INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2024
·
IF 4.8
Meng-Ke Liu,Juan-Juan Tang,Hao Li,Xu-Yang Chen,Jun-Ling Cai,Gui-Ying Lin,Kan-Yao Chen,Zhi-Peng Liu,Xiao-Fang Ji,Zhong-Jin Yang,Zi Li
Artemisitene (ATT), an artemisinin (ART) analog retaining the endoperoxide moiety and incorporating an additional α, β-unsaturated carbonyl structure, exhibits enhanced biological activities. However, its therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that ATT significantly alleviated liver inflammation and fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL 4 ) in mice. ATT treatment markedly reduced the count of neutrophils in the liver, as well as macrophages in both the liver and spleen. Additionally, the frequencies of Th2 and Th17 cells were significantly lowered, while Th1 cells frequency and the Th1/Th2 index were notably increased. The frequency of ILC2 cells, correlated with ST2 and IL-33 expression levels, was also significantly lowered. Consistently, ATT inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which was positively associated with AST and ALT levels, and with the count of Neutrophils, macrophages, and ILC2 cells, but negatively correlated with Th1frequeny. Furthermore, liver fibrosis severity showed a significant positive correlation with neutrophil and Th17 cell counts in the liver, and a negative correlation with Th1 cell count and the Th1/Th2 index. Therefore, ATT alleviated CCL 4 -induced mice liver fibrosis through NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and immunomodulation.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
·
肝病学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
·
2024
·
IF 3.3
Yanyan Heng,Wei Wei,Linzhong Cheng,Feifei Wu,Haoyu Dong,Jingxia Li,Jianing Fu,Bingjie Yang,Xinyue Liang,Chunyan Liu,Haiju Li,Haihua Liu,Pengfei Zhang
Diabetes accelerates vascular senescence, which is the basis for atherosclerosis and stiffness. The activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and oxidative stress are closely associated with progressive senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The vascular protective effect of FGF21 has gradually gained increasing attention, but its role in diabetes-induced vascular senescence needs further investigation. In this study, diabetic mice and primary VSMCs are transfected with an FGF21 activation plasmid and treated with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist (rosiglitazone), an NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950), and a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)-specific inhibitor, R406, to detect senescence-associated markers. We find that FGF21 overexpression significantly restores the level of catalase (CAT), vascular relaxation, inhibits the intensity of ROSgreen fluorescence and p21 immunofluorescence, and reduces the area of SA-β-gal staining and collagen deposition in the aortas of diabetic mice. FGF21 overexpression restores CAT, inhibits the expression of p21, and limits the area of SA-β-gal staining in VSMCs under high glucose conditions. Mechanistically, FGF21 inhibits SYK phosphorylation, the production of the NLRP3 dimer, the expression of NLRP3, and the colocalization of NLRP3 with PYCARD (ASC), as well as NLRP3 with caspase-1, to reverse the cleavage of PPARγ, preserve CAT levels, suppress ROSgreen density, and reduce the expression of p21 in VSMCs under high glucose conditions. Our results suggest that FGF21 alleviates vascular senescence by regulating the SYK-NLRP3 inflammasome-PPARγ-catalase pathway in diabetic mice.
研究领域:
内分泌学
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心血管生物学
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分子生物学
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药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2025
·
IF 6.2
Shan Liu,Yue Zhang,Hao Zhou,Yating Ma,Fangzhou Huang,Tianyuan Lei,Qingbin Wang,Shangmin Yu
Ginsenoside Re (Re) was proved effective in improving depressive-like behaviors. However, the potential antidepressant mechanism of Re remains unrevealed. In this study, we investigated whether PINK1-mediated mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasomes were linked to the antidepressant mechanism of Re in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated astrocytes. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed to discover the targets and pathways associated with Re. PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) knockdown was conducted to clarify the role of PINK1-mediated mitophagy in the antidepressant mechanism of Re. The outcomes showed that Re ameliorated depressive-like behaviors, activated PINK1-mediated mitophagy, and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation. PINK1 knockdown attenuated the antidepressant effect of Re. The promotion of mitophagy and the decline of NLRP3 inflammasome activation caused by Re were reversed by PINK1 knockdown. In conclusion, Re inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation by promoting PINK1-mediated mitophagy to exert its antidepressant effect.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
·
2025
·Vol. 40
·期 5
·1-13
·
IF 3.5
Huang Ping,Sun Hao,Wang Yan,Wang Ning
Background . The post-stroke inflammatory response denotes the inflammatory damage inflicted upon brain tissue following stroke. Plasma fibrinogen (FIB) can permeate the compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) after ischemic stroke, leading to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Tong-Qiao-Huo-Xue-Decoction (TQHXD), a traditional formula used to promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, has shown potential in this context. Nevertheless, the precise therapeutic mechanisms of TQHXD in mitigating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury remain to be fully elucidated. Objective . To examine the reparative effects and underlying mechanisms of TQHXD-CSF on inflammatory damage in BV-2 cells subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury. Methods . To establish an in vitro model of OGD/R injury and an inflammatory BV-2 cells model induced by FIB. The protective effects of TQHXD-CSF on OGD/R-injured cells were verified using CCK-8 and LDH assays. Immunofluorescence, SEM, Western blotting, and CHIP-PCR were employed to confirm that TQHXD reduces the inflammatory response by downregulating FIB levels. Pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) assays were conducted to detect the interaction between FIB and NLRP3. Results . TQHXD-CSF can significantly inhibit the abnormal increase in LDH levels induced by OGD/R, enhance cell viability, and mitigate cell pyroptosis. Additionally, TQHXD-CSF reversed the marked upregulation of FIB, NLRP3, and GSDMD fluorescence intensity and protein expression caused by the FIB inflammation model, demonstrating an effect comparable to that of lumbrokinase, a fibrinolytic agent for FIB. Furthermore, it notably reduced the acetylation of H3 and H4 in the NLRP3 promoter. Importantly, the pull-down and CO-IP results indicated a robust binding affinity between FIB and NLRP3. Conclusion . TQHXD-CSF can inhibit inflammation by downregulating the FIB-NLRP3 pathway and exert a protective effect on BV-2 cells under OGD/R and FIB inflammatory injury. Graphical abstract
研究领域:
神经科学
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中药学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH
·
2024
·
IF 4
Na Zhao,Xiu Chen,Qiu-Gu Chen,Xue-Ting Liu,Fan Geng,Meng-Meng Zhu,Fu-Ling Yan,Zhi-Jun Zhang,Qing-Guo Ren
Emerging evidence indicates that sleep deprivation (SD) can lead to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related pathological changes and cognitive decline. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. In the present study, we identified the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis in cognitive deficits resulting from chronic SD and revealed a potential pathway by which gut microbiota affects cognitive functioning in chronic SD. Our findings demonstrated that chronic SD in mice not only led to cognitive decline but also induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, elevated NLRP3 inflammasome expression, GSK-3β activation, autophagy dysfunction, and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus. Colonization with the “SD microbiota” replicated the pathological and behavioral abnormalities observed in chronic sleep-deprived mice. Remarkably, both the deletion of NLRP3 in NLRP3 -/- mice and specific knockdown of NLRP3 in the hippocampus restored autophagic flux, suppressed tau hyperphosphorylation, and ameliorated cognitive deficits induced by chronic SD, while GSK-3β activity was not regulated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in chronic SD. Notably, deletion of NLRP3 reversed NLRP3 inflammasome activation, autophagy deficits, and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by GSK-3β activation in primary hippocampal neurons, suggesting that GSK-3β, as a regulator of NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction, plays a significant role in promoting tau hyperphosphorylation. Thus, gut microbiota dysbiosis was identified as a contributor to chronic SD-induced tau pathology via NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction, ultimately leading to cognitive deficits. Overall, these findings highlight GSK-3β as a regulator of NLRP3-mediated autophagy dysfunction, playing a critical role in promoting tau hyperphosphorylation.
研究领域:
神经科学
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微生物学
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病理学
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认知科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
·
2025
·Vol. 53
·期 1
·82
·
IF 2.8
Qi Xue,Hu Yanjun,Yang Jinghan,Jiang Mingxuan,Zhang Junhao,Du Yanting,Hu Changmin
Background The pathogenesis of bovine mastitis involves inflammation and cell death, with pyroptosis being a key factor in its development. Currently, antibiotics remain the primary therapeutic option for bovine mastitis, however, the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance constitutes a major public health threat. Selenium (Se) has been reported to alleviate inflammation primarily through its antioxidant properties, but the mechanism by which Se regulates pyroptosis in bovine mastitis remains unclear. Methods and results In this study, an in vitro mastitis model was established by infecting MAC-T cells with inactivated Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) (MOI = 10, 12 h). The results revealed that the mitochondrial membrane potential of the MAC-T cells in the infection group decreased significantly. Moreover, the accumulation of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was accompanied by the activation of NOD-like receptor family containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), the expression of the pyroptosis-related genes gasdermin D amino terminal fragment (GSDMD-N), and cysteine aspartate specific protease 1 (cleaved-caspase 1). Pretreatment with Se, the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 and the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuated mitochondrial damage, ROS accumulation, and the inhibition of pyroptosis. An in vivo mastitis model was established in mice fed a high-selenium diet (containing 1.5 mg/kg Se) and intramammarily injected with inactivated S. aureus (1 × 10 8 CFU/mL). Histological analysis revealed intact alveolar structure and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in mice fed the high-selenium diet. The expression of the inflammasome NLRP3 downregulated, and the expression of GSDMD-N, a direct executor of pyroptosis, upregulated. Conclusion Our in vitro and in vivo results confirmed that Se alleviate mitochondrial damage and pyroptosis by inhibiting the NLRP3 pathway, ultimately alleviating mastitis. Graphical
研究领域:
兽医学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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炎症与感染
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营养与代谢
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
IMMUNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS
·
2024
·
IF 2.9
Wei Zhang,Chengcheng Fan,Zhongxue Yi,Tao Du,Nana Wang,Weizhu Tian,Qian Pan,Xiande Ma,Zhe Wang
Background Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) is still a complicated disease with high fatality rates worldwide. Transmembrane Protein 79 (TMEM79) regulates inflammation and oxidative stress in some other diseases.Methods CIRI mouse model was established using C57BL/6J mice through middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R), and BV2 cells were subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to simulate CIRI. Brain tissue or BV2 cells were transfected or injected with lentivirus-carried TMEM79 overexpression vector. The impact of TMEM79 on CIRI-triggered oxidative stress was ascertained by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining and examination of oxidative stress indicators. Regulation of TMEM79 in neuronal apoptosis and inflammation was determined using TUNEL staining and ELISA.Results TMEM79 overexpression mitigated neurological deficit induced by MCAO/R and decreased the extent of cerebral infarct. TMEM79 prevented neuronal death in brain tissue of MCAO/R mouse model and suppressed inflammatory response by reducing inflammatory cytokines levels. Moreover, TMEM79 significantly attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress caused by OGD/R in BV2 cells. TMEM79 facilitated the activation of Nrf2 and inhibited NLRP3 and caspase-1 expressions. Rescue experiments indicated that the Nrf2/NLRP3 signaling pathway mediated the mitigative effect of TMEM79 on CIRI in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion Overall, TMEM79 was confirmed to attenuate CIRI via regulating the Nrf2/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Hepatology International
·
2019
·Vol. 14
·期 1
·145-160
·
IF 5.49
Zhao Jing,Han Ming,Zhou Li,Liang Pu,Wang Yun,Feng Shenghu,Lu Hongping,Yuan Xiaoxue,Han Kai,Chen Xiaofan,Liu Shunai,Cheng Jun
Background This study aimed to investigate the roles and mechanisms of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treating liver fibrosis. Methods The effects of TAF/TDF on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver fibrosis in C57BL/6 wild-type or nonstructural protein 5A transactivated protein 9 (NS5ATP9) knockout mice were studied. The differentiation, activation, and proliferation of LX-2 cells after TAF/TDF treatment were tested in vitro. The expression of NS5ATP9 and activities of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1)/Sekelsky mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3) and NF-κB/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathways were detected in TAF/TDF-treated mice and LX-2 cells. The genes related to extracellular matrix accumulation were detected in vivo and in vitro after NS5ATP9 silencing or knockout. Results TAF/TDF significantly inhibited CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in mice, and regulated the differentiation, activation, and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Furthermore, TAF/TDF suppressed the activities of TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro. NS5ATP9 inhibited liver fibrosis through TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. TAF/TDF upregulated the expression of NS5ATP9 in vivo and in vitro. Finally, TAF/TDF could only show marginal therapeutic effects when NS5ATP9 was silenced and knocked out in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions TAF/TDF prevented progression and promoted reversion of liver fibrosis through assembling TGFβ1/Smad3 and NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways via upregulating the expression of NS5ATP9. TAF/TDF also regulated the differentiation, activation, and proliferation of HSCs. The findings provided strong evidence for the role of TAF/TDF as a new promising therapeutic strategy in liver fibrosis.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
·
2025
·Vol. 31
·期 1
·1-20
·
IF 6.4
Peng Shuaijun,Su Pan,Liu Liming,Li Zibo,Liu Yuan,Tian Lei,Bai Ming,Xu Erping,Li Yucheng
Background The dysregulation of neuroinflammation triggered by imbalance of microglia M1/M2 polarization is a key pathogenic factor and closely associated with occurrence of depression. Formononetin (FMN), a natural non-steroidal isoflavonoid, has been confirmed to exhibit remarkable anti-inflammatory efficacy, but the impact of FMN on depression and the underlying antidepressant mechanisms are still not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate whether the antidepressant effect of FMN is involved in modulating microglia polarization, and if so, what are the underlying mechanisms.Methods Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive mice were used to study antidepressant mechanisms of FMN. Microglia cell line BV2 stimulated by LPS was employed to investigate pharmacological mechanisms of FMN. Effects of FMN on neuronal damage were detected by H&E, Nissl and Golgi staining. The efficacy of FMN were evaluated by immunostaining and western blots in vivo and vitro. In addition, molecular docking, luciferase reporter assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to confirm the direct target of FMN.Results Our results showed that FMN significantly reverses depression-like behaviors, alleviates neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, rebalances M1/M2 polarization, inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome and enhances microglial autophagy level in prefrontal cortex of LPS-induced depressive mice. In vitro assays, results unraveled that autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) blocks effects of FMN on inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and rebalancing M1/M2 polarization. Moreover, PPARα is identified as a direct target of FMN and FMN can activate PPARα-mediated autophagy. Furtherly, combination PPARα agonist (WY14643) with FMN had no significant additive effects on inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and rebalancing M1/M2 polarization, whereas PPARα antagonist (GW6471) abrogated these pharmacologic effects of FMN in BV2. Importantly, GW6471 exhibited similar pharmacologic effects to abolish antidepressant effect of FMN in LPS-induced depressive mice.Conclusion Our study firstly demonstrated that FMN can rebalance microglia M1/M2 polarization and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome, with the involvement of activating PPARα-mediated autophagy to ameliorate depression-like behaviors, which provides a novel view to elucidate antidepressant mechanisms of FMN and also offers a potential therapeutic target for depression.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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免疫学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
·
2022
·
IF 5.195
Jinling Xu,Qi Lv,Shumin Pan,Huanhuan Qiu,Yu Liao,Ming Zhou,Weijie Li,Caiyan Li,Pan Zhang,Yujian Li,Guanglin Xu,Qingfeng Yu
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used drugs due to their values in attenuating pain, fever and inflammation. Unfortunately, conspicuous adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal (GI) damage and/or cardiovascular events have impeded their application in clinic. M378 is a novel hydrogen sulfide-releasing NSAIDs with uncompromised potency and negligible toxicity compared to the existing NSAIDs. However, its anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism are still an enigma. Here we investigated the effect of M378 on the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and addressed the underlying molecular mechanism. Our data in vitro showed that M378 dose-dependently inhibited the cleavage of Caspase-1 and the secretion of active IL-1β and blocked NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis in LPS-primed J774A.1 macrophages. Furthermore, M378 remarkably inhibited upstream ASC oligomerization and ROS production regarding the process of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Our data in vivo demonstrated that M378 protected mice from acute liver injury, reducing the levels of ALT/AST and IL-1β and improving hepatic pathological damages. Immunoblot analysis revealed that M378 inhibited the expressions of Caspase-1 and IL-1β in liver tissues of ALI mice. We also showed that M378 alleviated IL-1β secretion and peritoneal neutrophils infiltration in MSU-elicited acute peritonitis mice. In conclusion, M378 exerted its anti-inflammatory effect both in vitro and in vivo and its mechanisms are at least connected to its inhibitory performance on the generation of ASC oligomers and ROS production. These findings give an insight. into the molecular mechanism of hydrogen sulfide-releasing NSAIDs and support a potent therapeutic role of M378 in the treatment of NLRP3-driven inflammatory diseases .
研究领域:
药理学
·
免疫学
·
炎症研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
·
2020
·
IF 4.133
Shuhui Wang,Xueling Su,Lina Xu,Cheng Chang,Yu Yao,Sumra Komal,Xuexiang Cha,Mingxi Zang,Xinshou Ouyang,Lirong Zhang,Shengna Han
Inflammasome-promoted sterile inflammation following cardiac damage is critically implicated in heart dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3β) is a prominent mediator of the inflammatory response, and high GSK-3 activity is associated with various heart diseases. We investigated the regulatory mechanisms of GSK-3β in activation of the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in a rat model with successful induction of MI on days 2–28. An in vitro investigation was performed using newborn rat/human cardiomyocytes and fibroblast cultures under typical inflammasome stimulation and hypoxia treatment . GSK-3β inhibition markedly improved myocardial dysfunction and prevented remodeling, with parallel reduction in the parameters of NLRP3 inflammasome activation after MI. GSK-3β inhibition reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cardiac fibroblasts, but not in cardiomyocytes. GSK-3β's interaction with activating signal cointegrator (ASC) as well as GSK-3β inhibition reduced ASC phosphorylation and oligomerization at the tissues and cellular levels. Taken together, these data show that GSK-3β directly mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation, causing cardiac dysfunction in MI.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MICROVASCULAR RESEARCH
·
2021
·
IF 3.514
Keke Ge,Yatao Wang,Pan Li,Miao Li,Wenhua Zhang,Handong Dan,Xumeng Hu,Jiamu Zhou,Qixiang Yang,Jiaojiao Wang,Zongming Song
The investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of Mcc950, an inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome , on diabetic retinopathy (DR) mice. The general physiological condition of each group of mice was recorded. Retinal blood vessels were stained for observation of the density of blood vessels, and retinas were used for further morphological examination and fluorescent staining after the intravitreal injection of Mcc950. Mcc950 partially reversed hyperglycemia-induced vascular damage and had reduced histological changes compared to DR mice. IL-1β production in mice retinas in the diabetic model (DM) group increased, but pretreatment with Mcc950 significantly reversed these changes. Additionally, Mcc950 engineered reduced FITC dextran extravasation and vascular leakage. Therefore, it played an apparent protective role in DR and could be a new treatment strategy for DR.
研究领域:
医学
·
眼科
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免疫学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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