Zhongxin Zhu

Dr. Zhongxin Zhu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

17Years (2010-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 April 2019 in Frontiers in Pharmacology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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XHXiaozhong Huang
Xiaozhong Huang
JSJia Sun
Jia Sun
GCGen Chen
Gen Chen
CNChao Niu
Chao Niu
YWYing Wang
Ying Wang
ZZZhongxin Zhu
Zhongxin Zhu
Background/Aims: Diabetic non-healing skin ulcers represent a serious challenge in clinical practice, in which the hyperglycemia-induced disturbance of angiogenesis, and endothelial dysfunction play a crucial role. Resveratrol (RES), a silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) agonist, can improve endothelial function and has strong pro-angiogenic properties, and has thus become a research focus for the treatment of diabetic non-healing skin ulcers; however, the underlying mechanism by which RES regulates these processes remains unclear. Therefore, the present study was intended to determine if RES exerts its observed protective role in diabetic wound healing by alleviating hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction and the disturbance of angiogenesis. Methods: We investigated the effects of RES on cell migration, cell proliferation, apoptosis, tube formation, and the underlying molecular mechanisms in 33 mM high glucose-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, western blot analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and immunofluorescence in vitro. We further explored the role of RES on endothelial dysfunction and wound healing disturbance in db/db mice by TUNEL staining, immunofluorescence, and photography in vivo. Results: We observed an obvious inhibition of hyperglycemia-triggered endothelial dysfunction and a disturbance of angiogenesis, followed by the promotion of diabetic wound healing via RES, along with restoration of the activity of the hyperglycemia-impaired SIRT1 signaling pathway. Pretreatment with EX-527, a SIRT1 inhibitor, abolished the RES-mediated endothelial protection and pro-angiogenesis action, and then delayed diabetic wound healing. Furthermore, examination of the overexpression of forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), a transcription factor substrate of SIRT1, in HUVECs and db/db mice revealed that RES activated SIRT1 to restore hyperglycemia-triggered endothelial dysfunction and disturbance of angiogenesis, followed by the promotion of diabetic wound healing in a c-Myc-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 10058-F4, a c-Myc inhibitor, repressed RES-mediated endothelial protection, angiogenesis, and diabetic wound healing. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the positive role of RES in diabetic wound healing via its SIRT1-dependent endothelial protection and pro-angiogenic effects involves the inhibition of FOXO1 and the de-repression of c-Myc expression.

4 October 2021 in British Journal of Pharmacology
Verified
Journal Article
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XCXixi Chen
Xixi Chen
GTGaozan Tong
Gaozan Tong
JFJunfu Fan
Junfu Fan
YSYingjie Shen
Yingjie Shen
NWNan Wang
Nan Wang
ZZZhongxin Zhu
Zhongxin Zhu

12 July 2014 in Botanical Studies
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZZZhongxin Zhu
Zhongxin Zhu
HYHong Bo Ye
Hong Bo Ye
YXYuan Hu Xuan
Yuan Hu Xuan
DYDa Nian Yao
Da Nian Yao
Background: N-ethyl-maleimide sensitive factor adaptor protein receptor (SNAREs) domain-containing proteins were known as key players in vesicle-associated membrane fusion. Genetic screening has revealed the function of SNAREs in different aspects of plant biology, but the role of many SNAREs are still unknown. In this study, we have characterized the role of Arabidopsis Qc-SNARE protein AtBS14b in brassinosteroids (BRs) signaling pathway. Results: AtBS14b overexpression (AtBS14b ox) plants exhibited short hypocotyl and petioles lengths as well as insensitivity to exogenously supplied BR, while AtBS14b mutants did not show any visible BR-dependent morphological differences. BR biosynthesis enzyme BR6OX2 expression was slightly lower in AtBS14b ox than in wild type plants. Further BR-mediated repression of BR6OX2, CPD and DWF4 was inhibited in AtBS14b ox plants. AtBS14b-mCherry fusion protein localized in vesicular compartments surrounding plasma membrane in N. benthamiana leaves. In addition, isolation of AtBS14b-interacting BR signaling protein, which localized in plasma membrane, showed that AtBS14b directly interacted with membrane steroid binding protein 1 (MSBP1), but did not interact with BAK1 or BRI1. Conclusion: These data suggested that Qc-SNARE protein AtBS14b is the first SNARE protein identified that interacts with MSBP1, and the overexpression of AtBS14b modulates BR response in Arabidopsis.

5 September 2024 in Advanced Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
NWNan Wang
Nan Wang
XXXiejun Xu
Xiejun Xu
FGFangqian Guan
Fangqian Guan
YLYifan Lin
Yifan Lin
YYYizhou Ye
Yizhou Ye
ZZZhongxin Zhu
Zhongxin Zhu
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by abnormal proliferation and inflammation of epidermal keratinocytes. Fibroblast growth factor 12 (FGF12) is implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular signals; however, its precise mechanism in psoriasis requires further investigation. In this study, high expression of FGF12 is observed in the epidermis of skin lesion in psoriasis patients and imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis like‐dermatitis. Moreover, specific loss of FGF12 in keratinocytes in IMQ‐induced psoriasis model alleviates psoriasis‐like symptoms and reduces proliferation. In vitro RNA sequencing demonstrates that knockdown of FGF12 effectively arrests the cell cycle, inhibits cell proliferation, and predominantly regulates the p53 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, FGF12 is selectively bound to the RING domain of MDM2, thus partially inhibiting the binding of β‐Trcp to MDM2. This interaction inhibits β‐Trcp‐induced‐K48 ubiquitination degradation of MDM2, thereby suppressing the activity of the p53 signaling pathway, which results in excessive cell proliferation. Last, the alleviatory effect of FGF12 deficiency on psoriasis progression is reversed by p53 knockdown. In summary, these findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which FGF12 suppresses p53 signaling in keratinocytes, exacerbating the development of psoriasis. This positive regulatory loop highlights the potential of FGF12 as a therapeutic target to manage psoriasis.

9 January 2024 in The FASEB Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NWNan Wang
Nan Wang
XXXiejun Xu
Xiejun Xu
FGFangqian Guan
Fangqian Guan
YZYeyi Zheng
Yeyi Zheng
YSYanni Shou
Yanni Shou
ZZZhongxin Zhu
Zhongxin Zhu

5 August 2022 in Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YSYingjie Shen
Yingjie Shen
KKKwonseop Kim
Kwonseop Kim
ZZZhongxin Zhu
Zhongxin Zhu
SZSiyi Zhang
Siyi Zhang
MJMengying Jiang
Mengying Jiang
WCWeitao Cong
Weitao Cong