Antioxidant mitoquinone ameliorates EtOH-LPS induced lung injury by inhibiting mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Mitoquinol improves phagocytosis and glycolysis in ethanol-exposed macrophages via HIF-1α-PFKP axis

Alcohol use disorder increases sepsis mortality. Acute ethanol exposure impairs pathogen clearance in the macrophages via dampened glycolysis and phagocytosis, exaggerates oxidative stress, and regulates the function of the hypoxia-regulating factor 1α (HIF-1α), a master regulator of glycolysis. Decreased expression of the platelet isoform of phosphofructokinase (PFKP), a key glycolytic enzyme, in ethanol-exposed macrophages, is reported. However, transcriptional regulation of PFKP with ethanol exposure is unclear. We hypothesized that acute ethanol exposure-induced oxidative stress dampens macrophage phagocytosis and glycolysis via the HIF-1α-PFKP axis. In ethanol-exposed mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages with lipopolysaccharide stimulation, we studied (i) reactive oxygen species (ROS), phagocytosis, glycolysis, PFKP, and HIF-1α expressions ± ethanol exposure; (ii) the role of HIF-1α in transcriptionally controlling PFKP messenger RNA by chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique; and (iii) the effect of mitoquinol (MitoQ), a mitochondria-specific antioxidant, on HIF-1α function, glycolysis, phagocytosis, and pathogen clearance in ethanol-exposed macrophages. Last, we examined the effect of MitoQ on 7-d survival in alcohol vs. vehicle-drinking mice with cecal slurry-induced sepsis. In ethanol-exposed and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, we found that (i) excessive total and mitochondrial ROS production and dampened phagocytosis, glycolysis, and PFKP expression; (ii) dysfunctional HIF-1α downregulates PFKP transcription; (iii) MitoQ restrains ROS production, restores HIF-1α function, and improves glycolysis and phagocytosis via preserved PFKP messenger RNA and protein expression; and (iv) MitoQ treatment improves survival and pathogen clearance in ethanol with sepsis mice. In conclusion, we found that the HIF-1α-PFKP axis regulates glycolysis and phagocytosis in ethanol-exposed macrophages and is a potential therapeutic target in ethanol with sepsis.

Identification and verification of mitochondria-related genes biomarkers associated with immune infiltration for COPD using WGCNA and machine learning algorithms

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study combines bioinformatics analysis with machine learning to elucidate potential key mitochondrial-related genes associated with COPD and its immune microenvironment. We utilized the limma package and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to analyze datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE57148), identifying 12 key differentially expressed mitochondrial genes (MitoDEGs). Using 12 distinct machine learning algorithms (comprising 143 predictive models), we identified the optimal diagnostic model, which includes five pivotal MitoDEGs: ERN1, FASTK, HIGD1B, NDUFA7 and NDUFB7. The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of each gene, as well as the diagnostic model itself, were evaluated using Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. This model demonstrated high specificity in the validation cohorts (GSE76925, GSE151052, GSE239897). Expression analysis revealed upregulation of ERN1 and downregulation of FASTK, HIGD1B, NDUFA7 and NDUFB7 in COPD patients. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated a significant association between MitoDEGs and immune cell infiltration, with ERN1 expression positively correlated with neutrophil infiltration and the other genes negatively correlated. The GABA receptor modulator androstenol was identified as a potential therapeutic candidate. In vivo studies confirmed reduced mRNA expression of HIGD1B and NDUFB7 in COPD mice. These findings elucidate mitochondrial-immune interactions in COPD and highlight novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Reactive Oxygen Species as a Common Pathological Link Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Alzheimer's Disease with Therapeutic Implications

Chronic alcohol consumption leads to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving oxidative stress that contributes to both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review explores how ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation serve as shared pathological mechanisms linking these conditions. We highlight the role of alcohol-induced oxidative damage in exacerbating neurodegeneration and compare ROS-related pathways in AUD and AD. Finally, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies, including mitochondrial antioxidants and inflammasome inhibitors, that target oxidative stress to mitigate neurodegeneration. Understanding these overlapping mechanisms may provide new insights for preventing and treating ROS-driven neurodegenerative disorders.

Mitochondrial Mechanisms in Immunity and Inflammatory Conditions: Beyond Energy Management

Significance: The growing importance of mitochondria in the immune response and inflammation is multifaceted. Unraveling the different mechanisms by which mitochondria have a relevant role in the inflammatory response beyond the energy management of the process is necessary for improving our understanding of the host immune defense and the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and syndromes. Critical Issues: Mitochondria are relevant in the immune response at different levels, including releasing activation molecules, changing its structure and function to accompany the immune response, and serving as a structural base for activating intermediates as NLRP3 inflammasome. In this scientific journey of dissecting mitochondrial mechanisms, new questions and interesting aspects arise, such as the involvement of mitochondrial-derived vesicles in the immune response with the putative role of preventing uncontrolled situations. Recent Advances: Researchers are continuously rethinking the role of mitochondria in acute and chronic inflammation and related disorders. As such, mitochondria have important roles as centrally positioned signaling hubs in regulating inflammatory and immune responses. In this review, we present the current understanding of mitochondrial mechanisms involved, beyond the largely known mitochondrial dysfunction, in the onset and development of inflammatory situations. Future Directions: Mitochondria emerge as an interesting and multifaceted platform for studying and developing pharmaceutical and therapeutic approaches. There are many ongoing studies aimed to describe the effects of specific mitochondrial targeted molecules and treatments to ameliorate the consequences of exacerbated inflammatory components of pathologies and syndromes, resulting in an open area of increasing research interest.

Relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy in acute lung injury: a mini-review

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most deadly and prevalent diseases in the intensive care unit. Ferroptosis and mitophagy are pathological mechanisms of ALI. Ferroptosis aggravates ALI, whereas mitophagy regulates ALI. Ferroptosis and mitophagy are both closely related to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitophagy can regulate ferroptosis, but the specific relationship between ferroptosis and mitophagy is still unclear. This study summarizes previous research findings on ferroptosis and mitophagy, revealing their involvement in ALI. Examining the functions of mTOR and NLPR3 helps clarify the connection between ferroptosis and mitophagy in ALI, with the goal of establishing a theoretical foundation for potential therapeutic approaches in the future management of ALI.

The interplay between mitophagy and mitochondrial ROS in acute lung injury

Mitochondria orchestrate the production of new mitochondria and the removal of damaged ones to dynamically maintain mitochondrial homeostasis through constant biogenesis and clearance mechanisms. Mitochondrial quality control particularly relies on mitophagy, defined as selective autophagy with mitochondria-targeting specificity. Most ROS are derived from mitochondria, and the physiological concentration of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) is no longer considered a useless by-product, as it has been proven to participate in immune and autophagy pathway regulation. However, excessive mtROS appears to be a pathogenic factor in several diseases, including acute lung injury (ALI). The interplay between mitophagy and mtROS is complex and closely related to ALI. Here, we review the pathways of mitophagy, the intricate relationship between mitophagy and mtROS, the role of mtROS in the pathogenesis of ALI, and their effects and related progression in ALI induced by different conditions.

Remimazolam attenuates inflammation in bronchopneumonia through the inhibition of NLRP3 activity by PDPK1 ubiquitination

Bronchopneumonia is the most common pneumonia in childhood. Therefore, we tested the effects of Remimazolam presented Bronchopneumonia and its possible mechanisms. Phillygenin increased survival rate, reduced W/D ratio, and lung injury score, and inhibited IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ levels in mice model of bronchopneumonia. Remimazolam induced PDPK1 and p-AKT protein expressions, and suppressed NLRP3 protein expression in lung tissue of mice model. In vitro model, Remimazolam also induced PDPK1 and p-AKT protein expressions, and suppressed NLRP3 protein expression. Remimazolam also inhibited inflammation levels in vitro model. PDPK1 inhibitor, PHT-427 (100 mg/kg) reduced survival rate, increased W/D ratio and lung injury score, and promoted inflammation levels in mice model of bronchopneumonia by treated with Remimazolam. PHT-427 suppressed PDPK1 and p-AKT protein expressions and induced NLRP3 protein expression in mice model of bronchopneumonia by treated with Remimazolam. Remimazolam interlinked PDPK1 protein. Remimazolam increased the expressions of PDPK1 and p-AKT in vitro model. Remimazolam reduced PDPK1 ubiquitination in vitro model.

Mitoquinone ameliorated airway inflammation by stabilizing β-catenin destruction complex in a steroid-insensitive asthma model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Mitochondrial dysfunction is an essential part of the pathophysiology of asthma, and potential treatments that target the malfunctioning mitochondria have attracted widespread attention. We have previously demonstrated that aberrant epithelial β-catenin signaling played a crucial role in a toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced steroid-insensitive asthma model. The objective of this study was to determine if the mitochondrially targeted antioxidant mitoquinone(MitoQ) regulated the activation of β-catenin in TDI-induced asthma.

METHOD

Mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI to generate a steroid-insensitive asthma model. Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were exposed to TDI-human serum albumin (HSA) and ethidium bromide(EB) to simulate the TDI-induced asthma model and mitochondrial dysfunction.

RESULTS

MitoQ dramatically attenuated TDI-induced AHR, airway inflammation, airway goblet cell metaplasia, and collagen deposition and markedly protected epithelial mitochondrial functions by preserving mass and diminishing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). MitoQ administration stabilized β-catenin destruction complex from disintegration and inhibited the activation of β-catenin. Similarly, YAP1, an important constituent of β-catenin destruction complex, was inhibited by Dasatinib, which alleviated airway inflammation and the activation of β-catenin, and restored mitochondrial mass. In vitro, treating 16HBE cells with EB led to the activation of YAP1 and β-catenin signaling, decreased the expression of glucocorticoid receptors and up-regulated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL6 and IL-8 expression.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that mitochondria mediates airway inflammation by regulating the stability of the β-catenin destruction complex and MitoQ might be a promising therapeutic approach to improve airway inflammation and severe asthma.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Some data may not be made available because of privacy or ethical restrictions.