Deciphering the pharmacological mechanisms of Shenlingbaizhu formula in antibiotic-associated diarrhea treatment: Network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenlingbaizhu (SLBZ) formula, a classical traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) formula, has been widely used for treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). However, the underlying pharmacological mechanisms have not yet been investigated thoroughly.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the remission mechanism of SLBZ in the treatment of AAD, we conducted network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the main compounds of SLBZ were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-MS) and online databases. The targets of the active components and AAD-related targets were predicted by network pharmacology, and the potential targets of SLBZ against AAD were obtained. Then the core targets were recognized after Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis. Based on these, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway analyses were conducted, and the key pathway was screened. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed using Auto Dock Vina to find the key components that played a crucial role in that pathway. Molecular dynamics simulation was performed by Gromacs software to detect the binding mode. Finally, the results were confirmed by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

A total of 66 active ingredients of SLBZ were detected by UHPLC-MS, and 128 active ingredients were screened out by network pharmacological analysis. Additionally, 935 drug targets and 1686 AAD-related targets were obtained. Seventy-eight intersected genes were selected as potential therapeutic targets and 19 genes were excavated as core targets. Enrichment analysis revealed PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was the key pathway in SLBZ against AAD. Topological analysis further revealed that JAK2, MTOR, TLR4, and SYK were the key targets affected by SLBZ on the PI3K-AKT pathway, and 52 components of SLBZ were associated with them. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation revealed strong binding affinities between MTOR and diosgenin. Subsequently, after SLBZ treatment, the expression levels of JAK2, MTOR, TLR4, and SYK were found significantly upregulated in the AAD model rats (p < 0.05). The cell experiment further validated the good binding ability between MTOR and diosgenin.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that the therapeutic effect of SLBZ on AAD was achieved in part by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Shenfu injection targets the PI3K-AKT pathway to regulate autophagy and apoptosis in acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by sepsis

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an exaggerated response to infection. In the lungs, one of the most susceptible organs, this can manifest as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Shenfu (SF) injection is a prominent traditional Chinese medicine used to treat sepsis. However, the exact mechanism of its action has rarely been reported in the literature.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we detected the protective effect of SF injection on sepsis-induced ARDS and explored its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

We investigated the potential targets and regulatory mechanisms of SF injections using a combination of network pharmacology and RNA sequencing. This study was conducted both in vivo and in vitro using a mouse model of ARDS and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated MLE-12 cells, respectively.

RESULTS

The results showed that SF injection could effectively inhibit inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis to alleviate LPS-induced ARDS. SF inhibited the PI3K-AKT pathway, which controls autophagy and apoptosis. Subsequently, MLE-12 cells were treated with 3-methyladenine to assess its effects on autophagy and apoptosis. Additional experiments were conducted by adding rapamycin, an mTOR antagonist, or SC79, an AKT agonist, to investigate the effects of SF injection on autophagy, apoptosis, and the PI3K-AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we found that SF administration could enhance autophagic activity, reduce apoptosis, suppress inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, and inhibit the PI3K-AKT pathway, thus ameliorating sepsis-induced ARDS.

Investigating the multifaceted cooperation of autophagy, PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, and INPP4B gene in de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been the most prevalent form of acute leukemia among adults, and it has been associated with poor survival rates over the last four decades. Understanding the processes involved in leukemogenesis, particularly autophagy and signaling pathways, can provide critical insights into their roles in disease development, risk assessment, and potential therapeutic interventions. This study investigated gene expression changes, focusing on MAP1LC3B and BECN1, related to autophagy, as well as PI3KCA and AKT1 in the PI3K-AKT pathway, and INPP4B, which regulates this signaling cascade.

METHODS

We collected blood samples from 21 AML patients and 9 healthy volunteers. Gene expression was analyzed through qPCR following RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. Statistical analysis encompassed t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

AML patients exhibited significantly increased MAP1LC3B gene expression (****P < 0.0001; fold change = 11.9) and significantly reduced levels of INPP4B (****P < 0.0001; fold change = 0.026), AKT1 (*P < 0.05; fold change = 0.59), and PI3KCA (****P < 0.0001; fold change = 0.16) compared to healthy controls. However, BECN1 gene expression did not significantly differ between the two groups. Additionally, noteworthy correlations were observed between INPP4B and BECN1 (r = 0.57; P = 0.006) and BECN1 and PI3KCA (r = 0.61; P = 0.003) in AML patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights variations in leukemogenesis pathways, exemplified by increased MAP1LC3B expression and diminished expression of regulatory genes in specific AML cases. These findings contribute to our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying AML and may inform future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

KIF15 promotes the development and progression of chordoma via activating PI3K-AKT signalling pathway

Aims

Despite its implication in various human cancers, the expression and functional significance of Kinesin family member 15 (KIF15) in chordomas remain unexplored.

Main methods

The evaluation of KIF15 protein levels was conducted through immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was quantified using MTT and CCK8 assays, whereas cell migration was examined using wound healing and Transwell assays. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis was utilized to assess cell apoptosis and the cell cycle. Additionally, in vivo experiments were performed using a mouse xenograft model.

Key findings

Our study revealed significantly higher expression of KIF15 in stage III chordoma tissues compared to stage II tissues. Knockdown of KIF15 led to notable inhibition of cell proliferation and migration, along with enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In vivo studies further confirmed the inhibitory effects of KIF15 knockdown on chordoma tumour growth. In terms of mechanism, we identified the involvement of the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway mediated by KIF15 in chordomas. Notably, the anti-tumour effects of KIF15 deficiency on chordomas were partially reversed by the addition of an AKT activator.

Significance

KIF15 promotes chordoma development and progression through the activation of the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. Thus, targeting KIF15 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating chordomas.

Histone deacetylase 6 deficiency protects the liver against ischemia/reperfusion injury by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Liver transplantation (LT) is the only effective method to treat end-stage liver disease. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) continues to limit the prognosis of patients receiving LT. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a unique HDAC member involved in inflammation and apoptosis. However, its role and mechanism in hepatic IRI have not yet been reported. We examined HDAC6 levels in liver tissue from LT patients, mice challenged with liver IRI, and hepatocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). In addition, HDAC6 global-knockout (HDAC6-KO) mice, adeno-associated virus-mediated liver-specific HDAC6 overexpressing (HDAC6-LTG) mice, and their corresponding controls were used to construct hepatic IRI models. Hepatic histology, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis were detected to assess liver injury. The molecular mechanisms of HDAC6 in hepatic IRI were explored in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the HDAC6-selective inhibitor tubastatin A was used to detect the therapeutic effect of HDAC6 on liver IRI. Together, our results showed that HDAC6 expression was significantly upregulated in liver tissue from LT patients, mice subjected to hepatic I/R surgery, and hepatocytes challenged by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment. Compared with control mice, HDAC6 deficiency mitigated liver IRI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and apoptosis, whereas HDAC6-LTG mice displayed the opposite phenotype. Further molecular experiments show that HDAC6 bound to and deacetylated AKT and HDAC6 deficiency improved liver IRI by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. In conclusion, HDAC6 is a key mediator of hepatic IRI that functions to promote inflammation and apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Targeting hepatic HDAC6 inhibition may be a promising approach to attenuate liver IRI.

Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP)-induced male germ cell toxicity and its alleviation approach

Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) is a commonly used plasticizer in manufacturing consumer and industrial products to improve flexibility and durability. Despite of the numerous studies, however, the direct mechanism underlying the male reproductive damage of DiBP is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the male germ cell toxicity of DiBP using GC-1 spermatogonia (spg) cells. Our results indicated that DiBP exposure causes oxidative stress and apoptosis in GC-1 spg cells. In addition, DiBP-derived autophagy activation and down-regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways further inhibited GC-1 spg cell proliferation, indicating that DiBP can instigate male germ cell toxicity by targeting several pathways. Importantly, a combined treatment of parthenolide, N-acetylcysteine, and 3-methyladenine significantly reduced DiBP-induced male germ cell toxicity and restored proliferation. Taken together, the results of this study can provide valuable information to the existing literature by enhancing the understanding of single phthalate DiBP-derived male germ cell toxicity and the therapeutic interventions that can mitigate DiBP damage.

Identifying the function of the PI3K-AKT pathway during the pathogenic infection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase b (PI3K-Akt) pathway is a signalling pathway based on protein phosphorylation and can be activated by a wide range of factors. To investigate the function of the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway in antibacterial immunity, we analysed the gene expression level of three key factors (PI3K, AKT and FoxO) and innate immune factors in immune tissues at different time points after Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus infection. Tissues analysis showed that PI3K, AKT, and FoxO were expressed at high levels in the intestinal, hemocytes and hepatopancreas. Moreover, the expression levels of PI3K, AKT and FoxO can be regulated postinfection by different pathogens. In hemocytes and the intestine, V. parahaemolyticus infection was found to regulate the levels of PI3K, AKT, and FoxO more rapidly; however, an S. aureus infection regulated the levels of these factors more rapidly in the hepatopancreas and gills. Analysis showed that V. parahaemolyticus and S. aureus infection caused changes in the gene expression level of crustin, caspase 3 and NF-κB. Therefore, PI3K-AKT regulates the downstream immune pathway differentially in different immune tissues and participates in the regulation of cell apoptosis and the inflammatory response by activating caspase and NF-κB, respectively, following infection with V. parahaemolyticus and S. aureus.

Mechanical stiffness promotes skin fibrosis through FAPα-AKT signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Myofibroblasts contribute to the excessive production, remodeling and cross-linking of the extracellular matrix that characterizes the progression of skin fibrosis. An important insight into the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis has been the discovery that increased matrix stiffness during fibrosis progression is involved in myofibroblast activation. However, mechanistic basis for this phenomenon remains elusive.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of fibroblast activation protein-α (FAPα) in mechanical stiffness-induced skin fibrosis progression.

METHODS

RNA-seq was performed to compare differential genes of mouse dermal fibroblasts (MDFs) grown on low or high stiffness plates. This process identified FAPα, which is a membrane protein usually overexpressed in activated fibroblasts, as a suitable candidate. In vitro assay, we investigate the role of FAPα in mechanical stiffness-induced MDFs activation and downstream pathway. By establishing mouse skin fibrosis model and intradermally administrating FAPα adeno-associated virus (AAV) or a selective Fap inhibitor FAPi, we explore the role of FAPα in skin fibrosis in vivo.

RESULTS

We show that FAPα, a membrane protein highly expressed in myofibroblasts of skin fibrotic tissues, is regulated by increased matrix stiffness. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of FAPα significantly inhibits mechanical stiffness-induced activation of myofibroblasts in vitro. Mechanistically, FAPα promotes myofibroblast activation by stimulating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Furthermore, we showed that administration of the inhibitor FAPi or FAPα targeted knockdown ameliorated the progression of skin fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, we identify FAPα as an important driver of mechanical stiffness-induced skin fibrosis and a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of skin fibrosis.

Tumor suppressor let-7 acts as a key regulator for pluripotency gene expression in Muse cells

In embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the expression of an RNA-binding pluripotency-relevant protein, LIN28, and the absence of its antagonist, the tumor-suppressor microRNA (miRNA) let-7, play a key role in maintaining pluripotency. Muse cells are non-tumorigenic pluripotent-like stem cells residing in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and organ connective tissues as pluripotent surface marker SSEA-3(+). They express pluripotency genes, differentiate into triploblastic-lineage cells, and self-renew at the single cell level. Muse cells do not express LIN28 but do express let-7 at higher levels than in iPSCs. In Muse cells, we demonstrated that let-7 inhibited the PI3K-AKT pathway, leading to sustainable expression of the key pluripotency regulator KLF4 as well as its downstream genes, POU5F1, SOX2, and NANOG. Let-7 also suppressed proliferation and glycolysis by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway, suggesting its involvement in non-tumorigenicity. Furthermore, the MEK/ERK pathway is not controlled by let-7 and may have a pivotal role in maintaining self-renewal and suppression of senescence. The system found in Muse cells, in which the tumor suppressor let-7, but not LIN28, tunes the expression of pluripotency genes, might be a rational cell system conferring both pluripotency-like properties and a low risk for tumorigenicity.

Cryptotanshinone regulates gut microbiota and PI3K-AKT pathway in rats to alleviate CUMS induced depressive symptoms

Cryptotanshinone (CPT), a bioactive compound derived from the traditional Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, exhibits promising antidepressant properties. Employing a rat model subjected to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS), behavioral analyses (open field experiment, elevated cross maze experiment, sugar water preference experiment, forced swimming experiment) and inflammatory factor assessments were conducted to assess the efficacy of CPT in alleviating depressive symptoms and inflammatory responses induced by CUMS. Moreover, 16 S rDNA analysis revealed alterations in the gut microbiota of rats exposed to both CUMS and CPT administration. Notably, CPT administration was found to mitigate harmful bacterial shifts associated with depression. Preliminary exploration of the molecular mechanism underlying CPT's antidepressant effects via transcriptomics analysis and molecular docking indicated that CPT might exert its influence by regulating the PI3K-AKT pathway. This study sheds light on the potential therapeutic role of CPT in managing depressive disorders, offering a comprehensive understanding of its impact on behavior, inflammation, gut microbiota, and molecular pathways.

Rapid access to icetexane diterpenes: Their protective effects against lipopolysaccharides-induced acute lung injury via PI3K/AKT/NF-κB axis in macrophages

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options available in clinic. Development of novel strategies and drugs for anti-ALI therapy are urgently needed. In this study, a facile synthesis of 21 icetexane diterpenes and derivatives with widely-varied oxidation states, particularly the taxamairins that are otherwise challenging to access, were developed from the readily available carnosic acid. Further explorations of their biological implications led to the identification of taxamairin B (6) as a potent anti-inflammatory agent by decreasing the gene expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), as well as mitigating NO and ROS production, within LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Taxamairin B (6, 25 mg/kg) also exerted significant protective effects against in LPS-induced ALI in mice. Mechanistic insights drawn from the transcriptomic analysis revealed that taxamairin B (6) down-regulated the PI3K-AKT pathway, along with the suppression of the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. This study not only paves a new pathway to taxamairins, but also provides novel drug leads for the development of anti-inflammatory agents with unique mode of actions.

Authentication of Asini Corii Colla and Taurus Corii Colla based on UPLC-MS/MS and the discovery of antioxidant peptides associated with the PI3K-AKT pathway

Asini Corii Colla (ACC) and Taurus Corii Colla (TCC) are well-known for their high nutritional value, especially for medicinal purposes. However, the aforementioned are also potential candidates for adulteration because of their low yield and high price. A UPLC-MS/MS approach based on the specific peptide was proposed to detect adulterated gelatin with possible mixed animal species. To explore the antioxidant activity, the peptides were separated to evaluate their effect on ·OH radical and DPPH· scavenging activity, together with PI3K-AKT pathway activation. The results showed that the peptides had excellent DPPH· and ·OH radical scavenging effects, and could alleviate H2O2-induced oxidative stress by promoting the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. According to the results of MALDI-TOF/MS, the shared mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 1466, 1744 and 2382 may serve as a material basis for the antioxidant activity of both ACC and TCC, and contribute to their traditional tonic effects.

Bridging the age gap: a review of molecularly informed treatments for glioma in adolescents and young adults

Gliomas are the most common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors and a major cause of cancer-related mortality in children (age <15 years), adolescents and young adults (AYA, ages 15-39 years), and adults (age >39 years). Molecular pathology has helped enhance the characterization of these tumors, revealing a heterogeneous and ever more complex group of malignancies. Recent molecular analyses have led to an increased appreciation of common genomic alterations prevalent across all ages. The 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) CNS tumor classification, 5th edition (WHO CNS5) brings forward a nomenclature distinguishing "pediatric-type" and "adult-type" gliomas. The spectrum of gliomas in AYA comprises both "pediatric-like" and "adult-like" tumor entities but remains ill-defined. With fragmentation of clinical management between pediatric and adult centers, AYAs face challenges related to gaps in medical care, lower rates of enrollment in clinical trials and additional psychosocial and economic challenges. This calls for a rethinking of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, to improve access to appropriate testing and potentially beneficial treatments to patients of all ages.

Network pharmacological analysis and experimental study of cucurbitacin B in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant tumor with a high incidence and poor prognosis. Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a tetracyclic triterpenoid small-molecule compound extracted from plants, such as Cucurbitaceae and Brassicaceae, which has powerful anticancer effects. However, the effect and mechanism of CuB on OSCC remain unclear. Within the framework of the current study, network pharmacology was used to analyze the relationship between CuB and OSCC. The network pharmacology analysis showed that CuB and OSCC share 134 common targets; among them, PIK3R1, SRC, STAT3, AKT1, and MAPK1 are the key targets. The molecular docking analysis showed that CuB binds five target proteins. The results of the enrichment analysis showed that CuB exerted effects on OSCC through various pathways; of these pathways, PI3K-AKT was the most important pathway. The results of the in vitro cell experiments showed that CuB could inhibit the proliferation and migration of SCC25 and CAL27 cells, block the cell cycle in the G2 phase, induce cell apoptosis, and regulate the protein expression of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The results of the in vivo animal experiments showed that CuB could inhibit 4NQO-induced oral cancer in mice. Therefore, network pharmacology, molecular docking, cell experiments, and animal experiments showed that CuB could play a role in OSCC by regulating multiple targets and pathways.

Association between insulin and Nrf2 signalling pathway in Alzheimer's disease: A molecular landscape

Insulin, a well-known hormone, has been implicated as a regulator of blood glucose levels for almost a century now. Over the past few decades, the non-glycemic actions of insulin i.e. neuronal growth and proliferation have been extensively studied. In 2005, Dr. Suzanne de La Monte and her team reported that insulin might be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and thus coined a term "Type-3 diabetes" This hypothesis was supported by several subsequent studies. The nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2 (Nrf2) triggers a cascade of events under the regulation of distinct mechanisms including protein stability, phosphorylation and nuclear cytoplasmic shuttling, finally leading to the protection against oxidative damage. The Nrf2 pathway has been investigated extensively in relevance to neurodegenerative disorders, particularly AD. Many studies have indicated a strong correlation between insulin and Nrf2 signalling pathways both in the periphery and the brainbut merely few of them have focused on elucidating their inter-connective role in AD. The present review emphasizes key molecular pathways that correlate the role of insulin with Nrf2 during AD. The review has also identified key unexplored areas that could be investigated in future to further establish the insulin and Nrf2 influence in AD.

3D-printed hydrogel particles containing PRP laden with TDSCs promote tendon repair in a rat model of tendinopathy

Long-term chronic inflammation after Achilles tendon injury is critical for tendinopathy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, which is a common method for treating tendinopathy, has positive effects on tendon repair. In addition, tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs), which are stem cells located in tendons, play a major role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and postinjury repair. In this study, injectable gelatine methacryloyl (GelMA) microparticles containing PRP laden with TDSCs (PRP-TDSC-GM) were prepared by a projection-based 3D bioprinting technique. Our results showed that PRP-TDSC-GM could promote tendon differentiation in TDSCs and reduce the inflammatory response by downregulating the PI3K-AKT pathway, thus promoting the structural and functional repair of tendons in vivo.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Improves Hepatic Glucose Metabolism by Downregulating FBXO2 and Activating the PI3K-AKT Pathway

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic metabolic disease, is a public health concern that seriously endangers human health. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can relieve T2DM by improving glucose homeostasis and enhancing insulin sensitivity. However, its specific underlying mechanism remains elusive. SG and sham surgery were performed on mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. Lipid metabolism was evaluated via histology and serum lipid analysis. Glucose metabolism was evaluated using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Compared with the sham group, the SG group displayed a reduction in liver lipid accumulation and glucose intolerance, and western blot analysis revealed that the AMPK and PI3K-AKT pathways were activated. Furthermore, transcription and translation levels of FBXO2 were reduced after SG. After liver-specific overexpression of FBXO2, the improvement in glucose metabolism observed following SG was blunted; however, the remission of fatty liver was not influenced by the over expression of FBXO2. Our study explores the mechanism of SG in relieving T2DM, indicating that FBXO2 is a noninvasive therapeutic target that warrants further investigation.

Cerebrospinal fluid-derived extracellular vesicles after spinal cord injury promote vascular regeneration via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Background

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, is predominantly produced by the choroid plexus of the ventricle. Although CSF-derived extracellular vesicles (CSF-EVs) may be utilized as diagnostic and prognostic indicators for illnesses of the central nervous system (CNS), it is uncertain if CSF-EVs may have an impact on neurological function after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

Here, we isolated EVs using ultracentrifugation after extracting CSF from Bama miniature pigs. We then combined CSF-EVs with hydrogel and put it on the spinal cord's surface. To determine if CSF-EVs had an impact on mice's neurofunctional recovery, behavioral evaluations were employed. Both in vitro and in vivo, the effect of CSF-EVs on angiogenesis was assessed. We investigated whether CSF-EVs stimulated the PI3K/AKT pathway to alter angiogenesis using the PI3K inhibitor LY294002.

Results

CSF-EVs were successfully isolated and identified by transmission electron microscope (TEM), nano-tracking analysis (NTA), and western blot. CSF-EVs could be ingested by vascular endothelial cells as proved by in vivo imaging and immunofluorescence. We demonstrated that CSF-EVs derived from pigs with SCI (SCI-EVs) showed a better effect on promoting vascular regeneration as compared to CSF-EVs isolated from pigs receiving laminectomy (Sham-EVs). Behavioral assessments demonstrated that SCI-EVs could dramatically enhance motor and sensory function in mice with SCI. Western blot analysis suggested that SCI-EVs promote angiogenesis by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and the pro-angiogenetic effect of SCI-EVs was attenuated by the application of the LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor).

Conclusion

Our study revealed that CSF-EVs could enhance vascular regeneration by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, hence improving motor function recovery after SCI, which may offer potential novel therapeutic options for acute SCI.

The translational potential of this article

This study demonstrated the promotion of vascular regeneration and neurological function of CSF-derived exosomes, which may provide a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Tumor-activated Neutrophils Promote Metastasis in Breast Cancer via the G-CSF-RLN2-MMP-9 Axis

The immune component of the tumor microenvironment is essential for the regulation of cancer progression. In breast cancer (BC), a patient's tumor mass is frequently infiltrated by neutrophils (tumor-associated neutrophils, TANs). Our study addressed the role of TANs and their mechanism of action in BC. Using quantitative IHC, ROC, and Cox analysis, we demonstrated that a high density of TANs infiltrating the tumor parenchyma was predictive of poor prognosis and of decreased progression-free survival of patients with BC, who underwent surgical tumor removal without previous neoadjuvant chemotherapy, in three different cohorts: training, validation, and independent cohorts. Conditioned medium from human BC cell lines prolonged the life span of healthy donor neutrophils ex vivo. Neutrophils activated by the supernatants of BC lines demonstrated an increased ability to stimulate proliferation, migration, and invasive activity of BC cells. Cytokines involved in this process were identified using antibody arrays. The relationship between these cytokines and the density of TANs was validated by ELISA and IHC in fresh BC surgical samples. It was determined that tumor-derived G-CSF significantly extended the lifespan and increased the metastasis-promoting activities of neutrophils via the PI3K-AKT and NF-κB pathways. Simultaneously, TAN-derived RLN2 promoted the migratory abilities of MCF7cells via PI3K-AKT-MMP-9. Analysis of tumor tissues from 20 patients with BC identified a positive correlation between the density of TANs and the activation of the G-CSF-RLN2-MMP-9 axis. Finally, our data demonstrated that TANs in human BC have detrimental effects, supporting malignant cell invasion and migration.

Akkermansia and its metabolites play key roles in the treatment of campylobacteriosis in mice

Introduction

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is a common food-borne bacterial pathogen that can use the host's innate immune response to induce the development of colitis. There has been some research on the role of normal intestinal flora in C. jejuni-induced colitis, but the mechanisms that play a central role in resistance to C. jejuni infection have not been explored.

Methods

We treated Campylobacter jejuni-infected mice with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), oral butyric acid and deoxycholic acid in a controlled trial and analyzed the possible mechanisms of treatment by a combination of chromatography, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, 16s rRNA gene, proteomics and western blot techniques.

Results

We first investigated the therapeutic effect of FMT on C. jejuni infection. The results showed that FMT significantly reduced the inflammatory response and blocked the invasion of C.jejuni into the colonic tissue. We observed a significant increase in the abundance of Akkermansia in the colon of mice after FMT, as well as a significant increase in the levels of butyric acid and deoxycholic acid. We next demonstrated that oral administration of sodium butyrate or deoxycholic acid had a similar therapeutic effect. Further proteomic analysis showed that C.jejuni induced colitis mainly through activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway, whereas Akkermansia, the core flora of FMT, and the gut microbial metabolites butyric acid and deoxycholic acid both inhibited these signaling pathways to counteract the infection of C. jejuni and alleviate colitis. Finally, we verified the above idea by in vitro cellular assays. In conclusion, FMT is highly effective in the treatment of colitis caused by C. jejuni, with which Akkermansia and butyric and deoxycholic acids are closely associated.The present study demonstrates that Akkermansia and butyric and deoxycholic acids are effective in the treatment of colitis caused by C. jejuni.

Discussion

This is the first time that Akkermansia has been found to be effective in fighting pathogens, which provides new ideas and insights into the use of FMT to alleviate colitis caused by C. jejuni and Akkermansia as a treatment for intestinal sexually transmitted diseases caused by various pathogens.

P4HA3 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma. P4HA3 is a key enzyme in collagen biosynthesis and has emerged as important molecules in regulation of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in various tumor types. The role of P4HA3 in the development of ccRCC has remained to be elucidated. Genes expression, prognostic, and enrichment analyses were carried out with bioinformatics analysis. The efficiency of P4HA3 knockdown was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The cellular functions were analyzed by CCK-8, EdU, wound healing, and transwell assays. The levels of related proteins expression were analyzed by Western blotting. P4HA3 was highly expressed in ccRCC compared with normal tissue samples from the TCGA database. Kaplan-Meier curves results showed that the expression level of P4HA3 was significantly negatively correlated with overall survival of patients. P4HA3 expression knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells, as demonstrated by in vitro experiments. In addition, GSEA results revealed that P4HA3 may be related to EMT and involved in the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway in ccRCC; this was tentatively confirmed through Western blotting. P4HA3 may induce ccRCC progression via the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β signaling pathway and could represent a potential therapeutic target.

Repeated controlled ovarian stimulation-induced ovarian and uterine damage in mice through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

The effects of repeated controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) on the female reproductive system are still controversial. This study investigated the effects of repeated COS on the ovaries and uterus of mice and its possible mechanism. Female ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were subjected to the COS using pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for 1, 3, 5, and 7 cycles. Serum hormone levels, reactive oxidative stress (ROS), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the mouse ovary and uterus were analyzed by ELISA. The morphology of the ovary and endometrium, ovarian apoptosis, and expressions of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), PI3K, AKT, Bax, and Bcl-2 in the ovarian and uterine tissues were tested by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. The results showed that repeated COS significantly decreased the hormone level (estradiol, progesterone and anti-Müllerian hormone), high-quality of the MII oocyte ratio, oocyte and embryo number, antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, SOD activity), and the protein level of Bcl-2, LIF, and VEGF, but increased the oxidative damage (ROS, 8-OHdG content), embryo fragment ratio, and expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. In addition, the expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT also decreased with the increase of COS cycle. In conclusion, repeated COS causes ovarian and uterus damage possibly through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and this finding may provide some experimental basis for guiding clinical treatment.

Nuciferine attenuates atherosclerosis by regulating the proliferation and migration of VSMCs through the Calm4/MMP12/AKT pathway in ApoE(-/-) mice fed with High-Fat-Diet

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the pathological basis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. The pathogenesis of AS is closely related to the abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Nuciferine, an aporphine alkaloid from lotus leaf, has various pharmacological activities. However, the effect and mechanism of nuciferine on regulating proliferation and migration of VSMCs against AS is still unclear.

PURPOSE

To elucidate the pharmacological effect and molecular mechanism of nuciferine on AS in ApoE^(-/-) mice fed with High-Fat-Diet (HFD).

STUDY DESIGN

HFD-fed ApoE^(-/-) mice and 3% fetal bovine serum (FBS) induced mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVAS) were used to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of nuciferine on AS.

METHODS

Oil red O staining was used to detect the atherosclerotic lesions. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine calmodulin 4 (Calm4) expression and localization. CCK-8 assay, transwell and wound-healing assays were used to measure the migration and proliferation of MOVAS cells.

RESULTS

Nuciferine at 40 mg/kg significantly ameliorated the aortic lesion and vascular plaque in AS model, which was equal to the effect of the positive control drug (atorvastatin). In addition, nuciferine attenuated the migration and proliferation of VSMCs in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, nuciferine down-regulated the increase of Calm4 induced by HFD-fed in ApoE^(-/-) mice or 3% FBS induced MOVAS cells. However, the inhibitory effect of nuciferine on the migration and proliferation of MOVAS cells was blocked when Calm4 was overexpressed. Furthermore, we found that nuciferine suppressed MMP12 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway via Calm4.

CONCLUSION

Our results illustrated that Calm4 promoted the proliferation and motility of MOVAS by activating MMP12/Akt signaling pathway in AS. Nuciferine has a significant anti-atherogenic effect by regulating the proliferation and migration of VSMCs through the Calm4/MMP12/AKT signaling pathway. Thus, Calm4 could potentially be a new target for AS therapy, and nuciferine could be a potential drug against AS.

API-2-Induced Cell Migration Is Overcome by Small Molecular Approaches Inhibiting β-Catenin

Frequent mutation of APC (90%) in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) results in the simultaneous activation of Wnt/β-catenin and AKT signaling pathways, and the current therapeutic limitations of the AKT inhibitors for treating CRC patients are nuclear β-catenin-induced EMT and bypassing apoptosis. In this study, we discover that the combinatorial treatment of an AKT inhibitor and KY1022, a β-catenin destabilizer, effectively overcomes the current limitations of API-2, an AKT inhibitor, by reducing nuclear β-catenin. Taken together, we demonstrate that the simultaneous suppression of Wnt/β-catenin with the AKT signaling pathways is an ideal strategy for suppressing the AKT-inhibitor-mediated metastasis and for maximizing the therapeutic effects of AKT inhibitors.

lncRNA MPFAST Promotes Proliferation and Fatty Acid Synthesis of Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cell by Sponging miR-103 Regulating PI3K-AKT Pathway

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an essential role in mammary gland development and lactation. Our earlier study showed that the lncRNA mammary proliferation and fatty acid synthesis-associated transcript (MPFAST) is highly expressed in the Holstein cow mammary gland during the middle lactation period compared to the dry period, which indicates its potential role in lactation. Therefore, gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed on bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blot. The results indicated that MPFAST promoted the viability and proliferation of BMECs. The oil red O staining and cellular triglyceride assay further showed that MPFAST promoted the number of lipid droplets and cellular triglyceride synthesis in BMECs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that MPFAST could act as a molecular sponge for miR-103, and PIK3R1 was a potential target of miR-103, which was further confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and western blot. The overexpression of MPFAST promoted the expression of PIK3R1 at mRNA and protein levels. It also significantly increased the mRNA relative expression levels of AKT, mTOR, and SREBP1, and the protein relative expression levels of AKT and p-AKT in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. In contrast, the inhibition of MPFAST resulted in the downregulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway genes. These results indicated that MPFAST regulates the expression of the genes in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway through sponging miR-103 and promotes the proliferation and synthesis of fatty acids of BMECs. Our results would provide a new direction for further exploring the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA in the mammary gland.