Transforming Growth Factor-β Research Articles

Synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cell-derived microRNA-127-5p can modulate transforming growth factor-β signaling after in vitro chondrogenic induction.

Synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cell-derived microRNA-127-5p can modulate transforming growth factor-β signaling after in vitro chondrogenic induction.

The effect of fluconazole combined with amphotericin B on highly toxic miR-15b and TGF-β1 of cronobacter in neonates

Objective: To analyze the effects of fluconazole combined with amphotericin B on the levels of miR-15b and transforming growth factor-β1 in patients with cronobacter in neonates. Methods: Using the random number table method, twenty-eight patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2018 and January 2021 with cronobacter pneumonia were chosen and split into two groups: the control group and the observation group. For 14 days, they received either fluconazole with amphotericin B or amphotericin B alone. The pulmonary function forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital (FORCED vital) of the two groups were observed and recorded Capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume/forced vital volume in one second/orced vital Capacity, FEV1/FVC), procalcitonin (PCT), soluble receptor expressed on myeloid (Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid) Cells-1, StreM-1), Mir-15b and TGF-β1, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results: After treatment, the levels of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in patients were increased, and the levels of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in observation group were higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of PCT and sTREM-1 were decreased, while the levels of miR-15b and TGF-β1 were increased. Compared with the control group, the levels of PCT and TREM-1 were lower in the observation group, while the levels of miR-15b and TGF-β1 were higher (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of observation group (92.86%) was significantly higher than that of control group (57.14%), the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Fluconazole plus amphotericin B has demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating patients with cronobacter pneumonia in neonates. It can effectively improve the inflammatory state of the body, miR-15b, and TGF-β1, as well as aid in improving lung function with fewer side effects and high safety.

Harnessing the Engineered Probiotic-Nanosystem to Remodulate Tumor Extracellular Matrix and Regulate Tumor-Colonizing Bacteria for Improving Pancreatic Cancer Chemo-Immunotherapy.

Poor chemotherapy efficacy in pancreatic cancer is attributed to limited drug permeation caused by the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) and drug degradation induced by tumor-colonizing bacteria. Here, a tumor-targeting probiotic-nanosystem is elaborately designed to remodulate ECM and selectively regulate tumor-colonizing bacteria for improving chemo-immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer. Specifically, drug-loaded liposomes are conjugated with Clostridium Butyricum (CB) via matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)-responsive peptide to construct a probiotic-nanosystem. Particularly, vactosertib (VAC, a transforming growth factor-β1 receptor inhibitor) is delivered by probiotic-nanosystem to silence the active pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) for inhibiting the development of ECM, resulting in a loosened ECM and providing a golden opportunity for the deep penetration of chemotherapy drugs and immune cells. Subsequently, gemcitabine (GEM) is efficiently delivered into the core of tumors via probiotic-nanosystem, achieving an enhanced chemotherapy efficacy. Noteworthily, CB can alleviate γ-proteobacteria-mediated GEM degradation through competitively reducing the contents of γ-proteobacteria and promoting the amounts of tumor-inhibiting bacteria, thereby significantly potentiating the therapeutic effect of GEM. The engineered probiotic-nanosystem can not only enhance the GEM-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) of a pancreatic tumor to activate antitumor immune responses but also markedly increase the tumor-infiltration of effector immune cells to heighten tumoricidal immunity, offering a promising strategy for chemo-immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

Transforming growth factor-β3/Smad2/Smad3 signaling pathway inhibition and autophagy by the Yunpi-Xiefei-Huatan decoction ameliorated airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in asthmatic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe Yunpi-Xiefei-Huatan decoction (YXHD) is a traditional Chinese medicine that can improve asthma-related symptoms, including cough, phlegm in the throat, and shortness of breath. However, the YXHD mechanism on asthma has not yet been elucidated. Study aimThe aim of this study is to investigate the effect of YXHD on airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and autophagy modulation in asthma. Materials and methodsThe YXHD chemical constituents were observed and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ovalbumin sensitization and stimulation were used to establish an asthma rat model. A total of 80 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were segmented into eight groups at random: a Normal (NC) group, a Model (Mod) group, a YXHD low-dose group (10 g/kg/d), a YXHD moderate-dose group (20 g/kg/d), a YXHD high-dose group (40 g/kg/d), a Rapamycin group (4 mg/kg/d), a 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (15 mg/kg/d), and a Dexamethasone (DEX) group (0.5 mg/kg/d). Whole-body plethysmography (WBP) detection was used to evaluate airway hyperresponsiveness. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect inflammatory factors in the peripheral blood. Inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were also counted. Pathological changes in the lung tissues were marked using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The localization of MUC5AC and the co-localization of LC3B + MUC5AC were observed using immunofluorescence. The expressions of autophagy and the TGF-β3/Smad2/Smad3 pathway in the lung tissues were detected using a Western blot assay (WB) and qPCR, and the autophagosomes in the lung tissues were detected using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). ResultsTwenty signal peaks were identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) technology. The TGF-β3/Smad2/Smad3 signal pathway activation was induced using ovalbumin (OVA) exposure in the rats. The upregulated expression of autophagy, enhanced MUC5AC fluorescence and LC3B fluorescence, and their co-localized expression in the airway epithelium indicated inflammatory cell infiltration and excessive mucus secretion in the lungs. This resulted in airway hyper-responsiveness. The YXHD inhibited the activation of the TGF-β3/Smad2/Smad3 signaling pathway, and autophagy expression reduced inflammatory factors, abnormal mucus secretion, and airway hyperresponsiveness. ConclusionThe YXHD improved lung function, relieved lung inflammation, and inhibited airway mucus secretions in asthmatic rat models. Its mechanism may have been related to the blockage of the TGF-β3/Smad2/Smad3 signaling pathway and autophagy downregulation.

Pharmacotherapeutic potential of pratensein to avert metribuzin instigated hepatotoxicity via regulating TGF-β1, PI3K/Akt, Nrf-2/Keap-1 and NF-κB pathway

Metribuzin (MBN) is a selective herbicide that adversely damages the vital organs of the body including the liver. Pratensein (PTN) is a novel flavonoid that exhibits marvelous medicinal properties. This experimental trial commenced to elucidate the pharmacotherapeutic strength of PTN to counteract MBN provoked liver toxicity in rats. Thirty-six male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were categorized into four groups i.e., the control, MBN (133.33 mg/kg), MBN (133.33 mg/kg) + PTN (20 mg/kg) and PTN (20 mg/kg) alone treated group. Our findings revealed that MBN exposure promoted the expressions of Keap-1 as well as concentrations of ROS and MDA while reducing the gene expressions of Nrf-2 as well as activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GSR), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) contents. The levels of albumin and total proteins were reduced whereas the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were enhanced following the MBN administration. Moreover, the gene expression of transforming growth Factor–β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), collagen, type I, alpha 1 and type-3 alpha were escalated in response to MBN intoxication. Furthermore, MBN administration cause a sudden upregulation in the levels of NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 & COX-2. Besides, MBN exposure enhanced the gene expression of Bax and Caspase-3 while reducing the gene expression of PI3K, Akt and Bcl-2. Additionally, MBN exposure dysregulated the normal histology of liver. However, PTN treatment notably protected the hepatic tissues via regulating abovementioned dysregulations due to its marvelous ROS scavenging potential.

Ficolin-1 ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis via directly binding to TGF-β1

BackgroundFicolins were originally identified as proteins that bind to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). They are capable of activating the complement system through lectin pathway for immune system protection. Ficolin-2 and 3 have been identified in patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and their function in these diseases is currently being explored. In contrast, the functional role of ficolin-1 in pulmonary fibrosis is still elusive and remains to be elucidated.MethodsThe expression of ficolin-1 in the plasma of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and connective tissue disease (CTD)-ILD patients was first determined. As the orthologue of human ficolin-1, ficolin-B knockout and ficolin-B overexpression were used to establish bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. Co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and RNA sequencing were utilized to explore and expound on the expression and the functional mechanism of ficolin-1 in pulmonary fibrosis.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, plasma ficolin-1 was significantly decreased in patients with IPF and CTD-ILD. In the bleomycin (BLM)-induced mice model, ficolin-B deficiency aggravated lung injury and fibrosis. There was also observed increase in TGF-β1 levels and enhanced downstream signaling. However, the overexpression of ficolin-B showed preventative and therapeutic efficacy against lung fibrosis. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed the direct interaction between ficolin-1 and TGF-β1 in human plasma, which was further confirmed by the colocalization of ficolin-1 and TGF-β1 in lung tissues.ConclusionsFicolin-1 inhibits pulmonary fibrosis by directly binding to the key profibrogenic factor TGF-β1, marking it as a potential target for therapy in the treatment of fibrotic lung diseases.

Aloe vera and the Proliferative Phase of Cutaneous Wound Healing: Status Quo Report on Active Principles, Mechanisms, and Applications.

Aloe vera is commonly used as traditional medicine for cutaneous wound healing. Nonetheless, the wound healing mechanisms of Aloe vera remain unclear. This review aims to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of Aloe vera in promoting cutaneous wound healing, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms that stimulate cell proliferation and migration. Aloe vera has been shown to upregulate growth factors such as keratinocyte growth factor-1 (KGF-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), cyclin D1, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), and microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4 (MFAP4), as well as collagen, fibrillin, elastin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), integrins, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1, also known as CD31), while downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In addition, Aloe vera was also found to upregulate PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, as well as the TGF-β signalling pathway via Smad proteins. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed that certain chemical constituents of Aloe vera bind to some of the forementioned growth factors or signalling molecules. With regards to current applications, although human clinical trials have reported positive results from using Aloe vera in healing open wounds and burns and alleviating some inflammatory skin diseases, the current commercial uses of Aloe vera remain largely focused on cosmetic products. Thus, greater advances are required to promote the use of Aloe vera products in clinical settings.

Discovery and preclinical evaluation of BPB-101: a novel triple functional bispecific antibody targeting GARP-TGF-β complex/SLC, free TGF-β and PD-L1.

In the tumor microenvironment (TME), the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling axes are complementary, nonredundant immunosuppressive signaling pathways. Studies have revealed that active TGF-β is mainly released from the glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP)-TGF-β complex on the surface of activated regulatory T cells (Tregs), B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and tumor cells. The currently available antibodies or fusion proteins that target TGF-β are limited in their abilities to simultaneously block TGF-β release and neutralize active TGF-β in the TME, thus limiting their antitumor effects. We designed and constructed a bispecific, trifunctional antibody, namely, BPB-101, that specifically targets the GARP-TGF-β complex and/or small latent complex (SLC), active TGF-β, and PD-L1. The binding ability of BPB-101 to the different antigens was determined by ELISA, FACS, and biolayer interferometry (BLI). The blocking ability of BPB-101 to the TGF-β and PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axes was determined by reporter gene assay (RGA). The antitumor effect and biosafety of BPB-101 were determined in a transgenic mouse tumor model and cynomolgus monkeys, respectively. Stability assessments, including stability in serum, after exposure to light, after repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and after high-temperature stress tests had been completed to evaluate the stability of BPB-101. BPB-101 bound efficiently to different antigenic proteins: the GARP-TGF-β complex and/or SLC, active TGF-β, and PD-L1. Data showed that BPB-101 not only effectively inhibited the release of TGF-β from human Tregs, but also blocked both the TGF-β and PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathways. In an MC38-hPD-L1 tumor-bearing C57BL/6-hGARP mouse model, BPB-101 at a dose of 5 mg/kg significantly inhibited tumor growth, with a complete elimination rate of 50%. Stability assessments confirmed the robustness of BPB-101. Furthermore, BPB-101 showed a favorable safety profile in nonhuman primate (NHP) toxicity studies. BPB-101 is a potentially promising therapeutic candidate that may address unmet clinical needs in cancer immunotherapy, thus, BPB-101 warrants further clinical investigation.

Weizmannia coagulans BC99 affects valeric acid production via regulating gut microbiota to ameliorate inflammation and oxidative stress responses in Helicobacter pylori mice.

Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent pathogen in human gastric mucosa epithelial cells with strong colonization ability. Weizmannia coagulans is a kind of active microorganism that is beneficial to the improvement of host gut microbiota balance and can prevent and treat intestinal diseases. We investigated the beneficial effects of W. coagulans BC99 in H. pylori infected mice and measured inflammation response, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota. Results showed that BC99 could alleviate the gastric inflammation, inhibit the increasing of inflammation parameters endotoxin, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-β, and interferon-γ and oxidative stress myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde, promote the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that BC99 reversed the change of gut microbiota by reducing the abundance of Olsenella, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Monoglobus, and increasing the abundance of Tyzzerella. Meanwhile, BC99 caused elevated levels of Ligilactobacillus and Lactobacillus. In view of the beneficial effect of BC99 on the content of short-chain fatty acid, valeric acid with sodium valerate interfered with H. pylori infection in mice found that valeric acid had a good restorative effect of H. pylori infection relating inflammation and oxidative stress responses. These results suggest that W. coagulans BC99 can be used as a potential probiotic to prevent and treat H. pylori infection by regulating the inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota.

Natural Product for Wound Healing: Systemic Review

Any injury to the body, including damage to the skin's outer layer and impairment of its normal structure and function, is referred to as a wound. Since the beginning of time, people have recognized the crucial nature of wound healing, and significant resources have been used to create cutting-edge wound dressings made of the best materials possible for quick and effective recovery. A vital part of this healing process is played by medicinal herbs. Many studies conducted recently have focused on developing novel wound dressings that contain infusions from medicinal plants or their purified active components, providing viable substitutes for conventional dressings. Several investigations have looked into how various herbal remedies aid in the healing of wounds. This article intends to explain and examine the molecular components of wound healing that are aided by natural plant-based products. The remedies made from herbs participate in various phases of wound healing and work through a variety of processes. Certain herbal medications also increase the formation of important factors that are involved in re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, granulation tissue development, and collagen fiber deposition, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). encouraging anti-inflammatory in nature and antioxidant qualities at different stages of the wound-healing process. The field of herbal medicine and other natural products are used in traditional and alternative medicine to treat wounds. These methods have various benefits over conventional treatments, such as enhanced efficacy owing to different ways in which they work action, antibacterial qualities, and long-term safety when using wound dressings.

C-C motif chemokine receptor-2 blockade ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in rats and synergizes with a pulmonary vasodilator

Abstract Aims We investigated whether the disruption of C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCR) 2 may attenuate the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in any rat models with the reversal of the associated pro-inflammatory state and vascular dysfunction, and synergize with a conventional pulmonary vasodilator. Methods and Results Using Ccr2(-/-) rats generated by CRISPR/Cas9, we investigated pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Ccr2(+/+) or Ccr2(-/-) rats treated with monocrotaline (MCT), SU5416/hypoxia (SuHx) and chronic hypoxia (CH). Ccr2(-/-) decreased the right ventricular systolic pressure, an index of right ventricular hypertrophy and mortality rate, and reversed increased expression of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCL)-2, interleukin-1β, transforming growth factor-β) in rats 3weeks after MCT injection, but not in SuHx or CH models. Consistently, Ccr2(-/-) decreased indices of pulmonary vascular diseases (PVD) and perivascular macrophage infiltration, as well as reversed impaired bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 signaling, increased endothelial apoptosis and impaired nitric oxide signaling and decreased phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) expression in lungs in MCT-treated rats. Gene expression of receptors for prostaglandin I2 and endothelin was not changed by Ccr2(-/-) in MCT-treated rats. In cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), Ccr2(-/-) suppressed CCL2-induced hyperproliferation and dedifferentiation as well as reversed CCL2-induced decrease in PDE5 expression. The whole-genome RNA sequencing analysis identified differentially expressed genes in CCL2-stimulated Ccr2(-/-) PASMCs, which are related to regulation of cellular differentiation and contraction. Based on studies in rats and cultured PASMCs, we investigated whether a PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, synergizes with Ccr2(-/-). Tadalafil administration ameliorated PH and PVDs in MCT-treated Ccr2(-/-) rats but not in Ccr2(+/+) rats. Tadalafil further improved survival in MCT-treated Ccr2(-/-) rats. Conclusion The present findings demonstrated that CCR2 disruption ameliorated PAH in MCT-treated rats, which was associated with the reversal of dysregulated inflammatory pathways and vascular dysfunction and synergized with tadalafil. These findings suggest that CCR2 may be a therapeutic target in intractable PAH patients with a certain CCR2-related inflammatory phenotype and refractory to conventional pulmonary vasodilators.

Spatiotemporal characterization of extracellular matrix maturation in human artificial stromal-epithelial tissue substitutes

BackgroundTissue engineering techniques offer new strategies to understand complex processes in a controlled and reproducible system. In this study, we generated bilayered human tissue substitutes consisting of a cellular connective tissue with a suprajacent epithelium (full-thickness stromal-epithelial substitutes or SESS) and human tissue substitutes with an epithelial layer generated on top of an acellular biomaterial (epithelial substitutes or ESS). Both types of artificial tissues were studied at sequential time periods to analyze the maturation process of the extracellular matrix.ResultsRegarding epithelial layer, ESS cells showed active proliferation, positive expression of cytokeratin 5, and low expression of differentiation markers, whereas SESS epithelium showed higher differentiation levels, with a progressive positive expression of cytokeratin 10 and claudin. Stromal cells in SESS tended to accumulate and actively synthetize extracellular matrix components such as collagens and proteoglycans in the stromal area in direct contact with the epithelium (zone 1), whereas these components were very scarce in ESS. Regarding the basement membrane, ESS showed a partially differentiated structure containing fibronectin-1 and perlecan. However, SESS showed higher basement membrane differentiation, with positive expression of fibronectin 1, perlecan, nidogen 1, chondroitin-6-sulfate proteoglycans, agrin, and collagens types IV and VII, although this structure was negative for lumican. Finally, both ESS and SESS proved to be useful tools for studying metabolic pathway regulation, revealing differential activation and upregulation of the transforming growth factor-β pathway in ESS and SESS.ConclusionsThese results confirm the relevance of epithelial-stromal interaction for extracellular matrix development and differentiation, especially regarding basement membrane components, and suggest the usefulness of bilayered artificial tissue substitutes to reproduce ex vivo the extracellular matrix maturation and development process of human tissues.Graphical

Eriocitrin ameliorates hepatic fibrosis and inflammation: The involvement of PPARα-mediated NLRP1/NLRC4 inflammasome signaling cascades

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCitri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) is a traditional Chinese medicine and recorded to have hepatoprotective therapeutic and condition value. Eriocitrin (ER) a natural compound isolated from Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium may ameliorate hepatic inflammation in chronic liver diseases. Aim of the studyThe current study investigates the hepatoprotective effect and potential mechanism of ER against hepatic fibrosis. Materials and methodsThe hepatic fibrosis mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneally injecting thioacetamide (TAA) for five weeks. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were treated with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Meanwhile, lipopolysaccharide/adenosine triphosphate (LPS/ATP) was given to excite the normal mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), and thus the cells could acquire the conditioned medium. Moreover, LX-2 cells were administrated with PPARα knockdown vector (siRNA-PPARα). ResultsRNA sequencing studies revealed that in mice induced by TAA, the PPARα/NOD-like receptor/neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) significantly influence ER-based hepatic protection. In TAA-induced mice, ER could up-regulate PPARα and down-regulate NLRP1/NLRC4 and the development of NETs. Our findings indicated that ER significantly up-regulated PPARα, inhibited NLRP1/NLRC4 inflammasome in HSCs. Deficiency of PPARα in the activated LX-2 weakened the regulatory effect of ER on inhibiting the NLRP1/NLRC4 inflammasome. In addition, ER might hinder the activation of BMDMs and also obstruct IL-1β and IL-6 passage in the extracellular space. ConclusionsThe results indicated that ER decreased inflammation by controlling the PPARα-NLRP1/NLRC4 signaling pathway and inhibiting fibril formation. Collectively, our results underscore the therapeutic potential of ER in addressing hepatic fibrosis.

Butyrate-Mediated Modulation of Paraoxonase-1 Alleviates Cardiorenometabolic Abnormalities in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been associated with cardiovascular risks and comorbid pathologies, particularly cardiorenal disorder. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate, are essential fatty acids that regulate metabolic health and ameliorate granulosa inflammation in PCOS. However, the effect of butyrate on cardiorenal damage associated with PCOS is unknown. This study investigated the impact of SCFA and butyrate on cardiorenal abnormalities in PCOS rat model and the probable involvement of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1). Eight-week-old female Wistar rats were allotted into three groups, n = 5, namely control (CTL), PCOS (LEZ), and LEZ + BUT. Induction of PCOS with letrozole (1mg/kg) lasted for 21days, while treatment with butyrate (200mg/kg) commenced after the induction and lasted for 6weeks uninterruptedly. PCOS rats showed hyperandrogenism, multiple ovarian cysts, disrupted metabolic indices (fasting insulin and homeostatic model of insulin resistance), and increased (p < 0.05) plasma troponin T, urea, and creatinine, as well as increased cardiac/renal stroma cell-derived factor-1/caspase-6, malondialdehyde/nuclear factor-kappaB, transforming growth factor-β1, and renal ϒ-glutamyl transferase, while a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in systemic nitric oxide/endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cardiac/renal hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, which were accompanied with a decreased level of PON-1. These systemic and cardiorenal derangements were reversed by butyrate administration. The results demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of SCFAs, butyrate, against cardiorenometabolic disorder in a model of PCOS. This beneficial effect is accompanied by an elevated level of PON-1. The present data possibly provides a preclinical relevance for the management of cardiorenal syndrome in PCOS.

Novel dysregulated long non-coding RNAs in the acute kidney injury-to-chronic kidney diseases transition unraveled by transcriptomic analysis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI)-to-chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition involves a complex pathomechanism, including inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis where long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in their regulation. However, to date, only a few lncRNAs have been discovered to be involved in the AKI-to-CKD transition. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the dysregulated lncRNAs in the AKI-to-CKD transition invitro and invivo. To mimic AKI-to-CKD transition both invivo and invitro, bilateral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) kidney injury was performed in Wistar rats (male), and normal rat kidney epithelial cell (NRK52E) cells were treated with exogenous transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Further processing and analysis of samples collected from these studies (e.g., biochemical, histopathology, immunofluorescence, and RNA isolation) were also performed, and transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify the dysregulated lncRNAs. Rats subjected to IR showed a significant increase in kidney injury markers (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) along with altered cell morphology). Apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis markers were markedly increased during the AKI-to-CKD transition. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed 62 and 84 unregulated and 95 and 92 downregulated lncRNAs invivo and invitro, respectively. Additionally, functional enrichment analysis revealed their involvement in various pathways, including the tumor necrosis factor (TNF), wingless-related integration site (Wnt), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathways. These identified dysregulated lncRNAs significantly contribute to AKI-to-CKD transition, and their knockin/out can aid in developing targeted therapeutic interventions against AKI-to-CKD transition.

Kallikrein-Related Peptidase 6 Contributes to Murine Intestinal Tumorigenesis Driven by a Mutant Adenomatous polyposis coli Gene.

The objective of this study was to assess the role of a secreted serine protease, kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6), during colorectal tumorigenesis driven by a mutant Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene. A first analysis of KLK6 expression in the intestinal tract of Apc-mutant multiple intestinal neoplasia (ApcMin/+) mice revealed up to four-fold induction of Klk6 mRNA levels in adenomas relative to its level in the adjacent mucosa. The presence of KLK6 protein in the adenomatous areas was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and optical coherence tomography/laser-induced fluorescence (OCT/LIF) imaging. To assess the contribution of the KLK6 expression on the Apc-mutant intestinal and colon tumorigenesis, we engineered a mouse with floxed alleles of the Klk6 gene (Klk6lox/lox) and crossed it with a mouse expressing the truncated APC protein under control of the intestinal tract-specific human CDX2P9.5-NLS Cre transgene (CPC;Apcfl/fl;Klk6+/+). We found that CPC;Apcfl/fl mice with disrupted Klk6 gene expression (CPC;Apcfl/fl;Klk6fl/fl) had a significantly smaller average size of the small intestinal and colon crypts (p < 0.001 and p = 0.04, respectively) and developed a significantly fewer adenomas (p = 0.01). Moreover, a decrease in high-grade adenomas (p = 0.03) and adenomas with a diameter above 2 mm (p < 0.0001) was noted in CPC;Apcfl/fl;Klk6fl/fl mice. Further molecular analysis showed that Klk6 gene inactivation in the small intestine and colon tissues of CPC;Apcfl/fl;Klk6fl/fl mice resulted in a significant suppression of transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) protein (p ≤ 0.02) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation (p ≤ 0.01). These findings demonstrate the oncogenic role of KLK6 in the mutant Apc-mediated intestinal tumorigenesis and suggest the utility of KLK6 for early diagnosis of colorectal tumors.

Role of the CTCF/p300 axis in osteochondrogenic-like differentiation of polyploid giant cancer cells with daughter cells

BackgroundPolyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) have properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs). PGCCs with daughter cells (PDCs) undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition and show enhanced cellular plasticity. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the osteo/chondrogenic-like differentiation of PDCs, which may be exploited therapeutically by transdifferentiation into post-mitotic and functional cells.MethodsCobalt chloride was used to induce PGCC formation in MDA-MB-231 and HEY cells, and PDCs were cultured in osteo/chondrogenic differentiation media. Alcian blue staining was used to confirm osteo/chondrogenic differentiation, and the cell cycle was detected using flow cytometry. The expression of osteo/chondrogenic differentiation-related proteins was compared, and a co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to demonstrate the interactions between proteins. Bioinformatic analysis was used to explore the regulatory mechanism of osteo/chondrogenic differentiation, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to validate the interaction between transcriptional factors and target genes. Animal xenograft models were used to confirm the osteo/chondrogenic differentiation of PDCs.ResultsWhen cultured in osteo/chondrogenic medium, the stemness of PDCs decreased, and the expression of osteo/chondrogenic-related markers increased. This osteo/chondrogenic-like process was regulated by the transforming growth factor-β pathway in a time-dependent manner. A concurrent increase in the expression of histone acetyltransferase p300 and the transcription factor CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) was observed. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that p300 acetylated the osteo/chondrogenic marker RUNT-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). Analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing datasets revealed that both CTCF and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) were enriched in the promoter region of E1A-associated protein p300 (P300). The four predicted binding sites for CTCF and P300 were validated using dual-luciferase reporter assays. We examined the interaction between CTCF and H3K27ac and found that these two proteins had a combined effect on the transactivation of P300.ConclusionCTCF, in synergy with H3K27ac, amplified the expression of P300, facilitating acetyl group transfer to RUNX2. This acetylation stabilized RUNX2 and promoted osteo/chondrogenic differentiation, thereby reducing the incidence of PDC malignancies.

Expression of activin A in liver tissue and the outcome of patients with biliary atresia.

Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare disease of unknown etiology which leads to cirrhosis and death if left untreated. The standard of care is an early hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE). Long-term follow-up is mandatory, during which most patients will require a liver transplant. Activin A belongs to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. TGF-β is a central regulator in chronic liver disease. We have studied the expression of activin A in liver tissue collected intraoperatively during the HPE. We included patients who underwent HPE in a single medical center. Clinical, ultrasonographic, and pathohistological data were collected. Activin A immunostaining was performed. Expression in the bile duct epithelium and hepatocytes was scored as either weakly positive, moderately positive, or strongly positive. Patients were then divided into three groups accordingly. We observed the outcome after the HPE at 3 months, 2 years, and at the end of follow-up. The study encompassed 37 patients. At 3 months after HPE, 92.3% of those with a weakly positive activin A reaction (group A) achieved good jaundice clearance, whereas only 44.4% of those with a moderately (group B) and 40% of those with a strongly positive reaction (group C) achieved good jaundice clearance (p = 0.008). Furthermore, 2 years after the HPE, 92.3% of those in group A survived with native liver (SNL), but only 33.3% of those in group B and 46.7% of those in group C had SNL (p = 0.007). At the end of follow-up, 83.3% of those in group A survived with native liver, as did 33.3% in group B and 40% in group C. Activin A is a valuable pathohistological predictor of the outcome of BA after an HPE.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase in CD4+ T cells suppresses tumor growth through activation of the CXCR3/CXCL11 axis in CD8+ T cells

BackgroundWithin the tumor microenvironment, altered lipid metabolism promotes cancer cell malignancy by activating oncogenic cascades; however, impact of lipid metabolism in CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) remains poorly understood. Here, we elucidated that role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) increased by treatment with cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) supernatant in CD4+ T cells on their subset differentiation and activity of CD8+ T cells.ResultsIn our study, we observed that CD4+ TILs had higher lipid droplet content than CD4+ splenic T cells. In tumor tissue, CAF-derived supernatant provided fatty acids to CD4+ TILs, which increased the expression of SCD and oleic acid (OA) content. Increased SCD expression by OA treatment enhanced the levels of Th1 cell markers TBX21, interleukin-2, and interferon-γ. However, SCD inhibition upregulated the expression of regulatory T (Treg) cell markers, FOXP3 and transforming growth factor-β. Comparative fatty acid analysis of genetically engineered Jurkat cells revealed that OA level was significantly higher in SCD-overexpressing cells. Overexpression of SCD increased expression of Th1 cell markers, while treatment with OA enhanced the transcriptional level of TBX21 in Jurkat cells. In contrast, palmitic acid which is higher in SCD-KO cells than other subclones enhanced the expression of Treg cell markers through upregulation of mitochondrial superoxide. Furthermore, SCD increased the secretion of the C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11) from CD4+ T cells. The binding of CXCL11 to CXCR3 on CD8+ T cells augmented their cytotoxic activity. In a mouse tumor model, the suppressive effect of CD8+ T cells on tumor growth was dependent on CXCR3 expression.ConclusionThese findings illustrate that SCD not only orchestrates the differentiation of T helper cells, but also promotes the antitumor activity of CD8+ T cells, suggesting its function in adverse tumor microenvironments.Graphical abstract

MTOR Inhibitors Modulate the Biological Nature of TGF-β2-Treated or -Untreated Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells in Different Manners.

Background/Objectives: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition may have been suggested to have a beneficial effect on the glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork (HTM). To study the effects of the mTOR inhibitors rapamycin (Rapa) and Torin1 on the glaucomatous HTM, transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2)-treated two-dimensionally (2D) and three-dimensionally (3D) cultured HTM cells were used. Methods: We evaluated (1) the levels of autophagy via Western blot analysis using a specific antibody against microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), (2) barrier capacity based on transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) permeability (2D), (3) cellular metabolic functions (2D), (4) the size and stiffness of spheroids, and (5) the mRNA expression of ECM proteins. Results: TGF-β2-induced inhibition of autophagy was significantly inhibited by Rapa and Torin1. Rapa and Torin1 substantially decreased barrier capacity in both TGF-β2-untreated and TGF-β2-treated HTM cells. Cellular metabolic analysis indicated that Rapa, but not Torin1, substantially enhanced both mitochondrial and glycolytic functions of TGF-β2-untreated HTM cells. In the physical properties of spheroids, TGF-β2 resulted in the formation of down-sized and stiffened spheroids. mTOR inhibitors decreased the size but not the stiffness of TGF-β2-untreated spheroids and significantly reduced the TGF-β2-related increase in the stiffness but not the size of spheroids. The diverse effects of mTOR inhibitors on TGF-β2-untreated and TGF-β2-treated spheroids were also observed in the mRNA expression of extracellular matrix proteins. Conclusions: The results taken together suggest that mTOR inhibitors significantly influence the biological aspects of both a single layer and multiple layers of the TGF-β2-treated HTM and untreated HTM.