Anti-Inflammatory and Pro-Resolving Actions of the N-Terminal Peptides Ac2-26, Ac2-12, and Ac9-25 of Annexin A1 on Conjunctival Goblet Cell Function

Anxa10 and neuropathic pain: Insights into dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact tethering complex and therapeutic potential

The stability of membrane contact sites is critically dependent on Endoplasmic Reticulum mitochondria contact tethering complexes (EMCTCs), and dysregulation of these sites has been implicated in neuropathic diseases. In this study, we examined the role of Annexin A10 (Anxa10), a calcium-dependent protein, in neuropathic pain by investigating its influence on EMCTCs dysregulation. Using RNA sequencing, western blotting, and behavioral assays, we observed that spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain significantly increased Anxa10 expression levels within the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) of mice. By employing cell-specific gene regulation via the Cre/loxp system, we utilized loxp-modified adeno-associated virus vectors to modulate Anxa10 expression in GAD2-Cre (inhibitory neurons), vGlut2-Cre (excitatory neurons), and Fos-Cre (activity-induced neurons) transgenic mice. Our results demonstrated that specific down-regulation of Anxa10 in excitatory neurons within the SDH alleviated neuropathic pain, whereas up-regulation of Anxa10, regardless of cell type, induced spontaneous pain in mice. Ultrastructural analysis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, as well as double immunofluorescence staining, revealed that downregulation of Anxa10 mitigated the SNI-induced reduction in ER-mitochondrial distance. Additionally, it attenuated the SNI-induced upregulation of key components of EMCTCs, including IP3R, GRP75, and VDAC1, while preventing the SNI-induced downregulation of NCX3 expression. Furthermore, we formulated and validated the hypothesis that SGK1 and PI3K are positioned downstream of Anxa10. The up-regulation of Anxa10 compromised mitochondrial integrity and disrupted mitochondrial networks, ultimately leading to elevated oxidative stress. Collectively, these findings suggest that Anxa10 represents a promising therapeutic target for correcting EMCTCs dysregulation and mitigating neuropathic pain.

Comparison of early changes in tear film protein profiles after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) surgery

BACKGROUND

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) are widely used surgical methods to correct myopia with comparable efficacy, predictability, and safety. We examined and compared the early changes of tear protein profiles after SMILE and FS-LASIK surgery in order to find possible differences in the initial corneal healing process.

METHODS

SMILE operations for 26 eyes were made with Visumax femtosecond laser. In FS-LASIK surgery for 30 eyes, the flaps were made with Ziemer FEMTO LDV Z6 femtosecond laser and stromal ablation with Wavelight EX500 excimer laser. Tear samples were collected preoperatively, and 1.5 h and 1 month postoperatively using glass microcapillary tubes. Tear protein identification and quantification were performed with sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS).

RESULTS

Immediately (1.5 h) after we found differences in 89 proteins after SMILE and in 123 after FS-LASIK operation compared to preoperative protein levels. Of these differentially expressed proteins, 48 proteins were common for both surgery types. There were, however, quantitative differences between SMILE and FS-LASIK. Upregulated proteins were mostly connected to inflammatory response and migration of the cells connected to immune system. One month after the operation protein expressions levels were returned to baseline levels with both surgical methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that immediate changes in protein profiles after SMILE and FS-LASIK surgeries and differences between the methods are connected to inflammatory process, and the protein levels quickly return to the baseline within 1 month. The differences in protein profiles between the methods are probably associated with the different size of the epithelial wound induced.