Inhibition of miR-450b-5p ameliorates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury via targeting CRYAB

G-LERP/miR-374i-b Attenuates IRI and Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective therapeutic strategy for late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but it is prone to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), leading to poor prognosis. Previous articles have reported that miR-374b-5p expression is increased in HCC tissues, and its relationship with IRI and HCC carcinoma progression is unclear.

METHODS

Previous reports have shown that miR-374b-5p expression is significantly upregulated in HCC tissues. The effect of miR-374b-5p on patient symptoms and prognosis were analyzed from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and liver specimens from LT patients. To further explore its therapeutic potential, a liver-targeted esterase-responsive gene delivery system (G-LERP/miR-374i-b) was developed to downregulate miR-374b-5p expression in the mouse hepatic IRI (HIRI) model. An orthotopic HCC model was further established to mimic the postoperative recurrence of HCC.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that miR-374b-5p expression correlates with tumor size and microvascular invasion based on patients' clinical information. Patients with low miR-374b-5p expression had a higher Milan criteria score and a lower Model for End-stage Liver Disease score. We verified the positive correlation between miR-374b-5p expression and the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Effective downregulation of miR-374b-5p simultaneously alleviated HIRI and reduced tumor burden by 56%, whereas miR-374b-5p upregulation promoted HCC progression. Furthermore, we found G-LERP/miR-374i-b attenuated hepatic inflammation by downregulating the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway, thereby reducing HIRI and the risk of HCC recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

This research is the first to demonstrate miR-374b-5p as a dual therapeutic target during LT and postoperative recurrence of HCC. Preintervention of miR-374b-5p using an esterase-responsive gene delivery system during the preoperative period simultaneously alleviates IRI and suppresses HCC progression.

ZNF384 and m6A methylation promote the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the interaction between LINC00342 and DAPK1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Many lncRNAs play important regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of HCC, but the mechanism of action of LINC00342 in the progression of HCC remains unclear. In this study, we assessed 24 pairs of HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues as well as HCC cells and a nude mouse model of HCC. Gene and protein expression was evaluated by flow cytometry, CCK-8, RIP, colony formation assay, and TUNEL staining. This study revealed that LINC00342 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells. LINC00342 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells, promoted apoptosis, inhibited tumor growth in vivo, and increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin. The opposite effect was observed in LINC00342-overexpressing cells. Mechanistically, ZNF384 and m6A methylation can promote the transcription and stability of LINC00342, and LINC00342 can bind to DAPK1, which inhibits Cyt C release and the activation of caspase family proteins to accelerate HCC progression. Our study indicated that the inhibition of LINC00342 expression may represent a new breakthrough for HCC treatment.

High expression of SERPINE1 and CTSL in keratinocytes in pressure injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury

INTRODUCTION

Pressure Injury (PI) is a complex disease process which is influenced by multiple factors, among which ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is closely related to the progression of PI. But its biomarkers are still unclearly. Understanding its physiological mechanisms and related molecular biomarkers is a key to developing effective prevention and therapeutic strategies.

METHODS

This study through obtained the candidate genes of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the PI rat model by transcriptome sequencing, PI single-cell sequencing database, and genes related to I/R injury from GeneCards database to analyze and screen prognostic related target genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed using clusterProfiler package, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hub genes. The genes related to I/R injury were identified and analyzed using three machine learning algorithms. Then, the hub genes were evaluated using nomogram and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and validated using immunohistochemistry in the PI rat model.

RESULTS

There were finally 7 candidate genes obtained from the intersection of the three datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs were enriched in complement and coagulation cascades, and the keratinocyte differentiation is a significant factor. Then, two hub genes Serine protease inhibitor clade E member 1 (SERPINE1) and Cathepsin L (CTSL) were identified through three machine learning algorithms. The two hub genes were indicated had a high prognosis value by nomogram and ROC curves. SERPINE1 and CTSL both play crucial roles in vasculogenesis, coagulation and degradation of the extracellular matrix, which is essential for wound healing. The results of immunohistochemistry demonstrated that SERPINE1 and CTSL are significantly upregulated in skin tissue from PI caused by I/R injury, and their mRNA expression levels significantly correlate with PI outcomes.

CONCLUSION

According to our research we referred that the SERPINE1 and CTSL might be the potential biomarkers of PI.

Diagnostic value and immune infiltration characterization of WTAP as a critical m6A regulator in liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are essential for numerous biological processes and are implicated in various diseases. However, the comprehensive role of m6A regulators in the context of liver transplantation (LT) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to illustrate the relationship between m6A regulators and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) following LT.

METHODS

Datasets were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential analysis of the merged data identified the differentially expressed m6A regulators. Random forest (RF) models and nomograms were used to forecast the incidence and assess the IRI risk following LT. m6A regulators were classified into distinct subgroups using cluster analysis. The differential gene expression was validated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

We found significant disparities in the gene expression levels of the three m6A regulators between patients with and without LT. Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) expression was upregulated following LT. The RF models exhibited a high degree of accuracy in predicting IRI risk. Immune infiltration analysis showed that WTAP was an immune-associated m6A regulator that was closely associated with T and B cells. WTAP expression in the rat LT model was upregulated after 24 h of reperfusion, which was consistent with the results of the bioinformatics analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

WTAP has a high diagnostic value for IRI in LT and influences the immune status of patients. Hence, WTAP, as a significant regulator of m6A, is a potential biomarker for the detection and implementation of immunotherapy for IRI following LT.

Disulfiram/Cu targeting FOXO6 modulates sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma to lenvatinib via disrupt choline metabolic

Disulfiram/Cu(DSF/Cu) has a known pharmacokinetic and safety profile, exerting a strong antitumor effect. Oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors including lenvatinib are approved as first-line therapy for treating advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These patients still have limited survival due to drug resistance. Disulfiram/Cu and lenvatinib are the promising antitumor treatments. In this study, we studied whether Disulfiram/Cu increased lenvatinib sensitivity in HCC cells. Moreover, the potential drug targets of Disulfiram/Cu and associated mechanisms were explored. We mainly investigated Autophagic flux was determined via immunofluorescence analysis and confocal microscopy. p-PI3K, p-AKT, p62, LC3B, FOXO6, and CHKA proteins associated with autophagy were detected by immunoblotting. In addition, antitumour activity of Disulfiram/Cu in combination with lenvatinib was examined in vivo through construction of the nude mouse transplant tumor model. Furthermore, our results show disulfiram/Cu combined with lenvatinib exerted the synergistic impact on treating HCC in vitro. Mechanistically, transcriptome combined with metabolome reveals Disulfiram/Cu targeting FOXO6 induction of autophagy mediated inhibits cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma by downregulating CHKα for inhibiting AKT pathway activation while blocking choline metabolic reprogramming in HCC. These effects mostly explain the tumor-promoting effect of FOXO6 on HCC. In general, the results illustrate the mechanistic associations between metabolites and tumor cell malignant phenotype, contributing to developing new anti-HCC pharmacological treatments by Inhibiting FOXO6 for disrupting choline metabolic pathway.

The predictive function of miR-122-5p and its action mechanism by regulating PKM2 in metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Obesity will cause metabolic syndrome (Mets) easily, and its pathogenesis is not completely clear.

AIM

To probe into the predictive value of miR-122-5p and its regulatory mechanism in Mets.

METHOD

The predictive effect of miR-122-5p on Mets was evaluated by constructing a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The target genes of miR-122-5p were predicted using the ENCORI/starBase and TargetScanHuman databases, and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), closely related to Mets, was screened by GO and KEGG analysis. The roles of miR-122-5p/PKM2 in insulin resistance (IR) were explored by treating the human normal liver cells (HLCs) with palmitic acid (PA) to induce the IR model. The effects of miR-122-5p/PKM2 on glucose metabolism (GM) of HLCs were evaluated by detecting the production of pyruvic acid, lactic acid, and ATP.

RESULTS

MiR-122-5p was highly expressed in obese people and Mets patients, and its predicted AUC for Mets was 0.876. In HLCs transfected with wild-type PKM2 luciferase vector (PKM2-wt), luciferase activity was attenuated by the miR-122-5p mimic and enhanced by its inhibitor. The expression of PKM2 was inhibited by the miR-122-5p mimic and up-regulated by its inhibitor. The miR-122-5p mimic enhanced PA-induced IR and inhibited the GM of HLCs, which were reversed by overexpression of PKM2. The miR-122-5p inhibitor exerted the opposite effects of its mimic, which were also reversed by silencing of PKM2.

CONCLUSION

MiR-122-5p, a risk factor for Mets, mediated the IR and abnormal glucose metabolism of HLCs by negatively regulating PKM2.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Purinergic signaling by TCRαβ+ double-negative T regulatory cells ameliorates liver ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is an important cause of liver injury following liver transplantation and major resections, and neutrophils are the key effector cells in HIRI. Double-negative T regulatory cells (DNT) are increasingly recognized as having critical regulatory functions in the immune system. Whether DNT expresses distinct immunoregulatory mechanisms to modulate neutrophils, as in HIRI, remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that murine and human DNT highly expressed CD39 that protected DNT from extracellular ATP-induced apoptosis and generated adenosine in tandem with CD73, to induce high levels of neutrophil apoptosis. Furthermore, extracellular adenosine enhanced DNT survival and suppressive function by upregulating survivin and NKG2D expression via the A2AR/pAKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway. Adoptive transfer of DNT ameliorated HIRI in mice through the inhibition of neutrophils in a CD39-dependent manner. Lastly, the adoptive transfer of A2ar-/- DNT validated the importance of adenosine/A2AR signaling, in promoting DNT survival and immunomodulatory function to protect against HIRI in vivo. In conclusion, purinergic signaling is crucial for DNT homeostasis in HIRI. Augmentation of CD39 or activation of A2AR signaling in DNT may provide novel therapeutic strategies to target innate immune disorders.

Etomidate Inhibits Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Depending on the Activation of Nrf2-HO-1 Signaling Pathway

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury (HIRI) is recognized as a local aseptic inflammatory response driven by innate immunity and is considered a leading cause of early organ dysfunction and failure following liver transplantation. Etomidate (Eto), an anesthetic drug known for its ability to inhibit inflammatory response and apoptosis, was the focus of our investigation. In this study, we conducted hepatic I/R surgery in vivo on C57 mice, analyzing liver damage through histopathology. Additionally, primary hepatocytes isolated from mice were cultured and subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) insult in vitro, with cell activity assessed using the CCK8 assay and immunofluorescence staining employed to analyze liver inflammatory cell infiltration and apoptosis. Results showed that Eto effectively inhibited liver injury, inflammatory response, and apoptosis induced by HIRI surgery, with the greatest effect observed at an Eto concentration of 10 mg/kg. Furthermore, Eto also showed the ability to inhibit H/R-induced cell damage, inflammatory activation, and apoptosis in primary hepatocytes. Further mechanistic studies revealed that Eto could promote the activation of the Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway, and the protective effect of Eto on HIRI was nullified when the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was utilized. This study highlights the potential of Eto to protect against HIRI by promoting the Nrf2-HO-1 signaling axis.

TWEAK is an activator of Hippo-YAP signaling protecting against hepatic Ischemia/ reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a formidable complication commonly linked with hemorrhagic shock, liver resection, and transplantation. This study aims to elucidate the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) in the pathogenesis of hepatic I/R injury and to delineate the underlying mechanisms involved. Utilizing a hypoxia-reoxygenation model in human liver organoids (HLOs) alongside a murine model of warm ischemia-reperfusion injury, we systematically investigated the interplay between TWEAK, its receptor Fn14, and the HIPPO signaling pathway. Our findings indicate that TWEAK pretreatment significantly mitigates IRI in murine livers as well as hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in HLOs. Notably, administration of adeno-associated virus (AAV) to knock down Fn14 abrogated the protective effects of TWEAK in the murine model. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 enhances cellular resistance to IRI by activating the HIPPO signaling pathway. Overall, TWEAK emerges as a promising therapeutic target for mitigating hepatic I/R injury, potentially improving outcomes in liver transplantation.

Macrophages dying from ferroptosis promote microglia-mediated inflammatory responses during spinal cord injury

The neurological deficits following traumatic spinal cord injury are associated with severe patient disability and economic consequences. Currently, an increasing number of studies are focusing on the importance of ferroptosis during acute organ injuries. However, the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of ferroptosis during SCI and the details of its role are largely unknown. In this study, in vivo experiments revealed that microglia are in close proximity to macrophages, the major cell type that undergoes ferroptosis following SCI. Furthermore, we found that ferroptotic macrophages aggravate SCI by inducing the proinflammatory properties of microglia. In vitro studies further revealed ferroptotic macrophages increased the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23 in microglia. Mechanistically, due to the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 was increased. In addition, we established that increased levels of oxidative phosphorylation cause mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and unfolded protein response activation and trigger an inflammatory response marked by an increase in IL-23 production. Our findings identified that targeting ferroptosis and IL-23 could be an effective strategy for promoting neurological recovery after SCI.

PTX3 exacerbates hepatocyte pyroptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting macrophage M1 polarization

BACKGROUNDS

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) triggers macrophage activation, which in turn mediates inflammatory responses and affects tissue repair and injury severity. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is vital in immune regulation and inflammatory processes. In this study, we aim to investigate the potential role of PTX3 in macrophage-mediated hepatic IRI.

METHODS

Gene expression profiles and single-cell data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression levels of PTX3, CD68, and CD86 in samples from the human and mouse hepatic IRI models. The effects of PTX3 knockdown or overexpression on macrophage polarization were assessed in Raw264.7. PTX3 knockdown/ overexpression in Raw264.7 and co-culturing with AML12 were performed under conditions of hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) to examine pyroptosis and injury in AML12.

RESULTS

PTX3 expression was significantly upregulated in both human and mouse hepatic IRI model samples. Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data analyses revealed that PTX3 is associated with inflammatory response pathways and macrophage activation. Macrophages with high PTX3 expression exhibit M1-like characteristics. Similarly, overexpression of PTX3 promotes M1 polarization of Raw264.7 after H/R, while the knockdown group exhibits reduced M1 polarization. Co-culture results indicated that pyroptosis in AML12 was significantly reduced after H/R in the PTX3 knockdown group, whereas the PTX3 overexpression group exhibited the opposite outcome.

CONCLUSION

PTX3 regulates macrophage polarization during hepatic IRI, consequently influencing hepatocellular pyroptosis.

miR-450b-5p promotes development of endometriosis by inhibiting the GABPA/HOXD10 axis

Despite decades of research, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs play an important role in this condition. In this study, we found that the expression level of miR-450b-5p was increased in ectopic endometrial tissues and that GA-binding protein A (GABPA) and HOXD10 expression levels were decreased. Overexpression of miR-450b-5p or knockdown of GABPA significantly promoted the proliferation and invasion of hEM15A cells and inhibited apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, GABPA was shown to be a direct target of miR-450b-5p and to bind directly to the promoter of the HOXD10 gene, regulating its transcription. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of HOXD10-overexpressing lentivirus in mice significantly attenuated ectopic endometrial lesions. miR-450b-5p directly targets GABPA, regulates expression of HOXD10, and promotes the growth of ectopic endometriotic lesions. Therefore, the miR-450b-5p/GABPA/HOXD10 signaling pathway may be a potential target for treatment of heterotopic endothelial cell disease.

JuA alleviates liver ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating AKT/NRF2/HO-1 pathways

Liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a detrimental complication of organ transplantation, shock, and sepsis. However, the available drugs to mitigate I/R injury remain limited. Jujuboside A (JuA) is renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties; nevertheless, its potential in liver I/R injury remains unknown. Thus, this study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanisms of JuA in liver I/R injury. Mouse models of I/R and AML12 cell models of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) were constructed. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) detection, and cell viability analysis were used to assess liver injury. To evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage, immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry were conducted. Moreover, molecular docking techniques and western blot were employed to identify downstream target molecules and pathways affected by JuA. The results showed that JuA pretreatment effectively attenuated liver necrosis and ALT and AST level elevations induced by I/R while enhancing AML12 cell viability following H/R. Furthermore, JuA pretreatment suppressed oxidative stress triggered by I/R and H/R, thereby inhibiting the level of pro-inflammatory factors and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Notably, JuA pretreatment alleviated mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. Mechanistically, JuA pretreatment resulted in the activation of the AKT/NRF2/HO-1 signalling pathways, whereas MK2206, the inhibitor of AKT, partially reversed the hepatoprotective effects of JuA during liver I/R. Collectively, our findings illustrated that JuA mitigated oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage by facilitating the AKT/NRF2/HO-1 signalling pathway, thereby alleviating liver I/R injury.

AEBP1 Silencing Protects Against Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Neuron Ferroptosis and Microglia M2 Polarization Through PRKCA-PI3K-Akt Axis

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is one of the main causes of neuronal damage. Neuron ferroptosis and microglia polarization are considered as critical processes during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) usually acts as a transcriptional repressor which is involved in various diseases. However, it is still remains unknown whether AEBP1 could have important roles in regulating the neuron ferroptosis and microglia polarization in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)-treated cells and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-treated mice were used as in vitro and in vivo models. The differentially expressed factors were analyzed according to GEO datasets. Relative mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. ROS, GSH and iron contents were detected using specifical assay kits. CD26 and CD206 levels were measured by immunofluorescence assay. Inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA. The association between AEBP1 and PRKCA was assessed by luciferase reporter and ChIP analyses. The neuron damage in mice was analyzed by TTC staining and neurological deficit score. Transcription factor AEBP1 was increased in OGD/R-treated HT22 and BV2 cells. AEBP1 silencing attenuated OGD/R-induced HT22 cell ferroptosis through increasing cell viability, GSH and GPX4 levels, and decreasing ROS, iron and ACSL4 levels. AEBP1 knockdown promoted microglia M2 polarization by increasing CD206-positive cells and Arg-1 level, and reducing iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in BV2 cells. AEBP1 transcriptionally repressed PRKCA expression, and further regulated PI3K/Akt signaling activation. Inhibition of PRKCA or PI3K/Akt reversed the effects of AEBP1 silencing on neuron ferroptosis and microglia M2 polarization. AEBP1 downregulation attenuated neuronal damage by decreasing infarct size and deficit scores in MCAO-treated mice. AEBP1 silencing mitigated neuron ferroptosis and promoted microglia M2 polarization through increasing PRKCA and activating PI3K/Akt signaling, indicating the potentially protective action of AEBP1 knockdown in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Exploring the effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation time on hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammation

Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (HIRI) is an unavoidable pathological process during liver surgeries such as liver transplantation and hepatic resection, which involves a complex set of molecular and cellular mechanisms. The mechanisms of HIRI may involve a variety of biological processes in which inflammation and apoptosis play a central role. Therefore, it is crucial to deeply investigate the effects of different hypoxia and reoxygenation times on the construction of an in vitro model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. The human normal liver cell line HL-7702 IRI model was constructed by hypoxia chamber, and the inflammation and apoptosis focal levels of cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. When 12-hour reoxygenation time was fixed, the inflammation and apoptosis indexes of HIRI model increased with the prolongation of hypoxia time (6, 12 and 24 hours). These indices reached highest level in the model group of 24-hour fixed hypoxia and 12-hour reoxygenation. Inflammation and apoptosis indices were significantly higher in the model group of 24-hours fixed hypoxia and 12-hours reoxygenation than in the group of 6 and 24 hours of reoxygenation. Taken together, the findings from this research demonstrated that during hypoxia phase, cells exhibited a clear time-dependent response of inflammation and cell death; on the contrary, during the reoxygenation phase, the cellular damage was not monotonically incremental, but showed an inverted U-shaped dynamic pattern. The present study reveals in depth the dynamic changes of cellular responses under hypoxia and reoxygenation conditions, providing us with an important theoretical basis to guide the selection and optimization of in vitro experimental models.

Activating Transcription Factor 6 Mediates Inflammation in Experimental Varicocele-Induced Epididymal Epithelial Cells

Introduction

Varicocele is a dilatation of the internal spermatic vein and it is generally recognized as one cause of male infertility. This study aimed to analyze the roles of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF-6) in experimental varicocele-induced epididymal epithelial cells.

Methods

Experimental left varicocele was established in rats through partial left renal vein ligation. At 8 weeks after surgery, the left epididymal damage was observed using H&E and TUNEL staining. The expressions of neutral α-glucosidase (NAG), ATF-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and phospho-nuclear factor (p-NF)-κB p65 (S536) in the left epididymis were measured by immunohistochemistry. ATF-6 silence in rat epididymal epithelial cells was established by ATF-6 siRNA transfection. The cells were treated with hypoxia for 24 h, and cell viability was measured by CCK-8, levels of NAG, TNF-α, and interleukin (IL)-8 in cells were measured by ELISA, levels of p-NF-κB p65 (S536)/NF-κB p65 protein in cells were measured by Western blotting.

Results

The results showed that the experimental left varicocele induced hypertrophy and apoptosis of epididymal epithelial cells (p<0.05), and decreased the expressions of NAG in the epididymal epithelial cells compared with the sham-operated control rats (p<0.01). Meanwhile, the expressions of ATF-6, TNF-α, and p-NF-κB p65 (S536) were increased in the epididymal epithelial cells after the experimental left varicocele compared with the sham-operated control rats (p<0.05). In the hypoxia-treated cells, ATF-6 silence increased the cell viability and decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-8, and p-NF-κB p65 (S536) compared with the control cells (p<0.05).

Discussion

The ATF-6 pathway was activated in a rat's left varicocele-induced epididymal damage. Inhibition of the ATF-6 pathway might be a possible novel therapeutic approach for left varicocele-induced epididymal damage.

Single cell RNA-sequencing identifies the effect of Normothermic ex vivo liver perfusion on liver-resident T cells

BACKGROUND

Normothermic ex vivo liver perfusion (NEVLP) is an exciting strategy to preserve livers prior to transplant, however, the effects of NEVLP on the phenotype of tissue-resident immune cells is largely unknown. The presence of tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) in the liver may protect against acute rejection and decrease allograft dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the effects of NEVLP on liver TRMs and assessed the ability of anti-inflammatory cytokines to reduce TRM activation during NEVLP.

METHODS

Rat livers underwent NEVLP with or without the addition of IL-10 and TGF-β. Naïve and cold storage livers served as controls. Following preservation, TRM T cell gene expression profiles were assessed through single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Differential gene expression analysis was performed with Wilcoxon rank sum test to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with a specific treatment group. Using the online Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), gene set enrichment was then conducted with Fisher's exact test on DEGs to highlight differentially regulated pathways and functional terms associated with treatment groups.

RESULTS

Through scRNA-seq analysis, an atlas of liver-resident memory T cell subsets was created for all livers. TRM T cells could be identified in all livers, and through scRNA-seq, DEG was identified with Wilcoxon rank sum test at FDR < 0.05. Based on the gene set enrichment analysis of DEGs using Fisher's exact test, NEVLP is associated with downregulation of multiple gene enrichment pathways associated with surface proteins. Furthermore, NEVLP with anti-inflammatory cytokines was associated with down regulation of 52 genes in TRM T cells when compared to NEVLP alone (FDR <0.05), most of which are pro-inflammatory.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to create an atlas of liver TRM T cells in the rat liver undergoing NEVLP and demonstrate the effects of NEVLP on liver TRM T cells at the single cell gene expression level.

Rosiglitazone attenuates Acute Kidney Injury from hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in mice by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism through the PPAR-γ/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a prevalent complication of Liver Transplantation (LT) that occurs during the perioperative period has been established to profoundly impact the prognosis of transplant recipients. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the hepatic IRI-induced AKI and to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating this condition and improving the prognosis of LT patients.

METHODS

An integrated transcriptomics and proteomics approach was employed to investigate transcriptional and proteomic alterations in hepatic IRI-induced AKI and the hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) model using TCMK-1 cells and the hepatic IRI-induced AKI mouse model using male C57BL/6 J mice were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot were used to assess the effect of Rosiglitazone (RGZ) on hepatic IRI-induced AKI in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

According to the results, 322 genes and 128 proteins were differentially expressed between the sham and AKI groups. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment in pathways related to amino acid and lipid metabolism. Additionally, the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis of the kidney tissues obtained from a hepatic IRI-induced AKI mouse model highlighted arachidonic acid metabolism as the most prominent pathway. Animal and cellular analyses further revealed that RGZ, a PPAR-γ agonist, could inhibit the expression of the PPAR-γ/NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins in in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings collectively suggest that RGZ ameliorates hepatic IRI-induced AKI via PPAR-γ/NF-κB signaling pathway modulation, highlighting PPAR-γ as a crucial therapeutic target for AKI prevention post-LT.

Current status and perspective on molecular targets and therapeutic intervention strategy in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common and inevitable complication of hepatic trauma, liver resection, or liver transplantation. It contributes to postoperative organ failure or tissue rejection, eventually affecting patient prognosis and overall survival. The pathological mechanism of HIRI is highly complex and has not yet been fully elucidated. The proposed underlying mechanisms include mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress imbalance, abnormal cell death, immune cell hyperactivation, intracellular inflammatory disorders and other complex events. In addition to serious clinical limitations, available antagonistic drugs and specific treatment regimens are still lacking. Therefore, there is an urgent need to not only clarify the exact etiology of HIRI but also reveal the possible reactions and bottlenecks of existing drugs, helping to reduce morbidity and shorten hospitalizations. We analyzed the possible underlying mechanism of HIRI, discussed various outcomes among different animal models and explored neglected potential therapeutic strategies for HIRI treatment. By thoroughly reviewing and analyzing the literature on HIRI, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the current research status in related fields and identified valuable references for future clinical and scientific investigations.

Radix rehmanniae praeparata extracts ameliorate hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by reversing LRP1-NOTCH1-C/EBPβ axis-mediated senescence fate of LSECs

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is commonly observed in cases of extensive hepatic resection and involves complex mechanisms. Cell senescence has been recognized as a factor in liver injury including HIRI, where it presents as a pro-inflammatory phenotype called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (RRP) is a commonly utilized traditional Chinese medicine known for its hepatoprotective, anti-aging and antioxidant qualities. Despite its recognized benefits, the specific mechanisms by which RRP may impede the progression of HIRI through the regulation of cell senescence and the identification of the most potent anti-aging extracts from RRP remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we first applied different chemical analysis methods to identify the RRP aqueous extract (RRPAE) and active fractions of RRP. Next, we constructed a surgically established mouse model and a hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR)-stimulated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) model to explore the underlying mechanism of RRP against HIRI through transcriptomics and multiple molecular biology experiments.

RESULTS

After identifying active ingredients in RRP, we observed that RRP and its factions effectively restored LSECs fenestration and improved inflammation, cellular swelling and vascular continuity in the hepatic sinusoidal region during HIRI. Transcriptomic results revealed that RRP might reverse HIRI-induced senescence through the NOTCH signaling pathway and cell categorization further showed that the senescent cell population in HIRI liver was primarily LSECs rather than other cell types. Different RRPAE, especially RRP glucoside (RRPGLY), improved LSECs senescence and suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory SASP genes either induced by HR insult or NOTCH1 activator, which was accompanied with the inhibition of LRP1-NOTCH1-C/EBPβ pathways. Additionally, the specific inhibition of NOTCH1 by siRNA synergistically enhanced the hepatoprotective effect of RRPGLY. The ChIP-qPCR results further showed that C/EBPβ was enriched at the promoter of a representative SASP, Il-1β, in hypoxic LSECs but was significantly inhibited by RRPGLY.

CONCLUSION

Our study not only clarified the potential mechanism of RRP active extractions in alleviating HIRI, but also highlighted RRPGLY was the main component of RRP that exerted anti-aging and anti-HIRI effects, providing a fresh perspective on the use of RRP to improve HIRI.

Upregulation of miRNA-450b-5p targets ACTB to affect drug resistance and prognosis of ovarian cancer via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most malignant gynecologic cancer, and chemoresistance is a major cause of treatment failure in patients with OC. The understanding of microRNA (miRNA) in cancer is limited, and the role of miRNA (miR)-450b-5p in cancer drug resistance is unknown. In this study, we aim to evaluate the role of miR-450b-5p in drug-resistant OC and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

MiR-450b-5p expression was assessed in drug-sensitive and resistant OC cells via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Target genes of miR-450b-5p were identified from the Cancer MIRNome database. Co-expressed genes were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Cancer Genome cBioportal for pathway enrichment and functional clustering analysis.

Results

The miRNA-450b-5p expression was significantly increased in A2780 and SKOV3 OC-resistant cells and significantly increased by 17-fold in the A2780-CBP-Lv-miR-450b-5p cells compared to A2780-CBP and A2780-CBP-Lv-NC cells. The up-regulated expression of miR-450b-5p increased the cell viability and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of A2780 platinum-resistant cells and was associated with poor OS. We obtained 33 potential target genes of miR-450b-5p and beta-actin (ACTB) might be a potential target of miR-450b-5p. Low expression of ACTB predicted poor OS and PFS. We obtained 362 common genes co-expressed with ACTB, which involved 4 critical pathways. PI3K acted as an upstream pathway of the other three pathways, which ultimately responded to drug resistance regulation in OC. The genes enriched in four pathways were cross-analyzed and 13 overlapping genes were obtained. These 13 genes were also significantly and positively co-expressed with ACTB at both protein and mRNA levels.

Conclusions

High expression of miRNA-450b-5p might affect drug resistance and prognosis in OC by targeting 13 co-expressed genes of ACTB directly through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, miR-450b-5p might provide a new therapeutic target for drug resistance in OC.

TMEM79 Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Regulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress via the Nrf2/NLRP3 Pathway

BACKGROUND

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) is still a complicated disease with high fatality rates worldwide. Transmembrane Protein 79 (TMEM79) regulates inflammation and oxidative stress in some other diseases.

METHODS

CIRI mouse model was established using C57BL/6J mice through middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R), and BV2 cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to simulate CIRI. Brain tissue or BV2 cells were transfected or injected with lentivirus-carried TMEM79 overexpression vector. The impact of TMEM79 on CIRI-triggered oxidative stress was ascertained by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining and examination of oxidative stress indicators. Regulation of TMEM79 in neuronal apoptosis and inflammation was determined using TUNEL staining and ELISA.

RESULTS

TMEM79 overexpression mitigated neurological deficit induced by MCAO/R and decreased the extent of cerebral infarct. TMEM79 prevented neuronal death in brain tissue of MCAO/R mouse model and suppressed inflammatory response by reducing inflammatory cytokines levels. Moreover, TMEM79 significantly attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress caused by OGD/R in BV2 cells. TMEM79 facilitated the activation of Nrf2 and inhibited NLRP3 and caspase-1 expressions. Rescue experiments indicated that the Nrf2/NLRP3 signaling pathway mediated the mitigative effect of TMEM79 on CIRI in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Overall, TMEM79 was confirmed to attenuate CIRI via regulating the Nrf2/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

HSP110 aggravates ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation by promoting NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) poses a significant challenge to liver transplantation (LT). The underlying mechanism primarily involves overactivation of the immune system. Heat shock protein 110 (HSP110) functions as a molecular chaperone that helps stabilize protein structures.

METHODS

An IRI model was established by performing LT on Sprague-Dawley rats, and HSP110 was silenced using siRNA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, TUNEL, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and liver enzyme analysis were performed to assess IRI following LT. Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were conducted to investigate the pertinent molecular changes.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed a significant increase in the expression of HSP110 at both the mRNA and protein levels in the rat liver following LT (P < 0.05). However, when rats were injected with siRNA-HSP110, IRI subsequent to LT was notably reduced (P < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of liver enzymes and inflammatory chemokines in rat serum were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Silencing HSP110 with siRNA resulted in a marked decrease in M1-type polarization of Kupffer cells in the liver and downregulated the NF-κB pathway in the liver (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

HSP110 in the liver promotes IRI after LT in rats by activating the NF-κB pathway and inducing M1-type polarization of Kupffer cells. Targeting HSP110 to prevent IRI after LT may represent a promising new approach for the treatment of LT-associated IRI.

Oridonin attenuates liver ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing PKM2/NLRP3-mediated macrophage pyroptosis

BACKGROUND

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) mediated pyroptosis of macrophages is closely associated with liver ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). As a covalent inhibitor of NLRP3, Oridonin (Ori), has strong anti-inflammasome effect, but its effect and mechanisms for liver IRI are still unknown.

METHODS

Mice and liver macrophages were treated with Ori, respectively. Co-IP and LC-MS/MS analysis of the interaction between PKM2 and NLRP3 in macrophages. Liver damage was detected using H&E staining. Pyroptosis was detected by WB, TEM, and ELISA.

RESULTS

Ori ameliorated liver macrophage pyroptosis and liver IRI. Mechanistically, Ori inhibited the interaction between pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2) and NLRP3 in hypoxia/reoxygenation（H/R）-induced macrophages, while the inhibition of PKM2/NLRP3 reduced liver macrophage pyroptosis and liver IRI.

CONCLUSION

Ori exerted protective effects on liver IRI via suppressing PKM2/NLRP3-mediated liver macrophage pyroptosis, which might become a potential therapeutic target in the clinic.

Piperine attenuates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury via suppressing the TLR4 signaling cascade in mice

Piperine, the major active substance in black pepper, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in several ischemic diseases. However, the role of piperine in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the mice were administered piperine (30 mg/kg) intragastric administration before surgery. After 24 h of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion, liver histopathological evaluation, serum transaminase measurements, and TUNEL analysis were performed. The infiltration of inflammatory cells and production of inflammatory mediators in the liver tissue were determined by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and related proteins such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), p65, and p38 were detected by western blotting. The results showed that plasma aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cell infiltration significantly increased in HIRI mice. Piperine pretreatment notably repaired liver function, improved the histopathology and apoptosis of liver cells, alleviated oxidative stress injury, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Further analysis showed that piperine attenuated tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) production and reduced TLR4 activation and phosphorylation of IRAK1, p38, and NF-κB in HIRI. Piperine has a protective effect against HIRI through the TLR4/IRAK1/NF-κB signaling pathway and may be a safer option for future clinical treatment and prevention of ischemia-related diseases.

Upregulation and functional roles of miR-450b in canine oral melanoma

Canine oral melanoma (COM) is a common and highly aggressive disease with the potential to model human melanomas. Dysregulated microRNAs represent an interesting line of research for COM because they are implicated in tumor progression. One example is miR-450b, which has been investigated for its molecular mechanisms and biological functions in multiple human cancers, but not human or canine melanoma. Here, we aimed to investigate miR-450b as a potential diagnostic biomarker of COM and its functional roles in metastatic and non-metastatic forms of the disease. We investigated the expression of miR-450b and its target mRNA genes in clinical (tumor tissue and plasma) samples and metastatic and primary-tumor cell lines. Knockdown and overexpression experiments were performed to determine the influence of miR-450b on cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, and apoptosis. miR-450b was significantly upregulated in COM and differentiated between metastatic and non-metastatic tumors, and its potential as a biomarker of metastatic and non-metastatic COM was further confirmed in ROC analysis. miR-450b knockdown promoted cell proliferation, migration, and clonogenicity and inhibited apoptosis, whereas its overexpression yielded the reverse pattern. miR-450b directly binds 3' UTR of PAX9 mRNA and modulates its function leading to BMP4 downregulation and MMP9 upregulation at the transcript level. Furthermore, we surmised that miR-450b activates the Wnt signaling pathway based on gene ontology and enrichment analyses. We concluded that miR-450b has the potential as a diagnostic biomarker and could be a target candidate for COM treatment.

Re-exploration of immunotherapy targeting EMT of hepatocellular carcinoma: Starting from the NF-κB pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancies worldwide, and its high morbidity and mortality have brought a heavy burden to the global public health system. Due to the concealment of its onset, the limitation of treatment, the acquisition of multi-drug resistance and radiation resistance, the treatment of HCC cannot achieve satisfactory results. Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) is a key process that induces progression, distant metastasis, and therapeutic resistance to a variety of malignant tumors, including HCC. Therefore, targeting EMT has become a promising tumor immunotherapy method for HCC. The NF-κB pathway is a key regulatory pathway for EMT. Targeting this pathway has shown potential to inhibit HCC infiltration, invasion, distant metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. At present, there are still some controversies about this pathway and new ideas of combined therapy, which need to be further explored. This article reviews the progress of immunotherapy in improving EMT development in HCC cells by exploring the mechanism of regulating EMT.

Predicting mitophagy-related genes and unveiling liver endothelial cell heterogeneity in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Background

Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (HIRI) is a major complication in liver transplants and surgeries, significantly affecting postoperative outcomes. The role of mitophagy, essential for removing dysfunctional mitochondria and maintaining cellular balance, remains unclear in HIRI.

Methods

To unravel the role of mitophagy-related genes (MRGs) in HIRI, we assembled a comprehensive dataset comprising 44 HIRI samples alongside 44 normal control samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for this analysis. Using Random Forests and Support Vector Machines - Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE), we pinpointed eight pivotal genes and developed a logistic regression model based on these findings. Further, we employed consensus cluster analysis for classifying HIRI patients according to their MRG expression profiles and conducted weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify clusters of genes that exhibit high correlation within different modules. Additionally, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis to explore insights into the behavior of MRGs within the HIRI.

Results

We identified eight key genes (FUNDC1, VDAC1, MFN2, PINK1, CSNK2A2, ULK1, UBC, MAP1LC3B) with distinct expressions between HIRI and controls, confirmed by PCR validation. Our diagnostic model, based on these genes, accurately predicted HIRI outcomes. Analysis revealed a strong positive correlation of these genes with monocytic lineage and a negative correlation with B and T cells. HIRI patients were divided into three subclusters based on MRG profiles, with WGCNA uncovering highly correlated gene modules. Single-cell analysis identified two types of endothelial cells with different MRG scores, indicating their varied roles in HIRI.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the critical role of MRGs in HIRI and the heterogeneity of endothelial cells. We identified the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and cGAS-STING (GAS) pathways as regulators of mitophagy's impact on HIRI. These findings advance our understanding of mitophagy in HIRI and set the stage for future research and therapeutic developments.

FDA compound library screening Baicalin upregulates TREM2 for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of global incidence and mortality rates. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors in the pathogenesis of AIS neuroinjury. Therefore, it is necessary to develop drugs that target neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in AIS. The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), primarily expressed on microglial cell membranes, plays a critical role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in AIS. In this study, we employed a high-throughput screening (HTS) strategy to evaluate 2625 compounds from the (Food and Drug Administration) FDA library in vitro to identify compounds that upregulate the TREM2 receptor on microglia. Through this screening, we identified Baicalin as a potential drug for AIS treatment. Baicalin, a flavonoid compound extracted and isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, demonstrated promising results. Next, we established an in vivo mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (MCAO/R) and an in vitro microglia cell of oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion (OGD/R) to investigate the role of Baicalin in inflammation injury, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis. Our results showed that baicalin effectively inhibited microglia activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammatory responses in vitro. Additionally, baicalin suppressed neuronal cell apoptosis. In the in vivo experiments, baicalin not only improved neurological functional deficits and reduced infarct volume but also inhibited microglia activation and inflammatory responses. Overall, our findings demonstrate the efficacy of Baicalin in treating MCAO/R by upregulating TREM2 to reduce inflammatory responses and inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

NLRP3 deficiency protects against acetaminophen‑induced liver injury by inhibiting hepatocyte pyroptosis

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the primary cause of drug‑induced acute liver failure in numerous Western countries. NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation serves a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various forms of acute liver injury. However, the cellular source for NLRP3 induction and its involvement during APAP‑induced hepatotoxicity have not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to assess histopathological changes of liver tissue. Immunohistochemistry staining(NLRP3, Caspase‑1, IL‑1β, GSDMD and Caspase‑3), western blotting (NLRP3, Caspase‑1, IL‑1β, GSDMD and Caspase‑3) and RT‑qPCR (NLRP3, Caspase‑1 and IL‑1β) were performed to assess the expression of NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway. TUNEL staining was performed to assess apoptosis of liver tissue. The serum expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL‑6, IL‑18, IL‑1β and TNF‑α) were assessed using ELISA and inflammation of liver tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry (Ly6G and CD68) and RT‑qPCR (TNF‑α, Il‑6, Mcp‑1, Cxcl‑1, Cxcl‑2). A Cell Counting Kit‑8 was performed to assess cell viability and apoptosis. Protein and gene expression were analyzed by western blotting (PCNA, CCND1) and RT‑qPCR (CyclinA2, CyclinD1 and CyclinE1). Through investigation of an APAP‑induced acute liver injury model (AILI), the present study demonstrated that APAP overdose induced activation of NLRP3 and cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD) in hepatocytes, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, mice with hepatocyte‑specific knockout of Nlrp3 exhibited reduced liver injury and lower mortality following APAP intervention, accompanied by decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells and attenuated inflammatory response. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of NLRP3/GSDMD signaling using MCC950 or disulfiram significantly ameliorated liver injury and reduced hepatocyte death. Notably, hepatocyte Nlrp3 deficiency promoted liver recovery by enhancing hepatocyte proliferation. Collectively, the present study demonstrated that inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome protects against APAP‑induced acute liver injury by reducing hepatocyte pyroptosis and suggests that targeting NLRP3 may hold therapeutic potential for treating AILI.

Specific knockout of macrophage SHP2 promotes macrophage M2 polarization and alleviates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

To investigate the effect of specific knockout of SHP2 in mononuclear macrophages on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and its molecular mechanism. The structural, functional, and pathological changes in the mouse kidney were detected by ultrasound testing. The relative fluorescence intensity of α-SMA, Col1, Col3, and Vim was measured by immunofluorescence staining, and ELISA was performed to detect the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Crea), and uric acid (UA). The relative protein expressions of relevant proteins in the mouse kidney tissue were detected by western blotting. Specific knockout of SHP2 could improve both renal function and structure, reduce the relative fluorescence intensity of α-SMA, Col1, Col3 and Vim, lower the concentrations of BUN, Crea, and UA and the expressions of TNF-α, IFNγ, p-NFκB, and p-MyD88, and increase the expressions of p-MerTK, p-FAK, p-PI3K, and p-IκB. The above results illustrate that specific knockdown of macrophage SHP2 promotes macrophage M2 polarization and alleviates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. The above results illustrate that specific knockdown of macrophage SHP2 promotes macrophage M2 polarization and attenuatesll renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Specific knockout of macrophage SHP2 promotes macrophage M2 polarization and alleviates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BMX deletion mitigates neuroinflammation induced by retinal ischemia/reperfusion through modulation of the AKT/ERK/STAT3 signaling cascade

Aims

Retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is implicated in the etiology of various ocular disorders. Prior research has demonstrated that bone marrow tyrosine kinase on chromosome X (BMX) contributes to the advancement of ischemic disease and inflammatory reactions. Consequently, the current investigation aims to evaluate BMX's impact on retinal I/R injury and clarify its implied mechanism of action.

Main methods

This study utilized male and female systemic BMX knockout (BMX-/-) mice to conduct experiments. The utilization of Western blot assay and immunofluorescence labeling techniques was employed to investigate variations in the expression of protein and tissue localization. Histomorphological changes were observed through H&E staining and SD-OCT examination. Visual function changes were assessed through electrophysiological experiments. Furthermore, apoptosis in the retina was identified using the TUNEL assay, as well as the ELISA technique, which has been utilized to determine the inflammatory factors level.

Key findings

Our investigation results revealed that the knockdown of BMX did not yield a significant effect on mouse retina. In mice, BMX knockdown mitigated the negative impact of I/R injury on retinal tissue structure and visual function. BMX knockdown effectively reduced apoptosis, suppressed inflammatory responses, and decreased inflammatory factors subsequent to I/R injury. The outcomes of the current investigation revealed that BMX knockdown partially protected the retina through downregulating phosphorylation of AKT/ERK/STAT3 pathway.

Significance

Our investigation showed that BMX-/- reduces AKT, ERK, and STAT3 phosphorylation, reducing apoptosis and inflammation. Thus, this strategy protected the retina from structural and functional damage after I/R injury.

Maternal exposure to E 551 during pregnancy leads to genome-wide DNA methylation changes and metabolic disorders in the livers of pregnant mice and their fetuses

The widespread use of nanoparticles in the food industry has raised concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations, including pregnant mothers and fetuses. However, studies evaluating the reproductive and developmental toxicity of food-grade nanomaterials are limited. This study investigated the potential risks of prenatal dietary exposure to food-grade silica nanoparticles (E 551) on maternal health and fetal growth using conventional toxicological and epigenetic methods. The results showed that prenatal exposure to a high-dose of E 551 induces fetal resorption. Moreover, E 551 significantly accumulates in maternal and fetal livers, triggering a hepatic inflammatory response. At the epigenetic level, global DNA methylation is markedly altered in the maternal and fetal livers. Genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing revealed affected mCG, mCHG, and mCHH methylation landscapes. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis of the differentially methylated genes suggests that E 551 poses a risk of inducing metabolic disorders in maternal and fetal livers. This is further evidenced by impaired glucose tolerance in pregnant mice and altered expression of key metabolism-related genes and proteins in maternal and fetal livers. Collectively, the results of this study highlighted the importance of epigenetics in characterizing the potential toxicity of maternal exposure to food-grade nanomaterials during pregnancy.

Potential effects of different cell death inhibitors in protecting against ischemia-reperfusion injury in steatotic liver

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a common issue and with the increasing incidence of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which are more sensitive to IRI, it is crucial to explore the possible strategy to alleviate the steatotic liver IRI. Several modes of cell death are involved in hepatocytes and immune cells during hepatic IRI, and the effects of different cell death inhibitors including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis in steatotic liver IRI have not been investigated. We established 70% IRI model on steatotic liver in mice. Apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis inhibitors were used to evaluate their effects on liver injury, inflammatory response, and immune cell infiltration. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical results demonstrated that there were apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis in the progression of IRI in steatotic liver. All four types of cell death inhibitors showed protective effects, but ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 and pyroptosis inhibitor VX765 exerted better protective effects compared the apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD and necroptosis inhibitor Nec-1. Further, we found that pyroptosis occurred mainly in macrophages and ferroptosis occured primarily in hepatocytes during steatotic liver IRI. Ferroptosis in heaptocytes and pyroptosis in macrophages are two major cell death types involved in steatotic liver IRI and inhibiting these cell death exerted good protective effects.

PPM1G regulates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury through STING-mediated inflammatory pathways in macrophages

BACKGROUND

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is generally unavoidable following liver transplantation. Here, we investigated the role of protein phosphatase, Mg2+ /Mn2+ dependent 1G (PPM1G) in hepatic IRI.

METHODS

Hepatic IRI was mimicked by employing a hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) model in RAW 264.7 cells and a 70% warm ischemia model in C57BL/6 mice, respectively. In vitro, expression changes of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expressions of PPM1G and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway components were analyzed by western blot. Interaction between PPM1G and STING was verified by coimmunoprecipitation (CO-IP). Immunofluorescence was applied for detection of p-IRF3. Flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and western blot were utilized to analyze markers of macrophage polarization. In vivo, histological analyses of mice liver were carried out by TUNEL and H&E staining. Changes in serum aminotransferases were also detected.

RESULTS

Following H/R intervention, a steady decline in PPM1G along with an increase in inflammatory cytokines in vitro was observed. Addition of plasmid with PPM1G sequence limited the release of inflammatory cytokines and downregulated phosphorylation of STING. CO-IP validated the interaction between PPM1G and STING. Furthermore, inhibition of PPM1G with lentivirus enhanced phosphorylation of STING and its downstream components; meanwhile, p65, p38, and Jnk were also surged to phosphorylation. Expression of INOS and CD86 was surged, while CD206, Arg-1, and IL-10 were inhibited. In vivo, PPM1G inhibition further promoted liver damage, hepatocyte apoptosis, and transaminases release. Selective inhibition of STING with C-176 partially reversed the activation of STING pathway and inflammatory cytokines in vitro. M1 markers were also suppressed by C-176. In vivo, C-176 rescued liver damage and transaminase release caused by PPM1G inhibition.

CONCLUSION

PPM1G suppresses hepatic IRI and macrophage M1 phenotype by repressing STING-mediated inflammatory pathways.

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and its effect on the cardiovascular system: The role of treprostinil, a synthetic prostacyclin analog

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion syndrome has been the subject of intensive study and experimentation in recent decades since it is responsible for the outcome of several clinical entities, such as major hepatic resections and liver transplantation. In addition to the organ's post reperfusion injury, this syndrome appears to play a central role in the dysfunction of distant tissues and systems. Thus, continuous research should be directed toward finding effective therapeutic options to improve the outcome and reduce the postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Treprostinil is a synthetic analog of prostaglandin I2, and its experimental administration has shown encouraging results. It has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States for pulmonary arterial hypertension and has been used in liver transplantation, where preliminary encouraging results showed its safety and feasibility by using continuous intravenous administration at a dose of 5 ng/kg/min. Treprostinil improves renal and hepatic function, diminishes hepatic oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, reduces hepatictoll-like receptor 9 and inflammation, inhibits hepatic apoptosis and restores hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and ATP synthases, which is necessary for functional maintenance of mitochondria. Treprostinil exhibits vasodilatory properties and antiplatelet activity and regulates proinflammatory cytokines; therefore, it can potentially minimize ischemia-reperfusion injury. Additionally, it may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular parameters, and much current research interest is concentrated on this compound.

Non-coding RNAs: The potential biomarker or therapeutic target in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is the major complication of liver surgery and liver transplantation, that may increase the postoperative morbidity, mortality, tumor progression, and metastasis. The underlying mechanisms have been extensively investigated in recent years. Among these, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, immunoreactions, and cell death are the most studied. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are defined as the RNAs that do not encode proteins, but can regulate gene expressions. In recent years, ncRNAs have emerged as research hotspots for various diseases. During the progression of HIRI, ncRNAs are differentially expressed, while these dysregulations of ncRNAs, in turn, have been verified to be related to the above pathological processes involved in HIRI. ncRNAs mainly contain microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs, some of which have been reported as biomarkers for early diagnosis or assessment of liver damage severity, and as therapeutic targets to attenuate HIRI. Here, we briefly summarize the common pathophysiology of HIRI, describe the current knowledge of ncRNAs involved in HIRI in animal and human studies, and discuss the potential of ncRNA-targeted therapeutic strategies. Given the scarcity of clinical trials, there is still a long way to go from pre-clinical to clinical application, and further studies are needed to uncover their potential as therapeutic targets.

Mechanism of Resveratrol Improving Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Microglial Function Through microRNA-450b-5p/KEAP1/Nrf2 Pathway

Alterations in the M1/M2 polarization phenotype significantly affect disease progression. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protective effects of resveratrol (Res) have been demonstrated. This paper tested the hypothesis that Res could protect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) by modulating microglial polarization via the miR-450b-5p/KEAP1/Nrf2 pathway. Rats were first treated with Res and adenovirus that interfered with miR-450b-5p or KEAP1, and then established a middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion model using modified nylon sutures. Rats were then evaluated for neurological and behavioral functions, and markers of M2 microglia were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, the signature patterns of miR-450b-5p, KEAP1, and Nrf2 were determined. The collected data demonstrated that Res exerted neuroprotective effects in CI/RI by promoting microglial M2 polarization. Additionally, Res could regulate the Nrf2 pathway by targeting KEAP1 by up-regulating miR-450b-5p. Up-regulating miR-450b-5p or down-regulating KEAP1 could further promote the protective effect of Res, while down-regulating miR-450b-5p or up-regulating KEAP1 worked oppositely. Our study demonstrates that Res exerts neuroprotective effects on microglial M2 polarization through the miR-450b-5p/KEAP1/Nrf2 pathway during CI/RI.

TRIM37 exacerbates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury by facilitating IKKγ translocation

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the major pathological processes associated with various liver surgeries. However, there is still a lack of strategies to protect against hepatic I/R injury because of the unknown underlying mechanism. The present study aimed to identify a potential strategy and provide a fundamental experimental basis for treating hepatic I/R injury.

METHOD

A classic 70% ischemia/reperfusion injury was established. Immunoprecipitation was used to identify direct interactions between proteins. The expression of proteins from different subcellular localizations was detected by Western blotting. Cell translocation was directly observed by immunofluorescence. HE, TUNEL and ELISA were performed for function tests.

RESULT

We report that tripartite motif containing 37 (TRIM37) aggravates hepatic I/R injury through the reinforcement of IKK-induced inflammation following dual patterns. Mechanistically, TRIM37 directly interacts with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), inducing K63 ubiquitination and eventually leading to the phosphorylation of IKKβ. TRIM37 enhances the translocation of IKKγ, a regulatory subunit of the IKK complex, from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, thereby stabilizing the cytoplasmic IKK complex and prolonging the duration of inflammation. Inhibition of IKK rescued the function of TRIM37 in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the present study discloses some potential function of TRIM37 in hepatic I/R injury. Targeting TRIM37 might be potential for treatment against hepatic I/R injury.Targeting TRIM37 might be a potential treatment strategy against hepatic I/R injury.

Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis In Vivo and In Vitro

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is the main reason for organ failure following liver surgery; however, its underlying causes are complex, and include oxidative stress, sterile inflammatory, and mitochondrial damage. Unfortunately, treatments for HIRI are based on supportive therapy, and no specific drugs or methods are currently available. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a dietary polyphenol with a wide range of pharmacological effects and it has a protective effect on HIRI; however, its specific mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated that CGA pretreatment exerts protective effects against HIRI and the potential underlying mechanisms. We found that CGA pretreatment reduced ALT, AST, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels following HIRI, improved SOD and GSH levels, and alleviated pathological liver tissue damage, with the highest CGA dose (100 mg/kg.d) exerted the strongest effect. In addition, we showed that CGA pretreatment significantly decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species following HIRI, inhibited HMGB1 release by decreasing IRF-1 expression, inhibited the expression of HMGB1, TLR-4, MyD88, P-IκB-α, NF-κB P65, and P-P65, and promoted IκB-α degradation. Thus, CGA appears to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory responses during HIRI. Furthermore, we found that CGA pretreatment reduced hepatocyte apoptosis following HIRI, alleviated mitochondrial damage, promoted BCL-2 expression, inhibited Bax upregulation, and inhibited cytochrome C release to prevent caspase activation, thereby reducing the expression of the caspase-independent pathway components, ENDOG and AIF. Together, our findings suggest that CGA can protect against HIRI by inhibiting oxidative stress, the HMGB1/TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory responses, and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Thus, CGA appears to be a promising therapeutic approach for treating HIRI.

MAPK Signaling Pathways in Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway can be activated by a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and hormones, and mediates numerous intracellular signals related to cellular activities, including cell proliferation, motility, and differentiation. It has been widely studied in the occurrence and development of inflammation and tumor. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common pathophysiological phenomenon that occurs in surgical procedures such as lobectomy and liver transplantation, which is characterized by severe inflammatory reaction after ischemia and reperfusion. In this review, we mainly discuss the role of p38, ERK1/2, JNK in MAPK family and TAK1 and ASK1 in MAPKKK family in HIRI, and try to find an effective treatment for HIRI.

Research progress of lncRNA and miRNA in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common complication of liver surgeries, such as hepatectomy and liver transplantation. In recent years, several non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as factors involved in the pathological progression of HIRI. In this review, we summarized the latest research on lncRNAs, miRNAs and the lncRNA-miRNA regulatory networks in HIRI.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published up to December 2021 using the following keywords: "hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury", "lncRNA", "long non-coding RNA", "miRNA" and "microRNA". The bibliography of the selected articles was manually screened to identify additional studies.

RESULTS

The mechanism of HIRI is complex, and involves multiple lncRNAs and miRNAs. The roles of lncRNAs such as AK139328, CCAT1, MALAT1, TUG1 and NEAT1 have been established in HIRI. In addition, numerous miRNAs are associated with apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress and cellular inflammation that accompany HIRI pathogenesis. Based on the literature, we conclude that four lncRNA-miRNA regulatory networks mediate the pathological progression of HIRI. Furthermore, the expression levels of some lncRNAs and miRNAs undergo significant changes during the progression of HIRI, and thus are potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

Complex lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks regulate HIRI progression through mutual activation and antagonism. It is necessary to screen for more HIRI-associated lncRNAs and miRNAs in order to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Upregulated microRNA-450b-5p represses the development of acute liver failure via modulation of liver function, inflammatory response, and hepatocyte apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

It has been evidenced that microRNAs (miRs) exert crucial effects on acute liver failure (ALF), while the detailed function of miR-450b-5p in ALF progression remained obscure. The purpose of this research was to unravel the regulatory mechanism of miR-450b-5p in ALF via modulating Mouse Double Minute 2 protein (MDM2).

METHODS

ALF was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of d-galactosamine ( d-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Adenoviruses containing overexpressed miR-450b-5p, MDM2 shRNA, and overexpressed MDM2 sequences were utilized to manipulate miR-450b-5p and MDM2 expression in the liver before the mice were treated with d-GalN/LPS-induced ALF. Subsequently, miR-450b-5p and MDM2 expression levels in liver tissues of ALF mice were examined. Serum biochemical parameters of liver function were tested, serum inflammatory factors were assessed, and the histopathological changes and hepatocyte apoptosis in liver tissues were observed. The relation between miR-450b-5p and MDM2 was verified.

RESULTS

In ALF mice, miR-450b-5p was low-expressed while MDM2 was high-expressed. The upregulation of miR-450b-5p or downregulation of MDM2 could alleviate liver function, mitigate the serum inflammatory response and pathological changes in liver tissues, as well as inhibit the apoptosis of hepatocytes. MiR-450b-5p targeted MDM2. MDM2 overexpression reversed the repressive effects of elevated miR-450b-5p on ALF.

CONCLUSION

The upregulated miR-450b-5p blocks the progression of ALF via targeting MDM2. This study contributes to affording novel therapeutic targets for ALF treatment.

DUSP9 alleviates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury by restraining both mitogen-activated protein kinase and IKK in an apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-dependent manner

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs frequently in various liver operations and diseases, but its effective treatment remains inadequate because the key switch that leads to hepatic explosive inflammation has not been well disclosed. Dual specificity phosphatase 9 (DUSP9) is widely involved in the innate immune response of solid organs and is sometimes regulated by ubiquitin. In the present study, we find that DUSP9 is reduced in mouse hepatic I/R injury. DUSP9 enrichment attenuates hepatic inflammation both in vivo and in vitro as revealed by western blot analysis and qRT-PCR. In contrast, DUSP9 depletion leads to more severe I/R injury. Mechanistically, DUSP9 inhibits the phosphorylation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) by directly binding to ASK1, thereby decreasing tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), K63 ubiquitin and the phosphorylation of p38/JNK1 instead of ERK1. The present study documents a novel role of DUSP9 in hepatic I/R injury and implies the potential of targeting the DUSP9/ASK1 axis towards mitogen-activated protein kinase and TRAF6/inhibitor of κB kinase pathways.

Molecular Mechanisms of Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury and Regeneration in the Liver-Shock and Surgery-Associated Changes

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a major challenge during liver surgery, liver preservation for transplantation, and can cause hemorrhagic shock with severe hypoxemia and trauma. The reduction of blood supply with a concomitant deficit in oxygen delivery initiates various molecular mechanisms involving the innate and adaptive immune response, alterations in gene transcription, induction of cell death programs, and changes in metabolic state and vascular function. Hepatic IRI is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and is associated with an increased risk for tumor growth and recurrence after oncologic surgery for primary and secondary hepatobiliary malignancies. Therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat hepatic IRI have been investigated in animal models but, for the most part, have failed to provide a protective effect in a clinical setting. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic IRI and regeneration, as well as its clinical implications. A better understanding of this complex and highly dynamic process may allow for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches and optimize patient outcomes.

Potential therapeutic effects and pharmacological evidence of sinomenine in central nervous system disorders

Sinomenine is a natural compound extracted from the medicinal plant Sinomenium acutum. Its supplementation has been shown to present benefits in a variety of animal models of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as cerebral ischemia, intracerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), epilepsy, depression, multiple sclerosis, morphine tolerance, and glioma. Therefore, sinomenine is now considered a potential agent for the prevention and/or treatment of CNS disorders. Mechanistic studies have shown that inhibition of oxidative stress, microglia- or astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis are common mechanisms for the neuroprotective effects of sinomenine. Other mechanisms, including activation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), induction of autophagy in response to inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), may also mediate the anti-glioma and neuroprotective effects of sinomenine. Sinomenine treatment has also been shown to enhance dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2)-mediated nuclear translocation of αB-crystallin (CRYAB) in astrocytes, thereby suppressing neuroinflammation via inhibition of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). In addition, sinomenine supplementation can suppress N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated Ca²⁺ influx and induce γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptor-mediated Cl⁻ influx, each of which contributes to the improvement of morphine dependence and sleep disturbance. In this review, we outline the pharmacological effects and possible mechanisms of sinomenine in CNS disorders to advance the development of sinomenine as a new drug for the treatment of CNS disorders.

Knockdown of hsa_circ_0005699 attenuates inflammation and apoptosis induced by ox-LDL in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through regulation of the miR-450b-5p/NFKB1 axis

Atherosclerosis (AS) remains the leading cause of mortality throughout the world, and vascular endothelial cell dysfunction is one of the key events leading to this pathology. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the role of circulating RNAs in various diseases; these noncoding RNAs can regulate gene products by acting as microRNA (miR) sponges. Furthermore, it has been shown that foam cells exhibit high expression levels of hsa_circ_0005699 (circ_0005699); however, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the role of circ_0005699 in the regulation of vascular endothelial function. The present study employed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which have been widely used to study vascular endothelial cell function. In addition, apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice were used, which have been shown to rapidly develop AS and are widely used as a model of this disease. Cellular and biochemical techniques were performed, including gene transfection and short hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing for cell transfection, luciferase reporter gene assay to confirm predicted genes, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry to assess cell viability and apoptosis, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting for detection of mRNA and protein expression. In the present study, the expression levels of circ_0005699 were increased by oxidized low-density lipoprotein in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HUVECs; this was also associated with increased apoptosis of these cells. In addition, the expression levels of circ_0005699 were elevated, along with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, in ApoE-deficient mice. An RNA pull-down assay indicated that circ_0005699 can bind miR-450b-5p to decrease its expression, whereas silencing of circ_0005699 resulted in increased expression of miR-450b-5p. In addition, the online bioinformatics tool starBase predicted NFKB1 as a target gene of miR-450b-5p, which was further confirmed by the luciferase reporter gene assay. Notably, knockdown of circ_0005699 resulted in the increased survival of HUVECs, which was associated with decreased protein expression levels of NFKB1 and inflammatory cytokines. By contrast, the effects of circ-0005699 silencing on survival were reversed by miR-450b-5p inhibition or NFKB1 overexpression. In conclusion, knockdown of circ_0005699 may ameliorate endothelial cell injury through regulation of the miR-450b-5P/NFKB1 signaling axis.

Targeting the Hepatic Microenvironment to Improve Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: New Insights into the Immune and Metabolic Compartments

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is mainly characterized by high activation of immune inflammatory responses and metabolic responses. Understanding the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying development of hepatic IRI is critical for developing effective therapies for hepatic IRI. Recent advances in research have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of IRI. During IRI, hepatocyte injury and inflammatory responses are mediated by crosstalk between the immune cells and metabolic components. This crosstalk can be targeted to treat or reverse hepatic IRI. Thus, a deep understanding of hepatic microenvironment, especially the immune and metabolic responses, can reveal new therapeutic opportunities for hepatic IRI. In this review, we describe important cells in the liver microenvironment (especially non-parenchymal cells) that regulate immune inflammatory responses. The role of metabolic components in the diagnosis and prevention of hepatic IRI are discussed. Furthermore, recent updated therapeutic strategies based on the hepatic microenvironment, including immune cells and metabolic components, are highlighted.