bims-kishpe 2024-10-20 papers

bims-kishpe

Biomed News

on HSP70 role in hypoxia and metabolism in ECs

Issue of 2024‒10‒20
twenty-one papers selected by
Alia Ablieh, Universität Heidelberg

LncRNA-NEAT1 facilitates autophagy to boost pemetrexed resistance in lung adenocarcinoma via the mir-379-3p/HIF1A pathway.
Gene expression alterations in hypoxic A549 lung cancer cell line.
Mechanisms underlying TRPV4-mediated regulation of miR-146a expression.
In Vitro Investigation of HIF-1α as a Therapeutic Target for Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy.
The melatonin-FTO-ATF4 signaling pathway protects granulosa cells from cisplatin-induced chemotherapeutic toxicity by suppressing ferroptosis.
Hypoxia drives estrogen receptor β-mediated cell growth via transcription activation in non-small cell lung cancer.
Investigating the regulatory mechanism of glucose metabolism by ubiquitin-like protein MNSFβ.
Hypoxia activates FGF-23-ERK / MAPK signaling pathway in ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney injury.
Acute contractile activity induces the activation of the mitochondrial integrated stress response and the transcription factor ATF4.
GRHL2 regulates keratinocyte EMT-MET dynamics and scar formation during cutaneous wound healing.
Epigenetic regulatory mechanism of macrophage polarization in diabetic wound healing (Review).
Endothelial cells derived extracellular vesicles promote diabetic arterial calcification via circ_0008362/miR-1251-5p/Runx2 axial.
Exosomal microRNA as a key regulator of PI3K/AKT pathways in human tumors.
Mechanisms of Lung Endothelial Cell Injury and Survival in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Clinical significance of HIF-1α, ET-1, and NO as biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Proteomic analysis of CD29+ Müller cells reveals metabolic reprogramming in rabbit myopia model.
Regulation of p53 by the mitotic surveillance/stopwatch pathway: implications in neurodevelopment and cancer.
Copper supplementation alleviates hypoxia‑induced ferroptosis and oxidative stress in neuronal cells.
A novel ER stress regulator ARL6IP5 induces reticulophagy to ameliorate the prion burden.
Identification of the metabolic protein ATP5MF as a potential therapeutic target of TNBC.
An Overview of Bioactive Compounds' Role in Modulating the Nrf2/Keap1/NF-κB Pathway to Alleviate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endometritis.

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2024 Jan-Dec;43:43 9603271241292169

LncRNA-NEAT1 facilitates autophagy to boost pemetrexed resistance in lung adenocarcinoma via the mir-379-3p/HIF1A pathway.

Wei Hu, Wenjun Cao, Jiheng Liu.

  BACKGROUND: As a primary chemotherapeutic agent for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), pemetrexed (PEM) faces the challenge of resistance development in cancer cells due to its chronic use, which compromises its therapeutic benefits. LncRNA-NEAT1, implicated in the promotion of cancer, is a key player in LUAD. The objective of this study is to explore the contribution of lncRNA-NEAT1 to PEM resistance in LUAD and to dissect the molecular mechanisms involved.METHOD: The expression levels of lncRNA-NEAT1 in LUAD tissues and cells were deciphered using the TCGA database and qRT-PCR. To delve into the functional implications of lncRNA-NEAT1, we engineered plasmids to modulate its expression levels in PEM-resistant A549 cells. PEM resistance in the modified cells was then quantitatively assessed via a panel of assays including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and colony formation, and flow cytometry. To predict the interaction sites between lncRNA-NEAT1 and miR-379-3p, along with the miR-379-3p and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1A), we referred to the StarBase and TargetScan databases. The interplay between these RNA molecules was further characterized by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays, while the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3I, LC3II, and Beclin1 was profiled using western blot (WB).
RESULTS: Abundant lncRNA-NEAT1 expression was observed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. Its depletion resulted in impeded growth of A549/PEM cells, enhanced apoptotic rates, and a lowered threshold for PEM to exert a half-maximal inhibitory effect. The interplay between lncRNA-NEAT1 and miR-379-3p, as evidenced by dual-luciferase reporter assays, RIP, and qRT-PCR, led to the upregulation of HIF1A. WB and CCK-8 outcomes illustrated that the autophagy and PEM resistance were compromised when HIF1A expression was curtailed by miR-379-3p mimics in A549/PEM cells. The restoration of these effects was observed upon lncRNA-NEAT1-mediated downregulation of miR-379-3p.
CONCLUSION: Our study illuminates the role of lncRNA-NEAT1 in LUAD, where it mediates resistance to PEM through the activation of autophagy via the miR-379-3p/HIF1A axis. This work paves the way for new therapeutic strategies for managing PEM resistance in LUAD patients.

Keywords:  Autophagy; HIF1A; lncrna-NEAT1; lung adenocarcinoma; miR-379-3p; pemetrexed resistance

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/09603271241292169
Biomed Rep. 2024 Dec;21(6): 183

Gene expression alterations in hypoxic A549 lung cancer cell line.

Rania Abualnadi, Nafez Abu Tarboush, Mohammad Shhab, Malek Zihlif.

  Human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)is a very common disease with limited treatment options. Hypoxia is a characteristic feature of solid tumors associated with the resistance of cancer cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, the expression changes in cancer-resistance genes may be biomarkers of hypoxia with value in targeted therapy. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of hypoxia on gene expression and the changes that occur in relation to drug resistance in a human NSCLC cell line (A549). A549 cells were exposed to 72-h hypoxic episodes (<1% oxygen) for a total of 10 episodes (acute). The alterations in gene expression were examined using PCR array technology after 10 episodes of acute hypoxia and compared with normoxic cells. The chemoresistance of hypoxic cells toward doxorubicin was measured using a MTT cell proliferation assay. A549 cells were affected by acute hypoxia leading to induced doxorubicin chemoresistance. Evident changes in the gene expression level were identified following episodes of acute hypoxia. The most important changes occurred in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and Finkel-Biskis-Jinkins osteosarcoma (FOS) pathways and in different nucleic transcription factors such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. The present study showed that exposing cells to prolonged periods of hypoxia results in different gene expression changes. There was induction of chemo-resistance due to acute hypoxia. ESR1 and c-FOS are proposed as a potential hypoxia genes in lung cancer.

Keywords:  drug resistance; gene expression; hypoxia; lung cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1871
Front Immunol. 2024 ;15 1437540

Mechanisms underlying TRPV4-mediated regulation of miR-146a expression.

Bidisha Dutta, Manisha Mahanty, Lakshmyya Kesavalu, Shaik O Rahaman.

  Persistent inflammation is a major contributor in the development of various inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis. Our study investigates how transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a mechanosensitive ion channel, interacts with microRNA-146a (miR-146a), within the context of inflammation and atherosclerosis. Micro-RNAs play a critical role in controlling gene expression, and miR-146a is notable for its anti-inflammatory actions. TRPV4 is activated by diverse soluble and mechanical stimuli, and often associated with inflammatory responses in various diseases. Here, we find that TRPV4 negatively regulates miR-146a expression in macrophages, especially following stimulation by lipopolysaccharides or alterations in matrix stiffness. We show that in atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by matrix stiffening, TRPV4 decreases miR-146a expression in aortic tissue macrophages. We find that TRPV4's impact on miR-146a is independent of activation of NFκB, Stat1, P38, and AKT, but is rather mediated through a mechanism involving histone deacetylation instead of DNA methylation at the miR-146a promoter site. Furthermore, we show that N-terminal residues 1 to 130 in TRPV4 is essential in suppression of miR-146a expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Altogether, this study identifies a regulatory mechanism of miR-146a expression by TRPV4 which may open new potential therapeutic strategies for managing inflammatory diseases.

Keywords:  TRPV4; epigenetic regulation; inflammation; macrophages; microRNA-146a

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1437540
Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2024 Oct 16.

In Vitro Investigation of HIF-1α as a Therapeutic Target for Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy.

Jeongmin Lee, Jinsoo Lee, Hansang Baek, Dong-Jun Lim, Seong-Beom Lee, Jung-Min Lee, Sang-Ah Jang, Moo Il Kang, Suk-Woo Yang, Min-Hee Kim.

  Background: Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) involves tissue expansion and inflammation, potentially causing a hypoxic microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is crucial in fibrosis and adipogenesis, which are observed in TAO progression. We investigated the effects of hypoxia on orbital fibroblasts (OFs) in TAO, focusing on the role of HIF-1α in TAO progression.Methods: OFs were isolated from TAO and non-TAO patients (as controls). In addition to HIF-1α, adipogenic differentiation markers including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (CEBP) were measured by Western blot, and phenotype changes were evaluated by Oil Red O staining under both normoxia and hypoxia. To elucidate the effect of HIF-1α inhibition, protein expression changes after HIF-1α inhibitor treatment were evaluated under normoxia and hypoxia.
Results: TAO OFs exhibited significantly higher HIF-1α expression than non-TAO OFs, and the difference was more distinct under hypoxia than under normoxia. Oil Red O staining showed that adipogenic differentiation of TAO OFs was prominent under hypoxia. Hypoxic conditions increased the expression of adipogenic markers, namely PPARγ and CEBP, as well as HIF-1α in TAO OFs. Interleukin 6 levels also increased in response to hypoxia. The effect of hypoxia on adipogenesis was reduced at the protein level after HIF-1α inhibitor treatment, and this inhibitory effect was sustained even with IGF-1 stimulation in addition to hypoxia.
Conclusion: Hypoxia induces tissue remodeling in TAO by stimulating adipogenesis through HIF-1α activation. These data could provide insights into new treatment strategies and the mechanisms of adipose tissue remodeling in TAO.

Keywords:  Adipogenesis; Graves ophthalmopathy; Hypoxia; Hypoxia-inducible factor 1; Thyroid

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2024.1952
J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024 Oct 10.

The melatonin-FTO-ATF4 signaling pathway protects granulosa cells from cisplatin-induced chemotherapeutic toxicity by suppressing ferroptosis.

Rongli Wang, Jing Geng.

  PURPOSE: In cisplatin-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) mice, granulosa cells showed a high level of ferroptosis. Previous research has indicated that the fat mass and obesity-associated protein/activating transcription factor 4 (FTO/ATF4) axis was involved in the regulation of ferroptosis. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the FTO/ATF4 axis in cisplatin-induced ferroptosis in granulosa cell.METHODS: The extent of ferroptosis was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ROS, GPX, GSH, and MDA assays. Western blotting was used to evaluate the protein expression levels of ferroptosis-related molecules. Ferroptosis activator and inhibitor were also used.
RESULTS: We found that ferroptosis increased in a concentration-dependent manner in cisplatin-induced injured granulosa cells, accompanied by the downregulation of FTO. In addition, gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that FTO affects ferroptosis in injured cells by regulating ATF4 expression. Ferrostatin-1 inhibited the effect of FTO downregulation on injured granulosa cells ferroptosis, and erastin reversed the protective effect of FTO on ferroptosis in injured granulosa cells. Finally, melatonin was used, and we found that melatonin reduced ferroptosis in cisplatin-induced injured granulosa cells by upregulating FTO expression.
CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that cisplatin induced granulosa cell ferroptosis by downregulating the expression of FTO. ATF4 was identified as a downstream target of FTO, and overexpression of ATF4 reversed the effects of decreased FTO on ferroptosis. Additionally, melatonin mitigates the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin by upregulating FTO expression. The melatonin-FTO-ATF4 signaling pathway plays a vital role in the treatment of cisplatin-induced POF.

Keywords:  ATF4; FTO; Ferroptosis; Lipid peroxidation; Melatonin; Oxidative stress

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03276-6
J Mol Med (Berl). 2024 Oct 17.

Hypoxia drives estrogen receptor β-mediated cell growth via transcription activation in non-small cell lung cancer.

Qi Su, Kun Chen, Jiayan Ren, Yu Zhang, Xu Han, Sze Wei Leong, Jingjing Wang, Qing Wu, Kaihui Tu, Ammar Sarwar, Yanmin Zhang.

  Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Hypoxia conditions affect multiple cellular processes promoting the adaptation and progression of cancer cells via the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) and subsequent transcription activation of their target genes. Preliminary studies have suggested that estrogen receptor β (ERβ) might play a promoting role in the progression of NSCLC. However, the precise mechanisms, particularly its connection to HIF-1α-mediated modulation under hypoxia, remain unclear. Our findings demonstrated that the overexpression of ERβ, not ERα, increased cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in NSCLC cells and xenografts. Tissue microarray staining revealed a strong correlation between the protein expression of HIF-1α and ERβ. HIF-1α induced ERβ gene transcription and protein expression in CoCl2-induced hypoxia, 1% O2 incubation, or HIF-1α overexpressing cells. ChIP identified HIF-1α binding to a hypoxia response element in the ESR2 promoter. The suppression of HIF-1α and ERβ both in vitro and in vivo effectively reduced the tumor growth, thus emphasizing the promising prospects of targeting HIF-1α and ERβ as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of NSCLC. KEY MESSAGES: ERβ, not ERα, increases cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in NSCLC cells and xenografts. A strong correlation exists between the protein expression of HIF-1α and ERβ. HIF-1α induced ERβ gene transcription and protein expression in hypoxic cells via binding to HRE in the ESR2 promoter. The suppression of HIF-1α and ERβ both in vitro and in vivo effectively reduced the NSCLC tumor growth.

Keywords:  Estrogen receptor β; Fulvestrant; Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; LW6; Non-small cell lung cancer

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-024-02496-8
Mol Biol Rep. 2024 Oct 15. 51(1): 1053

Investigating the regulatory mechanism of glucose metabolism by ubiquitin-like protein MNSFβ.

Megumi Kono, Kyoko Yamasaki, Morihiko Nakamura.

  BACKGROUND: Monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor β (MNSFβ), a ubiquitously expressed member of the ubiquitin-like protein family, is associated with diverse cell regulatory functions. It has been implicated in glycolysis regulation and cell proliferation enhancement in the macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7. This study aims to show that HIF-1α regulates MNSFβ-mediated metabolic reprogramming.METHODS AND RESULTS: In Raw264.7 cells, MNSFβ siRNA increased the oxygen consumption rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production but decreased ATP levels. Cells with MNSFβ knockdown showed a markedly increased ATP reduction rate upon the addition of oligomycin, a mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitor. In addition, MNSFβ siRNA decreased the expression levels of mRNA and protein of HIF-1α-a regulator of glucose metabolism. Evaluation of the effect of MNSFβ on glucose metabolism in murine peritoneal macrophages revealed no changes in lactate production, glucose consumption, or ROS production.
CONCLUSION: MNSFβ affects both glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting HIF-1α involvement in the MNSFβ-regulated glucose metabolism in Raw264.7 cells.

Keywords:  HIF-1α; Metabolic reprogramming; Metabolism; Ubiquitin-like protein MNSFβ

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-024-10009-6
Kidney Blood Press Res. 2024 Oct 16. 1-18

Hypoxia activates FGF-23-ERK / MAPK signaling pathway in ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney injury.

Weihua Liu, Miao Lin, Yiping Dai, Fuyuan Hong.

INTRODUCTION: Both hypoxia and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) are key factors in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to explore the relationship between hypoxia and FGF-23 in AKI.METHODS: An I/R-AKI animal model was established using male BALB/c mice. HK-2 cells, a part of the human proximal tubular epithelial cell line, were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). qPCR was used to measure FGF-23 and HIF-1α, ELISA was used to measure inflammatory and oxidative stress cytokines. Western blotting used to measure the phosphorylation of ERK level.
RESULTS: In I/R mice, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were increased, whereas the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and klotho were decreased, compared to the sham operated mice. Silencing the FGF-23 expression in I/R mice normalized the levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, MDA, SOD, Gpx, and ERK phosphorylation (p-ERK). In HK-2 cells, hypoxia-reperfusion (H/R) elevated the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and ERK phosphorylation, but reduced IL-10, SOD, GPx, and klotho levels. Hypoxia induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells but silencing of FGF-23 expression blocked the effects of hypoxia on cell apoptosis, proinflammatory factors levels, oxidative stress response, and p-ERK levels.
CONCLUSION: FGF-23 is a key molecule in AKI, and hypoxia plays a crucial role in AKI by inducing cell apoptosis; however, its role is regulated by FGF-23. FGF-23 affects oxidative stress and the inflammatory response of kidney tissues by activating the ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000541388
J Appl Physiol (1985). 2024 Oct 17.

Acute contractile activity induces the activation of the mitochondrial integrated stress response and the transcription factor ATF4.

Victoria C Sanfrancesco, David A Hood.

  Skeletal muscle relies on mitochondria to produce energy and support its metabolic flexibility. The function of the mitochondrial pool is regulated by quality control (MQC) processes. The integrated stress response (ISR), a MQC pathway, is activated in response to various cellular stressors. The transcription factor ATF4, the main effector of the ISR, ameliorates cellular stress by upregulating protective genes, such as CHOP and ATF5. Recent literature has shown that the ISR is activated upon mitochondrial stress, however, whether this includes acute exercise-induced stress is poorly defined. To investigate this, a mouse in situ hindlimb protocol was utilized to acutely stimulate muscles at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 tetanic contraction/per second for 9 mins, followed by a 1-hour recovery period. CAMKII and JNK2 were robustly activated 6-fold immediately following the protocol. ISR activation, denoted as the ratio of phosphorylated to total-eIF2a protein levels, was also elevated following recovery. Downstream, contractile activity induced an increase in the nuclear localization of ATF4. Robust 2-fold increases in the mRNA expression of ATF4 and CHOP were also observed following the recovery period. Changes in ATF4 mRNA were independent of transcriptional activation, as assessed using an ATF4 promoter-reporter plasmid. Instead, mRNA decay assays revealed an increase in ATF4 mRNA stability post-contractile activity, as a result of enhanced stabilization by the RNA binding protein, HuR. Thus, acute contractile activity is sufficient to induce mitochondrial stress and activate the ISR, corresponding to the induction of ATF4 with potential consequences for mitochondrial phenotype adaptations in response to repeated exercise.

Keywords:  Adaptations; Exercise; Mitochondrial Biogenesis; Skeletal Muscle; eIF2α

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00307.2024
Cell Death Dis. 2024 Oct 14. 15(10): 748

GRHL2 regulates keratinocyte EMT-MET dynamics and scar formation during cutaneous wound healing.

Tianying Chen, Bo Zhang, Hanqi Xie, Chenyu Huang, Qiong Wu.

After cutaneous wounds successfully heal, keratinocytes that underwent the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regain their epithelial characteristics, while in scar tissue, epidermal cells persist in a mesenchymal state. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing this reversion are poorly understood, and the impact of persistent mesenchymal-like epidermal cells in scar tissue remains unclear. In the present study, we found that during wound healing, the regulatory factor GRHL2 is highly expressed in normal epidermal cells, downregulated in EMT epidermal cells, and upregulated again during the process of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). We further demonstrated that interfering with GRHL2 expression in epidermal cells can effectively induce the EMT. Conversely, the overexpression of GRHL2 in EMT epidermal cells resulted in partial reversion of the EMT to an epithelial state. To investigate the effects of failed MET in epidermal cells on skin wound healing, we interfered with GRHL2 expression in epidermal cells surrounding the cutaneous wound. The results demonstrated that the persistence of epidermal cells in the mesenchymal state promoted fibrosis in scar tissue, manifested by increased thickness of scar tissue, deposition of collagen and fibronectin, as well as the activation of myofibroblasts. Furthermore, the miR-200s/Zeb1 axis was perturbed in GRHL2 knockdown keratinocytes, and transfection with miR-200s analogs promoted the reversion of EMT in epidermal cells, which indicates that they mediate the EMT process in keratinocytes. These results suggest that restoration of the epithelial state in epidermal cells following the EMT is essential to wound healing, providing potential therapeutic targets for preventing scar formation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07121-7
Mol Med Rep. 2025 Jan;pii: 2. [Epub ahead of print]31(1):

Epigenetic regulatory mechanism of macrophage polarization in diabetic wound healing (Review).

Jielin Song, Yuqing Wu, Yunli Chen, Xu Sun, Zhaohui Zhang.

  Diabetic wounds represent a significant complication of diabetes and present a substantial challenge to global public health. Macrophages are crucial effector cells that play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetic wounds, through their polarization into distinct functional phenotypes. The field of epigenetics has emerged as a rapidly advancing research area, as this phenomenon has the potential to markedly affect gene expression, cellular differentiation, tissue development and susceptibility to disease. Understanding epigenetic mechanisms is crucial to further exploring disease pathogenesis. A growing body of scientific evidence has highlighted the pivotal role of epigenetics in the regulation of macrophage phenotypes. Various epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and non‑coding RNAs, are involved in the modulation of macrophage phenotype differentiation in response to the various environmental stimuli present in diabetic wounds. The present review provided an overview of the various changes that take place in macrophage phenotypes and functions within diabetic wounds and discussed the emerging role of epigenetic modifications in terms of regulating macrophage plasticity in diabetic wounds. It is hoped that this synthesis of information will facilitate the elucidation of diabetic wound pathogenesis and the identification of potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords:  DNA methylation; diabetic wounds; epigenetics; histone modification; macrophage polarization; non‑coding RNAs

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2024.13367
Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2024 Oct 17. 23(1): 369

Endothelial cells derived extracellular vesicles promote diabetic arterial calcification via circ_0008362/miR-1251-5p/Runx2 axial.

Xiao Lin, Sha-Qi He, Su-Kang Shan, Feng Xu, Feng Wu, Fu-Xing-Zi Li, Ming-Hui Zheng, Li-Min Lei, Jia-Yue Duan, Yun-Yun Wu, Yan-Lin Wu, Ke-Xin Tang, Rong-Rong Cui, Bei Huang, Jun-Jie Yang, Xiao-Bo Liao, Jun Liu, Ling-Qing Yuan.

  INTRODUCTION: Arterial calcification, an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, increases morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but its mechanisms remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in intercellular communication. The study investigates the role and potential mechanisms of EVs derived from endothelial cells (ECs) in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification under high glucose (HG) condition, with a goal of developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for diabetic arterial calcification.RESULTS: The results showed that EVs derived from HG induced ECs (ECHG-EVs) exhibited a bilayer structure morphology with a mean diameter of 74.08 ± 31.78 nm, expressing EVs markers including CD9, CD63 and TSG101, but not express calnexin. ECHG-EVs was internalized by VSMCs and induced VSMC calcification by increasing Runx2 expression and mineralized nodule formation. The circ_0008362 was enriched in ECHG-EVs, and it can be transmitted to VSMCs to promote VSMC calcification both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-1251-5p might be one of the targets of circ_0008362 and they were co-localization in the cytoplasm of VSMCs. Runx2 was identified as the downstream target of miR-1251-5p, and circ_0008362 acted as a sponge, enhancing Runx2 expression and then promoted VSMC calcification. Besides, circ_0008362 could directly interact with Runx2 to aggravate VSMC calcification. Notably, DiR-labelled ECHG-EVs was detected in the vessels of mice. Meanwhile, the level of circ_0008362 and Runx2 were increased significantly, while the expression of miR-1251-5p was decreased significantly in calcified artery tissues of mice. However, inhibiting the release of EVs by GW4869 attenuated arterial calcification in diabetic mice. Finally, the level of circulation of plasma EVs circ_0008362 was significantly higher in patients with DM compared with normal controls. Elevated levels of plasma EVs circ_0008362 were associated with more severe coronary and aorta artery calcification in patients with DM.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that circ_0008362 was enriched in EVs derived from ECs and promoted VSMC calcification under HG conditions, both by sponging miR-1251-5p to upregulate Runx2 expression and through direct interaction with Runx2. Furthermore, elevated levels of plasma EVs circ_0008362 were associated with more severe coronary and aorta artery calcification in patients with DM. These results may serve as a potential prevention and therapeutic target for diabetic arterial calcification.

Keywords:  Arterial calcification; Circ_0008362; Diabetes mellitus; Endothelial cells; Extracellular vesicles; Vascular smooth muscle cells

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-024-02440-7
Med Oncol. 2024 Oct 14. 41(11): 265

Exosomal microRNA as a key regulator of PI3K/AKT pathways in human tumors.

Saade Abdalkareem Jasim, Abdulrahman T Ahmed, Aziz Kubaev, Ashishkumar Kyada, Mohammad Y Alshahrani, Shilpa Sharma, Hussein Riyadh Abdul Kareem Al-Hetty, Raghav Vashishth, Ashish Singh Chauhan, Munther Kadhim Abosaoda.

  MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved non-protein-coding RNAs that are naturally present in organisms and can control gene expression by suppressing the translation of mRNA or causing the degradation of mRNA. MicroRNAs are highly concentrated in the PI3K/AKT pathway, and abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway plays a role in cancer progression. The AKT/PI3K pathway is critical for cellular functions and can be stimulated by cytokines and in normal situations. It is involved in regulating various intracellular signal transduction, including development, differentiation, transcriptional regulation, protein, and synthesis. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that miRNAs, which are abundant in exosomes released by different cells, can control cellular biological activities via modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, hence influencing cancer progression and drug resistance. This article provides an overview of the latest research progress regarding the function and medical use of the PI3K/AKT pathway and exosomal miRNA/AKT/PI3K axis in the behaviors of cancer cells.

Keywords:  AKT; Cancer; Exosome; PI3K; miRNA

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-024-02529-9
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2024 Oct 15.

Mechanisms of Lung Endothelial Cell Injury and Survival in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Ygor Marinho, Elizabeth S Villarreal, Omar Loya, Suellen D Oliveira.

  Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive, chronic, and incurable inflammatory pulmonary vascular disease characterized by significant sex bias and largely unexplored microbial-associated molecular mechanisms that may influence its development and sex prevalence across various subgroups. PAH can be subclassified as idiopathic, heritable, or associated with conditions such as connective tissue diseases, congenital heart defects, liver disease, infections, and chronic exposure to drugs or toxins. During PAH progression, lung vascular endothelial cells (ECs) undergo dramatic morphofunctional transformations in response to acute and chronic inflammation. These transformations include the appearance and expansion of abnormal vascular cell phenotypes such as those derived from apoptosis-resistant cell growth and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Compelling evidence indicates that these endothelial phenotypes seem to be triggered by chronic lung vascular injury and dysfunction, often characterized by reduced secretion of vasoactive molecules like nitric oxide (NO) and exacerbated response to vasoconstrictors such as Endothelin-1 (ET-1); both long-term known contributors of PAH pathogenesis. This review sheds light on the mechanisms of EC dysfunction, apoptosis, and EndoMT in PAH, aiming to unravel the intricate interactions between ECs, pathogens, and other cell types that drive the onset and progression of this devastating disease. Ultimately, we hope to provide an overview of the complex functions of lung vascular ECs in PAH, inspiring novel therapeutic strategies that target these dysfunctional cells to improve the treatment landscape for PAH, particularly in the face of current and emerging global pathogenic threats.

Keywords:  Apoptosis; Endothelial cell; Endothelial dysfunction; Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition; Pulmonary arterial hypertension

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00208.2024
Biomol Biomed. 2024 Oct 15.

Clinical significance of HIF-1α, ET-1, and NO as biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Xuan Zhang, Youxia Zhou, Huicong Zhang.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with repeated infections and airflow limitation leading to endothelial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate the clinical significance of serum hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), and nitric oxide (NO) as non-invasive blood biomarkers for diagnosing patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). A total of 230 AECOPD patients were assessed for serum HIF-1α, plasma ET-1, and NO levels using Doppler echocardiography and blood tests. Clinical characteristics, including age, COPD duration, and comorbidities, were compared between patients with and without PH. The diagnostic value was determined through ROC analysis. Pearson correlation and multivariate logistic analyses explored the correlation of biomarkers in AECOPD with PH. Serum HIF-1α, plasma ET-1, and NO levels showed significant differences between COPD patients with and without PH. The combination model (0.027 * HIF-1α + 0.028 * ET-1 - 0.049 * NO) demonstrated an AUC of 0.89, indicating superior diagnostic value compared to individual biomarkers. Multivariate logistic analysis identified smoking, higher GOLD grade, hypertension, and elevated levels of HIF-1α, ET-1, and NO as independent risk factors for AECOPD. Positive correlations were observed between serum HIF-1α and plasma ET-1 levels with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), while NO demonstrated a negative correlation. Serum HIF-1α, plasma ET-1, and NO were associated with AECOPD and PH, and detecting individual or combined levels of these biomarkers in the blood can predict COPD-related PH.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2024.11078
Sci Rep. 2024 10 14. 14(1): 24072

Proteomic analysis of CD29+ Müller cells reveals metabolic reprogramming in rabbit myopia model.

Chae-Eun Moon, Jun-Ki Lee, Hyunjin Kim, Ji-Min Kwon, Yujin Kang, Jinu Han, Yong Woo Ji, Yuri Seo.

  The prevalence of myopia is rapidly increasing, significantly impacting the quality of life of affected individuals. Prior research by our group revealed reactive gliosis in Müller cells within myopic retina, prompting further investigation of their role in myopia, which remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed protein expression changes in CD29+ Müller cells isolated from a form deprivation-induced rabbit model of myopia using magnetic activated cell sorting to investigate the role of these cells in myopia. As the principal glial cells in the retina, Müller cells exhibited significant alterations in the components of metabolic pathways, particularly glycolysis and angiogenesis, including the upregulation of glycolytic enzymes, such as lactate dehydrogenase A and pyruvate kinase, implicated in the adaptation to increased metabolic demands under myopic stress. Additionally, a decrease in the expression of proteins associated with oxygen transport suggested enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress. These findings highlight the proactive role of CD29+ Müller cells in modifying the retinal environment in response to myopic stress and provide valuable insights into mechanisms that could help mitigate myopia progression.

Keywords:  Glycolysis; Myopia; Müller cells; Oxidative stress; Proteomics

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75637-1
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2024 ;12 1451274

Regulation of p53 by the mitotic surveillance/stopwatch pathway: implications in neurodevelopment and cancer.

Travis H Stracker.

  The transcription factor p53 (encoded by TP53) plays diverse roles in human development and disease. While best known for its role in tumor suppression, p53 signaling also influences mammalian development by triggering cell fate decisions in response to a wide variety of stresses. After over 4 decades of study, a new pathway that triggers p53 activation in response to mitotic delays was recently identified. Termed the mitotic surveillance or mitotic stopwatch pathway, the USP28 and 53BP1 proteins activate p53 in response to delayed mitotic progression to control cell fate and promote genomic stability. In this Minireview, I discuss its identification, potential roles in neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer, as well as explore outstanding questions about its function, regulation and potential use as a biomarker for anti-mitotic therapies.

Keywords:  53BP1; USP28; apoptosis; c-MYC; cancer; microcephaly; neurodevelopment; p53

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2024.1451274
Int J Mol Med. 2024 Dec;pii: 117. [Epub ahead of print]54(6):

Copper supplementation alleviates hypoxia‑induced ferroptosis and oxidative stress in neuronal cells.

Jianyu Wang, Yuankang Zou, Ruili Guan, Shuangshuang Tan, Lihong Su, Zaihua Zhao, Zipeng Cao, Kunyan Jiang, Tao Wang, Gang Zheng.

  Hypoxic ischemia is the primary cause of brain damage in newborns. Notably, copper supplementation has potential benefits in ischemic brain damage; however, the precise mechanisms underlying this protective effect remain unclear. In the present study, a hypoxic HT22 cell model was developed to examine the mechanism by which copper mitigates hypoxia‑induced oxidative stress. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, mitochondrial structure was examined with a transmission electron microscope, intracellular ferrous ions and lipid reactive oxygen species levels in HT22 cells were measured using FerroOrange and BODIPY 581/591 C11 staining, copper content was determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, and gene and protein expression were analyzed by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting. The present findings indicated that hypoxic exposure may lead to reduced cell viability, along with the upregulation of various markers associated with ferroptosis. Furthermore, hypoxia elevated the levels of reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, and decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in HT22 cells. In addition, the intracellular copper concentration exhibited a notable decrease, while supplementation with an appropriate dose of copper effectively shielded neurons from hypoxia‑induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis, and elevated cell viability in hypoxia‑exposed HT22 cells through the copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase/SOD1/glutathione peroxidase 4 axis. In conclusion, the present study identified a novel function of copper in protecting neurons from oxidative stress and ferroptosis under hypoxic conditions, providing fresh insights into the therapeutic potential of copper in mitigating hypoxia‑induced neuronal injury.

Keywords:  copper; ferroptosis; hypoxia; neurons; oxidative stress

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5441
Autophagy. 2024 Oct 12.

A novel ER stress regulator ARL6IP5 induces reticulophagy to ameliorate the prion burden.

Kajal Kamble, Ujjwal Kumar, Harsh Aahra, Mohit Yadav, Sumnil Bhola, Sarika Gupta.

  Prion disease is a fatal and infectious neurodegenerative disorder caused by the trans-conformation conversion of PRNP/PrPC to PRNP/PrPSc. Accumulated PRNP/PrPSc-induced ER stress causes chronic unfolded protein response (UPR) activation, which is one of the fundamental steps in prion disease progression. However, the role of various ER-resident proteins in prion-induced ER stress is elusive. This study demonstrated that ARL6IP5 is compensatory upregulated in response to chronically activated UPR in the cellular prion disease model (RML-ScN2a). Furthermore, overexpression of ARL6IP5 overcomes ER stress by lowering the expression of chronically activated UPR pathway proteins. We discovered that ARL6IP5 induces reticulophagy to reduce the PRNP/PrPSc burden by releasing ER stress. Conversely, the knockdown of ARL6IP5 leads to inefficient macroautophagic/autophagic flux and elevated PRNP/PrPSc burden. Our study also uncovered that ARL6IP5-induced reticulophagy depends on Ca2+-mediated AMPK activation and can induce 3 MA-inhibited autophagic flux. The detailed mechanistic study revealed that ARL6IP5-induced reticulophagy involves interaction with soluble reticulophagy receptor CALCOCO1 and lysosomal marker LAMP1, leading to degradation in lysosomes. Here, we delineate the role of ARL6IP5 as a novel ER stress regulator and reticulophagy inducer that can effectively reduce the misfolded PRNP/PrPSc burden. Our research opens up a new avenue of selective autophagy in prion disease and represents a potential therapeutic target.

Keywords:  Autophagy; ER stress; Reticulophagy/er-phagy; prion burden/PrPSc burden; prion disease

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2024.2410670
J Transl Med. 2024 Oct 14. 22(1): 932

Identification of the metabolic protein ATP5MF as a potential therapeutic target of TNBC.

Kaiyan Chen, Yingchun Wu, Linfeng Xu, Changyong Wang, Jinqiu Xue.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a distinct subtype of breast cancer, is characterized by its high invasiveness, high metastatic potential, proneness to relapse, and poor prognosis. Effective treatment regimens for non-BRCA1/2 mutation TNBC are still lacking. As a result, there is a pressing clinical necessity to develop novel treatment approaches for non-BRCA1/2 mutation TNBC.METHODS: For this research, the scRNA data was obtained from the GEO database, while the transcriptome data was obtained from the TCGA and METABRIC databases. Quality control procedures were conducted on single-cell sequencing data. and then annotation and the Copycat algorithm were applied for anlysis. Employing the high dimensional weighted gene coexpression network analysis (hdWGCNA) method, we analyzed the tumor epithelial cells from non-BRCA1/2 mutation TNBC to identify the functional module genes. PPI analysis and survival analysis were further emplyed to identify the key gene. siRNA-NC and siRNA-ATP5MF were transfected into two MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 TNBC cell lines. Cell growth was determined by CCK8 assay, colony formation and migration assay. Electron microscopy was used to examine the structure of mitochondria in cells. JC-1 staining was used to measure the potential of the mitochondrial membrane. A tumor xenograft animal model was established by injecting TNBC cells into nude mice. The animal model was usded to evaluated in vivo tumor response aftering ATP5MF silencing.
RESULTS: Using hdWGCNA, we have identified 136 genes in module 3. After PPI and survival analysis, we have identified ATP5MF as a potential therapeutic gene. High ATP5MF expression was associated with poor prognosis of non-BRCA1/2 mutation TNBC. The high expression of ATP5MF in TNBC tissues was evaluated using the TCGA database and IHC staining of clinical TNBC specimens. Silencing ATP5MF in two TNBC cell lines reduced the growth and colony formation of TNBC cells in vitro, and hindered the growth of TNBC xenografts in vivo. Additionally, ATP5MF knockdown impaired mitochondrial functions in TNBC cells.
CONCLUSION: In summary, the metabolic protein ATP5MF plays a crucial role in the non-BRCA1/2 mutation TNBC cells, making it a potential novel diagnostic and therapeutic oncotarget for non-BRCA1/2 mutation TNBC.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05692-9
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Sep 25. pii: 10319. [Epub ahead of print]25(19):

An Overview of Bioactive Compounds' Role in Modulating the Nrf2/Keap1/NF-κB Pathway to Alleviate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endometritis.

Muhammad Zahoor Khan, Wenting Chen, Xiaotong Liu, Xiyan Kou, Adnan Khan, Rahat Ullah Khan, Muhammad Zahoor, Changfa Wang.

  Endometritis is a common inflammatory condition of the uterine endometrial lining that primarily affects perinatal dairy animals and causes significant economic losses in agriculture. It is usually triggered by pathogenic bacteria and is associated with chronic postpartum reproductive tract infections. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are known to increase levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and inflammation through the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which regulates antioxidant response elements (AREs). The effectiveness of the conventional management strategy involving antibiotics is decreasing due to resistance and residual concerns. This review explores the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the Nrf2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/NF-κB signaling pathway to alleviate LPS-induced endometritis. We discuss recent advancements in veterinary medicine that utilize exogenous antioxidants to modulate these pathways, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in endometrial cells. This review highlights the efficacy of several bioactive compounds that enhance Nrf2 signaling and suppress NF-κB activation, offering protective effects against oxidative damage and inflammation. By examining various in vitro studies, this review emphasizes the emerging role of these signaling pathways in developing new therapeutic strategies that could potentially replace or supplement traditional treatments and mitigate the economic impacts of endometritis in livestock.

Keywords:  Nrf2/Keap1/NF-κB signaling pathway; ROS; bioactive compounds; endometritis; inflammation; oxidative stress

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910319