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Sun D, Li H, Du Y, Chen Y, Yao L, Wang L. Metformin modulates mitochondrial autophagy in renal tubular epithelial injury induced by high glucose via the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:2483-2496. [PMID: 37831352 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04843-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The current study aimed to explore the role and underpinning molecular mechanisms of metformin in renal cellular injury induced by high glucose levels. Male C57BL/KsJ (db/db) and (db/m +) mice were utilized in this study. The experimental group was administered 1 mg/mL of metformin through drinking water. Renal tissues were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity detection, biochemical indices analysis, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR. HK-2 cells were utilized for Nrf2 siRNA transfection and to establish a high level of glucose-induced cell models. Metformin was administered at a concentration of 1 mmol/L in the experimental group. Cellular viability was assessed using CCK-8, whereas acridine orange (AO) staining and LC3-mitotracker co-localization staining were employed to evaluate autophagy. The expression of Nrf2, P21, LC3, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) were determined through Western blotting and qRT-PCR. Metformin mitigated renal tissue inflammatory damage in diabetic mice, as indicated by upregulated expression of Nrf2, PINK1, LC3, and TOMM20, and downregulated expression of Keap1 and P21. High level of glucose treatment in HK-2 cells resulted in decreased autophagy, and reduced expression of Nrf2, PINK1, LC3, and TOMM20 alongside elevated the expression of Keap1 and P21. Notably, metformin treatment partially counteracted these effects. Nrf2 knockdown intensified these phenomena in the high level of glucose-induced model. Protein-protein interaction network analysis indicated that Nrf2 could regulate the majority autophagy-related proteins via Keap1. Metformin modulates mitochondrial autophagy in high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial senescence via the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Department of Nephrology, The Fourth Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, China
| | - Yinke Du
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Li Yao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Lining Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
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Semenikhina M, Lysikova DV, Spires DR, Domondon M, Stadler K, Palygin O, Ilatovskaya DV. Transcriptomic changes in glomeruli in response to a high salt challenge in the Dahl SS rat. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:98-111. [PMID: 37955135 PMCID: PMC11281811 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00075.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Salt sensitivity impacts a significant portion of the population and is an important contributor to the development of chronic kidney disease. One of the significant early predictors of salt-induced damage is albuminuria, which reflects the deterioration of the renal filtration barrier: the glomerulus. Despite significant research efforts, there is still a gap in knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms and signaling networks contributing to instigating and/or perpetuating salt-induced glomerular injury. To address this gap, we used 8-wk-old male Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a normal-salt diet (0.4% NaCl) or challenged with a high-salt diet (4% NaCl) for 3 wk. At the end of the protocol, a pure fraction of renal glomeruli obtained by differential sieving was used for next-generation RNA sequencing and comprehensive semi-automatic transcriptomic data analyses, which revealed 149 differentially expressed genes (107 and 42 genes were downregulated and upregulated, respectively). Furthermore, a combination of predictive gene correlation networks and computational bioinformatic analyses revealed pathways impacted by a high salt dietary challenge, including renal metabolism, mitochondrial function, apoptotic signaling and fibrosis, cell cycle, inflammatory and immune responses, circadian clock, cytoskeletal organization, G protein-coupled receptor signaling, and calcium transport. In conclusion, we report here novel transcriptomic interactions and corresponding predicted pathways affecting glomeruli under salt-induced stress.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study demonstrated novel pathways affecting glomeruli under stress induced by dietary salt. Predictive gene correlation networks and bioinformatic semi-automatic analysis revealed changes in the pathways relevant to mitochondrial function, inflammatory, apoptotic/fibrotic processes, and cell calcium transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marharyta Semenikhina
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| | - Daria V Lysikova
- Department of Physiology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Denisha R Spires
- Department of Physiology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
| | - Mark Domondon
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| | - Krisztian Stadler
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
| | - Oleg Palygin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| | - Daria V Ilatovskaya
- Department of Physiology, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States
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Atteia HH, Alamri ES, Sirag N, Zidan NS, Aljohani RH, Alzahrani S, Arafa MH, Mohammad NS, Asker ME, Zaitone SA, Sakr AT. Soluble guanylate cyclase agonist, isoliquiritigenin attenuates renal damage and aortic calcification in a rat model of chronic kidney failure. Life Sci 2023; 317:121460. [PMID: 36716925 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing fatal health problem worldwide associated with vascular calcification. Therapeutic approaches are limited with higher costs and poor outcomes. Adenine supplementation is one of the most relevant CKD models to human. Insufficient Nitric Oxide (NO)/ cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) signaling plays a key role in rapid development of renal fibrosis. Natural products display proven protection against CKD. Current study therefore explored isoliquiritigenin, a bioflavonoid extracted from licorice roots, potential as a natural activator for soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) in a CKD rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS 60 male Wistar rats were grouped into Control group (n = 10) and the remaining rats received adenine (200 mg/kg, p.o) for 2 wk to induce CKD. They were equally sub-grouped into: Adenine untreated group and 4 groups orally treated by isoliquiritigenin low or high dose (20 or 40 mg/kg) with/without a selective sGC inhibitor, ODQ (1-H(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)-quinoxalin-1-one, 2 mg/kg, i.p) for 8 wk. KEY FINDINGS Long-term treatment with isoliquiritigenin dose-dependently and effectively amended adenine-induced chronic renal and endothelial dysfunction. It not only alleviated renal fibrosis and apoptosis markers but also aortic calcification. Additionally, this chalcone neutralized renal inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Isoliquiritigenin beneficial effects were associated with up-regulation of serum NO, renal and aortic sGC, cGMP and its dependent protein kinase (PKG). However, co-treatment with ODQ antagonized isoliquiritigenin therapeutic impact. SIGNIFICANCE Isoliquiritigenin seems to exert protective effects against CKD and vascular calcification by activating sGC, increasing cGMP and its downstream PKG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hebatallah Husseini Atteia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt.
| | - Eman Saad Alamri
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nizar Sirag
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahla Salah Zidan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Department of Home Economics, Faculty of Specific Education, Kafr ElSheikh University, Kafr ElSheikh, Egypt
| | | | - Sharifa Alzahrani
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manar Hamed Arafa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt
| | - Nanies Sameeh Mohammad
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt
| | - Mervat Elsayed Asker
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt
| | - Sawsan A Zaitone
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr Tawfik Sakr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City (USC), Menoufia, Egypt
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Yang X, Xu Z, Hu S, Shen J. Perspectives of PDE inhibitor on treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1111393. [PMID: 36865908 PMCID: PMC9973527 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1111393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) without an identifiable cause. If not treated after diagnosis, the average life expectancy is 3-5 years. Currently approved drugs for the treatment of IPF are Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, as antifibrotic drugs, which can reduce the decline rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) and reduce the risk of acute exacerbation of IPF. However these drugs can not relieve the symptoms associated with IPF, nor improve the overall survival rate of IPF patients. We need to develop new, safe and effective drugs to treat pulmonary fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that cyclic nucleotides participate in the pathway and play an essential role in the process of pulmonary fibrosis. Phosphodiesterase (PDEs) is involved in cyclic nucleotide metabolism, so PDE inhibitors are candidates for pulmonary fibrosis. This paper reviews the research progress of PDE inhibitors related to pulmonary fibrosis, so as to provide ideas for the development of anti-pulmonary fibrosis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudan Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China
| | | | - Songhua Hu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China
| | - Juan Shen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China
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Pandey KN. Guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A: Identification, molecular characterization, and physiological genomics. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1076799. [PMID: 36683859 PMCID: PMC9846370 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1076799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The natriuretic peptides (NPs) hormone family, which consists mainly of atrial, brain, and C-type NPs (ANP, BNP, and CNP), play diverse roles in mammalian species, ranging from renal, cardiac, endocrine, neural, and vascular hemodynamics to metabolic regulations, immune responsiveness, and energy distributions. Over the last four decades, new data has transpired regarding the biochemical and molecular compositions, signaling mechanisms, and physiological and pathophysiological functions of NPs and their receptors. NPs are incremented mainly in eliciting natriuretic, diuretic, endocrine, vasodilatory, and neurological activities, along with antiproliferative, antimitogenic, antiinflammatory, and antifibrotic responses. The main locus responsible in the biological and physiological regulatory actions of NPs (ANP and BNP) is the plasma membrane guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA), a member of the growing multi-limbed GC family of receptors. Advances in this field have provided tremendous insights into the critical role of Npr1 (encoding GC-A/NPRA) in the reduction of fluid volume and blood pressure homeostasis, protection against renal and cardiac remodeling, and moderation and mediation of neurological disorders. The generation and use of genetically engineered animals, including gene-targeted (gene-knockout and gene-duplication) and transgenic mutant mouse models has revealed and clarified the varied roles and pleiotropic functions of GC-A/NPRA in vivo in intact animals. This review provides a chronological development of the biochemical, molecular, physiological, and pathophysiological functions of GC-A/NPRA, including signaling pathways, genomics, and gene regulation in both normal and disease states.
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Khurana ML, Mani I, Kumar P, Ramasamy C, Pandey KN. Ligand-Dependent Downregulation of Guanylyl Cyclase/Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-A: Role of miR-128 and miR-195. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113381. [PMID: 36362173 PMCID: PMC9657974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac hormones act on the regulation of blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular homeostasis. These hormones include atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP) and activate natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA), which enhance natriuresis, diuresis, and vasorelaxation. In this study, we established the ANP-dependent homologous downregulation of NPRA using human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK-293) cells expressing recombinant receptor and MA-10 cells harboring native endogenous NPRA. The prolonged pretreatment of cells with ANP caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in 125I-ANP binding, Guanylyl cyclase (GC) activity of receptor, and intracellular accumulation of cGMP leading to downregulation of NPRA. Treatment with ANP (100 nM) for 12 h led to an 80% decrease in 125I-ANP binding to its receptor, and BNP decreased it by 62%. Neither 100 nM c-ANF (truncated ANF) nor C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) had any effect. ANP (100 nM) treatment also decreased GC activity by 68% and intracellular accumulation cGMP levels by 45%, while the NPRA antagonist A71915 (1 µM) almost completely blocked ANP-dependent downregulation of NPRA. Treatment with the protein kinase G (PKG) stimulator 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (CPT-cGMP) (1 µM) caused a significant increase in 125I-ANP binding, whereas the PKG inhibitor KT 5823 (1 µM) potentiated the effect of ANP on the downregulation of NPRA. The transfection of miR-128 significantly reduced NPRA protein levels by threefold compared to control cells. These results suggest that ligand-dependent mechanisms play important roles in the downregulation of NPRA in target cells.
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Genetic Disruption of Guanylyl Cyclase/Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-A Triggers Differential Cardiac Fibrosis and Disorders in Male and Female Mutant Mice: Role of TGF-β1/SMAD Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911487. [PMID: 36232788 PMCID: PMC9569686 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The global targeted disruption of the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA) gene (Npr1) in mice provokes hypertension and cardiovascular dysfunction. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms regulating the development of cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction in Npr1 mutant mice. Npr1 knockout (Npr1-/-, 0-copy), heterozygous (Npr1+/-, 1-copy), and wild-type (Npr1+/+, 2-copy) mice were treated with the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 receptor (TGF-β1R) antagonist GW788388 (2 µg/g body weight/day; ip) for 28 days. Hearts were isolated and used for real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses. The Npr1-/- (0-copy) mice showed a 6-fold induction of cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction with markedly induced expressions of collagen-1α (3.8-fold), monocyte chemoattractant protein (3.7-fold), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, 5.3-fold), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, 6.1-fold), TGF-βRI (4.3-fold), TGF-βRII (4.7-fold), and phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic (pSMAD) proteins, including pSMAD-2 (3.2-fold) and pSMAD-3 (3.7-fold), compared with wild-type mice. The expressions of phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase ERK1/2 (pERK1/2), matrix metalloproteinases-2, -9, (MMP-2, -9), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were also significantly upregulated in Npr1 0-copy mice. The treatment of mutant mice with GW788388 significantly blocked the expression of fibrotic markers, SMAD proteins, MMPs, and PCNA compared with the vehicle-treated control mice. The treatment with GW788388 significantly prevented cardiac dysfunctions in a sex-dependent manner in Npr1 0-copy and 1-copy mutant mice. The results suggest that the development of cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction in mutant mice is predominantly regulated through the TGF-β1-mediated SMAD-dependent pathway.
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Zhang Y, Mou Y, Zhang J, Suo C, Zhou H, Gu M, Wang Z, Tan R. Therapeutic Implications of Ferroptosis in Renal Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:890766. [PMID: 35655759 PMCID: PMC9152458 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.890766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a common feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and can lead to the destruction of normal renal structure and loss of kidney function. Little progress has been made in reversing fibrosis in recent years. Ferroptosis is more immunogenic than apoptosis due to the release and activation of damage-related molecular patterns (DAMPs) signals. In this paper, the relationship between renal fibrosis and ferroptosis was reviewed from the perspective of iron metabolism and lipid peroxidation, and some pharmaceuticals or chemicals associated with both ferroptosis and renal fibrosis were summarized. Other programmed cell death and ferroptosis in renal fibrosis were also firstly reviewed for comparison and further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanhua Mou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Jianjian Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanjian Suo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hai Zhou
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Gu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zengjun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruoyun Tan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Ruoyun Tan,
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Lu J, An J, Wang J, Cao X, Cao Y, Huang C, Jiao S, Yan D, Lin X, Zhou X. Znhit1 Regulates p21Cip1 to Control Mouse Lens Differentiation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:18. [PMID: 35472217 PMCID: PMC9055562 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.4.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The transparency of the ocular lens is essential for refracting and focusing light onto the retina, and transparency is controlled by many factors and signaling pathways. Here we showed a critical role of chromatin remodeler zinc finger HIT-type containing 1 (Znhit1) in maintaining lens transparency. Methods To explore the roles of Znhit1 in lens development, the cre-loxp system was used to generate lens-specific Znhit1 knockout mice (Znhit1Mlr10-Cre; Znhit1 cKO). Morphological changes in mice lenses were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and assay for transposase accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) were applied to screen transcriptome changes. Immunofluorescence staining were performed to assess proteins distribution and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining were used for determining apoptosis. The mRNAs expression was examined by quantitative RT-PCR and proteins expression by Western blot. Results Lens-specific conditional knockout mice had a severe cataract, microphthalmia phenotype, and seriously abnormal lens fiber cells differentiation. Deletion of Znhit1 in the lens resulted in decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis of the lens epithelia. ATAC-seq showed that Znhit1 deficiency increased chromatin accessibility of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, including p57Kip2 and p21Cip1, and upregulated the expression of these genes in mRNA and protein levels. And we also showed that loss of Znhit1 lead to lens fibrosis by upregulating the expression of p21Cip1. Conclusions Our findings suggested that Znhit1 is required for the survival of lens epithelial cells. The loss of Znhit1 leads to the overexpression of p21Cip1, further resulting in lens fibrosis, and impacted the establishment of lens transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Lu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhong An
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaowen Cao
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuqing Cao
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chengjie Huang
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shiming Jiao
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongsheng Yan
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinhua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangtian Zhou
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Wenzhou, China
- Oujiang Laboratory, Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Research Unit of Myopia Basic Research and Clinical Prevention and Control, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wenzhou, China
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Hou Y, Li J, Ding Y, Cui Y, Nie H. Luteolin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome by activating alveolar epithelial sodium channels via cGMP/PI3K pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 282:114654. [PMID: 34537283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Luteolin (Lut) was recently identified as the major active ingredient of Mosla scabra, which was a typical representative traditional Chinese medicine and had been used to treat pulmonary diseases for thousands of years. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was to explore the effects and relative mechanisms of Lut in LPS-induced acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). The main characteristic of ALI/ARDS is pulmonary edema, and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a key factor in effective removal of excessive alveolar edematous fluid, which is essential for repairing gas exchange and minimizing damage to the peripheral tissues. However, whether the therapeutic effects of Lut on respiratory diseases are relative with ENaC is still unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS Alveolar fluid clearance was calculated in BALB/c mice and ENaC function was measured in H441 cells. Moreover, ENaC membrane protein and mRNA were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. We also studied the involvement of cGMP/PI3K pathway during the regulation of Lut on ENaC during LPS-induced ALI/ARDS by ELISA method and applying cGMP/PI3K inhibitors/siRNA. RESULTS The beneficial effects of Lut in ALI/ARDS were evidenced by the alleviation of pulmonary edema, and enhancement of both amiloride-sensitive alveolar fluid clearance and short-circuit currents. Lut could alleviate the LPS decreased expression levels of ENaC mRNA and membrane protein in H441 cells and mouse lung. In addition, cGMP concentration was increased after the administration of Lut in ALI/ARDS mice, while the inhibition of cGMP/PI3K pathway could abrogate the enhanced AFC and ENaC protein expression of Lut. CONCLUSION These results implied that Lut could attenuate pulmonary edema via enhancing the abundance of membrane ENaC at least partially through the cGMP/PI3K pathway, which could provide a promising therapeutic strategy for treating ALI/ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapeng Hou
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Yong Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Hongguang Nie
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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Ji Z, Chen S, Cui J, Huang W, Zhang R, Wei J, Zhang S. Oct4-dependent FoxC1 activation improves the survival and neovascularization of mesenchymal stem cells under myocardial ischemia. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:483. [PMID: 34454602 PMCID: PMC8403428 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02553-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remains the most promising approach for cardiac repair after myocardial infarct (MI). However, their poor survival and potential in the ischemic environment limit their therapeutic efficacy for heart repair after MI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of FoxC1-induced vascular niche on the activation of octamer-binding protein 4 (Oct4) and the fate of MSCs under hypoxic/ischemic conditions.
Methods Vascular microenvironment/niche was induced by efficient delivery of FoxC1 transfection into hypoxic endothelial cells (ECs) or infarcted hearts. MSCs were cultured or injected into this niche by utilizing an in vitro coculture model and a rat MI model. Survival and neovascularization of MSCs regulated by Oct4 were explored using gene transfer and functional studies.
Results Here, using gene expression heatmap, we demonstrated that cardiac ECs rapidly upregulated FoxC1 after acute ischemic cardiac injury, contributing to an intrinsic angiogenesis. In vitro, FoxC1 accelerated tube-like structure formation and increased survival of ECs, resulting in inducing a vascular microenvironment. Overexpression of FoxC1 in ECs promoted survival and neovascularization of MSCs under hypoxic coculture. Overexpression of Oct4, a FoxC1 target gene, in MSCs enhanced their mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition (MEndoT) while knockdown of Oct4 by siRNA altering vascularization. In a rat MI model, overexpression of FoxC1 in ischemic hearts increased post-infarct vascular density and improved cardiac function. The transplantation of adOct4-pretreated MSCs into these ischemic niches augments MEndoT, enhanced vascularity, and further improved cardiac function. Consistently, these cardioprotective effects of FoxC1 was abrogated when Oct4 was depleted in the MSCs and was mimicked by overexpression of Oct4. Conclusions Together, these studies demonstrate that the FoxC1/Oct4 axis is an essential aspect for survival and neovascularization of MSCs in the ischemic conditions and represents a potential therapeutic target for enhancing cardiac repair. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02553-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Ji
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning, China
| | - Songsheng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Jin Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Weiguang Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Jianrui Wei
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China
| | - Shaoheng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital Medical College of Jinan University, 396 Tongfuzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510220, China.
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Pandey KN. Molecular Signaling Mechanisms and Function of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-A in the Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Homeostasis. Front Physiol 2021; 12:693099. [PMID: 34489721 PMCID: PMC8416980 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.693099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, and CNP) and their cognate receptors has greatly increased our knowledge of the control of hypertension and cardiovascular homeostasis. ANP and BNP are potent endogenous hypotensive hormones that elicit natriuretic, diuretic, vasorelaxant, antihypertrophic, antiproliferative, and antiinflammatory effects, largely directed toward the reduction of blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The principal receptor involved in the regulatory actions of ANP and BNP is guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA), which produces the intracellular second messenger cGMP. Cellular, biochemical, molecular, genetic, and clinical studies have facilitated understanding of the functional roles of natriuretic peptides (NPs), as well as the functions of their receptors, and signaling mechanisms in CVDs. Transgenic and gene-targeting (gene-knockout and gene-duplication) strategies have produced genetically altered novel mouse models and have advanced our knowledge of the importance of NPs and their receptors at physiological and pathophysiological levels in both normal and disease states. The current review describes the past and recent research on the cellular, molecular, genetic mechanisms and functional roles of the ANP-BNP/NPRA system in the physiology and pathophysiology of cardiovascular homeostasis as well as clinical and diagnostic markers of cardiac disorders and heart failure. However, the therapeutic potentials of NPs and their receptors for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, and stroke have just begun to be expanded. More in-depth investigations are needed in this field to extend the therapeutic use of NPs and their receptors to treat and prevent CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailash N. Pandey
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
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Xu Y, Sun L, Hu J, Xu S. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0001275 reverses dexamethasone-induced osteoblast growth inhibition via mediation of miR-377/CDKN1B axis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252126. [PMID: 34043680 PMCID: PMC8158950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoporosis affects the quality of life among middle-aged and elderly individuals. In addition, dysfunction of osteoblasts can lead to the progression of osteoporosis. Circular (circ)RNAs are involved in various types of diseases, including osteoporosis. Moreover, it has been reported that hsa_circ_0001275 expression is upregulated in osteoporosis. However, the effects of hsa_circ_0001275 on the growth of osteoblasts remain unclear. METHODS In the present study, the gene and protein expression levels in hFOB1.19 cells were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-qPCR) and western blot analyses, respectively. In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodules were examined by ALP and alizarin red staining, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, dual luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assay were used to confirm the association among hsa_circ_0001275, microRNA (miR)-377 and CDKN1B. RESULTS DEX-induced hFOB1.19 cell growth inhibition was significantly reversed by silencing hsa_circ_0001275. Moreover, DEX significantly increased ALP activity and calcium nodules in hFOB1.19 cells, while this effect was significantly reversed in the presence of hsa_circ_0001275 small interfering RNA. In addition, miR-377 was sponged by hsa_circ_0001275 and CDKN1B was directly targeted by miR-377 in hFOB1.19 cells. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of hsa_circ_0001275 knockdown on osteoporosis was notably reversed by miR-377 antagomir. CONCLUSION The data demonstrated that knockdown of hsa_circ_0001275 reversed DEX-induced osteoblast growth inhibition via activation of the miR-377/CDKN1B axis. Therefore, this study might shed new lights on the treatment of osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First People’s Hospital of Fuyang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Liqin Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, The First People’s Hospital of Fuyang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Juncheng Hu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First People’s Hospital of Fuyang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sai Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First People’s Hospital of Fuyang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Das S, Neelamegam K, Peters WN, Periyasamy R, Pandey KN. Depletion of cyclic-GMP levels and inhibition of cGMP-dependent protein kinase activate p21 Cip1 /p27 Kip1 pathways and lead to renal fibrosis and dysfunction. FASEB J 2020; 34:11925-11943. [PMID: 32686172 PMCID: PMC7540536 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000754r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cycle regulatory proteins (p21Cip1 /p27Kip1 ) inhibit cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complex that promotes fibrosis and hypertrophy. The present study examined the role of CDK blockers, p21Cip1 /p27Kip1 in the progression of renal fibrosis and dysfunction using Npr1 (encoding guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A, GC-A/NPRA) gene-knockout (0-copy; Npr1-/- ), 2-copy (Npr1+/+ ), and 4-copy (Npr1++/++ ) mice treated with GC inhibitor, A71915 and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK) inhibitor, (Rp-8-Br-cGMPS). A significant decrease in renal cGMP levels and cGK activity was observed in 0-copy mice and A71915- and Rp-treated 2-copy and 4-copy mice compared with controls. An increased phosphorylation of Erk1/2, p38, p21Cip1 , and p27Kip1 occurred in 0-copy and A71915-treated 2-copy and 4-copy mice, while Rp treatment caused minimal changes than controls. Pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6) and pro-fibrotic (TGF-β1) cytokines were significantly increased in plasma and kidneys of 0-copy and A71915-treated 2-copy mice, but to lesser extent in 4-copy mice. Progressive renal pathologies, including fibrosis, mesangial matrix expansion, and tubular hypertrophy were observed in 0-copy and A71915-treated 2-copy and 4-copy mice, but minimally occurred in Rp-treated mice compared with controls. These results indicate that Npr1 has pivotal roles in inhibiting renal fibrosis and hypertrophy and exerts protective effects involving cGMP/cGK axis by repressing CDK blockers p21Cip1 and p27Kip1 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhankar Das
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kandasamy Neelamegam
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Whitney N Peters
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ramu Periyasamy
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kailash N Pandey
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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