Nuclear and mitochondrial conversations in cell death: PARP-1 and AIF signaling

METTL3-dependent m6A modification of SNAP29 induces "autophagy-mitochondrial crisis" in the ischemic microenvironment after soft tissue transplantation

Necrosis at the ischemic distal end of flap transplants increases patients' pain and economic burden. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial damage are crucial in regulating parthanatos, but the mechanisms linking disrupted macroautophagic/autophagic flux to parthanatos in ischemic flaps remain unclear. The results of western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and a proteomic analysis revealed that the autophagic protein SNAP29 was deficient in ischemic flaps, resulting in disrupted autophagic flux, increased ROS-induced parthanatos, and aggravated ischemic flap necrosis. The use of AAV vector to restore SNAP29 in vivo mitigated the disruption of autophagic flux and parthanatos. Additionally, quantification of the total m6A level and RIP-qPCR, MeRIP-qPCR, and RNA stability assessments were performed to determine differential Snap29 mRNA m6A methylation levels and mRNA stability in ischemic flaps. Various in vitro and in vivo tests were conducted to verify the ability of METTL3-mediated m6A methylation to promote SNAP29 depletion and disrupt autophagic flux. Finally, we concluded that restoring SNAP29 by inhibiting METTL3 and YTHDF2 reversed the "autophagy-mitochondrial crisis", defined for the first time as disrupted autophagic flux, mitochondrial damage, mitochondrial protein leakage, and the occurrence of parthanatos. The reversal of this crisis ultimately promoted the survival of ischemic flaps.Abbreviations: AAV = adeno-associated virus; ACTA2/α-SMA = actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta; AIFM/AIF = apoptosis-inducing factor, mitochondrion-associated; ALKBH5 = alkB homolog, RNA demythelase; Baf A1 = bafilomycin A1; CQ = chloroquine; DHE = dihydroethidium; ECs = endothelial cells; F-CHP = 5-FAM-conjugated collagen-hybridizing peptide; GO = gene ontology; HUVECs = human umbilical vein endothelial cells; KEGG = Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes; LC-MS/MS = liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; LDBF = laser doppler blood flow; m6A = N6-methyladenosine; MAP1LC3/LC3 = microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MeRIP = methylated RNA immunoprecipitation; METTL3 = methyltransferase 3, N6-adenosine-methyltransferase complex catalytic subunit; NAC = N-acetylcysteine; OGD = oxygen glucose deprivation; PAR = poly (ADP-ribose); PARP1 = poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase family, member 1; PECAM1/CD31 = platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1; ROS = reactive oxygen species; RT-qPCR = reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction; RIP = RNA immunoprecipitation; SNAP29 = synaptosomal-associated protein 29; SNARE = soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor; SQSTM1 = sequestosome 1; SRAMP = sequence-based RNA adenosine methylation site predicting; STX17 = syntaxin 17; TMT = tandem mass tag; TUNEL = terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling; VAMP8 = vesicle-associated membrane protein 8; WTAP = WT1 associating protein; YTHDF2 = YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2; 3' UTR = 3'-untranslated region.

PARP inhibition preserves cone photoreceptors in rd2 retina

The rd2 mouse model, characterized by a mutation in the Prph2 gene, exhibits abnormal development of photoreceptor outer segments, resulting in progressive retinal degeneration. While the correlation between poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activity and the degeneration of rod photoreceptors is established in the rd2 model, the specific mechanism driving cone degeneration in this model remains unclear. Furthermore, it is yet to be determined whether inhibiting PARP activity can effectively impede the degeneration of cone photoreceptors in this context. We demonstrated that PARP inhibitors Olaparib, BMN-673, and 3-aminobenzamide (3AB), effectively reduced photoreceptor cell loss in the rd2 retina. Notably, rd2 retinas exhibited decreased cone density, but treatment with PARP inhibitors significantly protected cone photoreceptors. The PARP inhibitors, particularly BMN-673, demonstrated a significant protective effect as evidenced by increased rhodopsin expression within the outer segment and a concurrent decrease in Müller cell activity indicated by GFAP expression. The treatment also resulted in significant changes for markers of oxidative stress, such as glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Notably, the administration of PARP inhibitors also reduced CD9 expression (extracellular vesicle marker), which were significantly increased within the outer nuclear layer (ONL) in the rd2 retinas. Among PARP inhibitors, BMN-673 demonstrated the highest efficacy in preserving photoreceptors, particularly benefiting cone cells.

Monoterpenes as potential antifungal molecules against Candida cell membranes: in-vitro and in-silico studies

Azoles are the frequently used antifungal drugs that target the enzyme lanosterol 14 α-demethylase (erg11p). This enzyme plays a vital role in ergosterol biosynthesis and hence maintainenance of cell membrane fluidity and integrity. The emergence of resistance to azoles and their fungistatic nature against several fungal pathogens is the major challenge to combat invasive candidiasis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover new antifungals with better efficacy. This study targets erg11 protein using in silico approach and identifies the monoterpene compounds (α-terpineol, carveol, and terpinene-4-ol) based on docking score and ligand interaction analysis. Further dynamic behavior of best-docked compounds with erg11p was analyzed by various parameters of MD simulation. The binding free energy of selected compounds towards the definitive pocket was also calculated. To further investigate the antifungal activity of selected compounds, in vitro studies were conducted on C. albicans. Studies thus suggest that the proposed the mechanism of antifungal action of test compounds involves targeting the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. The compounds were explored for their effect on the disruption of membrane integrity by studying ERG11gene expression analysis, scanning electron microscopy, PI uptake (fluorescence microscopy,) and H+-extrusion. The results suggest that the selected monoterpenes are safer natural antifungals that disrupt membrane integrity by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis and other membrane associated structures.

Proteomic Screening of Early Reperfusion in Acute Ischemic Heart and Insights into Mitochondrial-Associated Cell Damage: Role of RIP3

BACKGROUND

Regulated forms of necrosis-like cell death (e.g., necroptosis) have been shown to contribute to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, pro-inflammatory necroptosis is unlikely to be involved during early reperfusion and little is known about the associated molecular changes. Thus, this study aimed to provide an in-depth protein screening with a particular focus on pro-pyroptotic and mitochondrial damage-related pathways.

METHODS

Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30-minute global ischemia followed by 10-minute reperfusion. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and immunoblotting techniques were used to study the complex cardiac proteome. In addition, calcium-induced mitochondrial swelling and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were examined to assess mitochondrial stress and necrosis phenotype, respectively.

RESULTS

Approximately 160 proteins linked to cell death signaling, cellular metabolism, and post-translational modifications were significantly differentially expressed in I/R hearts compared to controls. Conventional proteins of pyroptosis, either of canonical or non-canonical signaling, were not affected during the short reperfusion. Notably, this type of I/R was associated with increased expression of p25 cleaved form of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1 p25) and mature apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), alongside nitrosative stress and mitochondrial swelling. Conversely, a receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) inhibitor (GSK'872, 250 nM) reversed mitochondrial swelling and plasma membrane rupture and mitigated the increase in the expression of PARP1 p25 and AIF.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows for the first time that necrosis-like injury during early I/R of the isolated heart is associated with mitochondrial events, rather than pro-inflammatory pyroptotic cell death. Furthermore, the inhibition of RIP3 mitigates this injury independent of targeting pro-inflammatory signaling.

The Dual Role of Survival Genes in Neurons and Cancer Cells: a Strategic Clinical Application of DX2 in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer

In cancer cells, survival genes contribute to uncontrolled growth and the survival of malignant cells, leading to tumor progression. Neurons are post-mitotic cells, fully differentiated and non-dividing after neurogenesis and survival genes are essential for cellular longevity and proper functioning of the nervous system. This review explores recent research findings regarding the role of survival genes, particularly DX2, in degenerative neuronal tissue cells and cancer cells. Survival gene DX2, an exon 2-deleted splice variant of AIMP2 (aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multi-functional protein 2), was found to be overexpressed in various cancer types. The potential of DX2 inhibitors as an anti-cancer drug arises from its unique ability to interact with various oncoproteins, such as KRAS and HSP70. Meanwhile, AIMP2 has been reported as a multifunctional cell death-inducing gene, and survival gene DX2 directly and indirectly inhibits AIMP2-induced cell death. DX2 plays multifaceted survival roles in degenerating neurons via various signaling pathways, including PARP 1, TRAF2, and p53 pathways. It is noteworthy that genes that were previously classified as oncogenes, such as AKT and XBP1, are now being considered as curative transgenes for targeting neurodegenerative diseases. A strategic direction for clinical application of survival genes in neurodegenerative disease and in cancer is justified.

Therapeutic potential of monoterpene molecules acts against 7KCh-mediated oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory amyloidogenic signalling pathways

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative disorder characterised by amyloid-beta aggregates activated by the accumulation of lipid molecules and their derivatives, especially 7-ketocholesterol (7KCh), an oxidised lipid that plays a great part in the progression of AD. The current therapeutics need bio-potential molecules and their biomedical application preventing 7KCh-induced cytotoxicity. In this study, bornyl acetate (BA) and menthol (ME), the natural monoterpenes were investigated for their neuroprotective effects against 7KCh-induced SH-SY5Y cells and their effects were compared to the standard drug galantamine (GA). 7KCh-induced changes like lipid accumulation, amyloid generation, free radical generation, acetylcholinesterase levels, calcium accumulation and mitochondrial membrane integrity were analysed in SH-SY5Y cells with or without BA and ME treatment. Furthermore, various mediators involved in the amyloidogenic, inflammatory and apoptotic pathways were studied. In our results, the cells induced with 7KCh upon co-treatment with BA and ME significantly reduced lipid accumulation and amyloid generation through toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 suppression and enhanced ATP binding cassette (ABCA) 1-mediated clearance. Co-treatment with BA and ME concurrently regulated oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcification altered by 7KCh-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, 7KCh-induced cells showed elevated mRNA levels of misfolded protein markers and apoptotic mediators which were significantly downregulated by BA and ME co-treatment. In addition, the protein expression of amyloidogenic, proinflammatory as well as pro-apoptotic markers was decreased by BA and ME co-treatment in 7KCh-induced cells. Overall, BA and ME mediated inhibition of amyloidogenic activation and cell survival against 7KCh-induced inflammation, thereby preventing the onset and progression of AD in comparison to GA.

Microglia-induced neuroinflammation in hippocampal neurogenesis following traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most causes of death and disability among people, leading to a wide range of neurological deficits. The important process of neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which includes the production, maturation and integration of new neurons, is affected by TBI due to microglia activation and the inflammatory response. During brain development, microglia are involved in forming or removing synapses, regulating the number of neurons, and repairing damage. However, in response to injury, activated microglia release a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and other neurotoxic mediators that exacerbate post-TBI injury. These microglia-related changes can negatively affect hippocampal neurogenesis and disrupt learning and memory processes. To date, the intracellular signaling pathways that trigger microglia activation following TBI, as well as the effects of microglia on hippocampal neurogenesis, are poorly understood. In this review article, we discuss the effects of microglia-induced neuroinflammation on hippocampal neurogenesis following TBI, as well as the intracellular signaling pathways of microglia activation.

Unlocking cardioprotection: iPSC exosomes deliver Nec-1 to target PARP1/AIFM1 axis, alleviating HF oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) delivered through exosomes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to address these pathologies in HF.

METHODS

An HF rat model was established, and comprehensive assessments were performed using echocardiography, hemodynamics, and ventricular mass index measurements. iPSCs were used to isolate exosomes, loaded with Nec-1, and characterized for efficient delivery into cardiomyocytes. The interaction between Nec-1-loaded exosomes (Nec-1-Exos), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), and apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria-associated 1 (AIFM1) was explored. Gain-of-function experiments assessed changes in cardiomyocyte parameters, and histological analyses were conducted on myocardial tissues.

RESULTS

Cardiomyocytes successfully internalized Nec-1-loaded exosomes, leading to downregulation of PARP1, inhibition of AIFM1 nuclear translocation, increased ATP and superoxide dismutase levels, reduced reactive oxygen species and malonaldehyde levels, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential. Histological examinations confirmed the modulation of the PARP1/AIFM1 axis by Nec-1, mitigating HF.

CONCLUSIONS

iPSC-derived exosomes carrying Nec-1 attenuate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in HF by targeting the PARP1/AIFM1 axis. This study proposes a promising therapeutic strategy for HF management and highlights the potential of exosome-mediated drug delivery.

Differences between long- and short-wavelength light-induced retinal damage and the role of PARP-1 in retinal injury induced by blue light

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy uses light of different wavelengths to treat various retinal degeneration diseases, but the potential damage to the retina caused by long-term light irradiation is still unclear. This study were designed to detect the difference between long- and short-wavelength light (650-nm red light and 450-nm blue light, 2.55 mW/cm2, reference intensity in PBM)-induced injury. In addition, a comparative study was conducted to investigate the differences in retinal light damage induced by different irradiation protocols (short periods of repeated irradiation and a long period of constant irradiation). Furthermore, the protective role of PARP-1 inhibition on the molecular mechanism of blue light-induced injury was confirmed by a gene knockdown technique or a specific inhibitor through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results showed that the susceptibility to retinal damage caused by irradiation with long- and short-wavelength light is different. Shorter wavelength lights, such as blue light, induce more severe retinal damage, while the retina exhibits better resistance to longer wavelength lights, such as red light. In addition, repeated irradiation for short periods induces less retinal damage than constant exposure over a long period. PARP-1 plays a critical role in the molecular mechanism of blue light-induced damage in photoreceptors and retina, and inhibiting PARP-1 can significantly protect the retina against blue light damage. This study lays an experimental foundation for assessing the safety of phototherapy products and for developing target drugs to protect the retina from light damage.

Mini-review: research and progress of oxeiptosis in diseases

Oxeiptosis is a novel cell death pathway that was introduced in 2018. As a form of regulated cell death, it operates independently of caspases and is induced by ROS. Distinguished from other cell death pathways such as apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, oxeiptosis features unique damage causes pivotal genes, and signaling pathways (KEAP1/PGAM5/AIFM1). Emerging studies indicate that oxeiptosis plays a significant role in the progression of various diseases and its regulation could serve as a promising therapeutic target. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying oxeiptosis remain to be fully elucidated. In this mini-review, we systematically summarize the latest developments in oxeiptosis-related diseases while detailing the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of oxeiptosis. These insights offer a foundation for a deeper understanding of oxeiptosis.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of oroxylin A in cancer therapy: Recent advances

Seeking an effective and safe scheme is the common goal of clinical treatment of tumor patients. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has attracted more and more attention in order to discover new drugs with good anti-tumor effects. Oroxylin A (OA) is a compound found in natural Oroxylum indicum and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi plants and has been used in the treatment of various cancers. Studies have shown that OA has a wide range of powerful biological activities and plays an important role in neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, anti-virus, anti-allergy, anti-tumor and so on. OA shows high efficacy in tumor treatment. Therefore, it has attracted great attention of researchers all over the world. This review aims to discuss the anti-tumor effects of OA from the aspects of cell cycle arrest, induction of cell proliferation and apoptosis, induction of autophagy, anti-inflammation, inhibition of glycolysis, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis and reversal of drug resistance. In addition, the safety and toxicity of the compound were also discussed. As a next step, to clarify the benefits and adverse effects of Oroxylin A in cancer patients further experiments, especially clinical trials, are needed.

Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases-Inhibitor Talazoparib Inhibits Muscle Atrophy and Fatty Infiltration in a Tendon Release Infraspinatus Sheep Model: A Pilot Study

Structural muscle changes, including muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration, follow rotator cuff tendon tear and are associated with a high repair failure rate. Despite extensive research efforts, no pharmacological therapy is available to successfully prevent both muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration after tenotomy of tendomuscular unit without surgical repair. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are identified as a key transcription factors involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. PARP inhibitors have been shown to influence muscle degeneration, including mitochondrial hemostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic activity, and reduced degenerative changes in a knockout mouse model. Tenotomized infraspinatus were assessed for muscle degeneration for 16 weeks using a Swiss Alpine sheep model (n = 6). All sheep received daily oral administration of 0.5 mg Talazoparib. Due to animal ethics, the treatment group was compared with three different controls from prior studies of our institution. To mitigate potential batch heterogeneity, PARP-I was evaluated in comparison with three distinct control groups (n = 6 per control group) using the same protocol without treatment. The control sheep were treated with an identical study protocol without Talazoparib treatment. Muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration were evaluated at 0, 6 and 16 weeks post-tenotomy using DIXON-MRI. The controls and PARP-I showed a significant (control p < 0.001, PARP-I p = 0.01) decrease in muscle volume after 6 weeks. However, significantly less (p = 0.01) atrophy was observed in PARP-I after 6 weeks (control 1: 76.6 ± 8.7%; control 2: 80.3 ± 9.3%, control 3: 73.8 ± 6.7% vs. PARP-I: 90.8 ± 5.1% of the original volume) and 16 weeks (control 1: 75.7 ± 9.9; control 2: 74.2 ± 5.6%; control 3: 75.3 ± 7.4% vs. PARP-I 93.3 ± 10.6% of the original volume). All experimental groups exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.001) augmentation in fatty infiltration following a 16-week period when compared to the initial timepoint. However, the PARP-I showed significantly less fatty infiltration (p < 0.003) compared to all controls (control 1: 55.6 ± 6.7%, control 2: 53.4 ± 9.4%, control 3: 52.0 ± 12.8% vs. PARP-I: 33.5 ± 8.4%). Finally, a significantly (p < 0.04) higher proportion and size of fast myosin heavy chain-II fiber type was observed in the treatment group. This study shows that PARP-inhibition with Talazoparib inhibits the progression of both muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration over 16 weeks in retracted sheep musculotendinous units.

Derivation of a novel antimicrobial peptide from the Red Sea Brine Pools modified to enhance its anticancer activity against U2OS cells

Cancer associated drug resistance is a major cause for cancer aggravation, particularly as conventional therapies have presented limited efficiency, low specificity, resulting in long term deleterious side effects. Peptide based drugs have emerged as potential alternative cancer treatment tools due to their selectivity, ease of design and synthesis, safety profile, and low cost of manufacturing. In this study, we utilized the Red Sea metagenomics database, generated during AUC/KAUST Red Sea microbiome project, to derive a viable anticancer peptide (ACP). We generated a set of peptide hits from our library that shared similar composition to ACPs. A peptide with a homeodomain was selected, modified to improve its anticancer properties, verified to maintain high anticancer properties, and processed for further in-silico prediction of structure and function. The peptide's anticancer properties were then assessed in vitro on osteosarcoma U2OS cells, through cytotoxicity assay (MTT assay), scratch-wound healing assay, apoptosis/necrosis detection assay (Annexin/PI assay), RNA expression analysis of Caspase 3, KI67 and Survivin, and protein expression of PARP1. L929 mouse fibroblasts were also assessed for cytotoxicity treatment. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the peptide was also examined on E coli and S. aureus, as sample representative species of the human bacterial microbiome, by examining viability, disk diffusion, morphological assessment, and hemolytic analysis. We observed a dose dependent cytotoxic response from peptide treatment of U2OS, with a higher tolerance in L929s. Wound closure was debilitated in cells exposed to the peptide, while annexin fluorescent imaging suggested peptide treatment caused apoptosis as a major mode of cell death. Caspase 3 gene expression was not altered, while KI67 and Survivin were both downregulated in peptide treated cells. Additionally, PARP-1 protein analysis showed a decrease in expression with peptide exposure. The peptide exhibited minimal antimicrobial activity on critical human microbiome species E. coli and S. aureus, with a low inhibition rate, maintenance of structural morphology and minimal hemolytic impact. These findings suggest our novel peptide displayed preliminary ACP properties against U2OS cells, through limited specificity, while triggering apoptosis as a primary mode of cell death and while having minimal impact on the microbiological species E. coli and S. aureus.

Bi-directional regulation of AIMP2 and its splice variant on PARP-1-dependent neuronal cell death; Therapeutic implication for Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parthanatos represents a critical molecular aspect of Parkinson's disease, wherein AIMP2 aberrantly activates PARP-1 through direct physical interaction. Although AIMP2 ought to be a therapeutic target for the disease, regrettably, it is deemed undruggable due to its non-enzymatic nature and predominant localization within the tRNA synthetase multi-complex. Instead, AIMP2 possesses an antagonistic splice variant, designated DX2, which counteracts AIMP2-induced apoptosis in the p53 or inflammatory pathway. Consequently, we examined whether DX2 competes with AIMP2 for PARP-1 activation and is therapeutically effective in Parkinson's disease.

METHODS

The binding affinity of AIMP2 and DX2 to PARP-1 was contrasted through immunoprecipitation. The efficacy of DX2 in neuronal cell death was assessed under 6-OHDA and H2O2 in vitro conditions. Additionally, endosomal and exosomal activity of synaptic vesicles was gauged in AIMP2 or DX2 overexpressed hippocampal primary neurons utilizing optical live imaging with VAMP-vGlut1 probes. To ascertain the role of DX2 in vivo, rotenone-induced behavioral alterations were compared between wild-type and DX2 transgenic animals. A DX2-encoding self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV) was intracranially injected into 6-OHDA induced in vivo animal models, and their mobility was examined. Subsequently, the isolated brain tissues were analyzed.

RESULTS

DX2 translocates into the nucleus upon ROS stress more rapidly than AIMP2. The binding affinity of DX2 to PARP-1 appeared to be more robust compared to that of AIMP2, resulting in the inhibition of PARP-1 induced neuronal cell death. DX2 transgenic animals exhibited neuroprotective behavior in rotenone-induced neuronal damage conditions. Following a single intracranial injection of AAV-DX2, both behavior and mobility were consistently ameliorated in neurodegenerative animal models induced by 6-OHDA.

CONCLUSION

AIMP2 and DX2 are proposed to engage in bidirectional regulation of parthanatos. They physically interact with PARP-1. Notably, DX2's cell survival properties manifest exclusively in the context of abnormal AIMP2 accumulation, devoid of any tumorigenic effects. This suggests that DX2 could represent a distinctive therapeutic target for addressing Parkinson's disease in patients.

The emerging role of miRNAs in myocardial infarction: From molecular signatures to therapeutic targets

Globally, myocardial infarction (MI) and other cardiovascular illnesses have long been considered the top killers. Heart failure and mortality are the results of myocardial apoptosis, cardiomyocyte fibrosis, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, all of which are caused by MI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial regulatory function in the progression and advancement of heart disease following an MI. By consolidating the existing data on miRNAs, our aim is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their role in the pathological progression of myocardial injury after MI and to identify potential crucial target pathways. Also included are the primary treatment modalities and their most recent developments. miRNAs have the ability to regulate both normal and pathological activity, including the key signaling pathways. As a result, they may exert medicinal benefits. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the role of miRNAs in MI with a specific emphasis on their impact on the regeneration of cardiomyocytes and other forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, the targets of pro- and anti-MI miRNAs are comparatively elucidated.

Achilles' Heel-The Significance of Maintaining Microenvironmental Homeostasis in the Nucleus Pulposus for Intervertebral Discs

The dysregulation of intracellular and extracellular environments as well as the aberrant expression of ion channels on the cell membrane are intricately linked to a diverse array of degenerative disorders, including intervertebral disc degeneration. This condition is a significant contributor to low back pain, which poses a substantial burden on both personal quality of life and societal economics. Changes in the number and function of ion channels can disrupt the water and ion balance both inside and outside cells, thereby impacting the physiological functions of tissues and organs. Therefore, maintaining ion homeostasis and stable expression of ion channels within the cellular microenvironment may prove beneficial in the treatment of disc degeneration. Aquaporin (AQP), calcium ion channels, and acid-sensitive ion channels (ASIC) play crucial roles in regulating water, calcium ions, and hydrogen ions levels. These channels have significant effects on physiological and pathological processes such as cellular aging, inflammatory response, stromal decomposition, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and accumulation of cell metabolites. Additionally, Piezo 1, transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4), tension response enhancer binding protein (TonEBP), potassium ions, zinc ions, and tungsten all play a role in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration. This review endeavors to elucidate alterations in the microenvironment of the nucleus pulposus during intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), with a view to offer novel insights and approaches for exploring therapeutic interventions against disc degeneration.

The underlying mechanisms of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and its therapeutic intervention using natural compounds

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic drug widely used for the treatment of various solid tumors; however, its clinical use and efficacy are limited by its inherent nephrotoxicity. The pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is complex and has not been fully elucidated. Cellular uptake and transport, DNA damage, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and autophagy are involved in the development of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Currently, despite some deficiencies, hydration regimens remain the major protective measures against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, effective drugs must be explored and developed to prevent and treat cisplatin-induced kidney injury. In recent years, many natural compounds with high efficiency and low toxicity have been identified for the treatment of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, including quercetin, saikosaponin D, berberine, resveratrol, and curcumin. These natural agents have multiple targets, multiple effects, and low drug resistance; therefore, they can be safely used as a supplementary regimen or combination therapy for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. This review aimed to comprehensively describe the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and summarize natural kidney-protecting compounds to provide new ideas for the development of better therapeutic agents.

Secretome profiling of Artemisia absinthium extract-loaded polymeric nanoparticle-treated MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 revealed perturbation in microtubule assembly and cell migration

Introduction

Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) exhibits anticancer properties by inhibiting proliferation and causing cell death in breast cancer. Targeted drug delivery of A. absinthium nanoformulation using N-isopropyl acrylamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and acrylic acid-based polymeric nanoparticles (NVA-AA NPs) was ensured by utilizing features of the tumor microenvironment, although their mechanism of action involved in cytotoxicity remains unknown.

Methods

The present study employed nano LC-MS/MS to identify differences in secretory protein expression associated with the treatment of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7; MDA-MB-231) by NVA-AA NPs for the determination of affected pathways and easily accessible therapeutic targets. Different bioinformatics tools were used to identify signature differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) using survival analysis by GENT2 and correlation analysis between their mRNA expressions and sensitivity toward small-molecule drugs as well as immune cell infiltration by GSCA.

Results

Analysis by GENT2 revealed 22 signature DEPs with the most significant change in their expression regulation, namely, gelsolin, alpha-fetoprotein, complement component C3, C7, histone H2B type 1-K, histone H2A.Z, H2AX, heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1-like, cytochrome c somatic, GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran, tubulin beta chain, tubulin alpha-1B chain, tubulin alpha-1C chain, phosphoglycerate mutase 1, kininogen 1, carboxypeptidase N catalytic chain, fibulin-1, peroxiredoxins 4, lactate dehydrogenase C, SPARC, and SPARC-like protein 1. Correlation analysis between their mRNA expressions versus immune cell infiltrates showed a positive correlation with antitumor immune response elicited by these NPs as well as a correlation with drug response shown by the GDSC and CTRP drugs in different cancer cells.

Discussion

Our results suggest that NVA-AA NPs were able to invade the tumor microenvironment; transformed the communication network between the cancer cells; affected potential drivers of microtubular integrity, nucleosome assembly, and cell cycle; and eventually caused cell death.

miRNAs orchestration of cardiovascular diseases - Particular emphasis on diagnosis, and progression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs; miRs) are small non-coding ribonucleic acids sequences vital in regulating gene expression. They are significant in many biological and pathological processes and are even detectable in various body fluids such as serum, plasma, and urine. Research has demonstrated that the irregularity of miRNA in multiplying cardiac cells is linked to developmental deformities in the heart's structure. It has also shown that miRNAs are crucial in diagnosing and progressing several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The review covers the function of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of CVD. Additionally, the review provides an overview of the potential role of miRNAs as disease-specific diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for human CVD, as well as their biological implications in CVD.

PARP-1: a critical regulator in radioprotection and radiotherapy-mechanisms, challenges, and therapeutic opportunities

Background: Since its discovery, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) has been extensively studied due to its regulatory role in numerous biologically crucial pathways. PARP inhibitors have opened new therapeutic avenues for cancer patients and have gained approval as standalone treatments for certain types of cancer. With continued advancements in the research of PARP inhibitors, we can fully realize their potential as therapeutic targets for various diseases. Purpose: To assess the current understanding of PARP-1 mechanisms in radioprotection and radiotherapy based on the literature. Methods: We searched the PubMed database and summarized information on PARP inhibitors, the interaction of PARP-1 with DNA, and the relationships between PARP-1 and p53/ROS, NF-κB/DNA-PK, and caspase3/AIF, respectively. Results: The enzyme PARP-1 plays a crucial role in repairing DNA damage and modifying proteins. Cells exposed to radiation can experience DNA damage, such as single-, intra-, or inter-strand damage. This damage, associated with replication fork stagnation, triggers DNA repair mechanisms, including those involving PARP-1. The activity of PARP-1 increases 500-fold on DNA binding. Studies on PARP-1-knockdown mice have shown that the protein regulates the response to radiation. A lack of PARP-1 also increases the organism's sensitivity to radiation injury. PARP-1 has been found positively or negatively regulate the expression of specific genes through its modulation of key transcription factors and other molecules, including NF-κB, p53, Caspase 3, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the physiological and pathological roles of PARP-1 and examines the impact of PARP-1 inhibitors under conditions of ionizing radiation exposure. The review also emphasizes the challenges and opportunities for developing PARP-1 inhibitors to improve the clinical outcomes of ionizing radiation damage.

Study on the activation of cell death mechanisms: in search of new therapeutic targets in glioblastoma multiforme

Malignant primary brain tumors remain among the most difficult cancers to treat, in particular, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the deadliest brain tumor. The standard therapies currently used are not efficient enough in improving patients' survival and quality of life. Cisplatin (CDDP), a platinum-based drug, has shown efficacy against different solid neoplasms, but it is also associated to different forms of off-target toxicity. To overcome the limitation in the use of CDDP in the treatment of GBM patients, fourth generation platinum compounds are been synthesized, one of them is the Pt(IV)Ac-POA, a prodrug with a medium-chain fatty acid as axial ligand, which acts as a histone 3 deacetylase inhibitor. Moreover, recently, the antioxidant effects of medicinal mushrooms have been shown to induce a lowering of the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs, inducing greater therapeutic efficiency, thus the combined therapy of chemotherapy and micotherapy could be helpful in the treatment of GBM reducing the adverse effects of the former thanks to phytotherapy's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antitumoral activities. Here, through immunoblotting, ultrastructural and immunofluorescence analysis, we evaluated the contribution in the activation of different cell death pathway of Micotherapy U-Care, a medicinal blend supplement, used together with platinum-based compounds on human glioblastoma U251 cells.

DNA Damage Response in Cancer Therapy and Resistance: Challenges and Opportunities

Resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy is a common event among cancer patients and a reason why new cancer therapies and therapeutic strategies need to be in continuous investigation and development. DNA damage response (DDR) comprises several pathways that eliminate DNA damage to maintain genomic stability and integrity, but different types of cancers are associated with DDR machinery defects. Many improvements have been made in recent years, providing several drugs and therapeutic strategies for cancer patients, including those targeting the DDR pathways. Currently, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors) are the DDR inhibitors (DDRi) approved for several cancers, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. However, PARPi resistance is a growing issue in clinical settings that increases disease relapse and aggravate patients' prognosis. Additionally, resistance to other DDRi is also being found and investigated. The resistance mechanisms to DDRi include reversion mutations, epigenetic modification, stabilization of the replication fork, and increased drug efflux. This review highlights the DDR pathways in cancer therapy, its role in the resistance to conventional treatments, and its exploitation for anticancer treatment. Biomarkers of treatment response, combination strategies with other anticancer agents, resistance mechanisms, and liabilities of treatment with DDR inhibitors are also discussed.

Chelerythrine-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death in HepG2 Cells Involves the Inhibition of Akt Pathway and the Activation of Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway

Chelerythrine (CHE) is a majorly harmful isoquinoline alkaloid ingredient in Chelidonium majus that could trigger potential hepatotoxicity, but the pivotal molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the present study, CHE-induced cytotoxicity and the underlying toxic mechanisms were investigated using human HepG2 cells in vitro. Data showed that CHE treatment (at 1.25–10 μM)-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells is dose-dependent. CHE treatment increased the production of ROS and induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Additionally, CHE treatment triggered the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased the expression of mitochondrial complexes, upregulated the expression of Bax, CytC, and cleaved-PARP1 proteins and the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and downregulated the expression of Bcl-XL, and HO-1 proteins, finally resulting in cell apoptosis. N-acetylcysteine supplementation significantly inhibited CHE-induced ROS production and apoptosis. Furthermore, CHE treatment significantly downregulated the expression of phosphorylation (p)-Akt (Ser473), p-mTOR (Ser2448), and p-AMPK (Thr172) proteins in HepG2 cells. Pharmacology inhibition of Akt promoted CHE-induced the downregulation of HO-1 protein, caspase activation, and apoptosis. In conclusion, CHE-induced cytotoxicity may involve the inhibition of Akt pathway and the activation of oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in HepG2 cells. This study sheds new insights into understanding the toxic mechanisms and health risks of CHE.

PARP-1 Is a Potential Marker of Retinal Photooxidation and a Key Signal Regulator in Retinal Light Injury

Advancements in technology have resulted in increasing concerns over the safety of eye exposure to light illumination, since prolonged exposure to intensive visible light, especially to short-wavelength light in the visible spectrum, can cause photochemical damage to the retina through a photooxidation-triggered cascade reaction. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is the ribozyme responsible for repairing DNA damage. When damage to DNA occurs, including nicks and breaks, PARP-1 is rapidly activated, synthesizing a large amount of PAR and recruiting other nuclear factors to repair the damaged DNA. However, retinal photochemical damage may lead to the overactivation of PARP-1, triggering PARP-dependent cell death, including parthanatos, necroptosis, and autophagy. In this review, we retrieved targeted articles with the keywords such as “PARP-1,” “photoreceptor,” “retinal light damage,” and “photooxidation” from databases and summarized the molecular mechanisms involved in retinal photooxidation, PARP activation, and DNA repair to clarify the key regulatory role of PARP-1 in retinal light injury and to determine whether PARP-1 may be a potential marker in response to retinal photooxidation. The highly sensitive detection of PARP-1 activity may facilitate early evaluation of the effects of light on the retina, which will provide an evidentiary basis for the future assessment of the safety of light illumination from optoelectronic products and medical devices.

Revisiting Regulated Cell Death Responses in Viral Infections

The fate of a viral infection in the host begins with various types of cellular responses, such as abortive, productive, latent, and destructive infections. Apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis are the three major types of regulated cell death mechanisms that play critical roles in viral infection response. Cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, bleb formation, and retained membrane integrity are all signs of osmotic imbalance-driven cytoplasmic swelling and early membrane damage in necroptosis and pyroptosis. Caspase-driven apoptotic cell demise is considered in many circumstances as an anti-inflammatory, and some pathogens hijack the cell death signaling routes to initiate a targeted attack against the host. In this review, the selected mechanisms by which viruses interfere with cell death were discussed in-depth and were illustrated by compiling the general principles and cellular signaling mechanisms of virus–host-specific molecule interactions.

NAMPT-dependent NAD+ salvage is crucial for the decision between apoptotic and necrotic cell death under oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is a state in which the accumulation of reactive oxygen species exceeds the capacity of cellular antioxidant systems. Both apoptosis and necrosis are observed under oxidative stress, and we have reported that these two forms of cell death are induced in H₂O₂-stimulated HeLa cells depending on the concentration of H₂O₂. Weak H₂O₂ stimulation induces apoptosis, while strong H₂O₂ stimulation induces necrosis. However, the detailed mechanisms controlling the switching between these forms of cell death depending on the level of oxidative stress remain elusive. Here, we found that NAD⁺ metabolism is a key factor in determining the form of cell death in H₂O₂-stimulated HeLa cells. Under both weak and strong H₂O₂ stimulation, intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) was depleted to a similar extent by poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase 1 (PARP1)-dependent consumption. However, the intracellular NAD⁺ concentration recovered under weak H₂O₂ stimulation but not under strong H₂O₂ stimulation. NAD⁺ recovery was mediated by nicotinamide (NAM) phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)-dependent synthesis via the NAD⁺ salvage pathway, which was suggested to be impaired only under strong H₂O₂ stimulation. Furthermore, downstream of NAD⁺, the dynamics of the intracellular ATP concentration paralleled those of NAD⁺, and ATP-dependent caspase-9 activation via apoptosome formation was thus impaired under strong H₂O₂ stimulation. Collectively, these findings suggest that NAD⁺ dynamics balanced by PARP1-dependent consumption and NAMPT-dependent production are important to determine the form of cell death activated under oxidative stress.

Translational therapy from preclinical animal models for muscle degeneration after rotator cuff injury

Chronic rotator cuff tears are debilitating diseases which significantly affect patients’ quality of life and pose substantial financial burden to the society. The intraoperative reparability of injured tendon and postoperative probability of tendon retear are highly associated with the quality of torn muscles, specifically, the severity of muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. Animal models that reproduce the characteristic muscle pathology after rotator cuff injury have been developed and used to provide insight into the underlying biology and pathophysiology. In this review, we briefly summarize the current information obtained from preclinical animal studies regarding the degenerative change of cuff muscle subsequent to tendon release and/or suprascapular nerve denervation. Importantly, we focus on the potential translational therapeutic targets or agents for the prevention or reversal of muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. While further studies are warranted to assess the safety and efficacy of novel therapies derived from these preclinical animal research, we believe that their clinical translation for the treatment of rotator cuff disorders is on the horizon.

The Translational potential of this article

Novel therapeutic strategies described in this review from preclinical animal studies hold a great translational potential for preventing or reversing rotator cuff muscle pathology, while further assessments on their safety and efficacy are warranted.

Ubiquitinated AIF is a major mediator of hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation

BACKGROUND

Excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is the main cause of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH), and mitochondrial homeostasis plays a crucial role. However, the specific molecular regulatory mechanism of mitochondrial function in PASMCs remains unclear.

METHODS

In this study, using the CCK8 assay, EdU incorporation, flow cytometry, Western blotting, co-IP, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, Seahorse extracellular flux analysis and echocardiography, we investigated the specific involvement of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a mitochondrial oxidoreductase in regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitophagy in PASMCs.

RESULTS

In vitro, AIF deficiency in hypoxia leads to impaired oxidative phosphorylation and increased glycolysis and ROS release because of the loss of mitochondrial complex I activity. AIF was also downregulated and ubiquitinated under hypoxia leading to the abnormal occurrence of mitophagy and autophagy through its interaction with ubiquitin protein UBA52. In vivo, treatment with the adeno-associated virus vector to overexpress AIF protected pulmonary vascular remodeling from dysfunctional and abnormal proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results identify AIF as a potential therapeutic target for PH and reveal a novel posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism in hypoxia-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Antibiofilm Activities of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Against Candida albicans

Biofilms are microbial colonies that are encased in an organic polymeric matrix and are resistant to antimicrobial treatments. Biofilms can adhere to both biotic and abiotic surfaces, allowing them to colonize medical equipment such as urinary and intravenous catheters, mechanical heart valves, endotracheal tubes, and prosthetic joints. Candida albicans biofilm is the major etiological cause of the pathogenesis of candidiasis in which its unobstructed growth occurs in the oral cavity; trachea, and catheters that progress to systemic infections in the worst scenarios. There is an urgent need to discover novel biofilm preventive and curative agents. In the present investigation, an effort is made to observe the role of cyanobacteria-derived AgNPs as a new antibiofilm agent with special reference to candidiasis. AgNPs synthesized through the green route using Anabaena variabilis cell extract were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape with 11-15 nm size and were monodispersed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs was obtained at 12.5 μg/mL against C. albicans. AgNPs 25 μg/mL showed 79% fungal cell membrane permeability and 22.2% ROS production. AgNPs (25 μg/mL) also facilitated 62.5% of biofilm inhibition and degradation. Therefore, AgNPs could be considered as a promising antifungal agent to control biofilm produced by C. albicans.

Sirtuin Family and Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is gradually attacking the health and life of people all over the world. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most common chronic microvascular complications of DM, whose mechanism is complex and still lacks research. Sirtuin family is a class III histone deacetylase with highly conserved NAD⁺ binding domain and catalytic functional domain, while different N-terminal and C-terminal structures enable them to bind different deacetylated substrates to participate in the cellular NAD⁺ metabolism. The kidney is an organ rich in NAD⁺ and database exploration of literature shows that the Sirtuin family has different expression localization in renal, cellular, and subcellular structures. With the progress of modern technology, a variety of animal models and reagents for the Sirtuin family and DKD emerged. Machine learning in the literature shows that the Sirtuin family can regulate pathophysiological injury mainly in the glomerular filtration membrane, renal tubular absorption, and immune inflammation through various mechanisms such as epigenetics, multiple signaling pathways, and mitochondrial function. These mechanisms are the key nodes participating in DKD. Thus, it is of great significance for target therapy to study biological functions of the Sirtuin family and DKD regulation mechanism in-depth.

Sustained Energy Deficit Following Perinatal Asphyxia: A Shift towards the Fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (TIGAR)-Dependent Pentose Phosphate Pathway and Postnatal Development

Labor and delivery entail a complex and sequential metabolic and physiologic cascade, culminating in most circumstances in successful childbirth, although delivery can be a risky episode if oxygen supply is interrupted, resulting in perinatal asphyxia (PA). PA causes an energy failure, leading to cell dysfunction and death if re-oxygenation is not promptly restored. PA is associated with long-term effects, challenging the ability of the brain to cope with stressors occurring along with life. We review here relevant targets responsible for metabolic cascades linked to neurodevelopmental impairments, that we have identified with a model of global PA in rats. Severe PA induces a sustained effect on redox homeostasis, increasing oxidative stress, decreasing metabolic and tissue antioxidant capacity in vulnerable brain regions, which remains weeks after the insult. Catalase activity is decreased in mesencephalon and hippocampus from PA-exposed (AS), compared to control neonates (CS), in parallel with increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, associated with decreased glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity, a shift towards the TIGAR-dependent pentose phosphate pathway, and delayed calpain-dependent cell death. The brain damage continues long after the re-oxygenation period, extending for weeks after PA, affecting neurons and glial cells, including myelination in grey and white matter. The resulting vulnerability was investigated with organotypic cultures built from AS and CS rat newborns, showing that substantia nigra TH-dopamine-positive cells from AS were more vulnerable to 1 mM of H2O2 than those from CS animals. Several therapeutic strategies are discussed, including hypothermia; N-acetylcysteine; memantine; nicotinamide, and intranasally administered mesenchymal stem cell secretomes, promising clinical translation.

Natural products: potential treatments for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Cisplatin is a clinically advanced and highly effective anticancer drug used in the treatment of a wide variety of malignancies, such as head and neck, lung, testis, ovary, breast cancer, etc. However, it has only a limited use in clinical practice due to its severe adverse effects, particularly nephrotoxicity; 20%–35% of patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI) after cisplatin administration. The nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin is cumulative and dose dependent and often necessitates dose reduction or withdrawal. Recurrent episodes of AKI result in impaired renal tubular function and acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, uremia, and hypertensive nephropathy. The pathophysiology of cisplatin-induced AKI involves proximal tubular injury, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular injury in the kidneys. At present, there are no effective drugs or methods for cisplatin-induced kidney injury. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies show that numerous natural products (flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, polysaccharide, phenylpropanoids, etc.) have specific antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties that regulate the pathways associated with cisplatin-induced kidney damage. In this review we describe the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and summarize recent findings in the field of natural products that undermine these mechanisms to protect against cisplatin-induced kidney damage and provide potential strategies for AKI treatment.

miR-638 suppresses proliferation by negatively regulating high mobility group A1 in ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecological diseases with high mortality rates. Previous studies have shown that microRNA (miR)-638 is associated with tumorigenesis. The present study aimed to assess the role and underlying mechanisms of miR-638 in ovarian cancer. miR-638 expression was detected in ovarian cancer tissues and miR-638 was overexpressed or knocked down in ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 and Caov-3 cells. The clinical results revealed that miR-638 expression was downregulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with in adjacent normal tissues. miR-638 expression was also found to be relatively low in OVCAR-3 cells whilst being relatively high in Caov-3 cells among the five ovarian cancer cell lines tested. miR-638 overexpression inhibited cell viability, arrested the cell cycle at the G₁ phase and promoted apoptosis in OVCAR-3 cells. By contrast, miR-638 knockdown increased Caov-3 cell viability, facilitated cell cycle progression and inhibited apoptosis. miR-638 reduced the expression of high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region. HMGA1 overexpression reversed the inhibition of proliferation induced by miR-638 overexpression in OVCAR-3 cells. These results suggest that miR-638 may serve to be a suppressor of ovarian cancer by regulating HMGA1, which may provide a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

In Vitro Studies on Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol in Neural Cells: Neurons, Glia, and Neural Stem Cells

(‒)-Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the major phytocannabinoids extracted from the Cannabis genus. Its non-psychoactiveness and therapeutic potential, partly along with some anecdotal—if not scientific or clinical—evidence on the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases, have led researchers to investigate the biochemical actions of CBD on neural cells. This review summarizes the previously reported mechanistic studies of the CBD actions on primary neural cells at the in vitro cell-culture level. The neural cells are classified into neurons, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neural stem cells, and the CBD effects on each cell type are described. After brief introduction on CBD and in vitro studies of CBD actions on neural cells, the neuroprotective capability of CBD on primary neurons with the suggested operating actions is discussed, followed by the reported CBD actions on glia and the CBD-induced regeneration from neural stem cells. A summary section gives a general overview of the biochemical actions of CBD on neural cells, with a future perspective. This review will provide a basic and fundamental, but crucial, insight on the mechanistic understanding of CBD actions on neural cells in the brain, at the molecular level, and the therapeutic potential of CBD in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases, although to date, there seem to have been relatively limited research activities and reports on the cell culture-level, in vitro studies of CBD effects on primary neural cells.

Apoptosis Deregulation and the Development of Cancer Multi-Drug Resistance

Simple Summary

Despite recent therapeutic advances against cancer, many patients do not respond well or respond poorly, to treatment and develop resistance to more than one anti-cancer drug, a term called multi-drug resistance (MDR). One of the main factors that contribute to MDR is the deregulation of apoptosis or programmed cell death. Herein, we describe the major apoptotic pathways and discuss how pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins are modified in cancer cells to convey drug resistance. We also focus on our current understanding related to the interactions between survival and cell death pathways, as well as on mechanisms underlying the balance shift towards cancer cell growth and drug resistance. Moreover, we highlight the role of the tumor microenvironment components in blocking apoptosis in MDR tumors, and we discuss the significance and potential exploitation of epigenetic modifications for cancer treatment. Finally, we summarize the current and future therapeutic approaches for overcoming MDR.

Abstract

The ability of tumor cells to evade apoptosis is established as one of the hallmarks of cancer. The deregulation of apoptotic pathways conveys a survival advantage enabling cancer cells to develop multi-drug resistance (MDR), a complex tumor phenotype referring to concurrent resistance toward agents with different function and/or structure. Proteins implicated in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, including the Bcl-2 superfamily and Inhibitors of Apoptosis (IAP) family members, as well as their regulator, tumor suppressor p53, have been implicated in the development of MDR in many cancer types. The PI₃K/AKT pathway is pivotal in promoting survival and proliferation and is often overactive in MDR tumors. In addition, the tumor microenvironment, particularly factors secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts, can inhibit apoptosis in cancer cells and reduce the effectiveness of different anti-cancer drugs. In this review, we describe the main alterations that occur in apoptosis-and related pathways to promote MDR. We also summarize the main therapeutic approaches against resistant tumors, including agents targeting Bcl-2 family members, small molecule inhibitors against IAPs or AKT and agents of natural origin that may be used as monotherapy or in combination with conventional therapeutics. Finally, we highlight the potential of therapeutic exploitation of epigenetic modifications to reverse the MDR phenotype.

Upregulation of hemeoxygenase enzymes HO-1 and HO-2 following ischemia-reperfusion injury in connection with experimental cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Neuroprotective effects of methylene blue

Oxidative stress plays an important role in neuronal injuries after cardiac arrest. Increased production of carbon monoxide (CO) by the enzyme hemeoxygenase (HO) in the brain is induced by the oxidative stress. HO is present in the CNS in two isoforms, namely the inducible HO-1 and the constitutive HO-2. Elevated levels of serum HO-1 occurs in cardiac arrest patients and upregulation of HO-1 in cardiac arrest is seen in the neurons. However, the role of HO-2 in cardiac arrest is not well known. In this review involvement of HO-1 and HO-2 enzymes in the porcine brain following cardiac arrest and resuscitation is discussed based on our own observations. In addition, neuroprotective role of methylene blue- an antioxidant dye on alterations in HO under in cardiac arrest is also presented. The biochemical findings of HO-1 and HO-2 enzymes using ELISA were further confirmed by immunocytochemical approach to localize selective regional alterations in cardiac arrest. Our observations are the first to show that cardiac arrest followed by successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation results in significant alteration in cerebral concentrations of HO-1 and HO-2 levels indicating a prominent role of CO in brain pathology and methylene blue during CPR followed by induced hypothermia leading to superior neuroprotection after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), not reported earlier.

Interleukin-15 modulates the response of cortical neurons to ischemia

OBJECTIVE

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Current acute stroke therapy consists of clot-dissolving drugs, catheter-based interventions and physical rehabilitation. To date, there are no therapies that directly enhance neuronal survival after a stroke. Previous work from our lab demonstrated that Interleukin-15 (IL-15) peptide could rescue cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia. We sought to extend these findings to cortical neurons since IL-15 has been implicated to have an important role in neuronal homeostasis.

METHODS

We have evaluated the effect of IL-15 peptide on primary cortical neurons derived from embryonic rats in vitro under conditions of anoxia and glucose deprivation, and in vivo following middle cerebral artery occlusion.

RESULTS

IL-15 administration rescued neuronal cells subjected to anoxia coupled with glucose deprivation (AGD), as well as with reoxygenation. A hallmark of stroke is the ischemic microenvironment and associated oxidative stress, which results in DNA damage and ER stress, both of which contribute to neuronal cell damage and death. The expression of anoxia, ER stress, and DNA damage factors/markers was evaluated via western blot and correlated with the cellular survival effects of IL-15 in vitro. In addition, IL-15 effect of alleviating ER stress and increasing cell survival was also observed in vivo.

INTERPRETATION

Our data indicate, for the first time, that administration of the pleiotropic factor IL-15 reduces neuronal cell death during AGD, which correlates with modulation of multiple cellular stress pathways.

A Human Endogenous Bornavirus-Like Nucleoprotein Encodes a Mitochondrial Protein Associated with Cell Viability

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are sequences in animal genomes that originated from ancient retrovirus infections; they provide genetic novelty in hosts by being coopted as functional genes or elements during evolution. Recently, we demonstrated that endogenous elements from not only from retroviruses but also nonretroviral RNA viruses are a possible source of functional genes in host animals. The remnants of ancient bornavirus infections, called endogenous bornavirus-like elements (EBLs), are present in the genomes of a wide variety of vertebrate species, and some express functional products in host cells. Previous studies have predicted that the human EBL locus derived from bornavirus nucleoprotein, termed hsEBLN-2, expresses mRNA encoding a protein, suggesting that hsEBLN-2 has acquired a cellular function during evolution. However, the detailed function of the hsEBLN-2-derived product remains to be elucidated. In this study, we show that the hsEBLN-2-derived protein E2 acts as a mitochondrial protein that interacts with mitochondrial host factors associated with apoptosis, such as HAX-1. We also demonstrate that knockdown of hsEBLN-2-derived RNA increased the levels of PARP and caspase-3 cleavage and markedly decreased cell viability. In contrast, overexpression of E2 enhanced cell viability, as well as the intracellular stability of HAX-1, under stress conditions. Our results suggest that hsEBLN-2 has been coopted as a host gene, the product of which is involved in cell viability by interacting with mitochondrial proteins. IMPORTANCE Our genomes contain molecular fossils of ancient viruses, called endogenous virus elements (EVEs). Mounting evidence suggests that EVEs derived from nonretroviral RNA viruses have acquired functions in host cells during evolution. Previous studies have revealed that a locus encoding a bornavirus-derived EVE, hsEBLN-2, which was generated approximately 43 million years ago in a human ancestor, may be linked to the development of some tumors. However, the function of hsEBLN-2 has not been determined. In this study, we found that the E2 protein, an expression product of hsEBLN-2, interacts with apoptosis-related host proteins as a mitochondrial protein and affects cell viability. This study suggests that nonretroviral RNA viral EVEs have been coopted by hosts with more diverse functions than previously thought, showing a pivotal role for RNA virus infection in evolution.

Aquaporin 4 and brain-related disorders: Insights into its apoptosis roles

Brain-related disorders are leading global health problems. Various internal and external factors are involved in the progression of brain-related disorders. Inflammatory pathways, oxidative stresses, apoptosis, and deregulations of various channels are critical players in brain-related disorder pathogenesis. Among these players, aquaporins (AQP) have critical roles in various physiological and pathological conditions. AQPs are water channel molecules that permit water to cross the hydrophobic lipid bilayers of cellular membranes. AQP4 is one of the important members of AQP family. AQPs are involved in controlling apoptosis pathways in brain-related disorders. In this regard, several reports have evaluated the pathological effects of AQP4 by targeting the apoptosis-related processes in brain-related disorders. Here, for the first time, we highlight the impact of AQP4 on apoptosis-related processes in brain-related disorders.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Pristimerin in Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances

Seeking an efficient and safe approach to eliminate tumors is a common goal of medical fields. Over these years, traditional Chinese medicine has attracted growing attention in cancer treatment due to its long history. Pristimerin is a naturally occurring quinone methide triterpenoid used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various cancers. Recent studies have identified alterations in cellular events and molecular signaling targets of cancer cells under pristimerin treatment. Pristimerin induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy to exhibit anti-proliferation effects against tumors. Pristimerin also inhibits the invasion, migration, and metastasis of tumor cells via affecting cell adhesion, cytoskeleton, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, and angiogenesis. Molecular factors and pathways are associated with the anti-cancer activities of pristimerin. Furthermore, pristimerin reverses multidrug resistance of cancer cells and exerts synergizing effects with other chemotherapeutic drugs. This review aims to discuss the anti-cancer potentials of pristimerin, emphasizing multi-targeted biological and molecular regulations in cancers. Further investigations and clinical trials are warranted to understand the advantages and disadvantages of pristimerin treatment much better.

PARP overactivation in neurological disorders

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) constitute a family of enzymes associated with divergent cellular processes that are not limited to DNA repair, chromatin organization, genome integrity, and apoptosis but also found to play a crucial role in inflammation. PARPs mediate poly (ADP-ribosylation) of DNA binding proteins that is often responsible for chromatin remodeling thereby ensure effective repairing of DNA stand breaks although during the conditions of severe genotoxic stress PARPs direct the cell fate towards apoptotic events. Recent discoveries have pushed PARPs into the spotlight as targets for treating cancer, metabolic, inflammatory and neurological disorders. Of note, PARP-1 is the most abundant isoform of PARPs (18 member super family) which executes more than 90% of PARPs functions. Since oxidative/nitrosative stress actuated PARP-1 is linked to vigorous DNA damage and wide spread provocative inflammatory response that underlie the aetiopathogenesis of different neurological disorders, possibility of developing PARP-1 inhibitors as plausible neurotherapeutic agents attracts considerable research interest. This review outlines the recent advances in PARP-1 biology and examines the capability of PARP-1 inhibitors as treatment modalities in intense and interminable diseases of neuronal origin.

Engineering Exosome-Like Nanovesicles Derived from Asparagus cochinchinensis Can Inhibit the Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells with Better Safety Profile

BACKGROUND

Exosomes are a type of membrane vesicles secreted by living cells. Recent studies suggest exosome-like nanovesicles (ELNVs) from fruits and vegetables are involved in tissue renewal process and functional regulation against inflammatory diseases or cancers. However, there are few reports on ELNVs derived from medicinal plants.

METHODS

ELNVs derived from Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. (ACNVs) were isolated and characterized. Cytotoxicity, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing capacity of ACNVs against hepatoma carcinoma cell were assessed. The endocytosis mechanism of ACNVs was evaluated on Hep G2 cells in the presence of different endocytosis inhibitors. In vivo distribution of ACNVs was detected in healthy and tumor-bearing mice after scavenger receptors (SRs) blockade. PEG engineering of ACNVs was achieved through optimizing the pharmacokinetic profiles. In vivo antitumor activity and toxicity were evaluated in Hep G2 cell xenograft model.

RESULTS

ACNVs were isolated and purified using a differential centrifugation method accompanied by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The optimized ACNVs had an average size of about 119 nm and showed a typical cup-shaped nanostructure containing lipids, proteins, and RNAs. ACNVs were found to possess specific antitumor cell proliferation activity associated with an apoptosis-inducing pathway. ACNVs could be internalized into tumor cells mainly via phagocytosis, but they were quickly cleared once entering the blood. Blocking the SRs or PEGylation decoration prolonged the blood circulation time and increased the accumulation of ACNVs in tumor sites. In vivo antitumor results showed that PEGylated ACNVs could significantly inhibit tumor growth without side effects.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a promising functional nano platform derived from edible Asparagus cochinchinensis that can be used in antitumor therapy with negligible side effects.

The Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin in Parkinson's Disease: Insights into its Molecular and Cellular Regulation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). PD is a multifactorial disorder, with several different factors being suggested to play a synergistic pathophysiological role, including oxidative stress, autophagy, underlying pro-inflammatory events and neurotransmitters abnormalities. Overall, PD can be viewed as the product of a complex interaction of environmental factors acting on a given genetic background. The importance of this subject has gained more attention to discover novel therapies to prevent as well as treat PD. According to previous research, drugs used to treat PD have indicated significant limitations. Therefore, the role of flavonoids has been extensively studied in PD treatment. Quercetin, a plant flavonol from the flavonoid group, has been considered as a supplemental therapy for PD. Quercetin has pharmacological functions in PD by controlling different molecular pathways. Although few studies intended to evaluate the basis for the use of quercetin in the context of PD have been conducted so far, at present, there is very little evidence available addressing the underlying mechanisms of action. Various principal aspects of these treatment procedures remain unknown. Here, currently existing knowledge supporting the use of quercetin for the clinical management of PD has been reviewed.

Current practices on genetic testing in ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is probably the tumor type with the highest percentage of hereditary cases observed, irrespectively of selection criteria. A fourth to a fifth of unselected epithelial EOC patients carry pathogenic variants (PVs) in a number of genes, the majority of which encode for proteins involved in DNA repair pathways. BRCA1 and BRCA2 predisposing PVs were the first to be associated to ovarian cancer, with the advent in DNA sequencing technologies leading to the discovery and association of additional genes which compromise the homologous recombination (HR) pathway. In addition, PVs genes involved in mismatch repair (MMR) pathway, account for 10–15% of hereditary EOC. The identification of women with HR deficient ovarian cancers has significant clinical implications concerning chemotherapy regimen planning and development and use of targeted therapies as well. More specifically, in patients with BRCA1/2 PVs or HR deficiency maintenance treatment with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, either in the first line setting or in recurrent disease, improves the progression-free survival. But also patients with HR proficient tumors show a benefit. Therefore, genetic testing in ovarian cancer has a prognostic and predictive value. In this review, we discuss which ovarian cancer patients should be referred for genetic counseling and how to perform genetic testing. We also discuss the timing of genetic testing and its clinical relevance to BRCA status.

Parvalbumin interneuron vulnerability and brain disorders

Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs) are highly vulnerable to stressors and have been implicated in many neuro-psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder. We examined the literature about the current knowledge of the physiological properties of PV-INs and gathered results from diverse research areas to provide insight into their vulnerability to stressors. Among the factors that confer heightened vulnerability are the substantial energy requirements, a strong excitatory drive, and a unique developmental trajectory. Understanding these stressors and elaborating on their impact on PV-IN health is a step toward developing therapies to protect these neurons in various disease states and to retain critical brain functions.

Role of apoptosis-inducing factor in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Perinatal complications, such as asphyxia, can cause brain injuries that are often associated with subsequent neurological deficits, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation. The mechanisms of perinatal brain injury are not fully understood, but mitochondria play a prominent role not only due to their central function in metabolism but also because many proteins with apoptosis-related functions are located in the mitochondrion. Among these proteins, apoptosis-inducing factor has already been shown to be an important factor involved in neuronal cell death upon hypoxia-ischemia, but a better understanding of the mechanisms behind these processes is required for the development of more effective treatments during the early stages of perinatal brain injury. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, specifically on the importance of apoptosis-inducing factor. The relevance of apoptosis-inducing factor is based not only because it participates in the caspase-independent apoptotic pathway but also because it plays a crucial role in mitochondrial energetic functionality, especially with regard to the maintenance of electron transport during oxidative phosphorylation and in oxidative stress, acting as a free radical scavenger. We also discuss all the different apoptosis-inducing factor isoforms discovered, focusing especially on apoptosis-inducing factor 2, which is only expressed in the brain and the functions of which are starting now to be clarified. Finally, we summarized the interaction of apoptosis-inducing factor with several proteins that are crucial for both apoptosis-inducing factor functions (pro-survival and pro-apoptotic) and that are highly important in order to develop promising therapeutic targets for improving outcomes after perinatal brain injury.

Enhanced Malignant Phenotypes of Glioblastoma Cells Surviving NPe6-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy are Regulated via ERK1/2 Activation

To manage refractory and invasive glioblastomas (GBM)s, photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium (NPe6) (NPe6-PDT) was recently approved in clinical practice. However, the molecular machineries regulating resistance against NPe6-PDT in GBMs and mechanisms underlying the changes in GBM phenotypes following NPe6-PDT remain unknown. Herein, we established an in vitro NPe6-mediated PDT model using human GBM cell lines. NPe6-PDT induced GBM cell death in a NPe6 dose-dependent manner. However, this NPe6-PDT-induced GBM cell death was not completely blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor, suggesting NPe6-PDT induces both caspase-dependent and -independent cell death. Moreover, treatment with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor blocked NPe6-PDT-triggered caspase-independent GBM cell death. Next, it was also revealed resistance to re-NPe6-PDT of GBM cells and GBM stem cells survived following NPe6-PDT (NPe6-PDT-R cells), as well as migration and invasion of NPe6-PDT-R cells were enhanced. Immunoblotting of NPe6-PDT-R cells to assess the behavior of the proteins that are known to be stress-induced revealed that only ERK1/2 activation exhibited the same trend as migration. Importantly, treatment with the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib reversed resistance against re-NPe6-PDT and suppressed the enhanced migration and invasion of NPe6-PDT-R cells. Overall, enhanced ERK1/2 activation is suggested as a key regulator of elevated malignant phenotypes of GBM cells surviving NPe6-PDT and is therefore considered as a potential therapeutic target against GBM.

Sevoflurane Exposure Induces Neuronal Cell Parthanatos Initiated by DNA Damage in the Developing Brain via an Increase of Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species

The safety of volatile anesthetics in infants and young children has been drawing increasing concern due to its potential neurotoxicity in the developing brain. Neuronal death is considered a major factor associated with developmental neurotoxicity after exposure to volatile anesthetics sevoflurane, but its mechanism remains elusive. Parthanatos, a new type of programmed cell death, resulting from poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) hyperactivation in response to DNA damage, was found to account for the pathogenesis of multiple neurological disorders. However, the role of Parthanatos in sevoflurane-induced neonatal neuronal cell death has not been investigated. To test it, neuronal cells treated with 2, 4, and 8% sevoflurane for 6, 12, and 24 h and postnatal day 7 rats exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane for 6 h were used in the present study. Our results found sevoflurane exposure induced neuronal cell death, which was accompanied by PARP-1 hyperactivation, cytoplasmic polymerized ADP-ribose (PAR) accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) nuclear translocation in the neuronal cells and hippocampi of rats. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of PAPR-1 significantly alleviated sevoflurane-induced neuronal cell death and accumulation of PAR polymer and AIF nuclear translocation, which were consistent with the features of Parthanatos. We observed in vitro and in vivo that sevoflurane exposure resulted in DNA damage, given that 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and phosphorylation of histone variant H2AX (γH2AX) were improved. Moreover, we detected that sevoflurane exposure was associated with an overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Inhibition of ROS with antioxidant NAC markedly alleviated DNA damage caused by sevoflurane, indicating that ROS participated in the regulation of sevoflurane-induced DNA damage. Additionally, sevoflurane exposure resulted in upregulation of Parthanatos-related proteins and neuronal cell death, which were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with NAC. Therefore, these results suggest that sevoflurane exposure induces neuronal cell Parthanatos initiated by DNA damage in the developing brain via the increase of intracellular ROS.

Chaetomugilin J Enhances Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer A2780 Cells Induced by Cisplatin Through Inhibiting Pink1/Parkin Mediated Mitophagy

Purpose

The chemoresistance and toxicity of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs have become obstacles to their antitumor effects in ovarian cancers. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop new anticancer drugs to increase target sensitivity and reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. As key organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria play important role in chemoresistance. Cells become resistant to drugs by maintaining the homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Chaetomugilin J, a metabolite isolated from Polygonatum sibiricum, belongs to the Chaetomium family and exhibits potent cytotoxicity. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanistic link between apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by chaetomugilin J combined with cisplatin in the ovarian cancer cell line A2780.

Methods

Chaetomugilin J was identified by chemical methods. Cell viability was measured by an MTT assay. The apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial ROS was measured by a fluorescence microscope with MitoSox staining. Further, the related proteins and overexpression of parkin were detected by Western blot.

Results

Chaetomugilin J combined with low-dose cisplatin decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in A2780 cells. In addition, intracellular ROS and mitochondrial ROS were increased, while the mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced. The expressions of grp78 and chop were decreased after treatment by chaetomugilin J combined with low-dose cisplatin. Overexpression of parkin attenuated chaetomugilin J combined with cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Conclusion

Chaetomugilin J combined with cisplatin inhibited pink1/parkin mediated mitophagy increased mitochondrial dysfunction in the A2780 cells and enhanced apoptosis induced by cisplatin in the ovarian cancer cell line A2780. But this process was not related to endoplasmic reticulum apoptotic pathway.

Revisiting Traumatic Brain Injury: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Interventions

Studying the complex molecular mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is crucial for developing new therapies for TBI. Current treatments for TBI are primarily focused on patient stabilization and symptom mitigation. However, the field lacks defined therapies to prevent cell death, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cascades which lead to chronic pathology. Little can be done to treat the mechanical damage that occurs during the primary insult of a TBI; however, secondary injury mechanisms, such as inflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, edema formation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cell death, can be targeted by therapeutic interventions. Elucidating the many mechanisms underlying secondary injury and studying targets of neuroprotective therapeutic agents is critical for developing new treatments. Therefore, we present a review on the molecular events following TBI from inflammation to programmed cell death and discuss current research and the latest therapeutic strategies to help understand TBI-mediated secondary injury.