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Ning J, Du H, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Jiang T, Pang Y, Tian X, Yan L, Niu Y, Zhang R. N6-methyladenosine modification of CDH1 mRNA promotes PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis via mediating epithelial mesenchymal transition. Toxicol Sci 2021; 185:143-157. [PMID: 34735003 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between ambient airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and respiratory diseases has been investigated in epidemiological studies. To explore the potential mechanism of PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis, sixty mice were divided into 3 groups to expose to different levels of PM2.5 for 8 and 16 weeks: filtered air (FA), unfiltered air (UA) and concentrated PM2.5 air (CA), respectively. BEAS-2B cells were treated with 0, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml PM2.5 for 24 h. The biomarkers of pulmonary fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and metabolism of mRNAs were detected to characterize the effect of PM2.5 exposure. The results illustrated that PM2.5 exposure induced pathological alteration and pulmonary fibrosis in mice. The expression of E-cadherin (E-cad) was decreased whereas vimentin and N-cadherin (N-cad) expression were increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner after PM2.5 exposure. Mechanistically, PM2.5 exposure increased the levels of METTL3-mediated m6A modification of CDH1 mRNA. As a target gene of miR-494-3p, YTHDF2 was up-regulated by miR-494-3p down-regulation and then recognized m6A-modified CDH1 mRNA to inhibit the E-cad expression, consequently induced the EMT progression after PM2.5 exposure. Our study indicated that PM2.5 exposure triggered EMT progression to promote the pulmonary fibrosis via miR-494-3p/YTHDF2 recognized and METTL3 mediated m6A modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ning
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Hairong Du
- Guangming District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518016, China Guangdong PR
| | - Yaling Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Qingping Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Yaxian Pang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Xiaochen Tian
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shijiazhuang People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050011, PR China
| | - Liqun Yan
- Departments of Radiology, Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, PR, 050000, China
| | - Yujie Niu
- Department of Occupation Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China.,Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
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Qiu L, Chen M, Wang X, Chen S, Ying Z. PM2.5 Exposure of Mice during Spermatogenesis: A Role of Inhibitor κB Kinase 2 in Pro-Opiomelanocortin Neurons. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:97006. [PMID: 34495743 PMCID: PMC8425520 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to ambient fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm (PM2.5) correlates with a decrease in sperm count, but the biological mechanism remains elusive. OBJECTIVES This study tested whether hypothalamic inflammation, an emerging pathophysiological mediator, mediates the development of lower epididymal sperm count due to PM2.5 exposure. METHODS Inhibitor κB kinase 2 (IKK2) was conditionally knocked out either in all neurons or subtypes of hypothalamic neurons of mice. Effects of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) exposure on hypothalamic inflammation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and epididymal sperm count of these mouse models were then assessed. Furthermore, to test whether hypothalamic inflammation is sufficient to decrease sperm production, we overexpressed constitutively active IKK2 (IKK2ca) either in all neurons or subtypes of hypothalamic neurons and assessed hypothalamic inflammation, the HPG axis, and sperm production of these overexpression mouse models. RESULTS CAP-exposed wild-type control mice vs. filtered air (FA)-exposed wild-type control mice had a higher expression of hypothalamic inflammatory markers, lower functional indexes of the HPG axis, and a lower epididymal sperm count. In contrast, all these measurements for CAP- vs. FA-exposed mice deficient of IKK2 in all neurons were comparable. We also found that overexpression of IKK2ca in either all neurons or pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons only, but not in Agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons only, resulted in lower functional indexes of the HPG axis and a lower epididymal sperm count. Moreover, we showed that CAP- vs. FA-exposed mice deficient of IKK2 in POMC neurons had a comparable expression of hypothalamic inflammatory markers, comparable functional indexes of the HPG axis, and a comparable epididymal sperm count. DISCUSSION This mouse model study shows a causal role of IKK2 of POMC neurons in the development of lower epididymal sperm count due to PM2.5 exposure, providing a mechanistic insight into this emerging pathogenesis. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8868.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianglin Qiu
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minjie Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiaoke Wang
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sufang Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhekang Ying
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Wei W, Tang L, Chen M, Chen S, Zhou H, Ying Z. Intermittent fasting ameliorates PM 2.5 exposure-induced abnormalities in glycaemic control. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 404:115181. [PMID: 32758488 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) elicits various abnormalities in glycaemic control and thus correlates with type 2 diabetes. Intermittent fasting is an emerging treatment for type 2 diabetes. This study, therefore, tested whether intermittent fasting ameliorates PM2.5 exposure-induced abnormalities in glycaemic control. To this end, C57Bl/6 J mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) for 16 weeks and concurrently subject to ad libitum feeding or intermittent fasting. The food intake assessment showed that CAP exposure transiently reduced food intake in ad libitum fed mice, but persistently reduced food intake in intermittently fasted mice. In contrast, CAP exposure persistently promoted mouse weight gain in ad libitum fed mice, while intermittent fasting blocked this CAP exposure-induced weight gain. The glucose homeostasis assessments revealed that CAP exposure elicited insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and meanwhile increased glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS). The insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, but not the increase in GIIS, induced by CAP exposure were blocked by intermittent fasting. Analysis of Akt phosphorylation, the indicator of local insulin signaling, showed that CAP exposure reduced insulin signaling in the liver and adipose tissues but not in the skeletal muscle. Intermittent fasting blocked CAP exposure-induced insulin resistance in the liver but not in the adipose tissues. The present study demonstrates that intermittent fasting ameliorates PM2.5 exposure-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, strongly supporting that it may be used to prevent type 2 diabetes due to exposure to PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Bile Pancreatic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Tang
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Bile Pancreatic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Minjie Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Sufang Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Endocrinology, the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Henan Provincial People's Hospital), Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Huifen Zhou
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Pathology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, China
| | - Zhekang Ying
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Abstract
The respiratory effects of O3 are well established. High ambient O3 concentrations are associated with respiratory symptoms, declines in pulmonary function, asthma exacerbations, and even mortality. The metabolic effects of O3 are less well appreciated. Here we review data indicating that O3 exposure leads to glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia, characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. We also review the role of stress hormones in these events. We describe how the metabolic effects of O3, including effects within the lungs, are exacerbated in the setting of the metabolic derangements of obesity and we discuss epidemiological data indicating an association between ambient O3 exposure and diabetes. We conclude by describing the role of the gut microbiome in the regulation of metabolism and by discussing data indicating a link between the gut microbiome and pulmonary responses to O3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Shore
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Chen S, Chen M, Wei W, Qiu L, Zhang L, Cao Q, Ying Z. Glucose Homeostasis following Diesel Exhaust Particulate Matter Exposure in a Lung Epithelial Cell-Specific IKK2-Deficient Mouse Model. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:57009. [PMID: 31095431 PMCID: PMC6791567 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary inflammation is believed to be central to the pathogenesis due to exposure to fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]). This central role, however, has not yet been systemically examined. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we exploited a lung epithelial cell-specific inhibitor [Formula: see text] kinase 2 (IKK2) knockout mouse model to determine the role of pulmonary inflammation in the pathophysiology due to exposure to diesel exhaust particulate matter (DEP). METHODS [Formula: see text] (lung epithelial cell-specific IKK2 knockout, KO) and [Formula: see text] (wild-type, tgWT) mice were intratracheally instilled with either vehicle or DEP for 4 months, and their inflammatory response and glucose homeostasis were then assessed. RESULTS In comparison with tgWT mice, lung epithelial cell-specific IKK2-deficient mice had fewer DEP exposure-induced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid immune cells and proinflammatory cytokines as well as fewer DEP exposure-induced circulating proinflammatory cytokines. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests revealed that lung epithelial cell-specific IKK2 deficiency resulted in markedly less DEP exposure-induced insulin resistance and greater glucose tolerance. Akt phosphorylation analyses of insulin-responsive tissues showed that DEP exposure primarily targeted hepatic insulin sensitivity. Lung epithelial cell-specific IKK2-deficient mice had significantly lower hepatic insulin resistance than tgWT mice had. Furthermore, this difference in insulin resistance was accompanied by consistent differences in hepatic insulin receptor substrate 1 serine phosphorylation and inflammatory marker expression. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that in a tissue-specific knockout mouse model, an IKK2-dependent pulmonary inflammatory response was essential for the development of abnormal glucose homeostasis due to exposure to DEP. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4591.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufang Chen
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Minjie Chen
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Bile Pancreatic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lianglin Qiu
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhekang Ying
- Department of Medicine Cardiology Division, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Zhou H, Yang R, Wang W, Xu F, Xi Y, Brown RA, Zhang H, Shi L, Zhu D, Gong DW. Fc-apelin fusion protein attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11428. [PMID: 30061611 PMCID: PMC6065397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29491-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Apelin is a peptide hormone with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and is proposed to be a potential therapeutic for many disease conditions, including sepsis. However, short in vivo half-life of the apelin peptide would limit its potential clinical applications. This study aims to investigate the effects of Fc-apelin, a novel long-acting apelin fusion protein, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. Liver injury was induced by systemic injection of LPS in mice. Hepatoprotective activities of Fc-apelin against inflammation were evaluated in LPS mice and/or hepatoma Huh-7 cells with respect to serum ALT, apoptosis, oxidative stress, macrophage infiltration and gene expression. We found that LPS induced systemic inflammation and liver damage. Co-administration of Fc-apelin significantly attenuated serum ALT elevation, diminished LPS-induced apoptosis and ROS production in the liver and in Huh-7 cells, mitigated hepatic macrophage infiltration, and reduced TNFα and IL-6 gene expression. Collectively, Fc-apelin fusion protein exerts protective effects against LPS-induced liver damage and may serve as a potential therapeutic for endotoxin-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifen Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, 437100, China.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rongze Yang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Weimin Wang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Yue Xi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Robert A Brown
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Lin Shi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Dalong Zhu
- Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Da-Wei Gong
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
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