Zhang Guojun

Dr. Zhang Guojun

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

21Years (2006-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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19 August 2023 in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YRYuqing Ren
Yuqing Ren
XMXiangrong Mao
Xiangrong Mao
HXHui Xu
Hui Xu
QDQin Dang
Qin Dang
SWSiyuan Weng
Siyuan Weng
ZGZhang Guojun
Zhang Guojun
Iron-dependent lipid peroxidation causes ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death. Crucial steps in the formation of ferroptosis include the accumulation of ferrous ions (Fe2+) and lipid peroxidation, of which are controlled by glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Its crucial role in stopping the spread of cancer has been shown by numerous studies undertaken in the last ten years. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics. EMT is connected to carcinogenesis, invasiveness, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in cancer. It is controlled by a range of internal and external signals and changes the phenotype from epithelial to mesenchymal like. Studies have shown that mesenchymal cancer cells tend to be more ferroptotic than their epithelial counterparts. Drug-resistant cancer cells are more easily killed by inducers of ferroptosis when they undergo EMT. Therefore, understanding the interaction between ferroptosis and EMT will help identify novel cancer treatment targets. In-depth discussion is given to the regulation of ferroptosis, the potential application of EMT in the treatment of cancer, and the relationships between ferroptosis, EMT, and signaling pathways associated with tumors. Invasion, metastasis, and inflammation in cancer all include ferroptosis and EMT. The goal of this review is to provide suggestions for future research and practical guidance for applying ferroptosis and EMT in clinical practice.

1 February 2020 in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LLLili Lou
Lili Lou
MTMengyuan Tian
Mengyuan Tian
JCJingxia Chang
Jingxia Chang
FLFangfang Li
Fangfang Li
ZGZhang Guojun
Zhang Guojun
Asthma is a chronic lung inflammatory disease with high incidence. MicroRNA-192-5p (miR-192-5p) was down-regulated in asthmatics. However, the role of miR-192-5p in asthma is still unclear. In current study, in vitro, the overexpression of miR-192-5p, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-16 and autophagy related 7 (ATG7) was conducted in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). We found that miR-192-5p suppressed cell proliferation, and decreased MMP-16 and ATG7 expression. MMP-16 and ATG7 promoted cell proliferation, and further alleviated the down-regulation of miR-192-5p on proliferation of ASMCs. in vivo, miR-192-5p was down-regulated in asthma mice, and involved in improvement of asthma mice. MiR-192-5p was demonstrated to alleviate inflammation in asthma mice, including decreasing the level of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, iNOS and COX-2. Moreover, the attenuation of airway remodeling induced by miR-192-5p in asthma mice were expressed by the reduction of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) level, decrease in concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 as well as down-regulation of collagen I deposition. Further, miR-192-5p also caused the suppression of autophagy in asthma mice, exhibiting a decrease in LC3II/I, beclin-1 and ATG7, and an increase in p62. Importantly, MMP-16 and ATG7 were confirmed to be targets of miR-192-5p. Therefore, our results indicate that miRNA-192-5p may attenuate airway remodeling and autophagy in asthma via targeting MMP-16 and ATG7.

1 March 2021 in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HLHui Li
Hui Li
HWHuaqi Wang
Huaqi Wang
LSLeon Sokulsky
Leon Sokulsky
SLShaoxia Liu
Shaoxia Liu
RYRui Yang
Rui Yang
ZGZhang Guojun
Zhang Guojun

19 December 2023 in Journal of the American Heart Association
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YRYuqing Ren
Yuqing Ren
ZCZongao Cai
Zongao Cai
CGChunguang Guo
Chunguang Guo
YZYuyuan Zhang
Yuyuan Zhang
HXHui Xu
Hui Xu
XHXinwei Han
Xinwei Han
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is closely associated with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to examine the association of Life's Essential 8 (LE8), the recently updated measurement of cardiovascular health, with the prevalence of CKD among US adults. Methods and Results: This population‐based cross‐sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2018 and included adults aged ≥20 years. Multivariable logistic and restricted cubic spline models were used to assess the associations between LE8 and CKD. Among 24 960 participants, 4437 were determined to have CKD (weighted percentage, 14.11%). After the adjustment of potential confounders, higher LE8 scores were associated with reduced odds of CKD (odds ratio for each 10‐point increase, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.76–0.83]), and a nonlinear dose–response relationship was observed. Similar patterns were also identified in the associations of health behavior and health factor scores with CKD. Meanwhile, higher scores for blood glucose (odds ratio, for each 10‐point increase, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.87–0.90]) and blood pressure (odds ratio, for each 10‐point increase, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.91–0.94]) in the LE8 component are significantly associated with a lower prevalence of CKD. The inversed association of LE8 score and CKD was significantly stronger among middle‐aged, male, and coupled participants. Conclusions: LE8 was negatively associated with the prevalence of CKD in a nonlinear fashion. Promoting adherence to optimal cardiovascular health levels may be beneficial to reduce the burden of CKD.

1 February 2018 in Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CLChunya Lu
Chunya Lu
HWHuaqi Wang
Huaqi Wang
SCShanshan Chen
Shanshan Chen
RYRui Yang
Rui Yang
HLHui Li
Hui Li
ZGZhang Guojun
Zhang Guojun
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in individuals with malignant disease. Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, and chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin are the most widely used treatment for this disease. Baicalein is a purified flavonoid compound that has been reported to inhibit cancer cell growth and metastasis and increase sensitization to chemotherapeutic drugs via different pathways. Therefore, we assessed the effects of baicalein on the proliferation, apoptosis and cisplatin sensitivity in the NSCLC A549 and H460 cell lines and determined the pathways through which baicalein exerts its effects. Baicalein was slightly toxic to normal human bronchial NHBE cells but inhibited growth, induced apoptosis and increased cisplatin sensitivity in A549 and H460 cells. Baicalein down‐regulated miR‐424‐3p, up‐regulated PTEN expression and down‐regulated expression of PI3K and p‐Akt in A549 and H460 cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that PTEN is a target gene of miR‐424‐3p, and overexpression of miR‐424‐3p or silencing of PTEN partially attenuated the effects of baicalein on A549 and H460 cells. Taken together, we concluded that baicalein inhibits cell growth and increases cisplatin sensitivity to A549 and H460 cells via down‐regulation of miR‐424‐3p and targeting the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway.

2 May 2015 in Cancer Cell International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JLJuan Li
Juan Li
PLPing Li
Ping Li
WZWei Zhao
Wei Zhao
RYRui Yang
Rui Yang
SCShanshan Chen
Shanshan Chen
ZGZhang Guojun
Zhang Guojun
Lung adenocarcinoma (LAC), the primary histological type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has displayed an increasing incidence and mortality worldwide. However, therapeutic approaches were limited. Dysregulation of some lncRNAs has been shown in various types of cancers including LAC. The aim of the present study was to vertify lncRNA DLX6-AS1 expression in LAC. Microarray assay revealed expression profile of lncRNAs in LAC. qRT-PCR ( quantitative reverse transcription PCR) was performed to identify lncRNA DLX6-AS1 expression level in 72 paired LAC and adjacent normal lung tissues. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify that down-regulation lncRNA DLX6-AS1 decreased DLX6 (distal-less homeobox 6) mRNA and protein expression. Microarray analysis identified up-regulation of 272 lncRNAs and down-regulation of 635 lncRNAs in LAC tissues. The expression level of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in LAC tissues was significantly higher compared to paired adjacent normal lung tissues (P< 0.05). In addition, its expression level was closed correlated with both histological differentiation (P = 0.004) and TNM stage (P = 0.033). qRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that DLX6 mRNA and protein levels were lower in si-LncRNA group than in the NC (negative control) and Blank groups. Microarray analysis identified that lncRNA DLX6-AS1 was up-regulated in LAC tissues. High DLX6-AS1 expression levels were significantly associated with both histological differentiation and TNM stage. Down-regulation of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 expression decreased the DLX6 mRNA and protein levels.