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ELife Jun 2024Metabolic disorders are highly prevalent in modern society. Exercise mimetics are defined as pharmacological compounds that can produce the beneficial effects of...
Metabolic disorders are highly prevalent in modern society. Exercise mimetics are defined as pharmacological compounds that can produce the beneficial effects of fitness. Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of eugenol and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in improving metabolic health. The aim of this study was to investigate whether eugenol acts as an exercise mimetic by activating TRPV1. Here, we showed that eugenol improved endurance capacity, caused the conversion of fast-to-slow muscle fibers, and promoted white fat browning and lipolysis in mice. Mechanistically, eugenol promoted muscle fiber-type transformation by activating TRPV1-mediated CaN signaling pathway. Subsequently, we identified IL-15 as a myokine that is regulated by the CaN/nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that TRPV1-mediated CaN/NFATc1 signaling, activated by eugenol, controlled IL-15 levels in C2C12 myotubes. Our results suggest that eugenol may act as an exercise mimetic to improve metabolic health via activating the TRPV1-mediated CaN signaling pathway.
Topics: TRPV Cation Channels; Animals; Interleukin-15; Eugenol; Mice; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; NFATC Transcription Factors; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Signal Transduction; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myokines
PubMed: 38913071
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.90724 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024The design of delivery tools that efficiently transport drugs into cells remains a major challenge in drug development for most pathological conditions. Triple-negative...
INTRODUCTION
The design of delivery tools that efficiently transport drugs into cells remains a major challenge in drug development for most pathological conditions. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis and limited effective therapeutic options.
PURPOSE
In TNBC treatment, chemotherapy remains the milestone, and doxorubicin (Dox) represents the first-line systemic treatment; however, its non-selective distribution causes a cascade of side effects. To address these problems, we developed a delivery platform based on the self-assembly of amphiphilic peptides carrying several moieties on their surfaces, aimed at targeting, enhancing penetration, and therapy.
METHODS
Through a single-step self-assembly process, we used amphiphilic peptides to obtain nanofibers decorated on their surfaces with the selected moieties. The surface of the nanofiber was decorated with a cell-penetrating peptide (gH625), an EGFR-targeting peptide (P22), and Dox bound to the cleavage sequence selectively recognized and cleaved by MMP-9 to obtain on-demand drug release. Detailed physicochemical and cellular analyses were performed.
RESULTS
The obtained nanofiber (NF-Dox) had a length of 250 nm and a diameter of 10 nm, and it was stable under dilution, ionic strength, and different pH environments. The biological results showed that the presence of gH625 favored the complete internalization of NF-Dox after 1h in MDA-MB 231 cells, mainly through a translocation mechanism. Interestingly, we observed the absence of toxicity of the carrier (NF) on both healthy cells such as HaCaT and TNBC cancer lines, while a similar antiproliferative effect was observed on TNBC cells after the treatment with the free-Dox at 50 µM and NF-Dox carrying 7.5 µM of Dox.
DISCUSSION
We envision that this platform is extremely versatile and can be used to efficiently carry and deliver diverse moieties. The knowledge acquired from this study will provide important guidelines for applications in basic research and biomedicine.
Topics: Doxorubicin; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Humans; Nanofibers; Cell Line, Tumor; Female; Drug Delivery Systems; Cell-Penetrating Peptides; Drug Liberation; Cell Survival; Peptides; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; ErbB Receptors; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Drug Carriers
PubMed: 38911501
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S453958 -
Bone Research Jun 2024Stem/progenitor cells differentiate into different cell lineages during organ development and morphogenesis. Signaling pathway networks and mechanotransduction are...
Stem/progenitor cells differentiate into different cell lineages during organ development and morphogenesis. Signaling pathway networks and mechanotransduction are important factors to guide the lineage commitment of stem/progenitor cells during craniofacial tissue morphogenesis. Here, we used tooth root development as a model to explore the roles of FGF signaling and mechanotransduction as well as their interaction in regulating the progenitor cell fate decision. We show that Fgfr1 is expressed in the mesenchymal progenitor cells and their progeny during tooth root development. Loss of Fgfr1 in Gli1 progenitors leads to hyperproliferation and differentiation, which causes narrowed periodontal ligament (PDL) space with abnormal cementum/bone formation leading to ankylosis. We further show that aberrant activation of WNT signaling and mechanosensitive channel Piezo2 occurs after loss of FGF signaling in Gli1-Cre;Fgfr1 mice. Overexpression of Piezo2 leads to increased osteoblastic differentiation and decreased Piezo2 leads to downregulation of WNT signaling. Mechanistically, an FGF/PIEZO2/WNT signaling cascade plays a crucial role in modulating the fate of progenitors during root morphogenesis. Downregulation of WNT signaling rescues tooth ankylosis in Fgfr1 mutant mice. Collectively, our findings uncover the mechanism by which FGF signaling regulates the fate decisions of stem/progenitor cells, and the interactions among signaling pathways and mechanotransduction during tooth root development, providing insights for future tooth root regeneration.
Topics: Animals; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Tooth Root; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Mice; Cell Differentiation; Stem Cells; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; Ion Channels
PubMed: 38910207
DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00345-5 -
Lipids in Health and Disease Jun 2024Overweight, often known as obesity, is the abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat that exposes the health of a person at risk by increasing the likelihood that they...
BACKGROUND
Overweight, often known as obesity, is the abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat that exposes the health of a person at risk by increasing the likelihood that they may experience many chronic conditions. Consequently, obesity has become a global health threat, presenting serious health issues, and attracting a lot of attention in the healthcare profession and the scientific community.
METHOD
This study aims to explore the anti-adipogenic properties of 7-MEGA™ in an attempt to address obesity, using both in vitro and in vivo research. The effects of 7MEGA™ at three distinct concentrations were investigated in obese mice who were given a high-fat diet (HFD) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
RESULTS
7MEGA™ decreased the total fat mass, overall body weight, and the perirenal and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (PWAT and SWAT) contents in HFD mice. Additionally, 7MEGA™ showed promise in improving the metabolic health of individuals with obesity and regulate the levels of insulin hormone, pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. Furthermore, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) α and γ, Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP-1), Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBP-1), Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 (FABP4), Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS), Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC), Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase-1 (SCD-1) and CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein (C/EBPα) were among the adipogenic regulators that 7MEGA™ could regulate.
CONCLUSION
In summary, this study uncovered that 7MEGA™ demonstrates anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity effects, suggesting its potential in combating obesity.
Topics: Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Adipogenesis; Obesity; Mice; 3T3-L1 Cells; Adipocytes; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male; PPAR gamma; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; Mice, Obese; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; Adipokines; Anti-Obesity Agents; Uncoupling Protein 1; Adipose Tissue, White; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
PubMed: 38909257
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02175-0 -
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Jun 2024The circadian system is a conserved time-keeping machinery that regulates a wide range of processes such as sleep/wake, feeding/fasting, and activity/rest cycles to...
The circadian system is a conserved time-keeping machinery that regulates a wide range of processes such as sleep/wake, feeding/fasting, and activity/rest cycles to coordinate behavior and physiology. Circadian disruption can be a contributing factor in the development of metabolic diseases, inflammatory disorders, and higher risk of cancer. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive grade 4 brain tumor that is resistant to conventional therapies and has a poor prognosis after diagnosis, with a median survival of only 12-15 months. GBM cells kept in culture were shown to contain a functional circadian oscillator. In seeking more efficient therapies with lower side effects, we evaluated the pharmacological modulation of the circadian clock by targeting the cytosolic kinases glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and casein kinase 1 ε/δ (CK1ε/δ) with specific inhibitors (CHIR99021 and PF670462, respectively), the cryptochrome protein stabilizer (KL001), or circadian disruption after Per2 knockdown expression in GBM-derived cells. CHIR99021-treated cells had a significant effect on cell viability, clock protein expression, migration, and cell cycle distribution. Moreover, cultures exhibited higher levels of reactive oxygen species and alterations in lipid droplet content after GSK-3 inhibition compared to control cells. The combined treatment of CHIR99021 with temozolomide was found to improve the effect on cell viability compared to temozolomide therapy alone. Per2 disruption affected both GBM migration and cell cycle progression. Overall, our results suggest that pharmacological modulation or molecular clock disruption severely affects GBM cell biology.
Topics: Glioblastoma; Humans; Cell Line, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; Pyridines; Cell Survival; Cytosol; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Pyrimidines; Cell Movement; Circadian Clocks; CLOCK Proteins; Period Circadian Proteins; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 38907776
DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01485-2 -
BMC Ophthalmology Jun 2024Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common public health problem that contributes to various physiological disorders and increases the risk of ocular diseases. However, whether...
BACKGROUND
Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common public health problem that contributes to various physiological disorders and increases the risk of ocular diseases. However, whether sleep loss can damage corneal endothelial function remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect and possible mechanism of SD on the corneal endothelium.
METHODS
Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to establish SD models. After 10 days, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot or immunostaining for the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), ATPase Na+/K + transporting subunit alpha 1 (Atp1a1), and core clock genes in the corneal endothelium were evaluated. Reactive oxygen species staining and mitochondrial abundance characterized the mitochondrial function. The regulatory role of Bmal1 was confirmed by specifically knocking down or overexpressing basic helix-loop-helix ARNT like 1 protein (Bmal1) in vivo. In vitro, a mitochondrial stress test was conducted on cultured human corneal endothelial cells upon Bmal1 knockdown.
RESULTS
SD damaged the barrier and pump functions of mouse corneal endothelium, accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, SD dramatically downregulated the core clock gene Bmal1 expression level. Bmal1 knockdown disrupted corneal endothelial function, while overexpression of Bmal1 ameliorated the dysfunction induced by SD. Mitochondrial bioenergetic deficiency mediated by Bmal1 was an underlying mechanism for SD induced corneal endothelial dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
The downregulation of Bmal1 expression caused by SD led to corneal endothelial dysfunction via impairing mitochondrial bioenergetics. Our findings offered insight into how SD impairs the physiological function of the corneal endothelium and expanded the understanding of sleep loss leading to ocular diseases.
Topics: Sleep Deprivation; Animals; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male; Mice; ARNTL Transcription Factors; Down-Regulation; Endothelium, Corneal; Disease Models, Animal; Cells, Cultured; Mitochondria; Blotting, Western; Gene Expression Regulation
PubMed: 38907352
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03524-4 -
International Journal of Biological... 2024Although many cohort studies have reported that long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) causes lung cancer, the molecular mechanisms underlying the PM-induced...
Although many cohort studies have reported that long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) causes lung cancer, the molecular mechanisms underlying the PM-induced increases in lung cancer progression remain unclear. We applied the lung cancer cell line A549 (Parental; A549.Par) to PM for an extended period to establish a mimic PM-exposed lung cancer cell line, A549.PM. Our results indicate that A549.PM exhibits higher cell growth and proliferation abilities compared to A549.Par cells and . The RNA sequencing analysis found amphiregulin (AREG) plays a critical role in PM-induced cell proliferation. We observed that PM increases AREG-dependent lung cancer proliferation through glutamine metabolism. In addition, the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in PM-induced solute carrier family A1 member 5 (SLC1A5) expression and glutamine metabolism. Our findings offer important insights into how lung cancer proliferation develops upon exposure to PM.
Topics: Amphiregulin; Humans; Glutamine; Cell Proliferation; Lung Neoplasms; Animals; Particulate Matter; A549 Cells; Signal Transduction; Mice; Cell Line, Tumor; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Amino Acid Transport System ASC; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
PubMed: 38904011
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.96210 -
Research Square May 2024The uptake and elimination of beta-lactam antibiotics in the human body are facilitated by the proton-coupled peptide transporters PepT1 (SLC15A1) and PepT2 (SLC15A2)....
The uptake and elimination of beta-lactam antibiotics in the human body are facilitated by the proton-coupled peptide transporters PepT1 (SLC15A1) and PepT2 (SLC15A2). The mechanism by which SLC15 family transporters recognize and discriminate between different drug classes and dietary peptides remains unclear, hampering efforts to improve antibiotic pharmacokinetics through targeted drug design and delivery. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of the mammalian proton-coupled peptide transporter, PepT2, in complex with the widely used beta-lactam antibiotics cefadroxil, amoxicillin and cloxacillin. Our structures, combined with pharmacophore mapping, molecular dynamics simulations and biochemical assays, establish the mechanism of antibiotic recognition and the important role of protonation in drug binding and transport.
PubMed: 38903084
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4435259/v1 -
BMC Cancer Jun 2024Among gynaecological malignancies, endometrial cancer (EC) is the most prevalent type of uterine cancer affecting women. This study explored the proteomic profiles of...
BACKGROUND
Among gynaecological malignancies, endometrial cancer (EC) is the most prevalent type of uterine cancer affecting women. This study explored the proteomic profiles of plasma samples obtained from EC patients, those with hyperplasia (Hy), and a control group (CO). A combination of techniques, such as 2D-DIGE, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics, including pathway analysis, was used to identify proteins with modified expression levels, biomarkers and their associated metabolic pathways in these groups.
METHODS
Thirty-four patients, categorized into three groups-10 with EC, 12 with Hy, and 12 CO-between the ages of 46 and 75 years old were included in the study. Untargeted proteomic analysis was carried out using two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).
RESULTS
In all three groups, 114 proteins that were significantly (p ≤ 0.05 and fold change ≥ 1.5) altered were successfully identified using peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs). Compared with those in the control group (CO), the EC samples had 85 differentially expressed proteins (39 upregulated and 46 downregulated), and in the Hy group, 81 proteins were dysregulated (40 upregulated and 41 downregulated) compared to those in the CO group, while 33 proteins exhibited differential regulation (12 upregulated and 21 downregulated) in the EC plasma samples compared to those in the Hy group. Vitamin D binding protein and complement C3 distinguished Hy and EC from CO with the greatest changes in expression. Among the differentially expressed proteins identified, enzymes with catalytic activity represented the largest group (42.9%). In terms of biological processes, most of the proteins were involved in cellular processes (28.8%), followed by metabolic processes (16.7%). STRING analysis for protein interactions revealed that the significantly differentially abundant proteins in the three groups are involved in three main biological processes: signalling of complement and coagulation cascades, regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) transport and uptake by insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), and plasma lipoprotein assembly, remodelling, and clearance.
CONCLUSION
The identified plasma protein markers have the potential to serve as biomarkers for differentiating between EC and Hy, as well as for early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer progression.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometrial Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Aged; Proteomics; Biomarkers, Tumor; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Endometrial Hyperplasia; Blood Proteins; Proteome
PubMed: 38902713
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12522-0 -
Cardiovascular Diabetology Jun 2024Recently deorphanized G protein-coupled receptor 146 (GPR146) was shown to respond to signal from a newly identified hormone-cholesin-and to play a role in hepatic lipid...
BACKGROUND
Recently deorphanized G protein-coupled receptor 146 (GPR146) was shown to respond to signal from a newly identified hormone-cholesin-and to play a role in hepatic lipid metabolism. However, the importance of its biological activity in human organism remains elusive, mainly due to the lack of studies on human tissues up to this point. This study aimed to identify the cholesin receptor-associated genes and clinical factors linked with their expression in cardiovascular system and associated adipose tissues.
METHODS
Right cardiac auricle, aortic wall, saphenous vein, and adipose tissue (periaortic-PAT, epicardial-EAT, thymic-TAT) samples were collected during coronary artery bypass grafting. Clinical records of the study participants were assessed for the presence of diabetes, medications taken and serum cholesterol levels. GPR146 mRNA expression in all gathered tissues was assessed with qPCR, and RNA seqencing was performed in selected tissues of 20 individuals to identify pathways associated with GPR146 expression.
RESULTS
We included 46 participants [37 male, 23 with type 2 diabetes, median age 68.50 (Q1-Q3: 63.00-72.00) years, BMI 28.39 (26.06-31.49) kg/m]. GPR146 expression in adipose tissues significantly correlated with BMI, c-peptide, total cholesterol, and LDL concentrations. Selected metabolic pathways were significantly and positively enriched in GPR146-dependent manner. GPR146-coexpressed genes contained key regulators of lipid metabolism involved in such pathways as fatty acid metabolism, tricarboxilic acid cycle and peroxisomal metabolism. Those genes correlated positively with serum concentrations of LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol. SGLT2i treatment was associated with inversion of GPR146-related signature in EAT, suggesting potential impact on cholesin-GPR146 network.
CONCLUSIONS
GPR146 expression is associated with serum lipids and metabolically-relevant transcriptomic changes in EAT similar to SGLT2i-associated ones.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Aged; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Signal Transduction; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Adipose Tissue; Treatment Outcome; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38902687
DOI: 10.1186/s12933-024-02322-y