Matrix metalloproteinase-9 regulates afferent arteriolar remodeling and function in hypertension-induced kidney disease

Applications of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9-Related Nanomedicines in Tumors and Vascular Diseases

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is implicated in tumor progression and vascular diseases, contributing to angiogenesis, metastasis, and extracellular matrix degradation. This review comprehensively examines the relationship between MMP-9 and these pathologies, exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. Specifically, we discuss the contribution of MMP-9 to tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and metastasis, as well as its involvement in a spectrum of vascular diseases, including macrovascular, cerebrovascular, and ocular vascular diseases. This review focuses on recent advances in MMP-9-targeted nanomedicine strategies, highlighting the design and application of responsive nanoparticles for enhanced drug delivery. These nanotherapeutic strategies leverage MMP-9 overexpression to achieve targeted drug release, improved tumor penetration, and reduced systemic toxicity. We explore various nanoparticle platforms, such as liposomes and polymer nanoparticles, and discuss their mechanisms of action, including degradation, drug release, and targeting specificity. Finally, we address the challenges posed by the heterogeneity of MMP-9 expression and their implications for personalized therapies. Ultimately, this review underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of MMP-9-targeted nanomedicines against tumors and vascular diseases.

Gelatin Zymography to Quantify Levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Complex Biological Samples

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases associated with many disease states and aid in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are gelatinases with many physiological functions. These proteases actively participate in many pathological states by cleaving the ECM and degrading other non-ECM substrates, such as tight junction proteins, cytokines and chemokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules. Gelatin substrate zymography uses gelatin copolymerized in SDS-polyacrylamide gels to semi-quantitatively measure the enzymatic activity of gelatinases upon gel incubation in a developing buffer and subsequent gel staining. The study of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity using gelatin substrate zymography is a simple and effective way to quantify MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a variety of samples. Here, we describe a protocol for detecting MMP-2 and MMP-9 using gelatin substrate zymography. We provide representative results using various sample types, including cell culture media, cell protein lysate protein, human and mouse plasma, and mouse brain protein lysate.

Advances in the understanding of the role and mechanism of action of PFKFB3‑mediated glycolysis in liver fibrosis (Review)

Liver fibrosis is a pathophysiologic manifestation of chronic liver disease and a precursor to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Glycolysis provides intermediate metabolites as well as energy support for cell proliferation and phenotypic transformation in liver fibers. 6‑Phosphofructo‑2‑kinase/fructose‑2,6‑bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) is a key activator of glycolysis and plays an important role in the process of glycolysis. The role of PFKFB3‑mediated glycolysis in myocardial fibrosis, renal fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis has been demonstrated, and the role of PFKFB3 in the activation of hepatic stellate cells by aerobic glycolysis has been proven by relevant experiments. The present study reviews the research progress on the role and mechanism of action of PFKFB3‑mediated glycolysis in the progression of hepatic fibrosis to discuss the role of PFKFB3‑mediated glycolysis in hepatic fibrosis and to provide new ideas for research on PFKFB3 as a target for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Matrix metalloproteinases in kidney homeostasis and diseases: an update

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases with important roles in kidney homeostasis and pathology. While capable of collectively degrading each component of the extracellular matrix, MMPs also degrade nonmatrix substrates to regulate inflammation, epithelial plasticity, proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. More recently, intriguing mechanisms that directly alter podocyte biology have been described. There is now irrefutable evidence for MMP dysregulation in many types of kidney disease including acute kidney injury, diabetic and hypertensive nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, and Alport syndrome. This updated review will detail the complex biology of MMPs in kidney disease.

Heterogeneous afferent arteriolopathy: a key concept for understanding blood pressure-dependent renal damage

Hypertension, aging, and other factors are associated with arteriosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis, primary morphological features of nephrosclerosis. Although such pathological changes are not invariably linked with renal decline but are prevalent across chronic kidney disease (CKD), understanding kidney damage progression is more pragmatic than precisely diagnosing nephrosclerosis itself. Hyalinosis and medial thickening of the afferent arteriole, along with intimal thickening of small arteries, can disrupt the autoregulatory system, jeopardizing glomerular perfusion pressure given systemic blood pressure (BP) fluctuations. Consequently, such vascular lesions cause glomerular damage by inducing glomerular hypertension and ischemia at the single nephron level. Thus, the interaction between systemic BP and afferent arteriolopathy markedly influences BP-dependent renal damage progression in nephrosclerosis. Both dilated and narrowed types of afferent arteriolopathy coexist throughout the kidney, with varying proportions among patients. Therefore, optimizing antihypertensive therapy to target either glomerular hypertension or ischemia is imperative. In recent years, clinical trials have indicated that combining renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis) and sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) is superior to using RASis alone in slowing renal function decline, despite comparable reductions in albuminuria. The superior efficacy of SGLT2is may arise from their beneficial effects on both glomerular hypertension and renal ischemia. A comprehensive understanding of the interaction between systemic BP and heterogeneous afferent arteriolopathy is pivotal for optimizing therapy and mitigating renal decline in patients with CKD of any etiology. Therefore, in this comprehensive review, we explore the role of afferent arteriolopathy in BP-dependent renal damage.

Curcumin Prevents Renal Damage of l-NAME Induced Hypertension in by Reducing MMP-2 and MMP-9

In the present study, we investigated whether curcumin administration would interfere with the main renal features of l-NAME-induced hypertension model. For this purpose, we conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate renal indicators of inflammation, oxidative stress, and metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression/activity. Hypertension was induced by l-NAME (70 mg/kg/day), and Wistar rats from both control and hypertensive groups were treated with curcumin (50 or 100 mg/kg/day; gavage) or vehicle for 14 days. Blood and kidneys were collected to determine serum creatinine levels, histological alterations, oxidative stress, MMPs expression and activity, and ED1 expression. l-NAME increased blood pressure, but both doses of curcumin treatment reduced these values. l-NAME treatment increased creatinine levels, glomeruli area, Bowman's space, kidney MMP-2 activity, as well as MMP-9 and ED1 expression, and reduced the number of glomeruli. Curcumin treatment prevented the increase in creatinine levels, MMP-2 activity, and reduced MMP-2, MMP-9, ED1, and superoxide levels, as well as increased superoxide dismutase activity and partially prevented glomeruli alterations. Moreover, curcumin directly inhibited MMP-2 activity in vitro. Thus, our main findings demonstrate that curcumin reduced l-NAME-induced hypertension and renal glomerular alterations, inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression/activity, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory processes, which may indirectly impact hypertension-induced renal outcomes.

TGF-β signaling in health, disease, and therapeutics

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine expressed by almost every tissue and cell type. The signal transduction of TGF-β can stimulate diverse cellular responses and is particularly critical to embryonic development, wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and immune homeostasis in health. The dysfunction of TGF-β can play key roles in many diseases, and numerous targeted therapies have been developed to rectify its pathogenic activity. In the past decades, a large number of studies on TGF-β signaling have been carried out, covering a broad spectrum of topics in health, disease, and therapeutics. Thus, a comprehensive overview of TGF-β signaling is required for a general picture of the studies in this field. In this review, we retrace the research history of TGF-β and introduce the molecular mechanisms regarding its biosynthesis, activation, and signal transduction. We also provide deep insights into the functions of TGF-β signaling in physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes. TGF-β-targeting therapies which have brought fresh hope to the treatment of relevant diseases are highlighted. Through the summary of previous knowledge and recent updates, this review aims to provide a systematic understanding of TGF-β signaling and to attract more attention and interest to this research area.

Antihypertensive effect and mechanism of the traditional recipe of medicine food homology (Buyang Huanwu Decoction) in China: Meta analysis and network pharmacological exploration

Background

Hypertension has become a part of the lives of many people worldwide. With the development, an increasing number of people have begun to control their hypertension through products of medicine food homology, such as Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD). However, there has been no objective review of the regulation of hypertension by BYHWD.

Methods

As of 9 October 2023, this review made a detailed search of nine databases to look for random controlled trials (RCTs) focused on the use of BYHWD for treating hypertension. This was followed by network pharmacological analysis, and molecular docking assessment using AutoDockTools to explore the mode of action.

Results

BYHWD was effective in reducing SBP (MD: 0.767; 95 % CI: 0.629, 0.905; p = 0.000), DBP (MD: 0.427; 95 % CI: 0.292, 0.561; p = 0.000), 24h SBP (MD: 0.665; 95 % CI: 0.368, 0.962; p = 0.000), 24h DBP (MD: 0.547; 95 % CI: 0.318, 0.777; p = 0.000), dSBP (MD: 0.625; 95 % CI: 0.395, 0.855; p = 0.000), dDBP (MD: 0.632; 95 % CI: 0.401, 0.862; p = 0.000), nSBP (MD: 0.859; 95 % CI: 0.340, 1.377; p = 0.001), nDBP (MD: 0.704; 95 % CI: 0.297, 1.112; p = 0.001), pv (MD: 1.311; 95 % CI: 0.363, 2.259; p = 0.007) and NIHSS (MD: 1.149; 95 % CI: 0.100, 2.199; p = 0.032), and elevating CER (OR = 2.848; 95 % CI: 1.388, 5.843; p = 0.004). However, BYHWD did not significantly reduce HCY, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of AE. In terms of the mechanism of action, the main active ingredient of BYHWD is quercetin, and the core targets are AKT1, MMP9, and others. Molecular docking also showed that quercetin mainly interacts with the amino acid residue CYS-28 of MMP2. Second, the KEGG analysis showed that BYHWD mainly act on HIF-1, Apelin, and cGMP-PKG signalling pathways, and GO analysis showed that it related to the apical part of the cell, circulatory system processes, and nuclear receptor activity. Conclusion: BYHWD can lowered blood pressure, reduced plasma viscosity, and restored neurological function with good tolerability, and had no significant effect on HCY levels. This study further demonstrated that quercetin is the main active ingredient of BYHWD that acts via the AKT1 and HIF-1 signalling pathways. These results provide new guidance for people's dietary choices by the general public.

Autoregulatory mission impossible: when afferent arterioles lose contractility

The myogenic response of afferent arterioles is a key autoregulatory mechanism that protects the glomeruli from barotrauma. Afferent arteriolar smooth muscle cells contract to increased intraluminal pressure through mechanosensitive cation channels and interactions between integrin and extracellular matrix that trigger calcium-dependent actomyosin contraction. The study by Feng et al. provides evidence supporting the concept that increased matrix metalloproteinase 9 in kidney microvessels of Dahl salt-sensitive rats interferes with integrin-matrix binding and promotes phenotypic transformation of afferent arterioles, causing loss of myogenic constriction and hypertensive nephropathy.