Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40616163›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Comparative analysis of Microtus fortis and murine hosts reveals a correlation between BRD4 and hepatic inflammation during Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Ming Yuan, Mingrou Wu, Yunyi Hu, Siyu Zhao, Jehangir Khan, Zhanhong Yuan, Yun Huang, Tianqiong He, Zhijun Zhou, Jia Shen and 1 more

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Ming Yuan *Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
Mingrou Wu *Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
Yunyi HuZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
Siyu ZhaoZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
Jehangir KhanDepartment of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan.
Zhanhong YuanZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
Yun HuangZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
Tianqiong HeDepartment of Laboratory Animal Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Zhijun ZhouDepartment of Laboratory Animal Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China. zhouzhijun@csu.edu.cn.
Jia ShenZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China. shenj29@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Zhongdao WuZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China. wuzhd@mail.sysu.edu.cn.

Funding

FACTORS THAT MODIFY INSULIN ACTIONR01DK002001 · NIDDK · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · PI BUSE, MARIA G · 1986 to 2012
$3.1M
Factors that modify insulin actionR56DK002001 · NIDDK · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · PI BUSE, MARIA G · 2008 to 2008
$199k
Nand the Changsha Major Special Project of Science and Technology No. kh2301027National Key Research and Development Program of China Nos. 2024YFC2309700, 2024YFC2309703, 2021YFC2300800National Key Research and Development Program of Hunan Province No.2024DK2001National Natural Science Foundation of China-Guangdong Joint Fund Nos. 2023A1515030050, 2020A1515010896Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province General Program No. 2024JJ5422NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK002001NIDDK NIH HHS R56 DK002001science and technology project of Guangzhou No. 2025A04J4524
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSchistosomiasis, a parasitic disease affecting more than 240 million people worldwide, is characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis primarily induced by parasite egg deposition. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), an epigenetic and transcriptional regulator, has emerged as a potential therapeutic target due to its dual role in modulating Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) reproductive development and organ fibrosis. Despite these advances, the specific involvement of BRD4 in the host immune response during S. japonicum infection still remains completely unclear.

methodsTo explore the involvement of BRD4 in the immune response to S. japonicum, we performed a comparative time-series RNA-seq analysis of liver tissues from the non-permissive host Microtus fortis and the permissive host Mus musculus. BRD4-associated gene expression patterns were analyzed through correlation-based classification, followed by protein-protein interaction network construction and functional enrichment analyses. In addition, BRD4 was pharmacologically inhibited in vivo using JQ1, and hepatic inflammation and worm load were evaluated at 14 days post-infection.

resultsBRD4 displayed distinct transcriptional dynamics between M. fortis and M. musculus. Genes positively correlated with BRD4 expression were significantly enriched in inflammatory and immune-related pathways, including Th17 cell differentiation and hallmark inflammatory response. These patterns suggest a potential regulatory role for BRD4 in mediating hepatic inflammation during infection. In vivo inhibition of BRD4 with JQ1 reduced liver inflammation, further supporting its association with proinflammatory responses.

conclusionsOur findings reveal strong transcriptional correlations between BRD4 expression and immune activation, and further highlight BRD4 as a potential regulator of host inflammatory responses during S. japonicum infection. BRD4 may serve as a valuable molecular target for understanding host-pathogen interactions and developing adjunct therapies against schistosomiasis.

Indexed as

Cell Cycle ProteinsLiverSchistosoma japonicumSchistosomiasis japonicaTranscription FactorsAnimalsAzepinesBromodomain Containing ProteinsFemaleHost-Parasite InteractionsInflammationMiceNuclear ProteinsTriazolesAzepinesBrd4 protein, mouseBromodomain Containing ProteinsCell Cycle Proteins(+)-JQ1 compoundNuclear ProteinsTranscription FactorsTriazolesBRD4Immune responseProinflammationSchistosomiasis

Identifiers

PMID40616163
PMCPMC12228314

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.