasis

AIM To ascertain whether cholestasis affects the expression of two CYP3 A isoforms(CYP3 A1 and CYP3 A2) and of pregnane X receptor(PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor(CAR).METHODS Cholestasis was induced by bile duct ligation in 16 male Wistar rats; whereas 8 sham-operated rats were used as controls. Severity of cholestasis was assessed on histological examination of liver sections, and serum concentrations of albumin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALPK and bilirubin. Gene and protein expressions of PXR, CAR, CYP3 A1 and CYP3 A2 were assessed by means of q RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Alterations in CYP3 A activity were measured by calculating the kinetic parameters of 4-OH and 1'-OH-midazolam hydroxylation, marker reactions for CYP3 A enzymes.RESULTS The m RNA and protein expression of CYP3 A1 increased significantly in mild cholestasis(P < 0.01). At variance, m RNA and protein expression of CYP3 A2 didn't change in mild cholestasis, whereas the expression and activity of both CYP3 A1 and CYP3 A2 decreased dramatically when cholestasis became severe. Consistently with these observations, the nuclear expression of both PXR and CAR, which was measured because they both translocate into the cell nucleus after their activation, virtually disappeared in the late stage of cholestatic injury, after an initial increase. These results indicate that early-and late-stage cholestasis affects CYP3 Amediated drug metabolism differently, probably as consequence of the different activation of PXR and CAR.CONCLUSION Early-and late-stage cholestasis affects CYP3 Amediated drug metabolism differently. PXR and CAR might be targeted therapeutically to promote CYP3 Amediated liver detoxification.

Role of pregnane X-receptor in regulating bacterial translocation in chronic liver diseases

Bacterial translocation(BT) has been impeccably implicated as a driving factor in the pathogenesis of a spectrum of chronic liver diseases(CLD). Scientific evidence accumulated over the last four decades has implied that the disease pathologies in CLD and BT are connected as a loop in the gut-liver axis and exacerbate each other. Pregnane X receptor(PXR) is a ligandactivated transcription factor and nuclear receptor that is expressed ubiquitously along the gut-liver-axis. PXR has been intricately associated with the regulation of various mechanisms attributed in causing BT. The importance of PXR as the mechanistic linker molecule in the gutliver axis and its role in regulating bacterial interactions with the host in CLD has not been explored. Pub Med was used to perform an extensive literature search using the keywords PXR and bacterial translocation, PXR and chronic liver disease including cirrhosis. In an adequate expression state, PXR acts as a sensor for bile acid dysregulation and bacterial derived metabolites, and in response shapes the immune profile beneficial to the host. Activation of PXR could be therapeutic in CLD as it counter-regulates endotoxin mediated inflammation and maintains the integrity of intestinal epithelium. This review mainly focuses PXR function and its regulation in BT in the context of chronic liver diseases.

Steroidal and pregnane glycosides from Ypsilandra thibetica

The whole plants of Ypsilandra thibetica have been analyzed as part of a systematic study on saponin constituents of medicinal plants.This has resulted in the isolation of two new bisdesmosidic furostanol saponins,named ypsilandroside P(1)and ypsilandroside Q(2),and one new pregnane glycoside,named ypsilandroside R(3),together with nine known steroidal glycosides.Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis,including that of 2D NMR data,and the results of acidic hydrolysis.Ypsilandroside P(1)was cytotoxicity against two human tumor cell lines.

A Novel Pregnane Glycoside from Biondia chinensis

A novel pregnane glycoside, biondianoside E, was isolated from the roots of Biondia chinensis. By the spectroscopic and chemical methods, this structure was elucidated as 3B, 5B, 14B, 205, 21-pentahydroxypregnane 3-O-B-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-B-D-cymaropyranoside .

A New Pregnane Glycoside from Fermented Leaves of Agave americana

A new minor pregnane glycoside was isolated from the fermented leaves of Agave americana. Its structure was elucidated as (20S)-5a-pregnane-3? 20-diol 20-O--D-glucopyrano- side (1) by spectral methods.

Microcantilever-based Nanomechanical Studies of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor Pregnane X Receptor-Ligand Interactions

Human pregnane X receptor (PXR) is of vital importance in pharmaceutical and exogenous compound metabolism within the body. This provides strong motivation for investigating this orphan receptor’s activation by various pharmaceuticals, xenobiotics, and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). A nanomechanical transducer is developed to study xenobiotic and EDC interactions with the bioreceptor PXR’s ligand binding domain (LBD). The combination of immobilized LBD PXR with a nanostructured microcantilever (MC) platform allows for the sensitive, label-free study of ligand interaction with the receptor. PXR shows real-time, reversible responses when exposed to a specific pharmaceutical, EDCs, and xenobiotic ligands. Three EDCs binding interactions are tested, which include phthalic acid, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A, with PXR. PXR LBD was exposed to rifampicin, a potent PXR activator, with various injection and recovery times to study their interaction. A two protein array of PXR and estrogen receptor ? (ER-?) directly compares the nanomechanical responses of these receptors with rifampicin on a single platform.

Purification of full-length human Pregnane and Xenobiotic Receptor:polyclonal antibody preparation for immunological characterization

Pregnane and Xenobiotic Receptor (PXR; or Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor, SXR), a new member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is thought to modulate a network of genes that are involved in xenobiotic metabolism and elimination. To further explore the role of PXR in body’s homeostatic mechanisms, we for the first time, report successful prokary- otic expression and purification of full-length PXR and preparation of polyclonal antibody against the whole protein. The full-length cDNA encoding a 434 amino acids protein was sub-cloned into prokaryotic expression vector, pET-30b and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) cells for efficient over expression. The inclusion body fraction, containing the expressed recombinant protein, was purified first by solubilizing in sarcosine extraction buffer and then by affinity column chromatography using Ni-NTA His-Bind matrix. The efficacy of anti-PXR antibody was confirmed by immunocytology, Western blot analysis, EMSA and immunohistochemistry. The antibody obtained was capable of detecting human and mouse PXR with high specificity and sensitivity. Immunofluorescence staining of COS-1 cells transfected with human or mouse PXR showed a clear nuclear localization. Results from immunohistochemistry showed that level of PXR in liver sections is immunologically detectable in the nuclei. Similar to exogenously transfected PXR, Western blot analysis of cell extract from HepG2 and COLO320DM cells revealed a major protein band for endogenous PXR having the expected molecular weight of 50 kDa. Relevance of other immunodetectable bands with reference to PXR isoforms and current testimony are evaluated. Advantages of antibody raised against full-length PXR protein for functional characterization of receptor is discussed and its application for clinical purposes is envisaged.

Unwanted pregnancies, unwanted births, consequences and unmet needs

Worldwide women have to cope up with heavy burden of unwanted pregnancies, mistimed, unplanned, with risk to their health. Their children and families also suffer. Such pregnancies are root cause of induced abortions(safe/unsafe) and grave consequences. Women, their partners can, for most part, prevent unwanted pregnancies by using contraceptives. However many women either do not use any contraceptive or use methods, with high failure rates. These women account for 82% of pregnancies that are not desired. Remaining unintended pregnancies occur among women who use modern contraceptive, either because they had difficulty using method consistently or because of failure. Helping women, their partner use modern contraceptives effectively is essential in achieving Millennium Development Goals for improving women's health, reducing poverty. If all women in developing countries use modern contraceptives, there would be 22 million less unplanned births, 25 million fewer induced, 15 million fewer unsafe abortions, 90000 less maternal deaths and 390000 less children losing their mothers. Also making abortion services broadly legal, by understanding size, type of unmet needs, most important by creating awareness in communities can surely help tackle this problem to a large extent.

A New Pregnane from Munronia delavayi Franc （Meliaceae）

To search for pharmacologically active constituents of folk medicine, a new pregnane, 2α,3α,15β-trihydroxy-20（S）-tigloyl-pregnane （compound 1）, and nine known compounds, geranylgeraniol （compound 2）, β-daucosterol （compound 3）, 6-hydroxystigmast-4oen-3-one （compound 4）, sitoindoside Ⅰ （compound 5）, sitoindoside Ⅱ （compound 6）, β-sitosterol （compound 7）, kaempferol （compound 8）, quercetin （compound 9）, and rutin （compound 10）, were isolated from the ethanol extract of whole plants of Munronia delavayi Franch using chromatographic methods. The structures of compounds 1-10 were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.

妊娠高血压疾病不良妊娠结局影响因素分析

目的探讨妊娠高血压疾病患者不良妊娠结局的影响因素。方法选取2020年4月至2022年6月东莞市人民医院收治的71例妊娠高血压疾病患者为研究对象,采用质谱法测定患者维生素A、D及E水平,对妊娠高血压疾病患者不良妊娠结局可能的影响因素进行单因素和多因素分析。结果71例妊娠高血压疾病患者经随访发现19例患者妊娠结局不良,52例患者妊娠结局良好。单因素结果显示,妊娠高血压疾病患者预后与年龄、孕产史、高血压家族史、不良孕史、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、D-二聚体(D-D)、维生素D、总胆红素无关,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与孕前体重指数(BMI)、病情严重程度、血尿酸、24 h尿蛋白定量、维生素A、维生素E比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素logistic回归结果显示,孕前BMI(β=1.213,OR=3.582,95%CI=2.482~6.313)、病情严重程度(β=1.563,OR=6.413,95%CI=5.682~8.452)、血尿酸(β=1.456,OR=4.083,95%CI=3.235~4.572)、24 h尿蛋白定量(β=2.938,OR=1.434,95%CI=1.283~4.394)、维生素A(β=1.691,OR=1.593,95%CI=1.241~1.786)、维生素E(β=1.336,OR=1.246,95%CI=1.187~1.583)是妊娠高血压疾病患者不良预后的独立危险因素,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论维生素A、D及E水平在妊娠高血压疾病患者中表达异常,其表达水平能反映疾病严重程度,且患者不良妊娠结局受多种因素的影响,不同因素能相互作用及干预,应针对上述可控因素进行干预。

渤南洼陷沙四段膏泥岩中高丰度孕甾烷成因及其指示意义

渤南洼陷沙四段膏泥岩样品中检出了高丰度孕甾烷(相对于规则甾烷),孕甾烷/规则甾烷值为0.52~7.88,平均值为3.12。这些膏泥岩样品具有指示性较强的盐湖相生物标志化合物分布特征,如较低的姥鲛烷/植烷值(Pr/Ph=0.12~0.76)、高伽马蜡烷指数(GI=0.04~1.45)、高升藿烷指数(HHI=0.03~0.22)和较高的二苯并噻吩/菲值(DBT/P多大于1),均指示了高盐度水体、强还原性和富硫沉积环境,生源输入主要为嗜盐菌和藻类等低等水生生物。根据渤南洼陷沙四段原油中检出丰富的含硫甾烷,推测渤南洼陷高丰度孕甾烷可能与含硫甾烷形成过程中的不完全硫化作用有关。通过剖面上各生物标志化合物参数随埋深的纵向变化特征发现,孕甾烷与Pr/Ph、HHI和GI值等呈现良好的相关性,它们均指示还原、高盐度以及富硫贫铁的沉积环境。

连翘叶提取物通过PXR/CYP17A1影响孕马血清促性腺激素在肝脏的代谢

【目的】研究连翘叶提取物(Forsythia suspensa leaves extract,FSLE)对孕马血清促性腺激素(pregnant mare serum gonadotropin,PMSG)在肝脏中代谢的影响,改善在畜牧生产中因PMSG代谢缓慢而造成的氧化应激。【方法】采用半仿生酶醇法提取连翘叶有效成分,给予昆明雌鼠不同含量的FSLE进行动物体内试验;收集小鼠血清,进行酶联免疫吸附试验,检测各组小鼠血清中PMSG的质量浓度;采集小鼠肝脏组织,检测氧化应激指标谷胱甘肽、超氧化物歧化酶、丙二醛和过氧化氢的水平;采用Western-blot检测小鼠肝脏组织孕烷X受体(pregnane X receptor,PXR)和细胞色素酶P45017A1(cytochrome P45017A1,CYP17A1)蛋白的表达水平。【结果】FSLE可显著降低小鼠血清中PMSG的质量浓度,且可以减缓PMSG代谢引起的氧化应激。Western-blot结果显示:FSLE可显著下调小鼠肝组织中PXR和CYP17A1蛋白的表达。【结论】连翘叶提取物可能是通过下调肝脏中PXR和CYP17A1的表达减缓PMSG代谢引起的氧化应激。

Pregnane Glycosides from Stems of Marsdenia tenacissima

Objective To study the chemical constituents from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima.Methods The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatography and their structures were identified by spectral and chemical analysis.Results Two pregnane glycosides were isolated from the stems of M.tenacissima and identified as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-11α-O- tigloyltenacigenin B,named as tenacigenoside I(1)and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D- allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl-11α,12β-di-O-acetyltenacigenin B,named as tenacigenoside K(2).Conclusion Compound 1 is a new compound,1H-NMR and 13C-NMR data of compound 2 are reported for the first time.

Pregnane X receptor： a double-edged sword

During the last decade, much progress has been made in exploring the mechanisms of alterations elicited by foreign compounds in xeno- and endobiotic metabolism regulated by the human nuclear pregnane X receptor （PXR）. PXR, identified as a human nuclear receptor in 1998 and generally regarded as a sensor activated by exogenous and endogenous chemicals, regulates a large number of enzymes and transporters involved in the response of mammals to their chemical environment.

Microbial Transformation of Pregnane-3β,16β,20-triol by Cunninghamella echinulata

Microbial transformation of pregnane-3β,16β,20-triol （1） by Cunninghamella echinulata afforded four previ- ously unreported polyhydroxylated steroids, namely pregnane-3β,14a,16β,20-tetrol （2）, pregnane-3-oxo-14a, 16β,20-triol （3）, pregnane-3-oxo-7β,16β,20-triol （4）, and pregnane-3fl,7β,16β,20-tetrol （5）. The structures of these metabolites were established by means of spectroscopic analysis （1D and 2D NMR as well as HRESIMS analysis）.

Pregnane X receptor in drug-induced liver injury: Friend or foe?

The pregnane X receptor(PXR)is a ligand activated nuclear receptor that is highly expressed in the liver and regulates many cellular functions including drug metabolism,endobiotic metabolism,oxidative stress response,apoptosis,inflammation,cell proliferation and regeneration.PXR activation promotes drug-induced liver injury(DILI)through its ability to increase the expression of phaseⅠand phaseⅡdrug metabolizing enzymes.The PXR also increases lipid synthesis and fatty acid uptake into the liver,leading to lipid accumulation and steatosis.In recent years,PXR has been explored as an important target in DILI and liver diseases.This review will highlight the roles of PXR in modulating DILI.PXR polymorphisms that have been associated with DILI will also be discussed.

The 3’-untranslated region contributes to the pregnane X receptor(PXR) expression downregulation by PXR ligands and up-regulation by glucocorticoids

Pregnane X receptor(PXR)is the major regulator of xenobiotic metabolism.PXR itself is controlled by various signaling molecules including glucocorticoids.Moreover,negative feed-back regulation has been proposed at the transcriptional level.We examined the involvement of the 3’-untranslated region(3’-UTR)of NR1I2 mRNA and microRNAs in PXR-and glucocorticoid receptor(GR)-mediated regulation of NR1I2 gene expression.PXR ligands were found to significantly downregulate NR1I2 mRNA expression in a set of 14 human hepatocyte cultures.Similarly,PXR was downregulated by PCN in the C57/BL6 mice liver.In mechanistic studies with the full-length 3’-UTR cloned into luciferase reporter or expression vectors,we showed that the 3’-UTR reduces PXR expression.From the miRNAs tested,miR-18a-5p inhibited both NR 112 expression and CYP3A4 gene induction.Importantly,we observed significant upregulation of miR-18a-5p expression 6 h after treatment with the PXR ligand rifampicin,which indicates a putative mechanism underlying NR1I2 negative feed-back regulation in hepatic cells.Additionally,glucocorticoids upregulated NR1I2 expression not only through the promoter region but also via 3’-UTR regulation,which likely involves downregulation of miR-18a-5p.We conclude that miR-18a-5p is involved in the down-regulation of NR1I2expression by its ligands and in the upregulation of NR1I2 mRNA expression by glucocorticoids in hepatic cells.

Interaction of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein with the Pregnane X Receptor Enhances the Synergistic Effects of Aflatoxin B1 and Hepatitis B Virus on Promoting Hepatocarcinogenesis

Background and Aims:Hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection has been found to increase hepatocellular sensitivity to carcinogenic xenobiotics,by unknown mechanisms,in the generation of hepatocellular carcinoma.The pregnane X receptor(PXR)is a key regulator of the body’s defense against xenobiotics,including xenobiotic carcinogens and clinical drugs.In this study,we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of HBV X protein(HBx)-PXR signaling in the synergistic effects of chemical carcinogens in HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.Methods:The expression profile of PXR-cytochrome p4503A4(CYP3A4)signaling was determined by PCR,western blotting,and tissue microarray.Cell viability and aflatoxin B1(AFB1)cytotoxicity were measured using the cell counting kit-8 assay.Target gene expression was evaluated using transient transfection and real time-PCR.The genotoxicity of AFB1 was assessed in newborn mice with a single dose of AFB1.Results:HBx enhanced the hepatotoxicity of AFB1 by activating CYP3A4 and reducing glutathione Stransferase Mu 1(GSTM1)in cell lines.Activation of PXR by pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile increased AFB1-induced liver tumor incidence by up-regulating oncogenic KRAS to enhance interleukin(IL)-11:IL-11 receptor subunit alpha-1(IL11RA-1)-mediated inflammation in an HBx transgenic model.Conclusions:Our finding regarding AFB1 toxicity enhancement by an HBx-PXR-CYP3A4/GSTM1-KRASIL11:IL11RA signaling axis provides a rational explanation for the synergistic effects of chemical carcinogens in HBV infection-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.

Chemical basis of pregnane X receptor activators in the herbal supplement Gancao (licorice)

Background and aims:The herbal supplement Gancao,also known as licorice,belongs to the genus Glycyrrhiza and has been used worldwide for its hepatoprotective effect.Recent studies have raised concerns about potential herb-drug interactions associated with Gancao via pregnane X receptor(PXR)-mediated induction of hepatic cytochrome P4503A4(CYP3A4).The current work aimed to determine the phytochemicals in Gancao that activate PXR and induce CYP3A4.Methods:DPX2 cells were used for cell-based PXR reporter assays.The phytochemicals in Gancao extract were identified using a metabolomics approach.The effects of PXR activators identified from in vitro studies were further investigated in PXR-and CYP3A4-humanized mouse models.Results:Gancao was verified to be a PXR-activating herb.Two major phytochemicals in Gancao,gly-cyrrhizin(GZ)and glycyrrhetinic acid(GA),did not activate PXR in the cell-based reporter assays.However,glabridin was shown to activate PXR in a dose-dependent manner.In vivo studies confirmed that GZ is not a PXR activator and glabridin is a weak PXR activator.Although GA did not active PXR in vitro,it induced CYP3A4 expression in a PXR-dependent manner in the PXR-and CYP3A4-humanized mice.