Activation Of Metalloproteinases Research Articles

Proteomics Reveals Mechanisms of Delayed Keratoconus Progression: A Study of Corneas Following Two Light-Activated Crosslinking Treatments.

This study aims to elucidate on changes in biological pathways in rabbit corneas induced by two methods of light-activated corneal stiffening: topical application of riboflavin with dextran (RF-D) or WST11 with dextran (WST-D) followed by ultraviolet A (UVA) or near-infrared (NIR) illumination, respectively. Rabbit corneas were mechanically de-epithelialized, then left untreated (N = 3) or treated with either RF-D/UVA (N = 3) or WST-D/NIR (N = 3). After one week, quantitative proteomics was performed on untreated, RF-D/UVA- and WST-D/NIR-treated corneas. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify the biological processes associated with the treatments. To identify the abundance and spatial distribution of lipids in the untreated, WST-D/NIR- and RF-D/UVA-treated corneal stroma, lipid mass spectrometry imaging was performed together with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Between RF-D/UVA- and WST-D/NIR-treated corneas, 37 and 39 proteins, respectively, were differentially expressed compared to untreated corneas (P < 0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis showed the effect of RF-D/UVA treatment on cell metabolism and terminal differentiation of keratocytes, while WST-D/NIR modified extracellular matrix regulation and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. When comparing the RF-D/UVA and WST-D/NIR treatment, 74 proteins were differentially expressed, affecting cellular metabolism and respiration, complement activation, the activation of matrix metalloproteinases, and lipoprotein metabolism. The lipid profile for the RF-D/UVA- and WST-D/NIR-treated stromas were similar, whereas differences were observed comparing both treatments to untreated corneal stroma. Proteomics indicated a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis and hypoxia after RF-D/UVA treatment. In contrast, WST-D/NIR stiffening maintained normal respiration and involved extracellular matrix remodeling.

From Teeth to Body: The Complex Role of Streptococcus mutans in Systemic Diseases.

Streptococcus mutans, the principal pathogen associated with dental caries, impacts individuals across all age groups and geographic regions. Beyond its role in compromising oral health, a growing body of research has established a link between S. mutans and various systemic diseases, including immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), infective endocarditis (IE), ulcerative colitis (UC), cerebral hemorrhage, and tumors. The pathogenic mechanisms associated with S. mutans frequently involve collagen-binding proteins (CBPs) and protein antigens (PA) present on the bacterial surface. These components facilitate intricate interactions with the host immune system, thereby potentially contributing to various pathological processes. Specifically, CBP is implicated in the deposition of IgA and complement component C3, which exhibits characteristics reminiscent of IgAN-like lesions through animal models, recent clinical studies suggest a potential involvement of S. mutans in IgAN. In addition, CBP binds to complement component C1q, effectively inhibiting the classical activation pathway of the complement system. In addition, CBP promotes the induction of host cells to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Furthermore, CBP leads to direct inhibitory effects on platelets and the activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) at sites of vascular injury.Moreover, PA enhances the ability of S. mutans to invade hepatic tissue. Through utilization of its PAc, S. mutans excessively produces kynurenine (KYNA), which promotes the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This article synthesizes the latest advancements in understanding the mechanisms of intricate interactions between S. mutans and various systemic conditions in humans, expanding our perspective beyond the traditional focus on dental caries.

Enhanced sclerotherapy for vascular malformations: A dual-mechanism approach using in-situ forming PATDs gel

Vascular malformations are common vascular lesions in infants and seriously affect their health and quality of life. Vascular sclerotherapy is an effective treatment for vascular malformations. However, current sclerosants have difficulty achieving both high efficiency and low toxicity, and their dosing forms make it difficult to achieve long-term retention in the affected blood vessels. Therefore, exploring a safe and effective sclerosant and its delivery strategy is the key to clinical sclerotherapy. To address the above issues, this study developed sclerosants that could form an in-situ gel based on a dual mechanism of vascular injury and plasmin (PLA) inhibition. By linking the non-ionic surfactant sclerosant polyoxyethylene alkyl ether (PAs) and the PLA inhibitor tranexamic acid (TA) through an ester bond, a cationic surfactant sclerosant polyoxyethylene alkylether tranexamate derivatives (PATDs) were constructed. The cationic charge of PATDs enhanced its cytotoxicity to HUVEC-TIE2-L914F cells, and the ester bond of PATDs could be degraded by esterase in the blood, reducing its systemic toxicity. The degradation product TA inhibited the activation of the PLA-matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) system induced by vascular injury, thereby promoting the deposition of collagen and the proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts to promote vascular fibrosis. In addition, an injectable solution (PATDs/GA) was prepared by mixing PATDs with glycerol formaldehyde (GA), and PATDs/GA could form a low-molecular-weight gel automatically in an aqueous solution, which was beneficial to increase its retention in the affected blood vessels and reduce the risk of drug entering non-targeted sites. At the same time, this gel automatically dissolved, reducing the risk of immune rejection caused by long-term retention. This study provided a new and precise approach for the treatment of vascular sclerosis with high efficiency and low toxicity.

Retraction: Endothelin axis induces metalloproteinase activation and invasiveness in human lymphatic endothelial cells.

Retraction: Endothelin axis induces metalloproteinase activation and invasiveness in human lymphatic endothelial cells.

Determining key residues of engineered scFv antibody variants with improved MMP-9 binding using deep sequencing and machine learning

Given the crucial role of specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the extracellular matrix, an imbalance in the regulation of activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) zymogen and inhibition of the enzyme can result in various diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative, and gynecological diseases. Thus, developing novel therapeutics that target MMP-9 with single-chain antibody fragments (scFvs) is a promising approach. We used fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) to screen a synthetic scFv antibody library displayed on yeast for enhanced binding to MMP-9. The screened scFv mutants demonstrated improved binding to MMP-9 compared to the natural inhibitor of MMPs, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). To identify the molecular determinants of these engineered scFv variants that affect binding to MMP-9, we used next-generation DNA sequencing and computational protein structure analysis. Additionally, a deep-learning language model was trained on the screened scFv library of variants to predict the binding affinities of scFv variants based on their CDR-H3 sequences.

Possibility of correction of the blood-heart barrier damage as a consequence of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the cardiovascular system in patients with coronary artery disease in combination with COVID-19.

damage to the blood-heart barrier (BHB) and endothelial dysfunction is a characteristic feature of congestive (cardiopulmonary) chronic heart failure (CHF), the main cause of death in elderly people with CHF caused by new coronavirus variants (SARS-CoV-2), but the mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear. The aim of this project is to determine the mechanism of BHB damage in coronary artery disease (CAD) with COVID-19, as well as the possibility of its correction with the use of sulodexide. The endocardial endothelium (EE) is a barrier that prevents blood leakage from the endocardium to the interstitium; however, this barrier is impaired during the course of COVID-19 in patients with CAD. Previous studies have shown that one of the pathophysiological mechanisms is the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in CAD with CHF. MMP-9 degrades connexins, which leads to EE dysfunction. One study [Rubens P. et al. 2021] found a juxtacrine connection of EE with the myocyte and mitochondria (Mito), but how this works is still an open question. Materials and methods. We examined 65 patients with coronary artery disease diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=35) - patients who had been taking sulodexide at a dose of 500 LE x 2p/day for 6 months against the background of standard therapy of coronary artery disease; Group II (n=30) - patients without sulodexide. Echocardiography and laser Doppler flowmetry were performed at baseline and 6 months later. Echocardiography at the time of inclusion in the study revealed that 30 (50%) patients in group I and 14 (47%) patients in group II had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) values of 40 to 50%. After 6 months of treatment with sulodexide, a tendency to improve LV systolic function and decrease in left ventricular myocardial mass index (LFMMI) was noted in patients of group I. There were no differences between the groups at the time of inclusion in the study in terms of the level of the capillary flow reserve – occlusion test (CFRo) and the capillary flow reserve – nitroglycerin test (CFRn). A repeated study of CFR revealed a significant increase in CFRo and CFRn levels only in group I. In patients of group II, no significant changes in CFRo and CFRn were found. An inverse relationship between the level of CFRo and C-reactive protein (CRP) was found in patients of group I (r=0.52, p&lt;0.05). After 6 months of treatment, plasma CRP concentrations decreased significantly: from 17.7 [1.3; 50.1] to 5.7 [1.0; 12.0] mg/L in group I (p=0.01) and from 14.2 [1.2; 27.0] to 4.2 [1.0; 11.0] mg/L in group II (p=0.01). No significant correlations between CRP level and CFRo after 6 months of treatment were found. There were correlations of CFRo and CFRn with left ventricular systolic function, as well as inverse relationships with the size of the left and right ventricles and systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery. There was a tendency to improve systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in the first group, where sulodexide was used, and no significant changes in echocardiography were noted in the second group. At the initial examination of patients, the ratio of CFRo and CFRn had no significant differences. After 6 months of treatment, a significant increase in the ratio of CFRo and CFRn was observed only in patients taking sulodexide, and no positive dynamics of this ratio was observed in group II. The results indicate that MMP-9 activation, endothelial damage, endothelial-myocyte (E-M) uncoupling, and mitochondrial-myocyte uncoupling in heart failure in patients with CAD combined with COVID-19 were detected to a significant extent; however, treatment with sulodexide successfully mitigated the destructive changes in the heart in CAD with CHF. The results obtained are directly relevant to the range of cardiac manifestations and phenotypes arising from COVID-19 complications in people with CAD. Conclusion. The obtained results confirm the improvement of microcirculation, as well as a tendency to improve systolic function and left ventricular myocardial mass index after 6 months of sulodexide treatment in patients with coronary artery disease with preserved and moderately reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) who have undergone COVID-19. The described effects of improving endothelial function, as well as improving the state of the blood-brain barrier due to the use of sulodexide, make it possible to recommend the use of this drug in the category of patients with CAD to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system.

Role of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in the development of poststroke epilepsy.

Stroke is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide and the most common cause of epilepsy in the elderly in high income nations. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes induce dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and that this impairment can contribute to epileptogenesis. Nevertheless, studies directly comparing BBB dysfunction and poststroke epilepsy (PSE) are largely absent. Therefore, this review summarizes the role of BBB dysfunction in the development of PSE in animal models and clinical studies. There are multiple mechanisms whereby stroke induces BBB dysfunction, including increased transcytosis, tight junction dysfunction, spreading depolarizations, astrocyte and pericyte loss, reactive astrocytosis, angiogenesis, matrix metalloproteinase activation, neuroinflammation, adenosine triphosphate depletion, oxidative stress, and finally cell death. The degree to which these effects occur is dependent on the severity of the ischemia, whereby cell death is a more prominent mechanism of BBB disruption in regions of critical ischemia. BBB dysfunction can contribute to epileptogenesis by increasing the risk of hemorrhagic transformation, increasing stroke size and the amount of cerebral vasogenic edema, extravasation of excitatory compounds, and increasing neuroinflammation. Furthermore, albumin extravasation after BBB dysfunction contributes to epileptogenesis primarily via increased transforming growth factor β signaling. Finally, seizures themselves induce BBB dysfunction, thereby contributing to epileptogenesis in a cyclical manner. In repairing this BBB dysfunction, pericyte migration via platelet-derived growth factor β signaling is indispensable and required for reconstruction of the BBB, whereby astrocytes also play a role. Although animal stroke models have their limitations, they provide valuable insights into the development of potential therapeutics designed to restore the BBB after stroke, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes and minimizing the occurrence of PSE. In pursuit of this goal, rapamycin, statins, losartan, semaglutide, and metformin show promise, whereby modulation of pericyte migration could also be beneficial.

The role of zinc and matrix metalloproteinases in myofibrillar protein degradation in critical illness myopathy

Due to an unexpected activation of different zinc (Zn) transporters in a recent prospective clinical study, we have revisited the role of Zn homeostasis and the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in skeletal muscle exposed to the intensive care unit (ICU) condition (immobilization and mechanical ventilation). ICU patients exposed to 12 days ICU condition were followed longitudinally with six repeated muscle biopsies while they showed a progressive preferential myosin loss, i.e., the hallmark of Critical Illness Myopathy (CIM), in parallel with the activation of Zn-transporters. In this study, we have revisited the expression of Zn-transporters and the activation of MMPs in clinical as well as in experimental studies using an established ICU model. MMPs are a group Zn-dependent endopeptidases which do not only target and cleave extracellular proteins but also intracellular proteins including multiple sarcomeric proteins. MMP-9 is of specific interest since the hallmark of CIM, the preferential myosin loss, has also been reported in dilated cardiomyopathy and coupled to MMP-9 activation. Transcriptional activation of Zn-transporters was observed in both clinical and experimental studies as well as the activation of MMPs, in particular MMP-9, in various limb and respiratory muscles in response to long-term exposure to the ICU condition. The activation of Zn-transporters was paralleled by increased Zn levels in skeletal muscle which in turn showed a negative linear correlation with the preferential myosin loss associated with CIM, offering a potential intervention strategy. Thus, activation of Zn-transporters, increased intramuscular Zn levels, and activation of the Zn-dependent MMPs are forwarded as a probable mechanism involved in CIM pathophysiology. These effects were confirmed in different rat strains subjected to a model of CIM and exacerbated by old age. This is of specific interest since old age and muscle wasting are the two factors most strongly associated with ICU mortality.

Effects of a low, medium, and high-intensity aquatic physiotherapy protocol on functional and biochemical parameters in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a crossover randomized controlled trial

Background Knee osteoarthritis affects the performance of daily activities, independence, and quality of life. The etiopathogenesis of this condition considers the mechanisms of activation of metalloproteinase and reactive oxygen species production pathways. Metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) may be responsible for cartilage destruction. Aquatic physiotherapy promotes a positive impact on the clinical picture of osteoarthritis, and this study presents an intervention protocol that aims to evaluate the effects of a single session of different aquatic physiotherapy modalities on the biochemical and functional behavior of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods This will be a crossover randomized controlled trial in which 15 individuals will be submitted to three aquatic physiotherapy modalities with a minimum 15-day wash-out period in patients over 50 years old and diagnosed with OA in at least one knee, presence of pain and at least one functional dysfunction for at least 6 months, absence of physical limitation that prevents the exercise protocol from being performed, Kellgren and Lawrence ranking between I and IV, walk independently and without auxiliary device. Variations in the concentrations of MMP-3 and GPx in peripheral blood, pain, edema, and flexibility resulting from the three aquatic physiotherapeutic interventions will be evaluated both pre- and immediate post-intervention. The reference group will be submitted to the same aquatic physiotherapy protocols, however, only the biochemical parameters and the self-perception questionnaires will be evaluated. Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05610696, 18/01/2023).

Characterization of novel extracellular proteases produced by Acanthamoeba castellanii after contact with human corneal epithelial cells and their relevance to pathogenesis

BackgroundProteases produced by Acanthamoeba spp. play an important role in their virulence and may be the key to understanding Acanthamoeba pathogenesis; thus, increasing attention has been directed towards these proteins. The present study aimed to investigate the lytic factors produced by Acanthamoeba castellanii during the first hours of in vitro co-culture with human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs).MethodsWe used one old and one recent Acanthamoeba isolate, both from patients with severe keratitis, and subsets of these strains with enhanced pathogenic potential induced by sequential passaging over HCEC monolayers. The proteolytic profiles of all strains and substrains were examined using 1D in-gel zymography.ResultsWe observed the activity of additional proteases (ranging from 33 to 50 kDa) during the early interaction phase between amoebae and HCECs, which were only expressed for a short time. Based on their susceptibilities to protease inhibitors, these proteases were characterized as serine proteases. Protease activities showed a sharp decline after 4 h of co-incubation. Interestingly, the expression of Acanthamoeba mannose-binding protein did not differ between amoebae in monoculture and those in co-culture. Moreover, we observed the activation of matrix metalloproteinases in HCECs after contact with Acanthamoeba.ConclusionsThis study revealed the involvement of two novel serine proteases in Acanthamoeba pathogenesis and suggests a pivotal role of serine proteases during Acanthamoeba-host cell interaction, contributing to cell adhesion and lysis.Graphical

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in blood identifies differentially methylated regions related to polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered a multifactorial disorder caused due to predisposing alleles of various genes and environmental factors which include lifestyle, dietary habits, and exposure to toxicants. Recently the emphasis has shifted to understanding epigenetic alterations due to the poor correlation between genotypes and the clinical profile of women with PCOS. Investigators have been focusing on differential methylation signatures associated with PCOS, therefore, a pilot study was carried out to investigate PCOS-associated differential DNA methylation regions in the population of north India. A cross-sectional study with sixteen participants comprising eight women with PCOS diagnosed under the Rotterdam criterion and eight age and BMI-matched healthy controls. Subjects were classified into four groups based on BMI and two different groups were compared each time making four comparison types in total. Genome-wide DNA methylation in whole blood was evaluated using an Infinium Human Methylation 850k array which identified PCOS-associated differential sites and differential methylation regions (DMRs) with promoter region, and CpG islands considering (p ≤ 0.01) as statistically significant. Multiple significantly associated hypomethylated and hypermethylated loci of genes were identified. Thirty-four hypomethylated and one hundred twenty-six hypermethylated sites of genes were suggested when all the subjects were of low BMI. But when the groups comprised with high BMI, twenty-seven hypomethylated genes and fifty-nine hypermethylated genes were identified. In silico analysis suggests that most of these genes are involved in estrogen biosynthesis, lipid biosynthetic process, and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). Seven genes that are found common in both of these comparisons are mostly involved in the inflammasome pathway indicated by BioPlanet and Reactome databases. The study provides information about DMRs in the blood tissue which may be investigated further to understand underlying pathogenesis and as therapeutic targets in the future.

Stretch Causes cffDNA and HMGB1-Mediated Inflammation and Cellular Stress in Human Fetal Membranes.

Danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are elevated within the amniotic cavity, and their increases correlate with advancing gestational age, chorioamnionitis, and labor. Although the specific triggers for their release in utero remain unclear, it is thought that they may contribute to the initiation of parturition by influencing cellular stress mechanisms that make the fetal membranes (FMs) more susceptible to rupture. DAMPs induce inflammation in many different tissue types. Indeed, they precipitate the subsequent release of several proinflammatory cytokines that are known to be key for the weakening of FMs. Previously, we have shown that in vitro stretch of human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) induces a cellular stress response that increases high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) secretion. We have also shown that cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) induces a cytokine response in FM explants that is fetal sex-specific. Therefore, the aim of this work was to further investigate the link between stretch and the DAMPs HMGB1 and cffDNA in the FM. These data show that stretch increases the level of cffDNA released from hAECs. It also confirms the importance of the sex of the fetus by demonstrating that female cffDNA induced more cellular stress than male fetuses. Our data treating hAECs and human amnion mesenchymal cells with HMGB1 show that it has a differential effect on the ability of the cells of the amnion to upregulate the proinflammatory cytokines and propagate a proinflammatory signal through the FM that may weaken it. Finally, our data show that sulforaphane (SFN), a potent activator of Nrf2, is able to mitigate the proinflammatory effects of stretch by decreasing the levels of HMGB1 release and ROS generation after stretch and modulating the increase of key cytokines after cell stress. HMGB1 and cffDNA are two of the few DAMPs that are known to induce cytokine release and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in the FMs; thus, these data support the general thesis that they can function as potential central players in the normal mechanisms of FM weakening during the normal distension of this tissue at the end of a normal pregnancy.

ACE2 and a Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula NRICM101 Could Alleviate the Inflammation and Pathogenic Process of Acute Lung Injury

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and acute lung injury (ALI) is the major complication of COVID-19. The challenge in studying SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity is the limited availability of animal model. Therefore, it is necessary to establish animal models that can reproduce multiple characteristics of ALI to study therapeutic application. The present study established a mouse model that has features of ALI that are similar to COVID-19 syndrome to investigate the role of human angiotensin-converting enzyme type II (ACE2) and the administration of the Chinese herbal prescription Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101) in ALI. The mice with ACE2 genetic modifications, including the overexpression of human ACE2 (K18-hACE2 TG) and the absence of ACE2 (mACE2 KO), were intratracheally instillated with hydrochloric acid to induce ALI. The acid intratracheal instillation induced the imbalance between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 (i.e., ACE/ACE2), severe immune cell infiltration, cytokine storms, inflammatory effect, and pulmonary disease in the mice. Compared with K18-hACE2 TG mice, mACE2 KO mice exhibited dramatically increased levels of multiple inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, histological evidence of lung injury, the production of the ACE expression, and the activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression. The results indicate that overproduction of ACE2 and induction of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis could counteract the proinflammatory effect of acid-induced ALI and effectively alleviate the pathogenic process of acid-induced ALI by regulating MAPK, p-ERK1/2, and p-STAT3 pathways and dysregulation of MMP-2/MMP-9 activation. In addition, NRICM101, which is an effective TCM that has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against COVID-19, shows potential for treating acid-induced ALI. NRICM101 could alleviate the disease progression of acid-induced ALI by suppressing IL-6 and TNF-α production in alveoli. In conclusion, the established mouse model provided an effective platform for researchers to investigate the role of ACE2 on pathological mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies for ALI, including COVID-19-related pulmonary diseases. The effects of NRICM101 administration is a potential strategy for curing acid-induced ALI evaluated in the mouse model in this study. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Divergent and Compensatory Effects of BMP2 and BMP4 on the VSMC Phenotype and BMP4's Role in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Development.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in aortic aneurysm formation. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been implicated as important regulators of VSMC phenotype, and dysregulation of the BMP pathway has been shown to be associated with vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the effects of BMP-4 on the VSMC phenotype and to understand its role in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). Using the angiotensin II (AngII) osmotic pump model in mice, aortas from mice with VSMC-specific BMP-4 deficiency showed changes similar to AngII-infused aortas, characterised by a loss of contractile markers, increased fibrosis, and activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9. When BMP-4 deficiency was combined with AngII infusion, there was a significantly higher rate of apoptosis and aortic dilatation. In vitro, VSMCs with mRNA silencing of BMP-4 displayed a dedifferentiated phenotype with activated canonical BMP signalling. In contrast, BMP-2-deficient VSMCs exhibited the opposite phenotype. The compensatory regulation between BMP-2 and BMP-4, with BMP-4 promoting the contractile phenotype, appeared to be independent of the canonical signalling pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate the impact of VSMC-specific BMP-4 deficiency on TAA development.

Effects of Anti-Fibrotic Drugs on Transcriptome of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Two anti-fibrotic drugs, pirfenidone (PFD) and nintedanib (NTD), are currently used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are immunocompetent cells that could orchestrate cell-cell interactions associated with IPF pathogenesis. We employed RNA sequencing to examine the transcriptome signature in the bulk PBMCs of patients with IPF and the effects of anti-fibrotic drugs on these signatures. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between "patients with IPF and healthy controls" and "before and after anti-fibrotic treatment" were analyzed. Enrichment analysis suggested that fatty acid elongation interferes with TGF-β/Smad signaling and the production of oxidative stress since treatment with NTD upregulates the fatty acid elongation enzymes ELOVL6. Treatment with PFD downregulates COL1A1, which produces wound-healing collagens because activated monocyte-derived macrophages participate in the production of collagen, type I, and alpha 1 during tissue damage. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulates wound healing by inhibiting plasmin-mediated matrix metalloproteinase activation, and the inhibition of PAI-1 activity attenuates lung fibrosis. DEG analysis suggested that both the PFD and NTD upregulate SERPINE1, which regulates PAI-1 activity. This study embraces a novel approach by using RNA sequencing to examine PBMCs in IPF, potentially revealing systemic biomarkers or pathways that could be targeted for therapy.

Effects of a low, medium, and high-intensity aquatic physiotherapy protocol on functional and biochemical parameters in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a crossover randomized controlled trial

Background Knee osteoarthritis affects the performance of daily activities, independence, and quality of life. The etiopathogenesis of this condition considers the mechanisms of activation of metalloproteinase and reactive oxygen species production pathways. Metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) may be responsible for cartilage destruction. Aquatic physiotherapy promotes a positive impact on the clinical picture of osteoarthritis, and this study presents an intervention protocol that aims to evaluate the effects of a single session of different aquatic physiotherapy modalities on the biochemical and functional behavior of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods This will be a crossover randomized controlled trial in which 15 individuals will be submitted to three aquatic physiotherapy modalities with a minimum 15-day wash-out period in patients over 50 years old and diagnosed with OA in at least one knee, presence of pain and at least one functional dysfunction for at least 6 months, absence of physical limitation that prevents the exercise protocol from being performed, Kellgren and Lawrence ranking between I and IV, walk independently and without auxiliary device. Variations in the concentrations of MMP-3 and GPx in peripheral blood, pain, edema, and flexibility resulting from the three aquatic physiotherapeutic interventions will be evaluated both pre- and immediate post-intervention. The reference group will be submitted to the same aquatic physiotherapy protocols, however, only the biochemical parameters and the self-perception questionnaires will be evaluated. Registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05610696, 18/01/2023).

Nitric oxide nano-reactor DNMF/PLGA enables tumor vascular microenvironment and chemo-hyperthermia synergetic therapy

BackgroundBreast cancer ranks first among malignant tumors, of which triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by its highly invasive behavior and the worst prognosis. Timely diagnosis and precise treatment of TNBC are substantially challenging. Abnormal tumor vessels play a crucial role in TNBC progression and treatment. Nitric oxide (NO) regulates angiogenesis and maintains vascular homeostasis, while effective NO delivery can normalize the tumor vasculature. Accordingly, we have proposed here a tumor vascular microenvironment remodeling strategy based on NO-induced vessel normalization and extracellular matrix collagen degradation with multimodality imaging-guided nanoparticles against TNBC called DNMF/PLGA.ResultsNanoparticles were synthesized using a chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX), a NO donor L-arginine (L-Arg), ultrasmall spinel ferrites (MnFe2O4), and a poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) shell. Nanoparticle distribution in the tumor was accurately monitored in real-time through highly enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and photoacoustic imaging. Near-infrared irradiation of tumor cells revealed that MnFe2O4 catalyzes the production of a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from H2O2, resulting in a cascade catalysis of L-Arg to trigger NO production in the presence of ROS. In addition, DOX activates niacinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase to generate and supply H2O2. The generated NO improves the vascular endothelial cell integrity and pericellular contractility to promote vessel normalization and induces the activation of endogenous matrix metalloproteinases (mainly MMP-1 and MMP-2) so as to promote extravascular collagen degradation, thereby providing an auxiliary mechanism for efficient nanoparticle delivery and DOX penetration. Moreover, the chemotherapeutic effect of DOX and the photothermal effect of MnFe2O4 served as a chemo-hyperthermia synergistic therapy against TNBC.ConclusionThe two therapeutic mechanisms, along with an auxiliary mechanism, were perfectly combined to enhance the therapeutic effects. Briefly, multimodality image-guided nanoparticles provide a reliable strategy for the potential application in the fight against TNBC.Graphical

Bee Venom: Composition and Anticancer Properties.

Among the various natural compounds used in alternative and Oriental medicine, toxins isolated from different organisms have had their application for many years, and Apis mellifera venom has been studied the most extensively. Numerous studies dealing with the positive assets of bee venom (BV) indicated its beneficial properties. The usage of bee products to prevent the occurrence of diseases and for their treatment is often referred to as apitherapy and is based mainly on the experience of the traditional system of medical practice in diverse ethnic communities. Today, a large number of studies are focused on the antitumor effects of BV, which are mainly attributed to its basic polypeptide melittin (MEL). Previous studies have indicated that BV and its major constituent MEL cause a strong toxic effect on different cancer cells, such as liver, lung, bladder, kidney, prostate, breast, and leukemia cells, while a less pronounced effect was observed in normal non-target cells. Their proposed mechanisms of action, such as the effect on proliferation and growth inhibition, cell cycle alterations, and induction of cell death through several cancer cell death mechanisms, are associated with the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), caspases, and matrix metalloproteinases that destroy cancer cells. Numerous cellular effects of BV and MEL need to be elucidated on the molecular level, while the key issue has to do with the trigger of the apoptotic cascade. Apoptosis could be either a consequence of the plasmatic membrane fenestration or the result of the direct interaction of the BV components with pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors. The interaction of BV peptides and enzymes with the plasma membrane is a crucial step in the whole process. However, before its possible application as a remedy, it is crucial to identify the correct route of exposure and dosage of BV and MEL for potential therapeutic use as well as potential side effects on normal cells and tissues to avoid any possible adverse event.

Proteomic insights into the pathophysiology of hypertension-associated albuminuria: Pilot study in a South African cohort

BackgroundHypertension is an important public health priority with a high prevalence in Africa. It is also an independent risk factor for kidney outcomes. We aimed to identify potential proteins and pathways involved in hypertension-associated albuminuria by assessing urinary proteomic profiles in black South African participants with combined hypertension and albuminuria compared to those who have neither condition.MethodsThe study included 24 South African cases with both hypertension and albuminuria and 49 control participants who had neither condition. Protein was extracted from urine samples and analysed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Data were generated using data-independent acquisition (DIA) and processed using Spectronaut™ 15. Statistical and functional data annotation were performed on Perseus and Cytoscape to identify and annotate differentially abundant proteins. Machine learning was applied to the dataset using the OmicLearn platform.ResultsOverall, a mean of 1,225 and 915 proteins were quantified in the control and case groups, respectively. Three hundred and thirty-two differentially abundant proteins were constructed into a network. Pathways associated with these differentially abundant proteins included the immune system (q-value [false discovery rate] = 1.4 × 10− 45), innate immune system (q = 1.1 × 10− 32), extracellular matrix (ECM) organisation (q = 0.03) and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (q = 0.04). Proteins with high disease scores (76–100% confidence) for both hypertension and chronic kidney disease included angiotensinogen (AGT), albumin (ALB), apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), and uromodulin (UMOD). A machine learning approach was able to identify a set of 20 proteins, differentiating between cases and controls.ConclusionsThe urinary proteomic data combined with the machine learning approach was able to classify disease status and identify proteins and pathways associated with hypertension-associated albuminuria.

Mesenchymal Transglutaminase 2 Activates Epithelial ADAM17: Link to G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 56 (ADGRG1) Signalling.

A wound healing model was developed to elucidate the role of mesenchymal-matrix-associated transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in keratinocyte re-epithelialisation. TG2 drives keratinocyte migratory responses by activation of disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17). We demonstrate that epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand shedding leads to EGFR-transactivation and subsequent rapid keratinocyte migration on TG2-positive ECM. In contrast, keratinocyte migration was impaired in TG2 null conditions. We show that keratinocytes express the adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor, ADGRG1 (GPR56), which has been proposed as a TG2 receptor. Using ADAM17 activation as a readout and luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrate that TG2 activates GPR56. GPR56 activation by TG2 reached the same level as observed with an agonistic N-GPR56 antibody. The N-terminal GPR56 domain is required for TG2-regulated signalling response, as the constitutively active C-GPR56 receptor was not activated by TG2. Signalling required the C-terminal TG2 β-barrel domains and involved RhoA-associated protein kinase (ROCK) and ADAM17 activation, which was blocked by specific inhibitors. Cell surface binding of TG2 to the N-terminal GPR56 domain is rapid and is associated with TG2 and GPR56 endocytosis. TG2 and GPR56 represent a ligand receptor pair causing RhoA and EGFR transactivation. Furthermore, we determined a binding constant for the interaction of human TG2 with N-GPR56 and show for the first time that only the calcium-enabled "open" TG2 conformation associates with N-GPR56.