TOXICOLOGY
·
2021
·
IF 4.221
Zhen-Dong Zhang,Ya-Jun Yang,Xi-Wang Liu,Zhe Qin,Shi-Hong Li,Jian-Yong Li
Paraquat (PQ) is an effective and commercially important herbicide that is widely used worldwide. However, PQ is highly toxic and can cause various complications and acute organ damage. Aspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a potential new compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stress pharmacological activity. The present study was to reveal the therapeutic effects and the protective effect of AEE against PQ-induced acute lung injury (ALI) with the help of PQ-induced oxidative damage in A549 cells and PQ-induced lung injury in rats. AEE might have no significant therapeutic effect on PQ-induced lung injury in rats. However, AEE had a significant protective effect on PQ-induced lung injury in rats. AEE pretreatment significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of PQ on malondialdehyde (MDA), the inhibitory effect of PQ on catalase (CAT) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the ratio of GSH/GSSH, the activity of caspase-3 and the overexpression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in vivo . In vitro , A549 cells were treated with 250 μM PQ for 24 h. Incubation of A549 cells with PQ led to apoptosis, and increased the level of superoxide anions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde and the activity of caspase-3 and up-regulation of phosphorylated p38-MAPK, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the activity of SOD. However, after 24 h on AEE pretreatment of A549 cells, the above-mentioned adverse reactions caused by PQ were significantly alleviated. In addition, AEE pretreatment reduced p38-MAPK phosphorylation in PQ-treated A549 cells. SB203580, the specific p38-MAPK inhibitor, and p38-MAPK shRNA attenuated the activation of the p38-MAPK signaling pathway. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced the level of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and the production of intracellular ROS and inhibited apoptosis. The results showed that AEE may inhibit PQ-induced cell damage through ROS/p38-MAPK-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
·
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FASEB JOURNAL
·
2025
·Vol. 39
·期 3
·e70379
·
IF 4.2
Jiancheng Yang,Qinghua Tang,Siyu Li,Lei Yang,Ming Yang,Qingmei Li,Yan Feng,Mingming Pan,Yuhong Zeng
The accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) is widely recognized to stimulate the development of osteoclasts, a crucial factor in the onset of osteoporosis. The ROS scavenging capability of Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) is exceptional, and they possess excellent biocompatibility. However, the effects of PBNPs on osteoporosis remain unknown. Present study aimed to investigate whether PBNPs could inhibit osteoclast differentiation and prevent ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss by suppressing ROS. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PBNPs attenuated osteoclastogenesis and downregulated the expression of osteoclast-related genes. Mechanistically, PBNPs reduce cellular ROS by blocking RANKL-induced ROS generation and increasing the expression of ROS scavenging enzymes, which in turn block the NF-κB, ERK, JNK, and p38 pathways, thereby reducing NFATc1 signaling. According to in vivo experimental results, OVX caused a significant rise in ROS in the bone marrow, an increase in osteoclastic number on the bone surface, and substantial bone loss; however, PBNPs significantly reduced ROS and successfully protected OVX-induced bone damages. In conclusion, this study showed for the first time that PBNPs prevented OVX-induced bone loss and attenuate osteoclastogenesis, indicating that PBNPs may be a viable alternative therapy for the management of osteoclast-associated bone disorders. Graphical Once RANKL binds to RANK on the cell membrane of BMMs, the NF-κB and MAPK pathways become activated, resulting in the amplification of NFATc1, which upregulates the expression of osteoclast-specific genes such as CTSK , Integrin αV , Atp6v0d2 , and MMP9 . These signaling events are mediated by the RANKL-induced ROS signaling. PBNPs decreased levels of ROS and mitigated these signaling pathways by decreasing ROS production and enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Consequently, PBNPs prevented osteoclastogenesis.
研究领域:
骨生物学
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纳米医学
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药理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2023
·
IF 8.2
Shaoying Gong,Jiachen Zheng,Junjie Zhang,Jianchun Han
Benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P), a kind of pollutant, can disrupt the gut microbiota, but its effects on the function of intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) is still unclear. Arabinogalactan (AG), a natural polysaccharide, can protect intestinal tract. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of B[ a ]P on IEB function and the mitigation effect of AG on the IEB dysfunction induced by B[ a ]P using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. We found B[ a ]P could damage the IEB integrity by inducing cell cytotoxicity, increasing lactate dehydrogenase leakage, decreasing the transepithelial electrical resistance, and increasing fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran flux. The mechanism of B[ a ]P-induced IEB damage may through induction of oxidative stress, including increasing reactive oxygen species levels, decreasing glutathione levels, reducing the activity of superoxide dismutase, and increasing malonaldehyde levels. Moreover, it can be due to increasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α), down-regulated expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (claudin-1, zonula occludens [ZO]-1, and occludin), and induced activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Remarkably, AG ameliorated B[ a ]P-induced IEB dysfunction through inhibited oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory factor secretion. Our study demonstrated B[ a ]P could damage the IEB and AG could alleviate this damage.
研究领域:
毒理学
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胃肠病学
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细胞生物学
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药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Nutrients
·
2024
·Vol. 16
·期 11
·1737
·
IF 4.8
Sheng Zhao,Yuzhou Meng,Wenxun Cai,Qiwen Luo,Hongyang Gao,Qiang Shen,Dongyun Shi
Tumor cells are characterized by a delicate balance between elevated oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant capacity. This intricate equilibrium, maintained within a threshold known as redox homeostasis, offers a unique perspective for cancer treatment by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels beyond cellular tolerability, thereby disrupting this balance. However, currently used chemotherapy drugs require larger doses to increase ROS levels beyond the redox homeostasis threshold, which may cause serious side effects. How to disrupt redox homeostasis in cancer cells more effectively remains a challenge. In this study, we found that sodium selenite and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid extracted from marine fish, synergistically induced cytotoxic effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Physiological doses of DHA simultaneously upregulated oxidation and antioxidant levels within the threshold range without affecting cell viability. However, it rendered the cells more susceptible to reaching the upper limit of the threshold of redox homeostasis, facilitating the elevation of ROS levels beyond the threshold by combining with low doses of sodium selenite, thereby disrupting redox homeostasis and inducing MAPK-mediated paraptosis. This study highlights the synergistic anticancer effects of sodium selenite and DHA, which induce paraptosis by disrupting redox homeostasis in tumor cells. These findings offer a novel strategy for more targeted and less toxic cancer therapies for colorectal cancer treatment.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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细胞生物学
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药物化学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
·
2019
·
IF 4.868
Qiaojian Zhang,Shengchen Wang,Shufang Zheng,Ziwei Zhang,Shiwen Xu
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are reticular structures formed by myeloperoxidase (MPO), histones, and neutrophil elastase (NE) that are released from neutrophils in response to pathogenic stimuli. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is wildly used as an organophosphorus pesticide that causes a range of toxicological and environmental problems. Exposure to CPF can increase the production of neutrophils in carps, and this increase can be considered a biomarker of water pollution. To explore a relationship between NETs and CPF and its mechanism of influence, we treated neutrophils from the blood of carp with 1 μg/mL phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), 0.325 mg/L CPF, or 20 μM necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). The production of MPO and NETs was reduced in the CPF+PMA group compared with that in the PMA group. CPF can cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), while inhibiting respiratory burst caused by PMA stimulation. We found that the expression levels of protein-coupled receptor 84 (gpr84), dystroglycan (DAG), proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (RAF), protein kinase C (PKC), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) in the CPF+PMA group were lower than those in the PMA group, indicating that the PKC-MAPK pathway was suppressed. The expression levels of cylindromatosis (CYLD), mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL), receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 1 (RIP1), and receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIP3) were increased, and the expression levels of caspase 8 were reduced by CPF, indicating that CPF may cause necroptosis. The addition of Nec-1 restored the number of NETs in the CPF+PMA group. The results indicate that CPF reduced the production of NETs by inhibiting respiratory burst and increasing necroptosis. The results contribute to the understanding of the immunotoxicological mechanism of CPF and provide a reference for comparative medical studies.
研究领域:
毒理学
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免疫学
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环境科学
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水生生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
·
2025
·
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.
研究领域:
心血管生物学
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分子医学
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细胞生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
·
2025
·
IF 2.2
Haipeng Feng,Qianqian Qiao,Jingyan Zhang,Kang Zhang,Lei Wang,Jianxi Li
Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke ( DIF ), a medicinal plant from the Rosaceae family, possesses therapeutic properties such as heat-clearing and detoxification, dispersion of stasis detumescence, blood-cooling, and hemostatic effect. The latest research unveiled a diverse array of pharmacologically active compounds from DIF, showcasing a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects. However, there was limited attention given to the comprehensive investigation of its high molecular weight compounds, particularly polysaccharides. In this study, DIF extracts were prepared by water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation method and the pharmacological effect was detected. The results demonstrated that the total polysaccharide content, reducing sugar content, total flavonoid content, and total polyphenol content in DIF extracts were 32.62 ± 0.91 %, 13.41 ± 0.18 %, 1.07 ± 0.07 %, and 12.16 ± 0.27 %, respectively. Although the total antioxidant activity of DIF extracts were significantly low than that of the vitamin C group, its ability to scavenge ABTS, DPPH, and superoxide anion radicals was similar to that of the vitamin C group. Furthermore, DIF extracts demonstrated significant inhibition on NO and MDA levels while simultaneously enhancing SOD activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Finally, DIF extracts significantly reduced the mRNA level of pro-inflammation cytokines interleukin ( IL )-6, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS ), cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2 ) and tumor necrosis factor ( TNF ) -α , and directly inhibited the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase ( ERK-MAPK ) pathway. Taken together, these results indicated that DIF extracts exhibited an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect in LPS-induced RAW264.7 mouse macrophages by directly inhibiting ERK-MAPK signaling pathway. Based on these findings, DIF extracts provided new insights into the treatment and prevention of diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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天然产物化学
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分子生物学
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炎症与感染
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抗氧化研究
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信号转导
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
·
2025
·
IF 8
Jiayan Xie,Mengni Shu,Xinyi Chen,Jianhua Xie,Yi Chen,Xiaobo Hu,Chunchao Nie,Danyan Liu,Qiang Yu
Ganoderma atrum is an edible and medicinal fungi in oriental countries with various bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. The study was to evaluate the effects of polysaccharide from Ganoderma atrum (PSG) on lifespan, healthspan (locomotion, pumping, lipofuscin, ROS, chemotaxis and intestinal permeability) and defense system (stress resistance, antioxidant enzymes activities), as well as to investigate its anti-aging mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans . The findings indicated that PSG prolonged the lifespan (optimal concentration at 400 μg/mL, with an increased average lifespan by 23.10 %) and improved senescence-related physiological indicators of worms. Furthermore, the lipid accumulation was reduced, while stress resistance and antioxidant enzymes activities were enhanced after PSG intervention. Meanwhile, studies with mutants demonstrated that DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf-2 were required for lifespan-extension, which might be attributed to the IIS and MAPK pathways. Overall, these demonstrated that PSG was a potential dietary supplement to promote health and ameliorate aging-associated pathologies.
研究领域:
老年学
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生物化学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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营养学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2025
·
IF 8.3
Zhirui Du,Xueqiao Yan,Lin Cheng,Haiyu Shen,Guoguo Zhi,Baojie Li,Qian Yu
Background Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular condition marked by tear film instability, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Current therapies, including artificial tears and immunosuppressants, offer limited long-term benefit and potential side effects. Natural flavonoids such as luteolin possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, yet their therapeutic potential in DED remains underexplored. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of luteolin in experimental DED. Methods Flavonoids were initially screened using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. A benzalkonium chloride-induced DED mouse model was treated with topical luteolin or cyclosporine A. Ocular surface evaluations included tear secretion, corneal fluorescein staining, and goblet cell density. Inflammatory and oxidative markers were examined via histology, immunofluorescence, and qPCR. RNA sequencing and network pharmacology were used to identify target pathways. In vitro studies with RAW264.7 cells and hyperosmolarity-stressed human corneal epithelial cells further validated mechanism-specific effects. Target engagement was further validated using pathway-specific pharmacological inhibitors. Ocular safety and pharmacokinetics were also assessed. Results Luteolin showed superior anti-inflammatory activity among tested flavonoids. It improved tear production, reduced epithelial damage, and preserved goblet cells. Mechanistically, it modulated macrophage-driven inflammation through JAK-STAT signaling and mitigated oxidative epithelial damage by suppressing the MAPK pathway. Transcriptomic and pharmacological analyses confirmed its dual immunomodulatory and cytoprotective roles. Combined STAT1/3 and MAPK inhibition mimicked its therapeutic effects. Topical luteolin was well-tolerated and achieved corneal bioavailability. Conclusions Luteolin provides a dual protective effect in DED by targeting inflammation and oxidative stress, supporting its development as a safe and effective disease-modifying therapy.
研究领域:
眼科
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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炎症性疾病
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氧化应激
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信号转导
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转化医学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.6
Pingchuan Wang,Tianming Li,Changping Niu,Siyu Sun,Dongyan Liu
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage to the intestinal barrier is a side effect of prolonged hyperoxia therapy in neonates, which impairs growth and development of the intestine and promotes intestinal diseases. However, the research on clinical prevention and treatment is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of the neonate intestinal response against hyperoxia-derived ROS to find targets for intestinal barrier damage prevention. Human intestinal epithelial cells were incubated under hyperoxia (85% oxygen) to build an in vitro model. ROS and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway were inhibited to detect the MAPK/ERK pathway, nuclear factor erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif-1α), and interleukin-17D (IL-17D) expression. Nrf2 was inhibited to detect Hif-1α and IL-17D expression. Hif-1α was inhibited to detect Nrf2, IL-17D, and tight junction proteins expression and apoptosis. Cells were treated with human recombinant IL-17D to detect TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, and tight junction proteins expression. ROS, Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D were upregulated and the MAPK/ERK pathway was activated under hyperoxia. But ROS inhibition downregulated the MAPK/ERK pathway, Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D. MAPK/ERK pathway inhibition downregulated Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D. Nrf2 inhibition downregulated Hif-1α and IL-17D. Hif-1α inhibition downregulated Nrf2, IL-17D, tight junction proteins, and exacerbated apoptosis. The recombinant IL-17D downregulated TNF-α, IL-1β, but upregulated IL-10 and tight junction proteins. We concluded that Hyperoxia-generated ROS activated the MAPK/ERK pathway to regulate Nrf2, Hif-1α, and IL-17D expression. Nrf2 and Hif-1α were interdependent and promoted IL-17D. Importantly, Hif-1α and IL-17D expression protected the intestinal epithelial barrier.
研究领域:
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
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儿科
·
肠道生理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
·
2022
·Vol. 23
·期 14
·7666
·
IF 6.208
Ping Li,Yiting Yang,Zijin Lin,Shijin Hong,Ling Jiang,Han Zhou,Lu Yang,Liang Zhu,Xiaodong Liu,Li Liu
Liver injury is often associated with hepatic retinopathy, resulting from accumulation of retinal toxins due to blood–retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction. Retinal pigment epithelium highly expresses MRP1/Mrp1. We aimed to investigate whether liver injury affects the function and expression of retinal Mrp1 using bile duct ligation (BDL) rats. Retinal distributions of fluorescein and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione were used for assessing Mrp1 function. BDL significantly increased distributions of the two substrates and bilirubin, downregulated Mrp1 protein, and upregulated phosphorylation of p38 and MK2 in the retina. BDL neither affected the retinal distribution of FITC-dextran nor expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-5, demonstrating intact BRB integrity. In ARPE-19 cells, BDL rat serum or bilirubin decreased MRP1 expression and enhanced p38 and MK2 phosphorylation. Both inhibiting and silencing p38 significantly reversed the bilirubin- and anisomycin-induced decreases in MRP1 protein. Apparent permeability coefficients of fluorescein in the A-to-B direction (Papp, A-to-B) across the ARPE-19 monolayer were greater than Papp, B-to-A. MK571 or bilirubin significantly decreased Papp, A-to-Bof fluorescein. Bilirubin treatment significantly downregulated Mrp1 function and expression without affecting integrity of BRB and increased bilirubin levels and phosphorylation of p38 and MK2 in rat retina. In conclusion, BDL downregulates the expression and function of retina Mrp1 by activating the p38 MAPK pathway due to increased bilirubin levels.Keywords:bile duct ligation;blood–retinal barrier;multidrug resistance-associated protein 1;liver injury;p38 MAPK;bilirubin
研究领域:
药理学
·
神经科学
·
病理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ORAL DISEASES
·
2022
·
IF 4.068
Deao Gu,Hanxiao Liu,Xinyi Qiu,Yijun Yu,Xuna Tang,Chao Liu,Leiying Miao
Objectives Human-derived pulp stem cells play key roles during dentinogenesis. Erythropoietin is reportedly involved in osteoblastogenesis and facilitates bone formation. However, the mechanism is still unknown. This research was to study the potential of erythropoietin in enhancing odontoblastic differentiation of human-derived pulp stem cells and to determine the underlying mechanism. Methods The human-derived pulp stem cells were treated with erythropoietin, EphB4 inhibitor, and MAPK inhibitors, and the odontoblastic differentiation was measured by ALP staining, ALP activity assay, alizarin red S staining, and their quantitative analysis, and RT-qPCR of DSPP, DMP1, OCN, and RUNX2. The direct pulp capping model was established to evaluate the formation of tertiary dentin after treatment with erythropoietin. Western blot assay was conducted to assess relevant protein expressions in the phosphorylated EphB4 and MAPK pathway. Results The results showed that erythropoietin promoted odontoblastic differentiation of human-derived pulp stem cells at 20 U/ml. Erythropoietin induced tertiary dentin formation in vivo. The potential mechanism of this was upregulating phosphorylated EphB4 and phosphorylated MAPK; furthermore, this effect could be decreased by EphB4 inhibitors, which inhibited MAPK phosphorylation. Blockage of MAPK pathways attenuated human-derived pulp stem cells’ odontoblastic differentiation, suggesting that MAPK pathways are involved. Conclusion Erythropoietin induced tertiary dentin formation in vivo. And erythropoietin enhanced human-derived pulp stem cells' odontoblastic differentiation via the EphB4-mediated MAPK signaling pathway.
研究领域:
牙科学
·
干细胞研究
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子