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Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide due to latent TB infection, which is the critical step for the successful pathogenic...
UNLABELLED
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death among infectious diseases worldwide due to latent TB infection, which is the critical step for the successful pathogenic cycle. In this stage resides inside the host in a dormant and antibiotic-tolerant state. Latent TB infection can also lead to multisystemic diseases because invades virtually all organs, including ocular tissues. Ocular tuberculosis (OTB) occurs when the dormant bacilli within the ocular tissues reactivate, originally seeded by hematogenous spread from pulmonary TB. Histological evidence suggests that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells play a central role in immune privilege and in protection from antibiotic effects, making them an anatomical niche for invading . RPE cells exhibit high tolerance to environmental redox stresses, allowing phagocytosed bacilli to maintain viability in a dormant state. However, the microbiological and metabolic mechanisms determining the interaction between the RPE intracellular environment and phagocytosed are largely unknown. Here, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics were used to illuminate the metabolic state within RPE cells reprogrammed to harbor dormant bacilli and enhance antibiotic tolerance. Timely and accurate diagnosis as well as efficient chemotherapies are crucial in preventing the poor visual outcomes of OTB patients. Unfortunately, the efficacy of current methods is highly limited. Thus, the results will lead to propose a novel therapeutic option to synthetically kill the dormant inside the RPE cells by modulating the phenotypic state of and laying the foundation for a new, innovative regimen for treating OTB.
IMPORTANCE
Understanding the metabolic environment within the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells altered by infection with and mycobacterial dormancy is crucial to identify new therapeutic methods to cure ocular tuberculosis. The present study showed that RPE cellular metabolism is altered to foster intracellular to enter into the dormant and drug-tolerant state, thereby blunting the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. RPE cells serve as an anatomical niche as the cells protect invading bacilli from antibiotic treatment. LC-MS metabolomics of RPE cells after co-treatment with HO and infection showed that the intracellular environment within RPE cells is enriched with a greater level of oxidative stress. The antibiotic tolerance of intracellular within RPE cells can be restored by a metabolic manipulation strategy such as co-treatment of antibiotic with the most downstream glycolysis metabolite, phosphoenolpyruvate.
PubMed: 38916325
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00788-24 -
International Journal of Biological... 2024Coenzyme Q (CoQ), a quinone derivative from , has antitumor capabilities. This study investigated the antitumor effect of noncytotoxic CoQ, which included NLRP3...
Coenzyme Q (CoQ), a quinone derivative from , has antitumor capabilities. This study investigated the antitumor effect of noncytotoxic CoQ, which included NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, anti-EMT/metastasis, and metabolic reprogramming via HIF-1α inhibition, in HNSCC cells under normoxia and hypoxia. CoQ suppressed hypoxia-induced ROS-mediated HIF-1α expression in OECM-1 and SAS cells. Under normoxia and hypoxia, the inflammatory NLRP3, ASCcaspase-1, NFκB, and IL-1β expression was reduced by CoQ. CoQ reduced migration/invasion by enhancing epithelial marker E-cadherin and suppressing mesenchymal markers Twist, N-cadherin, Snail, and MMP-9, and MMP-2 expression. CoQ inhibited glucose uptake, lactate accumulation, GLUT1 levels, and HIF-1α-target gene (HK-2, PFK-1, and LDH-A) expressions that are involved in aerobic glycolysis. Notably, CoQ reduced ECAR as well as glycolysis, glycolytic capability, and glycolytic reserve and enhanced OCR, basal respiration, ATP generation, maximal respiration, and spare capacity in OECM-1 cells. Metabolomic analysis using LC-ESI-MS showed that CoQ treatment decreased the levels of glycolytic intermediates, including lactate, 2/3-phosphoglycerate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, and phosphoenolpyruvate, and increased the levels of TCA cycle metabolites, including citrate, isocitrate, and succinate. HIF-1α silencing reversed CoQ-mediated anti-metastasis (N-Cadherin, Snail, and MMP-9) and metabolic reprogramming (GLUT1, HK-2, and PKM-2) under hypoxia. CoQ prevents cancer stem-like characteristics (upregulated CD24 expression and downregulated CD44, ALDH1, and OCT4) under normoxia and/or hypoxia. Further, in IL-6-treated SG cells, CoQ attenuated fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β and Collagen I expression and suppressed EMT by downregulating Slug and upregulating E-cadherin expression. Interesting, CoQ inhibited the growth of OECM-1 tumors in xenografted mice. Our results advocate CoQ for the therapeutic application against HNSCC.
Topics: Humans; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Cell Line, Tumor; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Ubiquinone; Animals; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Mice; Inflammasomes; Warburg Effect, Oncologic; Mice, Nude; Head and Neck Neoplasms
PubMed: 38904007
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.93943 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jun 2024To delve into the underlying mechanism of Salidroside (Sal) on the improvement of cognitive function in Parkinson's Disease (PD).
OBJECTIVE
To delve into the underlying mechanism of Salidroside (Sal) on the improvement of cognitive function in Parkinson's Disease (PD).
METHODS
The experimental mice were divided into Control group, Model group [injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)], and Model+Sal (low concentration, high concentration) group. Mouse hippocampal tissues were extracted for RNA sequencing to obtain the core pathway and core gene. Mouse plasma was prepared and analyzed by LC-MS to obtain differential metabolites. In vitro experiments were verified by immunofluorescence and lentiviral transduction.
RESULTS
ELISA signaled that Sal facilitated the reduction of neuronal damage and inflammatory reaction in mice. MPTP_Sal_Low and MPTP_Sal_High groups had high levels of glial cell derived neurotrophie factor (GDNF) expression. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in control group, MPTP group and MPTP_Sal_High group were identified by transcriptomic, which were classified to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and the core gene Braf was obtained. Metabolomics manifested that the differential metabolites involved DL-tyrosine, adenosine, phosphoenolpyruvate, and L-tryptophan. In vitro experiments verified that Sal treatment inhibited the up-regulation of p-p38, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression, and growth of neuronal protrusions. The OE-Braf group showed a significant up-regulation of the GDNF expression, a decrease in the expression of p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK, and a significant growth of neuronal protrusions.
CONCLUSION
Sal may exert its effects in PD through the Braf-mediated MAPK signaling pathway, which can increase GDNF expression and promote neuronal protrusion growth for the protection of neurological function and the improvement of cognitive function.
PubMed: 38901199
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116968 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Marine natural products constitute a great source of potential new antidiabetic drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phosphoeleganin (PE), a...
Marine natural products constitute a great source of potential new antidiabetic drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phosphoeleganin (PE), a polyketide purified from the Mediterranean ascidian , and its derivatives PE/2 and PE/3 on insulin sensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. In our experiments, insulin stimulates the phosphorylation of its receptor (INSR) and AKT by 1.5- and 3.5-fold, respectively, whereas in the presence of PE, PE/2, and PE/3, the insulin induced INSR phosphorylation is increased by 2.1-, 2-, and 1.5-fold and AKT phosphorylation by 7.1-, 6.0-, and 5.1-fold, respectively. Interestingly, PE and PE/2 have an additive effect on insulin-mediated reduction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression. Finally, PE and PE/2, but not PE/3, decrease interleukin 6 (IL6) secretion and expression before and after palmitic acid incubation, while in the presence of high glucose (HG), only PE reduces IL6. Levels of other cytokines are not significantly affected by PE and its derivates. All these data suggest that PE and its synthetic-derived compound, PE/2, significantly decrease IL6 and improve hepatic insulin signaling. As IL6 impairs insulin action, it could be hypothesized that PE and PE/2, by inhibiting IL6, may improve the hepatic insulin pathway.
Topics: Humans; Interleukin-6; Insulin; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Signal Transduction; Hep G2 Cells; Animals; Receptor, Insulin; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Insulin Resistance; Antigens, CD
PubMed: 38892230
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116039 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), a mitochondrial isoenzyme, supports the growth of cancer cells under glucose deficiency conditions in vitro. This...
Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), a mitochondrial isoenzyme, supports the growth of cancer cells under glucose deficiency conditions in vitro. This study investigated the role and potential mechanism of PCK2 in the occurrence and development of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and other databases distinguish the expression of PCK2 and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Kaplan-Meier was conducted to assess PCK2 survival in HCC. The potential biological function of PCK2 was verified by enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The correlation between PCK2 expression and immune invasion and checkpoint was found by utilizing Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Lastly, the effects of PCK2 on the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were evaluated by cell tests, and the expressions of Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and apoptosis related proteins were detected. PCK2 is down-regulated in HCC, indicating a poor prognosis. PCK2 gene mutation accounted for 1.3% of HCC. Functional enrichment analysis indicated the potential of PCK2 as a metabolism-related therapeutic target. Subsequently, we identified several signaling pathways related to the biological function of PCK2. The involvement of PCK2 in immune regulation was verified and key immune checkpoints were predicted. Ultimately, after PCK2 knockdown, cell proliferation and migration were significantly increased, and N-cadherin and vimentin expression were increased. PCK2 has been implicated in immune regulation, proliferation, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and is emerging as a novel predictive biomarker and metabolic-related clinical target.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Humans; Prognosis; Cell Proliferation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Cell Line, Tumor; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP); Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Mitochondria; Male; Female; Apoptosis; Cell Movement; Biomarkers, Tumor; Middle Aged; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)
PubMed: 38890507
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64907-7 -
Veterinary Research Jun 2024Bacteria utilize intercellular communication to orchestrate essential cellular processes, adapt to environmental changes, develop antibiotic tolerance, and enhance...
Bacteria utilize intercellular communication to orchestrate essential cellular processes, adapt to environmental changes, develop antibiotic tolerance, and enhance virulence. This communication, known as quorum sensing (QS), is mediated by the exchange of small signalling molecules called autoinducers. AI-2 QS, regulated by the metabolic enzyme LuxS (S-ribosylhomocysteine lyase), acts as a universal intercellular communication mechanism across gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and is crucial for diverse bacterial processes. In this study, we demonstrated that in Streptococcus suis (S. suis), a notable zoonotic pathogen, AI-2 QS enhances galactose utilization, upregulates the Leloir pathway for capsular polysaccharide (CPS) precursor production, and boosts CPS synthesis, leading to increased resistance to macrophage phagocytosis. Additionally, our molecular docking and dynamics simulations suggest that, similar to S. pneumoniae, FruA, a fructose-specific phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system prevalent in gram-positive pathogens, may also function as an AI-2 membrane surface receptor in S. suis. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the significance of AI-2 in the synthesis of galactose metabolism-dependent CPS in S. suis. Additionally, we conducted a preliminary analysis of the potential role of FruA as a membrane surface receptor for S. suis AI-2.
Topics: Streptococcus suis; Galactose; Quorum Sensing; Virulence; Animals; Bacterial Capsules; Lactones; Streptococcal Infections; Homoserine; Polysaccharides, Bacterial
PubMed: 38886823
DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01335-5 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2024Nutrition and physiological state affect hepatic metabolism. Our objective was to determine if feeding flaxseed oil (∼50% C18:3n-3 cis), high oleic soybean oil (∼70%...
Nutrition and physiological state affect hepatic metabolism. Our objective was to determine if feeding flaxseed oil (∼50% C18:3n-3 cis), high oleic soybean oil (∼70% C18:1 cis-9), or milk fat (∼50% C16:0) alters hepatic expression of PC, PCK1, and PCK2 and the flow of carbons from propionate and pyruvate into the TCA cycle in preruminating calves. Male Holstein calves (n = 40) were assigned to a diet of skim milk with either: 3% milk fat (MF; n = 8), 3% flaxseed oil (Flax; n = 8), 3% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO; n = 8), 1.5% MF + 1.5% high oleic soybean oil (MF-HOSO; n = 8), or 1.5% MF + 1.5% flaxseed oil (MF-Flax; n = 8) from d 14 to d 21 postnatal. At d 21 postnatal, a liver biopsy was taken for gene expression and metabolic flux analysis. Liver explants were incubated in [U-C] propionate and [U-C] pyruvate to trace carbon flux through TCA cycle intermediates or with [U-C] lactate, [1-C] palmitic acid, or [2-C] propionate to quantify substrate oxidation to CO and acid soluble products. Compared with other treatments, plasma C18:3n-3 cis was 10 times higher and C18:1 cis-9 was 3 times lower in both flax (Flax and MF-Flax) treatments. PC, PCK1, and PCK2 expression and flux of [U-C] pyruvate as well as [U-C] propionate were not different between treatments. PC expression was negatively correlated with the enrichment of citrate M+5 and malate M+3, and PCK2 was negatively correlated with citrate M+5, suggesting that when expression of these enzymes is increased, carbon from pyruvate enters the TCA cycle via PC mediated carboxylation, and then OAA is converted to phosphoenolpyruvate via PCK2. Acid soluble product formation and PC expression were reduced in HOSO (MF-HOSO and HOSO) treatments compared with flax (MF-Flax and Flax), indicating that fatty acids regulate PC expression and carbon flux, but that fatty acid flux control points are not connected to PC, PCK1, or PCK2. In conclusion, fatty acids regulate hepatic expression of PC, PCK1, and PCK2, and carbon flux, but the point of control is distinct.
PubMed: 38876219
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24500 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Cervical cancer, one of the most common gynecological cancers, is primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The development of resistance to chemotherapy...
Cervical cancer, one of the most common gynecological cancers, is primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The development of resistance to chemotherapy is a significant hurdle in treatment. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying chemoresistance in cervical cancer by focusing on the roles of glycogen metabolism and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). We employed the cervical cancer cell lines HCC94 and CaSki by manipulating the expression of key enzymes PCK1, PYGL, and GYS1, which are involved in glycogen metabolism, through siRNA transfection. Our analysis included measuring glycogen levels, intermediates of PPP, NADPH/NADP ratio, and the ability of cells to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS) using biochemical assays and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Furthermore, we assessed chemoresistance by evaluating cell viability and tumor growth in NSG mice. Our findings revealed that in drug-resistant tumor stem cells, the enzyme PCK1 enhances the phosphorylation of PYGL, leading to increased glycogen breakdown. This process shifts glucose metabolism towards PPP, generating NADPH. This, in turn, facilitates ROS clearance, promotes cell survival, and contributes to the development of chemoresistance. These insights suggest that targeting aberrant glycogen metabolism or PPP could be a promising strategy for overcoming chemoresistance in cervical cancer. Understanding these molecular mechanisms opens new avenues for the development of more effective treatments for this challenging malignancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Reactive Oxygen Species; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Neoplastic Stem Cells; Animals; Mice; Cell Line, Tumor; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP); Glycogen; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Glycogenolysis; Pentose Phosphate Pathway; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38871968
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64255-6 -
Nutrition Research and Practice Jun 2024Kaempferol (Ka) is one of the most widely occurring flavonoids found in large amounts in various plants. Ka has anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects....
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Kaempferol (Ka) is one of the most widely occurring flavonoids found in large amounts in various plants. Ka has anti-obesity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite the numerous papers documenting the efficacy of Ka, some controversy remains. Therefore, this study examined the impact of Ka using 3T3-L1 and high-fat diet-induced obese mice.
MATERIALS/METHODS
3T3-L1 cells were treated with 50 μM Ka from the initiation of 3T3-L1 differentiation at D0 until the completion of differentiation on D8. Thirty male mice (C57BL/6J, 4 weeks old) were divided into 3 groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD + 0.02% (w/w) Ka (Ka) group. All mice were fed their respective diets for 16 weeks. The mice were sacriced, and the plasma and hepatic lipid levels, white adipose tissue weight, hepatic glucose level, lipid level, and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed, and immunohistochemistry staining was performed.
RESULTS
Ka suppressed the hypertrophy of 3T3-L1 cells, and the Ka-supplemented mice showed a significant decrease in perirenal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous fat compared to the HFD group. Ka supplementation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice also improved the overall blood lipid concentration (total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, phospholipids, and apolipoprotein B). Ka supplementation in high-fat-induced obesity mice reduced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance by modulating the hepatic lipid (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, fatty acid synthase, malic enzyme, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, and β-oxidation) activities and glucose (glucokinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and G6pase)-regulating enzymes. Ka supplementation ameliorated the erythrocyte and hepatic mitochondrial HO and inflammation levels (plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-6, and interferon-gamma and fibrosis of liver and epididymal fat).
CONCLUSION
Ka may be beneficial for preventing diet-induced obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and diabetes.
PubMed: 38854471
DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2024.18.3.325 -
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases May 2024Ticks, blood-sucking ectoparasites, spread diseases to humans and animals. Haemaphysalis longicornis is a significant vector for tick-borne diseases in medical and...
Ticks, blood-sucking ectoparasites, spread diseases to humans and animals. Haemaphysalis longicornis is a significant vector for tick-borne diseases in medical and veterinary contexts. Identifying protective antigens in H. longicornis for an anti-tick vaccine is a key tick control strategy. Enolase, a multifunctional protein, significantly converts D-2-phosphoglycerate and phosphoenolpyruvate in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in cell cytoplasm. This study cloned a complete open reading frame (ORF) of enolase from the H. longicornis tick and characterized its transcriptional and silencing effect. We amplified the full-length cDNA of the enolase gene using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The complete cDNA, with an ORF of 1,297 nucleotides, encoded a 432-amino acid polypeptide. Enolase of the Jeju strain H. longicornis exhibited the highest sequence similarity with H. flava (98%), followed by Dermacentor silvarum (82%). The enolase motifs identified included N-terminal and C-terminal regions, magnesium binding sites, and several phosphorylation sites. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that enolase mRNA transcripts were expressed across all developmental stages of ticks and organs such as salivary gland and midgut. RT-PCR showed higher transcript levels in syn-ganglia, suggesting that synganglion nerves influence enolase,s role in tick salivary glands. We injected enolase double-stranded RNA into adult unfed female ticks, after which they were subsequently fed with normal unfed males until they spontaneously dropped off. RNA interference significantly (P<0.05) reduced feeding and reproduction, along with abnormalities in eggs (no embryos) and hatching. These findings suggest enolase is a promising target for future tick control strategies.
Topics: Animals; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Ixodidae; Cloning, Molecular; Amino Acid Sequence; Female; Molecular Sequence Data; Life Cycle Stages; Gene Silencing; Male; Phylogeny; Base Sequence; DNA, Complementary; Haemaphysalis longicornis
PubMed: 38835263
DOI: 10.3347/PHD.24015