Potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiating into corneal epithelial cells in simulated limbal stem cell microenvironment / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells(hiPSCs)differentiating into corneal epithelial cells in the simulated limbal stem cells(LSCs)microenvironment.METHODS: The hiPSC cell lines were established in vitro, and hiPSCs were co-cultured with corneal stromal cells in transwell system, which simulated the LSC microenvironment. Bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)and a specific transforming growth factor β inhibitor(SB431542)were added to improve the differentiation efficacy. The expression of corneal epithelial cell-specific markers CK3 and CK12, corneal epithelial cell precursor CK15, and the limbal stem cell markers ABCG5 were determined by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry.RESULTS: The hiPSCs were actively proliferated in vitro, and immunofluorescence staining showed positive stem cell-specific markers OCT4, SOX2, TRA-1-60 and NANOG. Furthermore, hiPSCs co-cultured with corneal stromal cells exhibited LSCs markers ABCG5 and corneal epithelial cell precursor markers CK15 were positive; however, corneal epithelial cell markers CK3 and CK12 were negative. With the addition of BMP4 and SB431542, hiPSCs showed positive expression of CK3, and the CK3 expression increased over the time.CONCLUSION: With the addition of SB431542 and BMP4, hiPSCs cultured in simulated LSCs microenvironment could differentiate into corneal epithelial cells.

Novel mechanisms driving renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Renal fibrosis, especially tubulointerstitial fibrosis, is the most common pathway of all chronic kidney diseases progressing to end-stage renal diseases. Several adaptive reactions occur in renal tubular epithelial cells after chronic injury, such as changes in glycolipid metabolism, unfolded protein response, autophagy and senescence, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Maladaptive repair mechanisms can induce tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This article will discuss the molecular mechanism of these adaptive responses of renal tubular epithelial cells driving renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and provide a basis for exploring new drug targets for renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Glomerular parietal epithelial expression of CD44 in minimal change nephrotic syndrome and primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: A clinico-pathological study

Introduction: Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the two common causes of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in both children and adults with overlapping clinical features, but with distinct prognostic and therapeutic implications. The distinction between these relies entirely on histopathology, which can sometimes be difficult. CD44 is expressed by activated parietal epithelial cells, plays a role in matrix deposition and thus in the pathogenesis of FSGS. Aims: To assess the expression of CD44 in MCNS and FSGS and to evaluate its association with the known clinical and histopathological prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: Thirty cases each of MCNS and FSGS were studied. The clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and CD 44 immunohistochemical data were recorded. The findings were analyzed and correlated. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Statistical association was noted between CD44 positivity and serum creatinine (p = 0.031), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.040), segmental sclerosis (p < 0.001), tubular atrophy (p = 0.027), interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.027), and histological diagnosis (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values were 90%, 76.67%, 79.41% and 88.46%, respectively. Conclusions: CD44 immunostain can effectively distinguish MCNS from FSGS. The congruent results of CD44 positivity with known prognostic factors support the possibility of using the CD44 marker as a predictive tool in selecting high-risk patients and offering appropriate therapeutic measures.

Exploration of the heterogeneity and interaction of epithelial cells and NK/T-cells in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma based on single-cell RNA sequencing data

Abstract Objectives We aimed to explore the heterogeneity and differentiation trajectories of epithelial cells and NK/T-cells in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC). Methods We downloaded the GSE150321 data set containing LSCC01 and LSCC02 samples single cell RNA data from Gene Expression Omnibus. The UMAP analysis was performed to identify the cell subpopulations and cell locations of subpopulations. Seurat package was used to analyze the differential expression of genes. The function of differential expression genes was analyzed using DAVID database. The monocle2 package was used to analyze differentiation trajectories. We used the CellChat package to observe the signaling pathways and ligand-receptor pairs for epithelial cells and NK/T-cells. Results All the LSCC cells were divided into 16 subpopulation that included 7 epithelial cell subsets, 3 T-cell subsets. The function analysis indicated that epithelial cells and NK/T-cells mainly participated in different process, such as cell cycle, immune response, and cell migration. Then, the results of differentiation trajectory indicated that the ability of migration, and the activation of the immune system increases, while the ability of apoptosis, and glucose metabolic process decreases as pseudotime. Migration-related epithelial cells act on all T-cells via the CNTN2-CNTN2 ligand-receptor pair, which suggested that CNTN2 might be an important biomarker for regulating migration of epithelial cells. Conclusions Our study characterized the heterogeneity of LSCC, which provided novel insights into LSCC and identified a new mechanism and target for clinical LSCC threapies. Evidence IV.

Ischemic Postconditioning Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Methods: Forty adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (SO group), myocardial ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), ischemic preconditioning group (IPRE group) and ischemic postconditioning group (IPOST group) (10 mice in each group). Anterior descending coronary artery was blocked for 60 min and then reperfused for 15 min to induce myocardial IR. For the IPRE group, 3 consecutive cycles of 5 min of occlusion and 5 minutes of reperfusion of the coronary arteries were performed before ischemia. For the IPOST group, 3 consecutive cycles of 5 min reperfusion and 5 minutes of occlusion of the coronary arteries were performed before reperfusion. Pathological changes of lung tissue, lung wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indicators, apoptosis of lung cells and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) protein were used to evaluate lung injury. Results: After myocardial IR, lung injury worsened significantly, manifested by alveolar congestion, hemorrhage, structural destruction of alveolar septal thickening, and interstitial neutrophil infiltration. In addition, lung W/D ratio was increased, plasma inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-17A, were increased, malondialdehyde (MDA) activity of lung tissue was increased, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was decreased after myocardial IR. It was accompanied by the increased protein expression levels of ERS-related protein glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP), and caspase-12, and the increased apoptotic indices of lung tissues. Conclusion: IPOST can effectively improve myocardial IR-induced ALI by inhibiting ERS-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells.

Are both distinct epithelial and stromal cells molecular analysis from phyllodes tumors versus fibroadenoma components affected in breast fibroepithelial progression?

Purpose: To determine molecular events involved in the tumorigenesis of phyllodes tumors (PT) and the role of each stromal (SC) and epithelial (EC) cell. Methods: Frozen breast samples enriched with epithelial and stromal cells from three fibroadenomas and 14 PT were retrieved and laser microdissected. Sanger and polymerase chain reaction-based sequencing of exon 2 MED12 and TERT promoter hotspot mutations were performed; 44K microarray platform was used to analyze gene expression. Results: All three fibroadenomas (FAs) presented mutations in MED12, but not in TERT, whose mutation was observed in five of the 14 PTs. EC and SC of each affected tumor displayed identical alterations. Of the total differentially expressed genes (DEG) (EC = 1,543 and SC = 850), 984 were EC-eDEGs and 291 were SC-eDEGs. We found a high similarity of diseases and functions enriched by both cell types, but dissimilarity in the number of enriched canonical pathways. Three signaling canonical pathways overlapping with EC and SC were predicted to be activated in one cell type and inactivated in the other, while no overlap in eDEGs was assigned to them. We also identified 13 EC-eDEGs and five SC-eDEGs enriched networks, in which the SC-eDEGs were able to segregate FA from PT samples. Conclusions: Identical TERT mutations from both SC and ES origins might affect the PTs tumorigenesis. Gene expression differences suggest coordinated molecular processes between these components with determinant differences acquired by SC, able to fully distinguish PTs from FAs lesions.

The role of TMEM26 in disrupting tight junctions and activating NF-κB signaling to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Objectives Metastasis is one of the biggest challenges in the management of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC), of which molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The present study aimed to explore the roles and underlying mechanisms of Transmembrane protein 26 (TMEM26) in ESCC. Method TMEM26 expressions in tumorous and adjacent tissues from patients with ESCC and in normal esophageal epithelial and ESCC cell lines were detected by immunostaining and western blotting, respectively. The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a critical process during metastasis, was investigated by wound healing and Transwell assays, and EMT-related proteins were examined after the TMEM26 alteration in ESCC cell lines. NF-κB signaling activation and Tight Junction (TJ) protein expression were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. In vivo verification was performed on the liver metastatic murine model. Results Compared with non-cancerous esophageal tissues and cells, the TMEM26 expression level was higher in ESCC samples and cell lines, where the plasma membrane localization of TMEM26 was observed. The EMT-related processes of ESCC cells were suppressed by RNAi depletion of TMEM26 but aggravated by TMEM26 overexpression. Mechanistically, TMEM26 promoted NF-κB signaling to accelerate EMT in ESCC cells. The plasma membrane presentation and assembly of TJ proteins were impaired by TMEM26. Conclusion Overall, TMEM26 acts as a critical determinant for EMT in ESCC cells by disrupting TJ formation and promoting NF-κB signaling, which may be a potential therapeutic target for treating metastatic ESCC.

Gelsolin inhibits autophagy by regulating actin depolymerization in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells in acute pancreatitis

Gelsolin (GSN) can sever actin filaments associated with autophagy. This study investigated how GSN-regulated actin filaments control autophagy in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDECs) in acute pancreatitis (AP). AP was produced in a rat model and PDECs using caerulein (CAE). Rat pancreatic duct tissue and HPDE6-C7 cells were extracted at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after CAE treatment. HPDE6-C7 cells in the presence of CAE were treated with cytochalasin B (CB) or silenced for GSN for 24 h. Pancreatic histopathology and serum amylase levels were analyzed. Cellular ultrastructure and autophagy in PDECs were observed by transmission electron microscopy after 24 h of CAE treatment. The expression of GSN and autophagy markers LC3, P62, and LAMP2 was evaluated in PDECs by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Actin filaments were observed microscopically. Amylase levels were highest at 6 h of AP, and pancreatic tissue damage increased over time. Mitochondrial vacuolization and autophagy were observed in PDECs. CAE increased GSN expression in these cells over time, increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and LAMP2 expression at 24 and 6 h of treatment, respectively, and decreased P62 expression at all time points. CB treatment for 24 h decreased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and LAMP2 expression, increased P62 levels, but had no impact on GSN expression in CAE-treated PDECs. CAE induced actin depolymerization, and CB potentiated this effect. GSN silencing increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and LAMP2 expression and reduced actin depolymerization in CAE-treated PDECs. GSN may inhibit autophagosome biogenesis and autophagosome-lysosome fusion by increasing actin depolymerization in PDECs in AP.

Swertiamarin attenuates paraquat-induced pulmonary epithelial-like cell apoptosis via NOX4-mediated regulation of redox and mitochondrial function

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of swertiamarin (STM) in attenuating paraquat (PQ)-induced human lung alveolar epithelial-like cell (A549) apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. A549 cells were pretreated with different concentrations of STM for 2 hr and then cultured with or without PQ (700 µM) for 24 hr. Cell survival was determined using the CCK8 assay. Morphological changes, MDA content, inflammatory factors, fibrogenesis parameters, apoptosis rates, redox status and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. The expression of several genes involved in the modulation of redox status was measured by Western blotting. Cell viability and MMP were decreased, but the apoptosis rate and DCFH oxidation were elevated by PQ exposure. STM pretreatment notably increased cell viability and MMP and reduced the apoptosis rate and DCFH oxidation. Furthermore, TLR4- NOX4 signaling was significantly inhibited by STM. The downregulation of NOX4 by siRNA exerted the same protective effects as STM. This study provides the first evidence that STM attenuates PQ-induced pulmonary epithelial-like cell apoptosis via NOX4-mediated regulation of redox and mitochondrial function

Mechanism of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Promoting Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis / 中国结合医学杂志

The latest guideline about ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical practice stresses that mucosal healing, rather than anti-inflammation, is the main target in UC clinical management. Current mucosal dysfunction mainly closely relates to the endoscopic intestinal wall (mechanical barrier) injury with the imbalance between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) regeneration and death, as well as tight junction (TJ) dysfunction. It is suggested that biological barrier (gut microbiota), chemical barrier (mucus protein layer, MUC) and immune barrier (immune cells) all take part in the imbalance, leading to mechanical barrier injury. Lots of experimental studies reported that acupuncture and moxibustion on UC recovery by adjusting the gut microbiota, MUC and immune cells on multiple targets and pathways, which contributes to the balance of IEC regeneration and death, as well as TJ structure recovery in animals. Moreover, the validity and superiority of acupuncture and moxibustion were also demonstrated in clinic. This study aims to review the achievements of acupuncture and moxibustion on mucosal healing and analyse the underlying mechanisms.

Leptin-mediated ERK Signaling Pathway Promotes the Transformation of Rat Alveolar Type II Epithelial Cells Induced by Yunnan Tin Mine Dust / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#Currently, a significant number of miners are involved in mining operations at the Gejiu tin mine in Yunnan. This occupational setting is associated with exposure to dust particles, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radioactive radon, thereby significantly elevating the risk of lung cancer. This study aims to investigate the involvement of leptin-mediated extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the malignant transformation of rat alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust.@*METHODS@#Immortalized rat alveolar cells type II (RLE-6TN) cells were infected with Yunnan tin mine dust at a concentration of 200 μg/mL for nine consecutive generations to establish the infected cell model, which was named R₂₀₀ cells. The cells were cultured normally, named as R cells. The expression of leptin receptor in both cell groups was detected using the Western blot method. The optimal concentration of leptin and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (U0126) on R₂₀₀ cells was determined using the MTT method. Starting from the 20th generation, the cells in the R group were co-cultured with leptin, while the cells in the R₂₀₀ group were co-cultured with the MEK inhibitor U0126. The morphological alterations of the cells in each group were visualized utilizing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Additionally, concanavalin A (ConA) was utilized to detect any morphological differences, and an anchorage-independent growth assay was conducted to assess the malignant transformation of the cells. The changes in the ERK signaling pathway in epithelial cells after the action of leptin were detected using the Western blot method.@*RESULTS@#Both the cells in the R group and R₂₀₀ group express leptin receptor OB-R. Compared to the R₂₀₀ group, the concentration of leptin at 100 ng/mL shows the most significant pro-proliferation effect. The proliferation of R₂₀₀ cells infected with the virus is inhibited by 30 μmol/L U0126, and a statistically significant divergence was seen when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Starting from the 25th generation, the cell morphology of the leptin-induced R₂₀₀ group (R₂₀₀L group) underwent changes, leading to malignant transformation observed at the 30th generation. The characteristics of malignant transformation became evident by the 40th generation in the R₂₀₀L group. In contrast, the other groups showed agglutination of P40 cells, and the speed of cell aggregation increased with an increase in ConA concentration. Notably, the R₂₀₀L group exhibited faster cell aggregation compared to the U0126-induced R₂₀₀ (R₂₀₀LU) group. Additionally, the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were capable of forming clones starting from P30, with a colony formation rate of 2.25‰±0.5‰. However, no clonal colonies were observed in the R₂₀₀LU group and R₂₀₀ group. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) was enhanced in cells of the R₂₀₀L group. However, when the cells in the R₂₀₀L group were treated with U0126, a blocking agent, the phosphorylation level of pERK decreased.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Leptin can promote the malignant transformation of lung epithelial cells infected by mine dust, and the ERK signaling pathway may be necessary for the transformation of alveolar type II epithelial cells induced by Yunnan tin mine dust.

NR4A1 suppresses cisplatin-induced ferroptosis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells by up-regulating the expression of NRF2 / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 ( NR4A1) in suppressing cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Methods:The expression of NR4A1 gene in renal cell subpopulations was analyzed using the "Tabula-muris" single cell transcriptome sequencing database. NR4A1 gene was over-expressed by lentivirus infection in HK-2 cell line and primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. The cell death ratio was analyzed using propidium iodide (PI) staining by flow cytometry. The expression of NR4A1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( NRF2) was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Ferroptosis was analyzed by detecting the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results:The single cell transcriptome sequencing database showed that NR4A1 gene was the lowest expression in renal proximal tubular epithelial cell subsets. Cisplatin (50 μmol/L or 100 μmol/L) could significantly induce MDA, GSSG and lipid ROS production in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (all P<0.01), and higher cisplatin concentration accompanied with a more increase of MDA, GSSG and lipid ROS. Compared with the control HK-2 cells, the lipid ROS content and iron ion content of HK-2 cells over-expressing NR4A1 were significantly lower (all P<0.01), and the over-expression of NR4A1 inhibited cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and ferroptosis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Mechanistically, NR4A1 up-regulated the expression of anti-ferroptosis gene NRF2 in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells ( P<0.01). Furthermore, single cell data analysis showed that, similar to the expression of NR4A1 in renal tissue subsets, NRF2 was also the lowest in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Conclusions:Cisplatin can induce ferroptosis of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. NR4A1 can inhibit cisplatin-induced ferroptosis by up-regulating NRF2 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, thereby alleviating the cytotoxicity of cisplatin.

Protective effect and mechanism of arbutin on cisplatin-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury / 中华肾脏病杂志

The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effect of arbutin on cisplatin (Cis) induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury and its mechanism. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect the viability of renal tubular epithelial cells. The toxicity of arbutin on renal tubular epithelial cells at different concentrations and the appropriate concentration of arbutin to protect cells against cisplatin were observed. The renal tubular epithelial cells were divided into control group, arbutin group, Cis group and arbutin+Cis group. Flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the levels of apoptosis and inflammation. The results showed that arbutin had no significant toxic effect on renal tubular epithelial cells in the mentioned concentration range (0-200 μmol/L). When the concentration of arbutin exceeded 100 μmol/L, it showed a protective effect on renal tubular epithelial cells. Arbutin intervention significantly reduced cisplatin-induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and the increase of inflammation-related molecules p-p65 and interleukin-18. In addition, arbutin intervention reversed the cisplatin-induced reduction of Bcl-2 in renal tubular epithelial cells. These findings suggest that arbutin can attenuate cisplatin-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury through anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory responses, which may be expected to be a new potential therapeutic drug for acute kidney injury.

Effect of L-carnitine on ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells induced by calcium oxalate / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of L-carnitine on calcium oxalate-induced ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2).Methods:The effects of calcium oxalate(0, 2, 4 and 8 mmol/L) on the expression of ferroptosis-related protein long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), cystine/glutamate transporter(XCT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in HK-2 cells were detected by Western blotting. The experiment was then divided into four groups: ①control group, cells were cultured in normal medium for 12 hours, then continued to use normal medium; ②L-carnitine group, cells were pretreated with medium containing 5mmol/L L-carnitine for 12 hours, then changed to medium containing 5mmol/L L-carnitine; ③calcium oxalate group, cells were cultured in normal medium for 12 hours, and then replaced with medium containing 4 mmol/L calcium oxalate; ④calcium oxalate+ L-carnitine group, the cells were pretreated with medium containing 5mmol/L L-carnitine for 12 h, and then replaced with 5mmol/L L-carnitine and 4mmol/L calcium oxalate medium. After changing the culture medium for 24 hours, the cells or supernatants were collected, and the expression levels of ferroptosis-related protein quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), ACSL4, XCT and GPX4 were detected by Western blotting. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde were detected by corresponding kit, and the level of reactive oxygen species in cells was detected by reactive oxygen species kit.Results:The results of Western blotting showed that the expression of ACSL4 protein in 0, 2, 4, 8 mmol/L calcium oxalate was 0.37±0.16, 0.68±0.16, 0.73±0.09, 0.89±0.03 respectively. The expression of XCT protein was 1.11±0.10, 0.91±0.14, 0.83±0.09, 0.80±0.07, respectively. The expression of GPX4 protein was 1.23±0.13, 0.99±0.17, 0.81±0.05, 0.72±0.06, respectively. Compared with 0mmol/L group, the expression of ACSL4 protein increased and the expression of XCT and GPX4 decreased in 2, 4 and 8 mmol/L groups, and the difference was more significant between 4 mmol/L group and 0 mmol/L group. So 4 mmol/L was taken as the optimal concentration for follow-up experiment. The levels of NQO1 in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate+ L-carnitine group were (0.36±0.06, 0.54±0.05, 0.76±0.07, 0.90±0.03) respectively. There was significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group ( P<0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The levels of ACSL4 in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group were (0.66±0.10, 0.58±0.08, 0.99±0.03, 0.77±0.09) respectively. There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group(P>0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The levels of XCT in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group were (0.93±0.08, 0.85±0.07, 0.76±0.06, 0.99±0.05). There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group (P>0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The levels of GPX4 in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group were (1.10±0.09, 1.09±0.09, 0.85±0.03, 0.99±0.02) respectively. There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group( P>0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The levels of LDH in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine were (100.00±5.37)%, (99.50±6.38)%, (153.77±6.06)% and (132.50±5.58)%, respectively. There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group( P>0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The SOD levels in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group were (100.00±5.79)%, (105.80±3.26)%, (44.74±7.60)% and (85.01±5.15)%, respectively. There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group( P>0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The levels of GSH in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group were (100.00±4.73)%, (107.10±5.48)%, (53.49±3.98)% and (85.18±5.48)%, respectively. There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group( P>0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.01). The levels of MDA in control group, L-carnitine group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group were (100.00±2.36)%, (98.00±11.10)%, (129.11±2.59)% and (113.35±5.79)%, respectively. There was no significant difference between L-carnitine group and control group( P>0.05). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.01). The fluorescence intensity of ferrous ion in control group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group was (39.77±0.68) AU, (68.40±3.14) AU and (48.60±4.30) AU, respectively. There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species in control group, calcium oxalate group and calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group was (63.98±9.41) AU, (145.41±8.39) AU and (85.37±4.51) AU, respectively. There was significant difference between calcium oxalate group and control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between calcium oxalate + L-carnitine group and calcium oxalate group ( P<0.01). Transmission electron microscopy results showed that mitochondria were wrinkled, cristae were broken or disappeared in the calcium oxalate group compared to the control group, and a double-layer membrane structure was evident. DAPI staining showed that compared with the control group, some of the nuclei in the calcium oxalate group were significantly more damaged, while compared with the calcium oxalate group, the nuclei in the calcium oxalate + L-carnitine were significantly less damaged. The results of crystal adhesion test showed that compared with the control group, calcium oxalate crystals in the calcium oxalate group adhered to the cells in black-like particles and formed clusters. Compared with the calcium oxalate group, the calcium oxalate + L-carnitine showed less black particles adhering to the cells. Conclusions:L-carnitine may reduce the effects of oxidative stress and ferroptosis induced by calcium oxalate, thus reducing cell damage and crystal adhesion.

The predictive value of the epithelial cell proliferation pathway genes for the prognosis of elderly non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of the epithelial cell proliferation(ECP)pathway genes for the prognosis of elderly non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy.Methods:A total of 106 elderly patients aged 70 years and over receiving immunotherapy in the POPLAR and OAK clinical trials were retrospectively analyzed in October 2022.According to the mutation status, patients were divided into an ECP pathway-related gene mutation group(ECP mutation group, n=25)and an ECP pathway-related gene non-mutation group(ECP non-mutation group, n=81). The primary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS). Differences in survival and efficacy between the two groups were compared, and subgroup analysis was performed on clinical factors and genes involved in the pathway.Pyclone was used to calculate the distribution of major clones and subclones in each patient, and differences in survival were compared.Results:Survival outcomes were worse in the ECP(+ )group than in the ECP(-)group(mOS: 10.9 months vs.17.1 months, HR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.09-3.08, P<0.05; mPFS: 2.8 months vs.4.2 months, HR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.00-2.51, P<0.05). Of all mutations in ECP pathway-related genes, mutations in the RB1 gene had a significant prognostic effect on all patients, with the negative prognostic effect especially prominent in ECP(+ )patients.Compared with ECP(-)patients, ECP(+ )patients had a shorter mOS(6.9 months vs.12.6 months, HR=3.14, 95% CI: 1.10-8.97, P=0.024). Ten patients had clonal mutations and 15 patients had sub-clonal mutations in ECP pathway-related genes and the former had a shorter mPFS than the latter(1.3 months vs.5.3 months, HR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.25-8.37, P=0.011). Conclusions:Gene mutations in the epithelial cell proliferation pathway are a negative prognostic factor in elderly non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy, and mutations located in the clonal cluster have a stronger impact on the prognosis.

Influences of notoginsenoside R1 on the injury of alveolar epithelial cells infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae by regulating JAK2STAT3 signaling pathway / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the influences of notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) on cell injury and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway of alveolar epithelial cells infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp). Methods　A549 cells were grouped into five groups: control group (C group), infection group (Infect group), infection + low NGR1 group (Infect + L-NGR1 group), infection + high NGR1 group (Infect + H-NGR1 group), and infection+high NGR1+JAK2/STAT3 pathway inhibitor group (Infect+H-NGR1+SD-1029 group). Cell proliferation was measured using CCK8; ELISA kits were applied to detect the contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the culture medium; flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of JAK2/STAT3; Western blot was applied to detect JAK2/STAT3 pathway, autophagy protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), autophagy-relatedgene5 (Atg5), autophagy-related gene (Atg) 6 (Beclin-1), apoptosis protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-accociated protein (Bax), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (cleaved-caspase-3) proteins expression. Results　Compared with the C group, the 72 h cell viability, the protein levels of Bcl-2, LC3-II/I, Atg5, Beclin-1, the mRNA relative expressions and protein phosphorylation levels of JAK2, STAT3 in the Infect group were obviously decreased (P<0.05); the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, apoptosis rate, the protein levels of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 were obviously increased (P<0.05). Compared with Infect group, the 72 h cell viability, the protein levels of Bcl-2, LC3-II/I, Atg5, Beclin-1, the mRNA relative expressions and protein phosphorylation levels of JAK2, STAT3 in the Infect+L-NGR1 group and Infect+H-NGR1 group were obviously increased (P<0.05); the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, apoptosis rate, the protein levels of Bax and cleaved-Caspase-3 were obviously decreased (P<0.05). Compared with Infect+H-NGR1 group, the 72 h cell viability, the protein levels of Bcl-2, LC3-II/I, Atg5, Beclin-1, the protein phosphorylation levels of JAK2, STAT3 in the Infect+H-NGR1+SD-1029 group were obviously decreased (P<0.05), and the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, apoptosis rate, the protein levels of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 were obviously increased (P<0.05). Conclusions NGR1 can activate the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, promote autophagy of alveolar epithelial cells, and inhibit Kp-induced inflammatory injury and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells.

Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation quantitative proteomics research of human lens epithelial cells after ultraviolet-B irradiation / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the changes of protein expressions in human lens epithelial cells(SRA01/04)undergoing oxidative damage, hoping to provide new protein target for the pathogenesis of age-related cataract(ARC).METHODS: SRA01/04 cells were divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, cells were irradiated with ultraviolet-B(UVB)for 10min to establish the model of oxidative damage, whereas cells in the control group were untreated. Protein expression profile from the two groups was sequenced by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ). The filtering criteria that fold change &#x0026;#x003E;1.2 and p&#x0026;#x003C;0.05 was used to determine the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs). Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database were utilized for functional enrichment analysis of the top 50 DEPs with either up-regulated or down-regulated significance. Furthermore, Pathway commons software was used to establish the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.RESULTS: Overall, 552 DEPs were screened out. A total of 176 DEPs were up-regulated in the experimental group compared with the control group, including HMGB1 and USP1, while 376 DEPs were down-regulated, including POLR2A and POLR2B. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the top 50 DEPs with up-regulated or down-regulated significance were involved in various crucial biological processes and signaling pathways. PPI network revealed that oxidative damage repair(ODR)-related proteins might play a key role in UVB-induced oxidative damage.CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of multiple proteins, especially ODR-related proteins, can be altered in SRA01/04 cells via UVB irradiation. These findings may provide cellular-related insights into the pathogenesis of ARC and into proteins or pathways associated with therapeutic targets.

Mechanism of anti-hyperplasia of mammary glands of Xihuang Pills blood-entering component based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

In this study, based on network pharmacology and molecular docking method, the mechanism of anti-hyperplasia of mammary glands of Xihuang Pills blood-entering components was explored, and the efficacy and key targets of Xihuang Pills blood-entering components were experimentally verified by MCF-10A proliferation model of human mammary epithelial cells. In order to clarify the material basis and mechanism of Xihuang Pills in realizing anti-hyperplasia of mammary glands, the blood-entering components of Xihuang Pills were qualitatively analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and 22 blood-entering components were identified. By taking the blood-entering components as the research object, the network pharmacology prediction and molecular docking verification were carried out, and finally, three key targets were screened out, namely JAK1, SRC, and CDK1. In vitro experiments show that Xihuang Pills can inhibit the proliferation of MCF-10A cells, promote the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells, and reduce the expression of JAK1, SRC, and CDK1 targets in cells. To sum up, Xihuang Pills can promote the apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells by regulating the expression of JAK1, SRC, and CDK1 and then play an anti-hyperplasia role, which provides an experimental basis for clarifying the material basis of Xihuang Pills for anti-hyperplasia effect.

Inhibitory effects of formononetin on lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response in alveolar epithelial cells / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of formononetin on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response in alveolar epithelial cells through phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. METHODS Human lung cancer alveolar basal epithelial cells A549 were cultured in vitro and divided into control group （no intervention）， model group （1 μg/mL LPS）， different concentrations of formononetin groups （1 μg/mL LPS+6.25， 12.5， 25， 50 μmol/L formononetin）. The levels of inflammatory factors （interleukin-8， tumor necrosis factor-α） and cell viability were detected in each group. Another A549 cells were divided into control group， model group （1 μg/mL LPS）， LPS+25 group （1 μg/mL LPS+25 μmol/L formononetin）， inhibitor group （1 μg/mL LPS+20 μmol/L LY294002）， formononetin+inhibitor group （1 μg/mL LPS+25 μmol/L formononetin+20 μmol/L LY294002） and formononetin+activator group （1 μg/mL LPS+25 μmol/L formononetin+ 10 μmol/L SC79）. The secretion levels and mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors， cell apoptosis， and expressions of the key proteins of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with model group， the levels of inflammatory factors were decreased significantly after the intervention of 25 μmol/L of formononetin， and the cell viability was increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group， the secretion levels and mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors， apoptotic rate， and relative expressions of phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated PI3K of the model group were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the above indexes of the LPS+25 group and the inhibitor group were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the LPS+25 group， the above indicators of formononetin+inhibitor group were further decreased， while those of formononetin+activator group were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Formononetin can inhibit LPS-induced epithelial cell apoptosis and improve inflammatory response， and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Effects of HOTAIR on epithelial mesenchymal transition in HaCaT cells / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To verify that hypoxia induces epithelial mesenchymal transition in HaCaT cells, and to observe the effect of LncRNA HOTAIR on epithelial mesenchymal transition in HaCaT cells.Methods:From Jan. 2018 to Dec. 2018 in Chinese Academy of Medical Science, HaCaT cells were divided into four groups: group A cultured under normoxia, group B cultured under hypoxia, group C transfected with sh-control cultured under hypoxia, and group D transfected with sh-LncRNA HOTAIR cultured under hypoxia. After 36 hours of culturing, the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin were detected using qPCR and Western blot. The migration of HaCaT cells was evaluated by Transwell assay.Results:The relative quantity of E-cadherin mRNA in the four groups were 3.076±0.271, 1.000±0.089, 1.024±0.222, and 2.595±0.085, while vimentin mRNAs were 1.002±0.183, 4.170±0.279, 4.111±0.477, and 2.412±0.134, respectively. In addition, the Transwll invasion assay showed that numbers of cell migration in the four groups were 32.70±3.93, 125.40±6.26, 120.10±6.79, and 58.24±7.06, respectively.Conclusions:The study suggests that hypoxia promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition in keratinocytes. Furthermore, downregulation of HOTAIR is noted to inhibit epithelial mesenchymal transition of keratinocytes under hypoxia condition.