MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
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2025
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IF 4.3
Wan Yu-hui,Cheng Zeng-jing,Fan Ling-xiang,Yang De-hong,Chen Bing-lin,Chen Xiang-xin,Zhu Qing
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. In its early stages, a substantial influx of blood into the subarachnoid space triggers excessive activation of microglia, which markedly contributes to early brain injury (EBI), a pivotal determinant of poor prognosis. Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPSs), as acidic heteropolysaccharides from the fruiting bodies of Tremella, exhibit robust anti-inflammatory characteristics and many biological properties. Nonetheless, the impact of TFPSs on EBI after SAH has yet to be reported, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain elusive. We used in vivo and in vitro models to study the effects of TFPSs on microglia post-SAH. Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the targets of TFPSs and the pathways through which it exerts its therapeutic effects. These predictions were subsequently corroborated through flow cytometry, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction, both in vivo and in vitro. After 24 h post-SAH, TFPS-treated mice presented improved neurological function and reduced cerebral edema. TFPSs reversed microglial activation, enhanced phagocytic ability, and reduced neuronal apoptosis. Network pharmacology identified KDR as a potential target of TFPSs, with the P38 MAPK pathway as the downstream pathway. TFPSs attenuated KDR expression, inhibited the P38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway, reduced inflammatory cytokine expression, and increased microglial phagocytic capacity post-SAH. This investigation revealed that TFPSs may ameliorate EBI after SAH, potentially via the regulation of the KDR-mediated P38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway and phagocytic function.
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ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
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2024
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IF 3.3
Yao Deng,Yujie Li,Mingyue Yang,Yang Gao,Xuling Luo,Hanbin Chen,Meng Guo,Xuefeng Yang,Yongzhang Liu,Jun He,Bin Lu,Naxin Liu
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers in the world, which is frequently diagnosed at a late stage. HCC patients have a poor prognosis due to the lack of an efficacious therapeutic strategy. Approved drug repurposing is a way for accelerating drug discovery and can significantly reduce the cost of drug development. Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, which is highly efficacious against multiple myeloma and has been reported to possess potential antitumor activities against multiple cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of CFZ on HCC is still unclear. Here, we show that CFZ inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells through cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and suppresses the migration and invasion of HCC cells by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We also find that CFZ promotes reactive oxygen species production to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activate JNK/p38 MAPK signaling in HCC cells, thus inducing cell death in HCC cells. Moreover, CFZ significantly inhibits HCC cell growth in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, our study elucidates that CFZ impairs mitochondrial function and activates ER stress and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling, thus inhibiting HCC cell and tumor growth. This indicates that CFZ has the potential as a therapeutic drug for HCC.
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Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
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2021
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IF 6.543
Xiao-lu Wang,Liang Wang,Fo-lan Lin,Si-si Li,Ting-xuan Lin,Ren-wang Jiang
Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) can clear cisplatin- (CP-) induced excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), but exogenous SOD1 cannot enter cells because of its low biomembrane permeability. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can rapidly cross plasma membranes. This study is aimed at identifying an efficient and stable CPP-SOD1 and investigating its effects on CP-induced nephrotoxicity. We recombined SOD1 with 14 different CPPs and purified them using an NTA-Ni2+ column. In in vitro experiments, CPPs-SOD1 cell membrane penetration ability and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway were evaluated using Western blotting. ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and cell apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining in VERO and HK-2 cells. For in vivo experiments, mice were administered PSF-SOD1 for 2 h before cotreatment with a single CP injection for an additional 4 days. Blood and kidney samples were collected for renal function assessment (creatinine, urea nitrogen, histopathology, TUNEL assay, and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway). Compared with TAT-SOD1, we found that PSF-SOD1 is more efficient at crossing the cell membrane and is stable after transduction into cells. Pretreatment with PSF-SOD1 inhibited CP-induced apoptosis, ROS generation, and JNK/p38 MAPK activation and restored CP-induced MMP loss in VERO and HK-2 kidney cells. Treatment of mice with PSF-SOD1 inhibited CP-induced serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen elevation, and JNK/p38 MAPK activation. H&E staining and TUNEL assay indicated that kidney tissue damage was alleviated following PSF-SOD1 pretreatment. Overall, PSF-SOD1 ameliorated CP-induced renal damage by partially reducing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis by regulating JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and might be a better cytoprotective agent than TAT-SOD1.
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TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH
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2024
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IF 1.7
Xingchang Sun,Xin Qin,Gaofeng Liang,Xuhong Chang,Huike Zhu,Jiahao Zhang,Dan Zhang,Yingbiao Sun,Sanwei Feng
With the widespread use of manganese dioxide nanoparticles (nano MnO2), health hazards have also emerged. The inflammatory damage of brain tissues could result from nano MnO2, in which the underlying mechanism is still unclear. During this study, we aimed to investigate the role of ROS-mediated p38 MAPK pathway in nano MnO2-induced inflammatory response in BV2 microglial cells. The inflammatory injury model was established by treating BV2 cells with 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg/mL nano MnO2 suspensions for 12 h. Then, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger (20 nM N-acetylcysteine, NAC) and the p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor (10 μM SB203580) were used to clarify the role of ROS and the p38 MAPK pathway in nano MnO2-induced inflammatory lesions in BV2 cells. The results indicated that nano MnO2 enhanced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, elevated intracellular ROS levels and activated the p38 MAPK pathway in BV2 cells. Controlling intracellular ROS levels with NAC inhibited p38 MAPK pathway activation and attenuated the inflammatory response induced by nano MnO2. Furthermore, inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway with SB203580 led to a decrease in the production of inflammatory factors (IL-1β and TNF-α) in BV2 cells. In summary, nano MnO2 can induce inflammatory damage by increasing intracellular ROS levels and further activating the p38 MAPK pathway in BV2 microglial cells.
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Current Research in Food Science
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2026
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IF 7.7
Kai Na,Cheng Chao,Tianfei Yu,Liqun Wang,Xiaotong Liu,Li Zhang,Kejue Feng,Junhua Lei,Yu Xiong,Xiaohua Guo
2′-Fucosyllactose (2′-FL), the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study employed an integrated approach combining in vitro fermentation systems, Caco-2 cell assays, in vivo murine colitis models, and molecular docking simulations to elucidate the dual mechanisms of 2′-FL action. In vitro fermentation revealed that 2′-FL selectively enhanced propionate and butyrate production while enriching Bacteroides acidifaciens and Allobaculum stercoricanis , key short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing taxa. In enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-infected Caco-2 cells, 2′-FL suppressed TLR4/p38 MAPK signaling and inflammation, an effect mirrored by propionate and butyrate. Similarly, in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model, 2′-FL inhibited this signaling pathway, alleviated inflammation, and, in parallel, specifically elevated levels of propionate and butyrate. Molecular docking analyses also indicated that 2′-FL and its metabolites, propionate and butyrate, exhibit binding to the TLR4–MD2 complex with specific affinity. These results support a coordinated mechanism whereby 2′-FL alleviates intestinal inflammation through putative TLR4 antagonism and the microbiota-derived SCFAs, both of which converge to modulate the TLR4/p38 MAPK-dependent signaling axis. Our work provides a mechanistic foundation for 2′-FL as a precision prebiotic targeting gut inflammation via host-microbe crosstalk.
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EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
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2022
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IF 4.145
Runze Zhao,Li Yang,Shuangjian He,Tingting Xia
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a main contributor to induce low back pain, and the pathogenic mechanism of IVDD remains unclear. The nucleus pulposus (NP) is a component of the intervertebral disc (IVD) that provides protection from mechanical stimuli. The matrix stiffness of NP tissue increases during the process of disc degeneration. Although several studies have found that pathological mechanical stimuli induce NP cell senescence, which is relevant for NP degeneration, however, the effect of matrix stiffness on NP cell senescence is not clear. Therefore, in the present study, we used polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel with controllable stiffness to mimic the matrix stiffness of normal (4 kPa) and severely degenerated (20 kPa) NP tissue. Rat NP cells were isolated and cultured on substrates with different stiffness, and the cell proliferation , SA-β-gal activity, cell cycle, telomerase activity and the phenotype markers of NP cells were analyzed. Moreover, cytoskeleton staining and NP cellular Young's modulus on different substrates were also measured. To further investigate how substrate stiffness affects NP cell senescence, lysyl oxidase (LOX) was used to restore the extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis of NP cells. The expression levels of integrin β1 and p38 MAPK were then measured. Our results showed that the 20 kPa substrate significantly induced NP cell senescence compared to the 4 kPa substrate. NP cells cultured on the 20 kPa substrate failed to maintain the expression of their phenotype markers. Furthermore, the 20 kPa substrate induced an increase of Young's modulus of NP cells, which possibly through up regulating the expressions of integrin β1 and p38 MAPK. These results indicated that the integrin β1-p38 MAPK signaling pathway may participated in substrate stiffness induced senescence of NP cells. LOX significantly increased ECM synthesis and inhibited substrate stiffness induced NP cell senescence, which indicated that matrix mechanics may be essential for maintaining the function of NP cell. Our results may provide a new perspective on the mechanism of IVDD by pathological matrix mechanics.
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BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
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2013
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IF 3.848
Lin-Hui Zhang,Yong-Liang Jia,Xi-Xi Lin,Hong-Quan Zhang,Xin-Wei Dong,Jun-Ming Zhao,Jian Shen,Hui-Juan Shen,Fen-fen Li,Xiao-Feng Yan,Wei Li,Yu-Qing Zhao,Qiang-Min Xie
Background Ginseng is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for thousands of years. In the present study, effects and mechanisms of AD-1 were evaluated for its development as a novel anti-lung cancer drug. Methods The cytotoxic activity was evaluated by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle, apoptosis and ROS. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze signaling pathways. Lung cancer xenograft models were established by subcutaneous implantation of A549 or H292 cells into nude mice. Results AD-1 concentration-dependently reduces lung cancer cell viability without affecting normal human lung epithelial cell viability. In A549 and H292 lung cancer cells, AD-1 induces G 0 /G 1 cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and ROS production. The apoptosis can be attenuated by a ROS scavenger — N-acetylcysteine (NAC). In addition, AD-1 up-regulates the expression of p38 and ERK phosphorylation. Addition of a p38 inhibitor SB203580, suppresses the AD-1-induced decrease in cell viability. Furthermore, genetic silencing of p38 attenuates the expression of p38 and decreases the AD-1-induced apoptosis. Treatment with NAC reduces AD-1-induced p38 phosphorylation, which indicates that ROS generation is involved in the AD-1-induced p38 activation. In mice, oral administration of AD-1 (10–40 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors without affecting body weight and decreases the expression of VEGF, MMP-9 and CD34 in tumor tissue. TUNEL staining confirms that the tumors from AD-1 treated mice exhibit a markedly higher apoptotic index. Conclusions and general significance These data support development of AD-1 as a potential agent for lung cancer therapy.
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BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
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2025
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IF 4.2
Yongpeng Fang,Xudong Niu,Weifang Zhao,Huali Zhang
Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of various adverse cardiovascular outcomes associated with excessive mitophagy and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. Paired-related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) is a transcriptional factor involved in cardiovascular injury. However, whether and how PRRX1 regulates excessive mitophagy and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis during myocardial I/R injury remains unclear. Oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)-treated AC16 cardiomyocytes and myocardial I/R-induced rats were used as in vitro and in vivo models. Our results showed that PRRX1 expression was upregulated in AC16 cells after OGD/R treatment. PRRX1 silencing mitigated OGD/R-induced excessive mitophagy by increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate and p62 levels, and reducing LC3 II/I level in AC16 cells. In addition, PRRX1 knockdown attenuated OGD/R-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by decreasing reactive oxygen species, Fe 2+ and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) levels, and increasing glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels. Furthermore, PRRX1 transcriptionally promoted FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), and increased p38 MAPK activation in AC16 cells. FKBP5 overexpression reversed the effects of PRRX1 silencing on excessive mitophagy and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis in OGD/R-treated AC16 cells. These effects were mitigated by a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Finally, PRRX1 downregulation mitigated myocardial I/R injury by reducing heart infarction and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) levels in rat models. These findings demonstrate that PRRX1 silencing attenuates OGD/R-induced excessive mitophagy and cardiomyocyte ferroptosis by decreasing FKBP5 expression and inactivating p38 MAPK signaling, indicating the cardioprotective potential of PRRX1 silencing in myocardial I/R injury.
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INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2025
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IF 4.7
Wenyang Zhou,Zhenhao Liu,Xichuan Qiu,Minghao Tian,Baoqiang He,Chao Tang,Qiang Tang,Rupei Ye,Dejun Zhong,Yehui Liao
Following spinal cord injury (SCI), pyroptosis plays a significant role in regulating neuroinflammation during the secondary phase of injury. Although 1,8-cineole possesses anti-inflammatory effects, its role in SCI and underlying molecular mechanisms remains unclear. This study revealed that 1,8-cineole promoted motor function recovery in spinal cord-injured rats, reduced NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated microglial pyroptosis and activation, enhanced neuronal regeneration, and suppressed neuronal apoptosis and glial scar formation. Network pharmacology analysis showed that 1,8-cineole targets the PI3K/AKT and P38 MAPK pathways to inhibit microglial activation and pyroptosis. Finally, using a conditional co-culture system, we demonstrated that 1,8-cineole-treated microglia facilitated neuronal regeneration while inhibiting apoptosis. These findings indicate that 1,8-cineole promotes functional recovery post-SCI by protecting neurons by suppressing microglial pyroptosis and activation through the PI3K/AKT and P38 MAPK axes.
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American Journal of Translational Research
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2017
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IF 2.829
Yuanfeng Zhu,Shijun Fan,Ning Wang,Xiaoli Chen,Yongjun Yang,Yongling Lu,Qian Chen,Jiang Zheng,Xin Liu
Activation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, both of which are essential for robust microbial clearance by phagocytes. However, it is unknown whether inhibition of NOX2 activation or ROS generation affects cellular phagocytosis. Here, we found that the classic NOX2 inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) induced uptake of E. coli by murine peritoneal macrophages through enhancing phagocytosis, and this effect was temperature-sensitive and attenuated by cytochalasin D as well as chemical inhibition of Syk and PLCγ, two downstream kinases involved in actin polymerization during phagocytosis. DPI also decreased the production of TNF-α and IL-6 resulting from E. coli stimulation. The DPI-induced enhancement of phagocytosis was independent of NOX2 inhibition or ROS generation but depended on increased intracellular calcium and activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, DPI enhanced bacterial elimination and ameliorated inflammation in E. coli -infected mice, leading to improved survival. Our results demonstrate that DPI facilitates ROS-independent bacterial phagocytosis by macrophages through activation of calcium and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.
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Environment & Health
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2026
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IF 6.3
Shiyin Zhong,Qiongli Zhou,Jirui Yang,Zhimin Zhang,Xueting Chai,Jinghao Luo,Xin Zhang,Jingjing Liu,Yangzong Yixi,Lei Shi,Xuhong Chang,Hui Wang
Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element, but increasing industrial and agricultural use has led to elevated levels of environmental Mn levels. Chronic overexposure to Mn can cause a Parkinson’s-like neurodegenerative disorder; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study combined in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the role of the cGAS–STING/NLRP3 axis in regulating the p38 MAPK/NF–κB pathway in the process of Mn-induced Tau aggregation leading to neurotoxicity. Our results demonstrated that MnCl2 exposure significantly activated both the cGAS–STING/NLRP3 signaling axis and the p38 MAPK/NF–κB pathway, accompanied by increased Tau expression. Genetic ablation of cGAS, STING, or NLRP3 attenuated Mn-induced Tau upregulation, indicating that the cGAS–STING/NLRP3 signaling axis mediates Tau expression. RNA-seq analysis further revealed that the decreased Tau expression in knockout cells is associated with the MAPK/NF–κB signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK or NF–κB markedly downregulated cGAS–STING signaling, inflammatory cytokine release, and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) levels. Moreover, we observed colocalization and interaction among p-p38, p-p65, and p-Tau. Overall, these findings reveal that Mn activates the cGAS–STING/NLRP3 signaling axis regulated by the p38 MAPK/NF–κB pathway, driving pathological Tau aggregation.
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JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2023
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IF 5.4
Lei Lei,Guoguo Wan,Xiaoyu Geng,Jianguo Sun,Yi Zhang,Jianwei Wang,Congwen Yang,Zheng Pan
Ethnopharmacological relevance Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo ( L . rotata ), a Tibetan medicinal plant , is used to treat “yellow-water diseases”, such as skin disease, jaundice and rheumatism . Our previous study showed that the iridoid glycoside extract of L. rotata (IGLR) is the major constituent of skin wound healing. However, the role of IGLR in the biological process of trauma repair and the probable mechanism of the action remain largely unknown. Aim of the study To investigate the role of IGLR in the biological process of trauma repair and the probable mechanism of the action. Materials and methods The role of IGLR in wound healing was investigated by overall skin wound in mice with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining. The anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis-promoting and fibril formation effects of IGLR were visualized in wound skin tissue by immunofluorescence staining, and the proinflammatory factors and growth factors were assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Macrophages, dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were cultured to measure the direct/indirect interaction effects of IGLR on the proliferation and migration of cells, and flow cytometry was employed to assess the role of IGLR on macrophage phenotype. Network pharmacology combined with Western blot experiments were conducted to explore possible mechanisms of the actions. Results IGLR increased the expression of CD206 (M2 markers) through the RAS/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway during wound injury in vivo and in vitro . IGLR suppressed the inflammatory cytokines iNOS, IL-1β and TNF-α in the early stage of wound healing . During the proliferation step of wound repair, IGLR promoted angiogenesis and fibril formation by increasing the expression of VEGF, CD31, TGF-β and α-SMA in wound tissue, and similar results were verified by RT-PCR and ELISA. In a paracrine mechanism, the extract promoted the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were founded by the conditioned medium (CM). Conclusion IGLR induced M2 macrophage polarization in the early stage of wound healing; in turn, IGLR played a key role in the transition from inflammation to cell proliferation during the biological process of wound healing.
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