Arctigenin Attenuates Vascular Inflammation Induced by High Salt through TMEM16A/ESM1/VCAM-1 Pathway

The prospect and underlying mechanisms of Chinese medicine in treating periodontitis

Inflammation represents a critical immune response triggered by cellular activities and inflammatory mediators following tissue damage. It plays a central role in the pathological progression of diverse diseases, including psychiatric disorders, cancer, and immunological conditions, rendering it an essential target for therapeutic intervention. Periodontitis, a prevalent oral inflammatory disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss and poses significant health challenges globally. Traditionally, inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis have been treated with systemic administration of synthetic chemicals. However, recent years have witnessed challenges, including drug resistance and microbial dysbiosis associated with these treatments. In contrast, natural products derived from Chinese medicine offer numerous benefits, such as high safety profiles, minimal side effects, innovative pharmacological mechanisms, ease of extraction, and multiple targets, rendering them viable alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating inflammatory conditions. Numerous effective anti-inflammatory natural products have been identified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, and other natural products that exhibit inhibitory effects on inflammation and are potential therapeutic agents. Several studies have confirmed the substantial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of these compounds. This comprehensive review examines the literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of TCM-derived natural products from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, focusing on terms like "inflammation", "periodontitis", "pharmacology", and "traditional Chinese medicine". The analysis systematically summarizes the molecular pharmacology, chemical composition, and biological activities of these compounds in inflammatory responses, alongside their mechanisms of action. This research seeks to deepen understanding of the mechanisms and biological activities of herbal extracts in managing inflammatory diseases, potentially leading to the development of promising new anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Future applications could extend to the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis.

Knockdown of ANO1 decreases TGF-β- and IL-6-induced adhesion and migration of cardiac fibroblasts by inhibiting the expression of integrin and focal adhesion kinase

Ischemic cardiac injury triggers a significant inflammatory response, activating and mobilizing cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), which ultimately contributes to myocardial fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the role of ANO1, a calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) protein, in regulating CFs migration and adhesion under inflammatory conditions. Our results demonstrated that ANO1 knockdown significantly attenuated TGF-β- and IL-6-induced adhesion and migration of CFs. This inhibitory effect was mediated through the downregulation of integrin expression and reduced activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), key components in cellular adhesion and motility pathways. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying CFs migration and adhesion, highlighting the potential of ANO1 as a therapeutic target for mitigating adverse fibrotic remodeling following myocardial infarction.

ESM1 May Be Used as a New Indicator for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Early and Advanced Stage Digestive Tract Cancers

Background

The biological function and prognostic significance of endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ESM1) in various cancers have been validated. This study aimed to explore the expression and clinical diagnosis values in patients with stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and esophageal carcinoma (ESCA).

Methods

Online database Gene Expression Omnibus was used to screen for abnormally expressed genes in STAD and ESCA. Besides, 36 STAD and 36 ESCA patients were enrolled, and their corresponding control groups were also 36 people each. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to analyze the expression of ESM1. Overall survival (OS) curve and receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis were used to assess the prognosis, and the sensitivity and specificity of ESM1 for the diagnosis of STAD and ESCA, respectively. Additionally, the effects of ESM1 on cell viability, migration, and invasion were analyzed by cell counting kit-8, transwell migration and invasion assays.

Results

The results showed that the poor OS of STAD and ESCA patients was correlated with high ESM1. Besides, ESM1 was increased in ESCA and STAD in in vivo and in vitro studies. ESM1 has a high accuracy [area under the curve (AUC) > 0.79] at stage I and IV of STAD and ESCA. Knockdown of ESM1 suppressed the cell viability, migration, and invasion and increased the apoptosis rate of AGS and TE1 cells.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that ESM1 might be used as a new indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of early and advanced stage digestive tract cancers.

The TMEM16A channel as a potential therapeutic target in vascular disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) Ca 2+ -activated Cl - channel constitutes a key depolarising mechanism in vascular smooth muscle and contractile pericytes, while in endothelial cells the channel is implicated in angiogenesis and in the response to vasoactive stimuli. Here, we offer a critical analysis of recent physiological investigations and consider the potential for targeting TMEM16A channels in vascular disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of TMEM16A channels in vascular smooth muscle decreases artery tone and lowers systemic blood pressure in rodent models. Inhibition of TMEM16A channels in cerebral cortical pericytes protects against ischemia-induced tissue damage and improves microvascular blood flow in rodent stroke models. In endothelial cells, the TMEM16A channel plays varied roles including modulation of cell division and control of vessel tone through spread of hyperpolarisation to the smooth muscle cells. Genetic studies implicate TMEM16A channels in human disease including systemic and pulmonary hypertension, stroke and Moyamoya disease.

SUMMARY

The TMEM16A channel regulates vascular function by controlling artery tone and capillary diameter as well as vessel formation and histology. Preclinical and clinical investigations are highlighting the potential for therapeutic exploitation of the channel in a range of maladaptive states of the (micro)circulation.

Roles of endothelial cell specific molecule‑1 in tumor angiogenesis (Review)

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis, and is heavily influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Endothelial cell dysfunction is a key factor in tumor angiogenesis and is characterized by the aberrant expression of pro-angiogenic factors. Endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (ESM1), also known as endocan, is a marker of endothelial cell dysfunction. Although ESM1 is primarily expressed in normal endothelial cells, dysregulated ESM1 expression has been observed in human tumors and animal tumor models, and implicated in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. The precise role of ESM1 in tumor angiogenesis and its potential regulatory mechanisms are not yet conclusively defined. However, the aim of the present review was to explore the involvement of ESM1 in the process of tumor angiogenesis in the TME and the characteristics of neovascularization. In addition, the present review discusses the interaction between ESM1 and angiogenic factors, as well as the mechanisms through which ESM1 contributes to tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, the reciprocal regulation between ESM1 and the TME is explored. Finally, the potential of targeting ESM1 as a therapeutic strategy for tumor angiogenesis is presented.