Background:Myocardial infarction(MI)remains a major global public health challenge.Although advances in reperfusion therapy have reduced acute mortality,post-infarction cardiac remodeling continues to pose a substanti...Background:Myocardial infarction(MI)remains a major global public health challenge.Although advances in reperfusion therapy have reduced acute mortality,post-infarction cardiac remodeling continues to pose a substantial threat to long-term cardiovascular health.Oxidative stress and the ensuing inflammatory response are key drivers of this pathological process,leading to cardiomyocyte death,myocardial fibrosis,and functional impairment.Among the regulatory pathways involved,the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)axis has emerged as a critical therapeutic target for mitigating post-MI cardiac injury.Methods:A murine MI model was established by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.Mice received oral Tongxinbi formula(TXB)at low,medium,or high doses(9/18/36 g/kg)once daily for 28 days.Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography;myocardial fibrosis by Masson’s trichrome;and endothelial integrity by CD31 immunofluorescence.Plasma markers of endothelial function and inflammation were quantified.In vitro,oxidative stress was induced by H2O2 in vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes,followed by treatment with TXB drug-containing serum.Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to measure components of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway;ELISA quantified oxidative stress and inflammatory indices.Conditioned-medium experiments evaluated endothelial cell–mediated paracrine protection of cardiomyocytes.Results:TXB significantly improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis after MI,in association with preservation of microvascular structure and systemic attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation.In vitro,TXB activated the endothelial Keap1/Nrf2 pathway,enhanced cellular antioxidant defenses,increased VEGF secretion,and,via endothelial cell-mediated paracrine signaling,alleviated cardiomyocyte injury under oxidative stress.Conclusion:TXB exerts anti-fibrotic and cardioprotective effects by activating Nrf2 signaling and engaging endothelial-mediated paracrine mechanisms,collectively mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation in the post-MI setting.展开更多
Objectives:The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),an aggressive subtype of breast cancer(BrCA),are limited.This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and trans...Objectives:The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),an aggressive subtype of breast cancer(BrCA),are limited.This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and transcriptional regulatory networks(TRN)inherent in TNBC samples.Methods:We analyzed pan-cancer BrCA datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)to compare triple-positive breast cancer(TPBC)with TNBC.TRN algorithms and virtual inference of protein-enriched regulon(VIPER)were used to identify master regulators and their target genes.Utilizing TNBC cells(MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468),we validated the relationship of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 3(NFE2L3)and basic helix-loop-helix family member E 40(BHLHE40)by performing a luciferase assay.The expression levels of these targets were measured after transfections with plasmid and siRNA via qRT-PCR and western blots.The effect of these genes on cell proliferation and migration was studied using phenotypic assays.Results:Using computational approaches,we identified NFE2L3 as a master regulator with BHLHE40 as its target gene.NFE2L3 protein binds to the promoter region of BHLHE40 and regulates its transcriptional activity.Additionally,silencing and overexpressing NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 showed that NFE2L3 directly regulates BHLHE40 at both transcriptional and translational levels.We found that BHLHE40 requires NFE2L3 for cell proliferation and migration in TNBC.Conclusion:These findings underscore the significance of NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC,highlighting NFE2L3’s role in regulating the oncogenic activity of BHLHE40 in TNBC cells.展开更多
Background:Dry eye disease(DED)predominantly results from elevated tear film os-molarity,which can not only cause ocular inconvenience but may lead to visual impair-ments,severely compromising patient well-being and e...Background:Dry eye disease(DED)predominantly results from elevated tear film os-molarity,which can not only cause ocular inconvenience but may lead to visual impair-ments,severely compromising patient well-being and exerting substantial economic burdens as well.Astaxanthin(AST),a member of the xanthophylls and recognized for its robust abilities to combat inflammation and oxidation,is a common dietary sup-plement.Nonetheless,the precise molecular pathways through which AST influences DED are still poorly understood.Methods:Therapeutic targets for AST were identified using data from the GeneCards,PharmMapper,and Swiss Target Prediction databases,and STITCH datasets.Similarly,targets for dry eye disease(DED)were delineated leveraging resources such as the Therapeutic Target Database(TTD),DisGeNET,GeneCards,and OMIM databases,and DrugBank datasets.Interactions among shared targets were charted and dis-played using CytoScape 3.9.0.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were conducted to elucidate the functions of pivotal tar-gets within the protein-protein interaction network.Molecular interactions between AST and key targets were confirmed through molecular docking using AutoDock and PyMOL.Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using GROMACS 2022.3.Viability of human corneal epithelial cells(hCEC)was assessed across varying concen-trations of AST.A mouse model of experimental DED was developed using 0.1%ben-zalkonium chloride(BAC),and the animals were administered 100 mg/kg/day of AST orally for 7 days.The efficacy of the treatments was assessed through a series of di-agnostic tests to evaluate the condition of the ocular surface after the interventions.The levels of inflammation and oxidative stress were quantitatively assessed using methods such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot,and immunofluorescence staining.Results:Network pharmacology suggests that AST may alleviate DED by influenc-ing oxidation-reduction signaling pathways and reducing oxidative stress provoked by BAC.In vivo experiments demonstrated an improved overall condition in AST-administered mice in contrast to the control group.Immunofluorescence staining analyses indicated a decrease in Keap1 protein in the corneal tissues of AST-treated mice and a significant increase in Nrf2 and HO-1 protein.In vitro studies demon-strated that AST significantly enhanced cell viability and suppressed reactive oxy-gen species expression under hyperosmotic(HS)conditions,thereby protecting the human corneal epithelium.Conclusion:AST is capable of shielding mice from BAC-induced DED,decelerating the progression of DED,and mitigating oxidative stress damage under HS conditions in hCEC cells.The protective impact of AST on DED may operate through stimulating the Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.Our research findings indicate that AST may be a promising treatment for DED,offering new insights into DED treatment.展开更多
基金the Major Special Project of Jiangsu Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine(Project No.ZT202116)the Key R&D Project of Jiangsu Province(Project No.BE2020727)+2 种基金the Yangzhou Science and Technology Program(Project No.YZ2021062,YZ2024143 and YZ2024194)the Third Batch of Academic Mentorship Program for Senior TCM Experts in Jiangsu Province(Project No.2019028)the 2023 Jiangsu Pharmaceutical Association–Aosaikang Hospital Pharmacy Research Project(Project No.A202333).
文摘Background:Myocardial infarction(MI)remains a major global public health challenge.Although advances in reperfusion therapy have reduced acute mortality,post-infarction cardiac remodeling continues to pose a substantial threat to long-term cardiovascular health.Oxidative stress and the ensuing inflammatory response are key drivers of this pathological process,leading to cardiomyocyte death,myocardial fibrosis,and functional impairment.Among the regulatory pathways involved,the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)axis has emerged as a critical therapeutic target for mitigating post-MI cardiac injury.Methods:A murine MI model was established by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery.Mice received oral Tongxinbi formula(TXB)at low,medium,or high doses(9/18/36 g/kg)once daily for 28 days.Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography;myocardial fibrosis by Masson’s trichrome;and endothelial integrity by CD31 immunofluorescence.Plasma markers of endothelial function and inflammation were quantified.In vitro,oxidative stress was induced by H2O2 in vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes,followed by treatment with TXB drug-containing serum.Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to measure components of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway;ELISA quantified oxidative stress and inflammatory indices.Conditioned-medium experiments evaluated endothelial cell–mediated paracrine protection of cardiomyocytes.Results:TXB significantly improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis after MI,in association with preservation of microvascular structure and systemic attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation.In vitro,TXB activated the endothelial Keap1/Nrf2 pathway,enhanced cellular antioxidant defenses,increased VEGF secretion,and,via endothelial cell-mediated paracrine signaling,alleviated cardiomyocyte injury under oxidative stress.Conclusion:TXB exerts anti-fibrotic and cardioprotective effects by activating Nrf2 signaling and engaging endothelial-mediated paracrine mechanisms,collectively mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation in the post-MI setting.
文摘Objectives:The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),an aggressive subtype of breast cancer(BrCA),are limited.This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and transcriptional regulatory networks(TRN)inherent in TNBC samples.Methods:We analyzed pan-cancer BrCA datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)to compare triple-positive breast cancer(TPBC)with TNBC.TRN algorithms and virtual inference of protein-enriched regulon(VIPER)were used to identify master regulators and their target genes.Utilizing TNBC cells(MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468),we validated the relationship of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 3(NFE2L3)and basic helix-loop-helix family member E 40(BHLHE40)by performing a luciferase assay.The expression levels of these targets were measured after transfections with plasmid and siRNA via qRT-PCR and western blots.The effect of these genes on cell proliferation and migration was studied using phenotypic assays.Results:Using computational approaches,we identified NFE2L3 as a master regulator with BHLHE40 as its target gene.NFE2L3 protein binds to the promoter region of BHLHE40 and regulates its transcriptional activity.Additionally,silencing and overexpressing NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 showed that NFE2L3 directly regulates BHLHE40 at both transcriptional and translational levels.We found that BHLHE40 requires NFE2L3 for cell proliferation and migration in TNBC.Conclusion:These findings underscore the significance of NFE2L3 and BHLHE40 in TNBC,highlighting NFE2L3’s role in regulating the oncogenic activity of BHLHE40 in TNBC cells.
基金supported by grants from the Beijing Municipal Public Welfare Development and Reform Pilot Project for Medical Research Institutes(PWD&RPP-MRI,JYY2023-6)the R&D Program of Beijing Municipal Education Commission(KZ20231002543).
文摘Background:Dry eye disease(DED)predominantly results from elevated tear film os-molarity,which can not only cause ocular inconvenience but may lead to visual impair-ments,severely compromising patient well-being and exerting substantial economic burdens as well.Astaxanthin(AST),a member of the xanthophylls and recognized for its robust abilities to combat inflammation and oxidation,is a common dietary sup-plement.Nonetheless,the precise molecular pathways through which AST influences DED are still poorly understood.Methods:Therapeutic targets for AST were identified using data from the GeneCards,PharmMapper,and Swiss Target Prediction databases,and STITCH datasets.Similarly,targets for dry eye disease(DED)were delineated leveraging resources such as the Therapeutic Target Database(TTD),DisGeNET,GeneCards,and OMIM databases,and DrugBank datasets.Interactions among shared targets were charted and dis-played using CytoScape 3.9.0.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were conducted to elucidate the functions of pivotal tar-gets within the protein-protein interaction network.Molecular interactions between AST and key targets were confirmed through molecular docking using AutoDock and PyMOL.Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using GROMACS 2022.3.Viability of human corneal epithelial cells(hCEC)was assessed across varying concen-trations of AST.A mouse model of experimental DED was developed using 0.1%ben-zalkonium chloride(BAC),and the animals were administered 100 mg/kg/day of AST orally for 7 days.The efficacy of the treatments was assessed through a series of di-agnostic tests to evaluate the condition of the ocular surface after the interventions.The levels of inflammation and oxidative stress were quantitatively assessed using methods such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blot,and immunofluorescence staining.Results:Network pharmacology suggests that AST may alleviate DED by influenc-ing oxidation-reduction signaling pathways and reducing oxidative stress provoked by BAC.In vivo experiments demonstrated an improved overall condition in AST-administered mice in contrast to the control group.Immunofluorescence staining analyses indicated a decrease in Keap1 protein in the corneal tissues of AST-treated mice and a significant increase in Nrf2 and HO-1 protein.In vitro studies demon-strated that AST significantly enhanced cell viability and suppressed reactive oxy-gen species expression under hyperosmotic(HS)conditions,thereby protecting the human corneal epithelium.Conclusion:AST is capable of shielding mice from BAC-induced DED,decelerating the progression of DED,and mitigating oxidative stress damage under HS conditions in hCEC cells.The protective impact of AST on DED may operate through stimulating the Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.Our research findings indicate that AST may be a promising treatment for DED,offering new insights into DED treatment.
