As a neuroprotective drug for the treatment of ischemic stroke, 3-n-butylphthalide, a celery seed ex- tract, has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China as a clinical therapeutic drug for isch...As a neuroprotective drug for the treatment of ischemic stroke, 3-n-butylphthalide, a celery seed ex- tract, has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China as a clinical therapeutic drug for ischemic stroke patients. L-3-n-butylphthalide possesses significant efficacy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The activated Akt kinase pathway can prevent the death of nerve cells and exhibit neuroprotective effects in the brain after stroke. This study provides the hypothesis that I-3-n- butylphthalide has a certain therapeutic effect on vascular dementia, and its mechanism depends on the activation of the Akt kinase pathway. A vascular dementia mouse model was established by cere- bral repetitive ischemia/reperfusion, and intragastrically administered I-3-n-butylphthalide daily for 28 consecutive days after ischemia/repedusion, or 7 consecutive days before ischemia/reperfusion. The Morris water maze test showed significant impairment of spatial learning and memory at 4 weeks after operation, but intragastric administration of I-3-n-butylphthalide, especially pretreatment with I-3-n- butylphthalide, significantly reversed these changes. Thionine staining and western blot analylsis showed that preventive and therapeutic application of I-3-n-butylphthalide can reduce loss of pyrami- dal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region and alleviate nerve damage in mice with vascular demen- tia. In addition, phosphorylated Akt expression in hippocampal tissue increased significantly after I-3-n- butylphthalide treatment. Experimental findings demonstrate that I-3-n-butylphthalide has preventive and therapeutic effects on vascular dementia, and its mechanism may be mediated by upregulation of phosphorylated Akt in the hippocampus.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effect of cerebrolysin(CBL)on motor impairment,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter profile in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s di...Objective:To investigate the effect of cerebrolysin(CBL)on motor impairment,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter profile in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease(PD)in zebrafish.Methods:In the current study,zebrafish were treated with CBL at doses of 1.25,2.5,and 5 mL/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days.MPTP(20 mg/kg body weight)was administered on alternative days-1st,3rd,5th,and 7th.On day 7,zebrafish were sacrificed,and their brains were isolated for biochemical,neurochemical,histopathological,IHC,and neurotransmitter analysis.Results:The treatment with CBL significantly increased total distance traveled and the number of entries in the top zone,which was impaired by MPTP.CBL treatment significantly restored the level of glutathione,superoxide dismutase,and catalase while reducing malondialdehyde level.It also reduced the level of pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αin the MPTP-induced PD in the zebrafish model.In histopathological evaluation,pyknotic cells and signs of inflammation were significantly reduced in CBL-treated groups.A significant dose-dependent reduction in glutamate,along with elevations in dopamine,gamma-aminobutyric acid,serotonin,and noradrenaline,was observed in zebrafish treated with CBL.An immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that Akt was phosphorylated promptly by CBL,which was downregulated in MPTP-induced PD in zebrafish.Conclusions:These findings suggest that CBL exerts a neuroprotective effect through activation of Akt and may hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of this devastating neurological condition.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of asiatic acid(AA) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human corneal epithelial cells(HCECs).METHODS: Cell viability was measured usin...AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of asiatic acid(AA) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human corneal epithelial cells(HCECs).METHODS: Cell viability was measured using a cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qR T-PCR) was used to determine the mR NA expression of interleukin-8(IL-8),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) in HCECs.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured using the ROS assay kit.Glutathione(GSH) concentration was measured using the total GSH assay kit.Akt1 and Akt phosphorylation(p-Akt1) levels were measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.RESULTS: AA induced toxicity at high concentrations and significantly stimulated the proliferation of HCECs at concentrations of 20 μmol/L for 1h.LPS at concentrations of 300 ng/mL for 1h significantly stimulated the mR NA expression of IL-8,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,and TGF-β in HCECs,while the stimulation effects were significantly inhibited by AA(20 μmol/L).In addition,AA was found to decrease the content of ROS,increase GSH generation,and also inhibit LPS-induced p-Akt in HCECs.CONCLUSION: AA decreases the generation of inflammatory factors IL-8,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,and TGF-β in LPSstimulated HCECs.AA significantly inhibites the intracellular concentrations of ROS and increases GSH generation.AA also inhibites LPS-induced p-Akt in HCECs.These findings reveal that AA has anti-inflammation effects in LPS-stimulated HCECs.展开更多
Protein phosphatase 2A(PP2A)is one of the most abundant serine/threonine phosphatases and plays critical roles in regulating cell fate and function.We previously showed that PP2A regulates the differentiation of CD4^(...Protein phosphatase 2A(PP2A)is one of the most abundant serine/threonine phosphatases and plays critical roles in regulating cell fate and function.We previously showed that PP2A regulates the differentiation of CD4^(+)T cells and the development of thymocytes.Nevertheless,its role in CD8^(+)T cells remains elusive.By ablating the catalytic subunit α(Cα)of PP2A in CD8^(+)T cells,we revealed the essential role of PP2A in promoting the effector functions of CD8^(+)T cells.Notably,PP2A Cα-deficient CD8^(+)T cells exhibit reduced proliferation and decreased cytokine production upon stimulation in vitro.In vivo,mice lacking PP2A Cαin T cells displayed defective immune responses against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection,associated with reduced CD8^(+)T cell expansion and decreased cytokine production.Consistently,the ablation of the PP2A Cαsubunit in CD8^(+)T cells results in attenuated antitumor activity in mice.There is a notable decrease in the infiltration of PP2A Cα-deficient CD8^(+)T cells within the tumor microenvironment,and the cells that do infiltrate exhibit diminished effector functions.Mechanistically,PP2A Cα deficiency impedes CD28-induced AKT Ser^(473) phosphorylation,thus impairing CD8^(+)T cell costimulation signal.Collectively,our findings underscore the critical role of phosphatase PP2A as a propeller for CD28-mediated costimulation signaling in CD8^(+)T cell effector function by fine-tuning T cell activation.展开更多
Alveolar bone regeneration has been strongly linked to macrophage polarization.M1 macrophages aggravate alveolar bone loss,whereas M2 macrophages reverse this process.Berberine(BBR),a natural alkaloid isolated and ref...Alveolar bone regeneration has been strongly linked to macrophage polarization.M1 macrophages aggravate alveolar bone loss,whereas M2 macrophages reverse this process.Berberine(BBR),a natural alkaloid isolated and refined from Chinese medicinal plants,has shown therapeutic effects in treating metabolic disorders.In this study,we first discovered that culture supernatant(CS)collected from BBR-treated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(HBMSCs)ameliorated periodontal alveolar bone loss.CS from the BBR-treated HBMSCs contained bioactive materials that suppressed the M1 polarization and induced the M2 polarization of macrophages in vivo and in vitro.To clarify the underlying mechanism,the bioactive materials were applied to different animal models.We discovered macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF),which regulates macrophage polarization and promotes bone formation,a key macromolecule in the CS.Injection of pure M-CSF attenuated experimental periodontal alveolar bone loss in rats.Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor(CSF1R)inhibitor or anti-human M-CSF(M-CSF neutralizing antibody,Nab)abolished the therapeutic effects of the CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs.Moreover,AKT phosphorylation in macrophages was activated by the CS,and the AKT activator reversed the negative effect of the CSF1R inhibitor or Nab.These results suggest that the CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs modulates macrophage polarization via the M-CSF/AKT axis.Further studies also showed that CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs accelerated bone formation and M2 polarization in rat teeth extraction sockets.Overall,our findings established an essential role of BBR-treated HBMSCs CS and this might be the first report to show that the products of BBR-treated HBMSCs have active effects on alveolar bone regeneration.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundationof China, No. 81241037the Natural Science Foundationof Hebei Province, No.H2013307046
文摘As a neuroprotective drug for the treatment of ischemic stroke, 3-n-butylphthalide, a celery seed ex- tract, has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China as a clinical therapeutic drug for ischemic stroke patients. L-3-n-butylphthalide possesses significant efficacy in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The activated Akt kinase pathway can prevent the death of nerve cells and exhibit neuroprotective effects in the brain after stroke. This study provides the hypothesis that I-3-n- butylphthalide has a certain therapeutic effect on vascular dementia, and its mechanism depends on the activation of the Akt kinase pathway. A vascular dementia mouse model was established by cere- bral repetitive ischemia/reperfusion, and intragastrically administered I-3-n-butylphthalide daily for 28 consecutive days after ischemia/repedusion, or 7 consecutive days before ischemia/reperfusion. The Morris water maze test showed significant impairment of spatial learning and memory at 4 weeks after operation, but intragastric administration of I-3-n-butylphthalide, especially pretreatment with I-3-n- butylphthalide, significantly reversed these changes. Thionine staining and western blot analylsis showed that preventive and therapeutic application of I-3-n-butylphthalide can reduce loss of pyrami- dal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region and alleviate nerve damage in mice with vascular demen- tia. In addition, phosphorylated Akt expression in hippocampal tissue increased significantly after I-3-n- butylphthalide treatment. Experimental findings demonstrate that I-3-n-butylphthalide has preventive and therapeutic effects on vascular dementia, and its mechanism may be mediated by upregulation of phosphorylated Akt in the hippocampus.
基金funded by ICMR,New Delhi(Grant No.45/29/2022-PHA/BMS).
文摘Objective:To investigate the effect of cerebrolysin(CBL)on motor impairment,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter profile in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease(PD)in zebrafish.Methods:In the current study,zebrafish were treated with CBL at doses of 1.25,2.5,and 5 mL/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days.MPTP(20 mg/kg body weight)was administered on alternative days-1st,3rd,5th,and 7th.On day 7,zebrafish were sacrificed,and their brains were isolated for biochemical,neurochemical,histopathological,IHC,and neurotransmitter analysis.Results:The treatment with CBL significantly increased total distance traveled and the number of entries in the top zone,which was impaired by MPTP.CBL treatment significantly restored the level of glutathione,superoxide dismutase,and catalase while reducing malondialdehyde level.It also reduced the level of pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αin the MPTP-induced PD in the zebrafish model.In histopathological evaluation,pyknotic cells and signs of inflammation were significantly reduced in CBL-treated groups.A significant dose-dependent reduction in glutamate,along with elevations in dopamine,gamma-aminobutyric acid,serotonin,and noradrenaline,was observed in zebrafish treated with CBL.An immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that Akt was phosphorylated promptly by CBL,which was downregulated in MPTP-induced PD in zebrafish.Conclusions:These findings suggest that CBL exerts a neuroprotective effect through activation of Akt and may hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of this devastating neurological condition.
基金Supported by Medical Program of Shandong Province(No.2014WS0441)Science and Technology Program of Shandong Province(No.2013YD21009)Innovative Team and Young Teachers Training Project of Qingdao Medical College(No.600201304)
文摘AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of asiatic acid(AA) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response in human corneal epithelial cells(HCECs).METHODS: Cell viability was measured using a cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qR T-PCR) was used to determine the mR NA expression of interleukin-8(IL-8),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) in HCECs.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured using the ROS assay kit.Glutathione(GSH) concentration was measured using the total GSH assay kit.Akt1 and Akt phosphorylation(p-Akt1) levels were measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.RESULTS: AA induced toxicity at high concentrations and significantly stimulated the proliferation of HCECs at concentrations of 20 μmol/L for 1h.LPS at concentrations of 300 ng/mL for 1h significantly stimulated the mR NA expression of IL-8,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,and TGF-β in HCECs,while the stimulation effects were significantly inhibited by AA(20 μmol/L).In addition,AA was found to decrease the content of ROS,increase GSH generation,and also inhibit LPS-induced p-Akt in HCECs.CONCLUSION: AA decreases the generation of inflammatory factors IL-8,IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,and TGF-β in LPSstimulated HCECs.AA significantly inhibites the intracellular concentrations of ROS and increases GSH generation.AA also inhibites LPS-induced p-Akt in HCECs.These findings reveal that AA has anti-inflammation effects in LPS-stimulated HCECs.
基金supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M720087 to K.Z.)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32300775 to K.Z.,32100718 to X.J.,32141004,32350007,and 31930038 to L.L.)+2 种基金the Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(LQ22H030012 to S.H.)the Huadong Medicine Joint Funds of the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LHDMZ24H310001 to X.J.)the Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department(Y202146347 to X.J.).
文摘Protein phosphatase 2A(PP2A)is one of the most abundant serine/threonine phosphatases and plays critical roles in regulating cell fate and function.We previously showed that PP2A regulates the differentiation of CD4^(+)T cells and the development of thymocytes.Nevertheless,its role in CD8^(+)T cells remains elusive.By ablating the catalytic subunit α(Cα)of PP2A in CD8^(+)T cells,we revealed the essential role of PP2A in promoting the effector functions of CD8^(+)T cells.Notably,PP2A Cα-deficient CD8^(+)T cells exhibit reduced proliferation and decreased cytokine production upon stimulation in vitro.In vivo,mice lacking PP2A Cαin T cells displayed defective immune responses against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection,associated with reduced CD8^(+)T cell expansion and decreased cytokine production.Consistently,the ablation of the PP2A Cαsubunit in CD8^(+)T cells results in attenuated antitumor activity in mice.There is a notable decrease in the infiltration of PP2A Cα-deficient CD8^(+)T cells within the tumor microenvironment,and the cells that do infiltrate exhibit diminished effector functions.Mechanistically,PP2A Cα deficiency impedes CD28-induced AKT Ser^(473) phosphorylation,thus impairing CD8^(+)T cell costimulation signal.Collectively,our findings underscore the critical role of phosphatase PP2A as a propeller for CD28-mediated costimulation signaling in CD8^(+)T cell effector function by fine-tuning T cell activation.
基金supported by the CAMS Innovation Foundation for Medical Sciences(2016-I2M1-011)A Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(2018-87)+1 种基金Jiangsu Province Capability Improvement Project through Science,Technology and Education-Jiangsu Provincial Research Hospital Cultivation Unit(YJXYYJSDW4)Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Center(CXZX202227)。
文摘Alveolar bone regeneration has been strongly linked to macrophage polarization.M1 macrophages aggravate alveolar bone loss,whereas M2 macrophages reverse this process.Berberine(BBR),a natural alkaloid isolated and refined from Chinese medicinal plants,has shown therapeutic effects in treating metabolic disorders.In this study,we first discovered that culture supernatant(CS)collected from BBR-treated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(HBMSCs)ameliorated periodontal alveolar bone loss.CS from the BBR-treated HBMSCs contained bioactive materials that suppressed the M1 polarization and induced the M2 polarization of macrophages in vivo and in vitro.To clarify the underlying mechanism,the bioactive materials were applied to different animal models.We discovered macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF),which regulates macrophage polarization and promotes bone formation,a key macromolecule in the CS.Injection of pure M-CSF attenuated experimental periodontal alveolar bone loss in rats.Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor(CSF1R)inhibitor or anti-human M-CSF(M-CSF neutralizing antibody,Nab)abolished the therapeutic effects of the CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs.Moreover,AKT phosphorylation in macrophages was activated by the CS,and the AKT activator reversed the negative effect of the CSF1R inhibitor or Nab.These results suggest that the CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs modulates macrophage polarization via the M-CSF/AKT axis.Further studies also showed that CS of BBR-treated HBMSCs accelerated bone formation and M2 polarization in rat teeth extraction sockets.Overall,our findings established an essential role of BBR-treated HBMSCs CS and this might be the first report to show that the products of BBR-treated HBMSCs have active effects on alveolar bone regeneration.