GNL3L promotes autophagy via regulating AMPK signaling in esophageal cancer cells

Cardioprotective microRNAs (protectomiRs) in a pig model of acute myocardial infarction and cardioprotection by ischaemic conditioning: MiR-450a

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cardioprotective miRNAs (protectomiRs) are promising therapeutic tools. Here, we aimed to identify protectomiRs in a translational porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to validate their cardiocytoprotective effect.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

ProtectomiR candidates were selected after systematic analysis of miRNA expression changes in cardiac tissue samples from a closed-chest AMI model in pigs subjected to sham operation, AMI and ischaemic preconditioning, postconditioning or remote preconditioning, respectively. Cross-species orthologue protectomiR candidates were validated in simulated ischaemia-reperfusion injury (sI/R) model of isolated rat ocardiomyocytes and in human AC16 cells as well. For miR-450a, we performed target prediction and analysed the potential mechanisms of action by GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis.

KEY RESULTS

Out of the 220 detected miRNAs, four were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated due to all three conditionings versus AMI. MiR-450a and miR-451 mimics at 25 nM were protective in rat cardiomyocytes, and miR-450a showed protection in human cardiomyocytes as well. MiR-450a has 3987 predicted mRNA targets in pigs, 4279 in rats and 8328 in humans. Of these, 607 genes are expressed in all three species. A total of 421 common enriched GO terms were identified in all three species, whereas KEGG pathway analysis revealed 13 common pathways.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This is the first demonstration that miR-450a is associated with cardioprotection by ischaemic conditioning in a clinically relevant porcine model and shows cardiocytoprotective effect in human cardiomyocytes, making it a promising drug candidate. The mechanism of action of miR-450a involves multiple cardioprotective pathways.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue Non-coding RNA Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v182.2/issuetoc.

Dysregulation of autophagy in gastric carcinoma: Pathways to tumor progression and resistance to therapy

The considerable death rates and lack of symptoms in early stages of gastric cancer (GC) make it a major health problem worldwide. One of the most prominent risk factors is infection with Helicobacter pylori. Many biological processes, including those linked with cell death, are disrupted in GC. The cellular "self-digestion" mechanism necessary for regular balance maintenance, autophagy, is at the center of this disturbance. Misregulation of autophagy, however, plays a role in the development of GC. In this review, we will examine how autophagy interacts with other cell death processes, such as apoptosis and ferroptosis, and how it affects the progression of GC. In addition to wonderful its role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, it is engaged in GC metastasis. The role of autophagy in GC in promoting drug resistance stands out. There is growing interest in modulating autophagy for GC treatment, with research focusing on natural compounds, small-molecule inhibitors, and nanoparticles. These approaches could lead to breakthroughs in GC therapy, offering new hope in the fight against this challenging disease.

Anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Pimpinella candolleana on ulcerative colitis in rats: a comprehensive study of quality, chemical composition, and molecular mechanisms

Introduction: P. candolleana Wight et Arn. Is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used by the Gelao nationality in southwest China, has been historically applied to treat various gastrointestinal disorders. Despite its traditional usage, scientific evidence elucidating its efficacy and mechanisms in treating ulcerative colitis (UC) remains sparse. This study aimed to determine the quality and chemical composition of Pimpinella candolleana and to identify its potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rats through integrated approaches. Methods: Morphological and microscopic characteristics, thin layer chromatography (TLC) identification, and quantitative analysis of P. candolleana were performed. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology, and molecular docking were used to identify its chemical composition and predict its related targets in UC. Furthermore, a rat model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of P. candolleana on UC. Results: Microscopic identification revealed irregular and radial arrangement of the xylem in P. candolleana, with a light green cross-section and large medullary cells. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis detected and analyzed 570 metabolites, including flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Network pharmacology identified 12 effective components and 176 target genes, with 96 common targets for P. candolleana-UC, including quercetin, luteolin, and nobiletin as key anti-inflammatory components. GO and KEGG revealed the potential involvement of their targets in RELA, JUN, TNF, IKBKB, PTGS2, and CHUK, with action pathways such as PI3K-Akt, TNF, IL-17, and apoptosis. Molecular docking demonstrated strong affinity and binding between these key components (quercetin, luteolin, and nobiletin) and the key targets of the pathway, including JUN and TNF. Treatment with P. candolleana improved body weight loss, the disease activity index, and colonic histological damage in UC rats. Pimpinella candolleana also modulated the levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in UC rats, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, MAPK8, TNF-α, CHUK, and IKBKB mRNA, and decreased the expression of TNF, IKBKB, JUN, and CHUK proteins in the colon of UC rats, thereby reducing inflammation and alleviating UC symptoms. Conclusion: P. candolleana exerts its protective effect on UC by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting inflammation, providing scientific evidence for its traditional use in treating gastrointestinal diseases. This study highlights the potential of P. candolleana as a natural therapeutic agent for UC and contributes to the development of novel medicines for UC treatment.