Nature Communications
·
2024
·Vol. 15
·期 1
·1-18
·
IF 14.7
Qiu Sheng,Wu Qinan,Wang Hao,Liu Dongfang,Chen Chen,Zhu Zhiming,Zheng Hongting,Yang Gangyi,Li Ling,Yang Mengliu
Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein (AZGP1) has been implicated in peripheral metabolism; however, its role in regulating energy metabolism in the brain, particularly in POMC neurons, remains unknown. Here, we show that AZGP1 in POMC neurons plays a crucial role in controlling whole-body metabolism. POMC neuron-specific overexpression of Azgp1 under high-fat diet conditions reduces energy intake, raises energy expenditure, elevates peripheral tissue leptin and insulin sensitivity, alleviates liver steatosis, and promotes adipose tissue browning. Conversely, mice with inducible deletion of Azgp1 in POMC neurons exhibit the opposite metabolic phenotypes, showing increased susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. Notably, an increase in AZGP1 signaling in the hypothalamus elevates STAT3 phosphorylation and increases POMC neuron excitability. Mechanistically, AZGP1 enhances leptin-JAK2-STAT3 signaling by interacting with acylglycerol kinase (AGK) to block its ubiquitination degradation. Collectively, these results suggest that AZGP1 plays a crucial role in regulating energy homeostasis and glucose/lipid metabolism by acting on hypothalamic POMC neurons.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
代谢研究
·
分子生物学
·
内分泌学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
·
2024
·
IF 3.3
Jilang Li,Haixin Qiu,Siyuan Li,Shan Han,Yuming He,Jia He,Xiang Gao,Jingjing Li,Jianfang Feng,Shilin Yang,Renyikun Yuan,Hongwei Gao
Background and aim Pulsatilla saponin (Ps) was isolated from Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel, a traditional Chinese medicine, that has anti-proliferation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and immunomodulation activities. However, the anti-psoriasis activity of Ps and its underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of Ps on psoriasis. Experimental procedure Ps underwent quality control through HPLC and NMR analysis. Wound healing assay, MTT, clone assay, and EdU staining were used to detect HaCaT cells proliferation. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of proteins. The th17 cells population was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines in the mice skin tissues were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA. Results and conclusion In vitro, Ps has an inhibition effect on the proliferation of M5-induced HaCaT cells. Ps inhibited proliferation by regulating NF-κB and JAK1/STAT3 pathways. Additionally, Ps decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels in M5-induced HaCaT cells. In vivo, Ps improved the pathological damage of Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis BALB/c mice skin and reduced the Ki67 level in mice skin tissue. Further results showed that Ps decreased Th17 cells differentiation and IL-22, IL-17A, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β secretion. Ps could ameliorate the psoriatic symptoms, decrease M5-induced HaCaT cell proliferation, and decrease the differentiation of Th17 cells in IMQ-induced psoriasis mice. Ps suppressed the release of inflammation cytokines by regulating NF-κB and JAK1/STAT3 pathways. Those results indicate that Ps has promising therapeutic potential for psoriasis treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
·
免疫学
·
皮肤病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
·
2018
·Vol. 17
·期 10
·2005-2017
·
IF 5.236
Weixuan Wang,Yadong Hu,Changmei Yang,Songbiao Zhu,Xiaofei Wang,Zhenyu Zhang,Haiteng Deng
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) plays an essential role in all aspects of human life. NAD levels decrease as humans age, and supplementation with NAD precursors plays a protective role against aging and associated disease. Less is known about the effects of decreased NAD on cellular processes, which is the basis for understanding the relationship between cellular NAD levels and aging-associated disease. In the present study, cellular NAD levels were decreased by overexpression of CD38, a NAD hydrolase, or by treating cells with FK866, an inhibitor of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). Quantitative proteomics revealed that declining NAD levels downregulated proteins associated with primary metabolism and suppressed cell growth in culture and nude mice. Decreased glutathione synthesis caused a 4-fold increase in cellular reactive oxygen species levels, and more importantly upregulated proteins related to movement and adhesion. In turn, this significantly changed cell morphology and caused cells to undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Secretomic analysis also showed that decreased NAD triggered interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) secretion, which activated integrin-β-catenin, TGFβ-MAPK, and inflammation signaling pathways to sustain the signaling required for EMT. We further revealed that decreased NAD inactivated sirtuin 1, resulting in increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) acetylation and phosphorylation, and STAT3 activation. Repletion of nicotinamide or nicotinic acid inactivated STAT3 and reversed EMT, as did STAT3 inhibition. Taken together, these results indicate that decreased NAD activates multiple signaling pathways to promote EMT and suggests that age-dependent decreases in NAD may contribute to tumor progression. Consequently, repletion of NAD precursors has potential benefits for inhibiting cancer progression.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
·
癌症研究
·
衰老研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 4.7
Zhifeng Geng,Guoyi Deng,Ziyu Wang,Xin Xu,Xiaojiao Yin,Sen Zhang,Jiale Shao,Jiyue Wen
Astrocytes may fail to perform their neuroprotective roles against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury due to phenotypic transformation. We aimed to demonstrate the distinct roles of A1 astrocytes and A2 astrocytes on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury following cerebral I/R, and explore whether H 2 S-mediated A2 astrocytes polarization protects against BBB injury via inhibiting ROCK/NF-κB pathway. The mice cerebral I/R model and the oxygen-glucose deprivation/re‑oxygenation (OGD/R) model of astrocytes were used in present study. Cerebral I/R-induced BBB injury is evidenced by increased EB dye leakage and reduced expressions of ZO-1 and occludin in mice hippocampal tissues. We found that H 2 S-mediated A2 polarization and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced polarization of A1 astrocytes respectively display beneficial and harmful role in BBB injury. Besides, harmful roles of A1 astrocytes in BBB injury can be reduced by H 2 S. Additionally, A1 astrocytes exhibit excessive activation of NF-κB and enhanced expressions of MMP9 and AQP4, which can be inhibited by H 2 S. Moreover, H 2 S-mediated polarization of A2 astrocyte displays enhanced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT3 and reduced expressions of MMP9 and AQP4. Importantly, ROCK inhibitor Fasudil likewise inhibits the activation of NF-κB and promotes STAT3 activation in OGD/R astrocytes, and NF-κB inhibitor BAY11–7082 reduces the expressions of MMP9 and AQP4 in OGD/R astrocytes. In conclusion, H 2 S-mediated polarization of A2 astrocyte protects against BBB injury following cerebral I/R, the mechanisms may be related to inhibition of ROCK/NF-κB pathway, and activation of STAT3.
研究领域:
神经科学
·
分子生物学
·
病理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 3.4
Ying Li,Zhi-Hao Ma,Xiao Liu,Wenting Zhu,Long Chen,Wanyi Xu,Lei Wang,Jingquan Dong,Zi-Bo Dong
Higenamine Hydrochloride (HGN) is an alkaloid derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Aconite, possesses pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its specific role in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains unknown. The purpose of this work was to investigate the protective impact of HGN against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis in DN mice, as well as to investigate its probable mechanism of action in vitro using high glucose (HG)-treated HK-2 cells. We constructed a mouse model of DN by intraperitoneal injection of STZ and a HK-2 cell model using HG treatment, followed by administration of HGN. Tissue distribution experiments, biochemical analysis, real-time PCR, immunoblotting, and histopathological examination were used to assess the effects of HGN on renal histopathology, inflammation, and fibrosis in DN mice and its molecular mechanisms. The results demonstrated that in the renal tissues of DN mice, HGN had the highest concentration. HGN treatment led to body weight increase, and blood glucose levels fell as well as the improvement in metabolic abnormalities. It further proved that HGN alleviated renal function damage by lowering serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cystatin C (Cys-C), and renal index values. Moreover, HGN improved kidney histopathology, reduced renal tubular damage, and decreased interstitial inflammation. The kidneys had less collagen accumulation. At the same time, HGN decreased the expression of markers associated with inflammation (iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1) and fibrosis (Collagen-I, MMP9, α-SMA, CTGF). Mechanistic studies have shown that, in vitro, HGN inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting the expression of inflammatory (iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1) and fibrosis-related cytokines (Collagen-I, MMP9, α-SMA, and CTGF) in HK-2 cells under HG conditions. To summarize, HGN inhibits renal inflammation and fibrosis in DN mice by inhibiting the STAT3 pathway, and this discovery offers a new possible target for DN treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
·
传统中医药
·
分子生物学
·
病理学
·
生物化学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2024
·
IF 8.3
Nan Hu,Meng Sun,Nan Lv,Yangyang Gao,Xiaohong Fu,Dayi Xing,Xiang Guo,Shaodong Zhai,Ruiping Zhang
Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The most effective way to treat myocardial infarction is to rescue ischemic cardiomyocytes. After an ischemic event, the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key driver of myocardial injury. The produced ROS affects mitochondrial function and induces apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. This was accomplished by constructing platelet-membrane-encapsulated ROS-responsive drug-releasing nanoparticles (PMN@NIC-MalNPs) to deliver malonate and niclosamide (NIC). The results revealed that PMN@NIC-MalNPs degraded and released malonate and niclosamide in a high-level ROS microenvironment, effectively reducing the oxidative stress and apoptosis rate. By enhancing basal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and spare respiratory capacity (SRC) in vitro, reduced the oxidative stress levels and restored mitochondrial function. In vivo studies revealed that the PMN@NIC-MalNPs improved cardiac dysfunction, inhibited succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, increased ATP production, and reduced the myocardial infarct size in myocardial infarction model mice. Further, transcriptome analysis and Western blot revealed that PMN@NIC-MalNPs prevented apoptosis by activating the expressions of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Bcl-2, and inhibiting the expression of Bax. Thus, this study provides a novel therapeutic solution for treating myocardial infarction and predicting the viability of an antioxidant and antiapoptotic therapeutic solution in the treatment of myocardial injury.
研究领域:
心脏病学
·
药学
·
纳米技术
·
分子生物学
·
治疗学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
·
2017
·
IF 2.759
Yang Liu,Lei Wang,Yang Du,Zhiyuan Chen,Jia Guo,Xiaodong Weng,Xiao Wang,Min Wang,Danyang Chen,Xiuheng Liu
The aim of our study is to investigate the protective effect of apigenin and the role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. For in vivo experiments, rat kidneys were subjected to 45 min of ischemia , followed by 24 h of reperfusion. The kidneys were pretreated for 24 h with apigenin (4 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in the absence or presence of the JAK2 kinase-specific inhibitor AZD1480 (30 mg/kg). The serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were analyzed. Histologic examinations were evaluated. Expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry or western blot . For In vitro experiments, NRK-52E cells were exposed to I/R in the absence or presence of apigenin and JAK2 siRNA was used to explore JAK2/STAT3 activity. Cell viability , cell apoptosis and expression of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 were examined in NRK-52E culture after I/R. Consequently, apigenin conferred a renoprotective effect on the kidneys against IRI, as evidenced by decreased serum creatinine and urea nitrogen, mitigated renal histologic damage, improved NRK-52E cell viability and a decreased apoptotic index, including up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and down-regulation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3. However, AZD1480 and JAK2 siRNA blocked the apigenin-mediated renoprotective effects by attenuating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway as well as abolished the effect of anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis of apigenin. Our study demonstrates that apigenin pretreatment can protect against renal IRI via the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
·
肾病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY
·
2019
·
IF 2.086
Rui-Li Zhu,Ying-Kun Zhi,Lang Yi,Jin-Fang Luo,Jing Li,Sha-Sha Bai,Liang Liu,Pei-Xun Wang,Hua Zhou,Yan Dong
Objective: To investigate the cellular mechanism that sinomenine (SIN) inhibits inflammation in macrophages induced by LPS through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR).Materials and methods: RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS and treated by SIN or nicotine (Nic). A selective antagonist of α7nAChR, α-bungarotoxin (BTX) was used to block α7nAChR. AG490 was used to inhibit JAK2 activation. ELISA was performed to detect the levels of TNF-α and MCP-1. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of MIF, MMP-9, CD14, TLR4, STAT3 and p-STAT3. Intracellular-free calcium level was measured by Fluorescent probe fluo-3/AMResults: SIN inhibited the production of TNF-α, MCP-1, MIF, and MMP-9, decreased the expression of CD14 and TLR4, and inhibited the release of intracellular-free calcium from intracellular stores in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. JAK-specific inhibitor AG490 attenuated the inhibitory effect of SIN on TNF-α. SIN increased the phosphorylation of STAT3. And the above effects of SIN were attenuated by antagonist of α7nAChR.Conclusions: SIN can decrease the expression of CD14/TLR4 and intracellular free calcium level, activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway to inhibit inflammatory response through α7nAChR in macrophages.
研究领域:
免疫学
·
药理学
·
细胞生物学
·
炎症研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
·
2025
·
IF 11.9
Chunmei Xiu,Lei Zhang,Chenxi Zhang,Yuannan Zhang,Xi Luo,Ziyi Zhang,Hangkai Zhao,Kaizhong Ji,Zhiyuan Chen,Guangxu He,Jianquan Chen
Aberrant increases in osteoclast formation and/or activity are the underlying cause of bone loss in a variety of osteolytic diseases. Fatty acid synthase (Fasn)-mediated de novo lipogenesis ( DNL ) is one of the major lipid metabolic pathways and has been shown to play critical roles in diverse physiological and pathological processes. However, little is known about its role in osteoclastogenesis. Here, we investigate the direct role of DNL in osteoclastogenesis and its therapeutic potential in osteolytic diseases. We found that Fasn expression and DNL levels are upregulated during receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. Inhibition of Fasn by shRNA knockdown or its pharmacological inhibitors (ASC40 and trans-C75) impairs osteoclast differentiation in vitro . Mechanistically, pharmacological inhibition of Fasn suppresses RANKL-induced c-Fos/NFATc1 expression and thus osteoclastogenesis partly by disrupting STAT3 palmitoylation, while promoting ROS scavenging to impair mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Finally, the therapeutic potential of ASC40 for the treatment of osteolytic bone loss is tested in two mouse models of osteolytic diseases, i.e. ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis and titanium nanoparticle-induced calvarial osteolysis. The results show that ASC40 significantly attenuates bone loss and osteoclastogenesis in both models. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that Fasn-mediated DNL is a novel positive regulator of osteoclastogenesis and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of osteoclast-driven osteolytic bone diseases.
研究领域:
骨生物学
·
代谢医学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
·
2018
·Vol. 92
·期 17
·
IF 4.368
Cong-Cong Wu,Xuan Jiang,Xian-Zhang Wang,Xi-Juan Liu,Xiao-Jun Li,Bo Yang,Han-Qing Ye,Thomas Harwardt,Man Jiang,Hui-Min Xia,Wei Wang,William J. Britt,Christina Paulus,Michael Nevels,Min-Hua Luo
The mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental damage caused by virus infections remain poorly defined. Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the leading cause of fetal brain development disorders. Previous work has linked HCMV infection to perturbations of neural cell fate, including premature differentiation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we show that HCMV infection of NPCs results in loss of the SOX2 protein, a key pluripotency-associated transcription factor. SOX2 depletion maps to the HCMV major immediate early (IE) transcription unit and is individually mediated by the IE1 and IE2 proteins. IE1 causes SOX2 downregulation by promoting the nuclear accumulation and inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT3, a transcriptional activator of SOX2 expression. Deranged signaling resulting in depletion of a critical stem cell protein is an unanticipated mechanism by which the viral major IE proteins may contribute to brain development disorders caused by congenital HCMV infection.IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are a leading cause of brain damage, hearing loss, and other neurological disabilities in children. We report that the HCMV proteins known as IE1 and IE2 target expression of human SOX2, a central pluripotency-associated transcription factor that governs neural progenitor cell (NPC) fate and is required for normal brain development. Both during HCMV infection and when expressed alone, IE1 causes the loss of SOX2 from NPCs. IE1 mediates SOX2 depletion by targeting STAT3, a critical upstream regulator of SOX2 expression. Our findings reveal an unanticipated mechanism by which a common virus may cause damage to the developing nervous system and suggest novel targets for medical intervention.
研究领域:
病毒学
·
神经科学
·
发育生物学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Burns & Trauma
·
2025
·
IF 9.6
Mu Xingrui,Chen Jitao,Zhu Huan,Deng Junyu,Wu Xingqian,He Wenjie,Ye Penghui,Gu Rifang,Wu Youzhi,Han Felicity,Nie Xuqiang
BackgroundDiabetic wounds pose significant clinical challenges due to impaired healing processes, often resulting in chronic, non-healing ulcers. Asiaticoside (AC), a natural triterpene derivative from Centella asiatica, has demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. However, the synergistic effects of nitric oxide (NO)—a recognized promoter of wound healing—combined with AC in treating diabetic wounds remain inadequately explored.MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was utilized to identify differential metabolites and dysregulated metabolic pathways associated with diabetic wounds. Molecular docking analyses were conducted to confirm the binding affinity of AC to key therapeutic targets. The effects of Asiaticoside-nitric oxide hydrogel (ACNO) on gene and protein expression were evaluated using RT-qPCR and western blotting. In vitro experiments using SRC agonists and inhibitors were performed to investigate the impact of ACNO therapy on the expression of SRC, STAT3, and other proteins in HaCaT cells.ResultsMetabolomic profiling revealed that diabetic wounds in mice exhibited marked metabolic dysregulation, which was attenuated by ACNO treatment. Key metabolites modulated by ACNO included mandelic acid, lactic acid, and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid. The primary metabolic pathways involved were methyl histidine metabolism and the malate–aspartate shuttle. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that ACNO therapy enhanced angiogenesis, promoted cellular proliferation, and facilitated diabetic wound closure. RT–qPCR data demonstrated that ACNO regulated the transcription of critical genes (SRC, STAT3, EGFR, and VEGFA). Notably, ACNO attenuated SRC/STAT3 pathway activation while concurrently upregulating EGFR and VEGFA expression.ConclusionsThese findings emphasize the therapeutic potential of ACNO hydrogel in diabetic wound healing through the modulation of metabolic pathways and the SRC/STAT3 signaling axis. By correlating altered metabolites with molecular targets, this study elucidates the pharmacodynamic foundation for ACNO’s pre-clinical application and provides valuable insights into the development of targeted therapies for diabetic wound management.
研究领域:
药理学
·
代谢组学
·
分子生物学
·
糖尿病研究
·
伤口愈合
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
·
2019
·
IF 7.901
Xin Cheng,Gu Cheng,Xin Xing,Chengcheng Yin,Yuet Cheng,Xue Zhou,Shan Jiang,Fenghua Tao,Hongbing Deng,Zubing Li
Adenosine (Ade) has been identified to stimulate bone formation. However, the use of Ade is severely limited by the accompanying side effects and its very short half-life in vivo . This study aimed to fabricate an efficient drug-delivery system to reduce the undesirable side effects and enable the clinical application of Ade for treating large bone defects . The fabricated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/Ade-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (0.3/0.4) nanofibrous mats with 0.3:0.4 (w/w) ratio of Ade and PVA showed a sustained and controlled release of Ade and facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal progenitor cells (BMSCs). A larger amount of newly formed bone was observed in vivo in the cranial defects of the PCL/Ade-PVA (0.3/0.4) group compared with those of the non-loaded PCL/PVA nanofibrous mats at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Moreover, it is the first time to confirm that Ade mediates the osteogenesis of rat BMSCs through the STAT3 signaling pathway and restrains the osteoclastogenesis of rat bone-marrow macrophages (BMMs). These results suggested that this coaxial drug-delivery system loaded with Ade provided a promising and clinically relevant platform to controlled-release Ade and address large bone defects.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
组织工程
·
药学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 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）