X-Paste improves wound healing in diabetes via NF-E2-related factor/HO-1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot ulcers(DFU),as severe complications of diabetes mellitus(DM),significantly compromise patient health and carry risks of amputation and mortality.AIM To offer new insights into the occurrence and development of DFU,focusing on the therapeutic mechanisms of X-Paste(XP)of wound healing in diabetic mice.METHODS Employing traditional Chinese medicine ointment preparation methods,XP combines various medicinal ingredients.High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)identified XP’s main components.Using streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic,we aimed to investigate whether XP participated in the process of diabetic wound healing.RNA-sequencing analyzed gene expression differences between XP-treated and control groups.Molecular docking clarified XP’s treatment mechanisms for diabetic wound healing.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were used to investigate the effects of Andrographolide(Andro)on cell viability,reactive oxygen species generation,apoptosis,proliferation,and metastasis in vitro following exposure to high glucose(HG),while NF-E2-related factor-2(Nrf2)knockdown elucidated Andro’s molecular mechanisms.RESULTS XP notably enhanced wound healing in mice,expediting the healing process.RNA-sequencing revealed Nrf2 upregulation in DM tissues following XP treatment.HPLC identified 21 primary XP components,with Andro exhibiting strong Nrf2 binding.Andro mitigated HG-induced HUVECs proliferation,metastasis,angiogenic injury,and inflammation inhibition.Andro alleviates HG-induced HUVECs damage through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation,with Nrf2 knockdown reducing Andro’s proliferative and endothelial protective effects.CONCLUSION XP significantly promotes wound healing in STZ-induced diabetic models.As XP’s key component,Andro activates the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,enhancing cell proliferation,tubule formation,and inflammation reduction.

Residual finiteness of outer automorphism groups of certain 1-relator groups

We prove that certain 1-relator groups have Property E. Using this fact, we characterize all conjugacy separable 1-relator groups of the form a,b;(a-αbβaαbγ)t , t 1, having residually finite outer automorphism groups.

Outer automorphism groups of certain 1-relator groups

Grossman first showed that outer automorphism groups of 1-relator groups given by orientable surface groups are residually finite,whence mapping class groups of orientable surfaces are residually finite.Allenby,Kim and Tang showed that outer automorphism groups of cyclically pinched 1-relator groups are residually finite,whence mapping class groups of orientable and non-orientable surfaces are residually finite.In this paper we show that outer automorphism groups of certain conjugacy separable 1-relator groups are residually finite.

SIRT1 inhibits apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro and in vivo

AIM:To explore the effect of silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1(SIRT1)on modulating apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs)and alleviating lens opacification of rats through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress.METHODS:HLECs(SRA01/04)were treated with varying concentrations of tunicamycin(TM)for 24h,and the expression of SIRT1 and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence.Cell morphology and proliferation was evaluated using an inverted microscope and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,respectively.In the SRA01/04 cell apoptosis model,which underwent siRNA transfection for SIRT1 knockdown and SRT1720 treatment for its activation,the expression levels of SIRT1,CHOP,glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),and activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)were examined.The potential reversal of SIRT1 knockdown effects by 4-phenyl butyric acid(4-PBA;an ER stress inhibitor)was investigated.In vivo,age-related cataract(ARC)rat models were induced by sodium selenite injection,and the protective role of SIRT1,activated by SRT1720 intraperitoneal injections,was evaluated through morphology observation,hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,Western blotting,and RT-PCR.RESULTS:SIRT1 expression was downregulated in TMinduced SRA01/04 cells.Besides,in SRA01/04 cells,both cell apoptosis and CHOP expression increased with the rising doses of TM.ER stress was stimulated by TM,as evidenced by the increased GRP78 and ATF4 in the SRA01/04 cell apoptosis model.Inhibition of SIRT1 by siRNA knockdown increased ER stress activation,whereas SRT1720 treatment had opposite results.4-PBA partly reverse the adverse effect of SIRT1 knockdown on apoptosis.In vivo,SRT1720 attenuated the lens opacification and weakened the ER stress activation in ARC rat models.CONCLUSION:SIRT1 plays a protective role against TM-induced apoptosis in HLECs and slows the progression of cataract in rats by inhibiting ER stress.These findings suggest a novel strategy for cataract treatment focused on targeting ER stress,highlighting the therapeutic potential of SIRT1 modulation in ARC development.

Perspective of future drugs targeting sterile 20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase for blood pressure control

According to a genome-wide association study,intronic SNPs within the human sterile 20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase(SPAK) gene was linked to 20% of the general population and may be associated with elevated blood pressure. As cell volume changes,mammalian SPAK kinases respond to phosphorylate and regulate cation-coupled chloride co-transporter activity. To our knowledge,phosphorylation of upstream with-no-lysine(K)(WNK) kinases would activate SPAK kinases. The activation of WNK-OSR1/SPAK cascade on the kidneys and aortic tissue is related to the development of hypertension. Several regulators of the WNK pathway such as the Kelch kinase protein 3-Cullin 3 E3 ligase,hyperinsulinemia,and low potassium intake to mediate hypertension have been identified. In addition,the SPAK kinases may affect the action of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on blood pressure as well. In 2010,two SPAK knock-in and knock-out mouse models have clarified the pathogenesis of lowering blood pressure by influencing the receptors on the kidneys and aortic smooth muscle. More recently,two novel SPAK inhibitors for mice,Stock 1S-14279 and Closantel were discovered in 2014. Targeting of SPAK seems to be promising for future antihypertensive therapy. Therefore we raised some viewpoints for the issue for the antihypertensive therapy on the SPAK(gene or kinase).

Therapeutic Role of Chinese Medicine Targeting Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Acute myocardial infarction(AMI),characterized by high incidence and mortality rates,poses a significant public health threat.Reperfusion therapy,though the preferred treatment for AMI,often exacerbates cardiac damage,leading to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury(MI/RI).Consequently,the development of strategies to reduce MI/RI is an urgent priority in cardiovascular therapy.Chinese medicine,recognized for its multi-component,multi-pathway,and multi-target capabilities,provides a novel approach for alleviating MI/RI.A key area of interest is the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)pathway.This pathway is instrumental in regulating inflammatory responses,oxidative stress,apoptosis,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and ferroptosis in MI/RI.This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway's structure and its influence on MI/RI.Additionally,it reviews the latest research on leveraging Chinese medicine to modulate the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in MI/RI treatment.

Long-term follow-up of vagus nerve stimulation in drug-resistant KCNT1-related epilepsy: a case presentation

Background The KCNT1 gene encodes a Na+-activated K+channel.Gain-of-function mutations of KCNT1 lead to autosomal dominant sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy,early-onset epileptic encephalopathy,focal epilepsy and other epileptic encephalopathies.In this paper,we report a boy carrying a KCNT1 gene mutation,who presented with drug-resistant focal-onset seizures.He had decreased seizure frequency and improvement of background changes in electroencephalography(EEG)after vagus nerve stimulation(VNS).Case presentation The case was a nonverbal 9-year-old male who presented with drug-resistant focal-onset seizures since age 3 and had underwent VNS therapy for 2 years.He had hypermotor symptoms,automatism and bilateral asymmetric tonic seizures with cognitive decline and aphasis from age 3.The patient had a variety of seizure types that only occurred at night.The most common seizure type was automatisms,and ictal video EEG showed high-amplitude delta waves,followed by a fast rhythmic sharp activity in the mesial frontal and bitemporal regions.The patient was diagnosed with KCNT1-related epilepsy,epileptic encephalopathy and cognitive disorder.He was refractory to multiple anti-seizure medicines(ASM)and ketogenic diet.After VNS treatment at age 7,the frequency of seizures was reduced significantly and EEG was improved in background slowing.Conclusions Children with KCNT1-related epilepsy usually have early onset of disease,are nonverbal,and are refractory to ASM.This boy with drug-resistant KCNT1-related epilepsy showed significantly reduced seizure frequency after VNS.This report may provide reference for management of cases of KCNT1-related epilepsy.

AB046.The Endocytic Adaptor Protein Numb Functions in Müller Glia to Maintain Retinal Polarity and Photoreceptor Survival through the Polarity Determinant Crumbs

Background:The loss of cell polarity plays a key part in retinal dystrophies such as retinitis pigmentosa(RP)and Leber congenital amaurosis(LCA),resulting in photoreceptor(PR)degeneration and vision loss.Despite not knowing the direct genotype-to-phenotype correlation,many disease-causing mutations in the polarity determinant Crumbs(Crb1),have been identified.Indeed,the loss of Crb1 in mice was shown to cause PR death,due to the loss of adhesions between PR and Müller cells at the apical surface of the retina.Unfortunately,although the role of Crb1 in neuron polarity and survival is well established,little is known about how its intracellular trafficking is regulated.With future treatments for retinal degenerative diseases in mind,the goal of this project is to understand the mechanism by which Crb1 is regulated and how it maintains retinal integrity.Previous work in our laboratory showed that Numb,an endocytic adaptor protein,is an important regulator of protein trafficking in retinal cells.We therefore hypothesized that Numb might function as regulator of Crb1 in Müller glia.Methods:To study Numb function in Müller cells,we generated a conditional knockout(cKO)mouse line to inactivate Numb specifically in Müller cells by crossing a Glast-CreERT2 mouse line with a Numb-floxed line.At 30 days,mice were administered tamoxifen to trigger inactivation of Numb and retinas were then collected at time points varying from 2 weeks to 17 months for analysis.Firstly,we studied the retinal morphology and outer limiting membrane integrity by histology and immunohistochemistry.Using electron microscopy(EM),adhesions between Müller glia and photoreceptors were analysed and retinal function was assayed in live mice by electroretinography(ERG).To detect protein expression levels,protein extracts were prepared from cKO and control retinas for immunoblotting.To test for the presence of a biochemical interaction,Hek-293 cells were transfected with Numb and Crb1 vectors,and protein extracts were processed for co-immunoprecipitation.Results:When Numb was deleted in Müller cells,we observed a similar retinal phenotype than what was reported in the Crb1 KO.In 3-month-old animals,we found a disruption of the outer limiting membrane and an ingression of photoreceptor cells in the inner layers of the retina.In older animals(17 months),we observed a clear thinning of the photoreceptor layer and reduced ERG responses.Immunoblotting of retinal lysates revealed that Numb cKO retinas had significantly lower expression of Crb1,suggesting that Numb function in Müller cells is critical to maintain Crb1 levels and thereby outer limiting membrane integrity.Interestingly,we found that Numb can interact with Crb1 both in vitro and in vivo,suggesting that Numb might function as an adaptor protein regulating Crb1 trafficking.Conclusions:Based on these results,we suggest that,in the absence of Numb,Crb1 cannot be trafficked to the apical membrane of Müller cells,and is instead degraded.This ruptures the adhesion between Müller and photoreceptor cells,leading to photoreceptor degeneration.We anticipate that understanding the mechanisms by which Crb1 maintains the structural integrity of the retina will lead to new possibilities for target-based therapies against retinal dystrophies.

The ABA-AtNAP-SAG113 PP2C module regulates leaf senescence by dephoshorylating SAG114 SnRK3.25 in Arabidopsis

We previously reported that ABA inhibits stomatal closure through AtNAP-SAG113 PP2C regulatory module during leaf senescence.The mechanism by which this module exerts its function is unknown.Here we report the identification and functional analysis of SAG114,a direct target of the regulatory module.SAG114 encodes SnRK3.25.Both bimolecular fluorescence complementation(BiFC)and yeast two-hybrid assays show that SAG113 PP2C physically interacts with SAG114 SnRK3.25.Biochemically the SAG113 PP2C dephosphorylates SAG114 in vitro and in planta.RT-PCR and GUS reporter analyses show that SAG114 is specifically expressed in senescing leaves in Arabidopsis.Functionally,the SAG114 knockout mutant plants have a significantly bigger stomatal aperture and a much faster water loss rate in senescing leaves than those of wild type,and display a precocious senescence phenotype.The premature senescence phenotype of sag114 is epistatic to sag113(that exhibits a remarkable delay in leaf senescence)because the sag113 sag114 double mutant plants show an early leaf senescence phenotype,similar to that of sag114.These results not only demonstrate that the ABA-AtNAP-SAG113 PP2C regulatory module controls leaf longevity by dephosphorylating SAG114 kinase,but also reveal the involvement of the SnRK3 family gene in stomatal movement and water loss during leaf senescence.

The expression of p27^(Kip1) and β-catenin in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-related parathyroid tumors

Objective To explore tissue expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 andβ-catenin in multiple endocrine neoplasia type1（MEN1）-related parathyroid tumors（MHPT）.Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of p27Kip1 andβ-catenin in parathyroid glands from 31 subjects

Antibodies against major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A in transplant recipients

Objective To review the role of polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A （MICA） gene and antibodies against MICA antigens in transplant immunology. Data sources The data used in this review were mainly from our own results and from the relevant English language literatures published from 1999 to 2010. Some data presented in this review are in press.Study selection Articles regarding MICA gene discovery and pioneering finding of antibodies against MICA antigen and allograft rejection were selected. This review chronicles the development of our understanding of the role that MICA antigens and antibodies may play in organ transplantation.Results Polymorphic glycoprotein MICA antigens were detected on freshly isolated human umbilical cord endothelial cells, but not on peripheral lymphocytes. Antibodies were found and typing of recipients and donors by sequencing the MICA alleles has established that de novo antibodies produced in kidney transplant recipients are directed at mismatched MICA epitopes and are associated with acute rejection and chronic transplant failure. The specificity of antibodies against the epitopes of MICA antigens were well characterized by donor MICA typing, single antigen array testing with antibody absorption and elution. Acute graft-versus-host disease was observed in stem-cell recipients who were mismatched for MICA.Conclusions Immunization against mismatched MICA epitopes encountered in donor organs after transplantation may result in antibodies against MICA alleles. Testing for MICA donor-specific antibodies （DSA） which are associated with early failure of kidney transplants may be helpful for identifying some of the targets of antibodies against antigens other than the human leukocyte antigen （HLA） and for improving transplantation outcome.

Protective Effects of Anthocyanins Extracted from Vaccinium Uliginosum on 661W Cells Against Microwave-Induced Retinal Damage

Objective: To study the protective effect of anthocyanins extracted from Vaccinium Uliginosum(VU)on retinal 661W cells against microwave radiation induced retinal injury. Methods: 661W cells were divided into 6 groups, including control, model [661W cells radiated by microwave(30 mW/cm2, 1 h)] and VU groups [661W cells pretreated with anthocyanins extracted from VU(25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL, respectively) for 48 h, and radiated by microwave 30 mW/cm2, 1 h]. After treatment with different interventions, the cell apoptosis index(AI)was determined using Heochst staining;contents of malonaldehyde(MDA), glutataione(GSH), and activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) were measured. mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1) were detected by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the expression of HO-1 protein was examined by Western blot analysis. Nucleus and cytoplasm were separated and Nrf2 protein expression was further verified by Western blot analysis. Results: There was significant difference in AI among the groups(F=322.83, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, AI was significantly higher in the model group and was lower in 4 VU-pretreated groups(P<0.05). Linear regression analysis showed the decline of AI was in a dose-dependent manner with VU treatment(r=0.8419, P<0.05). The MDA and GSH contents of 661W cells in VU-treated groups were significantly lower than the model group(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the SOD activity in the VU-treated groups(50, 100 and 200 μg/mL) was significantly higher(all P<0.05). The Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA expressions were slightly increased after irradiation, and obviously increased in 100 μg/mL VU-treated group. After irradiation, the relative expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins in nucleus were slightly increased(P<0.05), and the changes in cytoplasm were not obvious,whereas it was significantly increased in both nucleus and cytoplasm in the VU treatment groups. Conclusions:Anthocyanins extracted from VU could reduce apoptosis, stabilize cell membrane, and alleviate oxidant injury of mouse retinal photoreceptor 661W cells. The mechanism might be through activating Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway and inducing HO-1 transcription and translation.