CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
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2018
·Vol. 46
·期 3
·1078-1090
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IF 5.5
Zeng Xinliu,Yue Zhang,Gao Ying,Jiang Guosong,Zeng Fuqing,Shao Ying,Huang Jiayu,Yin Minuo,Li Yajie
Background/Aims: Excess fibrosis may lead to chronic pain, scarring, and infertility as endometriosis develops and progresses. The pathogenesis of endometriosis has been linked to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), the most potent promoter of fibrosis. Methods: Levels of NR4A1 and P-NR4A1 protein in human endometrial and endometriotic tissue were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of fibrotic markers in stromal cells were evaluated by real-time PCR. The degree of fibrosis in mouse endometriotic lesions was detected by Masson trichrome and Sirius red staining. Results: The level of phosphorylated-NR4A1 was higher in ovarian endometriotic tissue than in normal endometrium, and long-term TGF-β1 stimulation phosphorylated NR4A1 in an AKT-dependent manner and then promoted the expression of fibrotic markers. Furthermore, inhibition of NR4A1 in stromal cells increased the TGF-β1-dependent elevated expression of fibrotic markers, and loss of NR4A1 stimulated fibrogenesis in mice with endometriosis. Additionally, Cytosporone B (Csn-B), an NR4A1 agonist, effectively decreased the TGF-β1-dependent elevated expression of fibrotic markers in vitro and significantly inhibited fibrogenesis in vivo. Conclusion: NR4A1 can regulate fibrosis in endometriosis and may serve as a new target for the treatment of endometriosis
研究领域:
妇科学
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分子生物学
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病理生理学
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Communications Biology
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2025
·Vol. 8
·期 1
·1-15
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IF 5.1
Wang Yue,Wang Yang,Tong Fei,Gao Qianqian,Li Baoxuan,Zhao Yan
Preeclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy disorders, and characterized by insufficient trophoblast invasion and placental inflammation. Our RNA sequencing results showed that OTU deubiquitinase, ubiquitin aldehyde binding 2 (OTUB2) was downregulated in placenta from preeclampsia patients, compared with the healthy control. Clinical and experimental data demonstrated that OTUB2 was expressed in macrophages. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments revealed that OTUB2 overexpression blocked M1 polarization of macrophages, and attenuated macrophages-induced apoptosis, and impaired migration and invasion of trophoblasts. Moreover, OTUB2 alleviated LPS-induced preeclampsia-like symptoms in rats, including hypertension, proteinuria, inflammation in placenta and insufficient infiltration of trophoblasts. Additionally, OTUB2 mediated deubiquitination of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) and suppressed its degradation, and the Cys51 is crucial for catalytic activity of OTUB2. The effects of OTUB2 were partially reversed by shNR4A1. In conclusion, OTUB2 suppressed macrophage M1 polarization, macrophages-induced trophoblast damage, and restrained experimental preeclampsia in rodents by mediating deubiquitination of NR4A1. These findings may provide novel insight for clinical prevention and diagnosis of preeclampsia.
研究领域:
生殖医学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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病理学
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药理学
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Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
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2022
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IF 7.31
Pingjun Zhu,Junyan Wang,Wenjuan Du,Jun Ren,Ying Zhang,Fei Xie,Guogang Xu
Mitochondrial dysfunction and necroptosis have been perceived as the primary molecular mechanisms underscoring acute lung injury. Meanwhile, nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) is considered a regulator of inflammation-related endothelial injury in lung tissue although the downstream molecular events remain elusive. In this study, we employed NR4A1-/- mice to decipher the role of NR4A1 in the onset and progression of acute lung injury with a focus on mitochondrial damage and necroptosis. Our results demonstrated that NR4A1 was significantly upregulated in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated lung tissues. Knockout of NR4A1 overtly improved lung tissue morphology, inhibited inflammation, and reduced oxidative stress in LPS-treated lung tissue. A cell signaling study suggested that NR4A1 deletion repressed levels of PGAM5 and attenuated LPS-mediated necroptosis in primary murine alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells, the effects of which were mitigated by PGAM5 overexpression. Moreover, LPS-mediated mitochondrial injury including mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and mitochondrial oxidative stress was drastically improved by NR4A1 deletion. Furthermore, NR4A1 deletion preserved mitochondrial homeostasis through activation of Opa1-related mitochondrial fusion. Silencing of Opa1 triggered mitochondrial dysfunction in NR4A1-deleted ATII cells. Taken together, our data identified NR4A1 as a novel regulator of LPS-related acute lung injury through regulation of mitochondrial fusion and necroptosis, indicating therapeutic promises of targeting NR4A1 in the treatment of acute lung injury in clinical practice.
研究领域:
分子生物学
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免疫学
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呼吸病学
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Journal of Neuroinflammation
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2019
·Vol. 16
·期 1
·1-13
·
IF 5.7
Wu Xuan,Fu Siming,Liu Yun,Luo Hansheng,Li Feng,Wang Yiying,Gao Meng,Cheng Yuan,Xie Zongyi
Background Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption are two vital mechanisms of secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recently, melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r) activation by Nle4-D-Phe7-α-MSH (NDP-MSH) was shown to play a neuroprotective role in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. This study aimed to investigate whether NDP-MSH could alleviate neuroinflammation and BBB disruption after experimental ICH, as well as the potential mechanisms of its neuroprotective roles.Methods Two hundred and eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to autologous blood-injection ICH model. NDP-MSH, an agonist of Mc1r, was administered intraperitoneally injected at 1 h after ICH insult. To further explore the related protective mechanisms, Mc1r small interfering RNA (Mc1r siRNA) and nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (Nr4a1) siRNA were administered via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection before ICH induction. Neurological test, BBB permeability, brain water content, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot analysis were implemented.Results The Expression of Mc1r was significantly increased after ICH. Mc1r was mainly expressed in microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells following ICH. Treatment with NDP-MSH remarkably improved neurological function and reduced BBB disruption, brain water content, and the number of microglia in the peri-hematoma tissue after ICH. Meanwhile, the administration of NDP-MSH significantly reduced the expression of p-NF-κB p65, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-9 and increased the expression of p-CREB, Nr4a1, ZO-1, occludin, and Lama5. Inversely, the knockdown of Mc1r or Nr4a1 abolished the neuroprotective effects of NDP-MSH.Conclusion sTaken together, NDP-MSH binding Mc1r attenuated neuroinflammation and BBB disruption and improved neurological deficits, at least in part through CREB/Nr4a1/NF-κB pathway after ICH.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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Journal of Ovarian Research
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2024
·Vol. 17
·期 1
·1-13
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IF 3.8
Jiang Nan-Xing,Zhao Wei-Jie,Shen Hao-Ran,Du Dan-feng,Li Xue-Lian
Background Investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for endometrial dysfunction in women with PCOS is essential, particularly focusing on the role of hyperinsulinemia.Methods We explored the role of insulin in the decidualization process using a synthetic decidualization assay. To dissect the effects of PI3K/AKT-NR4A signaling, we employed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the NR4A genes and inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT pathway. We also investigated the disruption of AKT-NR4A1 signaling in the endometrium of PCOS female rats induced with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB) analyses were utilized to evaluate gene expression regulation.Results Insulin was found to suppress the expression of decidualization markers in human endometrial stromal cells (hESC) in a dose-dependent manner, concurrently triggering an inappropriate activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Members of the NR4A family, as downstream effectors in the PI3K/AKT pathway, were implicated in the insulin-induced disruptions during the decidualization process. Moreover, the endometrium of PCOS models showed significantly elevated levels of phosphorylated (Ser473) AKT, with a corresponding reduction in Nr4a1 protein.Conclusion sOur research demonstrates that insulin negatively regulates decidualization in hESC via the PI3K/AKT-NR4A pathway. In vivo analysis revealed a significant dysregulation of the AKT-NR4A1 pathway in the endometrium of PCOS rats. These findings offer novel insights into the pathogenesis of infertility and endometrial disorders associated with hyperinsulinemia in PCOS.
研究领域:
内分泌学
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生殖生物学
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分子生物学
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妇科学
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高影响因子
Biochemistry and Cell Biology
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2024
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IF 2.4
Xiang Chen,Yuan Yao,Guotong Gong,Tianji He,Chenjun Ma,Jingsong Yu
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex disease with diverse molecular alterations. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that exhibits pleiotropic roles in PCa, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent ligand for AhR. While targeting ferroptosis is an innovative PCa therapeutic strategy, the impact of AhR on this process remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of AhR on lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Results showed that TCDD activated AhR, as evidenced by increased CYP1A1 expression, leading to reduced cell viability. TCDD caused mitochondria shrinkage, decreased the GSH/GSSG ratio, and elevated the MDA levels and lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, AhR knockdown reversed these effects, similar to the action of ferroptosis inhibitors. Mechanistically, TCDD suppressed nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) expression, in part due to AhR activation. This suppression subsequently led to a reduction in the expression of the NR4A1 downstream target stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). NR4A1 overexpression counteracted the effects of TCDD. In vivo, TCDD activated AhR, downregulated NR4A1 and SCD1 expression, induced mitochondria shrinkage, and increased the MDA and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels. In summary, TCDD promotes ferroptosis in androgen-dependent PCa via inhibiting the NR4A1/SCD1 axis, in part dependent on AhR activation.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
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2025
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IF 6.1
Lirui Hou,Yuhan Fu,Yue Zhao,Chongshan Dai,Chong Zhao,Lihong Fan,Hongbo Hu,Shutao Yin
Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a synthetic third-generation quinolone antimicrobial agent with broad-spectrum bactericidal activity and widely used in human and veterinary medicine. Some studies have shown that quinolone antibiotics are endocrine disruptors, but the effect of early-life exposure to CIP on testosterone production remains unclear. Using adolescent male C57BL/6 J mice (n = 6 per group) exposed to CIP (1–75 mg/kg) for 30 days, combined with in vitro models of mouse testicular cells (TM3, TM4, GC-2spd), this study investigated the toxic effects of CIP on testosterone synthesis. Animal studies showed that 1 mg/kg CIP significantly decreased serum testosterone levels and increased LH and FSH levels. With increasing doses of CIP, the sperm count of mice was significantly reduced and accompanied by tissue damage in the testes. Through Western blotting, qPCR, and molecular docking analyses, we identified StAR as the key protein mediating CIP-induced testosterone suppression. CIP was found to affect testosterone synthesis by influencing the expression of testosterone synthesis-related proteins in both in vivo and in vitro. Transcriptomic sequencing of pituitary tissues revealed dose-dependent alterations in genes related to GnRH secretion and cAMP signaling pathways. For the first time, we confirmed that CIP inhibits the transcription of StAR by downregulating NR4A1 expression, ultimately blocking testosterone synthesis. In TM3, TM4, and GC-2spd cells, all three cellular activities were inhibited with increasing concentrations of CIP, which causes S-phase cycle block in TM3 and G2/M-phase cycle block in TM4. The study demonstrates that CIP inhibits testosterone synthesis via the NR4A1/StAR pathway, suggesting CIP is an endocrine disruptor and implying low-dose CIP exposures cause more severe effects that should be of widespread concern.
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PHYTOMEDICINE
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2026
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IF 8.3
Hongjin Wang,Jingjing Li,Xiaogang Xu,Yixi Zeng,Guofeng Shi,Lanyue Zhang,Junxia Zheng,Hui Li
Background Skin photo-aging induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) leads to aesthetic alterations, structural degradation, and loss of barrier function. Ferroptosis has been implicated upon UVR stress but the driving modifiers remain largely undefined. Naringin has been reported to exert protective effects against UVR damage, however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Purpose To explore the driving factors of UVR-induced ferroptosis and to comprehensively evaluate the effects and underlying mechanisms of naringin in repressing UVR-induced photo-aging. Methods A mouse model in which the dorsal skin, as well as a cell model using HaCaT keratinocytes, were exposed to UVR to simulate daily sun exposure. Lentivirus-mediated knockdown, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq analysis were used to evaluate the role of NR4A1 in UVR-induced ferroptosis. RNA-seq and metabonomics were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of naringin against photo-aging. Molecular dynamics simulations/DARTS/CETSA, and co-IP assays were employed to investigate the mechanism by which naringin regulates NR4A1 expression. Results Reduction of NR4A1 leads to excessive lipid metabolism and initiates ferroptosis in UVR-induced photo-aging. Naringin directly binds to NR4A1, enhancing its stability by preventing ubiquitin-mediated degradation, transcriptionally represses EGR1 and LDLR expression, thereby suppressing lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic damage. Remarkably, both genetic deficiency and pharmacological inhibition of NR4A1 across diverse models abolish the effects of naringin against photo-aging. Conclusion Our findings emphasize the critical role of NR4A1 in ferroptosis driven by dysregulated lipid metabolism and reveal the therapeutic potential of targeting NR4A1 with naringin in UVR-induced photo-aging, as well as in the other relevant lipid metabolism dysfunction disorders.
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