ALDOA maintains NLRP3 inflammasome activation by controlling AMPK activation

SLC7A11-ROS/αKG-AMPK axis regulates liver inflammation through mitophagy and impairs liver fibrosis and NASH progression

The changes of inflammation and metabolism are two features in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, how they interact to regulate NASH progression remains largely unknown. Our works have demonstrated the importance of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) in inflammation and metabolism. Nevertheless, whether SLC7A11 regulates NASH progression through mediating inflammation and metabolism is unclear. In this study, we found that SLC7A11 expression was increased in liver samples from patients with NASH. Upregulated SLC7A11 level was also detected in two murine NASH models. Functional studies showed that SLC7A11 knockdown or knockout had augmented steatohepatitis with suppression of inflammatory markers in mice. However, overexpression of SLC7A11 dramatically alleviated diet-induced NASH pathogenesis. Mechanically, SLC7A11 decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and promoted α-ketoglutarate (αKG)/prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) activity, which activated AMPK pathway. Furthermore, SLC7A11 impaired expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components through AMPK-mitophagy axis. IL-1β release through NLRP3 inflammasome recruited myeloid cells and promoted hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, which contributed to the progression of liver injury and fibrosis. Anti-IL-1β and anakinra might attenuate the hepatic inflammatory response evoked by SLC7A11 knockdown. Moreover, the upregulation of SLC7A11 in NASH was contributed by lipid overload-induced JNK-c-Jun pathway. In conclusions, SLC7A11 acts as a protective factor in controlling the development of NASH. Upregulation of SLC7A11 is protective by regulating oxidation, αKG and energy metabolism, decreasing inflammation and fibrosis.

Protective effects of sinomenine against dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via alteration of HO-1/Nrf2 and inflammatory pathway

BACKGROUND

Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) induces ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that leads to inflammation, swelling, and ulcers in the large intestine. The aim of this experimental study is to examine how sinomenine, a plant-derived alkaloid, can prevent or reduce the damage caused by DSS in the colon and rectum of rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Induction of ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats was achieved by orally administering a 2% Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) solution, while the rats concurrently received oral administrations of sinomenine and sulfasalazine. The food, water intake was estimated. The body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length and spleen index estimated. Antioxidant, cytokines, inflammatory parameters and mRNA expression were estimated. The composition of gut microbiota was analyzed at both the phylum and genus levels in the fecal samples obtained from all groups of rats.

RESULTS

Sinomenine treatment enhanced the body weight, colon length and reduced the DAI, spleen index. Sinomenine treatment remarkably suppressed the level of NO, MPO, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 along with alteration of antioxidant parameters such as SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and MDA. Sinomenine treatment also decreased the cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18 in the serum and colon tissue; inflammatory parameters viz., PAF, COX-2, PGE2, iNOS, NF-κB; matrix metalloproteinases level such as MMP-1 and MMP-2. Sinomenine significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the level of HO-1 and Nrf2. Sinomenine altered the mRNA expression of RIP1, RIP3, DRP3, NLRP3, IL-1β, caspase-1 and IL-18. Sinomenine remarkably altered the relative abundance of gut microbiota like firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, F/B ratio, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria.

CONCLUSION

The results clearly indicate that sinomenine demonstrated a protective effect against DSS-induced inflammation, potentially through the modulation of inflammatory pathways and gut microbiota.

Dynasore Alleviates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis

Background

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are clinically severe respiratory disorders without available pharmacological therapies. Dynasore is a cell-permeable molecule that inhibits GTPase activity and exerts protective effects in several disease models. However, whether dynasore can alleviate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI is unknown. This study investigated the effect of dynasore on macrophage activation and explored its potential mechanisms in LPS-induced ALI in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were activated classically with LPS or subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome activation with LPS+ATP. A mouse ALI model was established by the intratracheal instillation (i.t.) of LPS. The expression of PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) protein was detected by Western blots. Inflammatory mediators were analyzed in the cell supernatant, in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Morphological changes in lung tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. F4/80, Caspase-1 and GSDMD distribution in lung tissue was detected by immunofluorescence.

Results

Dynasore downregulated nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling and reduced proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and inhibited the production and release of interleukin (IL)-1β, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and macrophage pyroptosis through the Drp1/ROS/NLRP3 axis. Dynasore significantly reduced lung injury scores and proinflammatory cytokine levels in both BALF and serum in vivo, including IL-1β and IL-6. Dynasore also downregulated the co-expression of F4/80, caspase-1 and GSDMD in lung tissue.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings demonstrated that dynasore could alleviate LPS-induced ALI by regulating macrophage pyroptosis, which might provide a new therapeutic strategy for ALI/ARDS.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction drug-containing serum inhibits IL-1β secretion from D-glucose and PA induced BV2 cells via autophagy/NLRP3 signaling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction (HLJDD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription with heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, has been widely used to treat diabetes, dementia, stroke, and other diseases. However, the detailed mechanisms of HLJDD against type 2 diabetes associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) through inhibiting interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mediated neuroinflammation remain to be further elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of HLJDD on IL-1β secretion in a DACD model of BV2 cells induced by D-glucose and palmitic acid (PA).

MATERIALS AND METHOD

sUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbital well high-resolution mass spectrometry technology was used to analyze the compounds in HLJDD drug-containing serum. The cytotoxicity was detected by cell counting kit-8. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the secretion of IL-1β in BV2 cells. Reactive oxygen species, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde kits were used to detect the intracellular oxidative stress levels. The autophagy level was determined by autophagy staining kit and transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of autophagy-related 7 (Atg7), P62, LC3, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3(NLRP3), Caspase1, and IL-1β were detected by real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. The Atg7siRNA was transfected into BV2 cells to produce autophagy inhibitory effect. Then the effect of HLJDD drug-containing serum on IL-1β secretion in D-glucose and PA induced BV2 cells and the potential mechanism of autophagy-NLRP3 inflammasome activation were further observed.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight compounds were preliminarily identified in HLJDD drug-containing serum, among which geniposide, baicalin, palmatine, berberine, wogonoside, wogonin, and geniposidic acid were identified as the main prototype components of HLJDD into the blood. In this study, the DACD model of BV2 cells induced by high concentrations of glucose and PA was successfully constructed. HLJDD drug-containing serum significantly reduced the secretion of IL-1β and the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome with improving the oxidative stress level. Interestingly, the enhanced autophagy level was also found. After transfection of Atg7siRNA into BV2 cells, the effect of HLJDD drug-containing serum on autophagy promotion was reversed, but the inhibitory effects on IL-1β secretion, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and oxidative stress were reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that the inhibition of HLJDD drug-containing serum on the IL-1β secretion in D-glucose and PA induced BV2 cells was related to autophagy promotion, the decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the improved oxidative stress. Moreover, the improvement of HLJDD drug-containing serum on IL-1β secretion, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and oxidative stress were all closely associated with Atg7 mediated autophagy promotion. Geniposide, baicalin, palmatine, berberine, wogonoside, wogonin, and geniposidic acid may be the potential active ingredients of HLJDD drug-containing serum.

Prognosis significance and potential association between ALDOA and AKT expression in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Since many CRC patients are diagnosed already in the advanced stage, and traditional chemoradiotherapy is prone to drug resistance, it is important to find new therapeutic targets. In this study, the expression levels of ALDOA and p-AKT were detected in cancer tissues and paired normal tissues, and it was found that they were significantly increased in CRC tissues, and their high expression indicated poor prognosis. Moreover, a positive correlation between the expression of ALDOA and p-AKT was found in CRC tissues and paired normal tissues. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the group with both negative of ALDOA/p-AKT expression had longer five-year survival rates compared with the other group. Besides, the group with both high expression of ALDOA/p-AKT had a worse prognosis compared with the other group. Based on the expression of ALDOA and p-AKT in tumor tissues, we can effectively distinguish tumor tissues from normal tissues through cluster analysis. Furthermore, we constructed nomograms to predict 3-year and 5-year overall survival, showing that the expression of ALDOA/p-AKT plays a crucial role in predicting the prognosis of CRC patients. Therefore, ALDOA/p-AKT may act as a crucial role in CRC, which may provide new horizons for targeted therapies for CRC.

Neutrophil extracellular traps in central nervous system (CNS) diseases

Excessive induction of inflammatory and immune responses is widely considered as one of vital factors contributing to the pathogenesis and progression of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Neutrophils are well-studied members of inflammatory and immune cell family, contributing to the innate and adaptive immunity. Neutrophil-released neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play an important role in the regulation of various kinds of diseases, including CNS diseases. In this review, current knowledge on the biological features of NETs will be introduced. In addition, the role of NETs in several popular and well-studied CNS diseases including cerebral stroke, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and neurological cancers will be described and discussed through the reviewing of previous related studies.

Phillygenin Alleviates Arthritis through the Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Ferroptosis by AMPK

We investigated the potential arthritis-inducing effects of Phillygenin and its underlying mechanisms. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide to induce inflammation. Phillygenin was found to reduce arthritis score, histopathological changes, paw edema, spleen index, and ALP levels in a dose-dependent manner in a model of arthritis. Additionally, Phillygenin was able to decrease levels of inflammation markers in serum samples of mice with arthritis and also inhibited inflammation markers in the cell supernatant of an in vitro model of arthritis. Phillygenin increased cell viability and JC-1 disaggregation, enhanced calcien-AM/CoCl2, reduced LDH activity levels and IL-1a levels, and inhibited Calcein/PI levels and iron concentration in an in vitro model. Phillygenin was also found to reduce ROS-induced oxidative stress and Ferroptosis, and suppress the NLRP3 inflammasome in both in vivo and in vitro models through AMPK. In the in vivo model, Phillygenin was observed to interact with AMPK protein. These findings suggest that Phillygenin may be a potential therapeutic target for preventing arthritis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and Ferroptosis through AMPK. This indicates that Phillygenin could have disease-modifying effects on arthritis.

Pharmacological targets at the lysosomal autophagy-NLRP3 inflammasome crossroads

Many aspects of cell homeostasis and integrity are maintained by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. The NLRP3 oligomeric protein complex assembles in response to exogenous and endogenous danger signals. This inflammasome has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of a range of disease conditions, particularly chronic inflammatory diseases. Given that NLRP3 modulates autophagy, which is also a key regulator of inflammasome activity, excessive inflammation may be controlled by targeting this intersecting pathway. However, specific niche areas of NLRP3-autophagy interactions and their reciprocal regulatory mechanisms remain underexplored. Consequently, we lack treatment methods specifically targeting this pivotal axis. Here, we discuss the potential of such strategies in the context of autoimmune and metabolic diseases and propose some research avenues.

Itaconate: A promising precursor for treatment of neuroinflammation associated depression

Neuroinflammation triggers the production of inflammatory factors, influences neuron generation and synaptic plasticity, thus playing an important role in the pathogenesis of depression and becoming an important direction of depression prevention and treatment. Itaconate is a metabolite secreted by macrophages in immunomodulatory responses, that has potent immunomodulatory effects and has been proven to exert anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of diseases. Microglia are mononuclear macrophages that reside in the central nervous system (CNS), and may be the source of endogenous itaconate in the brain. Itaconate can directly inhibit succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), reduce the production of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), activate nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and block glycolysis, and thereby improving the depressive symptoms associated with the above mechanisms. Notably, itaconate also indirectly ameliorates the depressive symptoms associated with some inflammatory diseases. With the optimization of the structure and the development of new delivery systems, the application value and therapeutic potential of itaconate have been significantly improved. Dimethyl itaconate (DI) and 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), cell-permeable derivatives of itaconate, are more suitable for crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), exhibiting therapeutic effects in the research of multiple diseases. This article provides an overview of the immunomodulatory effects of itaconate and its potential therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory depression, focusing on the promising application of itaconate as a precursor of antidepressants.

Pharmacological intervention of curcumin via the NLRP3 inflammasome in ischemic stroke

Ischemic-induced neuronal injury arises due to low oxygen/nutrient levels and an inflammatory response that exacerbates neuronal loss. NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) is an important regulator of inflammation after ischemic stroke, with its inhibition being involved in nerve regeneration. Curcumin, a main active ingredient in Chinese herbs, plays a positive role in neuronal repair and neuroprotection by regulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway. Nevertheless, the signaling mechanisms relating to how curcumin regulates NLRP3 inflammasome in inflammation and neural restoration following ischemic stroke are unknown. In this report, we summarize the main biological functions of the NLRP3 inflammasome along with the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of curcumin via impairment of the NLRP3 pathway in ischemic brain injury. We also discuss the role of medicinal interventions that target the NLRP3 and potential pathways, as well as possible directions for curcumin therapy to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and hinder inflammation in ischemic stroke. This report conclusively demonstrates that curcumin has neuroprotective properties that inhibit inflammation and prevent nerve cell loss, thereby delaying the progression of ischemic brain damage.

VEGFC ameliorates salt-sensitive hypertension and hypertensive nephropathy by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome via activating VEGFR3-AMPK dependent autophagy pathway

Salt-sensitivity hypertension (SSHTN) is an independent predictor for cardiovascular mortality. VEGFC has been reported to be a protective role in SSHTN and hypertensive kidney injury. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. The current study aimed to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of VEGFC against SSHTN and hypertensive nephropathy. Here, we reported that VEGFC attenuated high blood pressure as well as protected against renal inflammation and fibrosis in SSHTN mice. Moreover, VEGFC suppressed the activation of renal NLRP3 inflammasome in SSHTN mice. In vitro, we found VEGFC inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, meanwhile, upregulated autophagy in high-salt-induced macrophages, while these effects were reversed by an autophagy inhibitor 3MA. Furthermore, in vivo, 3MA pretreatment weakened the protective effects of VEGFC on SSHTN and hypertensive nephropathy. Mechanistically, VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR3) kinase domain activated AMPK by promoting the phosphorylation at Thr183 via binding to AMPK, thus enhancing autophagy activity in the context of high-salt-induced macrophages. These findings indicated that VEGFC inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by promoting VEGFR3-AMPK-dependent autophagy pathway in high-salt-induced macrophages, which provided a mechanistic basis for the therapeutic target in SSHTN and hypertensive kidney injury.

Kaempferol induces mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy by activating the LKB1/AMPK/MFF pathway in breast precancerous lesions

Kaempferol has been suggested to be an effective anticancer agent in several malignant tumors. However, its function and mechanisms in breast precancerous lesions remain largely elusive. Here, we showed that kaempferol induced excessive mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial damage with activated mitochondrial fission factor (MFF)-mediated dynamin-related protein (DRP) 1 mitochondrial translocation. As a result, the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin signaling pathway was activated, accompanied by excessive mitophagy and reduced mitochondrial mass in cells. We also revealed that kaempferol-induced lethal mitophagy contributed to inhibiting breast precancerous lesion growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we verified serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11/LKB1)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway deficiency in breast precancerous lesions. Moreover, LKB1/AMPK pathway reactivation by kaempferol was required for excessive mitochondrial fission and lethal mitophagy. Taken together, our findings shed new light on the molecular mechanisms related to breast cancer prevention by kaempferol and provide evidence for its potential clinical application.

Reframing the link between metabolism and NLRP3 inflammasome: therapeutic opportunities

Inflammasomes are multiprotein signaling platforms in the cytosol that senses exogenous and endogenous danger signals and respond with the maturation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and pyroptosis to induce inflammation and protect the host. The inflammasome best studied is the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. It is activated in a two-step process: the priming and the activation, leading to sensor NLRP3 oligomerization and recruitment of both adaptor ASC and executioner pro-caspase 1, which is activated by cleavage. Moreover, NLRP3 inflammasome activation is regulated by posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitination/deubiquitination, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, acetylation/deacetylation, SUMOylation and nitrosylation, and interaction with NLPR3 protein binding partners. Moreover, the connection between it and metabolism is receiving increasing attention in this field. In this review, we present the structure, functions, activation, and regulation of NLRP3, with special emphasis on regulation by mitochondrial dysfunction-mtROS production and metabolic signals, i.e., metabolites as well as enzymes. By understanding the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, specific inhibitors can be rationally designed for the treatment and prevention of various immune- or metabolic-based diseases. Lastly, we review current NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and their mechanism of action.

Mitochondrial control of innate immune responses

Mitochondria are versatile organelles and essential components of numerous biological processes such as energy metabolism, signal transduction, and cell fate determination. In recent years, their critical roles in innate immunity have come to the forefront, highlighting impacts on pathogenic defense, tissue homeostasis, and degenerative diseases. This review offers an in-depth and comprehensive examination of the multifaceted mechanisms underlying the interactions between mitochondria and innate immune responses. We will delve into the roles of healthy mitochondria as platforms for signalosome assembly, the release of mitochondrial components as signaling messengers, and the regulation of signaling via mitophagy, particularly to cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) signaling and inflammasomes. Furthermore, the review will explore the impacts of mitochondrial proteins and metabolites on modulating innate immune responses, the polarization of innate immune cells, and their implications on infectious and inflammatory diseases.

The flavonoid GL-V9 alleviates liver fibrosis by triggering senescence by regulating the transcription factor GATA4 in activated hepatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Liver fibrosis is a critical risk factor for the progression from chronic liver injury to hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinically, there is a lack of therapeutic drugs for liver fibrosis. Previous studies have confirmed that GL-V9, a newly synthesized flavonoid derivative, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, but whether it has anti-hepatic fibrosis actions remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic activities and potential mechanisms of GL-V9.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Bile duct ligation (BDL) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ ) challenges were used to assess the anti-fibrotic effects of GL-V9 in vivo. Mouse primary hepatic stellate cells (pHSCs) and the human HSC line LX2 also served as a liver fibrosis model in vitro. Cellular functions and molecular mechanism were analysed using senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining, real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation.

KEY RESULTS

GL-V9 attenuated hepatic histopathological injury and collagen accumulation, as well as decreasing the expression of fibrotic genes in vivo. GL-V9 promoted senescence and inhibited the expression of fibrogenic genes in HSCs in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that GL-V9 induced senescence by upregulating GATA4 expression in HSCs. Further studies confirmed that GL-V9 stabilized GATA4 by promoting autophagic degradation of P62.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

GL-V9 exerted potent anti-fibrotic effects both in vivo and in vitro by stabilizing GATA4, thereby promoting the senescence of HSCs, and by avoiding its activation and ultimately inhibiting liver fibrosis. This action indicated that the flavonoid GL-V9 is a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Ononin alleviates DSS-induced colitis through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome via triggering mitophagy

BACKGROUND

Ononin, a flavonoid isolated from Astragalus membranaceus root, is the active ingredient of A. membranaceus and has potential anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on colitis is unclear.

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the anticolitis effect of Ononin by establishing a colitis model in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).

METHODS

Male C57BL/6 mice were provided DSS, then treated with Ononin (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) or 5-ASA (40 mg/kg). The colitis symptoms were observed, the disease activity index (DAI) score were recorded daily, and colonic inflammation was evaluted by histopathological scoring. The expression of cytokines, inflammatory mediators, and mitophagy/NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins were measured.

RESULTS

Ononin significantly alleviated weight loss and colon shortening in mice with colitis (p < .01). Moreover, Ononin decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators associated with colitis (p < .05). In addition, Ononin inhibited macrophages infiltration and reduced caspase-1 activation in colitis mice. Caspase-1 activation is closely related to the NLRP3 inflammasome. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Ononin on NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro. The relevant results confirmed that Ononin inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inhibited mitochondrial damage (p < .05). Further studies revealed that Ononin inhibited mitochondrial damage through triggering mitophagy (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Ononin alleviates DSS-induced colitis by activating mitophagy to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome.

Associative analysis of multi-omics data indicates that acetylation modification is widely involved in cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

We aimed to study the molecular mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by cigarette smoke more comprehensively and systematically through different perspectives and aspects and to explore the role of protein acetylation modification in COPD. We established the COPD model by exposing C57BL/6J mice to cigarette smoke for 24 weeks, then analyzed the transcriptomics, proteomics, and acetylomics data of mouse lung tissue by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and associated these omics data through unique algorithms. This study demonstrated that the differentially expressed proteins and acetylation modification in the lung tissue of COPD mice were co-enriched in pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid degradation. A total of 19 genes, namely, ENO3, PFKM, ALDOA, ACTN2, FGG, MYH1, MYH3, MYH8, MYL1, MYLPF, TTN, ACTA1, ATP2A1, CKM, CORO1A, EEF1A2, AKR1B8, MB, and STAT1, were significantly and differentially expressed at all the three levels of transcription, protein, and acetylation modification simultaneously. Then, we assessed the distribution and expression in different cell subpopulations of these 19 genes in the lung tissues of patients with COPD by analyzing data from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Finally, we carried out the in vivo experimental verification using mouse lung tissue through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), and immunoprecipitation (IP). The results showed that the differential acetylation modifications of mouse lung tissue are widely involved in cigarette smoke-induced COPD. ALDOA is significantly downregulated and hyperacetylated in the lung tissues of humans and mice with COPD, which might be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and/or treatment of COPD.

Novel hypoxia-related gene signature for predicting prognoses that correlate with the tumor immune microenvironment in NSCLC

Background: Intratumoral hypoxia is widely associated with the development of malignancy, treatment resistance, and worse prognoses. The global influence of hypoxia-related genes (HRGs) on prognostic significance, tumor microenvironment characteristics, and therapeutic response is unclear in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method: RNA-seq and clinical data for NSCLC patients were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and a group of HRGs was obtained from the MSigDB. The differentially expressed HRGs were determined using the limma package; prognostic HRGs were identified via univariate Cox regression. Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression, an optimized prognostic model consisting of nine HRGs was constructed. The prognostic model's capacity was evaluated by Kaplan‒Meier survival curve analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in the TCGA (training set) and GEO (validation set) cohorts. Moreover, a potential biological pathway and immune infiltration differences were explained. Results: A prognostic model containing nine HRGs (STC2, ALDOA, MIF, LDHA, EXT1, PGM2, ENO3, INHA, and RORA) was developed. NSCLC patients were separated into two risk categories according to the risk score generated by the hypoxia model. The model-based risk score had better predictive power than the clinicopathological method. Patients in the high-risk category had poor recurrence-free survival in the TCGA (HR: 1.426; 95% CI: 0.997-2.042; p = 0.046) and GEO (HR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.7-3.2; p < 0.0001) cohorts. The overall survival of the high-risk category was also inferior to that of the low-risk category in the TCGA (HR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2; p < 0.0001) and GEO (HR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4-2.3; p < 0.0001) cohorts. Additionally, we discovered a notable distinction in the enrichment of immune-related pathways, immune cell abundance, and immune checkpoint gene expression between the two subcategories. Conclusion: The proposed 9-HRG signature is a promising indicator for predicting NSCLC patient prognosis and may be potentially applicable in checkpoint therapy efficiency prediction.

The NLRP3 inflammasome: regulation by metabolic signals

Macrophages undergo profound metabolic reprogramming upon sensing infectious and sterile stimuli. This metabolic shift supports and regulates essential innate immune functions, including activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Within distinct metabolic networks, key enzymes play pivotal roles to control flux restraining detrimental inflammasome signaling. However, depending on the metabolic cues, specific enzymes and metabolites result in inflammasome activation outcomes which contrast other metabolic steps in the pathway. We posit that understanding which metabolic steps commit to discrete inflammasome fates will broaden our understanding of metabolic checkpoints to maintain homeostasis and offer better therapeutic options in human disease.