Perfluorinated Iodine Alkanes Promoted Neural Differentiation of mESCs by Targeting miRNA-34a-5p in Notch-Hes Signaling

Screening estimates of bioaccumulation factors for 4950 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic species

The considerable variability in bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across aquatic species, driven by the diversity of PFAS, complex water conditions, and species differences, underscores the resource-intensive nature of relying on experimental data. To develop a robust and effective approach for predicting BAFs, a predictive framework using a three-level stacking deep ensemble learning model was established. Initially, we compiled a substantial dataset of BAFs, encompassing a wide variety of PFAS across both marine and freshwater species. The stacking model demonstrated strong performance, achieving R-squared (R2) values of 0.94 and 0.89, and root-mean-square errors (RMSE) of 0.88 and 1.17 for training and testing, respectively. External validation revealed that 60 % and 90 % of predictions fell within 2-fold and 4-fold differences, respectively, from the observed values. Using this model, we predicted BAFs for 4950 PFAS in 54 global edible fish species, with the predicted median BAF values ranging from 22 L/kg to 477.09 L/kg. The results indicated that PFAS with multiple functional groups (e.g., benzene rings and ketones) exhibited higher BAFs. Finally, an accessible online tool (https://pfasbaf.hhra.net/) was launched to facilitate BAF predictions. This newly released application promises to offer valuable support for environmental risk management and policymaking efforts.

Screening (ant)agonistic activities of xenobiotics on the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) using in vitro and in silico analysis

Retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are known as crucial endocrine receptors that could mediate a broad diversity of biological processes. However, the data on endocrine disrupting effects of emerging chemicals by targeting RAR (ant)agonism are far from sufficient. Herein, we investigated the RARα agonistic or antagonistic activities for 75 emerging chemicals of concern, and explored their interactions with this receptor. A recombinant two-hybrid yeast assay was used to examine the RARα activities of the test chemicals, wherein 7 showed effects of RARα agonism and 54 exerted potentials of RARα antagonism. The representative chemicals with RARα agonistic activities, i.e. 4-hydroxylphenol (4-HP) and bisphenol AF (BPAF), significantly increased the mRNA levels of CRABP2 and CYP26A1, while 4 select chemicals with RARα antagonistic potentials, including bisphenol A (BPA), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), and 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP), conversely decreased the transcriptional levels of the test genes. The in silico molecular docking analysis using 3 different approaches further confirmed the substantial binding between the chemicals with RARα activities and this nuclear receptor protein. This work highlights the promising strategy for screening endocrine-disrupting effects of emerging chemicals of concern by targeting RARα (ant)agonism.

Imidacloprid-induced lung injury in mice: Activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway via TLR4 receptor engagement

Significant impairment of pulmonary function has been demonstrated through long-term exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides, such as imidacloprid (IMI). However, the underlying mechanisms of lung injury induced by IMI remain unclear. In this study, a mouse model of IMI-induced pulmonary injury was established, and the toxicity and lung damage were assessed through mouse body weight, organ index, hematological parameters, and histopathological analysis of lung tissues. Furthermore, metabolomics and transcriptomics techniques were employed to explore the mechanistic aspects. Results from the toxicity assessments indicated that mouse body weight was significantly reduced by IMI, organ index was disturbed, and hematological parameters were disrupted, resulting in pulmonary injury. The mechanistic experimental results indicate that the differences in metabolites and gene expression in mouse lungs could be altered by IMI. Validation of the results through combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics revealed that the mechanism by which IMI induces lung injury in mice might be associated with the activation of the TLR4 receptor, thereby activating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway to induce inflammation in mouse lungs. This study provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying IMI-induced pulmonary damage, potentially contributing to the development of safer pest control strategies. The knowledge gained served as a robust scientific foundation for the prevention and treatment of IMI-related pulmonary injuries.

The interplay between autophagy and ferroptosis presents a novel conceptual therapeutic framework for neuroendocrine prostate cancer

In American men, the incidence of prostate cancer (PC) is the highest among all types of cancer, making it the second leading cause of mortality associated with cancer. For advanced or metastatic PC, antiandrogen therapies are standard treatment options. The administration of these treatments unfortunately carries the potential risk of inducing neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) serves as a crucial indicator of prostate cancer development, encompassing various factors such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), miRNA. The processes of autophagy and ferroptosis (an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death) play pivotal roles in the regulation of various types of cancers. Clinical trials and preclinical investigations have been conducted on many signaling pathways during the development of NEPC, with the deepening of research, autophagy and ferroptosis appear to be the potential target for regulating NEPC. Due to the dual nature of autophagy and ferroptosis in cancer, gaining a deeper understanding of the developmental programs associated with achieving autophagy and ferroptosis may enhance risk stratification and treatment efficacy for patients with NEPC.

Nontarget Analysis and Comprehensive Characterization of Iodinated Polyfluoroalkyl Acids in Wastewater and River Water by LC-HRMS with Cascade Precursor-Ion Exclusions and Algorithmic Approach

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are a large family of widespread contaminants of worldwide concern and well-known as "forever chemicals". Direct emission of PFAAs from the fluorochemical industry is a crucial source of PFAA pollutants in the environment. This study implemented nontarget analysis and comprehensive characterization for a category of new PFAA contaminants, i.e., iodinated PFAAs (IPFAAs), in fluorochemical industry wastewater and relevant contaminated river water by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry with a cascade precursor ion exclusion (PIE) strategy and in-house developed data extraction and processing algorithms. A total of 26 IPFAAs (including 2 isomers of an IPFAA) were found and identified with tentative molecular structures. Semiquantification of the IPFAAs was implemented, and the total concentrations of IPFAAs were 0.16-285.52 and 0.15-0.17 μg/L in wastewater and river water, respectively. The high concentrations in association with the predicted ecotoxicities and environmental behaviors demonstrate that these IPFAAs are worthy of more concern and further in-depth research. The cascade PIE strategy along with the data extraction and processing algorithms can be extended to nontarget analysis for other pollutants beyond IPFAAs. The nontarget identification and characterization outcomes provide new understanding on the environmental occurrence and pollution status of IPFAAs from a comprehensive perspective.

Triazole fungicides exert neural differentiation alteration through H3K27me3 modifications: In vitro and in silico study

Considering that humans are unavoidably exposed to triazole fungicides through the esophagus, respiratory tract, and skin contact, revealing the developmental toxicity of triazole fungicides is vital for health risk assessment. This study aimed to screen and discriminate neural developmental disorder chemicals in commonly used triazole fungicides, and explore the underlying harmful impacts on neurogenesis associated with histone modification abnormality in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). The triploblastic and neural differentiation models were constructed based on mESCs to expose six typical triazole fungicides (myclobutanil, tebuconazole, hexaconazole, propiconazole, difenoconazole, and flusilazole). The result demonstrated that although no cytotoxicity was observed, different triazole fungicides exhibited varying degrees of alterations in neural differentiation, including increased ectodermal differentiation, promoted neurogenesis, increased intracellular calcium ion levels, and disturbance of neurotransmitters. Molecular docking, cluster analysis, and multiple linear regressions demonstrated that the binding affinities between triazole fungicides and the Kdm6b-ligand binding domain were the dominant determinants of the neurodevelopmental response. This partially resulted in the reduced enrichment of H3K27me3 at the promoter region of the serotonin receptor 2 C gene, finally leading to disturbed neural differentiation. The data suggested potential adverse outcomes of triazole fungicides on embryonic neurogenesis even under sublethal doses through interfering histone modification, providing substantial evidence on the safety control of fungicides.

Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo polysaccharide inhibits hyperglycaemia-induced kidney fibrosis via the miRNA-34a-5p/SIRT1 signalling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Fibrosis is a fundamental change occurring in impaired renal function and plays an important role in the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo polysaccharide (DOP), a primary active component of Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo, is reported to act on reducing blood glucose, suppressing inflammation. However, the anti-fibrosis effect of DOP in the treatment of DKD is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the therapeutic effect of DOP on renal fibrosis in DKD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used db/db mice as a DKD model and administered DOP by oral gavage. The expression of miRNA-34a-5p, SIRT1, and fibrosis molecules (TGF-β, CTGF, and a-SMA) were detected in renal tissue. Human renal tubular epithelium cells (HK-2) were cultured with 5.5 mM glucose (LG) or 25 mM glucose (HG), and intervened with 100-400 μg/ml DOP. The changes of the above indicators were observed in vitro.

RESULTS

MiRNA-34a-5p was mainly localised in the nucleus and increased expression in the DKD mice. Inhibition or excitation of miRNA-34a-5p is involved in renal fibrosis by regulating SIRT1. DOP could depress the miRNA-34a-5p/SIRT1 signalling pathway to relieve renal fibrosis. Moreover, DOP has outstanding results in the treatment of DKD through hypoglycaemic action and weight reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

DOP plays a protective role in arresting or slowing the progression of fibrosis, which may provide a novel clinical treatment strategy for DKD.

The perturbation of parabens on the neuroendocrine system in zebrafish larvae

Parabens, as the synthetic preservatives, have caused universal environmental contamination and human exposure. Whether parabens could disturb neuroendocrine system was still ambiguous. In this study, the effects of four commonly-used parabens, i.e. methyl paraben (MeP), ethyl paraben (EtP), propyl paraben (PrP) and butyl paraben (BuP), were tested on the neuroendocrine system of zebrafish larvae by investigating the swimming behavior, the related hormones and biomarkers in the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis. The results showed that all test chemicals significantly reduced the swimming distance and mean velocity of zebrafish larvae. The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in zebrafish larvae were significantly increased, while the cortisol levels were obviously decreased by paraben exposure. The transcriptional analysis showed that the expressions of the target genes including gr, mr and crhr2 in the HPI axis were mostly down-regulated. The exploration of the initial molecular event showed that parabens could bind with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and trigger its transactivation, according to MDA-kb2 luciferase assay and molecular docking analysis. The interaction of parabens with the GR included the hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction. The findings herein revealed the potential deleterious effects of parabens on the neuroendocrine system of zebrafish larvae, thus accumulating the in vivo toxicological data on this kind of food preservatives.

First Discovery of Iodinated Polyfluoroalkyl Acids by Nontarget Mass-Spectrometric Analysis and Iodine-Specific Screening Algorithm

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) including polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and polyfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids are a large category of crucial environmental pollutants of global concern. Besides known PFAAs, numerous unknown species may exist in the environment, urgently needing discovery and characterization. This study implemented nontarget analysis for a group of novel PFAA pollutants, viz., iodinated PFAAs (I-PFAAs) in wastewater from a fluorochemical manufacturing park by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry in combination with an iodine-specific data-processing algorithm. The algorithm took into account the diagnostic fragment iodine ion (I-) together with carbon and sulfur isotopologue distributions. In total, 18 I-PFAA formulas involving 21 congeners were identified. Semiquantification was conducted, and the total concentrations of I-PFAAs were 1.9-274.7 μg/L, indicating severe pollution of I-PFAAs in the wastewater. The determined concentrations along with predicted environmental behaviors and toxicities demonstrate that I-PFAAs merit further in-depth investigation. The analytical method including the instrumental analysis and data-processing algorithm can be extended to screening and identification of I-PFAAs in other matrices. Furthermore, the analysis results for the first time provide recognition on the occurrence, distribution features, and pollution status of I-PFAAs in the environment.