Aldo-keto reductase family member C3(AKR1C3)promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth by producing prostaglandin F2α

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of death worldwide.Current therapies are effective for HCC patients with early disease,but many patients suffer recurrence after surgery and have a poor response to chemotherapy.Therefore,new therapeutic targets are needed.We analyzed gene expression profiles between HCC tissues and normal adjacent tissues from public databases and found that the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was significantly different.The analysis showed that AKR1C3 was upregulated in tumors,and high AKR1C3 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis in HCC patients.In vitro,assays demonstrated that the knockdown of AKR1C3 or the addition of the AKR1C3 inhibitor indomethacin suppressed the growth and colony formation of HCC cell lines.Knockdown of AKR1C3 in Huh7 cells reduced tumor growth in vivo.To explore the mechanism,we performed pathway enrichment analysis,and the results linked the expression of AKR1C3 with prostaglandin F2 alpha(PGF2a)downstream target genes.Suppression of AKR1C3 activity reduced the production of PGF2a,and supplementation with PGF2a restored the growth of indomethacin-treated Huh7 cells.Knockdown of the PGF receptor(PTGFR)and treatment with a PTGFR inhibitor significantly reduced HCC growth.We showed that indomethacin potentiated the sensitivity of Huh7 cells to sorafenib.In summary,our results indicate that AKR1C3 upregulation may promote HCC growth by promoting the production of PGF2α,and suppression of PTGFR limited HCC growth.Therefore,targeting the AKR1C3-PGF2a-PTGFR axis may be a new strategy for the treatment of HCC.

CHIP regulates bone mass by targeting multiple TRAF family members in bone marrow stromal cells

Carboxyl terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein（CHIP or STUB1） is an E3 ligase and regulates the stability of several proteins which are involved in different cellular functions. Our previous studies demonstrated that Chip deficient mice display bone loss phenotype due to increased osteoclast formation through enhancing TRAF6 activity in osteoclasts. In this study we provide novel evidence about the function of CHIP. We found that osteoblast differentiation and bone formation were also decreased in Chip KO mice. In bone marrow stromal（BMS） cells derived from Chip^-/- mice, expression of a panel of osteoblast marker genes was significantly decreased. ALP activity and mineralized bone matrix formation were also reduced in Chip-deficient BMS cells. We also found that in addition to the regulation of TRAF6, CHIP also inhibits TNFα-induced NF-κB signaling through promoting TRAF2 and TRAF5 degradation. Specific deletion of Chip in BMS cells downregulated expression of osteoblast marker genes which could be reversed by the addition of NF-κB inhibitor. These results demonstrate that the osteopenic phenotype observed in Chip^-/- mice was due to the combination of increased osteoclast formation and decreased osteoblast differentiation. Taken together, our findings indicate a significant role of CHIP in bone remodeling.

Psychological state and needs of family member caregivers for victims of traumatic brain injury:A cross-sectional descriptive study

Objective:Here we evaluated the impact of varying severity of traumatic brain injury on the psychological state and demands of family caregivers.Further,we determined the most significant and least significant daily needs among family caregivers.Methods:We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study in three public hospitals in Tai'an,China.Three hundred caregivers related to traumatic brain injury victims were randomly selected.Patients had varying degrees of injuries(mild to severe).The Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90)was used to assess family caregivers'psychological statuses.The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory(CCFNI)was used to determine family caregivers'needs.Finally,the Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)was employed to define patients'level of traumatic brain injury.Results:SCL-90 scores for each psychological dimension were significantly higher with increasing TBI severity(p<0.05).Similarly,CCFNI scores were significantly higher with increasing TBI severity(p<0.05)for information,reassurance,and accessibility.These same dimensions were found to be the most important needs for family members of TBI injury victims,while support and comfort were the least important dimensions.Conclusions:The more severe pathogenic condition of the patient,the heavier the psychological pressure is on their family member caregivers.Medical staff should therefore pay close attention to the psychological health of family caregivers of TBI patients,especially family caregivers of critical cases.Interventions should be accordingly designed and conducted to meet the needs of family caregivers.

Clinical and prognostic significance of expression of phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 and Parkin in advanced colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Drugs targeting mitochondria can induce mitophagy and restrain proliferation in colorectal cancer(CRC)cells.Phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5(PGAM5)activates serine/threonine PTEN-induced putative kinase 1/Parkin pathway-mediated mitophagy.However,there are few studies on the clinical and prognostic significance of expression of PGAM5 protein and mitophagy-related protein Parkin in patients.AIM To assess the clinical significance of PGAM5 and Parkin proteins,as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of CRC,by studying their expression in advanced CRC tissues and their association with clinicopathological parameters.METHODS The expression of PGAM5 and Parkin in CRC tissues from 100 patients was determined by immunohistochemistry.Each case was evaluated by using a combined scoring method based on signal intensity staining(scored 0-3)and the proportion of positively stained cancer cells(scored 0-4).The final staining score was calculated as the intensity score multiplied by the proportion score.Specimens were categorized as either high or low expression according to the Youden index,and the association between the expression of PGAM5 or Parkin and clinicopathological factors was ascertained.Additionally,we employed western blot to measure PGAM5 and Parkin protein expression in six matched pairs of CRC and adjacent non-tumor tissues.RESULTS Immunohistochemical and western blot findings showed that both PGAM5 and Parkin protein expression in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in the adjacent tissues:PGAM5 and Parkin were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of colonic epithelial cells.PGAM5 and Parkin protein levels were significantly positively correlated in advanced CRC tissues.Moreover,reduced Parkin protein expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and progression-free survival in CRC patients as evinced by multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION The expression of PGAM5 protein and mitophagy-related protein Parkin has diagnostic significance for CRC and may become new biomarkers.Parkin may be a potential marker for the survival of CRC patients.

MiR-16-5p plays an inhibitory role in human non-small cell lung cancer through Fermitin family member 2

Increasing evidence indicates that aberrant expressions of some microRNAs are associated with cancer progression.However,the roles and biological mechanisms of miRNA-16-5p in human non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)are not to be well studied.Here,we validated that the expression of miR-16-5p was decreased significantly in NSCLC samples and cell lines.The correlation between the clinicopathological features of NSCLC and the miR-16-5p expression showed that the expression of miR-16-5p in non-small cell lung cancer was linked with the advanced TNM stage,positive lymph node metastasis,with short overall survival(OS).Also,a negative correlation between miR-16-5p and Fermitin family member 2(FERMT2)was observed,implying there may be a potential link about their regulation.The hypothesis was further confirmed by in-silico analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay.Moreover,we demonstrated that the transfections of miR-16-5p mimics could alter some biological characteristics of NSCLC cells remarkably accomplished by the expression variance of FERMT2 in vitro and in vivo assays.Summarily,this study demonstrated that miR-16-5p,as a tumor suppression factor in NSCLC by targeting FERMT2,could serve as one promising biomarker in the prediction for NSCLC patients.

Tumor necrosis family receptor superfamily member 9/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated f

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is an excellent immunological model for understanding the mechanisms developed by non-cytopathic viruses and tumors to evade the adaptative immune response.The antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell response is essential for keeping HCV under control,but during persistent infection,these cells become exhausted or even deleted.The exhaustion process is progressive and depends on the infection duration and level of antigenemia.During high antigenic load and long duration of infection,T cells become extremely exhausted and ultimately disappear due to apoptosis.The development of exhaustion involves the impairment of positive co-stimulation induced by regulatory cytokines,such as transforming growth factor beta 1.This cytokine downregulates tumor necrosis factor receptor(TNFR)-associated factor 1(TRAF1),the signal transducer of the T cell co-stimulatory molecule TNFR superfamily member 9(known as 4-1BB).This impairment correlates with the low reactivity of T cells and an exhaustion phenotype.Treatment with interleukin-7 in vitro restores TRAF1 expression and rescues T cell effector function.The process of TRAF1 loss and its in vitro recovery is hierarchical,and more affected by severe disease progression.In conclusion,TRAF1 dynamics on T cells define a new pathogenic model that describes some aspects of the natural history of HCV,and sheds light on novel immunotherapy strategies for chronic viral infections and cancer.

MiRNA-145-5p inhibits gastric cancer progression via the serpin family E member 1-extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 axis

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs(miRNAs)regulate gene expression and play a critical role in cancer physiology.However,there is still a limited understanding of the function and regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in gastric cancer(GC).AIM To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of miRNA-145-5p(miR145-5p)in the progression of GC.METHODS Real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to detect miRNA expression in human GC tissues and cells.The ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade was assessed using wound-healing and transwell assays,respectively.Cell proliferation was measured using cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays,and apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry.Expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-associated protein was determined by Western blot.Targets of miR-145-5p were predicated using bioinformatics analysis and verified using a dual-luciferase reporter system.Serpin family E member 1(SERPINE1)expression in GC tissues and cells was evaluated using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining.The correlation between SERPINE1 expression and overall patient survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier plot analysis.The association between SERPINE1 and GC progression was also tested.A rescue experiment of SERPINE1 overexpression was conducted to verify the relationship between this protein and miR-145-5p.The mechanism by which miR-145-5p influences GC progression was further explored by assessing tumor formation in nude mice.RESULTS GC tissues and cells had reduced miR-145-5p expression and SERPINE1 was identified as a direct target of this miRNA.Overexpression of miR-145-5p was associated with decreased GC cell proliferation,invasion,migration,and EMT,and these effects were reversed by forcing SERPINE1 expression.Kaplan-Meier plot analysis revealed that patients with higher SERPINE1 expression had a shorter survival rate than those with lower SERPINE1 expression.Nude mouse tumorigenesis experiments confirmed that miR-145-5p targets SERPINE1 to regulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2(ERK1/2).CONCLUSION This study found that miR-145-5p inhibits tumor progression and is expressed in lower amounts in patients with GC.MiR-145-5p was found to affect GC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion by negatively regulating SERPINE1 levels and controlling the ERK1/2 pathway.

Tanshinone ⅡA improves Alzheimer’s disease via RNA nuclearenriched abundant transcript 1/microRNA-291a-3p/member RAS oncogene family Rab22a axis

BACKGROUND Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.Tanshinone ⅡA(Tan-ⅡA),a bioactive compound isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza plants,has shown potential neuroprotective effects;however,the mechanisms underlying such a function remain unclear.AIM To investigate potential Tan-ⅡA neuroprotective effects in AD and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms.METHODS Hematoxylin and eosin staining was utilized to analyze structural brain tissue morphology.To assess changes in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation,we performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting.Additionally,the effect of Tan-ⅡA on AD cell models was evaluated in vitro using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Genetic changes related to the long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1(NEAT1)/microRNA(miRNA,miR)-291a-3p/member RAS oncogene family Rab22a axis were assessed through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS In vivo,Tan-ⅡA treatment improved neuronal morphology and attenuated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain tissue of AD mice.In vitro experiments showed that Tan-ⅡA dose-dependently ameliorated the amyloid-beta 1-42-induced reduction of neural stem cell viability,apoptosis,oxidative stress,and neuroinflammation.In this process,the lncRNA NEAT1-a potential therapeutic target-is highly expressed in AD mice and downregulated via Tan-ⅡA treatment.Mechanistically,NEAT1 promotes the transcription and translation of Rab22a via miR-291a-3p,which activates nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling,leading to activation of the pro-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein and inhibition of the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 protein,which exacerbates AD.Tan-ⅡA intervention effectively blocked this process by inhibiting the NEAT1/miR-291a-3p/Rab22a axis and NF-κB signaling.CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that Tan-ⅡA exerts neuroprotective effects in AD by modulating the NEAT1/miR-291a-3p/Rab22a/NF-κB signaling pathway,serving as a foundation for the development of innovative approaches for AD therapy.

Family involvement, family member composition and firm innovation

Based on the data of Chinese listed family firms from 2008 to 2016,we investigate the impact of family involvement on firm innovation and the moderating effect of family member composition.The results show that increased family involvement significantly reduces R&D investment intensity and the number of patent applications.With the increased richness of the kinship of family members involved in management,the negative impact of family involvement on patent applications is weakened,but family member composition does not have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between family involvement and R&D investment intensity.Further analysis shows that the number of invention patent applications decreases as the degree of family involvement increases,but family involvement has no significant effect on utility model patent and design patent applications.Family member composition has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between family involvement and invention patent applications.The results have value as a reference for exploring how family involvement affects firm innovation and can also help the actual controller to take effective measures to optimize family member composition and improve the innovation performance of family firms.

Upregulation of miR-345-5p suppresses cell growth of lung adenocarcinoma by regulating ras homolog family member A(RhoA)and Rho/Rho associated protein kinase(Rho/ROCK)pathway

Background:Microribose nucleic acids(miRNAs)are implicated in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma.MicroRNA-345-5p(miR-345-5p)is a recently identified anti-oncogene in some human cancers,but its functional role and possible molecular mechanism in lung adenocarcinoma remain unknown.This study aimed to identify the biological function and underlying mechanism of miR-345-5p in lung adenocarcinoma cells.Methods:In this study,lung adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues were collected in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between April 2016 and February 2017.The expression of miR-345-5p and ras homolog family member A(RhoA)in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines(A549,H1650,PC-9,and H441)was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis.Functional assays including colony formation,flow cytometry analysis,wound healing,and transwell assays were performed to assess the proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells.In addition,RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to evaluate the relationship between miR-345-5p and RhoA.Difference between the two groups was analyzed with Student’st test,while that among multiple groups was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance.Results:MiR-345-5p expression displayed lower level in lung adenocarcinoma tissues(0.241±0.095vs.1.000±0.233,t=19.247,P<0.001)and cell lines(F=56.992,P<0.001)than control tissues and cells.Functional experiments demonstrated that upregulation of miR-345-5p inhibited the malignant phenotypes of lung adenocarcinoma cells via suppressing cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and facilitating cell apoptosis.Additionally,RhoA was verified to be the downstream target of miR-345-5p.Expression of RhoA was downregulated by overexpression of miR-345-5p in PC-9(0.321±0.047vs.1.000±0.127,t=8.536,P<0.001)and H1650(0.398±0.054vs.1.000±0.156,t=4.429,P=0.011)cells.Rescue assays revealed that overexpression of RhoA rescued the suppressive effects of miR-345-5p upregulation on proliferation,migration,and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells.Further,miR-345-5p was found to regulate the Rho/Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK)signaling pathway by downregulation of RhoA in lung adenocarcinoma cells.Conclusions:MiR-345-5p plays a tumor suppressor role in lung adenocarcinoma cells by downregulating RhoA to inactivate the Rho/ROCK pathway.

SCL-90 test results of the family members of patients with schizophrenia in China:a meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate the mental health status of family members of patients with schizophrenia in China.Methods Wan Fang,CNKI,VIP,CBM,Springer Link,Science Direct and Pub Med databases were searched to collect the relevant studies published prior to August 2016 that were about the psychological health status of the family members of patients with schizophrenia measured with the SCL-90 scale and Software Stata 11.0 was used for their meta-analysis.Results A total of 20 studies was included in this meta-analysis.Scores of somatization affection,obsessive-compulsive symptoms,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,hostility,phobic anxiety,and paranoia ideation of the family members were significantly higher than those of general population norms in 2006(P<0.05).Scores of somatization affection,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,hostility,phobic anxiety,paranoia ideation,and psychoticism of the family members were significantly higher than control group(P<0.05).Moreover,the difference was not statistically significant between male and female family members in mental health status(P>0.05).Conclusion Compared with the general population,psychological distress was more reported in the family members of patients with schizophrenia.There was no statistic significantly difference between male and female members.

Murine calcium-activated chloride channel family member 3 induces asthmatic airway inflammation independently of allergen exposure

Background Expression of murine calcium-activated chloride channel family member 3 （mCLCA3） has been reported to be increased in the airway epithelium of asthmatic mice challenged with ovalbumin （OVA）. However, its role in asthmatic airway inflammation under no OVA exposure has not yet been clarified. Methods mCLCA3 plasmids were transfected into the airways of normal BALB/c mice. mCLCA3 expression and airway inflammation in mouse lung tissue were evaluated. Cell differentials and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were analyzed. The expression of mCLCA3 protein and mucus protein mucin-5 subtype AC （MUC5AC） were analyzed by Western blotting. The mRNA levels of mCLCA3, MUC5AC and interleukin-13 （IL-13） were determined quantitatively. Results mCLCA3 expression was not detected in the control group while strong immunoreactivity was detected in the OVA and mCLCA3 plasmid groups, and was strictly localized to the airway epithelium. The numbers of inflammatory cells in lung tissue and BALF were increased in both mCLCA3 plasmid and OVA groups. The protein and mRNA levels of mCLCA3 and MUC5AC in the lung tissue were significantly increased in the mCLCA3 plasmid and OVA groups compared to the control group. The level of IL-13, but not IL-4, IL-5, IFN-y, CCL2, CCL5 or CCL11, was significantly increased compared with control group in BALF in the mCLCA3 plasmid and OVA groups. The level of IL-13 in the BALF in the mCLCA3 plasmid group was much higher than that in the OVA group （P 〈0.05）. The level of mCLCA3 mRNA in lung tissue was positively correlated with the levels of MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissue, IL-13 mRNA in lung tissue, the number of eosinophils in BALF, and the content of IL-13 protein in BALE The level of IL-13 mRNA in lung tissue was positively correlated with the number of eosinophils in BALF and the level of MUC5AC mRNA in lung tissue. Conclusion These findings suggest that increased expression of a single-gene, mCLCA3, could simulate an asthma attack, and its mechanism may involve mCLCA3 overexpression up-regulating IL-13 expression.

A Snubbed ‘Family Member’

CCTV’s annual Spring Festival Gala is no longer a must to watch on the eve of the Lunar New Year,but merely one of various entertainment choices open to the

Solute carrier family 2 members 1 and 2 as prognostic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with immune infiltration

BACKGROUND Metabolic reprogramming has been identified as a core hallmark of cancer.Solute carrier family 2 is a major glucose carrier family.It consists of 14 members,and we mainly study solute carrier family 2 member 1(SLC2A1)and solute carrier family 2 member 2(SLC2A2)here.SLC2A1,mainly existing in human erythrocytes,brain endothelial cells,and normal placenta,was found to be increased in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),while SLC2A2,the major transporter of the normal liver,was decreased in HCC.AIM To identify if SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 were associated with immune infiltration in addition to participating in the metabolic reprogramming in HCC.METHODS The expression levels of SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 were tested in HepG2 cells,HepG215 cells,and multiple databases.The clinical characteristics and survival data of SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 were examined by multiple databases.The correlation between SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 was analyzed by multiple databases.The functions and pathways in which SLC2A1,SLC2A2,and frequently altered neighbor genes were involved were discussed in String.Immune infiltration levels and immune marker genes associated with SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 were discussed from multiple databases.RESULTS The expression level of SLC2A1 was up-regulated,but the expression level of SLC2A2 was down-regulated in HepG2 cells,HepG215 cells,and liver cancer patients.The expression levels of SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 were related to tumor volume,grade,and stage in HCC.Interestingly,the expression levels of SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 were negatively correlated.Further,high SLC2A1 expression and low SLC2A2 expression were linked to poor overall survival and relapse-free survival.SLC2A1,SLC2A2,and frequently altered neighbor genes played a major role in the occurrence and development of tumors.Notably,SLC2A1 was positively correlated with tumor immune infiltration,while SLC2A2 was negatively correlated with tumor immune infiltration.Particularly,SLC2A2 methylation was positively correlated with lymphocytes.CONCLUSION SLC2A1 and SLC2A2 are independent therapeutic targets for HCC,and they are quintessential marker molecules for predicting and regulating the number and status of immune cells in HCC.

Cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1 mutation causes severe pseudohermaphroditism: A case report

BACKGROUND 17α-Hydroxylase deficiency(17-OHD)is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia,characterized by hypertension,hypokalemia,and gonadal dysplasia.However,due to the lack of a comprehensive understanding of this disease,it is prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis,and there is no complete cure.CASE SUMMARY We report a female patient with 17-OHD.The patient was admitted to the Department of Neurology of our hospital due to limb weakness.During treatment,it was found that the patient’s condition was difficult to correct except for hypokalemia,and her blood pressure was difficult to control with various antihypertensive drugs.She was then transferred to our department for further treatment.On physical examination,the patient's gonadal development was found to be abnormal,and chromosome analysis demonstrated karyotype 46,XY.Considering the possibility of 17-OHD,the cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1(CYP17A1)test was performed to confirm the diagnosis.CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of 17-OHD are complex.Hormone determination,imaging examination,chromosome determination and CYP17A1 gene test are helpful for early diagnosis.

Family with sequence similarity 134 member B-mediated reticulophagy ameliorates hepatocyte apoptosis induced by dithiothreitol

BACKGROUND Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress-related hepatocyte apoptosis is responsible for multiple hepatic diseases.Previous studies have revealed that endoplasmic reticulophagy(ER-phagy)promotes the selective clearance of damaged ER fragments during ER stress,playing a crucial role in maintaining ER homeostasis and inhibiting apoptosis.Family with sequence similarity 134 member B(FAM134B)is a receptor involved in ER-phagy that can form a complex with calnexin(CNX)and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3).The complex can mediate the selective isolation of ER fragments to attenuate hepatocyte apoptosis.However,the precise regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.AIM To elucidate the effect of FAM134B-mediated ER-phagy on ER stress-induced apoptosis in buffalo rat liver 3A(BRL-3A)rat hepatocytes and the potential regulatory mechanisms.METHODS ER stress-related hepatocyte apoptosis was induced using dithiothreitol(DTT).Proteins related to ER stress and autophagy were measured with western blotting.Protein complex interactions with FAM134B were isolated by co-immunoprecipitation.ER-phagy was evaluated in immunofluorescence experiments.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.Mitochondrial Ca^(2+) levels were evaluated by the co-localization of intracellular Ca^(2+)-tracker and Mitotracker.The small interfering RNA against FAM134B was used to knockdown FAM134B in BRL-3A cells.RESULTS ER stress-related and autophagy-related proteins in BRL-3A cells were elevated by both short and long-term DTT treatment.Furthermore,co-immunoprecipitation confirmed an interaction between FAM134B,CNX,FAM134B,and LC3 in BRL-3A cells.Immunofluorescence assays revealed that autolysosomes significantly decreased following short-term DTT treatment,but increased after long-term treatment.Mitochondrial Ca2+levels and apoptotic rates were dramatically elevated,and more cells were arrested in the G1 stage after short-term DTT treatment;however,these decreased 48 h later.Moreover,FAM134B downregulation accelerated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activation and aggravated hepatocyte apoptosis under ER stress.CONCLUSION FAM134B-mediated ER-phagy attenuates hepatocyte apoptosis by suppressing the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.Our findings provide new evidence highlighting the importance of FAM134Bmediated ER-phagy in attenuating hepatocyte apoptosis.

Metformin alleviates spinal cord injury by inhibiting nerve cell ferroptosis through upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression

Previous studies have reported upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 in different central nervous system injury models.Heme oxygenase-1 plays a critical anti-inflammatory role and is essential for regulating cellular redox homeostasis.Metformin is a classic drug used to treat type 2 diabetes that can inhibit ferroptosis.Previous studies have shown that,when used to treat cardiovascular and digestive system diseases,metformin can also upregulate heme oxygenase-1 expression.Therefore,we hypothesized that heme oxygenase-1 plays a significant role in mediating the beneficial effects of metformin on neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury.To test this,we first performed a bioinformatics analysis based on the GEO database and found that heme oxygenase-1 was upregulated in the lesion of rats with spinal cord injury.Next,we confirmed this finding in a rat model of T9 spinal cord compression injury that exhibited spinal cord nerve cell ferroptosis.Continuous intraperitoneal injection of metformin for 14 days was found to both upregulate heme oxygenase-1 expression and reduce neuronal ferroptosis in rats with spinal cord injury.Subsequently,we used a lentivirus vector to knock down heme oxygenase-1 expression in the spinal cord,and found that this significantly reduced the effect of metformin on ferroptosis after spinal cord injury.Taken together,these findings suggest that metformin inhibits neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury,and that this effect is partially dependent on upregulation of heme oxygenase-1.

Interleukins in liver disease treatment

Cytokines play pleiotropic roles in human health and disease by regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.Interleukins(ILs),a large group of cytokines,can be divided into seven families,including IL-1,IL-2,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12,and IL-17 families.Here,we review the functions of ILs in the pathogenesis and resolution of liver diseases,such as liver inflammation(e.g.,IL-35),alcoholrelated liver disease(e.g.,IL-11),non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(e.g.,IL-22),liver fibrosis(e.g.,Il-17a),and liver cancer(e.g.,IL-8).Overall,IL-1 family members are implicated in liver inflammation induced by different etiologies,such as alcohol consumption,high-fat diet,and hepatitis viruses.IL-2 family members mainly regulate T lymphocyte and NK cell proliferation and activation,and the differentiation of T cells.IL-6 family cytokines play important roles in acute phase response in liver infection,liver regeneration,and metabolic regulation,as well as lymphocyte activation.IL-8,also known as CXCL8,is activated in chronic liver diseases,which is associated with the accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages.IL-10 family members contribute key roles to liver immune tolerance and immunosuppression in liver disease.IL-12 family cytokines influence T-cell differentiation and play an essential role in autoimmune liver disease.IL-17 subfamilies contribute to infection defense,liver inflammation,and Th17 cell differentiation.ILs interact with different type I and type II cytokine receptors to regulate intracellular signaling pathways that mediate their functions.However,most clinical studies are only performed to evaluate IL-mediated therapies on alcohol and hepatitis virus infection-induced hepatitis.More pre-clinical and clinical studies are required to evaluate IL-mediated monotherapy and synergistic therapies.