Dual-targeting AAV9P1-mediated neuronal reprogramming in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury results in neuronal loss and glial scar formation.Replenishing neurons and eliminating the consequences of glial scar formation are essential for treating traumatic brain injury.Neuronal reprogramming is a promising strategy to convert glial scars to neural tissue.However,previous studies have reported inconsistent results.In this study,an AAV9P1 vector incorporating an astrocyte-targeting P1 peptide and glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter was used to achieve dual-targeting of astrocytes and the glial scar while minimizing off-target effects.The results demonstrate that AAV9P1 provides high selectivity of astrocytes and reactive astrocytes.Moreover,neuronal reprogramming was induced by downregulating the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 gene via systemic administration of AAV9P1 in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury.In summary,this approach provides an improved gene delivery vehicle to study neuronal programming and evidence of its applications for traumatic brain injury.

The roles of carboxylesterase and CYP isozymes on the in vitro metabolism of T-2 toxin

Background: T-2 toxin poses a great threat to human health because it has the highest toxicity of the currently known trichothecene mycotoxins. To understand the in vivo toxicity and transformation mechanism of T-2 toxin, we investigated the role of two principal phase Ⅰ drug-metabolizing enzymes(cytochrome P450 [CYP450] enzymes) on the metabolism of T-2 toxin, which are crucial to the metabolism of endogenous substances and xenobiotics. We also investigated carboxylesterase, which also plays an important role in the metabolism of toxic substances.Methods: A chemical inhibition method and a recombinant method were employed to investigate the metabolism of the T-2 toxin by the CYP450 enzymes, and a chemical inhibition method was used to study carboxylesterase metabolism. Samples incubated with human liver microsomes were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(HPLC- Qq Q MS) after a simple pretreatment.Results: In the presence of a carboxylesterase inhibitor, only 20% T-2 toxin was metabolized. When CYP enzyme inhibitors and a carboxylesterase inhibitor were both present, only 3% of the T-2 toxin was metabolized. The contributions of the CYP450 enzyme family to T-2 toxin metabolism followed the descending order CYP3A4, CYP2E1, CYP1A2, CYP2B6 or CYP2D6 or CYP2C19.Conclusions: Carboxylesterase and CYP450 enzymes are of great importance in T-2 toxin metabolism, in which carboxylesterase is predominant and CYP450 has a subordinate role. CYP3A4 is the principal member of the CYP450 enzyme family responsible for T-2 toxin metabolism. The metabolite produced by carboxylesterase is HT-2, and the metabolite produced by CYP 3A4 is 3'-OH T-2. The different metabolites show different toxicities. Our results will provide useful data concerning the toxic mechanism, the safety evaluation, and the health risk assessment of T-2 toxin.

Heat shock protein inhibitor, quercetin, as a novel adjuvant agent to improve radiofrequency ablation-induced tumor destruction and its molecular mechanism

Background： We investigated the effect of a small molecular inhibitor of heat shock protein （HSP）, qnercetin, on tumor radiofrequency （RF） ablation, and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods： In in vivo study, rats with R3230 breast adenocarcinoma were sacrificed 24 h post-treatment and gross coagulation areas were compared, and next, randomized into four treatment arms （control, quercetin alone, RF alone, and combination） for Kaplan-Meier analysis of defined endpoint survival. Then the distribution and expression levels of heat shock protein 70 （HSP70）, cleaved caspase-3 and heat shock factor 1 （HSF1） were analyzed after different treatments. In in vitro study, we used quercetin to promote SK- HEP-I （hepatic） and MCF-7 （breast） cancer cell apoptosis in heat shock cell model, and siRNA was used to block c-Jun and to explore the role of activating protein-1 （AP-1） signaling pathways. Results： We found the effects of quercetin plus RFA resulted in increase on the tumor destruction/ endpoint survival （26.5±3.4 d） in vivo, compared with RF alone （17.6±2.5 d） and quercetin alone （15.7±3.1 d）. Most importantly, quercetin-induced cancer cell death required the presence of HSF1 in animal model. Furthermore, quercetin directly down-regulated expression of HSF1 in vitro, which our findings have revealed, required the activation of AP-1 signaling pathways by loss-of-function analysis using siRNA mediated targeting of c-Jun. Conclusions： These results indicated a protective role of quercetin in tumor ablation and highlighted a novel mechanism involving HSP70 with HSF1 pathway in thermal ablation of solid tumors.

Immunopotentiating activities and TLR4/MAPK related molecular mechanisms research of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect and molecular mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP) and glycopeptides on T,B lymphocytes and macrophages.METHODS ~3H-TdR incorporation method was used to compare the effects of LBP and glycopeptides on the proliferation lymphocytes.Peritoneal macrophages induced by sodium thioglycolate were used to compare the effects of LBP and glycopeptides.T and B lymphocytes were purified by immunomagnetic beads method.Using antibody blocking methods screening polysaccharide activity related receptors.C3H/HeJ mice were further used to observe the activity of LBP.Biolayer interference method was used to observe the binding kinetics of LBP with TLR4 in vitro.TLR4 level was tested by flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to observe the phosphorylation of p-38,SAPK/JNK and ERK.RESULTS The monosaccharide compo.sition of LBP is rhamnose,arabinose and galactose,and does not contain amino acids.The mixed lymphocyte proliferation experiment showed that LBP had more obvious effect on the proliferation of B cells,and glycosides induced T cells proliferation was more obvious.On the purify lymphocytes,it was found that LBP-induced B cells proliferation requires the involvement of macrophages.Further research found that anti-TLR4 antibody had significant inhibitory effect on LBP-induced macrophage release of TNF-α and IL-1β but not the anti-CR3 treatment.C3 H/HeJ mice related results further demonstrated that TLR4 is necessary for LBP activity.Although biolayer interference showed no obvious binding of TLR4/MD2 with LBP,flow cytometry confirmed that LBP could increase TLR4 expression.Western Blot experiments showed that the effect of LBP on macrophage was related to its activation of p-38/MAPK pathway and inhibition of ERK/MAPK and JNK/MAPK pathways.CONCLUSION TLR4 is the activity related receptors of LBP.LBP cannot directly bind to TLR4/MD2 complex in vitro,but can increase TLR4 expression and activate macrophage p-38/MAPK signaling pathway,inhibiting ERK-MAPK and JNK-MAPK signaling pathways.

Mechanism and impact of a novel allosteric AMPA receptor modulator on protection against respiratory depression

OBJECTIVE Respiratory depression hinders the use of anaesthetics and sedative hyp.notics.To explore the mechanism of LCX001 on protection against respiratory depression,a novel AMPA receptor modulator LCX001,synthesized by our Institute of Medicinal Chemistry,is expected to relieve suppressed respiration.METHODS LCX001 was tested to alleviate respiratory depression triggered by opioid(fentanyl and TH-030418),propofol and pentobarbital in the plethysmography recording.The acetic acid writhing and hot-plate tests were conducted to evaluate analgesic effect of LCX001.Binding assay and whole-cell recording were used to analyze the property of LCX001 on positive modulation.The function of AMPA receptors were determined by location of receptors in the membrane and state of channel opening,and both processes were impressed by AMPA receptor regulatory proteins.Ac.cording to the theory,the effect of LCX001 on the expression of stargazin was measured firstly by west.ern blotting.The variation of receptor surface location was observed by live cell imaging.The regula.tion on neuronal Ca^(2+) and cell function was investigated intensively by Ca^(2+) imaging to clarify mecha.nism of LCX001.RESULTS LCX001 effectively rescued and prevented opioid(fentanyl and TH-030418),propofol,and pentobarbital-induced respiratory depression by strengthening respiratory fre.quency and minute ventilation in rats.The acetic acid writhing test and hot-plate test revealed potent anti-nociceptive efficacy of LCX001,in contrast to some ampakines that did not affect analgesia.Fur.thermore,LCX001 potentiated [3 H]AMPA and L-glutamate binding affinity to AMPA receptors,and facili.tated glutamate-evoked inward currents in HEK293 cells stably expressing GluA2(R).Importantly,appli.cation of LCX001 generated a significant increase in GluA2(R) surface expression in a mechanism of stargazin up-regulation,and restrained opioid-induced abnormal intracellular Ca^(2+) load,which might par.ticipate in breathing modulation.CONCLUSION The novel pharmacological effect and potential new mechanism of LCX001 might promote ampakines to be a therapeutic option for protection against respi.ratory depression.

Effect and mechanism of LW-AFC on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced mood and cognition impairment of mice

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanisms of LW-AFC,a new formula derived fromLiuwei Dihuang decoction,on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced mood and cogni.tion impairment in mice.METHODS C57 BL/6 J mice were randomly placed into seven groups(n=10):normal control group,CUMS group,Fluoxetine(10 mg·kg^(-1),once per day) group,Liuwei Dihuang decoction group(LW,10 g·kg^(-1),once per day),and LW-AFC(0.8 g·kg^(-1),1.6 g·kg^(-1),3.2 g·kg^(-1),once per day) group.The stressed group was given CUMS for 4 weeks to set up a chronic multiple-stressed model.LW and LW-AFC was oral administered a week prior to CUMS and until the end of the study(a total of 35 d),while fluoxetine was administrated orally for 4 weeks.The anxiety behavior was analyzed using the open field test(OFT) and elevated plus maze test(EPM).The depression behavior was ana.lyzed using the sucrose preference test(SPT) and forced swimming test(FST).Spatial cognition was evaluated using Morris water maze(MWM) test and working memory was evaluated using new object recognition test(NORT).RESULTS CUMS for 28 d increased depressive-and anxiety-like behaviors.LW-AFC(1.6 g·kg^(-1)) significantly increased the numbers of entries into the open arm and time in the open arm of CUMS mice(P<0.05).LW-AFC(3.2 g·kg^(-1)) increased sucrose consumption and de.creased the immobility time of FST(P<0.01) of CUMS mice.The MWM test showed that spatial learning andmemory in CUMS mice were remarkably affected relative to controls,whereas LW-AFC(3.2 g·kg^(-1)) im.proves cognitive functions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The mood and theability of learning and memory of thestressed group can be affected after exposure to CUS.Oral administration of LW-AFC significant.ly improved CUMS-induced impairments of mood and cognition in mice.

Modulating balance of synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors as strategy for Alzheimer disease drug discovery

The unbalance between synaptic(Glu N2 A, mediating the protective pathway) and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors(NMDARs)(Glu N2 B, mediating the excitotoxic pathway) has been found in Alzheimer disease(AD), indicating restoring the balance of Glu N2 A and Glu N2 B should be beneficial for AD therapy. In this study, the Glu N2 B-selective antagonist, ifenprodil, and the non-selective NMDAR agonist, NMDA, had little effects on amyloid-beta(Abeta)-induced long-term potentiation(LTP) deficits.Enhancing the activity of Glu N2 A had a protective effect against Abeta, and specific activation of Glu N2 A and inhibition of Glu N2 B showed a better protective effect. The combination of ifenprodil and D-cycloserine(a co-activator of NMDRs similar to D-serine) led to greater improvement in behavior tests than ifenprodil or D-cycloserine alone, meanwhile, the combination of ifenprodil and D-cycloserine reversed the signal pathway more significantly than ifenprodil or D-cycloserine alone. These results indicate that enhancing synaptic NMDARs and inhibiting extrasynaptic NMDARs concurrently showed protective effects against Abeta-induced neurotoxicity, suggesting that modulation of the balance between Glu N2 A and Glu N2 B might be a good strategy for drug discovery against AD.

Impairment of LTP in insular cortex is correlated to resilience and vulnerability to chronic stress for PTSD

OBJECTIVE Exposure to stressful events can be differently perceived by individuals depending on the level of stress resilience or vulnerability.The neural processes that underlie such clinical y and social y important differences are largely unknown.As insula cortex is important in emotional processing,we have examined whether the changes in synaptic plasticity in the insula cortex involved in stress resilience or vulnerability.METHODS Mice were divided into two groups:control and stress group.Stress group was treated by foot electric shock twice daily(0.8 mA,2 s,ten times in 1 min) in continuous two weeks.Then we used fear conditioning test to detect re-experiencing of traumatic experience,open field test to detect avoidance,pre-pulse inhibition experiment to detect hyper arousal.The changes of synaptic plasticity in the insular cortex were recorded by the multiple channels electrophysiology and whole cell patch.RESULTS According to the behavioral scores,it was divided into resilient and vulnerable group.In the fear conditioning test,the vulnerable group showed the significant freezing time decreased than that of the resilient group(P<0.01).In the open field test,the time that enter the center zone of vulnerable group is increased than that resilient group(P<0.01);In the pre-pulse inhibition experiment,there are not significant difference of PPI value in both groups(P=0.4239).And then electrophysiological experiments are performed to detect the synaptic plasticity of the insular cortex.Compared with the resilient group,the LTP level was decreased(P<0.05) and the mEPSC was increased(P<0.01) in vulnerable group.CONCLUSION The impairment of synaptic plasticity in the insular cortex may be one of the neural mechanisms for the vulnerability to chronic stress.

Effects of LW-AFC on anxiety-like behavior and immune function in corticosterone-induced mice

OBJECTIVE Chronic stress is one of the important factors in the development of many mental and neurological diseases,and cause damage to the central nervous system,affect animal emotions and damage the immune function of the body.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of LW-AFC which extracting from traditional Chinese medicine prescription Liuwei Dihuang decoctionon the anxiety-like behaviorand immune dysfunction abnormalities caused by chronic stress,and whether immune intervention affect the action of LW-AFC.METHODS Male BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with corticosterone(25 mg·kg^-1)for 28 d to establish a chronic stress model.Cyclophos⁃phamide(Cy,80 mg·kg^-1)was injected continuously for the initial three days,followed by once a week,LW-AFC(1.6 g·kg^-1)was given continuously for 28 d.Then investigate the emotion changes by open field and elevated plus maze tests,and detected the lymphocyte proliferation,lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood,microglia and astrocyte expression,and inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood and brain tissue.RESULTS The mice showed obvious depressive-like behaviorafter 28 d of continuous corticosterone injection.LW-AFC could significantly improve the anxietybehavior induced by corticosterone injection,but LW-AFC could not improve the anxietybehavior of mice by Cy intervention.The expression of glial cells in hippocampus of corticosterone-induced mice showed an upward trend,and the activation of microglia and astrocytes have significantly increase in corticosterone and Cy injected mice.LW-AFC significantly decreased the activation of microglia and astrocytes in corticosterone-induced mice with Cy intervention.This suggested that LW-AFC can reduce the damage of stress on the immune function of central nervous system under immunosuppres⁃sive state.Furthermore,LW-AFC could significantly up-regulate the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte stimulated by LPS and ConA,up-regulate the proportion of CD3+CD8+cells,reduce the proportion of CD4+/CD8+cells,decrease the secretion of inflammatory factors IL-6 and MCP-1 in plasma,and increase the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in plasma of mice induced by chronic corticosteroneinjection.While LW-AFC could promote the inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6in plasma,inhibit the secretion of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 and inflammatory cytokine MCP-1 in hippocampus of corticosterone-induced mice with Cy intervention.CONCLUSION LW-AFC can improve anxiety-likebehavior induced by chronic stress,the Cy intervention affects the alleviation of anxiety-like behavior by LW-AFC as well as the regulation of immune function.The regulation of immune function might be the main way for LW-AFC to improve the function of central nervous system.

SOD mimicAEOL-10150 improve lifespan and delay brain aging via inhibition of senescence-associated secretory phenotype in SAMR1 strain

OBJECTIVE To observe the anti-aging effects of SOD mimic AEOL^(-1)0150 in antisenescence accelerated mouse resistant 1(SAMR1)strain.METHODS The lifespan of SAMR1 mice were observed by subcutaneous injection AEOL^(-1)0150 2 mg·kg-1once a week.Morris water maze,new object recognition,nesting and forced swimming were used to observe the behavioral changes of animals.Lymphocyte subgroups and ROS were measured by Flow cytometry.The cytokines levels were determined by Luminex method.The number of DCX+neurons in brain tissue was observed by immunofluorescence.RESULTS The results showed that AEOL^(-1)0150 could prolong the mean lifespan of SAMR1 mice,but it had no obvious effect on maximal lifespan.What′s more,AEOL^(-1)0150 could significantly improve the spatial learning memory of aged mice,but it could not increase the number of DCX+neurons in the hypothalamic MBH and hippocampal DG regions.Then,we observed the effects of AEOL^(-1)0150 on peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups and cytokines.We found that AEOL^(-1)0150significantly modulated the lymphocyte subgroups and cytokine release.Especially,AEOL^(-1)0150 can dose-dependently inhibit plasma levels of SASP related inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL^(-1)7.CONCLUSION The results indicate that AEOL^(-1)0150 has anti-aging effects,and the effects are closely related to modulating immunity and inhibiting SASP production.

Comparison between cannabidiol and sertra⁃line in modulation of post-traumatic stress dis⁃order-like behaviors and fear memory in mice

OBJECTIVE Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)is characterized by poor adapta⁃tion to a traumatic experience and disturbances in fear memory regulation,and currently lacks effective medication.Cannabidiol(CBD)is the primary component of the Cannabis sativa plant;it does not have any psychoactive effects and has been implicated in modulating fear learning in mammals.The present study investigated the effect of CBD on PTSD-like behaviors in a mouse pre-shock model,the effect of CBD in the modulation of trauma-related fear memory,a crucial process leading to core symptoms of PTSD.METHODS Pre-shock model was applied in which mice were submitted to training with two days of 0.8 mA×12 times of foot-shock,and PTSD-like behaviors was evaluated during 3 and 26 d,including freezing time to the conditioned context,open field test,elevated plus maze test and social interaction test.RESULTS CBD(10 mg·kg^(-1))administration alleviated main PTSD-like symptoms in the mouse pre-shock model by attenuating trauma-related fear memory,decreasing anxiety-like behavior,and increasing social interaction behavior.However,sertraline(15 mg·kg^(-1))was only effective when adminis⁃tered throughout the test period.Furthermore,CBD reduced the formation,retrieval,and recon⁃solidation of trauma-related fear memory,whereas sertraline only reduced fear-memory retrieval.Neither CBD nor sertraline influenced the acquisi⁃tion of trauma-related fear memory.CONCLU⁃SION CBD produced anti-PTSD-like actions in mice,and could disrupt trauma-related fear mem⁃ory by interfering with multiple aspects of fear memory processing in mice.These findings indi⁃cate that CBD may be a promising candidate for treating PTSD.

Construction of NIM sub-network regulated by Liuwei Dihuang decoction and its characteristics

OBJECTIVE To construct the neuroendocrine immunomodulation(NIM) sub-network regulated by Liuwei Dihuang decoction(LW) and analyze its characteristics.METHODS We took the GSE57273 in GEO database and screened the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)(P<0.01) by the GEO2 R tool as gene expression signature of LW.The global PPI network was constructed in the context of whole PPI network through direct interaction algorithm and forest algorithm respectively.Then the enrichment and the topological characteristics of NIM signaling molecules were evaluated by permutation test.Finally,we abstracted the NIM sub-network by NIMNT,which combined the NIM molecular network and forest algorithm,and analyzed the topological characteristics of it by the Network Analyzer(release 2.7) plugin in Cytoscape v3.5.1.RESULTS We got 2468 DEGs in the gene expression signature of LW.After analyzing the global PPI network of LW got by two kinds of algorithms,we found that the NIM signaling molecules significantly enriched and located in important positions in the global PPI network.The NIM sub-network regulated by LW contained 1099 nodes and 1056 edges.We screened out 22 hub nodes(Degree>10).Among them,there were 19 NIM signaling molecules in which only ESR1 changed significantly and 3 non-DEGs(NFATC2,RARA,TP53).However,the down.stream of the hub nodes were significantly changes.CONCLUSION The results suggested that LW might mainly regulate the non-hub nodes to recovery of the network imbalance of the body in the state of disease.

Metabolism alternation of schisandra chinensis in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats and patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetics change of schisandra chinensis under the pathological condition of liver dysfunction for safe and rational use of herbal medicines.METHODS The metabolism of four effective lignans from schisandra chinensis(SC),schisandrin,schisantherin A,deoxyshisandrin and γ-schisandrin was studied using microsomes from patients with advanced hepato.cellular carcinoma.In situ intestinal and hepatic perfusions were conducted to clarify the contributions from impairments of gut and liver on the pharmacokinetics of the four schisandra lignans in CCl4-intoxi.cated rats.The metabolism in rat and human liver microsomes and transport in Caco-2 monolayer cell model were studied to reveal the key factors for the in vivo disposition of the four lignans.RESULTS When SC alcoholic extract was orally administrated to CCl4-intoxicated rat for a short term(4 d),the pharmacokinetics of four active SC lignans was significantly changed while its hepatoprotective effect was not obviously observed.The plasma concentrations of the four schisandra lignans were dramatical.ly elevated compared with the control.The Cmax,AUC and MRT were all increased or prolonged signif.icantly while parameter CLz/F was obviously reduced in rat pretreated with CCl4.In hepatic perfusion study and liver microsomes incubation,it was found that the hepatic metabolism of the four lignans was markedly decreased mainly due to the activity reduction of multiple CYP450 isoenzymes involved the metabolism,which,eventually,might lead to the alternation of their pharmacokinetic profiles in CCl4-intoxicated rats or patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.CONCLUSION The pharmacoki.netic studies of SC components in pathological situation of liver dysfunction are expected to provide useful data for rational and safe application of SC preparations in clinic or further pharmacological and toxicological research.

Roles of 5-HT2 receptors in effects of DOM,ketamine and methamphetamine on prepulse inhibition in Sprague Dawley rats

OBJECTIVE Prepulse inhibition(PPI)of the acoustic startle response provides a measure of sensorimotor gating system mecha⁃nisms,which is known to be impaired in schizo⁃phrenia patients.We assessed the effects of the 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist(±)2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine(DOM),the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine,the dopamine receptor ago⁃nist methamphetamine(Meth)on PPI and the startle magnitude in SD rats.METHODS AND RESULTS Systemic administration of the three compounds all dose-dependently reduced PPI.However,as far as startle magnitude,only DOM at the doses of 3 mg·kg-1 reduced that,while both ketamine and Meth did not change the startle magnitudes.Furthermore,to determine whether 5-HT2A receptor mediate this effect,the non-spe⁃cific 5-HT2 receptor antagonist cyproheptadine,specific 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin and specific 5-HT2C receptor antagonist SB242084 were tested.Cyproheptadine,ketan⁃serin and SB242084 did not alter startle ampli⁃tude by themselves in SD rats and only ketanserin slightly increased PPI at higher dose(3 mg·kg-1).PPI impairment induced by DOM was restored by pretreatment of cyproheptadine(1 mg·kg-1)and ketanserin(1 mg·kg-1),while not by pretreat⁃ment of SB242084(1 mg·kg-1).Damage of PPI induced by ketamine and Meth was not reversed by cyproheptadine(1 and 5 mg·kg-1).CONCLU⁃SION The receptor mechanisms underlying the disruption of PPI caused by DOM,ketamine and Meth were different from each other,at least 5-HT2A receptor was not the junction receptor for which the three chemicals acted.

S4A-5 Screening ofμOpioid Receptor-Interacting Proteins and Effects of ABIN-1 on Receptor Function

Aim:To determine the proteins that interact with the carboxyl-terminal of theμopioid receptor(MOR-C)after chronic morphine exposure.Methods:The brain cDNA library of chronic morphine treatment rats was screened using rat MOR-C to investigate the regulator of opioids dependence in the present study.The brain cDNA library from chronic morphine-dependent rats was constructed using the SMART(Switching Mechanism At 5′end of RNA Transcript)technique.Bacterial two-hybrid system was used to screening the rat MOR-C interacting proteins from the cDNA library.RT-qPCR and immunoblotting were used to determine the variation of MOR-C interacting proteins in rat brain after chronic morphine treatment.Column overlay assays,immunocytochemistry and coimmunoprecipitation were used to demonstrate the interaction of MOR-C and p75NTR-associated cell death executor(NADE)or A20-binding inhibitor of nuclear factor kB(ABIN-1).Results:21 positive proteins,including 19 known proteins were screened to interact with rat MOR-C.Expression of several of these proteins was altered in specific rat brain regions after chronic morphine treatment.Among these proteins,ABIN-1 and NADE were confirmed to interact with rat MOR-C by in vitro proteinprotein binding and coimmunoprecipitation in Chinese hamster ovary(CHO)cells and rat brain with or without chronic morphine treatment.Saturation binding studies showed that ABIN-1 had no effect on MOR binding.However,the interaction of ABIN-1 and MOR inhibited the activation of G proteins induced by DAMGO([D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-Enkephalin).MOR phosphorylation,ubiquitination,and internalization induced by DAMGO were decreased in Chinese hamster ovary cells that coexpressed MOR and ABIN-1.The suppression of forskolinstimulated adenylylcyclase by DAMGO was also inhibited by the interaction of ABIN-1with MOR.In addition,extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation was also negatively regulated by overexpression of ABIN-1.These data suggest that ABIN-1 is a negative coregulator of MOR activation,phosphorylation,and internalization in vitro.ABIN-1 also inhibited morphine-induced hyperlocomotion in zebrafish larvae(AB strain).By utilization of an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide(MO)gene knockdown technology,the ABIN-1MO-injected zebrafish larvae showed a significant increase(approximately 60%)in distance moved compared with control MO-injected larvae after acute morphine treatment(P≤0.01).Conclusion:Understanding the rat MOR-C interacting proteins and the proteins variation under chronic morphine treatment may be critical for determining the pathophysiological basis of opioid tolerance and addiction.Among these proteins,ABIN-1 negatively regulates MOR function in vitro and in vivo.Other MOR-C interacting proteins’influence on the opioid tolerance and addiction need further study.

S1A-5 Modulating the Balance of Synaptic and Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptors Shows Positive Effects Against Amyloid-Beta-Induced Neurotoxicity

The unbalance between synaptic(GluN2A,mediating the protective pathway)and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors(NMDARs)(GluN2B,mediating the excitotoxic pathway)has been found in Alzheimer’s disease(AD),indicating restoring the balance of GluN2A and GluN2B should be beneficial for AD.In this study,the GluN2B-selective antagonist,ifenprodil,and the non-selective NMDAR agonist,NMDA,had little effects on amyloid-beta(Abeta)-induced longterm potentiation(LTP)deficits.Enhancing the activity of GluN2A had a protective effect against Abeta,and specific activation of GluN2A and inhibition of GluN2B showed a better protective effect.The combination of ifenprodil and D-cycloserine(a co-activator of NMDRs similar to D-serine)led to greater improvement in behavior tests than ifenprodil or D-cycloserine alone,meanwhile,the combination of ifenprodil and D-cycloserine reversed the signal pathway more significantly than ifenprodil or D-cycloserine alone.These results indicate that enhancing synaptic NMDARs and inhibiting extrasynaptic NMDARs concurrently showed protective effects against Abeta-induced neurotoxicity,suggesting that modulation of the balance between GluN2A and GluN2B might be a good strategy for AD therapy.

Hypidone hydrochloride(YL-0919)ameliorates functional deficits after traumatic brain injury in mice by activating the sigma-1 receptor for antioxidation

Traumatic brain injury involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms,among which oxidative stress significantly contributes to the occurrence of secondary injury.In this study,we evaluated hypidone hydrochloride(YL-0919),a self-developed antidepressant with selective sigma-1 receptor agonist properties,and its associated mechanisms and targets in traumatic brain injury.Behavioral experiments to assess functional deficits were followed by assessment of neuronal damage through histological analyses and examination of blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema.Next,we investigated the antioxidative effects of YL-0919 by assessing the levels of traditional markers of oxidative stress in vivo in mice and in vitro in HT22 cells.Finally,the targeted action of YL-0919 was verified by employing a sigma-1 receptor antagonist(BD-1047).Our findings demonstrated that YL-0919 markedly improved deficits in motor function and spatial cognition on day 3 post traumatic brain injury,while also decreasing neuronal mortality and reversing blood-brain barrier disruption and brain edema.Furthermore,YL-0919 effectively combated oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro.The protective effects of YL-0919 were partially inhibited by BD-1047.These results indicated that YL-0919 relieved impairments in motor and spatial cognition by restraining oxidative stress,a neuroprotective effect that was partially reversed by the sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD-1047.YL-0919 may have potential as a new treatment for traumatic brain injury.

Heat shock protein 90 promotes RNA helicase DDX5 accumulation and exacerbates hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting autophagy

Objective:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),the main type of liver cancer,has a high morbidity and mortality,and a poor prognosis.RNA helicase DDX5,which acts as a transcriptional co-regulator,is overexpressed in most malignant tumors and promotes cancer cell growth.Heat shock protein 90(HSP90)is an important molecular chaperone in the conformational maturation and stabilization of numerous proteins involved in cell growth or survival.Methods:DDX5 m RNA and protein expression in surgically resected HCC tissues from 24 Asian patients were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot,respectively.The interaction of DDX5-HSP90 was determined by molecular docking,immunoprecipitation,and laser scanning confocal microscopy.The autophagy signal was detected by Western blot.The cell functions and signaling pathways of DDX5 were determined in 2 HCC cell lines.Two different murine HCC xenograft models were used to determine the function of DDX5 and the therapeutic effect of an HSP90 inhibitor.Results:HSP90 interacted directly with DDX5 and inhibited DDX5 protein degradation in the AMPK/ULK1-regulated autophagy pathway.The subsequent accumulation of DDX5 protein induced the malignant phenotype of HCC by activating theβ-catenin signaling pathway.The silencing of DDX5 or treatment with HSP90 inhibitor both blocked in vivo tumor growth in a murine HCC xenograft model.High levels of HSP90 and DDX5 protein were associated with poor prognoses.Conclusions:HSP90 interacted with DDX5 protein and subsequently protected DDX5 protein from AMPK/ULK1-regulated autophagic degradation.DDX5 and HSP90 are therefore potential therapeutic targets for HCC.

Size,shape,charge and“stealthy”surface:Carrier properties affect the drug circulation time in vivo

The present review sets out to discuss recent developments of the effects and mechanisms of carrier properties on their circulation time.For most drugs,sufficient in vivo circulation time is the basis of high bioavailability.Drug carrier plays an irreplaceable role in helping drug avoid being quickly recognized and cleared by mononuclear phagocyte system,to give drug enough time to arrive at targeted organ and tissue to play its therapeutic effect.The physical and chemical properties of drug carriers,such as size,shape,surface charge and surface modification,would affect their in vivo circulation time,metabolic behavior and biodistribution.The final circulation time of carriers is determined by the balance between macrophage recognitions,blood vessel penetration and urine excretion.Therefore,when designing the drug delivery system,we should pay much attention to the properties of drug carriers to get enough in vivo circulation time to arrive at target site eventually.This article mainly reviews the effect of carrier size,size,surface charge and surface properties on its circulation time in vivo,and discusses the mechanism of these properties affecting circulation time.This review has reference significance for the research of long-circulation drug delivery system.

Active fraction combination from Liuwei Dihuang decoction improves adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neurogenic microenvironment in cranially irradiated mice

OBJECTIVE Cranial radiotherapy is clinically used in the treatment of brain tumors;however,the consequent cognitive and emotional dysfunctions seriously impair the life quality of patients.LW-AFC,an active fraction combination extracted from classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription Liuwei Dihuang decoction,can improve cognitive and emotional dysfunctions in many animal models;however,the protective effect of LW-AFC on cranial irradiation-induced cognitive and emotional dysfunctions has not been reported.Recent studies indicate that impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis(AHN)and alterations of the neurogenic microenvironment in the hippocampus constitute critical factors in cognitive and emotional dysfunctions following cranial irradiation.Here,our research further investigated the potential protective effects and mechanisms of LW-AFC on cranial irradiation-induced cognitive and emotional dysfunctions in mice.METHODS LW-AFC(1.6 g·kg^(-1))was intragastrically administered to mice for 14 d before cranial irradiation(7 Gyγ-ray).AHN was examined by quantifying the number of proliferative neural stem cells and immature neurons in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus.The contextual fear conditioning test,open field test,and tail suspension test were used to assess cognitive and emotional functions in mice.To detect the change of the neurogenic microenvironment,colorimetry and multiplex bead analysis were performed to measure the level of oxidative stress,neurotrophic and growth factors,and inflammation in the hippocampus.RESULTS LW-AFC exerted beneficial effects on the contextual fear memory,anxiety behavior,and depression behavior in irradiated mice.Moreover,LW-AFC increased the number of proliferative neural stem cells and immature neurons in the dorsal hippocampus,displaying a regional specificity of neurogenic response.For the neurogenic microenvironment,LW-AFC significantly increased the contents of superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase,glutathione,and catalase and decreased the content of malondialdehyde in the hippocampus of irradiated mice,accompanied by the increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor,insulin-like growth factor-1,and interleukin-4 content.Together,LW-AFC improved cognitive and emotional dysfunctions,promoted AHN preferentially in the dorsal hippocampus,and ameliorated disturbance in the neurogenic microenvironment in irradiated mice.CONCLUSION LW-AFC ameliorates cranial irradiation-induced cognitive and emotional dysfunctions,and the underlying mechanisms are mediated by promoting AHN in the dorsal hippocampus and improving the neurogenic microenvironment.LW-AFC might be a promising therapeutic agent to treat cognitive and emotional dysfunctions in patients receiving cranial radiotherapy.