Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that lead to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death.However,there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by PDE6B mutation.Adeno-asso...Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that lead to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death.However,there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by PDE6B mutation.Adeno-associated virus(AAV)-mediated gene therapy is a promising strategy for treating retinitis pigmentosa.The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which AAV2-PDE6B rescues retinal function.To do this,we injected retinal degeneration 10(rd10)mice subretinally with AAV2-PDE6B and assessed the therapeutic effects on retinal function and structure using dark-and light-adapted electroretinogram,optical coherence tomography,and immunofluorescence.Data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was conducted to investigate protein expression levels and pathway enrichment,and the results from this analysis were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.AAV2-PDE6B injection significantly upregulated PDE6βexpression,preserved electroretinogram responses,and preserved outer nuclear layer thickness in rd10 mice.Differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and rd10 mice were closely related to visual perception,and treating rd10 mice with AAV2-PDE6B restored differentially expressed protein expression to levels similar to those seen in wild-type mice.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins whose expression was most significantly altered by AAV2-PDE6B injection were enriched in phototransduction pathways.Furthermore,the phototransductionrelated proteins Pde6α,Rom1,Rho,Aldh1a1,and Rbp1 exhibited opposite expression patterns in rd10 mice with or without AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Finally,Bax/Bcl-2,p-ERK/ERK,and p-c-Fos/c-Fos expression levels decreased in rd10 mice following AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Our data suggest that AAV2-PDE6B-mediated gene therapy promotes phototransduction and inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway and upregulating Bcl-2/Bax expression in retinitis pigmentosa.展开更多
Momordica antiviral protein 30 kD(MAP30)is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein(RIP)with antibacterial,anti-HIV and antitumor activities but lacks the ability to target tumor cells.To increase its tumor-targeting ab...Momordica antiviral protein 30 kD(MAP30)is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein(RIP)with antibacterial,anti-HIV and antitumor activities but lacks the ability to target tumor cells.To increase its tumor-targeting ability,the arginine-glycine-aspartic(RGD)peptide and the epidermal growth factor receptor interference(EGFRi)peptide were fused with MAP30,which was named ELRL-MAP30.The efficiency of targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)MDA-MB-231 cells,which lack the expression of estrogen receptor(ER),Progesterone receptor(PgR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER2),is limited.In this study,we focus on exploring the effect and mechanism of ELRL-MAP30 on TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells.First,we discovered that ELRL-MAP30 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells and induced MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis.Moreover,ELRL-MAP30 treatment resulted in a significant increase in Bax expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression.Furthermore,ELRL-MAP30 triggered apoptosis via the Fak/EGFR/Erk and Ilk/Akt signaling pathways.In addition,recombinant ELRL-MAP30 can inhibit chicken embryonic angiogenesis,and also inhibit the tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs),indicating its potential therapeutic effects on tumor angiogenesis.Collectively,these results indicate that ELRL-MAP30 has significant tumor-targeting properties in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and reveals potential therapeutic effects on angiogenesis.These findings indicate the potential role of ELRL-MAP30 in the targeted treatment of the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231.展开更多
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent type of cell death, is being considered for new clinical treatments of malignant tumors that are difficult to treat with apoptosis inducers. Although several reports have attempted to in...Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent type of cell death, is being considered for new clinical treatments of malignant tumors that are difficult to treat with apoptosis inducers. Although several reports have attempted to increase the sensitivity of cells to cell death by combining ferroptosis and apoptosis inducers using a single treatment, detailed elucidation of the respective mechanisms of ferroptosis and apoptosis during cell death remains unclear. Here, we evaluated combined treatment effectiveness using the apoptosis-sensitive rat insulinoma INS-1 cell lines. DNA laddering, an indicator of camptothecin (CPT)-induced apoptosis, was abolished by adding RSL3 and ML-162, but not erastin. We found that when the cells were treated with the apoptosis inducer CPT or the ferroptosis inducer RSL3, respectively, the degree of cytotoxicity observed increased dose-dependently. However, a combined CPT and RSL3 treatment did not show a synergistic decrease in cell viability. Camptothecin did not significantly affect increases in intracellular lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species or increases in mitochondrial and cytoplasmic free iron levels that were induced by treatment with RSL3 alone. Moreover, deferoxamine and α-tocopherol were found to inhibit RSL3-induced cytotoxicity but did not protect against CPT or CPT and RSL3-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, the exogenous addition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide inhibited DNA ladder formation that is induced by CPT, while the addition of hydrogen peroxide or ferrous ammonium sulfate had no effect. Taken together, these results suggest that lipid peroxides generated during ferroptosis may suppress cell death induced by apoptotic mechanisms.展开更多
Background Ochratoxin A(OTA)is a toxin widely found in aquafeed ingredients,and hypoxia is a common prob-lem in fish farming.In practice,aquatic animals tend to be more sensitive to hypoxia while feeds are contaminate...Background Ochratoxin A(OTA)is a toxin widely found in aquafeed ingredients,and hypoxia is a common prob-lem in fish farming.In practice,aquatic animals tend to be more sensitive to hypoxia while feeds are contaminated with OTA,but no studies exist in this area.This research investigated the multiple biotoxicities of OTA and hypoxia combined on the liver of grass carp and explored the mitigating effect of curcumin(CUR).Methods A total of 720 healthy juvenile grass carp(11.06±0.05 g)were selected and assigned randomly to 4 experi-mental groups:control group(without OTA and CUR),1.2 mg/kg OTA group,400 mg/kg CUR group,and 1.2 mg/kg OTA+400 mg/kg CUR group with three replicates each for 60 d.Subsequently,32 fish were selected,divided into nor-moxia(18 fish)and hypoxia(18 fish)groups,and subjected to hypoxia stress for 96 h.Results CUR can attenuate histopathological damage caused by coming to OTA and hypoxia by reducing vacu-olation and nuclear excursion.The alleviation of this damage was associated with the attenuation of apoptosis in the mitochondrial pathway by decreasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase 3,8,9,Bax,and Apaf1 while increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,and attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)by reducing Grp78 expression and chop levels.This may be attributed to the fact that the addi-tion of CUR increased the levels of catalase(CAT)and glutathione reductase(GSH),increased antioxidant capacity,and ensured the proper functioning of respiratory chain complexes I and II,which in turn reduced the high produc-tion of reactive oxygen species(ROS),thus alleviating apoptosis and ERS.Conclusions In conclusion,our data demonstrate the effectiveness of CUR in attenuating liver injury caused by the combination of OTA and hypoxia.This study confirms the feasibility and efficacy of adding natural products to mitigate toxic damage to aquatic animals.展开更多
Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)caused by chemotherapy is a common complication in female cancer survivors of childbearing age.Traditional methods,including mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)transplant and hormone replace...Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)caused by chemotherapy is a common complication in female cancer survivors of childbearing age.Traditional methods,including mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)transplant and hormone replacement therapy,have limited clinical application because of their drawbacks,and more methods need to be developed.In the current study,the potential effects and underlying mechanisms of human umbilical cord MSC-derived extracellular vesicles(h UCMSC-EVs)were investigated in a cisplatin(CDDP)-induced POI mouse model and a human granulosa cell(GC)line.The results showed that h UCMSC-EVs significantly attenuated body weight loss,ovarian weight loss,ovary atrophy,and follicle loss in moderate-dose(1.5 mg/kg)CDDP-induced POI mice,similar to the effects observed with h UCMSCs.We further found that the h UCMSCEVs inhibited CDDP-induced ovarian GC apoptosis by upregulating anti-apoptotic mi RNA levels in GCs,thereby downregulating the m RNA levels of multiple pro-apoptotic genes.In general,our findings indicate that the moderate-dose chemotherapy may be a better choice for clinical oncotherapy,considering effective rescue of the oncotherapy-induced ovarian damage with h UCMSC-EVs.Additionally,multiple mi RNAs in h UCMSC-EVs may potentially be used to inhibit the chemotherapy-induced ovarian GC apoptosis,thereby restoring ovarian function and improving the life quality of female cancer patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Acute lung injury(ALI)is a fatal and heterogeneous disease.While bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)have shown promise in ALI repair,their efficacy is compromised by a high apoptotic percentage.Prelim...BACKGROUND Acute lung injury(ALI)is a fatal and heterogeneous disease.While bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)have shown promise in ALI repair,their efficacy is compromised by a high apoptotic percentage.Preliminary findings have indicated that long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)-ENST expression is markedly downregulated in MSCs under ischemic and hypoxic conditions,establishing a rationale for in vitro exploration.AIM To elucidate the role of lncRNA-ENST00000517482(lncRNA-ENST)in modulating MSC apoptosis.METHODS Founded on ALI in BEAS-2B cells with lipopolysaccharide,this study employed a transwell co-culture system to study BMSC tropism.BMSCs were genetically modified to overexpress or knockdown lncRNA-ENST.After analyzing the effects on autophagy,apoptosis and cell viability,the lncRNA-ENST/miR-539/c-MYC interaction was confirmed by dual-luciferase assays.RESULTS These findings have revealed a strong correlation between lncRNA-ENST levels and the apoptotic and autophagic status of BMSCs.On the one hand,the overexpression of lncRNA-ENST,as determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays,increased the expression of autophagy markers LC3B,ATG7,and ATG5.On the other hand,it reduced apoptosis and boosted BMSC viability.In co-cultures with BEAS-2B cells,lncRNA-ENST overexpression also improved cell vitality.Additionally,by downregulating miR-539 and upregulating c-MYC,lncRNA-ENST was found to influence mitochondrial membrane potential,enhance BMSC autophagy,mitigate apoptosis and lower the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β.Collectively,within the in vitro framework,these results have highlighted the therapeutic potential of BMSCs in ALI and the pivotal regulatory role of lncRNA-ENST in miR-539 and apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BEAS-2B cells.CONCLUSION Our in vitro results show that enhanced lncRNA ENST expression can promote BMSC proliferation and viability by modulating the miR-539/c-MYC axis,reduce apoptosis and induce autophagy,which has suggested its therapeutic potential in the treatment of ALI.展开更多
Objective Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to ultrafine particulate matter(UPM,aerodynamic diameter<0.1μm)is associated with adverse cardiovascular events.Previous studies have found that Shenlian(SL)extra...Objective Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to ultrafine particulate matter(UPM,aerodynamic diameter<0.1μm)is associated with adverse cardiovascular events.Previous studies have found that Shenlian(SL)extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties and has a promising protective effect at all stages of the atherosclerotic disease process.In this study,we aimed to investigated whether SL improves UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis.Methods We established a mouse model of MI+UPM.Echocardiographic measurement,measurement of myocardialinfarct size,biochemical analysis,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),histopathological analysis,Transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling(TUNEL),Western blotting(WB),Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)and so on were used to explore the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of SL in vivo and in vitro.Results SL treatment can attenuate UPM-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving left ventricular ejection fraction,fractional shortening,and decreasing cardiac infarction area.SL significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzymes and attenuated UPM-induced morphological alterations.Moreover,SL significantly reduced expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and MCP-1.UPM further increased the infiltration of macrophages in myocardial tissue,whereas SL intervention reversed this phenomenon.UPM also triggered myocardial apoptosis,which was markedly attenuated by SL treatment.The results of in vitro experiments revealed that SL prevented cell damage caused by exposure to UPM combined with hypoxia by reducing the expression of the inflammatory factor NF-κB and inhibiting apoptosis in H9c2 cells.Conclusion Overall,both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SL attenuated UPMaggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis.The mechanisms were related to the downregulation of macrophages infiltrating heart tissues.展开更多
This letter addresses Wang and Zhang's investigation into the role of tankyrase 2(TNKS2)as a pivotal driver of malignancy in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)through mechanisms including apoptosis inhibition,enhan...This letter addresses Wang and Zhang's investigation into the role of tankyrase 2(TNKS2)as a pivotal driver of malignancy in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)through mechanisms including apoptosis inhibition,enhanced cellular migration,andβ-catenin pathway activation.Their study in NSCLC cell lines demonstrates that TNKS2 overexpression stabilizesβ-catenin,subsequently triggering onco-genic gene expression and facilitating cellular migration-key attributes of meta-static potential.These insights position TNKS2 as a compelling target for therapy and a potential prognostic marker in NSCLC.Nevertheless,translating these in vitro findings to clinical practice requires validation in in vivo models.Addi-tionally,further research should investigate TNKS2 expression in patient samples and assess its implications in therapy resistance and combination treatment strategies.展开更多
Foods and animal feeds frequently become contaminated with the nephrotoxic ochratoxin A(OTA).Our prior research has indicated that ursolic acid(UA),which is widely present in fruits and medicinal plants,has the potent...Foods and animal feeds frequently become contaminated with the nephrotoxic ochratoxin A(OTA).Our prior research has indicated that ursolic acid(UA),which is widely present in fruits and medicinal plants,has the potential to alleviate nephrotoxicity triggered by OTA.Additionally,excessive induction of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)-phagy exacerbates OTA-induced apoptosis.Therefore,further investigation is essential to comprehend whether UA can mitigate OTA-induced apoptosis by influencing ER-phagy.This objective is accomplished through a series of experiments involving assessments of cell viability,apoptosis,fluorescence microscopy,and western blot analysis.The outcomes of these experiments reveal that pre-treatment with 4μmol/L UA for 2 h can markedly reverse the elevated apoptotic rate,the co-localization of ER and lysosomes,and the protein expressions of GRP78,p-eIF2α,Chop,Bax,and Bak,as well as the reduced cell viability and the protein expressions of Lonp1,Trap1,p62,Tex264,FAM134B,Bcl-2,and Bcl-xl,all caused by exposure to 1μmol/L OTA for 24 h in human proximal tubule epithelial-originated kidney-2(HK-2)cells(P<0.05).Interestingly,the increased expression of LC3B-II induced by OTA is further amplified by UA pre-treatment(P<0.05).In conclusion,OTA triggers a harmful feedback loop between ER stress(ERS)and excessive ER-phagy,thereby further promoting ERS-and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in vitro.However,this effect is significantly mitigated by UA through the inhibition of autophagosome-lysosome fusion,consequently blocking the excessive ER-phagic flux.展开更多
17α-methyltestosterone(17α-MT)is an emerging pollutant,which is harmful to the endocrine system and reproduction of fish.We investigated the effects of different concentrations of 17α-MT(0,5,30,60,and 100 mg/kg)on ...17α-methyltestosterone(17α-MT)is an emerging pollutant,which is harmful to the endocrine system and reproduction of fish.We investigated the effects of different concentrations of 17α-MT(0,5,30,60,and 100 mg/kg)on endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and apoptosis in the liver of Takifugu fasciatus.Results show that:(1)with the increase of 17α-MT treatment concentration,liver transaminases(alanine aminotransferase;aspartate aminotransferase)and the mRNA expression of ERS marker genes(glucose-regulated protein 78;calreticulin)of T.fasciatus were significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.05);(2)the activity of succinate dehydrogenase(SDH),Caspase3 and Caspase9 in the liver of T.fasciatus increased with the increase of 17α-MT concentration compared with the control group(P<0.05);(3)by using 4-phenylbutyricacid(4-PBA)inhibitors to stimulate ERS through in vitro experiments,the expression of ERS and apoptosis-related genes significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the apoptosis rate of T.fasciatus hepatocytes was significantly inhibited(P<0.05)under 17α-MT treatment.This study confirmed that ERS played an important role in the induction of apoptosis in the hepatocytes of T.fasciatus,which enriched the ecotoxicological information of environmental androgens.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the specific mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the regulation of human sperm apoptosis, and to provide a new theoretical reference and scientific basis for the diagno...Objective: To investigate the specific mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the regulation of human sperm apoptosis, and to provide a new theoretical reference and scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment of asthenospermia and other related conditions. Methods: Semen samples were categorized into the normal group and asthenospermia group based on sperm motility criteria. HIF-1α interfering agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and guanylate cyclase activator (Lificiguat, YC-1) were added respectively, with a control group established accordingly. Sperm motility (using anterior viability rate as an index), apoptosis level, ATP level, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were measured. The expression levels of HIF-1α, p-PI3K, and Bcl-2 in the samples were analyzed using Western blotting. Results: Following CoCl2 treatment, there was a significant increase in sperm apoptosis compared to the normal control group (12.51% ± 2.50% VS 11.15% ± 2.42%);additionally, sperm motility (45.34% ± 3.37% VS 51.36% ± 11.68%), ATP production (11.51 ± 2.87 nM/µL VS 14.99 ± 2.83 nM/µL), ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential all decreased significantly (all P α and p-PI3K increased significantly while Bcl-2 expression decreased (all P α in the YC-1 treatment group were decreased, and the expression level of Bcl-2 was increased (all P α can influence human sperm apoptosis and motility through the PI3K signaling pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND Recently,the identification of cell apoptosis induced by natural products has become research hotspot and frontier in the biopharmaceutical and food industries under the umbrella of global green development...BACKGROUND Recently,the identification of cell apoptosis induced by natural products has become research hotspot and frontier in the biopharmaceutical and food industries under the umbrella of global green development worldwide.Traditionally,cell apoptosis is identified using morphological,biochemical,and cell cycle experiments,which is time consuming,and experimental materials are not from the same group,and it is very hard to ensure the identity and veracity of results of former and latter experiments.AIM To establish a selective,instant,and practical protocol to identify cell apoptosis induced by natural products.METHODS A one transient cell processing procedure(OTCPP)was used to detect human colorectal cancer LoVo cell apoptosis after treatment with Pinus massoniana bark extract(PMBE)at the morphological,biochemical,and cell cycle levels.The methods used included treatment with DNA gel electrophoresis,fluorescence microscopy,and flow cytometry.RESULTS In PMBE-treated LoVo cells,we observed a DNA ladder on gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy revealed"nuclear shrinkage,chromatin condensation or fragmentation".In addition,flow cytometry showed an"obvious apoptosis curve".Thus OTCPP achieved synchronous detection of the morphology,biochemistry,cell cycle,and the DNA content of the cells.CONCLUSION OTCPP can quickly identify apoptosis and measure the apoptosis rate,thereby unifying qualitative and quantitative analysis.展开更多
β-Sitosterol is a type of phytosterol that occurs naturally in plants.Previous studies have shown that it has anti-oxidant,anti-hyperlipidemic,anti-inflammatory,immunomodulatory,and anti-tumor effects,but it is unkno...β-Sitosterol is a type of phytosterol that occurs naturally in plants.Previous studies have shown that it has anti-oxidant,anti-hyperlipidemic,anti-inflammatory,immunomodulatory,and anti-tumor effects,but it is unknown whetherβ-sitosterol treatment reduces the effects of ischemic stroke.Here we found that,in a mouse model of ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion,β-sitosterol reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and brain edema,reduced neuronal apoptosis in brain tissue,and alleviated neurological dysfunction;moreover,β-sitosterol increased the activity of oxygen-and glucose-deprived cerebral cortex neurons and reduced apoptosis.Further investigation showed that the neuroprotective effects ofβ-sitosterol may be related to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by intracellular cholesterol accumulation after ischemic stroke.In addition,β-sitosterol showed high affinity for NPC1L1,a key transporter of cholesterol,and antagonized its activity.In conclusion,β-sitosterol may help treat ischemic stroke by inhibiting neuronal intracellular cholesterol overload/endoplasmic reticulum stress/apoptosis signaling pathways.展开更多
Traumatic brain injury is a severe health problem leading to autophagy and apoptosis in the brain.3,6-Dibromo-beta-fluoro-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-9H-carbazole-9-propanamine(P7C3-A20)can be neuroprotective in various disea...Traumatic brain injury is a severe health problem leading to autophagy and apoptosis in the brain.3,6-Dibromo-beta-fluoro-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-9H-carbazole-9-propanamine(P7C3-A20)can be neuroprotective in various diseases,including ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.However,whether P7C3-A20 has a therapeutic effect on traumatic brain injury and its possible molecular mechanisms are unclear.Therefore,in the present study,we investigated the therapeutic effects of P7C3-A20 on traumatic brain injury and explored the putative underlying molecular mechanisms.We established a traumatic brain injury rat model using a modified weight drop method.P7C3-A20 or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally after traumatic brain injury.Severe neurological deficits were found in rats after traumatic brain injury,with deterioration in balance,walking function,and learning memory.Furthermore,hematoxylin and eosin staining showed significant neuronal cell damage,while terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining indicated a high rate of apoptosis.The presence of autolysosomes was observed using transmission electron microscope.P7C3-A20 treatment reversed these pathological features.Western blotting showed that P7C3-A20 treatment reduced microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ)autophagy protein,apoptosis-related proteins(namely,Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3[BNIP3],and Bcl-2 associated x protein[Bax]),and elevated ubiquitin-binding protein p62(p62)autophagy protein expression.Thus,P7C3-A20 can treat traumatic brain injury in rats by inhibiting excessive autophagy and apoptosis.展开更多
In critical care medicine,sepsis is a dangerous systemic condition that is highly prevalent and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates^([1]).The high mortality rate associated with sepsis is closely rel...In critical care medicine,sepsis is a dangerous systemic condition that is highly prevalent and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates^([1]).The high mortality rate associated with sepsis is closely related to multi-organ dysfunction,with heart injury being particularly critical and considered the starting point of multi-organ injury^([2]).展开更多
Background The reproductive performance of chickens mainly depends on the development of follicles.Abnor-mal follicle development can lead to decreased reproductive performance and even ovarian disease among chick-ens...Background The reproductive performance of chickens mainly depends on the development of follicles.Abnor-mal follicle development can lead to decreased reproductive performance and even ovarian disease among chick-ens.Chicken is the only non-human animal with a high incidence of spontaneous ovarian cancer.In recent years,the involvement of circRNAs in follicle development and atresia regulation has been confirmed.Results In the present study,we used healthy and atretic chicken follicles for circRNA RNC-seq.The results showed differential expression of circRALGPS2.It was then confirmed that circRALGPS2 can translate into a protein,named cir-cRALGPS2-212aa,which has IRES activity.Next,we found that circRALGPS2-212aa promotes apoptosis and autophagy in chicken granulosa cells by forming a complex with PARP1 and HMGB1.Conclusions Our results revealed that circRALGPS2 can regulate chicken granulosa cell apoptosis and autophagy through the circRALGPS2-212aa/PARP1/HMGB1 axis.展开更多
Objective Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were found to shift from their usually inactive state to an active state in ischemic stroke (IS) and cause neuronal damage. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1),a component de...Objective Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were found to shift from their usually inactive state to an active state in ischemic stroke (IS) and cause neuronal damage. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1),a component derived from medicinal plants,is known for its pharmacological benefits in IS,but its protective effects on BMECs have yet to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of GRb1 on BMECs. Methods An in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model was established to mimic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Bulk RNA-sequencing data were analyzed by using the Human Autophagy Database and various bioinformatic tools,including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA),Gene Ontology (GO) classification and enrichment analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis,protein-protein interaction network analysis,and molecular docking. Experimental validation was also performed to ensure the reliability of our findings. Results Rb1 had a protective effect on BMECs subjected to OGD/R injury. Specifically,GRb1 was found to modulate the interplay between oxidative stress,apoptosis,and autophagy in BMECs. Key targets such as sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62),autophagy related 5 (ATG5),and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) were identified,highlighting their potential roles in mediating the protective effects of GRb1 against IS-induced damage. Conclusion GRbl protects BMECs against OGD/R injury by influencing oxidative stress,apoptosis,and autophagy. The identification of SQSTM1/p62,ATG5,and HIF-1α as promising targets further supports the potential of GRb1 as a therapeutic agent for IS,providing a foundation for future research into its mechanisms and applications in IS treatment.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)stands among the top prevalent cancers worldwide and holds a prominent position as a major contributor to cancer-related mortality globally.Absent in melanoma 2(AIM2),a constituent of the interfe...Colorectal cancer(CRC)stands among the top prevalent cancers worldwide and holds a prominent position as a major contributor to cancer-related mortality globally.Absent in melanoma 2(AIM2),a constituent of the interferoninducible hematopoietic interferon-inducible nuclear antigens with 200 amino acid repeats protein family,contributes to both cancer progression and inflammasome activation.Despite this understanding,the precise biological functions and molecular mechanisms governed by AIM2 in CRC remain elusive.Consequently,this study endeavors to assess AIM2’s expression levels,explore its potential antitumor effects,elucidate associated cancer-related processes,and decipher the underlying signaling pathways in CRC.Our findings showed a reduced AIM2 expression in most CRC cell lines.Elevation of AIM2 levels suppressed CRC cell proliferation and migration,altered cell cycle by inhibiting G1/S transition,and induced cell apoptosis.Further research uncovered the participation of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(P38MAPK)in AIM2-mediated modulation of CRC cell apoptosis and proliferation.Altogether,our achievements distinctly underscored AIM2’s antitumor role in CRC.AIM2 overexpression inhibited proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis of CRC cells via activating P38MAPK signaling pathway,indicating AIM2 as a prospective and novel therapeutic target for CRC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Prohibitin 1(PHB1)has been identified as an antiproliferative protein that is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed,and it participates in a variety of essential cellular functions,including apoptosis...BACKGROUND Prohibitin 1(PHB1)has been identified as an antiproliferative protein that is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed,and it participates in a variety of essential cellular functions,including apoptosis,cell cycle regulation,prolifera-tion,and survival.Emerging evidence indicates that PHB1 may play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,the role of PHB1 in HCC is controversial.AIM To investigate the effects of PHB1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human HCC cells and the relevant mechanisms in vitro.METHODS HCC patients and healthy individuals were enrolled in this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria;then,PHB1 levels in the sera and liver tissues of these participates were determined using ELISA,RT-PCR,and immunohistoche-mistry.Human HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with the pEGFP-PHB1 plasmid and PHB1-specific shRNA(shRNA-PHB1)for 24-72 h.Cell prolif-eration was analysed with an MTT assay.Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analysed using flow cytometry(FACS).The mRNA and protein expression levels of the cell cycle-related molecules p21,Cyclin A2,Cyclin E1,and CDK2 and the cell apoptosis-related molecules cytochrome C(Cyt C),p53,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase 3,and caspase 9 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.RESULTS Decreased levels of PHB1 were found in the sera and liver tissues of HCC patients compared to those of healthy individuals,and decreased PHB1 was positively correlated with low differentiation,TNM stage III-IV,and alpha-fetoprotein≥400μg/L.Overexpression of PHB1 significantly inhibited human HCC cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner.FACS revealed that the overexpression of PHB1 arrested HCC cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis.The proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased and the proportion of cells in the S phase was decreased in HepG2 cells that were transfected with pEGFP-PHB1 compared with untreated control and empty vector-transfected cells.The percentage of apoptotic HepG2 cells that were transfected with pEGFP-PHB1 was 15.41%±1.06%,which was significantly greater than that of apoptotic control cells(3.65%±0.85%,P<0.01)and empty vector-transfected cells(4.21%±0.52%,P<0.01).Similar results were obtained with SMMC-7721 cells.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression levels of p53,p21,Bax,caspase 3,and caspase 9 were increased while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin A2,Cy-clin E1,CDK2,and Bcl-2 were decreased when PHB1 was overexpressed in human HCC cells.However,when PHB1 was upregulated in human HCC cells,Cyt C expression levels were increased in the cytosol and decreased in the mitochondria,which indicated that Cyt C had been released into the cytosol.Conversely,these effects were reversed when PHB1 was knocked down.CONCLUSION PHB1 inhibits human HCC cell viability by arresting the cell cycle and inducing cell apoptosis via activation of the p53-mediated mitochondrial pathway.展开更多
Background:Myocardial infarction(MI)is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in the world,especially in cold weather.YBX1 is an RNA-binding protein that is required for pathological growth of cardiomyocyte by...Background:Myocardial infarction(MI)is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in the world,especially in cold weather.YBX1 is an RNA-binding protein that is required for pathological growth of cardiomyocyte by regulating cell growth and protein synthesis.But YBX1,as an individual RNA-binding protein,regulates cardiomyocytes through signaling cascades during myocardial infarction remain largely unexplored.Methods:In vivo,the mouse MI model was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD),and randomly divided into sham operation group,MI group,MI+YBX1 knockdown/overexpression group and MI+negative control(NC)group.The protective effect of YBX1 was verified by echocardiography and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.In vitro,mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis was investigated by using CCK8,TUNEL staining,reactive oxygen species(ROS)staining and JC-1 staining in hypoxic neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes(NMCMs).Results:YBX1 expression of cardiomyocytes was downregulated in a mouse model and a cellular model on the ischemic condition.Compared to mice induced by MI,YBX1 overexpression mediated by adeno-associated virus serotype 9(AAV9)vector reduced the infarcted size and improved cardiac function.Knockdown of endogenous YBX1 by shRNA partially aggravated ischemia-induced cardiac dysfunction.In hypoxic cardiomyocytes,YBX1 overexpression decreased lactic dehydrogenase(LDH)release,increased cell viability,and inhibited apoptosis by affecting the expression of apoptosis related proteins,while knockdown of endogenous YBX1 by siRNA had the opposite effect.Overexpression of YBX1 restored mitochondrial dysfunction in hypoxic NMCMs by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content and decreasing ROS.In hypoxic NMCMs,YBX1 overexpression increased the expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/AKT,and the anti-apoptosis effect of YBX1 was eliminated t by LY294002,PI3K/AKT inhibitor.Conclusion:YBX1 protected the heart from ischemic damage by inhibiting the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through PI3K/AKT pathway.It is anticipated that YBX1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for MI.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82071008(to BL)and 82004001(to XJ)Medical Science and Technology Program of Health Commission of Henan Province,No.LHGJ20210072(to RQ)Science and Technology Department of Henan Province,No.212102310307(to XJ)。
文摘Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that lead to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death.However,there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by PDE6B mutation.Adeno-associated virus(AAV)-mediated gene therapy is a promising strategy for treating retinitis pigmentosa.The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which AAV2-PDE6B rescues retinal function.To do this,we injected retinal degeneration 10(rd10)mice subretinally with AAV2-PDE6B and assessed the therapeutic effects on retinal function and structure using dark-and light-adapted electroretinogram,optical coherence tomography,and immunofluorescence.Data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was conducted to investigate protein expression levels and pathway enrichment,and the results from this analysis were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.AAV2-PDE6B injection significantly upregulated PDE6βexpression,preserved electroretinogram responses,and preserved outer nuclear layer thickness in rd10 mice.Differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and rd10 mice were closely related to visual perception,and treating rd10 mice with AAV2-PDE6B restored differentially expressed protein expression to levels similar to those seen in wild-type mice.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins whose expression was most significantly altered by AAV2-PDE6B injection were enriched in phototransduction pathways.Furthermore,the phototransductionrelated proteins Pde6α,Rom1,Rho,Aldh1a1,and Rbp1 exhibited opposite expression patterns in rd10 mice with or without AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Finally,Bax/Bcl-2,p-ERK/ERK,and p-c-Fos/c-Fos expression levels decreased in rd10 mice following AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Our data suggest that AAV2-PDE6B-mediated gene therapy promotes phototransduction and inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway and upregulating Bcl-2/Bax expression in retinitis pigmentosa.
文摘Momordica antiviral protein 30 kD(MAP30)is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein(RIP)with antibacterial,anti-HIV and antitumor activities but lacks the ability to target tumor cells.To increase its tumor-targeting ability,the arginine-glycine-aspartic(RGD)peptide and the epidermal growth factor receptor interference(EGFRi)peptide were fused with MAP30,which was named ELRL-MAP30.The efficiency of targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)MDA-MB-231 cells,which lack the expression of estrogen receptor(ER),Progesterone receptor(PgR)and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER2),is limited.In this study,we focus on exploring the effect and mechanism of ELRL-MAP30 on TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells.First,we discovered that ELRL-MAP30 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells and induced MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis.Moreover,ELRL-MAP30 treatment resulted in a significant increase in Bax expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression.Furthermore,ELRL-MAP30 triggered apoptosis via the Fak/EGFR/Erk and Ilk/Akt signaling pathways.In addition,recombinant ELRL-MAP30 can inhibit chicken embryonic angiogenesis,and also inhibit the tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs),indicating its potential therapeutic effects on tumor angiogenesis.Collectively,these results indicate that ELRL-MAP30 has significant tumor-targeting properties in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and reveals potential therapeutic effects on angiogenesis.These findings indicate the potential role of ELRL-MAP30 in the targeted treatment of the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231.
文摘Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent type of cell death, is being considered for new clinical treatments of malignant tumors that are difficult to treat with apoptosis inducers. Although several reports have attempted to increase the sensitivity of cells to cell death by combining ferroptosis and apoptosis inducers using a single treatment, detailed elucidation of the respective mechanisms of ferroptosis and apoptosis during cell death remains unclear. Here, we evaluated combined treatment effectiveness using the apoptosis-sensitive rat insulinoma INS-1 cell lines. DNA laddering, an indicator of camptothecin (CPT)-induced apoptosis, was abolished by adding RSL3 and ML-162, but not erastin. We found that when the cells were treated with the apoptosis inducer CPT or the ferroptosis inducer RSL3, respectively, the degree of cytotoxicity observed increased dose-dependently. However, a combined CPT and RSL3 treatment did not show a synergistic decrease in cell viability. Camptothecin did not significantly affect increases in intracellular lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species or increases in mitochondrial and cytoplasmic free iron levels that were induced by treatment with RSL3 alone. Moreover, deferoxamine and α-tocopherol were found to inhibit RSL3-induced cytotoxicity but did not protect against CPT or CPT and RSL3-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, the exogenous addition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide inhibited DNA ladder formation that is induced by CPT, while the addition of hydrogen peroxide or ferrous ammonium sulfate had no effect. Taken together, these results suggest that lipid peroxides generated during ferroptosis may suppress cell death induced by apoptotic mechanisms.
基金This research was financially supported by the earmarked fund for CARS(CARS-45)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32273144,32072985)National Key R&D Program of China(2019YFD0900200).
文摘Background Ochratoxin A(OTA)is a toxin widely found in aquafeed ingredients,and hypoxia is a common prob-lem in fish farming.In practice,aquatic animals tend to be more sensitive to hypoxia while feeds are contaminated with OTA,but no studies exist in this area.This research investigated the multiple biotoxicities of OTA and hypoxia combined on the liver of grass carp and explored the mitigating effect of curcumin(CUR).Methods A total of 720 healthy juvenile grass carp(11.06±0.05 g)were selected and assigned randomly to 4 experi-mental groups:control group(without OTA and CUR),1.2 mg/kg OTA group,400 mg/kg CUR group,and 1.2 mg/kg OTA+400 mg/kg CUR group with three replicates each for 60 d.Subsequently,32 fish were selected,divided into nor-moxia(18 fish)and hypoxia(18 fish)groups,and subjected to hypoxia stress for 96 h.Results CUR can attenuate histopathological damage caused by coming to OTA and hypoxia by reducing vacu-olation and nuclear excursion.The alleviation of this damage was associated with the attenuation of apoptosis in the mitochondrial pathway by decreasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase 3,8,9,Bax,and Apaf1 while increasing the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,and attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)by reducing Grp78 expression and chop levels.This may be attributed to the fact that the addi-tion of CUR increased the levels of catalase(CAT)and glutathione reductase(GSH),increased antioxidant capacity,and ensured the proper functioning of respiratory chain complexes I and II,which in turn reduced the high produc-tion of reactive oxygen species(ROS),thus alleviating apoptosis and ERS.Conclusions In conclusion,our data demonstrate the effectiveness of CUR in attenuating liver injury caused by the combination of OTA and hypoxia.This study confirms the feasibility and efficacy of adding natural products to mitigate toxic damage to aquatic animals.
基金Financial support for the current study was provided by the grant from"Blue Engineering"Excellent Young Teacher Foundation in Colleges and Universities of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.KY101R202207 to Xiaojun Chen)。
文摘Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)caused by chemotherapy is a common complication in female cancer survivors of childbearing age.Traditional methods,including mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)transplant and hormone replacement therapy,have limited clinical application because of their drawbacks,and more methods need to be developed.In the current study,the potential effects and underlying mechanisms of human umbilical cord MSC-derived extracellular vesicles(h UCMSC-EVs)were investigated in a cisplatin(CDDP)-induced POI mouse model and a human granulosa cell(GC)line.The results showed that h UCMSC-EVs significantly attenuated body weight loss,ovarian weight loss,ovary atrophy,and follicle loss in moderate-dose(1.5 mg/kg)CDDP-induced POI mice,similar to the effects observed with h UCMSCs.We further found that the h UCMSCEVs inhibited CDDP-induced ovarian GC apoptosis by upregulating anti-apoptotic mi RNA levels in GCs,thereby downregulating the m RNA levels of multiple pro-apoptotic genes.In general,our findings indicate that the moderate-dose chemotherapy may be a better choice for clinical oncotherapy,considering effective rescue of the oncotherapy-induced ovarian damage with h UCMSC-EVs.Additionally,multiple mi RNAs in h UCMSC-EVs may potentially be used to inhibit the chemotherapy-induced ovarian GC apoptosis,thereby restoring ovarian function and improving the life quality of female cancer patients.
基金Supported by the Peak Supporting Clinical Discipline of Shanghai Health Bureau,No.2023ZDFC0104the National Key R&D Program of China,No.2019YFA0110601.
文摘BACKGROUND Acute lung injury(ALI)is a fatal and heterogeneous disease.While bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)have shown promise in ALI repair,their efficacy is compromised by a high apoptotic percentage.Preliminary findings have indicated that long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)-ENST expression is markedly downregulated in MSCs under ischemic and hypoxic conditions,establishing a rationale for in vitro exploration.AIM To elucidate the role of lncRNA-ENST00000517482(lncRNA-ENST)in modulating MSC apoptosis.METHODS Founded on ALI in BEAS-2B cells with lipopolysaccharide,this study employed a transwell co-culture system to study BMSC tropism.BMSCs were genetically modified to overexpress or knockdown lncRNA-ENST.After analyzing the effects on autophagy,apoptosis and cell viability,the lncRNA-ENST/miR-539/c-MYC interaction was confirmed by dual-luciferase assays.RESULTS These findings have revealed a strong correlation between lncRNA-ENST levels and the apoptotic and autophagic status of BMSCs.On the one hand,the overexpression of lncRNA-ENST,as determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assays,increased the expression of autophagy markers LC3B,ATG7,and ATG5.On the other hand,it reduced apoptosis and boosted BMSC viability.In co-cultures with BEAS-2B cells,lncRNA-ENST overexpression also improved cell vitality.Additionally,by downregulating miR-539 and upregulating c-MYC,lncRNA-ENST was found to influence mitochondrial membrane potential,enhance BMSC autophagy,mitigate apoptosis and lower the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β.Collectively,within the in vitro framework,these results have highlighted the therapeutic potential of BMSCs in ALI and the pivotal regulatory role of lncRNA-ENST in miR-539 and apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BEAS-2B cells.CONCLUSION Our in vitro results show that enhanced lncRNA ENST expression can promote BMSC proliferation and viability by modulating the miR-539/c-MYC axis,reduce apoptosis and induce autophagy,which has suggested its therapeutic potential in the treatment of ALI.
基金supported by CACMS Innovation Fund(No CI2021A04611,CI2021A05106)Scientific and technological innovation project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021B015)+1 种基金Scientific and technological innovation project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2023E001TS01)Fundamental research funds for the central public welfare research institutes(L2022035).
文摘Objective Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to ultrafine particulate matter(UPM,aerodynamic diameter<0.1μm)is associated with adverse cardiovascular events.Previous studies have found that Shenlian(SL)extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties and has a promising protective effect at all stages of the atherosclerotic disease process.In this study,we aimed to investigated whether SL improves UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis.Methods We established a mouse model of MI+UPM.Echocardiographic measurement,measurement of myocardialinfarct size,biochemical analysis,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),histopathological analysis,Transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling(TUNEL),Western blotting(WB),Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)and so on were used to explore the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of SL in vivo and in vitro.Results SL treatment can attenuate UPM-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving left ventricular ejection fraction,fractional shortening,and decreasing cardiac infarction area.SL significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzymes and attenuated UPM-induced morphological alterations.Moreover,SL significantly reduced expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6,TNF-α,and MCP-1.UPM further increased the infiltration of macrophages in myocardial tissue,whereas SL intervention reversed this phenomenon.UPM also triggered myocardial apoptosis,which was markedly attenuated by SL treatment.The results of in vitro experiments revealed that SL prevented cell damage caused by exposure to UPM combined with hypoxia by reducing the expression of the inflammatory factor NF-κB and inhibiting apoptosis in H9c2 cells.Conclusion Overall,both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SL attenuated UPMaggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis.The mechanisms were related to the downregulation of macrophages infiltrating heart tissues.
文摘This letter addresses Wang and Zhang's investigation into the role of tankyrase 2(TNKS2)as a pivotal driver of malignancy in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)through mechanisms including apoptosis inhibition,enhanced cellular migration,andβ-catenin pathway activation.Their study in NSCLC cell lines demonstrates that TNKS2 overexpression stabilizesβ-catenin,subsequently triggering onco-genic gene expression and facilitating cellular migration-key attributes of meta-static potential.These insights position TNKS2 as a compelling target for therapy and a potential prognostic marker in NSCLC.Nevertheless,translating these in vitro findings to clinical practice requires validation in in vivo models.Addi-tionally,further research should investigate TNKS2 expression in patient samples and assess its implications in therapy resistance and combination treatment strategies.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82060598,32260587)the Natural Science Foundation of Guizhou Province(QKH-J-ZK[2021]181)+4 种基金the Scientific Research Program of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education(QJJ[2023]019)the Science&Technology Program of Guizhou Province(QKHPTRC-CXTD[2022]014)the Excellent Youth Talents of Zunyi Medical University(17zy-006)the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students of Guizhou Province(S202210661138)the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students of Zunyi Medical University(ZYDC2021108)。
文摘Foods and animal feeds frequently become contaminated with the nephrotoxic ochratoxin A(OTA).Our prior research has indicated that ursolic acid(UA),which is widely present in fruits and medicinal plants,has the potential to alleviate nephrotoxicity triggered by OTA.Additionally,excessive induction of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)-phagy exacerbates OTA-induced apoptosis.Therefore,further investigation is essential to comprehend whether UA can mitigate OTA-induced apoptosis by influencing ER-phagy.This objective is accomplished through a series of experiments involving assessments of cell viability,apoptosis,fluorescence microscopy,and western blot analysis.The outcomes of these experiments reveal that pre-treatment with 4μmol/L UA for 2 h can markedly reverse the elevated apoptotic rate,the co-localization of ER and lysosomes,and the protein expressions of GRP78,p-eIF2α,Chop,Bax,and Bak,as well as the reduced cell viability and the protein expressions of Lonp1,Trap1,p62,Tex264,FAM134B,Bcl-2,and Bcl-xl,all caused by exposure to 1μmol/L OTA for 24 h in human proximal tubule epithelial-originated kidney-2(HK-2)cells(P<0.05).Interestingly,the increased expression of LC3B-II induced by OTA is further amplified by UA pre-treatment(P<0.05).In conclusion,OTA triggers a harmful feedback loop between ER stress(ERS)and excessive ER-phagy,thereby further promoting ERS-and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in vitro.However,this effect is significantly mitigated by UA through the inhibition of autophagosome-lysosome fusion,consequently blocking the excessive ER-phagic flux.
基金Supported by the Jiangsu Agriculture Science and Technology Innovation Fund(No.CX(22)2029)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.32172948,31800436)+1 种基金the“JBGS”Project of Seed Industry Revitalization in Jiangsu Province(No.JBGS(2021)034)the Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(No.SJCX23_0616)。
文摘17α-methyltestosterone(17α-MT)is an emerging pollutant,which is harmful to the endocrine system and reproduction of fish.We investigated the effects of different concentrations of 17α-MT(0,5,30,60,and 100 mg/kg)on endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and apoptosis in the liver of Takifugu fasciatus.Results show that:(1)with the increase of 17α-MT treatment concentration,liver transaminases(alanine aminotransferase;aspartate aminotransferase)and the mRNA expression of ERS marker genes(glucose-regulated protein 78;calreticulin)of T.fasciatus were significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.05);(2)the activity of succinate dehydrogenase(SDH),Caspase3 and Caspase9 in the liver of T.fasciatus increased with the increase of 17α-MT concentration compared with the control group(P<0.05);(3)by using 4-phenylbutyricacid(4-PBA)inhibitors to stimulate ERS through in vitro experiments,the expression of ERS and apoptosis-related genes significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the apoptosis rate of T.fasciatus hepatocytes was significantly inhibited(P<0.05)under 17α-MT treatment.This study confirmed that ERS played an important role in the induction of apoptosis in the hepatocytes of T.fasciatus,which enriched the ecotoxicological information of environmental androgens.
文摘Objective: To investigate the specific mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the regulation of human sperm apoptosis, and to provide a new theoretical reference and scientific basis for the diagnosis and treatment of asthenospermia and other related conditions. Methods: Semen samples were categorized into the normal group and asthenospermia group based on sperm motility criteria. HIF-1α interfering agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and guanylate cyclase activator (Lificiguat, YC-1) were added respectively, with a control group established accordingly. Sperm motility (using anterior viability rate as an index), apoptosis level, ATP level, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were measured. The expression levels of HIF-1α, p-PI3K, and Bcl-2 in the samples were analyzed using Western blotting. Results: Following CoCl2 treatment, there was a significant increase in sperm apoptosis compared to the normal control group (12.51% ± 2.50% VS 11.15% ± 2.42%);additionally, sperm motility (45.34% ± 3.37% VS 51.36% ± 11.68%), ATP production (11.51 ± 2.87 nM/µL VS 14.99 ± 2.83 nM/µL), ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential all decreased significantly (all P α and p-PI3K increased significantly while Bcl-2 expression decreased (all P α in the YC-1 treatment group were decreased, and the expression level of Bcl-2 was increased (all P α can influence human sperm apoptosis and motility through the PI3K signaling pathway.
基金Supported by 2023 Key R&D Projects of Tongji University,No.150029607160-24323Industrial Key Program Foundation of Guangdong Province:R&D of Natural Novel Anticancer Drugs,No.2004B10401033。
文摘BACKGROUND Recently,the identification of cell apoptosis induced by natural products has become research hotspot and frontier in the biopharmaceutical and food industries under the umbrella of global green development worldwide.Traditionally,cell apoptosis is identified using morphological,biochemical,and cell cycle experiments,which is time consuming,and experimental materials are not from the same group,and it is very hard to ensure the identity and veracity of results of former and latter experiments.AIM To establish a selective,instant,and practical protocol to identify cell apoptosis induced by natural products.METHODS A one transient cell processing procedure(OTCPP)was used to detect human colorectal cancer LoVo cell apoptosis after treatment with Pinus massoniana bark extract(PMBE)at the morphological,biochemical,and cell cycle levels.The methods used included treatment with DNA gel electrophoresis,fluorescence microscopy,and flow cytometry.RESULTS In PMBE-treated LoVo cells,we observed a DNA ladder on gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy revealed"nuclear shrinkage,chromatin condensation or fragmentation".In addition,flow cytometry showed an"obvious apoptosis curve".Thus OTCPP achieved synchronous detection of the morphology,biochemistry,cell cycle,and the DNA content of the cells.CONCLUSION OTCPP can quickly identify apoptosis and measure the apoptosis rate,thereby unifying qualitative and quantitative analysis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82104158(to XT),31800887(to LY),31972902(to LY),82001422(to YL)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2020M683750(to LY)partially by Young Talent Fund of University Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi Province of China,No.20200307(to LY).
文摘β-Sitosterol is a type of phytosterol that occurs naturally in plants.Previous studies have shown that it has anti-oxidant,anti-hyperlipidemic,anti-inflammatory,immunomodulatory,and anti-tumor effects,but it is unknown whetherβ-sitosterol treatment reduces the effects of ischemic stroke.Here we found that,in a mouse model of ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion,β-sitosterol reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and brain edema,reduced neuronal apoptosis in brain tissue,and alleviated neurological dysfunction;moreover,β-sitosterol increased the activity of oxygen-and glucose-deprived cerebral cortex neurons and reduced apoptosis.Further investigation showed that the neuroprotective effects ofβ-sitosterol may be related to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by intracellular cholesterol accumulation after ischemic stroke.In addition,β-sitosterol showed high affinity for NPC1L1,a key transporter of cholesterol,and antagonized its activity.In conclusion,β-sitosterol may help treat ischemic stroke by inhibiting neuronal intracellular cholesterol overload/endoplasmic reticulum stress/apoptosis signaling pathways.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.32102745(to XL).
文摘Traumatic brain injury is a severe health problem leading to autophagy and apoptosis in the brain.3,6-Dibromo-beta-fluoro-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-9H-carbazole-9-propanamine(P7C3-A20)can be neuroprotective in various diseases,including ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.However,whether P7C3-A20 has a therapeutic effect on traumatic brain injury and its possible molecular mechanisms are unclear.Therefore,in the present study,we investigated the therapeutic effects of P7C3-A20 on traumatic brain injury and explored the putative underlying molecular mechanisms.We established a traumatic brain injury rat model using a modified weight drop method.P7C3-A20 or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally after traumatic brain injury.Severe neurological deficits were found in rats after traumatic brain injury,with deterioration in balance,walking function,and learning memory.Furthermore,hematoxylin and eosin staining showed significant neuronal cell damage,while terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining indicated a high rate of apoptosis.The presence of autolysosomes was observed using transmission electron microscope.P7C3-A20 treatment reversed these pathological features.Western blotting showed that P7C3-A20 treatment reduced microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ(LC3-Ⅱ)autophagy protein,apoptosis-related proteins(namely,Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3[BNIP3],and Bcl-2 associated x protein[Bax]),and elevated ubiquitin-binding protein p62(p62)autophagy protein expression.Thus,P7C3-A20 can treat traumatic brain injury in rats by inhibiting excessive autophagy and apoptosis.
基金supported by Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Development Program(MS2022099)The Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Ocean University(No.KYCX2022-34)。
文摘In critical care medicine,sepsis is a dangerous systemic condition that is highly prevalent and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates^([1]).The high mortality rate associated with sepsis is closely related to multi-organ dysfunction,with heart injury being particularly critical and considered the starting point of multi-organ injury^([2]).
基金This research was funded by The National Key Research and Development Program of China,grant number 2021YFD1300600China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA,grant number CARS-40+1 种基金Sichuan Science and Technology Program,grant number 2021YFYZ0007,2021YFYZ0031 and 2022YFYZ0005National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants,grant number 31972543.
文摘Background The reproductive performance of chickens mainly depends on the development of follicles.Abnor-mal follicle development can lead to decreased reproductive performance and even ovarian disease among chick-ens.Chicken is the only non-human animal with a high incidence of spontaneous ovarian cancer.In recent years,the involvement of circRNAs in follicle development and atresia regulation has been confirmed.Results In the present study,we used healthy and atretic chicken follicles for circRNA RNC-seq.The results showed differential expression of circRALGPS2.It was then confirmed that circRALGPS2 can translate into a protein,named cir-cRALGPS2-212aa,which has IRES activity.Next,we found that circRALGPS2-212aa promotes apoptosis and autophagy in chicken granulosa cells by forming a complex with PARP1 and HMGB1.Conclusions Our results revealed that circRALGPS2 can regulate chicken granulosa cell apoptosis and autophagy through the circRALGPS2-212aa/PARP1/HMGB1 axis.
基金funded by the Science and Technology Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(Nos.CI2021A04618 and CI2021A01401).
文摘Objective Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were found to shift from their usually inactive state to an active state in ischemic stroke (IS) and cause neuronal damage. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1),a component derived from medicinal plants,is known for its pharmacological benefits in IS,but its protective effects on BMECs have yet to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of GRb1 on BMECs. Methods An in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model was established to mimic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Bulk RNA-sequencing data were analyzed by using the Human Autophagy Database and various bioinformatic tools,including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA),Gene Ontology (GO) classification and enrichment analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis,protein-protein interaction network analysis,and molecular docking. Experimental validation was also performed to ensure the reliability of our findings. Results Rb1 had a protective effect on BMECs subjected to OGD/R injury. Specifically,GRb1 was found to modulate the interplay between oxidative stress,apoptosis,and autophagy in BMECs. Key targets such as sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62),autophagy related 5 (ATG5),and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) were identified,highlighting their potential roles in mediating the protective effects of GRb1 against IS-induced damage. Conclusion GRbl protects BMECs against OGD/R injury by influencing oxidative stress,apoptosis,and autophagy. The identification of SQSTM1/p62,ATG5,and HIF-1α as promising targets further supports the potential of GRb1 as a therapeutic agent for IS,providing a foundation for future research into its mechanisms and applications in IS treatment.
基金supported by the Gusu Medical Key Talent Project of Suzhou City of China(GSWS2020005)the New Pharmaceutics and Medical Apparatuses Project of Suzhou City of China(SLJ2021007)+3 种基金the Suzhou City Key Clinical Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Special Project,China(LCZX202129)Wujiang Science and Educational Health Revitalization Fund Project,Suzhou,China(WWK202015)the Scientific Research Project of Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital,Suzhou,China(YK202008)and Suzhou“Science and Education”Youth Science and Technology Project,Suzhou,China(KJXW2020075).
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)stands among the top prevalent cancers worldwide and holds a prominent position as a major contributor to cancer-related mortality globally.Absent in melanoma 2(AIM2),a constituent of the interferoninducible hematopoietic interferon-inducible nuclear antigens with 200 amino acid repeats protein family,contributes to both cancer progression and inflammasome activation.Despite this understanding,the precise biological functions and molecular mechanisms governed by AIM2 in CRC remain elusive.Consequently,this study endeavors to assess AIM2’s expression levels,explore its potential antitumor effects,elucidate associated cancer-related processes,and decipher the underlying signaling pathways in CRC.Our findings showed a reduced AIM2 expression in most CRC cell lines.Elevation of AIM2 levels suppressed CRC cell proliferation and migration,altered cell cycle by inhibiting G1/S transition,and induced cell apoptosis.Further research uncovered the participation of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(P38MAPK)in AIM2-mediated modulation of CRC cell apoptosis and proliferation.Altogether,our achievements distinctly underscored AIM2’s antitumor role in CRC.AIM2 overexpression inhibited proliferation and migration and induced apoptosis of CRC cells via activating P38MAPK signaling pathway,indicating AIM2 as a prospective and novel therapeutic target for CRC.
基金the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi,No.2021SF-227 and No.2020SF-297the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi,No.2023-JC-YB-770。
文摘BACKGROUND Prohibitin 1(PHB1)has been identified as an antiproliferative protein that is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed,and it participates in a variety of essential cellular functions,including apoptosis,cell cycle regulation,prolifera-tion,and survival.Emerging evidence indicates that PHB1 may play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,the role of PHB1 in HCC is controversial.AIM To investigate the effects of PHB1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human HCC cells and the relevant mechanisms in vitro.METHODS HCC patients and healthy individuals were enrolled in this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria;then,PHB1 levels in the sera and liver tissues of these participates were determined using ELISA,RT-PCR,and immunohistoche-mistry.Human HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were transfected with the pEGFP-PHB1 plasmid and PHB1-specific shRNA(shRNA-PHB1)for 24-72 h.Cell prolif-eration was analysed with an MTT assay.Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analysed using flow cytometry(FACS).The mRNA and protein expression levels of the cell cycle-related molecules p21,Cyclin A2,Cyclin E1,and CDK2 and the cell apoptosis-related molecules cytochrome C(Cyt C),p53,Bcl-2,Bax,caspase 3,and caspase 9 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.RESULTS Decreased levels of PHB1 were found in the sera and liver tissues of HCC patients compared to those of healthy individuals,and decreased PHB1 was positively correlated with low differentiation,TNM stage III-IV,and alpha-fetoprotein≥400μg/L.Overexpression of PHB1 significantly inhibited human HCC cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner.FACS revealed that the overexpression of PHB1 arrested HCC cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis.The proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased and the proportion of cells in the S phase was decreased in HepG2 cells that were transfected with pEGFP-PHB1 compared with untreated control and empty vector-transfected cells.The percentage of apoptotic HepG2 cells that were transfected with pEGFP-PHB1 was 15.41%±1.06%,which was significantly greater than that of apoptotic control cells(3.65%±0.85%,P<0.01)and empty vector-transfected cells(4.21%±0.52%,P<0.01).Similar results were obtained with SMMC-7721 cells.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression levels of p53,p21,Bax,caspase 3,and caspase 9 were increased while the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin A2,Cy-clin E1,CDK2,and Bcl-2 were decreased when PHB1 was overexpressed in human HCC cells.However,when PHB1 was upregulated in human HCC cells,Cyt C expression levels were increased in the cytosol and decreased in the mitochondria,which indicated that Cyt C had been released into the cytosol.Conversely,these effects were reversed when PHB1 was knocked down.CONCLUSION PHB1 inhibits human HCC cell viability by arresting the cell cycle and inducing cell apoptosis via activation of the p53-mediated mitochondrial pathway.
基金This project was supported by Science and technology project of Xiamen Medical College(K2023-08)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82170299 to Shan Hongli,No.82003757 to Lyu Lifang).
文摘Background:Myocardial infarction(MI)is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in the world,especially in cold weather.YBX1 is an RNA-binding protein that is required for pathological growth of cardiomyocyte by regulating cell growth and protein synthesis.But YBX1,as an individual RNA-binding protein,regulates cardiomyocytes through signaling cascades during myocardial infarction remain largely unexplored.Methods:In vivo,the mouse MI model was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD),and randomly divided into sham operation group,MI group,MI+YBX1 knockdown/overexpression group and MI+negative control(NC)group.The protective effect of YBX1 was verified by echocardiography and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.In vitro,mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis was investigated by using CCK8,TUNEL staining,reactive oxygen species(ROS)staining and JC-1 staining in hypoxic neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes(NMCMs).Results:YBX1 expression of cardiomyocytes was downregulated in a mouse model and a cellular model on the ischemic condition.Compared to mice induced by MI,YBX1 overexpression mediated by adeno-associated virus serotype 9(AAV9)vector reduced the infarcted size and improved cardiac function.Knockdown of endogenous YBX1 by shRNA partially aggravated ischemia-induced cardiac dysfunction.In hypoxic cardiomyocytes,YBX1 overexpression decreased lactic dehydrogenase(LDH)release,increased cell viability,and inhibited apoptosis by affecting the expression of apoptosis related proteins,while knockdown of endogenous YBX1 by siRNA had the opposite effect.Overexpression of YBX1 restored mitochondrial dysfunction in hypoxic NMCMs by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content and decreasing ROS.In hypoxic NMCMs,YBX1 overexpression increased the expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/AKT,and the anti-apoptosis effect of YBX1 was eliminated t by LY294002,PI3K/AKT inhibitor.Conclusion:YBX1 protected the heart from ischemic damage by inhibiting the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis through PI3K/AKT pathway.It is anticipated that YBX1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for MI.
