Gene Knockdown in Human Rhinovirus 1B Using 2′-OMe-modified si RNAs Results in the Reactivation of the Interferon Response

The aim of this study was to investigate the knockdown efficiency of 2＇-O-methylated （2＇-OMe）-modified small interfering RNAs （siRNAs） on human rhinovirus 1B （HRV1B） replication and the interferon response. Thus, 24 2＇-OMe-modified siRNAs were designed to target HRV1B. The RNA levels of HRV1B, Toll-like receptor 3, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5, retinoic acid inducible gene-I, and interferons were determined in HRV1B-infected HeLa and BEAS-2B epithelial cells transfected with 2＇-OMe-modified siRNAs. The results revealed that all 2＇-OMe-modified siRNAs interfered with the replication of HRVIB in a cell-specific and transfection efficiency-dependent manner. Viral activation of Toll-like receptor 3, melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5, retinoic acid inducible gene-1, and the interferon response was detected. In conclusion, the 2＇-OMe-modified siRNAs used in this study could interfere with HRV1B replication, possibly leading to the reactivation of the interferon response.

Edaravone protects against oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration-induced apoptosis in spinal cord astrocytes by inhibiting integrated stress response

We previously found that oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration（OGSD/R） induces apoptosis of spinal cord astrocytes, possibly via caspase-12 and the integrated stress response, which involves protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase（PERK）, eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha（eIF2α） and activating transcription factor 4（ATF4）. We hypothesized that edaravone, a low molecular weight, lipophilic free radical scavenger, would reduce OGSD/R-induced apoptosis of spinal cord astrocytes. To test this, we established primary cultures of rat astrocytes, and exposed them to 8 hours/6 hours of OGSD/R with or without edaravone（0.1, 1, 10, 100 μM） treatment. We found that 100 μM of edaravone significantly suppressed astrocyte apoptosis and inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species. It also inhibited the activation of caspase-12 and caspase-3, and reduced the expression of homologous CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, phosphorylated（p）-PERK, p-eIF2α, and ATF4. These results point to a new use of an established drug in the prevention of OGSD/R-mediated spinal cord astrocyte apoptosis via the integrated stress response.

Reactive oxygen species signaling and stomatal movement in plant responses to drought stress and pathogen attack

Stomata, the pores formed by a pair of guard cells, are the main gateways for water transpiration and photosynthetic CO2 exchange, as well as pathogen invasion in land plants. Guard cell movement is regulated by a combination of environmental factors, including water status, light, CO2 levels and pathogen attack, as well as endogenous signals, such as abscisic acid and apoplastic reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Under abiotic and biotic stress conditions, extracellular ROS are mainly produced by plasma membrane-localized NADPH oxidases, whereas intracellular ROS are produced in multiple organelles. These ROS form a sophisticated cellular signaling network, with the accumulation of apoplastic ROS an early hallmark of stomatal movement. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the ROS signaling network, primarily during drought stress and pathogen attack. We summarize the roles of apoplastic ROS in regulating stomatal movement, ABA and CO2 signaling, and immunity responses. Finally, we discuss ROS accumulation and communication between organelles and cells. This information provides a conceptual framework for understanding how ROS signaling is integrated with various signaling pathways during plant responses to abiotic and biotic stress stimuli.

Injectable reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-controlling hydrogels for tissue regeneration:current status and future perspectives

The dual role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species(RONS)in physiological and pathological processes in biological systems has been widely reported.It has been recently suggested that the regulation of RONS levels under physiological and pathological conditions is a potential therapy to promote health and treat diseases,respectively.Injectable hydrogels have been emerging as promising biomaterials for RONS-related biomedical applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility,three-dimensional and extracellular matrix-mimicking structures,tunable properties and easy functionalization.These hydrogels have been developed as advanced injectable platforms for locally generating or scavenging RONS,depending on the specific conditions of the target disease.In this review article,the design principles and mechanism by which RONS are generated/scavenged from hydrogels are outlined alongside a discussion of their in vitro and in vivo evaluations.Additionally,we highlight the advantages and recent developments of these injectable RONS-controlling hydrogels for regenerativemedicines and tissue engineering applications.

Bone microenvironment regulative hydrogels with ROS scavenging and prolonged oxygen-generating for enhancing bone repair

Large bone defects resulting from fractures and disease are a major clinical challenge,being often unable to heal spontaneously by the body’s repair mechanisms.Lines of evidence have shown that hypoxia-induced overproduction of ROS in bone defect region has a major impact on delaying bone regeneration.However,replenishing excess oxygen in a short time cause high oxygen tension that affect the activity of osteoblast precursor cells.Therefore,reasonably restoring the hypoxic condition of bone microenvironment is essential for facilitating bone repair.Herein,we designed ROS scavenging and responsive prolonged oxygen-generating hydrogels(CPP-L/GelMA)as a“bone microenvironment regulative hydrogel”to reverse the hypoxic microenvironment in bone defects region.CPP-L/GelMA hydrogels comprises an antioxidant enzyme catalase(CAT)and ROS-responsive oxygen-releasing nanoparticles(PFC@PLGA/PPS)co-loaded liposome(CCP-L)and GelMA hydrogels.Under hypoxic condition,CPP-L/GelMA can release CAT for degrading hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen and be triggered by superfluous ROS to continuously release the oxygen for more than 2 weeks.The prolonged oxygen enriched microenvironment generated by CPP-L/GelMA hydrogel significantly enhanced angiogenesis and osteogenesis while inhibited osteoclastogenesis.Finally,CPP-L/GelMA showed excellent bone regeneration effect in a mice skull defect model through the Nrf2-BMAL1-autophagy pathway.Hence,CPP-L/GelMA,as a bone microenvironment regulative hydrogel for bone tissue respiration,can effectively scavenge ROS and provide prolonged oxygen supply according to the demand in bone defect region,possessing of great clinical therapeutic potential.

Cardiomyocyte-targeted anti-inflammatory nanotherapeutics against myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury

Myocardial ischemia reperfusion(IR)injury is closely related to the overwhelming inflammation in the myocardium.Herein,cardiomyocyte-targeted nanotherapeutics were developed for the reactive oxygen species(ROS)-ultrasensitive co-delivery of dexamethasone(Dex)and RAGE small interfering RNA(siRAGE)to attenuate myocardial inflammation.PPTP,a ROSdegradable polycation based on PGE2-modified,PEGylated,ditellurium-crosslinked polyethylenimine(PEI)was developed to surface-decorate the Dex-encapsulated mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs),which simultaneously condensed siRAGE and gated the MSNs to prevent the Dex pre-leakage.Upon intravenous injection to IR-injured rats,the nanotherapeutics could be efficiently transported into the inflamed cardiomyocytes via PGE2-assisted recognition of over-expressed E-series of prostaglandin(EP)receptors on the cell membranes.Intracellularly,the over-produced ROS degraded PPTP into small segments,promoting the release of siRAGE and Dex to mediate effective RAGE silencing(72%)and cooperative antiinflammatory effect.As a consequence,the nanotherapeutics notably suppressed the myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis,ultimately recovering the systolic function.Therefore,the current nanotherapeutics represent an effective example for the codelivery and on-demand release of nucleic acid and chemodrug payloads,and might find promising utilities toward the synergistic management of myocardial inflammation.