The emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 induced by a newly identified bcoronavirus, namely severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2) has constituted a public health emergency. Even though it was con...The emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 induced by a newly identified bcoronavirus, namely severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2) has constituted a public health emergency. Even though it was considered a zoonotic disease, the virus has also spread among humans via respiratory secretions. The expression and distribution of angiotensin converting enzyme type 2(ACE2) in various human organs might also show other possible infection routes. High ACE2 ribonucleic acid expression has been identified in the gastrointestinal tract(GI) indicating its importance as a possible infection pathway of SARS-CoV-2. ACE2 induces viral entry into the host and most importantly has been found to be associated with the function of the gut. Its deficiency has been implicated in several pathologies such as colorectal inflammation. The renin-angiotensin system(RAS) is an essential regulatory cascade operating both at a local tissue level and at the systemic or circulatory level. The RAS may be important in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and is associated with the up-regulation of ACE2. Thus, the aim of this review is firstly, the analysis of some important general and genome characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and secondly, and most importantly, to focus on the utility of ACE2 receptors in both SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis, especially in the GI tract.展开更多
Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a lifelong condition and a threat to human health.Thorough understanding of its pathogenesis is acutely needed in order to devise innovative,preventative,and potentially curative pharm...Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a lifelong condition and a threat to human health.Thorough understanding of its pathogenesis is acutely needed in order to devise innovative,preventative,and potentially curative pharmacological interventions.MicroRNAs(miRNA),are small,non-coding,one-stranded RNA molecules,that can target and silence around 60%of all human genes through translational repression.MiR-155 is an ancient,evolutionarily well-conserved miRNA,with distinct expression profiles and multifunctionality,and a target repertoire of over 241 genes involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes including hematopoietic lineage differentiation,immunity,inflammation,viral infections,cancer,cardiovascular conditions,and particularly diabetes mellitus.MiR-155 Levels are progressively reduced in aging,obesity,sarcopenia,and T2DM.Thus,the loss of coordinated repression of multiple miR-155 targets acting as negative regulators,such as C/EBPβ,HDAC4,and SOCS1 impacts insulin signaling,deteriorating glucose homeostasis,and causing insulin resistance(IR).Moreover,deranged regulation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system(RAAS)through loss of Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor downregulation,and negated repression of ETS-1,results in unopposed detrimental Angiotensin II effects,further promoting IR.Finally,loss of BACH1 and SOCS1 repression abolishes cytoprotective,anti-oxidant,anti-apoptotic,and anti-inflam matory cellular pathways,and promotesβ-cell loss.In contrast to RAAS inhibitor treatments that further decrease already reduced miR-155 Levels,strategies to increase an ailing miR-155 production in T2DM,e.g.,the use of metformin,mineralocorticoid receptor blockers(spironolactone,eplerenone,finerenone),and verapamil,alone or in various combinations,represent current treatment options.In the future,direct tissue delivery of miRNA analogs is likely.展开更多
BACKGROUND The transforming growth factor β(TGFβ) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis by activating TGFβ type Ⅱ receptor(TGFβR2), followed by the recruitment of TGFβR1 fin...BACKGROUND The transforming growth factor β(TGFβ) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis by activating TGFβ type Ⅱ receptor(TGFβR2), followed by the recruitment of TGFβR1 finally triggering downstream signaling pathway.AIM To find drugs targeting TGFβR2 that inhibit TGFβR1/TGFβR2 complex formation, theoretically inhibit TGFβ signaling pathway, and thereby ameliorate liver fibrosis.METHODS Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs were screened for binding affinity with TGFβR2 by virtual molecular docking. We identified 6 candidates and further explored their potential by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) cell cytotoxic experiment to validate toxicity and titrated the best cellular working concentrations. Next, we further demonstrated the detailed molecular working mechanisms using mutagenesis analysis. Finally, we used a mouse model to investigate its potential anti-liver fibrosis effect.RESULTS We identified 6 drug candidates. Among these 6 drugs, dihydroergotamine(DHE) shows great ability in reducing fibrotic gene expressions such as collagen, p-SMAD3, and α-SMA in TGFβ induced cellular model of liver fibrosis in LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DHE binds to TGFβR2. Moreover, mutation of Leu27, Phe30, Thr51, Ser52, Ile53, and Glu55 of TGFβR2 disrupted the binding of TGFβR2 with DHE. In addition, DHE significantly improved liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining of liver sections. This is further supported by the width and the velocity of the portal vein, and serum markers of liver function. In line with those observations, DHE also decreased macrophages infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition in the liver.CONCLUSION DHE alleviates liver fibrosis by binding to TGFβR2 thereby suppressing TGFβ signaling pathway. We show here that as far as drug repurposing, DHE has great potential to treat liver fibrosis.展开更多
Objective： To investigate in chronic hibernating myocardium in rabbits and the influence and significance of captopril, betaloc, valsartan in angiotensin Ⅱ subtype 1 receptor（AT1R）, angiotensin Ⅱ subtype 2 recep...Objective： To investigate in chronic hibernating myocardium in rabbits and the influence and significance of captopril, betaloc, valsartan in angiotensin Ⅱ subtype 1 receptor（AT1R）, angiotensin Ⅱ subtype 2 receptor（AT2R）, extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）, c-Jun N-terminal kinase（JNK）. Methods： The model of chronic hibernating myocardium（CHM） was established. The changes of AT1R, AT2R, ERK1/2, JNK in different groups were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results： The amount of AT1R decreased while AT2R increased in the CON group compared with in sham group, and both AT1R and AT2R decreased in drug groups compared with the CON group. The content of ERK had no change in each group, while that of ＂expression＂ p-ERK increased in CON group compared with in sham group, and was lower in drug intervention groups than in CON and sham groups. The contents of JNK and p-JNK decreased in CON and drug intervention groups compared with in sham group. The protein levels of JNK, p-JNK in drug intervention groups were lower than in the CON group. Three drugs can inhibit interstitial fibrosis and reduce apoptotic cells. The expression levels in the groups（with different doses） had statistical difference as well as between groups of captopril and other drugs; however the results between betaloc and valsartan had no significant difference. Conclusion： AT1R, AT2R may be the upper stream receptor of ERK and JNK and may participate in generation and evolution of CHM. Captopril, valsartan and betaloc may preserve CHM by inhibiting ATIR, AT2R and JNK activity.展开更多
Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Diagnosed and treated timely, patients may have good prognostics. In Brazil, in 2012, the estimate of new cases was 52,680 and the number of reg...Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Diagnosed and treated timely, patients may have good prognostics. In Brazil, in 2012, the estimate of new cases was 52,680 and the number of registered deaths in 2012 was 12,852. The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is known for its role in arterial hypertension and in other cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the key to Ang-(1-7) formation, and counterbalances the ACE1/AngII/AGTR1 axis actions. RAS components have complex interactions with different tissues and their actions are not restricted to the cardiovascular system. Recently, the RAS has been associated with different types of cancers and in particular with gynecological cancers. Objectives: Our aim is to investigate possible associations between allelic distribution of two genetic polymorphisms in the AGTR2 receptor with ACEs 1 and 2 plasma levels among women with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients with breast cancer were genotyped for two polymorphisms of the AGTR2 (T1247G and A5235G). Genotyping assays (TaqMan) were performed with genomic DNA extracted from blood cells. ACEs plasma level measurements were conducted in women from the breast-cancer group (N = 53). ACEs were measured in the plasma of these patients using ELISA kits. Results: SNPs genotype distribution is correlated with ACEs plasma levels. ACEs plasma levels are also correlated with clinical variables and ACE2 high levels are associated with better prognostics. Conclusions: Changes in circulating levels of ECA1/AngII ECA2/ Ang-(1-7) determine the magnitude of the inflammatory response that an individual can trigger and the variation in ACE 1 and 2 plasma level measurements in the blood of breast cancer patients suggests an association with the process of mammary carcinogenesis. Thus, the RAS may be associated with the process of mammary carcinogenesis by both genotypic variations of RAS components and by circulating levels of ACEs.展开更多
Introduction: It was recently reported that candesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, had a protective effect against cardiovascular events, comparable to that of calcium channel antagonists. Moreover, a renopr...Introduction: It was recently reported that candesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, had a protective effect against cardiovascular events, comparable to that of calcium channel antagonists. Moreover, a renoprotective effect and anti-diabetic action of candesartan had also been demonstrated. However, whether the renoprotective effect of candesartan, especially in diabetes, was dose-dependent or not remain to be fully elucidated. The present study attempted to clarify the dose effect of renoprotection by candesartan in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and Method: In this case series study, we recruited 26 type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria whose blood pressure did not reach the target BP level (<130/80 mmHg) despite administration of 4 or 8 mg/day of candesartan. Subsequently, these lower doses of candesartan were increased to the maximal dose in Japan, 12 mg/day. Clinical parameters were examined before, at 6 and 12 months after the increase in dose. Results: An ameliorating effect of the increased dose of candesartan on albuminuria and hypertension was distinctly observed. No severe adverse effect was observed. Conclusion: It was highly possible that the maximal dose of candesartan provided more effective renoprotection in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients initially treated with lower doses of candesartan.展开更多
文摘The emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 induced by a newly identified bcoronavirus, namely severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2) has constituted a public health emergency. Even though it was considered a zoonotic disease, the virus has also spread among humans via respiratory secretions. The expression and distribution of angiotensin converting enzyme type 2(ACE2) in various human organs might also show other possible infection routes. High ACE2 ribonucleic acid expression has been identified in the gastrointestinal tract(GI) indicating its importance as a possible infection pathway of SARS-CoV-2. ACE2 induces viral entry into the host and most importantly has been found to be associated with the function of the gut. Its deficiency has been implicated in several pathologies such as colorectal inflammation. The renin-angiotensin system(RAS) is an essential regulatory cascade operating both at a local tissue level and at the systemic or circulatory level. The RAS may be important in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and is associated with the up-regulation of ACE2. Thus, the aim of this review is firstly, the analysis of some important general and genome characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and secondly, and most importantly, to focus on the utility of ACE2 receptors in both SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis, especially in the GI tract.
文摘Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a lifelong condition and a threat to human health.Thorough understanding of its pathogenesis is acutely needed in order to devise innovative,preventative,and potentially curative pharmacological interventions.MicroRNAs(miRNA),are small,non-coding,one-stranded RNA molecules,that can target and silence around 60%of all human genes through translational repression.MiR-155 is an ancient,evolutionarily well-conserved miRNA,with distinct expression profiles and multifunctionality,and a target repertoire of over 241 genes involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes including hematopoietic lineage differentiation,immunity,inflammation,viral infections,cancer,cardiovascular conditions,and particularly diabetes mellitus.MiR-155 Levels are progressively reduced in aging,obesity,sarcopenia,and T2DM.Thus,the loss of coordinated repression of multiple miR-155 targets acting as negative regulators,such as C/EBPβ,HDAC4,and SOCS1 impacts insulin signaling,deteriorating glucose homeostasis,and causing insulin resistance(IR).Moreover,deranged regulation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system(RAAS)through loss of Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor downregulation,and negated repression of ETS-1,results in unopposed detrimental Angiotensin II effects,further promoting IR.Finally,loss of BACH1 and SOCS1 repression abolishes cytoprotective,anti-oxidant,anti-apoptotic,and anti-inflam matory cellular pathways,and promotesβ-cell loss.In contrast to RAAS inhibitor treatments that further decrease already reduced miR-155 Levels,strategies to increase an ailing miR-155 production in T2DM,e.g.,the use of metformin,mineralocorticoid receptor blockers(spironolactone,eplerenone,finerenone),and verapamil,alone or in various combinations,represent current treatment options.In the future,direct tissue delivery of miRNA analogs is likely.
基金Supported by the Special Research Project for Capital Health Development,No.2022-2-2174the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission,No.Z191100007619037.
文摘BACKGROUND The transforming growth factor β(TGFβ) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis by activating TGFβ type Ⅱ receptor(TGFβR2), followed by the recruitment of TGFβR1 finally triggering downstream signaling pathway.AIM To find drugs targeting TGFβR2 that inhibit TGFβR1/TGFβR2 complex formation, theoretically inhibit TGFβ signaling pathway, and thereby ameliorate liver fibrosis.METHODS Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs were screened for binding affinity with TGFβR2 by virtual molecular docking. We identified 6 candidates and further explored their potential by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) cell cytotoxic experiment to validate toxicity and titrated the best cellular working concentrations. Next, we further demonstrated the detailed molecular working mechanisms using mutagenesis analysis. Finally, we used a mouse model to investigate its potential anti-liver fibrosis effect.RESULTS We identified 6 drug candidates. Among these 6 drugs, dihydroergotamine(DHE) shows great ability in reducing fibrotic gene expressions such as collagen, p-SMAD3, and α-SMA in TGFβ induced cellular model of liver fibrosis in LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DHE binds to TGFβR2. Moreover, mutation of Leu27, Phe30, Thr51, Ser52, Ile53, and Glu55 of TGFβR2 disrupted the binding of TGFβR2 with DHE. In addition, DHE significantly improved liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining of liver sections. This is further supported by the width and the velocity of the portal vein, and serum markers of liver function. In line with those observations, DHE also decreased macrophages infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition in the liver.CONCLUSION DHE alleviates liver fibrosis by binding to TGFβR2 thereby suppressing TGFβ signaling pathway. We show here that as far as drug repurposing, DHE has great potential to treat liver fibrosis.
基金the Natural Science Fundfor Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province(03KJB320145)the Science and Technology projects fund of Xuzhou city(X2002036)
文摘Objective： To investigate in chronic hibernating myocardium in rabbits and the influence and significance of captopril, betaloc, valsartan in angiotensin Ⅱ subtype 1 receptor（AT1R）, angiotensin Ⅱ subtype 2 receptor（AT2R）, extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）, c-Jun N-terminal kinase（JNK）. Methods： The model of chronic hibernating myocardium（CHM） was established. The changes of AT1R, AT2R, ERK1/2, JNK in different groups were assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results： The amount of AT1R decreased while AT2R increased in the CON group compared with in sham group, and both AT1R and AT2R decreased in drug groups compared with the CON group. The content of ERK had no change in each group, while that of ＂expression＂ p-ERK increased in CON group compared with in sham group, and was lower in drug intervention groups than in CON and sham groups. The contents of JNK and p-JNK decreased in CON and drug intervention groups compared with in sham group. The protein levels of JNK, p-JNK in drug intervention groups were lower than in the CON group. Three drugs can inhibit interstitial fibrosis and reduce apoptotic cells. The expression levels in the groups（with different doses） had statistical difference as well as between groups of captopril and other drugs; however the results between betaloc and valsartan had no significant difference. Conclusion： AT1R, AT2R may be the upper stream receptor of ERK and JNK and may participate in generation and evolution of CHM. Captopril, valsartan and betaloc may preserve CHM by inhibiting ATIR, AT2R and JNK activity.
文摘Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Diagnosed and treated timely, patients may have good prognostics. In Brazil, in 2012, the estimate of new cases was 52,680 and the number of registered deaths in 2012 was 12,852. The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is known for its role in arterial hypertension and in other cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the key to Ang-(1-7) formation, and counterbalances the ACE1/AngII/AGTR1 axis actions. RAS components have complex interactions with different tissues and their actions are not restricted to the cardiovascular system. Recently, the RAS has been associated with different types of cancers and in particular with gynecological cancers. Objectives: Our aim is to investigate possible associations between allelic distribution of two genetic polymorphisms in the AGTR2 receptor with ACEs 1 and 2 plasma levels among women with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients with breast cancer were genotyped for two polymorphisms of the AGTR2 (T1247G and A5235G). Genotyping assays (TaqMan) were performed with genomic DNA extracted from blood cells. ACEs plasma level measurements were conducted in women from the breast-cancer group (N = 53). ACEs were measured in the plasma of these patients using ELISA kits. Results: SNPs genotype distribution is correlated with ACEs plasma levels. ACEs plasma levels are also correlated with clinical variables and ACE2 high levels are associated with better prognostics. Conclusions: Changes in circulating levels of ECA1/AngII ECA2/ Ang-(1-7) determine the magnitude of the inflammatory response that an individual can trigger and the variation in ACE 1 and 2 plasma level measurements in the blood of breast cancer patients suggests an association with the process of mammary carcinogenesis. Thus, the RAS may be associated with the process of mammary carcinogenesis by both genotypic variations of RAS components and by circulating levels of ACEs.
文摘Introduction: It was recently reported that candesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, had a protective effect against cardiovascular events, comparable to that of calcium channel antagonists. Moreover, a renoprotective effect and anti-diabetic action of candesartan had also been demonstrated. However, whether the renoprotective effect of candesartan, especially in diabetes, was dose-dependent or not remain to be fully elucidated. The present study attempted to clarify the dose effect of renoprotection by candesartan in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and Method: In this case series study, we recruited 26 type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria whose blood pressure did not reach the target BP level (<130/80 mmHg) despite administration of 4 or 8 mg/day of candesartan. Subsequently, these lower doses of candesartan were increased to the maximal dose in Japan, 12 mg/day. Clinical parameters were examined before, at 6 and 12 months after the increase in dose. Results: An ameliorating effect of the increased dose of candesartan on albuminuria and hypertension was distinctly observed. No severe adverse effect was observed. Conclusion: It was highly possible that the maximal dose of candesartan provided more effective renoprotection in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients initially treated with lower doses of candesartan.
