Effects Of Kinship Research Articles

Effects of kinship and integration between adjacent/non-adjacent ramets on the growth and feedback with soil biota in a clonal invader.

Many invasive plants can reproduce through both seeds and clonal growth. In habitats, interacting seedlings may originate from the same mother, and interacting ramets originating from the same plant may not be adjacent to each other in the stolon, particularly for vines that can show curved growth. However, in a homogeneous environment, how kinship and integration between adjacent/non-adjacent ramets affect plant growth and feedback with soil biota has been less studied. We address these questions using an invasive stoloniferous vine Mikania micrantha. We found that sibling groups and stranger groups did not differ in biomass production, root allocation and feedback with soil biota, indicating that kin recognition is unlikely in M. micrantha. For two-ramet stolon fragments in which interacting ramets were adjacent to each other, older ramets allocated more biomass to roots than younger ramets when integrated, particularly in comparison with disconnected ramets from different genotypes, indicating that a division of labor was induced. For four-ramet stolon fragments in which there were two unrooted ramets between the two rooted, interacting ramets, integration increased biomass allocation to roots, possibly because only two of the four ramets could absorb belowground resources and a lower shoot allocation decreased aboveground light competition. When inoculated with soil biota conditioned by the four-ramet integrated fragments, plants of M. micrantha also increased biomass allocation to roots. These results indicate that the distance between interacting ramets in the stolon may affect the integration effect and feedback with soil biota in clonal plants.

Similarity enhances psychological compatibility: Serial mediation effect of psychological kinship and intergroup contact

PurposeThis study elucidates the relationship between similarity and ethnic psychological compatibility and its underlying psychological mechanisms. According to kin selection theory, similarity can promote ethnic psychological compatibility by enhancing psychological kinship and intergroup contact. Participantsand methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 1523 participants from 25 ethnic groups in China. Data analysis was carried out via conditional process modelling. A multigroup comparison of mediation models between the ethnic majority and minorities was detected via the Stats Tools Package. ResultsOur findings demonstrated that: (1) cultural and attitude similarity both showed a significant positive correlation with ethnic psychological compatibility; (2) psychological kinship and intergroup contact served as mediators in the relationship of attitude and cultural similarity with ethnic psychological compatibility and psychological kinship and intergroup contact were independent mediators, while psychological kinship–intergroup contact showed a significant serial mediation effect; (3) there were no significant differences in mediation effects between different ethnic groups. ConclusionOur findings expand on kin selection theory and provide valuable paths for psychologically supporting ethnic psychological compatibility.

Explaining mobilization for revolts by private interests and kinship relations. A comment on Armandola, Doehne and Rost

The authors study the role of kinship relationships in explaining mobilization for a revolt in Basel, Switzerland, in 1691; rebels consisted of a weaker fraction of the elite and individuals with citizen rights. The empirical section shows that revolts are mainly driven by the elite’s distant kin rather than the rebels’ close kin. Allowing for coalition formation, as in the new theory of corruption, conflict, and inequality proposed in this comment, can give an alternative explanation. In the first formal model, we assume “elite” corresponds to the term “enforcer” in the new theory. This is a nonproductive individual who is the strongest in terms of fighting against peasants over a prize in a contest. In this simple model, there are no other players. Thus, this framework predicts that the only rebels would come from within the elite. Historical evidence shows that the marginal elite got stronger relatively and, thus, excluded the oligarchy from the winning coalition to take over the government. The direct application of this model would imply that non-elite members were not part of the rebellion. However, the historical facts presented by Armandola et al. show that non-elite citizens also participated in the revolt. To match these facts in Armandola et al., we allow informally individuals with citizen rights to participate in the rebellion. Peasants, a term also used in the new theory, and marginalized groups (a term only used in the commented paper) in the cities did not participate. Kinship effects are discussed.

Modeling children’s moral development in postwar Taiwan through naturalistic observations preserved in historical texts

A core issue in the interdisciplinary study of human morality is its ontogeny in diverse cultures, but systematic, naturalistic data in specific cultural contexts are rare to find. This study conducts a novel analysis of 213 children’s socio-moral behavior in a historical, non-Western, rural setting, based on a unique dataset of naturalistic observations from the first field research on Han Chinese children. Using multilevel multinomial modeling, we examined a range of proactive behaviors in 0-to-12-year-old children’s peer cooperation and conflict in an entire community in postwar Taiwan. We modeled the effects of age, sex, kinship, and behavioral roles, and revealed complex interactions between these four variables in shaping children’s moral development. We discovered linkages between coercive and non-coercive behaviors as children strategically negotiated leadership dynamics. We identified connections between prosocial and aggressive behaviors, illuminating the nuances of morality in real life. Our analysis also revealed gendered patterns and age-related trends that deviated from cultural norms and contradicted popular assumptions about Chinese family values. These findings highlight the importance of naturalistic observations in cultural contexts for understanding how we become moral persons. This re-analysis of historically significant fieldnotes also enriches the interdisciplinary study of child development across societies.

Simulating the effects of kinship and postmarital residence patterns on mitochondrial DNA diversity in mortuary contexts.

We explore the observable outcome in mtDNA diversity of different kinship systems and associated postmarital residence patterns in the archeological record, using simulations at the intrapopulation level. Four kinship systems were simulated from a set of variable fertility and mortality scenarios. Initial conditions consisted of six clusters of variable size and a random number of assigned haplotypes, with individuals migrating between groups and reproducing for 15 generations. Each 15-generation span was simulated 500 times to obtain representative intrasite mtDNA diversity distributions for each kinship system. Additional simulations were devised to consider the effect of migration and different rates of adherence to kinship norms. Matrilineal kinship generates low male and female haplotype diversities that are statistically indistinguishable from each other, while female diversity in bilateral kinship with matrilocality is significantly lower than that observed in male diversity. Furthermore, mtDNA diversity generated by patrilineal kinship is very high. The effect of noncompliance with kinship rules is low; migration has a considerable impact on diversity, eventually obscuring the effect of kinship practices. The results of the simulations can be applied to ancient mtDNA data from archeological contexts, as exemplified with data from two studies. On a broader scale, the kinship system followed by the sampled population, can lead to either over- or underestimation of mtDNA population diversity. The results of the simulations can be used in the design of inferential frameworks to discern kinship scenarios in the archeological record, based on mtDNA and other types of evidence.

Grandparents' social capital hypothesis: Relationships with grandparents and young adults' trust through kinship support

AbstractObjectiveThe current research investigated how relationships with grandparents were associated with young adults' trust levels.BackgroundTo complement the grandmother hypothesis that explains the adaptiveness of human longevity from the perspective of instrumental contributions, a “grandparents' social capital hypothesis” was proposed, indicating that grandparents benefit social capital construction for their grandchildren, the effect of which could be symbolic for young adults. Older adults, who tend to have high levels of trust and the connections within extended family, could have positive impacts on young adults' trust.MethodUsing convenience sampling, we surveyed 314 Chinese young adults on quality and quantity of their interactions with grandparents, kinship support, and their generalized trust and particularized trust toward relatives through trust games. Path analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsQuality of the relationship with grandparents, rather than quantity of contact with them, was related to young adults' higher levels of particularized and generalized trust. Kinship support mediated the associations between high‐quality relationships with grandparents and young adults' particularized trust, as well as generalized trust.ConclusionGrandparents could play a symbolic role in social capital accumulation for young adults through the mediation effect of kinship support.ImplicationsThese findings provide new evidence supporting older adults' constructive role in human societies and shed light on possible strategies to cultivate social capital in the communities.

Testing the effects of kinship, reciprocity and dominance on prosocial food provisioning in azure‐winged magpies (Cyanopica cyana), carrion crows (Corvus corone) and common ravens (C. corax)

AbstractProsocial behaviour (i.e. benefitting others without receiving a direct gain) has long been perceived as an evolutionary puzzle but is nevertheless relatively common among non‐human animals. Prosocial food provisioning has recently been documented in several large‐brained bird species, such as corvids and parrots. Yet, to date, little is known about which factors influence food provisioning in these species. Here, we investigated whether kinship, reciprocity and dominance affected food provisioning in the group service paradigm in three corvid species, namely azure‐winged magpies (Cyanopica cyana), carrion crows (Corvus corone) and common ravens (C. corax). In this paradigm, the subjects are tested in their regular social groups and can choose to make food available to their group members by landing on a simple seesaw apparatus. We found no evidence for an effect of kinship or reciprocity on food provisioning. Contrary to our predictions, the subjects' dominance was not positively correlated with their rate of food provisioning in any species. Among ravens, dominance was instead positively correlated with receiving food. We conclude that preferential provisioning for kin and direct reciprocity might have been impeded by the provider's inability to control who receives the food in the group service paradigm, but that our findings provide another piece of evidence that dominance is a highly important factor in the social interactions of common ravens.

Genomic Prediction of Tree Height, Wood Stiffness, and Male Flower Quantity Traits across Two Generations in Selected Individuals of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don (Japanese Cedar)

Breeding long-lived trees is challenging, but it has been shown that genomic information can be used to improve efficiency. In this study, genomic prediction (GP) was tested on selected individuals of a two-generation breeding population of Cryptomeria japonica, the most common plantation tree in Japan. In the 1980s, the second-generation plus trees (101 clones) were selected from about 8500 individuals obtained by cross-mating the first-generation plus trees (47 clones). RAD-seq based on 8664 SNPs was used to perform GP for three important traits in this population: tree height, wood stiffness, and male flower quantity. The association between traits and genotypes was modeled using five Bayesian models whose predictive accuracy was evaluated by cross-validation, revealing that the best model differed for each trait (BRR for tree height, BayesA for wood stiffness, and BayesB for male flower quantity). GP was 1.2–16.0 times more accurate than traditional pedigree-based methods, attributed to its ability to model Mendelian sampling. However, an analysis of the effects of intergenerational kinship showed that parent–offspring relationships reduce the predictive accuracy of GP for traits strongly affected by selection pressure. Overall, these results show that GP could significantly expedite tree breeding when supported by a deep understanding of the targeted population’s genetic background.

Inter-household transfers of material goods among Sama "sea nomads" of the Philippines: Reciprocity, helping, signaling, or something else?

The extent to which humans share with both kin and non-kin is a defining characteristic of our species. Evolutionary research suggests that pervasive reliance on inter-individual transfers of goods and services may have evolved to support a cooperative breeding adaptation in humans. However, while intensive food sharing between individuals and families has frequently been investigated in small-scale human societies, a comprehensive analysis of the daily transfers of all material goods has not been attempted. Likewise, while much previous research on cooperative transfers focused on terrestrial foraging populations, less attention is paid to other small-scale economic modalities traditionally inhabited by humans. Drawing on over three years' worth of interviews and observational data from a community of primarily ethnic Sama people residing along the coast of Southern Mindanao Island in the Philippines, this paper examines the overall transfer patterns of material goods in a marine foraging economy. A quantitative description of resource acquisition is followed by an in-depth exploration of the characteristics of individual households and household dyads who gave and/or received more during the study period. Results indicate that a household's age and income are consistently correlated with increased inflow and outflow of material goods. Results also suggest differential motivations underlie inter-household sharing of food, money, and other goods in the study community. Most importantly, we find that both daily and long-term reciprocity overwhelmingly drive sharing within household dyads in the study community, despite secondary effects of kinship, relative need, and relative household age between household dyads.

Exploring the effect of kin caregivers' family functioning on child survival in South Africa: An application of the Family Systems Theory

AbstractThe survival of children who are raised in kinship care is largely influenced by the way their primary caregivers manage their family dynamics. Although research has focused on the effects of family structure and other extended kin effects on various child health outcomes, it remains largely unknown how kin caregivers' family functioning influences child survival, particularly in the South African context where the practice of kinship care is widely spread. An inductive thematic approach was employed, and data were collected from 24 kin caregivers who were providing care to under‐five children. Analysis of the data resulted in the development of three superordinate themes, namely, (1) relationship with family members, (2) poor relationships and (3) family attachment and communication. Each superordinate theme was linked to subthemes that helped explain the phenomenon under study. Overall, the kin caregivers' family environments serve as both protective barriers and risk factors for child survival depending on the state of familial relationships, collaboration and involvement of other kin within the households of primary kin caregivers. This translates into the survival of children being greatly determined by the family environment in which they live and the quality of care that they receive in that family environment.

Lifetime inclusive fitness effects of cooperative polygamy in the acorn woodpecker

Although over 50y have passed since W. D. Hamilton articulated kin selection and inclusive fitness as evolutionary explanations for altruistic behavior, quantifying inclusive fitness continues to be challenging. Here, using 30y of data and two alternative methods, we outline an approach to measure lifetime inclusive fitness effects of cooperative polygamy (mate-sharing or cobreeding) in the cooperatively breeding acorn woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus. For both sexes, the number of offspring (observed direct fitness) declined while the number of young parented by related cobreeders (observed indirect fitness effect) increased with cobreeding coalition size. Combining these two factors, the observed inclusive fitness effect of cobreeding was greater than breeding singly for males, while the pattern for females depended on whether fitness was age-weighted, as females breeding singly accrued greater fitness at younger ages than cobreeding females. Accounting for the fitness birds would have obtained by breeding singly, however, lifetime inclusive fitness effects declined with coalition size for males, but were greater for females breeding as duos compared to breeding singly, due largely to indirect fitness effects of kin. Our analyses provide a road map for, and demonstrate the importance of, quantifying indirect fitness as a powerful evolutionary force contributing to the costs and benefits of social behaviors.

The use of body growth and kinship data from 16 generations for predicting Thoroughbred performance

Thoroughbred horses have been intensely raised for their athletic potential that is correlated with morphological parameters (i.e., body weight - BW, and withers height - WH). Optimum and consistent body development is aimed, but excessive growth rates may lead to the development of orthopedic diseases. This study aimed to generate growth rate curves and prediction models of Thoroughbred horses by analyzing BW and WH data collected monthly over 16 years of 378 animals (23.6 animals/year). The animals were checked from birth to 18 months (160 colts and 181 fillies) on a farm in the south of Brazil. A prediction performance ARIMA model was developed based on the BW and WH of the foals using a maximum and minimum range of 7320 observations. BW and WH were 54,1 kg and 102,5 cm at birth and 397,8 kg and 150,6 cm at 18 months of age, respectively. No differences were found between sex at any age. Moreover, we have established a nonlinear function for the growth curve and on average, foals were expected to get 7.4 times heavier and 1.5 times taller when animals were fully grown. Males showed greater BW uniformity than females, as females had a lower minimum BW than males. Significant statistical differences (P < 0,05%) were reported for BW and WH of foals between pairs of sires highlighting the kinship (paternal) effect on the animals’ development. Seventy-two pairs of stallions showed statistical relevance for BW and 91 for WH. The ARIMA model produced a linear trend of BW and WH for the forecasted years. In conclusion, we recommend that careful sire selection and adequate health (i.e., parasite control, vaccination), and nutrition strategies must be adopted to achieve superior body growth as estimated by the predicting model (positive scenario). The present protocol shall be used in studs worldwide to monitor horse development. The spreadsheet is available on request to the corresponding authors.

From asylum seekers to kin: the making and effects of kinship between Norwegian citizens and migrants

ABSTRACT Citizen humanitarianism in Europe has been contrasted and compared to professional aid through attributes like cultivating affectionate and intimate relationships with migrants. Bringing this literature into conversation with anthropological theory, this article explores the building of kinship between Norwegian citizens and asylum seekers from the Middle East. Drawing on long-term fieldwork, digital observations, and interviews with Norwegian citizens, we discuss the selective formation of these relationships and some of the personal and political effects and tensions they generated. We show that the ‘conversion’ of asylum seekers to kin challenged established hierarchies of vulnerability and deservingness while reinforcing other logics, including the primacy of psychological trauma and affinity. Moreover, ‘kinning’ instigated obligations to support migrants and facilitated cultural exchange and political engagement. While sometimes causing pain and tensions with Norwegian authorities or other family members, caring for migrants as kin was considered meaningful and redemptive by our informants, whose motivations were both personal and future-oriented. Ultimately, we argue that kinship relations and care between Norwegian citizens and asylum seekers both challenge and reinforce conventional models and imaginations of humanitarianism. We also reflect on the transformative potential of these relationships and suggest avenues for further research.

Planigraphic (Spatial) Distribution of Mitochondrial DNA Variants at the Andronovo Time Cemetery Tartas-1: Preliminary Results

The most informative funerary site documenting the Andronovo (Fedorovo) migration to the West Siberian forest-steppe is Tartas-1, where more than 600 burials of that period, associated with Late Krotovo (Cherno- Ozerye) and Andronovo (Fedorovo) cultures, have been excavated to date. On the basis of skeletal remains from these burials, we have formed and successfully analyzed 256 samples of mitochondrial DNA, uniformly covering the entire area of the cemetery. This approach is a genetic counterpart of the continuous area method, which is used to excavate Tartas-1. The article opens a series of publications addressing the analysis and interpretation of this sample. We present the findings of the first stage in the analysis of spatial distriЬution of mtDNA lineages over the cemetery area under a simplified model that disregards the archaeological differentiation of the Andronovo time burials other than their spatial distribution. The analysis was performed at several resolution levels: from crude (at the level of the West Eurasian and East Eurasian clusters of mtDNA haplogroups) to high-resolution (at the level of specific structural variants). The information potential of each of those levels is evaluated. Data on the pattern of individual mtDNA lineage distribution are analyzed with regard to clusters on the cemetery area, indicating a considerable role of kinship across the site. The most promising areas for revealing groups of close relatives are identified. The findings enaЬle us to minimize the effect of close kinship on assessing the population structure of Tartas-1.

Kinship mediates the expression of alternative reproductive tactics in competing spider mite males

Owing to its fitness implications, the degree of genetic relatedness within and between the sexes is a highly significant determinant in mate competition, mate choice and mating success. The role of kinship in the expression of alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) has been rarely investigated. Here we scrutinized kinship effects on male ARTs in two-spotted spider mites Tetranychus urticae.

Photoprotective properties of new derivatives of kinetin.

The chronic exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes adverse dermal reactions, such as erythema, sunburn, photoaging, and cancer, by altering several signalling pathways associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. One of the possible UV light protection strategies is the use of dermal photoprotective preparations. The plant hormone kinetin (N6-furfuryladenine; KIN) exhibits antioxidant and anti-senescent effects in human cells. Topically applied KIN also reduced some of the clinical signs of photodamaged skin. To improve the biological activities of KIN, several derivatives have been recently prepared and their beneficial effects on cell viability of skin cells exposed to UVA and UVB light were screened. Two potent candidates, 6-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methylamino-9-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)purine (HEO) and 6-(thiophen-2-yl)methylamino-9-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)purine (HEO6), were identified. Here the effects of KIN, its N9-substituted derivatives the tetrahydropyran-2-yl derivative of KIN (THP), tetrahydrofuran-2-yl KIN (THF), HEO and HEO6 (both THF derivatives) on oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in UVA- or UVB-exposed skin cell was investigated. Human primary dermal fibroblasts and human keratinocytes HaCaT pre-treated with the tested compounds were then exposed to UVA/UVB light using a solar simulator. All compounds effectively prevented UVA-induced ROS generation and glutathione depletion in both cells. HEO6 was found to be the most potent. All compounds also reduced UVB-induced caspase-3 activity and interleukin-6 release. THP and THF exhibited the best UVB protection. In conclusion, our results demonstrated the UVA- and UVB-photoprotective potential of KIN and its derivatives. From this point of view, they seem to be useful agents for full UV spectrum protective dermatological preparations.

A plant growth model to test for changes in plant–plant interaction over a growing season: the case of kin competition

Kin recognition and kin selection have long been known to occur in animals where they shape altruistic behavior towards relatives. More recently, studies have found that kin recognition and altered behavior towards kin can also occur in plants. However, inferring the underlying mechanism responsible for variation in plant performance in experimental studies is challenging as often, results can be explained by alternative and non‐exclusive mechanisms such as niche differences, kin competition avoidance and genetic variation in growth rate and competitive ability. Plant–plant interactions may change with the life stage of plants, and competition is often most intense towards the end of plants growing season. However, changes in plant–plant interaction intensity across plants life cycle are rarely considered in kin interaction studies. Here, we adapt a model of plant growth over time modified to specifically include effects of kin and non‐kin competition. The model decompose competitive interactions at different stages during plant growth from initial growth to the end of the growing season. It estimates genotype specific variation in growth rate, and how sensitive individual genotypes are to competition from neighbors. Furthermore, it estimates size asymmetry among plants accounting for both variation in growth rate, neighbor relatedness and resource variation (here water availability). We use this model to analyze the results from a competition experiment where plants grew in mini‐populations with neighbor plants that were either kin or non‐kin. We find that when applied to our experiments, this approach can disentangle kin effects from other effects caused by genotypic variation in growth rate and competitive response to neighbors, and thus significantly help to detect whether plants exhibit kin‐cooperative behavior.

Drivers of Dyadic Cofeeding Tolerance in Pan: A Composite Measure Approach.

Simple SummaryIn this study on zoo-housed chimpanzees and bonobos, we propose a novel operational measure to quantify how tolerantly animals cofeed around a food source. Using an experimental set-up, we measured five behavioral variables that reflect positive and negative aspects of cofeeding behavior. Using a dimension reduction analysis technique, we found a two-dimensional tolerance model that we labeled “Tolerant Cofeeding” and “Agonistic Cofeeding”. In both species, scores on these two dimensions were predicted by sex, relatedness and social bonds in a similar fashion. High-value relationships between individuals that consist in mutual affiliation and support during aggressive interactions resulted in higher tolerance around food sources, while highly competitive dyads that show more mutual aggression showed lower tolerance. Bonobos and chimpanzees did not differ in their overall cofeeding tolerance, which likely reflects their adaptability to fluctuating social and ecological circumstances. This methodology can now be applied to other animal species to further investigate how variation in social and ecological environments influences the tolerance levels of social bonds, both at the dyadic and group level.This study aimed to construct a composite model of Dyadic Cofeeding Tolerance (DCT) in zoo-housed bonobos and chimpanzees using a validated experimental cofeeding paradigm and to investigate whether components resulting from this model differ between the two species or vary with factors such as sex, age, kinship and social bond strength. Using dimension reduction analysis on five behavioral variables from the experimental paradigm (proximity, aggression, food transfers, negative food behavior, participation), we found a two-factor model: “Tolerant Cofeeding” and “Agonistic Cofeeding”. To investigate the role of social bond quality on DCT components alongside species effects, we constructed and validated a novel relationship quality model for bonobos and chimpanzees combined, resulting in two factors: Relationship Value and Incompatibility. Interestingly, bonobos and chimpanzees did not differ in DCT scores, and sex and kinship effects were identical in both species but biased by avoidance of the resource zone by male–male dyads in bonobos. Social bonds impacted DCT similarly in both species, as dyads with high Relationship Value showed more Tolerant Cofeeding, while dyads with higher Relationship Incompatibility showed more Agonistic Cofeeding. We showed that composite DCT models can be constructed that take into account both negative and positive cofeeding behavior. The resulting DCT scores were predicted by sex, kinship and social bonds in a similar fashion in both Pan species, likely reflecting their adaptability to changing socio-ecological environments. This novel operational measure to quantify cofeeding tolerance can now be applied to a wider range of species in captivity and the wild to see how variation in local socio-ecological circumstances influences fitness interdependence and cofeeding tolerance at the dyadic and group levels. This can ultimately lead to a better understanding of how local environments have shaped the evolution of tolerance in humans and other species.

Universal non-Hermitian skin effect in two and higher dimensions

Skin effect, experimentally discovered in one dimension, describes the physical phenomenon that on an open chain, an extensive number of eigenstates of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian are localized at the end(s) of the chain. Here in two and higher dimensions, we establish a theorem that the skin effect exists, if and only if periodic-boundary spectrum of the Hamiltonian covers a finite area on the complex plane. This theorem establishes the universality of the effect, because the above condition is satisfied in almost every generic non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, and, unlike in one dimension, is compatible with all point-group symmetries. We propose two new types of skin effect in two and higher dimensions: the corner-skin effect where all eigenstates are localized at corners of the system, and the geometry-dependent-skin effect where skin modes disappear for systems of a particular shape, but appear on generic polygons. An immediate corollary of our theorem is that any non-Hermitian system having exceptional points (lines) in two (three) dimensions exhibits skin effect, making this phenomenon accessible to experiments in photonic crystals, Weyl semimetals, and Kondo insulators.

The Activation of AMPK/NRF2 Pathway in Lung Epithelial Cells Is Involved in the Protective Effects of Kinsenoside on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury.

The disorder of mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium of lung epithelial cell is one of the critical causes of acute lung injury (ALI). Kinsenoside (Kin) serves as an active small-molecule component derived from traditional medicinal herb displaying multiple pharmacological actions in cancers, hyperglycemia, and liver disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Kin on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced ALI and further explore possible molecular mechanisms. Kin was administered orally (100 mg/kg/day) for 7 consecutive days before LPS instillation (5 mg/kg). After 12 hours, pathological injury, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress were detected. The results demonstrated that Kin significantly alleviated lung pathological injury and decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the release of inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), apart from inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Meanwhile, Kin also promoted mitochondrial fusion and restrained mitochondrial fission in mice with ALI. In terms of mechanism, Kin pretreatment increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the protein level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). In Ampk-α knockout mice challenged with LPS, Kin lost its pulmonary protective effects, accompanied by lower NRF2 level. In vitro experiments further unveiled that either AMPK inhibition by Compound C or NRF2 knockdown by siRNA abolished the protective roles of Kin in LPS-treated A549 lung epithelial cells. And NRF2 activator TAT-14 could reverse the effects of Ampk-α deficiency. In conclusion, Kin possesses the ability to prevent LPS-induced ALI by modulating mitochondrial dynamic equilibrium in lung epithelial cell in an AMPK/NRF2-dependent manner.