Cellular preconditioning and mesenchymal stem cell ferroptosis

In this editorial, we comment on the article published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Stem Cells. They focus on stem cell preconditioning to prevent ferroptosis by modulating the cystathionine γ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway as a novel approach to treat vascular disorders, particularly pulmonary hypertension. Preconditioned stem cells are gaining popularity in regenerative medicine due to their unique ability to survive by resisting the harsh, unfavorable microenvironment of the injured tissue. They also secrete various paracrine factors against apoptosis, necrosis, and ferroptosis to enhance cell survival. Ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death characterized by iron accumulation and oxidative stress, has been implicated in various pathologies encompassing degenerative disorders to cancer. The lipid peroxidation cascade initiates and sustains ferroptosis, generating many reactive oxygen species that attack and damage multiple cellular structures. Understanding these intertwined mechanisms provides significant insights into developing therapeutic modalities for ferroptosis-related diseases. This editorial primarily discusses stem cell preconditioning in modulating ferroptosis, focusing on the cystathionase gamma/H2S ferroptosis pathway. Ferroptosis presents a significant challenge in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies; hence, the emerging role of H2S/cystathionase gamma/H2S signaling in abrogating ferroptosis provides a novel option for therapeutic intervention. Further research into understanding the precise mechanisms of H2S-mediated cytoprotection against ferroptosis is warranted to enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs in clinical settings, particularly vascular disorders.

N-acetylcysteine a possible protector against indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer: crosstalk between antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms

This study investigated the gastroprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Ulceration was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg). 50 male albino rats were allocated into 5 equal groups: control group received normal saline orally, indomethacin group rats received normal saline orally for 5 days and indomethacin (50 mg/kg) on the last day, ranitidine group received ranitidine (reference drug) orally for 5 days (50 mg/kg) before receiving indomethacin (50 mg/kg) on the last day, and NAC groups received NAC orally at 300 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, for 5 days before receiving indomethacin (50 mg/kg) on the last day. Gastric tissue interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and caspase-3 levels were immunoassayed. Total thiol (T-SH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were determined by spectrophotometry. Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 2α (CINC-2α) gene expression was evaluated in addition to Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry. Pretreatment with NAC improved the inflammatory, apoptotic, and redox status in a dose-dependent manner particularly in NAC 500 mg/kg pretreated group. These results show a role for NAC in improving indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration via antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory interactive mechanisms.

Sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase/Pentraxin 3 and DNA damage axis: a gateway to cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus among Egyptian patients

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammatory processes and failure of immune-regulatory mechanisms. Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. In view of immunometabolic derangements of systemic lupus erythematosus, we investigated the roles of sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase, Pentraxin 3, and DNA damage in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Forty systemic lupus erythematosus women with cardiovascular disease (systemic lupus erythematosus cases), 40 systemic lupus erythematosus women without cardiovascular disease, and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Plasma concentrations of sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase and Pentraxin 3 were immunoassayed. Carotid intima media thickness, atherogenic, and DNA damage indices were also assessed.

Results

Plasma sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase and Pentraxin 3 concentrations were increased in systemic lupus erythematosus cases with cardiovascular disease compared to systemic lupus erythematosus controls and healthy controls ( P < 0.0001). In systemic lupus erythematosus cases, there was a positive correlation between sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase and Pentraxin 3 (r = 0.57, P < 0.002).

Conclusions

These data highlight a novel role of sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase/Pentraxin 3 axis in systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis. Sucrose non-fermenting AMPK related kinase/Pentraxin 3 combined role in immunometabolic signaling and DNA damage response is proposed to accelerate cardiovascular complications in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Fatty acid synthase/oxidized low-density lipoprotein as metabolic oncogenes linking obesity to colon cancer via NF-kappa B in Egyptians

Obesity is a major health problem which heightens the risk of several chronic illnesses including cancer development particularly colon cancer. The underlying pathophysiology of obesity associated colon cancer remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this current study was to determine fatty acid synthase (FASN) activity/expression, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) level and redox status under the context of anthropometric measurements and lipid profile to find their potential role as interacting biomarkers relating obesity to colon cancer initiation and progression via nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling. This study was conducted upon Egyptian individuals; 30 obese subjects with colon cancer, 11 nonobese and 11 obese subjects without colon cancer. FASN gene expression, NF-κB immunoreactivity, and serum ox-LDL level were estimated by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunoassay, respectively. FASN activity, glycemic status, obesity, and oxidative stress indices were also assessed. It was found that FASN expression and activity were statistically increased in obese with colon cancer (P=0.021 and 0.018, respectively), with statistically significant increase in patients with advanced grading. Moreover, NF-κB immunoreactivity and serum ox-LDL level were significantly increased in obese colon cancer patients with significantly higher levels in those with advanced grading (all P<0.05). Dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress indices were worsened in obese patients with colon cancer. These results revealed that FASN and ox-LDL as well as oxidative stress may increase the risk of obesity related colon cancer, particularly via NF-κB signaling and could be used as potential predictive and prognostic biomarkers for obesity complicated with colon cancer.

NF-kappa B signature on the aging wall

During the lifetime, our cells encounter many challenges to their own existence. The survival of organisms and cells depends on the interplay within a complex, yet precisely orchestrated network of proteins. Since the discovery of the Rel/NF-kappaB family of transcription factors, the research has never come to a stop. These proteins are best known for their key roles played in normal immune and inflammatory responses, also in the control of cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and oncogenesis. The recent years have witnessed an emerging research regarding NF-kappaB signalling pathways in aging and senescence as well. In this review we go deeply through NF-kappaB activity in the modern biogerontology, with the arguments around its possible roles in aging. Nevertheless, a detailed molecular action and mechanism of NF-kappaB regulation during senescence has yet to be determined. Elucidation of the exact role of NF-kappaB in aging will be crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.