Ferroptosis Contributes to Microvascular Dysfunction in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Whether ferroptosis is involved in retinal microvascular dysfunction under diabetic condition is not known. Herein, the expression of ferroptosis-related genes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in diabetic mice was determined with quantitative RT-PCR. Reactive oxygen species, iron content, lipid peroxidation products, and ferroptosis-associated proteins in the cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) and in the retina of diabetic mice were examined. The association of ferroptosis with the functions of endothelial cells in vitro was evaluated. After administration of ferroptosis-specific inhibitor, Fer-1, the retinal microvasculature in diabetic mice was assessed. Characteristic changes of ferroptosis-associated markers, including glutathione peroxidase 4, ferritin heavy chain 1, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4, transferrin receptor protein 1, and cyclooxygenase-2, were detected in the retinal fibrovascular membrane of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, cultured HRMECs, and the retina of diabetic mice. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and iron content were found in the retina of diabetic mice and in cultured HRMECs. Ferroptosis was found to be associated with HRMEC dysfunction under high-glucose condition. Inhibition of ferroptosis with specific inhibitor Fer-1 in diabetic mice significantly reduced the severity of retinal microvasculopathy. Ferroptosis contributes to microvascular dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy, and inhibition of ferroptosis might be a promising strategy for the therapy of early-stage diabetic retinopathy.

Integrative Analysis of miRNA and circRNA Expression Profiles and Interaction Network in HSV-1-Infected Primary Corneal Epithelial Cells.

PURPOSE: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are products of alternative splicing with roles as competitive endogenous RNAs or microRNA sponges, regulating gene expression and biological processes. However, the involvement of circRNAs in herpes simplex keratitis remains largely unexplored. METHODS: This study examines circRNA and miRNA expression profiles in primary human corneal epithelial cells infected with HSV-1, compared to uninfected controls, using microarray analysis. Bioinformatic analysis predicted the potential function of the dysregulated circRNAs and microRNA response elements (MREs) in these circRNAs, forming an interaction network between dysregulated circRNAs and miRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 332 circRNAs and 16 miRNAs were upregulated, while 80 circRNAs and six miRNAs were downregulated (fold change ≥2.0 and p < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses were performed on parental genes of dysregulated circRNAs to uncover potential functions in HSV-1 infection. Notably, miR-181b-5p, miR-338-3p, miR-635, and miR-222-3p emerged as pivotal miRNAs interacting with multiple dysregulated circRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive study offers insights into differentially expressed circRNAs and miRNAs during HSV-1 infection in corneal epithelial cells, shedding light on circRNA-miRNA interactions' potential role in herpes simplex keratitis pathogenesis.

3C protease of enterovirus 71 cleaves promyelocytic leukemia protein and impairs PML-NBs production.

BACKGROUND: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) usually infects infants causing hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), even fatal neurological disease like aseptic meningitis. Effective drug for preventing and treating EV71 infection is unavailable currently. EV71 3C mediated the cleavage of many proteins and played an important role in viral inhibiting host innate immunity. Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, the primary organizer of PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), can be induced by interferon and is involved in antiviral activity. PML inhibits EV71 replication, and EV71 infection reduces PML expression, but the molecular mechanism is unclear. METHODS: The cleavage of PMLIII and IV was confirmed by co-transfection of EV71 3C protease and PML. The detailed cleavage sites were evaluated further by constructing the Q to A mutant of PML. PML knockout cells were infected with EV71 to identify the effect of cleavage on EV71 replication. Immunofluorescence analysis to examine the interference of EV71 3C on the formation of PML-NBs. RESULTS: EV71 3C directly cleaved PMLIII and IV. Furthermore, 3C cleaved PMLIV at the sites of Q430-A431 and Q444-S445 through its protease activity. Overexpression of PMLIV Q430A/Q444A variant exhibited stronger antiviral potential than the wild type. PMLIV Q430A/Q444A formed normal nuclear bodies that were not affected by 3C, suggesting that 3C may impair PML-NBs production via PMLIV cleavage and counter its antiviral activities. PML, especially PMLIV, which sequesters viral proteins in PML-NBs and inhibits viral production, is a novel target of EV71 3C cleavage. CONCLUSIONS: EV71 3C cleaves PMLIV at Q430-A431 and Q444-S445. Cleavage reduces the antiviral function of PML and decomposes the formation of PML-NBs, which is conducive to virus replication.