Hypoxia is a typical characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), which causes tremendous obstacles to tumor treatments. Current first-line treatment may further deteriorate tumor hypoxia. For example,Lenvatinib, ...Hypoxia is a typical characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), which causes tremendous obstacles to tumor treatments. Current first-line treatment may further deteriorate tumor hypoxia. For example,Lenvatinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor(RTKI), suppresses tumor growth via blocking vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) signaling, and can also inhibit angiogenesis, thus limiting oxygen supply to tumor sites. Therefore, alleviating tumor microenvironment(TME) hypoxia holds great potential for enhancing the therapeutic effect of RTKI. Here, nanoparticle-stabilized oxygen microcapsules, a stable and biocompatible oxygen-loaded delivery system, are successfully prepared through interfacial polymerization of polydopamine nanoparticles. The microcapsules with a large loading capacity of oxygen in the core show excellent bioavailability and dispersity, which could effectively improve the hypoxic TME when they serve as oxygen delivery vehicles. Synergetic treatments of Lenvatinib and oxygen microcapsules could induce the transition of “cold tumor” in an immune-suppressed state to “hot tumor” in an immune-activated state by improving tumor hypoxic TME and reducing angiogenesis in HCC. It is revealed that combined treatments of oxygen microcapsules and Lenvatinib could polarize tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs) to anti-tumor M1 cells and activate T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses.The results suggest that synergetic therapy using oxygen microcapsules and Lenvatinib could alleviate the hypoxic TME and enhance the therapeutic performance of RTKI, demonstrating a promising anti-tumor strategy for enhanced therapy of HCC.展开更多
Objective To explore the effects of safflower injection on prevention and treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and clarify the function of the endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis pathway during the process.M...Objective To explore the effects of safflower injection on prevention and treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and clarify the function of the endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis pathway during the process.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly grouped as normal control group,hypoxiahypercapnia group and hypoxia+safflower group.The latter two groups were put in the cabin with oxygen concentration ranged from 9% to 11% and carbon dioxide concentration from 5% to 6%.The pulmonary artery pressure and the index of right ventricular hypertrophy were determined after hypoxia exposure(8 h/d×28 d).Changes in morphology of lung tissue were observed by electron microscopy.To explore the possible mechanisms,we also detected apoptosis and apoptosis-related genes/proteins in lung tissue by TUNEL reactivity and PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the normal control group,pulmonary artery pressure and the index of right ventricular hypertrophy in hypoxia group were 45% and 33.4% higher,respectively.Tiny blood vessel wall of lungs was thickened and edema,and proliferation of collagen fibers was obvious under the electron microscope.TUNEL staining of apoptotic cells in lung tissues showed more high brightness green fluorescence(+～++),but less green fluorescence showed in the pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell layer,and apoptosis index(AI) value was 150% higher;gene and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway were increased.Compared with hypoxia-hypercapnia group,pulmonary artery pressure and the index of right ventricular hypertrophy in the hypoxia+safflower group were 18% and 15.6% lower,respectively;collagen fibers were decreased,and smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells were got apoptotic-like changes under the electron microscope.TUNEL staining of apoptotic cells in lung tissues showed brighter green fluorescence(++～+++);the high brightness green fluorescence showed in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell layer,and apoptotic index(AI) value was 40% higher;gene and protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway were significantly upregulated.Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that safflower injection could activate endoplasmic reticulum stressinduced apoptosis and especially promote apoptosis in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells.展开更多
AIM:To explore the immune cell infiltration and molecular mechanisms of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(RIRI)to identify potential therapeutic targets.METHODS:In the bulk RNA-seq analysis,This study performed diff...AIM:To explore the immune cell infiltration and molecular mechanisms of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(RIRI)to identify potential therapeutic targets.METHODS:In the bulk RNA-seq analysis,This study performed differential gene expression analysis,weighted gene co-expression network analysis,and protein-protein interaction network analysis to identify hub genes.QuanTIseq was used to determine the composition of infiltrating immune cells.Following the identification of hub genes,single-cell RNA-seq analysis was employed to pinpoint the specific immune cell types expressing these hub genes.Cell-cell communication analysis to explore signaling pathways and interactions between immune cells was further performed.Finally,the expression of these key immune regulators in vivo using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was validated.RESULTS:Bulk RNA-seq analysis identified Stat2,Irf7,Irgm1,Igtp,Parp9,Irgm2,Nlrc5,and Tap1 as hub genes,with strong correlations to immune cell infiltration.Single-cell RNA-seq analysis further revealed six immune cell clusters,showing Irf7 predominantly in microglia and Tap1 in dendritic cells(DCs).And cell-cell communication analysis showed that microglia and DCs play central roles in coordinating immune activity.qRT-PCR validated the upregulation of these genes.CONCLUSION:In the acute phase of RIRI,Irf7 and Tap1 may be the potential therapeutic targets to reduce inflammation and promote neurological function recovery.展开更多
Peripheral and central sensitizations are phenomena that occur during migraine. The role of gabapentin, a migraine preventive drug, on central sensitization remains unclear. In this study, a rat model of migraine was ...Peripheral and central sensitizations are phenomena that occur during migraine. The role of gabapentin, a migraine preventive drug, on central sensitization remains unclear. In this study, a rat model of migraine was established by electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion, and the animals were given intragastric gabapentin. Changes in amino acid content in the cerebrospinal fluid and protein kinase C membrane translocation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus were examined to clarify the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of central sensiti- zation during migraine. Electrophysiology, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis results revealed that gabapentin reduces neuronal excitability in the spinal nucleus in the trigeminal nerve, decreases excitatory amino acid content and inhibits the activation of protein kinase C. This provides evidence that excitatory amino acids and protein kinase C are involved in the formation and maintenance of central sensitization during migraine. Gabapentin inhibits mi- graine by reducing excitatory amino acid content in the cerebrospinal fluid and inhibiting protein kinase C activation.展开更多
Background Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system.Silent information regulator sirtuin 1(SIRT1)may deacetylate and suppress forkhead box O(FOXO)activities to...Background Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system.Silent information regulator sirtuin 1(SIRT1)may deacetylate and suppress forkhead box O(FOXO)activities to promote neuronal survival.FOXO1 is involved in the regulation of metabolism,senescence,stress response,and apoptosis.Moreover,endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)mediates cell apoptosis.Therefore,this study aimed to determine whether the downregulation of SIRT1 expression exacerbates cognitive dysfunction by activating FOXO1 acetylation and promoting ERS-mediated apoptosis in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1(APP/PS1)transgenic mice.MethodsWe used APP/PS1 transgenic mice to construct an in vivo AD model.Additionally,we usedβ-amyloid(Aβ)-incubated HT22 cells and primary neurons(PNs)for in vitro analyses.Cognitive function was assessed using novel object recognition,the Morris water maze,and fear conditioning.Discrepancies between wild-type(WT)and APP/PS1 transgenic mice were evaluated using an unpaired t test.In addition,one-way analysis of variance was conducted for behavioral assessments and other tests involving four distinct groups,followed by a Tukey's honestly significant difference test for post hoc pairwise comparisons.ResultsThe expression of SIRT1 was downregulated(in animal experiments,WT mice vs.APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p=0.002;in cell experiments,HT22 cells vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p=0.001;primary neurons vs.primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p<0.001),whereas FOXO1 acetylation was upregulated both in vivo and in vitro(in animal experiments,WT mice vs.APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p<0.001;in cell experiments,HT22 cells vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p=0.004;primary neurons vs.primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p<0.001),leading to cognitive dysfunction,Aβplaque deposition,and neuronal apoptosis.Quercetin,a SIRT1 agonist,reversed these changes(For SIRT1,APP/PS1 mice vs.Quercetin-treated APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p=0.014;HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.003;primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42)vs.primary neurons+Aβ1−42+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.014.For ac-FOXO1,APP/PS1 mice vs.Quercetin-treated APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p<0.001;HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.023;primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42)vs.primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42)+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.003).However,the FOXO1 antagonist AS1842856 invalidated the positive effects of quercetin in APP/PS1 transgenic mice(ac-FOXO1:Quercetin-treated APP/PS1 mice vs.AS1842856-treated APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p<0.001).Quercetin counteracted FOXO1 acetylation and ERS-mediated apoptosis.In contrast,AS1842856 promoted these processes in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that the downregulation of SIRT1 expression exacerbates cognitive dysfunction by activating FOXO1 acetylation and promoting ERS-mediated apoptosis.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Nos. 2019YFA0803000,2019YFC1316000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U20A20378, 21878258)+1 种基金Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. Y20B060027)Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department (No.Y202045652)。
文摘Hypoxia is a typical characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), which causes tremendous obstacles to tumor treatments. Current first-line treatment may further deteriorate tumor hypoxia. For example,Lenvatinib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor(RTKI), suppresses tumor growth via blocking vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) signaling, and can also inhibit angiogenesis, thus limiting oxygen supply to tumor sites. Therefore, alleviating tumor microenvironment(TME) hypoxia holds great potential for enhancing the therapeutic effect of RTKI. Here, nanoparticle-stabilized oxygen microcapsules, a stable and biocompatible oxygen-loaded delivery system, are successfully prepared through interfacial polymerization of polydopamine nanoparticles. The microcapsules with a large loading capacity of oxygen in the core show excellent bioavailability and dispersity, which could effectively improve the hypoxic TME when they serve as oxygen delivery vehicles. Synergetic treatments of Lenvatinib and oxygen microcapsules could induce the transition of “cold tumor” in an immune-suppressed state to “hot tumor” in an immune-activated state by improving tumor hypoxic TME and reducing angiogenesis in HCC. It is revealed that combined treatments of oxygen microcapsules and Lenvatinib could polarize tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs) to anti-tumor M1 cells and activate T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses.The results suggest that synergetic therapy using oxygen microcapsules and Lenvatinib could alleviate the hypoxic TME and enhance the therapeutic performance of RTKI, demonstrating a promising anti-tumor strategy for enhanced therapy of HCC.
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(30871031)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,China(Y2091033,206464)
文摘Objective To explore the effects of safflower injection on prevention and treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and clarify the function of the endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis pathway during the process.Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly grouped as normal control group,hypoxiahypercapnia group and hypoxia+safflower group.The latter two groups were put in the cabin with oxygen concentration ranged from 9% to 11% and carbon dioxide concentration from 5% to 6%.The pulmonary artery pressure and the index of right ventricular hypertrophy were determined after hypoxia exposure(8 h/d×28 d).Changes in morphology of lung tissue were observed by electron microscopy.To explore the possible mechanisms,we also detected apoptosis and apoptosis-related genes/proteins in lung tissue by TUNEL reactivity and PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the normal control group,pulmonary artery pressure and the index of right ventricular hypertrophy in hypoxia group were 45% and 33.4% higher,respectively.Tiny blood vessel wall of lungs was thickened and edema,and proliferation of collagen fibers was obvious under the electron microscope.TUNEL staining of apoptotic cells in lung tissues showed more high brightness green fluorescence(+～++),but less green fluorescence showed in the pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell layer,and apoptosis index(AI) value was 150% higher;gene and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway were increased.Compared with hypoxia-hypercapnia group,pulmonary artery pressure and the index of right ventricular hypertrophy in the hypoxia+safflower group were 18% and 15.6% lower,respectively;collagen fibers were decreased,and smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells were got apoptotic-like changes under the electron microscope.TUNEL staining of apoptotic cells in lung tissues showed brighter green fluorescence(++～+++);the high brightness green fluorescence showed in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell layer,and apoptotic index(AI) value was 40% higher;gene and protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway were significantly upregulated.Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that safflower injection could activate endoplasmic reticulum stressinduced apoptosis and especially promote apoptosis in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82071312).
文摘AIM:To explore the immune cell infiltration and molecular mechanisms of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(RIRI)to identify potential therapeutic targets.METHODS:In the bulk RNA-seq analysis,This study performed differential gene expression analysis,weighted gene co-expression network analysis,and protein-protein interaction network analysis to identify hub genes.QuanTIseq was used to determine the composition of infiltrating immune cells.Following the identification of hub genes,single-cell RNA-seq analysis was employed to pinpoint the specific immune cell types expressing these hub genes.Cell-cell communication analysis to explore signaling pathways and interactions between immune cells was further performed.Finally,the expression of these key immune regulators in vivo using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was validated.RESULTS:Bulk RNA-seq analysis identified Stat2,Irf7,Irgm1,Igtp,Parp9,Irgm2,Nlrc5,and Tap1 as hub genes,with strong correlations to immune cell infiltration.Single-cell RNA-seq analysis further revealed six immune cell clusters,showing Irf7 predominantly in microglia and Tap1 in dendritic cells(DCs).And cell-cell communication analysis showed that microglia and DCs play central roles in coordinating immune activity.qRT-PCR validated the upregulation of these genes.CONCLUSION:In the acute phase of RIRI,Irf7 and Tap1 may be the potential therapeutic targets to reduce inflammation and promote neurological function recovery.
基金financially sponsored by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,No.ZR2012HQ014a grant from the Science and Technology Plan Program of Universities in Shandong Province,No.J10LF14
文摘Peripheral and central sensitizations are phenomena that occur during migraine. The role of gabapentin, a migraine preventive drug, on central sensitization remains unclear. In this study, a rat model of migraine was established by electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion, and the animals were given intragastric gabapentin. Changes in amino acid content in the cerebrospinal fluid and protein kinase C membrane translocation in the spinal trigeminal nucleus were examined to clarify the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of central sensiti- zation during migraine. Electrophysiology, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and western blot analysis results revealed that gabapentin reduces neuronal excitability in the spinal nucleus in the trigeminal nerve, decreases excitatory amino acid content and inhibits the activation of protein kinase C. This provides evidence that excitatory amino acids and protein kinase C are involved in the formation and maintenance of central sensitization during migraine. Gabapentin inhibits mi- graine by reducing excitatory amino acid content in the cerebrospinal fluid and inhibiting protein kinase C activation.
基金International Clinical Exchange Program of Health Commission of Zhejiang ProvinceNational Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:31900685+3 种基金Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation,Grant/Award Numbers:LTGY24H050004,LTGY23H050003Wenzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau of China,Grant/Award Number:Y2023065School Level Scientific Research Project of Wenzhou Medical University,Grant/Award Numbers:XY2022007,wyx2023101049Medical Innovation Discipline of Zhejiang Province,Grant/Award Number:Y2015。
文摘Background Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system.Silent information regulator sirtuin 1(SIRT1)may deacetylate and suppress forkhead box O(FOXO)activities to promote neuronal survival.FOXO1 is involved in the regulation of metabolism,senescence,stress response,and apoptosis.Moreover,endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)mediates cell apoptosis.Therefore,this study aimed to determine whether the downregulation of SIRT1 expression exacerbates cognitive dysfunction by activating FOXO1 acetylation and promoting ERS-mediated apoptosis in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1(APP/PS1)transgenic mice.MethodsWe used APP/PS1 transgenic mice to construct an in vivo AD model.Additionally,we usedβ-amyloid(Aβ)-incubated HT22 cells and primary neurons(PNs)for in vitro analyses.Cognitive function was assessed using novel object recognition,the Morris water maze,and fear conditioning.Discrepancies between wild-type(WT)and APP/PS1 transgenic mice were evaluated using an unpaired t test.In addition,one-way analysis of variance was conducted for behavioral assessments and other tests involving four distinct groups,followed by a Tukey's honestly significant difference test for post hoc pairwise comparisons.ResultsThe expression of SIRT1 was downregulated(in animal experiments,WT mice vs.APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p=0.002;in cell experiments,HT22 cells vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p=0.001;primary neurons vs.primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p<0.001),whereas FOXO1 acetylation was upregulated both in vivo and in vitro(in animal experiments,WT mice vs.APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p<0.001;in cell experiments,HT22 cells vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p=0.004;primary neurons vs.primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42),n=3,p<0.001),leading to cognitive dysfunction,Aβplaque deposition,and neuronal apoptosis.Quercetin,a SIRT1 agonist,reversed these changes(For SIRT1,APP/PS1 mice vs.Quercetin-treated APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p=0.014;HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.003;primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42)vs.primary neurons+Aβ1−42+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.014.For ac-FOXO1,APP/PS1 mice vs.Quercetin-treated APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p<0.001;HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)vs.HT22 cells+Aβ_(1−42)+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.023;primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42)vs.primary neurons+Aβ_(1−42)+Quercetin,n=3,p=0.003).However,the FOXO1 antagonist AS1842856 invalidated the positive effects of quercetin in APP/PS1 transgenic mice(ac-FOXO1:Quercetin-treated APP/PS1 mice vs.AS1842856-treated APP/PS1 mice,n=3,p<0.001).Quercetin counteracted FOXO1 acetylation and ERS-mediated apoptosis.In contrast,AS1842856 promoted these processes in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that the downregulation of SIRT1 expression exacerbates cognitive dysfunction by activating FOXO1 acetylation and promoting ERS-mediated apoptosis.
