Protective role of bortezomib in steatotic liver ischemia/reperfusion injury through abrogation of MMP activation and YKL-40 expression

Inflammatory setting, therapeutic strategies targeting some pro-inflammatory cytokines and pathways in mitigating ischemia/reperfusion-induced hepatic injury: a comprehensive review

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a key determining agent in the pathophysiology of clinical organ dysfunction. It is characterized by an aseptic local inflammatory reaction due to a decrease in blood supply, hence deprivation of dependent oxygen and nutrients. In instances of liver transplantation, this injury may have irreversible implications, resulting in eventual organ rejection. The deterioration associated with IRI is affected by the hepatic health status and various factors such as alterations in metabolism, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The primary cause of inflammation is the initial immune response of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while Kupffer cells (KFCs) and neutrophil-produced chemokines also play a significant role. Upon reperfusion, the activation of inflammatory responses can elicit further cellular damage and organ dysfunction. This review discusses the interplay between chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators that contribute to the damage to hepatocytes and liver failure in rats following IR. Furthermore, it delves into the impact of anti-inflammatory therapies in safeguarding against liver failure and hepatocellular damage in rats following IR. This review investigates the correlation between cytokine factors and liver dysfunction via examining databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), and Research Gate.

Non-peptidic immunoproteasome β5i-selective inhibitor as potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Virtual screening, hit evolution and lead identification

The immunoproteasome has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We report herein our efforts to discover novel non-peptidic immunoproteasome inhibitors as potential treatment for IPF. A structure-based virtual screening was initially performed and the hit compound VS-7 with an IC50 of 9.437 μM against β5i was identified. Hit evolution based on the interaction mode of VS-7 proceeded, and a potent β5i inhibitor 54 (IC50 = 8.463 nM) with favorable subunit-selective profiles was obtained. Compound 54 also imposed significant effects on the release of TNF-α and IL-6, the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, as well as TGF-β1 induced fibroblast proliferation, activation and collagen synthesis. Notably, when administered at 30 mg/kg in a bleomycin-induced IPF mouse model, compound 54 showed anti-fibrotic effects comparable to the clinical drug nintedanib. The results suggest that selective inhibition of immunoproteasome could be an effective approach to treat IPF.

Early approaches of YKL-40 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease

Aim: To investigate whether the estimation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain YKL-40 levels may be used as an efficient biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was injected into the right substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Rats were divided into: control group, early LPS-induced PD group (14 days), and advanced LPS-induced PD group (28 days). YKL-40 and other related factors were detected in CSF and brain tissue. Results: Increased expression of YKL-40 was observed in brain tissue and CSF of PD-induced rats associated with triggered inflammatory cytokine release. Conclusion: The current study was limited to detecting YKL-40 and other inflammatory factors in brain and CSF. YKL-40 may be considered as an early biomarker and therapeutic target for PD.

Myocardial interaction of apixaban after experimental acute volume overload

Objective

Acute volume overload (AVO) induces early ischemia-like changes in intramyocardial arteries. We investigated whether the Factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor apixaban interacts with the myocardium early after AVO.

Methods

Fifty-five syngeneic Fisher rats underwent surgical abdominal aortocaval fistula to induce AVO. Among them, 17 rats were treated with apixaban (10 mg/kg/day). The myocardial outcome was studied using histological analysis and by measuring atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) gene expression.

Results

After 3 days, the total number of intramyocardial arteries was significantly increased in the AVO+apixaban (AVO+A) group compared with that in the AVO group (12.0  ±  1.2 and 10.2 ± 1.5, point score units, respectively). In the AVO+A group, there were significantly more edematous nuclei in myocardial arteries in the right and left ventricle compared with that in the AVO group. ANP and MMP9 expression levels continued to increase significantly in the AVO+A group compared with those in the AVO group.

Conclusion

Apixaban interacts with intramyocardial arteries in the left and right ventricles after AVO and ANP and MMP9 expression levels increased. Thus, the myocardial effect of Factor Xa inhibition needs to be monitored after AVO.

Early reversibility of histological changes after experimental acute cardiac volume-overload

Unloading the heart may aid recovery after acute cardiac volume-overload (AVO). We experimentally investigated whether unloading the heart after AVO by heterotopic transplantation histologically impacts myocardial outcome. Thirty-two syngeneic Fisher 344 rats underwent surgery for abdominal arterial-venous fistula to induce AVO. Seven hearts were heterotopically transplanted one day after AVO to simulate a non-working state of the left ventricle (AVO+Tx). In addition, six rats without AVO or surgery (Normal) and five rats with sham surgery (Sham) served as controls. Myocardial outcome was studied using histology and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis for hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), E-selectin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), vascular endothelial growth factor alpha (VEGFα), matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), chitinase-3-like protein (YKL-40) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). Relative ischemia of the right ventricle and septal intramyocardial arteries was decreased in AVO+Tx as compared with AVO (0.04±0.01 vs. 0.09±0.02, PSU, P=0.040 and 0.04±0.01 vs. 0.16±0.02, PSU, P=0.008, respectively). Quantitative RT-PCR showed an increase in the expression of iNOS, YKL-40 and VEGFα, and decrease in ANP in AVO+Tx as compared with AVO (5.78±1.23 vs. 2.46±0.81, P=0.039, 22.39±5.22 vs. 10.79±1.70, P=0.039 and 1.15±0.22 vs. 0.60±0.08, P=0.030, and 1.32±0.16 vs. 2.85±0.70, P=0.039, respectively). Unloading the heart by heterotopic transplantation induces early ischemic recovery of intramyocardial arteries after AVO. A non-working state reverses acute ischemic myocardial injury after AVO.

Bortezomib Inhibits Lung Fibrosis and Fibroblast Activation Without Proteasome Inhibition

The FDA-approved proteasomal inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ) has attracted interest for its potential anti-fibrotic actions. However, neither its in vivo efficacy in lung fibrosis nor its dependence on proteasome inhibition has been conclusively defined. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of BTZ in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, developed an in vitro protocol to define its actions on diverse fibroblast activation parameters, determined its reliance on proteasome inhibition for these actions in vivo and in vitro and explored alternative mechanisms of action. The therapeutic administration of BTZ diminished the severity of pulmonary fibrosis without reducing proteasome activity in the lung. In experiments designed to mimic this lack of proteasome inhibition in vitro, BTZ reduced fibroblast proliferation, differentiation into myofibroblasts, and collagen synthesis. It promoted de-differentiation of myofibroblasts and overcame their characteristic resistance to apoptosis. Mechanistically, BTZ inhibited kinases important for fibroblast activation while inducing expression of dual-specificity phosphatase 1 or DUSP1, and knockdown of DUSP1 abolished its anti-fibrotic actions in fibroblasts. Collectively, these findings suggest that BTZ exhibits a multidimensional profile of robust inhibitory actions on lung fibroblasts as well as anti-fibrotic actions in vivo. Unexpectedly, these actions appear to be independent of proteasome inhibition, and instead attributable to induction of DUSP1.

RETRACTED: Upregulated microRNA-381-5p strengthens the effect of dexmedetomidine preconditioning to protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mouse models by inhibiting CHI3L1

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Concern was raised about the reliability of the Western blot results in Figs. 1F, 2F, 3F, 4F and 5F, which appear to have the same eyebrow shaped phenotype as many other publications tabulated here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/149EjFXVxpwkBXYJOnOHb6RhAqT4a2llhj9LM60MBffM/edit#gid=0 [docs.google.com]). The journal requested the corresponding author comment on these concerns and provide the raw data. However, the authors were not responsive to the request for comment. Since original data could not be provided, the overall validity of the results could not be confirmed. Therefore, the Editor-in-Chief decided to retract the article.

Bortezomib limits renal allograft interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting NF-κB/TNF-α/Akt/mTOR/P70S6K/Smurf2 pathway via IκBα protein stabilization

Chronic allograft dysfunction is a major cause of late graft failure after kidney transplantation. One of the histological changes is interstitial fibrosis, which is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Bortezomib has been reported to prevent the progression of fibrosis in organs. We used rat renal transplantation model and human kidney 2 cell line treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to examine their response to bortezomib. To explore the mechanism behind it, we assessed the previously studied TNF-α/protein kinase B (Akt)/Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) signaling and performed RNA sequencing. Our results suggested that bortezomib could attenuate the TNF-α-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and renal allograft interstitial fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. In addition to blocking Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6 kinase/Smurf2 signaling, bortezomib's effect on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition was associated with inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway by stabilizing inhibitor of NF-κB. The study highlighted the therapeutic potential of bortezomib on renal allograft interstitial fibrosis. Such an effect may result from inhibition of NF-κB/TNF-α/Akt/mTOR/p70S6 kinase/Smurf2 signaling via stabilizing protein of inhibitor of NF-κB.

YKL-40 as a novel biomarker in cardio-metabolic disorders and inflammatory diseases

Dyslipidaemia is associated with numerous health problems that include the combination of insulin resistance, hypertension and obesity, ie, metabolic syndrome. Although the use of statins to decrease serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been an effective therapeutic in treating atherosclerosis, the persistence of high atherosclerotic risk, ie, residual risk, is notable and is not simply explained as a phenomenon of dyslipidaemia. As such, it is imperative that we identify new biomarkers to monitor treatment and more accurately predict future cardiovascular events. This athero-protective strategy includes the assessment of novel inflammatory biomarkers such as YKL-40. Recent evidence has implicated YKL-40 in patients with inflammatory diseases and cardio-metabolic disorders, making it potentially useful to evaluate disease severity, prognosis and survival. In this review, we summarize role of YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of cardio-metabolic disorders and explore its use as a novel biomarker for monitoring athero-protective therapy.

Chitinase-3 like-protein-1 function and its role in diseases

Non-enzymatic chitinase-3 like-protein-1 (CHI3L1) belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 18. It binds to chitin, heparin, and hyaluronic acid, and is regulated by extracellular matrix changes, cytokines, growth factors, drugs, and stress. CHI3L1 is synthesized and secreted by a multitude of cells including macrophages, neutrophils, synoviocytes, chondrocytes, fibroblast-like cells, smooth muscle cells, and tumor cells. It plays a major role in tissue injury, inflammation, tissue repair, and remodeling responses. CHI3L1 has been strongly associated with diseases including asthma, arthritis, sepsis, diabetes, liver fibrosis, and coronary artery disease. Moreover, following its initial identification in the culture supernatant of the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line, CHI3L1 has been shown to be overexpressed in a wealth of both human cancers and animal tumor models. To date, interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-2, transmembrane protein 219, galectin-3, chemo-attractant receptor-homologous 2, and CD44 have been identified as CHI3L1 receptors. CHI3L1 signaling plays a critical role in cancer cell growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, activation of tumor-associated macrophages, and Th2 polarization of CD4⁺ T cells. Interestingly, CHI3L1-based targeted therapy has been increasingly applied to the treatment of tumors including glioma and colon cancer as well as rheumatoid arthritis. This review summarizes the potential roles and mechanisms of CHI3L1 in oncogenesis and disease pathogenesis, then posits investigational strategies for targeted therapies.

Alterations of IL-1 and VEGF After Ischemia-Reperfusion Injured Uterus and Ovary in Rats

Objective:

Ischemia/reperfusion injury causes parenchymal and endothelial cell damage as a result of inflammation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressed in every kind of tissue in human body has important roles in migration, proliferation, endothelial cell permeability, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. IL-1 is a one of the cytokine family members, and plays important roles in hematopoiesis, inflammatory reactions and immune system regulation. Furthermore, auto-inflammatory diseases are treated by IL-1 as therapeutic agent. The aim of this study is to observe changes of VEGF and IL-1 immunreactivity in ischemia/reperfused rat uterus and ovary.

Method:

Rats were separated into two groups. Control group and ischemia/reperfusion group which rats were subjected to 45 min ischemia/45 min reperfusion. Samples from uterus and ovary were fixed with 10% neutral formaldehyde and stained with H&E. VEGF and IL-1 immunohistochemistry was applied.

Results:

Histopathological results showed severe degeneration of endometrium in uterus and ovarian follicles in ischemia/reperfusion group. VEGF and IL-1 immunoreactivity increased in uteruses and ovaries of ischemia/reperfusion group when compared to control group

Conclusion

In consequence, the present results suggest that VEGF and IL-1 may be potential detection marker for ischemia/reperfusion injured uterus and ovary. Moreover, VEGF and IL-1 might be in relation with each other to regenerate uterus and ovary.

Protective Role of mTOR in Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: Involvement of Inflammation and Autophagy

Liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is a common phenomenon after liver resection and transplantation, which often results in liver graft dysfunction such as delayed graft function and primary nonfunction. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, which coordinates cell growth and metabolism through sensing environmental inputs under physiological or pathological conditions, involved in the pathophysiological process of IR injury. In this review, we mainly present current evidence of the beneficial role of mTOR in modulating inflammation and autophagy under liver IR to provide some evidence for the potential therapies for liver IR injury.

Genome-Wide RNAi Screen Identifies Regulators of Cardiomyocyte Necrosis

Regulation of cellular death is central to nearly all physiological routines and is dysregulated in virtually all diseases. Cell death occurs by two major processes, necrosis which culminates in a pervasive inflammatory response and apoptosis which is largely immunologically inert. As necrosis has long been considered an accidental, unregulated form of cellular death that occurred in response to a harsh environmental stimulus, it was largely ignored as a clinical target. However, recent elegant studies suggest that certain forms of necrosis can be reprogrammed. However, scant little is known about the molecules and pathways that orchestrate calcium-overload-induced necrosis, a main mediator of ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced cardiomyocyte cell death. To rectify this critical gap in our knowledge, we performed a novel genome-wide siRNA screen to identify modulators of calcium-induced necrosis in human muscle cells. Our screen identified multiple molecular circuitries that either enhance or inhibit this process, including lysosomal calcium channel TPCN1, mitophagy mediatorTOMM7, Ran-binding protein RanBP9, Histone deacetylase HDAC2, chemokine CCL11, and the Arp2/3 complex regulator glia maturation factor-γ (GMFG). Notably, a number of druggable enzymes were identified, including the proteasome β5 subunit (encoded by PSMB5 gene), which controls the proteasomal chymotrypsin-like peptidase activity. Such findings open up the possibility for the discovery of pharmacological interventions that could provide therapeutic benefits to patients affected by myriad disorders characterized by excessive (or too little) necrotic cell loss, including but not limited to IR injury in the heart and kidney, chronic neurodegenerative disorders, muscular dystrophies, sepsis, and cancers.

Roles of chitinase 3-like 1 in the development of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases

Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is a secreted glycoprotein that mediates inflammation, macrophage polarization, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. The expression of CHI3L1 is strongly increased by various inflammatory and immunological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and several cancers. However, its physiological and pathophysiological roles in the development of cancer and neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases remain unclear. Several studies have reported that CHI3L1 promotes cancer proliferation, inflammatory cytokine production, and microglial activation, and that multiple receptors, such as advanced glycation end product, syndecan-1/αVβ3, and IL-13Rα2, are involved. In addition, the pro-inflammatory action of CHI3L1 may be mediated via the protein kinase B and phosphoinositide-3 signaling pathways and responses to various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and interferon-γ. Therefore, CHI3L1 could contribute to a vast array of inflammatory diseases. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the roles of CHI3L1 and suggest therapeutic approaches targeting CHI3L1 in the development of cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Morchella esculenta against Alcohol-Induced Acute Liver Injury in the C57BL/6 Mouse Related to Nrf-2 and NF-κB Signaling

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Morchella esculenta fruit body (ME) and the underlying mechanisms in mice with alcohol-induced acute liver injury. Systematic analysis revealed that ME contained 21 types of fatty acid, 17 types of amino acid, and 12 types of mineral. Subsequently, a mouse model of acute alcohol-induced liver injury was established by oral administration of alcohol for 14 days. Fourteen-day administration of ME prevented alcohol-induced increases in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels and reduced the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in blood serum and liver tissue. ME appears to regulate lipid metabolism by suppressing triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein in the liver. ME inhibited the production of inflammatory factors including chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL 40), interleukin-7 (IL-7), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) in blood serum and/or liver tissue. ME treatment relieved the alcohol-induced imbalance in prooxidative and antioxidative signaling via nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), as indicated by upregulation of superoxide dismutase-1, superoxide dismutase-2, catalase, heme oxygenase-1, and heme oxygenase-2 expression and downregulation of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1) in the liver. Moreover, ME reduced the levels of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α/β, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B α and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65) in the liver. The hepatoprotective effects of ME against alcohol-induced acute liver injury were thus confirmed. The mechanism of action may be related to modulation of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways, partially via regulation of Nrf-2 and NF-κB signaling.

Nobiletin ameliorates hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury through the activation of SIRT-1/FOXO3a-mediated autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis

Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury are characterized by impaired autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent compromise of cellular homeostasis following hepatic surgery or transplantation. Nobiletin, a natural flavonoid, is a beneficial antioxidant that possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. We investigated the effect of nobiletin on hepatic IR injury and described the underlying mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 60 min of partial hepatic ischemia, treated with nobiletin (5 mg/kg) or vehicle at the start of reperfusion, and killed at 5 h of reperfusion. Hepatic ischemia and reperfusion increased hepatocellular oxidative damage, inflammation, and cell death, but these changes were alleviated upon nobiletin treatment. Nobiletin increased the expression of proteins that control autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and biogenesis. Specifically, the SIRT-1/FOXO3a and PGC-1α pathways were activated by nobiletin. IR-induced AKT activation was associated with FOXO3a phosphorylation, which resulted in a significant reduction in the nuclear FOXO3a levels and potentially attenuated autophagy-regulatory gene expression. Nobiletin increased FOXO3a expression and its nuclear translocation via the inhibition of AKT. Specific inhibition of SIRT-1 abolished the protective effect of nobiletin, causing decreased FOXO3a expression, followed by autophagy induction and decreased PGC-1α expression and mitochondrial dynamics. Taken together, our data indicate that SIRT-1 directly mediates the protective effect of nobiletin against hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury. The activation of autophagy and mitochondrial function through the SIRT-1/FOXO3a and PGC-1α pathways indicate that nobiletin could have therapeutic potential for treating hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Nobiletin, an antioxidant found in citrus peel, may protect the liver from reperfusion injury, damage following blood flow interruption. When blood flow is restricted and then restored, as in transplant, surgery, or shock, cells are injured, largely due to damage to the cellular powerhouses, the mitochondria. Nobiletin is known to have many benefits, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, but its mechanism of action is not well understood. Sang Won Park and Hwajin Kim, at the Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, in Jinju, South Korea, and co-workers, investigated how nobiletin might protect the liver against interruption of blood flow. They found that nobiletin triggered cells to dismantle damaged mitochondria and produce new, functioning mitochondria, greatly reducing liver damage. These results illuminate how nobiletin works and may lead to better treatments for liver reperfusion injury.

Monoamine oxidase A inhibition protects the myocardium after experimental acute volume overload

Objective:

The molecular pathway leading to myocardial cellular destruction after acute volume overload (AVO) may include monoamine oxidases. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether moclobemide (Mo), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, protects the myocardium after AVO.

Methods:

Sixty syngeneic Fischer rats underwent surgical abdominal aortocaval fistula to induce AVO. Eighteen rats were treated with Mo 10 mg/kg/day and were compared with 42 untreated rats with AVO without treatment. Myocardial recovery was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 6, E-selectin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide, vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha, matrix metalloproteinase 9, chitinase 3-like protein (YKL-40), and transforming growth factor-beta.

Results:

After 3 days, the relative number of ischemic intramyocardial arteries in the left ventricle was lower in AVO treated with Mo than in without [0.04 (0.02–0.07) vs. 0.09 (0.07–0.14), point score unit]. After 1 day, ANP was lower in AVO treated with Mo than in without [0.95 (0.37–1.84) vs. 2.40 (1.33–3.09), fold changes from the baseline (FC), p=0.044], whereas after 1 and 3 days, YKL-40 was higher in AVO treated with Mo than in without [22.66 (14.05–28.83) vs. 10.06 (6.23–15.02), FC, p=0.006 and 6.03 (4.72–7.18) vs. 3.70 (2.62–5.35), FC, p=0.025].

Conclusion:

Mo decreases intramyocardial arterial ischemia of the left ventricle after AVO while increases YKL-40, reflecting cellular protection during early cardiac remodeling. In the future, adding Mo may be a simple means for myocardial protection after AVO. (Anatol J Cardiol 2019; 21: 39-45)

Acidic Preconditioning Protects Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Lung Injury Via Inhibiting the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

BACKGROUND

Acidic preconditioning (APC) has been demonstrated to protect against ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced lung injury, which could occur during lung transplantation or cardiopulmonary bypass. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying IR lung injury and APC protection are not completely understood. The key factors responsible for the protective effects of APC are not clear. In this study, bioinformatics was used to predict the potential key factor in IR lung injury and explore the important mediator of the APC protective effect in IR lung injury.

METHODS

First, we screened GSE6730, which is related to both lung injury and IR in Gene Expression Omnibus, and STRING was used later to select the genes in GSE6730 needed in the future. Animal models were established and classified to validate the effect of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) on lung injury after IR by adding a selective inhibitor (4-phenoxyphenylsulfonyl) methylthiirane, MMP-9 inhibitor. Next, for better understanding of APC inhibition of the expression of MMP-9 in lung injury, assessment of lung tissues, Western blot analysis, and RNA extraction and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were conducted.

RESULTS

MMP-9 was identified to be overexpressed after IR according to the analysis on GSE67370. MMP-9 was an unknown gene in relation to acute lung injury and found to be associated with interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-6, and IL-8. The expressions of these inflammatory factors, including MMP-9, were all elevated in IR. Furthermore, lung injury was ameliorated, and the level of MMP-9 was lower when an MMP-9 inhibitor, (4-phenoxyphenylsulfonyl) methylthiirane, was added. Compared with group IR, APC reversed the ischemia-induced lung injury, and the level of MMP-9 was lower, and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal a novel mechanism indicating that IR induces higher expression of MMP-9 in lung injury by increasing the expression of inflammation-related factors. APC might protect against IR lung injury by inhibiting the expression of MMP-9.

Proteasome and Organs Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The treatment of organ failure on patients requires the transplantation of functional organs, from donors. Over time, the methodology of transplantation was improved by the development of organ preservation solutions. The storage of organs in preservation solutions is followed by the ischemia of the organ, resulting in a shortage of oxygen and nutrients, which damage the tissues. When the organ is ready for the transplantation, the reperfusion of the organ induces an increase of the oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation which causes tissue damage, resulting in a decrease of the transplantation success. However, the addition of proteasome inhibitor in the preservation solution alleviated the injuries due to the ischemia-reperfusion process. The proteasome is a protein structure involved in the regulation the inflammation and the clearance of damaged proteins. The goal of this review is to summarize the role of the proteasome and pharmacological compounds that regulate the proteasome in protecting the organs from the ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Critical role of SIK3 in mediating high salt and IL-17 synergy leading to breast cancer cell proliferation

Chronic inflammation is a well-known precursor for cancer development and proliferation. We have recently demonstrated that high salt (NaCl) synergizes with sub-effective interleukin (IL)-17 to induce breast cancer cell proliferation. However, the exact molecular mechanisms mediating this effect are unclear. In our current study, we adopted a phosphoproteomic-based approach to identify salt modulated kinase-proteome specific molecular targets. The phosphoprotemics based binary comparison between heavy labelled MCF-7 cells treated with high salt (Δ0.05 M NaCl) and light labelled MCF-7 cells cultured under basal conditions demonstrated an enhanced phosphorylation of Serine-493 of SIK3 protein. The mRNA transcript and protein expression analysis of SIK3 in MCF-7 cells demonstrated a synergistic enhancement following co-treatment with high salt and sub-effective IL-17 (0.1 ng/mL), as compared to either treatments alone. A similar increase in SIK3 expression was observed in other breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, BT20, and AU565, while non-malignant breast epithelial cell line, MCF10A, did not induce SIK3 expression under similar conditions. Biochemical studies revealed mTORC2 acted as upstream mediator of SIK3 phosphorylation. Importantly, cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry demonstrated SIK3 induced G0/G1-phase release mediated cell proliferation, while SIK3 silencing abolished this effect. Also, SIK3 induced pro-inflammatory arginine metabolism, as evidenced by upregulation of the enzymes iNOS and ASS-1, along with downregulation of anti-inflammatory enzymes, arginase-1 and ornithine decarboxylase. Furthermore, gelatin zymography analysis has demonstrated that SIK3 induced expression of tumor metastatic CXCR4 through MMP-9 activation. Taken together, our data suggests a critical role of SIK3 in mediating three important hallmarks of cancer namely, cell proliferation, inflammation and metastasis. These studies provide a mechanistic basis for the future utilization of SIK3 as a key drug discovery target to improve breast cancer therapy.

NFAT5/STAT3 interaction mediates synergism of high salt with IL-17 towards induction of VEGF-A expression in breast cancer cells

Chronic inflammation has been considered an important player in cancer proliferation and progression. High salt (sodium chloride) levels have been considered a potent inducer of chronic inflammation. In the present study, the synergistic role of high salt with interleukin (IL)-17 towards induction of the inflammatory and angiogenic stress factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A was investigated. Stimulation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with high salt (0.2 M NaCl) and sub-minimal IL-17 (1 ng/ml) enhanced the expression of VEGF-A (2.9 and 2.6-fold, respectively, P<0.05) compared with untreated cells. Furthermore, co-treatment with both high salt and sub-minimal IL-17 led to a 5.9-fold increase in VEGF-A expression (P<0.01), thus suggesting a synergistic role of these factors. VEGF-A promoter analysis and specific small interfering RNA knock-down of transcription factors revealed that high salt induced VEGF-A expression through nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)5, while IL-17 induced VEGF-A expression via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 signaling mechanisms. Treatment of normal human aortic endothelial cells with the supernatant of activated MCF-7 cells enhanced cell migration and induced expression of migration-specific factors, including vascular cell adhesion protein, β1 integrin and cluster of differentiation 31. These data suggest that high salt levels synergize with pro-inflammatory IL-17 to potentially induce cancer progression and metastasis through VEGF-A expression. Therefore, low-salt diet, anti-NFAT5 and anti-STAT3 therapies may provide novel avenues for enhanced efficiency of the current cancer therapy.

Altered Exosomal RNA Profiles in Bronchoalveolar Lavage from Lung Transplants with Acute Rejection

RATIONALE

The mechanism by which acute allograft rejection leads to chronic rejection remains poorly understood despite its common occurrence. Exosomes, membrane vesicles released from cells within the lung allograft, contain a diverse array of biomolecules that closely reflect the biologic state of the cell and tissue from which they are released. Exosome transcriptomes may provide a better understanding of the rejection process. Furthermore, biomarkers originating from this transcriptome could provide timely and sensitive detection of acute cellular rejection (AR), reducing the incidence of severe AR and chronic lung allograft dysfunction and improving outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an in-depth analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exosomal shuttle RNA population after lung transplantation and evaluate for differential expression between acute AR and quiescence.

METHODS

Serial bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were ultracentrifuged to obtain the exosomal pellet for RNA extraction, on which RNA-Seq was performed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

AR demonstrates an intense inflammatory environment, skewed toward both innate and adaptive immune responses. Novel, potential upstream regulators identified offer potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings validate bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exosomal shuttle RNA as a source for understanding the pathophysiology of AR and for biomarker discovery in lung transplantation.

Altered Exosomal RNA Profiles in Bronchoalveolar Lavage from Lung Transplants with Acute Rejection

RATIONALE

The mechanism by which acute allograft rejection leads to chronic rejection remains poorly understood despite its common occurrence. Exosomes, membrane vesicles released from cells within the lung allograft, contain a diverse array of biomolecules that closely reflect the biologic state of the cell and tissue from which they are released. Exosome transcriptomes may provide a better understanding of the rejection process. Furthermore, biomarkers originating from this transcriptome could provide timely and sensitive detection of acute cellular rejection (AR), reducing the incidence of severe AR and chronic lung allograft dysfunction and improving outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an in-depth analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exosomal shuttle RNA population after lung transplantation and evaluate for differential expression between acute AR and quiescence.

METHODS

Serial bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were ultracentrifuged to obtain the exosomal pellet for RNA extraction, on which RNA-Seq was performed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

AR demonstrates an intense inflammatory environment, skewed toward both innate and adaptive immune responses. Novel, potential upstream regulators identified offer potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings validate bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exosomal shuttle RNA as a source for understanding the pathophysiology of AR and for biomarker discovery in lung transplantation.

Altered Exosomal RNA Profiles in Bronchoalveolar Lavage from Lung Transplants with Acute Rejection

RATIONALE

The mechanism by which acute allograft rejection leads to chronic rejection remains poorly understood despite its common occurrence. Exosomes, membrane vesicles released from cells within the lung allograft, contain a diverse array of biomolecules that closely reflect the biologic state of the cell and tissue from which they are released. Exosome transcriptomes may provide a better understanding of the rejection process. Furthermore, biomarkers originating from this transcriptome could provide timely and sensitive detection of acute cellular rejection (AR), reducing the incidence of severe AR and chronic lung allograft dysfunction and improving outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an in-depth analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exosomal shuttle RNA population after lung transplantation and evaluate for differential expression between acute AR and quiescence.

METHODS

Serial bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were ultracentrifuged to obtain the exosomal pellet for RNA extraction, on which RNA-Seq was performed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

AR demonstrates an intense inflammatory environment, skewed toward both innate and adaptive immune responses. Novel, potential upstream regulators identified offer potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings validate bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exosomal shuttle RNA as a source for understanding the pathophysiology of AR and for biomarker discovery in lung transplantation.

Role of matrix metalloproteinases in cholestasis and hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury: A review

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteases using zinc-dependent catalysis to break down extracellular matrix (ECM) components, allowing cell movement and tissue reorganization. Like many other proteases, MMPs are produced as zymogens, an inactive form, which are activated after their release from cells. Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is associated with MMP activation and release, with profound effects on tissue integrity: their inappropriate, prolonged or excessive expression has harmful consequences for the liver. Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells can secrete MMPs though sinusoidal endothelial cells are a further source of MMPs. After liver transplantation, biliary complications are mainly attributable to cholangiocytes, which, compared with hepatocytes, are particularly susceptible to injury and ultimately a major cause of increased graft dysfunction and patient morbidity. This paper focuses on liver I/R injury and cholestasis and reviews factors and mechanisms involved in MMP activation together with synthetic compounds used in their regulation. In this respect, recent data have demonstrated that the role of MMPs during I/R may go beyond the mere destruction of the ECM and may be much more complex than previously thought. We thus discuss the role of MMPs as an important factor in cholestasis associated with I/R injury.

Bortezomib modulates CHIT1 and YKL40 in monocyte-derived osteoclast and in myeloma cells

Osteolytic bone disease is a common manifestation of multiple myeloma (MM) that leads to progressive skeleton destruction and is the most severe cause of morbidity in MM patients. It results from increased osteolytic activity and decrease osteoblastic function. Activation of mammalian chitinases chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and YKL40 is associated with osteoclast (OCs) differentiation and bone digestion. In the current study, we investigated the effect of two Bortezomib’s concentration (2.5 and 5 nM) on osteoclastogenesis by analyzing regulation of chitinase expression. OCs exposition to bortezomib (BO) was able to inhibit the expression of different OCs markers such as RANK, CTSK, TRAP, and MMP9. In addition BO-treatment reduced CHIT1 enzymatic activity and both CHIT1 and YKL40 mRNA expression levels and cytoplasmatic and secreted protein. Moreover, immunofluorescence evaluation of mature OCs showed that BO was able to translocate YKL40 into the nucleus, while CHIT1 remained into the cytoplasm. Since MM cell lines such as U266, SKM-M1 and MM1 showed high levels of CHIT1 activity, we analyzed bone resorption ability of U266 using dentin disk assay resorption pits. Silencing chitinase proteins in U266 cell line with specific small interfering RNA, resulted in pits number reduction on dentine disks. In conclusion, we showed that BO decreases osteoclastogenesis and reduces bone resorption in OCs and U266 cell line by modulating the chitinases CHIT1 and YKL40. These results indicate that chitinases may be a therapeutic target for bone disease in MM patients.

Molecular pathways in protecting the liver from ischaemia/reperfusion injury: a 2015 update

Ischaemia/reperfusion injury is an important cause of liver damage during surgical procedures such as hepatic resection and liver transplantation, and represents the main cause of graft dysfunction post-transplantation. Molecular processes occurring during hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion are diverse, and continuously include new and complex mechanisms. The present review aims to summarize the newest concepts and hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of liver ischaemia/reperfusion, making clear distinction between situations of cold and warm ischaemia. Moreover, the most updated therapeutic strategies including pharmacological, genetic and surgical interventions, as well as some of the scientific controversies in the field are described.

Violacein inhibits matrix metalloproteinase mediated CXCR4 expression: potential anti-tumor effect in cancer invasion and metastasis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9) play an important role in the tumor metastasis through cleavage of proinflammatory cytokines. Violacein a small molecule produced by Chromobacterium violaceum and has been implicated with anti-cancer effects. In this study we investigated the molecular basis of violacein mediated downregulation of CXCL12/CXCR4, chemokine-receptor ligand interaction. Zymography analysis demonstrated that violacein significantly inhibited the cytokine (TNFα and TGFβ) mediated MMP-2 activation in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. MMP-2 plays a critical role in the secretion of inflammatory chemokine, CXCL12, involved in cell migration and cancer metastasis. ELISA analysis demonstrated that violacein inhibited the secretion of CXCL12 from the activated MCF-7 cells. Further, we show that MMP-2/-9 act synergistically at two distinct steps towards the membrane expression of the tumor metastasis chemokine receptor, CXCR4. Violacein efficiently downregulated the CXCR4 membrane expression through MMP-9 inhibition. Taken together, these studies demonstrate a unique anti-tumor mechanism of action of violacein through reduction of CXCL12/CXCR4 interaction. These studies could offer a novel venue for violacein in cancer therapy.

What's new in clinical solid organ transplantation by 2013

Innovative and exciting advances in the clinical science in solid organ transplantation continuously realize as the results of studies, clinical trials, international conferences, consensus conferences, new technologies and discoveries. This review will address to the full spectrum of news in transplantation, that verified by 2013. The key areas covered are the transplantation activity, with particular regards to the donors, the news for solid organs such as kidney, pancreas, liver, heart and lung, the news in immunosuppressive therapies, the news in the field of tolerance and some of the main complications following transplantation as infections and cancers. The period of time covered by the study starts from the international meetings held in 2012, whose results were published in 2013, up to the 2013 meetings, conferences and consensus published in the first months of 2014. In particular for every organ, the trends in numbers and survival have been reviewed as well as the most relevant problems such as organ preservation, ischemia reperfusion injuries, and rejections with particular regards to the antibody mediated rejection that involves all solid organs. The new drugs and strategies applied in organ transplantation have been divided into new way of using old drugs or strategies and drugs new not yet on the market, but on phase Ito III of clinical studies and trials.