scholarly journals Riligustilide Attenuated Renal Injury by the Blockade of Renin

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 654-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Kong ◽  
Li Han ◽  
Han Su ◽  
Yihan Hu ◽  
Xueshi Huang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Nephropathy related with renin can be alleviated with ACE-inhibitors or AT1R blockers, whereas they might be ineffective after long-term administration because of a feedback production of enhanced renin. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a new category of anti-nephropathy medicine directly targeting renin. Riligustilide (C20), originally isolated from the Chinese herb Ligusticumporteri, a rhizome, was confirmed effective against many diseases. Methods: The therapeutic effect of C20 on renal injury and its underlying mechanism were investigated in three different nephrotic models, which were spontaneously hypertension rats (SHR) model, diabetic nephropathy in BTBR ob/ob mice model and 5/6-nephrectomized (5/6NX) rats model. Results: The intensity of kidney fibrosis was extensively decreased in the C20-treated rats compared to the vehicle animals. C20 significantly alleviated renal injury much more in 5/6 NX rats than in vehicle group. The rats in 5/6 NX without administrated C20 developed albuminuria earlier with more severe symptoms. Additionally, our findings showed that C20 down-regulated the renin expression and relocation of CREB-CBP complex in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: C20 plays importantly reno-protective roles most likely through the relocation of CREB-CBP complex.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Biao Xu ◽  
Pei-Pei Guan ◽  
Pu Wang

Abstract Background: Prostaglandin (PG) A1 is a metabolic product of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), which potentially involved in regulating the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As a cyclopentenone (cy) PG, PGA1 is characterized by the presence of a chemically reactive α, β-unsaturated carbonyl. Although PGA1 is potentially involved in regulating multiple biological processes via michael addition, its specific roles in AD remained unclear.Methods: The tauP301S transgenic (Tg) mice were employed as in vivo AD models and neuroblastoma (N) 2a cells as in vitro neuronal models. By intracerebroventricular injected (i.c.v) with PGA1, the binding proteins to PGA1 are analyzed by HPLC-MS-MS. In addition, western blots are used to determine the phosphorylation of tau in PGA1 treated Tg mice in the absence or presence of okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of protein phosphotase (PP) 2A. Combining a synthesis of pull down assay, immunoprecipitation, western blots and HPLC-MS-MS, PP2A scaffold subunit A alpha (PPP2R1A) was identified to be activated by directly binding on PGA1 in cysteine 377-dependent manner. Via inhibiting the hyperphosphorylation of tau, morris maze test was employed to determine the inhibitory effects of PGA1 on cognitive decline of tauP301S Tg mice.Results: By incubation with neuroblastoma (n)2a cells and pull down assay, mass spectra (MS) analysis revealed that PGA1 binds with more than 1000 proteins, among which contains the proteins of AD, especially tau protein. Moreover, short-term administration of PGA1 to tauP301S Tg mice significantly decreased the phosphorylation of tau at the sites of Thr181, Ser202 and Ser404 in a dose-dependent manner. To the reason, it’s caused by activating PPP2R1A in tauP301S Tg mice. More importantly, PGA1 has the ability to form michael adduct with PPP2R1A via its cysteine 377 motif, which is critical for the enzymatic activity of PP2A. By activating PP2A, long-term application of PGA1 to tauP301S Tg mice significantly reduced the phosphorylation of tau, which results in improving the cognitive decline of tauP301S Tg mice.Conclusion: Our data provided the first insights needed to decipher the mechanisms underlying the ameliorating effects of PGA1 on cognitive decline of tauP301S Tg mice via activating PP2A in a PPP2R1AC377-dependent Michael adducting mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen-Qing Zhang ◽  
Long-Long Cao ◽  
Yun-Yue Liang ◽  
Pu Wang

Clinical studies have found that some Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients suffer from Cushing’s syndrome (CS). CS is caused by the long-term release of excess glucocorticoids (GCs) from the adrenal gland, which in turn, impair brain function and induce dementia. Thus, we investigated the mechanism of the effect of corticosterone (CORT) on the development and progression of AD in a preclinical model. Specifically, the plasma CORT levels of 9-month-old APP/PS1 Tg mice were abnormally increased, suggesting an association between GCs and AD. Long-term administration of CORT accelerated cognitive dysfunction by increasing the production and deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ). The mechanism of action of CORT treatment involved stimulation of the expression of BACE-1 and presenilin (PS) 1 in in vitro and in vivo. This observation was confirmed in mice with adrenalectomy (ADX), which had lower levels of GCs. Moreover, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mediated the effects of CORT on the stimulation of the expression of BACE-1 and PS1 via the PKA and CREB pathways in neuroblastoma N2a cells. In addition to these mechanisms, CORT can induce a cognitive decline in APP/PS1 Tg mice by inducing apoptosis and decreasing the differentiation of neurons.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi-Ping Cheng ◽  
Jie-Yang Liu ◽  
Meng-Yuan Ma ◽  
Shi-Yu Sun ◽  
Zeng-qing Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Many clinical studies have shown a correlation between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and osteoporosis or fractures. The purposes of this study were to establish a murine model of chronic oral administration of PPIs to verify whether PPIs caused bone metabolic impairment, and to investigate the relevant molecular mechanism underlying the effects of PPIs on MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblasts.Methods: Lansoprazole-induced bone loss model was employed to investigate the damage effects of PPIs. In vivo, immunohistochemistry and HE staining, micro-CT analysis, blood biochemical tests were used to evaluate the effect of lansoprazole on bone injury in mice. In vitro, the effects and related signaling pathway of lansoprazole on MC3T3-E1 cells were investigated by CCK8, EDU kit, flow cytometry, laser confocal, patch clamp, PCR and Western blotting, etc.Results: After 6 months of lansoprazole gavage in ICR mice, micro-CT results showed that compared with the vehicle group, the bone mineral density (BMD) of high-dose group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the bone microarchitecture gradually degraded. Biochemical assay of bone serum found that blood calcium and phosphorus were both decreased (P<0.01). We found that long-term administration of lansoprazole impairs skeletal function in mice. In vitro, we found that lansoprazole (LPZ) could cause calcium overload in MC3T3-E1 cells leading to apoptosis, and 2-APB, an inhibitor of IP3R calcium release channel and SOC pathway, efctively blocked calcium increase caused by LPZ, thus protecting cell viability.Conclusion: Long-term administration of LPZ induced osteoporotic symptoms in mice, and LPZ triggered calcium elevation in osteoblasts in a concentration dependent manner, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+] persisted at a high concentration thereby causing endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and inducing osteoblasts apoptosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-188
Author(s):  
Kun Gui ◽  
Yu Huang ◽  
Meijin Wang ◽  
Jun Yang

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia, resulting in chronic respiratoryfailure and eventually death. β-catenin/Foxo1 showed a protective property in kidney fibrosis, but the role of β-catenin/Foxo1 in IPF was unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the role of β-catenin/Foxo1 in IPF and explore its underlying mechanism. The IPF model was established by injection of bleomycin (BLM) in vivo and stimulation by TGF-β1 in MRC5 cell in vitro. Haematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining were performed to examine histopathological injury in lung. Protein expression of corresponding genes was detected using western blot. Immunofluorescence staining assay was carried out to detect the expression of β-catenin, Foxo1, TCF and α-SMA. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA kit assay. The results showed that BLM induced a serious pulmonary injury and proliferated fibroblasts. A higher interaction of β-catenin with TCF and a lower interaction of β-catenin with Foxo1 was found in BLM group compared to the control group. TGF-β1 promoted β-catenin/TCF, whereas ICG-001 inhibited β-catenin/TCF, and promoted β-catenin/Foxo1. Furthermore, ICG-001 reversed TGF-β1 induced largely production of inflammatory cytokines and accumulation of extracellular matrix, as well as high expression of α-SMA. However, AS1842856, a FOXO1 antagonist, strengthened the effects induced by TGF-β1. In summary, our study revealed that β-catenin/Foxo1 protected against IPF through inhibiting inflammatory response and extracellular matrix accumulation, providing an alternative approach to explain the potential mechanism of IPF and seek for more effective therapeutic drugs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Chen Wang ◽  
Yu-Tang Chen ◽  
Ya-Chin Hou ◽  
Chih-Jung Wang ◽  
Ying-Jui Chao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Exon 11 deletion of c-KIT is the common mutation site with the worst prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Autophagy has shown to have both protumor and antitumor functions and protect GIST cells from imatinib (IM)-induced apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to explore whether c-KIT exon 11 deletions of GISTs drive refractory to IM treatment through regulation of autophagy.Methods: 251 GISTs were included in this study to determine the association of c-KIT exon 11 deletions with prognosis and IM resistance. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting were used to assess the correlation between c-KIT exon 11 deletions and autophagy and the underlying mechanism. We also studied the antitumor effect of IM in combination with the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) in GIST62 cell derived xenograft mice model.Results: GISTs with c-KIT exon 11 deletions had worse survival and IM-resistant phenotype and exhibited higher autophagy levels as compared with GISTs harboring wild type or other c-KIT mutations. In addition, LC3-II expression strongly increased in GIST cell lines carrying c-KIT exon 11 deletions. Treated with autophagy inhibitors or knockdown of the autophagy-related gene ATG5 effectively inhibit GIST cells viability. Co-treatment with IM and CQ significantly suppressed tumor growth as compared with either agent alone, suggesting that autophagy protect GIST cells from IM-induced cell death both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, c-KIT exon 11 deletions can induce autophagy by activating SRC and ULK1. SRC inhibitor can block this action.Conclusion: Our study clearly demonstrates that KIT exon 11 deletions induce ULK1-SRC related autophagy is one of reasons for imatinib resistance clinically. Combination with autophagy inhibitor shows significant promise in treatment for imatinib refractory GISTs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changliang Yang ◽  
Qiumo Zhang ◽  
Mengsi Zuo ◽  
Jiayu Yang ◽  
Tao Ning ◽  
...  

Abstract Recently, immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints, especially PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in numerous malignancies to rejuvenate disabled T cells to achieve long-term remission. However, the underlying mechanism of PD-L1 expression dysregulation in gastric cancer (GC) has not been revealed. The present study aimed to determine whether artificially modified exosomes transporting miR-15a/16 target PD-L1 and inhibit immune escape in GC. Modified exosomes serve as novel nanoliposomes to suppress tumor growth and inhibit immune escape by targeting PD-L1 in vivo and in vitro. The present study also suggested that the combination of exosomal miR-15a/16 can be used in immunotherapy against tumors, including gastric cancer.


1998 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 828-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruediger C. Braun-Dullaeus ◽  
Markus Feussner ◽  
Gerhard Walker ◽  
Harald Tillmanns ◽  
Werner Haberbosch

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu-Yu Yang ◽  
Qin Luo ◽  
Lu Lu ◽  
Wen-Wei Zhu ◽  
Hao-Ting Sun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The propensity of the activated neutrophils to form extracellular traps (NETs) is demonstrated in multiple inflammatory conditions. In this study, we investigated the roles of NETs in metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and further explored the underlying mechanism of how NETs affect metastasis as well as the therapeutic value. Methods The neutrophils were isolated from the blood of human HCC patients and used to evaluate the formation of NETs. The expression of NET markers was detected in tumor specimens. A LPS-induced NET model was used to investigate the role of NETs on HCC metastasis. RNA-seq was performed to identify the key molecular event triggered by NETs, and their underlying mechanism and therapeutic significance were explored using both in vitro and in vivo assays. Results NET formation was enhanced in neutrophils derived from HCC patients, especially those with metastatic HCCs. NETs trapped HCC cells and subsequently induced cell-death resistance and enhanced invasiveness to trigger their metastatic potential, which was mediated by internalization of NETs into trapped HCC cells and activation of Toll-like receptors TLR4/9-COX2 signaling. Inhibition of TLR4/9-COX2 signaling abrogated the NET-aroused metastatic potential. A combination of DNase 1 directly wrecking NETs with anti-inflammation drugs aspirin/hydroxychloroquine effectively reduced HCC metastasis in mice model. Conclusions NETs trigger tumorous inflammatory response and fuel HCC metastasis. Targeting NETs rather than neutrophils themselves can be a practice strategy against HCC metastasis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
pp. 3345-3366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateja Sborchia ◽  
Eric G. De Prez ◽  
Marie-Hélène Antoine ◽  
Lucie Bienfait ◽  
Radek Indra ◽  
...  

Abstract Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is associated with human nephropathy and urothelial cancer. The tumour suppressor TP53 is a critical gene in carcinogenesis and frequently mutated in AA-induced urothelial tumours. We investigated the impact of p53 on AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA damage in vivo by treating Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/−) and Trp53(−/−) mice with 3.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) AAI daily for 2 or 6 days. Renal histopathology showed a gradient of intensity in proximal tubular injury from Trp53(+/+) to Trp53(−/−) mice, especially after 6 days. The observed renal injury was supported by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomic measurements, where a consistent Trp53 genotype-dependent trend was observed for urinary metabolites that indicate aminoaciduria (i.e. alanine), lactic aciduria (i.e. lactate) and glycosuria (i.e. glucose). However, Trp53 genotype had no impact on AAI-DNA adduct levels, as measured by 32P-postlabelling, in either target (kidney and bladder) or non-target (liver) tissues, indicating that the underlying mechanisms of p53-related AAI-induced nephrotoxicity cannot be explained by differences in AAI genotoxicity. Performing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) on kidney tissues showed metabolic pathways affected by AAI treatment, but again Trp53 status did not clearly impact on such metabolic profiles. We also cultured primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/−) and Trp53(−/−) mice and exposed them to AAI in vitro (50 µM for up to 48 h). We found that Trp53 genotype impacted on the expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (Nqo1), a key enzyme involved in AAI bioactivation. Nqo1 induction was highest in Trp53(+/+) MEFs and lowest in Trp53(−/−) MEFs; and it correlated with AAI-DNA adduct formation, with lowest adduct levels being observed in AAI-exposed Trp53(−/−) MEFs. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate that p53 status impacts on AAI-induced renal injury, but the underlying mechanism(s) involved remain to be further explored. Despite the impact of p53 on AAI bioactivation and DNA damage in vitro, such effects were not observed in vivo.


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