α-Synuclein Induces Neuroinflammation Injury through the IL6ST-AS/STAT3/HIF-1α Axis

Interplay of human gastrointestinal microbiota metabolites: Short-chain fatty acids and their correlation with Parkinson's disease

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are, the metabolic byproducts of intestinal microbiota that, are generated through anaerobic fermentation of undigested dietary fibers. SCFAs play a pivotal role in numerous physiological functions within the human body, including maintaining intestinal mucosal health, modulating immune functions, and regulating energy metabolism. In recent years, extensive research evidence has indicated that SCFAs are significantly involved in the onset and progression of Parkinson disease (PD). However, the precise mechanisms remain elusive. This review comprehensively summarizes the progress in understanding how SCFAs impact PD pathogenesis and the underlying mechanisms. Primarily, we delve into the synthesis, metabolism, and signal transduction of SCFAs within the human body. Subsequently, an analysis of SCFA levels in patients with PD is presented. Furthermore, we expound upon the mechanisms through which SCFAs induce inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein, and the intricacies of the gut-brain axis. Finally, we provide a critical analysis and explore the potential therapeutic role of SCFAs as promising targets for treating PD.

Epigenetics and the neurodegenerative process

Neurological diseases are multifactorial, genetic and environmental. Environmental factors such as diet, physical activity and emotional state are epigenetic factors. Environmental markers are responsible for epigenetic modifications. The effect of epigenetic changes is increased inflammation of the nervous system and neuronal damage. In recent years, it has been shown that epigenetic changes may cause an increased risk of neurological disorders but, currently, the relationship between epigenetic modifications and neurodegeneration remains unclear. This review summarizes current knowledge about neurological disorders caused by epigenetic changes in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke and epilepsy. Advances in epigenetic techniques may be key to understanding the epigenetics of central changes in neurological diseases.

Selection of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in HMC3 cell line by quantitative real-time RT-PCR

Microglia represent the primary immune defense system within the central nervous system and play a role in the inflammatory processes occurring in numerous disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). PD onset and progression are associated with factors considered possible causes of neuroinflammation, i.e. genetic mutations. In vitro models of microglial cells were established to identify specific molecular targets in PD through the analysis of gene expression data. Recently, the Human Microglial Clone 3 cell line (HMC3) has been characterized and a new human microglia model has emerged. Here we perform RT-qPCR analyses to evaluate the expression of ten reference genes in HMC3, untreated or stimulated to a pro-inflammatory status. The comparative ∆CT method, BestKeeper, Normfinder, geNorm and RefFinder algorithms were used to assess the stability of the candidate genes. The results showed that the most suitable internal controls are HPRT1, RPS18 and B2M genes. In addition, the most stable and unstable reference genes were used to normalize the expression of a gene of interest in HMC3, resulting in a difference in the statistical significance in cells treated with Rotenone. This is the first reference gene validation study in HMC3 cell line in pro-inflammatory status and can contribute to more reliable gene expression analysis in the field of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory research.

The regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and noncoding RNA

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), as a key node in numerous carcinogenic signaling pathways, is activated in various tumor tissues and plays important roles in tumor formation, metastasis, and drug resistance. STAT3 is considered a potential subtarget for tumor therapy. Noncoding RNA (ncRNA) is a special type of RNA transcript. Transforming from "junk" transcripts into key molecules involved in cell apoptosis, growth, and functional regulation, ncRNA has been proven to be closely related to various epithelial-mesenchymal transition and drug resistance processes in tumor cells over the past few decades. Research on the relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and ncRNAs has attracted increased attention. To date, existing reviews have mainly focused on the regulation by ncRNAs on the transcription factor STAT3; there has been no review of the regulation by STAT3 on ncRNAs. However, understanding the regulation of ncRNAs by STAT3 and its mechanism is important to comprehensively understand the mutual regulatory relationship between STAT3 and ncRNAs. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the regulation by transcription factor STAT3 on long noncoding RNA, microRNA, and circular RNA and its possible mechanisms. In addition, we provide an update on research progress on the regulation of STAT3 by ncRNAs. This will provide a new perspective to comprehensively understand the regulatory relationship between transcription factor STAT3 and ncRNAs, as well as targeting STAT3 or ncRNAs to treat diseases such as tumors.

Gut microbiota defined epigenomes of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases reveal novel targets for therapy

The origins of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) involve genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, neurotoxin exposure and gut microbiota dysregulation. The gut microbiota's dynamic composition and its metabolites influence intestinal and blood-brain barrier integrity, contributing to AD and PD development. This review explores protein misfolding, aggregation and epigenetic links in AD and PD pathogenesis. It also highlights the role of a leaky gut and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in promoting these diseases through inflammation-induced epigenetic alterations. In addition, we investigate the potential of diet, probiotics and microbiota transplantation for preventing and treating AD and PD via epigenetic modifications, along with a discussion related to current challenges and future considerations. These approaches offer promise for translating research findings into practical clinical applications.

The role of long noncoding ribonucleic acids in the central nervous system injury

Central nervous system (CNS) injury involves complex pathophysiological molecular mechanisms. Long noncoding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) are an important form of RNA that do not encode proteins but take part in the regulation of gene expression and various biological processes. Multitudinous studies have evidenced lncRNAs to have a significant role in the process of progression and recovery of various CNS injuries. Herein, we review the latest findings pertaining to the role of lncRNAs in CNS, both normal and diseased state. We aim to present a comprehensive clinical application prospect of lncRNAs in CNS, and thus, discuss potential strategies of lncRNAs in treating CNS injury.

Identifying NFKB1, STAT3, and CDKN1A as Baicalein's Potential Hub Targets in Parkinson's Disease-related α-synuclein-mediated Pathways by Integrated Bioinformatics Strategies

BACKGROUND

The overexpression, accumulation, and cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein leads to the deterioration of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies suggest that Baicalein (BAI) can bind to α-synuclein and inhibit α-synuclein aggregation and secretion. However, it is still unclear whether BAI can intervene with the pathogenic molecules in α-synuclein-mediated PD pathways beyond directly targeting α-synuclein per se.

METHODS

This study aimed to systematically investigate BAI's potential targets in PD-related A53T mutant α-synuclein-mediated pathways by integrating data mining, network pharmacological analysis, and molecular docking simulation techniques.

RESULTS

The results suggest that BAI may target genes that are dysregulated in synaptic transmission, vesicle trafficking, gene transcription, protein binding, extracellular matrix formation, and kinase activity in α-synucleinmediated pathways. NFKB1, STAT3, and CDKN1A are BAI's potential hub targets in these pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight BAI's potentiality to modulate α-synuclein-mediated pathways beyond directly targeting α-synuclein per se.