Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2025
·
IF 4.8
Yuhang Gong,Da Wo,Canran Wang,Ruokun Huang,En Ma,Celiang Wu,Jun Peng,Weidong Zhu,Dan-ni Ren
Background: Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling pathway is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) that is involved in the development of hypertension. Chronic Ang II overactivation results in pathological cardiac hypertrophy that progresses into decompensated cardiac dysfunction and impairment. Qingda granule (QDG) is a Traditional Chinese formula that has been used clinically in treating hypertension and its complications.Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of QDG in preventing Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.Methods: We used chronic Ang II infusion via minipumps in mice and administered QDG daily to examine the effects of QDG on preventing hypertension and various parameters of cardiac impairment.Results: QDG treatment significantly reduced Ang II-induced elevation in blood pressure. Furthermore, QDG exerted a robust cardioprotective effect on chronic Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and decompensated cardiac dysfunction. QDG also inhibited Ang II-induced adverse NF-κB signaling activation and downstream pro-inflammatory targets, which were prevented via administration with SC75741, a specific NF-κB inhibitor.Conclusion: Our findings provide further insight into the robust ability of QDG in preventing Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via preventing NF-κB signaling activation and implicate its use in the clinical treatment of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
HUMAN & EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
·
2022
·
IF 3.247
Shengwei Li,Guangqing Feng,Min Zhang,Xing Zhang,Jihong Lu,Chenyahui Feng,Fangshi Zhu
Objective: Due to its well-known anti-inflammatory property, oxymatrine (OMT) has received more attention on the aspect of treating ulcerative colitis. Although efforts have been undertaken to understand the therapeutic mechanism of OMT on ulcerative colitis (UC), the remedial principle is still ambiguous. Numerous studies have shown that TLR9/Myd88/NF-κB signal pathway played a key role in the pathogenesis of UC. Moreover, TLR9/Myd88/NF-κB signal pathway is a part of the most important pathways for regulating the immune response.Methods: We explored the influence of OMT with different dosages on UC by establishing a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model. Moreover, the participation of TLR9/Myd88/NF-κB signal pathway and whether OMT protects against UC though targeting this pathway are further studied.Results: Our data revealed that OMT could significantly relieve the symptom of TNBS-induced colitis in rats by reactivating the tight junction protein and, more important, by inhibiting the activation of TLR9/Myd88/NF-κB pathway and protein expression levels of its downstream inflammatory factors.Conclusion: OMT could relieve colitis in rat models by impacting tight junction proteins’ TLR9/Myd88/NF-κB signal pathways and activity.
研究领域:
药理学
·
免疫学
·
胃肠病学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FASEB JOURNAL
·
2021
·Vol. 35
·期 7
·e21497
·
IF 5.192
Sha Tu,Yanzhi Jiang,Haihua Cheng,Xiangning Yuan,Ying He,Yu Peng,Xiongqun Peng,Zhangzhe Peng,Lijian Tao,Huixiang Yang
Despite the increasing understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis, the therapies to combat it remain inadequate. Fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) is a novel pyridone agent able to ameliorate hepatic fibrosis in an experimental hepatic fibrosis model induced by dimethylnitrosamine. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be further elucidated. In light of the critical role of the NF-κB pathway in inflammation and hepatic fibrosis, together with the preliminary finding that AKF-PD decreases the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the endotoxemia and unilateral ureteral occlusion model, the aim of this study was to explore whether AKF-PD exerts an antifibrotic effect in hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation and suppressing the activation of the NF-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro. To test this possibility, the effect of AKF-PD on hepatic fibrosis models induced by both carbon tetrachloride (CCL 4 ) and porcine serum (PS) was investigated. Our results showed that AKF-PD treatment ameliorated hepatic injury and fibrosis in both models. Furthermore, the administration of AKF-PD induced a robust anti-inflammatory reaction revealed by the downregulation of the proinflammatory cytokines as well as the suppression of the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the fibrotic liver. The analysis of the mechanism of action demonstrated that the attenuation of the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines mediated by AKF-PD in vivo and in vitro were accompanied by the suppression in the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, AKF-PD might be considered as an antifibrotic agent attenuating hepatic inflammation and fibrosis potentially through the suppression of the NF-κB pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
·
肝病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND NUTRITION
·
2024
·Vol. 76
·期 2
·139
·
IF 2
Tongrong Xu,Jiahui Han,Nan Wang,Zhirong Huan,Hao Yao,Xin Ge
Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response often triggered by infection, can lead to multi-organ failure, with the intestine being one of the most vulnerable organs. The nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway plays a crucial role in immune responses, inflammation, and cell survival, making it central to sepsis-induced intestinal damage. Kakkalide (KA), a bioactive compound known for its anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, and anti-diabetic properties, has potential therapeutic effects. However, its impact on sepsis-induced intestinal injury remains unclear. In this study, murine sepsis models were used both in vivo and in vitro to evaluate the protective effects of KA on intestinal histopathology, apoptosis, and inflammation. Results showed that KA significantly reduced intestinal damage and apoptosis, as evidenced by hematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL staining. KA also improved intestinal barrier integrity, as indicated by reduced diamine oxidase activity, d -lactic acid content, and fluorescein isothiocyanate intensity, along with increased expression of zonula occludens-1. Furthermore, KA alleviates inflammation by reducing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, prostaglandin E2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis revealed that KA inhibited the sepsis-induced phosphorylation of inhibitor-kappaBα and RelA (P65) and prevented P65’s translocation to the nucleus. These findings were confirmed in lipopolysaccharide-induced Caco-2 cells, suggesting that KA protected the intestinal barrier during sepsis by suppressing the NF-κB pathway.
研究领域:
医学
·
免疫学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Immunology
·
2025
·
IF 5.9
Huan Xu,Kaixuan Ma,Ziting Ma,Tianyu Zhuang,Ling Lin
Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fatal pathological subtype of interstitial lung disease, frequently manifests as a pulmonary complication of connective tissue disease. Iguratimod (IGU) is a new class of anti-rheumatic drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have reported that RA patients treated with IGU have better lung function, and IGU effectively ameliorates PF. However, the mechanism by which IGU improves PF is still unclear. This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of IGU in PF through in vivo and in vitro investigations, so as to provide a new treatment method for PF.Methods: In our research, bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF of mice were used to observe the therapeutic effect of different concentrations of IGU. And the effects of IGU on macrophage polarization and activation pathway TLR4/NF-κB in lung tissue were analyzed. In addition, Raw264.7 macrophages were induced to M1 and M2 polarization in vitro, and the effects of IGU on Raw264.7 macrophage polarization and related pathways were observed.Results: In our study, database analysis suggested that macrophage polarization-relative genes and pathways as well as TLR4 activation played important roles in BLM-induced PF in mice. Besides, we found that IGU effectively ameliorated BLM-induced PF and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mice, and inhibited the polarization of M1/M2 macrophages at different stages of PF. Moreover, In vitro studies further demonstrated that IGU suppressed M1 polarization of Raw264.7 and its activation pathway TLR4/NF-κB.Discussion: In summary, IGU inhibits the activation of macrophages and M1 polarization through inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, thereby improving BLM-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice. It is suggested that IGU may be a new therapeutic option for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
呼吸病学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
·
2024
·
IF 8
Meichen Liu,Meichen Gao,Xu Shi,Yilin Yin,Huanyi Liu,Ruirui Xie,Chenxi Huang,Wenwen Zhang,Shiwen Xu
With the increasing development of the society, silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) has been used in various fields, such as agriculture, food industry, etc., and its residues can pose a potential health threat to organisms. Quercetin (Que) is a potent free radical scavenger commonly found in plants. C57BL/6 mice were chosen to established a mouse model of SiO 2 exposure and Que antagonism to investigate the mechanism of action of Que in rescuing the toxic damage of SiO 2 on mouse cerebellum tissue. The results showed that cytoplasmic vacuolization, and inflammatory cell infiltration caused by SiO 2 were alleviated by the addition of Que, and reduced oxidative stress in mouse cerebellum, alleviated the activation of TLR4 pathway induced by SiO 2 , and substantially reduced the occurrence of ZBP-1-mediated PANoptosis induced by SiO 2 exposure in mouse cerebellum. In NS20Y cells, the oxidative stress activator (Elesclomol) and inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and the NF-κB activator 2 (NA2) were added. Elesclomol and NAC confirm the involvement of ROS in regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, the TLR4/NF-κB pathway regulated ZBP-1-mediated PANoptosis in cerebellum and NS20Y cells induced by SiO 2 exposure. In conclusion, the present experimental data suggest that Que mitigates the onset of ZBP-1-mediated PANoptosis in neuronal cells induced by SiO 2 through the ROS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway. The present experimental findings help to understand the detoxification effect of Que in more tissues and provide an important reference for the rescue of organisms in long-term SiO 2 environment.
研究领域:
神经生物学
·
毒理学
·
细胞信号传导
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
·
2017
·
IF 3.148
Lei Liu,Xiao Tu,Yu-Feng Shen,Wei-Chao Chen,Bin Zhu,Gao-Xue Wang
Different viruses could induced ROS generation to alter intracellular redox state in the host cells, and unbalanced redox state was suggested to have various effects on viral replication. In this study, we investigated the influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on replication of spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) in fish cells. After SVCV infection, there existed a time-dependent increase in ROS generation. The present results revealed that antioxidant N-acetyl- l -cysteine (NAC) resulted in a lower ROS levels and increased SVCV replication in EPC cell. In contrast, a GSH synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) induced ROS generation and decreased SVCV replication. In addition, activation of NF-κB suppressed SVCV replication by using two inhibitors of cytokine-induced IκBα phosphorylation. More importantly, enhancement of the activity of NF-κB was found in BSO treatment, which indicated that dropped SVCV replication likely occurred via ROS activation of NF-κB. Overall, our results revealed that the SVCV infection and replication could generate ROS and be affected by the redox state, where this progression was associated with the alteration in NF-κB pathway induced by oxidative stress .
研究领域:
病毒学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
·
2025
·
IF 4.8
Yancen Li,Chengyu Wan,Fan Li,Guang Xin,Tao Wang,Qilong Zhou,Tingyu Wen,Shiyi Li,Xiaoting Chen,Wen Huang
Background: Isatidis Folium, a botanical drug widely used in traditional medicine, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, including heat-clearing, detoxifying, and blood-cooling effects. Although its potential in sepsis treatment has been suggested, the bioactive metabolites and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to identify the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Indirubin, the major bioactive metabolite of Isatidis Folium, in sepsis treatment. In vivo, a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced mouse sepsis model was used to evaluate the protective effects of Indirubin through histopathological analysis, ELISA, and biochemical assays. In vitro, RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS and treated with varying concentrations of Indirubin. The anti-inflammatory effects of Indirubin were assessed using ELISA, apoptosis assays, and Western blotting.Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified Indirubin as the major bioactive metabolite of Isatidis Folium and EGFR and SRC as its key molecular targets. Experimental validation demonstrated that Indirubin significantly improved survival rates, alleviated tissue injury, and suppressed inflammatory responses in sepsis models. Mechanistically, Indirubin inhibited LPS-induced activation of the EGFR/SRC/PI3K and NF-κB/MAPK pathways in macrophages, significantly reducing cell death and inflammation in RAW264.7 cells.Conclusion: Indirubin, the primary bioactive metabolite of Isatidis Folium, exerts protective effects against sepsis by targeting the EGFR/SRC/PI3K and NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways in macrophages. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the development of Indirubin as a multi-target therapeutic agent for sepsis treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
·
免疫学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
International Journal of Nanomedicine
·
2015
·
IF 4.383
Zhenzhen Liu,Haijun Gong,Rui Zeng,Xuan Liang,Li-Ming Zhang,Liqun Yang,Yuqing Lan
A hyperbranched cationic polysaccharide derivative-mediated small interfering (si)RNA interference strategy was proposed to inhibit nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells for the gene therapy of diabetic retinopathy. Two hyperbranched cationic polysaccharide derivatives containing the same amount of cationic residues, but with different branching structures and molecular weights, including 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propylamine-conjugated glycogen (DMAPA-Glyp) and amylopectin (DMAPA-Amp) derivatives, were developed for the efficient delivery of NF-κB siRNA into hRPE cells. The DMAPA-Glyp derivative showed lower toxicity against hRPE cells. Furthermore, the DMAPA-Glyp derivative more readily condensed siRNA and then formed the nanoparticles attributed to its higher branching architecture when compared to the DMAPA-Amp derivative. Both DMAPA-Glyp/siRNA and DMAPA-Amp/siRNA nanoparticles were able to protect siRNA from degradation by nuclease in 25% fetal bovine serum. The particle sizes of the DMAPA-Glyp/siRNA nanoparticles (70–120 nm) were smaller than those of the DMAPA-Amp/siRNA nanoparticles (130–180 nm) due to the higher branching architecture and lower molecular weight of the DMAPA-Glyp derivative. In addition, the zeta potentials of the DMAPA-Glyp/siRNA nanoparticles were higher than those of the DMAPA-Glyp/siRNA nanoparticles. As a result, siRNA was much more efficiently transferred into hRPE cells using the DMAPA-Glyp/siRNA nanoparticles rather than the DMAPA-Amp/siRNA nanoparticles. This led to significantly high levels of suppression on the expression levels of NF-κB p65 messenger RNA and protein in the cells transfected with DMAPA-Glyp/siRNA nanoparticles. This work provides a potential approach to promote hyperbranched polysaccharide derivatives as nonviral siRNA vectors for the inhibition of NF-κB activation in hRPE cells.
研究领域:
药理学
·
分子生物学
·
眼科学
·
基因治疗
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Oncotarget
·
2016
·
IF 5.008
Yuan Qin,Dong Zhao,Hong-gang Zhou,Xing-hui Wang,Wei-long Zhong,Shuang Chen,Wen-guang Gu,Wei Wang,Chun-hong Zhang,Yan-rong Liu,Hui-juan Liu,Qiang Zhang,Yuan-qiang Guo,Tao Sun,Cheng Yang
Apigenin is a naturally occurring compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of apigenin on migration and metastasis in experimental human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines in vitro and in vivo . Apigenin dose-dependently inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion by PLC and Bel-7402 human HCC cells. It also suppressed tumor growth in PLC cell xenografts without altering body weight, thereby prolonging survival. Apigenin reduced Snai1 and NF-κB expression, reversed increases in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker levels, increased cellular adhesion, regulated actin polymerization and cell migration, and inhibited invasion and migration by HCC cells. Apigenin may therefore inhibit EMT by inhibiting the NF-κB/Snail pathway in human HCC.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
POULTRY SCIENCE
·
2024
·
IF 3.8
Xinzhang Chen,Xu Lin
Trimethyl tin (TMT) is a good stabilizer for plastic products but is also a toxic environmental pollutant. Selenium has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been widely used in the poultry industry. However, it has not been reported whether selenium enrichment can antagonize TMT-induced viral hepatitis in poultry. To fill this gap, AA broiler models exposed to TMT for 42 d were established and fed a Se-enriched diet at the same time. H&E staining showed that selenium could significantly alleviate TMT-induced liver inflammation. Further analysis of the underlying mechanism revealed that TMT induced nitrosation stress (RNS), increased NO content and iNOS expression, which in turn activated the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and induced pyroptosis. However, selenium enrichment can reverse this situation, that is, reduce the occurrence of RNS, reduce the degree of pyroptosis, and thus alleviate the occurrence of inflammation. In our study, we demonstrated for the first time that TMT could induce hepatotoxicity other than neurotoxicity in poultry and that selenium could antagonize TMT-induced hepatotoxic hepatitis in chickens through the RNS/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.
研究领域:
毒理学
·
兽医学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 5.2
Fang Liu,Qingchun Liang,Li Li,Yuan Gong,Mingxi Li,Liyun Feng,An Chen,Yuanzhi Ye,Zirong Lan,Yining Li,Jing-Song Ou,Lihe Lu,Jianyun Yan
Vascular calcification is an important risk factor related to all-cause mortality of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have been demonstrated to regulate vascular calcification. ECM protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS1/TSP-1) plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular diseases. However, whether THBS1 is involved in vascular calcification in CKD patients remains unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE146638 showed that THBS1 was upregulated in the aortas of CKD rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) revealed that serum THBS1 levels were increased in CKD patients with thoracic calcification. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis showed that THBS1 expression was increased in calcified vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and arteries. THBS1 knockdown exacerbated rat VSMC calcification induced by high phosphorus and calcium, as shown by Alizarin red staining and calcium content assays. Conversely, THBS1 overexpression attenuated VSMC calcification and abdominal aortic calcification in rats with CKD. Moreover, addition of recombinant THBS1 protein inhibited calcification of VSMC S and human arterial rings. Smooth muscle cell-specific knockout of THBS1 mice treated with vitamin D3 displayed aggravated aortic calcification. Mechanistically, the protein–protein interaction database STRING ( http://string-db.org/ ) analysis and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed THBS1 bound to integrin β3. Reduction of integrin β3 levels abrogated the protective effect of THBS1 on vascular calcification. RNA-seq analysis revealed that THBS1 overexpression modulated the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Of note, the inhibitory effect of THBS1 overexpression on the NF-κB signal was abolished by knockdown of integrin β3. In conclusion, THBS1 interacts with integrin β3 to inhibit vascular calcification through suppression of NF-κB signal, suggesting a promising therapeutic target for vascular calcification in CKD. © 2025 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
研究领域:
医学
·
分子生物学
·
心血管研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）