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PloS One 2024The present study aims to investigate the specific protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Ganshuang granule (GSG) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic...
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to investigate the specific protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Ganshuang granule (GSG) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rat models.
METHODS
Hepatic fibrosis was experimentally evoked in rats by DMN administration, and varying dosages of GSG were employed as an intervention. Hepatocellular damage was assessed by measuring serum levels of aminotransferase and bilirubin, accompanied by histopathological examinations of hepatic tissue. The hepatic concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were quantitated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) within hepatic tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemical techniques. The levels of hepatic interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and a spectrum of interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Additionally, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to TNF-α in the presence of naringin, a principal component of GSG. The gene expression levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metallopeptidase-1 (MMP-1) in these cells were also quantified by qRT-PCR. Proliferative activity of HSCs was evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Finally, alterations in Smad protein expression were analyzed through Western blotting.
RESULTS
Administration of GSG in rats with fibrosis resulted in reduced levels of serum aminotransferases and bilirubin, along with alleviation of histopathological liver injury. Furthermore, the fibrosis rats treated with GSG exhibited significant downregulation of hepatic TGF-β1, PDGF, and TNF-α levels. Additionally, GSG treatment led to increased mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4, as well as decreased expression of α-SMA in the liver. Furthermore, treatment with naringin, a pivotal extract of GSG, resulted in elevated expression of MMP-1 and decreased levels of TIMP-1 in TNF-α-stimulated HSCs when compared to the control group. Additionally, naringin administration led to a reduction in Smad expression within the HSCs.
CONCLUSION
GSG has the potential to mitigate fibrosis induced by DMN in rat models through the regulation of inflammatory and fibrosis factors. Notably, naringin, the primary extract of GSG, may exert a pivotal role in modulating the TGF-β-Smad signaling pathway.
Topics: Animals; Liver Cirrhosis; Signal Transduction; Flavanones; Male; Rats; Smad Proteins; Hepatic Stellate Cells; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Dimethylnitrosamine; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Liver; Actins
PubMed: 38857261
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304185 -
Theranostics 2024It has been emergingly recognized that apoptosis generates plenty of heterogeneous apoptotic vesicles (apoVs), which play a pivotal role in the maintenance of organ and...
It has been emergingly recognized that apoptosis generates plenty of heterogeneous apoptotic vesicles (apoVs), which play a pivotal role in the maintenance of organ and tissue homeostasis. However, it is unknown whether apoVs influence postnatal ovarian folliculogenesis. Apoptotic pathway deficient mice including Fas mutant ( ) and Fas ligand mutant ( ) mice were used with apoV replenishment to evaluate the biological function of apoVs during ovarian folliculogenesis. Ovarian function was characterized by morphological analysis, biochemical examination and cellular assays. Mechanistical studies were assessed by combinations of transcriptomic and proteomic analysis as well as molecular assays. mice was established to verify the role of WNT signaling during ovarian folliculogenesis. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) mice and 15-month-old mice were used with apoV replenishment to further validate the therapeutic effects of apoVs based on WNT signaling regulation. We show that systemic administration of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived apoptotic vesicles (MSC-apoVs) can ameliorate impaired ovarian folliculogenesis, PCOS phenotype, and reduced birth rate in and mice. Mechanistically, transcriptome analysis results revealed that MSC-apoVs downregulated a number of aberrant gene expression in mice, which were enriched by kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis in WNT signaling and sex hormone biosynthesis. Furthermore, we found that apoptotic deficiency resulted in aberrant WNT/β-catenin activation in theca and mural granulosa cells, leading to responsive action of dickkopf1 (DKK1) in the cumulus cell and oocyte zone, which downregulated WNT/β-catenin expression in oocytes and, therefore, impaired ovarian folliculogenesis NPPC/cGMP/PDE3A/cAMP cascade. When WNT/β-catenin was specially activated in theca cells of mice, the same ovarian impairment phenotypes observed in apoptosis-deficient mice were established, confirming that aberrant activation of WNT/β-catenin in theca cells caused the impairment of ovarian folliculogenesis. We firstly revealed that apoVs delivered WNT membrane receptor inhibitor protein RNF43 to ovarian theca cells to balance follicle homeostasis through vesicle-cell membrane integration. Systemically infused RNF43-apoVs down-regulated aberrantly activated WNT/β-catenin signaling in theca cells, contributing to ovarian functional maintenance. Since aging mice have down-regulated expression of WNT/β-catenin in oocytes, we used MSC-apoVs to treat 15-month-old mice and found that MSC-apoVs effectively ameliorated the ovarian function and fertility capacity of these aging mice through rescuing WNT/β-catenin expression in oocytes. Our studies reveal a previously unknown association between apoVs and ovarian folliculogenesis and suggest an apoV-based therapeutic approach to improve oocyte function and birth rates in PCOS and aging.
Topics: Animals; Female; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Mice; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Apoptosis; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary; Disease Models, Animal; Aging; Fas Ligand Protein
PubMed: 38855175
DOI: 10.7150/thno.94943 -
Open Medicine (Warsaw, Poland) 2024Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and disabling disease that imposes significant economic and social costs. Hook F (TwHF) has a long history of use in...
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and disabling disease that imposes significant economic and social costs. Hook F (TwHF) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for treating joint disorders, and it has been shown to be cost-effective in treating RA, but its exact mechanism is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of the network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking was to investigate the potential active compounds and associated anti-RA mechanisms of TwHF.
METHODS
TCMSP and UniProt databases were searched for active compounds and related targets of TwHF. PharmGKB, DrugBank, OMIM, TTD, and the Human Gene Databases were used to identify RA-related targets. The intersected RA and TwHF targets were entered into the STRING database to create a protein-protein interaction network. R software was used for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking technology was used to analyze the optimal effective components from TwHF for docking with the selected target gene.
RESULTS
Following screening and duplicate removal, a total of 51 active compounds and 96 potential targets were chosen. The PPI network revealed that the target proteins are CXCL8, CXCL6, STAT3, STAT1, JUN, PPARG, TP53, IL14, MMP9, VEGFA, RELA, CASP3, PTGS2, IFNG, AKT1, FOS, ICAM1, and MAPK14. The results of the GO enrichment analysis focused primarily on the response to lipopolysaccharide, the response to molecules of bacterial origin, and the response to drugs. The KEGG results indicated that the mechanisms were closely related to lipid and atherosclerosis, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, Kaposi sarcoma-associated, herpesvirus infection, hepatitis B, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, IL-17 signaling pathways, Th17-cell differentiation, and so on, all of which are involved in angiogenesis, immune cell chemotaxis, and inflammatory responses. Molecular docking results suggested that triptolide was the appropriate PTGS1, PTGS2, and TNF inhibitors.
CONCLUSION
Our findings provide an essential role and basis for further immune inflammatory studies into the molecular mechanisms of TwHF and PTGS1, PTGS2, and TNF inhibitor development in RA.
PubMed: 38841174
DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0967 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe type of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is a growing global health concern due to its increasing...
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe type of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is a growing global health concern due to its increasing morbidity, lack of well-defined biomarkers and lack of clinically effective treatments. Using metabolomic analysis, the most significantly changed active lipid sphingosine d18:1 [So(d18:1)] is selected from NASH patients. So(d18:1) inhibits macrophage HIF-2α as a direct inhibitor and promotes the inflammatory factors secretion. Male macrophage-specific HIF-2α knockout and overexpression mice verified the protective effect of HIF-2α on NASH progression. Importantly, the HIF-2α stabilizer FG-4592 alleviates liver inflammation and fibrosis in NASH, which indicated that macrophage HIF-2α is a potential drug target for NASH treatment. Overall, this study confirms that So(d18:1) promotes NASH and clarifies that So(d18:1) inhibits the transcriptional activity of HIF-2α in liver macrophages by suppressing the interaction of HIF-2α with ARNT, suggesting that macrophage HIF-2α may be a potential target for the treatment of NASH.
Topics: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Animals; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Male; Macrophages; Humans; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Sphingosine; Liver; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator; Liver Cirrhosis; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38834568
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48954-2 -
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy : CII Jun 2024To investigate the feasibility and potential clinical value of local consolidative therapy (LCT) in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer...
Oligo-residual disease in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: incidence, pattern of failure, and clinical value of local consolidative therapy.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the feasibility and potential clinical value of local consolidative therapy (LCT) in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-treated metastatic NSCLC patients with measurable disease in three academic centers were screened and those with adequate follow-up were included. Oligo-residual disease (ORD) was defined as residual tumors limited to three organs and five lesions evaluated at the best response among patients with partial response or stable disease after PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Oligometastatic and multiple-metastatic disease (OMD/MMD) were similarly classified at baseline. Locoregional interventions, administered after effective treatment of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and before initial disease progression, were defined as LCT. Patterns of initial progressive disease (PD) were classified as involving only residual sites (RP), only new sites (NP), or a combination of both (BP).
RESULTS
Among the 698 patients included, ORD was documented in 73 (47.1%) of 155 patients with baseline OMD and 60 (11.0%) of 543 patients with baseline MMD. With a median follow-up of 31.0 (range, 6.0-53.0) months, 108 patients with ORD developed initial PD, with RP, NP, and BP occurring in 51 (47%), 23 (21.3%), and 34 (31.5%), respectively. Among the 133 patients with ORD, those receiving LCT (n = 43) had longer progression-free survival (HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.40-0.85, p = 0.01) and overall survival (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.30-0.79, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
ORD occurs with a clinically relevant frequency among PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-treated metastatic NSCLC patients and LCT may provide extra survival benefits in those with ORD.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Male; Lung Neoplasms; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Adult; Neoplasm, Residual; B7-H1 Antigen; Aged, 80 and over; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Incidence; Neoplasm Metastasis; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38833011
DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03720-7 -
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy : CII Jun 2024Immunotherapy for gastric cancer remains a challenge due to its limited efficacy. Metabolic reprogramming toward glycolysis has emerged as a promising avenue for...
BACKGROUND
Immunotherapy for gastric cancer remains a challenge due to its limited efficacy. Metabolic reprogramming toward glycolysis has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing the sensitivity of tumors to immunotherapy. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs) play pivotal roles in regulating glycolysis. The importance of PDKs in the context of gastric cancer immunotherapy and their potential as therapeutic targets have not been fully explored.
METHODS
PDK and PD-L1 expression was analyzed using data from the GSE66229 and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohorts. Additionally, the Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy Atlas (ICBatlas) database was utilized to assess PDK expression in an immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy group. Subsequently, the upregulation of PD-L1 and the enhancement of anticancer effects achieved by targeting PDK were validated through in vivo and in vitro assays. The impact of PDK on histone acetylation was investigated using ChIP‒qPCR to detect changes in histone acetylation levels.
RESULTS
Our analysis revealed a notable negative correlation between PD-L1 and PDK expression. Downregulation of PDK led to a significant increase in PD-L1 expression. PDK inhibition increased histone acetylation levels by promoting acetyl-CoA generation. The augmentation of acetyl-CoA production and concurrent inhibition of histone deacetylation were found to upregulate PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer cells. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in the anticancer effect of PD-L1 antibodies following treatment with a PDK inhibitor.
CONCLUSIONS
Downregulation of PDK in gastric cancer cells leads to an increase in PD-L1 expression levels, thus potentially improving the efficacy of PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Topics: B7-H1 Antigen; Humans; Glycolysis; Animals; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase; Stomach Neoplasms; Immunotherapy; Up-Regulation; Mice; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Cell Line, Tumor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Mice, Nude
PubMed: 38832951
DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03735-0 -
CNS Drugs Jul 2024Numerous physiological processes happening in the human body, including cerebral development and function, require the participation of biometal ions such as iron,... (Review)
Review
Numerous physiological processes happening in the human body, including cerebral development and function, require the participation of biometal ions such as iron, copper, and zinc. Their dyshomeostasis may, however, contribute to the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases. Chelation of biometal ions is therefore a therapeutic strategy against AD. This review provides a survey of natural and synthetic chelating agents that are or could potentially be used to target the metal hypothesis of AD. Since metal dyshomeostasis is not the only pathological aspect of AD, and the nature of this disorder is very complex and multifactiorial, the most efficient therapeutics should target as many neurotoxic factors as possible. Various coumarin derivatives match this description and apart from being able to chelate metal ions, they exhibit the capacity to inhibit cholinesterases (ChEs) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) while also possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and numerous other beneficial effects. Compounds based on the coumarin scaffold therefore represent a desirable class of anti-AD therapeutics.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Humans; Coumarins; Chelating Agents; Animals; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Metals
PubMed: 38829443
DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01093-0 -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Aug 2024A structure-based drug design approach was focused on incorporating phenyl ring heterocyclic bioisosteres into coumarin derivative 1, previously reported as potent dual...
A structure-based drug design approach was focused on incorporating phenyl ring heterocyclic bioisosteres into coumarin derivative 1, previously reported as potent dual AChE-MAO B inhibitor, with the aim of improving drug-like features. Structure-activity relationships highlighted that bioisosteric rings were tolerated by hMAO B enzymatic cleft more than hAChE. Interestingly, linker homologation at the basic nitrogen enabled selectivity to switch from hAChE to hBChE. In the present work, we identified thiophene-based isosteres 7 and 15 as dual AChE-MAO B (IC = 261 and 15 nM, respectively) and BChE-MAO B (IC = 375 and 20 nM, respectively) inhibitors, respectively. Both 7 and 15 were moderately water-soluble and membrane-permeant agents by passive diffusion (PAMPA-HDM). Moreover, they were able to counteract oxidative damage induced by both HO and 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells and predicted to penetrate into CNS in a cell-based model mimicking blood-brain barrier. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations shed light on key differences in AChE and BChE recognition processes promoted by the basic chain homologation from 7 to 15.
Topics: Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Humans; Acetylcholinesterase; Structure-Activity Relationship; Drug Design; Butyrylcholinesterase; Molecular Structure; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Coumarins; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38820854
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116511 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology May 2024Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the primary factor contributing to low back pain (LBP). Unlike elderly patients, many young IVDD patients usually have a...
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the primary factor contributing to low back pain (LBP). Unlike elderly patients, many young IVDD patients usually have a history of trauma or long-term abnormal stress, which may lead to local inflammatory reaction causing by immune cells, and ultimately accelerates degeneration. Research has shown the significance of M1-type macrophages in IVDD; nevertheless, the precise mechanism and the route by which it influences the function of nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) remain unknown. Utilizing a rat acupuncture IVDD model and an NPC degeneration model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we investigated the function of M1 macrophage-derived exosomes (M1-Exos) in IVDD both in vivo and in vitro in this study. We found that M1-Exos enhanced LPS-induced NPC senescence, increased the number of SA-β-gal-positive cells, blocked the cell cycle, and promoted the activation of P21 and P53. M1-Exos derived from supernatant pretreated with the exosome inhibitor GW4869 reversed this result in vivo and in vitro. RNA-seq showed that Lipocalin2 (LCN2) was enriched in M1-Exos and targeted the NF-κB pathway. The quantity of SA-β-gal-positive cells was significantly reduced with the inhibition of LCN2, and the expression of P21 and P53 in NPCs was decreased. The same results were obtained in the acupuncture-induced IVDD model. In addition, inhibition of LCN2 promotes the expression of type II collagen (Col-2) and inhibits the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), thereby restoring the equilibrium of metabolism inside the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the NF-κB pathway is crucial for regulating M1-Exo-mediated NPC senescence. After the addition of M1-Exos to LPS-treated NPCs, p-p65 activity was significantly activated, while si-LCN2 treatment significantly inhibited p-p65 activity. Therefore, this paper demonstrates that M1 macrophage-derived exosomes have the ability to deliver LCN2, which activates the NF-κB signaling pathway, and exacerbates IVDD by accelerating NPC senescence. This may shed new light on the mechanism of IVDD and bring a fresh approach to IVDD therapy.
Topics: Animals; Exosomes; Nucleus Pulposus; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Lipocalin-2; Rats; NF-kappa B; Signal Transduction; Cellular Senescence; Macrophages; Male; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Lipopolysaccharides; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38816771
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02556-8 -
European Journal of Pharmacology May 2024Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is predominantly initiated by inflammatory processes, resulting in aberrant vascular proliferation and consequent visual impairment....
Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is predominantly initiated by inflammatory processes, resulting in aberrant vascular proliferation and consequent visual impairment. Existing therapeutic interventions for CoNV demonstrate limited efficacy and potential for adverse reactions. Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is associated with the regulation of inflammation and M2 macrophage polarization. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism by which PRMT1 operates in CoNV remains uncertain. This study explored the impact of PRMT1 inhibition in a murine model of CoNV induced by alkali burn. Our findings indicated a direct relationship between PRMT1 levels and corneal damage. Moreover, our observations indicated an increase in fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression in CoNV, which was reduced after treatment with a PRMT1 inhibitor. The inhibition of PRMT1 alleviated both corneal injury and CoNV, as evidenced by decreased corneal opacity and neovascularization. Immunofluorescence analysis and evaluation of inflammatory factor expression demonstrated that PRMT1 inhibition attenuated M2 macrophage polarization, a phenomenon that was reversed by the administration of recombinant FGF2 protein. These results were confirmed through experimentation on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) and Mouse leukemia cells of monocyte macrophage cells (RAW264.7). Furthermore, it was established that FGF2 played a role in PI3K/Akt signal transduction, a critical regulatory pathway for M2 macrophage polarization. Importantly, the activity of this pathway was found to be suppressed by PRMT1 inhibitors. Mechanistically, PRMT1 was shown to promote M2 macrophage polarization, thereby contributing to CoNV, through the FGF2/PI3K/Akt pathway. Therefore, targeting PRMT1 may offer a promising therapeutic approach.
PubMed: 38815785
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176673