Eplerenone Prevents Atrial Fibrosis via the TGF-β Signaling Pathway

Cardiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 138 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Du ◽  
Mu Qin ◽  
Yi Yi ◽  
Xiaoqing Chen ◽  
Weifeng Jiang ◽  
...  

Objectives: Eplerenone (EPL), an antagonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor, is beneficial for atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanism remains less well known. We aimed to investigate the effect of EPL on atrial fibrosis using a mouse with selective atrial fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: EPL-treated MHC-TGFcys33ser transgenic mice that have selective atrial fibrosis (Tx+EPL mice), as well as control mice, were used for in vivo studies including histological analyses, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR studies. TGF-β1-stimulated atrial fibroblasts were treated with EPL or vehicle for the in vitro studies including Western blotting and qRT-PCR studies. In addition, Smad7 siRNA was used to knock down Smad7. Results: EPL inhibited atrial fibrosis in the Tx mice. In addition, EPL suppressed the expression of fibrosis-related molecules induced by TGF-β1 in vivo and in vitro. This occurred in concert with a downregulation of Smad7 protein expression and an upregulation of p-Smad2/3 protein expression. In addition, knockdown of Smad7 by siRNA abolished the protective roles of EPL. Conclusions: EPL inhibited atrial fibrosis in Tx mice. The underlying mechanism may involve increased protein expression of Smad7, which enhances the inhibitory feedback regulation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 308
Author(s):  
Ying-Ray Lee ◽  
Chia-Ming Chang ◽  
Yuan-Chieh Yeh ◽  
Chi-Ying F. Huang ◽  
Feng-Mao Lin ◽  
...  

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with an antipathogenic activity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that are ubiquitously expressed in cells. Endogenous miRNA may function as an innate response to block pathogen invasion. The miRNA expression profiles of both mice and humans after the ingestion of honeysuckle were obtained. Fifteen overexpressed miRNAs overlapped and were predicted to be capable of targeting three viruses: dengue virus (DENV), enterovirus 71 (EV71) and SARS-CoV-2. Among them, let-7a was examined to be capable of targeting the EV71 RNA genome by reporter assay and Western blotting. Moreover, honeysuckle-induced let-7a suppression of EV71 RNA and protein expression as well as viral replication were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that let-7a targeted EV71 at the predicted sequences using luciferase reporter plasmids as well as two infectious replicons (pMP4-y-5 and pTOPO-4643). The suppression of EV71 replication and viral load was demonstrated in two cell lines by luciferase activity, RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blotting and plaque assay. Furthermore, EV71-infected suckling mice fed honeysuckle extract or inoculated with let-7a showed decreased clinical scores and a prolonged survival time accompanied with decreased viral RNA, protein expression and virus titer. The ingestion of honeysuckle attenuates EV71 replication and related pathogenesis partially through the upregulation of let-7a expression both in vitro and in vivo. Our previous report and the current findings imply that both honeysuckle and upregulated let-7a can execute a suppressive function against the replication of DENV and EV71. Taken together, this evidence indicates that honeysuckle can induce the expression of let-7a and that this miRNA as well as 11 other miRNAs have great potential to prevent and suppress EV71 replication.


Author(s):  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Hao-Ming Lin ◽  
Ruth Broering ◽  
Xiang-de Shi ◽  
Xian-huan Yu ◽  
...  

AbstractDysregulation of dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) expression has been reported in a variety of human cancers. We previously reported that DKK1 was upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of DKK1 in HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance and biological functions of DKK1 in HCC. The expression of DKK1 was examined in cirrhotic and HCC tissues by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). DKK1 was silenced or overexpressed in HCC cell lines, and in vitro and in vivo studies were performed. Immunohistochemistry revealed that DKK1 was weakly expressed in cirrhotic tissues (8/22, 36.4%) but upregulated in HCC tissues (48/53, 90.6%, cohort 1). Significant upregulation of DKK1 was observed in 57.6% (19/33, cohort 2) of HCC tissues by qRT-PCR, and the expression of DKK1 was associated with tumor size (P = 0.024) and tumor number (P = 0.019). Genetic depletion of DKK1 impaired the proliferation, colony-forming ability, invasion, and tumor formation of HCC cells (HepG2 and HUH-7). Conversely, forced expression of DKK1 increased the proliferation, colony-forming ability, and invasion of HepG2 and HUH-7 cells in vitro and enhanced tumor formation in vivo. Subsequent investigation revealed that the DKK1-mediated proliferation and tumorigenicity of HepG2 and HUH-7 cells is dependent on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings indicate that DKK1 plays an oncogenic role in HCC by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duojun Qiu ◽  
Shan Song ◽  
Yawei Bian ◽  
Chen Yuan ◽  
wei zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the main complications of diabetes, inflammation and fibrosis play an important role in its progress. NAD (P) H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) protects cells from oxidative stress and toxic quinone damage. In present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of NQO1 on diabetes-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis. Methods: In vivo, adeno-associated virus serotype 9 was used to infect the kidneys of type 2 diabetes model db/db mice to overexpress NQO1. In vitro, human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) transfected with NQO1 pcDNA were cultured in high glucose. The gene and protein expression were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical staining. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species was detected by MitoSox red. Result: Our study revealed that the expression of NQO1 was markedly down-regulated, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TGF-β1 upregulated in vivo and in vitro under diabetic conditions. Overexpression of NQO1 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion (IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1), extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation (collagen Ⅳ, Fibronectin) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (α-SMA, E-cadherin) in db/db mice kidney and high glucose cultured human renal tubular cells (HK-2). Furthermore, NQO1 overexpression ameliorated high glucose-induced TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad pathway activation. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that TLR4 inhibitor (TAK-242) suppressed TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion, EMT and ECM-related protein expression in HG-exposed HK-2 cells. In addition, we found that antioxidants NAC and tempol increased the expression of NQO1, decreased the expression of TLR4, TGF-β1, Nox1, Nox4 and ROS production in HK-2 cells cultured with high glucose. Conclusions: These above data suggest that NQO1 alleviates diabetes-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis by regulating TLR4/NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Gabbia ◽  
Sara Carpi ◽  
Samantha Sarcognato ◽  
Luana Cannella ◽  
Martina Colognesi ◽  
...  

Liver fibrosis, which is the outcome of wound-healing response to chronic liver damage, represents an unmet clinical need. This study evaluated the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenol oleocanthal (OC) extracted from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by an in vitro/in vivo approach. The hepatic cell lines LX2 and HepG2 were used as in vitro models. The mRNA expression of pro-fibrogenic markers, namely alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), a panel of metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as well as the pro-oxidant genes NADPH oxidases (NOXs) 1 and 4 were evaluated in TGF-β activated LX2 cells by qRT-PCR. α-SMA and COL1A1 protein expression was assessed by immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy. VEGFA release from LX2 was measured by ELISA. We also evaluated the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by H2O2 activated- HepG2 cells. In vivo, OC was administered daily by oral gavage to Balb/C mice with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In this model, we measured the mRNA hepatic expression of the three pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL) IL6, IL17, IL23, chemokines such as C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12), and selected miRNAs (miR-181-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) by qRT-PCR. We demonstrated that OC significantly downregulated the gene/protein expression of α-SMA, COL1A1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7 and VEGF as well as the oxidative enzymes NOX1 and 4 in TGFβ1-activated LX2 cells, and reduced the production of ROS by HepG2. In vivo OC, beside causing a significant reduction of fibrosis at histological assessment, counteracted the CCl4-induced upregulation of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes. Moreover, OC upregulated the anti-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) reduced in fibrotic mice, while downregulated the pro-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-221-3p and miR-181-5p), which were dramatically upregulated in fibrotic mice. In conclusion, OC exerts a promising antifibrotic effect via a combined reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation involving putative miRNAs, which in turn reduces hepatic stellate cells activation and liver fibrosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Seon Kim ◽  
Jin Seoub Kim ◽  
Na Ri Park ◽  
Heechul Nam ◽  
Pil Soo Sung ◽  
...  

Background & AimsCancer metastasis is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. Exosomal miRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer, serving as signaling molecules that can regulate tumor growth and metastasis. This study examined circulating exosomal miRNAs that could predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis.MethodsExosomal miRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in a large set of patients (n = 284). To investigate the role of exosomal miRNA in HCC, we performed a series of in vitro tests, such as exosome labeling, qRT-PCR, reverse transcription PCR, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and Western blot assay.ResultsExosomal miR-125b was drastically downregulated in HCC patients with metastasis than in those without metastasis. In vitro, we observed the uptake of miR-125b by exosome in recipient cells. Exosome-mediated miR-125b significantly inhibited migration and invasion abilities and downregulated the mRNA expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14 in recipient cells via intercellular communication. Further investigation revealed that miR-125b suppressed SMAD2 protein expression in recipient cells by binding to its 3′ untranslated regions. Exosome-mediated miR-125b transfer also disrupted TGF-β1–induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition and TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway in recipient cells by leading to a decrease of SMAD2 protein expression. Moreover, exosomal miR-125b was downregulated after metastasis compared with that at baseline in patients with serial measurements before and after metastasis.ConclusionsThe results imply that exosome-mediated miR-125b exerts anti-metastatic properties in HCC. These findings highlight that circulating exosomal miR-125b might represent a reliable biomarker with diagnostic and therapeutic implications for extrahepatic metastasis from HCC.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1334-1334
Author(s):  
Robert W. Georgantas ◽  
Richard Hildreth ◽  
Jonathan Alder ◽  
Carlo M. Croce ◽  
George A. Calin ◽  
...  

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRs) are a recently realized class of epigenetic elements which block translation of mRNA to protein. MicroRNAs have been shown to control cellular metabolism, apoptosis, differentiation and development in numerous organisms including drosophila, rat, mouse, and humans. Recently, miRs have been implicated in the control of hematopoiesis. Importantly, both aberrant expression and deletion of miRs are have been associated with the development of various cancers. In a previous study, we determined the gene expression profiles of HSC-enriched, HPC-enriched, and total CD34+ cells from human PBSC, BM, and CB. One rather surprising finding from this study was that virtually all of “hematopoietic important” genes were expressed at virtually identical levels within all populations examined. One of our hypotheses to explain this phenomena was that miRs may control differentiation by controlling protein expression from these “hematopoietic” RNAs. To examine the possible role of miRs in normal hematopoiesis and their relation to the HSPC transcriptome, we used mir-miroarrays to determine the miR expression profile of primary normal human mobilized blood and bone marrow CD34+ hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells (HSPCs). We have combined this miR data with (1) our extensive mRNA expression data obtained previously for CD34+ HSPCs, CD34+/CD38−/Lin- stem cell-enriched, CD34+/CD38+/Lin+ progenitor-enriched populations, and total CD34+ HSPC (Georgantas, Cancer Research 64:4434) and (2) miR target predictions from various published algorithms. Combining these datasets into one integrated database allowed us to bioinformaticly examine the global interaction of HSPC mRNAs and miRs during hematopoiesis. The 3′UTR sequences from many of these “hematopoietic” mRNA were cloned behind a luciferase reporter. K562 cells were transfected with these luc-3′UTR constructs, confirmating that expression of many important hematopoietic proteins are controlled by miRs. Based on our bioinformatic and protein expression studies, we present a global in silico model by which microRNAs control and direct hematopoietic differentiation. Actual in vitro and in vivo studies addressing the action of specific miRs in hematopoietic differentiation are presented in separate abstracts.


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (2) ◽  
pp. E121-E124
Author(s):  
T. Kakita ◽  
W. D. Odell

Studies from our laboratory have previously demonstrated sensitive and specific autoregulatory control systems for thyrotropin (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the rabbit. Because our studies of LH autoregulation showed the feedback regulation acted directly at a pituitary level, the current studies were designed to investigate whether the TSH control system also acted at the pituitary level. Two species-specific TSH assays were employed; a rabbit TSH radioimmunoassay which showed little or no reaction to human TSH, and a human TSH radioimmunoassay which showed little or no reaction to rabbit TSH. Both in vivo and in vitro studies were performed. TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) in doses of 2, 10, and 50 micrograms was injected as an intravenous bolus into thyroidectomized hypothyroid rabbits during continuous perfusion with highly purified human TSH (hTSH) or with saline. In these in vivo studies, TRH-stimulated rabbit TSH (rTSH) secretion was suppressed by hTSH perfusion compared with control saline perfusion. The effect of hTSH was studied in vitro by employing short-term cultured rabbit pituitary cells. When hTSH was added to the incubation medium, TRH-stimulated rTSH secretion was inhibited. From these studies, we conclude that one site of the autoregulatory control for TSH in the rabbit is at the pituitary level. These studies do not exclude a possible additional short-loop feedback control at an hypothalamic level, but such a site of action is not required to explain the autoregulatory phenomenon.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1268
Author(s):  
Pragathi Balakrishna ◽  
Sagila George ◽  
Hassan Hatoum ◽  
Sarbajit Mukherjee

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a biogenic monoamine produced from the essential amino acid tryptophan. Serotonin’s role as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and a motility mediator in the gastrointestinal tract has been well defined, and its function in tumorigenesis in various cancers (gliomas, carcinoids, and carcinomas) is being studied. Many studies have shown a potential stimulatory effect of serotonin on cancer cell proliferation, invasion, dissemination, and tumor angiogenesis. Although the underlying mechanism is complex, it is proposed that serotonin levels in the tumor and its interaction with specific receptor subtypes are associated with disease progression. This review article describes serotonin’s role in cancer pathogenesis and the utility of the serotonin pathway as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment. Octreotide, an inhibitor of serotonin release, is used in well-differentiated neuroendocrine cancers, and the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitor, telotristat, is currently being investigated in clinical trials to treat patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Several in vitro studies have shown the anticancer effect of 5-HT receptor antagonists in various cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, urinary bladder, colorectal cancer, carcinoid, and small-cell lung cancer. More in vivo studies are needed to assess serotonin’s role in cancer and its potential use as an anticancer therapeutic target. Serotonin is also being evaluated for its immunoregulatory properties, and studies have shown its potential anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it would be of interest to explore the combination of serotonin antagonists with immunotherapy in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Song Guo ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
Xiaowei Lu ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Ruihuan Gu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Adenomyosis (AM) is an important cause of female infertility. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This report describes a preliminary study of hypoxia and its possible association with endometrial receptivity in AM. Methods The study was divided into in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro, expression levels of the endometrial receptivity markers HOXA10 and HOXA11 in the implantation period were examined using real-time PCR and western blotting. Endometrial expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, HIF-2α, and HIF-3α was determined using immunohistochemistry. In vivo, using an AM mouse model established by oral administration of tamoxifen, we inhibited expression of HIF-2α using an HIF-2α antagonist (PT2399; 30 mg/kg body weight, twice daily by oral gavage for 2 days) and then examined expression levels of Hoxa10 and Hoxa11 using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results Endometrial mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXA10 and HOXA11 were significantly lower in patients with AM than in control patients. Expression of HIF-2α was significantly higher in the AM group than in the control group, whereas that of HIF-1α and HIF-3α was equivalent in both groups. In vivo analysis showed that administration of the HIF-2α antagonist resulted in increased expression of Hoxa10 and Hoxa11 at both the mRNA and protein levels in AM model mice. Conclusions HIF-2α overexpression may be one reason for decreased endometrial receptivity in AM. The current findings provide insight into HIF-2α-mediated AM-related infertility and suggest that PT2399 has potential as a treatment for AM. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Wang ◽  
Lili Xuan ◽  
Ying Pan

Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, for which therapeutic regimens are usually limited by the development of resistance. Here, we fabricated the Fe3O4 nanoparticle clusters (NPCs) that have drawn widespread attention and investigated their role in the treatment of melanoma by photothermal therapy (PTT). Transmission electron microscopy imaging shows that our synthesized NPCs are spherically shaped with an averaged diameter of 329.2 nm. They are highly absorptive at the near-infrared 808 nm wavelength and efficient at converting light into local heat. In vitro experiments using light-field microscopy and MTT assay showed that Fe3O4 NPCs, in conjunction with near-infrared irradiation, effectively ablated A375 melanoma cells by inducing overt apoptosis. Consistently, in vivo studies using BALB/c mice found that intratumoral administration of Fe3O4 NPCs and concomitant in situ exposure to near-infrared light significantly inhibited growth of implanted tumor xenografts. Finally, we revealed, by experimental approaches including semi-quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry, the heat shock protein HSP70 to be upregulated in response to PTT, suggesting this chaperone protein could be a plausible underlying mechanism for the observed therapeutic outcome. Altogether, our results highlight the promise of Fe3O4 NPCs as a new PTT option to treat melanoma.


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